My greatest clothing

Finding your retro clothing style

2009-04-24T02:00:00.005+07:00

Are you looking for a unique style that you can call your own? Are you tired of wearing the same old clothes day in and day out? If this sounds like you, retro clothing may be just what you have been dreaming of. When it comes down to it, retro clothing has a lot to offer both guys and girls. No matter who you are, there is a good chance that you can pull this look off. After all, people have been wearing this look for many years. Although it went away for a good while, the fact of the matter is that retro clothing is once again back in play.

The most important thing that you will need to consider is where you can find retro clothing. Remember, buying the original clothes from many years ago may not be an option. Luckily, there are many retro clothing shops that are sure to meet your needs. The only thing that you need to do is determine where these stores are located, and then from there you can get started with the actual shopping.

Your best bet for finding retro clothing is the internet. There may be a store or two in your area that sells some of these pieces, but if you want the largest selection you will need to rely on the internet. This will give you the chance to find plenty of selections, and of course, you can also shop around for the prices that will best suits your needs.

Even if you think that a retro look is too much for you to handle, you should at least try it out. A lot of people look down on retro clothing until they actually try them on. From there, they realize how good they look and they cannot resist buying more and more.

Overall, there is a large group of people who love how they look in retro clothing. Are you going to be next? If you never try these clothes on you will have no way of saying for sure. For this reason, pick up a few articles of retro clothing and see where it takes you!

Your Favorite Red Carpet Dress

2009-04-24T01:32:00.006+07:00

There are many sources where you can look for your favorite red carpet dress. High status departmental stores embrace very high quality red carpet dresses of each and every style. Another greatest source is the Internet. In a fraction of seconds you can get your favorite stars dresses in front of you. Also you can visit many high positioned websites that specialize in red carpet dresses. You can wear many popular celebrity looks. As these are red carpet dresses, so you need great time to select the one, thus from all those viewpoints also Internet shopping is the best. You can browse any number of sites, as many times you want in order to find the perfect dress you want.

One of the best options to get scoop red carpet dress is to customize it. Customize dresses for any occasions are always on the top and are much sought after. Red carpet dresses are also creation of somebody’s mind only, thus if you also have creative mind make one red carpet dress of your imagination also. It is very time consuming, effortful task, but if you really have creativity to look like celebrity or superstar, it will be worth all the work.

Whatever style celebrity is wearing whether vintage, modern, sexy or simple you will also get the same. Red carpet dresses comes in all styles but with different face. Halter, strapless, thin straps, one shoulder, ruffle, high-low hem, slit, A-line, floor length, sweetheart neckline etc all decks red carpet dresses. It is not so that these dresses are made of some exclusive details but their presentation is different. Add glamour to you by wearing your posh red carpet dress in order to join your name in Fashionista’s list. Red carpet dresses also blow out desire to look good at all times as well make you feel good and lifts confidence for the rest of the day. Thus, they truly fulfill the philosophy of dressing i.e. being glamorous and imparting fun.

Yoga and Exercise Fashion

2009-04-10T02:40:00.006+07:00

Yoga Shirt

Always practice or workout in cotton, it's the most breathable!

We recommend Edun organic cotton t-shirts. Edun was founded by Bono and his wife and is a socially conscious clothing company committed to sustainable employment in developing areas of the world. They are also committed to using organic materials and paying fair labour wages. If you're inspired by their vision, values and ethics then please support such a progressive and mindful company.

Neck Warmer or Scarf

In the gym when you're training your muscles, you are opening your pores and skin. You don't want to walk outside and cool down too fast. You want to stay warm as long as you can. Wrap a scarf around your neck and tuck it under your chin. It is a very popular thing in exercise culture now to wear scarves despite the warm temperatures. Try any scarf made of wool, cashmere or organic fibres like bamboo.

Physiological Shoes

Because of the way they are designed to keep you off balance, Physiological Shoes helps to focus on your core, lower back, hamstrings and glutes (and all the muscles inbetween). You're forced to keep your balance and naturally your core muscles will kick in. It doesn't replace a personal trainer or an hour at the gym but it is a respectable workout for your lower body and core muscles.

Performance Monitor

The Nike + System is basically a microchip you place in the running shoe which monitors the distance you move. It sends a wireless signal to your iPod Nano via a receiver. It's a great motivational tool. Not only can you listen to music, it tells you how fast you're going — you can select a male or female voice – it tells how many calories you're burning, measures the distance and how many miles you're going per minute. Download it on the Nike + website to keep a record and keep track of your goals. You can usually ask to try it out in the store before deciding to buy.

Water Bottle

Stay hydrated. It helps burn fat. If you're low on H2O it gets harder and harder to burn the fat off.

Aim for an easy to spot stainless steel water bottle. Research is now showing that plastic water bottles leach toxins in the water. Eco-friendly stainless steel ones from Klean Kanteen also come in baby sizes that you can put a sippy lid on.

Exercise Watch

Find an easy to use watch that has lots of features. An alarm (to remind you to go to the gym), a stopwatch. Some watches can also measure your heart rate which is great when you're starting out because knowing your heart rate can prevent injuries (you have to be careful not to overdo it). They can also calculate how many calories you are burning. For some people seeing numbers helps them to know they are reaching their goals.

Cycling Shorts

Traditional cycling shorts tend not to look flattering on women (it makes you look like a sausage). Find one that is chamois and isn't diaper padded (most women complain of saddle-soreness from the padding).

You want something that isn't bulky and won't chafe constantly as you can wear it without underwear. Get a fabric that breathes easily so it takes away the moisture from constant sweat. Shebeest seems to be the best company for all the above.

GSUS

2009-04-09T01:53:00.005+07:00

Back in early 1993 two Dutch designers, Jan Schrijver and Angelique Berkhout, met each other working as free-lancers. Even though the word free-lancer suggests something else, they did not feel entirely free in their roles.

Together with Peter Steenstra, who was fed up with the corporate life at IBM, they decided to start their own business: a shop in Arnhem the Netherlands.

On Friday the 13th, August 1993 the slogan "gsus is coming" announces the arrival of a new Dutch street wear shop called “heavens playground”. Next to being a point of sale for existing brands, the shop is used as a lab for its own brand “gsus”. It turned out to be the right time for something new. With the baggy, oversized look dominating the streets, gsus introduces tight retro shirts printed with funky glitter applications. Not only the product, but also the complete story around the brand is different: a veil of mystery with an airy frivolous communication, non conforming and unique.

"At gsus we truly believe in the arrogant intuition of the creative mind. Our designers create what they want to wear themselves. Market research is taboo. We do what we like best and feel strongly about the “do it yourself” credo. That’s why we unleash our creativity not only with the designing of clothes, but also with our ads, photography, gsus store designs and even the design of the Amsterdam Headquarters. Although we’ve grown over the years, we still consider gsus our creative laboratory, or better yet, our “heavens playground”. A place where we can let our creative juices run free. We recommend you to do the same. Join us and let the world be your playground..."

"Our brand name is a story in itself. In 1993 Coca Cola and Nike are already taken and the letter G is full of hype in its own right. Gangsta rap is rulin’, G-Love comes out with his first record and the G-spot is discovered. With wordplay, gsus refers to one of the most common names in the world. The logo, the crown of thorns, emphasises the prickliness of the brand even further. Within a few years, from the time the first tees were introduced, gsus grows from being sold out of the trunk of a car to an internationally available fashion brand. The collection and brand develop and grow without losing sight of those early stages of fun and creativity."

Gucci

2009-04-07T15:03:00.003+07:00

The House of Gucci, better known as simply Gucci, is an Italian French-owned iconic fashion and leather goods label. It was founded by Guccio Gucci (b.1881 - d.1953) in Florence in 1906. Gucci is considered one of the most famous, prestigious, and easily recognizable fashion brands in the world.In 1921, Guccio Gucci opens a leather goods company and small luggage store in his native Florence. Having spent years working in London's Savoy Hotel, he had absorbed the refined aesthetic of English nobility, and introduces this sensibility in Italy through exclusive leather goods created and produced by the master craftsmanship of Tuscan artisans..

Within a few years time, the label enjoys such success as it attracts a sophisticated international clientele, who seek out the equestrian-inspired collection of bags, trunks, gloves, shoes and belts. The horsebit and stirrup motifs were born of this world and become enduring symbols of the fashion house, and of an increasingly innovative design aesthetic.

Faced with a shortage of standard materials during the difficult years of Fascist dictatorship in Italy, Gucci establishes itself as an enterprise synonymous with exceptional creativity and resourcefulness. The "Bamboo Bag" is introduced, becoming one of the first of Gucci's many iconic products. A favorite of royalty and celebrity alike, the bag is still available today.

During the 1950s, the trademark green-red-green web, which is derived from the saddle girth, becomes a great success and remains one of the most familiar identifiers of the brand. With stores opening in Milan and New York, Gucci starts to build a global presence as a symbol of modern luxury. Guccio Gucci dies in 1953. His sons Aldo, Vasco, Ugo and Rodolfo take over the business.

1960s: Gucci introduces products that are cherished by the most iconic figures of the time and become renown for timeless design. Jackie Kennedy carries the Gucci shoulder bag, which is known today as the ??Jackie O’. Liz Taylor, Peter Sellers and Samuel Beckett wear the unstructured, unisex 'Hobo Bag.' The classic moccasin with horsebit hardware becomes part of the permanent collection at the Costume Institute, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The Flora silk print scarf is created for Grace Kelly. Gucci continues its expansion abroad with stores opening in London, Palm Beach, Paris and Beverly Hills. In the mid 60s, Gucci adopts the legendary interlocking double 'G' logo.

Gucci continues its global expansion, true to the original aspirations of Aldo, now targeting the Far East. Stores open in Tokyo and Hong Kong. The company increases and diversifies production, carrying out significant research on new more luxurious materials and innovative approaches to design never tabling the legendary quality and craftsmanship synonymous with the brand. The great classics are revamped in new shapes and colors, and new product categories are introduced.

In 1982, Gucci becomes a public limited company, and leadership is passed to Rodolfo's son, Maurizio Gucci, who holds 50 percent of the shares. In 1984, Domenico De Sole becomes president of Gucci America. Investcorp, a Bahrain-based investment company, purchases the remaining 50 percent belonging to Aldo Gucci and his descendants in the late 80s.

Gucci is relaunched to global renown through a groundbreaking mix of tradition and innovation. Tom Ford becomes creative director of Gucci in 1994 and infuses the luxury brand with a sense of daring and provocation that resonates with celebrity and accomplished elite. The stiletto, and silk cut-out jersey dresses with metallic hardware details become icons of Ford's unique vision. Domenico De Sole is appointed CEO in 1995, and Gucci makes the highly successful transformation to a fully public company. Gucci is named "European Company of the year 1998" by the European Business Press Federation for its economic and financial performance, strategic vision and management quality. In 1999, Gucci enters into a strategic alliance with Pinault-Printemps-Redoute and transforms itself from a single brand company into a multibrand group.

After De Sole and Ford left their posts in 2004, Mark Lee is appointed President and CEO of Gucci division in 2005. Today, creative direction of Gucci is the responsibility of Frida Giannini and Gucci continues to explore its roots. "La Pelle Guccissima" - an entirely original, heat-printed signature leather - has been launched under Giannini’s direction, and is destined to become the label's next icon, expressing in its workmanship and impeccable quality a strength that is singularly Gucci's.

Diesel

2009-04-07T12:53:00.002+07:00

The brand Diesel was born more than 20 years ago and is today an innovative international design company, manufacturing jeans and casual clothing as well as accessories. It is present in over 80 countries with 10,000 points of sale and almost 50 company-owned stores.

When Renzo Rosso founded the company in 1978, he wanted it to be a leader, a company which took chances and carved out a niche for itself in its field. He surrounded himself with creative, talented people - innovators who, like him, rejected the slavish trend-following typical of the fashion industry. Renzo wanted to come up with a more dynamic and imaginative line of clothing than was available anywhere. He gave his open-minded new designers broad stylistic freedom, hoping they could create a line of clothing perfect for people who follow their own independent path in life. Particularly for those who decide to express their individuality also by the way they dress.

