Lingerie for the Holidays: Sexy Lingerie for Christmas and New Years

The holidays are a time for sexy lingerie and intimate evenings. Forget the stress and strain of holiday shopping and family meals, and remember that relationships can be strained with all the things to do, parties to attend and shopping to do. Don't forget to plan some time alone, to rekindle the romance or just have some serious adult fun. Lingerie is the perfect antidote to the holiday blues.

The holidays are a time for family, true, but your wife or girlfriend is a part of the family too, isn't she? She deserves some special lingerie and so do you. Also don't forget one of the most romantic holidays are just around the corner. So much attention is paid to Christmas, many people almost forget that New Year's Eve is the week after Christmas and we all know how hectic that can be.

Yes, New Years Eve is a very romantic time of the year. I always wondered why everyone seems to get so excited about the New Years holiday. Isn't it just an excuse to party until midnight, toast each other, kiss your loved one as what you are doing on New Year's is a prediction of what you will be doing all year long, right? Well, over the last couple of years, New Years have become very romantic, because I have made it romantic. Start planning now, cause the reservations will be taken fast.

Wherever you live there will be New Years celebrations and you have your choices. There are the parties held by friends and families. There are the parties held by the major hotels in your area. I suggest you try one of these major parties with all the trimmings including the hotel room and breakfast the next morning.
This is the time for sexy lingerie .

If you have kids, get a baby sitter who can spend the night. Plan a luxurious evening complete with dinner, dancing, a midnight snack, breakfast and have I left anything out? Of course! Romance! Last year my husband and I reserved a local hotel room that had dinner for two complete with champagne, the room and a breakfast buffet. Not as extravagant as previous years, but memorable nonetheless. We packed for an evening of fun.

Don't forget the swimsuits for the heated pool or jacuzzi. An extra bottle of wine, or two. A digital camera and of course, sexy panties , bra and panty sets and precious alone time.

We started off the evening off with a romantic candle light dinner and had a little dessert to top it all off. When we got back to the room, we relaxed for a while, then headed down to the heated pool, jacuzzi and sauna. Luckily they were all indoors, but thankfully we took our little plastic cups and a bottle of wine and divided our time between the relatively cool pool and the steaming jacuzzi. Wow, what a relaxing time, but we headed back to the room just in time for midnight, and the ball in Times Square on television.

Out came the lingerie and the camera, and we all know that these two items were made for each other. My outfit was a combination of sexy sheer thigh highs, a bra and panty set and a pair of 4 inch platforms, boy did I look hot and trashy! I won't go into any more details, but the next morning came way too soon. We got up and dressed and got down to the New Years brunch about noon, and while we weren't terribly hungry, the coffee and sweets were appreciated.

On the way home we both agreed that this was going to be a happy New Year.

Source: Flirtylingerieblog

Designer clothing stolen from Mississauga store

More than $400,000 worth of designer Italian apparel has been stolen from a high-end store in Mississauga.

Peel police believe the same men are behind the daring heists in April and again this month at an unnamed store on Ridgeway Drive. In each case, more than $200,000 in Prada and Versace suits, jeans and purses were stolen.

Investigators are linking the thefts with three other break-ins at another high-end store in York Region between August of last year and this past June.

Police are warning the public to be on the lookout for the stolen items, which could end up being sold off the back of a truck or on the street for too-good-to-be-true prices.

Source: CTVglobemedia Publishing Inc

Madame introduces "The Rock and Roll" collection for Christmas and New Year

The party season is on with Christmas on us and new year just around the corner. Madame, a brand synonomous to women fashion wear encapsulates its ever-changing sense of style with an exquisite collection of party dresses that further echo the luxury rock and roll feel of the Fall/Winter collection currently in store.

The party collection is bursting with an array of must have items from pretty and soft dresses, sparkling jewellery and chunky knits, all of which will create the perfect Party wardrobe. It comprises of Tunics, Twin Sets, Woollen Tights and Formal Leg Wear accented by studded accessories.

Knitted Torsos provide the Madame users a shimmer of elegance thus making them stand apart the crowd while keeping them warm. A chic mix of blended fine wool and lurex spells magnificence. The vibrant shades of Maroons, silver, gold and bronze, with hints of rich burgundy, shiny black_& Pearly White are in for the season.

