Adam Singleton asked:




For many, the average men’s shirt is simply a garment of utility – one that is worn by men across the world for reasons of function and not necessarily fashion. But this attitude belies the hundreds of years of trends in men’s shirts. From the typical collarless shirts with billowing sleeves worn by classical painters to the modern formal button-down shirt, men’s shirts have captured the imaginations of both designers and ordinary men for generations. In the twentieth century in particular, a range of different shirt styles have proved popular with men of all ages.



One of the most important developments in men’s shirts over the last hundred years, for example, has been the invention of the polo shirt. The polo shirt, or ‘tennis shirt’, was created by legendary French tennis player Rene Lacoste in 1929 as an alternative to the stiff dress shirts and ties typical of tennis attire at the time. In the 1960s, Ralph Lauren propelled the polo shirt to new heights as a prominent item in his ‘Polo’ collection; and since this time the polo shirt has become so popular that it is now a standard category of clothing – although it has fallen out of favour with most tennis players.



The granddad shirt has also been a long lasting trend in men’s shirts in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. These collarless shirts have been popular with men in warm countries for decades and have seen a variety of incarnations throughout the years. The Nehru Jacket, for instance, is a South Asian version of the modern granddad shirt that was popularised by the first Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in the 1950s and early 1960s, and has since been prominently worn by a number of celebrities, from the likes of Sammy Davis Jr to Steven Segal. Today’s granddad shirt preys on bright colours and an ethno-bohemian vibe that appeals to a variety of men’s fashion trends – from festival clothing to smart casual summer wear.



The button-down shirt has also been one of the most influential men’s shirts in fashion history – but memories of how it was created tend to be somewhat hazy. Some fashion experts claim that the button-down collar shirt was invented by an American shirt manufacturer who was inspired by an English polo match, in which players had their collars clipped down to avoid flapping in the wind. Others say that button-down shirts were created in New York, when their inventor (as yet anonymous) attached his collar to his shirt with buttons in a fit of annoyance at the oncoming wind.



But whatever the origin of the button-down shirt, its impact on the men’s shirt industry has been historic, as button down shirts are now worn in both formal and casual contexts. Today, short-sleeved men’s shirts are often worn with skinny jeans, large belts and tailored waistcoats for a fresh and informal look that still exudes smart chic. And with men’s shirts available in a variety of colours – from grey to raspberry – and in a variety of floral and striped patterns, it’s clear that evolving trends in men’s fashion are far from over.

Sasha Bowman asked:




Gabriella Rocha Studio is an offshoot of the original Gabriella Rocha line. The studio brand is ideal for the modern young woman who is in the transitional stages of her life from collegiate to professional. Fun, chic, quality and affordable pricing are some of the main characteristics that describe this brand best. To give you a wider scope, the Gabriella Rocha Studio collection includes socks, shoes, blouses, tanks, dresses, skirts, jeans, sweaters, wraps, pullovers, and coats. The prices generally range from $25 to $125 for sock and apparel and from $39 to $145 for footwear. 

If you want clothing with great style, that is timeless yet a little trendy, all at an affordable price, then this is the label for you. The chic patterns and vibrant colors in classic shapes allow a young woman to be polished in her appearance, yet still maintain her youth and vivacity through her clothing. Many of the pieces from this brand can be mixed and matched to create endless options for the young woman on a budget. The sturdy construction of the clothing and the attitude (not to mention comfort) of the shoes will give any woman endless options as to what to wear. From sexy pumps in jaw-dropping jewel tones to fabulous flats, there is a shoe that everyone can wear. A great example of the classic versatility yet effervescence of this brand is a white A-line skirt with metallic beading in a paisley pattern that would be appropriate for any girl’s day at the office. Another funky fresh combo would be a surplice blouse done in a shimmery crepe, a great transitional piece for work or play.    
 

