No Fashion - No Models but Nice story must read it !!!

Sorry for Interruption friends. Here I posted a really very good story. Pls read it and pass this link to your all friends. It’s really very good story…
This story is related to 1 Boy and his

My mother had only one eye,

I hated her as I was ashamed of her

She was a cook in the school cafeteria where I studied.

One day, when I saw still in a primary class,

She came to visit me to see for herself that I was all right.

I was very upset, how dare she do this to me?

After that incident I ignored her & looked on her

Only with hateful eyes….

The next day, a fellow-student told me,

“oohhh, your mother has only one eye!”

At that moment, I wanted to crawl under the floor

And that my mother would be out of my life completely.

The next day I went to meet her & to tell here:

“ because of you I am the joke at school,

Why don’t you die and go away!?

But, she did not respond….

I wasn’t thinking and did not know what I was saying,

I was very angry.

I could not imagine

How she would react to my remarks.

And, I left town.

I studied relentlessly and obtained a scholarship

to continue my studies abroad.

In fact, I completed my studies, got married, bought a house and set up my family.

I lived a happy and a peaceful life.

One day, my mother comes to visit me.

It has been many years since she had disappeared,

She had never met here grand-children.

She remained at the doorstep

While my children were making fun of her

I shouted at her: “ How date you come all the way here and frighten my kids?!

With a calm voice she responded:

“I apologize, I am at the wrong address.”

And she disappeared.

One day, I received an invitation from my hometown school to attend a reunion under the “ close family ties “ topic

I lied to my wife and made her believe that

I was traveling for business.

After the reunion I stopped by the house

where I grew up

The neighbours informed me that

my mother had passed away.

I did not shed even one drop of tear!!!

The neighbor handed me a letter

that my mother had left for me

“My Dear son, I always thought of you.”

I regret having visited you abroad

And frightened your kids

…I was very pleased when I heard that

you would come to attend the reunion

…The only thing was that I could not get up

from my bed to come and see you….

… I am broken-hearted that I brought

shame to you on numerous occasions…

…Did you know that when you were a baby

you had an accident and lost your one eye?...

… and, as any other mother would,

I would not let you grow up with only one eye….

So. I gave you my eye……..

I was very proud and happy to know that my son would be able to see the world with my eye

… with all my love…

…Your mother….

End...

Please don’t forget to post the comment… Thank You….

Sexy dresses take it to the maxi this summer

Some leftover notes to dispose of before we get to the meat of this week’s column. First, it seems like every second store is capitalizing on the move to cloth bags by selling their own. The upside: they’re cheap. The downside: the logo. Shouldn’t they be paying us to be walking billboards? The best one around in terms of style and minimal corporate content is the 99-cent carry bag sold at Sears (various locations), in a black-on-ecru filigree design.

Next, a reminder about Zara (1056 Robson Street and Metropolis at Metrotown), specifically how gorgeously this Spain-based chain has captured summer’s floral vibe with floaty tops and dresses awash with soft-focus Monet-type flowers. Something else to watch out for—Holt Renfrew (737 Dunsmuir Street) stocks the Kate Moss Topshop collection, familiar to anyone who follows Brit fashion; also, its Contemporary department has picked up on a trend that rampaged across Europe last summer and appears set for another go-around.

I’m talking about the maxi dress. Hats in the air because, for the first time in several seasons, there’s a genuinely new silhouette out there. Everything else—minis, cropped pants, frocks, shorts, gypsy skirts—is pretty much a retread. But ankle-length dresses? Those haven’t ambled down Vancouver sidewalks since 4th Avenue was a byword for head shops.

Don’t get me wrong. The new maxis aren’t line-for-line copies of the Summer of Love wear inspired by everything from Pre-Raphaelite art to idealized shepherdesses. These have a sleek, noncostumey look with styles highlighting bare shoulders, V-necks, and the Empire cut. But beyond these common denominators, there’s enough variety that, unless you cringe at the thought of wearing anything long and flowing, you’ll easily find a style to tickle your ankles.

For maxis at their most luxurious, check out the Diane von Furstenberg examples at Holt Renfrew. One dress in a sensuous modal-silk blend in turquoise blue features wide, asymmetrical bands of yellow and pink at the hem ($285)—not pale pastels but bold colours that look best in the sunlight. Another by the New York designer is made of silk that’s colour-blocked in tropical shades of pink, green, and turquoise, and is held up by bronze cords that tie behind the neck and end in bronze and wood beads ($485). The Tart label is stitched to a sweet but not sugary maxi dress with the requisite V-shaped neckline and Empire styling, its fabric patterned with roses outlined in navy on a grey background ($310). From T-Bags, another California-based label, comes a maxi in a purple, olive, and orange art deco–inspired geometric print ($250); most maxis around are sleeveless, but this one has shoulders that widen to form little sleeves.

Showcasing black poly-spandex patterned with tan flowers ($295) and styling it with spaghetti straps and a tiered skirt, RozeMerie Cuevas of JC Studio (46 West 6th Avenue) is one of the few local designers to include a maxi in her spring collection. She loves them, she says, for their ease and comfort. Over at Bebe (various locations), long dresses revive the tiered skirt that’s been around for at least three years now, except that these fall to the ground. A one-shouldered version has a deep white ruffle framing its neckline and descending in a series of progressively darker black-and-white leopard prints ($206). Another, also tiered but this time in a black-and-white abstract print, has a black belt outlined in white under the bust, adding graphic edge ($171). Zara combines three different small-scale, black-and-white prints for the bra-shaped top, torso, and deep hem of a maxi dress ($69.90). Punch up the look of any of these with a vivid yellow or lime purse or sandals.

Plum Clothing (various locations) sells a couple of possibilities that let you sample the trend without flaming your credit card. One in a swirly fuchsia, grey, and black print has the requisite V-neck and high waist ($59); the other, printed with what look like patches of blue bandanas, fastens behind the neck ($69). Spank (various locations) carries a fluttery light cotton dress by Nymph ($89) in an emerald butterfly print, with ties at the neck and under the bust, as well as the most casual example yet: a fuchsia button-through, large-pocketed maxi by Fili & Grane ($59).

Ankle-grazing dresses have traditionally meant formal, grad, or bridal. But schlepping along the Drive or hanging out at a sidewalk café? You bet. Anyone who snapped up the longish tiered skirt of a couple of summers ago knows that sensual feel of fabric swishing like surf around your legs on a hot August night. Easy to wear? Slide it over your head, and you’re instantly maxi-dressed.

Just remember to keep the look casual with low-key accessories. Skip delicate silver and Swarovski crystals in favour of gutsy wood bangles or a string of marble-sized beads. Then all you have to do is slide your feet into flip-flops, ballet flats, or sandals, and you’re good to go.

Source: straight.com

Fashion designers to set up shop inside Amber Fort

Cleaned of its cobwebs and sans the bats after massive restoration, the 16th-century Amber Fort is soon going to be a hub for avant garde haute couture. Several fashion designers of global repute have signed up with the Amber Development Authority (ADA) for setting up their boutiques in the fort premises by August this year bring-ing pret-a-porter to Jaipur.

The Amber Development Authority for the last two years has chipped in immense efforts to restore the fort that had begun crumbling at various places. Now renovated, the fort houses an art gallery spread over 5,000 sq ft and an enclosure dedicated to artisans paving the way for a more viable adaptive reuse of heritage sites. In the present context world over, heritage sites are being put to contemporary use. This would lend a new dimension to the Amber Fort, a tourist destination, said S Ahmed, CEO of ADA.

"I am excited. Heritage sites world over are reactive where tourists get an opportunity to experience products in an ambiance rarely available," said Ritu Kumar, the revivalist fashion designer in the Indian fashion industry. Having successfully bridged the gap between traditionalism and modernity in her designs, Ritu is looking forward to showcasing her line for which a meticulously worked-out plan is already in place. "I am going to be working on a lot of cottons, lehriya and bandhej. A special range of scarves are being designed around the fort and I plan to weave in the essence of the maharajas into exotic pagris and leather accessories," said Ritu.

Besotted by Rajasthan, this would be the first locale for several fashion designers to showcase their lines. Few other designers that would display their creations in the fort are Tarun Tahiliani, Rohit Bal, Muzzafar Ali, JJ Vallaya and Raghvendra Rathore, said Ahmed.

