San Diego Fashion Calendar

The process of producing quality: the beginning stages of creating a design

As I'm sure you've picked up on, quality is an important aspect of designer items. The entire design process is about producing a high quality item. To better help you understand the level of quality in designer labels, I'm going to do a few brief posts on the process a designer goes through, from the idea to the finished product. For now, we'll focus on the sketching process.

In general, the entire design process takes about a year or two. Designers do a lot of research about current and upcoming fashion trends. Some do this research themselves, while others rely on trend reports that are published by fashion industry groups. In order to create a design, the designer has to know what colors, fabrics, patterns, and stlyes will be in demand when the item is completed.

At this early stage, designers sketch out many possbile designs. They play around with different fabrics and how they will look with certain patterns, keeping in mind the styles of the upcoming season. Along with hand-drawn sketches, some designers use images from CAD (computer aided device) to generate what their designs will look like on a model. After a sketch is made, fabrics are draped over a model so that the design can start to take shape.

By: Anne Robinson

amr8798@gmail.com

http://designerlanddetector.blogspot.com

 

The truth about haute couture

by: Anne Robinson

amr8798@gmail.com http://designerlanddetector.blogspot.com

What do Chanel, Dior, and Valentino all have in common? Well for starters, I'd like to be wearing their haute couture designs on my trip down the Red Carpet....which I'm convinced could happen at any moment, so I better start planning my fittings.

To clearup any confusion, here I only refer to couture in its true meaning, which means that really cute half-off sweater I bought last weekend at Juicy Couture doesn't mean I can now say, "of course I have couture in my closet, what fashion-friendly girl doesn't?"

So, let's back up and have a quick history lesson on haute couture. Get your phones ready because you'll be booking a trip to Paris by the end of this.

In order for a courtier to be considered haute couture they must make their designs at their own premises. They must also take their collections to the press in Paris twice a year.

Haute Couture is a French phrase that comes from 'high fashion' and 'dressmaking, sew

ing, or needlework'. Couture items are made in Couture houses in Paris. Today, there only a handful of authentic couture houses. It means that a design is made and fitted exactly for you. The first step in the creation process is a sketch. Then, the design is sewn in toile- canvas material that can be adjusted and marked to fit the actual model. (Toiles are useful because they save designers from using expensive fabrics for the initial model) Next, the garment makes it's way down the runway. Then, clients can choose to buy the garment, in which case the client would have at least two fittings, so that the garment could be made to fit their exact measurements.

Expect to pay an exuberant amount...only the best fabrics are used and the manual labor is somewhere between 150 hours (for a suit) and 1,000 hours (for a wedding gown or embellished dress). Prices vary depending on the client's measurements, personal tastes, fabrics used, the amount of hours it takes to complete the design, etc. Some couture gowns can be bought

for around $25,000 but don't be surprised if the price reaches into the millions. Samantha Mumba (picture here) wore a $9 million Scott Henshall couture dress to the Spiderman 2 premiere.

Often times today the term 'couture' is used out of context and refers to ready-to-wear high fashion clothing. In reality only a select number of couture houses meet all of the standards required to be considered haute couture.

Anne Robinson amr8798@gmail.com

Sale of counterfeit goods funding terrorism

By: Anne Robinson amr8798@gmail.com http://designerlanddetector.blogspot.com

Browsing through the tables filled with accessories all bearing a label that is shockingly similar to a high end designer has become a common tourist activity in NYC. Where can you find the best looking knock-off Marc Jacobs bag for under $50? Well, did you ever think about where the profits of that sale are going? To say the least, I was shocked and think my table browsing days on the streets of NY are over.

It is estimated that the selling of counterfeit goods has caused U.S. businesses to lose an average of $250 billion dollars a year! Companies are struggling as it is, imagine what we could do if that money was being invested in these businesses rather than leaving the country after illegal transactions.

Radical terrorist groups, such as Al-Qaeda, are making profits from the sales of counterfeit goods like Nike sneakers and Calvin Klein jeans. On many occasions, the FBI has found Al-Qaeda supporters with high quantities of counterfeit goods. There is also evidence that suggests profits made from a street vendor on Broadway were used to fund the first attack on the World Trade Center.

Terrorists know these street carts will tempt American shoppers, don't give in! As your designer land detector, I promised you that I'll make sure what you pay matches the quality you receive. Therefore, I know that a cheap accessory in exchange for a terrorist attack would not meet your standards.

So, the next time you are approached on the streets of NYC by the little old woman who is eager to make you the best deal of your life (so she says), picture Osama Bin-Laden behind the table...hopefully you'll decide against making a donation to his cause and will instead head to the trendy shops on 5th Ave to finish your shopping.

