Sustainable Fashion

Your Capsule Wardrobe and Sustainable Fashion
By Arline James-Thomas

With the recession on, everyone is looking to dress for less. When it comes to building your capsule wardrobe it is not about buying clothes on the cheap in sales but about investing in quality fashion pieces which you can wear for years to come. This is not to say that you may not find an ideal item of clothing for your capsule wardrobe in a high street sale and on online bargains.



But the problem with sales is that there is the tendency to buy garments that are unsuitable for our body shape or is ill-fitting, all because it is on sale. What happens to these garments? They collect dust in the wardrobe, are chucked out and then you are back to square one.



Then there is the throw away fashion garments which you know will not stand up to several washes but you buy it anyway. Not very supportive for sustainable fashion is it?

The idea of having a capsule wardrobe is that these core pieces are easily interchangeable between outfits. Gok Wan popularized the 24 piece capsule wardrobe on his show "Gok's Fashion Fix" of which each piece, he advises, should be interchangeable with at least three outfits.



When it comes to putting together your capsule wardrobe there is help available. Why not use the free fashion advice service offered at many of your department high street stores. What can be better than a having your own fashion advisor completely free of charge?



It will certainly save you time and money and you end up with a wardrobe that you actually enjoy wearing. So just call up your local department store and make an appointment to get started on your classic wardrobe and do your bit for sustainable fashion.



This article was written by Arline James-Thomas for Munique Fashion - muniquefashions.com. Munique brings you unique, quality handcrafted fashion and accessories from artisans around the world. These exotic designs communicate rarity and say something about you the wearer.

Our simply stunning collection of funky unusual jewelery, handbags and sandals are specially selected for their uniqueness and are not available on the high street. We are sure to find something special from our range of Ethnic jewelery and gifts. Buy online and start that conversation with fashion that .

Fashion Bracelets

Small Size and Big Fashion Impact of Bracelets
By Cherry Bruce




Bracelets are one of the coolest and happening fashion accessories in the fashion industry today. There are so many types of them available today that they could be called a side industry inside the fashion market. These can be made from a variety of material like various kinds of metal, stone or cloth, etc. These come in all shapes and sizes. These are also available in varied colours like black, pink, etc. Some people are even addicted to collecting different types. Fashion conscious women try to mix and match their bracelets so as to create a unique signature for themselves and to stand distinguished from others.



Bracelets are being made today for various occasions and targeting different audiences. The most common of these are wedding and friendship bracelets. Friendship bracelets are usually made from cloth threads and are made by knitting together these strands. These can be bought from the market or they can be made at home as they are very easy to make. Nowadays plastic friendship bands are a huge thing and can be commonly seen on young teenagers. Wedding bracelets takes bracelets up to the finest notch. These are the perfect wedding fashion accessory in the wedding market. There are various designer labels out in the market with their own unique style and USP. Some of the latest are the pearl bridal bracelets, designer bangles and cuffs, vintage look, etc. All these are made by distinctly linking metal together. Another thing doing the rounds is the antique jewellery.



There are a lot of women out there who want to buy a bracelet but are afraid whether it will be in fashion or will it look good on them or not. Well here are some tips on how to buy a perfect one for you. First of all research is very important. There are hundreds of fashion websites and blogs which keep up to date with the latest trends in fashion and related things. You should browse a lot of these sites so that you get an idea about the price of such things and also to find out what is the latest fashion going around. Then there are various designs available so one should also look out for what will look good on wearing where a close friend might help. Another thing to do is to browse different fashion catalogues.



These magazines and catalogues cover the latest fashion weeks and shows being arranged around the world. This gives an overall idea what one needs to buy. Finally what one looks for is the price. You would have to find out whether some items are on sale or not as some stores and brands come out with special sales on various items and at various time of the year like wedding season sale, etc. In the end we can say that there is no single hard and fast rule to buying bracelets but one fashion advice we can give is that cubic zirconia is hot word in fashion circles today.

Fashion Forecasting

Spring Fashion Forecast
By Kate Thompson




Even though there is still snow on the ground, designer's all around the world have released their view on what's new and hot for Spring 2006. Though most of you are still donning parkas, who says you can't be in the know, and start shopping for you're perfect spring wardrobe?



Last year's spring/summer look was all about ethnicity and beautiful batik inspired prints with chunky natural wood and bone accessories. The flat ballet shoe was in with a vengeance, putting stiletto weary feet at ease. Even big hair and mod dresses were new and fab again. This year what's it all about?



Popular colors for the season are gold and any shade of green, but definitely at the forefront are bold and wild prints ranging from geometric to art deco. Think Psychedelic 60's when it comes to print this season (just be sure to pair you're prints with understated accessories and shoes). Two other comeback kid's are the cropped jacket and trouser shorts. The cropped jacket is a great shape and staple in any wardrobe so be sure to purchase one in a classic shade of black or tan. The shorts on the other hand are harder to pull off, and can sometimes make a pear shape look heavier.



