Monthly Archives: November 2011
Fashion Designer – Do You Have What it Takes to Get Into Fashion?
For an artist, the world of fashion can seem more like a business than a world of creative fashion design. Aspiring fashion designers need to understand that this is all necessary. Business is the life blood of fashion and the fashion itself is only the soul. Fashion simply wouldn’t be able to see mass production if it were any other way. So you may be a ‘creative’ but as a fashion designer you must develop a passion for not only design but manufacturing challenges, the excitement of marketing and overcoming competition.
In the professional world of fashion, you’ll spend less than 10 percent of your time designing your collections and the rest of the time working out money management issues, and executing marketing strategies. These are the only things that will give life to your creative work and allow you to survive as a fashion designer so your garment designs will hit the store shelves and not just remain the beautiful figments of your creative imagination.
You want to become well acquainted with the business aspect of fashion. Don’t even think of starting out on you own. Work for any designer, design house or clothing manufacturer first so you can become well versed in how the fashion industry works on a daily basis and carefully climb up the ladder from there. Study how other fashion designers made their way to the top. Most of the biggest name designers worked under other designers for years before they started their own labels. They often worked for more than one fashion designer or fashion house. Having different positions and seeing different ways of how business was handled, they gained hands on knowledge, experience, confidence and acquired indispensable assets of credibility and reputation at the same time.
So if you’re getting into fashion design you’ve got to plan on being a lifer if you’re going to one day own your own line. Here is a list of characteristics you need to either have already or acquire as you go along in order to become a successful fashion designer:
- A hard edge against negative feedback and rejection.
- You need a very competitive spirit.
- You need the ability to be organized and be able to function under extreme stress of dealing with difficult people, multiple deadlines and responsibilities.
- You need to love or learn to love the marketing, negotiating and networking game in the world of fashion.
- And you need the willingness to keep your mind open to learning new things as a fashion designer.
The History of Fashion Week
Fashion, the world without it would be so bland, so dull, so colorless. Fashion is defined by many to be the trend or just anything stylish. It is the hip looks youngsters wear. Well, it may be all of that, but now it has emerged as a multi-million dollar industry. The fashion industry comprises of designers, models, photographers, magazines, makeup artists, event planners, and what not.
Fashion has captivated modern society in a stance. Everyone wants to know the latest trend and own the most fashionable item. They do so mostly by firstly following fashion and keeping themselves up to date about the latest style, and then avidly adopting the trend. Some of the methods to keep up to date with fashion is to watch celebrities and other fashion icons, go through the fashion magazines and keep track of the latest collections by designers. But by far the quickest way to see the new trend coming is by attending fashion shows.
A fashion show is an event where models display a designer’s latest collection on the ramp. A fashion week is nonstop extravaganza for a whole week cramp packed with the latest fashion collections by multiple designers. It is most awaited event in the fashion world. Now, the fashion capitals of each country hold their own fashion weeks. The most popular, more commonly known as “the Big Four”, fashion weeks are held in Paris, Milan, London and New York twice a year.
So, we wonder, from where does this fashionable affair start? Like all other inventions, in this case too, the mother happens to be necessity. As war waged across Europe, and stopped many aspects of life, it also hindered fashion. It dates back to 1943 when the World War 2 was at its fullest atrocity. Fashion gurus from around the world were unable to come to France to see and appreciate Paris’s latest designs. This was thought as an opportunity for designers elsewhere to showcase their collections. Thus, the first fashion week was arranged in New York by Eleanor Lamber. It was called the Press Week and after it there was no looking back.
This idea became very popular and since then fashion weeks are becoming the most awaited event of the fashionista world. Designers from clothes, to accessories, to shoes say that events such as the fashion week, not only give boost to their business but also provide an opportunity for displaying their aesthetic obsessions on the ramp.
Fall 2011 Fashion Trends
1. Pop of Color
The 2011 Fall/Winter season brings us a fresh burst of color on what is otherwise known as the season of neutrals. It seems that colors are just not enough during the summer. Hues like neon orange, purple, sky blue and other eye popping tones definitely brings us a warm cheer on a cold day. Color blocking is definitely a great trend to look forward to.
2. Bring on the Texture
Texture also plays a big role this season. Layering your clothes using different textures, such as silk, fur, cotton, leather or even plastic makes one look oh-so chic. If you want to go for a monochromatic look, try using pieces in different textures, such as a burgundy red leather skirt, a cherry red silk blouse and a creamy red cotton blazer. Pair them with solid, neutral colored accessories and you are all set.
3. Channel out the 40′s fashion
If you are a big fan of the Casablanca era, then this trend is just for you. Channel out the elegance of this era by playing with trench coats, blouses and skirts in classic and structured details. You will never look at 40′s fashion the same way again.
4. Print Overload
Prints are all the rage this season. Prints range from your classic polka dots to bold flowers and broken glass. These prints are sure to give you a unique yet sophisticated edge. Just remember to tone down loud prints with solid colors and minimal accessories. If you want to look slimmer, stay away from big prints. You can also play with them by pairing a louder piece with a subtle one. For example, if you have a stripe top, pair it with a bottom that has a subtle print. Pull of the look with a solid colored blazer and neutral colored accessories.
5. Romantic Pleats and Frills
If going the androgynous route is not your thing this season, then you can always channel out your feminine side with cute pleats and cute frills. Romantic pieces such as delicate embroidery and pretty rosettes are sure to bring out your inner beauty.
6. Bring Out The Zoo
We aren’t talking about the usual leopard and zebra prints. This season the zoological trend gives us a lot of feathers, wild animal prints and hats that grace the runways and give us a fresh take on an otherwise classic design.
7. Warm and Chunky Knit Sweaters
As we embrace the cold seasons, chunky knit sweaters are here to give us that extra warmth and coziness. Available in different designs and colors, chunky sweaters will become your best friend.
If you are a lover of trends or someone who loves to modernize classic styles, then these Fall 2011 fashion trends are worth giving a try. Remember, you don’t have to follow every trend in the world in order to have a great fashion style. Being yourself is always the key.