Fashion is the prevailing styles and trends in clothing, hair, makeup, accessories, footwear, and other ways of dressing and expressing one’s sense of style. Fashion can be influenced by culture, social movements, and economic factors. It can also be a reflection of individual personality. There is a strong correlation between the way people dress and their attitude toward life. People who are fashionable are often considered stylish and sophisticated. Fashions may vary widely within a culture and can change quickly. Those who follow the latest fashions are called “fashionistas.” However, if a person dresses according to a particular fashion and then abandons that style as soon as it becomes out of date, he or she is described as a “fashion victim.”

The term “fashion” comes from the French phrase “la mode,” meaning the “way one’s clothes look.” In the past, there were separate dressmakers for men and women, but by the end of the nineteenth century, Paris was home to haute couture (high fashion), which featured designer clothing made of expensive materials. These designers included Charles Frederick Worth, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, Christian Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent.

Until the end of the twentieth century, most fashions were not mass-produced, but rather, were handcrafted by skilled dressmakers who made them individually for clients. Then came the ready-to-wear movement, in which manufacturers took the designs of high fashion and made them into cheaply produced clothes aimed at the general public. Today, there is no clear distinction between the high fashion shown on the runways of Paris and New York and what’s available in stores around the world.

Many of the newest styles are created by young designers who try to capture the excitement and energy of the younger generation. They work with models who are often paid a considerable sum to wear their designs on the catwalk. These shows are then broadcast live or recorded for later viewing on television and in magazines.

The fashion industry is multibillion dollar worldwide and there are plenty of jobs available. Some of these include design, sewing, alterations, and buying and selling of clothes. Fashion is also a form of expression for artists and musicians. Some fashion designers even collaborate with musicians to create their collections such as Tom Ford and Lady Gaga who worked together on a 2016 collection.