Category Archives: fashion

Colour Craze!!!

Colour Craze!!!

Colours are the phenomena of visual insight. One cannot hear, taste or feel the colour, the only way to recognize the colour is to see it. A colour is a means of nonverbal communication and says a lot more than you can ever imagine.Colour is a fundamental consideration in the design process. Colour can also affect someone’s ability to concentrate or to focus well. Colour can also have an effect on the way someone appears to look in the clothing they wear. It is often the first element that is noticed about a design and influences how the garment or collection is perceived. Colour is often the starting point of the design process. Gender and personality are the most common factors for determining the type of colours a person will wear. Males are typically dressed in dark colours such as blue, black, green, gray, red, and brown. These colours are usually worn in various shades but they still consist of these primary hues. Females typically wear lighter colours such as pink, yellow, cyan, lime green, orange, and peach. Women and girls also wear the darker colours that are normally associated with men but men normally do not wear lighter colours associated with women.

Colour also has an Impact on:

  • Your apparent shape
  • Your apparent weight
  • Your apparent personality
  • Your emotions

Psychological Properties:

The eleven basic colours have fundamental psychological properties that are universal, regardless of which particular shade, tone or tint of it you are using. Each of them has potentially positive or negative psychological effects and which of these effects is created depends on the relationships within colour combinations. Colours can warm up, cool down, make practical or impractical, create impact or camouflage. It has been determined by medical science that colour can influence the viewer’s hormones, blood pressure and body temperature. Every colour is having a positive as well as negative effect; negative effect shows when it is mixed with lighter or darker shade). Colour can have a profound effect on one’s mood as well as their level of energy.

The Design Process in Fashion Product Development

The Design Process in Fashion Product Development

The development and formulation of a design requires rigorous involvement and in most of the cases follows some or the other process. The process involved should be a course of action that would make reaching the goal very much easier and simpler. Design can be defined to conceive the idea for some artifact or system and/or to express the idea in a form. It would also mean reaching the goals within constraints. Here, the goals consist of the purpose like who is the design for? What is the use of the design etc. The constraints on the other hand are the materials and the platforms to be used. Overall it is a very challenging job to create a design that is aesthetic, creative and innovative at the same time.

If the designer is gifted with artistic talent and creativity then obviously the outcome is highly enhanced. Every individual has his own methodology for approaching the problem but even then a designer or a group of designers develop a specific format which assist them in making their task much simpler. This method can then be worked upon in order to develop and improve it for the best of purposes. Irrespective of the stages in the design process there are certain factors which have to be dealt with before starting the works. Some of these may be:

  • Identify the target market – The market that a firm is catering to is segregated on the basis of gender, age, social and economic segment. Here the market is a group of people or the consumers. Each market segment is going to have different requirements and expectations from a design and all of these have to be satisfied by the designer, in order to make it a success.
  • Maintaining an Identity for the brand - Every company has a specific look and caters to a particular clientele. The price ranges are also fixed since generally they cater to a specific target market. All this has to remain more or less constant so that the company has a proper brand identity.

The design process in a nutshell and a very basic form may constitute of the following stages. These stages may overlap or may be treated as separate units. The designer only has the prerogative for deciding on these matters.

For starters these stages can be summarized as:

Research & Analysis

Before getting to know the problem and understanding the task, if one simply jumps into it, the only outcome is going to be a disaster. We will not have to look far before we come at a dead end. Proper research and planning is very important before starting a project, however big or small it may seem. The question that might arise here is that how much time should be devoted to this particular stage and the answer to that would be, in a proportional manner. This proportion has to be maintained keeping in mind the various segments that we come across during designing. For example in case of apparel or fashion oriented products research could comprise of an adequate study of the current fashion trends and forecast. Fashion forecast may be customized according to the clients requirement or could be even accessed through existing ones in the market.

Latest Trends in Jackets for Men and Women

Latest Trends in Jackets for Men and Women Men wardrobes the most special pieces of cloths are there jackets, same as women love to have small trench coats or cardigans in there wardrobes, and Jacket is for the men’s. Collection of good jacket always help you in stepping forward to dress up in the best possible way. Jackets are the best addition for means clothing whether the climate is warm in summer or cold in winters. There is lots of option available to choose while buying a jacket from a designer to a cheap one. Below is the best fashion for men that will be available for the coming year of fashion. To now well about the entire fashion for jacket you must land at a perfec                                                                            Range of stylish jackets is available in men’s jackets if you browse through the best fashion trends. There are some styles that are all time hit in this category as well as runway fashion has introduced some of the new designs in this category. The latest trend in the jacket is the sleeveless jacket made from lamb skin due to which they are light weight jackets. Apart from that leather bomber jacket is one off those which can make you look a class apart from every one and help you in getting the desired looks. Bomber jacket are one off the top most preferred wear in winter. At a same time the ultimate pickup of these seasons are the biker’s jackets.

