When it comes to the clothing categories produced by clothing manufacturers three major divisions are apparent, though there may be smaller divisions within each one.
The first category is called “Haute Courture” French for “High Fashion.” Up until the 1950’s haute couture were fashion clothing created for a particular individual. It is made for one single client using the finest quality fabrics and sewn together by professionals with close attention to every detail. It is not unusual for time-consuming “by-hand” techniques to give it a superb, one-of-a-kind finish. Instead of material costs, the final look and fit takes priority in the manufacture of the garment.
In the case of the second category, “Ready-to-Wear” clothes are a synthesis of both mass market clothing techniques and haute couture. Though not created for a single individual these clothes are still made with high end fabrics and special care being taken for the cut. They are not made as a single garment, yet still only a few are made so that there is a particular sense of exclusivity about them and allows for them to be sold at much higher prices. These clothes are on display at fashion houses during “Fashion Week.” Twice a year fashion week occurs on a city-wide basis.
The final category is the largest and is the main stay of the fashion industry, and that is “Mass Market Sales.” These clothes cater to a much larger clientele and are made up of large quantities of ready-to-wear clothes produced in standard sizes. The materials involved are much more inexpensive, but creatively employed to allow for more affordable pricing. Using the famous fashion designs that set trends, mass market adapts these styles and makes them affordable. They usually wait an entire season to ensure that the style is set before creating their own versions of them. In addition to the less expensive fabrics and cheaper production standards, machines are used to simplify and speed up the process at a much lower cost. In the end these designs can be sold at a much lower price.