Fashion & popular fashion labels: what basics you should know, wich labels you should have in mind

What exactly does the term fashion mean?

The term “fashion” comes from Latin and is derived from “modus”, which means “manner, way, method”. Over time, the term has come to refer to the description of fashion trends and styles that are prevalent in a particular time and culture. The term “fashion” refers to the current trends and styles of clothing, accessories, shoes, hairstyles or beauty care. The term fashion refers to the way people dress and style themselves to express their personality and taste. Fashion can be constantly changing and transforming, but certain elements often remain trendy over a period of time. Fashion is often influenced by designer labels, fashion magazines and influences from pop culture and art.

Fashion can have different functions. On the one hand, it serves to protect the body from the elements while expressing a certain image. On the other hand, fashion can also be a means of self-expression to show personality, style and taste. In addition, fashion can also be a form of communication that can express certain emotions, ideas and attitudes. Finally, fashion can also be an important part of culture, reflecting the history, traditions and identity of a society.

Since when fashion actually existed?

Fashion as a concept of changing clothing styles and trends has been around since ancient times. As early as ancient Egypt and Greece, fashion was used to show social status and affiliation. With the development of cities and trade relations, fashion became increasingly important and was designed and influenced by the upper class.

Throughout history, fashion has changed and evolved, from the opulent dresses of the Baroque period to the conservative clothing of the 19th century to the experimental styles of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Today, fashion is a global industry shaped by fashion designers, fashion photographers, stylists and other professionals. Fashion is presented in magazines, on catwalks, and on television, and has a major impact on people’s culture and self-image.

What is a fashion label?

A fashion label is a brand that designs, produces and sells clothing, shoes, accessories and other fashion items. Fashion labels often have a specific style or brand identity defined by the designs, colours and fabrics they use. Many fashion labels are part of larger fashion companies and can offer a wide range of products, from high-end luxury items to affordable, trend-oriented garments. The fame of a fashion label depends on various factors, such as its history, image, marketing and media presence. Here you will find the best-known and trendiest fashion labels. In the following, we will introduce you to some very well-known fashion labels that you should definitely know about.

What was the first famous fashion label?

The first known fashion label is difficult to determine, as fashion has been around for many centuries and the concepts of fashion and brands have changed over time. However, it is safe to say that some of the earliest fashion labels for luxury clothing were founded in Paris, France in the 19th century, including well-known names such as Charles Frederick Worth, Jeanne Paquin and Redfern & Sons. These designers were pioneers in the field of haute couture and revolutionized the fashion industry by creating their own collections and selling them under their own names, rather than simply working from measurements.

Worth is often considered the first fashion designer, as he established his own brand and became known as the first fashion designer to create and sell his own collections. His label was very successful and became a reference for high quality and luxury fashion.

Fashion labels you should definitely know

There are countless fashion labels in the world, and all of them are very special in their own way. In the following, our fashion experts have selected and described some fashion labels that have a very big impact on the world of fashion. Therefore, you should have the following fashion labels on it!

Balenciaga

Balenciaga is a French luxury fashion label founded in 1919 by the Spanish fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga. It is known for its innovative and avant-garde designs, especially in ready-to-wear and accessories. Today, Balenciaga belongs to Kering, a multinational luxury goods group, and is one of the world’s best-known fashion brands. Balenciaga is known for its minimalist but eye-catching style, often described as innovative and forward-thinking. The fashion label is known for its original designs and experimental cuts and has always worked closely with very famous and renowned fashion designers, such as Demna Gvasalia, Nicolas Ghesquière and Alexander Wang.

Gucci

Gucci is a luxury Italian fashion label founded in Florence in 1921 by Guccio Gucci. It is one of the world’s most famous and respected fashion labels and is known for its high-quality and exclusive products, such as clothing, shoes, bags, accessories and jewellery. Gucci is best known for its distinctive logo, its striking green and red woven patterns and its Italian craftsmanship. The label has a long history in fashion and has introduced many trend-setting collections over the years. Today, Gucci is an integral part of the fashion world and stands for luxurious style and high-quality products. Gucci also offers a children’s collection for children aged zero to eight. This children’s collection is highly priced and includes clothing, shoes and accessories for children. The fashion label is still headquartered in Florence.