From the very beginning, Diesel’s design team turned their backs on the style-dictators and consumer forecasters of the fashion establishment and let their own tastes lead them. It is for this reason that Diesel immediately became a leader in developing styles, fabrics, manufacturing methods and quality control, guaranteeing an outstanding quality product. The company views the world as a single, border-less macro-culture. And the Diesel staff reflects this: a wide variety of people and personalities from all parts of the globe, creating an unpredictable, dynamic vitality and energy within the company. Diesel people and their working methods are so unconventional, and yet productive, that they have been profiled in countless magazines, newspapers and documentary television programmes, and have been studied by international conglomerates, consulting organizations, universities and business schools.

Diesel’s “historical moments” include mile-stones like 1978 (creation of the brand name), 1985 (Renzo Rosso’s complete acquisition of the company), 1991 (beginning of the international marketing strategy) and 1996 (opening of Diesel’s first flagship store on New York City’s Lexington Avenue).

Ever since the beginning, Renzo Rosso believed in addressing the world with one product and one language, and one of his first steps was building a solid and vast distribution platform stretching across all 5 continents.

Most of Diesel’s current production is outsourced, to small and medium-sized companies. Production of denim jeans is based exclusively in Italy. All international logistics operations (wholesale and retail) are centrally managed and carefully controlled. Today Diesel is a global concern with a consolidated annual turnover of 575 billion Lire (US$ 330 millions), 85% of which is generated outside Italy. The Headquarters are located in Molvena, in the north-eastern part of Italy, where the company manages 12 subsidiaries across Europe, Asia and the Americas. Diesel employs over 1,300 people worldwide.

White Clothing & Fashion

2009-04-07T06:06:00.006+07:00

The White Shirt Reinvented

If you need a break from the bright fashion trend and Technicolor patterns making waves in the trend-pool this season you'll be relieved to hear that equally fashionable on the streets this season - if a little tougher to keep clean - is pure, simple, white fashion.
Gap has recently introduced a new limited edition collection inspired by the classic Gap white shirt for women, designed exclusively for Gap by Doo.Ri, Rodarte and Thakoon - three of the most celebrated, emerging American design labels in the industry today.
The designers are putting modern feminine twists on the classic, crisp white shirt - which has for so long been an indispensable staple in your boyfriend's closet - by infusing it with the charm of swingy, geometric trapeze silhouettes and fresh detailing with the use of bows, ruffles, asymmetry and pleats. This fundamental of fashion has also had the pleasure of being morphed into comfortably chic dresses complete with pockets, buttons, collars and ties.

H&M continues to take a cue from mod-wear and bleaches it out in this adorable matching mini-dress and jacket. Use the white palette as an opportunity to pack a punch with colorful, contrasting accessories such as this season's increasingly popular headband and a hefty sized bag generous enough to tote all of your essentials.

Legs are high on style this season, so show them off in this simplest of simple white, strapless mini-dresses from Banana Republic. How can you rock this style? Slip into an espadrille, cinch it with an even skinnier belt and top this daring number with a slim, cropped blazer to ward off chilly nights.

Turn to Club Monaco's A-line shift dress in tonal stripe for summery style that's at once sexy, comfortable and classic. Slip into a pair of neutral toned espadrilles or leather thongs and you're good to go.

Evolution of the White Shirt

Ten years ago, almost to the day, the plain white shirt - that unmistakable, uninspired symbol of the office wardrobe (hence the term "white-collar job") - shed its boring nine-to-five image for ever.
It was Oscars night and Sharon Stone caused a fashion sensation on the red carpet when she arrived with her then husband, Phil Bronstein, on her arm - and one of his shirts on her back. It was accessorised with diamonds, cleavage and a floor-length lilac satin Vera Wang skirt.

Stone's shock-chic approach to red-carpet dressing has become part of Oscar history and, in the process, has given the white shirt classic status.

The white shirt is now an omnipresent part of the fashion scene, a wardrobe staple of the world's most stylish women. Customised with a stiff four-inch collar, it is as much an integral part of Karl Lagerfeld's image as his chunky Chrome Hearts silver jewellery.

Comme des Garçons' Rei Kawakubo is rarely seen without one either, worn with a sombre black jacket and skirt. Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton, DKNY, British stalwarts Margaret Howell and Paul Smith all feature white shirts this autumn. Style icon Daphne Guinness has recently launched her first fashion collection devoted entirely to versions of that one item.

Designers as diverse as Todd Lynn, Ralph Lauren, Yohji Yamamoto, Yves Saint Laurent, Brioni and Jil Sander have all made the white shirt a linchpin of their collections. This season, chains including Gap, Marks & Spencer and Next have interpreted the formula with missionary zeal. And some brands - such as French label Anne Fontaine - make little else.

The white shirt, bland as it may seem at first glance, is actually fashion's master of disguise. It reappears season after season, with slight variations in collar shape, embellishment and sleeve length, ready to morph itself into a look that will tie in with the hottest trends of the moment.

Different Looks for White Shirts

Romantic Full-sleeved and voluminous: tuck into jeans, hang loose over skinny trousers or wear with a belt over a pencil skirt

Pretty Look for small collars, frills or ruffles: perfect for softening working-wardrobe skirt or trouser suits

Tribal The classic, collarless granddad shirt: pile on the beads and bangles, push up the sleeves and wear with a primitive-pattern skirt

Retro Fitted, possibly Empire-line, with puffed sleeves: great with high-waisted '70s flared jeans

Classic The boyfriend-style shirt: Try versions by RM Williams, Thomas Pink and Anne Fontaine; don't forget the cufflinks

White is the new Black in Japan

White garments currently abound at boutiques and women's apparel departments. The color caught on after it featured prominently in the 2006 spring and fall collections of famous designers. White blouses and dresses with frills and lace, full skirts, and other clothes with a feminine touch are particularly popular. Women of all ages are taking to white, since it comes in a range of materials and can be mixed with other colors to achieve a variety of effects. A lineup of white accessories and shoes, bags, and other goods is also available.

White has replaced black, last fall and winter's hot hue, to become the "in" color this spring and summer. The trend was ignited after it appeared prominently in the 2006 spring/summer collections of Prada, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent, Chloe, and other famous designers, which were shown in Milan and Paris in the fall of 2005. Since then, feminine designs have quickly supplanted the military, masculine look that was popular for a number of years.

An indispensable part of today's ensemble is the white "romantic blouse," with its feminine touch. Many romantic blouses have frills around the neck or front, eliminating the need for accessories, and come in pretty designs with lace or ribbons at the neckline, puffed sleeves, and intricate hems.

Teenage girls are drawn to dresses with a supple drape made out of cotton, linen, and other natural materials, as well as full knee-length skirts made out of sheer, silky cotton. Working women, meanwhile, go for blouses made from silk, satin, chiffon, and other elegant fabrics paired with sturdy knee-length shorts, a combination favored for its refined appearance. On colder days, which can continue as late as mid-May, they need only don a cropped white jacket or crocheted white bolero, a choice that has replaced the black velour jackets that were popular last autumn and winter.

For all its popularity, white is not an easy color to wear, because dirt shows up so easily. When the occasion warrants it, white accessories or other items can be used instead of white clothes. This spring and summer, hot items include overlapping strings of white pearl necklaces with different sized beads and white rose charms. Patterned items featuring interspersed lace or ribbon are also selling well, as are shoes with ribbons, ballet-style slippers, and other soft designs.

The All White Wardrobe

Imagine for a moment reaching into your closet and always having clothes that matches. There is a way to do it, but there is a price. All your clothes are white.

White shoes, white pants and white skirts, white shirts, white blouses and even white ties and scarfs. Seems kind of dull, but your laundry basket suddenly seems a lot easier to clean since you only need to worry about your whites. You will be bleaching more to remove tough stains, but depending on your lifestyle it may be worth it.

You can still mix your wardrobe up with a dash of colour. A red scarf, a blue jacket, a yellow sash. Your accessories suddenly stand out twice as much when everything else you wear is white.

The Modern Corset

2009-04-07T05:52:00.003+07:00

The classic corset has been modernized, and with it has come some dramatic changes. Instead of whalebone new materials are being used. New methods of cinching, or even not cinching at all are now available. Mon dieu! Zippers?!?! Blasphemy!!!

Cinching on the front, the side, twice on the back, front-back-and-sides, zippers, buttons, chains, accessories, buckles, clasps and VELCRO!!!

Full corsets, half-corsets, breastless, backless, straps, strapless...
Mon dieu! What have we done?!

And the colours these days are dramatically different too. No longer is it just white or black. Brilliant colours of purple, brown, green, yellow, red, blue, pink and orange! And every possible colour in-between, plus colour combinations that make the mind boggle.

These days we don't cinch as much. We're much more realistic with regards to how we wear our corsets.

We've also developed a problem in which we tend to associate corsets with sex. Which is true, corsets do realate to sexuality. Always have, but in the older days (way back when corsets first became popular) they were meant to be worn in public underneath a tight dress, because it was fashionable to be thin in the waist and yet voluptuous elsewhere.
These days voluptuousness and thinness don't go together. You're either thin, average, voluptuous, or just plain obese.

And regardless of size corsets can be made to fit your size.

Furthermore, the way we decorate corsets have changed. Embroidered hearts, skulls, chinese writing, paisley, flowers. Small ornamental buttons in various shapes.

And then there's the new matter of weddings.

A long time ago corsets were commonly used during weddings also. These days however it has become popular again. Especially for people who like wearing a corset normally, and thus a wedding corset is also something that can be re-used, unlike the standard wedding dress where you wear it once and then never squeeze into it again.

Thus with a corset incorporated into the dress, or perhaps the dress designed in such a way that the entire dress can be re-used for other things, a person at least gets more than one use out of it.

On the opposite side of the spectrum from weddings is perhaps the most common use of corsets: pornography.

If you go to Google image search, type in the word corset, and turn the "SafeSearch" off you will end up seeing a lot of pornography (usually softcore) of women wearing corsets. Some of it will be fine art photography (high quality stuff), but a lot of it will be just plain smut.

And perhaps that smut is the biggest reason why corsets are becoming so popular. Sex sells. Pornography can sell almost anything, from viagra to cars, from cologne to clothes. It would be interesting to compare that advertising within Playboy Magazine to any other magazine and just see which magazine actually promotes the product better.

The headmistress of pornography and burlesque, the queen of corsets is none other than Dita Von Teese. Ms Von Teese has done more for popularizing the corset than any other modern celebrity. The corset is practically her trademark.

The combination of sexuality, the thinning aspect of corsets (its cheaper than liposuction), the popularity of its use in high fashion, gothic fashion, weddings and pornography, celebrity usage and movies like "Pirates of the Carribean" has made the corset the single most widely used fashion change of the 21st century.

People are even wearing them to work.

As time progresses, it almost seems like the feminist movement has relapsed.

Except technically it hasn't. Women aren't wearing corsets because men want them to wear corsets (although certainly that still happens, especially in the porn industry), women are wearing corsets because they WANT to (due to their own sexual fantasies or fashion beliefs).

So its not a relapse. Its sexual liberation starting to bloom.

Women are now sexually free to wear whatever they want. Fashion is simply mirroring their own desires.

And in this case, their fetishes too.

Mon dieu! What have we done?!?!:)

Indian fashion becoming a hot commodity in the West

2009-04-05T04:17:00.003+07:00

India is a country with diversified customs and cultures. The traces of Indians being fashionable can be found out from the ancient remains of Harappa and Mohenjodaro civilizations. After the independence, globalization is being witnessed in the Indian fashion industry, due to which changes have occurred in the style of Indian dressing.Styles of wearing saris and salwar-kameez have changed. The look is more cosmopolitan than region-specific. Different styles of blouses like katori style, halter-neck, back button blouses, high neck blouses, puffed sleeve blouses, etc. have become the hot favorite among women. The average lengths of the blouses have decreased. Saris are draped mostly in traditional back pallo style or gujarati style. Indian fashion scene is greatly influenced by its films. For example Mumtaz style sari draping inspired by yester-year heroine Mumtaz. Here sari is tightly draped around the body.

As far as salwar-kameez is concerned numerous styles and patterns can be given to this garment. For instance the kameez can be long, short, A-line, skin tight, etc. Such variations can be done to salwar as well as dupattas. Modern version of kameez is known as kurti, it could be coupled with jeans, pants or churidar. It has taken the form of Indo-western outfit. People in western countries too have started wearing kurtis.

