Fashion Industries and Histories
If someone were to ask you where the fashion capital of the world was you would more than likely respond with one of three cities. Paris. Milan. Or New York City. And each city is absolutely a fashion capital in its own right with its own personality. If you are into high fashion (haute couture), then Paris is more your style. If luxury defines you, then Milan is the city for you. Maybe you enjoy a more casual, clean approach to fashion. Then New York City might have your name written all over it. Let’s take a glimpse into each city’s industries and their histories.
Paris Fashion
Historically, many of the world’s most prestigious labels have originated in Paris. Chanel, Dior, Lanvin, Chloé, and Hermès are only a few of the influential legends that called Paris home. Dating back to the times of Louis XIV, when the luxury goods industry came under the control of the royal family, the French royal court arguably became the authority of style. The rise of French fashion is attributed in large part to the launch of the fashion press in the 17th century. The fashion press marketed clothing to the general public, making such terms as “fashion seasons” and the idea of changing styles popular.
After WWII, Dior’s “New Look”, a collection defined by dresses with tiny waists and excess fabric brought Paris back to the spotlight. Pierre Balmain and Hubert de Givenchy also opened their doors in the post-war era. And the legendary Coco Chanel herself returned to Paris in the early 1950’s.
And it was Yves Saint Laurent who departed from French traditions and debuted his “pret-a-porter” or ready-to-wear line in 1966, catapulting French fashion into the mass marketplace. While Paris fashion has had increasing competition from around the globe, many designers still aim for the prestige of showing a collection in Paris’s fashion week. From Karl Lagerfeld (German) for Chanel to Marc Jacobs (American) for Louis Vuitton, there is no shortage of designers with the dream of setting up shop on the Avenue Montaigne (Paris’s legendary street filled with designer shops such as Dior, Chanel, and Valentino).
Milan Fashion
While Milan’s history is rich, its fashion history is relatively new in comparison to Paris’s. It wasn’t until the 1950’s that Count Giorgini started the fashion rage by arranging a fashion show in Florence. He continued these shows at his palace, inviting nobility to model the garments presented against a setting of fine, museum-quality art. These exclusive events created invitations that became a status symbol of sorts, planting the notion that Italian fashion is a luxury.
It wasn’t until the 1970’s and 1980’s that Milan became the true fashion capital of Italy and seeing the label “Made in Italy” became internationally synonymous with superior quality. Today, designers such as Versace, Armani, Prada, Roberto Cavalli, Gucci, and Dolce & Gabbana are tantamount with the luxury that defines Milan fashion.
New York City Fashion
America is certainly a young nation. And its fashion industry is no different. When English settlers came to America in the 15th century, they brought their style with them. And while fashion continued for several centuries to be an imported product, some early settlers began to adopt American Indian garments in their wardrobes, items such as moccasins and leather leggings. It wasn’t until right before the Revolutionary War that the cotton industry began to take off, creating a textile industry domestically to protest against British imports.
It wasn’t until the Industrial Revolution in the early 19th century that mass production brought fashion to the American forefront. With the invention of the cotton gin, cotton became the country’s greatest export, fueling cheap production and a worldwide market boom.
Fashion continues to be central to American history. It is intertwined in all aspects of American culture. From music to movies to politics, fashion has consumed Americans for generations. Designers like Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, and Tommy Hilfiger epitomize clean, casual American fashion at its best.
