Fashion Design Ideas

Plus Size Fashion - Tips For Plus Size Shopping

2007-12-19T18:07:00.000+07:00

If you are a plus-sized girl or woman, you already know that shopping can be a chore. Every woman, no matter what her size is, needs a shopping strategy, and if you already know that clothes that fit well are going to be harder to find, it goes double for you! Take a look at a few tips below and make sure that your fashion sense stays sharp this winter.

First, there's a good chance that you've been told to stick to dark colors like black, gray and maroon, but this is not really the case. Cut will always beat color in terms of importance when it comes to looking good, so when it boils down to it, a well-cut outfit in tangerine orange will look just as good as one in charcoal gray. Make sure that the outfits you are wearing aren't just composed of tubes; look for a taper around the waist and hips, depending on your build and make sure that above all, you clothing is comfortable. Similarly, make sure that no matter what you wear, you feel good in it.

Not all body types look good in the same style of clothes. Oftentimes, "plus-sized" lines of apparel are only oversized versions of their garments for smaller women. The sad reality is that these clothes were designed with the smaller woman in mind, and frequently do not have the same flattering effect on the plus size girl. Stand in front of your mirror and decide what features you'd like to accentuate, rather than what you'd like to disguise. If you have voluptuous curves, pick styles of clothing that enhance them. Wide-hipped women should opt for curvy A-line skirts rather than broomstick skirts. When shopping for skirts, be conscious of hem length. Skirts that fall at your calf will shorten the appearance of your legs, but floor- or knee-length skirts will flatter.

Layering is absolutely the best way to stay warm on a cold winter's day, and stacking several summer tops is better looking and more stylish than wearing bulky sweaters. Look for colors that complement each other and look good on you, and you'll end up with a mix and match wardrobe that can work for every season. Your outline will also be slimmer and more attractive than when you're wearing a huge sweater that "pouches out" around your middle.

Keep in mind that shopping for plus sized clothing does not mean you have to settle for ugly designs or ill-fitting garments. If you put in enough time and effort you will find clothes that will make you look great.

Andrea writes about Plus Size Clothing. Visit us for plus size deals on a Plus Size Dress at http://plus-size.discountsonline.com

Fashion Design Courses

2007-12-07T07:38:00.001+07:00

By Jennifer Bailey

The fashion industry is one of the most fast paced industries, offering extensive job opportunities to people who are creative geniuses and have a knack for fashion. The increase in the number of schools offering courses in fashion design is an example of the potential in this field.

The courses in the fashion schools are designed to channelize the talent of the creative students in the right direction so that they can make the best use of the opportunities available. While the main objective of most fashion design schools stays the same, the curriculum may vary from place to place. Fashion design courses are more popular in top fashion destinations around the world such as Paris, New York and London.

Fashion design courses vary, depending on the type of program. These include the associate degree program or the diploma /certificate program. These fashion design programs aim at providing proficiency to the students in different streams of the fashion industry by including different courses. These are creative design, technical design, merchandizing management, and fashion marketing to equip and hone the requisite skills of the students who wish to pursue this lucrative career.

The courses are designed in such a way that the students can combine theoretical concepts with their creative ideas. These are further aligned with technical and business practices in the course.

Creation and presentation of the portfolios and conducting stage fashion shows is an integral part of the course. The courses develop the necessary skill of the students so that they can create a signature style of their own and reap the benefits of the immense potential of the fashion industry. The students are familiarized not only with the designing aspect of the apparel, but also the ways of presenting and marketing it.

Fashion design courses aim at providing the necessary skills to the students and assist them to become proactive to reap the benefit of the fast growing but extremely competitive profession.

Fashion Design provides detailed information on Fashion Design, Fashion Design Schools, Fashion Design Programs, Fashion Design Games and more. Fashion Design is affiliated with Fabric Hammocks.

Wave for New Fashion Designers

2007-11-22T18:49:00.000+07:00

By Neil Bishop

Revolutionary clothing store Roof on Fire is set to change the way upcoming and existing independent fashion designers do business. Opening on Oxford Street, Paddington (Sydney, Australia) later this year, Roof on Fire represents independent fashion designers and entrepreneurs from Australia and around the world, giving them affordable retail space at low cost and low risk.

The store offers fashion designers retail spaces (known as boxes) to display their creations in exchange for a monthly fee and a 10% sales charge on each item sold. Fashion designers receive 90% of the funds from each sale while getting extensive exposure in a progressive store in a prime Sydney location. Box occupants are also exposed to opportunities that may arise including publicity, brand awareness and further offers to stock in other retail stores.

As each fashion designer makes a quarterly commitment to the store, the range will be ever changing, from the most daring and progressive creations that other store buyers may not have taken the risk on to designs that lead new season trends. ‘The store will house pieces from both previously unseen fashion designers and existing labels, providing an opportunity for bigger labels to break away from norms, experiment with new directions and test the market’ said Omar Varts, co-founder of Roof on Fire.

Roof on Fire is offering fashion designers more than just retail space. Box occupants will have access to a personalised, secure on-line database displaying generated sales and stock levels. It analyses the demand for their product and identifies what has been selling well, when to restock and calculates monthly profits. Fashion designers are also notified via email when their product is sold.

Roof on Fire’s layout is modelled on a minimalist style of interior design. Inspired by contemporary galleries including Saatchi Gallery London and MoMA New York, it provides the fashion designer with a classy and clean retail canvas, which will enhance designer’s individual pieces.

Located on Oxford Street, Paddington, Roof on Fire offers fashion designers an avenue to showcase their previously ‘hard to find’ collections on the most frequented fashion strip in Australia. Bringing unique and innovative designs to the public, the store will stock men’s and women’s clothing, accessories and footwear.

Interested designers visit http://www.roofonfire.com for more information.

Becoming A Fashion Designer

2007-11-17T05:31:00.000+07:00

By Michelle Bery

When you dream as a child about what you want to be when you grow up, fashion designer ranks high on the list for many who envision a glamorous lifestyle and a chance to influence the way society dresses. Being a fashion designer certainly does come with its benefits; but it is also a career that requires a balance between creativity and skill.

We need only to turn on the television or flip the pages of a magazine to see how fashion influences our culture. The way we dress on a daily basis, the clothing we run to the stores to purchase, all depend on what’s popular on the runways. And what’s popular on the runways is created by fashion designers. A fashion designer creates a look and makes it happen. But what people don’t see, as models strut the runway wearing the latest designs, is the enormous amount of work and skill that it takes to get to that bright shining moment.

A fashion designer must not only be skilled in the manufacturing of clothing – including knowledge of textiles and expertise in sewing – but also in sketching and drawing their designs. The savvy fashion designer understands color and how to use it to capture the essence of their design.

Becoming a fashion designer means attending a reputable school that teaches design, sewing, textiles, and the like. It is imperative that you learn the fundamentals of design before you add your own creativity and flair. Even more important, however, is the working knowledge that you can gain working as an intern or apprentice in an established shop. Working alongside a fashion designer who can give you firsthand experiences and help you build your portfolio is incredibly important to becoming a fashion designer. It’s all about experience. So take all that you can from school but put your skills to use – everywhere and anywhere that you can. A strong portfolio that demonstrates your talent and desire to work in the industry will go a long way to helping you realize your dream of becoming a fashion designer.

For easy to understand, in depth information about fashion career visit our ezGuide 2 Fashion.

Fashion Design Schools

2007-11-15T00:20:00.000+07:00

By Jennifer Bailey

Celebrities and famous personalities all clamor to be dressed and styled by the greatest and the best, thus giving way for new and younger designers. Narciso Rodriguez, Monique Lhullier, and Stella McCartney, just to name a few, are all young designers in demand today in the fashion industry.

Another young designer, Nikki Hilton, one of the heiresses to the Hilton hotels and already privileged and famous, opted to study first at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York in order to have a solid background in design. Soon this young designer whose love for bags started going places when other celebrities started appearing at movie premieres and awards shows with her creations. Fashion critics praised her works because of their clean lines and contemporary design.

Education combined with talent form a great building block to a solid design career.

Most fashion designers, in an effort to expand what they know, try to attend art school since courses offered in a fashion design school are also regarded as applied art, similar to interior and graphic design. These design schools offer a curriculum especially created to stimulate the creative and unique sides of their students. Programs usually are intended to challenge the students by incorporating the technical and theoretical elements in fashion design as well as the artistic and sensible approach to creating new and hip clothing.

Fashion design schools do not only groom students to create a great piece of clothing but also teach them the basics, such as correct body measurements, pattern making, clothes making, and even sewing. Some design schools also offer for the following positions: fashion merchandiser, fabrications and trim buyer, fashion illustrator, pattern grader, and textile artist.

Fashion Design provides detailed information on Fashion Design, Fashion Design Schools, Fashion Design Programs, Fashion Design Games and more. Fashion Design is affiliated with Fabric Hammocks.

Online Fashion Design Schools

2007-11-07T16:48:00.000+07:00

By Jennifer Bailey

Online fashion design schools meet the growing need of the people who do not have the time and resources to go for full time course, but still want to learn the nuances of fashion design. These schools provide all the information and knowledge to the students through their online course material. This lets the students familiarize themselves with all the skills and technicalities of fashion design from the convenience of their homes.

Though conducted from a distance, the online fashion design schools keep the students abreast of the latest trends in the realm of fashion design. So the knowledge imparted is practical.

The advantage of such schools is that no campus attendance is required. Hence, there are no deadlines or commuting hassles. The students can gain the knowledge at their own pace and according to their own grasping ability.

The examinations conducted are of the open book type and guarantee the student a diploma or degree that is nationally accredited. The online fashion design schools do not have specific enrollment dates. So the students can take up the course at their own convenience. They have the flexibility of completing the course according to their own schedule. Moreover, the content of the course is almost the same as what is offered by the regular schools and colleges. The tuition fees are without any interest rates, which renders the whole course affordable. This flexibility and affordability assured by the online fashion design schools makes it the one of the favorite options for national and international students.

The online fashion design schools offer different programs such as high school diplomas, career diplomas, associate and master?s degree. The degree or diploma offered can be earned anywhere and is recognized by the concerned industry. Thus, after completing the course, the students can jump-start their career in fashion design.

The enrollment for the course can be done online, by filling out the online application forms. The online catalog provides all the requisite information to the candidates.

Fashion Design provides detailed information on Fashion Design, Fashion Design Schools, Fashion Design Programs, Fashion Design Games and more. Fashion Design is affiliated with Fabric Hammocks.

Plus Size Fashion - Dress With Style

2007-10-28T14:16:00.000+07:00

By Andrea Dilea

Dressing up can be fun for all women, no matter what size they are. Large women who wear plus size clothes are no exception. They can dress up for a variety of occasions, including business, casual or formal ones. An excellent way to do this is to to accent a slacks, skirt or dress outfit with a color-coordinated jacket, cut to enhance a person's individual figure.

The cut of a jacket is the first thing that plus size women must consider. They should stay away from short, boxy jackets. Choosing a longer jacket that just skims the hips will give them a taller, slimmer look. It's also good to select a jacket with shoulder pads as they will add to the style of the jacket while helping to balance out the overall look.

Suits with straight lines are ideal for plus size women who have a straight "up and down" physique. For this type of figure, look for a long jacket that has sharp lapels that isn't too fitted in the waist. Plus sized women with a curvy physique will find a shorter jacket with rounded lines, curved lapel and fitted waist flattering for their body. A clinched jacket will accentuate and minimize the stomach.

When choosing a jacket, be sure that it falls in the proper spot on your body that is most flattering for you. For example, larger busted women will want to avoid jackets with pockets located on the bust line. Simple cut jackets with a tapered waist are the most flattering for this body type.

Women who are plus sized with a large bottom and small top will find that a jacket that just skims the hips will be the best looking. Stay away from jackets that end right at the hips as they will call attention to an area you are trying to hide, not emphasize.

It's important for plus size women to achieve a look of proportion. While a long jacket can make a 5'6" woman look taller, it can overpower a 4'11" woman and make her look even shorter. The following tips can help you find the right length plus size jacket for you.