What else can I say? There is no doubt as to why Gabriella Rocha Studio has such a loyal following. Some of my favorites for the Fall are the ‘Dima’ skirt in black; the ‘Studio Chic’ wrap in green; the ‘Casmir Dress’ in Mocha; and the ‘Shane’ shoe boot in tan. So check Gabriella Rocha Studio out today, if you love great style with a touch of funky chic then you will love this brand. As always, good luck and Happy Shopping!

Jennifer Bailey asked:




Considering the alarming growth of the fashion industry and the consequent bright future prospects in the field of fashion design, it is worthwhile to think of being equipped with the requisite skills. The knowledge of the required skills calls for pursuing a degree or diploma in fashion design. However, it might not always be easy to bear the expenses of the schools or the college offering such programs. To provide assistance in this respect, there are fashion design scholarships available for the students. The scholarship includes tuition fees, books and other supplies.

Usually, the scholarships are granted on the basis of the nationwide competitions. Prospective applicants are required to submit projects on different topics such as a new clothing line, a project outlining a plan for promoting a particular fashion store or a marketing strategy for a particular type of outfit.

The test conducted for the scholarship is aimed at testing the creativity of an individual. It also focuses on the way the creative genius is put into practice. Proper implementation is a very important aspect of fashion design.

Various scholarship examinations are conducted on certain stipulated dates

Besides this, there are certain eligibility criteria for the scholarships. So it is important that people interested in fashion design, keep themselves posted about the related information. There are websites that provide assistance in this regard.

Scholarships are granted for different amounts and for different categories of students. There are scholarships for undergraduate costume design student. A scholarship may also be granted on the basis of disability and ethnic background or on the basis of sexual preferences such as to the gays, lesbians, bisexual or transsexual, who are actively involved in community service. It is also available to the international students, dependants of retired army personnel, people who served in the army or affiliates of a particular religion or community such as the Presbyterian Church or members of the Jewish community.

The fashion design scholarships provide financial assistance to the eligible students to pursue their dreams and make sure that their financial position does not hamper their prospects in the field of fashion design.

Clara Havisham asked:




We all want sandals that sparkle, shine and help us make an entrance, but not all of us have a fortune to pick the right style that suits the occasion, attire and comfort. Some even don’t know the current trend alerts. You don’t have to don the latest shoe collections, but a nod to current trends shows you’re up to date. Well, this article guides you to know this fall’s trendy sandals that are good bet for you in terms of comfort and style as well.

Espadrilles

Espadrilles, a slip on shoe of Spanish origin, are a classic warm weather dress sandals, chic and hip in looks are the perfect bet to pair with any gorgeous outfit. These versatile dress shoes come in loads of beautiful colors, and pretty floral prints as well to give the style you want. They are the perfect summer dress shoes much ideal for you in terms of comfort as well fashion.

Pumps

Pumps are lightweight, strapless shoes featured with a seamless front upper that is cut closer to the toes than the top of the foot with varying heel heights. These dress sandals can be worn with a variety of outfits and they tend to take you anywhere right from office, to party to any other occasion. From simple pointy-toed styles to sexy retro versions, pumps are available in many styles for the style conscious women.

Mules

Mules are backless shoes available in many styles like sporty, sneakers and elegant dress sandals to meet your comfort, casual and style requirements. When compared to other type of dress sandals, mules stand apart for its blend of many well equipped features that highly comfort you feet and gain you a great appearance. This footwear is easy to slip and off giving a good soothing experience for your tired feet in this hot summer. Mules are the knock-out pair of shoes for any dressy occasion to allure your appearance.

Peep-Toe Sandals

Among all trend alerts of shoes this fall, peep-toe shoes are the leading of all. A pair of peep-toe sandals is a surefire fashion accessory for your wardrobe. Both modest and sexy, peep toe sandals can compliment nearly any toes. These alluring shoes come in all heel styles ranging from sexy stilettos to seductive kitten heels lifting your spirit to the endless skies of fashion. While the summer is in full swing, a pair of these peep-toe shoes will be a great bet to beat the heat and stay in the most sophisticated style you want.

