~ Top 10 Fashion Capitals of the World ~

[MysteRy]

Top 10 Fashion Capitals of the World


1. London



London was declared the Fashion Capital of the world in 2011. Anyone surprised? Not really, it has always been a fashion mecca, where extravagancy and trendiness are always on the wave of worlds fashion. London came first before New York, Paris and Milan in this never ending fashion competition and it surely deserved its title. According to the media the main reason behind the prestigious recognition is the wedding dress of the Duchess of Cambridge made by the designer Sarah Burton... Another thing that should be pointed out as a milestone for the coronation of London as fashion capital is the education and especially the Masters' degrees at Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art. And what can we say about designer labels. Lets take Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Mulberry, Stella McCartney, Paul Smith and Pringle of Scotland, just to name a few.

[MysteRy]

2. New York



Until 2011, when London has overtaken the first position as Top Global Fashion Capital in the world, New York was almost unbeatable for a whole decade. There are more than 250 fashion events held annually in the city that never sleeps, which attract about 232,000 attendees. The event that attracts almost 116,000 every year is the famous New York Fashion Week in February and September. Since 2009 it is called Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, while its tradition dates back to 1943 when it was named Press Week. Manhattans Garment Center is the engine behind fashion success in the city with its countless showrooms, major fashion labels and many professionals working in the industry. There are more than 6,600 wholesale and design businesses working in the city. The thriving fashion scene is also a result of many education programs for fashion that produce new, fresh fashion designers.

[MysteRy]

3. Paris



The French capital has always been a kingdom of fashion. Ever since haute couture began in the 18th century, this enchanting city has been dominating the fashion outlook on global scale. Fashion shows, French fashion magazine, prestigious and powerful fashion houses are what constitute the Paris brand around the world. Known for its elegant and stylish look, Paris style is also popular with its fashion forward and innovative approach. The shopping area of Avenue Marceau, Champs-Elysees and Avenue Montaigne is the ultimate fashion guide to anyone who wants to be adequate with modern lifestyle. You will find the stores of Dior, Chanel, Givenchy, Rochas, Celine, Hermes, and many more designers, whose identity is a synonym of contemporary fashion design. Just walk around the shops near the Opéra, the Haut Marais, and the Palais Royal, or stroll down Saint-Germain-des-Prés and get in touch with the latest trends that will surely make your head dizzy with fashionable bliss.

[MysteRy]

4. Hong Kong



Hong Kong is the hub of shopping centres where fashion brands love to expose their latest collections to the public. Lots of them have their head offices in the metropolitan city. Department stores and malls in Hong Kong are among the biggest in the world. Located on Des Voeux Road Central in Central, the Landmark shopping complex is where you can see the most famous international brands like Polo/Ralph Lauren, Dior, Gucci, Tiffany & Co., Marc Jacobs, Manolo Blahnik, Paul Smith, and more. If you are looking for famous Hong Kong designers then check out William Tang, Lu Lu Cheung, Walter Ma, and Vivienne Tam. You can also find international designer boutiques at the Prince's Building, Alexandra House, and Chater House, of brands such as Chanel, Cartier, Ralph Lauren, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana and Armani. An interesting new mall is K11, which is entitled to be the world's first "art mall".

[MysteRy]

5. Milan



Declared in 2009 as the fashion capital of the world, Milan is one of the most influential fashion cities. Along with New York City, Paris, London and Tokyo, it plays a major role on the global fashion scene. Italian brands, such as Gucci, Valentino, Prada, Versace, Armani and Dolce & Gabbana, have headquarters in Milan and play a significant role in building the citys reputation as a fashion capital. Its history as a fashion capital began in the Middle-Ages and Renaissance with the making of luxury goods, while late in the beginning of the 20th century the city became a centre of silk and textile productions. The Milan Fashion Week was established in 1958 and since then it is part of the four biggest fashion weeks in the world. The most prestigious shopping streets and squares in Milan are Via Manzoni, Via Monte Napoleone, Via della Spiga, Via Sant'Andrea, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Via Dante and Corso Buenos Aires.