The authenticity of the outlet mall

By: Anne Robinson

amr8798@gmail.com

http://designerlanddetector.blogspot.com

Buying a designer item is often not as easy as picking up a new pair of jeans from the Gap. You can't find Louis Vuitton or Vera Wang at your local retail mall. If you don't want to buy these items online, your other obvious option is to find one of the designer's stores. But even this is a challenge, as some designers only have a few stores in the country.

I guess designers are looking out for us! Because more and more outlet malls are cropping up across the globe. If you have a skeptical side like me, you may have wondered about the authenticity of items purchased at outlet malls. Do they really come straight from the designer? Well, you can put your doubts behind you; the items are 100% authentic!

To get a little technical for a minute, outlet malls are individual stores grouped together where manufacturers and designers can sell their products directly to the public. They originated from factory outets, which were stores that were directly connected to a factory or warehouse. They are usually set away from a city, often in the middle of nowhere. Outlet malls, in general, are much larger than a regular shopping mall. Upstate New York's Woodbury Commons is about 800,000 square feet and Sawgrass Mills in Florida is over 2 million square feet (and has 300 stores). Needless to say, you'll get your exercise in while doing your shopping.

There is a common misconception that outlet malls contain damaged clothing that doesn't meet the standards to be shelved in the retail store. As a 15 year-outlet- mall- shopper veteran, I have never been dissatisfied with the quality of the items I have bought. It is true that some of the items are in outlet stores because they are slightly damaged--usually the store will attach a note to the tag warning the customer of the imperfection. However, many clothes that wind up in outlet centers are not damaged at all, but instead are overstocks or things from last season.

Many designers, such as Ralph Lauren, Coach, and Calvin Klein, use outlet malls as a way to expand their market by reaching a new group of customers. Designers or manufacturers agree to sell certain items at their branded store-the store at the outlet mall. So, the items come straight from the designers. In the case of Ralph Lauren, it often takes up to a year for a new item to hit the outlet store. But, when it does, it will usually be up to 20-40% cheaper than the original retail price. Newer items may not have much of a discount, but on the other hand, some outlet stores have unbelievable discounts. Eddie Bauer often has swimwear and women's suits (items that sell for over $150 in the retail store) marked down under $10!

I think most people would agree that outlet malls aren't for everyone. The over-stressed mom or busy career woman who has exactly 20 minutes to run into the store and find the perfect outfit may not have much luck at the outlet. You never know what you'll find, at certain times stores are stocked with a variety of sizes and colors, while at other times, you may have to pick through a million racks before finding the perfect buy.

So, if you are the patient shopper who doesn't mind waiting a year for your favorite Coach bag to hit the market at a discounted price, the outlet mall might be for you! But, if you like the newest look of the season's collection, check out your favorite designer's website to do your shopping, or look up store locations and take a little trip! Either way, your bound to look good when you are confidently wearing your favorite labels.

 

The process of producing quality: the beginning stages of creating a design

As I'm sure you've picked up on, quality is an important aspect of designer items. The entire design process is about producing a high quality item. To better help you understand the level of quality in designer labels, I'm going to do a few brief posts on the process a designer goes through, from the idea to the finished product. For now, we'll focus on the sketching process.

In general, the entire design process takes about a year or two. Designers do a lot of research about current and upcoming fashion trends. Some do this research themselves, while others rely on trend reports that are published by fashion industry groups. In order to create a design, the designer has to know what colors, fabrics, patterns, and stlyes will be in demand when the item is completed.

At this early stage, designers sketch out many possbile designs. They play around with different fabrics and how they will look with certain patterns, keeping in mind the styles of the upcoming season. Along with hand-drawn sketches, some designers use images from CAD (computer aided device) to generate what their designs will look like on a model. After a sketch is made, fabrics are draped over a model so that the design can start to take shape.

By: Anne Robinson

amr8798@gmail.com

http://designerlanddetector.blogspot.com

 

Girls and their hair.....

                       

I am a girl with very big, fluffy, curly hair, for years now people have somewhat thought of curly hair ,not as pretty as those with straight! To those people who wake up in the morning with silky straight perfectly shaped hair .......curly haired people HATE YOU. There were certain time periods where curly big teased hair was the look, it seems these days that, that indeed is not the case. Pitch straight hair seems to be what’s high fashion and appealing to most people. To me having volume and wave sends more of a exotic look and having straight hair is much more soft and pretty. Recently I have seen fashion designers use models who have crazy ,wild, and fun hair which I love to see. I think hair itself is an art, think about it , you can mold ,play, cut it into anything you would like. Sometimes people look at really curly fro like hair and don’t see the beauty in it. People are afraid to break out of their shell, god forbid there is a little wave to a persons hair!

