The urban clothing scene isn't complete without a collection of fitted hats. Fitted hats also known as a "fitted" are baseball caps that have no size adjustment. They fit snuggly on your head and have a much better appearance as there are no straps in the back. These hats are very popular among the young crowd and in urban fashion. They come in hundreds of styles and colors. Many urban outfits aren't considered complete without the wearing of a fitted.
Fitted hats come in various sizes but will still fit snug when you choose the appropriate size for you. The most popular hats are those displaying the logo of a favorite baseball team. Many times the team represents more of the location rather than the team itself. For example, the Boston Red Sox and NY Yankees are popular among those living in those cities. For those who do not live in the same city, the selected team hat is more a representation of a favorite team or favorite colors. Fitted hats are made by various manufacturers and one of the top ones is New Era.
You can find fitted hats in almost every shopping mall in America as well as specialized online shops. While many sporting fans still purchase these hats, they are still most popular for fashion more than anything else. The hats range in price, however, you have to beware of hats that are too low in price as there is a high chance of it being a knock-off. Knock-off hats are also made of poor quality and are likely to fade easily or fall apart.
It is not uncommon for someone who is into urban fashion to own several fitteds. They are also collectors items as some fitteds are produced in limited quantities or for special events. Some people own as many fitted hats as they do shoes. They are one of the top accessories for street wear and make as much of an impact to one's outfit as the right shoes do.
If you come across a limited edition fitted hat, it is wise to purchase two. One to wear and one to keep in your collection. Many times, rare and hard to find fitted hats can go for quite a bit of money on popular auction sites such as eBay. Fitted hats are also not limited to men and boys. Women and girls are also getting into the fashion trend by wearing fitted hats with their casual outfits.
You can visit many urban fashion forums and see exactly which fitted hats make the cut. These forums often have users post their photos wearing fitted with their favorite outfits. Other forum members rate the overall outfit and usually comment on the fitted hat as well. Fitted hats work for any age. You don't have to be a teenager to wear one and be in style. If you want to save money on a fitted hat, you can find very good deals on the internet. There is so much competition online that many online shops will lower their prices or have closeout sales.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
'It' bags are the classic cars of the fashion set
Handbags are the new shoes, the must have "it" accessory that has all the fashion-istas clamouring for the latest offering from popular designers. It's also a market that has more in common with the male-dominated world of classic cars than you'd realise.
Few of you will have missed the fuss a couple of months ago when Sainsbury's sold 20,000 "I'm not a plastic bag" Anya Hind-march totes for [pound]5 each. Within hours those same unbleached cotton bags were selling for in excess of [pound]150 on eBay. "Every girl has a handbag," says Christie's specialist Monica Turcich, "and every girl wants one. Women now want the 'it' bag and the one nobody else is carrying. They've always been popular and they are the section of our 20th-century fashion sales for which we get the most phone calls, but now they are doing particularly well because everyone wants handbags, whereas 10 years ago there weren't the 'it' bags like we have today, simply the classics."
Like cars, most of the more recent designer handbags which sell through dealers and auction houses make significantly less than their original retail price, losing value the second the initial purchase has taken place. That is good news for both collector investors and handbag enthusiasts, but there are some exceptions to the rule.
Last March Christie's sold a red Hermes crocodile skin Kelly bag for [pound]10,800, this had only been purchased in 1994 and was originally a bespoke product. The Kelly bag is the "holy grail" of the classic handbag world according to Turcich. "Chloe and other more contemporary bags are more driven by what's popular now, but for Hermes and Chanel's quilted bag, these are classics which never go out of style and are always useable." Kelly bags can be bought for [pound]600 and can often be sold on for [pound]1,000- [pound]2,000, which isn't bad for a bag which might have been bought back in the 1960s.
There's no doubt that most handbags are being bought to be used, it's not an investment market in the same way as many other collectables such as paul smith,Abercrombie and Fitch,dsquared etc, but again there are parallels to the car market. By buying a classic bag and looking after it, you are unlikely to lose money, rather see a steady gain with the added return of enjoying using it.