Ramya Rangarajan asked:




Fall’s here and winter’s coming. It’s time to move out old clothes from your wardrobe and make space for new apparel to suit the season. But before you go on your shopping spree, you may want to consider what’s on the runways for Fall/Winter 2008.

‘Sexy and classy’ are the features defining fashion this fall and winter. Sculpted architectural shapes in regal purples, soft grays and flesh tones are in. This season the waist has made a come back, with belted swing coats, curvy dresses, nipped-in waist coats and pencil skirts.

While tailored jackets and wide-legged pants work for the office, for casual wear your turtlenecks and boot-cut jeans can remain. Also try the fringed furs and peasant headscarves of the Russian doll folklore trend which has made an appearance with distinctive shapes this season.

Plaid prints are in too. Mismatched colors and geometric patterns dominate skirts, tops, dresses and tights. Dolce and Gabbana and Ralph Lauren are the designers who have a passion for plaid this season. However, you do not have to do away with your floral prints to make way for geometric patterns. Floral prints in dark shades defy fashion trends this fall and winter.

Oversize cable knits and off-shoulder Cashmere sweaters have replaced the wool coats. Overall, jewel tones, purples, loads of black and gray and rusty copper colors dominate this season. So, keep these trends in mind while you’re shopping. But also remember to choose something you’re comfortable in- because comfort is the best trend of all seasons.

Steven Allen asked:




Are you looking for fashion wholesale in Malaysia?

Fashion is one of the favorite trend especially for youngsters. Many business owners from Malaysia are looking for the fashion wholesale in order to get the latest fashion stuffs or products for their current fashion business. But fashion trend business changes very quickly daily like the weather, and how many of them choose the right wholesaler?

Most of the fashion wholesale in Malaysia import the fashion products from Hong Kong, some of them from Taiwan and Japan. Below are some tips of how to buy fashion wholesale in Malaysia:-

1) Choose wholesale distributor carefully by doing some research thoroughly before trusting them with future of your business.

2)Decide on what merchandise you want to buy from the retailer and what are you plan to sell in your store. If you are new, start from basic fashion pieces with well known brand manufactures.

3)Do not fall into the trap of only offering the trends seen in the fashion magazines, understand your market needs first.

4)If you have no idea where to start or how to do market survey in Malaysia, refer to these 2 ways which always being used by a small group of business owners in Malaysia:-

i) Search in Google for the fashion wholesalers, contact them and get the quotation from them.
ii)Get the contact from Yellow Pages, do the same thing by getting the quotation from them.

After doing these, compare the quotations which you get from different fashion wholesalers and decide who you want to deal with.

If you know the Malaysia market well and get the right fashion wholesale, you will make lots of money. Do some research before making any decision!

Elli Rose asked:




From back to school to styles for the office, it’s nice to know that this fall, there’s a wide selection of shoes out there for everyone in your household! We are seeing trends that focus on colors that are deep and rich, such as dark reds, greens, chocolate, and plum. Today we’ll look at the different styles and see when they’re appropriate to wear.

First, let’s talk back to school, since it seems that the kids always get the cutest little kicks. One of the best parts of going back to school – besides getting to buy new school supplies – is that you have a great excuse to buy new shoes. If you have kids, they likely head out to the bus every morning in a pair of sneakers. Maybe you’re jealous of the comfort they get to live in, but don’t be! You can wear it too!

The trend this fall is all about retro, inspired by old-school track and basketball shoes they will take you back in time. With hot vintage styling, you just can’t walk away from these. Tweed, suede, corduroy, and canvas top the list of fabrics these sneakers are made of, and they can be dressed up or down to some degree. They are perfect for casual Fridays at the office; if you’re a stay-at-home mom, all the better! Another benefit of the retro look is that you can rock Chuck Taylor’s everyday and be ultra-hip.

If there is one shoe that signals fall, it’s the boot. This season, both knee-high and ankle boots are gracing the runways, and they’re hot! A major trend seen in these boots and many other shoes this fall is the high-heel – 3 1/2″ to 4″, in fact. Just like the sneakers, the look here is retro and will remind you of the ’80s all the way. Pair boots with short skirts, long skirts, jeans or chinos; this might just be the perfect shoe.

