Friday, September 19, 2008

Weekend Wear





Work Wear

What Is She Wearing? Fashion Laws Of Politics


Participants in this year's Fashion Week, now under way in New York, have to share a bit of the spotlight with a smaller group of trendsetters being closely judged for their own sense of style: women in the political forefront. In a presidential election season, Americans are not only scrutinizing the candidates for their positions on such issues as the economy. There are also strong opinions forming, among voters and in the blogosphere, about the sense of fashion embraced by the candidates' wives, Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain. We've always looked at what first ladies-to-be, or first ladies wear pearls,and stay away from the "bling." Flashy clothes and accessories could be seen as pretentious, potentially blinding voters from embracing their message. It's just part of the game.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Trends for fall 2008

For fall 2008 here are the colors that u will see this year. so stay updated and make sure you stay in style.




Thursday, August 14, 2008

Sagging: A History

Many trends have come and gone, but most people are not aware of where the trend began or how long they will last. Most trends tend not to have long staying power. One trend that has had more than 10 years of popularity is sagging pants. Sagging pants is the art of wearing ones pants below the waist, usually hanging low enough to show underwear. There is some controversy as to where it started. So has the trend been popularized from behind prison walls? Or is it the influence of hip-hop?

One theory of how sagging pants originated is from prison in the 1990s. Prisoners are given oversized uniforms without belts. Belts are a popular way to commit suicide; by hanging oneself, to hang others, or to be used as a weapon in fights. Other reason is that when they wear their pants below the waist is that it is sign that says that they are homosexual.

Sagging pants were not meant to be trend for the males. The other reason was that wearing your pants below your waist states that you were another inmate’s property. The inmate who related the story was an elderly black gentleman who had been sentenced to life in prison and had been there for over fifty years. He marveled how such a mark of shame has become a fashion statement. He says “that younger inmates don't believe him when he tells them, but swears it's the truth”.

The trend has been contributed to the influence of the music industry. Many artists, in the hip-hop genre, were known for letting their pants sag. It became more common to see rappers, like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog and Lil Wayne, in a video with their pants sagging to right at below their hips. It became even more popular as these same rappers began their own clothing labels. Clothing labels, like Phat Farm, Ecko and FUBU, are known for not even offering a small sized men’s shirt.

The characteristic of the low-slung look became mainstream and took off during the early 1990's when Calvin Klein used rapper Marky Mark in their advertising campaign for underwear. This advertising campaign was the first glimpse of men showing their underwear in a sexy way.

The sagging pants trend made way to skateboarders in the suburbs and high school hallways. Work wear brands such as Dickies and Ben Davies designed baggy clothing that became popular with skateboarders.

As the trend grew, it began to influence the styles of jeans. Low-rise jeans are intended to sit low on, or below, the hips. More men and women began to wear underwear to function with their low-rise jeans. However, the look has been predominantly male and the recent trend for women to reveal their G-string underwear. Low-rise jeans may be worn to display more skin at the waist, torso, and hips. Low-rise jeans may also partially reveal the buttocks when the wearer sits down or bends over. Cleavage becomes visible.

FASHION, DESIGNER, ACTION

Charlotte's Fashion Week is coming sooner then you think. The events will take place September 18-20; is when History begins. Being able to be a part, make me so excited. Fashion week will open up many opportunities for Charlotte.



Charlotte's fashion week is bringing wonderful designers from Atlanta to New York. Giving the city what they have only seen on TV and Youtube. This will also be a great networking opportunity to put your name in the industry.

Thursday, July 31, 2008



Janelle Coleman is 28 year old Production Assistant for MTV. She considers herself a trendsetter, because she dresses comfortably while on the job. Janelle says, "My style is unique" She remains on her feet all day, but that does not stop her clothing habits. While shooting productions all day she has to wear comfortable trendy pieces. This allows her drees down or up depending on the occasion afterwards. She say, "I'm always always ready for any occasion. I can go out to eat with my friends or walk downtown after work".

Janelle doesn't care about designers garments at all times. "If there's a sale, i'm there", Janelle says. She is very electic when it come to her peices. She stops in a variety of stores, boutiques and malls. This gives her a broader selection for her closet. Since working as a employee of Nordstrom; she found out she can be cute and comfortable at th same time.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Are you an Dandy?

Are you dandy? Do you believe that your man is a dandy? Do you even know what a dandy is?
Before one can known whether or not they are dandy or their man is dandy, dandy must be defined and looked at from a historical perspective. A dandy is considered a man who takes pride in their physical appearance. They take time to prefect everything about themselves. They are known for their refined language, leisurely hobbies and for looking to advance their social standings.