Buttoned and zippers both are the hot choice this year, with cool patch work round and wide collar will be high in this year. You can also find elegant mandarin collar jackets, ultra stylish high collar jackets and china collar jacket on men leather jacket clothing. These are available in large design and trendy looks, with a perfect fashion statement to all means. Leather jacket with high collar look superb when worn with a perfect pant.

Men’s leather jacket will never run out of fashion as it has been there even before the Great War. It’s never going to stop acquiring the largest sales in jacket industries and men would not stop wearing it either, that the good thing about leather jacket. Leather has always fascinated women as its one of there first choice. Women look more outstanding in Leather Jackets.

Passion For Fashion:

Passion For  Fashion:
Anne Vyalitsina and Kellan Lutz are the two who have made the ad campaign for Abbot + Main really special. I haven’t seen such a passion for a long time on fashion photographs. Some of the pictures are too revealing and they will probably be banned as were many of this kind. However, I can’t but admit that the photography is wonderful.

Talking about Abbot + Main clothing I can say it’s rather simple but stylish, very modern and youthful. The shoes and the lingerie are amazing.

What I like about Abbot + Main campaign with Anne Vyalitsina and Kellan Lutz is that I don’t think about garments. I see the action, the passion, the love. And this makes me remember the images and I am sure I will want to look at them again and again. Maybe such a promotional strategy isn’t too commercial-oriented but it will definitely raise awareness about the label. People will recognize the name and… buy the clothing. So, it’s actually very commercial!)))))

New Hot Fall/ Winter 2011/ 2012 Trend

New Hot Fall/ Winter 2011/ 2012 Trend

While some women would do nearly everything to get rid of those extra inches on their hips others seem to be acting in the most ridiculous way by adding volume to the area. Well, they are not crazy. They just follow the newest and hottest trend of the approaching fashion season (Fall/ Winter 2011/2012). They wear peplums.

Peplums, which were very popular in the 80s of the last century, have been almost forgotten considering the fact vogue has loved skinny girls for over 30 years. Now with the growing interest in healthy size shapes women are no longer afraid of looking a little bigger (with no extremes, of course!) and that brings a natural revival of peplums. (See growing interest in healthy size/ WINTER 2011/ 2012)

Modern peplums are restrained regarding the silhouette but they can be as colorful as those ladies liked rocking in the 20s century. Beware of too much volume but go daring if you like color. You can try the safer hues or even neutrals.

Pair your peplum with a pencil skirt and a clinging top for a slim look. And avoid noticeable accessories to focus attention on the trendy detail. The best way to demonstrate the power of the trend is to show you celebrities wearing it. And if stars wear something, we will definitely see the same things on non-celebrity fashionistas soon. Emma Stone, Emma Watson, Nicole Kidman, Liv Tyler are just a few of those who adopted the hot trend into their wardrobes.

Useful Tips For Fashion Etiquette For A Formal Party

The idea of attending a party can be daunting for you if you experience pre-party jitter. You might sport an outfit which does not match the occasion and this can be an embarrassing muddle for both you and your host. Knowing the kind of party you are attending will make it simple and fun for you to select your attire.

You can satisfy your inborn craving, to look stunning and to be the center of all eye gazes, by sporting the right kind of fashion statement. In order to look ravishing it is essential for you to know the fashion etiquette for a formal party. Once you are aware of the basics of fashion, you can choose a befitting dress for any occasion.

Deciding on the Type of Event

Your attire will completely depend on the type of party you have been invited for.  For example, the fashion etiquette for a formal party is vastly different from other parties and you need to pay attention to intricate details. The type of suit, length of the dress, color of tie and further minute details are all subject to the kind of party mentioned in the invitation card. It is always better to confirm it if you are unsure of whether it’s a formal party or not.

Black Tie


Black tie parties are believed to be less formal than a white tie party. In order to dress in accordance with fashion etiquette for a formal party you need to wear a tuxedo, a vest matching with a black bow tie and black dress socks with black shoes. You can also keep the option of using a suspender, with good fit, open. If you are a woman you can wear a short cocktail dress or a lengthy evening gown for the back tie event.

