Working in the fashion retail industry has displayed a roller coaster ride for retailers. A few months ago, the store was regularly failing to reach projected sales goals. However, this evening, my manager was bragging about making 135% more than projected. This is good news for the economy, as it proves consumers are begining to regain confidence in the economy.
Many clothing stores have adjusted to the economic conditions by lowering prices, this has both positive and negative results, as more people will buy the clothes but the the brand itself will lose percieved value over time.

Although i have less personal experience with the home retail, i would imagine that it will require more to bounce back, as many home fashions tend to be more costly that clothes, and wear out slower.

Careers in the Fashion Industry

My dream career in the fashion industry would be in merchandising. I would love to be involved in finding new trends and putting them into action for a retailer. This career would allow me to travel and attend parties, which are two things I am very good at!

Having a minor in French will also help me career wise because it will open up more opportunities in regards to finding a company to work for as well as networking on a global scale. I really hope to use my French knowlege in my career because by graduation, I will have been learning it for 13 years and it is a great tool to have.

The Art and Usability of Fashion

Without a doubt, fashion serves as both art and usability. Initially, clothing was only made to shelter humans from wind, rain, and cold temperatures. Once all of the early hominids fulfulled their basic biological needs, the desire to create art became apparent through the creation of jewelry and cave paintings. That being said, it is human nature to fulfull both form and function simultaneously.

In the summer, clothing merely covers the body parts determined by society and the bible (after Eve devoured the forbidden fruit) to be filthy and obscene. However, today our clothing must also be an expression of who we are as a person, and because most of us believe ourselves to be physically appealing, we want our clothing to reflect that. That is where art plays in. Many runway looks are not suitable for wear beyond the runway. Why do people pay large sums of money to look at such counterproductive apparel? Because they appreciate art, and one of the many forms art comes in, fashion.

Picture: http://kearnystreet.org/programs/ksw-next/apature2008/APAture%20Runway%202007%20Hoop.jpg

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

The spring 2009 fahsion week displayed many new trends for the new year.

First off Jason Wu's line has been highly anticipated. Going from a nobody to a desired designer overnight after First Lady Michelle Obama sported his designs on inauguration day

Ethnic Influences in Apparel

As the world becomes smaller through the internet and other mass communication devices we are exposed to the exotic fashions of cultures around the world. Using various ethnic inspirations makes our clothing more exotic and interesting.

Gwen Stephani's brand Harajaku Lovers came from a Japanese television show in which girls dress like cartoon characters. He line draws on the youthful and vibrant apparel in Japan.

The flower power movement in the 1970's included fashions from Native Americans with the headbands, leather fringe, and beaded jewelry as well as bold African prints. Macreme bags were taken from the greek isles.

Organic and environmentally friendly clothing

Not too long ago environmentally friendly clothing brought a disturbing image to my mind. I pictured hippies wearing tan colored hemp from head to toe in a shapeless mess. The person wearing such clothes probably doesn't shave, or shower for that matter. The clothes themselves may be nice to the environment, but what about the other uses we find for clothes? Looking good and staying warm are both important.
Now that the environment is a much bigger concern politically and socially, designers are finding ways to make eco-friendly clothes that look good. American Apparel, for example is doing their part to offer fashionable clothes usually at affordable prices. They offer organic cotton in most of their items and they recycle all scrap material.
With the new presidential team making plans to offer tax breaks to companies who go green, surely more big brands will follow in American Apparel's footsteps creating a cleaner environment for our children.

Anna Sui

My favorite designer is Anna Sui. While I personally prefer to wear much simpler designs, Anna Sui blows me away with her complex designs and brilliant color combinations. Her designs remind me of my childhood when i wore ruffles and mixed prints. I admire her courage to think outside the box and create fun brightly colored fashions that are feminine with a hint of punk rock.