About

Fashion Vocabulary provides emerging fashion knowledge reviewed by industry experts

Fashion Vocabulary is a living encyclopaedia of fashion language — updated daily, spanning over 100 categories from garment construction to sustainability, AI, and the Global South.

Every term is structured, contextualised, and reviewed to the standard of an academic reference work, giving educators, researchers, and practitioners access to knowledge they can teach with and build on.

We document what is emerging so you can catch up.

Sustainability

We provide 30 specialist categories documenting every dimension of sustainable fashion — from chemistry to governance to greenwashing — rigorously researched against our four languages of sustainability framework - planetary boundaries, SDG Goals, Policy and Industry

AI

We provide specialist categories capturing every facet of artificial intelligence in fashion— from machine learning to governance to algorithmic bias and current tools— rigorously aligned with our four languages of AI framework: ethics, performance, policy, and industry standards.

Global South Knowledge

Fashion innovation does not begin in Paris or New York. We document techniques, materials, and knowledge systems from regions the Western fashion canon has consistently overlooked and underrepresented.

Global Fashion History

From garment construction and silhouettes to designers and decades, we provide the full historical record of global fashion language — giving educators and researchers a precise, reliable foundation to teach from.

Ready to access the full encyclopaedia?

Full membership provides unrestricted access to thousands of historic and emerging fashion terms

WHO WE ARE

A living record of Fashion Language with a curation service

Fashion Vocabulary is an independent, living lexicographic archive of fashion terminology, spanning historical, cultural, industrial, and emerging technological systems.

It stabilises language within a rapidly evolving field — preserving established knowledge while clarifying and curating the meaning of emerging terms in contemporary practice.

Through a structured, expert-reviewed database, Fashion Vocabulary provides not only precise, context-rich definitions, but also guided access to the most relevant information — enabling users to quickly locate, interpret, and apply knowledge within their work

Our Vision

To establish the definitive reference archive for fashion terminology - grounded in historical accuracy, technical clarity and global cultural context. Fashion Vocabulary approaches language as infrastructure.

Our Process

Each entry is structured to provide clear definition, and regularly updated contextual framing. Research draws from historical sources, material practice, regulatory frameworks and industry shifts, ensuring entries remain precise.

Our Mission

To document fashion as a system of language — from garment construction to sustainability and regulation. By clarifying terminology, the archive supports designers, researchers, educators and industry practitioners navigating an increasingly complex field.

Our Team

The project operates independently and is led by a lexicographic research framework focused on rigour, neutrality and long-term archival value. Contributions expand across academic, technical and industry expertise.