Fashion industry[edit]

Fashion model on the runaway, Romantika Fashion, Sofia, Bulgaria

Main article: Clothing industry
The fashion industry is a product of the modern age.[24] Prior to the mid-19th c
entury, most clothing was custom-made. It was handmade for individuals, either a
s home production or on order from dressmakers and tailors. By the beginning of
the 20th centurywith the rise of new technologies such as the sewing machine, the
rise of global capitalism and the development of the factory system of producti
on, and the proliferation of retail outlets such as department storesclothing had
increasingly come to be mass-produced in standard sizes and sold at fixed price
s.
Although the fashion industry developed first in Europe and America, as of 2015,
it is an international and highly globalized industry, with clothing often desi
gned in one country, manufactured in another, and sold world-wide. For example,
an American fashion company might source fabric in China and have the clothes ma
nufactured in Vietnam, finished in Italy, and shipped to a warehouse in the Unit
ed States for distribution to retail outlets internationally. The fashion indust
ry has long been one of the largest employers in the United States,[25] and it r
emains so in the 21st century. However, U.S. employment declined considerably as
production increasingly moved overseas, especially to China. Because data on th
e fashion industry typically are reported for national economies and expressed i
n terms of the industry's many separate sectors, aggregate figures for world pro
duction of textiles and clothing are difficult to obtain. However, by any measur
e, the clothing industry accounts for a significant share of world economic outp
ut.[26] The fashion industry consists of four levels:
the production of raw materials, principally fibers and textiles but also leathe
r and fur.
the production of fashion goods by designers, manufacturers, contractors, and ot
hers.
retail sales
various forms of advertising and promotion
These levels consist of many separate but interdependent sectors. These sectors
are Textile Design and Production, Fashion Design and Manufacturing, Fashion Ret
ailing, Marketing and Merchandising, Fashion Shows, and Media and Marketing. Eac
h sector is devoted to the goal of satisfying consumer demand for apparel under
conditions that enable participants in the industry to operate at a profit.[27]
Fashion trend[edit]
Iris van Herpen 3D printing technology
Fashion trends are influenced by several factors including political, economical
, social and technological. Examining these factors is called a PEST analysis. F
ashion forecasters can use this information to help determine growth or decline
of a particular trend.
Political influences[edit]
Political culture plays a critical role in fashion industry. Political change is
reflection of today's fashion. Most of the political events and laws are affect
ing fashion in a way of creating fashion trend. Considering the relationship bet
ween fashion and politics, we can see how fashion is not only a matter of aesthe
tic but it involves politics as well. Within political references, we can see ho
w fashion can change.
Fashion is a reflection of current or historical events therefore it associates
with today and past s politics. For example, the terrorist attacks happened in th
e United States on September 11, 2001; it was the most tragic political events o

f the society. This catastrophic event caused horrific consequences which relate
d to political. In a way, fashion trends were also revolutionised.
It is hard to say that 9/11 attacks made a direct influence on fashion industry,
it should not be considered as inspiration for fashion designer to forecast the
trend. However, after 9/11, fashion designers decided to embrace this challenge
and tried to convey the significant lost and depression into a form of fashion
trend. In a way, they believe that nation would remember this event more often a
nd cherish every single moment we have. Post 9/11 led comfort dressing to rememb
er and grieve the attacks on 9/11. By doing so, this trend became a form of comm
unication.
Not only did political events make a huge impact on fashion trends but also the
political figure played a critical role in forecasting the fashion trend. For ex
ample, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy was a fashionable icon of the early 1960s w
ho led formal dressing trend. By wearing a Chanel suit, a structural Givenchy sh
ift dress or a soft color Cassini coat with huge buttons, it created her elegant
look and led a delicate trend.
Furthermore, political revolution also made impact on fashion trend. For example
, during the 1960s the economy had become wealthier, divorce rate was increasing
and government approved the birth control pill. This revolution inspired younge
r generation to rebellion. In 1964, the leg-baring miniskirt has become a major
fashion trend of the 1960s. Given that fashion designers began to experiment wit
h the shapes of garment, loose sleeveless, micro-minis, flared skirts, and trump
et sleeves. In this case, mini-skirt trend became an icon of the 1960s.
Moreover, political movement built an impressive relationship with fashion trend
. For instance, during Vietnam war, the youth of America made a movement that af
fected the whole country. In the 1960s, the fashion trend was full of fluorescen
t colors, prints patterns, bell-bottom jeans, fringed vests, and skirt became a
protest outfit of the 1960s. This trend was called Hippie and it is still affect
ing current fashion trend.[28]