For accessories, large over sized necklaces are still all the rage and are worn in layers. A chunky gold chain can be worn with the boldest print so long as hair, make-up and other jewelry are understated. Pair any spring look with an embellished, colorful leather bag and you're set for lounging in any hot see and be seen venue.



The most current shoe for this spring season is a bold platform high heel with an open toe and ankle straps. If you're not one to wear gold in your clothing then choose a hot pair gold platforms with embellished ankle straps.

Miami Fashion

Miami For Shoppers - Head to Miami For Fashion in Paradise
By Carlos Giraldo

The fashionably-attired who stroll Ocean Drive and frequent the hip clubs of Miami don't have to trek to New York for their chic clothing and accessories. In addition to its beautiful beaches and classic art deco architecture, Miami is also a fashion paradise, with an abundance of specialty shops, familiar stores, and unique boutiques.



The best shopping in South Beach is on a two-block stretch of Collins Avenue or in the Lincoln Road area. Among the high-profile shops on Collins Avenue (between 6th and 9th Ave) you will find Kenneth Cole, Nicole Miller, Armani Exchange, Polo Sport, Club Monaco, Guess, Sephora, Banana Republic, and Urban Outfitters. Lincoln Road (between Washington Avenue and Alton Road), is a mix of familiar stores, like BCBG Max Azria and Anthropologie and funky boutiques like Agora, Chroma and Neo Accessorio, where celebs shop for their hip accessories.



The famous Miracle Mile in Coral Gables (Coral Way Avenue, between 42nd Ave and Douglas Road) is home to more than 100 shops along a wide, tree-lined boulevard. The shops range from bridal boutiques to jewelers to furniture and household fashions. The Village of Merrick Park (358 San Lorenzo Ave), with luxury retail stores set in an urban garden, is also nearby.



Miami boasts over a dozen malls. Bayside Marketplace (401 Biscayne Boulevard) is a 16- acre shopping and entertainment area on Biscayne Bay, with specialty shops, food and entertainment, including a Hard Rock Café. Heading south from Miami Beach, the three-floor Coco Walk (3015 Grand Ave) in Coconut Grove is a great place for people-watching, with nearly 40 specialty shops plus kiosks, restaurants and clubs. The Shops at Sunset Place (5701 Sunset Drive) in South Miami is family-oriented, with a 24-screen cinemaplex, IMAX theater, Virgin Megatore, NikeTown, and GameWorks. Also on the south side of town, close to the Dadeland North and South metrorail stations, is the Dadeland Mall (7535 N Kendall Drive), with popular retailers that include Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor plus 175 specialty stores and 17 restaurants.



Heading north, Bal Harbour Shops (9700 Collins Ave, north of Miami Beach) is the ultimate chic shopping spot featuring Hermes, Gucci, Armarni, Dior, Bulgari, Tiffany, Versace, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Lalique, and Neiman Marcus. Also to the north is the Aventura Mall, with a 24-screen Cineplex, Lord & Taylor, Bloomingdale's, and Macy's in addition to specialty stores such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Ann Taylor, J. Crew, Fossil, and Clinique, as well as several excellent restaurants. Head a bit farther north, to Sawgrass Mills (12801 W Sunrise Boulevard at Flamingo Road) for top-of-the-line bargain stores.



If you are headed to Miami, CRSHotels.com has the perfect South Beach Hotel for you. Choose the Colony Hotel, the Clinton Hotel and Spa, the Beacon Hotel, or the Kent Hotel. Stay at the Suites on South Beach, the Lorraine Hotel, the Ocean Surf Hotel, the River Park Hotel & Suites Downtown Miami the Thunderbird Resort, the Greenview Hotel, Travelodge Monaco Beach Resort, the Shelborne Beach Resort, or the Bentley Beach Hotel, right on the ocean in South Beach. Play at the Best Miami Hotel, the Royal South Beach Hotel, or the South Beach Plaza Hotel or South Beach Plaza Villas. Enjoy the Hotel St. Michel in Coral Gables or the Mutiny Hotel Coconut Grove on the Bay.

Fashion Institute Of Design

Fashion School Majors - Choosing the Right Major For a Career in Fashion Design
By Lily McCallister

You know when you're meant for a career in fashion design. Perhaps you made clothes for your dolls (or dogs) when you were little; at the movies, you pay more attention to the costume design than the plot; you devour fashion magazines; or maybe you watch a red carpet event and just know you can do a better job dressing the stars. So what does it take to be a fashion designer? Professional training from a fashion school is key, but you might be surprised at the wide range of majors that lead to industry careers.