Detail is everything, from a finely studded silver tunic, to a luxurious Black and silver dress ornated with pearls. while classic brown top include a knitted mandarin-style studded with stones.All to the shimer are the gleaming accessories like silver, bonze and golden belts.

Akhil Duggar, Creative Head, MADAME comments: "Madame offers a wide range of ramp to road fashion to its valuable customer. We are always sensitive to their needs. As I wanted to keep this range very fun and youthful, there are lots of playful touches which are perfect for the party season.”.

Source: Indiaprwire.com

Transformed schoolgirl wins Miss Australia Teen Model

Not only was she admitted into the TC Club at Brisbane's exclusive girls' school Stuartholme - that's the "Too Cool" Club - but she decided to try modelling.
"I have always been interested in fashion since I was a little girl," the new Miss Australia Teen Model said.

Geo made her big "life" decision while mucking out her beloved horse's stable - Hilltop Mikessa had the horse flu.

"When I got my horse I lost weight," Geo said. "I started working out and watching what I was eating and the weight just dropped off."

She entered the contest at the last minute after a friend in the fashion industry called.

It was her first modelling attempt.

"I was really confident until the other girls came in," Geo said.

"They seemed more experienced and they knew exactly what they were doing. They got in and helped me, showed me how to walk, pose for photos and how to talk."

The "Geo" of old - circa Year Eight - always stood out.

She was six feet tall, 90kg, and always sported brightly coloured hair.

A bright pink fringe with a shaved head at the back stands out at Stuartholme School.

"Since I was a little girl, from about eight, I always had my hair cut and coloured," Geo said.

She started "working" at the Brisbane hair salon Tognini's when she was eight, sweeping and asking people if they wanted coffee while her mum had her hair done.

And Benny Tognini still supports her. In the contest, she was the only girl covered from head to foot in the sportswear section: she wore a full equestrian outfit.

At schoolies, someone threw her $300 designer shoe over the balcony and it fell 21 storeys where the security guard caught it - and it was so distinctive, he remembered who it belonged to.

Source: Queensland Newspapers

Fashion designer Rodricks kicks off party season in Goa

Noted designer Wendell Rodricks showcased his Lounge Lizard collection in Panjim at the tourists' paradise Goa kicking off the much-awaited party season.

Rodricks' latest collection was an ensemble in black velvet, silver work and lots of tulle.

The collection has been inspired by and aimed at the young lounge reveller. All over India, the concept of a lounge or club has emerged as an integral part of entertainment.

The asymmetrical lines and sharp silhouettes along with electric mix of weaves and fabrics were the highlights of the show.

"The collection is looking great on the ramp. We have a lot of dark colours to start with because it is club wear basically for discos, and then we have gone into whites which is very pure and very Goa, " said Rodricks.

In the relaxed yet energetic ambience, clothing was young, sexy, sporty and yet cocktail wear.

Singer Remo Fernandes and model Carol Gracias graced the occasion.

"He's got a very individual style, you know, among the Indian designers. What I love about him is that he doesn't depend on Indian cliché of the Raj's and Maharajas, " said Fernandes.

Using a colour palette including black, aubergine, deep olive and silver, the Lounge Lizard collection by Rodricks uses diverse fabric woven or treated with a technological edge: Velvet is woven with lycra. Organza is heat treated to form pleats.

"It's always a pleasure. I love his clothes. I feel like a lady and very beautiful and all that sort of thing. I am doing the Wendell show for the second time in Goa. So I am very happy to be here again, many years later. And I feel as great as ever, " said Carol.

The Wendell Rodricks signature style is unique in India, blending ancient Indian geometry with a relaxed Goan attitude. Using natural Indian fabrics, cut in a linear line, the silhouette is sheer, layered, draped and fluid.

The designer is referred to as the guru of minimalism in the Indian fashion industry, thus he has passed his signature style of minimalism, reinvented with a new creativity in his Lounge Lizard collection. (ANI)

Source: Topnews.in

Swarovski Young Designer Awards encourages undiscovered talent

The Awards, part of The Bride Show Dubai, are open to students and amateur designers and aim to throw the spotlight on undiscovered talent looking for their break into the notoriously tough fashion industry.

