Memories and so much more.... and not the boring bits!!
“Fashion is always of the time in which you live.”
Fashion has, in some form or another,
been around as long as there have been humans. Fashion history thus really started with early people, who used things like
shells and animal skins or fur to adorn their bodies. There were special garments worn for special occasions, which is not
unlike how humans dress today. In places like Ancient Greece, fashion history really brought forward the use of naturalism.
For example, if you were to look at many ancient sculptures, no doubt you would notice that great pride was taken in the
human form, and as such, fashion meant wearing very little clothing.
Fashion history as we know it really started to emerge during the Renaissance. The Renaissance was a time of intellectual
and cultural enlightenment, so it only makes sense that fashion should evolve as well. Men and women alike took pride in
wearing decorative powdered wigs, a trend that would last until the early 19th century.
Not found what your looking for ? use the search
box!
Flares! remember those 22" bottom flares, cuban
heels, tiedye, and many other fashion disasters that seemed so cool at the time, each generation seems to make it's own
statement as to that era's fashion, i expect if your young yourself, then as you read this you by what your wearing are
creating some fashion statement, that in time will be recorded in history, so go with the flow and enjoy the shock value to
your parents before you too become that dreaded thing ... a parent!!
The
death of fashion giant Yves Saint Laurent at age 71 marked the end of an era for the designer world. Saint Laurent was a man
of his times and in many ways played a part in the social and political upheaval that took place during the twentieth century.
The remarkable five decade career of Yves Saint Laurent got its start on August 1, 1936 when Yves Henri Mathieu Saint
Laurent was born in Oran, Algeria to a French Colonial family. His first experience in fashion design was when he created
clothes for his sisters' dolls at the age of twelve. His more formal entry into the fashion scene occurred in 1954 when
he and Karl Lagerfeld shared top prizes in an International Wool Secretariat competition. Christian Dior, who happened to
be a judge for that competition, immediately hired the remarkably talented eighteen year old , and was later to be succeeded
by Saint Laurent at the age of 21.
While Saint Laurent had initial success working for Dior(his "Ligne Trapeze"
was very well received), his later creations were given rather tepid reviews and it would not be until 1961, when Saint Laurent
left Dior to start his own design company, that he began to attain icon status for his wonderful fashion designs.
Together with his friend and partner, Pierre Berge, Saint Laurent started the Yves Saint Laurent fashion house and began
a remarkable 20-year streak, when Saint Laurent's name became synonymous with Paris catwalk glamour and elegance, and
he was the unquestioned leader in international fashion. His patented trademark, YSL, remains the most famous initials in
fashion history. Saint Laurent had a number of important "firsts" to his credit. His ground-breaking idea of putting
women in masculine yet stylishly fashionable tuxedoes was a defining moment in fashion. His designs celebrated the growing
empowerment of women and their increasing sexual liberation and came at a time when the feminist movement was just gaining
traction across the globe. He was also the first fashion designer to use black models, another example of his ground-breaking
role in the design world. While Saint Laurent was extremely talented across the wide spectrum of fashion design, his greatest
fame was as the best colorist in fashion history. His unique use of colors led to fashion creations which were as much a work
of art as they were functional clothing.
Saint Laurent's sensitivity was legendary and this
led to a nervous breakdown when he was forced to do military service in the 1960's. Hidden behind
large spectacles, the quiet and shy Saint Laurent enjoyed staying at home rather than taking advantage
of the notorious Paris nightlife and he commuted to work daily with his beloved French bulldog Moujik.
Upon Saint Laurent's death his partner, Pierre Berge noted "There will be two who will undeniably
remain - one who symbolized the first part of the 20th century, and that's Chanel, and the other
one who will symbolize the second part of the 20th century, and that's Yves Saint Laurent." They were fast moving
and historic times, the last half of the twentieth century, and Yves Saint Laurent unquestionably led
the fashion industry through many of the same changes that the world in general was participating in.
Any woman who is an avid ladies fashion follower will
tell you how important it is to keep up with the latest trends and the latest developments in the world of fashion. Not just
about clothing - although clothing is a major portion of what constitutes to women's fashion - but also about other elements
such as the latest jewelry, the latest hairstyles, the latest accessories and must-haves, as well as what is the latest dress
trend out there today. The world of fashion and clothing is ever changing and on the move, so the avid fashion follower always
needs to make sure she is on her toes and kept up to date with what is happening around her.
So how does she get all the information
which she needs for what the latest trends and designs in ladies fashion are? How does she know what
styles are in this season and what are the latest season must-have's that every fashion diva should own in her wardrobe?
By doing her homework of course. And no, homework here does not mean schoolwork, but rather homework
in a sense that she uses every tool and means available to her to keep up with the trends in women's
fashion.
Being an avid fashion
follower is no secret, all she needs to do is make use of the fashion resources around her. For example,
an avid fashion follower would always have her essential item with her - fashion magazines. They are
the very first basics she can turn to as there is no other medium that keeps up with the latest trends
and styles quite like a fashion magazine does. New fashion magazines are out every month, which means
their source of info is always going to be the very latest and the newest, and when it comes to fashion,
those two are the key ingredients you would need to keep yourself fashion forward on all things related to fashion
and clothing.
The
avid fashion follower would also have to learn how to trend-spot. This simply means that she would learn
to observe others around her and look at what other fashion followers are wearing or carrying if she wants to
know what the latest trends are not just on the catwalk, but on the street as well. After all, being a fashion
diva means that she knows even the tiniest developments and what is new when it comes to women's
fashion and dressing and what better way to do this than through observation.
The avid fashion follower will also make use of the greatest
tool which everyone has available to them - the internet of course. The internet is going to be her
endless source to all things fashion and all things related to ladies fashion, from the latest colours
of the season, to what are the latest trends, the fashion gossips and what the hottest styles are, as
well as shop online for practically any item she wants from any store, anywhere.
The world of fashion is something that is ever changing, and if you want to be
a fashion forward glamour queen, start making use of all the resources around you and make sure that
you stay ahead of the pack when it comes to all things fashion.
It's a fashionista's worst
experience, even worse than looking oversize buddy, more degrading than wearing the same dress in another party -- it's
the fear of symbolizing looking yesteryear fashion trend model. Sometimes, fashion trends is considered as fads, are disreputably
erratic. The fashion industry players are always on the quest to bring up something "NEW" & "HOT".
What is Fashion Trend?
Trend is the lead in which something new evolving, mostly leaning, penchant and line of growth. Hence, fashion trend
is the latest evolvement of the fashion industry.
What
is Fashion Trend Really About? Your closet can give the answer.
If you don't want to look at it, well.well. this resembles that you are matching your steps with the latest fashion trends.
What it's relation to fashion? People stick rigidly to the rules - okay, maybe not 'YOU'. You may be one of those
who walk their own way and dress as they like. When it comes to the fashion industry, it's a continuously changing world.
Even though some trends are considered as ludicrous and outdated, many other comebacks with innovative ideas.
Pace and Re-emergence of Latest Fashion Trends Now its new millennium, but most of fashion things like the pegged pant legs, jelly bracelets, and finally the denim
jeans, seem to be returning in trends again. It comes out that the latest fashion trends are simply have nothing new at all.
Almost everything re-emerged in fashion trend. You can virtually find torn jeans in every clothing retail store.
Who decides What's 'Hot' and 'Not' in Fashion
Trends
There is no existence of specific group who declares
what is hot fashion trend or not. In fact, the fashion designers and consumers who buys-out the fashion merchandise make their
judgment and throw several opinions out there and observe what is grabbed. Basically, 'WE', the consumer decide which
merchandise is hot by making our minds what to purchase and wear.
