1970s:

Where do I start? How about I make a list of the words that come to mind: Hot pants! Platform shoes, jeans, bell bottoms, polyester, mini skirts, maxi skirts, Yves Saint Laurent, Charlie’s Angels, disco fever, cat suits, trouser suits, custom t-shirts, three piece suits, and the list can go on…

This is the decade in which my mother was in her twenties and when I was born. I have seen the pictures, and I have fit into her old clothes that still have a special place in her walk-in closet. I definitely like the whole ‘boho’ look that came out of the late 1960s and 1970s and admit to owning many clothes in that style, but I cannot imagine living during this decade. I’ll leave that look to Sienna Miller and Kate Moss.

Jean Paul Gaultier, artistic director of Hermes International SCA’s women’s ready-to-wear unit, is leaving to concentrate on his own label after working for Hermes for the past seven years. He will be showing the last collection he will be making for Hermes in October for the 2011 Summer-Spring collection. The fashion house is going to replace Gaultier with Cristophe Lemaire who has been Lacoste’s artistic director since 2001.

The split is said to be an amicable with Gaultier quoted as saying that it “has been a marvelous adventure which has allowed me to learn about a new ’savoir faire’.” In a statement released by Hermes International they said that they are “deeply grateful to Jean Paul Gaultier for his outstanding creative contribution during these past seven years.” Grateful or not, in fashion business is business and I guess Hermes knew that they just needed some new blood to take their apparel section to the next level.

Hermes has also releases a statement saying that they will continue to have a relationship with Jean Paul Gaultier since they currently have a 45% stake on the designer’s own label and have no plans of selling their share anytime soon. According to fashionista, Steff Yotka, Hermes’ actions indicate the opposite of that statement and that Jean Paul Gaultier’s label might suffer setbacks, even go bankrupt, like Christian Lacroix did after he left Pucci in 2005, if some other fashion conglomerate doesn’t swoop in to help him bankroll his label. For now that is all just speculation and with more time in his hands we can hope to see even better things from Jean Paul Gaultier’s label by winter.

The exhibit will have three sections with the first section showing the actual costumes used in the movie, the second one showing modernized version of Alice in Wonderland-inspired everyday clothing, and the third one showing Alice-inspired gowns created by FIDM designers. The costume that I would personally be most interested in seeing is Helena Bonham Carter’s Red Queen dress (will her hairpiece be there as well?). I know Alice’s gown must be divine in real-life but it just hold much less interest to mean in terms of detailing. The Madd Hatter’s hat will also be shown as well as his costumer, which means that movie fans will surely be thrilled with the exhibit since they can see the actual stuff used in the movie. In my opnion though fashionistas and designers will probably be even more thrilled to see the Alice-inspired creations. The modernized Wonderland clothes that will be exhibited were created by highly recognizable names like Avril Lavigne and Tom Binns. It will be a mish mash of established designers and amateur celebrity designers.

The exclusive event with 700 guests showed stars walking the red carpet with wearing big name designers like Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Valentino, Diane Von Furstenberg, etc. Of course the gowns and suits were gorgeous though no one really bothers much to ask about the suits. WHat really stood out for me though was Gwen Stefani’s gown, which is actually her own design. It’s one thing to wear something great and quite another to have taste so great you can create something red carpet worthy. Props to Gwen!

Another stand out for the night, simply because of the label is Jessica Alba with her gown from GAP. You got that! GAP! Who knew GAP had something red carpet worthy? The gown was of designed for Sophie Theallet for GAP so don’t go sashaying in any GAP store and expect to get one RTW.

Some of the other stars that showed up dressed to kill included Sarah Jessica Parker, Emma Watson, Zoe Saldana, Blake Lively, Eva Longoria, Giselle Bundchen, Sienna Miller and Kristen Stewart.

Oh and lets not forget Katy Perry since no one can miss her with her (literally) glowing white gown with LED lights inserted all around. Now that makes for a shining star.

Countless BIG names have carried Dolce & Gabbana over the years. Think about Victoria Beckham, Isabella Rossellini, Monica Bellucci, and Madonna. Newcomers like Katy Perry and Scarlett Johansson have also been poster girls for the brand. That leaves no doubt as to just how esteemed this brand is!

How are they celebrating their quarter of a century mark? Shopaholics, hang on to your seats.

The formula is simple: they will never rest on their laurels and keep supplying us with the latest in fashion! In May, for example, Dolce & Gabbana is launching a new line of sunglasses. Dubbed MDG, this line is being produced in cooperation with La Ciccone. With summer almost here, the launch of the line is certain to be a success!

Of course, there will be more than sunglasses coming out in the next few months. I suggest that you set aside some spending money as this year is definitely going to be a great one for the brand – and your collection!