Fashion Design. This major teaches you to make the most of your creativity. It provides training in essential skills like fashion sketching, draping, computer-aided design, and pattern drafting. You would also study fashion design in the context of a bigger industry picture, with an examination of marketing, production, historical trends, and global business practices. But while this major may be the most obvious, it's not the only option for students looking to break into the field.



Merchandise Marketing. If you have both fashion sense and business sense, this program will prepare you for a career in fashion merchandising. You would receive valuable training in the planning, purchasing, and allocation of merchandise while keeping on top of fashion trends and consumer forecasts. In addition, you would gain the marketing and advertising expertise to effectively merchandise your fashion.



Merchandise Product Development. Suppose you want to develop your own product line, or merchandise an established brand. This major would help you do just that. The curriculum focuses on strategic planning, preproduction, trend analysis, and line production, and also would provide you training in the basics like sketching and fitting.

Apparel Manufacturing Management. This program prepares you to own or manage a fashion manufacturing company. You would learn every phase of the manufacturing process, from global sourcing and production planning to sales management and financial accountability, so you could take a product from initial concept to store distribution and beyond.



Textile Design. Some of the most innovative designers today focus on textiles. This major concentrates on the creation and production of printed and woven textiles that will be used for fashion, and interior, design. You would delve into the technical aspects of production and develop design skills using both traditional and computer-aided programs.

Fashion Knitwear Design. Knitwear is such an integral part of fashion design that many fashion schools now offer a major devoted to it. The curriculum is similar to that of the general fashion design major, with courses in illustration and pattern drafting, but specializing in the unique construction requirements of knitwear.



Costume Design. Students interested in the entertainment industry will benefit from this major, which is often divided into two programs - one for theatre costume design, and one for movies and television. You would study costume construction, wardrobing, rendering, script analysis and breakdown, while learning to work within the production constraints of budget and timing.

Fashion Bug Maternity

Tall, Plus Size Clothing - Finally Some Options
By Krista Mayne




If you are plus size and also a tall woman, when it comes to clothes shopping, you probably feel like a minority. There are lots of clothing choices for plus size women and some specialty stores carry tall women's clothing, but put the two combinations together and your choices are limited. Here are a couple of clothing stores options for the tall plus size woman:



1. Fashion Bug carries a few tall plus size pants in inseams up to 35 inches long. Fashion Bug has a special department for tall plus size clothing including jeans, career pants and tall leggings.



2. A great option for the tall plus size woman, is Custom Made Clothing. Land's End is a great choice as you can get custom sized clothing in jeans, chinos and dress shirts. You specify the inseam length up to 40 inches long. You can also get your pants with or without a cuff. They also offer many style choices such as natural or relaxed fit, different waist style choices and flat front or pleated front. Their custom department makes it easy to get pants exactly the way you want them. I have used this option for both shirts and chinos and have been satisfied.



3. Avenue.com has some tall plus size clothing and they even offer designer jeans by "Seven Jeans" with inseam lengths to 33 inches. Avenue has other tall plus size pants with inseams to 34 inches.

If you are a tall plus size woman, you may have to search a little longer to find clothing that is long enough, but the good news is that there are more options available today than ever.

Fashion Schools

Attend Fashion School Or College
By Patrick N Bateman

If you have the skill or the talent for fashion design then why not back it up with degree from fashion schools. Most Fashion Designers, Merchandisers or Marketers have education from schools in fashion. Degree from Fashion Colleges will give you security and confidence that you will need in the fashion industry.



If you think are talented in fashion or in fashion design, you can get a degree. Whether you are planning to attend fashion design, fashion merchandising or fashion marketing programs, you have to keep in mind fashion world highly competitive and not everyone gets in. So, even though fashion schools are going to teach you everything you need to learn about fashion industry, being creative is still the most important thing.



If you aspire for a career in fashion design, do not let anything stop you. Apply to as many schools as you can and take the offer that you can get. Continue to create, continue to write to those who you admire and learn to network. School is only one stepping stone to a successful career. It may open a few doors on a resume. But the talent is what gets you through the doors and into the front offices. If you have the talent, do not let anything stand in your way.



Eventually, you will graduate and get your degree from fashion school. So, what is next? The skills that you are already and the degree that you received from the fashion college will pay off eventually. You will have lot of opportunities for great career in fashion industry. Who knows maybe you will receive a phone call from Paris Hilton one day. The sky is the limit once an aspiring fashion designer has experience and a degree to back up his or her credentials.



So, if you are interested in such areas fashion design, marketing or merchandising, you should start looking for a fashion school that will be suitable for you right away. Also, keep-in mind there are courses that you can take online as well from schools that have online programs. More people are beginning to take advantage of the internet to achieve their dreams of attending college and pursuing career opportunities that they will enjoy, instead of being stuck at dead end jobs. Prior to enrolling in any online school, however, you should make certain that it is accredited.