Hindmarch's "I'm not a plastic bag" bags are unlikely to make it to "classic" status, they are after all mass-produced cotton totes, but other handbags from her range might well do so. So far Christie's has-n't sold any Hindmarch bags, but Turcich says she wouldn't be surprised if they start turning up at auction soon and she wouldn't turn them away. "Kylie Minogue was pictured carrying a Chloe bracelet bag around a few years ago which sparked a fashion and now we are selling the same thing at auction."
There is a pristine one in the next auction which is estimated at [pound]800 to [pound]1,000 along with another Chloe handbag in the same lot. "I think Chloe has started the 'it' bag scene" adds Turcich, "I don't know how long it will take for them to become classics of their own, but I'm sure these will hold their value in five or 10 years' time. People just don't seem to have paid attention to the fact that handbags have become the new shoes in the last few years, there is now an appreciation of the design that goes into them. There are shoe designers that are artists and so too with handbags."
It's not always about big names, a few weeks ago Ms Minogue was at the shop of Tony Durante, a handbag dealer at Alfie's in London, and purchased a white raffia bag with a horse's head on the front for around [pound]200. Brightly coloured raffia bags are in at the moment because it's summer. Durante says that Kylie loved this particular bag because it was unusual. Buying it from a vintage fashion dealer she's unlikely to bump into another celebrity carrying one. Durante says that his customers are looking for this "unusualness" factor.
If you do want to retain the value in your handbag then you should go for one that is in excellent condition, is a good design and beautiful. Some "it" bags will undoubtedly go down in value as fashions change, but the classics should stay steady.
Few of you will have missed the fuss a couple of months ago when Sainsbury's sold 20,000 "I'm not a plastic bag" Anya Hind-march totes for [pound]5 each. Within hours those same unbleached cotton bags were selling for in excess of [pound]150 on eBay. "Every girl has a handbag," says Christie's specialist Monica Turcich, "and every girl wants one. Women now want the 'it' bag and the one nobody else is carrying. They've always been popular and they are the section of our 20th-century fashion sales for which we get the most phone calls, but now they are doing particularly well because everyone wants handbags, whereas 10 years ago there weren't the 'it' bags like we have today, simply the classics."
Like cars, most of the more recent designer handbags which sell through dealers and auction houses make significantly less than their original retail price, losing value the second the initial purchase has taken place. That is good news for both collector investors and handbag enthusiasts, but there are some exceptions to the rule.
Last March Christie's sold a red Hermes crocodile skin Kelly bag for [pound]10,800, this had only been purchased in 1994 and was originally a bespoke product. The Kelly bag is the "holy grail" of the classic handbag world according to Turcich. "Chloe and other more contemporary bags are more driven by what's popular now, but for Hermes and Chanel's quilted bag, these are classics which never go out of style and are always useable." Kelly bags can be bought for [pound]600 and can often be sold on for [pound]1,000- [pound]2,000, which isn't bad for a bag which might have been bought back in the 1960s.
There's no doubt that most handbags are being bought to be used, it's not an investment market in the same way as many other collectables such as paul smith,Abercrombie and Fitch,dsquared etc, but again there are parallels to the car market. By buying a classic bag and looking after it, you are unlikely to lose money, rather see a steady gain with the added return of enjoying using it.
Hindmarch's "I'm not a plastic bag" bags are unlikely to make it to "classic" status, they are after all mass-produced cotton totes, but other handbags from her range might well do so. So far Christie's has-n't sold any Hindmarch bags, but Turcich says she wouldn't be surprised if they start turning up at auction soon and she wouldn't turn them away. "Kylie Minogue was pictured carrying a Chloe bracelet bag around a few years ago which sparked a fashion and now we are selling the same thing at auction."
There is a pristine one in the next auction which is estimated at [pound]800 to [pound]1,000 along with another Chloe handbag in the same lot. "I think Chloe has started the 'it' bag scene" adds Turcich, "I don't know how long it will take for them to become classics of their own, but I'm sure these will hold their value in five or 10 years' time. People just don't seem to have paid attention to the fact that handbags have become the new shoes in the last few years, there is now an appreciation of the design that goes into them. There are shoe designers that are artists and so too with handbags."
