Fashion for the Masses

by Kristin Marino
Fashion School Review Columnist

October 17, 2005

Send to a friend |

Printable Version

No one seems to know exactly who coined the term "masstige," but get ready for an onslaught of this fashion and lifestyle buzzword derived from the word "mass" and the word "prestige." Masstige is, in simple terms, prestige for the masses. It describes luxury designer goods and services branded for mass consumption.

High Fashion Design Meets Middle Class

Masstige means Isaac Mizrahi and Cynthia Rowley at Target and Karl Lagerfeld designing for the H&M clothing line. Masstige means Diane Von Furstenberg on QVC. Masstige means, ultimately, more options and opportunities for those who desire a fashion career. While a few couture fashion designers might be gnashing their teeth over this phenomenon, many are reaping the benefits of high exposure and huge money.

Fashion designer names used to be known to only the select few that could afford their wares. For those with a fashion design education the story has changed. A fashion career can lead to becoming a household name in middle America. Women in Kansas really are dropping their kids off to school wearing Isaac Mizrahi.

New Opportunities in a Fashion Career

The masstige trend not only helps those of us who would rather make our house payment than buy a new belt, but it helps those of us who desire a fashion career as well. The heightened interest in fashion by the masses means more opportunities to use our fashion design education to create designs that will be worn and seen by millions of people, not just the elite.

Source:

Vogue Magazine

About the Author
Kristin Marino is obsessed with haute couture, even though she lives in Reno, Nevada, where you can't even get Gucci or Louis Vuitton, let alone Jimmy Choo. She has a Bachelor of Art in English Composition from the University of Nevada.

Featured Schools
Campus The Art Institutes The Art Institutes system of schools is a leading educator of students in the creative and applied arts, including design, media, fashion, and culinary programs. Every program of study offered to you is regularly reviewed by industry leaders, advisors, and employers for relevance in the marketplace. Changes are made, if necessary, to integrate subject matter into the curriculum so that our degree programs reflect the way things are done in the real world of work. Programs listed are not offered at all locations. See more facts about The Art Institutes Program Offer: Fashion Design (BFA) Fashion Design (AA) Fashion Design (AAA) And more... Campus Locations: Chicago Dallas Denver Fort Lauderdale Houston Indianapolis Miami Milwaukee Minneapolis New York North Hollywood Philadelphia Pittsburgh Portland San Antonio San Bernardino San Diego San Francisco Santa Ana Santa Monica Schaumburg Seattle Tucson Vancouver Campus American InterContinental University Get the design and business skills you need to succeed. American InterContinental University - Buckhead's mission is to provide students with the knowledge, skills and practical work experience they need for success. Whether you're interested in Internati See more facts about American InterContinental University Program Offer: Bachelor of Fine Arts Fashion Marketing Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Marketing and Design Campus Locations: Atlanta Fort Lauderdale Campus International Academy of Design and Tech Start planning for your future. No matter what you want to achieve in your career, the International Academy of Design & Technology in Chicago can help. The Academy offers diverse and comprehensive degree programs in numerous Design disciplines as wel See more facts about International Academy of Design and Tech Program Offer: Fashion Design and Merchandising Fashion Design Fashion Design and Marketing Campus Locations: Chicago Henderson Nashville Orlando San Antonio Seattle Troy Campus Visual College of Art and Design Follow your passion! For over 35 years, the Visual College of Art and Design (VCAD) has taught artists and imaginative people just like you. VCAD's Fine Arts diploma program is highly regarded for providing a well-rounded arts education in an environment that emphasizes creativity and individuality. Which program is right for you? Choose from Graphic Design, Marketing & Merchandising for Fashion, 3D Modelling Animation Art & Design, Fashion Design, and Interior Design. We know that employers want graduates who are knowledgeable about their field and possess the most up-to-date technical skills. That's why our students receive focused and specialized training on the tools, techniques, and technology used in their chosen career field. Visual College of Art and Design offers courses at one campus in Vancouver, British Columbia Get started today by answering a few questions.>>> See more facts about Visual College of Art and Design Program Offer: Fashion Design Campus Locations: Vancouver Campus Collins College Prepare yourself for the future. Collins College, located in Tempe, AZ, is your gateway to the world of design and technology. Get the education you need to start a new career in Visual Communication, Multimedia Production, Animation, Digital Video, or PC See more facts about Collins College Program Offer: Fashion Design and Merchandising Campus Locations: Phoenix Online Stratford Career Institute Earn Your Diploma from Home! Stratford Career Institute can help you earn your diploma from home in as little as six months, thanks to their proven study methods. See more facts about Stratford Career Institute Program Offer: Fashion Merchandising and Design