The most expensive shirt, which is valued at $45,000, was made by Swedish shirt-making company Eton; its studs and cufflinks are encrusted with diamonds.
The most expensive necktie, which was made of pure silk with a decoration of 150 grams of gold and 271 diamonds weighing 77 carats, was purchased by bollywood film
star Salman Khan in 2003 for $220,000.
The most expensive jean was a 501 jean made in the US in 1880s and purchased by a Japanese collector for $60,000 in 2005.
Silk is a strong, light, soft, and sensuous fabric produced from cocoons of the Bombyx caterpillar, or silkworm.
The
cheongsam (known as a "qi pao" in Mandarin) is a tight form-fitting Chinese dress with thigh-high slits and a high-collar. Traditionally a dress worn by
Manchu women, it received some international exposure in the
Suzie Wong film. The slit is supposed to rise no higher than mid thigh.
New clothes should be washed before children wear them, especially if the clothing will be in direct contact with the skin.
About 40
Fashion Weeks are held in different cities around the world every year, and the most
biggest and prestigious ones are held in
New York,
London,
Milan and
Paris.
Each of the Big Four is known for championing different styles – New York for sportswear; London for edgy, avant-garde design; Milan for its over-the-top yet stylish looks; and Paris for haute couture.
New York Fashion Week is the oldest one, having been inaugurated in 1943 by fashion publicist
Elenor Lamber.
The first fashion magazine was originated in 1586 in Frankfurt, Germany
New York City’s fashion industry employs over 175,000 people and generates $10 billion in total wages.
In France, married men use more cosmetics than their wives.
The first
bra was created by
Mary Phelps, a New York socialite in 1913.
Ida Rosenthal started designing bras with different cup sizes in 1921.
Prior to 1850, 70 percent of the clothes worn were hand-stitched by the people who wore them.
A clothing item is considered
vintage if it was made between 1920 and 1960. Outside this period, it is considered to be retro.
Clothes that are dry cleaned often last longer.
The
skirt is the second oldest women's garment in history. It's preceded only by the
loincloth.
66% of American women have kept a pair of jeans that are too small for them in the hope that one day they will fit again.
Toronto, Canada, is home to more than 550 apparel manufacturers with wholesale shipments totaling nearly $1.4 billion annually or 16% of the $9 billion Canadian market.
81 million American women - 50% of the female adult population - wear clothing in sizes 14 and larger.
Some 65 million American women - 40% of the female adult population - wear a size 12 or bigger.
over 50% of the consumer population is not satisfied with the fit of off-the-rack clothes.
In North America, the average person consumes over 80 pounds of textiles per year.
Fashion and apparel industry is the second largest industry next to agriculture in terms of water consumption.
Woman uses average 6 pounds of lipstick in a year but few of them know that one ingredient frequently used in manufacturing lipsticks is fish scales.
Elizabeth I of England loved hats so much that she made it mandatory for all females over the age of 7 to wear a hat on Sundays and holidays.
Napoleon Bonaparte dictated that buttons be attached to jacket sleeves to stop the annoying habit soldiers had of wiping their runny noses on their jacket sleeves.
Perfume is an over $10 million dollar industry. It's been used as far back as the Ancient Egyptians.
The modern era of perfume began in 1921 with Coco Chanel's launch of Chanel No. 5, an exotic floral blend, created by Ernest Beaux.
The first fake eyelashes made out of human hair were invented D.W. Griffith, a Hollywood movie producer, to enhance the look of actress Seena Owen’s eyes for a 1916 film.
Neiman Marcus had the first customer loyalty program (InCircle), and the first in-store gift-wrapping service.
- As a leading American retailer ...
with one of the 100 largest corporate workforces in the world. Federated
Department Stores owns Macy's and
Bloomingdale's.
- One of the world's largest specialty retailers
with three of the most recognized and respected brands in the apparel
industry — Gap, Banana Republic and
Old Navy.
- One of the most widely recognized
brands in the world. The Company designs and markets a leading lifestyle collection
of casual apparel and accessories for women, men, children, and babies.
- One of the world’s most famous luxury
department store for exclusive fashion and beauty products, including a wide selection of designer clothings, handbags and accessories.
- A well-known international luxury lifestyle store offering
many of the world's most prestigious brands in women's wear, menswear, accessories, beauty, food and home.
- Headquartered in Freeport, Maine, L.L. Bean operates a worldwide catalog business, an award-winning Web site and
Retail Stores and Factory Stores throughout the U.S. East Coast.
- One of well-known fashion stores that designs
and markets an extensive range of women's and men's fashion apparel and accessories appropriate to wearing occasions ranging from casual to dressy.
- A luxury lifestyle department store with many locations in the UK offering famous-name
fashion brands, relaxing beauty rooms, favorite beauty products, and luxury designer handbags and accessories.
- A leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products,
including apparel, home accessories, and fragrances, in both the U.S. and international markets.
- A well-known department store in the U.S., Sears operated
863 mall-based retail stores, and an additional 1,200 retail locations outside of malls. Sears Canada operates 125 full-line stores,
176 specialty stores, and 1,550 independently owned catalog agents and dealer stores.
- As a general merchandise retailer, Target provides value
to American consumers through multiple retail formats ranging from upscale discount and moderate-priced,
to full-scale department stores. It also owns Marshall Field's and Mervyn's, and each has its own
distinct brand.
