Thursday, August 12, 2010

Designer Apparel - All You Need to Know




Clothes that are designed by specialized people who are trained in the art of cloth designing are known as designer clothing. These clothes are usually quite expensive and are only purchased by people who can afford them, which are quite few. As a result, only the upper echelons of the society opt for designer apparel. These clothes are highly popular for people who like going to parties and functions every other day. As the market for clothes is higher for woman's clothes, many designers focus their designs for women only and are basically restricted to designing clothes for them.

Man's designer clothing is also available, and there are many designers that make clothes for men. However, these designers don't actually tailor the clothes, but just plan out and make the initial design. Once the design is made, they give it for further improvement and re view it until they feel it has been perfected. After the design of the cloth goes through its last phase of checking, it is finally printed on clothes, which are then moved to the outlet or boutique which might be owned by the designer. The clothes that you see in a designer outlet or boutique are the best that the designer has made, and hence are placed directly on display to attract the highest number of customers and large attention.

Designer apparel consists of shoes and various accessories as well. There are exclusive designers who design matching shoes to go with their dresses, and these can also be purchased from the various outlets that are littered across the city. There is a fierce competition amongst designers, as they all want to be rich and famous and have a huge fan base. There are some designers who strive to make a living for them, and often fail to make ends meet. These are up coming designers whose products are not well known in the market.

Many of the upcoming designers have quite attractive designs and portfolios and it is just a matter of perspective and what you prefer if you want to buy such clothes. Further more, the prices charged by up coming designers are quite low, and not all of them set sky high prices for their clothes as they wish to make a name for themselves. Many of them also don't own their own boutiques or outlets, and only design clothes on order or when hosting their own fashion shows.

Apparel & Fashion, which is designed especially to assist members of clothing industry www.made-from-india.com provides a comprehensive view of products related to fashion and style. The Product directory contains every single information about Indian manufacturers, suppliers, exporters & importers of apparel & fashion accessories, Apparel & Fashion leads, wholesale apparel, apparel related machines, buttons & buckles, jeans, leather garment, zippers & sliders etc.

However, arranging fashion shows for up coming designers is quite a hard ordeal as not all of them are equipped enough. The power of the media comes in to play, and a designer whose clothes are exceptional in designs are quality are bound to come to attention in the media some how or the other. Fame is completely dependent upon the quality that you offer, and just depends on the designer how hard he or she tries and upon the level of their creativity. Hence, this is the basic idea behind designer apparel.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Indian Fashion Apparels Replacing The Sexy Western Outfits




The Indian woman has made her mark in the corporate world and so has her age old dressing habits. The sexy western wear is remarkably making way out and being replaced by the Indian apparels.

The Indian apparel that consists of sarees, salwar kameez and churidars, are being opted instead of western wear like trousers, short and long tops, t- shirts and even kurtis then skirts both formal and casual are being worn by the Indian women.

It is the working women who have brought about this revolution. For all practical reasons the western wear is losing popularity and being replaced by Indian attires. Then of course the interaction of our women with her counterparts in other parts of the world have made this drastic change. It is the uniqueness of the Indian clothes that so sought after.

Though for a while the western clothes were favored but soon it lost out for the Indian attires many educational institutions have banned the use of modern clothes.
Western Apparel gives a very casual appearance as compared to a sari or a well fitted salwar kameez.

In wetes clothes the flesh-flashing trend which is the exposed skin between cropped top and hip-hugging jeans gives a very sexy look but does not suit the physique of all women
The Indian apparel is replacing them because it is cool, trendy and vibrant with more accents on style. The biggest advantage of them is that it suits women of all shapes and sizes and even gives a youngish sexy look.

In the Indian attires women can choose the length of the kurta or kameez according to their own choice. The Indian apparel comes in all kinds of fabrics, colors and prints. Most formal meetings in big corporate houses demand that the woman wear saris as it reflects our culture and tradition.

This is still the first choice for weddings festivals and other traditional celebrations. In the Indian apparel a sari is still first choice of many young and old of course the sari if teamed up with a sexy strappy low back blouse can be very stylish and awesome.

www.made-from-india.com provides a comprehensive view of products related to fashion and style.India's leading online yellow pages on apparels. Find contact details of exporters, manufacturers, suppliers of garments from all across India. Go ahead and post & view Trade Leads here for Export & Import of garments. Rest assured, our directory is up-to-date and easy to use.

So it has replaced the sexy western wear. The lehangs come with different styles and cut to give the fatter woman a slimmer look and thinner woman a fuller look. The Indian woman is ready to invest in heavy Indian apparel rather than in a western attire.

