Fashion Merchandising

Yes it’s the season most dread. Yet some way we find a way to still add a touch of style to our winter wardrobes. What isn’t more easier than to add style starting with your winter jacket? The looks this season are warm and comfortable. The military jacket look is still in. The wool military trench is a dynamic look. The popular pea coat is always a classic and new touches have been added to the wool piece one only worn by sailors. You can find empire waisted pea coats, trench pea coats, all types to flatter your body. Pieces with animal print jump at you. Some with animal print on the inside, just to give it a little touch. Herringbone patterns made of wool, with fur lining. Warmth and stylish is key. What’s your style?

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Supersize your Sweaters.

Chunky knits are all over the runways.

Not only can the big sweater look sexy, but it can look comfortable and sleek!

Check out how Anne Klein (4th image) made it look so casual, yea dressy at the same time! And Diane von Furstenberg(3rd image) kept it loose and comfortable with a floppy-collared sweater coat.

No matter what your shape round, boyish, short torso, long torso, (this i definitely agree with! Wear it right and it will look hot!) .The sweater may turn out to be your favorite item of the Fall and winter! The chunkier and funkier the sweater, the better. Sweaters are giant hugs. Learn to love this season’s exaggerated collars, thick necks and big sleeves. Cowl necks add a luxurious touch to any look. Pair the style of your choice them with leggings, jeans or patterned twill skirts! Steal your boyfriend’s oversized wool sweater or go for a fitted, more feminine style. You can’t go wrong.

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Just in time for back-to-school shopping, Paris Hilton’s, the author (now on the best seller list) , singer, perfume designer, movie star, and reality-TV star, now clothing designer, launched her clothing line on Thursday August 16th at Kistson, in Los Angeles, a boutique known for its celebrity clientel. From the numerous articles i read tons of people came out to check it out, Police and city workers were even called out to handle the crowds.

Hilton describes the collection as “really comfortable” and “really affordable” the line includes shoes, T-shirts and jeans, but the average person is likely to find it expensive and a take off of hello kitty. Tight jeans, colorful satin tops, and T-shirts make up the bulk of the pieces, with more to be released next month. Hilton said she spent a year submitting and approving designs.(maybe she did them while she was in jail….haha) The cheapest items are T-shirts for $34, some which bear Hilton’s lips or face, and the jeans seem to run to about $100. Not to bad.. but.. do u really want Paris hilton’s face all over your shirt?

Rumour has is that she will be releasing a hand bag line next…only time will tell. Its amazing what people with money can do… But at least Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Simpson do it with some class.

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My inner child has become happier than ever for the new trends of this season. The Mary Jane, this falls hottest shoe takes me back to the days of little dresses with bows, frilly skirts, the innocence of a child. I am excited to add this shoe to my closet. The shoe originated from a comic strip named Buster Brown, Mary Jane was the sister to Buster Brown and she came to be known as wearing a distinct shoe, which would be named after her as the Mary Jane.

The shoe has taken a new twist and goes with this seasons casual styles. The platform heel has added a sexy look to the Mary Jane and it comes in different textures. There are also stilettos version that are hot this season too! I’m so excited, I’m on the prowl for pair, and luckily I’ll be outside NYC in a week!

Here’s a look at some of the season’s styles:

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Imitations are, well grueling. They make something original, into copy cats all over. Going from couture to mass production. Designers work are expensive for the respect they have earned in the industry and the originality. Knock offs and copy cats lower the integrity of designers and makes it frustrating for them to keep in the business. One recent incident the designer Chloe actually took a further step into high court to bring charges against a large company for imitations of a featured dress in her collection this summer, that was imitated into a less expensive retailer for a lot less. Yes you may feel like hey I wearing the name for a lot less. You are getting less quality, no originality, and the price of the designer lines have to keep going up, due to the increased volume of copy cats. So in the end you get what you pay for and none this goes without paying a higher price in the end. Eventually may just wipe out designer names all together at this rate. Pay for the real stuff…

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I recently just got back from a few days in Toronto! Although i had a wonderful time, i did not do as much damage to the plastic as i feared i might! (probably a good thing…) Although the colors are awsome for this season, all of the shads of Gray, then Ivory, Red, Pink, Plum, Jewel Tones (particularly in satin), Cobolt Blue, Mustard Yellow, Pewter, Silver, Copper and fret not, Black, the 60’s style that is not fitted and hanging in all the wrong places fails to catch my EYE.

Alessandro Dell’Acqua

Anne Klein

Accessories like Hats, Skinny Belts, Elbow-Length Leather Gloves, Fur Embellishments, Knit Scarves, Patent Leather Belts, Gloves and Shoes, Bows, and Large Handbags are all cute and fun, but what is the sense is having them if you do not have a hot outfit!