Meera Muzzafar Ali said, "The fort would form a perfect backdrop to showcase the designer labels. Targeting the forthcoming tourist season, I will launch the signature Kotwara style, something new for the tourists that would be global in look, not very expensive, well styled and wearable internationally. As Jaipur is a textile hub, most designers plan to source a large part of their range of dyed and block printed fabric from Sanganer and Bagru."

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Kiwi fashion designers boost Canadian heritage

Here's a new concept that hasn't been tried before - a fashion line inspired by Canada's heritage and legends, that locals would actually want to wear.

Most Canadians wouldn't be caught dead in one of the typical tourist shirts. "That inspired us to create designs that were subtle, fashionable and about local themes like the Vancouver's Woodwards building or Stanley Park that locals could wear," says Ningnong co-owner Wynne Pirini. "Incredibly, this concept has been untouched so far!"

Ningnong's clothing has caught on fast, with stores all over Vancouver, including 'the Bay', stocking up on the local-themed fashions. Ningnong is currently working on expanding their fashion lines to Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta.

The kicker is that Pirini and co-founder Lauren McKee aren't even from Canada; they arrived early last year from New Zealand after touring through Southeast Asia.

But these on-the-go entrepreneurs aren't just in town on business; Pirini is on a quest to rediscover his Canadian heritage. "I've wanted to come to Canada for so long. My grandmother was from Winnipeg. She met my Kiwi grandfather while he was training in Canada to be a pilot in the Second World War. They moved back to New Zealand to start a family."

Canadian relatives who visited New Zealand brought photos of beautiful BC. Pirini realized that he had to come to Canada to connect with his roots and rediscover his Canadian heritage.

Source: newswire.ca

Aussi designers to unveil collection '09 at New Zealand Fashion Week

For the first time ever Air New Zealand Fashion Week will say “G’day” and open up the runway to Australian fashion designers. A number of Australia’s leading and up and coming designers will be shoulder tapped by New Zealand Fashion Week ambassadors and invited to show their latest designs as part of the Air New Zealand Fashion Week Autumn/Winter collections 2009.

“We’re really thrilled to be able to invite Australian designers to show at Air New Zealand Fashion Week 2008 and we hope this move will further strengthen Trans-Tasman relationships within the Fashion Industry.

We now see many New Zealand designers successfully showing at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, so we hope this new initiative will support our Australian counterparts to achieve the same successes,” says Pieter Stewart.

A large number of Kiwi designers are already exporting their fashion collections to Australia and rely on RAFW to showcase their designs to buyers and media.

Australian fashion exports now account for nearly 80% of all New Zealand fashion exports, and event organizers hope that Australian designers will recognize the same opportunity from the other side of the ditch, to grow their business and explore New Zealand as a new and exciting market.

“We’ve been showing at Australian Fashion Week for several years along with a number of New Zealand designers, so it seems only right that we would invite Australian designers to show in New Zealand.

We’re really happy to have them here! And of course Air NZ Fashion Week is not just a designer event but also vitally important for buyers, so more variety will spice up the week and raise standards all round,” says Neville Findlay, Founder of Zambesi.

Now in its eight year running, Air New Zealand Fashion Week last year showcased 74 New Zealand designer collections and the big week attracted more than 800 national and international buyers and media.

In addition there were approximately 20,000 other invited guests over the four days. This year with the inclusion of Australian designers, event organizers hope to generate heightened interest from buyers, media and delegates alike.

Air New Zealand Fashion Week Directors Pieter Stewart and Myken Stewart recently spent time at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week where they were warmly received by a number of Australian designers.

Air New Zealand Fashion Week applications close to designers on June 7th. The Event Selection panel will conduct the selection process through June and July with all designers announced on July 23rd.

Air New Zealand Fashion Week 2008 dates:
• Fashion Trade Days - Tuesday September 16th until Thursday September 19th
• Fashion Weekend (Public Days) - Friday September 20th and Saturday September 21st

Source: Fibre2fashion.com

Coca-Cola Light ACCRA FASHION WEEK 2008

Your Style. Your Way. Sheer glitz and grandeur will rule as the capital is caught in the glitzy grip of the 2008 edition of Accra Fashion Week starting from the 1st of July at the plush La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.

Accra Fashion Week is a trade and life-style event for businesses engaged in fashion an focused on fashion of Ghanaian origin.

AFW is primed to provide an unprecedented platform for Ghana's finest designers and aspiring designers to showcase their collections to thousands of fashion aficionados, fashion industry consultants and VIP's.

Fashion gives people the forum to be unrestrained, express themselves, have fun, let loose and go wild. The 2008 edition of AFW creative campaign be unrestrained, express themselves, have fun, let loose and go wild. Likewise, animals don't follow social norms. They are uninhibited.

The 2008 AFW creative campaign will therefore go 'Your Style. Your Way'. This campaign is design-based and has energy unlike anything out there. The creative execution for AFW speaks to the events youthfulness and vibrancy and it encourages fashion lovers to express themselves in any and every way possible.

Source: accrafashionweek.com

Behind the Seams: The Academy of Art University Fashion Show

We're always looking for a fashion fix in our lovely city of San Francisco. We just attended the Academy of Art University 2008 fashion show, which celebrated the blood, sweat, and tears the fashion students have endured at the Academy. The event brought out a mixed crowd of students, SF socialites, local press, and noted fashion designers, John Galanos and Ralph Ricci. I was quite impressed with the promising young talents and the collections were not too shabby.

To read more about the Academy of Art University fashion show and to see more runway pics, read more.

The show consisted of 17 collections from some of the top fashion students in the school with individual themes for each collection. My favorites were Ronnie Escalante Jr. and Alyssa Prentice (picture 1 and 2 above), who displayed utmost originality and beauty in their designs. Ronnie's collection was filled with decadent gowns fit for the red carpet and Alyssa's modern-lux creations left us wanting more. We weren't the only ones that felt that way because they were awarded a prestigious internship with Ralph Ricci — congrats!

The men's collections were another highlight. The designs were fun, modern, and I loved the amazing leather jackets!

All together, the show was a lot of fun and it was refreshing to see new talent on the rise. I also got a chance to see America's Next Top Model alums Chantal and Eugenia looking Fab and strutting their stuff on the runway.

Source: fabsugar.com

Hotel Bondi Swimwear collection launched at Australia Fashion Week

The Hotel Bondi Swimwear collection has launched at Australia Fashion Week, cementing the importance of beachside attire in a multi-billion dollar industry.

More than two dozen half naked Bondi babes strutted down the catwalk today during one of the week's most-hyped events.

But for the designers and buyers in attendance, it wasn’t just about the beautiful bikinis and the women wearing them — it was also about the dollars.

Australia Fashion Week founder Simon Lock said the event was more than an opportunity to see beautiful clothes and sip champagne.

"At the core of this event this is basically a trade event, the most glamorous, sophisticated and sexy trade event you'll ever come across," Mr Lock said.

"We're hoping that this year our export sales will be in the order of $250 million. It's quite a significant contribution."

More than 150 designers have flown in from overseas for the week to see more than 100 designers showcase their collections on the catwalk.

Some notable international buyers include teams from Barney’s New York, Harrods and Lane Crawford in Hong Kong.

The Hotel Bondi collection is the work of designer Damion Fuller, who says the brand has come to represent everything there is about the famous beach.

"We have a very simple message, we love bikinis and we love Bondi. All of our prints you saw today, every print has a different Bondi story," Mr Fuller said.

Fuller shrugged off the stereotypical image of a Bondi babe with blonde hair and blue eyes.

"A typical Bondi girl, she's Japanese, she's Brazilian, English, she's everything. Thanks to the eclectic nature of Bondi she's both completely international and totally unique," he said.

Source: ninemsn.com.au

Darling of Fashion Week

SHE was the darling of Australian Fashion Week in 2000 and 2001. Now, after a seven-year hiatus, Michelle Jank is back to present her spring/summer collection, Suspending Disbelief, at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week.

Jank, 31, lives in Paris these days. She will send 20 "looks" plus pieces of her bespoke jewellery down the runway today in what promises to be more that just a frock show.

"All I will say is that it will be a mishmash of very interesting things … it's a reflection of what I love in life."

Since her last off-schedule show in Sydney in 2003, the Perth native has been travelling the globe.

