Fashion is the style or mode of dress and other personal appearance of a person, which may include hairstyles, clothes, makeup and accessories. It is closely associated with culture, ethnicity and social status. Fashion is a global industry. The design of clothing is often influenced by cultural tastes and social changes, but it also depends on the region and its economics.
The fashion industry is a multibillion dollar global enterprise devoted to the manufacture and sale of clothes, shoes and other related apparel. The fashion business is divided into the haute couture and ready-to-wear sectors. The haute couture sector produces high-end, designer fashions. The ready-to-wear sector is more mass-market, selling less expensive, more common designs. The mass market is dominated by clothing chains, which make up the majority of the industry.
Although some people are naturally stylish, developing a sense of fashion takes time. A newcomer to fashion will often go through an experimentation phase, wearing all sorts of styles until they find a few that suit them well. The key is to learn what flatters your body shape, so try a variety of colours, cuts and fabrics until you discover your personal preferences.
Often, new styles are introduced when popular personalities start wearing them. Musicians and movie stars are important trendsetters, with their influence being especially noticeable among younger generations. Fashion designers must be able to understand and anticipate customer needs and wants in order to create successful garments.
Some fashion trends are based on social and political influences, while others are driven by the fast pace of change in the world around us. Fashion can sometimes be seen as an expression of freedom, and the ability to express oneself in different ways is a fundamental human right. But it is also important to note that the fast-paced nature of change in fashion can have negative consequences as well, such as encouraging consumers to purchase clothing they do not necessarily need, and generating waste.
Many people who are not interested in fashion are nevertheless influenced by it. For example, many parents buy their children designer clothing in order to be seen as fashionable and to keep up with their peers. Others follow fashion trends because they enjoy the creativity involved in designing or creating clothing, and see it as a way to showcase their personality.
Some people are bothered by the fact that fashion changes so rapidly, and feel that it is a waste of money to spend lots of money on clothing that will quickly become outdated. However, other people, particularly young people, enjoy the diversity and variety that changing fashions can provide, and see it as a fun way to express their creativity. Moreover, it should be noted that some of the most innovative and creative fashion designers are from countries with relatively small economies, and their creations are being embraced by people all over the world. This is a positive aspect of globalization.