In order to get the best Indian designs, the women around the world shop online for these designs.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Silly Bandz - The New and Bestselling Fashion Accessory




What exactly are Silly Bandz? You might have heard your kids talking non-stop about them and how they are so popular at school. This article focuses on this latest new fashion accessory among kids and where to get them at great deals and prices.

What Are Silly Bandz?

They are perfectly elastic bands which are made up of Silicone (non-toxic) and die. They are available in a variety of shapes and colors.

What Can Silly Bandz Be Used For?

They can be used as

  1. Anklets
  2. Bracelets
  3. Necklaces
  4. Accessories for dressing your dolls and stuffed toys
  5. Trading game parts

Are Silly Bandz Educational?

Even though Silly Bands are primarily used as fashion accessories, parents think they have an educational value too. If you read customer reviews, you will find how kids are using them as part of trading games which help them in learning the nuances involved in selling, buying and exchanging items.

Are Silly Bandz Only For Kids?

Not really! Parents and Grandparents have taken a liking to these cute little elastic bands as well. And why not? They are funky, trendy and you can make your own style statement using them.

How Do I Use Them?

I use Silly Bandz mainly as anklets. Take a couple of different shaped and colored Silly Bands and adorn them on your ankles. You will look all set to rock a party!

What's The Best Feature Of Silly Bandz?

Silly Bands are highly elastic, which means that these elastic bands can retain their shape even if they were holding an item for a long time. This makes it an ideal accessory if you're into dressing up your dolls. You can use them as necklaces, bracelets or ankles on your dolls and just leave them there, only to find out later on when you remove them that their original shape has been retained.

Why Are Silly Bandz Used As Trading Games Items?

Because they're available in a variety of shapes! They are so many shapes available that kids would want to collect and trade them with their friends. Some like 'Hedgehog' shapes are considered highly valuable in such trading games because they are not easily available.

What Are The Different Types Available?

They are available in a variety of shapes. The most popular shapes at the moment are Rock Bandz shapes. Others include Princess Shapes, Zoo Animals Shapes, Junk Food Shapes, Fantasy Shapes and many more.

How Popular Are They?

are very popular and were one of the best and most popular stocking stuffers last Christmas (2009) and are still in the bestselling list of popular games, toys and accessories! They are being liked by adults and kids alike. Due to their high demand, these bands are being sold out fast from stores and people are preferring to buy them online at great deals and prices.

Here under the category of Apparel & Fashion, which is designed especially to assist members of clothing industry www.made-from-india.com provides a comprehensive view of products related to fashion and style. The Product directory contains every single information about Indian manufacturers, suppliers, exporters & importers of apparel & fashion accessories, Apparel & Fashion leads, wholesale apparel.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Were Indian Women Better Off As Homemakers?


As I start writing this piece, I am well aware of the slits that it will open. But let me assure you all that my purpose is to share a few aspects of our upbringing. When compared to our generation, I wonder if the current generation of the fair sex has actually gained anything in the real sense of women emancipation and freedom. With more and more women becoming part of the workforce, is it really impacting the Indian family positively?


I am in mid forties and I still remember most of my peer group had mothers who were homemakers. I have personally felt which many children today are unaware off. We had our mother waiting for us at all times which played a very important role in our overall development. My father had a travelling job and my mother was one constant factor in our lives. Even amongst friends where fathers did not have a travelling job, mothers ensured the overall balance and were the unifying factor. Today, her place has been taken by housemaids. I wonder whether both parents manage to fulfill the emotional need of their children. Are housemaids bothered how much time children spend watching television and surfing the Internet? In our times, mothers ensured that we did our homework on time and where required guided us through teething problems. Today, a tutor is appointed for that where in again there is no supervision involved.

However, the biggest challenge for a couple is to balance work and home at the same time. In our times, mother being the homemaker and father as the breadwinner, ensured that this challenge was not faced in the first place. A mother of our times always ensured that her husband, children and the home was always in harmony with life. Did it not mean balanced or happier family unit? I agree that happiness is a relative factor when different families are compared but the fact is families then were much happier than today’s. They had lesser number of stress and work related factors to deal with. To say that children and relations between husband and wife are not affected in case of a working couple would be similar to avoiding the reality. Ever increasing divorce rates are symbolic of this symptom.

Fact remains that the role of motherhood, her softness, emotions and family instincts has been imparted to women by nature herself. Am I wrong in saying that? If not, then why it is that only women have the child bearing capacity?

And is it not a fact that families with both spouses working has resulted in more nuclear families in India? The fact is that for all its failings, joint families did offer definite security blankets to its members and women and children in particular.