When choosing the length of a jacket hem be aware that the hem should not be at the widest part of your body. As an alternative, go for longer or shorter. When you choose a longer jacket, be sure to choose a more narrow pant or skirt. Your jacket or skirt should be about two thirds of the length of your overall look. Long jackets over knee length skirts and shorther jackets over longer shirts have the most flattering effect.

Scarves are a great accessory to add a personal touch to a plus size jacket. Use a long scarf to elongate your figure. Scarves also draw attention to your face and are a fun way to add a little interest to your outfit.

Andrea writes about Plus Size Clothing. Find plus size deals at Woman's Plus Size Clothing Discounts http://plus-size.discountsonline.com

Best Known Designers In Italian Fashion

2007-10-25T11:51:00.000+07:00

By Trishia Lopez

Fashion designers have brought about a storm in this glamour world with their commendably fabulous variety. Fashion designers often begin as assistant designers, pattern makers, pattern graders, or sketchers. Fashion Designers create clothes ranging from spectacular unique creations to the regular shop-bought clothes we wear every day. Fashion designers are involved in every phase of designing, showing, and producing all types of clothing, from bathing suits to evening gowns.

Clothes

Others among the best-known and most exclusive names in Italian fashion design are Valentino (known for his famous "Rosso Valentino," which means "Red Valentino"), Gianfranco Ferrè(known for his boldly-cut, brightly-colored clothes), Giorgio Armani (known for subtle, masculine style for both men and women), and Gianni Versace (known for his beautifully-cut leatherwear), and Dolce & Gabbana (known for their classic-to-modern, edgy appeal). Many of us--at least those of us who can afford it-- have clothes in our closets stamped with these names. Even though the percentage of people buying these clothes may be very small, fashion designers still wield tremendous influence on what we wear and how we wear it. In fact, though we may not realize it, the clothes we wear--even things that are not "designer" clothes or particularly elegant--were nevertheless designed by someone.

Clothes are a way that people can create an image and a persona around themselves a true form of self-expression that carries into the everyday world. Ready-to-wear clothes are a cross between haute couture and mass market. The mass market caters for a wide range of customers, producing ready-to-wear clothes in large quantities and standard sizes. The smaller and the more specific the market, the more likely a company is to get the right look and feel to their clothes. If the firm has made a name for the clothes it already produces, this helps to sell the new line.

Many professional fashion designers start off by specializing in a particular area of fashion. Most fashion designers start out by applying for place on a course on fashion design. Depending on the size of the design firm and level of experience, fashion designers may have varying levels of involvement in different aspects of design and production. In large design firms, fashion designers often are the lead designers who are responsible for creating the designs, choosing the colors and fabrics, and overseeing technical designers who turn the designs into a final product. Other high-fashion designers sell their designs in their own retail stores or cater to specialty stores or high-fashion department stores. Some fashion designers specialize in costume design for performing arts, motion picture, and television productions.

The work of costume designers is similar to other fashion designers. Regardless of their work setting, all fashion designers occasionally work long hours to meet production deadlines or prepare for fashion shows. Men and women have tried to wear new things, different things, clothes that would impress people or frighten others.

Trishia Lopez is a successful Webmaster and publisher of www.TheFashionGurus.com. She provides more information about Fashion and fashion issues that you can research in your pajamas on her website.

Fashion Trends and Styles - Cultured Pearls or Tote bags

2007-10-16T01:44:00.000+07:00

By Uma Gupta

A single strand of classic cultured pearls is always in fashion. The Autumn/Winter fashion season is at its best. Each year, on fashion runways from New York to Paris, Milan, and Toyko, sterling silver is "new again" as designers interpret it in new and exciting ways.

Now non-celebrities may purchase the pin in sterling silver pin to demonstrate both their commitment to peace and their fashion sense. Think of Fall – Winter fashion trends as the darker, richer version of spring and summer trends: turquoise turns to teal, gauze becomes wool, camisoles become romantic blouses. Accessorize to suit your style and you are all set no matter what the fashion trends are.

In order to keep up with the latest trends in fashion, consider building your wardrobe around staple items that are sure to be in style regardless of the season. Sleeveless tops are the latest trend in sports fashion. Look around yourself and you will notice that most of the top athletes like Rafael Nadal and Carlos Moya adore them. Cloth purses are very casual fashion items, so colorful fabrics and whimsical patterns are the strongest trend.

Tote bags are the most casual fashion accessory of all, and perfect for the beach, for picnics, or for a little shopping. With one glance through a fashion magazine, the importance of sunglasses as a summer fashion accessory becomes very apparent. Bridget Allen has worked for many years in the fashion industry, at a senior level, and she has written an amazing, totally free fashionista minicourse that will thrill, entertain, and most importantly educate you about what you absolutely need to know about fashion.

Hairstyles fashion trends are all easy do’s and don’t require heavy makeup or jewelry. Sample a bit from each Fall – Winter fashion trend and mix it in a unique way, making it personal with jewelry, color and layering. Pearl jewelry with more designs is also a somewhat comeback in fashion trend.

At the fashion shows, bows and sashes adorn every conceivable place on a garment - top, bottom, front and back. About half of the people wearing color contact lenses don’t have any vision problems - for them color contacts are just fashion accessories. A good example of “definition” color contacts is Freshlook Dimensions by Ciba Vision.

They never seem to be out of fashion. Reflecting our country's growing sense of nostalgia for less-complicated times, fashion this spring will represent a "return to innocence". Many of today's youth enjoy making their own jewelry and spring break provides the perfect opportunity for them to showcase their work.

Belly rings and belly chains are available in many designs, but perhaps one of the best-selling designs for college students on spring break is one that features Greek society symbols. Flowers People at 1-800-FLORALS, third-generation retail and wholesale florists specialize in fresh flowers, custom floral designs, and nationwide flower delivery. Traditional red may dominate the Christmas season again this year, but watch out for a greater variety of fresh evergreens, berries, roes and accents.

We have given you a taste of the basic thats in and ‘happening’ this season. Trousers are around in many styles, including skinny ones carrying on from last season and high-waisted, pleat-fronted for the very slim. Layered looks provide one of the hottest trends with multiple strands from short to very long.

• Cropped pants – If you see pants that are too long to classify in the shorts category and too short to qualify as the regular long pants those are referred as cropped pants.

• Cuffed pants- Many of the cuffed pants are also cropped. Drawstrings pants or Nadal style Capri will complement your sweatshirt while going to the Gym and later in warming up.

A casual yet stylish sweatshirt will be perfect to help your body warming up. The perfect jacket is one of the most important elements of your wardrobe, and with so many shapes and fabrics available this fall, it would be a crime to choose just one.

Uma is an avid reader and writes on a variety of topics including oil prices, U.S.elections, fashions, advances in medicine, public opinions in different areas. All with a view to share and learn together. For some more free articles and interesting reading go to http://www.articles-abundant.com

Top 10 Fashion and Style Tips For Women

2007-10-08T21:34:00.000+07:00

By Kirsty Semple

1 – Know your body shape

Petite women should avoid chunky clothes and strong prints. Instead go for fitted shapes and soft fabrics, narrow belts subtle contrasts of colour and texture. Keep everything streamlined so as not to cut the body in half.

Busty women should wear eye-catching skirts (shorter if you are comfortable) and trousers, strong prints and colours or textures draw the eye away from the top half of the body. Wearing a single block of colour is thinning. Avoid eye-catching tops, instead wear long jackets that draw the eye down. Darker coloured tops which are loose fitting and waist hugging.

Pear shaped women should love vertical lines, V-necks and skirts with slits up the side. Straight of A-line skirts to just below the knee. Dark tights and shoes with colour or pattern in a blouse or top, tops should hang past the hips. Classic cuts on top in lighter colours draw the eye away from the hips. Accent the V-neck with a V or Y- shaped necklace.

Tall women should avoid tight clothes. Wear the right skirt length, too short or too long will be out of proportion. As with petite women keep everything streamlined, wear blouses over trousers so as not to shorten your top half.

Rectangular women should wear pattern. Feminine knit sweaters over skirts are great. Wear a round neckline and mirror it with a round necklace or scarf.

2 – Dress to suit your personality

Rock chick – accessorize and clash a little but keep it feminine.
Urban chic – take advantage of the wonderful high street fashion, stunning yet simple.
Sporty – Layer trendy casual clothes.
Arty – Taking the contemporary fashion and adding a dash of your own personality to spice things up.
Sexy – Sensual fabrics, curvy and delicious. A splash of colour and scent.
Retro chic – Great accessories, and a flare for those classic, all time looks.
Romantic – Classic cuts, tailoring and soft colours, lace, embroidery and pearls.

3 – The right accessories can make all the difference

- V and Y shaped necklaces draw the eye down
- Round necklaces fill the neckline
- Ultra long earrings elongate the neck
- A long, trailing belt elongates the legs
- The right hat can make an outfit
- Cocktail rings add fun and colour and a bit of sparkle to a casual outfit
- Scarves can be arty
- A matching jewellery set can bring an outfit together

4 – Wake up to make up

- Make your eyes sparkle with a contrasting eye shadow
- Open out the eye by highlighting down the middle of the lid
- Use black for a dramatic look
- Use grey for smoky eyes with a delicate pink lipstick
- Choose a red lipstick for a classic look but choose one close to your own natural colour for precision.
- When creating bold eyes, keep paler lips. When choosing red lipstick do paler eyes.
- Use the colour palettes made up by the manufactures instead of matching your own eye shadow tones. Blend the colours well.

5 – A bag for life

- For daywear a good sized leather bag in a classic style cut. This season gives you plenty of choice as to colour and texture.
- For evening wear the clutch bag is back or alternatively go for a shoulder bag with a chain strap.

6 – Keep everything in proportion

- petite people elongate themselves with a slim cut
- for slim hips wear straight leg trousers/skirts, avoid flared ankles.
- for curvy hips balance them out with an A-line skirt, not a bias cut
- to hide hips wear flared trousers and a classic cut top
- wear a blouse with a short skirt
- wear a trim jumper with a long skirt
- heels are always slimming
- wear the right jacket, length and bulk are important here

7 – Dress for the season

- in spring / summer wear the bronzer and shimmery make up
- for spring / summer wear lower cut and soft fabrics in bright colours
- in autumn / winter matte make up with slightly darker tones
- for autumn / winter wear natural colours and natural fabrics, knitwear, leather, cotton, linen

8 – Don’t mix styles

- less is more
- there are many trends this season don’t wear bold colours, metallics, animal print and retro glamour all at once.
- Pick one style per outfit and don’t go overboard, often one or two accessories will look fabulous with a simple outfit.

9 – Have fun with subtle changes

- have jewellery that you can mix and match each day
- change your parting
- wear a scarf as a belt
- wear basic clothes in unusual ways
- use a brooch on a ribbon as a chocker
- wear a long necklace or a scarf as a bracelet
- add cabochon beads to an old bag and use it again

10 – It all comes down to the basics

- a good pair of jeans go for comfort, there are lots of styles which are fashionable this year. It is important to try them on before you buy. If going for skinny jeans get stretchy ones. If you have curvy hips got for low boot cut jeans to show them off. If you need a little more room for thighs and calves go for a relaxed fit, or for the bum go for low waist, low pockets and balance things out with flared ankles. This season go for dark colours and textures.
- a leather jacket is an autumn/winter basic. Go for a good feminine cut, no need to look like a biker unless you choose that style.
- a classic suit if you don’t wear one to work is great for many occasions.
- a white blouse is versatile and feminine
- a proper coat again go for a feminine cut at a length that suits you.
- boots there are many refreshing changes to the classics this year
- evening dress think of the whole outfit before you buy and make sure you have shoes and jewellery to match, maybe get a versatile dress that can be dressed down for occasions too.
- high heels the shoes to dance the night away in
- appropriate bag barrel bag for overnight, clutch bag for evening, shoulder bag for day.
- Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the correct underwear. Start with a good foundation and the rest of the outfit will follow. Go and get yourself measured if you are not sure.

Discover which trends are hot this season here: http://www.squidoo.com/fashiontrtendsforwomen

Fashion - Mode Of Expression

2007-10-05T21:15:00.001+07:00

By Jesica Stratford

Fashion is a term that usually applies to a prevailing mode of expression, but quite often applies to a personal mode of expression that may or may not apply to all. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening. Fashions are social phenomena common to many fields of human activity and thinking. Fashion design is the applied art dedicated to the design of clothing and lifestyle accessories created within the cultural and social influences of a specific time.