Now do not let me sway you away from the style, if you can wear it i say do it! H&M has a ton of cute outfits and great fabrics, same with Zara ! and don’t fret Prada and Gucci have some amazing new handbags and wallets… let me just say.. i didnt bring the wallet in there…so take a look for yourself! or take a day trip up to Toronto if u are in love with the fashion!! Becasue trust me.. every store has basically the same thing.. down to the tacky jewlery.

Moschino

Nicole Miller

Chloe

Emporio Armani

Emporio Armani

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It seems to be that inspiration is coming from all over these days - but mostly we are seeing it from the streets where it’s all about global mix. The patterns we are seeing are a little bit of everything combined in one. They are pieces taken from every part of the earth. All these added up makes one beautiful piece. Sure we have seen bold prints before… but these aren’t just your ordinary bold print. These are quite special and represent unique cultures. For example, in Balenciagas line, references were combined from the Far East, Middle East, and East Coast to create some beautiful pieces. Some others who joined in on this look were Anna Sui, Vivienne Westwood, Oscar de la Renta, and Jean Paul Gaultier.

Balenciaga

Anna Sui

Vivienne Westwood

Oscar de la Renta

Jean Paul Gaultier

Fall is always full of dark, earthy, and natural feelings, but along with those this fall will be bold yet beautiful prints. All of these are pretty bold moves, but worn the right way it surely will be a smash hit.

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Abercrombie & Fitch a company once began in early 1910s was targeted for outdoor gear. It was once worn by celebrities of it’s time such as Clarke Gable, Katherine Hepburn as the list goes on. It was originated by David Abercrombie and Ezra Fitch. It carried the most prestigious sporting wear of it’s time. A time when sporting wear was almost a necessity where there were no televisions, the radio was just entering the market, and kitchen appliances were very rare. It was geared for the rugged type customer, and it’s looked resembled that.

Then in 1988 The Limited company took it over. It’s look was redefined throughout the 90’s by CEO Mike Jeffries into a teenage market. All it’s marketing was geared to young adults 16- 22. It’s image was turned around into a “preppy” phenomenon. It’s casual look swarm the market and a new look was derived.

1999 Abercrombie had legal troubles was involved in a lawsuit, which involved their company partaking in sweatshops. The store lost it’s appeal to many.

2000’s on Abercrombie has been a controversial roller coaster. Whether it be it’s employment practices. Equal Opportunity lawsuits, it’s controversial display of models to a young targeted audience or its snobbishness,it’s here to stay.

Can we really define it as a fashion?

It’s look is that of teenagers , yet still followed by those in their twenties. It’s a look of want to be hip, but not sure really want “in” is at the time. So stay with Abercrombie and you’ll be in line with being with the “in” crowd. I think it’s okay if your 16- 18, beyond that I think you should develop your own sense of style and your closet shouldn’t consist of all one name brand. That’s exactly what the company has try to do, make you consistent. Your choice!

Do you think Abercrombie has a sense of being in with fashion? Or is it a look of it’s own that is just followed?

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Trying to think of what to add to you wardrobe this fall? Try some metallics!

Metallics have been Forcasted as one of the hottest trends seen in years and has definitely carried over for fall 2007. Whether it be a new leather handbag & shoes, or Grey, silver & gold dresses, especially cocktail dresses, or some new knit tops with some new trendy metallic embellishments or jewels, go for it! And don’t forget bronze, it has been seen to!

Badgley Mischka

and I don’t mean metallic from head to toe, because that is just tacky no matter which way you look at it

Erin Featherson

I am Talking just a nice added touch to any outfit will make you look amazing and up to date with the trends.

Diesel

Anne Klein —- look at the shoes! what an awsome touch to any outift! expecially a night out with the girls!

Ralph Lauren

Want to look at some more hot metallic trends? Check out these designers! they were some of the hottest designers who used metallics on the runway in Fall 2007:Diane von Furstenberg, Tibi, Proenza Schouler, Monique Lhuiller, Vera Wang, Jayson Brunsdon, Luca Luca, Badgleyy Mischka, Carmen Marc Valvo, Sass & Bide, Atil Kutoglu, Cynthia Rowley,Marc Jacobs, Bill Blass, Grey Ant, and Tracy Reese.

Wondering how to Jazz up an all gray outfit! add some metallic of course!!! check out this site! they have some great ideas!!
http://www.secondcitystyle.com/node/511

Luca Luca

P.s. Its ending summer, but do u still have a vaction to go on? or just need something new?!?!?!
Check this out!!
http://www.secondcitystyle.com/node/472

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What’s in your jewelry box? Heart pendants have always been big in fashion. Whether it’s just a fashion statement, or a piece of jewelry to show love and affection… the “heart” has been around for along time. Although, I don’t know if you have noticed or not but, now more than ever they are seen as a huge fashion statement. Worn by itself or with other jewelry, what was once just a simple shape is now such an eye-catching fashion piece. Why this has happened, I don’t know… but I’m not complaining. After wearing a simple piece like this just once, you fall in love.