Last year she worked with fashion designers in India, and the draping technique used in creating her garments reflects saris, she said.

"Indian women are so beautiful and they really embrace their femininity in the way they dress. At times it was like watching all of these colourful ghosts float by in their fluorescent saris. The collection is very different from my first - but that is normal as a creative person to move in a different direction."

Jank says the timing of her catwalk comeback is connected with the European success of her jewellery designs, which are available at Colette in Paris and Harrods, Liberty, Browns and Dover Street Market in London.

She has been commissioned to make pieces for a luxury fragrance advertising campaign but won't say more because of confidentiality agreements. But she's happy to reveal that interest in Australian fashion is growing with the success of our models overseas. One of them, Chic Management's Stephanie Carta, 23, will be on the catwalk for Jank next week.

Source: brisbanetimes.com.au

Beat the heat in cool clothes

Fitness freaks who plan to sweat it out in the hot Indian summer would do well to wear skin friendly fabrics like cotton, say experts.

"Cotton is a natural fibre and has less allergic tendencies. It is best suited for people who have sensitive skin and hence are prone to skin irritation," said Hema Pant, dermatologist, Kaya Skin Clinic, a skincare solutions centre.

Even though cotton is widely available in India and has its advantages, other materials like synthetic, dri-fit and polyester have gradually built a market for themselves.

Ashish Dhir, India representative for the Cotton Council International, said dri-fit is made of polyester treated with moisture absorbing technology.

"Polyester is not known for managing moisture very well and so it is mostly treated to provide moisture absorbing capabilities. Today it is used over cotton as it is cheaper as a raw material and also lightweight," he said.

Pointing out the disadvantages of such fabrics, Pant said: "These materials trap sweat inside the body. This is not wise for people who have sweat related problems like dermatitis and prickly heat, as excessive perspiration can aggravate the problem".

Whether it is for competitions or for regular workout routines, athletes and fitness freaks need clothing that keeps them cool and dry.

"Dri-fit material is essentially a poly-micro-fibre which doesn't cling to the skin and enables it to breathe better. The fabric is designed to soak sweat which leads to better moisture management," Sanjay Gangopadhyay, marketing director, Nike, a sportswear brand, told IANS.

Gangopadhyay further explained that the apparel made from this fabric is extremely lightweight so that the person wearing it does not carry additional weight.

Fashion designer Charu Parashar said that other fabrics are preferred over cotton due to the perfect fit offered by them.

"While gymming, people look for fabrics which fit them well. Lycra as a fabric gives stretchability, which is loved by health freaks. Hardly anyone wears lose fitting clothes while exercising," she said.

Fashion designer Bobby Grover seconded Parashar. He said: "Such fabrics definitely offer better fitting and I would wear a synthetic track pant with a cotton T-shirt while exercising."

Source: hindustantimes.com

Stars Shine at Andre Kim's Shanghai Show

Korean stars Lee Da-hae, Kim Jung-hoon and Jang Geun-suk added a touch of star power to top designer Andre Kim's fashion show here Tuesday.

Kim presented his 2009 spring/summer fashion collection during the opening of the Korean textile and apparel trade show "Preview in Shanghai 2008" at Shanghai Mart.

Hallyu, or the Korean wave, seems to be alive and kicking in this exciting Chinese city, as the audience eagerly awaited the appearance of Korean celebrities at Kim's show.

Cameras flashed in the hall as Lee, who appeared in several hit dramas like "My Girl," and Kim, best known for his role in the MBC drama "Princess Hours" (Gung), hit the runway wearing Kim's unique designs.

Jang is one of the hottest young actors in Korea, having appeared in recent dramas like ``Hwangjinyi” and ``Sharp Blade of Hong Gil-dong.” Dozens of Chinese fans waited for him to arrive at the airport.

Kim's fashion art collection was once again well received in Shanghai. His elaborately detailed gowns showed inspiration from the rich culture, art and history of China, as well as Korean culture.

The audience was captivated throughout the show, which had five sections such as ``Beijing Festival” and ``Chinese Legend.” The spring/summer collection's color palette featured purple, orange, green, blue, yellow, red and pink, as well as metallic shades of gold and silver.

Kim showed his unique vision for modern-day Korean royalty through the ``Fantasy of Korean Palace” stage. Lee and Kim ― who played a prince in ``Princess Hours” ― looked like a modern-day royal couple in matching Oriental-inspired robes with golden dragon embroidery.

There were some melodramatic moments on stage. Lee and Jang appeared to play star-crossed lovers who were going to offer each other a tearful goodbye, much to the delight of the audience.

The final stage, ``My Everlasting Love,” featured Kim's exquisitely detailed romantic wedding gowns. For the finale, Lee was breathtaking in an embroidered and jeweled wedding gown, accompanied by Kim, who wore a white suit.

After the show, Kim and his celebrity-models held a press conference attended by dozens of Korean and Chinese media. The fashion show was also meant to celebrate Beijing's hosting the Olympics in August this year. This is Kim's 11th fashion show in China, having staged star-studded shows in Beijing and Shanghai in the past few years.

Preview in Shanghai is an annual event organized by the Korea Federation of Textile Industries (KOFOTI). In a press conference, KOFOTI chairman Ro Hee-chan said the event is aimed at increasing cooperation between Korean and Chinese textile companies.

The three-day event, which ends Thursday, also features fashion shows by brands Pro Specs, EXR Korea, Indibuni, Arte, Morine Comte Marant, Joinus and Tomboy. There are also seminars on spring/summer fashion trends, fashion brand value strategy and strategies on how to advance in the Chinese market.

Ro said since Preview in Shanghai was first held in 2003, Korean brands have made inroads into the Chinese market. This year, there are 120 textile companies and fashion brands participating, slightly fewer than the 130 companies that participated in 2007.

Much of the Korean brands' success in China is attributed to hallyu. Many brands use Korean star power through product placement in Korean dramas, movies and music.

Thanks to Korean stars' popularity among Chinese audiences, Korean brands have also become popular. Incidentally, hallyu is a term that originated in China and used to describe the popularity of Korean stars, dramas, movies and pop music outside Korea.

Source: koreatimes.co.kr

Designer's styles reflect first nations teachings

Your clothing reflects your lifestyle, says a first nations designer who has created custom designs for royalty, celebrities -- and plenty of regular folks.

"It reflects what's important to you -- your own personal values," says Regina designer Tracey George Heese, who designs under the Timeless Shadows label.

Traditional and contemporary first nations apparel appeals to first nations and non-aboriginals alike.

"It doesn't matter what background you come from," Heese insists.

"The teachings of first nations have to do with harmony and balance. And I really believe that regardless of your nationality, you can reflect that within the clothing that you're wearing."

There's definitely a market for first nations fashion designs, says Heese.

"I believe so. Now that it has become acceptable to be Indian, for one thing. The views of the greater society have improved. And I feel that the clothing has played a role in bringing about that awareness."

There's a huge international market as well, especially in the United States, Germany and Japan, she points out.

Heese is so confident demand for first nations apparel will continue to grow, she plans to work on her master's degree on a topic related to first nations clothing and identity.

Heese currently works full time as a group facilitator for Regina Work Preparation, a non-profit organization helping individuals either find work, go back to school, or get into a program. So for now, creating custom designs is done in her "spare" time. But eventually, Heese says her goal is to transform her design work into a full-time job.

Heese's passion for creating first nations apparel began as a child.

"My grandmother was a beader, and she did moccasins, and outfits, and jewelry, and all kinds of stuff. And she got me stringing beads. I was probably two years old stringing beads -- sitting beside her when she was doing moccasins," she recalls. "So that's where that part -- the desire to bead and design -- comes from."

Heese has been sewing for 28 years.

"It was my mother and my older sister that taught me how to use a sewing machine," she says.

"I really believe that it was my grandmother and the support of my adopted family that has in many ways given me this, with regards to the business designing. They taught me a skill," Heese says. "And I think it's a God-given talent; but I've had to work at it."

She started designing powwow regalia about 14 years ago.

"And that was, in many ways, a reconnection to my heritage -- finding out more about individuals and their colours, their Indian names, their symbols of protection -- that kind of thing, and implementing or including those things into whatever it was I was designing for them. That became my path back to my own personal heritage as well," she says.

Over the years, Heese says about 95 per cent of the first nations apparel/regalia she's designed has been men's ribbon shirts, which range in price from $150 to $250.