Dress

The rises and falls of fashions have been especially documented and examined in the following fields: Architecture, interior design, and landscape design Arts and crafts Body type, clothing or costume, cosmetics, grooming, hair style, and personal adornment Dance and music Forms of address, slang, and other forms of speech Economics and spending choices, as studied in behavioral finance Entertainment, games, hobbies, sports, and other pastimes Etiquette Management, management styles and ways of organizing Politics and media, especially the topics of conversation encouraged by the media Philosophy and spirituality (One might argue that religion is prone to fashions, although official religions tend to change so slowly that the term cultural shift is perhaps more appropriate than "fashion")Social networks and the diffusion of representations and practices Sociology and the meaning of clothing for identity-building Technology, such as the choice of programming techniques. The more general term "costume" has been relegated by many to only mean fancy dress or masquerade wear, while the term "fashion" means clothing generally, and the study of it. "Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only.

Wear

The more general term "costume" has been relegated by many to only mean fancy dress or masquerade wear, while the term "fashion" means clothing generally, and the study of it. A modern version of exotic clothing includes club wear. At this time in fashion history the division between haute couture and ready-to-wear was not sharply defined. Nonetheless, many ready-to-wear, and even mass market labels, claim to produce haute couture, when in fact, according to established standards, they do not. Ready-to-wear collections are usually presented by fashion houses each season during a period known as Fashion Week. Ready-to-wear One-of-a-kind fashion, This is where an item of clothing or fashion is specifically made for a person or persons or a one off piece of fashion to be sold in a shop or on the internet, a website that sells one of a kind fashion items can be found at [1], this is an online store specializing in one of a kind designer clothing and fashion.

Fashion design differs from costume design due to its core product having a built in obsolescence usually of one to two seasons. Fashion design is generally considered to have started in the 19th century with Charles Frederick Worth who was the first person to sew their label into the garments that they created. Fashion won't work its magic if you're not, writes Janice BreenBurns. Fashion per se equals faddism, and promoting more consumption.

Jesica Stratford is a successful Webmaster and publisher of http://www.ClothingEvolves.com. She provides more information about fashion and shopping that you can research in your pajamas on her website.

Modern Jewelry Design

2007-09-23T00:37:00.000+07:00

By Chrisitne Breen

Modern Jewelry is all jewelry that has a modern or contemporary look to it. The advent of plastics and Precious Metal Clay (PMC) and the arrival of improved quality artificial gemstones influence Modern jewelry. Modern jewelry is mainly presented at exhibitions, and one of the best-known events is the Goldsmiths’ Review held for 20 years in Legnica. A growing trend in modern jewelry is “theme” bracelets. With the desire to create something new and original, modern jewelry is suitable to fulfill these kinds of wishes.

Important Jewelry Designers

Louis Comfort Tiffany, one of the first important American jewelry designers, introduced the art nouveau style in the United States. This lavish spending attracted both designers and jewelers to Hollywood. Michael Dawkins is one of the hottest luxury jewelry designers on the scene today. Images Jewelers is one of the mid west’s leading jewelry designers and manufacturers. Local designers also display and sell classic and modern jewelry pieces.

Modern Jewelry Styles

There are many different ways to approach modern jewelry designing. At Vuja De Designs they blend the age-old craft of metalworking with the art of modern jewelry design. Chaya Wiesel Art Studio designs original, modern Judaica and exceptional, modern jewelry, hand-made with silver and gold. Anna Curran crafts simple, classical gemstone designs. Designer John Kennedy’s Cylettes are an innovation in modern jewelry design.

History of Modern Jewelry

Art Deco jewelry was extremely popular during the Roaring Twenties and continues to influence modern jewelry styles. Marcasite Jewelry was made popular in Victorian jewelry and remains popular today adding an Old World quality to modern jewelry. Amethysts were popular in the parures (matching sets) of the 1820’s. In the 1890’s charms had evolved into a fashion statement and a popular keepsake. Art Deco was a popular international trend that surfaced between 1910 and 1935. It wasn’t until the 1980 are when Cubic Zirconia became popular with jewelers.

Popular Modern Jewelry

Art Nouveau antique jewelry is very popular with collectors today. Tiffany Jewelry is regarded as one of the most popular styles of modern jewelry. Platinum has become a very popular choice for modern jewelry, displacing significant gold demand. Sea glass is also a popular jewelry component these days. Versatile and colorful, resins are becoming increasingly popular among modern jewelry artists. Black pearls are quite popular in modern jewelry making. The anklet has become so popular it has become a modern jewelry classic. Versatile and colorful, synthetic resins are becoming increasingly popular among modern jewelry artists.

Now that you've got a grasp on modern jewelry, stop by Gems Explained to learn more about jewelry and gems.

The Hot Colors for the Spring and Summer Fashion Season

2007-09-12T02:01:00.000+07:00

By Ash Monga

Where does fashion begin? Most people would agree that fashion beings on the catwalk. The runway the models confidently strut down each year in fashion-conscious cities like Paris and Milan. In truth fashion begins when the designers start to design their new collections.

Each year designers must come up with hot, new looks for spring/summer and fall/winter. Spring and summer are considered to be the hottest seasons in fashion. It is during these two seasons that bright vibrant colors usually make an appearance on the runway. The colors that are seen modeled on the runaway at the start of the season will soon be found in stores across the country.

This spring and summer season one of the latest color trends is Monochrome. As winter was brought to an end many designers were working with black and white tones. The tones were set against retro patterns for a chic end to the gloomy winter months. As winter has turned into spring and summer monochrome has made an appearance. The black and white look has been rejuvenated for the warmer months.

The spring season has brought bright yellow tones with its arrival. Another hot color is electric blue. The spring season is the time to be daring and bold by wearing bright, vibrant colors. Spring is a time period in which everything seems to blossom, to come to life, as splashes of colors dot the countryside. If flowers create striking looks each spring why shouldn’t your wardrobe?

Note-worthy Victoria Beckham wore a beautiful bright yellow Roberto Cavalli dress, floor length last year. Now, both Valentino and Lanvin have been leading the spring/summer seasons with yellow being the predominate color in their new collections. Yellow speaks of spring.

The other color that has taken over this fashion season is blue. As the summer months replace spring, blue, is the color to be seen in. Ultramarine and electric blue are the designer’s top choices this season. You are guaranteed to look amazing in spring and summer’s hottest colors. Be in style with either blue or yellow.

How is it possible to keep up with all of the latest fashion trends? One way is through several fashion websites. Fashion news can be found on the Vanity Fair or Vogue website. There are fashion websites that specialize in retro, vintage or the latest looks of the runway. In this new era fashion news and spreads are only as far away as a click of the mouse. Fashion Obsessed sells all of the latest looks.

High fashion is not an impossible look to achieve. It is easy to achieve the looks that are seen on the runway. Choose a few items each season that you absolutely love and create several different stylish outfits. For example this spring and summer season you might want to purchase an electric blue summer dress that can be worn for a casual outing or a night out on the town. There are many ways to look as if you just stepped out of Vogue. For daily fashion updates visit www.fashionobsessed.com.

Ash Monga
http://www.fashionobsessed.com

The New Age of Breaking into Fashion Design

2007-09-06T15:56:00.000+07:00

By Elisha Burberry

Which celebrity does not have their own fashion line? The list seems to be getting shorter as more and more stars announce their new lines and fragrances to be sold at already well established and accessible stores around the globe. The next time Sarah Jessica Parker is seen on the red carpet she may be wearing the likes of Marc Jacobs, but her new fashion line Bitten is not aimed for this Prada toting crowd. The new trend among celebrities is reaching out to the masses by providing them with trendy and affordable duds on the high street and in shopping malls everywhere. But what does the future hold for the real designers out there?

The recent deaths and retirements of a few major leaders in fashion have piqued the interest of fashionistas everywhere that are wondering who, when, and even if, they can be replaced. Some of these designers and their associated brands such as Versace and Calvin Klein have lived on in the hands of designers happy to take on and continue the legacy. In other instances the designer brand is bought out by bigger corporations looking to cash in on the already established client base. These big name designers who are so often worn at movie premiers and award shows might continue to reign but the question lies in whether or not the public and the celebrity elite will see any new big names and faces associated with fashion, as we have seen in the past.

David A. Wolf, a fashion trend forecaster and creative director of the Doneger Group believes that the era of massive empires built upon a single name or face are probably over. "The people who have empires and giant names, happened to begin their careers with the maximum window of opportunity for that kind of enterprise," said Mr. Wolfe. "That doesn't seem to exist anymore. I just can't imagine who would be a new Donna Karan."

The task for new young designers on the scene has been made doubly difficult by the number of celebrities who already have face and name recognition coming out with their own designer fashion lines. These celebs have used the already existing economic infrastructure of big names like Topshop and Tesco to market and sell their designs, or in many cases someone else's design that they have attached their name and face to. This strategy is what can give many new designers a ray of hope, using mega stores and recognisable brands to get their designs out there to be seen, purchased and worn.

The time may soon come when young budding designer's dreams are not their first catwalk show during London's Fashion Week, but a job with a big name high street store like Marks and Spencer, Debenhams or Kate Moss's choice of Topshop. The benefits of designing for big stores has even been highlighted on shows such as Project Catwalk, a reality show where young designers compete to win a job working as one of the designers at Debenhams.

This new building ground for designers just starting to get their feet wet has potential to benefit all parties involved. The designers receive more capital via sponsorship from an array of initiatives from big names stores with deep pockets looking to capitalise on fresh new looks and the public can happily drape themselves in the newest trends for prices that will not break the bank.

Elisha Burberry is an online, freelance journalist and keen traveller and watersports enthusiast. Originally from Scotland, she now resides in London.

Fashion Design Software - Design Clothes Like a Pro

2007-08-30T01:36:00.000+07:00

By Ilse Hagen

Fashion designing is not all fun and glamor, but a little bit of technology can make it so much easier. A good fashion design software can help every type of designer -- even amateurs -- execute professional-looking designs. Thinking of using one? Here’s a starter kit.

What exactly can a fashion design software can do for you?

Although a computer program will not necessarily make you the next Chloe Dao, or the next Santino Rice, it can help you expand your fashion creativity and help you design faster, so you can get more work done.

Fashion design software allows you to play around with a range of colors, fabrics, and cuts, without necessarily having to buy the entire material—this allows you to save a lot of time and money, and allow you the freedom to experiment with different combinations without having to spend too much.

What should you look for in fashion design software?

Good fashion design software allows you to create 2d or 3d renders of your design, for editing or experimenting. It also allows you to print, upload, and share the designs via email. Some software allows you to replicate real 3-D fabrics on the screen so that you can visualize them as close to reality as possible—and see your design in different colors and cuts. This type of software usually has a database of different fabrics, textures, and prints. Most of them also have update options that let you add new fabrics and patterns to your database.

5 Ways To Spot Fake Designer Clothing

2007-08-23T11:32:00.001+07:00

By Darrell Freeman

1. All designer clothing fakes have low prices in comparison to genuine designer clothing. Before purchasing browse around and see the normal prices for designer clothing. For example, fake Prada Jackets are selling on Ebay for less than £60! These are fake as Prada jackets can’t be bought (even direct from Prada) for anywhere near this amount. Outrageously low prices should make you cautious. Neat Designer Clothing have some of the lowest prices on mens designer clothing, a good idea is to check their site before purchasing as a good guide for base prices. For example, the site show the base price of Lacoste Polos, Armani Jeans, Stone Island Jackets and many other products.

2. When buying designer clothing from a website, check the contact details and the terms & conditions. It is now a legal requirement for all websites to have full contact details (Address, Telephone, Email etc…). If there are no contact details just a form to fill in be cautious as they may be hard to trace if you are unsatisfied with your goods. I would also suggest avoiding Ebay as this has a lot of fake designer clothing listed on the site from foreign sellers.

3. Once of the biggest giveaways of fake designer clothing is the material of the product. Nearly all fake designer clothing is cheaply made using low cost and inferior materials in comparison to genuine designer clothing. If possible examine the garment and if buying on line look in detail at large photographs of the product. Fake designer clothing the stitching is normally of poor quality and details such as the brand name on labels will be missing. Look closely at the fine details.

