Are You a Fashionable Woman?

When you hear the word fashion, the image that readily comes to mind is that of a woman looking glamorous and chic in the latest designer ensemble. After all, women make the fashion industry such a lucrative business. While it cannot be denied that men have become more conscious about what they wear nowadays, it is still the women in our society who patronize the fashion scene.

Hardly will you find any woman who is not in the loop when it comes to the latest and hippest fashion styles, from clothes to shoes to accessories, not to mention newbie designers to watch out for. It is worth mentioning that when it comes to fashion, women, too, have the upper hand in understanding trends in such a way that they can make it work for them no matter what kind of clothes are hot at the moment.

In addition, the fashion industry tends to be more forgiving towards women who make poor judgments in their getup from time to time. After all, without women, the fashion business will be a dying industry.

Fashionable Women

Have you noticed that some of the more fashionable women do not necessarily go with whatever is hot but whatever they feel most comfortable in? To the ordinary eye, some ensembles may look hideous, but to the discriminating fashion aficionado, these looks are sometimes better than what the regular, acceptable wardrobe is.

You may have also noticed that fashionable women look natural in whatever they are wearing. They do not necessarily have heavy makeup, loud lipstick shade or even expensive jewelry – if they wear any at all – and yet, they manage to make heads turn and sometimes create a stir in the fashion world.

This is because they exude such confidence that somewhat dares any one to defy their taste or make the impression that they couldn’t care less about what other people may think of what they are wearing.

Hand in Glove

For women, their fashion sense fits them like hand in glove so much so that sometimes, they are the only ones who understand their sense of style. It doesn’t mean however that the whole ensemble is not appreciated. In fact, the more that you can pull-off wearing something other people will not look good in, the more you are going to be admired and appreciated for your innovative taste in fashion.

You may even set a trend yourself.

If you haven’t yet discovered what your fashion style is, it is never too late to discover what it is. Remember that your fashion sense is what will set you apart from the other women you meet everyday and perhaps even from your bosses.

Bear in mind that whatever style you prefer, the most important thing is that you are comfortable wearing your clothes, and they give you some sense of confidence which shows in the way you walk, talk and carry yourself especially in front of other people.

The best way to pull off any look is to make everyone feel that you are happy, confident and secure enough to wear whatever you fancy.

The Importance of Fashion Trends

Fashion trends come and go, but a good fashion sense stays with you forever. Different people have different tastes in fashion, and while you may not always agree with them, they own up to their fashion sense with confidence. This is what makes a big difference between a fashion sense and fashion trend.

Fashion trends dictate that we wear whatever is in season otherwise we could be rudely stared at or whispered about in public, or worse, we can be cited as examples of what a fashion faux pas is. While to some extent we are compelled to follow the norms in fashion, it doesn’t necessarily follow that we lose our own sense of style in the process.

Celebrities for instance, know that they are being judged by more than half the world’s population by what they wear on what occasion, and for this reason alone, they turn to famous designers to dress them up in the latest threads in fashion. However, you will also notice that most of them incorporate their own sense of style into these fashion trends, and they are quite successful at it, too.

The Latest Fashion Trends

Nevertheless, it gives you some sort of security and peace of mind even knowing that what you are wearing is within the agreeable style of fashion for a particular season. Perhaps there is something to be said about the false sense of security that this kind of approval provides.

But on the other hand, it is actually not so much as seeking approval as the current trend really IS appealing to the public. After all, fashion trends are there not only to dictate to us what to wear but more so to show us different comfortable styles that we can choose from if we fancy wearing them.

Fashion trends take a lot of factors into consideration such as the weather, season, comfort, and lifestyle. So in reality, fashion trends are there to help people decide which one suits them best and which ones they can go without.

Create Your Style

If you go with the latest trends and use your imagination or creativity to make it your own style, you might find that there’s more to your wardrobe than only one look. You can also incorporate your mood into what you’re going to wear.

You can exude playfulness or show your sexy side on some occasions and then be a little conservative on other days. Remember that fashion trends are more of guidelines on what you can wear for whatever occasion.

