Fashion is a multifaceted industry that encompasses design, production, and retail. It includes clothing, footwear, accessories, and cosmetics that are characterized by distinctive styles and trends. The industry has been characterized by rapid change and ever-expanding globalization. Fashion can be a form of art that explores cultural notions of beauty and self-expression. It can also be seen as a form of social categorization, with items of apparel serving to distinguish individuals by indicating their status or group membership.

In the past, fashion was dictated by specific and often exclusive clothes that were available only to certain members of society. For example, in ancient Rome, only the wealthy could afford to wear purple dye or wear garments made from exotic animals such as whale teeth or hyena pelts. In modern times, fashion has become a form of mass culture with its own celebrity icons that inspire new clothing styles and trends. These trends are often inspired by the work of designers and other members of the elite in the fashion business, which is a globalized industry.

Those interested in working in the fashion industry should have good drawing skills and be able to visualize ideas. They should have knowledge of fabric sourcing and be able to make use of machinery to bring designs to life. It is a good idea to gain experience by working in the fashion industry either as a designer or in retail to learn about the commercial side of the business.