Types of fashion


There are three main categories of fashion design, although these may be split up into additional, more specific categories:


Haute couture

Until the 1950s, fashion clothing was predominately designed and manufactured on a made-to-measure or haute couture basis

(French for high-fashion), with the garment being created for a specific client.

A couture garment is made to order for an individual customer

 is usually made from high-quality, expensive fabric, sewn with extreme attention to detail and finish, often using time-consuming, hand-executed techniques.

Look and fit take priority over the cost of materials and the time it takes to make.

Ready-to-wear

Ready-to-wear clothes are a cross between haute couture and mass market.

They are not made for individual customers, but great care is taken in the choice and cut of the fabric.

Clothes are made in small quantities to guarantee exclusivity, so they are rather expensive.

 Ready-to-wear collections are usually presented by fashion houses each season during a period known as Fashion Week.

This takes place on a city-wide basis and occurs twice a year