"I've lost count as to how many I've done in the last 14 years. I'm sure it's over 500," she estimates.

"And they're all individual. That's the other thing. A lot of the stuff that I love doing is for a specific person for a specific purpose. So, it may be a grad, and it's this young girl and this young guy. Or, it's this gentleman who has this sort of ceremony coming up, and he needs this garment. And then I go to work."

When creating a man's ribbon shirt, it takes her five to seven hours to sew the base of the shirt.

"I may not be a fast sewer, but part of it has to do with making sure that it's right," Heese says, describing herself as a tailor. "There's so much involved."

Knowing the wearer's Indian name and his colours helps Heese decide what fabric to buy.

"And so I go out and buy three metres of that fabric," she says.

She described the creative process: "I first pray. Then I visualize what it is that he's told me [about himself]. And then I begin. Sometimes I'll sketch it out and other times I just go to work. It depends on what it is."

It's crucial to be in the right frame of mind when working on a design, Heese says.

"I really believe that my thoughts and my words go into that garment. So when I'm working on it, I can't be drinking; I can't be grouchy -- because I feel that goes into the garment," she explains.

Every garment has a message, Heese says. "And it reflects the individual."

For women, Heese is best known for her shawls, which range from $300 to $500. One of her shawls was presented to Princess Anne, another to then lieutenant-governor Lynda Haverstock.

Creating a woman's shawl is much like designing a man's ribbon shirt, Heese says.

"I think of the individual. I pray about it. I generally will smudge all the materials from the scissors to the space that I'm in creating that garment," she says.

Inspiration can come from the individual or from the materials being used.

"It shows itself to me, and I see that's what I'm supposed to make," Heese says.

For shawls, she uses ribbons, shells, fringe, applique work, and bead work.

Her ribbon shirts have featured everything from hide to elk teeth, porcupine quills, horse hair, shells, bone beads, beads, ribbons and fringe.

At this point, Heese says she can still work with all colours.

"Some people have found that black is a difficult colour to work with, depending on which tribe you're from," she explains. " I happen to be Cree, and in the Cree culture, black many times can represent death. And that's why some women have a difficult time working with it. But I've also been taught black means 'night' and black also means 'victory.' "

For Heese, coming up with the design is the most enjoyable part of the creative process. Actually putting the garment together is the most difficult, she says.

"Staying true to the vision that I have in my head or on paper, that's the most difficult."

Source: Canada.com

IIFA unveils fashion wear

Movie buffs can now wear outfits similar to those worn by their favourite stars on screen through a new clothesline unveiled by the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) in association with fashion retail brand BIBA.

'IIFA Bling', the brand, is an exclusive premium fashion line which will reflect the trends and styles influenced by the Indian film industry.

"The brand is a wonderful way for movie fans to experience stardom. While IIFA is providing a platform, BIBA is providing a distribution network," Sabas Joseph, director, Wizcraft International Entertainment Ltd. (the organisers of IIFA), said at the launch of the fashion line.

Leading fashion designer Vikram Phadnis has designed an exclusive collection for the brand whereas designer duo Renu Chopra and Bina Kapur along with Phadnis have put together their creativity for the Bhootnath range.

A sneak preview of both the lines took place at the launch. The collections included empire line and angarakha suits, one-piece dresses with thread work accentuated by gota, embroidery, sequins and mirror work.

"Vikram's clothes will range from Rs 12,000 to Rs 18,000 and the Bhootnath collection will be priced between Rs 495 to Rs 5,000," said Siddharth Bindra, Managing Director, BIBA.

The IIFA Bling collection will be showcased at the IIFA Weekend 2008 in Bangkok and be available to a global audience. One exclusive IFFA Bling for BIBA store will be opened in Mumbai and Delhi each.

Source: NDTV Movies.com

NZ designers to make debut at Aussie Fashion Week

Alissa Serdoun - One of New Zealand most talented designers to make debut into Australian Fashion Week

One of New Zealand’s most talented young designers will feature on the catwalk at Australian Fashion Week in Sydney later this month.

Alissa Serdoun, who took part in New Zealand Fashion Week last year, will be one of four individual Kiwi designers, including Kate Silvester, in Sydney from April 28 to May 1.

It will be the first time Russian-born Serdoun has introduced her label to Australia.

"We feel we are one of the more stylishly sophisticated labels in New Zealand already and we are entering AFW to secure greater international recognition. Going to Australia’s biggest fashion show seems the logical step for us," Serdoun said today.

"Australian women who enter our shop always buy at least one garment from us and they have been very excited about discovering our label for themselves."

"Our market is women who want to feel feminine. Our greatest reward is seeing women try on our clothes and you can see the transformation in how they feel. We are unshamelessly at the cutting edge."

Serdoun has tripled its sales every year for the last three years. They are seen as expensive and an exclusive brand and they do not look at volume or discounts.

Alissa Serdoun said she believe there were no other brand quite like hers in New Zealand. It may sound ambitious ``but we like to compare ourselves with the top end designers’’, she said.

The AFW summer collection catwalks will be held at the International Passenger Terminal down on Circular Quay. Buyers from Canada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Russia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and USA will attend the shows.

Stores including Harrods, Lane Crawford, net-a-porter.com, Selfridges, Urban Outfitters, and Villa Moda will be represented.

Source: Scoop.co.nz

Young Designers Launch Collection for GAP

Young American designers have launched on the market their collection of white t-shirts for Gap. Behind the second collaboration initiated by the , CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and Gap this time there are designers: Philip Crangi, Michael Bastian, Scott Sterberg, Three As Four and Philip Lim. Supermodels Irina, Doutzen, Lily, Chanel and Stam have posed for the campaign.

- The exposure they get not only from the wonderful ads they've been running, but also from the actual process of working with the Gap and learning how to make a mass market piece of clothing, is invaluable – said yesterday Anna Wintour at the launching of the exclusive collection for Gap, Vogue reports.

Source: Javno.com

Fashion School Head Slams Female Designers

I was flabbergasted to wake this morning to news that the head of one of this country's most reputable fashion schools had slammed Australia's current crop of female fashion designers for designing ''cheap and nasty'' fashion for their female customers.

The comments came in the wake of the release last week of the official schedule for Rosemount Australian Fashion Week which kicks off on April 28.

The schedule revealed that the annual fashion show by Sydney Institute's Fashion Design Studio would showcase designs by four male student designers.

The school's head, Nicholas Huxley, said he had chosen only men to represent the school for the first time at RAFW because he believed they were creating more "stylish" designs for women as opposed to the "cheap and nasty" clothing being created by female designers.

I was flabbergasted mostly by the fact that on the same day that Kevin Rudd announced the appointment of Australia's first female Governor-General, someone in such a position as Huxley's would come out with such a sweeping, unfounded, prehistoric and sexist comment.

Before I go any further, I'd hope that Huxley's comments to the Daily Telegraph weren't taken out of context. Though it appears most of his comments were pretty clear and difficult to misintepret, such as:

"Girls are designing more for themselves and their girlfriends... it is for the way that women are dressing today. They are dressing to go out shopping for men. It's cheap and nasty.''

C'mon Nicholas, what century are you living in to think that women dress for the approval and attention of the opposite sex? And secondly, what evidence do you have to suggest that male designers are creating any less provocative garments than their female counterparts?

Female fashion stalwarts, Lisa Ho, Collette Dinnigan and Easton Pearson are renowned for their feminine, demure designs not too mention up-and-comers Yeojin Bae, Anna Thomas, Ginger & Smart, Michelle Jank and Thurley (pictured above).

On the other hand, former Fashion Design Studio student, Wayne Cooper (pictured below), is hardly known for his modest designs...

It will be interesting to see the garments of Fashion Design Studio students Christopher Eber, Dion Lee, Guy Hastie and Spencer Webb when they showcase their designs at RAFW in a couple of weeks... I wonder if they will come with built-in chastity belts?

What do you think? Do you agree with Nicholas Huxley? Are women today dressing "cheap and nasty" and are female designers responsible?

Source: The Age Company Ltd

Collette Dinnigan lingerie set for Target

FROM Paris to the people, Collette Dinnigan is the latest designer to team with Target in a deal that will see her luxurious designs sell to the masses for less than $20. Dinnigan has designed a discount lingerie collection, Wild Hearts, for the budget retailer, which will be rolled out in selected stores nationally in two weeks.