                                    

 

 One thing I always seem to notice is that I never got compliments on my curly hair , but rather only when its straighten, now maybe because it look so different straight, but it would still be nice to hear my natural hair is pretty from time to time! Something that recently alerted me when I was watching Million Dollar Matchmaker, and the main lady on the show Patti Stanger said that men don’t like woman with curly hair, and that they should blow dry it!  I think lots of curly people took offence to that! She then backed up her statement by saying

 

“I usually suggest women blow their hair out to be silky straight because the men request it,” explains Stanger, looking straight into the camera. “It has nothing to do with me not liking curly hair. In fact, I do like curly hair, as long as it’s not damaged.”

 

I can see the point she is making, my boy friends always liked my hair straighten. But I think of it this way, if people are not going to accept you for you natural hair then, why bother? It finally took me 17 years to accept the fact that I do love my curly hair, though it seems you always want what you cant have at times!  Either way, hair is all about the art of expressing yourself , how you want to present yourself to the world, and that’s not for anyone to judge but you! 

           

By Inessa Hernandez

The Prom Look

By: Kelsey Murphy

To most high school students, one of the many exciting events in High school is your senior prom, so why not look your best. Most people feel that because it’s your senior prom; that night you have been waiting for throughout your high school years, they feel the need to standout from every other girl and look stunning. But there’s still that way of looking stunning without that sparkly, diamond, ruffled, pink princess look. Save that for your wedding.

 

 

(What not to wear)

Looking like yourself if key when you’re getting all dressed up and gorgeous. If someone is naturally beautiful to begin with without the dress and the pinned up curled craziness hair, why not keep it that way? It may seem like I’m saying don’t put in any effort into your prom dress or the way you look, but I’m not. It’s still easy to standout and look gorgeous while keeping it simple.

Chances are you will be dancing at your prom, so why wear the long train dress when there’s that chance of them being ruined as well as being horribly uncomfortable. Heels are definitely preferred even though they may be more uncomfortable than the dress. However the option of taking of the heels when wanting to go on the dance floor is an option, changes dresses…not so much. Keep the dress at a shorter length, best at slightly above the knee or knee length. This way you’re comfortable, can show your legs, and best yet show off your shoes.

  

 

(What to wear)

 

        As far as hair goes, don’t create this curly crazy frizzy mess with all that hairspray just so it will somewhat stay in the same position all night. It just won’t work. People look at your hair on your daily basis, if there was something wrong with it, they would say so. You’re there to show off what no one has seen yet, your dress and just how gorgeous you make it look. Remember key is to look like you while still remaining to look stunning.

 

Girls and their hair.....

                       

I am a girl with very big, fluffy, curly hair, for years now people have somewhat thought of curly hair ,not as pretty as those with straight! To those people who wake up in the morning with silky straight perfectly shaped hair .......curly haired people HATE YOU. There were certain time periods where curly big teased hair was the look, it seems these days that, that indeed is not the case. Pitch straight hair seems to be what’s high fashion and appealing to most people. To me having volume and wave sends more of a exotic look and having straight hair is much more soft and pretty. Recently I have seen fashion designers use models who have crazy ,wild, and fun hair which I love to see. I think hair itself is an art, think about it , you can mold ,play, cut it into anything you would like. Sometimes people look at really curly fro like hair and don’t see the beauty in it. People are afraid to break out of their shell, god forbid there is a little wave to a persons hair!

                                    

 

 One thing I always seem to notice is that I never got compliments on my curly hair , but rather only when its straighten, now maybe because it look so different straight, but it would still be nice to hear my natural hair is pretty from time to time! Something that recently alerted me when I was watching Million Dollar Matchmaker, and the main lady on the show Patti Stanger said that men don’t like woman with curly hair, and that they should blow dry it!  I think lots of curly people took offence to that! She then backed up her statement by saying

 

“I usually suggest women blow their hair out to be silky straight because the men request it,” explains Stanger, looking straight into the camera. “It has nothing to do with me not liking curly hair. In fact, I do like curly hair, as long as it’s not damaged.”

 

I can see the point she is making, my boy friends always liked my hair straighten. But I think of it this way, if people are not going to accept you for you natural hair then, why bother? It finally took me 17 years to accept the fact that I do love my curly hair, though it seems you always want what you cant have at times!  Either way, hair is all about the art of expressing yourself , how you want to present yourself to the world, and that’s not for anyone to judge but you! 