The first mentions of dandy is associated with George Bryan Brummell, but the word can be traced back as early as the 1770s with the song Yankee Doodle Dandy. The song was written to describe what the American troops looked during the French and Indian War. During the War, a Yankee Doodle Dandy was hodgepodge brigade. The troops were dressed in the clothes that they wore when the left their homes. There were no uniforms.

The word made its way to English history because of the separation of classes. The royal class appreciated the dandy because of the attention paid to appearance and to nothing else.

Anatomy of a dandy

If you added 2 cups of charm, a half a cup of smooth, and a quarter cup of suave, you would have yourself a dandy. Dandy is a term used by many to describe a man who oozes style, and grace. He has the “it” factor. You can’t describe what “it” is, but you know “it” when you see it. Dandies are tall, thin, handsome men who are so smooth they seem to glide when they walk. They never have a hair out of place, their faces are cleanly shaven, the placket of ruffles on their shirts cascade down to finely starched linen pants, which leads your eye to a pair of silk stockings, which are guarded by freshly polished shoes, accompanied by nothing other than large gold buckles. They are financially independent, in the sense that they feel they do not have to work. Not only are they handsome, but they have the wit and the brains to match. Their charm can’t be ignored, nor can their cynical and nonchalant attitudes. They are the men that we hate to love, and the ones men unlike their kind love to hate.

Historical Dandies

The very model of the dandy in British society was George Bryan "Beau" Brummell. Even though born to middle-class, he was attracted to the lifestyle of the upper class. While in school, he became friends with the Prince of Wales, the future George IV. Because of this relationship and his dress, he began to regard in the circles around the Prince as a virtual oracle on matters related to dress and etiquette virtually a court fashion arbiter

Dandies were no prissy class of gentlemen, or mincing walkers as their elegant forebears, the Macaroni's, had been. They were the well dressed, witty and elegant men of a new generation. Brummell abandoned a wig and cut his hair in a Roman fashion. Brummell also led the move from breeches to snugly-tailored dark "pantaloons," which led directly to the trousers that have been mainstay of men's wear in the Western world for two centuries. George "Beau" Brummell invented what was to become the modern necktie. The feminist Germaine Greer once declaimed that it was foolishness to allow men to rule the world when they begin the day by tying a rope around their necks. Ironically, today he would be called a "metrosexual".

Brummell took great strides to make sure that his clothing was cleaned. If clothes were clean, he reasoned, the body under them must also be. Unlike other males who drenched themselves in perfume to hide body odors, he washed his entire body with hot water every day. As with everything else he did, this too became a fad.

Another well-known dandy is Prince Albert. Albert Francis Charles Augustus Emmanuel of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha was born on August 26, 1819 at Schloss Rosenau, in Bavaria, the younger son of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. When he was seven, his father divorced his mother on grounds of adultery, and she was sent to live in Switzerland and forbidden to see her children. Albert was educated at Bonn University. In 1840, he married his cousin, Queen Victoria. The marriage was unpopular in some quarters, and parliament resisted granting Albert what his wife regarded as a suitable allowance. Prince Albert was also known for designing his wife wedding dress, and now days designers still look up to Prince Albert and design their bridal wear of his creations.

Modern Dandies

Dandy is not a word that is commonly used in today fashion industry, but many designers and fashion leaders are influenced by the 19th century look. One such designer is Alexis Mabille. Mabille is a self-taught couturier. The Spring 2009 collection presented "an imaginary mixed school, a fun, unconventional gang of students, teacher and parents”. He takes influences from college, military uniforms and formal attire. The silhouette is narrow, tight with short and fitted jackets and coats worn with wide-leg pants or slim-fitting trousers.
This style of dress has already been adopted by celebrities, such as: Andre 3000.
To know for sure if you are dandy or your man is dandy, take the quiz. The quiz is called How Dandy are You? The quiz is comprised of 40 questions to determine your level of dandy. Or become a dandy by checking out Modern Dandies. It provides extensive information on everything a modern dandy needs from clothing tips to the books to read.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Why Stereotype on Plus Size Fashion?


The Plus size fashion industry is coming up, but it’s still not being accepted. Personally, I don’t see why full-figured individuals have that much a negative impact. The trends of Plus size fashion are very traditional and old fashion. It’s hard to find trendy garments; without spending a load of money. Also, it’s hard to shop for clothing in retail stores. For example, Old Navy has taken plus size clothing out of their stores and features it online. Why can’t we shop in the store? Especially when we want to try on our clothes, but since Old Navy is not just plus size they put us out. The industry is trying to keep us out of the stores and make us be ashamed of who we are.

In the United States clothing is easier to shop vs. internationally. Regardless of size or shape an individual should be able to go into any mall to shop comfortably.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Introduction

Hello Im Tanisha and welcome to my blog