Fashion Capitals of the Fashion Capitals of the WorldWorld

Five nations have established truly international reputations in fashion design. These countries are

France United Kingdom, United States of AmericaJapan Italy

Though Most major countries have their own fashion industry, including

Belgium, Spain, Portugal, India, Germany, Australia.

Top 10 Fashion Cities Named in Top 10 Fashion Cities Named in Global Survey:Global Survey:

1. New York,1. New York, 2. Rome,2. Rome, 3. Paris, 3. Paris, 4. London,4. London, 5. Milan, 5. Milan, 6.Tokyo, 6.Tokyo, 7. Los Angeles, 7. Los Angeles, 8. Hong Kong, 8. Hong Kong, 9. Las Vegas,9. Las Vegas, 10. Singapore 10. Singapore

FranceFrance

Paris is the largest fashion centre in the world and has been the measuring stick for fashion since the 16th

century.

It is also where the momentous Paris Fashion week takes place. place.

FranceFrance

France has a large fabric industry that works in harmony with the couture houses; this provides the perfect environment for a fashion capital.

In the 40s and well into the 50s and 60s a group of French designers led the fashion industry. Beginning with Dior, Balmain, Fath and Givenchy then Pierre Cardin, Guy Laroche as well as the new youthful designers Yves Saint Laurent and Andre Courreges.

FranceFrance In the early 60s Pierre Cardin and Yves Saint Laurent

were the top designers of the French classic style, but the times were changing.

Yves Saint Laurent inherited Christian Dior's fashion house in 1957

The more experimental styles of designers like Andre Courreges became popular. The 60s killed the real couture style and replaced it with young and daring street style clothing.

The Couture The Couture Fashion is very important economic sector of the country

Paris, as well being the prime centre of international haute couture, has long been a veritable paradise for the stylish consumer shopping for clothes.

Since Englishman Charles Worth set up in the late 19th century, Paris has been the home to international talent and maintained its position as the hub of fashion. Couture is flagship of France fashion.

Many of the world's top designers are French, including Chanel, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Lanvin, Chole, Hermes, and Christian Louboutin. These companies all have headquarters in Paris.

Today, many of the major French fashion houses have become international design hybrids.

The French have bred and educated many generations of designers, skilled workers, artists and critics which coupled

with France’s fabric industry, large home market, export trade and long tradition of couture makes it the fashion

capital of the world.

Italy; MilanItaly; Milan

Italy; MilanItaly; Milan The majority of the older Italian couturiers are based in Rome.

However, Milan is seen as the fashion capital of Italy because many well-

known designers are based there and it is the venue for the Italian designer collections. Italian fashions have a reputation for casual elegance and luxurious fabrics.

Among the best-known and most exclusive names in Italian fashion design are Valentino known for his famous "Rosso Valentino," which means

"Red Valentino" Gianfranco Ferrè known for his boldly-cut, brightly-colored clothes Giorgio Armani known for subtle, masculine style for both men and

women Gianni Versace known for his beautifully-cut leatherwear Dolce & Gabbana known for their classic-to-modern, edgy appeal.

According to Business Week. COM the biggest-selling fashion Italian brand is Gucci with a sales of 7.158

billion dollars worldwide.

Italy; MilanItaly; Milan Milano--The fashion capital of the world.Milan is the financial

and industrial center of the country, and the home to the most famous names in the world of fashion

Milan is the business, fashion and design capital of Italy, with numerous fashion and trade fairs in the Rho` district of the city It is also Italy's second largest and richest city.

Via della Spiga, and Via Montenapoleone, two of the most famous influential fashion streets possibly in the whole world. These streets are richly concentrated with fashion designers, jewellers and furriers.

Every designer imaginable has a shop or two in these streets: Armani, Iceberg, Luois Vitton, Dior, Bottega Veneta, to name just a small handful.

Italy; MilanItaly; Milan Navigli is a lively and fashionable (canal) district (the

Navigli Canal runs through Milan), famous for many bars, cafes, live jazz concerts and antique shops.

Brera, is a very fashionable district not far from the centre, which used to be known as the 'artists' quarter', and very bohemian (person who lives an unconventional artistic life, where self-expression is the highest value) in it's day, inhabited and frequented by poets and artists. It is a very exclusive and fashionable district,

This area is also famous for Pinacoteca di Brera, one of milan's most fashionable art galleries, exhibiting works from many well known artists, including Rubens and Canaletto.