           

By Inessa Hernandez

The Prom Look

By: Kelsey Murphy

To most high school students, one of the many exciting events in High school is your senior prom, so why not look your best. Most people feel that because it’s your senior prom; that night you have been waiting for throughout your high school years, they feel the need to standout from every other girl and look stunning. But there’s still that way of looking stunning without that sparkly, diamond, ruffled, pink princess look. Save that for your wedding.

 

 

(What not to wear)

Looking like yourself if key when you’re getting all dressed up and gorgeous. If someone is naturally beautiful to begin with without the dress and the pinned up curled craziness hair, why not keep it that way? It may seem like I’m saying don’t put in any effort into your prom dress or the way you look, but I’m not. It’s still easy to standout and look gorgeous while keeping it simple.

Chances are you will be dancing at your prom, so why wear the long train dress when there’s that chance of them being ruined as well as being horribly uncomfortable. Heels are definitely preferred even though they may be more uncomfortable than the dress. However the option of taking of the heels when wanting to go on the dance floor is an option, changes dresses…not so much. Keep the dress at a shorter length, best at slightly above the knee or knee length. This way you’re comfortable, can show your legs, and best yet show off your shoes.

  

 

(What to wear)

 

        As far as hair goes, don’t create this curly crazy frizzy mess with all that hairspray just so it will somewhat stay in the same position all night. It just won’t work. People look at your hair on your daily basis, if there was something wrong with it, they would say so. You’re there to show off what no one has seen yet, your dress and just how gorgeous you make it look. Remember key is to look like you while still remaining to look stunning.

 

Fashions of 2009

The fashions of 2009 will be flourishing with a wide range of colors. Expect designers to mix and match many different hues and sophisticated mixes of color into their collections : you should do the same. So what exactly are the “it” colors of 2009?

Palace blue : Expect designers to favor this color for its ability to mesh well with other colors of the same palette. Besides – blue was big last fall so why shouldn’t this trend continue? I for one am enjoying it.

Lavender : Purple is to 2008 as lavender is to 2009. Expect too see both purple and lavender this season, but especially purple in the upcoming fall.

Super Yellow Lemon : Why wouldn’t vibrant colors be in this Spring! Lemon is fun and full of energy, it’s probably the most vibrant color of them all. It’s a no brainer that Yellow Lemon will be big this season.

Bright Fuchsia : Just as Lemon is a must have this season, fuchsia is an upcoming trend. It’s edgy enough to put you in the spot light but soft enough to show your femininity. Expect to see this in the fall.

Although these colors may seem bold – they are intricate and exciting. I’m not saying you have to wear them every single day as that would be quite boring however, they are great colors when paired correctly. These are some colors to definitely be on the lookout for this season.

Written by Brian Biddel 

b.biddel@gmail.com

Images courtesy of BP.Blogspot , Reprosupplies , Surfasonline and The Insider

Stop Wearing UGGs!

I can’t stand Uggs, they are hideous, disgusting, atrocious, ugly, and boring. All the girls who think you’re so cute with them on : you’re not. What bothers me the worst is when Ugg Girls wear them as if they have a point to prove: like they are popular or fashion forward (no one will ever be fashion forward with those things on). It seems as if there are specific crowds who wear Uggs. It’s like the typical “blonde bimbo’s” tend to lean to wearing Uggs every single day, even in the summer! They are now such a casual wear that people think they go with everything – when they really don’t. They are being worn with jeans, a t-shirt, mini-skirts, skirts, everything! It’s frustrating; I definitely want to kick the girls who wear Uggs right in the shins with a pair of Stilettos (don’t do this at home). Oh and by the way, your boyfriend doesn’t think they’re hot either.

Written by Brian-Biddel

b.biddel@gmail.com

Image courtesy of GossipBoulevard

Fashions of 2009

The fashions of 2009 will be flourishing with a wide range of colors. Expect designers to mix and match many different hues and sophisticated mixes of color into their collections : you should do the same. So what exactly are the “it” colors of 2009?

Palace blue : Expect designers to favor this color for its ability to mesh well with other colors of the same palette. Besides – blue was big last fall so why shouldn’t this trend continue? I for one am enjoying it.

Lavender : Purple is to 2008 as lavender is to 2009. Expect too see both purple and lavender this season, but especially purple in the upcoming fall.

Super Yellow Lemon : Why wouldn’t vibrant colors be in this Spring! Lemon is fun and full of energy, it’s probably the most vibrant color of them all. It’s a no brainer that Yellow Lemon will be big this season.

Bright Fuchsia : Just as Lemon is a must have this season, fuchsia is an upcoming trend. It’s edgy enough to put you in the spot light but soft enough to show your femininity. Expect to see this in the fall.