Mall culture is slowly and steadily growing in India. Many brands and private labels are launched in the Indian market. The first such retail outlet was Shopper’s Stop which launched India’s first multi-brand store in the year 1993. The specialty of such malls is that they offer a wide range of varied branded stuff, all under single roof. Some of the famous malls of India are Pantaloons, Westside, Lifestyle, Globus, etc. These retail outlets have also launched clothing line under private labels, manufactured and sold by them. For example- Pantaloons has many private labels under its brand like All, Fashion station and Mela. Some of the major private labels even operate as exclusive stores. The buyer gets an international shopping experience in such retail outlets. There are no nagging sales persons pressurizing the customers to buy.

Family stores are becoming hot favorite shopping hub for the middle-class and upper middle class shoppers. These stores sell garments of nearly all age groups and sexes. Apparels of various brands can be found in family stores. They are being considered as one-stop shopping destination. Roopam, Big Bazaar, Fashion station, V-mart, Maxx, etc are examples of some family stores.

Here in Canada people are taking fashion lessons from India, whose fashion design industry has exploded in the last decade.

"When I started nine years ago, it was like My Big Fat Indian Wedding," said designer Ranna Gill, whose mosaic print dresses with gem-studded necklines were presented by Indiva, a Bloor St. W. boutique stocking contemporary Indian design.

But with the coming of fashion week in India, everything changed, she said. Older customers started trying younger silhouettes and younger customers had a fashion awakening.

"A lot of people think of Indian fashion as ethnic and old, but this sensibility has changed completely," agreed designer Narendra Kumar, who showed raffia-look floral dresses and gold linens with yellow beading.

Kumar is credited with helping to pioneer fashion in India, by bringing the country its first fashion magazine as the founding fashion editor of Elle India in 1996. Prior to that he had launched a collection inspired by '80s icons Azzedine Alaia, Claude Montana and Thierry Mugler, "but it was too ahead of the market." He relaunched his label in 2002, and two weeks ago showed in Paris with Montana watching from the front row.

"I have seen the evolution of fashion in India and they have come to the point where they can compete on the world stage," says Liloo Alim, concierge of Toronto's Four Seasons Hotel and a native of India.

"They realized `Why are we looking to the West when we have all the talent and craftsmanship here?' Now Indian designers are huge in London, Dubai, France and Italy. These people are the Guccis of India," she said, referring to Gill, Kumar, and the others featured in the Indiva show.

"We'll never let go of our sari," said Gill, who looked red-carpet ready in raspberry chiffon with gold sequins.

"It's like our comfort blanket. If you can't find anything else, you go back to the sari. But we are 100 per cent flirting with a Western silhouette, and that's the new India."

BLAME IT ON BOLLYWOOD

Indian fashion is all the Raj and will always be in vogue. Most notably a fashion classic is the traditional saree, now taken up by Western celebrities like Goldie Hawn and supermodels Naomi Campbell and Audrey Marnay who have all been spotted in sarees at gala events.

Saree fabric, usually in striking shades accented with gold or silver borders and motifs, has also made its way on to catwalk shows by Vivienne Tam and Zang Toi in New York, Matthew Williamson in London and Celine in Paris, in recent years.

While the saree is stunning in all its traditional glory, designer Michelle Lau has given it a Malaysian touch by using batik fabric in a range of Deepavali batik sarees under her label Meesha Sukira, which made its debut at the recent Miss Malaysian Indian Global 2007 beauty pageant.

Naturally, the alluring designs were a hit. “It’s all in the spirit of muhibbah,” explains Michelle. Floral and abstract elements feature in the hand-painted motifs. Traces of the hibiscus, water ripples and paint splashes can be seen on the flowy, silk chiffon sarees.

“Batik has a lot of potential because it can be done in a variety of designs from modern togs to classics like the cheongsam, baju kurung, kebaya, saree and more. The possibilities are endless, which is why there is a need to explore ideas and expose batik to the world.”

She is grateful to the late Datin Seri Endon Mahmood for aggressive campaigning for batik, especially the Batik Extravaganza, part of the Malaysia Batik — Crafted for the World movement in 2003 which chalked up batik sales of RM3.5 millon.

“The beauty of batik lies in the print and colour combination. It offers endless possibilities for artistic freedom as motifs are applied by actual drawing rather than by weaving with thread. It can also be done on almost any material imaginable like linen and pineapple fibre apart from the usual silk and cotton.”

Batik, she notes, has its own unique and distinctive beauty, and can be regarded as works of art, depending on the designer’s creative and innovative talent. As for Meesha Sukira works, only one word suffices: En-tjanting.

Levi Strauss

2009-04-04T18:31:00.002+07:00

Levi Strauss, the inventor of the quintessential American garment - the blue jean -was born in Buttenheim, Bavaria on February 26, 1829 to Hirsch Strauss and his second wife, Rebecca Haas Strauss.

Levi - named "Loeb" at birth - and his older sister Fanny were the last of the Strauss children; Hirsch and his first wife had perhaps five children, but this information is hard to confirm. Hirsch succumbed to tuberculosis in 1845 and two years later Rebecca, Loeb, Fanny, and possibly another sister named Mathilde emigrated to New York. In New York they were met by Jonas and Louis, two of the older boys, who had already made the journey and had started a wholesale dry goods business called “J. Strauss Brother & Co.” Young Loeb soon began to learn the trade himself, and by 1850 he was known among his family and customers as “Levi” (in the census of that year, his name is spelled “Levy.”).

When news of the California Gold Rush made its way east, Levi emigrated to San Francisco to make his fortune, though he knew he wouldn’t make it panning gold. At the end of January 1853 he became an American citizen, and in February he headed for the West coast via the Isthmus of Panama.

He arrived in bustling, noisy San Francisco in early March, establishing a wholesale dry goods business under his own name and also serving as the West Coast representative of the family’s New York firm. His new company imported dry goods – clothing, underwear, umbrellas, handkerchiefs, bolts of fabric – and sold them to the small stores that were springing up all over California and the West. It was these stores that helped outfit the miners of the Gold Rush and, eventually, the new families that began to populate the Western regions.

The first address where Levi conducted business (that we know of) was at 90 Sacramento Street, and the name of his firm was simply, “Levi Strauss.” In the 1850s this location was very close to the waterfront, handy for receiving and selling the goods that arrived by ship from his brother Jonas in New York. In 1856 Levi moved the business to 62 Sacramento Street and then to 63 & 65 Sacramento as its trade and reputation expanded. By this time David Stern - who was married to Levi’s sister Fanny - was associated with the firm. In 1861 the business relocated to 317 & 317 Sacramento Street, and in 1863 the company was renamed “Levi Strauss & Co.” Then in 1866 Levi moved the headquarters again, to larger quarters at 14-16 Battery Street, where it remained for the next forty years.

In his mid-thirties, Levi was already a well-known figure around the city. He was active in the business and cultural life of San Francisco, and actively supported the Jewish community. He also helped to found Temple Emanu-El, the city's first synagogue. Despite his stature as an important business man, he insisted that his employees call him Levi, not Mr. Strauss.

In 1872, Levi received a letter from Jacob Davis, a Reno, Nev., tailor. Davis was one of Levi Strauss’ regular customers; he purchased bolts of cloth from the company to use for his own business. In his letter, he told the prosperous merchant about the interesting way he made pants for his customers: he placed metal rivets at the points of strain - pocket corners, and at the base of the button fly. He did this in order to make the pants stronger for the laboring men who were his customers. He didn't have the money to patent his process, so he suggested that Levi pay for the paperwork and that they take out the patent together. Levi was enthusiastic about the idea and the patent was granted to both men on May 20, 1873. The blue jean was born.

He knew that demand would be great for these riveted "waist overalls" (the old name for jeans), so Levi brought Jacob Davis to San Francisco to oversee the first West Coast manufacturing facility. The first manufacture of the jeans was undertaken by individual seamstresses who worked out of their homes. By the 1880s Levi had leased factory space and then opened his own factory south of Market Street (though the dates and information are a bit vague here, thanks to the loss of the company’s historical records in the 1906 earthquake and fire).

The famous 501® jean – known at the time simply as “XX” – was soon a best seller, as were the other riveted products Levi and Jacob added to their new manufactured lines. Levi carried on other business pursuits during his career, as well. He became a charter member and treasurer of the San Francisco Board of Trade in 1877. He was a director of the Nevada Bank, the Liverpool, London and Globe Insurance Company; and the San Francisco Gas and Electric Company.

In 1875 Levi and two associates purchased the Mission and Pacific Woolen Mills from the estate of former silver millionaire William Ralston, and the mill's fabric was used to make the Levi Strauss & Co. "blanket-lined" pants and coats. He was also one of the city’s greatest philanthropists. Levi was a contributor to the Pacific Hebrew Orphan Asylum and Home, the Eureka Benevolent Society and the Hebrew Board of Relief.

In 1895 he and a number of other prominent San Franciscans provided funds to build a new railroad from San Francisco to the San Joaquin Valley (a project which unfortunately failed).

In 1897 Levi provided the funds for twenty-eight scholarships at the University of California, Berkeley. As the end of the 19th century approached, Levi was still involved in the day-to-day workings of the business, though he had brought his nephews into the firm by this time. David Stern had died in 1874 and his four sons – Jacob, Sigmund, Louis and Abraham – were now working with their uncle Levi.

In 1890 - the year that the XX waist overall was given the lot number "501®" - Levi and his nephews officially incorporated the company. During the week of September 22, 1902 Levi began to complain of ill health but by Friday evening the 26th, he felt well enough to attend the family dinner at the home on Leavenworth Street, which he shared with Jacob Stern’s family. He awakened briefly in the night and told the nurse in attendance that he felt "as comfortable as I can under the circumstances.” Then, peacefully, he died.

His death was headline news in the Sunday, September 28 edition of the San Francisco Call. On Monday, the day of his funeral, local businesses were temporarily closed so that their proprietors could attend the services. The eulogy was read at Levi’s home by Rabbi Jacob Voorsanger of Temple Emanu-El; afterward, company employees escorted the casket to the Southern Pacific railway station, where it was transported to the Hills of Eternity Cemetery in Colma (now Home of Peace), south of San Francisco.

Levi's estate amounted to nearly $6 million, the bulk of which was left to his four nephews and other family members. Other bequests were made to the Pacific Hebrew Orphan Asylum, the Home for Aged Israelites, the Roman Catholic and Protestant Orphan Asylums, Eureka Benevolent Society and the Emanu-El Sisterhood.

In summing up Levi's life and the establishment of his business, the San Francisco Call stated: "Fairness and integrity in his dealings with his Eastern factors and his customers and liberality toward his employees soon gave the house a standing second to none on the coast." An even more fitting testimonial was pronounced by the San Francisco Board of Trade in a special resolution: "...the great causes of education and charity have likewise suffered a signal loss in the death of Mr. Strauss, whose splendid endowments to the University of California will be an enduring testimonial of his worth as a liberal, public-minded citizen and whose numberless unostentatious acts of charity in which neither race nor creed were recognized, exemplified his broad and generous love for and sympathy with humanity."

On April 18, 1906 San Francisco was devastated by a massive earthquake and fire. Counted among the buildings which did not survive the catastrophe was the headquarters of Levi Strauss & Co. on Battery Street. The building survived the earthquake, but not the fire, which raged for three long days: all dry goods, furnishings and business records were destroyed. The factory suffered the same fate. It was a great loss, but it did not signal the end to the company. As the ashes cooled, the Stern brothers made plans for a new facility and a new factory, as their uncle Levi would no doubt have done. They also continued to pay employee salaries and extended credit to other, less fortunate merchants until they could get back on their feet. Although buildings and factories fell, the company built by Levi Strauss was bedrock solid, due to his foresight, his business sense and his unswerving devotion to quality.

Brand Name Fashion

2009-04-04T18:21:00.004+07:00

Brand Name Shopping
The last thing I would ever do before going clothing shopping is look in actual fashion magazine. There is nothing in there I would buy or wear anyway. When am I, a lowly highschool chemistry teacher with aspirations of scientific grandeur, ever going to need a $500 dress from Versace?

Not that I wouldn't mind looking and feeling a bit like the prom queen in a dress suited for the red carpet, but I just don't see myself winning any Oscars (or even Nobel Peace Prizes) any time soon.

I'm also not the type of girl who goes out clubbing regularly and needs a hot little number to pick up sexually aggressive partners at the bar/club scene. I have chemistry projects and tests to grade goddammit!

So fashion magazines I'm afraid is a bit like mental masturbation. We'd all like to wear those clothes, but unless you can actually afford to buy $500 dresses to go clubbing in then you're really just playing with yourself.