Some women prefer a shoe over a boot, and if that’s the case, you won’t be left behind. There are lots of super-cute shoe styles that can be fitting for any occasion. Platform shoes are all the rage, but if you don’t like the look of the chunky sole, opt for something that is a bit sleeker. As with the boots this fall, you will be working with a tall heel, but it doesn’t have to be chunky.

Peep-toe shoes come in heels or ballet styles and are great for the office and for a day of shopping. They are a little dressier than a typical closed-toe ballet shoe, and your polished toes peeking out make these a very sexy shoe sure to dress up the simplest of outfits. Another great look we’re seeing is the ankle-strap shoe. Slip these on with a mid-calf or shorter skirt to show off the sexiness these shoes were made to foster. There’s just something about a shoe that clasps just above the ankle bone that makes you sway your hips just a little bit more.

Fall is in full swing and it’s time to put away the flip-flops and sandals and go with something a little more inspired by the autumn season. As you switch over your closets and pack away the summer gear, start taking an inventory of what you have to wear on your feet. I’d bet that you’ll find at least one outfit that needs a new pair of shoes!

Frances Lynn asked:




One of the most talented fashion designers in the early Seventies was Ossie Clark, who had first made his sartorial mark in the previous decade. Celia Birtwell, his then wife designed all the individual prints for his well-cut clothes, which were guaranteed to make any woman look svelte and glamorous. (Celia now designs clothes with her archives prints for Top Shop). Ossie’s fashion shows were held in theatrical venues like the Royal Court Theatre, where all of fashionable London would ’see and be seen’. Ossie had a loyal stable of exotic models, one of whom was Amanda Lear. Rumour had it she was a transsexual – people say she invented that rumour to make herself appear even more interesting than she already was. She was an inspiration for “Frantic”, my novel set in the early Seventies. ‘Then the first mannequin, a convincing sex change stalked the spot lit catwalk, proudly draped in a Cedrick bow which seemed bigger than the Eiffel Tower. The bow was so enormous, that all could be seen of the mannequin was a pair of pink lips. However, when the creature swished around, wiggling its spine at the audience, fashion Industry pundits were delighted to see clusters of lip shaped bows cascading down onto the floor in one full, Mermaid tail swoop.’

Amanda Lear had a colourful CV, which included a stint as a one-time muse to Salvador Dali. In the later Seventies, she metamorphosed into an international disco queen, and got married too. Before then, I couldn’t resist playing a trick on Amanda, and invented a character called Jet Spray Cooler in my column. Evelyn Waugh’s ‘Vile Bodies’ inspired me to become a gossip columnist after I first read it. I loved the bit about ‘Mr Chatterbox’ inventing a green bowler as the latest fashion accessory in his column. Following his example, I repeatedly wrote that the fictitious Jet Spray was Amanda’s biggest admirer and was desperate to meet her. Amanda wanted to know who this Jet Spray Cooler character was? I invented a wild story, telling her he was a rock ‘n’ roll superstar.
‘If he’s a superstar, why haven’t I heard of him, darling?” Amanda wanted to know.
‘He’s only famous in LA,’ I fibbed.

‘But, when am I going to meet this Jet Spray?’ Amanda kept asking me.
‘You’re never in the same city at the same time,’ I fabricated.
In the end, I got fed up with having to fob Amanda off all the time and confessed that Jet Spray Cooler didn’t exist. She was disappointed, but took it quite well.

Amanda wasn’t the only model who loved Ossie. His flattering costumes made his models look super-sensational, and they all adored him for it. When he appeared on stage after his latest collection at one of his spectacular fashion shows, his models threw themselves at him. It’s a tragedy that he died before he could carry out his promise to me. From the moment I met him in David Hockney’s basement, he promised he would make my wedding dress when I got married. But, he did give me a sexy black negligee. It could easily have doubled up as a convincing evening gown, but his exquisite creation was perfect for a honeymoon.

