The superb fashion designers

The master of Italian style, Giorgio Armani, has gained a superb reputation in the fashion circles over the years by staying true to his strengths: impeccable tailoring, luxurious fabrics, and flattering, masterful cuts. What began as a maker of equestrian items has become an international symbol of style, money and good taste.

Style

Refinement is the name of the game here, from the leather equestrian-style boots a nod to the line's heritage to the silk scarves emblazoned with the famous Hermes print. Prada continues to break down the barriers of fashion, reinventing styles and creating trends by focusing on quality and flattery. Ferragamo has for years been the name found at the bottom of the most elaborate ensembles, since well-shod women and men around the world choose this line for its style and quality. While other designers are known for flashy styles and runway shows with un-wearable clothes, Valentino has maintained decades of success by offering the highest quality and the most exacting attention to detail in creating clothes ideal for special occasions.

The couture house sells only a very limited percentage of Haute Couture model garments to a contracting number of customers. The profits from this activity are negligible, amounting to less than ten per cent of gross profits of the couture name or even sometimes a loss. In turn, the ready to wear and couture house beauty industry employs a huge workforce for the many lower level sales of perfume and accessories. This makes large profits for the couture design house through the volume of mass market international sales.

Fashion

The purchase of a haute couture model garment is at the top level of hand customized fashion design and clothing construction made by a couture design house. Couture means dressmaking, sewing, or needlework and haute means elegant or high, so the two combined imply excellent artistry with the fashioning of garments. The fashion shows attract huge media attention and gain enormous publicity for the couture houses. Just when you thought voluminous shapes were done and dusted, Chanel, Valentino and co make the silhouette de rigueur for fall fashion. But the direction of fashion relies on "plugged-in" individuals to react to events, and trends in music, art and books. Most of all fashion is about being comfortable with yourself, translating self-esteem into a personal style. Whether you prefer hip-hop or Chanel-chic, fashion accommodates the chameleon in all of us. At the sametime, fashion shouldn't be taken too seriously or you lose the fun of it.

Acceptance or rejection of a style is a reaction to the society we live in. Acceptance or rejection of a style is a reaction to the society we live in. Physical attraction: many styles are worn to inspire "chemistry. High fashion is the style of a small group of men and women with a certain taste and authority in the fashion world. Most of all fashion is about being comfortable with yourself, translating self-esteem into a personal style.