4. The majority of fake designer clothing is imported from cheap mass production countries such as China, Thailand, Japan (mostly Asia). Try and buy directly from the UK. Even though there are fake designer clothing sellers in the UK you are less likely to become a victim of illegal fake designer clothing by buying from the UK

5. Know your rights. In the UK if you unknowingly purchase fake designer clothing, through the ‘Distance Sellers Act’ you have 7 days to return the goods without penalty (full refund). Also if you use your credit card you can request your card issuer to do a cash back as the products was not accurately described.

If you follow the above five tips you should be able to avoid fake designer clothing such as the common fake Lacoste Polo Shirts. The easiest way is to purchase mens designer clothing where the prices are the one of the lowest in the UK and all products are 100% authentic.

Lorris Azzaro - The Master Designer

2007-08-17T08:52:00.000+07:00

By James Philips

Loris Azzaro set up his initial line in Paris in 1962 and by 1968 his business was a huge success. Born in Tunisia on February 9 1933, Azzaro was well known for the making of fascinating party dresses for the select few in the French society. His creations featured flamboyant beadwork and bold cutouts. Loris Azzaro’s collections are always named alphabetically named by season, he admitted to skipping the letters q, x and z as it was too hard to find names in favor of those letters.

The open sea became Loris Azzaro’s much-loved mode of expression and he forever and a day said that, “the blue color is the color that suits me”. Loris Azzaro found encouragement in the natural wonders of the world that is the Mediterranean, the love, the sun and the seduction. “I let myself carry by the atmosphere of the country of my childhood with his spiced odors, his colors, his flowers, his perfumes. It is the country where I become again really myself, the country where my preferred color is everywhere, azure of the sea and the sky”. His sources of inspiration were his love for the sea. He released male and female clothing lines and accessories as well as fragrances. In 1975 he created his first fragrance for woman, called ‘Couture’ this became his signature scent.

Over time Azzaro became well identified for his fragrances as much as his clothing line. In spite of his fame, Loris never designed haute fashion designer wear and was not an affiliate of the elite Chambre Syndicale - this groups the top designer’s presentation in France. In addition to Raquel Welch and Sophia Loren, Nicole Kidman, Azzaro’s creations were as well displayed via Marisa Berenson, Claudia Cardinale as well as Isabelle Adjani.

After his passing away at the age of 70 - November 20, 2003 in Paris, France - Vanessa Seward took over as head designer of the Azzaro label. The brand name continues to release clothing but is now better acknowledged for their fragrances line up. Original Loris Azzaro vintage pieces are still very much in demand.
Find Lorris Azzaro perfume and colognes on sale at Perfume Center. Read more about Lorris Azzaro perfumes

Get Fashion Design Software and Design Clothes Like a Pro

2007-08-07T22:20:00.000+07:00

By Ilse Hagen

Fashion designing is not all fun and glamor, but a little bit of technology can make it so much easier. A good fashion design software (computer aided) can help every type of designer -- even amateurs -- execute professional-looking designs. Thinking of using one? Here’s a starter kit.
What exactly can a fashion design software can do for you?

Although a computer program will not necessarily make you the next Chloe Dao or the next Santino Rice, it can help you expand your fashion creativity and help you design faster, so you can get more work done.

The best fashion design software allows you to play around with a range of colors, fabrics, and cuts, without necessarily having to buy the entire material. This allows you to save a lot of time and money, and allow you the freedom to experiment with different combinations without spending too much.

What should you look for in fashion design software?
Good clothing design software allows you to create 2d or 3d renders of your design for editing or experimenting. It also allows you to print, upload, and share the designs via email. Some software allow you to replicate real 3-D fabrics on the screen so that you can visualize them as close to reality as possible—and see your design in different colors and cuts. This type of software usually has a database of different fabrics, textures, and prints. Most of them also have update options that let you add new fabrics and patterns to your database.

Buying tips
Picky Guide has a complete guide to fashion design software. Picky Guide is one of the fastest growing online magazines giving free consumer advice and product information.

Fashion Design Supplies

2007-08-01T02:45:00.000+07:00

By Jennifer Bailey

Fashion design may appear to be a glamorous profession with branded clothing and accessories. However, a lot of hard work goes into the creation of a designer item. Creation of a design involves a multi-step process. The designer has to keep in the mind not only the theme of the design but also how to create that design. This requires a proper selection of fashion supplies.
The designer has information of all the work aids. These include pattern masters, rulers, French curves and setsquares with engraved markings. A Pattern master comes in different sizes for cutting patterns, while a flexi curve draws the design along it. A metric vary form curve helps in the creation of flowing lines.

The colorings of designs require color pastel and high quality charcoal sticks.
The designers also need a hem maker for making chalk lines at the hem length of the cloth.
Other supplies include the grader ruler, which is used for measuring curves. The designers also use the fashion scale, which contains curves for making armholes, necklines and sleeves.
Another item that helps in the process of style planning is the fashion tape. It is used for fixing up the designed outfit on the dress stand.

Both amateur and the professional artists use non water-soluble pencils in the process of designing the outfits. In addition to these supplies, there are the pin holders used for pinning the fabric.

The other essential supplies are the dressmaking dummies and the tailors bust forms that assist in cutting of the patterns and making samples.

The fashion designers need carrying cases for carrying their sketches, patterns, fabric or incomplete garments from one place to another. The wallets are also used by the designers to carry their fashion portfolios.

All these supplies put together help a fashion designer complete his job in the best possible manner. From the first sketch to the final outfit, these fashion supplies are almost indispensable.

Fashion Design

2007-07-31T17:47:00.000+07:00

By Elizabeth Morgan

Fashion design is the practical art devoted to the design of garments, fashion wear, clothes in general and lifestyle accessories.

Charles Frederick Worth (1826-1895) was the first fashion 'designer' and not merely a dressmaker. He was the first to put up a 'fashion house' in Paris, where many young designers trained under him and were taught the skill and creativity that Frederick had with fabric.

Modern fashion design is generally divided into two broad categories -- 'haute couture' and 'ready-to-wear.' A designer's haute-couture collection is intended for private clientele and is custom made, cut and sewn. For a fashion house to be eligible to be an official 'haute couture' house, a designer or company must register with the Syndical Chamber for Haute Couture, a body of designers based in Paris and governed by the French Department of Fashion Industry that includes many international designers. An haute couture house is required to display their fashion collections twice a year with a minimum of 35 complete outfits in each show. They are often modeled on the catwalk and exhibited in private salons.

Ready-to-wear compilations are not custom made for private customers. They come in standard sizes, and this makes them more fitting for larger productions. Ready-to-wear collections can be further classified as designers' collections and confection collections. Designer collections have a premium finish and an exclusive cut and design. The designer's ready-to-wear collection is also modeled on catwalks all around the world. Confection collections are the clothes that we usually see in shops. These collections are designed by fashion artists. The brands that produce confection collections solely target the masses.

As fashion has become increasingly a large industry, fashion artists have also ventured into the designing of products that accompany clothes like perfume, handbags and foot wear.

Fashion Design Software

2007-07-27T22:15:00.000+07:00

By Michal Moreno

The textile and Fashion industries are the second largest industrial sector in the world, second only to the food industry. As in any high volume sector, the textile and fashion industries include a large variety of sub sectors: from elite fashion designers in Europe and the United States to mass production sewing workshops in India and China, from exclusive car upholstery designers to bedding products manufacturers etc.

Given the fact that a mere 30% of textile and fashion designers and manufacturers use computer aided design (CAD) software for the design process, these sectors hold substantial market growth potential in coming years.

When you keep in mind that the other 70% still work in a completely manual process using scissors and cardboards, there is a great deal of operational and production effectiveness this industry still has to achieve in order to catch up to its complementary industries (car, aircraft, elite fashion etc.).

Given the fact that all these factories with non-computerized work processes do use different software solutions for other processes, a non-dependent software solution is necessary – if only for its hardware flexibility and the abilities to fit into any existing or newly acquired hardware.

There are a few fashion design software firms who have picked up that flag, and now make software solutions that are easier to implement. Hopefully this process in which fashion design software companies have made a step towards their clients, will make the switch to computer aided design in the fashion and textile industries an easier and faster one.

Fashion Online

2007-07-26T13:09:00.000+07:00

By Michael Bustamante

Online Fashion Schools teach students about the exciting world of Fashion Merchandising and Design, without traveling to a classroom. Through a distance learning course, individuals can study at home to become certified in all areas of current Fashion including clothing, hair, makeup, jewelry, accessories, and interior design.

Online classes prepare professionals for a career in Fashion without giving up current employment. They teach students how to incorporate the latest trends into their own custom designs, and to compete in a cutting-edge industry that is constantly evolving.

The online Fashion curriculum includes fabrics and textiles, drawing, CAD, costumes, draping and cutting, clothing construction, sewing and sewing machines, fashion history, planning and buying, merchandising, retailing, and store management.

A distance learning course can be completed in two years, resulting in an Associate of Arts degree specializing in Fashion Design, Interior Design or Fashion Merchandising. A four-year online course of study can result in a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis on Fashion. Post-graduate students may continue their college education to receive a Master's Degree in Fashion Merchandising.

There are numerous choices of Fashion careers available, including designer, cutter, draper, costumer, makeup artist, photographer, hairstylist, runway model, buyer, and merchandiser, to name a few. In the course of their careers, many professionals travel to some of the greatest Fashion capitals of the world, including New York, Miami, London, Paris, and Milan. Depending on the level of education and experience, earning potential in the Fashion industry is practically unlimited.

Find Online Fashion Schools and distance learning courses to "suit" you by searching the many options available at www.schoolsgalore.com.

CAD Fashion Software

2007-07-23T09:28:00.000+07:00

By Josh Riverside

CAD fashion software includes different components such as pattern design, grading, detailing, marker layout, and CAD drafting which are ideal for home based as well as commercial applications. The software uses an innovative approach to pattern design that can be used to create original designs in different shapes and sizes. CAD fashion software users include different entities such as state universities, small specialty colleges, commercial fashion houses, home business operators, and individuals.

The software is designed according to actual apparel design process for designing made-to-measure or ?multiple size accurate grading? in seconds. Users just need to enter the measurement distance between two end points of the apparel design to automatically grade complex design curves.

The software eliminates the need for expensive digitizing table as users can photograph existing paper patterns and covert them into two or three dimensional digital images with the help of the software. It helps in creating accurate apparel patterns and adjusting pattern curves without puckering to manufacture professional looking garments. It allows users to work with different measurement systems such as imperial (inches) or metric (cm or mm) and is compatible with different operating systems such as Windows, Linux, Solaris, and SunOS.

Software tools provided with the software allow users to create or modify patters according to individual or client requirements. The software is extensively used in designing patterns used in lingerie, swim wear, sports apparel, casual uniforms, bridal wear, evening dresses, tailored suits, baby clothes, dolls, bags, and furniture. The software has hundreds of pre-designed pattern blocks, which can be used as it is or modified to create new innovative patterns.

The software also contains self paced tutorials developed over many years that enables new users to become proficient in fashion CAD designing in the shortest possible time. Amateur users can also join online fashion CAD design clubs for getting continuous technical support and software updates.

Copyright For Fashion? The Discussion

2007-07-22T17:36:00.000+07:00

By Gaurav Doshi

The copying of fashion design originals - “knocking off” or “affordable interpretation,” depending on your point of view - is a practice that designers may have grudgingly accepted in the past, when less expensive copies took some time to reach stores and only those consumers who could afford the designer-label originals could be the first to follow a trend. This practice is costing designers greatly as more advanced technology makes it possible to see high-quality copies appear in stores before the original has even hit the market. While it has long been the practice of the American fashion industry to knock off European designs, American designers did not copy one another. They registered their original sketches with a trade group called the Fashion Originators Guild, an organization that urged retailers to prohibit styles known to be knockoffs.

In 1941, the Supreme Court held that the Guild was an unreasonable restraint-of-trade; the end of the Guild marked the beginning of the knocking off “free-for-all” that we are familiar with today began. It is now common for imitators to photograph the clothes in a designer’s runway show, send the photo to a factory to be copied, and have a sample ready within a couple of days for retail buyers to order. Since fashion collections are displayed in runway shows approximately four to five months before they are available to the public, this leaves the fashion impersonator plenty of time to get the copies to stores at the same time, if not earlier, than the originals. Designers assert that design piracy cuts into their longstanding franchise of uniqueness, lowers their sales volume, and ultimately removes incentives for creativity.

