Emma Watson: Fashion Entrepreneur

Emma Watson is no stranger to fashion. Indeed, one look at her and you’d know that she has her own fashion sense, which actually appeals to a lot of people. This young actress is not sitting idle, though. Instead of being a mere consumer, she has crossed to the other side and has launched a clothing line. Yeah, she also models for Burberry and Chanel by the way.

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!

Milan Loves Fashion

That’s the tagline of the Milan Fashion Week, which is in full swing as of this writing. The coverage is nothing but phenomenal, and it seems that the designers have gone out with all the ammunition that they have, even on the first day.

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.

New York Fashion Fashion Week Finds

The New York Fashion Week kicked off last week on Thursday, and it seems that the trends are already very evident. In spite of the pall that has been cast by the prolonged economic crisis, the best of designers seems to have outdone themselves with bright bursts of color. Regulars were present at Bryant Park in Manhattan early, even though the most interesting shows do not usually run till the weekend.

So what awaited the early birds? Paolo Messana writes of beautiful colors invading the fashion week:

Opening the shows was New York’s own Michael Angel, who sent out a collection of waistlined mini-dresses with no sleeves, but with epaulettes.

France’s New-York based BCBG Max Azria brand followed with a line of also tiny close-fitting dresses cut in a patchwork of fabrics, multicoloured in part, plain in others.

Colour was taste of the day, and in a poll released in the influential Women’s Wear Daily newspaper, designers picked their five favourite colours as violet, yellow, turquoise, coral and red.

Bottom of the barrel were beige, olive green and petrol blue.

More than the color, another trend that seems to be making a comeback – bra tops, cropped shirts, midriff tops. What does this means for you fashionistas out there? Well you better get it on with your crunches and other exercise routines. That is, if you want to wear what’s going to be the in thing in the next several months! For those who are not into baring their bellies, at least you have the option of wearing colorful clothing.

The Japanese Fashion Influence

The Japanese culture is so rich and dynamic, that it is not a surprise that its influence has extended throughout the rest of the world. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Japan is the leader in cutting edge technology, but have you ever dwelt on the thought that Japanese fashion is also starting to become felt in the area of global fashion?

Not convinced? Ask fashion designers from the United States and Europe, and they will tell you that they keep tabs on what is happening in Japanese fashion. This stems from the fact that some worldwide trends actually began in Japan. A classic example would be the popularity of camouflage patterns in clothing. I am willing to bet that you have at least one article of clothing in a camouflage pattern! And I bet that you didn’t know that this trend originally started in Japan!

Perhaps the same “wiring” that makes Japanese engineers and inventors the best in their game makes Japanese designers and trendsetters successful in creating unique and fashionable clothing. Indeed, it has reached a point wherein big brands recognized worldwide have placed a premium in clothing made in Japan. In the denim industry, in particular, Japan-made materials are considered to be the best in the world.

The Japanese look is not limited to clothing, however. In fact, it is more of looking at the whole get up – from clothing to hair accessories to bags to shoes to umbrellas to bags. I wouldn’t be surprised if we hear more of Japan in the global fashion sector.

To truly experience Japanese fashion, try visiting the homeland. For example, Japanican recently had a Japan tour, which included a free ticket to the trendy Tokyo Girls Collection fashion festival. The next Tokyo Girls Collection event will probably happen in March 2010 so keep an eye out for the announcement of that tour.

Photo courtesy of mynippon.com

Nigella Starts Fashion Trend

Do you watch a lot of TV? I really don’t watch much, but when I do, I often come across cooking shows with some of the most popular celebrity chefs out there. That’s how I came to know about Nigella Lawson.

More than being a genius in the kitchen – as critics and fans say – Nigella has also gained fame and renown for being one of the most attractive celebrity chefs. Me thinks that if she were to go for another career, Ms. Lawson might very well go into fashion.

I don’t know if you have heard about it – or seen it – but Nigella has been sporting a very fashionable look lately. Dubbed the “hourglass look,” the chef’s chosen style is H-O-T. It is not really new. The hourglass look has been sported by many before her, but somehow, she has made this look her own.

Nigella has Vivienne Westwood to thank for this new look, in part at least. She started her transformation from the kitchen’s Wonder Woman to a flaming bombshell with some really well chosen pieces from Westwood’s Anglomania collection. She did not stop there, though. Soon, she picked up a piece from Katya Wildman, and this is what did the trick, I think.

This dress has, in fact, become a best seller for The Dispensary, a Notting Hill boutique. I am pretty sure that you want this dress for yourself as well. If you want to take a look, visit the web site of The Dispensary. Just be ready to shell out ₤160 to ₤180.

In Search Of The Perfect Cocktail Dress

Tired of your old collection of dresses? Maybe you’re looking for something to perk up your wardrobe? One thing is for sure, whether you’re going out for a night with friends or an exciting date, a short cocktail dress will be perfect for you. Here are some ideas for that perfect little outfit that will give you some of the best nights of your life.

Calvin Klein Ruffle Jersey Dress
This jersey dress is made of blue silk and is embellished with ruffles. The hue of the blue is on the metallic side, and will certainly make you stand out. Take a look for yourself at Nordstrom. At $98, I am pretty sure that you will not hesitate to get it.

Maggy London Silk One-Shoulder Chiffon Dress
If you’re feeling like exposing a little more skin and attracting more attention, check out this one-shoulder chiffon dress. Macy’s has it on sale. Get ready for this – its normal price is $168 and now, the price is at $116.90! If that’s not enough to convince you, one glance at it certainly will. Oh, and did I mention that the dress is also blue?

