Archive for the ‘Fashion’ Category
You Better Work: the Grueling Glamour of Fashion Design
Do you spend every Wednesday night glued to the TV in anticipation of the next Project Runway episode, enamored by the unique designs and confident that you could produce garments of equal quality? Do you believe that clothes are not merely functional, but should also serve as beautiful means of self-expression? Do you long for the fast-paced glitz of cities like New York and Los Angeles? If you answered yes to these questions, you may want to consider a career in fashion design.
Keep in mind, though, that this profession is not all bright lights and glitter. Beyond the glamour lies an intensely competitive work environment that demands not only great creativity, but also knowledge of current trends, proficiency in sewing and patternmaking, and a flair for self-promotion. Ready to climb the rhinestone ladder?
Fashion Design Job Overview
Every year, fashion designers create billions of clothes, shoes, and accessories for a discerning and fickle body of consumers. They stay up-to-date with fashion trends by conducting research and attending trade and fashion shows. Over a period of 18-24 months–the standard block of time between a design’s conceptual stages and its completion; not quite the mad dash depicted on Project Runway–a designer incorporates his/her findings into hand sketches, sometimes translated into computer-aided design (CAD), and then begins the process of either delegating technical tasks, such as sewing, to others (typical of large design firms) or completing this work themselves (more common in small firms or with those just starting out).
While the public image places fashion designers in some posh Manhattan penthouse, following their own aesthetic whims in order to please the very rich and socially elite, only a few of the most successful designers score haute couture gigs. Many others create mass market deigns, open their own stores, or sell their designs to other retailers. Some even work for the entertainment industry, researching period pieces and creating costumes for films and television shows. Whether self-employed or part of a large design team, all fashion designers must be prepared for frequent travel and the occasional all-nighter.
Fashion Design Education and Other Qualifications
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that most employers seek designers with 2- or 4-year degrees. Basic coursework for a bachelor’s degree typically includes textiles, sewing, CAD training, and fashion history. Fashion design students may also want to supplement their core curriculum with classes in business, human anatomy, and psychology. Aspiring designers can also gain valuable experience from internships or retail jobs, and should always maintain an impressive portfolio.
Job Outlook & Salary Information
Predictably, many are attracted to the glamour and artiness of fashion design, and this makes for a competitive job market. The BLS notes that the best job prospects will be found in firms that create mass-market designs. Advancement is possible for those who are talented, tenacious, and willing to start from the very bottom. The average annual salary for fashion designers hovered around $62,810 in 2007.
Kelli Smith is the senior editor for www.Edu411.org. Edu411.org lists colleges and career institutes that offer training and programs in Fashion. Schools listed offer free information packages or academic consultation.
Great Summer Maternity Clothes
The weather is warming up, Spring is in full swing and Summer is just around the corner. Your body is changing daily and you aren’t sure what to buy next when compounded by seasons changing and long summer months ahead. Here are a few suggestions on some must-haves maternity clothes to get you started out in style this season without breaking the bank.
Everyone needs a versatile casual dress for summer. When the weather is hot the last thing you want to pull on is a pair of hot denim jeans or long pants. A casual sundress or tank dress can do wonders for your wardrobe and beat the heat come summer. Majamas Sleepy Dress is an excellent choice for an all around versatile tank dress that can be worn anywhere and is a great nursing clothes item for access for after the baby is born. You may like this dress so much you’ll want to have it in several colors. If there is a cool breeze, just layer this dress with a fitted demi cardigan or light wrap. Read the rest of this entry »
Keep Your Kids Cool This Summer
Summer is the perfect season to play outside and take your kids on daily outings, but the heat can be overwhelming if you don´t dress them appropriately. The summer sun means you´ll want your baby clothes to be lightweight and allow your children´s bodies to cool themselves.
The first thing to look for in summer baby clothes, whether boys’ clothes or girls’, is the right fabric. Cotton is ideal, since it lets the skin breathe and wicks perspiration away from your little one´s skin. However, since cotton tends to wrinkle, you may look for a polyester/cotton blend that is at least 50% cotton.
Avoid fabrics that are shiny or slick, like rayon. These will trap heat next to the child´s body and can be very uncomfortable in warm weather. You can test baby clothes by putting your hand inside the clothing and wrapping the fabric around it . . . if your hand feels hot and sweaty in a few seconds, you will want to look for something cooler. Read the rest of this entry »
Tactics for Buying Cheap Clothes and Looking Expensive at the Same Time
Clothes are one of those necessities in life that tell people who you are before you even have a conversation. When you see someone in scrubs, you would think doctor, nurse, or someone in the medical profession. How about if you see someone in a business suit? You would think of office professionals such as banker, stock broker, etc. What would you think if someone wore an outfit that was wrinkled, out of style, faded, wrong size, or holey? You would think of that person being sloppy, unprofessional, or lazy.
