WHAT IS A FASHION CAPITAL???????

Fashion Capital is a city where the fashion industry has a relevant and important

position for the local economy. Production and exporting of fashion goods, as well as fashion

events like fashion weeks, trade fairs and awards, boosts its economy and raises its annual

revenue, positively influencing other sectors of the local economy, like the service sector.

Besides this it has an active entertainment and cultural scene, attracting tourists and

consumers not only because of fashion but also because of its leisure variety. With an active,

vivid, strong, unique sub-culture, it can inspire not only fashion professionals, but also the

people in the city, turning the street style and the street culture into an essential characteristic.

This mix of fashion, business, entertainment, culture, and leisure makes a city attractive and

internationally recognised as fashion centres for their unique and strong identity,

differentiating themselves due to specific characteristics.

On the basis of above characteristics, world have many leading fashion capitals out of which

New York, London, Paris and Milan are the soul of the fashion industry. They are the source

of new innovations and latest trends. According to a 2010 survey the top ten fashion cities are

as follows:-

NEW YORK

Rank City Region1 New York North America2 Hong Kong Asia3 London Western Europe4 Paris Western Europe5 Los Angeles North America6 Milano Western Europe7 Sydney Australia8 Miami North America9 Barcelona Western Europe10 Madrid Western Europe

WHY NEW YORK IS CONSIDER AS A FASHION CAPITAL???????

The city is known for its chic street, business wear and its designers. Along with it, it is also

known for its good entertainments in musicals, interesting tour sites and various museums.

New York City is recognised for its big cosmopolitan population, liberalism, and business

central worldwide. It has millions of different cultures, most famous fashion shows are held

here and also it has broadways shows, top restaurants, famous clothing shops and different

boroughs. The busy and cosmopolitan society brought the qualities of the city to make it as a

fashion capital. The city has produced many great designers, mostly known for the street and

daily wears. New York City has been a huge cultural hot spot that interests people from

around the world.

Different boroughs, such as SoHo, the Upper East Side and Greenwich have been is

notorious for its trendsetters and fashionistas for centuries. In terms of imports, New York is

the most desired marketplace to sell goods of all types. It is the home for major fashion

publications which include Vogue, Glamour, Elle, Women's Wear Daily, Lucky, GQ,

Esquire, Harper's Bazaar, and Vanity Fair, the most gorgeous models, the best public

relations firms and the wealthiest social elite. Some of the country's best fashion design

schools are located in New York, and many designers have built their company headquarters

and flagship stores there.

With over 5000 fashion showrooms, New York has reigned as America’s fashion capital for

over a century. The fashion industry has a sales volume of $14 billion, including $12 billion

in wholesale apparel sales. Indeed it was recorded to have 125,000 visits by out-of-town

apparel buyers, generating an estimated $100 million for New York City hotels, restaurants,

transportation services and other non-apparel businesses. New York fashion industry

generates over $14 billion in annual sales sets design trends which are mirrored worldwide. It

is a $55 billion industry that employs 175,000 people, accounts for 5.5 percent of the city’s

workforce and generates nearly $2 billion annually in tax revenues.

The core of the industry is Manhattan's Garment District, where the majority of the city's

major fashion labels operate showrooms and execute the fashion process from design and

production to wholesaling Most fashion originates in the vicinity of Seventh Avenue on

Manhattan Island in the New York City. Seventh Avenue gives its name to the whole

garment district, which is bound by 34th and 40th streets and 6th and 9th Avenues. Crowed into

this area are over 2500 manufacturers and contractors. No other city has a comparable

concentration of fashion businesses and talent in a single district.

New York is remarkable as a fashion capital not just for it vibrancy, but also for its

innovation and diversity. It has the greatest concentration of design talent in the world. Its

wealth of fashion design schools ensures a steady flow of fresh faces and new ideas that

continually reinforce New York’s place at the forefront of fashion innovation. In fall and

spring of each year, fashion designers, buyers, merchandisers, and managers from around the

globe make the pilgrimage to New York City (NYC) to see the classic and avant-garde, sleek

and ostentatious designer collections for the upcoming season.

Fashion Week occurs twice a year, some shows are held in the famous tents in Bryant Park,

while others are spread out across the city, at art galleries, showrooms, and even nightclubs.

It is a heady time, filled with runway shows during the day and parties in the evening.

Established designers cement their legacies and recent design school grads get the chance to

put their burgeoning talents on display for tastemakers.