Ten finalists from both the Student and the Amateur design categories will be given the opportunity to bring their ideas to life and see their wedding dresses displayed on the catwalk by professional models as part of The Swarovski Young Designer Award Fashion Show on the last day of The Bride Show Dubai 2008.

The overall winner of the Innovation Award will win an internship at Swarovski or a dedicated fashion house. Furthermore, winners of each category will receive a Swarovski trophy and luxury gift hamper.

As is tradition for the Awards, a theme has been set for entrants to take inspiration. This year, the designers will be asked to reflect 'the art of being intimate' in their design for what is arguably the most important dress a woman will wear in her life.

Applicants to the Awards will submit a selection of mood boards, outlining their creative influences, their concepts and overall designs. A panel of judges, formed by eminent personalities and industry figures, will select top ten designs in each category which will then be designed and modeled. All participants will have access to invaluable workshops and mentoring, designed to develop their skills, from the Awards sponsor, Swarovski.

Swarovski, the world's leading crystal company, is an integral partner with The Bride Show. Usually associated with global leaders of the fashion industry, Swarovski recognises the importance of nurturing young talent and developing new ideas and fresh creativity. The Young Designer Awards creates the perfect platform to reach promising future designers and help them break into the fashion industry.

'The response we have received in the last few years of the Swarovski Young Designer Awards has been overwhelming,' said Werner Baumgartner, Managing Director of Swarovski Middle East. 'We believe this is an important competition, which helps both students who have embarked on a path to a career in fashion as well as amateurs who believe they have an eye for creativity and flair. I am very much looking forward to seeing how this year's participants will develop the theme, 'the art of being intimate' into a beautiful wedding dress.'

The Bride Show Dubai is the largest and most prestigious bridal exhibition in the Middle East, making it the perfect arena for budding fashion stars to showcase their unique wedding dress creations to prospective brides and their families, Arab women and expatriates.

'Now in its 9th year, we are thrilled to build further on the success of the Swarovski Young Designer Awards at The Bride Show Dubai,' said Daphne Cota, Exhibitions Manager for The Bride Show. 'Seeing the finalists' hard work pay off on the last day of the event is always very inspiring and we know our visitors love to see local creative talent in the spotlight and on the catwalk. The Awards continue to raise awareness and standards for young talent in the Middle East fashion industry.'

Budding fashion designers who are interested in taking part should download an application form from The Bride Show website. The deadline for submissions is 14 February 2008.

Source: AME Info

Iraqi designers are back in fashion

More than four years after their priceless garments were plundered in the looting that followed the US invasion, Iraq's premier dress designers are back in fashion -- of the ancient Mesopotamian variety.

Now they are ready to display their latest works on the international stage. Perhaps New York, perhaps Paris. Anywhere but Baghdad.

"We are working like butterflies -- quietly," says Iraqi House of Fashions director general May Rammo. We don't want to attract attention. If you are working for the government you are open to being attacked."

Hidden away in a three-storey building in Baghdad that she would prefer was not identified, Rammo oversees a team of 307 designers, artists, embroiderers, dressmakers and models who are recreating dresses and costumes in styles dating back 5,000 years and more.

Artists copy images from ancient pottery and drawings, designers adapt them, experts source natural fabrics in local markets, embroiderers create the motifs, and dressmakers sew them onto dresses which the models then display.

Do not even ask the price of the exquisite hand-crafted garments bearing colourful motifs representing either the Sumerian period (5000-2330 BC), the Babylonian era (2330-1750) and the Assyrian epoch (1800-613) and on up until the start of the Islamic period in the 6th century AD.

"They're priceless. They're not for sale," says Rammo. "Some of them have taken a year to complete. How can you put a price on that? Many people have wanted to buy them but we're making these dresses to preserve our culture. They're just for the pleasure of seeing."

The robes, some of the type worn by the kings and queens of Mesopotamia -- as the land between two rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates, was known -- are made solely of materials that would have been available at the time.