So why bother looking in a fashion magazine? Anything you see in there is largely unwearable in real life.

The purpose of the magazine advertisements however is not to actually sell the product: It is to create a household name for the product so that if you do happen to walk into Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Adidas or Yves Saint Laurent you KNOW you'll be spending a lot of money to get something that is quality, attractive and presumably backs up its product with high standards.

Meaning the clothes shouldn't rip and tear the first time you wear it, and they most certainly shouldn't be made in child sweatshops (like the GAP in India recently got caught doing).

So yes, you should be paying for quality.

But I also firmly believe in supporting your local fashionistas, the tailors and seamstresses who make clothes locally and sell it in high-end shops. The kind of people who don't advertise in international magazines because their clientele is local and stays local.

They make their own clothes, they can make custom changes so it fits properly and the clothes is guaranteed to be unique (that way when/if you do go to a party you don't show up and there's five other embarrassed women all wearing exactly the same black dress).

If I simply must have brand names however there is one reason I can think why we should look in fashion magazines: To know who NOT to buy from, namely to avoid companies with unethical behaviour.

For example I will never ever buy from the Gap, Gucci, Armani, Fendi or Dolce & Gabbana.

Dolce & Gabbana got chastised awhile back over their "fantasy rape" advertisement and Armani got caught doing something similar with a line of children's wear in which they showed little girls and boys in scantily clad clothing. The Armani pictures in question, which feature two little girls (one in a bikini top) wearing makeup and smiling into the camera and a second ad showing a topless boy in a sexually provocative position caused a lot of fuss internationally. Spain in particular banned the images for promoting pedophilia and sex tourism.

The Dolce & Gabbana advertising in contrast glorifies rape and violence, with some ads depicting rape scenes and other ads showing models knife-fighting.

The level of complaints about both companies caused fashion magazines worldwide to pull the ads from following editions.

But to some extent I think that was the point. The companies are so desperate for attention that will do anything risque to get extra attention, in order to further the drawing power of their brand name.

Years from now most people won't remember the Gap sweatshop incident in India, or the bad advertising choices of Armani or Dolce & Gabbana. They will just remember the brand name, and assuming they have the money to afford it maybe even buy that brand name.

This article itself is going to be guilty of perpetuating that idea, so again I want to point out the value of buying from local fashionistas. You'll still get high quality, but you're paying someone who is committed to that quality and doesn't stoop to unethical ways to promote their product.

A Quick Guide to Indie Designers

Every city has its own little fashion district (larger cities will even have multiple areas with fashion is in full swing). In Toronto for example the key areas are Queen Street West, Yorkville and to a lesser extent the Distillery District (which is a combination of visual arts, fashion and jewelry).

There are also more alternative fashion spots out there that support hippie, punk or gothic fashion. Want brand names? Go to your local 2-bit mall. Want indie fashion that is trendy and hip? Check out the indie designers.

Wherever your local fashion district is, go there and explore. Enter all the shops and take a look around. Compare the products and the prices.

Some of the stores may even have the person who actually made the clothes working right there in front of you, or perhaps in the back or upstairs.

Most of the shops however will actually be buying their products from local designers working out of their houses or apartments. They make the clothes, sell it the store and whenever the store runs out they order more.

Branda Name Fashion Icons

Adidas
Aeffe S.P.A
Agatha
Agnes B
Anna Osmushkina
Anna Sui
Aquascutum
Adeana Couture
Armani Exchange
Austin Reed
Avirex
Babette Waserman
BCBG
Benetton
Bernshaw
Bisou-Bisou
Blue Cult
Body Glove
Bogner
Burton
Brioni
Calvin Klein
Camal Gori
Cesarani
Chamail
Champion
Chanel
Christian Dior
Christian Lacoix
Claiborne
Club Monaco
Columbia
Converse
Courrages
Cutter & Buck
Diesel
Dockers
Dolce & Gabbana
Donna Karan / DKNY
Ecco
Ecko
Eddie Bauer
Ellesse
Elliott & Lucca
Energie
Esprit
Et Vous
Everlast
Fanatic
Fendi
Fia Miami
Fila
Fiorelli
Fratelli Corneliani
Fred Perry
Fruit of the Loom
Fubu
Gianfranco Ferre
Gianni Versace
Giorgio Armani
Giovanni Mistura
Gucci
Guess
Helly Hansen
Hesco Fashion
Hugo Boss
J. Crew
Izod
Jitrois
Jennifer Lopez
Jenny Hoo
Jhane Barnes
Joe Boxer
John Smedley
Jordache
Kelly Sparks
Kelsey Tailors
Kenneth Cole / Reaction
Lacoste
Land's End
La Perla
Laura Ashley
Lee
Le Tigre
Lee Yau
Levi's
Liz Claiborne
L.L Bean
Louis Feraud
Lucky Brand Jeans
Madeleine Vionnet
Mango
Marc Jacobs
Marcia Grachvogel
Marianne Alvoni
Mariella Burani
Marly's
Michael Kors
Michael Robinson
Migoscha
Mode Wichtig
Moschino
Morgan
Mudd
Munsingwear
Nancy Lord
Nicole Miller
Nike
Nogara
Norma Kamali
Oky-coky
Oilily
Olivier Strelli
Oneill
OP
OshKosh B'Gosh
Oxygen
Paul Fredrick
Paul Shark
Ozwald Boateng
Paul Smith
Pelle Pelle
Pepe Jeans
Perry Ellis
Perry Landhaus
Pierre Cardin
Pierre Garroudi
Pink Lime
Prada
Principles
Promod
Puma
Quicksilver
Ralph Lauren
Rampage
Raoul Dufy
Red Monkey
Red or Dead
Roberto Angelico
Rocawear
Rosner
Russell
Savane
Salvatore J. Cesarani
Sean John
Sinequanone
Sisley
Sonia Rykiel
Souad
Southpole
Speedo
Steven Alan
Swatch
Thomas Brent
Timberland
Todd Oldham
Tommy Hilfiger
Van Heusen
Vans
Versace
Vokal
Wrangler
Yves Saint Laurent
Z. Cavaricci
Zanetti
Zero

Wedding gowns for the glowing bride

2009-04-03T11:52:00.003+07:00

At one time, a woman did her best to hide the fact that she was pregnant at the altar. That's changed, but what hasn't is the lack of wedding gowns for expectant brides.

That's where Sarah Houston sees nothing but opportunity. Houston's Toronto-based bridal label specializes in maternity gowns.

"Many women today live with their partners before they marry and they feel the clock ticking," observes Houston. "They are planning a family anyway, so they aren't as careful as they otherwise might be."

Houston believes nearly one in five women is now pregnant on her wedding day. In England, where her business has taken off, Houston says the figure is as high as 40 per cent. She also sells to five stores in the U.S. and Dina Alonzi in Toronto.

Houston launched her bridal business five years ago, after raising her four children and making clothes for herself and friends as a hobby.

"Then about two years ago there were more and more brides coming to me who were already pregnant," she says. "These women were beside themselves because most of what was available to them were polyester tents. The stores wanted to sell them a dress that was two or three sizes too big and then alter it."

Houston offers expectant brides the same fabrics and details in couture bridal gowns – silk chiffon or charmeuse, Swarovski crystal beading, handmade flowers and covered or pearl buttons. Styles emphasize the bodice, rather than the bump. Houston also developed a measurement system based on weeks of pregnancy so she can predict a bride's shape on the big day. Two-inch seam allowances leave room for adjustment.

Sarah Houston gowns retail between $2,000 and $3,000. A collection for pregnant bridesmaids will launch in the fall. See sarah-houston.com.

Satish Sikha and Tsufa Bijelic make gowns for the bride who doesn't mind standing out in a crowd. Sikha designs the textiles creating flourishes of floral beading and embroidery crafted in his native India. Bijelic, who he met at the International Academy of Design where both studied fashion, designs the bias-cut siren dresses and full-blown fantasies. "She gives life to my fabrics," he says. "And he gives life to my gowns," replies Bijelic, who emigrated from Croatia in 1991. The team opened a boutique at 102 Yorkville Ave. in October and have built a clientele as far- flung as Paris and Dubai. Prices start at $1,000 for a beaded shrug and $3,000 for an embroidered gown. Much higher are the dresses decorated with real rubies, emeralds and sapphires. They started using precious stones after a client's request and now have a supplier working with laser technology to turn diamonds into sewable beads. "A lot of people believe that stones touching the skin gives them luck," Sikha says. Apparently it does. Who else but a lucky few can afford the $14,500 price tag. Visit sikhatsufa. com.

With increased competition from fast-fashion houses and the Internet, traditional retailers have had to ramp it up. One new strategy is to provide a shopping "experience" and to that end TNT Blu has opened a project space at its Hazelton Lanes store. The first is Saltbox, a beach house by Parsons design student Ely Assaraf. The art, photography and fashions are all for sale.

The World of Fashion in 2009

2009-04-03T11:44:00.003+07:00

It was the year that fashion threw open its exclusive doors and invited the masses past the velvet ropes into their misunderstood world. From The Devil Wears Prada to Project Runway to Ugly Betty, the public's appetite and fascination was ferocious for shows – both reality-based and fictionalized – about the Machiavellian world of the fashion industry.

But as class and mass collided at the style junction, there were casualties, calamities, catastrophes and career mishaps.

If you can't beat them join them
This year, a record number of designers were living the high-low life. Perhaps tired of their designs being knocked off or just wanting to get the masses familiar with their names (the latter being the official reason) many teamed up with mass-market retailers to design capsule collections. Sophia Kokosalaki, Vivienne Westwood and Thakoon Panichgul went the footwear route with shoe designs for Nine West. Roland Mouret pitched a few dress designs at Gap. Even Madonna, a celebrity who curiously rarely lends her name or image to products, collaborated with H&M. But even hers was no match for the absolute bedlam that broke out when the Viktor & Rolf "love" collection for H&M hit stores worldwide. In Toronto, there was already a line-up at 5:30 a.m. at the Eaton Centre store and within hours of opening the collection was sold out, including the limited-edition wedding dress.

Talent is not enough
Even hyperbole, the lubricant that keeps the fashion wheel well-oiled, couldn't stop the money men from putting the brakes on the revered French label Rochas. Designer Olivier Theyskens was a darling of the fashion media and received accolades for his designs at Rochas. But critical praise did not translate unto the selling floor and the house was shuttered, sending the fashion world into shock. Shunning the media, Theyskens left Paris for ... Muskoka. Suddenly unemployed, the designer took a well-deserved break by attending the wedding of his assistant, Canadian Calla Hayes, in her hometown.

The trends that mattered
Fashion magazines made a lot of noise about the return of grunge, but women failed to leave the house wearing jacket, dress, pants, coat and long scarf all at once. Instead the runway trend had women from Paris to the Prairies leaping for leggings. Another popular look that took was skinny jeans. You could say it was the year of the leg.

Fashion movie of the year

Based on the roman à clef novel of the drama that takes place inside the hallowed halls of a Manhattan fashion magazine, The Devil Wears Prada netted more than $100 million at the box office and garnered its star Meryl Streep a Golden Globe nomination. Toronto designer Izzy Camilleri played a minor role of sorts as one of her fur coats was worn by Streep in the film.

The future of fashion magazines
Is this the beginning of the end for glossy fashion magazines? As the youth generation continue to turn to the Web for most of its information, Teen People, YM, Elle Girl and Toronto's own Fashion18 were just some of the teen fashion magazines that folded their print versions to go exclusively online.

The most expensive LBD
Proving good taste never goes out of style, the Givenchy-designed black cocktail dress Audrey Hepburn wore in Breakfast at Tiffany's was sold for close to $1 million at auction.

Underwear is still required

While tabloid fodder Paris Hilton and Britney Spears were photographed out on the town pantyless, don't count on this being the start of a trend. The underwear garment business is still booming. Why else would American powerhouse Victoria's Secret shell out $624 million (U.S.) for Canadian lingerie chain La Senza?

All in the Family
In the high-stakes world of fashion, it was refreshing to see family still came first and foremost for some fashionistas. At the height of her career at the sizzling hot Parisian label Chloe, designer Phoebe Philo bid adieu and resigned to spend more time at home with her kids. And ensuring her gorgeous genes will continue, the iconic Canadian supermodel Linda Evangelista gave birth to her first baby, a boy.

"Blondes have more fun."

Or so the old Clairol ads used to proclaim.