Sometimes the same department stores that carry the higher-priced version of a garment will also sell the lower-priced knockoff, often under the store’s private label. Knocking-off is widespread in the fashion industry and even those designers who fume over being copied are not above doing it themselves. Because of the speed with which designs can be recreated, it is not even always clear which designer created the original and which designer simply copied it. This discussion will explore how protection of fashion works fits – or does not fit – into the current intellectual property law framework in the United States. The overall organization of this discussion is a systematic consideration of possible protection for works of fashion under copyright, patent, and trade dress law. This discussion will encompass not only the current state of the law, but also proposals for reform, such as an amendment to the Copyright Act to protect fashion works.

The central question is whether fashion design is an art worthy of protection or a craft whose practitioners can freely copy one another. In an industry where many designers come out with similar looks each season - and where inspiration is said to be "in the air" - designers and the thriving knockoff industry are fiercely debating the issue.

Another key question: whether knockoffs actually benefit the industry as a whole. Copying, some argue, propels the fashion cycle forward by creating popular trends that encourage designers to move on to the next big idea. In what they call the "piracy paradox," law professors Kal Raustiala of the University of California, Los Angeles, and Christopher Sprigman of the University of Virginia argue that copying makes trends drench the market quickly, driving the fashion cognoscenti to search out newer looks. "If copying were illegal, the fashion cycle would occur very slowly, if at all," While they admit copying can harm individual designers, they say Congress should protect industries only when piracy stymies -- rather than encourages -- innovation.

Despite the apparent unsuitability of copyright protection to works of fashion, commentators are often confused by the anomalies in copyright law under which fashion accessories, works of architecture, and computer chip designs are eligible for copyright protection. Some argue that since copyright has already been extended to protect the aforementioned items, copyright may be the best legal tool that fashion designers have when fighting design piracy.
For example, Robert Denicola has argued that it would be more consistent with the legal principles of intellectual property law to draw the line of copyright with respect to arguably “useful articles” by shaping whether, in the process of creating the item, the designer focused primarily on aesthetic or utilitarian consideration. Such a test would to a great extent improve the odds that works of fashion would be granted copyright protection, as most fashion designers are concerned with the aesthetic rather than the functional aspects of their clothing.

The specific extension of copyright to fashion works would have many advantages for designers. First, a copyright owner may seek an injunctive remedy to prevent the impersonator of his or her design from making and selling copies of the original. Second, copyright law allows for the imposing and discarding of the infringing items. Third, the copyright owner can recover damages, either actual or statutory, and also profits. Finally, the copyright owner may be able to recover court costs and attorney’s fees. This last remedy is especially important in fashion design cases, as it allows small new designers to take on big manufacturers whose greater power and financial resources would otherwise be an intractable obstacle. Despite these advantages to fashion designers, an amendment to the Copyright Act for works of fashion is not likely to be passed soon. As one commentator concisely stated that the current situation of the legislators and courts has a great deal of trouble seeing past the utilitarian function of a piece of clothing. While industrial designs have been the subject of repeated bills, Congress has explicitly excluded fashion works from these bills. For example, while the Design Anti-Piracy Act of 1989 would have protected original designs of useful articles against unauthorized copying, the bill would have barred apparel designs composed of three-dimensional shapes and surfaces with respect to apparel. According to one commentator, this exclusion has no basis in any discernible principle. It was added to help still the vociferous opposition of retailers to the bill.” In this current climate of judicial and legislative hostility, copyright protection will probably not be extended to specifically protect fashion works.

Fashion seems to be an industry particularly ill-suited to legal restrictions against copying. Copying – or “borrowing” or “reinterpreting” – is prevalent at every level of the fashion industry. When a lower-priced designer knocks off a higher-priced designer’s clothing, the copy may be a huge success because it offers more value for the price. But it is the higher-priced designers who are copying each other.

Fashion designers labors over their finished product just like any other creator or inventor. It takes hours upon hours of careful effort until a dress with just the right cut or a purse with the perfect design is complete. Why should this hard work and effort not grant the person behind the creation some level of security, allowing them to collect the benefits of their labor?
As a matter of Public policy it is generally believed that copycats are good for the economy. The claim asserts that preventing copyright for fashion eliminates the possibility of a monopoly by providing the consumer with lower priced knockoffs. Furthermore it is contended that knockoffs really promote business for the designer by creating a market for a style of fashion. But do we believe this actually? And what’s wrong with having a monopoly on fashion? When a consumer spends thousands of dollars on a purse or a dress that others will recognise as a Louis Vuitton or Versace, they should be able to enjoy the exclusivity that comes with such a purchase. Knockoffs steal from the consumer of their exclusive right to enjoy a specific product.

There are policy based arguments behind the government’s resistance to providing a copyright for fashion; ranging from the dislike for creation of monopolies to improving the market.
If the designer believes another person infringed his copyright, he could sue those who sell or manufacture the design in any federal court. Those found guilty would face fines of 250,000 or $5 a copy, whichever is greater.

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Finding a Top Fashion Design School That Meets Your Needs

2007-07-01T11:15:00.000+07:00

By Amy Wells

If your considering attending fashion school, there are a number of choices to wade through, and many factors to consider. How do you separate the hype from the substance when considering what fashion design school is right for your needs? By becoming clear on your school evaluation criteria, it will be easier to pick the school that is right for you.

One of the main factors, of course, is cost. Education is an investment in yourself, and there will be some cost outlays involved for tuition, supplies, and other aspects of attending school. However, if you've committed to getting a fashion design education, than you shouldn't let cost get in your way. You will certainly want to compare costs, the costs of various schools with the overall benefits you'll receive from each. You may be able to get a better loan or financial aid package from one school over another, and this certainly should be a consideration.

Another factor to consider is location. There are a variety of fashion schools located in some of the major design capitals of the world, such as Milan, London, and New York. If you decided to attend a school located there, you may have increased costs of living, which should be taken into consideration. But, you will also be more immersed in the world of fashion, and may have a chance to make more contacts in the fashion industry that can help you after graduation.

There are some schools that offer an online education, and this may also be a good choice for you. If you need more flexibility with your classes, or have family or work commitments, an online school may be a better choice. Of course, you will want to make sure you have reliable computer and Internet access, and a place to study.

One thing you should pay close attention to is the job placement services the school offers. Most people attend fashion design school because they are looking to work in the fashion industry, and how the school supports what happens post-graduation should be examined closely. The school may have job placement statistics available, and perhaps an alumni association. You may want to contact some of the alumni, and find out how their job placement situation was handled.

The quality of the curriculum and instructors is of course, another major factor. Take a look through their catalogue and see what type of classes are being offered. Classes should offer a good mix of application and theory, and be rigorous without being overwhelming.

Attending a top fashion design school can be a reality instead of just a dream. By critically evaluating the schools based on the criteria that is important to you, you will find many schools that can offer you the education and experience of a lifetime. If you spend the time to comparison shop, like you would for any major purchase, and you will be much happier with your decision.

Making Fashion Designing Speedy And Easy – Designing Software

2007-06-29T19:48:00.000+07:00

By Gaurav Doshi

The fashion industry has come a long way and has grown into one of the largest industries in the world. On account of the growth of this industry, the use of technology in this field has increased. Fashion designing software is increasingly being used by fashion designers.

Fashion designing software greatly aids the work of a fashion designer and help in more effective performance. They help in saving a lot of a time, money and energy. These software packages help the designer in experimenting with a number of textures, colors and patterns for producing the perfect design. They provide a variety of sketch backgrounds, tools for designing and repeating patterns and texture mapping.

There are various fashion design software packages available in the market today, such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw among others. Fashion designers have often been observed to use customized software according to their own individual requirements. They aid the designer right from the stage of designing to the production of apparel. Perfectly fitting garments can be created. The process of creating a design or a pattern as well as cutting has become easier with the help of software. Designs can be made faster and more accurately. There are a number of basic designs incorporated in the software, which the designer can make use of. The designers can make modifications in the basic designs and personalize them. Even 2D and 3D formats of a design can be created. These designs can be printed or sent to others through e-mail.

Such software helps the designer in creating a number of patterns and also in the repetition of patterns. They also help the designer in selecting the right texture for the garment. The designer can choose the right color for the garment from the various colors available and can even customize them. It helps in the easy management of production. The efficiency and productivity of the designer increases with the use of designing software.

The Fabric Drapery module in such software allows the designer to drape a design on a model by dragging and dropping the design on the model. Patterns can be created and applied on the design. The Image Repeat option allows the designer to repeat images, rotate them and perform overlays. The Weave Creation option helps in creating different textures using different warps and wefts in different colors. The Fabric Recoloring option allows the designer to change the color of the fabric used in the design and in customizing colors.

Basically, there are two types of software that a fashion designer can choose from – vector-based software or raster-based software. Vector images are also referred to as object-oriented drawings. Vector images provide greater resolution and quality as compared to raster images. These images can be resized without degrading the quality of the image. They are much smaller than raster images. Raster images are more realistic than vector images. They can be used to create a natural picture by providing a number of special effects. It is for the designer to decide whether to use vector-based software or raster-based software.

Fashion Design Games

2007-06-28T20:58:00.000+07:00

By Jennifer Bailey

Fashion design games are now available. Here are some good picks.

Bratz fashion design game

Bratz, the popular funky dolls available on the market, allows little children to play dress up – but, of course, only with the dresses they have. The Bratz fashion game allows the user to dress up the dolls that make up the characters in the line of Bratz toys by combining different fashionable accessories and dresses with just a click of a mouse. So, if you know a child who loves Bratz dolls and fashion, this is the perfect game for them.

The Bratz fashion game is available in electronic form, as a board game, or as a makeover package. The electronic game can be played by a single player or by multiple users. During multiple games, players outdo each others’ Bratz outfits for a “dance off where they dress up their favorite Bratz dolls and let them contend with each other in dance competitions.

SIMS

The series of SIMS always encourages creativity in dressing the user’s chosen character. At the start of every game, the user chooses the gender and then the character he/she thinks is most suitable. The game then provides options such as hair style, undershirt style that will fit well with the clothing, and even jacket choices. Shoes and pants are also available.

Kid Zone

Little designers can also start with a game called Kid Zone. In the paper doll section, these are printout paper dolls including the different outfits and accessories. This can be a good alternative if the child is too young to understand the computer or play the video game. There is even a Britney Spears section where players can dress up Britney in various outfits and apply different makeup to give her a unique look.

Fashion Designer, A Trend Setting Career

2007-06-24T00:33:00.000+07:00

By Cindy Martin

When you take a look at what is up and coming when it comes to careers among the younger generation fashion designer seems to be a frequent choice. This comes from the freedom that younger generations have gained in being able to set what they want to wear. Because of this, setting trends instead of following them has become a norm.

The life of a fashion designer is also one that is full of excitement. You get the ability to meet famous people and if you are lucky, enough get the opportunity to have those people wear your designs. For those that do not want to be in the spot light there are other options available that will still give the opportunity to be a part of the fashion industry. These options are areas such as marketing, website design, the more practical areas of cutting, and sewing. A Fashion designer can create designs for any type of clothing where but many choose a particular market to focus on. For example, a designer may choose to focus on children or just men's clothing.

There are also fashion designers that work exclusively on things like purses, jewelry and other accessories. They start by drawing out their concept on paper. It may change several times before they are happy with it. Then if it is a clothing designer, they create the design on a larger piece of paper and use it to create a pattern. They don't use the final cloth for this but use what is called a rough cloth in order to work out any difficulties before taking the time and expense of doing it in a final cloth. A Fashion designer must have knowledge of things like weave, fabric, material, color, design, and knowing what customers want.

A designer must also be artistic and creative, because portfolios are based on sketches they need to be able to at least draw out the basics for their designs. Because the fashion industry is ever changing, doing research is a daily requirement for someone in the fashion industry they must be aware of changing trends and some of that they can obtain from marketing research. By taking a look at what people in their target market are buying a fashion designer can see where people are leaning when it comes to trends and respond accordingly.

