high fashion: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, journalistic, business, artistic. Used in contexts discussing luxury, design, art, and industry analysis. Rare in casual everyday conversation.
Quick answer
What does “high fashion” mean?
The most exclusive and expensive sector of the fashion industry, characterised by designer brands, custom-made garments, runway shows, and artistic innovation. It sets trends rather than follows them.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The most exclusive and expensive sector of the fashion industry, characterised by designer brands, custom-made garments, runway shows, and artistic innovation. It sets trends rather than follows them.
The creative and artistic expression of fashion as an art form, often associated with luxury, haute couture, avant-garde design, and seasonal collections presented at major fashion weeks (e.g., Paris, Milan, London, New York). It represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship and prestige.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The term itself is used similarly in both varieties. However, British media might more frequently reference specific European houses (e.g., Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen), while American media might focus on commercial impact and celebrity connections.
Connotations
Both carry connotations of exclusivity, expense, and artistry. Slight potential for negative connotation of impracticality or being out of touch in informal contexts.
Frequency
Equally frequent in fashion journalism and discourse in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “high fashion” in a Sentence
[Noun] is influenced by high fashionhigh fashion [verb] trickles downa [noun] for high fashionthe [adjective] of high fashionVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “high fashion” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- She has always worked in high fashion, starting as an intern at a Savile Row tailor.
- The exhibition explores the intersection of high fashion and street style in London.
American English
- New York Fashion Week is a key event for American high fashion.
- He criticized high fashion for being unaffordable for the average consumer.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the high-margin, low-volume segment of the apparel industry, focusing on brand value, licensing, and global markets.
Academic
Studied in cultural studies, sociology, and art history as a system of symbolic production, class distinction, and artistic expression.
Everyday
Rarely used in daily talk. Might be used when discussing very expensive clothing or celebrity outfits at major events.
Technical
In fashion design and merchandising, it specifies the sector involving original, seasonal collections shown on international runways.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “high fashion”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “high fashion”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “high fashion”
- Using 'high fashion' to describe any expensive clothing item (it refers to the industry/design sphere, not individual garments). Confusing it with 'formal wear' (e.g., a tuxedo is formal wear, but not necessarily high fashion unless from a specific designer collection).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Haute couture' is a legally protected French term for custom-made, exceptionally crafted garments meeting specific criteria. 'High fashion' is a broader English term that includes haute couture but can also refer to the most exclusive designer ready-to-wear.
It's better to say 'designer outfit' or 'luxury outfit'. 'High fashion' refers more to the industry, design concept, or collection, not typically a single worn item in a casual context.
Common opposites include 'fast fashion' (inexpensive, rapidly produced clothing) and 'high street fashion' (mainstream, commercially available clothing).
No, it is typically written as two separate words. The hyphenated form 'high-fashion' is sometimes used as a compound adjective (e.g., 'a high-fashion model').
The most exclusive and expensive sector of the fashion industry, characterised by designer brands, custom-made garments, runway shows, and artistic innovation. It sets trends rather than follows them.
High fashion is usually formal, journalistic, business, artistic. used in contexts discussing luxury, design, art, and industry analysis. rare in casual everyday conversation. in register.
High fashion: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ˈfæʃ.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ˈfæʃ.ən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Trickle-down effect (from high fashion to the high street)”
- “Fashion forward (inspired by high fashion)”
- “Couture clientele”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think HIGH as in 'high society' or 'high-end' – the highest level of fashion, both in price and artistic ambition.
Conceptual Metaphor
FASHION IS ART (High fashion is the gallery exhibition; street fashion is the poster print). FASHION IS HIERARCHY (High fashion is at the top, dictating to the levels below).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is MOST synonymous with 'high fashion' in its strictest sense?