They also mused, "If I have only one life, let me live it as a blonde."

But the current blondtourage of celeb stick figures must be calculating that you only live twice, judging by their defection to the dark side.

There could be a lot of reasons they are going back to their roots. The upkeep is major. Tending to their blondage takes monthly touchups to avoid the yellow-hair-with-black-roots look that even Debbie Harry doesn't do any more. Or it could be damage control, an attempt to effect the smart, brunette Tina Fey look to deflect the skank-ho pantiless image. Next, we'll be seeing a run on geeky black, horn-rimmed glasses.

According to The Shaw Report in Entertainment Weekly, Blondes Going Brunette is under the "In" column and Brunettes Going Blonde is so "Five Minutes Ago."

# Nicole Richie turned up brunette on her mug shot when busted for a DUI, driving the wrong way on a freeway in Burbank.

# Cameron Diaz and Lindsay Lohan are now brunettes. Britney Spears has gone from blonde to brunette and back again.

# Blondes may have more fun but do they get more votes? Frank Stronach's fair-haired daughter Belinda is now a brunette.

# "It Girl" Rachel McAdams was blonde in her breakout role in Mean Girls but went back to her natural brown. J. Lo has ditched her beige highlights and returned to her Latina roots.

# Kate Bosworth went over to the dark side for Superman Returns but she wasn't credible as either a brunette or as reporter Lois Lane.

# Ashley Olsen went ash brown, but sister Mary-Kate, who was dark brown has bleached her hair a brittle blonde.

# Nicky Hilton and Ashlee Simpson both went dark to differentiate themselves from their controversial siblings, Paris and Jessica, respectively.

Everyone has an opinion. "Dark hair is like a giant light-up arrow pointing to what is wrong with you. Blonde hair – it all sort of blends in a haze of beige," said Lorelai (Lauren Graham) discussing celebrity dye jobs on Gilmore Girls.

"I love my dark hair," Cameron Diaz told People magazine. "I've had dark hair before and I changed my hair colour because, in my mind's eye, I feel like a brunette. It just seemed like a good time to make the change. It's funny, because my family and friends all feel the same way ... they prefer me as a brunette."

Howard Barr, Canadian creative consultant for John Frieda and owner of his eponymous Queen St. W. salon, worked doing hair in Los Angeles for 11 years.

"Cameron was always a natural blonde," Barr says. "I worked with her when she did department store catalogues."

So why are these celebs going dark? "It's new and different and gives them a completely different look that is more natural," says Paul Cucinello, master colourist at the Christopher Stanley Salon in New York. "They also want to distract people from what's going on in their lives and give the press something else to talk about.

"People take brunettes more seriously than blondes and there's a `good girl' thing associated with brunettes – most of these girls have been pretty naughty, right?"

Does that mean Angelina Jolie and Catherine Zeta-Jones are the new gold standard?

"They represent this sexiness that isn't about cosmetics – it's more natural, so I would say yes," says Cucinello. "Angelina Jolie is the new gold standard. Everyone thinks she's hot.

"Right now, the hot thing is to look exotic, not artificial. There is an ethnic twist because the all-American blonde, blue-eyed look is not an adequate representation (of the population)."

"It's the whole Hollywood machinery and for awhile there, it was the whole blonde thing and I found it difficult telling them apart," says Barr. "Now there is a whole slew of them because the marketing has changed. It's the ethnic thing: Penelope Cruz and Salma Hayek stood out in a field of mostly blondes."

So are blondes washed up?

"Right now blonde is officially out of style," Cucinello opines. "But no worries – as soon as they all go brown, they all start going back to blonde one by one. They like the attention."

"Blondes are not washed up," insists Barr. "It's like saying Scandinavians are out."

Formerly blonde Tracy Sheridan, an aesthetician at Lid Inc. on Yorkville Ave., has embraced her dark side for two weeks. "For me, it was the maintenance," Sheridan says. "I've always said, `I was born blonde, I'll die blonde.' But it's more flattering – dark hair, light skin, light eyes. It makes my eyes pop."

Do blondes have more fun?

"To tell you the honest truth, I've been getting more attention, more looks. I get, `I never noticed your eyes are so blue.' I feel like I have more style, more sophistication.

"Who knows," says Sheridan. "Maybe I'll go back to highlighting. In the salon, everyone (on staff) is going darker. In our business, you have to change; you have to be cutting edge."

But don't look for Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson, Pamela Anderson or Anna Nicole Smith to be dipping into the dye bottle anytime soon. The blonde bimbo thing works for them.

Les petites mains can finally rest

2009-04-03T09:55:00.003+07:00

It is late Tuesday afternoon, and I am at the Palais de Tokyo, waiting for the Christian Lacroix spring 2007 couture show to begin.

I've been to the European ready-to-wear shows often, but it's my first time at the couture – ground zero of chic – where the most expensive clothes in the world, and some of the women who wear them, come together for three days of exquisite excess.

Even though I am a couture virgin, I know that the suddenly slumped-over woman beside me means something is amiss.

"Madame," I gently tap her arm, clad in a simple ribbed cotton cardigan. "Are you all right?"

"Oh," she pulls herself off me dreamily. "Je suis désolée. I did not sleep at all last night as I was working on the collection."

"You are one of les petites mains?" I marvel, realizing I am seated beside one of the legendary "little hands" who handcraft the couture.

She nods weakly.

Moments later the first outfit emerges and I gasp at a brocade mini-dress worn by Vancouver native Coco Rocha. The dress looks dipped in 24-kt gold. I turn stunned to the exhausted woman beside me, and she smiles in gratitude.

Later, after Lacroix has taken his bow, in a shower of the pink carnations left on each chair for admirers to throw, I thank her.

"Now I will sleep for two days," she sighs, collecting her nondescript parka and a plastic shopping bag that I am guessing contains a toothbrush, perhaps a change of clothes.

The mirrored bolero, gazar poufs and mille feuille collars that took her and her colleagues hundreds of hours to create are now for others to enjoy.

One admirer, a Muscovite in chinchilla hat and cape, sat in front of me under the imposing dome of the Grand Palais at the Chanel show earlier in the day.

Although it was not yet noon, she was swigging from a silver flask. "Vodka?" a colleague inquired playfully. "Cognac," the couture client responded, miming a shiver. Even though she is indoors, swathed in chinchilla and from Moscow, she is apparently chilled.

Elsewhere Victoria Beckham, Rachel McAdams, Sofia Coppola, Kate Bosworth and Rinko Kikuchi are heating up the front row.

The Chanel collection itself is perfect for modern-day Czarinas and Oscar hopefuls with feathered fingerless gloves, a Lagerfeld signature, and a nod to two of his greatest ready-to-wear hits of the '90s – tweed jackets over shiny black tights and fringed "car wash" skirts in metal sequins.

"It's the top of the top," Vogue's André Leon Talley declares in a post-show scrum. "You feel so uplifted when you come to a Chanel show ... exhilarated by the beauty."

And yes, darling, the jackets shown only with black tights can be ordered with skirts.

Talley is holding court on a ballroom-sized white carpet rolled out for the models to wander, white being a trend for the season both in the clothes and the environments they are shown in.

The Valentino show felt like it was held inside a hollowed out eggshell. An intimate room at l'ecole des Beaux Arts was made even more so with a snowy white carpet and sheer white curtain dividers, so that you felt like the parade was just for you and the 40 others in your little enclave. There were starbursts of pleats, pleats pleated into even more pleats, and a satin suit cutout like a paper snowflake.

At Givenchy the youngest couturier in Paris, Riccardo Tisci, bucked the white trend by creating a bleak underwater cavern with water dripping onto a cement floor. As the show progressed, puddles formed, and were smeared by the trains of the models' evening gowns.

Tisci hails from Taranto, a seaport in Italy's Puglia region, and the clothes were a seafaring fantasy Walt Disney himself couldn't fathom.

Silicone coral forms and broken shells were imbedded in pleated tulle. Sailor caps and admiral jackets had cartoon proportions.

And the murky sepia and black palette gave you the feeling you had drifted to the bottom of the sea.
Yesterday afternoon, Jean Paul Gaultier thrilled with a collection that melded motifs from saints and sinners.

Acrylic halos, stained glass patterns, icon prints and stigmata tears mixed with bustiers, siren dresses and backless jackets, some even modelled by burlesque star Dita Von Teese.

The sexy sacred heart dress will be sure to get temperatures rising both inside and outside the Vatican walls.

All the fashions show skinny girls

2009-02-14T02:06:00.004+07:00

I have found by experience that it can take a bit of hunting and research to find fashions to suit one need, but persistence will get you there in the end. The Internet is a great place to start. Many websites cater to plus size teen fashion clothing and use real size girl models instead of the usual size 4 girls. Plus-Size Juniors is a good term to search for. They offer styles found in the junior size department, but sized for teen sizes.

There are many styles of plus size teen fashion clothing. Thus various aspects need to be considered if choosing a plus size prom dress for instance. It is very important that the size is just right and that it feels comfortable, not too tight or to lose. Each designer has his own size chart so be ready with bust, waist and hip measurements, so your designer is not held up on detail.

Make sure you know your body type of the body: whether it is an A, E, round or hourglass. You can then make a decision upon the style including the color, material, and other design aspects. Most professional designers will help you in making these crucial decisions including the latest teen hair styles. Teen beauty treatment is also an important aspect to consider.

The most popular plus size prom dresses available up to size 44 are manufactured satin, sequined, vintage and of course the timeless little black dress. Also available in teen plus sizes are the halter, the hanky hems, the ruffles and lace and the traditional classical Cinderella ball gown.

Plus size teen prom dresses are can be found at most local professional dressmakers, hopefully within a few minutes' drive of you. The alternative is to go online. The Internet offers a vast amount of concepts, patterns galore, designs, colors and materials to choose from in teen plus sizes. Very often these online retailers offer a bigger range of choices than the traditional high street store.

Experimenting with plus size teen fashion can be great fun. Approval of apparel choices in the market is just some of the perks of being a teen, so make sure you enjoy yourself. You can use your time if you live in the country to travel to the city, make a party of it, its a great idea if you are looking for birthday party ideas for teens. The big cities offer plenty of specialty shops for the plus sized teenager.

Need is the mother of invention, a famous saying goes. Fashion should be both fun and functional. A plus size teen can have as much excitement on dressing up as his or her thinner counterpart does.

If you are tired of the clothes you wear? The country teen folk come up with great ways to expand their wardrobe and keep in style. They prove that you can be fashionable wherever you live. So drop any inhibitions you have about been a country dweller!

If visiting the city is a major challenge you can order a home catolog from large retail brands. That way you can be kept informed of the latest available plus size teen clothing design brands and conveniently place your orders by phone. A catalog company can be a great place to shop it is easy to return goods; they even pay for the postage of returned items. So mistakes are not penalised.

Not forgetting online shopping there are also a number of plus size teen fashion stores on the Internet catering to teenagers. You will find a wide variety and the internet is a great place to save money while getting a good choice of service. There are also exclusive designs to choose from.

So, in summing up let's hope you have a fruitful time in searching for your plus size teen fashion clothing hunt, good luck!

Clothing Optional

2009-01-11T07:26:00.002+07:00

To wear, or not to wear; that is the question! All kidding aside, there are some serious things to discuss when it comes to the question of clothing inside of saunas. Some people have no problems when it comes to stripping down to their birthday suits, no matter who sees them! The majority of the population however does have problems with being seen naked in public – even in a sauna. What then, is considered proper etiquette in a sauna when it comes to clothing?

I will never forget one moment in my childhood when I opened a sauna door and encountered a very unattractive, naked woman sitting inside. I quickly closed the door, and saunas have never been the same for me since! Granted, there are some settings in which you can go without your clothes in a sauna. For example, if you own your own private sauna in your home, there shouldn’t be a problem going in your birthday suit! Another example would be at a private club where the clothing option is clearly stated. In a public sauna however, it really is best to leave your clothes on.

Europeans have been using saunas for generations now, and North Americans only discovered them a few years ago. It is well known in Europe that saunas work the best when the user is not wearing any clothes at all, and maybe nudity is more accepted over there because of this fact. In North America however, nudity is not so acceptable! It is better to use a sauna without clothing, but when you think about sharing space with eight or nine other people – especially when those people are complete strangers, clothing is suddenly more important than getting the best use of the sauna.