Women’s Eyelet-Trim Sundresses
For a more casual look, this cotton dress fits the bill. Old Navy carries this dress in three colors – watermelon, white, and black – and is very comfortable. The eyelets and ruffles do add a feminine appeal to the dress. Here’s the best part – you only have to spend $17.99 on the black dress and $24.99 on the other two colors.

One of these three choices should be a welcome addition to your wardrobe.

Tickle Everyone Pink

The new hot color has been picked out, people! It seems that fashion designers all over the world have come to a consensus – black is out, pink is in! Don’t make the mistake of thinking that pink is a bland, girly color. What fashion designers are working with right now are powerful shades of pink that one cannot help but say “WOW” to.

Thakoon Panichgul says: “I love fuchsia. I’m always drawn to it. It’s a reaction color, and that’s what fashion is. You can’t quantify it, it’s just you know what you like. You can’t analyze it.”

True enough. If you go out wearing a hot fuchsia dress, you will probably get the stares of everyone within a mile. Another reason to go pink is the fact that these shades go well with many other colors. Hope Greenberg, the fashion director of Lucky has this to say: “From neon to fuchsia, hot pink is very versatile. It goes with gray, brown, navy, army green. There are a million things to wear it with.”

Indeed, if you are worried that you would have to get a whole new wardrobe to match the season’s “pinkness,” no need for that. Your old grays, browns, and other shades could very well match your new pinks.

Of course, you should not simply jump into the water and get everything in pink. The smart thing to do would be to test the color out with small items. Say, get a blouse or a belt in a flashy pink shade. Try it out first and see how it suits you. If it works – which it probably will – then go all out get ready to be the center of attention!

Beat The Heat And Look Good

Summer’s here and boy, is it hot! Well, I guess it depends on where you are but for the most part, the heat waves seem to be right on schedule. You can opt to stay inside and chill out with the air conditioner on full blast (and pay for it when the electric bill comes) OR you can go dress yourself up for the summer and have fun outdoors! Guess what I suggest?

Here are some tips on how to dress for the heat and maybe get some longing stares down your way.

• Sweat much? Don’t wear silks or heavy linens. Opt for cotton and light fabrics instead. While these materials may NOT stop your glands from producing sweat, stains will not be much of a problem.
• Time to ditch the black and other dark colors. It’s common knowledge – white and other light colors are necessary to beat the heat while staying hot.
• Let the breeze in. Forget tights and body hugging clothing. While they may accentuate your curves, they just might make you feel irritable and uncomfortable all day. Instead, opt for light breezy designs that will let the air in and make you feel cool all day long.
• Go bag shopping. That is, if all that you can find in your closet are big heavy bags. You may not think much about the bag you lug around but during summer, a heavy bag can make you feel warmer and more uncomfortable. Buy a couple of smaller bags that you can use instead.

Any other hot summer tips?

No To Size Zero?

Who is your favorite model? Do you lean towards waif-like creatures (think Kate Moss) or do you prefer a woman with a whole lot of curves?

In Australia, believe or not, they prefer models who have a little bit of weight in them. That is not to say that plus size is the trend – although I seriously wouldn’t mind if this happened. However, Australian fashion designers have admitted that they have had to tell models that they are “too thin” and that they need to “put on more weight.”

This is quite contrary to what we are seeing in the international fashion circuit, where thin and thinner is what people want. Indeed, the pressure of going size zero seems to be getting to some Australian fashion designers. According to Damien Woolnough, the online editor of Vogue Australia, many Australian designers are now following the lead of the international community and that models AND clothes are ever shrinking.

Still, there are those who think that Australian fashion will be able to resist the international trend. Priscilla Leighton Clark, the owner of Priscilla’s Modelling Agency and judge on Australia’s Next Top Model, says that she thinks that her fellow Australians prefer sporty bodies rather than pole thin ones. As such, she thinks that the country will be able to resist the “zero size pressure.”

I really hope so. I may not live down under and may not be affected by what happens in the fashion world there, but hey, realistic sizes are always my thing. After all, not everyone can be a size zero, right?

Hand-Painted Vintage Clothing: Get Unique

If there is one thing that trendsetters have in mind, it is that they want to look unique.  I know many people whose worst nightmare is showing up at a party (or any gig for that matter) and finding another girl wearing the same exact same dress.  Wake me up!!!

That is why I love going for the vintage look.  The idea behind vintage is that while you get that unmistakable aura of something coming from a time before now, you tend to get pieces that are not likely to have been replicated, right?

Well think again.  I would be the first to admit that the chances of finding two similar (or maybe even the same!) items of vintage clothing are quite high.  Sad to say, vintage clothing is not always one of a kind.

But what if you really have this thing going on for vintage?  Should the chances of bumping into someone else wearing the same dress put you off?

My answer’s a definite no!  Instead, why not follow this tip from Mary Kincaid of Style  Hive? She suggests going for hand-painted vintage clothing, for the very reason I have outline above:

Let’s not kid ourselves…not every piece of vintage clothing we see is totally unique. When you’ve been buying and wearing vintage clothing as long as I have, you occasionally find yourself shopping the thrifts or online sites and seeing something very familiar. It takes just a moment and then you realize you either have the exact same item in your own closet or you’ve sold it in the past. And I’m always surprised how frequently this actually happens. So that’s why I’m a complete sucker for any hand-painted vintage pieces–each one is totally unique. And there’s something very special about wearing a custom-made piece that exhibits someone’s artistry.

Indeed, hand-painted anything normally offers that one of a kind look that many of us look for.  Start your hunt now!