Challenges

The challenges of appareal retail according to a website I found www.varietypartnersllc.com

"Branded apparel manufacturers have faced severe pressures from new
sources over the last few years, including mass merchants, retail private
label brands and agile vertical retailers. Each one threatens to further erode
prices and margins, while demanding faster sell-through as well as increased
speed and flexibility."

This statement made me think that the economy is in huge trouble as it is, let alone the appareal industry. The retailing business is on a downward slope and keeps declining. As the economy worsens the people are buying less. Less of everything especially things they can conserve. Instead of someone buying an outfit every week they are now buying one every 2 months.
This holiday season will see the worst to come. Retailors are preparing for a hard hit this season.

To every challenge makes one stronger. I believe this to be true of retailors as well.

Sweatshops.

This blog is a difficult one to write. This is suppose to explain if I am PRO or CON sweatshops. It is hard for me to say either way really.

Sweat shops are inhumane places where people work ridiculus hours and get paid nothing basically. This inhumane situation makes it hard for me to say Pro sweatshops because I want to value human life more so than material things. I know from a business perspective it makes sesnse, but for the human rights point of view I agree. Its hard to really have an opinion because I di not live that life and I do not know this sweat shop life because I have only been exposed to what I see on TV.

Another side of what i think is that in most places where sweatshops are located are in poor economies with starving families, sex trades, and drugs so if a person has to work at a sweatshop to support one's family than so be it. I don't think americans really know what it is like to actualy do pyhsical labor and it may look disturbing seeing people doing hard pyhsical work. I don't know personally, I do not live there, so I cannot say either yay or nay.

I do believe in running a business but at the same time I support human rights but at the cost of families I would probably work in a sweatshop if that meant saving my family. Thats just my morals and values. Family is blood and I would shed it to stay with them.

Milan

The Milan Fashion Week was incredible and the best I have seen this season! I have always loved Milan's shows because of the more "art" inspired feel. I was very impressed this season to see clothes that were actually wearable more so than "just art".
Milan this season was all about the SHOES! They get higher and higher each year! I loved the gems on the shoes and I loved the angles of the heels. The colors of the clothes were vibrant and it was good to finally see colors!
The fashion in Milan was a nice change. I mostly saw "see-through" inspired clothing. I thought it was an awesome idea that most designers took the see-through concept but made it so that everyday women could actually wear it day to day. The soft and feminine look was a good change from the space age fashion that was seen in the NY and Paris fashion weeks.

Fashion Trends of the Paris Fashion Week

The Paris Fashion Week has now come to an end but this year left a dark impression! I loved every minute of it! This years show is best described as gothic mystery mixed with futuristic sci-fi gear.

The Yves St. Laurent show was one of my favorite. The show featured the models in blown out bogs that were black and covered the eyes. The models then wore sunglasses that concelled their eyes. It was definatly interesting and not what I expected.

http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee326/Bosslady_1_2008/Fashion.jpg
As far as trends I saw a couple of similarities between designers. Here are the TOP 10 Trends at the Paris Fashion Week
First: Two-toned Cocktail dresses. This was seen in the Balenciaga, Hussein Chalayan, Alexander McQueen and Chanel shows.
Second: Chunky sweater dresses at Stella McCartney
Third: Nightwear for Daywear
Fourth: Indian Influences!!
Fifth: Black booties! At all shows!
Sixth: STATEMENT TIGHTS! all patterns and especially two-toned colored tights!
Seventh: Boat Neck shirts
Eight: Skirt Suits of all colors especially BRIGHT!
Ninth: Long Skirts with long necklines.
Tenth: Egg shaped evening bags.

My Inspirations

A few key things inspire me while creating a thought of design. I am inspired by old Japanese culture, music culture, and 1940's pin up girl figures.

The Japanese culture has inspired me through the years to use its influence while designing. I love the red, black, and white color pallette that is used. I look to old photography taken in Japan. I love to be inspired by the nature of Japan as in cherry blossoms and fig trees. I love the culture of the Geisha so I try to incorporate the kimona style into anything that I design. The elegance of the geishas inspires me to create styles that support the female body ie. curves and so on.







Music is a big part of my life so I definatly make it my business to know what is happening in the music scene. Everything from plaids to chains..music from old school rock to metal music. Anything that carries a beat I want to create a design for. I keep current on current trends on the street at music venues and keep an eye on fashions sported at concerts.



