Sports Editor Adam Schmitz considers why Paris, London, Milan and New York came to be the "fashion capitals" of the world, taking into account their historical significance to their present-day relevance, and shows some love for other holy grounds for fashion.
The world of fashion is always expanding, but throughout recent history, four cities have cemented themselves as centres of global style. Paris has fashion history. Milan has fashion influence. London has fashion statements. New York has fashion icons. There’s no doubt that these cities control the world of clothing and design, but how did they rise to the top? And is there anywhere else that stands a chance at catching up?
Paris
We claim there are four fashion capitals, but if there is only one, it’s Paris. The French capital has had a history of fashion, with even King Louis XIV carefully choosing from his wardrobe each day, knowing the power that his choice of clothing could have. These days, a short walk through the city’s artist’s quarter of Montmartre will show you that ‘haute couture’ is alive and well.
The city is home to huge brands, including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Dior. Showing off your status through your outfit is perhaps a more relevant trend than ever before, and hosting the headquarters of both Balenciaga and Givenchy aids in Paris’ claim to being the number one spot. The city plays a central role when discussing the history of fashion - being the birthplace of the bikini, the little black dress, and many more style staples. It’s clear why France is home to every year’s final fashion week, and there’s no questioning why it's Miranda Priestly's number one fashion capital…
Milan
Milan developed as a fashion hotspot in the nineteenth century, with a focus on high quality materials and a more simplistic approach than their Parisian counterparts. It was in the 1980s, however, when the Italian city cemented itself as a fashion capital - and now its fashion week is perhaps the most talked about of each season.
In the modern day, Milan is often talked about as the world capital for ready-to-wear items, with the city setting the trend for what ends up on the clothing racks in shops around the world. The city has no shortage of high-end brands either, being the homeplace of huge brands including Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, and Versace.
New York
New York Fashion Week earns the city around $1 billion, and the story behind its creation is fascinating. During World War II, designers were unable to go to Paris to show off their latest ideas, so they turned their eyes to the states and quickly earned New York the title as one of the world’s fashion capitals.
However, things have been going downhill for the industry in America’s most famous city. Prior to the pandemic, the fashion district was thriving. Now it employs 50,000 less people than it did in 2014. Part of this is due to the rise in social media. As Forbes put it, “Social media allows a new breed of influencers to work from anywhere - they don’t need to report from SoHo or Madison Avenue.” Yet one thing the city can bank on for its future as a fashion hotspot is its fashion schools. In 2022 over 2,000 students graduated with degrees in the industry. New York also hosts the hotly-anticipated annual Met Gala, one of the industry’s biggest nights. The city may be changing, but it’s not going anywhere.
London
In January and June, the English capital welcomes the fashion world into the home of Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood, and Alexander McQueen. The city stands out from our other three fashion capitals for its bold, eccentric and often groundbreaking fashion statements. Conversely to New York, London’s fashion scene is only getting bigger. It’s now firmly established as a global HQ for bold design and the city’s fashion weeks are just as hotly anticipated as its three counterparts - if not more. The city was home to one of history’s great fashion icons, Princess Diana, and now it’s home to a fashion hub that stands out with its own identity, perhaps more than anywhere else in the world.
Where else?
Four cities dominate the fashion world, but who’s coming up behind them? Tokyo is one of the world's most exciting metropolitan cities, and a walk through Shibuya Crossing will present you with clothing choices you’ve never seen before. Berlin's nightlife is legendary, and many of its world famous nightclubs not only encourage bold fashion choices, but even insist that your sense of style is outrageous enough to get in. Lastly, Copenhagen’s beautiful scenery is being complimented by its residents' sustainable and smart clothing choices, with its fashion scene growing year on year.