For instance, if you’re stumped for ideas on what to wear to a formal event thrown by your company or you don’t know what to wear to a luau, fashion trends can help you solve this mystery. You can even ask fashion gurus who write in fashion magazines about advices on proper attires for every occasion.

After all, you wouldn’t want to be caught dead wearing flip-flops to your cousin’s wedding reception or jeans to a beach party, do you?

By Ezilon.com Articles

Fashion modelling - it's not just about a pretty face!

By : Fibre2fashion.com

Who has not looked at a pretty model walking down the ramp in a fashion show and envied her glamourous lifestyle? Most of us, at one point or the other in life, admired models, their poise and charm. Some of us have even wanted to be models. However, the life and career of a model is not all glam, as it looks like from the outside. Modeling is not just about having a pretty face; it is much more than that. A lot goes into the making of a model, and that is just what this article attempts to tell you about.

What it takes to be a model

The major prerequisites to becoming a fashion model are being photogenic and having an attitude. Being tall, slim and pretty are, of course, valuable assets to work with, but more important than that is being photogenic. Also, it is necessary for a model to have a confident attitude, a lot of grace and charm.

There are certain standard measurements for a fashion model that have evolved over time. The model should be tall and have a well-toned body. Commonly, female models are expected to have a height of at least 5'9", while male models should be at least 6' tall.

Ideal body measurements for females are considered to be a bust of 34", waist of 24" and hips of 34". However, nowadays, models in the plus-size category are also found. Though it is necessary that the model look well-toned and graceful, there is no standard weight that has been fixed. Usually, age does not factor much, as long as the other requirements are met; however, models in the age group of 15 to 22 are preferred at the start of a modelling career.

Fashion modelling is a highly competitive career. It would not be wrong to say that it is as demanding a career as it is lucrative. A lot of hard work, patience, dedication and strong determination are required to pursue a career in this field. A person starting out a career in fashion modelling usually has to face a lot of rejections and struggle. Hence, it is essential that the person persevere in the struggle and not give up midway.

A modelling career involves long hours in studios as well as on shoots in outdoor locations. To cope up with this hectic schedule, physical fitness is very important. It becomes mandatory to exercise regularly, eat and sleep healthy, and have a good beauty regimen in place. Physical fitness is as much a requirement in this field as is mental fitness.

Another very essential prerequisite is a highly professional attitude. A would-be model should be on time for assignments. It is necessary to be flexible and open-minded, and be accommodative to flexible timings as well as extensive travel schedules. The model might have to live alone for significant periods of time, making it necessary for him or her to be self-reliant to a great extent. Of course, willingness to live and travel alone is important. A model should have the capability to handle criticism well.

Contacts are of great importance in the field of modelling, due to which good communication and networking skills would be greatly helpful. A good sense of humour would not go amiss. Also, though it is not a prerequisite, it would be a great deal of help if the model has a bit of knowledge about acting and is camera-friendly.

A good sense of business helps the model in determining whether he or she is being justly paid for the assignments or not. Being a little business savvy would help in steering clear of exploitation.

Last, but not the least, a good sense of discretion and judgement would go a long way in a modelling career. Judgemental abilities would help the model in leading a 'model' life, avoiding excesses that the world of glamour invariably involves. A model should be able to use his discretionary powers to determine which assignments to undertake and which ones to avoid, so that his reputation is not tarnished.

How to get started

Considering that one possesses all the essential qualities, one has decided to go for a career in modelling. What next? Where to begin?

A would-be model should undertake thorough research on the fashion industry, and gain as much knowledge about the industry as possible. This helps significantly in building a sense of judgement.

After this, the next important step is to go for a portfolio. A portfolio is a set of photographs of the model, which helps in determining how photogenic he or she is. It is advisable to get a portfolio handled by a professional photographer. Photographs of the size 9" x 12" are considered ideal. A good portfolio contains 8-10 different kinds of photographs, a mix of black-and-white and coloured, casual and posed for. Each of these photographs should be a different location, garment and mood, so as to give an idea of how the model would look like in different situations. Generally, as and when a model gets established in the industry, he or she can add pictures from their work shoots.

