Fashion Terms — the Apparel Search fashion terminology directory
A fashion diva (plural fashion divas) is a person whose relationship with fashion is a performance of confidence: impeccably dressed, instantly recognizable, and unapologetic about the attention. The word diva comes from opera — the celebrated leading lady — and fashion borrowed it for the figures whose entrances are events.
Fashion Diva (plural Fashion Divas) - Fashion Terms of Interest to the Fashion Industry
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Merriam-Webster defines a "diva" as a glamorous and successful female performer or personality. Wikipedia's definition, which is quite similar to Merriam-Webster's, also defines a diva as a celebrated female singer, but goes on to mention that the term was once used to describe a woman of rare, outstanding talent in the world of opera.
This meaning has been carried over to describe today's modern-day diva who dominates the theatre and popular music. The meaning of 'diva' is also closely related to that of "prima donna." The basic sense of the term is "goddess" or "fine lady." It is derived from the Latin "divus" meaning "divine."
It is important to note that the term diva or "fashion diva" is often used with a negative connotation. This derives from the implication that a star or, in the fashion industry--a model or celebrity--is arrogant and difficult to work with. The diva, whether she is a music star, model, or actress, is often regarded as high-maintenance, manipulative, fussy, highly strung, privileged, and demanding.
Fashion industry insiders and fashion followers need only to open the pages of the top newspapers or fashion magazines to find out which models or actresses are regarded as "fashion divas." There's no doubt that heiress Paris Hilton has been described as "the biggest diva in Hollywood," and supermodel Naomi Campbell has certainly been the subject of many top headlines and stories worldwide, which depicted her as the ultimate fashion diva.
Written by Regina Cooper November 2008
It is important to note that the term Fashion Diva is also often used as a term of endearment (a compliment). Although it is often describing a fashion personality as high maintenance and fussy, many fashion diva's are well respected due to the accomplishments that they have managed during their careers. If you are called a fashion diva, it is either out of respect or it may have a negative connotation. As a strong minded diva, you can take the statement toward you based on your own perception of the word. A fashion diva is welcome to turn a negative into a positive...
If you are a fashion diva, you can meet other fashion divas at the Fashion Industry Network.
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A diva's style is a signature, not a subscription to trends: the silhouette, colors and trademarks repeat until they become identity, and designers compete to dress the figure the public already watches. That is the economic side of the term — divas anchor campaigns, sell magazine covers and move product precisely because their taste is legible. Fashion celebrities, covered earlier in this directory, is the broader category; the diva is its most theatrical species.
The same boldness that makes a diva makes disasters when it misfires, which is why the two entries sit side by side. The difference is rarely the garment: it is fit, finish and conviction. Commentary may argue the verdict, but the vocabulary is settled — a successful risk is diva, an unsuccessful one is disaster, and the line between them is the history of fashion taste in miniature.
A person, traditionally a woman, with a glamorous and commanding fashion presence: a strong personal style, worn with confidence, that makes her a reference point for dressing well and boldly.
From Italian opera, where the diva was the prima donna, the leading female singer. Fashion adopted the word for women whose style, like the singer's voice, headlines the show.
Usually, in fashion usage: it praises presence, polish and self-assurance. Like its opera source it can carry a hint of demanding temperament, which the fashion meaning treats as part of the glamour.