https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/globally-ranked-the-top-30-fashion-capitals-in-the-world Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 09 May 2026 19:19:37 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/globally-ranked-the-top-30-fashion-capitals-in-the-world#post-80736 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 08:05:57 +0000 Mac 80736@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>"Oh, so Canada is suffering from a lack of exposure in the fashion business. That's a whole different issue." I respectfully disagree. I think it's part and parcel of the same big issue of Canadians (in general: there are many exceptions) not feeling really confident about our style and choosing to be followers rather than leaders. The fact we don't support our own local talent is both a cause and a symptom of not having a particularly vibrant "fashion culture."<br /> Michelle: thanks for the warm welcome! I can't wait to have all sorts of online discussions with you about our fabulous size, our gorgeous city, our evolving style. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/globally-ranked-the-top-30-fashion-capitals-in-the-world#post-80735 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:40:27 +0000 Ele 80735@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mac, it's so true what you say about Canadian designers! Canadian consumers need external validation- they will buy Canadian, but only AFTER a brand has had success outside our borders. It's sad, and strangely doesn't seem to apply to other areas like music or art. We'll happily support Canadian artists in that respect, so why not with fashion? </p> <p>(There is the issue that producing clothing in Canada is pricy, and therefore the clothes are often more expensive than they would be if designed/made elsewhere. Even in the big cities, our population doesn't have enough high-fashion consumers to really move much of anything.)</p> <p>Maya, you are SO right about the men thing! When I was in NYC in May, I was so impressed by all the gorgeous, stylish women. I saw literally scores of them every day, and was completely blown away. But I can count the number of good-looking, stylish and well-put-together guys I saw on one hand.</p> <p>Here in Europe it's more equal- when I go out in London I see just as many stylish guys as girls. That is probably one of the reasons I fell for my boyfriend; a fashion-loving Brit definitely stands out in Toronto, too! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/globally-ranked-the-top-30-fashion-capitals-in-the-world#post-80665 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:54:25 +0000 Angie 80665@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Arwwwh, how lovely, Mac. Thank you :0). I was in Canada a few weeks ago and felt surrounded by love. Interesting points that you raise about Canadian designers. </p> <p>I was thinking of stylish cities in terms of street wear too, Laura. Thanks for the explanation, Cathy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/globally-ranked-the-top-30-fashion-capitals-in-the-world#post-80620 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:01:10 +0000 Laura 80620@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, so Canada is suffering from a lack of exposure in the fashion business. That's a whole different issue. I was thinking about stylish cities in terms of street wear, and that's where Montreal excels.</p> <p>Helping to initiate the global challenge was absolutely my pleasure! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/globally-ranked-the-top-30-fashion-capitals-in-the-world#post-80610 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:32:38 +0000 cciele 80610@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If I read the article correctly, seems like two Canadian cities (Toronto and Montreal) were #32 and #33!</p> <p>The article says that the rankings were based on "GLM’s Predictive Quantities Index, a proprietary algorithm that tracks words and phrases in print and electronic media, on the Internet and throughout the blogosphere. The words and phrases are tracked in relation to their frequency, contextual usage and appearance in global media outlets."</p> <p>So the more press a city gets, the higher it gets ranked (or something like that). It's interesting they include the blogosphere and the Internet, because when a big story hits the wires, it gets spreads really quickly through the interwebz, and that would boost ratings (one would think). Who knows about those "proprietary algorithms" though! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/globally-ranked-the-top-30-fashion-capitals-in-the-world#post-80597 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:53:44 +0000 Maya 80597@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with you Ele. NY would not be in the top three, recession or not, if this were based on street style. New Yorkers aren't all rich and glamorous. There are a lot of very poor and underprivileged people, and they far outweigh those who are well off enough to make style and fashion a priority. When most people talk about NY street style, they are talking about a small sliver of Manhattan that isn't really representative of the city at large.</p> <p>I hate to say it but I feel like American men really bring down the style quotient in any city :p I am always so impressed with the dudes whenever I visit Europe. Not every guy is fussy about his appearance, but they at least look decent and presentable...unlike the guys here </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/globally-ranked-the-top-30-fashion-capitals-in-the-world#post-80596 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:52:19 +0000 Michelle 80596@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mac, some interesting insight on the Canadian designers. A friend of mine is the fashion writer at our media outlet, and she's reported similar things. There is usually considerable buzz for Toronto's fashion week, but it doesn't translate into sales or global influence.<br /> Also I wanted to give you a shout-out from a fellow size 16 Torontonian! Methinks we'll be able to help each other a lot! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/globally-ranked-the-top-30-fashion-capitals-in-the-world#post-80594 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:35:48 +0000 Mac 80594@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, thanks for your kind words about Canada. You adore Canada... and Canada (or at least, this Canadian!) adores you right back.