The Fashion Trend Cycle
First part of the cycle,
where the trend is highly hunted immediately after seeing that great fashionable hat, dress or shoe on the runway, red carpet
or music video. Next, comes the emulation phase, where everyone wants a piece of the trend. Only big shots, celebrities and
fashion industry players have approach to latest fashion right off the runway, which yet not showed up in retail stores.
During second phase, this newbie
will appear in news papers, fashion magazines, TV and internet. At last, the trend will be soaked in the market, commonly
at bit lower cost.
In the second phase
new merchandise is available in bit expensive designer collections. It is only the third phase, where
the merchandise is available to the mass market at affordable cost for most buyers. The major part
of over all mass will purchase it somewhere between second and third phase. Before two or three decades it might have
taken a some rears to make it from runway to mass market, however, nowadays producers have put the fashion
cycle into rapid speed. Now, a hot trend often makes it appearance in low cost or discount retail store
in as little as a few days or months.
Knitting is the art of knotting, that is making loops
and knots in a length of yarn or thread into a piece of fabric using needles. Current research places the origins of hand
knitting in the middle east, the techniques probably made their way to Europe via the Mediterranean. Knitting was used mostly to create necessary garments to protect against the elements in most european cultures.
Different yarn and wool producing areas developed their own styles of knitting and garment making, for example, the Shetland
Islands with the Shetland Shawl of the 17th Century – a finely knitted lace shawl with neither a cast on or cast off
edge. The cable knit thought to originate in Ireland and the Aran knitted sweaters containing specific designs thought to
originate from the 9th Century. During times of economic and
social change, the art of knitting was used not only in fishing ports but also by farmers and their families to help supplement
their incomes. The exporting of woolen clothing can be dated back to 17th Century with woolen clothing from the Channel Islands
to supply the fishing industry with practical and warm clothing.
The Industrial revolution led to wool spinning and cloth making, being carried out in factories rather than in the
home. People who would have knitted at home were now employed in factories to operate machinery. Hand knitted garments could
not compete with the availability and cost of machine produced fabric and clothes.
In Victorian times knitting became an art for the well-bred lady. Even Queen Victoria herself was seen to knit. Lace
and beaded knitting were popular and it was more of a craft hobby than a cottage industry as before. Now that the middle/upper
classes were knitting, patterns started to be written down and passed on.
It was in the 19th century that knitting 'pins' as in the long, bobble-ended type we use today for flat knitting,
were first invented. The original English/UK needle sizes from 1 to 26 were specified - the higher the number, the thinner
the needle. For some perspective on how intricate Victorian lace
knitting could be, a size 20 (1mm) needle for specified for lace knitting. During the second World War, wool and many other things were in short supply, people would unpick old sweaters to
re-use the yarn. Contributions to the war front were done by women knitting uniforms, even bandages for the troops on the
front line. When the war was over, rationing was still in place
and people still used hand knitting as a way to enhance their clothes. Into the 1950's and the availability of colours
and yarns made knitting a fashionable tool to enhance your wardrobe and home. Knitwear moved through the 1960's and 1970's fashion rollercoasters, The twinset, a short sleeve jumper and
matching cardigan was a popular pattern and many patterns became available to women to create themselves in various bright
colours. The low point I think was garish patterned jumpers of the late 70's and early 80's. This was the start of
knitting's temporary demise. As the feminist movement got started, hobbies that were seen as purely female and women's
work such as knitting, sewing and baking, were no longer fashionable. The availability of cheap mass produced clothes made
these arts un-necessary and something grandmothers did to pass the time, not a modern women with a career.
Many of us think that fashion
applies just the clothes we wear, but in actual fact it can be applied to almost anything we do. Fashion is used to describe
a means of expression. The terms "fashionable" and "unfashionable" are used to describe something that
does or does not tally with the current popular mode of expression. Fashions can apply to many fields of human activity and
thinking, including those such as architecture, music, speech, pastimes, etiquette, politics, and technology, to name but
a few. The broad use of the term fashion when applied to clothes
was used in the past as a means of people showing solidarity with other people by their choice of clothes . However, in more realistic terms, today Modern Westerners have a wide choice
of clothes available to them, and wearing what is currently in fashion is unlikely to be exactly the same as someone else.
Nowadays what a person wears is more likely to be a reflection of their personal tastes and character, than wanting to imitate
somebody else. However, when celebrities or people in the public eye start to wear new or different clothes, people tend to
copy them and a new fashion develops, therefore the original term may still apply today.fashion is something that varies tremendously,
not just in different eras, but also in the same generation but between different ages, social classes, professions and by
location. The term "fashionista" has developed in the 21st century as a way of describing someone who is dedicated
to fashion, and the development of this term is indicative of the role fashion and trends play in the contemporary age. Fashion by its very nature, is something that is continually changing,
and when applied to clothes this happens even more quickly than in other areas of social behaviour. What is an interesting
phenomenon in regards to clothing fashions is that whilst something quickly becomes out of fashion, it can become fashionable
again at a later date when these clothes come back into fashion again. This is something that is seen predominantly only with
clothes, and not with other areas of design or human actions. Every part of one’s appearance is subject to fashion,
from make up, hair, length of skirts, and accessories, nothing is left untouched. Fashion houses and their fashion designers,
as well as their celebrity clients are key in determining how clothes fashions change and how quickly. They are also the main
force behind determining if something is in or out of fashion and if to bring something back in to fashion. An important part
of fashion is fashion journalism, and this can be found in every magazine, newspaper, and television article around, as well
as in fashion websites and blogs. This is demonstrated by the fact that Vogue, founded in the US in 1902, is now one of the
longest-lasting and most popular magazines in the world, and has spurned international editions around the globe. Despite
the advent of television and widespread internet coverage, press coverage is still seen by the fashion industry as the most
important form of publicity in conveying the new fashion trends to society.
London is a place with great history in the field
of fashion It is one of the favourite locations of any person related
to fashion. We cannot ignore the contribution of fashion schools in London fashion industry. These well-known fashion schools
have a good reputation in the production of top designers in shoe design, men’s clothing, women’s clothing, etc.
They also have professionals in areas such as fashion photography, fashion merchandising, fashion journalism, and lot more.
If you are a student in fashion in London, you can learn pattern cutting, garment production, designing in both manual and
digital formats, the history of fashion, etc. Most of the school is well equipped with most modern equipments. Besides all
these advantages, you will be able to make a contact with successful working designers, as many tutors usually are well designers
in the fashion world. Therefore, it will be a good step from your side in deciding to study fashion in London if you are interested
in this field. Fashion shows are becoming common in London. Fashion shows are event conducted by different fashion designers
to display his or her upcoming line of clothing. Many models are use by these designers for presenting there designs. Models
strutting catwalks at London Fashion Week can mislead you to a conclusion that they are all of good health, but report acknowledges
that there are problem with eating disorders among models. Therefore, this is an area of great job opportunity. With the arrival
of new designs, cuts, colours, fabrics, and sizes ethical fashion industry, organic clothing , etc is getting a new boom.
