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A fashion capital is a location which is influential in fashion and in which fashion is important. A fashion capital would be the home of many top designers, modeling agencies, and the like. It is decided by the amount of business generated and influence through media in fashion.

In general, there are 4 traditional fashion capitals: Milan, New York City, Paris and London. Despite these being the stereoypical fashion capitals of the world, other cities, such as Rome, Tokyo and Los Angeles have been ranked very highly in the lists, to the point that in 2008, some of these cities ranked amongst the top 4 fashion capitals (Rome in 2008 came 2nd, beating Milan, Paris and London).^[1]

[edit] Main Cities in fashion

Milan and New York City are considered the economic and true current media fashion capitals of the world. According to the Global Language Monitor, New York City came 1st for 5 consecutive years, yet in 2009, it was beaten by Milan.^[2] Despite the fact that these cities' fashion concentrates more on economic and media success, rather than beauty and elegance, both these cities have longstanding traditions of excellence and creativity in design, and have both been important historical centres of artistic fashion design for many years (especially Milanese fashion is regarded as being practical, but elegant and highly rafined at the same time, concentrating more on stylish ready-to-wear clothes, rather than extravagant haute couture. This applies similarly for New York City. However, both cities also have upscale haute couture and high fashion shopping districts).

However, not from an economic point of view, Paris and London are considered the symbolic fashion centres of Europe and the world, due to them having long standing histories as a centres of art and fashion, and being home to several highly prestigious fashion houses. Yet, in the Global Language Monitor, they were beaten by more economically successful cities, such as Milan and New York. Even though these cities are both highly successful, and have established positive international reputations worldwide, they are often known more for the prestige and elegance of their fashion designs, rather than practicality and economic success (London-based fashion designs are known for their extravagant quirkinesses, whilst Parisian designs are more known for their extremely elegant and formal clothes).

The other main centers of fashion in the world are Los Angeles, Rome^[3], and Tokyo.^[4] In recent years, however, the importance of the fashion industry has grown in many other cities around the globe^[4], such as Hong Kong, São Paulo and Sydney,^[5][6] which are in 7th, 8th and 9th place.

Other top fashion capitals include Melbourne, Barcelona, Las Vegas, Toronto,^[7] Shanghai,^[7] and Dubai.^[7]

[edit] Regions

Milan in 2009 is regarded as the fashion capital of the world.

New York City has long been (5 years) the fashion capital of the world, but in 2009 it was beaten by Milan.

Paris is one of the most prestigious cities in fashion, and by many is regarded as its capital, but was beaten by Milan and New York City at an economic point of view.

Rome has a very strong fashion industry, and now has beaten some traditional fashion capitals, such as London, Los Angeles and Tokyo.

London has long been an important fashion centre in the world.

Tokyo is an emerging fashion capital, and is especially important in Asia, however it came 12th in the charts.

For 2009, the Global Language Monitor describes these as the leading fashion cities in their respective regions:^[3]
- Asia and Oceania: Hong Kong,Sydney, Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore, Bangkok
- Europe: Milan, Paris, Rome, London, Barcelona, Berlin, Madrid, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt.
- India: Mumbai and New Delhi
- Latin America: Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago, Buenos Aires, Mexico City
- Middle and Eastern Europe: Moscow, Krakow, and Prague.
- Middle East and Africa: Dubai, Johannesburg, and Cape Town.
- North America: New York City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, Dallas, Toronto, Montreal, and Atlanta.

For 2008, the Global Language Monitor describes these as the leading fashion cities in their respective regions:^[3]
- Asia and Oceania: Sydney, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, and Bangkok.
- Europe: Rome, Paris, Milan, London, Berlin, Madrid, Stockholm, Barcelona, and Copenhagen.
- India: Mumbai and New Delhi.
- Latin America: Santiago, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, and Sao Paulo.
- Middle and Eastern Europe: Moscow, Krakow, and Prague.
- Middle East and Africa: Dubai, Johannesburg, and Cape Town.
- North America: New York City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, Toronto, and Montreal.

[edit] See also

• Fashion week, for a partial list of cities with fashion weeks.

[edit] References