Fashion Capital - History

History

Fashion and political power have often interwined in history, and this can be seen in classical history, where the major political powers of the world, such as Alexandria, Athens, and Rome were leaders in their respective eras and parts of the world, when it came to clothing.

In history, several cities have been, in turn, fashion capitals. Furthermore, during the Renaissance era, different city-states in what would become modern-day Italy were Europe's main trendsetters, due to the cultural power that these cities exerted in that period of time; this includes cities such as Florence, Milan, Rome, Naples, Genoa and Venice. However, as one progressed into the late-16th century, with the influence of the Elizabethan era, the English court or more specifically, London, became a major city in European fashion; similarly, due to the power of Spain at the period, the Spanish court influenced 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, and would remain the world's undisputed fashion capital until the 1960s and 70s. In the Victorian era, with the powerful British empire, London also became a major fashion centre, although it still looked to Paris for stylistic inspiration. Throughout the 20th century, New York City grew as a fashion capital, and in the 1950s, Florence re-emerged as a leading city in haute couture. Milan's complete dominance of the fashion world lasted until the 1960s. In the 1980s, Milan, with its everyday, practical chic, and minimalistic fashion houses, reinforced its place as the most important fashion capital of the world. Ever since then, London, Milan, New York City, and Paris have been the leading cities in global fashion, making up the "big four".