Fashion is a way of expressing oneself through clothes, hairstyles, makeup and accessories. Fashion changes from person to person, day to day and time to time. It is widely believed that fashion changes reflect societal changes and financial interests of clothing manufacturers. However, recent research suggests that internal taste mechanisms are also at work, independent of societal trends and economic factors.
Musicians and other cultural icons have always influenced what we wear. Even the average folk have been known to copy the style of the celebrities they admire. Historically, newspapers have been filled with stories of the latest dresses worn by political figures or royalty.
The modern fashion industry is multibillion-dollar global enterprise devoted to the business of making and selling clothing. Its main levels include design, manufacturing, retail sales and marketing.
The designs that make it to the runways in Paris, New York or Milan typically set the stage for the industry one year in advance, but designers also draw inspiration from everyday street styles. With the rise of online shopping and fast-fashion retailers like Zara and Topshop, it is now possible for anyone to buy on-trend looks at a fraction of what it would cost in a high-end store. This has increased consumer awareness of the fashion industry and led to a greater variety of available styles and cuts. Fashion has also become more casual. Long dresses and veiled headgear have been replaced with mini and micro dresses and jeans culture.