White Tie


Among the fashion etiquette for a formal party event white tie is a dressy affair. If you are a man you need to wear a tailcoat suit, in black, white shirt with wing-collar, a white vest, a bow tie in white and gray or white colored gloves. You should put on shoes which are shiny black or of patent leather teamed up with dressy black socks. If you are a woman you are required to wear a floor-length evening robe.

Black-Tie Optional

According to the fashion etiquette for a formal party a black tie optional provides you with a choice to wear a formal dress or a tuxedo. You can put on a white shirt, dark tie and a dark suit as a formal wear. As a woman you can wear a cocktail dress or a lengthy evening robe or dressy separates to match up with your man.

Semi-Formal

The semi-formal event is the most comfortable and least rigid when fashion etiquette for a formal party is taken into account. In these kinds of parties neither do the men need to wear a tux nor do the women need to put on a floor-length gown. A party which is semi-formal calls for a long dressy skirt and top or a short cocktail dress for women. Those of you who are men can wear a white shirt, dark dress shoes, a tie and a dark business suit.


The fashion etiquette for a formal party differs in case of a wedding formal from that of a business formal. The formal wear for evening wedding includes a short cocktail dress for the lady and dark suit for the man. In the daytime, men can opt for a suit and women can go for a dressy suit or a short cocktail dress. The formal for business event is similar to that of semi-formal. If you have any confusion about woman’s dresses you can choose a tailored dresses or classy suit.

Creative Black Tie

You can opt for various fashionable ideas while dressing up for this kind of event. The fashion etiquette for a formal party suggests a more modern look with tux perhaps a black shirt and no tie for men. Women can wear a short or long dress or an evening separate. At times the theme events keep dress codes like Creative Black Tie or Tuxes Black Tie. In this case it is more amusing combining a theme with a classy look. You can go for a boot combined with a tux for him and a lengthy dress teamed up with Southwestern fashion silver belt and ornaments for the girl.

Coordination A Key Factor Of Fashion Etiquette

Whenever you are getting ready for an event, it is essential to maintain a proper coordination with your partner so that you do not look out of place. The style and color of a couple’s attire should complement each other well. The fashion etiquette for a formal party suggests that for a black tie event, a man can match his cummerbund to his lady’s dress. But for a white tie event a cummerbund should not be worn. The better the coordination the more does it speaks of the elegance of your dressing and your fashion etiquettes.

Other Important Factors To Be Seen While Dressing

Your accessories and your shoes also form a major part of your dressing. So before you get ready for the event it is always advisable to try your shoe with your dress. Try to opt for shoes that are comfortable and the one that you can wear without any difficulties throughout the event. Accessories like bracelets, earrings and necklaces that seem delicate and original can be teamed well with a formal outfit. Remember that the bag that you carry for the event should not be too big in size as it does not go well with formals.

The Psychology of Fashion

I’m tired of all these fashion articles telling us what to wear and how to wea

it. While I think we may all confess to falling victim to fashion in one way o 

another, such as by not frolicking around in a completely one-of-a-kind, homemade outfit in the first place, there are those who commit to fashion as one of their top priorities in life. I’m not talking about fashion designers, buyers, or anyone who actually works in the industry. I’m talking about people who list fashion among their top interests or hobbies. Yeah, that’s right, people consider fashion, or rather, shopping for fashionable clothes, a hobby. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with indulging in a little self-confidence by treating yourself to that perfectly fitted top or those gorgeous stilettos, but why, may I ask, do these trendy garments give us this “high” in the first place?

The stereotype that females are the gender that is more geared to fashion actually has some basis. This makes sense when we observe how females are also the gender to more commonly put on make-up and extensively groom their hair. Females are known to be the more visually appealing gender while males are more easily visually stimulated when it comes to attraction. Appearance is an important factor in the female’s competition to “find a mate.” Therefore, it is no wonder that so many females are so dedicated to fashion, especially when these gender roles are so highly socialized.

The concept that baffles so many is why trends exist in the first place. Why can’t we just stick with the tried and tested? Why does having the latest thing “assert our indivudality” when we know that by the time the leaves change color, almost everyone and their mother will have bought this fashion?

People like to belong. If they must do this by buying their way into the elite fashionista crowd, so be it. It doesn’t matter if you never speak to anyone else in the crowd. It only matters if you’re in the know or in the loop. No one likes to be ridiculed for their appearance. We conform to other uncountable, socially accepted standards, so why would what we wear be different? Fashion works in our favor in the way that it unites us.