Chanel

Chanel is a French fashion brand founded by fashion designer Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel. The brand was launched in 1909 in Paris, France, and has become one of the most famous and influential fashion houses in the world. Known for its timeless, elegant and feminine style, Chanel has a long tradition of creating luxurious clothing, accessories, jewellery and fragrances. The brand has a strong brand identity. Chanel’s most famous products are the classic Chanel costume, the 2.55 bag and the Chanel N°5 perfume. Chanel is also known for its avant-garde designs and its introduction of crucial trends, such as the androgynous style or the use of knitted fabrics in haute couture. To this day, Chanel is one of the most valuable and well-known fashion brands in the world. The fashion label is based in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France.

Chanel No. 5 is a legendary women’s fragrance launched by Coco Chanel back in 1921. It is known for its floral, woody and musky notes. The base notes are musk, amber and vanilla, while the heart notes are jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang and lily of the valley. The top notes consist of citrus and aldehydes, which provide a fresh and appealing aura. Chanel No. 5 has become a classic and is often referred to as the “perfume of perfumes”.

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton is a French luxury fashion label that was founded by Louis Vuitton in 1854 and is now called Louis Vuitton Malletier SAS. After Louis Vuitton’s death in 1892, his son Georges Vuitton took over the company and continued to run it, making the brand internationally known and introducing new product lines. Today, the fashion label is known for its exclusive and luxurious bags and luggage as well as clothing, shoes, jewellery, sunglasses and watches. Louis Vuitton is best known for its distinctive monogram pattern and its high-quality leather products. The brand is recognised as synonymous with elegance and exclusivity. Today, Louis Vuitton is one of the best-known and most respected fashion labels in the world and stands for high-quality products that are characterised by their durable workmanship and timeless design. Louis Vuitton is headquartered in Paris, France.

Fendi

Fendi is an Italian fashion and lifestyle company founded in 1925. It became known for its high-end fur goods and has since left footprints in other areas such as leather goods, apparel, accessories and footwear. Fendi has a long history of creative collaboration with renowned designers and has created many well-known trademarks, including the famous “FF” logo and the “Baguette” handbag. Today, Fendi is one of the leading luxury fashion companies and is known for its elegant and fashionable designs that incorporate both timeless classics and current trends.

Prada

The exclusive fashion label Prada is an Italian fashion company that was founded in 1913 by the brothers Mario and Martino Prada in Milan, where the company’s headquarters are still located today. Prada is known for its exclusive and high-quality leather goods, bags, shoes, clothing and accessories. Prada is particularly known for its minimalist but elegant style as well as for the processing of high-quality materials and innovative, timeless designs. In 2000, Prada launched a line for sunglasses and prescription eyewear. The Prada glasses are characterised by their striking shapes, eye-catching colours and high-quality materials and have become a sought-after accessory.

It is well known that when special events happen or new products are released, there can be long queues outside Prada shops. The brand has a very large and enthusiastic fan base and its products are considered particularly coveted and exclusive.

Miu Miu

The Miu Miu fashion label is a Prada subsidiary brand that was launched in 1993. The collection is known for its modern and trendy style, aimed at a younger and more trend-conscious audience. Unlike the original Prada line, Miu Miu is more affordable and offers a wider range of products, including clothing, bags, shoes and accessories. Although Miu Miu is offered at lower prices than the fashion items sold under the Prada label, the brand remains true to the high-quality materials and timeless design that Prada is known for in the fashion world. Miu Miu has established itself as a popular brand for young women in recent years and enjoys a loyal following.

