Fashionistas included elements of secret police (5)

I believe the answer is:

stasi

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

'secret police' is the definition.
(state security service of the GDR, East Germany)

'fashionistas included elements' is the wordplay.
'STASI' is hidden within the letters.
But, I'm not sure how the hidden word is indicated.

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stasi that I've seen before include "Secret police of the former German Democratic Republic" , "Former security force" , "old secret service" , "Force that spied" , "Force behind Wall" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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