Once the portfolio is ready, the would-be model should begin to contact modelling agencies, fashion designers and photographers in the industry. It is advisable to visit and study a number of agencies before signing a deal with one, to avoid changing the agency at a later stage. This gives an impression of being unprofessional, which is best avoided in the beginning of one's career. To get a break into a modelling career, it would also be a good idea to take part in modelling contests organized by magazines, cosmetic firms and garment manufacturers. Participating in beauty pageants would also be a great way to break in.

Why be a fashion model?

Fashion model is indeed a wonderful field to work in. It is not only glamourous, but also a very exciting way to earn one's living. It is, of course, a lucrative career option as well. One gets a chance to travel to exotic destinations and interact with the who's who of the fashion industry.

So, do you think you have it in you? Then, as Subroto Bagchi says, "Go, kiss the world!"

References:

• http://www.webindia123.com

• http://www.keralafashions.com

Do we need to follow fashion trends

Do we need to follow fashion trends

Fitting in- slavish, sensible or sensational?

Renato Palmi from The ReDress Consultancy-South Africa asks if following trends is a good practice for young South African fashion designers.

Seasonal change cues fashion media editors to present the public with "must-have" and "no-no" listings, which, no matter how individualistic or judicious we might think we are, subtly compel us to reconsider the stock in our private wardrobes.

In these times of economic strain and budget adjustments, does "fitting in" with rapidly changing fashion cycles not pose challenges to designers and consumers alike? Are we prisoners of fashion dictates, or could we consider co-creating new looks with minimal expense? How can local fashion designers sustain themselves by working around and within global and local market forces?

Through aggressive marketing, our individual identity can become effaced by homogenised clothing, a veneer that suggests we are part of a recognisable whole. Trend forecasters, retailers and brand conglomerates launching new styles, fabrics, cuts and colours stoke the coals of peer pressure that conditions us to be seen in the latest ranges. As social beings, we are construed as a collective commodity travelling in a continuum of design renovation that is dictated by a few but embraced by the masses, often with little thought to suitability or personal imagination.

Being seen in the right brand wearing the "in" label of a particular designer neutralises our individuality and leads to a contradiction of the purpose of fashion: individual style portraying human uniqueness; instead, we become fashion clones.

By conforming to seasonal trends, are we not impeding the innovation and growth of young fashion designers emerging in the market? There are a few designers who have created distinctive aesthetics and have steadily built a brand following. These looks are not confined to the examples seen on catwalks at Fashion Weeks events; idiosyncratic, semi-mass-produced, wearable garments are also available.

The old saying, "catch them when they are young" can be applied to fashion education. For example, when experts visit fashion colleges and advise students on the latest European trends - as if these are the unassailably essential forms of good design and as such, critical to design success - are we not diluting their imaginative resources?

Both student and established designers are required to be in touch with global fashion directions, but is it a prerequisite to emulate these trends without any re-interpretation? The colours for 2009 are, according to the style forecasters, moving away from metallic finishes to a more earthy, subdued colour palette; ripped denim might resurge, and for younger women, appropriation of men's jeans (known as "The Boyfriend Jeans") will be in vogue and Deep-V-T-shirts and jerseys could be the 2009 new style for men.

We need to respect the genius of our learner designers, and support them in steering away from reliance on European trends. This information is available for reference, so rather than delivering lectures on trend templates, their curricula should cover instruction in sourcing, assimilating, and interpreting the data, with a view to redefining trends in the local context and according to their own design sensibilities.

Upcoming generations of South African designers can consult a wealth of historical fashion approaches to inspire new nuances for their ranges, not only through their designs but by the way they market and retail their creations. It is my sense that the edicts filtering down to young designers and into the consumer psyche of what can or cannot be worn should be challenged. It is time for fashion revolution and evolution.

The late 1950s and early 60s are a good example of this: young, energetic, visionary designers kicked against prevailing market prescriptions, sweeping aside hidebound retailing and manufacturing methods. Interestingly, even though the establishment was outraged at the audacity of these young artists, the two systems found equilibrium and co-operated in the realisation that the market was big enough to accommodate the diversity.

