The Fashion system is a set of simple stock elements with variants. Dresses remain each year, but their Variant, whether they are long or short, pleated or tapered, closed with a zip or with buttons, allows the fashion system to perpetually recreate and regenerate its messages.
The Fashion system is the use of different level of codes that works by turning signifieds into signifiers for new signifieds.
The Fashion system is established by by building up chains of (1) combinations (2) equivalences, whereby, say, a brand of lager can be combined with the idea of Alpine skiing and the result will be the production of an equivalence: coolness, sophistication, refreshment, active masculinity.