It’s hard not to swoon over these vibrantly modern takes on the classic symbol of love. These heart pendants have dusted off their old reputation, and are now new and improved. Many of them now feature gold studs, silver faceting, diamond accents and sweet decorations.

Luella

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Don’t you just love them?

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I guess people are trying to tell us to suck it up and show some sparkle. The look is none other than high waisted belts and dashing bangles. Like many other trends these are two that we keep seeing return to the runway. For the past couple month’s cinched waistlines have been an ongoing trend, and it will continue throughout the fall season. We have seen bangles for the past couple years, but mostly throughout the spring/summer seasons. But not this time. Now we will see bangles long into the fall season.
They’re right when they say ‘suck it up.’ Otherwise, how are you going to fit in any of those tight outfits with the cinched waisted belts? This is where the saying is true, “beauty is pain.” It doesn’t matter if you have the flattest tummy or you wish you did. You will always have to go to that extra-wincing notch. This look can be a little painful, but the good part is it works for almost everyone, because no matter how big the hourglass, it is better than no shape at all. I know you’re all happy to hear that. So what if we have to suck it up for a couple hours, the end product will be BEAUTIFUL! The tricky part is, who’s going to believe that you never inhaled?

Versace

VPL

As far as bangles go, who doesn’t love hearing music wherever you go? As indulgent, tribal, and unavoidably eye-catching as a forearm full of luminous loops can be, what really makes bangles so fun to wear is the sweet sound they create with every flick of the wrist. They are such a great and easy way to dress up an outfit. What is so nice is that there are so many different kinds of bangles. From shiny metal bangles to tribal bone bangles, fall trends will include them all. These are some examples that will be seen throughout the fall.

Stella McCartney

Salvatore Ferragamo

They are simply dashing, and I am so excited to see them go on strong into the fall season, as I’m sure many of you are also.

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“Fine jewelry is no longer an everyday item, but a handbag is now a visible status symbol. Bloomingdale’s Michael Gould got it right: ‘When it comes to handbags, there’s no limit.’” - Howard Davidowitz, Davidowits & Associates. Of course handbags are one of the most important items to a girl! It seems to be that more moderate consumers have been splurging on handbags. Has the high price point become the new norm?

Once upon a time, a consumer could go to a department store and find a chic handbag for maybe $200. Today, that is all just a fairy tale. I don’t know about you, but that is so very sad to me. What happened that we can’t get a decent handbag for a decent price? Now, you go to those same stores and the opening price point on both designer and brand-name handbags starts at $250 and ends up somewhere around $1,000. The main answer to this is that our own taste rate is increasing. We all love those exotic skins and materials. Of course this isn’t the only reason that prices have increased, but that is a main reason. We all love that expensive look, but don’t want to pay such expensive prices. It even seems that consumers prefer the latest Marc Jacobs handbags to diamonds. Instead of ‘needing’ four handbags, we now ‘need’ six. Handbags which were once regarded as “too expensive” now are being thought of as “investments.” Brands such as Hermes and Louis Vuitton are iconic and play a huge role in women’s everyday life.

Hermes

Louis Vuitton

So, just how high will handbag prices go? It seems that prices won’t escalate much beyond $2,000. I’m sure we are all very happy about that. You can find good handbags in the double digit range all the way up to four digit range. It all just depends on how much bang you want for your buck. Handbags have always been an important accessory, but now more than ever they seem to be a huge status symbol.

Fendi

So, buying a nice handbag may seem like a fairy tale, but it’s one that can actually come true.

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Is that a bird?! or is that?….

Isaac Mizrahi

Its all about feathers for fall 2007! Don’t mistaken your best friends shirt for her pet ostrich, she is just keeping up with the latest trends. The feathers have become a very noticeable accent on the runway over the past few seaons, but especially on the run way during the Mercedes Benz fashion week. The feathers appeared in all degrees, and are categorized from overwhelming to a beautiful accent to numerous runway pieces. For example Sari Gueron used the feathers to embellish the neckline of a shirt and hem of a floor-length black gown.

John Galliano

Louis Vuitton

Then other designers covered pieces in feathers to help increased their visibility and really catch someones attention on the runway. Whether or not this trend is going to catch on is up to you… but i will be honest.. the last thing i want to look like is Big Bird walking down the street! But hey …Everyone from Prada (with her fake feathers), to Marc Jacobs (with gray ostrich feathers) to Louis Vuitton is doing it! So don’t let my opinion sway you.

Take a look at what was on the runway in feathers for Fall 2007!

Alberta Ferretti

Balmain

Prada

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