This period saw the rebirth^[1] of the boutique as a way of retailing fast, limited-edition, highly individualistic fashion. Led by Mary Quant, this fashion revolution saw new designers enter and disappear from the fashion scene as rapidly as new styles appeared in the boutiques. The survivors were those who developed solid business strategies and used experts to market their labels and outlets. Quant saw that the only way to thrive and move up the fashion value-chain was to develop a system of manufacturing that could produce limited ranges of quality garments in a timely and cost-efficient manner, and in so doing, she established business partnerships with CMTs and textile manufacturers who were willing and able to meet her needs.^[2]

In 1971, it was estimated that in the United Kingdom alone, there were 15 000 boutiques doing an annual business remit of 300-million. There was fierce competition between the boutiques, but this fostered an ethos of mutual respect and operational etiquette flourished in this sector. Each boutique offered a retail outlet for designers, and these outlets evolved into distinguished, quaint retail oases, establishing a reputation for a particular fashion flavour for a discerning market segment.

The boutiques offered an ideal opportunity for the supplier designers to interact with customers, get critical feedback and rapidly adapt, innovate and supply updated designs. They did not wait for received wisdom from textile manufacturers or trend forecasters. Instead, they created their own trends, and styles, allowing both young and old the space to explore and mix a variety of affordable, high-quality styled clothing to create their own personal fashion statements.

The key to fashion revolution is the alignment between CMTs, textile suppliers, independent designers and the financial sector supporting boutiques that present viable business plans.

South Africa's fashion sector should spearhead this alignment process, by understanding global trends - much as a musician masters fundamental techniques and genres-and then improvising on these to recalibrate the degree and trajectory of fashion development along new lines of excellence.

Written and research by Renato Palmi

The ReDress Consultancy-South Africa

The Art, Science and Trade that is Fashion Design

Fashion design is the art of designing clothes and recently includes clothing accessories such as shoes, bags and custom jewelry. It is considered as an applied art as the designer or artist draws from within original concepts, albeit inspired by anything about his environment, and execute them through clothing and accessories. On the other hand, fashion design is a serious science that studies human body, its shape and contour, proportions and forms, and how to make it look good by draping it and wrapping it in various kinds of fabrics and other materials. Fashion design is also a trade, a business that encompasses an increasingly growing industry world wide as it became a lifestyle and an expression of individuality for both men and women.

History of Fashion Design

The first fashion designer was Charles Frederick Worth (1826-1895). He put up his fashion house in Paris. He was said to be the first to tell his clients what will look best on them and what they should wear. Thereafter, fashion houses were born. The early part of the twentieth century, fashion was mainly focused in Paris which makes it the first fashion capital of the world. Clothes designed in Paris were copied by department stores and seamstress around the globe. Towards the middle of the twentieth century, the off-the-peg and mass produced fashion shared the limelight of couture. People were presented with more fashion choices. During the latter part of the 20th century, people started to choose designs for themselves as comfort, individuality and self-expression began to play a big role that remained up to the present.

Many people believed that fashion has become bleak at the start of the new century as fashion started to draw inspiration from the past decades combined with the prevalent minimalist style.

Career Opportunities in Fashion Design Industry

A career in the fashion industry is not only fulfilling for a person who loves the art, but it can also be rewarding. It has become a multimillion dollar industry during the past several decades. There are several ways to work in fashion design business. These are:
1. As a freelance fashion designer – Freelance designers are self-employed. They sell their designs or sketches to design houses, clothing manufacturers or clothing shops. The label will bear the name of the buyer of the design.
2. Working for a house of design – Designers can work for a particular house of design. They design clothes together with other designers and get paid regularly. The label that the clothes bear is that of the house.
3. Putting up own fashion design business – Some designers can put up their own business where designs or products can carry their own name or label. Other designers who have their own fashion house or business started as a paid designer for other houses of fashion themselves as apprentices.
4. Working at the other areas of fashion aside from designing – A lot of people are working in the fashion industry not as designers but through other ways such as photography, media, modeling, marketing, or merchandising. However, it is not uncommon that people in this area of the business also venture into designing later on as they get inspired by the environment to develop their natural talent in this art.