Thursday, August 21, 2008

The End of Fashion

Did you know that back then there was a big rivalry between Ralph Lauren and and Tommy Hilfiger or that Isaac Mizrahi wasn't as successful with his lines as we thought? I didn't until I read Teri Agins book, The End of Fashion.

Agins covers many aspects of fashion that we normally don't hear about and the history and business side of fashion. The End of Fashion covers the fall of fashion in Paris when people stopped dressing up or have their life surrounded in fashion to why Zoran was one of the more successful designers in his time. It's one of the most interesting fashion/business books I have read recently. And you know how business books can get boring, but combined with fashion and the skills of Teri Agins great writing, the book is anything but uninteresting.

One of the great parts of this book is how she explains how clothes are marketed; some of the clothes you might see on the discount rack were actually made to be discount clothes, the department stores were just waiting for sales to stop on the "regular" price. Another interesting fact is that although we might think designer fabric and the materials they use are top quality, sometimes cotton shirts sold at Kmart or other stores are actually more durable. Crazy, don't you think?

Many of you might know that fashion shows are quite expensive or that many haute couture lines don't profit, but there are tons of hidden secrets that we don't know of the fashion industry that are revealed in this book. I recommend you to read this book, before I tell you all the incredible things I have learned from it! Especially if you are an aspiring fashion designer or looking into a future in fashion marketing. And it's even a fun read to anybody that loves fashion!

Buy 'The End of Fashion' Here

37 comments:

S (formerly of Modern-Guilt) said...

This sounds like a really cool read. I read Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster recently and thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the stuff I spend so much time obssessing over, so I may have to check this one out :)

Christina Lee said...

I want to say "aha" after reading your post- so it's ok to be a frugal shopper :)I think I would love to read that- thanks!

Daniela Valdez said...

Awesome, I hope to find it in English here in Mexico! Thanx for recommending this book :)

michelle said...

Seems like an interesting book!

Lisa said...

Interesting! I read Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster recently as well. As for the discovery that a Kmart shirt might be more durable than a brand name one, I'm not surprised. You should judge clothing by its own merits when you shop, not by the label sewn on it.

1234 said...

ive read that! i found it really interesting too.

Lydia O'Connor said...

Wow, this sounds like something I should pick up if I plan on going ahead with my proposed career path. Thanks for enlightening me!

Unknown said...

that sounds like a reallyy interesting book.
i will have to check it out :)

Valentina said...

Sweet, thanks for the rec, I'll definitely check this out later.

diana said...

Interestig!

besos

WendyB said...

Teri's a great reporter.

Kickingcouture said...

I knew there was rivalry after watching rich girls, ally bought a ralph lauren skirt and he kind of went a bit mad! lol he said how ugly it was etc.

It doesnt suprise me that the haute couture shows often dont profit as the detail and craftmanship and fabrics are amazing

Unknown said...

i think i recall the tommy hilfiger vs. ralph lauren time! sounds like an interesting read!

Siru said...

One question, do they sell these online?

juliet xxx

Seeker said...

Sounds a very interesting reading.
Don't know if they would translate it.

xx

Brianna Gonzalez said...

definitely buying this book. im so interested in fashion marketing-- sounds very interesting. thanks for the post letting me know about it!

Little Bow Prep said...

Oh, it sounds awesome. I'll have to check it out.

1234 said...

I live in south western Canada haha.

Anonymous said...

love your entries :) i'm learning a lot.
will be linking you :)

Tricia said...

Interesting, thanks! Zoran has devoted fans, and if I could afford it i'd buy a piece every season.

Angela said...

I have been in the fashion industry and most if not all the brands already take discount into consideration. Fashion is about a lifestyle but it is a business. Like other business, it's all about numbers in the end.

Anonymous said...

I've been looking to read an educational book, but not something too boring... this fits the bill! thanks!

Rebecca, A Clothes Horse said...

Sounds great. I already knew about Mizrahi...I still don't like his clothes.

♥ Marta ♥ said...

OMG ... that you so much for writing about this book... I am an avid reader and am always looking for something new and interesting to read :) ...

ryder said...

Mizrahi ? cool. his clothes: ammmm. it s not working for me! :)

i would love to exchange links.
if u r still up for that!

Human Racing said...

That sounds like a good book. must check it out sometime.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the recommendation! I'm definitely going to read this.

T said...

i wanna read it!

Cait said...

That sounds like an awesome book, thanks for the recommendation. I just ordered it!!

Elizabeth said...

I knew about this battle, as I was around to see it begin. I'm an old-timer.

Anonymous said...

GREAT! I will have to pick this one up. Have you read Fashion Babylon? Another excellent book that gives readers an insight into the industry.

Grayburn said...

Oh wow interesting find!

x Grayburn

Anonymous said...

It seems that it is an interesting book..I agree on the "discount rack were actually made to be discount clothes" that is an strategy base marketing to make people go crazy over it...and think that they bought it as discounted one but in fact was not actually..Love reading your posts..

Marian said...

what an interesting post.this is defo a most read for me,it sounds very good.
x
Marian

groovacious said...

I'm gonna read it! Thanks for the reccomendation.

Jaclyn Johnson said...

I stole this book from the library when i was 17 ha! still have it

Gabby said...

Ooh I read this last year! It's kind of funny because they go on about how Isaac Mizrahi was suffering because he was staying true to his couture ways and it wasn't selling. Now, look who's made himself a household name by designing for Target?