There is no doubt that ability to work has lead to more women emancipation and enhanced her ability to be able to support herself and her family financially. Most importantly, it has made her financially independent. But is it not a fact that it has added onto to her responsibilities and caused excessive physical demands on her? Is it not a fact that balancing work and life may be more challenging for women than men because of how nature made them? She cannot avoid the responsibility of child bearing and the related upbringing factors especially during those critical years of growth. She must also go for work and look after family commitments on both sides as well as look after the needs of her children.

Or is it that today’s women are happy being a part of this struggle and demand that it places on her very being? Only women can respond to that.

I have seen our (and those of our peer-group) mother play the most important role in our upbringing. They (more than father) prepared us to face all challenges and situations that life had to offer. I see her aging gracefully and I have never seen her complaining probably because she was not working. Being a homemaker did not mean that her family exploited her and her rights as women were compromised. I saw her take rest when she wished to rest and has till date the command and respect over the family that only a women can have. She has never had regrets being a homemaker. She continues to be the one unifying factor for the entire family that anyone can call without worrying that she might be busy in office. And this is not only about me. I can vouch for my friend’s families as well. And I am sure that majority in mid forties, including women, would agree to my statements.

I feel this is best responded by women of today. Were their mothers happier as homemakers or they (children) are better off as working women?


Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Top Famous Fashion Color Trends - Spring & Summer 2010




The new season of 2010 is here and with it of course the new famous fashion color trends. The 2010 spring and summer season is characterized by the fresh and updated color palette. Nowadays women are much more cautious when it comes to spending habits. They don't want to completely change or reinvent their wardrobe. Women are on the lookout for pieces that would complement their wardrobes. The designers introduce the new unique color combinations for the clothing line as well as the accessories. This season the vibrant brights will add a sense of excitement especially when they are set against the neutrals. The spring/summer 2010 famous fashion features 10 main color trends:

* Turquoise - It is the color of the gem turquoise that consists of a mix of green and blue. Just close your eyes and imagine the turquoise ocean waters.

* Tomato Puree - This is the season's red color. It is actually a particular shade of red. It can be easily paired with turquoise for retro look.

* Fusion Coral - This dye belongs to the warmer hue. It is a mix between orange and pink and actually connects directly with tomato puree

* Violet - is the color of purpose, its located exactly at the point of color balance - midway between red and purple on the color spectrum, can be distinctive addition to any wardrobe

* Tuscany - It is another famous fashion neutrals that provides the base for the spring bright colors. It has a warm beige tone and works well with vibrant brights like Fusion Coral or Violet

* Aurora - is a shimmering slightly greenish yellow, adds a lot of sunshine to your wardrobe

* Amparo Blue - This specific shade of blue is brighter and evokes feelings of spring energy. it brings more warmth than the typical spring navy.

* Pink Champagne - This season's newest neutral color can be characterized as a light combination between beige and light pink

* Dried Herb - fundamental green color that can be paired with any other color

* Eucalyptus - This eternal practical grey is another neutral color that can be easily paired with any bright accent colors

Here under the category of Apparel & Fashion, which is designed especially to assist members of clothing industry www.made-from-india.com provides a comprehensive view of products related to fashion and style. The Product directory contains every single information about Indian manufacturers, suppliers, exporters & importers of apparel & fashion accessories, Apparel & Fashion leads, wholesale apparel, apparel related.

There is a really broad assortment of famous fashion colors waiting for you for this spring/summer season. You can pick any of the neutral colors for your outfit and then spice them up with bright accent accessories such as handbags, jewellery or shoes or you can go wild like some of the Hollywood stars and get some clothing in these bright colors as well.

Have fun playing with the famous fashion colors for this spring/summer 2010 and enjoy the sunny upcoming seasons.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Cashmere Pashminas


Pashmina is the name for Himalayan's fine cashmere wool. Cashmere is downy wool found at Kashmir goat hair roots, and that is from where Cashmere got its name. Cashmere pashmina shawls are tested for their quality of a very warmth feel. These shawls are woven; hands spun, and embroidered in Kashmir and are made up from fine cashmere fiber.

In today's fashion world, Pashmina shawls have become very popular and have a fixed place in fashion lover's wardrobes. Due to its warm keeping quality along with stunning designs and embroidery work, many popular celebrities have been inclined towards these ethnic hand spun creations of Indian weavers. Now, these shawls have become classic piece though it is to wear and doesn't come off as merely just trend or fad.

