Definition

Noun: The collective business and creative sector involved in the design, manufacturing, marketing, and retail of clothing and accessories, particularly those that are current and trend-setting. It encompasses the network of individuals and companies that create and sell fashionable apparel.

Usage

The term "fashion industry" is used to refer to the entire commercial and artistic ecosystem centered on clothing trends. It functions as a singular noun, though it represents a collective entity.

Examples: * The fashion industry is a major global economic force. * She hopes to work in the fashion industry as a designer. * Sustainability has become a critical issue for the fashion industry.

Advanced Usage

• "The inner workings of the fashion industry": Refers to the complex, often unseen business, creative, and logistical processes within the sector.
• "To break into the fashion industry": Means to successfully start a career within this competitive field.

Variants and Related Words

• Apparel industry: A more general, often commercial term for the business of making and selling clothes, not exclusively focused on high fashion or trends.
• Rag trade: (Informal, sometimes dated) A colloquial term for the garment manufacturing and retail business.
• Haute couture: Refers to the high-fashion segment of the industry involving exclusive, custom-fitted clothing.
• Ready-to-wear (prêt-à-porter): Refers to the mass-produced, off-the-rack clothing segment of the industry.

Synonyms

• Garment industry
• Clothing business
• Style sector

Related Phrases

• Fashion week: A major industry event where designers present new collections.
• Fashion house: A company, often led by a designer, that creates high-end fashion.
• Fashion capital: A city that is a globally influential hub for the fashion industry (e.g., Paris, Milan, New York, London).

Noun

1. makers and sellers of fashionable clothing