Fashion Basics

Fashion In General
• The style that are accepted and used by a particular group of people at a given time.
• Fashion is like a train; it will come and go. If you like it, go with it, otherwise wait for
the next one.
• Fashion is the most general term and applies to any way of dressing, behaving,
writing, or performing that is favored at any one time or place.
• Fashion has the ability to change and shape lives through its personal connection to us
all.
• As per current trend, in every corner of Nepal, most people follow current new fashion
style according to the season. For example, in winter, most people prefer leather
jacket, puffer jacket along with casual jeans, Jockers and sport shoes and so on.
 History of Michael Cinco

Michael Cinco was born on August 27, 1971 in Catbalogan. Michael was the fifth child
among eight siblings. His father worked as a radio technician while his mother was a
homemaker to take care of the family. Growing up, Michael always loved fashion and style.
He watched the movies of Audrey Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich, and Grace Kelly and became
enthralled with their beautiful gowns and dresses. It was his love for old Hollywood fashion
that drove his dream to become a designer.
According to Michael, his father was initially against his love for fashion designing. His
mother was supportive of his dream but being the traditional Filipino father, he had a hard
time accepting that his son was gay. He was like the typical Filipino father then who could
not accept the thought of having a gay son. For my father, fashion is a world that is
exclusively for ladies. Michael made up for his father’s disappointment by being good in
school. He excelled academically and that made his father proud of him.
Michael enrolled at the Slims Fashion and Art School in Makati. This paved the way for him
to pursue his dreams in Saudi Arabia. because there were so many restrictions. He, later on,
returned to the Philippines and worked under the famous designer Renee Salud. Taking
another shot, Michael went back to Dubai again. This time he worked with Ganati, a fashion
empire in the Middle East. He recalls going through a difficult time when he was the head
designer as Ganati was slowly losing its customers. That pushed him to work harder and
“reinvent the house. “In 2002, Michael went to Paris and London to seek out more fashion
inspiration. After studying at the Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, he went
back to Dubai. He opened his own fashion house MICHAEL CINCO Dubai in 2003. Since
then, Michael grew his name and label as he dressed famous celebrities and personalities
around the world. Michael has made dresses for Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Lady
Gaga, Mariah Carey, Aishwarya Rai, Nick Jonas, James McAvoy, Jason Derulo, Steve Aoki,
Carrie Underwood, Sofia Vergara, Mila Kunis, Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears, and many
others.
Trend Category:
➢ Fashion
➢ Fad
➢ Style
➢ Classic

Fashion:
• Fashion is a popular style or trend in clothing, accessories, hairstyles, and beauty
products that are constantly evolving and changing over time. It is a form of self-
expression and a way to express one's individuality and personal style.
• Fashion is not just limited to clothing, it also includes accessories such as jewelry,
bags, shoes, hats, and sunglasses. It can also include beauty products such as makeup,
skincare, and haircare products etc.

Fad:
• Short lived fashion is called fad.
• They lack design strength to hold consumers attention for a long time.
• Young people like to use new things all the time. Among them, FAD is the most
prevalent.
• Example: Printed Wear in a trend of series, movies etc. Celebrity influences in
youngsters.
Style:
• Style refers to the personal look of individual that has been carried for a long time.
• There are many factors that affects the style such as, weather, politics, culture,
professions etc.
• Examples:
• Balen Shah (Kathmandu Mayor) - Full Black Square Sunglasses for Unisex.
• Madonna (American singer-songwriter) - low-rise pants
• Brigitte Bardot (French Actress) – Ballet Shoes

Classic:

• The fashion trend category "classic" refers to timeless styles that never go out of
fashion.
• Classic fashion trends are typically versatile and can be worn in various settings,
from casual to formal events.
• Some examples: Trench coats, Oxford shirts, Pearls etc.
Fashion based on Garment Making

• Haute couture
• Bespoke
• Ready to wear
• Mass Market
• Avantgarde

Haute Couture:

• Haute couture refers to high-end fashion that is made using the finest materials
and skilled craftsmanship.
• Haute couture fashion is created by top fashion designers who work for
prestigious fashion houses or operate independently.
• These designers are known for their exceptional creativity, attention to detail, and
ability to produce unique, one-of-a-kind designs.
• Due to the exclusive nature of haute couture, the prices for these garments can be
extremely high, and only a small group of wealthy clients can afford them.
• It is often worn by celebrities, socialites, and wealthy individuals who want to
make a statement with their clothing.
• Examples: Gucci, Armani, Louis Vuitton, Valentino etc.
Bespoke:
• Bespoke refers to custom-made clothing that is created specifically for an individual
client.
• Bespoke clothing is known for its exceptional quality, attention to detail, and perfect
fit.
• Construction process are not as precise as in couture.
• Examples often used: Suits, wedding dress, Jewelry, leather jackets etc.

