Housing crisis

The economy today is the worst is has ever been and because the economy is so bad the housing market is affected too. Many houses are being put up for sale but just not selling. The crisis started from bad loans being made to people who cant afford the houses that they think can afford because of the low interest rates. The bad economy and the housing crisis can all affect the fashion industry/home fashion industry.

People cannot afford to furnish their homes because they either cannot lay money aside to decorate their home or because its not worth the time and money anymore. People are focusing more about they welfare of their families instead of how awesome their houses look. Just recently here in Greensboro Linens and Things closed. This is all because of the bad economy which affects the home fashions industry.

Challenges in the industry

The apparel industry faces a lot of challenges today. Over the past 10 years there has been a decline in employment not just in the work force it self but mostly in the apparel industry. One of biggest challenges the industry faces is that a lot of companies are moving their production centers over seas. This has cost many people their jobs and has also caused a decrease in the authenticity of products. One event that also affected the apparel industry was September 11th. This caused a number of factories in downtown Manhattan to close, because they were unable to receive supplies and deliver orders for several weeks.

Another challenge the industry faces is the economy.  More business are going bankrupt, more people are losing their jobs. Without the consumer, the apparel business can not flourish. During this economic depression money is tight. People are not spending as much going out to eat or even going shopping. Another challenge the industry faces is the lack of idea. Styles are repeating over but it is harder to come up with new, stylish ideas for clothing. Some designers are still able to produce amazing garments never seen before but I have notice some designers struggling to bring forth new ideas that will help their company. 

All of the challenges the industry faces tie together.  I believe September 11 started the downward spiral of the industry. After the terrorist attack, more jobs started to move overseas and the shops specifically in Manhattan were affected the most after this. Once the jobs move overseas the American people suffer. Without jobs people cannot buy clothing which then affects the business, causing them to go out of business. Without the business the designers cannot come up with new ideas to help their business. Unfortunately everyone suffers.

sweatshops

When first discussing this topic about sweatshops I was initially opposed to it and overall disgusted by what they are. After some further research and class discussion today I would have to say I am for sweatshops even through I still think they are horrible. The Department of Labor defines a work place as a sweatshop if it violates two or more of the most basic labor laws including child labor, minimum wage, overtime and fire safety laws.



These conditions that people work are truly horrible and unfair. The workers work long hours with little to no breaks, they are paid nothing for the massive amount of work they do. I do believe it is unfair that people work in these type of conditions but when you really think about it, it is there way of life. It is the persons choice whether they want to work there of not and by working in the sweatshops they are able to provide for their family.

Even though I am pro-sweatshops i do believe there are things can could be done to help better the conditions for the workers. If I owned my own company I would not have sweatshops. I would make the sacrifice and pay over more money to not have sweatshops. Of Course i say that now because I am not in a position to make that choice but as of now that is how i feel. Sweatshops are a double standard. They are bad conditions in an unfair environment but they also are helpful towards people by providing work so the family can have a life.


http://feminist.org/other/sweatshops/sweatfaq.html

Art......Usability???

According to Websters the word ART is defined as: human creativity, skill, creative work. USABILITY is defined as: can be used, fit for use. This year at the Milan fashion week these two words were bended together to make usable art. Normally the Milan fashion week leans more towards the artsy side of fashion, showing clothing that really could never been worn in public. It has always an extravagant piece of walking artwork. This year is a different story. Most of the fashion I have seen has still had the artsy appeal but is also very wearable.

The picture above is from the Just Cavalli show. This dress is both artistic and usable. It is a great style dress that can be worn out anywhere. The face printed on the dress adds the element of art. It reminds me of a subtle Andy Warhol piece printed on a very wearable dress.




These two dresses are from the Moschino show. Even though these dresses are very different from the Just Cavalli show they are still usable. Yes, they are more extravagant but somewhere, someone will have the guts to wear these dresses and they will be able to pull off a very artsy/ classy look.

Throughout the shows bold colors and strong geometric prints were used, but they were used in a way that was very useful. To me, the shows in Milan were able to approach art in a new, brilliant way. They were high class and artistic pieces you can wear outside of the runway. Milan will still be known for the most extravagant and outrageous designs but now it can also be known for the usability in their designs.

Pictures from:http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2009RTW-JUSTCAV/
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2009RTW-MOSCHINO/
Definitions from:http://www.merriam-webster.com/

Design Inspiration

For some designers they create a garment inspired by nature, or a piece of artwork. Some designers go deeper and find their inspiration in certain thoughts of emotions. As an aspiring designer I find my inspiration everywhere. I can look outside and a tree and see a dress in my head or I could be doing my homework and envision a shirt. Anything and everything inspires me.

Just recently a lot of my inspiration has come from music. I hear a song and I see a dress. I find that music if my favorite tool for inspiration. Upon given this assignment I had already drawn something. The Muse song “Super massive Black Hole” inspired this particular dress/gown I designed. When listening to this song someone might wonder how I could envision a dress with this song, I wondered the same thing too, but it just kind of happened.

Sorry for the lack of impressive drawing skills. Designing is what I want to do, I just need work on the sketching aspect of it. (click on it to make it bigger)





The dress is black at the top and then lightens to a gray as it reaches the bottom. There is a white band right under the bust. It has a Grecian essence to it, flowing, a lot of fabric. The bodice is gathered and flows out from the gathered waist. The drawing might look like stripes but its not. I wanted the dress to be classy and sophisticated but still keeping it fun and flowing.

