The Alexander Report / Fashion and Beauty Trends!

Denim has changed radically in past few years, from basic work clothing, to a high-end stylish and fashion oriented attire. Denim is presently a 10 billion dollar industry in the US. From retailer selling in mass market to exclusive couture designers, everyone has identified denim as a profitable business.

The apparel industry veterans are amazed by the success of denim. Reviewing recent sales-graph and fiscal year results of the leading retailers and brands, the analysts forecast a better future for denim on condition that the product should appeal different to the consumer looking while sustaining the traditional fabric.

The American consumers approximately purchase 450 million pairs of jeans per year. The denim market has been performing well, except for a drop in the sales was witnessed because of stiff competition with the alternative products like cargos, fatigues, cotton combat and khaki trousers, which led market at a saturation point in mid 2004.

The saturation in the denim market was a result coming-out of garments and fabric in developing countries, due to the elimination of a quota system, in the beginning of 2005. However, the denim industry emerged again during 2005-2006. The evergreen work-wear fabric is back on track with the efforts of companies, such as ITG, Levi Strauss & Co., VF Corporation, American Eagle Outfitters and Perry Ellis performed well throughout 2005. American Eagle Outfitters

American Eagle Outfitters come into view as triumph last year, emerging as leader in specialty store brands for the age group of 15 to 25. Comparing the $143.4 million sales month which ended April 30, 2005, the company recorded 25% climb in sales for April 29, 2006. The month of April depicted an optimistic consumer response to the company’s excellent initiatives for product assortments, designed for spring and summer that were also focused at other age groups.

The success standing behind, American Eagle Outfitters, in the denim market, is an outcome of right allocation of initiatives for various market phases. The perfect blend of the American West with European touch was the key reason of the gained success. Weiterlesen »

by Alex Yoo and Aran Lawrence

The Dress Shirt

A gentleman’s dress shirt is the defining item in his wardrobe, and as such he should choose it with care. The quality of fabric, color, pattern, and fit are of the utmost importance. Following a few simple and timeless suggestions, a man can distinguish himself where many have come up short. Most men are wearing their collars too tight, sleeves too short and too full around the wrist, and improperly proportioned for their specific body type. This guide will teach you how to avoid these pitfalls, select a shirt style that will compliment your physique, and help you cultivate a refined style.

Upon making this important choice, prudence dictates that you stick with it so long as your physique remains the same. It is better to wear a complimentary style day after day than a variety of less flattering styles. Let us now turn to finding your perfect shirt.

Fabric

Selecting a fabric of the finest cotton will set you apart from the crowd and highlight your sense of good taste. One major difference between a good shirt and a fabulous shirt is the fabric. It also happens to be the most costly component of a quality shirt. The easiest way to distinguish a high quality shirt Weiterlesen »

It has been a busy week for designers, some news excerpts around the web from the world of Fashion:

A Wrap-Up of Fall: Reasons to Rejoice

“WHEN the fall runway season ended, a week ago Sunday, there seemed more to consider than to sweep aside. Rare was the first-tier show that clanged like an empty pot — and you wouldn’t have said that six months ago, when designers conjured up a cross between a Star Trek groupie and an Elvis impersonator. (See Steven Meisel’s spread in February Italian Vogue for details”

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By Tiffany Plater

The history and direction of denim is changing. In the past, denim was something that laborers worked in because of its durability. Currently, denim is the first choice for many and sometimes their only choice. Denim is worn everywhere from corporate settings to dinner parties. It can be dressed up or dressed down. Some would even say denim was the new black. Now, native Chicago designer Dwayne Lonzo of DRegali Designs has set out to add a little pizzazz to an already growing industry.

Dwayne, at first, had no intentions of designing. He created a few pieces for himself but never thought about taking it any further. It wasn’t until that he began receiving compliments from others that he entertained the idea. He also received kudos from Barbara Samuels,

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By Tiffany Plater

Mobolaji Dawodu (pronounced Mo-bo-lah-gi Dah-wu-doo) is a young man with vision, ambition, creative genius, and a cool laid back sense of humor. He is the mind behind Mobolaji, a tailored contemporary African-inspired line for men and women. I had the opportunity to chat with him about his line and being an up and coming designer.

Mobolaji, originally from Lagos, Nigeria, got his start at D&G where he interned for school (required at LIM, Business School for Fashion- Laboratory Institute of Merchandising). It was there that he fell in love with tailored clothing. Weiterlesen »