Prior to the mid-19th century, most clothing was handmade for individuals, either at home or on order from dressmakers and tailors. By the beginning of the 20th century—with the emergence of new technologies such as the sewing machine, the rise of global capitalism, the development of the factory system of production, and the proliferation of retail outlets such as department stores—clothing had increasingly come to be mass-produced in standard sizes and sold at fixed prices. The Internet has become an important part of the fashion industry. It works as a retail outlet, offering 24-hour shopping and the ability to reach rural customers, and it also provides opportunities for merchandising and marketing, through online magazines, blogs, and social media. The industry developed first in Europe and America and is now highly globalized.
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