The announcement is hot on the heels of New York designer Zac Posen's collaboration with Target, which goes on sale on Thursday.

But unlike Posen's limited edition collection, Dinnigan's range will be continually updated and replenished until at least the end of the year.

Speaking with The Courier-Mail yesterday, Dinnigan said she hoped the collection would sell well enough for it to be stocked in Target permanently.

"My teaming with (Target) was never a one-off," Dinnigan said.

"I wanted to do this with a company that could grow (lingerie) as a big department in their stores, and I think, especially in lingerie, they need a good quality product."

Until now, Dinnigan's designs, which she shows in Paris twice a year, have only been available at high-price points, but she doubts the collaboration will cheapen her brand.

"I always thought there'd be two reactions: 'Oh my god, why Target?' and 'Fantastic, we can get it at a good price'," she said.

Dinnigan's Wild Hearts collection will feature fabrics never before found in lingerie at Target, such as silk. The range will include french knickers, corsets, chemises, balconette and plunge bras, briefs and boy shorts in champagne, cream, raspberry, black and chocolate.

Target has been on a roll recruiting top designers to create affordable versions of their designs for the retailer since the success of Stella McCartney's 2007 range, which sold out within hours in some stores. McCartney was followed by Australian designers Josh Goot, Yeojin Bae and Gail Sorronda.

And this week, Zac Posen will unveil his 20-piece capsule collection for the store, featuring a replica of the dress Grey's Anatomy star Katherine Heigl wore to last year's Emmys.

The Wild Hearts collection goes on sale from April 17.

Source: news.com.au

Salman Khan from painter to fashion designer!

Salman Khan first a mega star, then a painter and now he is going to turn into a fashion designer. Yes he is planning to launch his own brand of clothes.

The profits he will earn from these designer clothes will be for a social cause and proceeds will go for a charity ‘Being Human’. His sister Alvira Khan, a known designer in Bollywood, will be designing for his brand.

As per sources clothes designed by him will have his signature paintings inscribed on them. The actor is planning to launch not just clothes but accessories too.

Salman Khan is roping in the creative designers but he will decide finally on the same. One thing is sure that his brand will have lot of hype and it will be wait for his brand.

But his major contribution will be that his paintings will be embossed on the T-shirts, jeans and other accessories that his fashion brand intends to launch.

As we all know, Salman is an avid painter and sketcher. Most of his paintings have the theme of communal harmony, which the actor feels should be promoted among today’s youth through fashion.

Source: mynews.in

Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s line, modesty impresses LFW audience

After mesmerizing the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) audience with his creative brilliance, renowned designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee tugged at their heart strings when he made his entire team walk the runway with him. Seated in the front row were bigwigs like Vidya Balan, Rahul Bose and Nawaz Singhania but the sensitive designer pulled his workforce from behind the stage and persuaded them to walk the ramp.

“The credit for all my success goes to them. All of them do all the things together, they are the heroes and believe me I am a tough boss,” Mukherjee told IANS.

Commenting on why celebrities didn’t walk the ramp for him, he said: “It is a fashion show, clothes are its stars. If Bollywood actors walk the ramp the focus shifts from outfits to them. Stars should be sitting in the front row and not walking the ramp.”

With dull old clothes - shirts, skirt, kurtas, dupattas, churidars - hanging on criss-cross ropes above the ramp and ladders left here and there, a depressing ambience was created.

“Because recession is going on in the West, a depressing ambience was created,” Mukherjee said.

Aptly titled Sanctuary, Mukherjee’s collection saw a variety of outfits with designs being borrowed from countries like Russia, France, The Czech Republic, Chile, Uzbekistan and India.

“There was no motivation this time. I just jumbled up things and rolled out the collection. I thing every designer goes through an evolutionary phase when he goes beyond the inspiration factor. I like playing with Indian silhouettes to interpret the West,” he said.

Mukherjee’s palette had a riot of colours - red, green, black, white, ivory, beige, blue, orange, blue, magenta, to name a few.

Fabrics like brocade, satin, silk, cotton, velvet, organza net, jersey, appliqu

Source: thaindian.com

SkinScan announces the completion of its 'Almost Invisible' line of Urban Chic Clothing

SkinScan, www.skinscan.net, announced the completion of its "Almost Invisible" line of urban chic clothing. With the motto "My Color is My Sensuality," Jerold Kritchman, founder of SkinScan, speaks to his belief that there are exotic colors inherent in women’s skin that are glamorous. Jerold can be reached at jerold@SkinScan.net in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Using new digital micro-chip image sensors, new coloring chemistry and printer design, aided by computers and propriety software, it is now possible to record a person’s skin-tone and reproduce it on fabric. This creates an illusion that there is no fabric there.

Mixing Computer Graphics Technology with Specific Coloring Technology allows for the production of clothing that looks invisible when worn and opens whole new worlds for clothing designers to work within. Structural design elements that are invisible allows the designer new freedom of fabric construction. Patterns that were impossible become easy.

SkinScan also announced that the company is seeking a joint venture partner with experience in fashion merchandising and with interest in expanding their current line(s).

Source: Businesswire.com

China Fashion Week closes

The 2008 China Fashion Week came to a close in Beijing on Monday. The event drew fifty designers from over twenty countries to show their newest collections. It also featured a fashion design competition for young designers from around the globe. The event was a breath of fresh air for China's burgeoning fashion industry.

WATCH VIDEO

Chinese elements are chic in the recent fashion scene around the globe. And domestic designers, obviously have a natural advantage in interpreting the theme.

Wang Qing, president of China Fashion Week, said, "Currently, ideas about China are favored by the whole industry. Many world renowned fashion designers have come up with their own China series."

Eleven years running, China Fashion Week has evolved from a small-scale occasion, with just three shows, to an influential event, hosting thirty fashion shows in total.

Source: CCTV.com

Abhishek Dutta’s son falls off the ramp during his show

Another mishap at the Lakme Fashion Week was witnessed on Monday, the third day of the fashion event, when the designer Abhishek Dutta’s one year old son fell off the ramp. The accident occured when the toddler was made to walk the ramp with a model showcasing Dutta’s collection.

Lakme Fashion Week: Full Coverage»

The kid didn’t show any signs of being hurt though there is no official confirmation about the same.

This year LFW saw a new trend of kids flaunting collections on the ramp. The youngest star of Bollywood, Darsheel Safari, stole the show at the Lakme Fashion Week, as he walked the ramp for designer Neeta Lulla in Mumbai on Sunday, the second day at LFW. And just one day later, the designer father Abhishek Dutta made his one year old son walk the ramp with a model, to showcase his collection, which unfortunately turned out to be a mishap.

Previously, at this year’s Wills India Fashion Week at Delhi, there was a mishap when a Belgian model walked down the ramp in a blue cowl dress and one of its sleeves slipped off her shoulder, during Rajesh Pratap Singh`s show. Back in 2006, model Carol Gracias experienced a similar incident -- she was left topless on stage when her Bennu Sehgall outfit came undone. Two days later, former Miss India Gauhar Khan`s skirt zipper split on the ramp, also revealing more than was intended, as she modelled for Lascelles Symons.

Source: Zee News Limited

Giorgio Armani Launches Face Fabrics

Giorgio Armani translates his skills in texture and layering into a unique range of cosmetic textiles, a wardrobe for face.
Its unique Micro-fil formulations bring lightness and fluidity to makeup, allowing infinite blending and layering to enhance the natural glow of the skin.

In 2008, a new luxurious lightweight texture dresses skin, Face fabric, the new nude by Giorgio Armani.

face fabric. The new nude by Giorgio Armani.
Giorgio Armani, premieres an unprecedented cosmetics textile, an invisible makeup which transforms the complexion. Like a translucent second skin, face fabric dresses the face with a light veil of color. More beautiful than natural.

Nude reinvented: makeup for a no-makeup look.
Face fabric is an invisible makeup with a 3D Micro-fil technology.


Unlike traditional foundations, a transluscent base with a complexion smoothing 3D texturizer creates a sheer fabric-like touch organic colorants finely tuned with pigments create a range of beige subtle colors for a natural complexion. Natural beauty magnified, perfected and redefined.

Skin-like fabric.
Sheer fabric-like texture magically slips over skin with a touch extraordinarily soft and smooth. A cushion of light color leaves skin supremely supple, with a gentle velvet touch.