Being a fashion designer is a worthwhile career but it is not just about the lay of a fabric or the type of fabric chosen. It is about knowing how colors, shapes, textures, and fabric types go together. It is about knowing what the industry is doing and what people are going to want to see. Being a fashion designer is also about being artistic, creative and innovative. It can be quite a challenge and the industry is highly competitive. There can also be more stress than in normal jobs because people are constantly four times a year demand to see something new.

Choosing The Fashion Accessory That Fits You

2007-06-19T01:55:00.000+07:00

By Michelle Bery

When it comes to a beautiful outfit, nothing completes a look like a well-chosen fashion accessory. You may be wearing the perfect little black dress or the sleek and sophisticated pant suit but until you pair it with a fashion accessory it never quite becomes the full expression of which it is capable.

A fashion accessory can mean many different things to different people. For the shoe enthusiasts among us, no outfit is worth wearing without a stunning and complementary pair of shoes. There are certainly a bevy of beautiful shoes on the market today made by creative designers who know what looks good. But don’t be afraid to check out vintage stores where you could easily find a pair of classic shoes reflective of that period in history. Pairing the contemporary with the vintage is a great way to create drama and interest.

For others, a fashion accessory may mean a unique belt that goes with a great pair of jeans – taking the ordinary to the extraordinary; or a purse to offset elegant eveningwear. Ladies’ handbags are always popular vintage items, so you’ll be sure to find a number of beautiful bags in antique stores. Carrying a vintage bag to an elegant evening affair is a trend even seen on Hollywood’s red carpets.

However, when most people think of a fashion accessory they think of jewelry. Jewelry as a fashion accessory can complement any outfit and lend itself to casual clothing as well as eveningwear because of its versatility. Diamonds, crystal, silver, and gold – the jewelry that you choose will define your look; nothing changes the look of an outfit more. For this reason, jewelry is by far the most influential fashion accessory.

Finding the fashion accessory that complements a particular outfit depends largely on your personal style. That perfect fashion accessory may be waiting for you at your nearby mall or large retail store. But when looking for a unique fashion accessory it’s imperative that you think creatively.

Hit the local antique stores where you will find a nod to the vintage fashion accessory. Pair a modern pair of pants with a 1950s piece of jewelry or a contemporary evening dress with an elegant 1920s scarf. The possibilities are endless when it comes to the fashion accessory. With the addition of a few pieces you are able to infuse the outfit with your personal style and elevate your look to the next level.

Dressing Tips for 30-somethings You Must Know

2007-06-17T19:43:00.000+07:00

By Bridget Allen

It has been said that 30 is the new 20 so pack away all those thoughts of stodgy, boring outfits and break out of your fashion rut! By far the most popular fashion icon of this decade is Carrie Bradshaw, the fantastic 30-something that took New York by storm in the popular HBO series, Sex in the City. Channel your inner Carrie and strive to be fabulous no matter what the occasion. Whether you are wearing a simple outfit to your yoga session or painting the town red with your best girl friends, showcase your body by wearing fantastic clothing that will shave off years in a few seconds!

The first thing a 30-something should do, regardless how fabulous her body may be, is to stop shopping in the junior’s section. Avoid clothing that is designed for the body of a middle schooler, lacking in any curves that your body most likely possesses. Show off your curves in clothing suitable for your body type instead of trying to squeeze into those perfectly juvenile jeans that form a straight line from the waist to the hip. Also, watch out for clothing that is too revealing or scandalous. Remember there is a thin line between sexy and skanky, so be sure to stay on your side of the line.

Now that you are shopping for grown up clothes, be adventurous and think outside of the fashion design box! Push the envelope and try on items that are generally not your style, but may look fabulous on you! If you are trying to get up enough courage to wear a fabulous top, pair it with a more subdued pant, jean, or skirt. Be sure to push your limits, but still stay within your overall comfort zone. Individuals who can wear their clothing comfortably will give off a thrilling and sexy vibe, regardless if they are wearing a hot and skimpy dress or your favorite pair of jeans and an old sweatshirt.

Although it may be tempting to wear super high stilettos all day long, you may want to start giving your feet a much needed rest. Stilettos and other high heels and wreck havoc on your feet, causing you a great deal of pain and suffering later on down the road. You should by no means give up your favorite pair of kicks, but just wear them wisely. Choose to wear your designer shoes on a limited basis to save your feet.

Bridget Allen has worked for many years in the fashion industry, at a senior level, and she has written an amazing totally free fashionista minicourse that will thrill, entertain, and most importantly educate you about what you absolutely need to know about fashion.

Calvin Klein - Calvin Klein's Success Story

2007-06-13T20:09:00.000+07:00

By Evan Carmichael

Growing Up
Klein, born November 19, 1942, was taught by his mother to love fashion. He would often accompany her when she went shopping in New York City for affordable clothes. From an early age he knew he wanted to be a fashion designer, and taught himself how to sketch and sew.

Before he turned twenty, he graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. He married Jayne Centre and began working as an apprentice sketching European coat designs for his employer Dan Millstein to copy. Klein, however, disdained the idea that the normative American practice was to imitate European fashion and longed to start his own company. He believed that original fashion ideas could come out of the States and he was just the innovator to make it happen. But the realization of his dream seemed a long way away since he was struggling financially and was working part-time at his father's grocery store in order to make some extra money

Starting The Business
Calvin Klein Ltd. was formed in 1968. Klein took a $10,000 loan from a friend and used $2,000 of his own money to get it started. Rather than hunting out success, it stumbled upon him. His first order came from a coat-buyer for the large department store Bonwit Teller who got off the elevator on the wrong floor and saw Klein's work. The buyer was impressed and ordered $50,000 worth of coats. In addition, an editorial praising Klein's designs was written up in Vogue. Klein's reputation was quickly established.

Five years after starting Calvin Klein Ltd., Klein moved away from solely designing coats and offered women a less-expensive alternative to the ostentatious European fashions with sportswear that could be identified as having "The Calvin Klein Look". Men also were drawn to Klein's comfortable outfits and masculine designs.

He was recognized for his accomplishments by being awarded the Coty award by the fashion press in 1973, 1974, and 1975, and his wealth grew as the public continued to buy his subdued clothing. But success troubled his home life and Klein and Centre divorced in 1974. Klein embarked on a period of partying and irresponsibility. By now a prominent public figure, Klein could be found nightly at Studio 54, but his days of unconcerned ease ground to a halt in 1978 when his daughter Marci was kidnapped. Marci returned home safely, but the incident frightened Klein enough to turn away from the publicity he once so doggedly sought.

Building An Empire
It was through a titillating ad campaign in 1980, featuring a 15-year old Brook Shields in a pair of tight-fitting jeans and the line "Nothing comes between me and my Calvins," that pushed Calvin Klein Ltd. forward once more. This now much-emulated, sexually driven method of advertising was at once condemned by feminists, calling it pornographic. However, through this experience Klein learned that there is no such thing as bad press; in their first week, an astonishing 200,000 pairs of the tight-fitting Calvins were sold. In 1982, Klein was taken to court over an ad campaign featuring men wearing nothing but briefs embossed in the Calvin Klein name. Though some magazines refused to print the ads, the underwear sold incredibly well.

Due to the appearance of AIDS and the affect this had on the promiscuousness of the 1970s, the demand for the sexy, body-hugging jeans declined. The debt Klein had amassed by 1984 nearly toppled his fashion empire. Using $80 million in junk bonds, Klein refinanced the debt, leaving his company at great risk.

Klein married again in 1986. However, addicted to vodka and Valium around this time, Klein was admitted to a rehab centre in the Caribbean. By the time he got out, bankruptcy was imminent, but David Geffen, a friend from Klein's days partying at Studio 54, helped him out financially and gave him the chance to begin again.

Saved from ruin, Klein went immediately to work churning out a variety of products. The CK brand of more affordable designer clothing, and, like Richard Branson, licencing the Calvin Klein name to sunglasses and other fashion accessories pulled the fledgling Klein back out on top.
Again controversy around one of Klein's ad campaigns in 1995 prompted the FBI and Justice Department to investigate Klein for violating child pornography laws. Klein stopped the campaign, and eventually the Justice Department’s ruling came down in his favour.

With CK perfume and his CK jeans a success and money pouring in once again, Klein is undoubtedly the picture of a survivor who could have self-destructed, but because of a wealth of good ideas coupled with good fortune and diligence, he has become one of the world's foremost fashion designers.

Style is Constant-Fashion Fluctuates

2007-05-26T12:45:00.000+07:00

By Patrick McMurray

Try to chart the course of fashion and you’ll need more than a sexton, compass and telescope, to navigate to its beginning. The rise and fall of fashion is like waves in a storm filled ocean. However, charting the course of style is much easier, it has a known beginning, its progress can be documented and unlike the turbulent fluctuations of fashion, style dictates a constant theme that has the ability to cross cultural barriers and oceans.

British civil administration made it easier for us to chart the course of style because of the precise way its administrators recorded important historic events. But it’s also worth remembering that before computers and electronic organisers’ people kept diaries where dates and events were recorded with great accuracy. Unlike the throw away society of today many of these diaries were kept an are intact even today. Baeurocratic systems certainly play an important role. Accurately recording information through the ages enables fashion designers to access archives of style variations that are often hundreds of years old.

For example it’s well documented that Thomas Burberry opened his own business in 1856 in Basingstoke, Hampshire. Noticing how local shepherds and farmers wore linen smocks, which were cool in summer and warm in the winter, he attempted to apply the same principles to other clothing. In 1879 he developed a fabric which was weatherproofed in the yarn before weaving, using a secret process and then proofed again in the piece, using the same undisclosed formula. The new material was un-tearable and weatherproof, whilst cool and breathable. He called the cloth ‘gabardine’ and registered the word as a trademark.

In 1901 Thomas Burberry designed a raincoat that became the regulation style during the First World War. Adapted to include functional epaulettes, straps and D-rings, it was named ‘The Trench Coat’. At that time, officers in the army took to wearing a Burberry raincoat as part of their uniform. The lightweight cotton was preferred to the heavy rubberised mackintosh that was supplied at the time.

The Burberry Trench coat continues to be an essential part of outerwear collections. Authentic details remain even to the metal “D” rings on the belt, which are now purely decorative. However this is interpreted from season to season according to whether fashion dictates a slim or full fitting silhouette together with a long or short hemline.

There are many other prime example of style innovation to note, interestingly many originated in Mother England “come on the mighty blues” Take Harris Tweed; it’s been constant through many decades of fashion fluctuations. The dark business suit dates back to the early nineteenth century, initiated by Beau Brummell, this style continues today. The tie dates back thousands of years. Jessie Langsdorf a New York tailor made significant structural changes to the tie eighty years ago. He made his ties from three separate pieces of silk: the blade, the gusset and the under-end, these were cut at 45 degrees on the bias.

So let’s drop a few names of individuals who initiated styles that are taken for grated today, Coco Chanel, Jean Patou, Beau Brummell, Amelia Bloomer, Thomas Burberry, Jessie Langsdorf,Tommy Nutter, Vivian Westwood, Oxford University, and Cambridge University, Thomas Burberry. It’s all history, but like history, fashion has a habit of repeating itself, actually fashion is just repetition of style. “Style is constant, fashion comes and goes”

Here you will find some fascinating historic fashion anecdotes feel free to browse.

Here you will find unique collection of fashion accessories presented for your pleasure and convenience.

What is your fashion style?

2007-05-24T10:05:00.000+07:00

By Kenia Morales

When it comes to clothing do you usually stick to one particular style or should you be called a fashion scientist due to the tremendous amount of attention you pay to trends. It can also be possible that you are not aware of your personal style. Whether you are aware of your style or not read this guide to learn a little bit more about it and what changes you can make (if desire).

1.Sexy Lexis- Lexis is all about wearing clothes that reveal skin such as cleavage and fit extra tight. She may feel that conservative or unrevealing clothing are only for older people. Lexis might need to learn when to tone down her sexy image. For example: She should avoid walking in to church wearing a blouse with a plunging neckline. Unless, she is ready to receive a few dirty looks.

