The Alexander Report / Trends in Fashion and Beauty!

Whether you’re spending time relaxing on a beach, touring a European city or reading outside in your own back yard, you’ll want to be feeling fashionable. Check out these tips for creating the most beautiful and trendy summer wardrobe.

- This year invest in a classic Parisian striped top. It will go with everything in your wardrobe, from high waisted shorts to 50s style tapered trousers. Pop it on when you want to look elegant and expensive, and add a straw hat for a Venetian twist.

- Hair styles for summer 2010 are inspired by braids. Whether you do a large messy fishtail side braid in the style of Alexander Wang’s New York show or create a vintage braided updo in the style of Rochas girls, keep experimenting with different plaits for different occasions.

- The crew neck is the neckline of the season, and thank goodness, because this means that gorgeous tanned legs can be shown off to their full advantage whilst you remain elegant and classy. Keep your t-shirts long sleeved as well as high necked, and for extra fashion points invest this season in a high-waisted skirt to mix and match with your multicoloured shirts. Weiterlesen »

Over the World Wide Web, there is a continual influx of information over the internet highway, including, most recently, a trend in fashion blogging. Currently, there are hundreds of new fashion blogs being created everyday, and over millions of already created websites. With these massive amounts of people posting their opinions on style, how can you stop wasting your time reading useless fashion blogs? Is there anyway to separate the quality blogs from the irrelevant ones? This review of five top rated fashion blogs gives insight into what standards should be used in deciding which blogs are worth your time.

Fashion blogs are ranked on a 10 point scale in four areas: (1) clarity of thought, (2) timeliness, (3) relevance, and (4) degree of opinion.

Style File blog:

Total Score: 28

Style.com is a primary source and destination for where people receive their fashion news, trends, and photos of seasonal runway shows. In addition, the renown website has a chief blog site, Style File, where writers can post opinions on various aspects of fashion in a more informal setting and approach. Even though there are several writers for Style File, the writing style of this blog site is distinct and individual to Style.com’s website.

1.) Clarity of thought: 6.5. It is decent. You are able to read through it, although some postings may be a bit long-winded. Also, some entries may be difficult to understand if you don’t have a lot of knowledge of people in the fashion industry, such as Sophia Hesketh and Byrdie Bell. Weiterlesen »

photo credit: Tammy Manet

Many people think that owning a Louis Vuitton handbag is owning one of the best handbags in the world. It is true that it is one if not the most popular and most recognizable brand names throughout the world and getting your new 2009 handbag is easy to do if you know where to look. Looks like Madonna will be the new ad model for the spring 2009 collection of handbags so there are sure to be some new great styles to choose from. They will have the classic monogram styles that you have been accustomed to but be assured they will have some real interesting new styles as well.

Louis Vuitton has been around for a long period of time and has established itself amount the best handbags you can buy. This has created an atmosphere for such a popular brand to also be the most knocked off handbag in the world as well. There is much debate about the quality of the real deal and the knockoff brands but be assured that with the real Louis Vuitton Handbag you will be getting the best quality possible. Weiterlesen »

photo credit: bbaunach

Burberry fashion handbags collection can be one of your most valuable possessions. From the world recognized maker of designer bags, you can choose from different designs that are truly worth keeping.

There are two designs of Prosum handbags that are most popular. The House Check Clutch which sells at $1,000 has an attractive light brown color. Its outstanding features are the crocodile trim, brass lock, magnetic fastener and inside zipper pocket.

If you want a double compartment, get the Leather Tote. At $1,500 this tan colored bag has a middle zipper fastener and front flap.

A special satchel called Nova Check is sold at $500. It has black rolled handles, piping, trim, 2-way top zipper fastener, and inside cell phone pocket. You may choose between black and Nova Check colors. Closely related to this design is the Nova Check Shackle with its leather strap, decorative snap shackle buckle and PVC with black lining. It is sold at $500. Weiterlesen »

This season Lakme Fashion Week 2009 (LFW) has got an overwhelming response from the Gen Next and Emerging Fashion Designers group as also from the Accessory Designers group. LFW has received in all 189 applications – 88 for Gen Next and 44 for Emerging Fashion Designers from 20 cities across the country from Nagaland to Jaipur, from Dehradun to Secundrabad. Also, 8 Accessory Designers along with 49 established designers have applied. The Advisory Board members short listed the most talented designers for the Gen Next and the Emerging Designer categories, and also for the Accessories Group show.

The Lakmé Fashion Week Advisory Board comprises key stakeholders from the fashion fraternity such as educational institutions, buyers, media personalities and designers. The list of members includes prestigious names like Dr Darlie O’Koshy, Director, NID; Shefali Vasudevan, Marie Claire; Sathya Saran, DNA-ME; Priya Tanna, Vogue;Pradip Hirani, Kimaya; Alka Nishar, Aza; Gaurav Mahajan – Trent; Designers Wendell Rodricks, Arjun Khanna and Narendra Kumar; Anil Chopra, Advisor – Lakmé, Richa Puranesh, Marketing Manager – Lakmé, Hindustan Unilever; Ravi Krishnan, Consultant to IMG, and Vikram Raizada, Head of Fashion – IMG. They have chosen 8 talented designers for Gen Next, 14 Emerging Designers and 4 Accessory Designers. Weiterlesen »

/>Whether you are interested in learning how to become a fashion designer or just want to learn a bit more about the industry in general, one of the first steps you are going to need to take is to educate yourself on the fashion designer icons that are out there.

Michael Kors

One of the most popular fashion designer icons of our time is Michael Kors. This fashion designer is truly unlike any other, and one that anyone who is interested in anything to do with fashion is going to want to learn more about.