Earlier, pashmina were only worn with traditional dresses or considered to be a traditional wear. But now, pashmina shawls are being worn and adorned by women in a number of ways. This is because of availability of these shawls in wide variety. One can find various types of pashmina shawls including pure pashmina, pashmina with silk, two tone pashmina, bedded pashmina, and fur pashmina, faux and animal printed pashmina at many online stores. With this wide variety of pashmina shawls you can wear it anywhere, anytime, at any occasion, as you like.

Cashmere pashmina shawls are been worn in a number of ways to give a different look every time. It can be worn on single shoulder for a formal look, or one can even wrap it around like a regular shawl. Put it carelessly around your neck for more casual look, like a belt that you can wrap around your waist, noose style or simply make your own creative way to wear it.

Mostly women prefer to wear a pashmina, not only because of its exquisite style but also because of its warm keeping quality. Its cashmere fabric is extremely soft and provides ultimate warmth to wearer. One great quality of pashmina shawls is that one can buy pashminas according to season. Pashmina shawls for spring are lighter in weight as compared to other pashmina shawls made especially for winters. They are available in plain as well embroidered designs. Pashminas are not only meant for women, these shawls are also a great choice for men too.

The cashmere wrap makes women look graceful and feminine. Now women are using pashmina as an beautiful accessory, which she can match with her dressing and other attire. Every pashmina has the ability to give you warm and comfort both. You can buy it for yourself and also gift it to someone special. A beautiful beaded pashmina shawl could be a wonderful idea for your mom or your grand mom on her birthday or anniversary. Online deals can help you save money while ordering products from many online stores like Overstock, Sears, Target and lots more.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Indian Fashion Retailers Looking To Thrive


