British Fashion

As with Kiwi kids, clothes are very important to British teenagers, and many love to shop for the latest fashions.

Britain has seen an explosion in the number of fashion chains aimed at the younger generation, but at a price you can afford! Many of these fashions are influenced by music and movies.

Where do British kids shop? In stores like TopShop, Warehouse, Oasis, and Miss Sixty.

While Britain is well known for its high street shopping, it also has numerous world famous fashion designers. Today, British designers are responsible for collections in French couture houses and a huge number are working for international brands throughout the world - in New York, Milan and the Far East.

Famous British fashion designers include Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Paul Smith, and Stella McCartney, daughter of former Beatle Paul McCartney.

The British Fashion Council (BFC) helps British designers to establish themselves in the industry. Using sponsorship money they are able to put on London Fashion Week twice a year. This week long event has catwalk shows and exhibitions and attracts buyers from Australia and South America, as well as Europe and the US. The media coverage of the event is enormous with more than 250 TV crews, 350 photographers and around 2000 press clippings.

Some designers are now working with high street chains to create clothes which are accessible to everyone. Debenhams and Marks and Spencer are just two stores which now offer designer clothing at affordable prices.