It's not always about big names, a few weeks ago Ms Minogue was at the shop of Tony Durante, a handbag dealer at Alfie's in London, and purchased a white raffia bag with a horse's head on the front for around [pound]200. Brightly coloured raffia bags are in at the moment because it's summer. Durante says that Kylie loved this particular bag because it was unusual. Buying it from a vintage fashion dealer she's unlikely to bump into another celebrity carrying one. Durante says that his customers are looking for this "unusualness" factor.
If you do want to retain the value in your handbag then you should go for one that is in excellent condition, is a good design and beautiful. Some "it" bags will undoubtedly go down in value as fashions change, but the classics should stay steady.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Plus Size Women Dress Stylish Too
I have recently been to the Clothes Show London ExCel, where the feedback was overwhelmingly in favour of plus size women.
We had on display a lot of Boutique clothing which in description are one off designs, contemporary classics with a “twist”.
Many of the clothing were sparkling with Swarovski stones that added glamour to our outfits. Many women visited and all they could see was size 12 – 14.
The answers we got after a fairly long browse was “do you have this in larger sizes”, you know the answer to that, a disappointing NO. We had colour, style, but not the right size.
After the Clothes Show we decided to do some plus size pieces. There are many women out there who for me drive a vanity and style that’s missing amongst others.
I don’t understand why other stores and manufactures advertise plus size and the fact that they have large supplies of clothing.
But to the disappointment to a lot of ladies, what is offered is a load of drab looking lifeless coloured clothes.
For some reason when it comes to plus size, that maybe the case but where there are large sizes, there are less variety. When your choices are between beige and dark beige, you know you're in a plus sized store.
“I learnt a lot about the challenges faced by plus size women when it comes to lack of variety”.
I know there are many women who see clothes in the mainstream that they like, but for some reason, they left out the creativity for plus sizes and ingeniously created the dullest creation of clothes, making it either a one size fits all or confusion to max with the size coding.
I know there are many women who see clothes in the mainstream that they like, but for some reason, they left out the creativity for plus sizes and ingeniously created the dullest creation of clothes, making it either a one size fits all or confusion to max with the size coding.
It’s about time Boutiques like us should break from the pack and create something a bit special, a bit daring, full of life with pastel colours, but most of all the Avant-Garde of all plus size clothes, to compliment one body.
Can you comment on the above as your input is important to know that we will be producing the right style and feel to the garments that we want to create.
This can only be achieved by learning from your comments whether they are negative or positive as they matter very much.
Thanks
Kevin
SOVA
Kevin
SOVA
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
New York City Savors Couture Fashion Week
Event producer Andres Aquino presented the prestigious award to Mr. Khansa on the evening of September 9 before an audience of international press and enthusiastic fashionistas. The presentation followed the designer’s fashion show which presented his latest collection of breathtaking couture designs done in opulent fabrics with lavish embellishments, each piece more dazzling than the last.
Tani Keller of Germany was named “Most Innovative Fashion Designer” in recognition of her fine leather couture collection for Spring 2006 entitled "Garden of Eden.” Each piece was an original couture creation, a feast for the eyes.
The 3-day event showed the latest collections of a select group of international as well as American designers, many presenting in New York for the first time. For a number of designers for whom English is not their first language, challenges included not only the hectic pace of putting on a fashion show, but also dealing with cultural differences and the use of interpreters. Once the makeup was in place, hair tousled just so, gowns slipped on, and models lined up, the music began to pulse, the lights went up, and the first model strode onto the catwalk. Excitement built as
the cameras began to click and the designers’ creations emerged. Couture had
landed in New York with a splash from many foreign lands.
The collections had names reflecting the creative philosophies and moods of the designers.
From Latvia Anna Osmushkina presented “Heaven”, weightless designs in natural fabrics hand-woven using an original technology. Embellishments in Swarovski and Kornelius precious stones, ostrich feathers, and natural furs give added dimension and luxury. Anna’s color palette is as airy as the dawn in shades of gold, bronze, rose, sky blue and white. Handcrafted shawls and capes completed a number of the graceful feminine ensembles
Galina Dacheva from Bulgaria showed her “Timeless Fashion Collection” based on the ancient craft of knitting but jazzed revved up to a modern sensibility. The collection is an amalgam of both fashion and history.