Leonardo da Vinci's two versions of The Virgin of the Rocks were also painted in Milan -- although they now

hang in the Louvre in Paris, and London's National Gallery.

Milan holds fashion trade fairs at numerous times of the year, these streets can be seen full of people from the fashion industry

(designers, manufacturers, buyers etc) both day and night, visiting the shops and shop windows observing what new

fashions 'are in‘, getting new ideas and looking at the impressive window displays..

Louis Vitton StoreLouis Vitton Store

La Bottega Veneta

United kingdomUnited kingdom

United kingdomUnited kingdom

The first fashion designer, Charles Worth, was a The first fashion designer, Charles Worth, was a native of Britain, although he made his name in native of Britain, although he made his name in Paris. Paris.

The majority of British fashion houses are based The majority of British fashion houses are based in London. in London.

In the 1920s, Norman Hartnell became known In the 1920s, Norman Hartnell became known for elaborate evening gowns, and went on to for elaborate evening gowns, and went on to design Queen Elizabeth II's wedding and design Queen Elizabeth II's wedding and coronation gowns, and other gowns for coronation gowns, and other gowns for members of the British royal family.members of the British royal family.

Chloe

Charles Worth

Queen Elizabeth II's wedding and Queen Elizabeth II's wedding and coronation gownscoronation gowns

United kingdomUnited kingdom  London's Carnaby Street was the original home of

British fashion in the 1960s and it's alive again with concept stores for vintage, street and sports brands like Puma, Ben Sherman, Fred Perry and Lambretta. 

British designers, Stella McCartney, John Galliano and Alexander McQueen creating collections for Chole, Christian Dior and Givenchy

Big fashion houses such as Chanel, Givenchy and Chloe snap up the  hottest new talent .

Galliano, John

Stella McCartney

Chanel, Givenchy

Britain has some of the most cutting-edge designers around. The ‘British Fashion Pack', including John Galliano,  Stella McCartney

and Alexander McQueen,

There are  loads of 2nd hand clothes stores around Covent Garden and Portobello market for cool rejects. Away from the capital, city centres like Manchester and Leeds are home to individual boutiques original, up-to-the-minute designs.

London Fashion week held in February and September is the main UK fashion event attracting the glare of the world's style gurus. 

USA; New YorkUSA; New York

USA; New York USA; New York For over a century, For over a century, New York has reigned as America's New York has reigned as America's

fashion capitalfashion capital. . Today, its creative legacy, successful fashion empires, Today, its creative legacy, successful fashion empires,

and important press and retail sectors ensure that the and important press and retail sectors ensure that the city's influence has become global.city's influence has become global.

The majority of American fashion houses are based in The majority of American fashion houses are based in New York, although there are also a significant number New York, although there are also a significant number Los Angeles and Miami, and Chicago was once a center Los Angeles and Miami, and Chicago was once a center of American fashion. of American fashion.

American fashion design is dominated by a clean-cut, American fashion design is dominated by a clean-cut, casual style, reflecting the sporty, health-conscious casual style, reflecting the sporty, health-conscious lifestyles of many American city-dwellers. lifestyles of many American city-dwellers.

USA; New YorkUSA; New York

More modern influences on the American look have been Calvin Klein (known for classic coats and separates),

Uriel Saenz (known for his luxury detailing and superb craftmenship),

Kenneth Cole (know for a modern, casual look),

Michael Kors (for a fresh appeal), and

Claire McCardell in 1940.

A designer who helped to set the trend in the United States for sport-influenced day wear throughout the 1940's and 50's was

Claire McCardell. Many of her designs have been revived in recent decades.

Donna Karan

Donna Karan (known for practical, sophisticated women's wear),

Ralph Lauren (known for casually elegant clothes in natural fabrics),

Ralph Lauren

Tommy Hilfiger

marc jacobs marc by marc jacobs ...

Tommy Hilfiger (known for preppy, modern American style).

Marc Jacobs (known for a diverse style and

influences),

Anna Sui (known for her unique styles of clothing and for creating

new trends),

Japan;TokyoJapan;Tokyo

Japan;TokyoJapan;Tokyo The majority of Japanese fashion houses are based

in Tokyo. Colors are often sombre and subtle and the fabrics

used are richly textured. Famous names in Japanese fashion include

Kenzo (known for layered looks and highly original knitwear),

Issey miyke (known for master drapery and cutting), and

Rei Kawakubo who developed a completely new way of cutting (this can be compared with the innovation of Madeleine Vionnet in the 1930s).