However, I’ve so far neglected a word that comes hand in hand with fashion – style. Where fashion unites us, style sets us apart. Style is what we choose to wear from all the clothes that are available to us. It is the image we create for ourselves. This is the word we must use when it comes to “asserting our individuality” with clothes. Some choose a style and stick with it all their lives. Who hasn’t heard of that mom who can’t get out of the 70′s? Then, more commonly, there are those with a self-proclaimed style but who lunge at the newest trend. These people obviously want to be accepted in society, but they also walk the fine line of not wanting to be just another one of a million. They strive to reinvent themselves just as fashion does. They want to be in the loop while keeping a firm grip on their own style. This combined sense of unity, individuality and being the most newly informed gives them a small sense of power or confidence. These things, after all, are important to our instincts of survival. It is very difficult to survive without anyone else, not to mention impossible to pass on your genes. Individuality (within the confinements of socially accepted standards) gives a person an identity so they are more easily remembered. Being someone highly informed on what’s going on in the culture, people will always look to you for your knowledge and value you.

Of course, fashion gives us a “high” not only for these reasons, but also due to the same reason anyone gets a “shopper’s high.” Consumerism and effective marketing has conditioned us into feeling rewarded with each new purchase. We don’t personally go looking for things in nature to make these things ourselves, and we must use our hard-earned money to obtain what we desire.

As for me, I’ll continue to enjoy my shopping hunts for cute new clothes that fit my personality. While I may not be as into it as the vain Ms. Shopaholic over there, I’ll gladly use the extra time to pursue other more useful endeavours.

Top Clothing Brands 2011

Best Clothing Brands 2011

Burberry
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQJnXrrjHDIrpCp3dptUeSoCgO7ZdiguqzC6WPbXWeknNA0VEnYWwBurberry originates from Hampshire, England and was developed to produce outdoor clothing for men and women. The founder of Burberry fashion house, Thomas Burberry, was 21 year old when he established his fashion house in the year 1856. His fashion house is known to manufacture fragrances, outdoor attire and different fashion accessories, which have gained tremendous popularity in the recent years. The brand first started selling in US and then soon spread to UK by 2007 to earn some more potential clientele. Burberry is known to have produced attire for all the occasions from casual to corporate. After years of hard work and changes, Burberry is now known to manufacture some of the innovative, stunning, stylish and elegant clothes for both men and women.

Calvin Klein
New York based Calvin Klein fashion brand was founded in the year 1968. Calvin Klein is also popularly termed as CK, an emblem which is mainly flaunted on its clothes and accessories. Calvin Klein functions under many brands such as Calvin Klein Collection, ck Calvin Klein, Calvin Klein Sports, Calvin Klein Jeans, Calvin Klein Home, Calvin Klein Golf and CK One Lifestyle Brand. The CK lifestyle brand mainly includes a wide range of perfumes and colognes, which are available for both men and women. The Calvin Klein collection is specialized in manufacturing elegant and chic clothes and is designed by the well known designers However, the other Calvin Klein brands are affordable and also have a variety of clothes that suit best as outdoor clothing.

Forever New
Forever New is a fashion house originating from Melbourne, Australia. Women are a great fan of this relatively new fashion house. With its efforts in highlighting the feminine side, Forever New has come up with some stunning designer clothes, which every women desires to flaunt. The year 2006 saw the birth of Forever New, which has now functions in seven countries and has 111 stores around the world. A thorough study of fashion trends and making it accessible to the customers has brought great success to this brand.

Lacoste
Lacoste is famous for making fashionable clothing, footwear, perfumes and even sports wear. This French clothing brand came into existence in the year 1933 by Réne Lacoste and André Gillier. All the Lacoste clothes and fashion accessories are recognized by a crocodile logo, which looked similar to that of Crocodile Garment’s logo. However, the latter fashion house modified its logo, while the Lacoste could keep its logo the way it is.

Guess
This brand is among the top clothing brands 2011, and is a famous American clothing line founded by Maurice, Armand, Georges and Paul Marciano. They opened there fashion house in the year 1981 and soon started creating various fashion clothes and accessories. Today, they are known to sell different clothing lines, various fashion accessories, and even perfumes. Guess Stores exist in many countries and their top-end designer clothes are now available to many fashion enthusiasts. Guess not only creates clothing line for men and women, but also designs clothes for little children. As the company started manufacturing many other fashion accessories such as watches, shoes and bags, it quickly gained popularity. Also reasonable rates made Guess one of the favorite outdoor clothing brand.

French Connection UK
Commonly termed as FCUK, French Connection UK was started by Stephen Marks, with an intention to create appealing and comfortable clothes for the people. Always in search of change and new fashion trends has prompted French Connection UK to always introduce something new and innovative into the market. The price range of its clothing line is affordable and so French Connection UK is known to have achieved maximum clientele all around the globe.

