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 Fashion rules keeps on shifting, often times what we think is old and outdated suddenly becomes hottest and stylish and is considered to be the newest trend with high and popular demand.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 Fashion design is also a labor of love, requiring long hours and little chance of superstardom -- 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. Fashion 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 pantyhose 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 color 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. The 1960s 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 catalogs. 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. 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 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-have's, 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 colors 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. 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 makeup, 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 favorite 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, colors, 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. Not 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. The 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. When 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. The 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 The 1950s 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. The 1970s 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 colors and geometric designs. Disco funk was also a design theme that colored 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-somethings!

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