Ready to wear:
• Ready-to-wear refers to clothing that is manufactured in standard sizes and sold off-
the-rack in stores.
• Ready-to-wear clothing is designed to fit a wide range of body types and is produced
in large quantities, allowing for mass production and lower costs.
• Ready-to-wear clothing is often considered more affordable and accessible than
bespoke or Haute – Couture.
Mass Market:
• Mass market fashion refers to clothing that is produced in large quantities and sold at
affordable prices in retail stores.
• Designs are created by fashion designers or design teams, and then sent to factories
where they are produced in large quantities using and cost-effective manufacturing
techniques.
• This production is method of fast production as no customization is done.
• Examples: Levi’s, Adidas, Nike, Zara, H&M etc.

Avantgarde:

• Avant-garde refers to a fashion designer or a person who experiments to design

and wear something that has never been designed or worn before.
• They are characterized by their unique shapes, unusual materials, and daring color
combinations.
Fashion Industry Role Player

• Fashion Leader
• Fashion Influencer
• Fashion opinion leader
• Fashion follower
• Fashion lagger

Fashion Leader:

• A fashion leader is someone who has a significant influence on the fashion industry
and sets trends for others to follow.
• They can be designers, stylists, models, celebrities, bloggers, or influencers.
• They help shape the fashion industry by influencing the direction of fashion, the
development of new products, and the marketing of fashion brands.
• Examples:
• Rihanna, a singer and entrepreneur who has launched her own fashion line and is
known for her bold and innovative style.
• Kanye West, a musician and entrepreneur who has launched his own fashion line and
is known for his unique and unconventional style.
• Tommy Hilfiger, a fashion designer who has been a pioneer in the fashion industry
and has collaborated with many other fashion leaders.
Fashion Influencer:

• A fashion influencer is an individual who has a significant following on social media

platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube, and who has established
themselves as an authority in the fashion industry.
• They use their platforms to showcase their personal style, provide fashion advice,
promote brands and products, and influence their followers ‘purchasing decisions.
• As social media continues to play a significant role in the fashion industry, fashion
influencers have become a vital component in the marketing and promotion of fashion
brands.
• Examples:
• Aimee Song (@aimeesong) - A fashion and interior design blogger, with over 5
million Instagram followers. She has worked with major fashion brands such as
Chanel, Cartier, and Dior.
• Jenn Im (@imjennim) - A fashion and beauty vlogger, with over 1.5 million YouTube
subscribers. She has worked with brands such as Calvin Klein, Clinique, and Levi's.

Fashion Opinion Leader:

• A fashion opinion leader is an individual who is highly respected and influential
within the fashion industry and has the ability to shape and influence fashion trends,
styles.
• Unlike fashion influencers, who primarily use social media platforms to promote
fashion products and brands, fashion opinion leaders are typically industry insiders.
• Examples:
• Sarah Mower - Chief Critic at Vogue.com and Contributing Editor at American
Vogue. She is a respected fashion journalist and critic with a wealth of experience in
the industry.
 • Suzy Menkes - International Vogue Editor and journalist. She is widely respected for
her coverage of the fashion industry, and her opinions are highly regarded within the
industry.

Fashion Follower:
• A fashion follower is someone who closely follows current fashion trends and styles.
• They often look to fashion influencers, celebrities, or magazines for inspiration, and
may be more likely to purchase clothing and accessories that are in line with current
trends.
• They may enjoy experimenting with different looks and trends, and may regularly
update their wardrobe to reflect the latest fashion trends.
Fashion lagger:
• A fashion lagger, also known as a fashion latecomer, is someone who is slow to adopt
new fashion trends and may be more inclined to stick to traditional or classic styles.
• Fashion laggers may be hesitant to embrace new trends because they feel that they are
not suitable for their personal style.

Fashion Seasons:

Fashion seasons refer to the periods during the year when fashion designers and brands
release their latest collections. Traditionally, there are two main fashion seasons in a year:
• Spring/Summer
Spring/Summer collections are typically released between January and April.
Spring/Summer collections are characterized by lighter fabrics, brighter colors, and
shorter hemlines, as they are designed for warmer weather.

• Fall/Winter
Fall/Winter collections are released between July and September.
Fall/Winter collections feature heavier fabrics, darker colors, and longer hemlines, as
they are designed for colder weather.
Fashion Capital:
A fashion capital is a city that has a significant influence on the fashion industry, where
fashion trends are set and fashion designers, brands, and fashion media are concentrated.
These cities are often major fashion hubs where fashion shows, trade fairs, and other
fashion-related events take place.
There are several cities around the world that are considered to be fashion capitals. These
include:

• Paris, France: Paris is widely regarded as the fashion capital of the world. It is home
to some of the most prestigious fashion houses, including Chanel, Dior, and Louis
Vuitton, and hosts one of the biggest fashion events in the world, Paris Fashion Week.

• Milan, Italy: Milan is renowned for its high-end fashion and luxury brands, such as
Gucci, Prada, and Versace. It is also home to the Milan Fashion Week, which is one of
the four major fashion weeks in the world.
• London, UK: London is known for its edgy, avant-garde fashion and is home to some
of the most influential designers in the industry, including Alexander McQueen and
Vivienne Westwood.

• New York City, USA: New York is often considered the fashion capital of America
and is home to major fashion brands such as Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, and Calvin
Klein. The city hosts New York Fashion Week twice a year.