Fashion Capitals

Initially, the fashion capital of the world were Paris where couturiers introduced designs to the world and New York city, where the industry focussed on RTW.
It was not until after the end of WW-2 that other fashion centres began to emerge.

London was also waking up to fashion with the designs of Jean Muir, and later , in the 1960 with Mary Quant.

It was not long before the fashion world spread to Tokyo, Germany, Spain, Scandinavia, Canada, and Hong Kong.

Fashion and its creation are now global

Paris
With the likes of Saint Laurent, Lacroix, Ungaro, Galliano, Gaultier and Lagerfeld headquartered in Paris.
Fahion capital of world. Concerned with Haute Couture-Fine dressmaking-High Fashion.

RTW takes place alongside high priced merchandise.

Only few can adopt couture designs.

100 of of creative talents work in Paris industry. Those achieved highest status are members of prestigious chambre syndicale de la couture Parisienne, a branch of larger organisation Federation Francaise de la couture. In addition to the chambre syndicale , there are 2 more branches of federation Chambre syndicale de pret-a-porter and chambre syndicale de la mode Masculine. Organised fashion shows to sell all over the product.

 Customers of couture are : wealthy people who purchase original designs for their own wardrobes.

Retailers who purchase them for their inventories or to have them translated into less costly models.

Manufacturers who purchase the designs for inspiration when designing their own line

The cost advertising is enormous which was paid by government helps to compensate for the costs of producing collection which is important because it generates both exports and licensing businesses thereby helping to keep the couture alive. With its flair for innovative styling, Paris is remain most famous fashion capital. Tremendous co-operation among french firms, fabric mills, and the auxilliary industries like shoes,hat, fur, trimmings, and embroideries.

 A special fabrics are woven on order . Shoe manufacturer plan complementary designs. Trim manufacturers will make items exclusively for one designer. The government also pays to have shows of couture clothing sent all over the world.

Under licensing agreements, designers give manufacturers permission to use their name and/ or designs, for which theyare paid a percentage of sales. Pierre Cardin, probably the most financially successful designer of the couture, has approximately 400 licenses. Paris also has Ateliers i.e. workshops divided into flou for dressmaking and tailleur for tailoring of suits and coats, couture salons. French Pret-a-porter: The ready-to-wear collections get the most attention now because their designers set the trends.

French Pret-a-porter: The ready-to-wear collections get the most attention now because their designers set the trends.

 London
British fashion is famous for its creativity and street fashion. The British RTW industry flourished during the 1960s with the avant-garde and uninhibited clothes for the young that continued into the 1970s.
It has also been long known for its traditional style country clothes, especially its tweeds, jackets, trench coats, cardigans from companies like Burberry and Jaeger. Mens classic custom tailoring is synonymous with England (also ref Savile Row notes)

Milan Smaller than that of France, but its impact on international fashion has grown enormously. Italy is regarded as a trend-setter for mens fashions. Around 1940, only 30 fashion manufacturers operated in Italy, their production limited basically to menswear. There has been tremendous growth since then, and an almost total shift from custom-made to readyto-wear.

 Fashion is now the second-largest industry (next to tourism) in Italy. 80% of Italys fashion production takes place in the north central region around Milan. However, Rome and Florence are noted fashion cities as well. Milan is the centre for moda pronta (ready-to-wear). The Milano Collezioni is organized by the Italian Fashion Industry Association.

The Italian Fashion Industry Association also runs the Mipel leather goods fair as well as Idea-Como (Como is the centre for cotton and silk design production). Centro Moda in Florence runs the Pitti Filati (yarns and knits) the Pitti Uomo( men) and Pitti Bimbo (women)fairs.

New York
American RTW is largest and most competetive in the world. Bcuj of skilled labour force concentrated here. Known for sportswear Most fashion originated in seventh avenue garment districtin Manhattan, NY city. About 6000 firms employing 1, 10, 000 people. 2/3rd of american women and children clothes and half of menswear are made here. California is the second largest apparel manufacturing state with 2/3 rd companiesin Los Angeles, though the largest company is based in San francisco.

Tokyo
The emergence of Tokyo as the 5th largest fashion capital is also associated with Japan becoming the worlds 3rd largest exporter of textiles and clothing.
By the 50s and 60s the Japanese were eager for Parisian clothes and developed an industry that made line-for-line copies of western fashion. By the 70s Kenzo and Hanae Mori were showing in Paris. Japanese designs are characterized by their unusual shapes, somber colour combinations, asymmetrical