The rising awareness among the people is helping in the promotion of products under fair trade market. Ethical clothes are
also becoming common among people. Considering this change in trend now many top designers where concentrating in the production
of new designs in ethical clothing. Now with the domination of internet, people are able to see and choose the style they
like. People also have the opportunity to watch different live fashion shows through the internet. It also provides various
people a chance to talk with the fashion experts and clear there doubts about fashion. It also brings all the latest new on
the industry. Environmental fashion is another upcoming trend in the industry. Young talent is showcased and is awarded. For
example, Fashion Fringe, Man and Fashion East are a part of the London Fashion Week. The process of providing new graduates
first step on the ladder by exposing them to the press also takes place in these kinds of fashion shows. Yet anew trend is
the Fashion label designing for beautiful women's clothes using unusual fabrics and prints has been attracting several
international clientele and celebrity to the London fashion show these days. At present, the most wanted person of the London
fashion industry is that of the designers. This is because of the reason that celebrities know that they where being judged
the world’s population by what they are wear on different occasion. For this reason alone, they turn to designers for
help. Therefore, if you are interested in choosing fashion designing, London fashion industry awaits you.
The fashion of the early 1900s
was influenced by the advent of the automobile – as women’s dresses began to include the dustcoat which protected
clothing from the dirt coming off the road. Then as quickly as the 1920s, women’s fashion shifted completely as the
Jazz Age produced the “flapper” style – complete with short, simple fringed dresses and long pearls.ot even
a decade later, the Depression greatly changed the style of fashion – no longer was material a luxury item; women wore
what they could find and afford. The 1930s began a trend towards following movie star fashion. And in the war-torn 1940s,
a uniform-like sophistication including padded shoulders, short skirts, and a close tailored look became popular.he 1950s
were a return to the full skirt and cinched in waists. Hollywood greatly influenced the fashion of the 50s with women looking
to the styles of stars such as Marilyn Monroe after which to pattern their clothing choices. The 60s brought a more colorful
period of fashion and no one was more influential than First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy. Women everywhere began wearing the
pill box hat that Mrs. Kennedy made popular and emulating her sophisticated style. Nineteen-seventy fashion was all about
loose and comfortable – bell bottom pants and tie dye. Disco was hot in the early seventies and didn’t fade until
the end of the decade. But the disco fashionistas of the day influenced an entire generation of clothing choices.hen Madonna
hit the scene in the 1980s she changed the music world as well as the world of fashion. Young girls emulated her look of leggings,
skirt, off-the-shoulder sweatshirt, headband, and bracelets.he 90s had their own look; completely different at the end of
the decade - with sleek and sophisticated - as it was from the beginning of the decade - with acid wash jeans.fashion will
always change. But the one thing we can always count on is the influence that fashion will have on an entire cultures.
The 1920s
The 1920s was the decade in which fashion
entered the modern era. It was the decade in which women first liberated themselves from constricting fashions and began to
wear more comfortable clothes (such as short skirts or pants). Men likewise abandoned overly formal clothes and began to wear
sport clothes for the first time. The suits which men still wear today are still based, for the most part, on those which
were worn by men in the late 1920s. By the end of the Twenties, Elsa Schiaparelli stepped onto the stage to represent a younger
generation. She combined the idea of classic design from the Greeks and Romans (think "tunic") with the modern imperative
for freedom of movement. Schiaparelli wrote that the ancient Greeks "gave to their goddesses . . . the serenity of perfection
and the fabulous appearance of freedom." Her own interpretation produced gowns of elegant simplicity. Departing from
the chemise, her clothes returned to an awareness of the body beneath the gown.In the world of art, fashion was being influenced
heavily on art movements such as surrealism. After World War I, popular art saw a slow transition from the lush, curvilinear
abstractions of art nouveau decoration to the more mechanized, smooth, and geometric forms of art deco. Elsa Schiaparelli
is one key French designer of this decade who was heavily influenced by the “beyond the real” art and incorporated
it into her designs.
As with all the female fashion during
the 1920s, the evening dress progressed to display more of the body. While the skirts were still full length, the neckline
in the speakeasy and the European nightclub became low-cut. Backless dresses also remained popular throughout the twenties.
The 1930s
The flapper dress of the 1920s gave
way to the glamorous, sensuous look of the 1930s. The big-band swing era provided a perfect backdrop for dresses that clung
to the body above the hips and draped in graceful folds below. Hemlines fell and the backless evening gown gained immense
popularity. In 1930 the fashion writer for the chic magazine New Orleanian recommended a twenty-five-dollar metallic-cloth
dress with Grecian lines as "very apropos for the young matron" at a Carnival ball.
The first fashion
designer who was not merely a dressmaker was (Charles Frederick Worth) (1826–1895). Before the former draper set up
his maison couture fashion house in Paris, fashion creation and inspiration was handled by largely unknown people,
and high fashion descended from style worn at royal courts. Worth's success was such that he was able to dictate to his
customers what they should wear, instead of following their lead as earlier dressmakers had done.
It was during this
period that many design houses began to hire artists to sketch or paint designs for garments. The images alone could be presented
to clients much more cheaply than by producing an actual sample garment in the workroom. If the client liked the design, they
ordered it and the resulting garment made money for the house. Thus, the tradition of designers sketching out garment designs
instead of presenting completed garments on models to customers began as an economy
Throughout the 1950s, although it would
be for the last time, women around the world continued to submit to the trends of Parisian haute couture. Three of the most
prominent of the Parisian couturiers of the time were Cristobal Balenciaga, Hubert de Givenchy, and Pierre Balmain. The frugal
prince of luxury, Cristobal Balenciaga Esagri made his fashion debut in the late Thirties. However, it was not until the post-war
years that the full scale of the inventiveness of this highly original designer became evident. In 1951, he totally transformed
the silhouette, broadening the shoulders and removing the waist. In 1955, he designed the tunic dress, which later developed
into the chemise dress of 1957. And eventually, in 1959, his work culminated in the Empire line, with high-waisted dresses
and coats cut like kimonos. His mastery of fabric design and creation defied belief. Balenciaga is also notable as one of
the few couturiers in fashion history who could use their own hands to design, cut, and sew the models which symbolized the
height of his artistry. Hubert de Givenchy opened
his first couture house in 1952 and created a sensation with his separates, which could be mixed and matched at will. Most
renowned was his Bettina blouse made from shirting, which was named after his top model. Soon, boutiques were opened in Rome,
Zurich, and Buenos Aires. A man of immense taste and discrimination, he was, perhaps more than any other designer of the period,
an integral part of the world whose understated elegance he helped to define.
Throughout the 1950s, although it would
be for the last time, women around the world always continued to submit to the trends of Parisian haute couture. Three of
the most prominent of the Parisian couturiers of the time were Cristobal Balenciaga, Hubert de Givenchy, and Pierre Balmain.
The frugal prince of luxury, Cristobal Balenciaga Esagri made his fashion debut in the late Thirties. However, it was not
until the post-war years that the full scale of the inventiveness of this highly original designer became evident. In 1951,
he totally transformed the silhouette, broadening the shoulders and removing the waist. In 1955, he designed the tunic dress,
which later developed into the chemise dress of 1957. And eventually, in 1959, his work culminated in the Empire line, with
high-waisted dresses and coats cut like kimonos. His mastery of fabric design and creation defied belief. Balenciaga is also
notable as one of the few couturiers in fashion history who could use their own hands to design, cut, and sew the models which
symbolized the height of his artistry.
Deliberately offensive T-shirts were
popular in the early punk scene, such as the infamous DESTROY T-shirt sold at SEX, which featured an inverted crucifix and
a Nazi Swastika. These T-shirts, like other punk clothing items, were often intentionally torn. Other items in early British
punk fashion included: Anarchy symbols; brightly-colored or white and black dress shirts randomly covered in slogans (such
as "Only Anarchists are pretty"); fake blood; patches; and deliberately controversial images (such as portraits
of Marx, Stalin and Mussolini) were popular. Leather rocker jackets and customised blazers were introduced early, and are
still a common fixture of punk fashion.