"Only silks and cottons and wools. No synthetic fibres," says Rammo, a civil engineer turned artist/designer whose mobile phone rings incessantly while she sets about enthusiastically explaining the ethos of her enterprise.

Sponsored by Iraq's culture ministry, the Iraqi House of Fashions was established in 1970 with the aim of conserving ancient Iraqi culture.

For the next 33 years the team turned out hundreds and hundreds of dresses -- "perhaps even thousands," says Rammo's number two, Shireen Mohammed. The creations were displayed at "fashion shows" that more resembled theatre than modern-day catwalk extravaganzas.

"In the shows we'd start with the Sumerian fashions, and then move through the Babylonian era and into the Assyrian era -- then right on up until the start of the Islamic times," explains Mohammed, a Kurdish single woman in her forties who happily admits her life revolves around the fashion house.

Crass modernity, however, clashed brutally with the ancient arts when US-led troops invaded Iraq in 2003, unleashing a savage wave of looting during which priceless antiquities and historial artworks were plundered along with consumer items such as televisions, fridges and hi-fi sets.

Mohammed, who has worked at the Iraqi House of Fashions since 1978, arrived at the building on a day in April 2003 when the sky was cobalt blue but the air was filled with foreboding.

She expected the worst and she found it. The building had been looted and set ablaze. She remembers sobbing for an entire month.

-- After US-led invasion, 33 years of work destroyed in a day --

"I was numb. Thirty-three years of work had been destroyed in one day. The dresses had been stolen or burnt. Everything was in ruins. It was ugly and empty. I was in shock. This is my home and my family and it had been plundered and ruined."

Dressmaker Najat Kadum, 51, who in her 18 years at the fashion house has sewn so many dresses that her fingers are blunted and her eyes strained, says she fell into depression when she saw the damage done to her creations.

"Most of them were gone. Some were still there but had been burnt. The sight hurt my eyes and seared my soul," says Kadum from beneath a yellowing hijab, while sewing a dress embroidered with a scene showing Babylonian King Hammurabi on his throne alongside his famous law code, circa 1792-1750 BC.

Hannah Sadiq, who is in charge of the dressmaking section, says more than 1,000 dresses were stolen or destroyed. "It was like losing one of your children."

After several desolate months, the team regrouped and started all over again. It has not stopped since.

"For the past four years we have been rebuilding. We have created about 50 new dresses since then," says Sadiq, a shy 51-year-old, her white hijab pulled down low, almost covering her eyes.

"We've had some shows," says fashion house supremo Rammo, including one this year in Algeria and one in Arbil, capital of Iraq's northern autonomous Kurdish region.

"Now we are ready to travel abroad again -- we'd like to go to New York or to Paris but we need financial assistance."

Model Zaman Hussein, with angular face and scorching eyes, says she is proud to be "displaying our ancient civilisation".

"We don't present Western shows; rather they are folkloric, cultural and artistic," says Hussein, adding that in any case opportunities to model modern Western-style clothing in Iraq came to a halt when sectarian violence was unleashed by the bombing of a Shiite shrine in Samarra in February last year.

A sultry blonde tells AFP she is afraid to say she is a model in case extremists attack her.

"Society looks at us wrongly, saying that this job has no place in Arab society. I wish that society's view of women would change. Our society mocks models and even says, 'That man is a son of a model' in a sneering way."

Rammo fears that the US military is focused only on security and is not interested in preserving Iraqi culture -- which has made her even more determined to do exactly that within the safety of the Iraqi House of Fashions.

Meanwhile she is offering a haven for Iraq's hunted artists.

"We are like a magnet. Any artist who wants to work, our doors are open," she says with a soft smile.

Source: AFP

Virginia Zdravkova creates for the second time collecion “Lavazza”

Virginia Zdravkova, two times winner of "Golden Needle" award of the Academy of fashion, for the second time creates collection “Lavazza”. The magnificent event will take place on 4 December 2007 in Kempinski Hotel Zografski.

For the tenth year the company "Sofstock" - representative of coffee "Lavazza" in Bulgaria gives a chance to a Bulgarian designer to create a collection, inspired by the newest advertising campaign of the Italian aromatic drink. The main slogan is “The greatest expresso experience”.