That isn’t her biggest achievement in the fashion world, though. Going back to the clothing line I just mentioned, Emma has partnered up with People Tree, a clothing brand that prides itself in being ethical. People Tree has a very good reputation in terms of excellent fashion sense and dealing only with fair trade products.

Emma has lent her artistic talents to People Tree, coming up with her own artwork. The people from the company praise her dedication to the clothing line and say that she is really serious about the project. It looks like the young star is paying more than lip service to the line. More than being involved in the design process, she has also enlisted the help of friends and family members to pose as models for the clothes.

From her end, Emma says that she has no aspirations to become a fashion designer. Her only motive in getting involved, she says, is her passion for the cause. She says that she really cares for trendy fashion as well as fair trade. Big words from a young girl, but hey, it looks like she means it!

If you’re thinking that this is “just another dress sale,” think again. The shops will be offering formal wear from some of the biggest names in the fashion industry. How does Vera Wang sound? Badgley Mischka? Melissa Sweet?

And if you are salivating but shaking your head at the same time because of the astronomical prices that these designers usually charge, stop it! The YWCA is holding this sale to benefit programs such as Domestic Violence Prevention Center and the Y Gyrl Leaders Mentoring Program for Teens; and they are making sure that the average person can afford to buy the gowns.

The gowns that will be on sale normally fetch anywhere from hundreds of dollars to thousands. On Saturday, however, you can bring your weekly allowance and spend as low as $5! I am not kidding! Of course, those pieces will probably sell out as soon as the sale opens, but organizers say that the most you would have to pay is probably less than $100. For clothes made by these designers, that is such a steal!

Even if you do not need any formal wear right now, we all know that you will find yourself needing something somewhere down the road. If you’re anywhere near the area, do make it a point to pay them a visit! For more information, click here.

According to wifey Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice to fans), her husband is a great fan of dresses and that she consults him all the time. But wait – I am not even talking about what Victoria is supposed to wear for dinner. She consults Beckham about her dress designs for her own fashion range, which has met huge success. Celebrities like Danii Minogue, Elle Macpherson, and even Heidi Klum are said to be big fans of Victoria’s designs!

So is being a fan of sexy dresses enough to make David Beckham his wife’s (informal) fashion consultant? Maybe. After all, women want to wear these dresses to look good and make heads – men’s heads – turn; and if someone like David Beckham appreciates those designs, then I am sure other men will as well!

On another note, have you seen Victoria’s Fall Collection? There are 23 pieces – the dresses are there of course. The clothes have been described as stylish and sexy but demure at the same time. Colors range from cobalt blue to magenta. For more of her designs, visit her web site here. I might not be able to afford them, but looking and wishing will not hurt one bit!

The main attractions of the first day’s show were the collections of Moschino and Dolce & Gabbana. According to Moschino, fashion is “full of chic.” The slogan was actually printed on canvas tote and was backed up by oversized jumpsuits decorated with daises. Oh so plum white ruffles and striped t-shirts reminiscent of candy colors also livened up things.

D&G, on the other hand, sparked a lot of interest with their cow girl line. Some models were showing off skin in pannier mini skirts. Others wore faded denim shirts and brown obi belts. Bottom line: the D&G show oozed sex appeal, which no one can ignore!

Blumarine’s line featured silk skirts and cotton knits. Colors were bursting – hot pink, lemon yellow, and lime. Tie-dye cloths were also present, adding to the plethora of colors that made for very nice eye candy. Designer Anna Molinari decided to take Jamaica to Milan with a rasta theme. Her tube dress in yellow, red, and green definitely took viewers to that island paradise.

Sportmax took the lingerie route, with padded bras serving as tops. They also made use of lace to soften up sports wear. Other features: garter belts on the hips of loose shorts and laced up corsets for blouses.

Needless to say, Milan Fashion Week is making waves.

Woods started up her business with her sister, and they began with lingerie. Soon, their clients asked for more – dresses, pants, etc. Now, their line has expanded to carry all sorts of outfits from the casual to the semi-formal outfits.

One unique thing about Curvy Lady clothing is that they are not the basic blacks which are usually suggested for plus size women. Instead, Woods believes in the idea that plus size women should experiment with various colors as well. As a result, her clothing line is a mix of all colors. She says that the important thing is that her clothes accentuate the positive points that each woman has. More so, she says that she prioritizes her clients’ comfort, and that comfort leads to confidence, which in turn leads to a stunning look.

Her customers seem to agree with her, as her business has grown over the years.

What I am thinking is that I wish there would be more people like her in other parts of the world. While we have plus size clothing in many major stores, I think that we could use more of them, don’t you think?