Via Rose Moscato-Fashion
CIT Shows
Via Rose Moscato
Fashion designer based in Denver, Colorado.
Brilliant young fashion designer for clothes that you can actually wear, Via Rose Moscato of Denver, Colarado, drops by the Captn's Lounge to visit with Nigel and give a short (but very nice) fashion show.
If you're a woman who'd like beautiful clothes that fit, watch this show!!
Featured Models
- Teresa Mendoza
- Melissa Hirst
- Alliana Martinez
Produced and edited by T.G. Lewis for CiT NETWORK.
For more information about Via Rose Moscato, please visit:
- https://www.viamoscato.shop
- https://www.facebook.com/Moscato.Via
- https://www.facebook.com/reel/1265915841920093
The American fashion industry is a dynamic and influential sector with a rich history, significant economic impact, and a constantly evolving landscape shaped by consumer preferences, technological advancements, and global trends.
History and Evolution:
Historically, American fashion was heavily influenced by European, particularly Parisian, styles. However, the 20th century marked a turning point, with the U.S. beginning to forge its own distinct identity:
- Early 1900s - 1920s: American fashion gained independence. The "flapper" emerged as a symbol of modern, independent women after World War I and the 19th Amendment. Men's fashion became less formal with cuffed pants and flannel coats.
- 1930s - 1940s: The Great Depression shifted focus from fashion to survival, though movements like the Harlem Renaissance emerged. World War II led to fabric rationing and simpler "utility dresses," while women embraced trousers and overalls for factory work. Post-WWII saw a return to more formalized femininity.
- 1950s: Department stores gained popularity, providing wider access to consumer goods.
- 1960s: Counterculture movements and the rise of unisex clothing like denim jeans and leather jackets challenged traditional norms. Mod fashion, originating in London, spread to the U.S. The Hippie revolution brought handmade clothing and anti-consumerism.
- 1970s: A "Me" Decade focus led to bold patterns, sports coats, chunky sweaters, and pleated trousers. Disco and prairie dresses were popular, alongside smart suits and below-the-knee skirts. The iconic wrap dress by Diane von Furstenberg emerged.
- 1980s: "Power dressing" became a trend for professional women. Dancewear, sweatshirts, leggings, and high-cut leotards were popular, with wider shoulders and bold accessories.
- 1990s: A more minimalistic direction took hold, with plain white T-shirts and denim becoming rage. Sportswear gained new heights with hip-hop artists popularizing tracksuits and luxury sneakers.
- 2000s onward: American brands incorporated more color and pattern, drawing from retro styles. Halter tops, belly shirts, low-rise jeans, and capri pants became popular in women's fashion. The rise of "athleisure" in the 2010s blended comfort, style, and functionality.
Native American dress also had a profound, often overlooked, influence on later generations of designers, with distinct tribal patterns and sustainable practices. Blue jeans, popularized by Levi Strauss in the 1850s, became a globally recognized symbol of American culture.
Current State and Trends:
- The U.S. apparel market is the largest in the world, valued at $365.70 billion in 2025 and projected to grow. Key aspects and trends include:
- Market Size: The U.S. apparel market is estimated at over $460 billion, with the global apparel market valued at $1.84 trillion in 2025.
- Consumer Behavior: The average American household spends around $162 per month on apparel. While online sales are growing, 58% of consumers still prefer shopping for apparel in-store.
- Digital Transformation: Digital fashion shows, virtual try-ons, and online marketplaces (Amazon, Shein, ASOS) are transforming how clothes are bought and sold. AI and automation are being used for trend forecasting, design, inventory management, and even reducing waste.
- Sustainability: Consumers increasingly prefer eco-friendly and ethically made fashion, driving demand for sustainable fabrics like organic cotton, recycled polyester, and hemp. However, many brands are still lagging behind decarbonization goals. The industry faces challenges with textile waste, with the average US consumer discarding about 81.5 pounds of clothes annually.
- Customization: Shoppers desire clothes that reflect their personality, leading to a rise in custom sizes, colors, and prints.
- Shifting Away from Fast Fashion: There's a growing demand for long-lasting, quality pieces over cheap, low-quality fast fashion garments, encouraging brands to produce fewer styles with better materials and finishes.
- Local Manufacturing: More brands are looking to manufacture locally to reduce shipping delays, ensure ethical labor, and maintain better control over production.
- Inclusivity: Demands for gender-neutral, inclusive, and body-positive fashion are on the rise.
- Aging Population: The "Silver Generation" (50+) holds a significant portion of U.S. wealth, presenting growth opportunities for brands that cater to this demographic.
Economic Impact:
The fashion industry is a major economic driver in the U.S.:
- Employment: It employs over 1.8 million people in the United States across textile and apparel brands, wholesalers, importers, and retailers. Apparel manufacturing companies in the U.S. employ over 240,000 workers.
- Revenue: U.S. consumers spent nearly $380 billion on apparel and footwear in 2017. The sector's average sales totaled $160 billion as of February 2025.
- Focus on High-Value Activities: The U.S. fashion industry has shifted its focus from mass manufacturing to high-value aspects of the global supply chain, including research and development (R&D), design, and marketing.
- Challenges: The rise of fast fashion has negative economic implications, including low pay and insecure work conditions for garment workers, often in outsourced production. The business model, while lucrative, relies on increased sales volume due to shrinking profit margins per garment.
Major American Fashion Designers:
The U.S. has produced numerous globally renowned designers who have shaped and continue to influence the fashion landscape. Some of the most famous include:
- Ralph Lauren: Known for timeless American elegance, preppy luxury, and creating a lifestyle brand.
- Marc Jacobs: Celebrated for his bold, quirky, and often controversial designs, bringing grunge to high fashion.
- Vera Wang: Transformed bridal fashion with her unique blend of traditional shapes and innovative materials.
- Tom Ford: synonymous with modern glamour, luxury, and sophisticated power dressing.
- Calvin Klein: Master of minimalism, known for clean lines, neutral palettes, and iconic jeans and underwear.
- Michael Kors: Built a brand known for accessible luxury and polished American sportswear.
- Donna Karan: Pioneer of modern women's workwear with her "Seven Easy Pieces" concept.
- Alexander Wang: Known for edgy, androgynous designs with a downtown cool aesthetic.
- Tory Burch: Famous for colorful, feminine, and wearable designs that blend bohemian influences with classic American style, and for her advocacy for women's entrepreneurship.
- Tommy Hilfiger: Made preppy fashion cool, blending American classics with a modern twist.
- Oscar de la Renta: Though born in the Dominican Republic, his designs were beloved and influential in American fashion and globally.
- Virgil Abloh (Off-White): A significant figure who blended streetwear with high fashion.
- Anna Sui: Known for her unique and eclectic aesthetic.
- Halston: Popularized minimalist clothing in the 1970s.
New York City, and to a lesser extent Los Angeles, are the major centers of America's fashion industry, with New York recognized as one of the "big four" global fashion capitals alongside Paris, Milan, and London.