The stunning collection from Payal Jain of India was entitled simply “Blanc”, designs fit for a princess. Payal was inspired by the mysterious weaves of the East and the structure of the West. A seemingly simple yet actually complex texturization. Exotic silk weaves are sculpted into flowing
silhouettes with tone on tone treatments.
Lourdes Libman presented her “Unequally Blue” collection, a combination of
tropical flavor from her native Dominican Republic and sophisticated European flair.
The Russian designer contingent presented strong collections from three gifted designers:
- Galit Couture, coming to New York from Russia via Israel, showed a group of beautiful fairy-tale bridal gowns. These dream-like creations are for the bride who wants to be the “Belle of the Ball” making an unforgettable entrance on her special day.
- Routa’s designs are visual poetry brought to life with a unique perspective on fabric and style.
- Lilia Berzon presented a group of sensuous evening designs characterized by an innovative use of fabrics and structural elements.
Among the American designers taking part in Couture Fashion Week was Philadelphia-based Dah-veese whose striking “urban couture” collection features the juxtaposition of signature denim with unexpected fabric combinations: fine silk organza, silk dupioni, silk taffeta, silk linen and cotton with an emphasis on angles, dimension, depth and texture.
“We have already received a large number of requests from designers around the world as well as sponsors interested in participating in next season’s fashion shows”, notes producer Andres Aquino. “So we expect this event to continue to grow at a fast pace and to continue to serve as the most important platform to present couture fashion in New York.”
Tani Keller of Germany was named “Most Innovative Fashion Designer” in recognition of her fine leather couture collection for Spring 2006 entitled "Garden of Eden.” Each piece was an original couture creation, a feast for the eyes.
The 3-day event showed the latest collections of a select group of international as well as American designers, many presenting in New York for the first time. For a number of designers for whom English is not their first language, challenges included not only the hectic pace of putting on a fashion show, but also dealing with cultural differences and the use of interpreters. Once the makeup was in place, hair tousled just so, gowns slipped on, and models lined up, the music began to pulse, the lights went up, and the first model strode onto the catwalk. Excitement built as
the cameras began to click and the designers’ creations emerged. Couture had
landed in New York with a splash from many foreign lands.
The collections had names reflecting the creative philosophies and moods of the designers.
From Latvia Anna Osmushkina presented “Heaven”, weightless designs in natural fabrics hand-woven using an original technology. Embellishments in Swarovski and Kornelius precious stones, ostrich feathers, and natural furs give added dimension and luxury. Anna’s color palette is as airy as the dawn in shades of gold, bronze, rose, sky blue and white. Handcrafted shawls and capes completed a number of the graceful feminine ensembles
Galina Dacheva from Bulgaria showed her “Timeless Fashion Collection” based on the ancient craft of knitting but jazzed revved up to a modern sensibility. The collection is an amalgam of both fashion and history.
The stunning collection from Payal Jain of India was entitled simply “Blanc”, designs fit for a princess. Payal was inspired by the mysterious weaves of the East and the structure of the West. A seemingly simple yet actually complex texturization. Exotic silk weaves are sculpted into flowing
silhouettes with tone on tone treatments.
Lourdes Libman presented her “Unequally Blue” collection, a combination of
tropical flavor from her native Dominican Republic and sophisticated European flair.
The Russian designer contingent presented strong collections from three gifted designers:
- Galit Couture, coming to New York from Russia via Israel, showed a group of beautiful fairy-tale bridal gowns. These dream-like creations are for the bride who wants to be the “Belle of the Ball” making an unforgettable entrance on her special day.
- Routa’s designs are visual poetry brought to life with a unique perspective on fabric and style.
- Lilia Berzon presented a group of sensuous evening designs characterized by an innovative use of fabrics and structural elements.
Among the American designers taking part in Couture Fashion Week was Philadelphia-based Dah-veese whose striking “urban couture” collection features the juxtaposition of signature denim with unexpected fabric combinations: fine silk organza, silk dupioni, silk taffeta, silk linen and cotton with an emphasis on angles, dimension, depth and texture.
“We have already received a large number of requests from designers around the world as well as sponsors interested in participating in next season’s fashion shows”, notes producer Andres Aquino. “So we expect this event to continue to grow at a fast pace and to continue to serve as the most important platform to present couture fashion in New York.”
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