Virginia Zdravkova shared: “When I saw the new calendar of “Lavazza” I was impressed by the perfection of Finlay MacKay. He can situate precisely the details in the whole composition. I sensed the dynamic, elegance, positive energy, splendor and luxury. All that showed that this young artist has a fine sense for aesthetics. It was obvious that he worked with a huge enthusiasm and passion. This is also valid for me as a designer - it seems there is a power that makes me create unforgettable feeling for me and for spectators.”

Source: Bgfashion.net

Maria Nedkova showed modern business garments

Fashion house "Anna Maria" with designer Maria Nedkova presented its newest collection autumn-winter 2007-2008 in the Central military club.

The collection comprises of 60 garments, divided in 7 themes. The silhouette of the clothes follows the line of the body. The style is business, however decorated with original details and accents.

Shortening the proportions is characteristic of the garments in the collection. The waist is higher - a trend for the season. In the bottom part the silhouette is layered.

The trousers are long, type "cigarette" or volume. Most of the jackets are taken in at the waist, some models are with a straight silhouette and with a length to the waist.

The skirts are knee long, in the formal theme the dresses are with a length to the ankle.

Source: Bgfashion.net

SAARC cultural festival: From fusion music to glitzy fashion and more

From trendy fusion music to glitzy fashion and food, fascinating folklore to a car rally, photo exhibition and crafts -- the recently concluded South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) cultural festival in New Delhi showcased them all.

Fashion show:
Wine and cheese greeted visitors at the SAARC fashion show, aptly named 'Threads of Unity', held in the plush environs of the Maurya Hotel. The evening was truly stunning as models walked down the ramp attired in traditional and contemporary outfits. “The collection captures the rich cultural heritage, textile traditions and indigenous handicrafts and embroideries that are distinct to each of the SAARC nations,” says a press release.

The show stealers were the creations of designers Ritu Kumar from India and Mina Sherzoy of Afghanistan. The former said that her work showcased “the couture and bridal collection using the finest of crafts skills which the designer has revived across the weaving, embroidery and printing guilds from the Indian subcontinent.” The occasion, as she pointed out, celebrated the textiles of India, which are “embellished by approximately 16 million practicing craftspeople of the subcontinent.”

Representing the SAARC nations were 12 designers. Bangladesh was well represented by the talented Rina Latif and Nasrine R Karim. The former attracted attention with her ethnic creations -- mostly ghararas and saris. Local fabrics such as muslin, she says, are her forte. She has also used silk, chantilly lace, local embroidery. “Tapestry is my signature line,” she points out.

Meanwhile, Nasrine brought three design labels together for the show: her own Dia and Sozodor and By Deshi. “I showcase typical jamdani and hand-woven fabrics of Bangladesh,” she says. Altogether there were 10 outfits – saris, cocktail evening dresses, sherwanis and also western apparel made of Chittagong Hill Tract weaves. The latter were designed by the upcoming young duo from Sozodor -- Symon and Tenzing Chakma.

The well-organised show had great music and choreography. Making waves was the highflying Media Makers, a Delhi-based creative unit that handles choreography. Says Asha Kochhar, one of the two partners of the organisation, “Our USP is blending a diversity of cultures through a holistic approach and showcasing the unity of all nations.”

The superb programme was organised by the Fashion Design Council of India in collaboration with the Union Ministry for External Affairs and ICCR.

Source: Thedailystar.net

Top 20 Indian gold jewellery designers announced at AuDITIONS

AuDITIONS India 2007-08, the competition to create gold couture jewellery, presented by World Gold Council and AngloGold Ashanti, in association with Tanishq and Rand Refinery, has neared its culmination with the unveiling of the 20 short-listed designers and their sketched entries.

Hailed as the Oscars of Gold jewellery design, the Indian chapter of the competition received an overwhelming response with over 600 entrants from 17 states vying for the coveted title. The 20 finalists were decided by an eminent judging panel on the basis of design impact, innovation in style, practicality of manufacturing and being true to this year’s theme of ‘Trendsetting Gold’. A panel consisting of eminent personalities like Raghavendra Rathore, Dr. Usha Bala Krishnan, Jatin Bhatt (NIFT), Shobha Asar, Divika Gidwani (HRD) and Kumar Ganjam (Ganjam Jewellers) narrowed down the search to the final numbers.

