Apparel Articles

Organic Cotton Strong Despite Recession

http://www.apparelnews.net/features/special_reports/011211-Organic-Cotton-Strong-Despite-Recession

Organic cotton sales have been picking up in this past year of 2010, according to Textile Exchange's new "Organic Farm and Fiber". Organic cotton now holds 1.1 percent of the world's cotton production, pushing the global cotton output from about 210,000 metric tons to 241,276 metric tons. The report also goes further to estimate that roughly 274,000 farmers in 23 countries are growing organic cotton. The US is the 5th largest supplier.  

South Coast Plaza Beefs Up Store Roster

http://www.apparelnews.net/news/retailing/012111-South-Coast-Plaza-Beefs-Up-Store-Roster

South Coast Plaza is starting the new year right with a batch of new stores. The mall, which has been open for 44 years now and built by the Segerstrom family.  The stores that will be new to the mall are Brunello Cucinelli, a high-end men’s and women’s cashmere brand; Diane von Fursternberg, contemporary women’s fashion from the New York designer; Longchamp, the Parisian label that makes luxury tote bags, luggage and accessories; Madewell, the J. Crew subsidiary that has an array of edgier T-shirts, denim, footwear and accessories; and Omega, the Swiss watchmaker. Also, a new large format XXI Forever by Forever 21 is taking over part of the sears during this year.

 

 Quality is Key at Kingpin's L.A.

http://www.apparelnews.net/news/tradeshows/012811-Quality-Is-Key-at-Kingpins-LA

Major denim designers attended the Kingpins Boutique denim sourcing show in downtown Los Angeles Jan. 25–26 in search of the desired quality and styles of denim for their Fall 2012 offerings.

The brands that were in attendance were Civilianaire, Juicy Couture, J Brand, Citizens of Humanity, Goldsign, Adriano Goldschmied, Rock & Republic, BCBG, Target and Element. In the new year, many denim designers quoted average price increases of 10 percent and 15 percent, depending on the product due to the price rise of denim. Now, a year after cotton began its climb, brands have plans in place to deal with paying nearly double for denim fabric. Luckily for designers, research shows that despite the rise in cost of denim products, consumers haven't been scared off yet and continue to buy denim. The steep cotton prices do seem to be inspiring Southern California’s premium-denim designers to create no-frills, super-clean, vintage-inspired jeans, vendors said. 

BEST SHOES 2010

Visual Directory

FAD: THE MALE CLUTCH

PAST ERAS

CLASSICS

Celebrity Fashion Icons

Throughout the years, celebrities have always had a very strong influence on fashion, particularly in today's celebrity obsessed world. Celebrities are people who are admired and extremely popular people who are loved by thousands of people so it's no surprise that celebrities have a very strong influence  on fashion. If the most famous people in the world are wearing it, then eventually, sooner than later, the rest of the public will start to wear it. The three fashion icons I thought have had a particularly strong influence on fashion are Jackie Kennedy, Lil Wayne, the Beatles, and Audrey Hepburn.

Jackie Kennedy in her infamous leopard fur coat that sparked a hugely popular fashion trend.

Leopard fur was in high demand as Jackie’s coat created a fashion craze. Women who could afford to buy the coat were soon seen wearing them to dinner, the theatre, and other places.  Over 250,000 leopards were hunted and killed as women purchased their copy of Jackie’s coat. 

Jackie's designer Cassini was appalled that his creation almost wiped out an entire species. Since then, he has worked to destroy the fur market he helped create. “I will do my best to redeem myself." He has since developed a line of faux furs to provide the public with more humane and inexpensive alternatives.

With skinny jeans, vans, and piercings, Lil Wayne has influenced the fashion trends of the African-American community by morphing an edgy rocker style with urban style.

When the Beatles busted on to the scene and became a hugely popular in the US, they brought with them their edgy English style. Everything from their mop top hair, to the Edwardian suits, and their beatle boots caused a huge fashion craze.

Audrey Hepburn had a very strong pull on fasion in her day with her "little black dress", dark colors, flats, and big sunglasses. Her classy style has had a lasting affect on fashion.