Say it like a stylist: How to pronounce popular fashion brand names properly

Time of India

3 days ago

They say, fashion comes its fair share of faux pas and flair!
While luxurious wardrobes and style statements speak for the 'flair' part, the faux pas part most certainly includes the mispronunciations of the well-known fashion brands (despite those being extremely famous).
And while these mishaps are quite cliché, they're not chic at all.
Because let's be honest – in the world of fashion, half the battle is looking the part, and the rest of it is acing the etiquette (which includes the correct pronunciation of popular fashion brands). Mispronouncing a luxury label can cost you credibility faster than you can say 'Céline.'
Lucky for you, we've done the hard work. From Parisian labels to Italian icons and streetwear staples, this guide is sprinkled with phonetic line-drawing, brand backstories, and quirky insider tips to help you glide through any style conversation with ease.
So, say goodbye to awkward pauses and hello to stylish confidence – let's break it down, brand by brand.
French elegance: Subtle, chic, and tricky
Hermès
– Not 'Her-meez,' but gentle vowel start, silent 'H' and 's': 'air‑MEZ' or 'er‑MEZ', not 'her‑meez.'
Givenchy
– Often butchered as 'Gah‑vin‑chee.' The correct French flourish? 'zhee‑VOHN‑shee', with soft 'G', nasal 'on', and a gentle final '‑shee.'
Chanel
– Forget 'Shan‑elle.' The proper style? 'SHUH‑nel.'
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Undo
Chic, crisp, simple, and oh-so‑Parisian.
Balmain
– Yes, it's not 'BAL‑mayn.' Roll it out like 'bal‑MAH', trailing off the 'n' softly for that French flair.
Yves Saint Laurent
– Drop those hard Ts! The smooth version: 'EEV san‑loh‑rah(n)', a lovers' lane nasal finish.
Christian Louboutin
– Strut smoothly: 'kris‑tee‑ahn loo‑boo‑TAHN', not 'tin.'
Christian Lacroix
– 'LA-kwa.' So 'kris‑tee‑ahn luh‑kwa', rolling that l–r combo beautifully.
Comme des Garçons
– Play it subtly: 'comb‑DAY gar‑SON', letting the 's' fade, nasal 'on' intact.
Italian icons: Bold, bright, and vowely
Gucci
– It's 'GOO‑chee', emphasis on the first syllable, never 'Goo‑kee.'
Versace
– Despite the trendy slip, it's properly 'ver‑SAH‑cheh.' Donatella herself has piped up to confirm it.
Prada
– Simple and sweet: 'PRAH‑dah', sturdy first syllable, light second.
Moschino
– The fun-filled style comes through in 'mos‑KEY‑no', not 'mos‑chee‑no.'
Bottega Veneta
– Soft and elegant: 'boh‑TEH‑gah veh‑NEH‑ta', a solid roll in every segment.
Dolce & Gabbana
– Smooth Italian gloss: 'DOL‑chay eh ga‑BAN‑eh', not 'Gab‑anna.'
Spanish flair and subtle sound
Balenciaga
– Spanish royalty. Break it into 'bah‑LEN‑see‑AH‑gah,' emphasizing the 'AH' and smoothing past the 'cia.'
Loewe
– Spanish elegance meets German twist: say 'lo‑WEH‑vay', not 'low‑eeve.'
Athleisure staples
Adidas
– A German classic: 'AH‑dee‑dahs', emphasis on the first syllable, founder Adi Dassler's namesake.
Nike
– Named after the Greek goddess, it's 'NY‑kee', not 'Nighk.'
Porsche
– Elegant German soap-opera: 'POR‑shuh', with a soft '‑uh' ending.
Cross-cultural gems
Bvlgari (Latin-script brand)
– Pronounce 'BOOL‑gah‑ree,' highlighting the 'u' after 'B.'
Cartier
– Soft, refined: 'kar‑tee‑AY', not 'Car‑tee‑er.'
Jacquemus
– From French fashion forward: 'ZHAK‑moose.'
Celine
– A blend of syllables: 'seh‑LEEN,' soft start, piercing end.
Nailing the correct pronunciation of a fashion might seem like a superficial conquest – but it isn't just about speaking the name; it's about stepping into the essence of each brand. Elevating your fashion conversations goes beyond clothes – it's about knowing the names and pronouncing them with confidence, creativity, and cultural awareness.
From the sonorous softness of French designers to the vibrant clarity of Italian labels, each namescape tells a story – learn the sound, share the style.
With this guide, you're not just knocking it out of the vocabulary park; you're stepping onto the stylistic stage with poise and pizzazz. So strut forward, say it right, and let your pronunciation speak volumes! And next time you're shopping, chatting, or posting, let your words look as good as your wardrobe!
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