Globalization in Fashion

Globalization is in a way what all nations have in common. It can be a product or a cultural aspect that is shared in all cultures. In other words, it's a connection that trancends borders.

A specific aspect of globalization is cultural imperialism. In global imeperialism a product or cultural trait flows dominates at a global scale. In a way there is an uneven flow, like no competition from other markets accros borders. It can often overshadow traditions or local markets that separate every culture from one another.

A perfect example is the dominance over the fashion industry by a few countries (specifically a few select cities) and fashion designers. The global fashion market is controlled by this few often preventing any competition outside the circle. This also imposes a few cultures over the entire world which overshadows other rich nations with distinct cultural traditions. The huge influence by a few fashion designers has also established a sort of norm that keeps from new upcoming designers to introduce new unique ideas. It has also made it hard for diffussion of ethnicities in the fashion industry in which currently only a few nationalities are represented.

There are four countries that control the fashion global scene: France, Italy, England, and The United States. More specifically the cities of Paris, Milan, London, and New York. Of those Milan and New York being the most powerful in terms of revenue with labels such as Ralph Lauren (NYC), Calvin Klein (NYC), Versace (Milan), and Armani (Milan).

As far as fashionn designers go the most influential are either Italian, American, English, or French. Italian designers include names such as Valentino Garavani, Gianni Versace, Girogio Armani, Miuccia Prada, Domenico Dolce, Stephano Gabbana, and Donatella Versace.

(Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana)

(Valentino Garavani with Gisele)

American designers include Calvin Klein, Roy Halston, Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, and Tom Ford.

(Roy Halston)

(Tom Ford)

British such as Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, Christopher Bailey, Stella McCartney, and Vivienne Westwood.

(Vivienne Westwood)

(Alexander McQueen)

Lastly perhaps the most influential which are the french designers such as Christian Dior, Coco Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, Christian Lacroix, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Hubert de Givenchy.

(Christian Dior)

(Coco Chanel)

(Yves Saint Laurent)

(Hubert de Givenchy)

Below is a video of some of the most iconic labes in the fashion industry which most are either French, Italian, American, or English. It is Top Ten Fashion Labels.