The Alexander Report / Fashion and Beauty Trends!

Japanese T-shirt, the thought which takes one’s mind on to an entourage of punk t-shirts, is a creative blend of art and fabric, an upbeat street fashion exclusive to Japan.

The Japanese T-Shirt design and trend has not only managed to hit the right chord among the teens and the fashion-enthusiasts but also compelled pro-designers and fashion experts to explore its vibrancy and colors to enliven the ramps further.

Art-inspired fashion is one of the mesmerizing Japanese T-shirt trends catching on with the pulse of the people.

Art doesn’t quite get its due cut in museums, be it in terms of space or its exposure to the world. How about wearing the art and taking it places? That’s exactly what the trend is about. Weiterlesen »

Cynthia Vincent was trained at the Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design under the M.A.G.I.C scholarship. Upon graduation in 1988, Vincent received the Silver Thimble Award from Ann Cole, a great implication of the success that was yet to come.

Thereafter, she moved to London and quickly rose to head designer of Jane Ong & Company. After returning to the States, Vincent continued to refine her skills working for a handful of companies including Harriet Selwyn.

Cynthia launched Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent with a bang during LA Fashion Week in 2003. Appropriately named after the street on which she grew up in the suburbs of LA, Twelfth Street became a very personal project for Vincent. From that moment on, her collection has become a driving force in fashion. From the onset, Twelfth Street has been a favorite of fashion editors from many publications.

In Fall 2005, Cynthia brought her unique vision to shoes. From the perfect ballerina flat, to the naughty secretary pump, and the strappy high heel, she again offers something for every girl in the know. Two years later, she was invited to show her fall/winter 2007 collection during New York’s fashion week.

Perhaps it is the inspiration behind Vincent’s work that makes her designs so special. “To me, what is most inspiring is seeing a woman who is at once feminine, stylish, comfortable, and most of all, original,” says Cynthia Vincent.

Over the years, such staples as the silk crepe de chine slips, velvet boudoir jackets and luxurious sweaters have become the most sought after fashion pieces from New York to Hollywood. 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.
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There is a huge untouched potential in non-metros

Producers of women’s pajama sets are increasing R&D capability to raise the range and functions of designs. Companies are also making efforts to enhance product quality and decrease operating costs through vertical integration. With the elimination of export taxes and import limitations on China-made sleepwear to the EU and the US, suppliers from China and India find themselves in a strong competition for market share. In the Indian market, the sleepwear and lingerie market is emerging quickly as a fashion segment, and has, over the last decade, observed the existence of organised players such as Juliet, Sleep-ins, etc

What was Kashmira Nightwear Company started with a single standalone store in Pune many years ago is today the Sleep-ins brand of complete nighrwear solutions possessing a chain of many exclusive Sleep-ins stores and existence in many of the country’s major retail chains. This change has been promising on account of the single-handed effort by only one person, Kishor Chhabria, who is managing director of the Pune-based Kashmira Nighrwear Company -¬ Sleep-ins today is a brand with a national manifestation. Chhabria experienced that Indian consumers have awareness of about selecting of occasion-wear and sleeping dresses were as important as office, casual, party or sports wear, and commence to offer consumers what they required.

Sleep-ins is among the leading players in the segment, and has been beholding considerable growth in its market share over the last few years. This market even today is largely in the unorganised sector where price is the only its consideration. Organised players are not contending with products that are being traded on the streets. The growth in retailing, the rising level of fashion consciousness has supported sleepwear and lingerie move into a higher market step.

Sleep-ins has increased by almost 150 per cent over the two-three decades, they were highly focused in the western market, but this year the brand performed well locally. They have appointed distributors in Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, UP, MP, Punjab, etc. and possessed more than 20 exclusive outlets in the country, and will add to this by another six. Besides the exclusive outlets, the brand retails from a many large departmental stores too. 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 »

Fashion experiences dynamic leash in different parts of the world, wearing different colors, image and feel, taking inspiration from local environment and blending into the global trend stream. This article focuses on futuristic trends for the coming season 2007-2008 in fashion Meccas – New York, Paris, Milan, Londonand Los Angels. These five cities have extemporary existence in the fashion world and exert deep influence on the international fashion trends. Except New York summer trends are explored at all other cities.

