Crossword Genius

A fashion figure connected with computers (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

modem

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'connected with computers' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'a fashion figure' is the wordplay.
'a fashion' becomes 'mode' (synonyms).
'figure' becomes 'm' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'mode'+'m'='MODEM'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for modem that I've seen before include "Device used with computer" , "Communications device" , "Computer interface" , "Device connecting computer to telephone system" , "Device linking computer system and telephone line" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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