Saint Laurent

Saint Laurent, also known as Yves Saint Laurent, is a French fashion house founded in 1961 by the eponymous fashion designer. It is one of the world’s most famous fashion houses and has a significant impact on the fashion world. Yves Saint Laurent has brought many innovative ideas, including the first ready-to-wear garment for women, the first tuxedo outfits for women and the first shoe and bag collections. He is considered one of the most influential fashion designers of the 20th century and set many trends that are still relevant today. The fashion house is known for its timeless elegance, high-quality workmanship and attention to detail. It offers a wide range of clothing, bags, shoes and accessories and is an epitome of luxury and style.

Jean Paul Gaultier (Modelabel)

Jean Paul Gaultier is a French fashion label founded in 1978 by the fashion designer of the same name. Jean Paul Gaultier is known for his avant-garde and provocative designs that often exude a certain irony. The fashion label has a long history and has presented many successful collections over the years. Jean Paul Gaultier is also known for his successful perfume lines, which are also unusual and provocative. In 2009, the children’s collection Junior Jean Paul Gaultier or Junior Gaultier was launched in collaboration with the French children’s fashion specialist Groupe Zannier, which was expanded in 2011 to include Gaultier Bébé for toddlers.

Model and fashion influencer Anastasia Borissova presents herself skilfully in a Jean Paul Gaultier outfit. Anastasia is one of the most popular fashion influencers in Germany and made it to the finals of the TV format “Germany’s Next Topmodel”. Today she works for major fashion labels and designers. Photos: Milena Zara.

→ Instagram Profile of Anastasia “Nasty Bory”

→ Website of Milena Zara

Versace

Versace is a relatively young Italian fashion and lifestyle company, founded in 1978 by Gianni Versace in Milan, Italy. The company’s headquarters are still located in Milan. Versace is best known for its luxurious and eye-catching style, often characterised by strong colours, opulent prints and playful details. The company offers a wide range of products, including clothing, bags, shoes, accessories and perfumes. Versace has become one of the world’s best-known and most coveted fashion brands and is often associated with Hollywood stars and the glamorous lifestyle. After the tragic death of Gianni Versace in 1997, his siblings Santo and Donatella took over the reins of the company. Gianni Versace was shot dead outside his home in Miami Beach, Florida on 15 July 1997.

Loewe

Loewe is a Spanish fashion and leather goods company founded in 1846. The fashion label is known for its high-quality leather bags, garments and accessories. Loewe has a long tradition of working with leather and offers a wide range of products, from classic to modern. The company has a strong focus on craftsmanship and design, and each product is carefully handcrafted. In recent years, Loewe has strengthened its image as a premium leather goods brand and has entered into numerous collaborations with renowned fashion designers and artisans. Loewe is a prestigious brand known worldwide for its excellent craftsmanship and timeless design.

Burberry

Burberry is a British luxury fashion brand founded in 1856 by Thomas Burberry in Basingstoke, England. Burberry’s headquarters are now in London. The Burberry fashion label is known for its high quality and stylish clothing, accessories and footwear, especially its famous trench coat collection. Until 1999, Burberry was a more traditional brand, known mainly for its weather protective clothing. The brand had a good reputation for quality and functionality, but was not necessarily known as a fashion brand. During the 1990s, however, the brand began to change and focus more on fashion. In 1999, the Nova Check pattern, previously found on bags and scarves, became central to the brand’s image. In recent years, Burberry has focused on further building its image as a luxury brand by introducing new and innovative product collections and expanding its presence in major world cities and shopping centres. Today, Burberry is one of the most recognisable and sought-after fashion labels in the world.

Burberry is known for its classically elegant and timeless fashion, characterised by the characteristic check pattern and the typical trench coat. The brand has a strong British influence and combines classic design with modern trends. Burberry is known for its high-quality materials and workmanship and offers a wide range of products, including clothing, accessories and shoes for women, men and children.

