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fashionista

American  
[fash-uh-nee-stuh] / ˌfæʃ əˈni stə /

noun

  1. a very fashionable person, especially one who works in the fashion industry.


fashionista British  
/ ˌfæʃəˈniːstə /

noun

  1. informal a person who follows trends in the fashion industry obsessively and strives continually to adopt the latest fashions

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of fashionista

1990–95; fashion + Italian or Spanish -ista -ist

Explanation

A fashionista is a stylish person. A fashionista might be a model or celebrity who sets trends, or just someone who loves reading about, following, and dressing up in the latest styles — fully and perfectly accessorized, of course! Fashionista combines the English word fashion and the Spanish -ista, meaning "someone who is associated with something" (also used in Italian and Portuguese, and basically the same thing as -ist in English). Some fashionistas write articles or blogs about the latest styles; others might make and share videos and social media posts about what's chic in the world of couture. The term fashionista sometimes has a slightly negative vibe, referring to a person or group who dictates what's "in" or "out."

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sirikit held a dual reputation as a fashionista and the nation's caring matriarch, with some Western media featuring her on magazine covers and comparing her to former US first lady Jackie Kennedy.

From Barron's • Oct. 25, 2025

She is single and rich, a prominent fashionista, the daughter of Diana Ross, and the founder and CEO of a haircare company.

From Salon • Aug. 3, 2025

As any fashionista could tell you, pulling off an effortless look takes a lot of, well, effort.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 17, 2024

A grandmother in rural Zambia has become an accidental style icon and internet sensation - after agreeing to play dress-up and swapping outfits with her fashionista granddaughter.

From BBC • Nov. 15, 2024

I can’t believe how much younger they looked back then: Dad was this hipster dude and Mom was this cute Brazilian fashionista.

From "Wonder" by R. J. Palacio

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