—W.D., New York

Say What?

Click on each link to hear the correct pronunciations of some fashion designers, as recorded by Journal fashion reporter Christina Passariello.

• Alber Elbaz for Lanvin
• Balmain
• Bulgari
• Givenchy
• Jean Paul Gaultier
• Loewe
• Louis Vuitton
• Nicolas Ghesquière
• Ungaro
• Vacheron Constantin
• Versace
• Yves Saint Laurent
• Zegna

A: I remember when American consumers in the 1970s routinely butchered the names of their imported cars — blithely unaware of the correct pronunciation of Renault (ruh-NO) and Peugeot (puh-ZHO). We’ve come a long way since then, saying foreign car names like Hyundai with ease. But these days, there are a host of new designer names tripping us up, as globalization and the democratization of fashion bring brands from all over the world — once limited to the couture cognoscenti — to regular folk.

Most of the first French names to appear in the U.S. were a cinch, like Dior and Chanel. But a lot of the names in play today need to be spoken with a real lilt , like Jean Paul Gaultier (zhan paul GO-tee-AY), Alber Elbaz for Lanvin (al-BEAR el-BAHZ for lon-VAN), and Nicolas Ghesquière (NEE-ko-la guess-KYAIR).

Mamma mia! The Italian names can play tricks on you, too — such as Bulgari (BOOL-ga-ree), Ungaro (OON-ga-ro), Versace (ver-SAH-chay) and Zegna (ZANE-ya). And from Spain comes the tricky Loewe (LO-ee-VAY). (To hear every last nuance of pronunciation, check out the audio tutorial at WSJ.com/Fashion.)

Even some American designers can leave you tongue-tied. Last year, Target shoppers were faced with the challenge of pronouncing Proenza Schouler (pro-EN-za SCHOOL-er), when the American duo sold a collection that included $49 bustier tops there.

Don’t worry that you’ll sound affected. Why not try to get it right? The more syllables, the more delicious it sounds: I just love to say the name of Swiss watch maker Vacheron Constantin (va-sha-RON con-ston-TAN).

But don’t force a fashion-y flourish on American designers whose names sound just like they look: It’s Ralph Lauren (rhymes with “foreign”) and Donna Karan (sounds like “Karen”).

I loVE victoria the vampire! HER fashion statements is simply adorable! a long black fit jeans paired with sexy sando with the long fur!

The Lamborghini Gallardo (Spanish pronunciation: gay-ar-do) is a sports car built by Lamborghini. The Gallardo is Lamborghini’s most-produced model to date, with over 5000 built in its first three years of production Each car costs about $180,000 to $210,000. The car is named after a famous breed of fighting bull. The Spanish word gallardo translates into “gallant,” and from Italian into “striking”.

Victoria's Secret

The world’s most glamorous lingerie is only the beginning. Victoria’s Secret

A few suggestions to consider are these: Decide what clothing you feel comfortable in. Is it a business meeting? Is it a casual night out? Whatever you’re going to be doing, the clothes you wear will only accentuate the real you and the right clothes for the occasion can go a long way to help you feel confident.

Fashion is not only what we wear, it is only describe ourselves to the world

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