Another reason not to forget your clothes when going into the sauna is because of the position your body must be in to get the maximum results. Sauna experts will tell you not to sit in the sauna – you must lie down to get the full sauna benefits. They will also tell you that if you do have to sit down, it is best not to let your feet dangle. In these positions, it is probably best to be clothed!

You can get away with a very small bathing suit, or even wearing a towel wrapped around your body in the sauna. As long as the material of the suit and the towel is made of breathable cotton, you should still be able to reap the full benefits of the sauna. Some very uncomfortable moments can be created when you don’t pay attention to the kind of sauna you are entering without clothing – please pay close attention to this very important detail!

Saunas can be a great experience for anyone who wants to go, and you’ve got to remember not to spoil that experience for everyone else! (Like it was spoiled for me!) Home saunas are pretty affordable to build, and if you choose an infrared heat sauna, it is actually cheap to run as well, and you can feel free to wear your birthday suit as much as you want.

Needs Clothing

2009-01-08T16:03:00.001+07:00

No matter where you live everyone wants to look their best and wear affordable and fashionable clothing. But very often it can be difficult for senior to find clothes that suit their needs and that makes them feel good about what they wear. But with a little effort and knowing were your best bet to look for seniors clothing you can find clothing that not only is right for you but is comfortable and looks good.

Although finding affordable and fashionable Senior and special needs clothing can still be difficult, it remains possible to discover great fashions if you know where to look. Senior and special needs clothing typically receives very little if any attention at many of the major clothing retailers, such as Gap, American Eagle, Abercrombie, Hollister, etc. This does not mean that you cannot find this kind of clothing. To find special needs that looks great, look around online. Choices online can be much more diverse, offering a full range of products that will satisfy consumer needs.

Senior and special needs clothing really can match some of the latest and greatest fashions. Some buyers may be daunted into settling for less fashionable choices. At first glance, it can seem as though fewer options are available with senior and special needs clothing. This can seem to be the case when it comes to senior and special needs clothing throughout the retail market. In years past, this may truly have been the case. In more recent years, however, the options have begun to truly open up a little more.

Senior and special needs clothing options may seem very limited, but looking around online can reveal many unexpected options. A simple search for senior and special needs clothing can yield dozens if not hundreds of results in the modern fashion market. Brick and mortar retail outlets are also bringing their choices up to date for senior and special needs clothing. Stores like Colia & Co. cater specifically to the senior and special needs clothing market. Other stores have also begun investing in the senior and special needs clothing market as well, creating an unprecedented level of selection.

This is a better time than ever for senior and special needs clothing shopping, with a level of variety available that has never before been seen in this market. Shopping online will save consumers a great deal of money, especially if shopping is done off season. Off season shopping can reveal some great discounts, with discounts as heavy as 50%. Retailers struggle to offload excess inventory when the seasons change. Online retailers can also bring about some great deals and discounts, slashing prices heavily. senior and special needs clothing does not have to be drab, ordinary, or boring. The most recent offerings in senior and special needs clothing have become quite fashionable.

Online stores have the advantage or being able to cater to these niche markets in ways that the big box stores were never able to do. This has given seniors more choice than ever before for clothing that not only looks good but is functional as well.

Clothing Decorations

2009-01-08T15:55:00.003+07:00

People know instinctively that a white collar worn about the neck of a black shirt and pants is a clothing decorations that is divine. Only priests wear these collars but they are fashion statements that inspire people to keep the faith everyday. Other clothing decorations are divine but in a subtle way at times, and people enjoying showing signs of faith in these decorative ways because the graphic images offer more variety and spice to life than puritan clothing styles worn by nuns in a nunnery.

Some of the angelic images placed on clothing are filled with warm smiles and angelic stares. When people look at these fashion accents, they see clothing decorations are divine and calming at times. People find peace and solace from the angelic portrayals placed on shirts and children are warmed to the core when they see the roses red cheeks of an angel who is showing signs that they are very happy to be living in a better place. Some of these angelic images create clothing decorations so divine that they are used as decorations for a church.

Clothing decorations are divine when they are personalized with the first name of a child. Angelic cherubs with a new baby's full name and date of birth are often used to decorate nurseries. Those same cherubs can be embroidered on shirts, bibs and undergarments and create the child's first fashion statement. Clothing decorations are divine when baby wear is accented with bears, ducks and angels. Some parents use these divine images to identify diaper bags when they pick children up at the sitter.

Holidays are more festive and fun when clothing decorations are divine. Little girls that wear dresses with angelic appliques on the front will look like angels throughout the Christmas holidays and every other holiday will be joyful because the clothing decorations are so divine. Some parents like to add festive motifs on children's clothing styles that will tie in nicely with the Christmas holidays. It is not uncommon to see green holly around the border of a jacket or poinsettias that have vivid shades of red that are the divine image of the festive holiday season.

The angelic folds found in angel wings will give certain people the impression that clothing decorations are divine. When the angel wings are wrapped around another angel in a romantic hug, romantic notions might come to mind. Some star crossed lovers become sweethearts for life just because they received clothing decorations that were so divine. Most women will wear these angelic images on satin bags that they carry on the day of their wedding and the sweetheart images might be transferred over to the tabletops at the wedding reception.

Any collection of angelic creatures can turn an entire fashion wardrobe into an angelic experience that is very satisfying. The clothing decorations are divine because they add shimmer and personality to little places on clothing that the wearer will rarely see, but those people that are around that person will notice the little additions to clothing almost instantly and say something to the wearer that will be very pleasing. Some people share the clothing decorations that are divine because it is hard to be stingy with angelic images on the mind.

Brand name clothing

2008-12-08T03:30:00.003+07:00

As a smaller brand within the clothing design industry, how can you compete against the bigger brand names without email marketing?

You don't have the kind of money to buy print media or TV ads to expand your client base. On top of that, you don't have the expensive, fancy tools big companies use to keep their clients coming back. Email marketing helps you retain your clients by helping you promote your brand and make your customers feel appreciated. Email marketing solutions only require a few minutes of your time, and what you get are professionally designed email advertising campaigns sent directly to your customers.

So here's how you start: The first thing you have to do is collect a list of emails. There are a number of ways to do this, but one effective method is to get your customers to sign up by offering them a discount, like '5% off every order this month if you sign up for our email database.' Anyone who is satisfied with your service will want to receive the same merchandise at a lower cost, especially if it means that they will receive a 'preferred customer promotion' for doing so.

Congratulations! You now have your first contacts. The next step is to sign up for an email marketing account. Signing up is easy, because most email marketing solutions are so simple that anyone can take advantage them. Now, cycle through the professionally-designed templates and create your first campaign. Building your campaign is also an easy process. Email marketing provides you with user-friendly templates so that all you have to do is input your text (or you can copy and paste it, if you want), and add your images. Here are a few tricks to think about when using your email marketing to create a campaign: Do not use excessive bolding, italics, and capital lettering in the main section or the subject line of your email. Also, try not to put too many pictures of your products without also adding content to support the images. Symbols like dollar signs in your subject line or exclamation points should be avoided as well. All these techniques commonly used to attract attention also end up attracting spam filters. If you overuse them, your email will not go into your subscribers' inbox, but rather into their spam or junk mail box.

When you are ready, just click a button to schedule your email marketing campaign and it will automatically go out to the people on your list at the date and time you selected.

Now that your email marketing campaign is finished and has arrived in your buyers' inbox, you will be able to track which of your customers are interested in your promotions. One of the great things about email marketing is that it can track 'clicks', and 'opens.' This gives you a percentage breakdown and analysis of which of your customers are opening and clicking on the promotions you have included in your email. Also, by adding a 'forward to friend' button, you will be able enhance your mailing list, and have a greater chance to gain more customers.

As a clothing-designer, using email marketing will have a large impact on how many return customers you have, which will positively affect sales. Email marketing can provide you with added business and potentially grow your client base over time. This is a cost effective way to keep on par with larger brand competitors and maximize your brand's potential. You might be small, but now you can plan for bigger things.

The 4 Different Types Of Leather You Should Know

2008-12-08T03:17:00.004+07:00

No individual leather is best for every situation or design preference. Below are some facts regarding the various types of leather used in furniture manufacturing that will be helpful to you, the consumer.Before you purchase that piece of high quality leather furniture you need to know the four types of leather and the differences between them. Whether the leather be Nubuck, Full Aniline, Semi-Aniline or Distressed leather it ultimately comes down to which leather suits the situation best.Here are very basic descriptions of the four types of leather.
By knowing which leather fits certain situations best and the maintenance involved with each type of leather you can make the best decision before you purchase.

Nubuck Leather is also commonly referred to as "brushed" leather. Nubuck leather is very much like suede in feel but Nubuck is thicker and stronger. Nubuck leather is very resilient to wear but not at all resilient to stains. Making this type of leather a poor choice for high use every day living areas.

Full Aniline Leather, sometimes the term "naked" leather is used when referring to this type of leather. This leather comes from only high quality hides that produce an extremely soft and delicate leather. Full Aniline leather undergoes the least amount of processing allowing it to breath, making it very comfortable in all temperatures. Full Aniline Leather is very vulnerable to discoloration from direct sunlight

Distressed Leather is also known as "waxed" leather. The reason for the name is because of the use of waxes to create an antique, rustic, well used look. The waxes used also contribute to the leather aging well after years of use. Distressed "waxed" Leather is best for many years of heavy usage and requires very little maintenance.

Semi-Aniline Leather is primarily the same as Aniline Leather except for the difference of being treated with a protective coating. This allows for stain protection and better consistency of color. This form of leather is best for furniture that is going to be heavily used. This leather also requires the least amount of maintenance and care.

All leather produced from animal skins

2008-12-08T03:06:00.004+07:00

During the ancient times, countless things have been made out of leather. It has been passed on from generation to generation and onto the leather that leaves a mark or a fashion statement in this era. Examples of these items are shoes and belts. In addition to this, leather jackets, protective aprons, hats and even pants have been created from leather. Thus, amongst these items, leather boots have come a long way in proving its durability.

Leather is known to be produced from animal skins. Any animal can be used to produce leather. However, to date, the thickest and strongest known skin best made into leather is cow skin. Once the butcher has already slaughtered the animal, the next thing he would do is to skin the animal. After this, the butcher would give the skin to a tanner, a person who makes leather. The tanner is the one in charge in making this piece of skin into leather, for leather bags, shoes, belts and boots.

In the olden times, people used different techniques in producing leather. After scraping of the flesh from the animal by using a bone, stone scraper or a metal knife, they would put a kind of chemical or salt on the skin in order to process it. Some even used urine back then. The tanners also collected urine from toilets in public areas as well as from certain homes. After collecting the urine, they would let it stand for about a week until the urine turns into ammonia, which they would put onto the skin so as to cure it. These processes are the ones used by tanners before just to create leather.

Aside from this, during the ancient times as well, countless things have been made out of leather. These were passed on from generations and up to now; they are still being produced and worn by leather lovers. Examples of these items are shoes and belts. In addition to this, leather jackets, protective aprons, hats and even pants have been created from leather. Hence, starting from the good old west where leather boots had a masculine statement for men; it still has that effect on those who love riding motorcycles, motorbikes and Harley’s these days. Women have also taken a fancy on these leather boots. This is from sexy lingerie to nightlife outfits. Boots have become a fashion statement that brings out an aura of sexiness to whoever wears one.

Forms of leather

In these modern times, various processes are utilized in order to turn animal skin into another useful material called leather.

• Vegetable-tanned leather is processed by tanning it with the use of tannin as well as several ingredients derived from tree barks, vegetable matter, as well as other sources. It has a supple texture and its color is usually brown.

• Chrome-tanned leather is tanned by means of chromium sulfate and several chromium salts. This leather has a more supple texture. It is also more pliable as compared to vegetable-tanned leather. Having this advantage, it does not easily discolor nor lose its shape when exposed to water unlike in the case of having it vegetable-tanned. It has a wet-blue color due to the effects of chromium.

• Aldehyde-tanned leather is subjected under the treatment of glutaraldehyde or other oxazolidine compounds. It is considered as wet-white leather because it has a white or pale cream coloration. This kind of leather is mainly used for chrome-free leather such as infant's shoes as well as automobiles.

• Synthetic-tanned leather is known to be tanned with aromatic polymers. It is color white. This type of leather was invented due to the shortage of vegetable tannins back in the Second World War.

