A fashion capital is a city which has a major influence on
international fashion trends and is a key centre for the fashion
industry, in which activities including the design, production
and retailing of fashion products; fashion events (such as
fashion weeks and awards); and fashion-related trade fairs
generate significant economic output. Fashion capitals usually
have a broad mix of business, financial, entertainment, cultural
and leisure activities and are internationally recognised for
having a unique and strong identity. There are currently widely
regarded as being four principal fashion capitals in the world,
known as the "big four": London, Milan, New York and Paris. An
annual ranking of the leading fashion capitals is produced by
Global Language Monitor. Fashion and political power have often
interwined in history, and this can be seen in classical
history, where the major political powers of the world, such as
Alexandria, Athens, and Rome were leaders in their respective
eras and parts of the world,