Published 30-06-2026
Keywords
- world fashion,
- global fashion,
- predominance,
- colonialism,
- fashion centers
How to Cite
Copyright (c) 2026 Aliena Guggenberger
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Abstract
The Fashion Lexigraphy focuses on the main debates and nuances behind the historically developed and ‘western’-oriented concept of ‘world fashion’. Within the increasing field of global fashion history, the examination of international approaches is often limited to the contemporary idea of global dress. Instead of diversity, world fashion emphasized a dominant style in global attire. The coexistence of the key terms global fashion and world fashion necessitates a precise differentiation of terminology, which is critically undertaken in this Lexigraphy from a primarily historical perspective. The twentieth century saw various movements led by figures from fashion industries in Europe and the United States, advocating for local production and design while challenging Paris's status as the preeminent fashion capital. The drive for export expansion and the pursuit of hegemony – both within national contexts and across international borders – in the economically successful fashion industry remains highly relevant today, making the concept of ‘world fashion’ a crucial aspect of global (fashion) history.
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