• Alum-tanned leather is cured with aluminum salts which are mixed with various binders as well as protein sources like egg yolk flour, etc. This kind of leather has a very light shade of leather and is not as supple as Vegetable-tanned leather.

• Rawhide is produced through the scraping of the animal skin until it becomes thin after which it will be soaked in lime. After soaking the skin, it will then be stretched while it is dried. This kind of “leather” is not considered as a genuine kind “of leather. It is just usually mixed with other forms of leather. It is much stiffer as well as more brittle as compared to other leather forms. In addition, it is mainly used for items that are not flexed significantly like drum heads. Moreover, it can be cut up in order to form cords that are used for stitching, lacing, as well as for dog chews.

To improve the leather’s water resistance, it is usually oiled with natural oils. This can improve the leather’s lifespan. Furthermore, leather that has hair not removed from it is known as hair-on leather.

Leather Types

In general, leather is sold in three forms:

• Full-Grain leather or Top-Grain is known to be hides that haven’t been buffed, snuffed or sanded. The only thing removed is the hair from the skin. The grain is still in its original state, thus, retaining its fiber strength and durability. In addition, natural grain has good breathability which results to a more comfortable type of clothing.

• Corrected-Grain leather is known to be a kind of Top-Grain leather with its surfaces buffed, snuffed or sanded so as to be able to take out imperfections on its surface brought about by bites, scars or also brands.

• Split leather is produced from fibrous parts of hide that has been left once the raw hide’s top-grain is segmented from the split hide. This type of leather can also be utilized in order to make suede.

Other known leathers that are less-common include:

• Buckskin or brained
• Patent leather
• Sharpen
• Hachette leather
• Slink
• Deer Skin
• Nubuck

Descriptions of leathers used for specialty products like wallets, briefcases, and luggage.

• Belting leather
• Nappa leather

The following leather is not regarded as genuine leathers, yet they do have leather materials:

• Bonded Leather
• Bicast leather

With regards to boots, there are different styles of leather boots. This would include:

• Ankle Boots
• Chukka Boots
• Cowboy Boots
• Duck Boots
• Field Boots
• High Heel Boots
• Hiking & Climbing Boots
• Knee High Boots
• Mid Calf Boots
• Motorcycle Boots
• Rain Boots
• Ski Boots
• Snow Boots
• Snowboard Boots
• Steel Toe Boots
• Stiletto Boots
• Thigh High Boots
• Waterproof Boots
• Work Boots

Outback Clothing

2008-12-08T03:00:00.004+07:00

Now firmly established in the U.S. market place as one of the most popular forms of outdoor wear, the introduction of outback styled clothing first made it's initial appearance several years ago.
It all began with the 1986 movie hit "Crocodile Dundee", when a rough and tumble Aussie by the name of Mick Dundee won the hearts of millions with his quick wit, cavalier attitude, and heroic antics. What also caught people's attention in the blockbuster film that year were the rugged, yet stylish clothes that Mick was wearing. With his black leather hat adorned with crocodile teeth, sturdy walkabout pants, and alligator vest displaying his manly chest, Dundee portrayed the quintessential Australian outback hero.

Shortly after the release of the legendary film, people began appearing on the streets of America wearing similar hats, vests, and pants, and the surge of Australian outback fashion was in full swing.What started as a trendy spin-off of a bigger than life character soon found it's way into the mainstream world of fashion in a more practical sense. People began to realize that not only was outback clothing stylish, but it also provided the wearer superb protection from the elements.One such group were the millions of horseback riders who discovered that oilskin coats offered the perfect solution for riding apparel . Providing the ultimate in cold and wet weather protection, Duster oilskin coats are generously cut to allow freedom of movement, especially across the back and shoulders. They are also equipped with an extension in the back of the garment to protect the seat of the horse rider's saddle, in addition to leg straps to keep the coat securely in place during strong wind, and sleeves that are extra long to protect the arms while extended.And for summer riding, lightweight outback hats with their wide brims and ample ventilation provide an excellent safeguard from the damaging effects of the sun's ultraviolet rays.

Infused with a unique natural oil based formula, outback oilskin apparel offers outstanding defense against sun, wind, snow, and rain. Oilskin coats, jackets, hats and pants provide an impenetrable water barrier that keeps you bone dry and able to keep riding, even through the heaviest rain.

Not limited just to Equestrians, hikers, campers, and motorcycle enthusiasts also began to utilize the exceptional weather resistant qualities of outback clothing, establishing it as one of the most stylish and effective forms of waterproof outerwear available.

Order Clothing

2008-12-08T02:59:00.003+07:00

Today people have no more time to look at a shop window to select an item. Plus, tastes and preferences have also changed greatly as they do over time.As a matter of fact, the traditional method of shopping has gone with the wind. Now-a-days, if you need to buy anything, you either buy online or go for mail order shopping. However, mail order clothing could be tricky. Take for example the problem of sizing. Size eight from one store stands for size ten in another, since different brands have different sizing systems. So, unless you are acquainted with the sizing method of the shop you have selected, it would be a waste of time and money to go for mail order clothing.Television shopping channels and online catalogues pose similar problems. Their views on the topic are nevertheless, persuasive. Since we all are different shapes and sizes, they argue, our clothes come in different shapes and sizes too.
Apart from the size, mail order clothing fabric also requires your attention. In the case of a stay-at-home mother who spends a few hours with the children outdoors, silk may not be suitable for her.

So you need to select carefully. Then different fabrics require different treatment. Whatever is good for the linen may not be good for polyester. Mail ordering clothing thus creates confusion and hassles. Those who are very attentive to their laundry may indulge in mail order clothing since they can take the time to check each fabric and treat it accordingly. But most of us are in the habit of dumping all the laundry into the wash machine and turning it on. The end result, as you can appreciate, is far from satisfactory.
Despite all the inconveniences, mail order clothing has come to stay simply because no one has the time to do actual shopping and online shopping for clothing has more problems than mail order clothing.

Another important factor could be the budget that includes one’s timeframe. Hours saved on shopping may be lost in weeks waiting for the mail order clothing to reach the destination. Besides, shipping costs could be considerable if the distance between the supplier and the customer is great.

The Basic Clothing Every Camper Needs

2008-12-08T02:56:00.002+07:00

The motto of an experienced camper is “Be Prepared”. This motto rings true, especially if you are going to camp in an area where the temperatures can become cold. Bringing the appropriate camping gear can be a balancing act; you don’t want to bring too much camping gear as it will weigh you down. On the other hand, you don’t want to not have enough camping gear and be stuck freezing in the dead of night. Following is camping gear that you should wear to ensure that you will be prepared and have an enjoyable camping experience.The appropriate clothing is critical to your comfort during your camping trip. Dress in layers. Wearing layers of clothing enables you to have the luxury of removing layers when the weather is warm and piling on the layers when the weather is cold. Without layers, you may find yourself sweating profusely in the heat or shivering in the cold.

Wind is usually a factor when you are out in the wilderness. Therefore, it is recommended to bring a wind breaker jacket. Most camping stores will provide a wide variety of wind breaker jackets that are also water proof and provide ample amount of pockets for storage. Synthetic materials also fight against the winter elements. Synthetic materials ward off cold and also dry up any moisture you may release if you sweat. Try several jackets on until you find one that is not only comfortable, but seals off any drafts to the outside air.Sturdy hiking boots that are waterproof is a must. Experienced campers wear sock liners in addition to wool socks. Your feet may retain moisture which can dampen your camping experience. Sock liners will help keep your feet comfortably dry. Don’t forget to bring extra pairs of socks!

Make sure to cover your face and head with a hat and scarf. Most of your body heat is lost through you head. Plus, a hat and scarf can shield you from the harmful and tiring effects of the sun and wind. Wear thick gloves, water proof gloves that provide thorough insulation for your hands.Let’s talk about your sleeping bag. Finding the right sleeping bag is critical because it is the camping “clothing” you will be wearing when you are resting. Therefore, don’t use the sleeping bag that has been hiding in your attic or basement. You need a sleeping bag that is specifically designed for camping. The sleeping bag should have adjustable straps so you can fit it snuggly around your body. Many sleeping bags have a liner which gives you added protection against the wind and cold.When you are ready to use your sleeping bag, keep the following things in mind. First, wear your hat to bed. Don’t lose heat through your noggin! Second, don’t wear the same socks you have worn all day to bed. They are no doubt stinky and may be wet. Put on a fresh, dry pair of socks. Third, you can add extra insulation and comfort to your sleeping bag by placing a down comforter inside of it. Wrap yourself thoroughly in the comforter and sleeping bag. Tie up any loose ends or drafty areas to prevent unwanted cold and moisture from seeping into your sleeping bag. Follow these tips and you will have a restful sleep.There you have it, the basic clothing you will need for your camping trip. Do keep in mind that you should take into account where you are going camping and what time of year. Your clothing choices will vary widely if you are just going to the local campground versus heading out to the uncharted trails of a mountain. Either way, “Be Prepared”!

Wedding Dress Shopping

2008-12-08T02:51:00.001+07:00

Top 10 tips when shopping for a wedding dress!

1. Pick up some bridal magazines or go to the library to browse their bridal magazines and get ideas for what styles you like. Sit down and search wedding websites for bridal wear. This will help you get a feel for what is out there and what you like.

2. Ask your friends, family, and coworkers where the good bridal stores are to go. Book an appointment with a reputable retailer. Make sure you allow yourself an hour to be at the bridal store.

3. Ask your closest friend, bridal party, parent or whom you feel comfortable with and trust to come shopping with you. Make it a fun day and make time for a lunch date.

4. Be upfront with the bridal consultant on the price you want to spend and keep in that range. The bridal consultant I had was excellent and I ended up getting my dress cheaper than what I planned on. This is a good time to show the bridal consultant pictures you have cut out or printed off. She/he can get a feel for your style.

5. Try on a couple of different styles. Be open to suggestion. You may discover that the dress you thought wasn’t very nice on the rack looks superb on you! Ask the bridal consultant what styles suite your body type. But remember, it has to be a wedding dress you feel comfortable, sexy, and beautiful in.

6. Only shop at 2 or 3 bridal stores in one day. It takes a lot of time and energy to try on wedding dresses. Don’t make any decisions that day. You need time to sleep on it.

7. If you have narrowed your search down to 2 or 3 dresses, get the name of the manufacturer or designer and check if another store carries the same bridal dress. I got my wedding dress across the street from one bridal shop for $300 cheaper. It can save you lots of money.

8. Don’t hesitate to try second hand bridal shops. You may find a dress for 50% off for the same dress you have chosen. But watch for tears, beads falling off and snags. It has to be in tip top shape for you!

9. Once you’ve decided on your wedding dress, wait until your final alterations are done to buy all your accessories. You may need a very high heel or a flat heel depending how the alterations worked out.

10. Be sure you have ordered your wedding dress way ahead of your wedding day! You will have a million things to plan for your wedding day! But at least you know you will look radiant in your wedding dress you carefully choose.

Authentic Louis Vuitton

2008-12-08T02:50:00.003+07:00

Are you tempted by the millions of websites that show authentic Louis Vuitton handbags at drastically reduced prices? Are you itching to make that major handbag purchase online? Well before you do you, you need to know one thing. There is only one place online that is authorized to sell new Louis Vuitton handbags.Although there are millions of online retailers desperately waiting for your online Louis Vuitton dollars, if you want a real Louis Vuitton your going to have to go to Eluxury. That is because only they have been authorized to sell them.So forget all the hype. Any Louis Vuitton handbag that is put on sale at drastically reduced prices other than Eluxury.com is definitely a fake. Even those great deals on Ebay are mostly fake handbags. Most of these bags are made in China with inferior materials that just do not stack up to the real thing.Furthermore, alot of these online retailers are very difficult to deal with. Some guarantee the authenticity of your item or your money back. However, when you receive your item and are shocked to find it is a fake, it is hard to get your money back.

So if your looking for that fabulous Louis Vuitton handbag at reduced prices online your probably going to be out of luck.