[MysteRy]

6. Los Angeles



The most populous city in the state of California is one of the fashion hubs of the United States. Its famous 90-block Fashion District in Downtown Los Angeles is one of the best places for shopping in the country. One of the most popular shopping spots is Santee Alley. Los Angeles Fashion Week is held March and October in different locations throughout the Los Angeles area. The City of Angels is a world centre of fashion boasting lots of department stores and boutique shops, where you can find the latest trends by international brands. FIDM, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, is a private college specialized in educating students for fashion. Some prominent fashion designers committed to spreading the LA lifestyle around the globe have graduated in the college.

[MysteRy]

7. Sydney



Sydney has a lot to offer to any fashion lover who visits this gorgeous Australian city. Starting with the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Sydney (MBFF Sydney), a premier fashion and lifestyle event, where you can see contemporary collections of Australias leading designers, and then visiting the Fashion Weekend is Australia (over 100 of Australia's leading designers), which is the biggest designer event, will give you a quick guide about the thriving fashion scene in Sydney. If you need some shopping therapy then just go to Westfield Sydney, Zara and Gap, and you will find loads of fashion favourites. Check out also Queen Victoria Building and Strand Arcade for fashion boutiques with local and international brands. Castlereagh, Elizabeth and King Streets are home to some of most famous designer brands. Sydneys world-famous designers are Sass & Bide, Lisa Ho, Zimmerman, Leona Edmiston and Nicole Finetti.

[MysteRy]

8. Barcelona



Barcelona boasts such a unique architecture and culture that it actually doesnt need to be declared as a fashion capital. Well, its just all around the vibrant atmosphere in the city where you can smell the fragrance of the newest and contemporary lifestyle. Its one of the most vivid cities in the world. Maybe the most famous of Barcelona's designers is the award-winning and internationally renowned Custo. Among others cool designers are Josep Abril, La Casita de Wendy, Joaquim Verdu, Antonio Miro, and many more. There are many international designer labels like Chanel, Gucci, Armani, and Cartier that you can find in the city. But all you need to do is just stroll down the streets and look at the people and the way they look. That will be the most inspiring show ever.

[MysteRy]

9. Miami



Miami boasts some of the top modelling agencies in the world and is recognized as a city with major impact on global fashion scene. Many fashion shows, events and performances are held annually in Miami. The two most prestigious are: Miami Fashion Week and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Miami. Miami Fashion Week is being held every March since 1998. This world class event is the largest fashion week for Latin American and the Caribbean fashion designers in the world. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Miami is an annual swim fashion week held in the summer at the Raleigh Hotel in Wynwood Arts District. Lots of fashion industry professionals flock to the city for the most important fashion week for swimwear in the world. International swimwear designers show their collections. Other fashion events include the four day long Funkshion Fashion Week Miami Beach and a brand new event commencing in 2012 called Brickell Fashion Week.

[MysteRy]

10. Tokyo



Tokyo is a dazzling and vibrant fashion city where range of street fashion styles and culture blend in one of a kind atmosphere known nowhere else on the globe. Its essence is saturated in the Harajuku area, which is a neighbourhood in Shibuya. It is internationally recognized as a glamorous street show, including a variety of styles, such as gothic lolita, visual kei, and decora, cosplay. Many young people gather on the pedestrian bridge of Jingu Bridge for an informal parade every Sunday. There are many shows in the area like Gothic & Lolita & Punk shows, as well as the regular Harajuku Fashion Walk held every few months. Harajuku is a shopping district where you can find many international and local brands. Other points of interest for fashion lovers are Shinjuku is central Tokyo, where you can find many malls and departments stores, the market shopping area of Ginza, and the large artificial island of Odaiba. There are also loads of fashion events in Tokyo including JFW International Fashion Fair, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Tokyo, Playtime Tokyo, which is a show for childrens clothing, Tokyo Girls Collection, Rooms 19, a tradeshow in the beginning of each fashion season in Tokyo with 400 domestic and international brands, and Japan Fashion Week.