From a web designer’s perspective, it can be very interesting to look at the top websites from a particular industry to see how they relate to their target audience, the different approaches that are used, and how they compare to websites in other industries. The fashion industry consists of companies that make their mark by designing beautiful and stylish items, and by setting trends for consumers, so one could expect to see some creativity and a focus on appearance in terms of their websites also.

In this article we’ll take a look at the websites of leading fashion companies, as well as some fashion news sites, and see when fashion, style and web design come together.

Large Photos: Naturally, and industry that is very dependent on image will make heavy use of photos and models. Many of the sites use large background images, some will use a slideshow type of approach to feature multiple photos. Going a step further from photos, some of the sites use large video areas on the homepage.

Black and White: Black, white and gray color schemes are very popular among the sites showcased here. Simple color schemes are capable of creating an elegant look, plus with so many colorful photos it helps to keep focus on the products rather than on other design elements.

Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani’s website is very dark and contains a large video of runway models.

Zara

Zara focuses on fashion-related photos, a magazine-style look and a simple navigation without unnecessary Flash-effects. The result is usable and still beautiful.

Net-a-Porter

Net-a-porter focuses on fashion-related photos, a magazine-style look and a simple navigation without unnecessary Flash-effects. The result is usable and still beautiful (submitted by Andrew E in comments).

Prada

Prada’s homepage includes only a large background image and navigation.

River Island

River Island’s homepage is menu driven for all fashion, sex and looks related catalogues.

Paul Smith

Paul Smith’s homepage includes navigation and a large background image that slides/scrolls from one to the next.

Bershka

The website of Bershka uses a Large images and gray color scheme. The homepage includes a large photos that the user can click to open respective section.

Pepe Jeans

The website of Pepe Jeans uses a white, black and gray color scheme. The homepage includes a large photo that the user can change.

Aquascutum

Aquascutum uses a simple layout, minimal style and a large image. The homepage is clutter-free and includes little content.

Free People

Free People’s website has received a lot of attention from design galleries. The clothing boutiques site uses hand-drawn and grunge styles.

The Sak

The Sak also uses hand-drawn elements in its design. The site uses a light color scheme.

Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren’s US site uses a white background with a lot of bright colors.

Ralph Lauren Rugby

Ralph Lauren’s Rugby website has a vintage background, a lot of color, and a video playing on the homepage.

Armani Exchange

Armani Exchange’s homepage features a large photo, with black, white, gray, and small amounts of blue in the color scheme.

ASOS

ASOS’s website has a black background with a white content area. The homepage features a large photo and showcases certain product lines to the right of the layout.

Liz Claiborne New York

Liz Clairborne New York uses a very simple and clean layout. The homepage consists mostly of a large photo, and secondary pages are also clean.

Massimo Dutti

Very simple with black background, yet compelling design that strongly focuses users’ attention on the products.

Mango

A very dynamic and interactive site that not only showcases available products, but also tries to entertain users. And it works! Flash-based, music-autoplay included.

Calvin Klein

Calvin Klein’s website uses light colors and an un-cluttered layout.

Gucci

Gucci’s website has a brown background. The homepage includes navigation and a large photo area.

United Colors of Benetton

United Colors of Benetton has a very bright and colorful website that sits on a white and gray background.

Victoria’s Secret

Victoria’s Secret’s homepage currently uses a light color background as per image, but the rest of the site has a white background.

Dolce & Gabbana

The top of Dolce & Gabbana’s website uses three photos as part of the navigation. The lower section of the page includes navigation to specific collections and products with horizontal scrolling.

WWD

WWD is a news-style website that includes fashion-related content. The site has a dark color scheme with a lot of colorful photos included.

Bazaar

Harper’s Bazaar is a leading fashion magazine. The website uses a black, white and red color scheme. The layout is fairly typical of a magazine or news site.

Glamour

Glamour Magazine’s website has a white background with a lot of color from photos and images.

Fashion Served

Fashion Served is fashion inspiration site from the Behance Network. The layout is gallery style.