Kars began designing clothes at the young age of 19, and at this point in time has definitely made his mark in the fashion world. You may have seen him on the ever popular show Project Runway with the beautiful Heidi Klum, and in addition to the Michael Kors runway collection, the MICHAEL Michael Kors and KORS Michael Kors lines were launched in the year 2004.

All of his lines are extremely popular and currently, Kors has collection boutiques in New York, Beverly Hills, Las Vegas, Miami, and South Coast Plaza. Weiterlesen »

With spring around the corner, what are the fashion trends in accessories for 2008? There are lots of fun, chic looks to choose from.

The best part is that you can update your accessories for very little money, and still project a polished image for work or evening.

1. Flower power is back, in everything from print blouses to dresses and skirts. But you don’t have to fall into the flower power pit, especially for business wear.

How to wear it: Look for small accents in your accessories. Flower jewelry such as brooches are a fun way to perk up a simple jacket. Scarves are big, and a flower scarf can jazz up a simple outfit. Keep the look simple by adding one flower piece, not a riot of flowers, especially for the workplace.

2. Shoes: this year you’ll see everything from gladiator sandals to platform wedges.

How to wear them: For the office, stay away from the extremes. High platforms or extreme gladiators are great for weekend wear, but detract from a business like look by day.

Look for the more moderate versions of each style. And always tailor the look to your industry and company culture.

3. Colored bags and shoes: Crayon colors in bags and shoes are popping up everywhere, in bright yellow, pink, green, blue and grape. Colorful bags jump off the shelves in bold clutches or large totes.
Weiterlesen »

One might not able to locate where Manipur lies! Intellectuals even confused on several occasions on the where about of this state as a foreign nation. Their assumptions seem a dream comes true today! The youths and teenagers are fashion cognisant and that too not Indian apparel, but foreign lifestyles. The business of fashion in Manipur is more advanced than other cities of India, leaving those metropolitans.

Manipur is an extraordinary place, full of charm, beauty and creativity. It lies in the North-Eastern region of Indian Sub-continent, between 23.5 oN-25.3 oN Latitude and 93.4 oE-95.3 oE Longitudes, bordering Myanmar in the east, Nagaland state in the north, Assam and Mizoram in the west. Encircled by nine hill ranges, Manipur is marked out by a picturesque valley in the midst. The total area of Manipur is 22,327 sq. km. Out of this only 2,238 sq. Km are valley while the remaining areas are covered with hilly tracts.

Manipur, a small state which lies on a melting pot of culture is regarded as one of the world’s beauty spots. The Rasa Lila, a classical dance of Manipur is world famous for its gentleness and serenity. Modern day polo was first played here as royal sport. Thus, the world credited the state as the home for polo game.

The place of surpassing attractions include superb panorama of evergreen hill ranges, the soil of Khongjom soaked with sacred blood of martyrs, the first battle of Anglo-Manipur war of 1891 at Kangla, the erstwhile capital of Manipur Kingdom. The Loktak lake-the largest freshwater lake in the North East, natural habitat of Brow-antlered deer at the Keibul Lamjao National Park-the only floating National Park in the world, the I.N.A. Memorial at Moirang where the first tricolour flag of Indian Independence was hoisted by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, the Siroi Lily found only on the Siroi Hills, the symmertical two Second World War cemeteries, exquisite handloom and handicraft products of world fame.

Manipur is famous for the ‘Ema Keithel’ – women’s market at Khwairamband bazaar- the only and the largest market in the world run by women, the gold-domed Shri Govindajee Temple, the Saheed Minar, the Khonghampat Orchid Yard, the Tharon Cave at Tamenglong, the Khanghui Cave at Ukhrul, the Kangla Park and the Moat surrounding the old historical palace of the Maharajas of ore-British period. Weiterlesen »

India among top jeanswear market Jeanswear trends started in India truly in the eighties, with the establishment and the movement of brands like Avis, Wings, Flying Machine, UFO, along with international brands like FU’s. With the realistic pricing and a “Good jeans for less” proposition, Newport entered into the mass psyche in the mid-nineties. The growth in the domestic jeans and casualwear market is attracting an increasing number of multinationals into the segment.

With the Indian youth becoming increasingly fashion conscious and with spending power being consistently on the rise, making life easier for the fast-growing ‘premium’ category of jeanswear brands. On the other hand, it has been tough times for other segments of the business – one of the underperformers being a mass-market jeanswear brand.

Denim consumption boost up in India Various apparel categories, excluding innerwear, jeanswear too is connected to brand tags in India. A label tag is a must now on the back waist panel of even tailored garments. As regards to contribution of the branded section in each category percentages may vary, approximately 79 percent of the jeans sold in India tagged with label, the rest of jeans are supplied by tailors and localised manufacturers with no-name.

Daily in India, there are number of small stores where customised jeans are stitched for as little as Rs 200. And their customers are not only Indians, but Westerners too, and you can find a long queue of Westerners, waiting to purchase customised jeanswear to be used as wear and throw and it is because of the reality for the Westerners that the availability of a customised piece of clothing at very low pricing. On the other hand, the more and more affluent middle class is amazingly responsive about the charm of branding.

Denim wear consumption in India and the business is itself changes almost everyday with new modification and new brands, it is also becoming a part of its action by determining the size, character and make up and it also requires a profound market research study.

According to a survey report, by considering the aspects of socio-economic, cultural, emotional and functional backgrounds and its applications there are four type of branded jeanswear market available in India.

India among top jeanswear market Jeanswear trends started in India truly in the eighties, with the establishment and the movement of brands like Avis, Wings, Flying Machine, UFO, along with international brands like FU’s. With the realistic pricing and a “Good jeans for less” proposition, Newport entered into the mass psyche in the mid-nineties. The growth in the domestic jeans and casualwear market is attracting an increasing number of multinationals into the segment. Weiterlesen »

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 »