Valentino

Valentino is a luxury Italian fashion label founded by Valentino Garavani in Rome in 1959. The brand is now headquartered in Milan, Italy. Valentino is known for its high-end and elegant garments, especially its luxurious evening gowns and haute couture collections. The brand also has a strong presence in accessories, shoes and leather bags. The fashion label has a long history in fashion design and has shaped many of the most famous and sought-after fashion trends of the past decades. Today, Valentino is one of the world’s leading fashion brands and enjoys an outstanding reputation for style, quality and exclusivity. In 2012, the Royal Family of Qatar, through the financial company Mayhoola, which was part of the sovereign wealth fund Qatar Investment Authority, bought the Valentino Fashion Group for an estimated €700 million.

Givenchy

Givenchy is a French fashion brand founded in 1952 by fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy. It is headquartered in Paris, France. The brand is known for its timeless and elegant designs, especially its luxurious dresses and accessories. Givenchy also has a long history of working with famous personalities such as Audrey Hepburn and Jacqueline Kennedy, and it has had a strong influence on the fashion world. Today, Givenchy is an important brand in the field of haute couture and presents collections at the international fashion weeks every year. Hubert de Givenchy also founded Parfums Givenchy S.A. in 1957 with his brother Jean Claude de Givenchy, which has a variety of fragrances on offer, including the well-known women’s fragrance “Very Irrésistible”, the men’s fragrance “Gentlemen Only”, and the unisex fragrance “Eau de Givenchy”.

Givenchy is known for its high-quality perfumes. The brand offers a range of fragrances for men and women that are known and appreciated worldwide. Irresistible by Givenchy is a floral fragrance for women that exudes energy and sensuality. The top note is fresh and invigorating, consisting of grapefruit and peppermint. The heart note consists of violet and iris, which give a feminine and mystical aura. The base note is warm and sensual, with notes of musk, sandalwood and tonka bean.

Bottega Veneta

Bottega Veneta is an Italian fashion brand founded in 1966 by Vittorio and Laura Mentasti in Vicenza, Italy as a leather goods brand. Bottega Veneta, which translates to “Venetian workshop”, is now headquartered in Milan, Italy. The brand is known for its luxurious leather goods, handbags and shoes, as well as its elegant, timeless fashion. As a fashion label, Bottega Veneta is particularly appreciated in the fashion world for its Intrecciato leather weave technique, in which fine strips of leather are braided to create sturdy and durable pieces. Bottega Veneta operates more than 250 exclusive boutiques in over 40 countries worldwide. In 2019, the company generated sales of €1.168 billion with just 300 employees. The fashion label was acquired by Gucci Group in 2001 and has since been part of the French conglomerate Kering.

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana is an Italian fashion company founded in 1985 by designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. The company is headquartered in Milan, Italy. Dolce & Gabbana is known for its luxurious fashion collections, which are particularly renowned for their Italian craftsmanship and distinctive design. The company offers both women’s and men’s clothing, accessories and perfumes. Dolce was already designing his own clothes and tailoring himself at the age of six. Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana first met in 1982 in an atelier in Milan, Italy. Dolce had applied to Gabbana for a job as a designer. Three years later they founded the company Dolce & Gabbana.

Joop!

Joop! is a German fashion brand founded by designer Wolfgang Joop in Hamburg in 1986. The brand is known for its modern and elegant designs and offers a wide range of clothing, accessories and shoes. Joop! became very popular in the 1980s and 1990s and has maintained a strong presence in the fashion industry ever since. The brand has a strong focus on quality and sustainability and is constantly working to improve and modernise its products to meet the demands of its customers. Joop is also active in the perfume industry and has released a number of fragrance collections.

Moncler

Moncler is an Italian fashion brand founded in 1952 that specializes in winter fashion. Originally known for their down jackets, the company has since become a leader in high quality, functional and stylish winter fashion. Moncler has a special focus on using high-quality materials and technologies to provide maximum warmth and comfort. In recent years, Moncler has expanded its product range to include other types of winter clothing and accessories, as well as a summer collection. The company has also worked in collaboration with well-known fashion designers such as Remo Ruffini and Giambattista Valli to further enhance its fashion selection. Moncler has a strong presence in the fashion industry and is widely recognized as one of the leading winter clothing brands.

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Fashion | Fashion Labels | Popular Fashion Labels