My last influence I have is the 1940's. I love the red lipstick pin up hair style. The rise of the modern woman of the time inspires me. The look of being put together even through times of war inspires me to create fashion that supports this idea. To create clothing that caters to the woman's body and makes her feel confident even in times of great struggle.

Ethnic influences on fashion/dress

What is fashion, really but a blend of culture and diversity that form together to make a piece of clothing. It obviously is not just a piece of clothing it is a statement.


After researching ethnic influences on dress, it has really opened my eyes as to how much ethnic influences I see in fashion today! Most of the trends, colors, accessories, and basic style that I see on current runways is basically ALL ethnic influences.
Here is a couple of inspired current trends


A couple of country's ethnic influences on culture that stood out to me were India, Egypt, and Africa.

First, India's culture is a major trend right now! Bangle jewelry is a good example of a trend with ethnic influence. Chandelier earrings have also been worn by the women of India for ages! The silk fabric of traditional Indian women's clothing was reflected this year with sheer "Sari" like looks.


Egypt was a very surprising ethnic influence on fashion. I did not know that the colors turquoise, gold, and lapis were first used by Egyptians. Some jewelry that I saw had Egyptian flair with hieroglyphics or symbols used on the jewelry.


Africa was my favorite ethnic influence to research. My favorite influence was anything with an animal print. I noticed immediately what ethnicity it reminded me of. I instantly thought of the plains and safari in Africa. American fashion jewelry has obviously taken and interpreted African influences, with all the beads and bone-like creations.



I thought this blog was a great eye opener for people to actually see how much impact ethnic influences have on American culture and fashion today. I am sure the other ethnicity's also mimic American culture and fashion as well. The world is full of people sharing and creating brilliant ideas for all of us to share and interpret.

Fashion Week *Trends*

The New York Fashion Week has now come to a close, and now is the time for all the reviews. All that matters at the end of the show, is the fashion trends of course! While watching some of the fashion shows on Style.com, I came across a few that really caught my eye!

I loved Calvin Klein's collection the best by far! The clothing actually looked 3D! I was amazed that fabric could actually hold together in such a way that it popped out, literally! I loved the geometric shapes that were used. The clothes were wearable if you were a tweleve year old girl that has not reached puberty..i.e..no curves, but the idea was fresh and new.


Marc Jacob's designs are always pleasent to see and his shows are always so modern! I love his use of bright colors and classic neck lines. Marc Jacob's is always a designer to look to for classic ideas and wearable attire.


Through the whole week I noticed a few trends for this coming spring/summer months. First: See-Through Sheer Fabrics. I saw alot of nude colors which gave the models an almost "naked" appearence.

Second: One Shoulder pieces like dresses, swimsuits, and tops. I believe this will be a key selling point for retail this coming season!

Third: Boyfriend style trousers: The menswear inspired trouser will be the in-trend this spring/summer. This trend will be popular especially will the cuff of the pant rolled up.

Colours for 2009: I am excited about the color palette for 2009! Earthy tones such as yellow and brown (lots of BROWN!) reds, oranges, and taupes will be the "it" color to buy!

I think this year will be more environmentally friendly especially with organic cotton. I believe the awareness of protecting the environment has hit home with some of the top designers.


This spring/summer of 2009 RTW fashion week, was inspired by global and world affairs and the fashion reflected this.

Favorite Designer

My favorite designer hands down would have to be Betsey Johnson. Her whimsical inspired designs have always caught my eye instantly. Ms. Johnson's creations are right out of a story book, this might be because she was enrolled in dance classes through her childhood which inspired her love of coustumes. I love the way she takes her love of dance and interprets it in fashion. Everything from tutus to fitted blazers, Betsey Johnson's clothing brings the fun out in fashion! Ms. Johnson's choice of colors are bright and brillant but the color scheme always has an edge either by adding broaches or colorful embroidry. Her funky but classy style inspires me as a fashion student. I love the un-expectedness of her work and the creative touch she personally gives to each piece. I am always looking forward to her new creations each season. Not only does Betsey Johnson have her own fashion line, she also has a new line of handbags and a designer fragrance. This multi-talented designer is my favorite designer because of her eye for uniqueness and edge.



Here is the fabulous Betsey Johnson



Yellow dress, Betsey Johnson (tutu inspired)