Zara
Amancio Ortega and Rosalía Mera, together established Zara, which is a Spanish clothing line. Zara is a compilation of many other brands such as Pull and Bear, Bershka, Stradivarius, Massimo Dutti and Uterqüe. Many Zara stores were spread all around Spain and watching its success, it soon took up to international marketing. Today, Zara stores are there in many different countries and is rapidly increasing its sales. It is known to have great collection in men, women and kids apparels, which are priced at reasonable rates.

Being Fashionable as a Mom

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSp36OmT8MZ31KC9K1j3rH8H74jrI3fl8Ki2g6mnMQDaxHPVDexhAWhat is the difference between casual and frumpy? Many moms struggle with feeling unfashionable and frumpy after they have children. “I just don’t have time” is a common excuse. Others blame lack of fuands for their boring wardrobe. The truth is that any mom can be fashionable without spending a lot of money. “What’s the point?” complained one mom, “Who am I trying to look good for?” If nothing else, look fashionable for YOU. When you look good on the outside, people notice. They might even comment on how nice, organized, sexy, etc. you look. Being fashionable as a mom can be great for your self-esteem and general mood.

Fashion guru Nancy Kriege states, “Everybody has a different idea of what is frumpy.” A coordinated sweat suit may be too frumpy for some, while for others it is simply cute casual. How can you tell the difference? Well, let’s look to celebrities for inspiration. Gwyneth Paltrow talks about how being frumpy is demoralizing. She explains how she put together “uniforms” for outings after her second child was born. All sorts of celebrities wear the rattiest, most casual clothing possible without looking frumpy. How do they do it?

One of the reasons might be because they exercise. Frumpy can turn into cute if the cut and fit of an outfit is right. Moms often struggle with weight because of stress, exhaustion, and lack of time for exercising. Even simple things like parking further away so you have to walk or dancing to Sesame Street with your kids can count as exercise. Exercising as a mom just means thinking more creatively.

Makeup and hair are another area moms are notoriously behind in. Finding a low maintenance cut that flatters your face should only take you a little while on the internet and can make you look wonderful for no work at all. And don’t worry if you weren’t able to wash your hair this morning before your kids got up. Many fashion experts say that slightly dirty hair looks best on almost everyone.

The final reason the stars don’t look frumpy is the handbags they carry. Even pajamas can look like a polished outfit when you have a dressy handbag on. Nearly every female celebrity and even some male ones carry a handbag when they go out. From funky, to classic, to trendy, a handbag can help elevate your wardrobe from frumpy to fashionable.

Plus Size Evening Dress Patterns

Choosing Plus Sized Evening Dress Patterns

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQOCUILg69gPPHHjch2egzUoFnaurrvDdB3QcGRBYMBABZmpTCRgAWhile choosing a plus sized evening dress, make sure that the colors flatter your skin tone. There is nothing worse than wearing a gorgeous dress that does not flatter your skin tone. If you are pear shaped, then you need to find an evening dress that is fitted on the bust and lightly draped from the hip area. A Grecian draped dress will fit the bill perfectly. Choose a Grecian draped dress with tight pleating at the bust and soft drapes at the waist and hips. This helps in concealing wide hips and big thighs. The pleating at the bust makes you appear fuller, which gives your body more proportion. Such Grecian draped dresses are one of the best plus size dresses for special occasions.

Dark shades like aubergine, emerald, coral and navy works well for a plus sized women. Soft fabrics like jersey and cotton blends are the right choice in plus size evening dress patterns as they skim over your curves without clinging. Since pear shaped women have wider hips and comparatively narrower waist and bust, details in the upper section of the body like sequined yoke, wide boat necklines and puffed sleeves will divert attention from your lower body. So look for plus sizes evening gowns with these details. More info on plus size clothing and evening dresses.

If you have an apple shaped figure, that is you have a flabby mid section, then you need to find an plus size evening dress pattern that is suitable for you. The biggest challenge that apple shaped, plus sized women face is that they cannot wear clingy fabrics like satin and jersey. The best feature of an apple shaped women are her legs, so choose designer evening dresses and dress patterns in designs that shows off the legs. A-line dresses and empire dresses are the best patterns of evening dresses for apple shaped women. A simple and elegant empire line dress with clean lines and without any heavy embellishment is the right choice for you. Avoid clingy fabrics and dresses that comes with long sleeves or ruffles. Apple shaped, plus sized women can never wear a Herve Ledger bandage dress. But you can sure pull of a beautiful A-line chiffon dress in painterly print.