This is the music video for "Supermassive Black Hole".....dont watch it, just listen. The video is kind of creepy, its just the song that i love.

Ethnic Influences on Apparel

Designers always have some type of inspiration when designing a collection for a runway show. Some may be inspired by artwork, movies, music and even comic books. Designers often travel to different places around the world to get their inspiration. Recently I have seen more designers have an ethnic inspiration to their fashion. Recently Anna Sui’ s spring 2009 RTW fashion show had an Egyptian inspired theme. The clothing had large Egyptian geometric prints; chokers and an overall very symmetrical look to every garment. Her inspiration comes from Egyptian, African and Indian style clothing.






Any store you go in you can always find some garment with an ethnical influence. Places like Forever 21 and Charlotte Russe have shirts and dresses with vibrant colors and patterns just like the designers are using. Below are dresses  from Forever 21 that have this new ethnic vibe.







These influences not only show up in clothing but they also are apparent in accessories too. Some of the most popular accessories today have ethnic influences behind them. For example bangles, originated in India….Turquoise jewelry was worn by Native Americans…scarf’s are worn by Muslim women… slouchy berets, from French culture. The most popular garments and accessories that we wear today are inspired by other cultures. I personally cant wait to see what the next new ethnical inspired clothing will be this upcoming spring season.



1st photo from: http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2009RTW-ANNASUI
Other photos: http://www.forever21.com/category.asp?catalog_name=FOREVER21&category_name=acc&Page=1

Trends of Fashion week

Fashion week  is the highlight of any fashion forward person. It is the week where standards are met and rules are broken. For the spring 2009 season the designers were not afraid of color and bold new prints. With all the shows I watched I noticed that each designer had their own unique style and inspiration to their collection but they all followed the same new trends.

Bright colors and bold patterns was the main theme I saw. In the shows of Anna Sui, and Diane Von Furstenburg, the patterns were bold and daring. Even in the elegant line of Oscar de la Renta, bold, yet still very classy patterns were present. Another trend is big jewelry, mostly necklaces. Even with the bright colors and patterns the designers were not afraid to add big accessories to the outfit and surprisingly it wasn't over done or tacky. It made the outfit more appealing and fun and added a new sense of style to the whole outfit. Head pieces and hats were also part of the different collections. In Marc Jacobs show, each model had their own colorful hat which added a different appeal to the outfit. In Diane Von Furstenburg's collection her models had bohemian style headband with feathers and beads. Accessories was not the enemy at fashion week. The bigger the better; it was welcomed with opened arms.




Another new, upcoming trend is harlequin prints. Everything from shoes, bags, bracelets and even furniture is taking hold of this new style. With bright colors and bold patterns now welcomed into the fashion world this style will fit right in.

My favorite fashion show from the New York fashion week would have to be Oscar de la Renta's collection. I love color and prints but I am not the fashion forward person who isn't afraid to wear the neon pink, sparkle tunic. His collection had all the color and the patterns of the new spring trend, he just made it elegant and very classy. It was very simple yet daring. There was not a single piece of clothing that I did not like in his collection

Video from: http://www.style.com/fashionshows/video/S2009RTW-ODLRENTA
Pictures:http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2009RTW-ANNASUI
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2009RTW-DVFURSTE

Organic and Eco-Friendly Apparel

"Going Green" is the latest new trend in the world today. Everywhere you go there is some product that is safe for the environment. New the fashion industry wants to jump on the band wagon and is making its make in our new Eco-friendly world. Now clothes can be made by using natural products that will not harm the environment.

Cotton has been used to make clothing for centuries and now there are new ways to grow and manufacture the cotton that make it safer for the environment. Now cotton can be grown using less land, less water, fewer chemicals and less tillage of the land which means less carbon emissions.

While doing some research I ran across a company called Indigenous Designs. They produce organic apparel and fair trade fashion. This company is very impressive and is committed to 3 things. 1. They support and want to preserve  fair trade wages and artisan cooperative. 2. They invest in natural and organic fibers and environmentally friendly dyes and 3. They are spreading the beauty of handmade eco-friendly fashion. To find more information about this awesome company go to www.indigenousdesigns.com. 

I believe "going green" is a great concept and I am really excited to see fashion become a part of it.  There is nothing better than to were something fashionable and also good for the environment. It brings fashion to a new level.

This is a video of a Indigenous Design organic runway show. The clothes are stylish, and classy and everyone can wear them.

My favorite Designer: Christian Dior

Out of all the designers in the world, my favorite designer would have to be Christian Dior. Even though he past away 51 years ago his legacy still lives on. I believe he was the most influential designer of the twentieth century.  The garments he created were elegant, classic and stunning. They were the true definition of high style.

I have always loved fashion and culture of the 1940's and 1950's and Christian Dior really made women of that era beautiful. In 1947 Dior birthed the "New Look" as his first collection. The new look was a new style that was opposite of the severe living conditions of post-war France. He wanted women to feel beautiful and to embrace their curves in clothing that pushed the limit of that era.

Not only did he design amazing clothes but he also help bring licensing agreements to the fashion industry. He has done so much for fashion and is truly an inspiration for other designers and aspiring designers like myself. It is awesome to see the line of Dior still thriving. John Galliano is an amazing designer as well (and is my second favorite designer) and I am so glad he is the designer for Dior. I feel like he still bring the same feminine essence to  the line the same way Christian did in the 1950's.