Updated on July 24, 2022 by Sarina
When Eve wanted a dress, Adam had to scour all the trees in the whole domain for the best of the leaves – the discerning tastes of women in fashion seem to have started early.
Eves of today have it easy – they can select the latest style of clothes and accessories in the latest designs and latest colors, which is what FASHION is all about, even from the comforts of their home. Or should I say, men have it easy?
What is Fashion?
To answer the question of “what is fashion” – it is how people present themselves. No longer do humans wear clothes just to protect their bodies from the environment or with the sole purpose of covering the body. Fashion in clothing is basically dressing in clothes that bring out the best of your body, all the while impressing others as to the good taste of the wearer.
Fashion is not clothing alone. Fashion encompasses many other things in your everyday life, other than clothes and accessories – you can be fashionable in your choice of home, car, its decor, even the places where you eat and relax.
One constant quality of fashion is that it is not at all constant. Fashion is ephemeral – it changes so fast – in the blink of an eye that coat you bought could get old-fashioned.
Discarding the old for something new every single season is something most people take for granted in the ever-changing world of fashion. In fact, it is said that the industry quite encourages this trend – how else would we buy more and more of the clothes that they design.
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8 types of fashion
Haute couture wear
This refers to the luxury end of the market where fashion designers make clothes for the individual client – handmade, exclusive, fashion designs that only the very rich can afford; they are made to measure and personalized.
The consumer who craves to have a one-of-a-kind piece gets it at an exorbitant price – this is couture fashion. This exclusive, exceptional and very expensive clothing is made to the individual’s size and specification and will be one of its kind.
Limited edition fashion
This refers to the fashion that designers reserve for people who want something different and exclusive, but at a more affordable price point than haute couture.
Most brands come up with limited edition fashion collections; Wrangler limited edition jeans, Puma limited edition sneakers, J crew limited edition clothing are examples. Most of the limited edition run limits its product offering to 20 products at any given time
Designer wear fashion
This is the fashion wear that is available in the stores and boutiques. These are collections belonging to major designers but they are not as expensive as couture fashion wear.
Classic fashion
This refers to clothes that stand the test of time. The fashion for these clothes never go out of style. They will be made of expensive quality fabrics and shows top-notch workmanship. They can be worn through many seasons without them looking out of fashion or dated
Street fashion
This is a fashion that is mass-produced for the masses at a cheaper price. Also called Affordable fashion, this is mostly aimed at a younger generation who craves for latest styles at a lesser cost. Cheap quality fabric and compromises in production results in the reduction of prices
Diffusion fashion
This is an affordable and accessible ready-to-wear fashion collection belonging to a major designer who usually sells expensive couture garments; it is made for the masses. Eg D&G by Dolce & Gabbana. This is a way for ordinary women to wear designer garments which are usually affordable only to the rich
Fad
A short-lived fashion, usually lasting as short as a few days or at the most a few months
Eco-fashion
This refers to affordable, stylish clothing that integrates ecological/ environmental concerns – from sourcing the materials to the production, everything is green inspired; It is basically, fashion that was made responsibly
How do designer fashion come about
Designers present their fashion collections through Fashion shows. January and July are the months for displaying couture and menswear fashion collections. October is the month for displaying spring/summer ready to wear clothes and March is the month for autumn /winter collections.
The fashion shows that display these collections will be attended by the fashion buyers and the fashion press. Fashion models walk the ramp showing off their creations to the best advantage. These creations will be slightly exaggerated and may not be suited to everyday wear. But the general idea is thus presented and then developed further to suit the everyday lifestyles of people wearing them.
Some myths prevalent about fashion
Affordable fashion is a misnomer. Fashion is mostly the prerogative of the rich. Fashion is only for the catwalks and ramps. Fashion is decided by the designers. All of these are myths – Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Individual style and fashion go hand in hand and it is the consumers who decide the fashion. The ordinary girl on the street has emerged as almost as sophisticated and discerning as any high style fashionista.
Fashion bloggers and Instagram celebrities are rewriting fashion chronicles – Fashion is ever changing and this is no truer than now, in these times of fast technological advances and social media and very short attention spans.