What is the "Fashion Cycle?" In your own words, describe each of the four stages and try to think of a clothing retailer (store) that might carry a clothing style at each stage.

A fashion cycle is the periodic return of specific styles and general shapes. Basically, the cycle is that fashions are popular, then fade off, disappear, and become even "unacceptable", and later return to popularity again. There are four stages of the fashion cycle. The first one is the "Introduction stage." During the introduction stage, a designer usually creates a new style and introduces it to the fashion industry where, therefore, it becomes placed as high-price garments. From there, upper class and wealthy citizens and celebrities purchase these garments to wear, because they can afford it and it allows them to stand apart from the rest of society. These people have enough money to buy these garments and dispose of them when a new style comes along. Stores such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, etc, may have these expensive, high-quality garments available to purchase. Following this, there is the "Growing stage." Here, fashion becomes affordable to middle and lower class citizens in society and gains popularity with the general public. Eventually, the fashion can be seen among a wide variety of people as sales start to increase for it. Because of the high demand, major retailers all carry that style in various versions for different prices, in order to maintain the best business. Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, Pacsun, Hollister, and many more, are popular major companies that take styles and convert them into affordable fashions for the citizens in their areas. After that comes the "Maturity stage." In the maturity stage, people add these styles to their wardrobe because they start becoming more comfortable with it. During this time, the style is worn by most people and is recognized. Sales of this style are at it's very peak, and at the same time, trendsetters and fashion designers are focusing on the new styles and fashions to come. Stores such as Target may carry these items now, because the style is so common and someone discovered how to make those garments for really cheap prices. Lastly, is the "Decline stage". This is where the popularity of the style fades. Sales decline and since it has been worn by so many people for so long, it gets uninteresting and boring. Sale racks may contain these styles as the popularity comes to an end, and soon it will disappear altogether. H&M, Cotton On, and Papaya are examples of stores that may have these items on sale during the declining stage. That sums up the fashion cycle and after each of those stages, the cycle restarts!