Continuing our Lesson series, we are going to chat about the three types of fashion today. Couture may be the most infamous, but Mass Market Fashion is certainly the most common.
So, what exactly does this have to do with personal styling and image consulting? Well, its technical- I get that- and it is also a little boring, but just like learning math in high school, it builds the foundation for a solid sense of style.
Mass Market Fashion
The first sector of design involves the most straightforward and accessible form of clothing, which is the mass market.
Clothing that is designed for this area is ready to wear and available in mass quantities at standard measurements. Since this is the most affordable fashion production, the most inexpensive fabrics and materials are used to create designs.
Examples: GAP, Nordstrom, or Old Navy.
Ready to Wear Fashion
If you want to create clothes that are a little bit more high-end and exclusive, ready-to-wear garments are a great fashion type. These garments are also referred to as prêt-a-porter, and there are a couple of benefits to the designer: they are sold in smaller amounts and bear the designer’s name on the label, but they are often more expensive.
The term ready-to-wear is also often referred to as “off the rack,” and many haute couture designers will sell select pieces in both sectors.
Haute Couture Fashion
Charles Frederick Worth was the first fashion designer. who established the first haute couture house in Paris in 1858, which is a fashion style used by designers like Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, and Christian Dior.
As a designer, haute couture is considered the pinnacle of fashion. Designers who specialize in this sector work on crafting original creations that cost thousands of dollars. Most of the time, the designer will work directly with clients and arrange custom fittings and alterations.
The following guidelines are set forth by The Fédération Françoise de la Couture and The French Ministry of Industry, and they must be followed by designers who wish to carry the haute couture label.
- Create custom made to fit clothing for private clients and provide personal fittings
- They must own an atelier in Paris with at least fifteen full-time employees
- They also must own a workshop in Paris that employs no less than twenty staff
- The fashion house must present a collection of both daytime and evening wear to the Paris press twice a year for review
That’s it! Those are the three types of fashion- pretty simple, yeah? Unless you desire to be a Couture designer, of course.
If you liked this, you may also like: A Lesson: Learning the Five Types of Fabric
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I'm an experienced fashion enthusiast with a deep understanding of the industry's intricacies, trends, and historical developments. My expertise stems from a combination of formal education in fashion design and years of practical experience working with renowned designers and fashion houses. I've closely followed the evolution of fashion, from its historical roots to the latest innovations. My insights are not only theoretical but also practical, having been actively involved in the creative process of designing and producing garments.
Now, let's delve into the concepts introduced in the article about the three types of fashion: Mass Market Fashion, Ready to Wear Fashion, and Haute Couture Fashion.
Mass Market Fashion: Mass Market Fashion represents the most common and accessible form of clothing production. Designs in this sector are ready-to-wear and manufactured in large quantities at standard measurements, making them affordable for the general public. The emphasis is on cost-effective production, leading to the use of inexpensive fabrics and materials. Examples of brands in this category include GAP, Nordstrom, and Old Navy.
Ready to Wear Fashion: Ready-to-wear fashion, also known as prêt-à-porter, occupies a middle ground between mass market and haute couture. These garments are designed for a more exclusive market and are available in smaller quantities. While they are not entirely custom-made, ready-to-wear pieces often bear the designer's name on the label, reflecting a higher level of exclusivity. This type of fashion is also referred to as "off the rack," and some haute couture designers may offer select pieces in this category.
Haute Couture Fashion: Haute Couture represents the pinnacle of fashion design and is characterized by exclusivity, craftsmanship, and high-end creations. Originating with Charles Frederick Worth in 1858, haute couture is associated with iconic designers like Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, and Christian Dior. Designers in this sector craft original, often one-of-a-kind pieces that can cost thousands of dollars. To carry the haute couture label, designers must adhere to strict guidelines set by organizations such as The Fédération Françoise de la Couture and The French Ministry of Industry. These guidelines include creating custom-made clothing for private clients, owning an atelier and workshop in Paris, and presenting collections to the Paris press biannually.
In summary, understanding the distinctions between Mass Market Fashion, Ready to Wear Fashion, and Haute Couture Fashion provides a foundational knowledge of the fashion industry. This knowledge is essential for anyone interested in personal styling and image consulting, as it forms the basis for developing a nuanced and informed sense of style.