Itâs unfortunate, but we judge others based on what they wear. When you wear an outfit, you want it to say a positive message about yourself. You can spend very little on an outfit and still look good. Read these clothing shopping tactics below, so you can buy cheap clothes, but look expensive at the same time.
Get Quality Clothes Over Quantity Read the rest of this entry »
Men: How to Be Summer Ready with a Fake Tan
With men’s fashion becoming more and more part of the mainstream, with everything from ranges of guys’ make up sold in high street department stores to salons specialising in waxing men’s most intimate areas, it was only a matter of time before guys caught onto the benefits of fake tan. The tabloids are always full of fake tan victims, those orange looking disciples who have overdone it on the bottled stuff, but thankfully there’s no need to fall foul to the same fate.
Now that summer is right round the corner, there’s no better time to start subtly adding a little colour to your skin. Sure, nothing beats a natural tan, as sunlight in moderation makes you and your skin look and feel great, but we don’t always have the luxury of dashing off on holiday every time we want to get a little bronzed. So, before you look out the summer shorts and T-shirts, first top up your complexion, as there’s nothing worse than being the pastiest bloke on the beach. Read the rest of this entry »
Swimsuit Trends For Spring-Summer 2009-2010
Looking fabulous has never been so easy with an array of gorgeous swimsuits to suit every shape. So whether you are planning to hit the beach or the pool you will be able to find the perfect swimsuit for you.
The world of color has come a long way from neutrals of a few seasons ago with a bright color palette dominating swimwear ranges across the globe. In particular fuchsia, purple and emerald green have prove to be big winners with the fashion conscious consumer. Jewel tones are still big news with a few shades of blue also spotted in collections gracing the catwalk in 2009/2010. Read the rest of this entry »
New Folk Clothing Spring/Summer 2010
Folk clothing is a London based company founded by Cathal Mcateer in 2001. The clothing lines are all about honest, clean and simple pieces, with dashes of colour, a variety of fabrics and intricate design detailing. Folk draws its inspiration for the clothing range from all kinds of sources from what they see in London on the way to work, to the general street styles all over the world. Due to the specific designs and high quality finish of the clothing, the Folk designers literally search the globe to find the right materials and factories to produce the clothing.
They currently manufacture jackets in Hong Kong, knitwear in Uruguay and accessories in their native England, so there is a very diverse production base. Due to the increasing success of their clothing range in 2004 Folk branched out into the footwear market in the shape of their sister brand Shofolk. The shoes are designed by the same team that design the clothing range and you can clearly see this reflected in how they use different fabrics, shapes and styles to create functional and stylish footwear. Shofolk take classic designs such as the dessert boot and add a twist to it. Read the rest of this entry »
Clothing Trends For Spring/summer 2010
Spring has officially sprung and summer is well on its way – bringing with it plenty of hot new fashion trends for this year. If you’re planning on staying well and truly in style this summer, you may want to hit the shops soon – they’re about to be packed with all the upcoming season’s incredible new items and they won’t last forever!
This summer marks the first warm season since the financial crisis has started to wane. Surely there’s no better way to celebrate the gradual beating-back of the recession than by heading into town and splurging on some great new outfits without having to worry about pinching the pennies any more. What exactly is going to be on offer in the high street this year?
Well, if you’ve been meaning to join the gym this year but haven’t so far, you might want to change your mind: one of this summer’s hottest fashion items are hot pants and boy shorts. These skimpy shorts show a lot of leg and are a bold, daring and sexy piece that will certainly put you at the centre of attention. Of course, you won’t have to worry about showing Read the rest of this entry »
Hudson Baby 6-Piece Baby Clothing Little Sweetie Girls Gift Collection – Pink

Product Description
Luvable Friends 6-Piece Baby Clothing Little Sweetie (Cupcake) Girls Gift Collection is made of the highest quality and best designed baby clothing and soft baby care products for your baby! The set is made of 100% cotto… More >>
Hudson Baby 6-Piece Baby Clothing Little Sweetie Girls Gift Collection – Pink
Top Kids Clothing Items for Summer 2010
With summer just around the corner, you may see lots of ads showing off summer fashions for kids. Most of the ads will show different styles and colors of several tops, shorts, dresses and sandals. But what are the essential pieces for summer this year? Below is a list of the top items to have for staying summer fashionable!
Pillowcase dress – The pillowcase dress is a super cute and comfortable clothing item for summer. They are just what the name implies. They are very free flowing, nothing too tight or constricting to inhibit summer play. Many of them have a tie going through the neck line to tie the dress. That’s it! They are very simple. You’ll find many different colors and designs. Don’t forget the bloomers as it is a dress. You’ll find these from about $25-$60.