Preferred footwear included military boots, motorcycle boots, Brothel
creepers, Chuck Taylor All-Stars, and (later on) Dr. Martens boots. Tapered jeans, tight leather pants, pants with leopard
patterns, and bondage trousers were popular choices. Hair was cropped and deliberately made to look messy; in reaction to
the long smooth hairstyles that were common in the 1960s and early 1970s. Hair was often dyed bright unnatural colors. Although
provocative, these hairstyles were not as extreme as later punk hairstyles, such as liberty spikes or the Mohawk hairstyle.
Other accoutrements worn by some punks included: BDSM fashions; fishnet stockings (sometimes ripped); spike bands
and other studded or spiked jewelry; safety pins (in clothes and as body piercings); silver bracelets and heavy eyeliner worn
by both men and women. Many female punks rebelled against the stereotypical image of a woman by combining clothes that were
delicate or pretty with clothes that were considered masculine, such as combining a Ballet tutu with big, clunky boots. Many
punks did not wear leather or fur because they were vegetarian or vegan. Punk clothing sometimes incorporated everyday
objects for aesthetic effect. Purposely-ripped clothes were held together by safety pins or wrapped with tape; black bin liners
(garbage bags) became dresses, shirts and skirts. Other items added to clothing or as jewelry included razor blades and chains.
Leather, rubber and vinyl clothing have been common, possibly due to their connection with transgressive sexual practices,
such as bondage and S&M.
With the popularization of disco and
the increasing availability and diversity of man-made fabrics, a drastic change occurred in mainstream fashion, the likes
of which had not been seen since the 1920s. All styles of clothing were affected by the disco style, especially those of men.
Men began to wear stylish three-piece suits (which became available in a bewildering variety of colors) which were characterized
by wide lapels, wide legged or flared trousers, and high-rise vests. Neckties became wider and bolder, and shirt collars became
long and pointed in a style reminiscent of the "Barrymore" collar that had been popular in the 1920s. The zippered
jumpsuit was popular with both men and women, and clothing inspired by modern dance (wrap-around skirts of nylon or polyester
knit) also became common. Women's shoes began to echo the 1940s, with high-heeled lower-platform mules--"Candies"
made of molded plastic with a single leather strap over the ball of the foot or "BareTraps" made of wood becoming
very popular. With the demise of disco late in 1979, these styles (which were by then being criticized as flamboyant) quickly
went out of fashion. Designer jeans and painters' pants then started to come into style.
The history of fashion continued to
evolve into the 1970's. During this era the sexual revolution and social revolutions of the 1960's spilled over
into the 1970's impacting the clothing trends of this decade. During this era clothing used bold colours and geometric
designs. Disco funk was also a design theme that coloured the fashion of this time period including mini skirts, bell bottom
pants, leisure suites, hot pants, and even platform shoes.
In large part, the rise in male fashion consciousness
has to do with the emergence of popular style icons as household names. Trends in men's fashion have often been swayed
by cultural figures: from the distinctive clothes of Mick Jagger and David Bowie to the original haircuts of anyone from The
Beatles to Kevin Keegan. But with the meteoric success of David Beckham as a well-dressed celebrity in the limelight throughout
the 1990s, it became 'stylish' to be stylish again - and men seemed to start taking acute care of their clothes, hair
and general appearance.
While other famous sportsmen - like Amir Khan and Kevin Pietersen - have been making inroads
into the fashion industry, it's musicians that are leading the new generation of male style icons today. Pete Doherty's
relationship with Kate Moss, each chapter of which has been meticulously catalogued in the press, instantly projected him
into the consciousness of style gurus the world over, making him an instant fashion idol of men keen to keep up with up-and-coming
clothing trends.
Since then, the dandy-esque ways of a range of men in the public eye have become an inspiration
to the fashion-conscious in Britain: from Russell Brand to David Tennant, men's fashion trends have been immortalised
on TV, in film and photography. The result has been that investment in male retail stores has increased considerably, with
leading British fashion retailer Topman having recently opened a new flagship store in Cardiff - the store's biggest premises
outside of London.
Moreover, the recent upturn in the men's fashion stakes has had an equally influential effect
on teenagers, as much so as on young professionals and the under-40s. Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, for example, is
often held up as an exemplary model of men's fashion, while young bands like the Arctic Monkeys, The Klaxons and The View
are frequently lauded for their irreverent approach to clothing and hairstyles.
Older men needn't feel left
out either - after all, the likes of Jagger and Bowie still hold sway in the fashion lottery. And while some older fashion
fans might not be able to successfully sport the trendy offerings of Beckham and Doherty, there's still plenty of in-vogue
inspiration coming from the likes of Jose Mourinho and George Clooney. After all, fashion is for life: not just for the twenty-some
things!
As fashion and plus size evolve into a recognized and
(soon-to-be) respected segment in fashion, so do the idiosyncrasies and nuances of fashion itself, as it pertains to plus
size.
You see, ten years ago, plus size only belonged in one lump segment, leaving us fashionistas with very little
or if any options for shopping and discerning which pieces were of a "fashionable" standard. However, now, with
the amalgamation (yes, I had to use this word) and plethora of fashions within plus size clothing, one could easily find herself
lost, frustrated, confused, irritated, or flustered when shopping for an ideal outfit or piece of clothing.
Why?
We no longer have "one type" of fashion option for the plus size woman- we have many. However, to better
understand and sort through the madness of them all, a budding fashionista must first understand what these newer segments
are and learn the identifiers of these to shop smarter, not harder.
No really... WHY?
See, as in the
straight- sized market, you will find certain segments within fashion that are grouped together, and for the most part, you
know what to expect when shopping from that retailer or specific set of retailers. With the evolution of Plus Size Ready-to-Wear
Fashion, the same now holds true. For sake of argument, we will group these segments for plus size fashion as straight sized
fashion does to help explain the price discrepancies, size differences, in relation to the integrity and quality of a retailers'
or designers' garment. The fashion industry is divided into five segments: haute couture, luxury, contemporary, fast fashion,
and discount.
* Haute Couture: Synonymous with "high fashion," haute couture is a derivative of the French
term "high sewing." In France, the label "haute couture" is a protected designation. Designers, who attain
this elusive and oft coveted title, produce custom-made clothing for the world's most influential and wealthiest. *
Luxury: Pret-a-Porter or "Ready to Wear" is one-step down from Haute Couture relative to price and exclusivity,
but still serves a discerning and well to do client. * Contemporary: This fashion forward segment presents mid-priced
fashions both fashion forward and quality driven. Oftentimes, these designers interpret fashions from the couture houses,
making these fashions readily accessible. * Fast Fashion: Quickly produced product in a cost efficient manner, delivering
"high fashion looking" garments, at the lowest price possible. Relates to the manner of which items from the runway
manufactured predominantly overseas with an extremely efficient turnaround. * Discount: Usually looked at loss leaders,
have quickly adapted to the fast fashion concepts leveraging their consumer's buying power and reputation to fashion exclusive
designer collections.
The past decades have seen the growth of a certain fashion
style, hip hop fashion. The origins of hip hop fashion can be traced to the African-American, Carribean-American, and Latino
youth, along with influences from the hip hop scene of Los Angeles, Brooklyn, Chicago, East Bay, Puerto Rico, Detroit, and
many more. The hip hop culture is well reflected and complemented
in the hip hop fashion now because it has also undergone many significant changes during its history. The different expressions
and attitudes of hip hop culture are evident in the hip hop fashion that we see in today's popular brands like Akademiks.