Japan;Tokyo Japan;Tokyo Omotesandō is an avenue, subway station and

neighbourhood in Tokyo is known as an upscale shopping area featuring several international brand outlets, ranging from Louis Vuitton and Gucci to the more affordable The body shop, Zara, and others.

One of Tokyo's busiest railway stations. Shibuya is known as one of the fashion centers of Japan, particularly for young people, and as a major nightlife area

Many of the most famous names in Japanese fashion now work in Europe or the USA, but the Tokyo

designer collections are still a major international event.

Fashion show in Tokyo, JapanFashion show in Tokyo, Japan

model displays a batik creation by a Japanese designer during the presentation of Autumn/Winter 2005 collections in Tokyo, capital of

Japan, on April 7, 2005.

The Japanese "look" is loose and apparently unstructured (though this can often be the result of

complicated cutting techniques).

issey miyake

Rei Kawakubo

kenzo.

RankRank

1.  New York -- Far and away No.1 by every index 1.  New York -- Far and away No.1 by every index 2.  Rome -- Beats out Paris, London and Milan 2.  Rome -- Beats out Paris, London and Milan 3.  Paris -- Heartbeat of the fashion world 3.  Paris -- Heartbeat of the fashion world 4.  London -- Pulsing with creative energy 4.  London -- Pulsing with creative energy 5.  Milan -- Perennial contender for No. 1 5.  Milan -- Perennial contender for No. 1 6. Tokyo -- Gaining global influence 6. Tokyo -- Gaining global influence 7. Los Angeles -- Will Posh Spice impact Ranking? 7. Los Angeles -- Will Posh Spice impact Ranking? 8. Hong Kong -- No. 1 in South Asia 8. Hong Kong -- No. 1 in South Asia 9. Las Vegas -- Emerging as vibrant fashion center 9. Las Vegas -- Emerging as vibrant fashion center 10. Singapore -- Strong regional hub 10. Singapore -- Strong regional hub 11. Berlin -- Big fashion push & its working 11. Berlin -- Big fashion push & its working 12. Sydney -- OZ scores two in the Top 20 12. Sydney -- OZ scores two in the Top 20 13. Barcelona -- Regional center grows in stature 13. Barcelona -- Regional center grows in stature 14. Shanghai -- China breaks into the Big Time14. Shanghai -- China breaks into the Big Time15. Melbourne -- Gold Coast is golden for fashion 15. Melbourne -- Gold Coast is golden for fashion 16. Moscow -- Lenin would not be amused 16. Moscow -- Lenin would not be amused 17. Bangkok -- Realizing its dream 17. Bangkok -- Realizing its dream 18. Mumbai -- Indian fashion influences globe 18. Mumbai -- Indian fashion influences globe 19. Santiago -- Major strides for a proud nation 19. Santiago -- Major strides for a proud nation 20. Rio de Janeiro -- More than Carnivale and Ipanema 20. Rio de Janeiro -- More than Carnivale and Ipanema 21. Sao Paolo -- Money and fashion DO mix 21. Sao Paolo -- Money and fashion DO mix 22. Buenos Aires -- Seat of Classic Beauty returns 22. Buenos Aires -- Seat of Classic Beauty returns 23. Johannesburg -- A first for Africa 23. Johannesburg -- A first for Africa 24. Dubai Dubai? -- Yes, Dubai, 24. Dubai Dubai? -- Yes, Dubai, 25. Krakow -- Neo-Bohemia thrives25. Krakow -- Neo-Bohemia thrives

Paris Milano/Roma New York

Chanel Diesel Betsey Johnson

Givenchy Dolce & Gabbana Carolina Herrera

Christian Lacroix Gucci Donna Karan

Christian Dior Missoni Kate Spade

Gaultier Versace Kenneth Cole

John Galliano Roberto Cavalli Oscar de la Renta

Louis Vuitton Armani Ralph Lauren

Yves Saint Laurent Prada Tommy Hilfiger

Balenciago Fendi Anna Sui

Emanuel Ungaro Valentino Michael Kors

Names From the Fashion Capitals