An example of a design patent issued to Yves Saint Laurent:

https://www3.wipo.int/designdb/en/showData.jsp?ID=USID.D8883...

The application guide: https://www.uspto.gov/patents/basics/types-patent-applicatio...

And the Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Design_patent

This isn't correct, the fashion industry uses a wide array or different IP protection methods, trademarks for specific colors, sketches of design can by copyrighted, you can then get a design patent to prevent others from creating fashions that resemble your sketch, designs on clothing can be protected by copyright, even textile design can be copyrighted.

And as for the low cost to consumer, seizing and processing counterfeit goods cost consumers nearly $500 million a year in taxes to pay for law enforcement alone.

Aren't design patents used to protect many fashion products?

With R&D costs near 0.

When R&D costs are high, competition is minimal because it's so expensive to compete.

Example: (patent-free) SpaceX