2.Care-Lesley- She wonders: What is Fashion? Can I eat with cheese? She really does not know what the latest trend is and frankly can care less. Lesley should try something new once in a while just for fun and avoid getting stuck on a specific style.

3.Rebellious Chica-She makes her own rules when it comes to fashion. Avoids to all extends looking like everyone else. Just like sexy lexis some circumstances will require toning down her personal style. On a job interview she should conform to the expected attire standards. At least until she lands the job.

4.Fashion Diva-Her middle name is style. Always on top of her image and hates to be seen more than once wearing an outfit. Keeping up with fashion trends can get quite expensive. She needs to watch her finances closely in order to avoid overspending.

5.Sporty Lady- She loves her jeans and sneakers and will not go anywhere with out them. She should play dress up once in a while. This will help her look and feel better, even if the changes are temporary.

6.Comfy Carmen-Carmen is all about comfort. She chooses her attire based on the way it feels. She should steer away from bulky looking shoes that will make her feet look wider or bigger and clothing that fit too loosely. Clothes that are too big will make anyone look heavier and older.

7.Elegant Elenin- Elenin is always dress to impress. She will not allow anyone to see her dressed down. However, it will be beneficial for her to loosen up or dress comfortably once in a while. People can not look perfect all the time.

8.Stuck in time- This type of person does not remember the last time she bought a piece of clothing. She will not stop wearing her clothes until it has a hole in it. She should avoid using the same clothing for too many years until it comes back in style (20 years later).

9.Balanced Brianna- She probably has one of the other personal styles mentioned in this guide but, understands clearly the certain situations require she dresses up or down. She will not be hesitant to try a new style as long as it does not make her look like a fool.

Winter Fashion Trends

2007-05-22T15:49:00.000+07:00

By Sarah Freeland

Winter is a difficult time to look fashionable, especially if you live in a colder climate. However, it is not impossible. To start with you can buy clothing that are made from warmer materials like wool and cashmere, and that also reflect the colors and patterns from this season’s clothing trends. Generally speaking winter fashion trends will relay partially on the timeless winter classics so you won’t need to replace your entire winter wardrobe to stay in style, as long as you know what these timeless pieces are you should only have to buy a few new winter pieces each season to stay in style.

To build a winter wardrobe that follows the current winter fashion trends you will want to start with your footwear. While you may not think that winter boots offer much flexibility when it comes to fashion choices there really are a lot of great options to choose from. However, if you want a boot that will remain in style through several seasons then you can’t go wrong with a black winter boot. Then if you winter budget can stand it, buy a second and/or third pair of boots in this season’s colors and styles.

The next area of your body that you will want to protect from the coldness of winter is the lower half of your body. To stay warm look for pants that have a flattering cut for your body type and that are also made from a heavier material like wool. If you like to wear skirts in the winter then you can protect your legs by wearing colored tights.

To really pull your fashion forward winter wardrobe together you will want to look for top options that really pop. Sweaters, scarves, and fashion accessories can also easily be added to reflect winter fashion trends from this season. For the best clothing options for your body, look for tops that have a shape that de-emphasizes your problem areas and that also have a color palette that compliments your skin tone and hair color.

Spring Fashion Trends

2007-05-22T15:43:00.000+07:00

By Sarah Freeland

Putting together your spring fashion wardrobe is a lot of fun. After months of dark colors and heavy fabrics you now are able to put together an outfit that utilizes fresh bright colors and softer flowing fabrics that look and feel fantastic. To get ideas on what you will want to add to your spring wardrobe you will want to look for runway specials on television, or if you are lucky enough to live in a fashion city, you can look for local fashion shows for the spring season. You can also preview the upcoming spring styles and colors in fashion magazines during the fall or winter months prior to the spring season that you are shopping for.

While you may love the looks that the runway shows have put together, chances are that these outfits won’t be practical for everyday use. However, you can take elements from these runway outfits to create your own fashion forward spring fashion wardrobe. Before you go out shopping make a list of the elements from the runway outfits that you like including shapes, clothing combinations, and colors. Then take this list shopping with you.

When you are selecting spring fashion items you may want to start by finding a designer that offers cuts that are flattering to your body type. Once you have found a designer or clothing designers that make styles that fit your body properly you can then start looking for pieces from their spring collections to complete your spring wardrobe. Again look for pieces that have the elements that you liked from the fashion shows and magazines.

The final step in putting together your spring fashion look is to pick out jewelry and accessories. To get the most value from your jewelry and accessories you will want to select pieces that can be used to create several different outfits. You will also want to select different pieces to put together a day look, an evening look, and an extra special occasion look.

Fashion Design - Six Fun Tips To Expand And Spice Up Your Wardrobe

2007-05-20T23:47:00.000+07:00

By Terri Grace

Are you putting away your winter clothing and finding that your closet is looking a little bare? Do the colors and styles of your spring and summer wardrobe seem out dated and boring? Would you like a more youthful look? Are you looking for a way to spend less money but follow some of the current hot trends? Have you put on a few additional pounds over the winter months and want your clothing to help you look slimmer while shedding the extra weight? Below are six tips to update your wardrobe with the latest fashion designs without spending a lot of money.

1. Color: It is important to know what colors compliment your skin tones. Use the lighter shades of color next to your face. Use deeper shades of complimentary colors in pants or layering shirts. By using this technique, you will appear slimmer. Attention will be drawn to your face rather than your body and darker colors are more slimming.

2. Layering: Layering in different colors and styles is extremely popular this season. It is another way to look slimmer while being stylish. Longer light weight knits can be used without adding bulk. Start with the longest layered shirt first, then add shorter layers after. This elongates and is flattering to the body. The new popular layered knits are often used by women wearing maternity clothes.

3. Adding to your existing wardrobe: By simply adding a shirt or jacket in this season's new colors or styles, you can get a whole new outfit. Taking a pair of pants that you are getting tired of and cutting and hemming them to a popular length for summer can save money since you won't have to purchase another pair.

4. Replacing items in your wardrobe: There will be clothing items in your wardrobe that will need to be replaced. When replacing basic items such as pants, look for garments that are more classic. It is less expensive to add trendy shirts in popular colors than it is to replace a high quality pair of pants or jeans.

5. Clothing Accessories: Jewelry can update and add excitement to any outfit. You do not have to purchase an expensive piece of jewelry to add color or look trendy. Inexpensive, yet beautiful jewelry can be found. Changing jewelry can give an outfit a totally different look.

6. Skirts: Adding a couple of skirts to your wardrobe is stylish, comfortable and cool. Skirts are popular this year. They make women feel feminine, pretty and are a nice change from pants and shorts. You can dress skirts up for work or dress them down for a summer picnic. This is done by adding appropriate accessories.

The above tips are applicable to teen clothing and junior clothing as well as women's clothing. The most popular styles of shirts this season are cami, cap sleeve, lace trim cap and camisole out of soft stretch material. Colors that are being worn are brown, coral, berry, cream, pink, peach, sky blue, lilac, yellow and orange. Be careful when choosing shirts of various colors. Orange for example, will match only a small number of women's skin tones. Peach, on the other hand, may be a better choice for most women. Most colors can be worn be everyone is they are in the right shades and undertones. By putting various colors up to your face and looking in the mirror, you can see if they are flattering and if they work well with your personal skin tones.

Fashion Concepts and Design

2007-05-20T23:46:00.001+07:00

By Sarah Freeland

Fashion design has always been an industry that has both reflected and created pop culture trends. Fashion designers have been able to take the trends and social philosophies of an era and translate that into a piece of wearable art. In addition to pieces that are created as an artistic statement, the fashion industry has also excelled in creating fashion pieces that are functional and practical for every day use.

The three types of fashion design that a designer can specialize in are haute couture pieces, ready-to-wear pieces, and mass market pieces. Most people are familiar with the mass market pieces. These pieces are geared towards a specific demographic and they are intended for everyday use. You typically find mass market pieces in retail stores and outlets. Ready-to-wear fashion is created on a limited basis and it involves more tailoring and needlework. These pieces are typically displayed in specialty boutiques and high end clothing shops. If you are looking for a fashion design that has a lot of needlework and originality then you are probably looking for a haute couture piece. These pieces are high end garments that are made in extremely limited quantities and they are marketed through high end clothing stores and designer boutiques.

Fashion design concepts are not limited to just finished pieces of clothing. Fashion designers are also needed to create the textiles that apparel is made from. Textile designers have a great influence on what clothing designers are able to create. They put together colors, textures, and patterns in a single fabric, creating the canvas from which clothing designers work off of.

History Of Fashion Design

2007-05-19T01:09:00.000+07:00

By Jennifer Bailey

The realm of fashion design, by its sheer glamour and grace, has always been exciting and intriguing. When we talk of fashion design, it implies a form of art that incorporates the nuances of creating clothes and accessories.

The history of fashion design can be traced back to the beginning of the19th century when the designs were the product of the dresses worn in the royal courts. Eventually, Charles Frederick Worth, the first fashion designer, set up his first fashion house in Paris. His designs greatly influenced the people and they labeled them as the designs of the "House Of Worth." As a result, a designer became synonymous with a particular brand.

Another important designer who made a significant contribution to the evolution of the fashion was Paul Poi Ret. He blended the classical style consisting of aesthetic dressing with Paris fashion. Other important designers of this age were Patou, Vionnet, Fortuny, Lanvin and Chanel.

Throughout the 20th century, Paris remained the world's fashion hub, with countries such as the US and Britain openly aping the French designs. The post World War era saw the emergence of other countries as the centers of fashion and Paris ceased to be the sole influential factor. The rising British fashion industry brought a new range of street fashion focusing mainly on the young consumers.

Later, American designers such as Calvin Klein And Ralph Lauren came to the fore with their sportswear and made it a style statement. Today, fashion designs can be categorized into two main categories. The haute couture is designed for individual customers. The other category is the ready-to-wear collection. While the former is based on certain themes and is more for creating a style statement, the latter is meant for the masses.

The mid-90s saw the emergence of a new breed of designers who redefined traditional concepts. They looked at fashion from a new angle, creating their own new concepts.

Thus, the world of fashion design has witnessed a steady evolution over the years and has been the by-product of the sincere efforts of many of the top designers.

Fashion Design Sketches

2007-05-19T01:05:00.000+07:00

By Jennifer Bailey

The intense competition in the fashion industry makes it important for any fashion designer to showcase the designs to a larger audience. This can be done by creating fashion sketches and displaying them on the Internet. The sketches give an insight to the fashion fraternity and also to the common audience on the concept behind a particular fashion design. It is a way of communicating the theme to the people associated with the apparel industry. Hence, they are extremely important for any fashion designer.

Fashion sketches are illustrations made by professional artists and designed in a way that they can be easily displayed on the Internet. They portray the true creative genius of the designer. These can be considered a blue print of the final product. The perfection in making sketches is a prerequisite as they serve as the main marketing tool of the fashion professionals. The sketches reflect trends and the value added features of the design. They can also be used to evaluate the various patters used by different designers.

Fashion sketches are important, since they are the preliminary designs that have to be taken to the different apparel manufacturers in the market. The sketches are then used to select the different fabric samples from the wide range on offer.

Computers are increasingly being used for the purpose of making fashion design sketches. Several software are now available that assist the designers in making the drawings. While some still prefer the traditional hand-drawn sketches, others choose to opt for the speed and convenience of computer-aided designing. Hand-drawn sketches can also be fed into the computer with the help of a scanner.

The art of making fashion design sketches is important for creating a niche in the highly competitive fashion industry. Fashion designers can make their presence felt only if their sketches are different and original. Good quality sketches are the only means of establishing a firm foothold in the fashion industry.

Fashion Design Portfolios

2007-05-18T06:26:00.000+07:00

By Jennifer Bailey

Creation of a portfolio is one of the most important aspects for a fashion designer to make his presence felt and to carve a niche for himself. Portfolios are a means for the designer to communicate his ideas and concepts about fashion to the people. The portfolio determines the sale quotient of an individual's design. It is a presentation of the range of a designer's skills and his expertise in the field.

The process of making a portfolio is a thought provoking as a lot many factors go into making it perfect. The designer has to consider the design sketch and focus on the target customer. For instance, it should be known whether the portfolio is for men's wear, children's wear or for women. Similarly, it should be clearly defined whether the portfolio caters to contemporary or traditional fashion forms.