Fashion Statement

2008-12-08T02:46:00.002+07:00

Who says what your Fashion Statement is? You of course! So make sure you devine your own fashion statement! Each of us has our own likes, dislikes comfort zones, body shape & size, and life styles. It's wonderful to pick up your favorite fashion magazine to get some great ideas. But ideas can be revamped to meet your personal tastes. Perhaps my comfort zone is a loose fit, maybe yours is a very tailored or tight fit. I like turtle necks, you've got cleavage and like to show it. Maybe your a rancher and functional is important, or an office executive where a professional look is critical. Tweeds in and you hate tweed, then don't buy tweed. Hot colors are in but your skin is washed out, then stick to the colors that look good on you but perhaps dress them up with a little color. Low rise pants are in but they aren't attractive on you, then don't buy them. It's all wonderful and dandy for the fashion world to tell us what is in, what we should wear. But the bottom line is clothes that we buy and hang in the closet never to be warn are a waste of our money. Don't feel pressured to stay with the trends. Trends come and go. If you stick with your basics and then add a piece here and there that fits the current fashions you'll be much better off. So pick up the popular fashion magazines like Vogue, Style, or Elle. Have a flip through. Then take what you like and use it and toss the rest away. What really matters is that you feel "good" in the look you present. When you feel good about how you look your confidence level jumps, your happier, and your positive energy flows around you. If a pair of blue jeans with a tank top and big bold earrings is your thing then that's your fashion statement. If you like long skirts, heels, and gold jewelry then that's your fashion statement. Don't let anyone or anybody change you from who you are. Because you are your fashion statement. Now that's not to say we can't all take a lesson or so, get the creative juices flowing, or freshen our look. The magazines are terrific ways to do just that. There are plenty of great web sites that can also be very helpful. Don't forget accesories can spice up any outfit. Denim can be very classy with the right shoes and jewelry. Your black dress can become quite informal and fun with the right jewelry or belt. Change the entire look of an outfit with your accesories. Utilize all your wardrobe by mixing and matching pieces, jewelry, shoes, and other accesories. The more jewelry you have the more looks you can create. You are your fashion statement. Say what you want, say it how you want, wear it how you want! If your comfortable in your look your going to show your confidence. Be you!

Some Clothing for Babies

2008-12-08T02:45:00.001+07:00

Pretty harsh title isn’t it! Most of us parents make it a daily priority to keep our children safe from all sorts of hazards. We worry about the food they are eating, the beverages they drink, and if they are warm enough or cool enough. We teach them about not talking to strangers and how to cross a street safely. We teach them the hazards of drugs, smoking and drinking. But, even if you do all this, you could still be killing your child!

A couple very common preservatives found in baby shampoo are imidozliidinyl urea and diazolidinyl urea. These can cause dermatitis. Cosmetic talc is carcinogenic and is found in baby powders. Talc based powder has been linked to ovarian cancer! Propylene Glycol is reported to have SEVERE adverse effects on the health; dermatitis, allergies, kidney and liver damage to name a few. These are found in baby products such as wipes and lotions. Sodium Laurel, Lauryl or Laureth Sulfate, sodium dodecyl sulfate are skin irritants and reported as being toxic. They have a tendency to react with other ingredients to form carcinogenic nitrosamines. Studies have shown that these chemicals penetrate the eyes, heart, liver and brain. This is the main ingredient in shampoos, baby shampoos, and toothpaste!

Flame-retardants are another very harmful item! These have a chemical structure similar to dioxins and PCBs. They accumulate in the body and build up in the food chain. They may affect hormone function and be toxic to the developing brain! Because PBDEs dissolve readily in fat, they can accumulate in breast milk and be transferred to babies and young children! They have even been shown to cross the placenta and reach developing fetuses in utero! Flame-retardants can also be absorbed into the skin. Where do we find flame-retardants? On our mattresses, furniture, carpets, and some clothing for babies! So, when you put your baby to bed on that beautiful baby mattress you are exposing your baby to chemicals that could cause terrible health problems and possibly even death!

I was shocked to find that formaldehyde is used in products that I use every day! I had previously thought it was only used to embalm dead bodies. Then I found that some of the most commonly used preservatives could also break down into formaldehyde! Where are these chemicals found along with formaldehyde itself? Shampoos, cosmetics, nail polishes, and permanent press sheets and mattresses to name a few. Formaldehyde, is allergy producing, and can cause insomnia, coughing, headaches, nausea, nosebleeds and skin rashes.

So, here we have Baby on a mattress that has been treated with chemicals to make it flame retardant, and also formaldehyde! We put formaldehyde on their little bodies in the form of lotions and shampoos! At the very least we are causing them to be unhealthy and at the worst we are bringing them death! How sad is it that most of us aren’t even aware of all the harmful things we expose our babies to?

The answer to these problems is to be aware! Did you know that wool is a natural flame retardant? No chemicals in natural wool! There are also shampoos and lotions being made with no harmful chemicals in them and there are mattresses being made from all natural wool and organic cottons. No chemicals of any kind! Lets keep our children really safe be choosing to surround them with organic and natural substances that are completely chemical free!

Discover The Pasadena City College Flea Market And Swap Meet

2008-12-08T02:38:00.001+07:00

On the first Sunday of every month, Pasadena City College hosts a flea market and swap meet, from 8:00am to 3:00pm. This flea market is located on the Pasadena City College campus, 1570 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA. 91106, (626) 585-7906, on parking lots 1-4 along the south side. and the west side (Hill St.).

Over 450 vendors can be found there selling everything from high end antiques and collectibles to toys and tools to new, used and vintage clothing and used furniture. The prices are low, the lines are short and the vendors are friendly and helpful. There are also approximetly seventy (70) record vendors offering to sell and swap records, compact disks and memorabilia ranging from the big bands era to present day performers. Again the prices are quite reasonable and the vendors are friendly, helpfull and knowledgeable. They not only enjoy selling and swaping music items, they also enjoy talking about records and the music world. By the way, this is said to be one of the largest, if not the largest, record selling venues in Southern California.

According to Pasadena City College, admission to the flea market is free (this is one of the few flea markets around that still provides free admission) and parking, while sometimes difficult is also free, at the parking garage on Del Mar Blvd. or on the east side of campus at the Bonnie Avenue parking lot.

If you are looking for a flea market or swap meet that carries a good variety of merchandise, has very reasonable prices and is not overly crowded try the Pasadena City College Flea Market. Free admission and free parking makes this a good place for an outing. Even if you don't buy anything you will have a good time and it won't cost you anything.

After you finish with the flea market and swap meet, take a short drive up Colorado to Old Town Pasadena where you can dine at one of the numerous restaurants, have coffee, a capuchino or a lattee and a pastry at one of the bakeries, many with sidewalk patios, take in a movie, visit an art gallery, go dancing, take in a comedy act, shop at one of the many boutiques and stores or just go people watching.

Five Tips for Buying Great Men's Gifts

2008-12-08T02:26:00.003+07:00

They can be loveable. They can be loathsome. And they can be notoriously difficult to buy for. Finding the right men's gifts is both a science and an art. Study men long enough, and you'll get the science part down pat. The art of the gift lies in both what you buy and how you present it. Here then, are five tips to help you find the perfect gifts for the man in your life.

1. Every Man is a Jock. Okay, so not all men play sports. In fact, many men don't budge too far from the remote control on the weekends. But they still harbor the fantasy that they're a jock. Maybe they reminisce about their glory days on the football field, or perhaps they live their sports fantasy vicariously through their favorite teams as seen on TV. Your man may truly be a jock, spending weeknights rounding the bases in his softball league or spending weekends training for a marathon. No matter. Sporting goods gifts are virtually always appreciated.

A corollary to the "Every Man is a Jock" rule is that "Every Man is an Outdoorsman." Maybe his idea of camping is driving a 40-foot RV into a campsite and plugging in, but he'll still appreciate a gift he can use in the great outdoors.

2. Every Man is Debonair. Whether he wines and dines you on a regular basis, or his idea of romance is grilling you a burger and sharing his six-pack, every man has an inner Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom, or Clark Gable - take your pick. Giving him a gift that acknowledges his more cosmopolitan nature - a beautiful piece of jewelry like a watch, one of the wonderful men's fragrances on the market, a gorgeous set of luggage, or a lovely piece of clothing like a cashmere sweater - will endear you to him forever.

3. Every Man is a Kid. You knew that, though. If your man is like most, he has more games and toys than the kid next door. Indulge your grown-up little boy with grown-up toys. Any type of personal electronics is sure to be a hit, whether it's a car video system or headsets.

4. Every Man Has a Mind of His Own. Maybe he's an intellectual, or maybe he's not. Nonetheless, he'll appreciate you for appreciating his mind. Give him a special book - whether it's on auto parts or on the best sellers' list - and show him that you understand his interests.

5. Presentation is Everything. Gift giving shouldn't be an obligation. It should be fun. Give him the gift you selected in an appropriate setting. If you bought him sporting goods, take him to a sports bar and give him his gift. If you bought him something debonair and cosmopolitan, wear something provocative - lingerie will work - and give him his gift somewhere private. If you've bought him luggage, pack it and take him away on a surprise overnight trip.

With a little forethought, it's easy to find the perfect men's gift for the man in your life.

Clothing For the Avid Bodybuilder

2008-11-27T23:57:00.003+07:00

Comfortable body building apparel is very important. Cotton is the best material for items of body building apparel because there is a lot of sweating associated with body building and moisture created from sweating requires a good material to absorb it. The right body building apparel should make you feel great even during the most strenuous exercises.

T-shirts, tank tops, fleece shirts, workout pants and various other articles are important to the body builder. By far, the favorite item of body building apparel is the tank top. Many sportswear manufacturers have declared it the top selling piece of clothing. It comes in a variety of colors and at very low prices, not more than a few bucks, is affordable to all.

The tank top is most athletes' first choice for their favorite piece of apparel since it gives a nice view of the buffed up muscles and it makes one aware of the progress they have made in the gym. Tank tops really make one feel great particularly if the results of intensive workouts are obvious. One thing to remember, you shouldn't get too tight a top tank as it will keep your skin wet all the time when you get sweaty.

Pants and shorts are equally important body building apparel. You not only have to be stylish but first and foremost you should be comfortable when working out. Baggy pants are in high demand because a relaxed fit is what most athletes look for. There is also the choice of large and narrow ankle cuffs for increased ease of movement and the choice of colors and sizes is incredible.

Last but not least, we should also mention the special weight lift shoes that meet the requirements and rigors of extreme sports,since strength sports usually need special footwear that assures adherence and extra protection. Check out the internet for large choices and prices for body building apparel. You won't regret it.

Clothing for Change

2008-11-27T22:49:00.001+07:00

Imagine browsing the stores looking for fun new fashions, checking the fit, feeling the softness, checking the tag to find “Made with 100% cotton, grown with 1/3 pound of pesticides, colored with reactive dyes fixed with heavy metals and produced by children in unsanitary, low-wage sweatshop conditions.” Labeling standards don’t yet require that information, and nobody is offering it up voluntarily, but the reality is that the latest trendy top you are looking at just might fit the bill.

For health and social reasons, many consumers today have made the switch to cotton from petroleum-based synthetic fibers such as polyester, but the fabric of our lives is not necessarily a choice without consequences. Globally, 25% of insecticide use is attributable to cotton production. In addition, conventional growing of cotton makes heavy use of pesticides and fertilizers. These insecticides, pesticides, and chemical fertilizers then seep into our soil and waterways. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has deemed seven of the top 15 pesticides used on U.S. cotton crops to be potential or known human carcinogens.

Much of the apparel in the US is made in sweatshops where workers labor in unsafe, unsanitary conditions, are paid wages so low they must struggle to provide for their families, and children are exploited.

Fortunately, there are alternatives. Today’s fashion market has a wealth of environmentally and socially responsible options, such as organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, soy, and organic wool.

Certified organic cotton is grown with consideration for the natural biodiversity, without the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers. The advantages go beyond the health and environmental benefits though. Organic cotton fibers tend to be longer-staple, producing stronger softer yarns, and, thus longer-lasting softer garments.

Let's not stop with organic cotton. Hemp is another natural fiber beginning to blossom in the eco-fashion industry. Hemp is most often grown without herbicides, fungicides or pesticides. With fibers longer, stronger and more absorbent than cotton, hemp produces strong yarns and garments that last. Naturally resistant to bacteria and UV light, hemp is a great choice for socks, shoes, and apparel.

And how will it look in your closet? The days of loose hemp anti-styles are no longer. Today’s hemp wear has its place in cutting edge design, knits that hug the body, linen-quality dresses that flatter the figure, and sturdy canvas shoes.

So don't be discouraged that 100% cotton isn't such a 100% natural choice. Today we have many options in eco-friendly and socially responsible apparel without compromising fashion. Fashion is about finding your own style. Shouldn’t your style be in line with your values?