The fashion universe is full of terms and expressions in different languages. For those who are not in the industry, it can be difficult to understand the technical language used by professionals. With the 55th edition of São Paulo Fashion Week coming up, it's important to familiarize yourself with some of the most commonly used terms in the fashion world. From the famous "Pret a Porter" to "Haute Couture", we explain each one for you. Additionally, we discuss the importance of English in the field and how it can be useful for those who want to specialize or just stay up-to-date in the fashion world.
With that in mind, we've selected the 20 most used terms and words in the fashion world to help you better understand this universe.
1. Pret a Porter: Means "ready to wear" in French and refers to clothes produced in large scale and sold in stores.
2. Grife: Refers to a high-quality and prestigious fashion brand.
3. Fast Fashion: It is the business model in which brands produce and launch new collections at an accelerated pace, following the latest trends.
4. Outfit: Means "set of clothes" in English and refers to the combination of clothing items, shoes, and accessories that form a complete look.
5. Fashion designer: Is the professional responsible for creating and developing fashion clothes and collections.
6. Fashionista: Is the term used to refer to people who are always up to date on the latest fashion trends and dress in a creative and stylish way.
7. Trendsetter: Is a person who influences fashion, creating new trends and styles.
8. Capsule Collection: Are small clothing collections that are released in limited editions, with versatile pieces that can be combined in various ways.
9. Print: Is the English word for pattern, which can be floral, animal, geometric, among others.
10. Denim: Is the fabric used in the manufacture of jeans, being one of the most popular and versatile in fashion.
11. Couture: Means "tailoring" in French and refers to the meticulous and artisanal work of creating custom-made clothes.
12. It Bag: Is a designer bag that becomes popular and desired by many people, usually being an icon of style and status.
13. Avant-garde: Means "vanguard" in French and refers to an experimental and innovative style of fashion.
14. Fashion Week: Are the fashion weeks that take place in major cities around the world, where brands and designers present their new collections.
15. Cropped: Is an English word that means "cut", referring to clothing items that are shorter than usual.
16. Dress Code: Is a set of dress rules that are established for a specific event or environment.
17. Off-White: Is an urban fashion brand created by designer Virgil Abloh, known for its minimalist and sophisticated aesthetic clothing and accessories.
18. Oversized: Is a fashion trend in which clothing items are larger and looser than usual, creating a comfortable and relaxed look.
19. Street Style: Is a fashion style that is inspired by culture.
20. Haute Couture: This French term means "high fashion" and refers to custom-made fashion for exclusive and wealthy clients. The pieces are handmade with the most luxurious fabrics and elaborate details. The most famous haute couture houses include Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, Valentino, and Versace. To be considered a haute couture house, the brand must meet the stringent criteria established by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, including the production of seasonal collections, creating custom-made pieces, and holding private runway shows for buyers. The world of haute couture is an extremely exclusive and often inaccessible world for most people, but its influence is felt throughout the fashion industry.