AuDITIONS is the world’s largest gold jewellery design competition and is also held in Brazil, South Africa, China and the Middle East. It was conceived in South Africa and has been well received globally due to its extended support to upcoming designers. This has fuelled both innovation in design and creativity in jewellery and is an exciting endeavor in India.

Three award-winning pieces from South Africa, the home of AuDITIONS, were brought to India highlighting the global platform of this competition. These jewellery pieces were showcased by models Fleur Xavier, Tapur Chatterjee and Nethra Ragunathan. The models were dressed and styled by Raghavendra Rathore.

Ajay Mitra, Managing Director, Indian Subcontinent, World Gold Council, said, “We
are very excited with the response to AuDITIONS India as it has appealed not only to professional designers but students, karigars and goldsmiths from all over the country. The selected pieces are the 20 best designs in India, adding weight to the fact that AuDITIONS India is receiving the recognition it deserves. These trendy designs will have a positive impact on gold’s reception among the youth, who we are confident will be attracted to this new face of gold jewellery.”

Mark Pool, Marketing Manager of AngloGold Ashanti and Creative Director of AuDITIONS, commented, “The theme ‘Trendsetting Gold’ aims for a gold couture collection that excites consumers and inspires the jewellery trade. I am confident that this collection will present a fresh face in Gold – one befitting today’s modern Indian woman.”

Raghavendra Rathore, the ‘Concept Carrier’ for AuDITIONS said, “I have always believed that gold has the power to make a bold fashion statement. ’Trendsetting Gold’ has achieved this by providing a platform to create innovative designs that complement the appearance of the modern woman.”

Alpa Parida, Head of Marketing & Merchandising, Tanishq said, “AuDITIONS 2007-08 has received an amazing response from the participants. These designs are innovative and Tanishq is looking forward to see the final manufactured pieces, as we are confident that it will appeal to the consumers. All the pieces will be showcased at all Tanishq outlets across the country.”

These designs will now be fabricated by Tanishq and after a further judging round, the final 3 winners will be announced. The winner will take away a grand prize of 500 grams of gold, while the first runner-up will win 250 grams of gold, with the second runner-up receiving 100 grams of gold. The balance of 17 short-listed finalists will be given 20 grams gold coins. Since AuDITIONS is a global phenomenon, the participants and the winners will get worldwide recognition.

Source: India Infoline Ltd

Shirt Magic Leads Custom T-Shirt Design Pack with New Site Embeddable Apparel Designer

T-shirt fans all around the world rejoice today at the news of Shirt Magic's new website launch. The site, which offers custom apparel design and printing in lots as small as 1 by utilizing direct to garment technology announces the launch of their new innovative website.

The newly updated ShirtMagic.com offers visitors a 2 year in the making one of a kind experience. Visitors can create and customize t-shirts and other apparel in an easy to use web based design program.

Visitors are encouraged to sign up for Shirt Magic's affiliate program, which allows interested parties to create unique apparel stores that the site will host and share profits on. Shoppers are presented with a wide variety of customizable items including t-shirts, hats, bags, buttons, stickers, banners, and wedding favors to name a few.

While the features on ShirtMagic.com offer visitors an efficient and enjoyable shopping experience, it is the site's groundbreaking shirt designer program that has everyone talking. The creators of ShirtMagic.com have gone beyond offering the designer program on their own website, they have created a way for visitors to grab a simple strip of code and embed the designer on other websites, social network pages, or even in an email message.

"We wanted to allow our partners the chance to offer our incredible t-shirt designer program on their own websites. We felt that if we could give people the easy to copy and paste code, they would have more flexibility in spreading the word about their customizable products, and thus help them make more sales." Explains Shirt Magic Founder and Owner Todd Kriney in regards to the site's innovative technology.

Anyone with access to the internet can sign up as a free partner with ShirtMagic.com. Once partnered with the site affiliates receive a commission anywhere between 10 and 20 percent of a sale.