New-York

It’s a winter time in New York and the city is all geared up for autumn / winter 2007 – 2008.

Colors

Brass-hued gold’s, saturated black with deep petrol blue hue and brassy tones will dominate the dark color palette. Black in different shades will continue to dominate the footwear industry.

Fabrics: Wools, leathers and wet look patent finishes along with quilt effects on jackets will dominate the coming season.

Apparels: Women’s clothes get influence from the favorite forties. Terracotta jackets with cape and cropped styles along with black overcoat with belted drapes and large collars inspired from the military look is “in” this season. Dresses continue to set the mood even in winter in warm shades of black, grey and blue to provide heed to the chilly weather. A line Skirts, neck tie blouses, cable knit cardigans with bow-inspired necklines, defined waistlines, frills and pleated grosgrain ribbon placement will flow through the formal and casual circuit. Wide legged trousers with knee length shorts are favorite for this 40’s season look.

Apparels: Women’s clothes get influence from Weiterlesen »

It wasn’t very long ago when acceptable business attire wasn’t hard to understand. It was simple. Men wore suits and women wore dresses and blouses. In men’s business clothing, acceptable fashion does not change considerably every year since it is more about being professional than being fashionable. You want to present yourself in a way that makes your clients and customers feel comfortable and more importantly, confident.

Think about this scenario: you have an important business meeting and you are not sure what to war. Who do you think your clients will feel more comfortable giving their money to someone in jeans and sneakers or you in your best dark suit? The answer is pretty obvious and further shows why you need to choose clothes that impress. You want to do everything you can to stand out from the rest of the competition.

The number one rule is to dress for success. The professional businessman needs to keep in mind these few fashion points when deciding what to wear to work.

Business formal

No matter what, you’ll want to own a black suit or if not black, a navy suit with either a slight sheen to it or maybe a tone on tone. Weiterlesen »

The fashion industry is a utopia where money rains down on streets paved with gold; where the citizens are bedecked in the finest fabrics and jewelry known to man. They live in extravagant homes surrounded by diamonds that grow from trees. This utopia is such an amazing place that words cannot describe it. Well, okay maybe I’m exaggerating a bit. But when you see the staggering amounts of money that is made in the fashion industry annually, it is hard to not compare the industry to a fairytale.

The fashion industry seems to attract money like iron filings to a magnet. Clothing lines make millions of dollars each year, some well-established lines and designers even make billions of dollars. Now the fourth largest industry in the world, the fashion industry brings in $4 billion a year and includes the revenues from old established companies and a host of new clothing lines introduced by the urban market.

Contemporary Fashion History at a Glance

Initially Contemporary fashion as we know it was run by such top couture companies and designers as Channel, Calvin Klein, Karl Lagerfeld Gloria Vanderbilt, Dianne VonFurstenberg, Ralph Lauren, and Liz Claiborne to name a few. These and others such as Donna Karen, Guess? and Tommy Hilfiger bought couture style to the ready-to-wear market. Today, new clothing lines have made their mark upon the fashion industry, and include the wave of urban clothiers like Phat Farm, Sean John, Rocawear, and at one-time the mega clothing company FUBU.

Given the laundry list of clothing companies and fashion designers, one would think the market is over saturated. But quite the contrary is true. Like an elastic waistband, the market has simply expanded to accommodate each new clothing line, many of which have been able to capture a significant portion of market share to be rewarded with millions of dollars for their creativity, fashion sense and work efforts. Simply put, if you are the owner of a hot clothing line, chances are, you’re rich!

Marketing Genius Weiterlesen »

1. The Skirt Suit Jacket

The skirt suit is back. So the first jacket would be something you can wear with one or more of your skirts as part of a skirt suit ensemble. Or maybe you should get the entire suit. These jackets are short, ending at the waist, or if they do end below the waist, a sexy peplum that flounces from the waistline emphasizes the shape for the season, making the waist appear even smaller in comparison.

Since black is the most popular color for Autumn and winter 2007, and a black jacket would be easy to match exactly — just any skirt or pants that’s black would do — should you get a black jacket?

In the first place, do you look radiant in black, or does black make you look sickly?

If black makes you look fab, go for a black jacket with a peplum that you can wear as part of a skirt suit. If not, get that jacket in a color that you actually look good in and get the matching skirt. Weiterlesen »