tastemaking
Defining cultural standards
Tastemaking is the activity of influencing what becomes popular or fashionable.
Tastemakers—critics, editors, influencers, curators—shape cultural preferences by highlighting certain music, fashion, food, or art: The magazine's tastemaking power launched countless designers' careers.
The term can carry a whiff of elitism, suggesting that some people's opinions matter more than others.
Initiating popular movements
- voguePrevailing popular style
- cutting-edgeAt innovation's forefront
- fashion-forwardEmbracing emerging styles
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
trailblazing · buzz · hype · momentum · viral · breakout · emerging · forecasting
One who initiates styles
- curatorCollection overseer
- arbiterOne who settles disputes
- gatekeeperOne controlling entry
- influencerPerson with promotional reach
connoisseur · maven · authority · bellwether · patron · collector · critic · champion
Human creative expression
- musicOrganized auditory art
- fashionCurrent popular trend
- cinemaMotion picture theater
- gastronomyScience of fine dining
design · literature · architecture · lifestyle · aesthetics · subculture · scene · milieu
Superior select group
- exclusivityState of being limited
- luxuryExpensive nonessential comfort
- sophisticationCultured elegance and complexity
- cachetRespected status or appeal
status · refinement · discernment · selectivity · patronage · haute · rarefied · aspirational
trendsetting
Initiating popular movements
- voguePrevailing popular style
- cutting-edgeAt innovation's forefront
- fashion-forwardEmbracing emerging styles
pioneering · trailblazing · buzz · hype · momentum · viral · breakout · emerging · forecasting · curation
trendsetter
One who initiates styles
- curatorCollection overseer
- arbiterOne who settles disputes
- gatekeeperOne controlling entry
influencer · connoisseur · maven · authority · bellwether · patron · collector · critic · champion · endorser
art
Human creative expression
gastronomy · design · literature · architecture · lifestyle · aesthetics · subculture · scene · milieu · highbrow
elite
Superior select group
- exclusivityState of being limited
- luxuryExpensive nonessential comfort
- sophisticationCultured elegance and complexity
cachet · status · refinement · discernment · selectivity · patronage · haute · rarefied · aspirational · premium
- curationcataloging, acquisition, editorial work, sourcing, showcasing
- DJ termsmix, setlist, crossfade, beatmatching, drop
tastemakingjumping on the bandwagon
Adopting something because others have
conformity · copycat behavior · imitation · copying · derivative
taste, tasty, making, tasteless, tasted, tasteful, tasting, distaste, tastes