FASHION HISTORY:-

New York City's rise to fashion prominence began near the end of the 19th century, as new

technologies increased the speed at which clothing could be produced. New York was a main

center of this new manufacturing. According to New York's Lower East Side Tenement

Museum, by 1910, 40% of men's clothes and 70% of women's clothes were made in New

York City.

Early in New York's history, there were many custom dressmakers producing couture

garments for their (mostly wealthy) clients. Styles changed, though, and the less-tailored

clothing of the 1920s and '30s did not require precise fits. Most Americans opted for ready-

to-wear instead. The demand for ready-to-wear clothing produced in New York continued

through the middle of the 1900s. In 1950, one in 10 people in New York City worked in the

garment industry. Many of the high-fashion houses in New York City continue to work with

local garment producers because they can offer high quality and fast turnaround times.

FASHION TRENDS: - NEW YORK is known for its chic street casuals and business wears

or formals. It concentrates more on ready to wear than haute couture.

Major designers of New York are:-

1 - Donna Karan. 2 - Calvin Klein.

3 - Louis Dell 'Olio. 4 - Ralph Lauren.

5 - Nicole Miller. 6 - Oscar de la Renta.

7 - Isaac Mizrahi. 8 - Richard Tyler.

9 - Vera Wang 10- Bill Blass

HONG KONG

WHY HONG KONG IS CONSIDER AS A FASHION CAPITAL???????

Hong Kong is one of the two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of

China and the other one is Macau. It is a city vibrant with dynamism and has gained its

influences mainly from the Chinese, Asian and Western civilization. The province allocates

itself within the Sinic cultural heritage specifically the post-Confucian moral values where it

seems to confine to. The local natives take part in designing the native arts and artifacts,

which is one among the thriving culture of Hong Kong. It is a city of beautiful vases, majestic

embroidery, ancient pots, silk garments, musical instruments, seals, opium pipes along with

historical photographs.

Architecture designing is yet another cultural aspect of this province. Hong Kong is known

for its tall skyscrapers that are shaped in creative architecture. Ieoh Ming Pei's Bank of China

Tower as well as the Kowloon Walled City is some of the stylized modelled architecture that

has been beautifully designed.

It has emerged as a truly hip fashion hub in Asia, setting new parameters for the trendy and

style-savvy, and everybody else who wants to sport the latest and greatest.

The talents of young, up-and-coming designers are being nurtured and their collections can

be found along with those from top international couturiers and fashion houses at most of the

city's upmarket malls and prime shopping areas.

The twice-annual Bangkok Fashion Week and numerous trade fairs held throughout the year

have helped significantly to raise the style bar and, along with fine, value-for-money

workmanship and beautiful textiles like pure silk and cotton in abundance, the stage has been

set to be fabulously in vogue.  

Bangkok is a true treasure trove when it comes to fashion. Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton,

D&G, Hugo Boss, Christian Dior and other world-class labels are housed by Bangkok's

upscale shopping malls like Siam Paragon, The Emporium, and Gaysorn Plaza. For those

with limited financial resources, fret not. Bangkok also offers unending supply of quality and

inexpensive clothes virtually everywhere, be that in malls, small sois, and local markets and

even on the streets.

FASHION TREND:-

Fashion in Hong Kong reflects the fashion in China. So the Chinese traditional dresses are

very popular among the people in Hong Kong.

There are three types of traditional Chinese dresses and these are the pien-fu, the ch'ang-p'ao,

and the shen-i. Also people of this country connect some specific colors to the different

seasons. They believe that green is the color of spring, red signifies summer, white is the

autumnal color and the color black represents winter. So the fashion in the Hong Kong

centres on these colors throughout the year.

LONDON

WHY LONDON IS CONSIDER AS FASHION CAPITAL???????

London is the vibrant capital of United Kingdom. Its numerous local attractions magnetize

millions of tourists every year. Besides its spectacular attractions, the city is also renowned

for its unique art and antiques that are displayed in its museums. The city is known for great

sites for old English architectures, and urban gathering places, such as Leicester Square,

where they hold world film premiers. London’s architects bring attentions; the Palace of

Westminster, Tower of London, and Tower Bridge are the noticeable attractions. The city has

various cultures existing peacefully. A blend of contemporary style and old times magic can

be experienced in the city. This makes London as a fashion capital. Fashion statements and

trends that are set up in London are followed all over the world. Anna, Ritva Westenius,

Roland Mouret and Danielle Scutt are some renowned designers of London. Christopher

Bailey of Burberry, and Alexander McQueen, London's McQ's founder has created London

to spark as one of the classic and thrilling fashion capital.