Although these colors may seem bold – they are intricate and exciting. I’m not saying you have to wear them every single day as that would be quite boring however, they are great colors when paired correctly. These are some colors to definitely be on the lookout for this season.

Written by Brian Biddel 

b.biddel@gmail.com

Images courtesy of BP.Blogspot , Reprosupplies , Surfasonline and The Insider

Stop Wearing UGGs!

I can’t stand Uggs, they are hideous, disgusting, atrocious, ugly, and boring. All the girls who think you’re so cute with them on : you’re not. What bothers me the worst is when Ugg Girls wear them as if they have a point to prove: like they are popular or fashion forward (no one will ever be fashion forward with those things on). It seems as if there are specific crowds who wear Uggs. It’s like the typical “blonde bimbo’s” tend to lean to wearing Uggs every single day, even in the summer! They are now such a casual wear that people think they go with everything – when they really don’t. They are being worn with jeans, a t-shirt, mini-skirts, skirts, everything! It’s frustrating; I definitely want to kick the girls who wear Uggs right in the shins with a pair of Stilettos (don’t do this at home). Oh and by the way, your boyfriend doesn’t think they’re hot either.

Written by Brian-Biddel

b.biddel@gmail.com

Image courtesy of GossipBoulevard

Rambling Fashion Thoughts on a Lazy Sunday

By Kelsey Murphy

 

Throughout my years of high school I have seen and experienced the different trends that are set on a daily basis. In my opinion, someone’s clothing says a lot about a person’s personality if not everything. You can easily tell what kind of music someone may listen to by his or her outfit, or even what kind of house that person may live in. From the brands you wear to even the material of your jackets, can be a way to express your own unique look.

            The clothing that I seem to find myself mostly attracted to is not only in myself but the people I’m around. It’s the trendy jackets, the bright colored shirts, the skinny/straight leg jeans, the kicks, and the ray bans that bring my fashion interest together. Some places you can find this “style” would be those little boutique stores on the streets of LA that you would normally pass by thinking there’s nothing good inside. Although this is the look I adore, it is not always in my budget.

 Being in San Diego, CA it’s more difficult to find those little boutique shops that no one really knows about. Because we have such large shopping malls with these different compact stores, people tend to shop there for their convenience. However, if I were to find a smaller variety of shops on a local street in Downtown San Diego, I’m more likely to find what I like with the chance of a much cheaper price. Personally I don’t seem to find to many people in San Diego to agree with me in the sense of the style I like, but those who do, know exactly what I’m talking about.

To me, fashion is almost everything. Whether it’s me wearing the clothes, a friend, or even a stranger, I always tend to judge the way they dress. Fashion doesn’t always have to be just clothing; but it can be your hairstyle, your makeup, your jewelry, your handbags and etc. On a day when I don’t feel my outfit is the best it can be, or my hair is a little messed up, those small things tend to ruin my day. To some this may sound crazy, or to some this may be perfectly normal, but either way everyone has their own taste in how they dress.

 

 

Rambling Fashion Thoughts on a Lazy Sunday

By Kelsey Murphy

 

Throughout my years of high school I have seen and experienced the different trends that are set on a daily basis. In my opinion, someone’s clothing says a lot about a person’s personality if not everything. You can easily tell what kind of music someone may listen to by his or her outfit, or even what kind of house that person may live in. From the brands you wear to even the material of your jackets, can be a way to express your own unique look.

            The clothing that I seem to find myself mostly attracted to is not only in myself but the people I’m around. It’s the trendy jackets, the bright colored shirts, the skinny/straight leg jeans, the kicks, and the ray bans that bring my fashion interest together. Some places you can find this “style” would be those little boutique stores on the streets of LA that you would normally pass by thinking there’s nothing good inside. Although this is the look I adore, it is not always in my budget.

 Being in San Diego, CA it’s more difficult to find those little boutique shops that no one really knows about. Because we have such large shopping malls with these different compact stores, people tend to shop there for their convenience. However, if I were to find a smaller variety of shops on a local street in Downtown San Diego, I’m more likely to find what I like with the chance of a much cheaper price. Personally I don’t seem to find to many people in San Diego to agree with me in the sense of the style I like, but those who do, know exactly what I’m talking about.

To me, fashion is almost everything. Whether it’s me wearing the clothes, a friend, or even a stranger, I always tend to judge the way they dress. Fashion doesn’t always have to be just clothing; but it can be your hairstyle, your makeup, your jewelry, your handbags and etc. On a day when I don’t feel my outfit is the best it can be, or my hair is a little messed up, those small things tend to ruin my day. To some this may sound crazy, or to some this may be perfectly normal, but either way everyone has their own taste in how they dress.