</p> <p>I don't think any of our cities belong in the top 20, to be honest. I've lived in many cities around the world and, for better or for worse, Canada doesn't come close to some towns like New York, London or Hong Kong. And I say for better, because there are some lovely things about living in a town where people aren't very concerned about the way they look. </p> <p>What I find saddest is that we have some fantastic designers but people would rather spend their money on American or European labels instead of nurturing our "home grown" talent. I've spoken to Canadian designers who say their clothes sell out at Barneys and other foreign stores but just don't move in Canada. </p> <p>Angie, I hope you'll come to some Canadian cities and hold some fashion workshops or at the very least take some private clients around to go shopping. You can help my homeland develop style, one woman at a time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/globally-ranked-the-top-30-fashion-capitals-in-the-world#post-80576 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:18:16 +0000 Ele 80576@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting- thanks for posting this, Angie! </p> <p>I agree with the rankings, but it took me a while to come to that. I think we have to consider how these cities were ranked. It's based on the global fashion industry, and specific cities' money-making power, and influence. Debora's observation is spot-on; obviously the recession is going to influence things in that way. Though I'm nothing if not patriotic, I also know that Canada's global fashion influence is laughable- we just don't have the population to sustain that kind of industry.</p> <p>BUT, if this list were based on global "style quotients", ie, how stylish a certain city was, I think the list would look very different. I venture to guess that NYC wouldn't actually be in the top 3 (don't get me wrong, I LOVE that city, but I find European cities in general to be more "stylish"), and Canadian cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal would definitely make an appearance. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/globally-ranked-the-top-30-fashion-capitals-in-the-world#post-80575 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:17:17 +0000 Maya 80575@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I see it was ranked in a very businesslike way, which makes sense, but if we were to talk about the everyday street style, I can't see at least half of these cities even making the list. Perhaps that is why no Canadian cities made it, even if the people are stylish.</p> <p>But it goes without saying that "the big five" are both top in business AND street style. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/globally-ranked-the-top-30-fashion-capitals-in-the-world#post-80573 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:10:28 +0000 Debora 80573@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Angie! I'm so glad you enjoyed the challenge. Your outfits were truly amazing and I am touched that the Hong Kong challenge was so meaningful to you. It was so much fun for all of us and rewarding to see the great response from everyone. Laura did such a great job organizing and initiating the challenge. She was able to take all the input and put it into such a clear and concise challenge. Laura, my thanks to you, also!</p> <p>Angie, my daughter is a fashion publicist in NY. I think the fashion gene skipped a generation with me and landed on her! She is crazy about fashion and thanks to YLF I am able to be a little more knowledgeable now about her career. I am constantly forwarding her links from YLF! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/globally-ranked-the-top-30-fashion-capitals-in-the-world#post-80564 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:28:04 +0000 Angie 80564@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m so with you, Laura. Wonder what our Canadian YLF’ers will have to say about this!</p> <p>Debora, that’s interesting. Sounds like your daughter might be a buyer or fashion editor.</p> <p>Also while I have you BOTH here, I meant to say thank you to Laura for initiating and managing my challenge, and thank you to Debora for sewing the global seed. I really enjoyed posting my challenge and coming up with the outfits with the elements that pushed my fashion envelope. I also meant to answer the questions that you asked on the blog itself, so here they are:</p> <p>o Even though I enjoyed ALL the outfits and did not have a favourite – Tel Aviv was most out of my box. At the end of the day I’m not an earthy girl. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t love my outfit. Does that makes sense? </p> <p>o The HK outfit is closest to my heart and wearing gold reminds me of my late Mum (who only wore gold). This was an emotional ensemble and I am SO grateful I wear gold now. It gives me a good feeling to incorporate a bit of my Mum’s look. </p> <p>o London was the easiest “challenge”. Hands down. </p> <p>Better late than never! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/globally-ranked-the-top-30-fashion-capitals-in-the-world#post-80557 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:41:25 +0000 Debora 80557@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is really interesting, Angie. especially about NY losing the number one spot. I forwarded it to my daughter in NYC and asked her for her thoughts about fashion week and the recession. She attends spring and fall fashion week every year for her job. This was her take on it this year:</p> <p>"And yeah…NY Fashion Week DEFINITELY was scaled back a bit last season. Not as many parties, some designers forgoing runway shows in favor of cheaper “presentations” at their studios, or in rented loft spaces.</p> <p>I’ll be interested to see if the same holds true for this September…."</p> <p>Thanks for sharing the article, Angie! It's amazing to see how the recession continues to affect every aspect of our lives. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/globally-ranked-the-top-30-fashion-capitals-in-the-world#post-80553 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:07:41 +0000 Laura 80553@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>But Montreal is so stylish! I just love that city. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/globally-ranked-the-top-30-fashion-capitals-in-the-world#post-80549 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:49:52 +0000 Angie 80549@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting: </p> <p><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/21/ny-no-longer-fashion-capi_n_242100.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.....42100.html</a></p> <p>My top 5 stylish cities in the world (Hong Kong, London, Barcelona, NY and Paris) make the top 14. Sad to see Tokyo drop and interesting that not one Canadian city makes the list! I adore Canada. This has to change. </p>