As you might suspect, the InfoMat team has a mad fascination with lists. This is the start of a collection of "Bests" and "Top Lists," a compilation pulled from a variety of publications. Each is barometer for gauging today's consumer brand recognition and behaviors. You'll note, some lists focus exclusively on the business of fashion, others present the fashion industry as part of the big global economic pie.
	Tastemakers: Fashion Designers Americans are spending more on clothes every year. Between Sept 2004 and Aug 2005, $177+ billion, up 2.2% from 2003, went into filling the nation's closets, according to the NPD Group. As expenditures increase, so does competition. Today, the most successful designers are also businesspeople. Part of their success is pegged to a carefully cultivated celebrity and image. This fall, Forbes.com browsed the glittery world of fashion to pinpoint its 10 most influential Fashion Tastemakers." The list: Christopher Bailey Manolo Blahnik Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana Rei Kawakubo Karl Lagerfeld Ralph Lauren Isaac Mizrahi Stefano Pilati Miuccia Prada John Varvatos View a full list of Forbes, The Tastemakers in a new series that identifies 100 people who shape the way we, eat, listen, drink, dress and more.
	Adweek Best Spots Best Spots brings TV Creative online. View selected best television ads by month and by year. Each month's compilation of winners has an Adweek editorial review, which makes things really interesting. Updated monthly. Adweek, Best Spots
	BusinessWeek/Interbrand Top 100 Global Brands 100 global brands that have value greater than $1 billion. The selection criteria: brands had to derive 20%+ sales from outside their home country. There are a number of fashion brands in the mix. 100 Top Global Brands, 2005

Publisher: infomat
InfoMat serves as a one-stop information source for international apparel, textile & accessories professionals. This is where retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and service providers interact with our network of over 350,000+ fashion companies. We make it easy to source, connect, compare, research and assess industry-wide business opportunities.
Web: www.infomat.com
Published: November 2005
Market: apparel accessories
Region: usa
Industry: mens womens
Editor: Sara Clemence

DISCLAIMER
Information in this report relies on sources including Trade Shows, Associations, News Releases, Government Reports and other public sources. Infomat can accept no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information or for loss or damage caused by any use thereof.