Fashion is a general term that describes trends in clothing, footwear, accessories, hairstyle, and even behavior. Often, the industry dictates what is fashionable, but there are also many personal expressions of fashion, including style, taste, and creativity. The fashion industry is constantly evolving and changing, with new styles and designs being introduced frequently. This has resulted in the emergence of a wide variety of fashion-related businesses, from boutiques to online retailers.
Fashion has been in existence since the beginning of human civilisation, as people have always sought to cover their bodies for warmth and comfort. The earliest garments were made from animal skin, leaves, or tree bark. Later, as humans became more sophisticated, they began to weave cloth from plant fibers. This development eventually lead to the creation of garments that are functional as well as aesthetically pleasing.
The fashion industry is one of the world’s most lucrative and influential industries, with designers, manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, and brands vying for market share. Designers have the ability to influence and shape market trends, and many do so intentionally. In addition to the influence that fashion has on popular culture, it is also a significant driver of economic growth and globalization. In recent years, fashion has become increasingly global in scope, with designers sourcing materials and manufacturing their products worldwide.
There is a common perception that changes in fashion reflect societal change, but it can also be influenced by internal forces such as consumer demand and the financial interests of manufacturers and designers. One example is the cyclical nature of some children’s first names, which have changed in popularity according to fashion.
A garment that is manufactured for sale in a particular season or time period, usually bearing the designer’s name and typically more expensive than mass-produced apparel. A variant on this is the ready-to-wear line, which is less expensive and aimed at a more mainstream audience.
Fabric, yarn, or thread that has been dyed and treated to impart color and other visual properties. The most common types of fiber are cotton, wool, silk, and linen. Textiles are used to make a wide range of fashion products, from undergarments and hats to draperies and furnishings.
A method of manipulating fullness in a piece of fabric by folding it and sewing a row of stitching parallel to the fold, which releases the fullness at the point of closure. Tucks differ from pleats, which are generally more voluminous and may be turned to the outside of the garment as ornamentation. A tuck may also be referred to as a dart.