In the 80's, several brands like Le Coq Sportif, Adidas, Nike,
Pro-Keds, and Kangol, started releasing styles that appeal to the emerging hip hop scene. Most of the clothing items at the
time were brightly colored tracksuits, sheepskin, and bomber jackets. Haircuts like the hi-top fade popularized by Will Smith,
and accessories like large eyeglasses, name belts, multiple rings, and heavy gold jewelry, were also very popular. The gangsta style was popularized in the late 80's up to the 90's.
This style consisted of plaid shirts and jackets, Chuck Taylor sneakers, and baseball caps. The late 90's looked to the
gangsters of the 1930s and 1940s for inspiration. Many shifted from gang-inspired clothing to classic gangster fashion by
using bowler hats, double-breasted suits, silk shirts, and alligator-skin shoes. Sportswears were popularized in the late 90's as part of hip hop fashion with the prominence of Tommy Hilfiger.
One particular sportswear trend that emerged is the throwback jersey. Sean Combs also brought in elements like loud, flashy
PVC aviator inspired suits and platinum jewelry. Existing clothing
brands like FUBU, Adidas, Ecko Unlimited, Pro-Keds, and Rocawear, took advantage of the market for urban streetwear. New clothing
lines like Akademiks, Baby Phat, Sean John, OutKast, and Phat Farm, also emerged.
What is popular, what is common,
what is latest, is called fashion. It also differs from different cultures at a particular time. When we hear the word fashion,
it commonly implies fashionable clothing, bags, shoes, the latest electronic music or gadget such as mobile phones, iPods
etc. And what is factual about it is that it changes hastily from time to time.
Fashion rules keeps on shifting, often times what we think is old and outdated suddenly becomes hottest and stylish
and is considered to be the newest trend with high and popular demand. Fashionable and unfashionable are the frequent terms
we use in describing someone if he/she fits with the current style.
Glamor, beauty and style are in a positive sense synonymous to fashion. It is also an art, where everyone has the
freedom to express themselves and can examine its real beauty, culture and even goodness. Some are also considered materialistic
because of being so trendy. So, everything that is in excess will result to be undesirable.
There are different fields that
have documented the rise and fall of fashion. Since it is a social phenomenon, Interior decorations and architectural
designs are striving to offer the best, unique and latest trend for home and office. Aside from that clothing,
cosmetics and hair style are some of the common fields that fashion is also focusing on. Since all
of us want to outrun with the hottest fad, everyone desires to be unique from others.
Fashion as a whole reflects on what society it is part of. Many
have influenced it such as wars, conquest, laws, and even religion. Individual personalities also give high
impact on fashion. Most people even school children are aware that fashion exist.
Critics are also present especially in fashion industry.
They denounced fashion as irrational, frivolous, tyrannical and immoral. People follow fashion like
sheep when they have enough clothes already. Accusation also arises that fashion designers accelerate
that fashion changes to create new businesses. Still new fashion succeeds when people are willing to
accept it. It still depends on the consumers. Lastly, fashion changes because many people like fresh
and latest styles.
One such leading lady of fashion is Diane von Furstenberg
(DVF), named President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in 2006, and well-known fashion designer. DVF
began her legacy in 1970 with a thirty thousand dollar investment, and by 1973 was known for her revolutionary design of the
"wrap dress," which is on display in the Costume Institute section of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. After several
decades of successful businesses, to include a cosmetic line, publishing house, design and marketing studio and home-shopping
venture - DVF has created a line of women's high-end apparel, and was also The International Center in New York's
Award of Excellence recipient. With such a long and distinguished career DVF is truly a leading lady in the fashion industry.
Wielding the command to make or break designers is an awesome responsibility in the fashion industry, and there are
those who are of the opinion that the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour, has just such powers. Despite Vogue's status
as the top publication in prestige and circulation among fashion magazines, Wintour has chosen to use her powers for the positive
and has brought the magazine to a broader audience by giving runway tips and mentoring struggling designers. "I have
always believed that it is important to understand Vogue's mission in broad and socially responsible terms," says
Wintour, who has spearheaded several functions creating jobs and benefiting charities. To wield such power for the benefit
of others is why she has been chosen as one of our leading ladies.
Another leading lady of fashion magazines is
Linda Wells, Editor-in-Chief of Allure. While most fashion magazines highlight trend setting runway designs and beauty tips,
this powerhouse editor, from Greenwich deals with the hard hitting issues that women face in this day and time. "We were
the first women's magazine ever to write about the dangers of breast implants," Wells states. "We did the first
story on models who were addicted to heroin." This revolutionary approach for a women's fashion magazine has sky
rocketed Allure's circulation to award winning status from the advertising and publishing community. With an impressive
career legacy which include (just to name a few) editorial assistant at Vogue, beauty editor for The New York Times Magazine,
guest appearances on Oprah and "Entertainment Tonight" - her leading lady status is not at all surprising.
Our next leading lady of fashion has a reputation for being unique and groundbreaking in her knowledge of fashion, and her
approach as editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar. The notable Glenda Bailey, who also served as the editor of Marie Claire's
U.S. edition in 1996, after serving as the founding editor for eight years for the British Marie Claire in 1988, brought the
magazine to such heights as to be awarded the status of Adweek's Top 10 Hottest Magazines four years in a row. Along with
three Magazine Editor of the Year Awards, five time winner of Magazine of the Year, and Amnesty International Awards winner
twice, Bailey earned a fashion design degree from Kingston University in England. Awards of this magnitude are indicative
of the formidable influence that this leading lady of fashion exhibits.
The last, but certainly in no way least
of our leading ladies of fashion is Fern Mallis, Senior VP of New York's IMG Fashion, one of the leading fashion event
planners. She has earned this position due to her reputation by serving as Executive Director in 1993 on the Council of Fashion
Designers of America, and as the organizational genius behind the first "Fashion Week" which was known as 7th on
Sixth at that time. With her ability to coordinate eighty temperamental top designers with her pleasant and calm personality
along with her ability to handle the paparazzi; such multi-million dollar events such as the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in
New York is in the capable hands of this high-powered fashion trend setter. Fashion Week in New York is a defining event in
the fashion world, making this multi-million dollar extravaganza a feather in the cap of our phenomenal leading lady Fern
Mallis.
Fashion designers use flair and know-how to create everything
from hospital uniforms to the eye-popping outfits worn by rock stars and models. Jobs for fashion designers are expected to
grow more slowly than the average for all careers through 2014, according to government economists. A study of the work of
several other fashion designers records how fashion changed throughout the decade. Fashion design is also a labor of love,
requiring long hours and little chance of super stardom -- but for many, the work itself is the reward. Fashion designers,
in fact, are some of the most creative and eclectic people that you will ever meet. Men's fashions during the 19th and
20th centuries have been conservative and dull in comparison to women's. The fashion industry is a big part of our economy.
Here is a short list: Chanel Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel (1883-1971) created feminine fashion that provided the feeling
of luxury and combined traditional women's clothing with styles, fabrics, and articles of clothing used by men. Her fashion
revolution liberated women to express their femininity with elegance and grace.
