One of the main reasons why Paris became the most important fashion centre is that …………

Since the 14th century, the acknowledged centre of the fashion industry has been Paris, largely because of the presence of rich fabric manufacturing and the number of merchants of fashionable goods. Much of France's fashion industry, especially silk weaving, was encouraged by the patronage of the king. To promote their wares, the French manufacturers would send dolls, dressed in the latest styles, to cities and courts throughout Europe. By the 17th century, fashion engravings appeared in France; these later led to the creation of modem fashion magazines.