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

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

Lingerie Market: Focus on Design & Fashion Trends

The growing fashion appeal of lingerie has changed drastically over the years. The market is being driven by the advent of modern technologies and fabrics that help in designing innovative products such as laser-cut seamless bras and moulded T-shirt bras. Designers are putting greater emphasis on rich-looking fabrics, laces, embroideries and brighter, more daring colors. The largest-selling lingerie product is bra. There is a huge demand for full-busted bras.

Retailers acknowledge the fact that lingerie market has higher profit margins than regular apparel. They are launching new lingerie lines and also giving their older products a makeover. Lingerie vendors are focusing more on their alliances with lingerie specialty stores as compared to department stores. The worlds largest lingerie manufacturer, Victorias Secret, operates almost exclusively in North America. The European market is quite fragmented, with Triumph International and DB Apparel leading the market.

The report analyzes the worldwide, US, UK, and French lingerie markets. Apart from providing a competitive landscape of the market, the report also profiles the major lingerie companies, with a discussion of their key business strategies. It also analyzes the major trends prevalent in the lingerie market.

Source: Research and Markets

Manish Arora designs new Reebok garments & accessories

Futuristic fashion gets a new address with Reebok commissioning Indian designer Manish Arora to come up with a complete line of high-end garments and accessories that can be showcased at the Paris Fashion Week.

The colour “Black” will be represented through new age easy-to-wear boots in vibrant colours and sequined toe fronts while the “Jungle Low” range will create the look and feel of a lost era. Neon shoes with classic leather work on either side, they would come in a fiery combination of black and orange.

The daily lives of the modern Indian woman and the smells and sensibilities of India would be the blueprints that emboss this range of shoes. While the inspiration for the footwear line is the heart of India, the apparel is inspired from the theme of nature.

On the footwear front, leather, Swarovski, specialized fabric and suave and svelte designs characterize the Fish Fry collection.

Priced between Rs 6000 and Rs 60,000, Fish Fry shoes are elegant and funky and they come in delicate pink, blue, silver, gold and red hues that make for a bold fashion statement. The brand is being sported by Bipasha Basu. The collection is available at select Reebok stores.

Source: livemint.com