The Hollywood film "The Devil
Wears Prada", starring Meryl Streep, has brought a lot of attention to the world of fashion. More information about Prada
Versace Gianni Versace (1946-1997) became interested in fashion working in his mother's small dress shop. By 1978 he had
become a design leader of women's and men's fashions. More information about Giorgio Armani Jean-Paul Gaultier (1952-
) is a French fashion designer who never received formal design training. In 1967 he purchased the Polo label and launched
a world-wide fashion empire that includes clothing lines for men and women. The high prices commanded by the fashionable Fendi
purses have created a large market for fake goods from Asia bearing logos that are eerily similar to the inverted FF. In 1985,
they took part in a fashion show featuring "New Talent", and the following year, they presented their first independent
women's ready-to-wear show. You'd have to be walking around with a shopping bag over your head to not realize that
fashion is everywhere. In order to succeed in the often cutthroat--and frequently debt-ridden--world of fashion, designers
can no longer hide behind their model's skirts. Most fashion designers, however, work for apparel manufacturers, creating
designs of men's, women's, and children's fashions for the mass market. Employment growth for fashion designers
will be slowed, however, by declines in the apparel manufacturing industries Designers in most fields are expected to face
strong competition for available positions. Most women of means had a dressmaker who would create garments according to the
latest fashions. Instead of catering strictly to a few wealthy clients, coveted fashion designers now create product lines
ranging from perfumes to panty hose that can reach consumers at every price point. "Consumers at the middle and lower
level have realized they can get just as good a fashion direction with clothing at disposable prices that they can wear once
and throw away--or if it falls apart, who cares.
You have often heard one say, “A man is known
by the company he keeps”. However it seems these days that a person is more likely to be known by the attire he/she
wears. It is considered, that the biggest mistake a person can ever commit is a fashion faux pas. One thing that is inevitable
in the fashion world is change. We are consistently being presented with various advertisement gigs that portray what famous
celebrities are wearing and this has a direct impact on our lives. While shopping for clothes, a typical teenager would often
say, “I want a dress that resembles what Bono was wearing in his latest music video”. Today, fashion dictates
our lives and what we wear. Whether it is at a party or at work, we want our dress to reflect our taste and attitude. On other
occasions, we are keener on making a personal style statement.
No lucid citation can be made regarding the advent
of the London fashion culture . It dates back to the period during the Hippie culture which was originally a youth movement
that began in the United States. It started during the 1960s and spread all over the world. This was probably one of the first
major fashion influence that the world had witnessed. Hippie fashions and values had a profound impact on global culture and
influenced major areas such as television, film and popular music. One such example was the use of homemade tie-dyed t-shirts
that had become very popular.
The end of the Second World War had some more revolutionary fashion changes in store.During
the 1930s, actresses Katharine Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich were often photographed wearing trousers and this made trousers
more acceptable for women.By the end of the war, women had experienced a sense of independence, were experiencing their own
individuality and were more liberalized. This allowed the women to fight for their rights and influenced a change in what
they started to wear. Gradually, this had an impact on the women of London. They became wary of the fashion culture and became
susceptible to change in what they wore.
During the early to mid 1970s, “Punk” originated as a style
in London from the designer Vivienne Westwood and her partner Malcolm McLaren. Nonconformist and postmodernist in its nature
and essence, this resulted from the economic depression that was prevalent during this period in London.
Fashion is a term so popular today that I found no reason
to explain it to you. So let's come to the point. Whenever we talk about fashion, the first image that flashes in our
mind is the image of a woman. Indeed, they are women alone who are most closely associated with fashion. However, in today's
world, men are also not in isolation from fashion. But, studies reveal that the craving for fashion is much intense in women
than anyone else.
Fashion shows are being organized from time to time by various organizations in different
parts of the world. In these fashion shows, models used to wear various types of fashionable cloths and walk through the ramp,
to demonstrate these cloths to the fashion lovers over there. By and large, the changing fashion trends demonstrated through
these events are also peculiar to women. Almost 90% of the fashion events and fashion shows are aimed at introducing new types
of women clothing, designed by various fashion designers. The fashion events for men are almost none in relation to women.
The most well known fashion events organized in various parts of the world time and again include London Fashion Week,
Milan Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, Lakme Fashion Week, Singapore Fashion Festival and so on. In all these and many other
such events, women play a vital role. Besides fashion events, there are a lot of magazines, television channels, websites
and other media for promoting fashion. Whatever, the presence of women is indispensable for the existence of fashion industry
and fashion events.
Besides women fashion clothing, other women fashion accessories include costume jewelry, women's
footwear, fashion bags, ladies leather wallets; to name a few. Fashion and women are more or less complementary to each other.
Fashion prospers due to women, and women in turn are served by fashion.
Looking Smart and attractive is a temptation hard to
resist for anyone, of any age group. It is often said that first impression is the last impression; at least if you have gone
for a job interview or a date. Looking smart, confident and attractive, adds something extra to your personality, and helps
others build an opinion about you.
In the 21st century, the newspapers, fashion magazines, television, fashion
website and fashion blogs have generated enough fashion awareness amongst people, especially the youth. Nowadays, everyone
wants to have access to the latest fashion clothing, designer dresses, that they see celebrities, the high and mighty people
wearing at parties, big movie and music launches.
Fashion by definition changes constantly and everyone these days
look forward to keep themselves adapted to the latest trends, as the growing fashion industry comes up with innovative, smart
and sexy fashion trends every other day. However, it is not possible for everyone to change their wardrobe every other day,
with changes in the fashion trends. But the temptation of looking smart and beautiful is indeed hard to resist.
The range of hairstyles available to
women began to expand as the world entered a new century in 1900. The Victorian Age was drawing to a close, the automobile
was emerging, giving people much more mobility, and a general sense of unlimited possibilities pervaded society. All of this
gave a new impetus to creating hairstyles that expressed a more open and optimistic feeling.
1900-1910 Hairstyles – Time of Transition
This decade saw a transition in hairstyles, from the more confined
styles of the Victorian era to looser, fuller hairstyles. Curiously, both long and short styles were popular, with longer,
free-flowing hair slowly gaining more converts as the decade progressed. Volume was the theme that ran through most of the
popular hairstyles, regardless of hair length. Longer hairstyles featured hair parted in the middle (with a noticeable part),
and long wavy tresses hanging below the shoulders. Shorter hairstyles generally began around the ears and ‘poofed’
up over the head in several updo styles, often held in place with barrettes and adorned with bows, or large, wide hats.
1910-1920 Hairstyles – Waves & Accessories
As the 1900s moved into the 1910s, hairstyles started off with an emphasis
on long hair that was either pinned up in elaborate updos, or made wavy and flowing. Hats and bows were increasingly popular
accessories. Nevertheless, in the mid-1910’s, a sea change occurred that would affect women’s hairstyles for years
to come. This was the short bob haircut. As these very short styles caught on and swept America, the range of elegant hairstyles
for formal events and nights out on the town diminished. The focus shifted to what women put in their hair. The most popular
accessory was a headband, often adorned with fancy beads and stitch-work designs. One hairstyle that gained a lot of popularity
(and some notoriety) was called “curtain hair.” This entailed parting short hairstyles down the middle, then letting
the hair fall across a headband worn around the middle of the head, just above the ears. For more elegant hairstyles, women
often constructed ringlet curls all along the headband, or added jeweled pins.
1920-1930 Hairstyles – Footloose & Fancy Free
The 1920s was a decade of huge societal changes in America. Women got the right to vote, a world war had just ended,
hard liquor was banned, and the economy was booming as industry titans emerged. A unique time in the history of hairstyles,
the 1920s saw the birth of the ‘Flapper’ era, highlighted by women with very short hair, bold new fashions, and
a carefree attitude. First noticed on famous ballroom dancer,
Irene Castle, the ‘Castle bob’ swept the nation in the late 1910s and early 20s. Variations sprang up as the 1920s
progressed, a result of women who began feeling their wild oats and experimenting with newfound freedoms of expression. Formal hairstyles in the 1920s were often limited by the extremely short
styles that were so popular then. To make up for this limitation, many women chose to wear wide-brimmed hats with elegant
designs and bands. They wore their hair in very simple styles as a result. When a hat was not practical for a particular formal
event, women often used curls and mini-updos to accentuate hairstyles that were crafted from rather plain-looking everyday
styles. The times always have an effect on fashions and hairstyles, regardless of the era. In just three decades, from 1900-1930,
America went from very conservative styles as the Victorian era was ending, to the wild-eyed, carefree days of short Flapper
hairstyles. All of which proves that it’s impossible to look at current hairstyles and fashion trends and make anything
more than a wild guess as to where things will be in a few years. We’ll just have to wait and watch..
