Fashion Week in New York is wrapping up, but the country's fascination with fashion is only ramping up, thanks to more celebrity designers and, of course, the show Project Runway. Have you been dying to get into fashion writing but don't know how? Sign up for Fashion Writing 101 in New York in a few weeks. Instructor Jene Luciani gets you started with a few key terms you must know:

Haute Couture: Haute couture (French for 'high sewing' or 'high dressmaking'; refers to the creation of exclusive fashions. It is a common term for custom-fitted clothing as produced primarily in Paris but also in other fashion capitals such as New York, London, and Milan. Haute couture is not only made-to-order for a specific customer, it is usually made from high-quality, expensive fabric and sewn with extreme attention to detail and finish, often using time-consuming hand-executed techniques. The term is sometimes used to refer exclusively to French fashion; more often, it refers to any unique stylish design made to order for wealthy and high-status clients. Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Fashion: "Fashion" is most often used as a synonym for the current style in clothing, however sociologists and other scholars who write about fashion are more likely to use a definition that says that fashion has two elements. It is (1) accepted by many people and (2) its acceptance lasts for a relatively short period of time. Fashion does not exist in all cultures and historic periods. It seems to begin in the Western Europe in the late middle ages. At that time the nobility were the originators of fashions, and the lower classes copied upper class styles (known as the "trickle down theory of fashion."). Today, fashions may originate with all levels of society, even the least affluent, and when this happens, it is known as "percolate up" or "bottom up" fashion change. Source: WWD

OTHER IMPORTANT FASHION TERMS:

Collection: the clothes or other items produced by a designer, esp. for a seasonal line: "the spring collection." Source: Dictionary.com

Couture: [koo-too r] high fashion designing and dressmaking
Source: WordNet

Designer: One that produces designs: a book designer; a dress designer. Adj Bearing the name, signature, or identifying pattern of a specific designer: designer luggage; designer clothing. Conceived or created by a designer. Source: American Heritage Dictionary

Fashion Model: a woman who wears clothes to display fashions.
Source: WordNet

Ready-to-Wear: (also known as prêt-a-porter) clothing made in standard sizes and marketed in a finished condition. Source: Dictionary.com. For example, Michael Kors ready-to-wear line is available at Macy's. This is different from couture because couture is one of a kind and usually what you’ll see on the runways. Ready-to-wear is what you'll see on the racks!

Runway: (also known as a catwalk) a narrow platform or ramp extending from a stage into the orchestra pit or into an aisle, as in a theater (or at a fashion show.) Source: Dictionary.com

Trend: Current style; vogue: the latest trend in fashion. Source: American Heritage Dictionary.

OTHER IMPORTANT STYLE TERMS:

Silhouette: The overall shape of a garment

A-Line: A dress or skirt silhouette that is narrower at the top, flaring gently wider toward the bottom thereby resembling the letter A. Works well on most figure types; good for disguising bottom-heavy figures.

Empire Waist: Higher than normal waist seam, fits under the bust. Seam ends either under the bust or a few inches down. Source: Alleycatscratch.com

Sample: a first made or test garment (usually what is sent down the runway before the item is mass produced

Separates: individual articles of clothing

Stylist: a fashion expert who prepares fashion items or pulls together looks for a photo shoot or red carpet events.

Style Staple: something that a person's wardrobe would be incomplete without it (for ex. Sweaters is a style staple in the winter)

What is Fashion Week? Twice a year, fashion types descend on fashion Meccas like New York City, Paris, Milan, Tokyo and now even L.A, to see the styles you'll be offered in stores next season. New fashion isn't the only thing you'll spot during Fashion Week: celebrities like Paris and Nicky Hilton and editors of major magazines like Vogue and Elle are a common sight in the front rows. Source: About.com

The best way to get familiar with fashion lingo?? READ!!! Read as much as you can. Subscribe to WWD (expensive, but a must!) Vogue, Elle and any other fashion publication you can get your eyes on. You'll quickly familiarize yourself with the terminology you'll need to know!!