fashionista

American

[fash-uh-nee-stuh] / ˌfæʃ əˈni stə /

noun

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

fashionista British

/ ˌfæʃəˈniːstə /

noun

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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023