Shirt Magic is the leading direct to garment customizable product printer in the market. The company's product prices are on par with their competition, and their innovative partner friendly offerings are one of a kind in an industry full of template made websites. Additionally Shirt Magic offers screen printing, embroidery, and full color poster printing.

Source: Shirt Magic

Sharkah Chakra launches hand-woven A/W 2007-08 collection

Sharkah Chakra, a new luxury denim brand made using Fairtrade organic cotton and a completely natural dyeing process, launches its first collection in the UK in September 2007. The jeans are made in villages across southern India by craftsmen that weave the cloth by hand on authentic wooden selvedge looms and use an ancient technique of natural indigo dyeing. By supporting these methods, Sharkah Chakra will revive a virtually extinct craft whilst simultaneously pioneering innovative, luxury denim.

Sharkah Chakra - The Background
Sharkah Chakra is the brainchild of Sara Simmonds, who previously worked at Harvey Nichols, London, as the menswear denim buyer. It was here that she studied and developed a passion for the ancient techniques of natural indigo dyeing and selvedge denim previously only seen in Japan. Using these Japanese techniques Sara wanted to produce something innovative for the denim market whilst also creating a new form of ethical luxury. She went back to the homeland of where the traditions of Indigo, natural dyeing and hand loom weaving began - India; and has over many months perfected the first ever premium denim to be made by naturally and by hand.

According to Sara "hand-woven goods are the original luxury item, life is about simplicity. I have created Sharkah Chakra to take the best of the past and combine it with the best of today to go forward to be the best of forever".

Sharkah Chakra -The Collection
Using Sara's denim expertise, Sharkah Chakra jeans have been cut and sewn to enhance and flatter the individual - designed to be worn forever. The first collection will be available in three different washes: Lotus Sky, Bengal Blue and Nude Neela. For men there are two styles - relaxed and straight leg - and one style for women, a straight cigarette.

Sharkah Chakra - Craft
The dyeing process used by Sharkah Chakra is 100% natural. Using certified organic Fairtrade cotton sourced from Africa, the yarn is woven by hand in India on traditional wooden selvedge looms, and taken to Italy to be laundered and finished by the original denim masters.

Dyeing
The dyeing process begins by extracting leaves from the indigo plant which are then fermented to make natural indigo dye. The cotton is formed into hanks - a unit of yarn or twine in a coiled form - which are dipped into the dye and left out to dry under the open Indian sky. This is repeated up to thirty times to achieve an intense pure blue colour, characteristic of Sharkah Chakra denim.

This dyeing method is extremely rare and only a few people around the world are able to execute it. Typically, brands use synthetic dyes that are damaging to the environment, generating huge amounts of sludge waste. In contrast, the Sharkah Chakra process is environmentally friendly, recycling sustainable waste and purifying the waste water. As organic dyeing does not allow for standardisation, every pair of jeans is unique.

Weaving
The denim cloth Sharkah Chakra produces is the very first of its kind to be woven completely by hand, giving it natural irregularities and character, which in turn gives each pair of jeans a personal touch. Using a premium extract of cotton, coupled with pure indigo dye, Sharkah Chakra has pioneered luxuriously soft denim which does not require lycra for comfort or form.

The cloth is weaved in a village in Tamil Nadu that dates back to over four generations and has a population of a few hundred people. Fourteen artisans work exclusively for Sharkah Chakra and each pair of jeans takes half a day to weave. The jeans are signed by the individual weaver, with the signature representing the hands that have made them. Sharkah Chakra is the first premium denim brand in the UK to be issued with both a Handloom and Fairtrade mark.

Finishing
Sharkah Chakra jeans are laundered at a leading Italian finishing house that works alongside the world's top denim brands. Inspired by Sara's journey, the laundry will use the least harmful chemicals possible in the finishing process in order to be respectful of the pure loomstate cloth. Each pair of Sharkah Chakra jeans has an embossed 9ct gold rivet made from part recycled gold which guarantees the authenticity of the brand. The rivet confirms that the denim is made from 100% organic Fairtrade cotton, is dyed using 100% natural indigo, is hand-woven and reinforces the symbol of the individuals whose hands have made them.