Portfolios are based on certain themes and have to be made keeping in mind the target product. The making of portfolios not only requires a knack for fashion but also an understanding of the human form.

The successful designers are more experimental when it comes to using techniques for making and presenting portfolios. They utilize various techniques such as watercolors, felt tip markers, cut and paste technique or computer aided programs for the presentation of portfolios.

A portfolio gives visual evidence about the technical skills of a designer. It shows whether the designer has knowledge of sewing, draping and making of patterns. It also gives an idea about the ability of the designer to make fashion drawings and also highlights his awareness of the past, present and future fashion trends. The portfolio has to be articulate and not redundant, evolutionary and not stagnant. It has to be in sync with the time and a true reflection of a designer's artistic and creative skill.

Business Fashion Makeover - Better Design for Better Business

2007-05-18T06:20:00.000+07:00

By Paul Hoffman

Ask a fashion creator what design is and the likely answer involves fabric and flow. A gardener may define design in terms of plant material and placement. Ask business owners and business executives to define design and the answers may stagger the mind. In other words, business design to one executive may be very different from another.

Design in business often focuses on brick and mortar structures with halls and walls and office compartments. Let us argue for that definition as the fabric of business; however, does it allow flow? Office compartments define placement; yet, do they define proper use of people, the material of business?

This discussion moves from the traditional concept of design as the physical plant in which business operates and moves toward contemporary business where knowledge professionals are uninhibited by physical structure. This discussion uses texts from leadership professionals and observations of and interviews with knowledge workers in education, politics, and business. The goal of this discussion is enlightening current and future leaders of design possibilities that promote and encourage professional bilateral relationships.

Vision the Future from the Past

A Business Communication student shared her desire of writing a term paper on outsourcing of U. S. industrial jobs to offshore and overseas locations. Her email contention being, the U.S. needs to secure its industrial strength at home. In a reply email agreeing this is a good topic, we shared an exchange offering another view that U.S. business is no longer dependent on industrial strength. The might of U.S. business shifted to knowledge as a product.

Supporting this were examples of U.S. based organizations, having a major global impact, and net knowledge producers. Major companies as Microsoft, SUN, INTEL, Apple, and even Omaha based Berkshire-Hathaway are major players in knowledge generation. The proliferation of online knowledge providers places vast amounts of data in one person’s hand faster than in any previous generation.

Part of the exchange included Camrass and Farncombe’s (2004) view of knowledge products. At the center of their view is the paradigm shift, and paradox of behaviors. Handy (1995) explains as we become more secure in our use of online services, we act as our own customer service agent providing information previously collected in person. Business has retrained us to do their work. Subsequently, business can shift from expensive infrastructures to lean operations.

Finally, the student acknowledged the U.S. is less industrial than past generations. However, she could not link losses of industrial jobs off shore and the gain of knowledge producing jobs.

Another observation comes in the form of education. A local community college founded in 1974 as a technical community college shifted emphasis in 1992 to a fully accredited community college offering educational opportunities in business, the arts, healthcare, social sciences, and awarding associate degrees. The college web site provides some student statistics that emphasize a shift from technical skills to academic skills. Of over 44,500 full and part-time students, more than 27 thousand are in academic pursuits versus 17,300 in technical trade education. Another statistic shared on the college web site is that after completing an associate degree, 54 percent continue their education beyond the Associate Degree. These observations support the email conversation noted earlier that net industrial jobs have shifted to net academic or knowledge generating occupations.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2005) released national employment statistics indicating over130.3 million Americans employed. It is difficult to identify careers as specifically industrial or specifically knowledge generating. However, a cursory attempt to identify them finds about 35.6 million Americans working in industrial trades. Approximately 33.0 million Americans work in net knowledge generating fields. The service industry in the U.S. appears to account for the remaining almost 53 percent of American wage earners.

Therefore, it must appear as though contemporary business finds itself in a paradox. The paradox involves managing business today while envisioning the future. Davis (1996) tells of people in their offices watching the time hoping for 5:00 o-clock. These people are waiting for the future to reach them in their stagnant office environments. They may have a strategic plan that has marked their path and they seem unable to consider alternatives. A careful or even casual observer will probably conclude that this business is neither prepared for the future nor looking forward to it approaching. Also likely, this organization is in need of radical change or faces extinction.

In a business across the street, people know the time and realize an opportunity for brainstorming. These people, according to Davis (1996), are unafraid of the future, embrace it, anticipate it, and manage it rather than wait for it. Rather than holding to a strategic plan, this group thinks in terms of strategic vision. They scan their horizon for opportunities to change and grow into new markets and products. Is this organization expecting to grow beyond its walls into a new arena where office is a place but not required for work?

Achieving Design Makeover

How do leaders use design to their organizational advantage in a rapidly changing global environment? Taylor and Wacker (2000) share an answer in what they call the age of possibilities. Today, as never before we are free from traditional bonds of work, we are free to choose our futures as well as shape them to suit our own desires and needs. Hoffman (2006) suggested that workers now have ways to shape their destiny and their future in ways past generations of workers could not imagine.

Traditional organizational design follows traditional lines of authority on both horizontal and vertical axes. Contemporary organizational design seeks to eliminate structure and design elements that impede lateral interdepartmental collaboration. These contemporary organizations prefer coordination with what Nadler and Tushman (1997) classify as workers freed from geography, physical structures, and delays in information.

Leaders in contemporary organizations making a design change are active in the midst of the organization, often from the midst of workers and sharing the workload with them. Maxwell (2005) advises leaders not to forget the people. Forgetting them, he says, leaves the leader risking having leadership erode. Leadership demands often force leaders to operate at a speed faster than the organization. Maxwell’s point is to slow down, “To connect with people, you travel at their speed” (pg. 214). Leaders might heed the Harper’s Bizarre (1967) song lyric, “Slow down, you move too fast.”

Yet, slowing down is another paradox for leaders who want to change organizational design. Leaders believe they must keep moving to keep the organization moving. By contrast, slowing the pace allows a leader to scan the horizon for new opportunities, sense or see a vision that had not been there before. Budman (2004) wrote in The Conference Board that the future of business would continue to “need trainers, and researchers and economists and teachers…and executive to manage them all” (pg. 1). He continues to sell the idea of a new business design that attracts knowledge workers because workers want to be part of the new design. Thus, the paradox of slowing down may help propel the leader, workers, and the organization forward.

Contemporary design no longer depends on halls and walls and offices as traditional business once did. Budman (2004) continues his discussion on leading knowledge workers. New leaders often find themselves operating in a system of workers separated by thousands of miles. He tells leaders to educate themselves on new technology and global business operations. As Hoffman (2007) observed, “In 21st century organizations, leaders have a responsibility toward knowledge networks; granting them resources necessary to develop common capabilities, develop incentives for membership, as well as standards and protocols for sharing information.”

Are we observing a shift from the days of going to the office, putting in our eight or ten or twelve hours, punching the time-clock, and calling that work? Is contemporary business shifting from supervised hours to process completed? The fabric of change invites flow of processes completed rather than hours spent at or in the office. Nurturing leaders recognize the value of placement and proper use of people to reap a bountiful harvest. A new reality is emerging; work no longer depends on a physical structure to house workers. There is something new in the business fashion design to improve productivity and business.

The New Design

There are new designs appearing on the thresholds of contemporary businesses. The concepts tear at the fabric of traditional thinking and reorder theories of worker placement. Let us examine one example.

This example is one we are familiar and comfortable with. It is a global business with extensive multilingual Internet presences. Upon reading the organization name, almost everyone has a cognitive reaction. Perhaps, many are members of their networks of buyers, sellers, and marketers. Their Internet home page offers a view of their operational design with this statement:

[We are] pioneers communities built on commerce, sustained by trust, and inspired by opportunity. [We] bring together millions of people every day on a local, national and international basis through an array of websites that focus on commerce, payments and communications. [Our] Marketplace creates a powerful online platform for the sale of goods and services by a passionate community of individuals and small businesses. On any given day, there are millions of items available through auction-style and fixed-price trading. With millions of buyers and sellers worldwide, [we] offer localized sites in the following markets.

No more suspense, this company is The eBay Company. Among The eBay Company family of businesses are PayPal, Skype, Shopping.com, and Rent.com. The eBay Company uses linking with Mercado Libre to achieve its Latin American presence. The executive team is just ten people. They are founders, CEOs, and other officers of the diverse group of companies, widely diverse in professional backgrounds, and not centralized in the Santa Clara, California home office. They operate virtually from locations around the world.

Galbraith (2000) addresses organizations like The eBay Company calling them virtual clusters. The eBay Company is a large network of “small specialized companies. [I]t attains scale and specialization through the network, and it attains speed, innovation, and responsiveness through the small companies” (Galbraith 2000, pg. 272). The eBay Company provides an operational example of how business can operate successfully across geo-political boundaries providing global commerce and customer access to goods and service seamlessly, without interruption, 24 hours a day/seven day a week (24/7), and without internal sales or shipping and handling.

Analysis

At the outset, the approach was toward internal components that organization’s control. Specifically addressed were flow of business and proper placement of human resources. The evolution of this business design advanced beyond traditional halls and walls to a contemporary business environment not dependent on physical structure.

One consideration involves anticipating the future and embracing the paradox of change. Organizations that determine their strategic plan as the map to the future may not see the changing horizon. They may become unable to adapt as the chaos of change and business disruption overtakes them. Conversely, organizations that seek the future by scanning the ever-changing horizon for opportunities embrace chaos and grow.

Leaders in organizations that anticipate change know the answer to how, when, why, and where change happens. They know the collective answer is when it is least expected. Leaders often operate at a faster pace than the rest of their organizations. However, when leaders slow down and make connections with people, they may attract new workers with new ideas and visions. Thus slowing down may propel the business forward.

As business moves from traditional boundaries to contemporary operations without boundaries, new opportunities exist for virtual business clusters of smaller agile groups located in areas that maximize the small group’s business activity. Whether the business is a group wholly owned subsidiaries, a group of local enterprises in a consortium, or clusters of small agile specialized companies, product development now involve consumers sitting at the same table with research and development. Involving consumers and customers shift new products from sequential building blocks to simultaneous product definition (Galbraith, 2000).

Conclusion

The image of a clothing designer using fabric to create flow is important to business. Flow allows ideas to leap across voids where walls once stood. Flow helps business recognize that information between people and groups move without the structure of office. The image of the gardener selecting the best material for planting in the right place is also important for business. Selecting the right people and placing them in an environment where they will grow, may help business move beyond the present-now to the future-now.

Business, seeking a road map to the future, will discover the map is harder to unfold than those paper route maps are to refold. Yet, achieving a better business design achieves a better business environment. It is all in the makeover.

The World Of Fashion Design

2007-05-18T06:14:00.000+07:00

By Michelle Bery

The world of fashion is one that has the eyes and ears of a vast amount of people; we watch television, read magazines, and stay tuned to see what the rich and famous are wearing from day to day – and we follow suit. Fashion can change perceptions, impact an entire retail economy, and influence a generation. It’s no wonder that more and more people are interested in joining the world of fashion design.

Fashion design entails the creation and manufacturing of clothing styles. Fashion designers work based on seasons – they design, create, and then introduce their line of clothing on the fashion runways. The clothing that is well-received suddenly makes its way to Hollywood where actors and actresses come decked out in the latest fashion to the latest movie premiers. And what happens on that carpet trickles down to the masses making its way to retail outlets all over the country in more affordable forms.

Fashion design can be a fantastic career journey but it requires a vast amount of skill, education, and hard work. Those interested in fashion design should already possess an innate ability to create beautiful design and effectively communicate them on paper. Such creative fashion enthusiasts should be sure to supplement their skill with formalized education. A fashion design school will teach the fundamentals of design, drawing to scale, textiles, fabrics, sewing, and manufacturing. An education such as this can open up many doors in fashion design.

Following a school program – or even in conjunction with a school program – those pursuing a career in fashion design should be sure to involve themselves in an internship or apprenticeship with a reputable design house. The experience gained in this capacity is unmatched and will begin building your portfolio – your most important tool in a fashion design career.

Fashion design can be a wonderful career filled with adventure, creativity, and a chance to influence clothing choices all across the nation and even around the world.