Most Fashionable Cities in the World

When it comes to fashion, the first place people think of is undoubtedly Paris. The French have cemented their place in the fashion industry and continue to be one of the most fashionable cities in the world. Every year the Global Language Monitor compile a survey and rank the most fashionable cities in the world. The following four have taken the top spot the most times and for the most recent data (2014) New York City held the top spot while Paris came in second by a mere .05 percent.

Paris
Haute couture began during the 18th century, but the French were making waves in the fashion world as early as the 16th century. When it came to aspiring designers, Paris was without question the place to be. Coco Chanel is often cited for revolutionizing women’s fashion and she began the legacy of Chanel in Paris. Christian Dior also became an international hit after World War II with his feminine designs. The reason Paris remains the fashion capital of the world, regardless of official ranking, is that it is still home to many design houses, it holds the most important and prestigious fashion shows and it still serves as inspiration for aspiring designers. French men and women are both well known for their effortless sense of style and chic and with a city steeped in such rich fashion tradition, it’s easy to see why.

Milan
Like Paris, Milan has been one of the most influential cities on fashion for a long time and it has also been named the fashion capital of the world. In the 19th century, Milan really began to produce items that define what fashion from Milan was, and continues to be. Although Milan designers took inspiration from their Parisian counterparts, they also stressed the importance of quality. Luxury and opulence define Milan fashion with design houses such as Gucci and Versace starting in this gorgeous city.

London
Although many consider Paris the eternal fashion capital of the world, London has taken this title several times over the last several years. Brilliant designer Alexander McQueen was based in London, and his design house still remains one of the world’s most coveted brands. Recently, the Duchess of Cambridge has been solidifying London’s spot as one of the top four most fashionable cities in the world.

New York City
Rounding out the Big Four, New York City has been one, and continues to be, one of the most fashionable cities in the world. New York City has some of the most famous shopping districts, 5th Avenue and SoHo, in the world and the city is an amalgam of high fashion and street style. New York Fashion Week also hosts some of the most important shows of each season and American Vogue is headquartered in NYC. With Anna Wintour in the city, it has to make the top four list.

In 2014, the Global Language Monitor’s survey actually listed Los Angeles as the fourth most fashionable cities in the world while Milan fell to number 12. The cities that made the top 10 include: New York City, Paris, London, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Rome, Berlin, Sydney, Antwerp and Shanghai. Up and coming fashionable cities include Melbourne, Moscow, St. Petersburg and Madrid. Geography alone is not the only factor that influences fashion, as the revolutionary Coco Chanel once said, “fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”