It is the augmentation in fashion trends in India that revolutionized the merchandising system in retail industry. Brands in apparel, textiles, jewelry, accessories, footwear, cosmetics and salons raised the business more than Rs 40,000 crore.
The Indian retail market is evolving rapidly. It is palpable that now Indian retail industry requires lots more of fashion. The organized retailing is developing at breakneck speed. It is amicable to all that fashion is a vital part of both the retail industry as well as the brands. Fashion has led the retail industry boom and it has sustained its dominance in every malls, markets and stores.
Since the spread-out of malls is increasing, the major issue will be how to organize fashion retails industry, has potential of making Rs 50,000cr business by the year 2007. Indian retail would cover-up 50mn sq ft by 2007 of sales space countrywide, and nearly 50 % of the total space would be assigned for fashion retailing. It is anticipated that about Rs 20,000cr retail sales would be coming-in from the fashion retailing. A population of over one billion, a massive consumer class, India is considered as the most preferred destinations for investments.
Apparel and textiles makes the biggest segment in retailing sectors, and if we accumulate all the other related segments such as jewelry, cosmetics, watches, health & beauty care etc at one single platform, then fashion would account nearly 60 % of the total retail sector.
With radically changing fashion and retail industry, the Indian consumers are facing considerable transformation. With an increase income levels and increasing attitude "LOOK GOOD - FEEL GOOD", fashion is offering huge potential to penetrate deeper into the untouched Indian markets.
Fashions will account nearly 95% in total sales in the department stores, while in hypermarkets such as Big Bazaar the share could be about 70%. Fashion apparel has been the significant segment in the terms of evolution in Indian retail industry, not due to its size but the way it has influenced lifestyle of the Indian people. It was apparel that led multi-national brands to explore and invest in the Indian market, which led the ball rolling to rearrange the retail industry.
Few key factors that shaped the fashion retail industry are listed below:
. Massive spread-out of the malls, hyper markets and supermarkets throughout the country, even in non-metro cities.
. Mergers and acquisitions, which let huge brands to participate in the local market.
. The advantages by the elimination of global textile quotas in 2005.
. Expansion strategies of brands and retailers.
. Many international brands march into domestic markets.
. Many brands performed well in the mass segment.
. Boom in luxury retail segment.
. Indian fashion designers marked their names at International platforms.
. Considerable expenditure on ad and marketing by apparel brands.
. Enhanced merchandising let the companies to enhance consumer relations.
Few points on which retailers and brands should mull over:
. Collaborative tie-ups with non-competent services providers and brands.
. Offer value-added products, not cash discounts.
. Offer uniform sizing throughout the country.
. Offer personalized services.
. Concentrate on particular buyer or market segment. Take action to fulfill the demands.
. Try to become exclusive stores for specific brands and adopt shop-in-shop system.
. Place well behaved, polite and trained sales staff to manage counters.
. Go for organized merchandising format for your company.
. Avoid offering all at once. Introduce products assortments in a phase manner with latest trends.
. Try to get feedback from the consumer on "What they want?"
Review of some of the retail industry players on the attained targets and their wishes for the current year:
Benetton
Achieved Target:
. Successfully reestablished its place in the market, with opening 22 stores.
. Higher development - In fact the highest of all segments and categories.
. Enhanced brand image from small to huge format flagship.
Wishes
. People should enhance living standard, moving to mono-brand from multi-brand outlets.
. Excellent training and salaries to sales staff and be more mass-oriented.
. Expand in 5 lakh plus towns, providing similar buying experience.
. Looking for continues support from the consumers and to emerge as fastest evolving brand.
. To enhance team's performance in coming years.
Blackberrys
Achieved targets:
. Take a lead in the dress-up segment that features dressing for occasion, success etc in trousers, and also in men's suits.
. Concentrated on top around 70 MBOs and trying to deliver better.
. Enhancing perform of team - planning to establish systems to make them more productive and glad.
Wishes:
. To implement system for on-time deliveries.
. To put scissors on product assortment in terms of the number of styles - which will led company to serve better to fewer customers.
. Excellent outsourcing with making dedicated team to take care of it.
Forbes Gokak
Achieved Targets:
. In a span of less than two years, Daks brand has been successful to hit the Indian market despite of being a foreign brand.
. Managed tie-up arrangements for manufacturing Daks brand in India and Central Europe.
. Also signed agreements for Trussardi and Savile Row.
Wishes:
. To be a front runner in the Indian apparel market.
. To add 25 more stores.
. Allure entire high-end women class to wear Trussardi.
. Enhance sales staff performance.
Gini & Jony
Achieved Targets:
. Signed agreement with Reliance
. Signed license agreement for its kidswear brand 'Levi's Sykes'.
. Increased production capacities at Daman and Baddi.
Wishes:
. To get recognition as global brand in the international market.
. To create a different brand identity for all in related segments.
. Establish entire lifestyle stores for kids, under the brand Gini & Jony
. Pull down custom duties on accessories and fabrics etc.
Modelama Exports
Achieved Targets:
. Expanded product assortment mix and added knits, which was entirely woven product base before.
. Arranged tie-ups with some global brands, such as J Jill, Tommy Hilfiger, Hugo Boss and Marks & Spencer.
. Increased capacity to attain a 40% growth rate comparing to the previous year.
Wishes:
. To train workers (sewing, inspection and finishing).
. To work close with fashion institutes like NIFT to revise and develop fashion trends.
. To introduce a brand, which is competitive, enduring and reliable product.
. To introduce specialized product assortment, featuring all-weather conditioner and change character consequently to match the consumer demands.
. To develop a stage where high-tech technology is available to small and medium scale producers so that they can enhance quality standards.
Pantaloons
Achieved Targets
. Started Asset Management Companies.
. Launched Big Bazaars in remote towns like Sangli.
Wishes:
. Reaching a target business of two and a half thousand crores in 2006-07 fiscal.
. Identify and present the consumers' fashion requirement.
. Dominate the in all fashion segments like lifestyle, premium and value.
. Introduce or acquire new brands in fashion.
. To rope-in best fashion industry veterans.
Piramyd
Achieved Targets:
. Emerged steadily in the market - launched stores at Ahmedabad and Ludhiana, and planning three more in coming months.
. Introduced new brand "Trumart" with three stores in Mumbai and four in Pune.
. The IPO got oversubscribed by nearly 12 times that generated about Rs 108 crore.
Wishes:
. To Launch FDI for least lifestyle retail, this will lead Indian fashion designers to think globally.
. Create enhanced retail space for high-end retail.
. To make Fashion Alliance more practical and a reality to make sure that it gains momentum.
. To make fashion more affordable with a better ambience.
Raymond
Achieved Targets:
. Launched EBOs for all brands.
. Successfully introduced new product assortment such as non-iron shirt in Park Avenue and new suit ranges to uphold brand image.
. Also introduced the womenswear and kidswear collection.
Wishes:
. To launch a magazine on fashion.
. Begin a fashion week.
. Expand in US market.
. To launch a website that talks about lifestyle and fashion.
Sports Station
Achieved Targets:
. Successfully introduced two brands: H2O Plus and CPS Clothing.
. In a move to concentrate on expansion and new concepts for brands, the company has signed agreements with global brands such as Nike and Levi's.
. Launched MBO for leather shoes "Shoe Tree."
Wishes:
. To present new concept, where both international and local brands can be presented under single roof.
. Expand product assortment in luxury, premium and affordable segments.
. Duty validation, especially in footwear which is at a 12.5 % as compared to apparel which is at only 4 %.
. Validating countervailing duty (CVD) which is at of 60 %.