Sharkah Chakra jeans will be sold exclusively at Harvey Nichols, London and online at the Sharkah Chakra shop www.sharkahchakra.com

Source: Sharkah Chakra

Clothes Show Live disappoints eco fashionistas

Earlier this year we were tickled pink to hear 2007's Clothes Show Live would feature a bunch of eco and ethical fashion brands. But we've since spoken to some of the eco exhibitors at the show -- which opened last Friday -- and several are describing the new section as something of a damp squib.

One of the exhibitors told us: "They [the show organisers] could be doing more with the catwalks to promote us -- it would only take a couple of minutes to flag up the benefits of Fairtrade and eco clothing and the ethical area is not promoted heavily enough elsewhere in the show." Another added that "Some traders are not even covering costs, let alone making profit. Saturday was really bad. We took our concerns to the sales teams and some people [among the ethical brands] have said they’re never coming back."

We put these complaints to the Clothes Show Organisers and marketing director Pascale Walsh responded: "We have worked hard and consistently in order to ensure that we supported and championed our first ever ethical area within the show. As this has been the first year we have set up an ethical-focused area we are looking at ways to grow and strengthen the area in forthcoming years, and looking forward to further supporting a cause very close to our hearts in the future."

Enamore, Emmeline 4 Re, THTC, Amana and GreenKnickers are among the names exhibiting in the new Fashion Conscience and Ethical Boutique areas, which were launched this year in response to an increased number of fashionistas hunting for a people- and planet-friendly wardrobe. Some visitors have been very positive about the ethical brands' presence at the show. One of them is Emma from Dudley, who described it as an "absolutely fantastic addition to the show," adding it was "a great way to bring ethical fashion to the masses -- particularly the younger generation."

Emmeline Child from Emmeline 4 Re felt the show's organisers could have done a better job of promoting the ethical brands exhibiting and clarifying which were ethical and which ones weren't, but she told SmartPlanet she'd enjoyed a great show and thinks the organisers will learn from this year and get it right in 2008.

Source: Smartplanet.com

The fashion trends of 2007

The year is drawing to a close, people, and it's time to take a look at the fashionable trends of these last twelve months! It's been revolutionary, with literally dozens of new styles taking root, both for men and for women. Designers have come up with several delightful looks that have become a rage on the red carpet, international runways and at social dos.

Womenswear this year has seen considerable changes -- the asymmetrical tops, ponchos, boot-cut pants and clutch purses of last year have now made way for skinny jeans, wedge heels, leggings and empire waist dresses.

Ditto for men -- instead of merely tweaking the trends a wee bit, which is often the case, designers presented a clear-cut wardrobe for the fashion-conscious male this year, ditching sagging denims, psychedelic shirts and baseball caps for clothing with a little more zing -- linen pants, moccasins and oversized neck scarves.

Of course, there are those who are so hell-bent on making sure that they're keeping up with the fickle fashion world that they opt for over-the-top dressing (yes, metallic shades are in and leggings are in -- but have you ever seen a pair of gold lame leggings doing the rounds? Tsk tsk!). So make sure you opt for 'wow' and not 'whoa!'

Let's flag off, then, without further ado, the fashion year that was 2007!
The balloon dress

One of the hottest items of clothing for women this season is, undoubtedly, the balloon dress. A balloon dress is essentially one which has a loose, flowing cut that culminates in a fitted or elasticised hemline, thus creating a ballooning effect. The style was popular in the 1960s and has made a huge comeback this year, along with other trends that belong to the same decade -- oversized sunglasses, leggings etc.

The garment is suited to a host of different occasions -- you can team a balloon dress with flipflops or sandals and a large handbag for a day at the beach, or with a pair of stilettos and a chic tote purse for a night on the town. The billowing comfort of such a dress will also ease your mind about an extra pound or two that you've gained and will give you a classy look, as compared to a body-fit, stretch-it-till-you-burst outfit.

Besides dresses, balloon blouses and balloon shorts are also doing rounds of the fashion circuit at the moment and from the looks of it, the trend will carry well into the better part of 2008.

Source: rediff.com
Text: Sanaya Dalal. Photographs: Uttam Ghosh and Rajesh Karkera