More beautiful than natural.
An invisible makeup that is nearly weightless. A transparent wash of color fits with skin perfectly, creating a magnificently semi mat finish unified complexion. Your natural skin perfected and magnified.
Light infused nude beige palette.
Giorgio Armani beige nude hues redefined in soft delicate colors to enhance natural glow. A subtle, neutral palette is accented with three signature professional shades – porcelain, apricot, soft rose – to be used alone to create a healthy-looking glow, combined with any of the seven Armani beige shades to boost the color, or alone to sculpt or highlight the complexion.

The new Giorgio Armani wardrobe for face
Face fabric (nude makeup, less coverage, semi mat finish)
Luminous silk foundation (long lasting, radiance, medium to full coverage) + blender brush Fluid sheer (all-over illuminating face color) Designer shaping cream foundation (smoothing and modelling, buildable coverage, radiant finish) + designer brush Designer modelling compact foundation (long lasting, radiance, medium to full coverage, velvety finish)

Source: Sfilate fashion magazine

Maidenform and AMERICAN INVENTOR are Bringing Sexy Back in time for Backless Spring Fashions

Backless fashions are all the rage this spring! From special occasion to ready-to-wear, designers are including sexy backless styles in all of their spring collections. But who can really wear these fashions? Most women today are in desperate need of bra support! The first ever Breakthrough Backless bra by Maidenform® is here in time to offer women all the support they need this spring.

Thanks to the ABC's hit reality series “American Inventor” -- from “American Idol” producers FremantleMedia North America, Simon Cowell's Syco Television and Peter Jones TV Ltd. - our fashion worries will soon be over. Originally created by runner-up contestant Elaine Cato, the new Maidenform Breakthrough Backless Bra is the first product ever to be brought to mass market. This new foundation features a completely backless construction with silicone wire channeling that prevents slippage. Now women don't have to shy away from the latest backless fashion trends and can feel sexy, feminine and supported - all at once!

A born entrepreneur and single mother of two, Elaine Cato was not afraid to put her invention to the test. Like the producers and judges on “American Inventor,” Maidenform immediately saw the undeniable promise of her creation, working diligently with her to bring the design to fruition and later to mass market. Today, the Breakthrough Backless Bra, armed with Elaine's concept, has created an undergarment aimed to perfectly round-out every innerwear wardrobe.

The Breakthrough Backless Bra features light-weight microfiber fabric that is soft to the touch, with seamless molded foam cups that deliver smooth shaping under clothes. Combined with a two-way stretch technology, the bra provides a maneuverable fit with excellent flexibility. Designed with the full-figured female in mind, the bra allows women with even large busts to flaunt their sexy backs like never before!

“During the warmer seasons, women crave those backless styles,” says Norah Alberto, Maidenform's Senior Style Director. “To help these women bare their back for spring we are launching the new Breakthrough Backless Bra which delivers the perfect complement to everyone's bra closet and is the answer to so many women's style dilemmas.”

The Breakthrough Backless Bra is available at retail locations nationwide at a suggested retail price of $32.00. As with all Maidenform® bras, the Breakthrough Backless Bra is guaranteed to deliver the ultimate in everyday comfort, contemporary style and fabulous fit.

Source: Businesswire.com

Islands of the World Fashion week to debut in Nassau on November 5-8, 2008

The fashion world is buzzing about “Islands of the World Fashion Week” (IWFW) to take place in Nassau, The Bahamas, November 5-8, 2008, set to showcase well-known and new designers from islands around the world and to promote cultural diversity and creativity. The producer of IWFW is Mode Iles, Ltd., an affiliate of The Montaque Group, a diversified financial services operation with interest in film finance and production. Inaugural IWFW venues will include the British Colonial Hilton in Nassau and the Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, The Bahamas.

“This event was not conceived to be just another fashion week,” explained Owen Bethel, President and Managing Director of The Montaque Group as well as Founder of IWFW. “While certainly providing a showcase for eligible designers originating from developing islands similar to the typical fashion week, the mere fact that this event specifically focuses on designers from islands in itself makes it a unique event. Islands conjure up images of a unique lifestyle, both exotic and colorful. Further, this event is not simply a commercial venture, as it concurrently aims to draw attention to several global issues which also significantly affect island states.”

A potential boon for The Bahamas, their Ministry of Tourism is anticipated to play a pivotal role in both the promotion and execution of the Islands of the World Fashion Week. They will also provide support for the visiting dignitaries, VIP’s, and media stated Bethel. Celebrities will be in the know soon, as invitations are on the way to major stars including Oprah Winfrey, P Diddy, Jennifer Lopez, Stacey London, Tyra Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Rihanna, Beyonce Knowles, Tim Gunn, and others, and of course, to the designers!

On board as IWFW executive producer is Tomas Frenes, a Miami resident who served as Deputy Director for the Americas of the vast Versace fashion empire up to the time of the famed designer's tragic death. Frenes is also the Executive Vice President of Mode Iles, Ltd.

“Presenting designers are being encouraged to also present garments or accessories which display sensitivity to any one or more of many global social issues,” explained Bethel about the heart of IWFW. “The recognition and tolerance of cultural diversity, in an effort to bring about a culture of peace, are also significant themes of the event as a reflection of the mission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which is supporting the event.”

“With the presence of fashion editors, and the press representatives and photographers,” continued Bethel, “the designers will get a critical assessment of their work and the potential for sales. While this is not a competition there will be the selection of notable presenting designers as the recipients of the recognition awards in Sustainable or Eco-Fashion, Cultural & Fashion, the NextGen Designer Award, and the Seals of Excellence to be presented to five outstanding designers.

The NextGen Designer Award is targeted to a novice designer who shows promise in the international marketplace. A Humanitarian Designer Award will also be presented to an internationally-renowned designer who has shown him or herself to be a philanthropist in one or more of the areas of concern being highlighted by the event.”

Participants are expected from major regions of the Pacific, Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean, and the Atlantic/Caribbean. “We have already received positive indications of participation from designers in Fiji, Grenada, Bermuda, Indonesia, Jamaica, Madagascar, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and The Bahamas,” explained Bethel. Sponsorship opportunities exist for businesses such as travel/tourism organizations, hotel chains, telecommunications and internet providers, transportation entities, or beauty, cosmetic and skin-care, perfumes and jewelry manufacturers.

Source: Mode Iles Ltd

Pastry Shoes Electro Pie Sandal

Angela and Vanessa seem to come up with new ideas every week. This time we see the appearance of Pastry Sandals in the Dr. Jays online store. They are called Pastry Electro Pie Sandal and look very stylish.

They feature a lacquered elaborate multicolored metal decor on top of foot strap, lightly padded footbed, slightly raised .5″ heel and an engraved star design on tread and embossed script logo on tread of heel.

Pictures say more than a thousand words, click on a picture for a full view of the Pastry Sandal.

Source: Pastry Shoes

Nokia launches special edition phone

Nokia has launched a brand new special edition phone that will allow trendsetters in Bahrain to extend style and individuality beyond their wardrobes to their mobile phones.

The result of a collaboration with graphic and fashion designer Frédérique, the Nokia 7900 Crystal Prism graphic design was created exclusively by Daubal whose signature illustrations have gained attention from the fashion world – culminating in collaborations between some of its finest names.

Daubal’s graphic designs on the illustrated aluminium back covers have also been an inspiration for the spellbinding wallpapers in the Nokia 7900 Crystal Prism. The covers have been etched with laser technology making the Nokia 7900 Crystal Prism a truly beautiful object to behold.

In creating this unique design, inspiration is taken from the way in which crystals are formed in precious stones and minerals. Light, and the way it refracts in intricate prisms, is seen as the perfect medium through which to highlight this quality. Together with Nokia’s expert technology, this is expressed in several unique ways.

Firstly, in the crystal centre key, which sits within the diamond-shaped keypad pattern. It carries the same allure as a beautiful clasp on a couture clutch bag, or the set of a precious stone in a piece of fine jewellery, making the Nokia 7900 Crystal Prism a collectible and cherished item.

Secondly, in the captivating light effects, which appear on the stunning two-inch OLED screen when the phone is switched on or off, or left in idle mode. All this adds to a truly exclusive feel. For those who follow fashion but set trends, the Nokia 7900 Crystal Prism is the epitome of great style and individuality.

