A fashion capital is a city which has a major influence on international fashion trends and in which

the design, production and retailing of fashion products plus events such as fashion weeks,
awards and trade fairs generate significant economic output.
Contents
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1 Definition of a fashion capital

2 History
o 2.1 20th century and beyond
3 Annual fashion capital rankings
4 See also
5 References

Definition of a fashion capital[edit]

Fashion capitals usually have a broad mix of business, financial, entertainment, cultural and leisure
activities and are internationally recognised for having a unique and strong identity.[1] It has also been
noted that the status of a fashion capital has become increasingly linked to a city's domestic and
international profile.[2] Fashion capitals are also likely be part of a wider design scene, with design
schools, fashion magazines and a local market of affluent consumers.[2]
Often the term fashion capital is used to describe the cities that hold fashion weeks, most
prominently Milan, Paris, London and New York,[3][4][5][6][7] to showcase their industry.[8][9] Also various
other cities host notable fashion events and are influential in global fashion.[10]

History[edit]
Historically, several cities have been, in turn, fashion capitals. During the Renaissance era, different
city-states in what would become modern-day Italy were Europe's main trendsetters,[11] due to the
cultural power they exerted in that period of time; this includes cities such as Florence,
Milan, Rome, Naples, Genoa, and Venice.
Progressing into the late-16th century, with influence of the English Royal Court, London became a
major city in European fashion. Similarly, due to the power of Spain at the period, the Spanish court
started to influence fashion, making it a major centre. In the 17th century, as the Renaissance
started to fade away, with the power of the French court under Louis XIV, Paris established itself as
Europe's main fashion centre.
During the 19th century, with the powerful British Empire and a young Queen Victoria on the throne
(from 1837), London once again became a major fashion leader.[12] However, it continued to look to
Paris for stylistic inspiration, and the British 'father of haute couture' Charles Frederick

Worth relocated to Paris in 1846 to perfect and then commercialise his craft, also holding the first
fashion shows and launching the concept of fashion labels there.[13]