Eastern Styles: A Influential Factor

Eastern styles have had a tremendous impact on the western fashion. In fact, ethnic style have played a vital role in fashion around the world. Since North America makes up only about 10% of the world’s population, it would be almost impossible not to be influenced by other cultures. Isn’t that what America is, a mixture of cultures anyway? Ethnic styles have molded fashion into what it is today. One can’t look through a magazine or watch television without seeing this obvious trend. In recent years, celebrities have popularized this style. Famous fashion icons, such as Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Kate Moss, and many more, are have led the way in wearing ethnic apparel.
Jewelry in particular has been heavily influenced by Eastern fashion. Chandelier earrings are influenced by India. Long necklaces popularized the “bohemian” style that was so popular a few years back. Bangles were originally seen in Northern Africa, Japan, China, and South America, to name a few. Other accessories such a berets, scarves and cameo pendant’s originated in England.

Dresses that are influenced by Kente cloth are popular (from Africa), along with the safari fad. Madonna brought the Kimono dress to the states (Japanese). Tunics are a classic style from middle eastern countries and Gwen Stefani was often seen wearing this flattering style while pregnant. A very popular style recently is the one shoulder dress which comes from ancient Greece. Deep eyeliner and dark brown hair with short bangs is influenced by ancient Egypt and popularized by Elizabeth Taylor.
Styles have blended over the years, and styles from Africa and Asia have had a major impact on the styles we see now. They have made eastern styles more interesting and exciting.

Fashion Week Trends

Fashion week is so exciting for everyone, especially people who enjoy seeing the fashions that will shape the next year! This week is the time of year that all the fashion gurus come together to show off their ingenious fashion collections. Since there is so much creative talent in the fashion design field, fashion week features an array of brilliant trends.
One of my favorite trends, which caught my eye, was the romantic, whimsical-goddess like dresses. This trend is built around flowing draped fabric, predominately in muted earth toned, luster fabrics. Loose fitted and not curve hugging, these dresses are airy and forgiving as well! Often sleeveless or sometimes baring one shoulder, the movement of this dress is ideal on a breezy spring day. Off set by big, clunky shoes, this whole look keeps the eye interested in the entire ensemble, making it truly interesting.
Another trend that I admired was the more fitted, boxy dresses. The print is often full of geometric shapes in a black and white colored palette. I love how this look is very sophisticated and classy. One could wear this look to work, and later to a evening event. The look is completed with a pair of chunky platforms. I can image any woman feeling confident and powerful wearing this style.
The last trend I chose was the eccentrically cut dresses. This is by far the most interesting style of them all! It is peppy and fun, with all sorts of citrus colors. It reminds me of a bowl of fruit. This look is also paired with big chunky shoes, and I love the modern play of trimming, very 70’s.
Fashion week gives the world a view of the new styles. The designers show their creativity and their many talents, and in return, the world, which includes fashion students, get to dream of the day that their design is on the runway. Wow, what a dream!

Be Fashionable: Go Green!

Living Green and sustainability are buzz words that are heard often these days. When one thinks about these terms, we tend to think of building a building that requires less energy to heat or cool, or recycling or eating organic food. But, these concepts go far beyond those ideas and have even reached into the fashion industry. Environmentally friendly clothes are increasingly becoming more popular, and the designers of these clothes are making sure that they are keeping up with the fashion trends.
What are environmentally friendly clothes or organic clothing? Clothes that are made from plants, such as cotton, that have been grown organically or in other words, without the use of pesticides and herbicides. While in the past there were only a few companies that carried an environmentally friendly line of clothes, it is becoming more and more popular. Going beyond the thought that environmentally friendly clothes make our world a better place, another reason to wear organic clothes is because they do not contain chemicals that cause some people to react negatively to non-organic clothes.
Even designers are taking a step in the more eco-friendly direction. Some designers, such as Stella McCartney, have designed and produced organic clothing since they started their fashion lines. Even big stars, such as Natalie Portman (who has started her own vegan line of shoes) and Alicia Silverstone have made a point to only wear organic clothing, thus starting a new trend in Hollywood.
Today the environment is no longer about politics. The younger generation is becoming passionate about recycling and being environmentally friendly. It is hard to go anywhere these days without seeing a young adult wearing a shirt bearing the words “green is the new black.” And, I personally feel that we are heading in the right direction.

Betsey Johnson Leads the Way

In such a competitive and talented industry of fashion design, it is hard to choose my absolute favorite designer. I thought about many of the talented designers for a while, and I kept coming back to one. This designer is a role model, creative beyond imagination, and her passion for fashion has inspired me for years. So for many reasons, Betsey Johnson rose to the top of my favorites list.

Betsey Johnson is a very unique designer in many ways. Her designs are youthful, vibrant, girly, flirty, and most importantly fun. In a world of fashion, designers often are flakey, but Betsey has remained true to her one-of-a-kind style. Her trade marks include bows, horse shoes, roses, leopard print, and of course her favorite color, hot pink. Viewing her collection, one would never imagine this designer as a grandmother in her mid 60’s! She truly has a young spirit, which is probably one of the reasons she has become so successful. She always manages to change with the times, and has often left me wondering how she keeps coming up with new design without repeating herself, or becoming bland and dull.

As a survivor of breast cancer, Betsey has participated in many charities, and auctioned off one-of-a-kind items to raise funds for breast cancer, along with other various charities. Therefore, I admire Betsey not only as a leader in the design industry, but also as a strong, independent woman who is family oriented.