Contemporary colours such as rich burgundy and minimal black, remind us that this is very much a fashionable and highly coveted object. These colours are considered a confident and sophisticated choice for products across a growing range of lifestyle items, from boutique hotel interiors to the lining of a bespoke suit.

Added to this, Nokia has designed an exclusive range of accessories that add instant glamour to any outfit it is worn with. These include a new earpiece, which is colour-matched with the back cover to maintain a seamless sense of style. Elsewhere, a unique new pouch, packaging and complementary textile print illustrate Daubal’s elaborate drawings.

In addition to the 1GB built in memory space and 2 mega pixel camera (perfect for capturing those red carpet moments) the Nokia 7900 Crystal Prism also boasts 6 band capabilities – to stay connected around the world.

Source: Al Hilal Publishing & Marketing Group

Colours fade to muted dark tones at L'Oreal show

At the heart of L'Oreal Fashion Week in Toronto last week was darkness. The palette was sombre, with blacks, greys, browns and muted blues as mainstays.

That sobriety was seen in New York and Europe, too, with the shadow of recession to blame for the dark mood. But to Canadian designers, the look of next fall and winter isn't so much about the looming economic downturn as a contemplative look into the soul of humanity and themselves.

Montreal's Denis Gagnon was, by far, the star of the season. His urban warrior women strutted in leather jackets and flared dresses radically seamed in spirals, and skinny pants wrinkled with horizontal slashes. He then balanced all the aggressiveness with sheer parachute silk chemises and caftans that billowed with lightness.

"I would not be ashamed to present this collection in Paris, alongside top designers like Jean Paul Gaultier," said Denis Desro, fashion editor for Elle Canada and Elle Quebec.

The international contingent of press and industry agreed. "Denis Gagnon was not good -- he was very, very good," said Louis Bompard, fashion editor with L'Officiel in France. "It could show in Paris. [The collection] shows his story, his spirit. The work on the leather was new. It takes risks."

Other Montrealers also caught the eye of the industry: Nadya Toto, with her clean, sophisticated lines and textures, and Andy The-Anh, whose New York and L.A.-based celebrity stylist Phillip Bloch (in to launch a new designer series shoes for Hush Puppies' 50th anniversary) called "beautiful and very chic."

The-Anh played with the duality of yin and yang within each of us, he says: the feminine with his flowing goddess gowns and peplum details; the masculine with shiny, pinstriped wool-viscose suits that hugged the curves. The bold, black glass necklaces the models wore were part of his new jewellery collection.

"He has a strong voice," said Barbara Atkin, vice-president of fashion direction for Holt Renfrew. "These are clothes I can see on Canadians every day."

Among the other crowd pleasers were Stephen Wong and Kirk Pickersgill of Greta Constantine, former contestants from Project Runway Canada, who showed offsite at hotspot Circa. They pulled neoprene from the scuba diving racks and fashioned it into sculptural jackets, then took a rainbow of jerseys and created a sumptuous series of sheaths with oversized braided twists at the shoulder or contrast colours playing peek-a-boo in the deep back cowls.

"I felt like I had escaped to the pages of a Vogue magazine and was turning the pages of an editorial spread," Atkin said. "These boys could redo Halston."

Another Project Runway runner-up, Lucian Matis, grabbed the spotlight with his couture-like cuts and silhouettes, as did Toronto favourites Joeffer Caoc and David Dixon.

"All three designers have something in common -- a lot of cutting work and detail," said Rei Miyata, a fashion journalist from Tokyo-based Fashion Bible. "I wouldn't be surprised if they showed in New York."

Caoc's was one of his strongest collections to date. Well-edited and cohesive, the deceptively simple sheaths, toppers and jackets feature his signature origami-like tucks and folds. The fabrics, in inky, midnight colours, seemed to drape like a fall of liquid around the body. The softness was offset by the hard flash of a bra closure or strap in back. The models, with their smudged eyes and slightly dishevelled updos, were supposed to look quickly put together after a night on the town, Caoc said.

Everyone has a dark side. The whole collection is about how things don't appear as they are," he added.

Dixon's take on internal reflection was more Robert Frost -- albeit, pausing in a Canadian park, not woods. "It was elegant and classic," Bloch said. Entitled the Long Way Home, it was a quietly romantic journey that was trademark Dixon: tunics made of overlapping layers of laser-cut silk petals, slim-fitting sheath dresses in an almost abstract forest pattern and bursts of magenta in silk blouses with full sleeves, tartan suits and his new footwear line for Town Shoes.

TRENDS SPOTTED AT L'OREAL FASHION WEEK.

THE NEW MINIMALISM:
n Black, or any other dark and muted colour.

n Shine and glitter, from fabrics or sequins.

n If you want a hit of brightness, make it magenta.

n Cowls in front -- or in back for dramatic exits.

n Funnel necks and collar details.

n Nipped or cinched waists.

n Hoodies.

n Hemlines: for day, nothing below the knee.

n Messy updos.

n Smoky eyes.

Source: canada.com

Reebok and Vulcabras form joint venture in Brazil

The adidas Group and Vulcabras S.A. announced that they have agreed to form a joint venture company to conduct the distribution of Reebok footwear, apparel and accessories in Brazil and Paraguay. Consequently, the 2008 currency-neutral sales guidance for the Reebok segment has been raised to mid- to high-single-digit from low- to mid-single-digit. All other guidance for the adidas Group as provided on March 5, 2008 remains unchanged.

Under the terms of the agreement, Pedro Grendene Bartelle will be the President and the Chairman of the new joint venture company, which will be governed by a board of directors to be comprised of Reebok and Vulcabras executives. The joint venture company will commence operations on April 1, 2008. Financial results of the joint venture are planned to be fully consolidated within the adidas Group as of April 1, 2008. The joint venture agreement expires at the end of 2015.

Since 1992, Vulcabras has been the exclusive and independent distributor as well as a licensee of Reebok footwear and apparel products in Brazil and Paraguay. Vulcabras will continue to supply Reebok products to the joint venture company.

The transaction is subject to regulatory review in Brazil. Financial details of the transaction will be kept confidential.

Reebok and Vulcabras are also in negotiations to form a joint venture company in Argentina where a Vulcabras subsidiary has been the exclusive distributor of Reebok footwear and apparel since 2004

Source: adidas Group

9 New Looks for Spring and Summer Fashion

Brights, bold prints and colorblocking top the list of the season's newest looks. Vivid brights top

our list of favorite spring fashion trends. Grass green, hot pink, cobalt, yellow, orange: we love them all.

Source: About.com

Aussie fashion sizzles on Gold Coast

The 27th NRA Australian Fashion Design Awards glittered amid the bright lights of the Gold Coast last night in a predictably glamorous array of silk, sequins and style savants.

A collection of pared down, billowing bohemian silk dresses from first time entrant Lisa Brown won the GC native the coveted Supreme Award.

The collection was a last-minute entry from the designer, who beat hundreds of others to claim the title and a prize pack valued at more than $40,000.

Brown was commended by judges for her fashion forward collection that the judges called "refreshingly beautiful" - an opinion shared by actress Kate Hudson, who bought several Lisa Brown dresses while filming Fools Gold on the coast last year.

However, some of the judges, who included Wayne Cooper, Jonathan Ward and Trelise Cooper, quietly admitted to a level of dissatisfaction in the overall standard of this year's event.

Style commentator and awards Judge Melissa Hoyer told press she was disappointed, calling for more participation in the event from Australia's more established designers.

However, Australia's fashion glitterati were still determined to celebrate the event and were out in force at the VIP pre-dinner party.

Other highlights of the night included a performance by Brisbane singer Kate Miller-Heidke and a special presentation to Aussie fashion heavyweight Collette Dinnigan, who received the award for fashion excellence.

Source: Brisbane Times

Triumph opens opportunities of International Fashion Designing to Sri Lankan student

The Sri Lankan student Fashion Designers would get a rare opportunity to become international fashion designers, thanks to a global design competition created by lingerie specialist – Triumph International.

Fashion and design students from more than 26 countries around the world including Sri Lanka will compete in the first ever “Triumph Inspiration Award” (TIA). The Award challenges students from prestigious international design schools to create a conceptual showpiece set, comprising an under-wired bra and brief, dedicated to a special design motto ‘Female Fascination’ in its inaugural year.