London college of Fashion is one of the best colleges in the world that offers specialization

in fashion education.

It is from these influences of culture that shapes London as a truly global and cosmopolitan

fashion capital. Its talent pool of designers and exclusive brands draw upon the finest

materials its empire had to offer then and now.

One can experience vintage fashion or the latest in contemporary designs from large designer

stores to quaint boutiques. Brompton Cross, fondly known as the Tiara Triangle; Burlington

Arcade an extravagant emporium of luxury; Dover Street Market for quaint and unique

oddities; Sloan Street for Top End Brands; South Molton Street for the proverbial ‘street

paved in gold’ or Westbourne Grove for charming boutiques. Numerous brands such as Next,

Marks and Spencer, Gap, Russell and Bromely and Body shop are operating in this region.

There are several Fashion events in London. Fashion shows, Fashion Films and photograph

exhibitions are some of the events. Stylish Boutiques and Studios of London elucidate all

these places in a unique way. London fashion week, off- schedule initiatives and graduate

Fashion week are some of the most awaited events. Fashion shows organized in London are

admired by all for its rapid pace, talent and sleek creativity. Designers look forward to this

event and explore new directions and fashion statements. Designers from all over the world

showcase their exclusive piece of work in these shows. One should visit this city of glamour

and fashion once in a lifetime know the rich lifestyle and dazzling aura that is prevalent here.

The British capital has built its strength on generating new talents and promoting young

designers. Already dotted with some of the best fashion schools in the world -- Central Saint

Martin’s and the London College of Fashion, to name but a couple -- the city and its fashion

industry have systematically backed initiatives like NEWGEN, which this year allowed 25

designers to exhibit their creations in Somerset House, the main venue of London Fashion

Week, and Fashion Forward, which gives a financial prize and business support to three

selected designers.

With opportunities looming, young creative talents are flocking to London to get their big

break, and a chance to showcase their work in front the cream of crop.

FASHION TREND: - . London fashion is known for classic, casual and formal luxury

clothing for people all around.

PARIS

WHY PARIS IS CONSIDER AS A FASHION CAPITAL???????

Paris is the first and the most influential fashion capital of all in the world. It became a

fashion capital because of its beautiful boutiques, the couture houses and top designers. The

city is also known for great architects like Eiffel tower, the Arche de Triophme, Place de la

concorde and food. The people can enjoy operas, dances and theatres in the city. It became to

be the top fashion capital due to its history of the fashion fanatic royalties. The city produced

many famous designers and fashion houses which gained tremendous popularity all over the

world. Karl Lagerfeld for the House of Chanel and Marc Jacobs of Louis Vuitton are one of

the most top designers that made the brands more popular.

Nearly all French fashion top brands have their main store on Avenue Montaigne or rue du

Faubourg Saint-Honore, both near Champs Elysees Avenue. The Saint-Germain des Pres

district on the left bank has many French designer stores. These are scattered in streets around

rue de Sevres with its flagship luxury department store Le Bon Marche. More recently, the

rue des Rosiers in Le Marais emerged as one of Paris foremost fashion streets.

The city is the home or headquarters to many of the premier fashion houses. The Paris

fashion houses attract many foreign designers. The expression “Haute couture”- in France, is

an officially confined name, this is to assure certain quality standards. In Paris you can find

the Paris Fashion week take place twice a year, after the London Fashion week. Paris attracts

fashion firms throughout the world. The world greatest jewelers are all in Paris creating

fashion to the peak in jewelry too. A lot of affordable fashionable clothes from various

famous brands could be found in Paris.

The city is mainly known for its houte couture. There is a very famous street in Paris 8th

arrondissement - Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore. The Palace Elyse is on this street. On this

street, there are many Houte Couture shops. The older generation foreigners might feel quite

at home of the Haute Couture shops. Now, these Haute Couture shops still exist, and they are

still selling Houte Couture, but today at very limited volume: there are only 2000 women in

the world buying Houte Couture every year. Houte Couture is not a profitable business today.

Houte Couture companies are making money with their “by-products" They are selling “prêt-

porter- ready to wear clothes, perfume and cosmetics, watches and jewellery, and so on. One

can find top quality clothes, shoes, bags, and leather goods here. Though these are not real

Houte Couture, the quality is guarantee, and the price is much lower than real Houte Couture.

