no worries! and glad it triggered thoughts. Historically fashion transcends from upper class and the noble as they could afford it seen vividly in the 16th / 17th century. Fast fashion pushed middle class forward but at the expense of humanity (landfill waste, labour cruelty etc).

Country wise, France (King Louis the 14th I think) advance fashion through the manufacturing industry. Italy advance fashion through creative exploration. US, post world war II, advanced fashion through its marketing abilities.

Would be interesting to know how wealthy countries sets precedence on fashion these days especially with digital advances.