Does The Industry Have Room For Another Fashion Capital?
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For years and years, fashion has been centralized mainly in Paris, as that is where the value of haute couture and all things deemed fashionable spring from. Couture designers worldwide would die to be honored as official haute couturiers by the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, and some just to even show in Paris Fashion Week. For some of us, just to even visit Paris is enough.
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But what makes Paris so fashionable compared to other cities? In the bigger scheme of things, cities like New York, London, and Milan rank just below Paris as fashion capitals of the world, but each have their own way of celebrating fashion.
The highly esteemed elegance of Paris may be what sets it apart from other cities as the edginess and sexiness of New York gives the city that never sleeps its pass as a capital. Cross over to London and Milan where the minimalistic sophistication is prided around the streets, making it home for fashionistas worldwide.
The bureaucracy these cities hold in the hearts of fashionistas worldwide is one reason it is quite difficult for other cities to break through as fashion capitals. Take Atlanta, for example.
The city is growing in terms of film and television production, music production, and even digital production as it a contender to be home for the second Amazon headquarters. So, why can't Atlanta also become a destination for fashion?
The city may just be in need of space for production houses that designers can set up shop and produce as they do in the major cities like Paris, New York, and London.
Another notable city that closely follows behind the major five is Los Angeles, home of Rodeo Drive. The natural glamour that stems from the West Coast maybe what attracts the bees to the honey in the fashion industry. L.A. also has the reputable LA Fashion Week as an accessory to attract business in fashion.
The question then becomes does Atlanta and other prospective cities have the honey that the fashion industry is yearning for? According to Waves Institute of Fashion Designing, "Fashion capitals usually have a broad mix of business, financial, entertainment, cultural, and leisure activities and are internationally recognized for having a unique and strong identity."
It seems that cities like Atlanta have those qualities, so it may just come down to the lack of connectivity that these other cities have mastered so well.
Back in the 60's, Paris was home to so many designers we celebrate now such as Hubert de Givenchy, Christian Dior, and Pierre Cardin. Most of these designers worked closely together and created a home for couturiers to thrive and still do today.
Raf Simons Showcasing his work at the famed "Bubble House" of Pierre Cardin.
The key, perhaps, to creating another fashion focused city is to invest in upcoming designers and provide the space and technology for a thriving fashion industry.
As the world accelerates forward, fashion needs to become an omnipresent factor in people's life to give communities their own culture to celebrate and create opportunities for others who might not otherwise have the chance to thrive in the "Big Four."