Fashion is a mode of expression that can take many forms, including clothing, hairstyles, makeup and accessories. Fashion trends reflect and influence cultural values, and they can also alter the look of an individual or a group of individuals. Fashion is influenced by social and significant historical events, and it can be initiated by business people who promote new clothing fads for profit. Fashion can also be a way for artists and consumers to express their creativity.
Clothes have been worn as a status symbol and as a form of personal expression since ancient times. In the past, clothes could be expensive and intricately designed. For example, Albrecht Durer’s drawing contrasts a well-dressed bourgeoise from Nuremberg with her Venetian counterpart. In the 20th century, fashion became more accessible with the invention of the sewing machine and mass production. Designers began to create their own lines of ready-to-wear clothes and perfume. Celebrities and musicians started to wear these fashions in music videos and magazine photo spreads. In addition, designers began to expand their business by opening stores and creating brands.
The clothing industry is a highly competitive one. In order to compete effectively, businesses must keep up with the latest fashions and develop products that are in line with these trends. To achieve this, they must hire the best talent, which can be difficult due to the high demand for positions in the industry. Successful fashion companies must also understand their target customers and know what products they are looking for, which is why some of them hire professional stylists.
In order for a trend to be considered “fashionable,” it must be followed by a large number of people. This is why the terms “fashionista” and “fashion victim” are used to describe people who slavishly follow current trends. Fashions may vary significantly within a culture according to age, social class, generation, occupation and geography.
A fashion trend often starts with a person who has a high cultural status. For example, members of royal families wear a style that reflects their status. Special garments were once worn to show a person’s social rank, such as the Tyrian purple of Roman senators or carved whale teeth of Hawaiian royalty. Modern Westerners have a wide range of options in choosing their clothing, and they can choose a style that reflects their personality.
As fashions change, some styles become “out of fashion.” These styles are usually replaced by other styles that are considered more up-to-date. However, some styles return to favor in a short time. These types of styles are considered “in fashion again.” This process can be accelerated by the invention of new fabrics, or by a shift in taste due to political or economic changes. In the past, new discoveries in distant countries provided impetus for changing fashions. For example, the Europeans favored Turkish, Chinese and Japanese goods over the course of several centuries. These goods eventually came to be considered as standard Western fashions.