Jan Rosenberg, General Manager International Sales and Marketing, Triumph International, explaining about the choice of the design motto said that for over 120 years Triumph has been designing and producing elegant and fashionable underwear of excellent workmanship. Their inspiration has always been the people who wear their products closest to the users’ (women) skin. He said that they feel that in the inaugural year, this is an excellent motto for challenging young designers and capturing their imagination.

The contestants will have a once-in-a-lifetime chance of contesting on the global siege with exposure to global media and design houses and present their piece to an internationally renowned jury. The International winner, who will be chosen by distinguished experts from the fields of design, fashion and media and will see his/her showpiece adapted and interpreted by the Triumph design team, leading to series production of the set. In addition, the person will win a cash price of Euro 15,000.

Nearly 30 students from the International Academy of Design and the Department of Fashion Technology of the University of Moratuwa will take part in this Sri Lankan National Competition to be held in May this year. The winner of the Sri Lankan National competition will be flown to China where he/she will meet winners of all 26 national competitions around the world.

To announce this Competition a Press Conference was held at Galle Face Hotel and at this Press Conference, Shalindra Fernando, General Manager, Triumph International Lanka Pvt Ltd said that the contestants at the Sri Lankan National Competition will be given specific training on lingerie design by a panel of experts attached to Design Studios of MAS Holdings and apart from the detailed training, the contestants will be given a detailed factory tour to bring them into a complex, up-to speed on the lingerie production process.

He said that the contestants will therefore come into close contact with a range of industry professionals allowing them to build up vital relationships which will help them as they graduate. Ms Vanessa Hakel, Design Manager, Triumph International, said that when it comes to lingerie design trade one has to think ‘out of the box’ and this is an opportunity to develop their very technical ability. These contestants would get a unique opportunity when they make the factory visit to think how the lingerie garments produced.

Dr Nirmalie De Silva, Course Director, Fashion Design and Product Development Degree, Moratuwa University said that garment designs originally came from other countries, specially from Western Countries. She said that now there is a change in this pattern where Sri Lankan Developers are designing garments suitable for the Western Market and this is a good opportunity.

The Award is unique and Triumph is delighted to announce that the many prestigious schools participating including, Central Saint Martin College in London, UK; ESMOD International Fashion Schools in Munich, Germany and Oslo, Norway, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University of Technology in Port Elizabeth, South Africa; Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE and Queensland University of Technology both in Australia as well as De La Salle College of St Benilde School of Design and Arts in Manila, Philippines.

(Picture) The Head Table: from left – Ms Ronitha Ratnasekera, Executive MARCOM, Triumph International Lanka; Ms Vanessa Hakel, Design Manager, Triumph International Lanka; Ms Dilani Madawala, Design Manager, MAS Design; Shalendra Fernando, General Manager, Triumph International Lanka; Ms Shaluka Kotagama, Principal, International Academy of Design and Dr Nirmali De Silva, Course Director, Fashion Design and Product Development Degree, Moratuwa University.

left – Ms Ronitha Ratnasekera, Executive MARCOM, Triumph International Lanka; Ms Vanessa Hakel, Design Manager, Triumph International Lanka; Ms Dilani Madawala, Design Manager, MAS Design; Shalendra Fernando, General Manager, Triumph International Lanka; Ms Shaluka Kotagama, Principal, International Academy of Design and Dr Nirmali De Silva, Course Director, Fashion Design and Product Development Degree, Moratuwa University

Source: Lankaeverything.com

Ethiopia seeks inspiration from India's fashion saga

India's Rs 270 crore and growing fashion design industry is now seen as a role model by countries like Ethiopia, which is nowhere on the global fashion radar and hence keen to emulate its growth and success.

A group of four designers from the Horn of Africa country, is currently in India as part of a collaborative effort by the Indian Embassy in Ethiopia and the Ethiopian government.

Known for its cotton that is said to be the best in the world, the African country does not have a fashion industry per se and designers who hail from the country are few and far between.

"It is only recently that we have started making a noise in our country about fashion," Hiruth Gougsa, who runs 'Mela,' a store in Addis Ababa, which specialises in jewellery, bags, home furnishings and other accessories told media.

Gougsa is one of the four women chosen to attend a workshop conducted by the Pearl Academy of Fashion late last year, aimed at imparting basic know how on fashion, focussing on the intricacies of design, craft, forecasting trends, couture and techniques among others in the industry.

The workshop included a 15 day study tour where participants will visit India and gain first hand exposure of its fashion.

"The Indian ambassador in Ethopia offered us an opportunity to share India's design experience with them and we accepted. We are currently in the process of designing a course curriculum in Ehiopia to be used in their fashion institutes and schools," says A K G Nair, who heads Pearl Academy of Fashion.

Source: Times Internet Limited

2nd Vintage Clothing, Accessories, Jewelry and Textiles Show and Sale

Over 30 dealers will offer quality vintage clothing, accessores, jewelry and textiles at the Danbury, CT, PAL on the weekend of April 5, 6, '08. Professionally managed by Cord Shows Ltd. (since 1970)

Spring is the time for a new fashion season but for many people, new can mean used and recycled AND VINTAGE. The proof of this is when the Vintage Clothing, Accessories, Textiles and Jewelry Show and Sale returns for the 2nd year to the Police Athletic League Building, 25 Hayestown Road in Danbury, CT (06811). There will more than thirty booths brimming with yesterday’s styles, now today’s latest fashion.

All ages and both men and women will find one of a kind items to make them stand out in a crowd. A prime example of this occurred at the last Oscar ceremony when one of the stars was asked, “whom are you wearing?” The reply was that she was wearing “a one-of-a-kind vintage dress.” The show will be held on April 5th and 6th from 10 AM – 5 PM. The PAL Building is just a short distance from I-84 Eastbound exit 5, Westbound exit 6 (signs will be posted).

By train, the Danbury Railroad Station is only 2.6 miles from the show. Take the Metro-North Danbury Line and call ahead for a taxi, 203-792-8294. Admission is $6 (under 13 free). One admission is good for return visits and food will be available by Riverfront Deli of Valhalla, NY.

Dealers attending will be offering nothing newer than the 1980s. A sampling includes What Was is Vintage, Merrick, NY, presenting a booth of antique costume jewelry, Bakelite, vintage clothing and accessories such as hats, handbags, eyewear, shoes, coats, jackets, dresses, sweaters, men’s hats, ties and cufflinks. Cherished Treasures will come from Newtown, CT, bringing clothes from the 1940’s – 60’, vintage buttons, sewing items and fabric, and vintage hankies.

Also attending will be Funky Fashions from Brick, NJ; The Town Peddler, New Rochelle, NY; and Vintage Couture Jewelry offering clothing, scarves, chain belts, purses, couture shoes and hats from Easton, CT. Margot Hotchkiss Designs, NYC, will add vintage textiles and linens; Vintage With a Twist, Bedford, NY, and Grape in the Shade of Washington Depot, CT, will help to make fashion statements with designer dresses, gowns and elegant hats. Queen Ann’s Laces from Prospect, CT, will bring fine linens, lace, compacts as part of their vintage display; On Que, LLC of Danbury, CT, specializes in costume jewelry and Rhiannon’s Treasures, New Milford, CT, will bring clothing dating back to the Victorian era plus vintage fabric and trims.

Fine antique jewelry dealers include JFS Associates of Harrisburg, PA; Fine Arts Ltd., Greenwich, CT; and Michael Weinstein/Artifacts, Binghamton, NY. Joyce’s Jems of Ardsley, NY, will specialize in textiles and trims as well as buttons, purses, linens and smalls. Antique Wardrobe, Southbridge, MA, will offer Victorian – 1950’s wearables; Jewels Unlimited/unique treasures, Walden, NY, will bring Taxco, Hobe and European vintage silver, hats and bags; Barbara Lambert, Weston, CT, will bring hats, jewelry and vintage garb and Kreativebeadz, Danbury, CT will bring vintage costume jewelry as will A Blast From the Past of Hamden, CT.

Three Vintage Babes, LLC., New Vernon, NJ, will display vintage costume jewelry and add fur stoles to the mix. Scout of NYC, will also be in attendance as will Sally Wistman of Danbury, CT, who will be offering textiles, vintage clothing, laces, paisleys, tassels and a wonderful early textile screen.

Source: news-antique.com