The
1940s
Pierre Balmain opened
his own salon in 1945. It was in a series of collections named 'Jolie Madame' that he experienced his greatest success,
from 1952 onwards. Balmain's vision of the elegantly-dressed woman was particularly Parisian and was typified by the tailored
glamour of the New Look, with its ample bust, narrow waist, and full skirts, by mastery of cut and imaginative assemblies
of fabrics in subtle colour combinations. His sophisticated clientèle was equally at home with luxurious elegance,
simple tailoring, and a more natural look. Along with his haute couture work, the talented businessman pioneered a ready-to-wear
range called Florilege and also launched a number of highly successful perfumes.
Karl Lagerfeld (born Karl Otto Lagerfeldt
on September 10, 1933) is widely recognized as one of the most influential fashion designers of the late 20th century. He
has collaborated with a variety of different fashion labels, with Chloé, Fendi and Chanel the most notable. But with
contracts with companies internationally, throughout his career, he has probably built the most complicated resume of any
designer. Furthermore, he has his own labels, which he launched in the early 1980s, including perfume and clothing. He has
also played a role in equipping leading artists.
Wartime austerity lead to restrictions
on the number of new clothes that people bought and the amount of fabric that clothing manufacturers could use. Women working
on war service adopted trousers as a practical necessity. The nylon stocking was introduced in the US in 1940, to huge success,
but later withdrawn as all supplies were needed for military uses such as parachutes. When nylon stockings reappeared in the
shops there were "nylon riots" as customers fought over the first deliveries. In Britain, clothing was brutally rationed, with a system of "points",
and the Board of Trade issued regulations for "Utility Clothes" in 1941, and in America the War Production Board
issued its Regulation L85 on March 8, 1942, specifying restrictions for every item of women's clothing. Easily laddered
stockings were a particular concern in Britain; women were forced to either paint them on (including the back seam) or to
join the WRNS, who continued to issue them, in a cunning aid to recruitment. Later in the war, American soldiers became a
source of the new nylon stockings.
Whilst fashion by its very definition is something that
is constantly changing, there are only so many changes clothing trends can go through before they inevitably start to borrow
ideas from previous styles; and this can be seen across many fashion crazes in recent years.
The flare and bellbottom
fashion of the late 1960s and 1970s was resurrected for a time in the late 80s to early 90s baggy music scene that emerged
from Manchester; however, this time the style was a little more casual. Furthermore, the mod style trend of the mid 1960s
has certainly seen a resurgence in recent years, with skinny proving very popular once again.
Of course, fashion
has always been closely linked with celebrity life - the glitz and glamour of the music and film industry helping to turn
the stars into role models and ultimately, global trendsetters. As such, it only requires a quick scan of the latest music
magazines to see what’s currently hot with young people across the country.
Whilst some styles can change
in a relatively short period of time, some things simply never seem to go out of fashion. Jeans, for example, is one item
of clothing that seems to have been around forever. Originating from the French phrase ‘bleu de genes’ (the blue
of Genoa), denim jeans originated in two places independently of each other; in Nimes (France) and in India, where denim trousers
were worn by sailors of Dhunga (which eventually lent its name to dungarees).
But whilst they were originally worn
by workers for their hard-wearing material and general durability, jeans became fashionable in American popular culture in
the 1950s, and became a symbol of rebellion across various youth subcultures of the time. And the rest, as the saying goes,
is history.
Jeans have been a fashion mainstay in many cultures since then, being worn casually by people of almost
all demographics. As is the case with all fashion trends, people have always sought ways to distinguish themselves from the
mainstream.
Over the years, popular denim fashions have included bellbottom, boot-cut, flare, straight-legged and
hipsters, to name but a few. The hip-hop music scene also helped to bring baggy jeans into the mainstream, often worn alongside
a baseball cap, trainers and a casual jersey. This helps to demonstrate how one simple item of clothing can reveal quite a
lot about the background and lifestyle a person chooses to follow.
Linda Morand (May 26, 1946-) was a very
successful fashion model, cover-girl and haute couture mannequin during the 1960s and 1970s. Known as Superchick Linda Morand
was a modern fashion pioneer, a beacon of revolutionary style, avant-garde beauty trends and a major face in the Mod Sixties.
She appeared in national ads, TV commercials and national catalogues
She was discovered by Eileen Ford in 1966
and appeared in Vogue, Glamour, Mademoiselle, Teen, Elle and many more international magazines. As was one of Vidal Sassoons
house models, Christophe created her signature style, a closely cropped asymmetric cut which hugged her head, elegantly set
atop her long slim neck. Her favorite designer was Betsey Johnson, whose clothes she wore for many fashion layouts. She also
modeled for Lilly Pulitzer. With cut glass cheekbones, a wide-eyed gamine look and a "show stopping smile", she
was a favorite of Mademoiselle magazine editors and photographers George Barkentin, David McCabe and Gosta Petersen.
Linda Morand
Carnaby Street is a pedestrianised shopping
street in London, United Kingdom, located in the area of 'Carnaby' in the district of Soho, near Oxford Street, and
just to the east of Regent Street. The area around Carnaby Street is known simply as 'Carnaby'. It consists of twelve
pedestrianised streets with 168 fashion and lifesyle retailers, including a large number of independent fashion boutiques.
The nearest London Underground station is Oxford Circus tube station (Bakerloo, Central and Victoria Lines).
The street derives its name from Karnaby
House, located to its east, which was erected in 1683. It is not known why the house was so called. The street was probably
laid out in 1685 or 1686 and first appears in the ratebooks in 1687. It was almost completely built up by 1690 with small
houses.
In the 1960s, Carnaby Street was made popular by followers of the Mod style. Many independent fashion
boutiques, and designers such as Mary Quant and 'Lord John' were located in and around Carnaby Street as well as various
underground music bars such as the 'Roaring Twenties'. With bands such as The Beatles, Small Faces, and Rolling Stones
appearing in the area to work, shop, and socialize, it became one of London's coolest destination associated with the
Swinging Sixties.
There are two Westminster City Council green plaques on Carnaby Street: the first can be found
at 1 Carnaby Street and is dedicated to fashion entrepreneur John Stephen, who was responsible for beginning the Mod fashion
revolution here. The second plaque, located at 52/55 Carnaby Street, is dedicated to the Mod pop group 'Small Faces'
and their manager 'Don Arden'.
Fashion is a term so popular today that I found no reason
to explain it to you. So let's come to the point. Whenever we talk about fashion, the first image that flashes in our
mind is the image of a woman. Indeed, they are women alone who are most closely associated with fashion. However, in today's
world, men are also not in isolation from fashion. But, studies reveal that the craving for fashion is much intense in women
than anyone else.
Fashion shows are being organized from time to time by various organizations in different parts
of the world. In these fashion shows, models used to wear various types of fashionable cloths and walk through the ramp, to
demonstrate these cloths to the fashion lovers over there. By and large, the changing fashion trends demonstrated through
these events are also peculiar to women. Almost 90% of the fashion events and fashion shows are aimed at introducing new types
of women clothing, designed by various fashion designers. The fashion events for men are almost none in relation to women.
