This summer it is “boho” chic. Last summer, it was preppy sailor simplicity. In the late 90’s it was the grunge look. Yellow is the new black. Jeans are the new business casual. And on. And on. Yes, I am writing of fashion trends. The latest look, style, and color floods the covers of magazines, the shelves of retailers from Saks to H & M, the bodies of celebrities and television characters and, undoubtedly, is able to get enough of us to buy into it (literally and figuratively) to validate the whole cycle. So, while most of us are easily able to grasp this continuously perpetuating cycle of saturating the public with the latest, greatest duds, questions remain: how does a trend start? Who makes this decision? Why does it work?

Well, to be perfectly honest, there is no definitive answer to the myth that is a fashion trend. But, while the exact formula is beyond the consumer, we can be sure that it takes the work of several different interdependent fashion industry professions to convince us that espadrilles, suspenders, and terry-cloth suits are worthy of our dollars and donning.

Fashion designers gather their inspiration, whether it comes from popular culture, music, politics, a celebrity muse, or something else entirely. Then, they design – usually a spring and fall collection. With a slew of inspired, perfectly crafted designs ready to hit the runway, they show their collections.

It could possibly be said that the trend begins at the fashion show. Fashion writers, buyers, photographers and celebrities line the runways, waiting to take in, criticize and praise the designer’s work.

Writers go back to their offices and verbally comment on the design they have seen. If a collection is deemed great, the editor may be persuaded to feature the clothing on the cover of the month’s issue. This is also influenced by fashion publicists – professionals who are paid to get the designer’s duds in front of larger audiences. Thus, we read about the latest fashion trend.

Photographers snap photos as the models parade down the runway and sell them to parties interested in the designer’s work. The photos show up in newspapers, industry magazines, fashion magazines and various other media outlets. Thus, we see the latest fashion trend.

Buyers, if impressed, order pieces that their clientele will be willing to pay hundreds or thousands to own. Other designers, those focused on mass production of more affordable versions of the latest trend, gather their inspiration here too. Thus, we can purchase the latest fashion trend.

So, as you can see, it is impossible to pinpoint exactly how a fashion becomes a trend. What you can know, with certainty, is that it took many professionals in the fashion industry to get you to the cash register with your bohemian-inspired peasant blouse.

In his new reality television show, “The Cut,” fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger describes the elements of his fame with an acronym:

Hilfiger explains that the key to his sustained success in the fashion industry has been his uncanny ability to fuse the four aforementioned elements in a tidy package that has mass appeal. Hilfiger launched his first collection in 1984, and netted profits of $11 million by 1986. But, of course, if you have visited any major department store in the past fifteen years, this is not hard to imagine. Hilfiger’s spirited but casually colorful update on the classic preppy look has catapulted him into a household name. He has made chambray shorts and cotton collared shirts chic again. His collections fill the racks and people buy.

Hilfiger is also famous for his ability to forge great relationships with huge musical acts – including Nelly, Puff Daddy, Destiny’s Child, the Black Eyed Peas, and No Doubt – to name a few! He has been praised for his ability to appeal to consumers through the use of celebrity endorsement. This methodology certainly fits into his “F.A.M.E.” approach of creating a lifestyle brand, which he explains to the sixteen eager contestants selected to be a part of “The Cut.”

In hopes of being chosen as the next great American designer, contestants will be put through the ringer. Hilfiger explains that each of the tasks, ranging from testing business instinct, to social skills, to sales and marketing, to design and creativity, are a part of the skill set necessary to achieve success in the competitive industry of fashion.
So, if you are reading this you are probably not a contestant on the show. That is okay! We think that you can gain valuable advice from Hilfiger anyway. In choosing the various tasks for the contestants, Hilfiger provides a guide for all design hopefuls. Fashion design is not just about design – at least not if you want to rule the fashion world! As you develop your design skills, it is also important to work on your ability to socialize, sell yourself and understand the numbers behind it all. Whether you seek “F.A.M.E” or a lucrative career in fashion, Hilfiger is a worthy model for success