There may be a tendency among some people to think that fashion is a somewhat flimsy subject, something that is pretty superficial and not to be taken seriously, particularly in today’s difficult economic climate. But that is to ignore the fact that fashion is now big business, constituting a billion dollar global industry, ranging from the high fashion houses of Europe to the factory workshops in the Far East. Fashion in its many forms not only brings much needed revenue as well as a degree of kudos, but also provides vital employment for a growing band of disparate groups, from cotton and flax growers in the USA, Egypt and elsewhere, to textile mills and manufacturers around the world, from South America to Japan, all the way through to shop assistants on the High Street
When you consider the world of fashion your thoughts probably turn to the traditional bastions of haute couture in France and Italy. Here in the salons and boutiques of Paris, Milan and Rome, fashion giants such as Chanel, Giorgio Armani and many more have carved out reputations exceptional quality and for ground-breaking, innovative design which trickles down to the High Street retailers each season.
In the last few decades these traditional fashion giants have seen new rivals emerge in New York and London, both of which are now firmly established in the high fashion firmament, to the extent that London fashion week now boasts its own dedicated show for menswear. New – and not so new – names, such as Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen, to name but a few, are now challenging the old order, creating greater competition and hopefully, at the same time, providing the stimulus for still greater innovation and creativity
While the world of high-end fashion, nowhere better exemplified than in the above video from Versace’s catwalk display in Milan, naturally tends to attract most attention from the press and other media, there is plenty of other stylish, innovative work going on which can be found at a more accessible price point. In addition to the High Street brands, there are a wide range of mid-point offerings from good brands such as Gant, Brookes Brothers, Many of these brands concentrate on a particular style, such as the preppy look favoured by Gant, while others distil and refine the look created by the leading-edge designers to create arguably more user-friendly, practical clothing at a more affordable price point.
In the weeks and months to come our site and its blog will take our own individual view on the best of fashion, both haute couture and mainstream or high street. You may not agree with what we have to say – after all, fashion is to a great extent subjective – but we hope that nonetheless you will find what we have to say informative and enjoyable and perhaps occasionally controversial.
And we will not simply be concentrating on clothing. Nowadays a fashion designer’s sphere of influence has extended far beyond the catwalk. Where once fashion accessories included little more than a dalliance into the world of perfumery, now designers have merged seemlessly into such divergent areas as home and giftware, furniture and even home fragrances. Take Ralph Lauren Home or Giorgio Armani Casa for example. Are they worth considering or do they simply represent a fad, average products with an eye-catching name. We’ll cast a critical eye over the offerings from established names, as well as introducing you to some names you may not have come across before.
Online Shopping Tips
Are you an avid online shopper like me? If so, then you’ll definitely want to continue reading this. I’m going to be sharing with you some amazing tips on how to grab some online deals this season. The holidays are right around the corner, and many retailers are offering their best discounts and savings. If you go to the best cheap clothing websites, you’re sure to get a truly unbelievable price!
Start by searching online for coupon codes. So many online retailers have coupon codes floating around online that can give you some massive savings! Go to Google and search for coupon code websites which will have listings of all these great codes.
Also, one thing to remember is that super cheap isn’t alwayst the best. You may be giving up quality just to pay a lower prices. Sometimes, it’s worth it to splurge a couple extra bucks for something that will last.
Keep an eye out for the best savings this season!