The most well known fashion events organized in various parts of the world time and again include London Fashion Week,
Milan Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, Lakme Fashion Week, Singapore Fashion Festival and so on. In all these and many other
such events, women play a vital role. Besides fashion events, there are a lot of magazines, television channels, websites
and other media for promoting fashion. Whatever, the presence of women is indispensable for the existence of fashion industry
and fashion events.
The introduction of the Midi in the Fall of 1970 created
a general state of confusion in the fashion industry regarding the marketability of the new style. Retailers and manufacturers
viewed the new length as an aid in helping boost sagging sales. The dress designers felt that the Midi would revitalize the
world of fashion and that it would eventually lead to the development of a whole new style trend for the 1970's. But the
Midi met strong resistance from the consumer. Women did not rush out to buy the Midi as the designers and manufacturers had
expected but instead vehemently rejected the new style. Nevertheless, through an extensive promotional campaign coupled with widespread distribution of the Midi, the industry hoped to force the
new look upon the buying public and overcome the initial resistance to the style The outcome, of course, was that the
Midi was not adopted by consumers, and the marketing strategy of the fashion industry failed miserably. The industry is still
perplexed over why the Midi failed. One explanation put forth by the fashion world is that the new style was not treated fairly in the press. Another suggests that 1970 was not the right
time, economically, for the introduction of the completely new clothing style. And another attributes the failure of the Midi
to the general reluctance on the part of the large dress retailers to stock the style and the misgivings of the dress manufacturers
about devoting a significant portion of their production to it.
1950s fashion was something of a turning point in 20th
century fashion, as the post-war era moved into full swing. The glamorous clothes 1950s actresses such as Elizabeth Taylor,
Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, Bridgette Bardot, Sophia Lauren and Audrey Hepburn adorned movie screens, and a feeling of hope
and euphoria dominated with conclusion of the Second World War.
In the UK, the government promised to "Make Britain Great" again. There was significant optimism for the
world in general, and that included the fashion industry. After years of hardship and drudgery, where women had worn utilitarian
work garments (and when there were fewer men around to impress) clothes 1950s shook off the hackles of practicality and gave
women the opportunity to dress up in more luxurious and feminine clothes.
Christian Dior, who had launched his New Look in1947, an extravagant, and in equal parts fashion and political statement,
brought women back to life with excessive fabric (some of his skirts required 18m of fabric), a return to femininity, and
a taste of glamour. Alongside Dior, other key designers for clothes 1950s were Balenciaga , Jacques Fath and Hubert de Givenchy.
Clothes
1950s are remembered mainly for two contrasting silhouettes: the full skirt that swirled and sashayed, and the slim pencil
tubular skirt that fell to the knee. Both were seen with a nipped in waist, and strategic padding and underwear did much to
improve the less-than-perfect figure, so the silhouette could look fabulous on anyone. The nylon all-on-one corselet gave
a waspish waist, pulled the hips in and shunted the breasts upwards and outwards.
Whilst clothes 1950s required a rigid under structure in many instances, designers such as Jacques Fath, master of
the undulating line, began to nurture the lifestyle changes that were happening across the globe and encouraged women to take
a more relaxed attitude to fashion. In 1957, Givenchy started the trend for straighter, shift-like dresses that had no waist
at all by inventing the sack dress, an almost formless dress freeing women from the restriction to which they had become accustomed.
The place to visit in Milan if you want to get a head
start on next season's fashions is no doubt Via Montenapoleone. Every Italian fashion designer worth writing home about
have their ateliers and shops in this street. Names like Armani, Valentino, Gucci and Versace are lined up side by side. Milan is a friendly, bustling city whose culture is based on the historical
significance of the artwork and statues you see everywhere you go. Here are some of the favorite things to do in Milan. Fashion design history is brought to life by Palazzo Morando, on Via Sant'Andrea
6, Milan, Italy. This lovely Renaissance building was restored a few years ago, and this work uncovered an interesting frieze
at the top of the façade. The municipal authorities intelligently decided to use this space for a Fashion Museum, something
that is absolutely necessary in one of the world's fashion capitals. The peerless La Scala Opera House, the incredibly elaborate Cathedral, the Castello Sforzesco and the wall painting
by Leonardo da Vinci the Last Supper, which even though it was bombed in the second world war is still in one piece. Milan's most visited and impressive attraction, the Duomo Cathedral,
exhibits an intricately detailed gothic style design, complete with flying buttresses and over 130 spires on the roof. This
mammoth cathedral, which can boast as being one of the world's largest, stands out from the low lying skyline of Milan,
making it appear even bigger than it is.
Centro Storico
(the historical centre) is full of life, with many things to see and do. In this area you will find the huge Piazza Duomo
and Duomo Cathedral, (see above photo) the castle Castello Sforzesco, the world renowned opera house La Scala, and stunning
shopping gallery, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.(see below photo). Milan
is well known for stupendous art and culture heritage. The most famous National Museum of Science and technology, "Leonardo
da Vinci" in Milan is among world's best scientific and technical museums. A water stretch, Navigli in Milan allows
navigation from Ticino to center of Milan. Angelo Russica, a
seasoned fashion guru who has more or less 20 years of experience in the fashion world, created the course with his aim of
not only coming up with an Internet-based fashion design school that will teach the history, aesthetics, and skills required
of Italy's fashion, but extending the Italian fashion sense to the world as well. But that is the bad news. The good news is that Elena Miro DOES show at the Milan Fashion Week! Elena Miro is the
only ready-to-wear brand for the Curvy.Confident.Chic. Woman that shows at Milano Moda Donna with plus size models (size 14). A few tips can be useful for first-time visitors; generally on Sunday the
shops close, even during Milan's famed sales season, but on particular days it's possible to find shops open until
later at night. Saturday, as usual, is the most crowded day of the week for shopping, in particular during the afternoons. Milan is the capital of the Lombardy Region, besides being the home of
international fashion and design. It is also an important financial and commercial centre. This is a dynamic and cosmopolitan
city, full of elegant and distinct corners.
The Italian pay much attention to family tress relationship,
and the fashion industry is also the same, with Prada it's representative. The Brand of Prada was basic founded at the
beginning of 20's century. Due to the prosperity of business and travelling, the Prada started its business of making
leather accessories for travelling. In the year of 1913, the Prada had its first store. During the 70's, it was approaching
to the edge of bankrupt. Finally, Miuccia Prada, together with her husband Patrizio Bertelli led the Prada to meet the Milestone
after they took in charge of it in 1978.
It was still a
small brand that was accepted in Europe. This sort of family property that carries on from generation to generation would
easily decline if there was not new strategy of creation and breakthroughs. Miuccia kept looking for new materials different
from the traditional ones, that would be used for the products. At last, she found the nylon. Then, the black nylon bags (Now
available at Prada Outlet, and more models) become hot over a night. In 1989, the Prada promoted its first trying in Fall-Winter
Apparel, however, that was highly welcome for its difference from the theme of the fashion at that time.
In the 90's, the idea of "Less is More" came out and spreaded throughout
the whole market quickly. The Prada led the fashion by its concise but full of aesthetics designs. After the promotion of
Prada mens apparel and shoes, the Apparels, accessories from Prada became the icon of Conciseness and fashion.
The advantage of the Prada's success should own to its good combination
and reflection between the design and the real life. The material, the styles, the colors, the craft and the Living Philosophy
behind all these items just correspond the pursuit of function and aesthetics in the nowadays modern society. The balance
between function and aesthetics is not only the point of the fashion, but also the perfection of the modern aesthetics.