The street “Rue du Faubourg

Saint-.Honore” palace Elyse is also on this street.

FASHION TREND:-

French fashion is known for its elegant designs such as black dress. And also other fashion

innovations, that includes the two-tone sling back pump, the two-piece tweed suit and a range

of clothing that is both elegant and unconstrained. French fashion had a crave for black dress

as the reason that a single black dress can be worn casually with flats and a sweater or may be

changed into evening wear with high heels and a gaudy handbag or scarf. There are many

dress mode existing today, but French women normally choose clothing that is close apt, but

not astringent. Black and white clothing is craze for French women, to be worn seasonally.

The white blouse in its many incarnation from classic button-down to peasant-like Bohemian

can be added to the costume all together or worn with a pair of black pants-consider glossy

black denim or black suede.

With French fashion, in shape of the clothing is awfully important. Whatever your body type,

be sure to wear clothing that fits you quite good, and this is a hallmark of French style. On

average, most of an outfit spins in the order of a dominant color, like black, with even other

neutral colors are also been introduced. A three-piece collection might include a brown

leopard-print skirt, a white blouse, and a beige cardigan. When in nights in town French

fashion do take in lavender cocktail dress adorned magenta-colored scarf and amethyst-

beaded handbag. Tone on tone colors is typical a Paris color choices for everyday wear.

In Paris most of the neutral colors-beige, white, black, or navy are only for daily wear, whilst

reds, purples, or more gaudy garments are worn only at night. When talking on the French

fashion accessories do include the black leather belts-one with silver and one with gold

buckles-black and white high heels and black and white handbags.

The lack of sweats and very casual clothes is also evident on the streets of Paris – the

Parisian crowd seems to simply be a more professional.

 

MILAN

WHY MILAN IS CONSIDER AS A FASHION CAPITAL???????

Milan is a city located in Italy known for their famous Italian designers. Milan is one of the

largest cities in Italy. Milan has famous recognition for its food, patriotism for sports,

religion, and popular tourist sites, such as the Milan Cathedral, The Duomo, the third largest

church in the world. The city has produced many luxury brands from various designers and

became one of the fashion centrals of the world. Giorgio Armani and Gianni Versace have

created a mega fashion empires from their fashion houses they created, Armani and Versace,

respectively.

The range of retail outlets in Milan runs from the high fashion boutiques, to small shops,

department stores, supermarkets, discount outlets, and street markets. Some parts of the city

even have a specific character as regards shopping.

The heart of the luxury shopping area in Milan is Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga and

Via Sant’Andrea, elegant streets that together with Via Manzoni, Via Borgospesso and Via

Santo Spirito are the outer limits of the famous Fashion Quadrilatero. Designer clothes from

people such as Gucci, Versace, Luis Vinton, Pravda, Valentino, Cartier, Tenino Crisco and

D&G fill the shop windows.

There are four important streets in the city that are almost entirely dedicated to shopping;

Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Corso Buenos Aires, Via Torino and Corso di Porta Ticinese. Here

brands such as Max Mara, H&M, Zara and Furla. Corso Buenos Aires, one of the longest

streets in Europe and is even more commercial.

Here you can find most of

the major Italian fashion

brands, such as Valentino,

Gucci, Versace, Prada,

Armani and Dolce &

Gabbana, are currently

headquartered in the city. Numerous international fashion labels also operate shops in Milan,

including an Abercrombie & Fitch flagship store which has become a main consumer

attraction. Milan also hosts the Milan Fashion Week twice a year, just like other international

centres such as Paris, London, Tokyo, and New York. Milan's main upscale fashion district is

the Quadrilatero della moda (literally, "fashion quadrilateral"), where the city's most

prestigious shopping streets (Via Monte Napoleon, Via della Spiga, Via Sant'Andrea, Via

Manzoni and Corso Venezia) are held. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the Piazza del

Duomo, Via Dante and Corso Buenos Aires are other important shopping streets and squares.

Mario Prada, founder of Prada was even born here, helping to cultivate its position as a world

fashion capital.

Via Monte Napoleon, one of the top fashion streets in the world and in the "Milan Fashion Quadrilateral"

Via della Spiga Corso Venezia

Via Manzoni

FASHION TREND: - Milanese fashion is regarded as being practical, but elegant and

highly refined at the same time, concentrating more on stylish ready-to-wear clothes, rather

than extravagant haute couture.