Copyright: Frances Lynn, 2006

Jennie Gandhi asked:




According to plus size supermodel, Liis Windischmann, “Beauty is found in various sizes. We need to stop defining women by size and simply accept that beauty comes in all forms”

The fashion world may be largely biased towards plus size women, but that doesn’t mean designers are going the same way. With many voluptuous women demanding stylish clothes which are hip and trendy, designers are capitalizing on this market by creating fashion apparel meant specifically for the 14+ size.

But they still have a long way to go. Fashion experts are slowly trying to fill the demand for high-end curvy fashion. For women who are petite and plump, getting clothes stitched is another option. By working closely with your tailor, he can design clothes for your body which will fit you like a second glove. It’s not necessary to stick to the rules. You can bend, even break them. If you’re bored with the usual stripes, experiment with vertical elements or look for a shirt with a little embroidery or lace edging on the blouse. If you are purchasing stripes, stick to vertical lines.

Add a blazer or cardigan if you’re going for a monochromatic effect. Accessorize yourself with scarves, pantyhose, belts and jewelry. Look for scarves with long vertical ends. Wear thin belts and avoid big bulky ones. Long necklaces or pendants on a V-neck; add more glamor and suaveness to your attire, giving your neck an elongated finish. Wear heels which have an inch or two of heel in them. If you are petite and a plus sized beauty, go for smaller prints so that your outfit isn’t too overwhelming.

Mix and match always. Don’t be afraid to go for different proportional outfits. Avoid fabrics that will cling to your body so that they do not highlight your curves and make them stand out. Find a signature style for yourself. Once you discover you’re best feature, emphasize it as much as possible. If there are some designs in your wardrobe which you love wearing focus on buying or stitching things similar to them. When accessorizing don’t go overboard, try and complement your figure, not compete with it.

To show off your lovely legs, try a one piece dress, one which will highlight your curves well, silhouetting your figure. Capris and wide trendy pants can make you look skinnier and taller at the same time. Pump these up with high heels for good measure.

With the fashion industry making more room for plus size models and designers joining the bandwagon by starting plus size lines, women who are above a size 12 no longer have to sacrifice fashion trends or quality. But more than the latest trends, you have to feel confident of your body as a woman. Just because a certain trend is all the rage, doesn’t mean it is for you.

Predrag Del Prado asked:




The 90s was a great decade for fashion. No longer were the big names of fashion concerned with the amount of dress and under-dressing. In a minimalistic twist which emphasized the grace and freedom of the human form, the 90s featured a great fear of overdressing. Ostentatious displays of class were replaced with the beauty of stark simplicity. And apart from a product’s style, the way it was portrayed by the media became an equally important factor in a product’s success.

Fashion took a turn for the revolutionary and out of the ordinary at the end of the 20th century. No more were the blond bombshells and femme fatales of past decades ruling the runway and the billboards. In their stead, themes of poverty, sexual violence, disability, death and body modification came into being through the form of the romantically poor waif, with a face devoid of make-up and stark backgrounds. Retailers of ready-to-wear clothing like The Gap, Banana Republic and Eddie Bauer came into prominence with clothes that women found to be comfortable and ultimately wearable.

It was also in the 90s that Gucci (which had existed since the 20s) found international success by winning the Brand of the Year award, becoming the largest selling Italian brand of all. And like Gucci, Prada also came into prominence with a truly luxurious style that benefited young ladies whose fashion sense was more relaxed and subtle. And like Gucci, its specialty was high quality bags and shoes. In the United States, the fashion industry was lorded over by Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein and Michael Kors. They used a combination of minimalism with hints of veiled sensuality to market their products to thousands of buyers.

Other icons of the era include Vivienne Westwood with her blast to the past fashion sense, Gianni Versace with his colorful and sexy patterns, and Dolce and Gabbana which embodied the feminine psyche of the era in terms of fashion. The 90s was a truly rebellious and colorful era. If you’re interested in these tidbits of information, you were probably born for a fashion design degree.