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Apr30
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Should I even have to ask this question because who doesn't want to be a billionaire in the fashion industry?
I'm actually quite fascinated with the way that billionaires think being that I too, would like to "hobnob" with the rich one day. Lofty aspirations you say? Well, I suggest you read one of my other blogs for background...
Well, back to fashion industry billionaires... Recently, Giorgio Armani,  Versace, and Bottega Veneta (oh, so soft and buttery purses!) have been dabbling in the real estate/ hotel market.
It certainly is smart to diversify your portfolio and not rely on one industry for income. Yes, the fashion industry is a very healthy industry, but heck, so is the hotel industry! Why not mix it up a little bit? The hotel and real estate industries are definitely ideal places to reinvest one's fortune.
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Apr30
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I was oogling over the purses at Pursed Lips, when I noticed an ad from Glam.com on the left hand side of the page (It may or may not be there anymore...take a look). The banner ad starts with this question:...
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Well, it's about time someone realizes that plus size women spend money too! It's been reported that from March 2005 to February 2006, sales of plus-size women's clothing rose about 7 percent to $19 billion. The plus size market was...
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I can't remember where I read or heard that phrase, "Read to Succeed", but it's been my mantra for quite some time now. Ever since I read my first book at the tender age of three, I've been quite the...
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Apr29
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Here's a review of some of my favorite posts this week from other fashionistas in the blogosphere: Designer Ella of Kiss Me, Stace claims that "Shopping is My Duty": "I shop for my blog, it keeps me continuously gaining knowledge, it...
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These are the words of Brenda Sharman, the national chairwoman of Pure Fashion, a Catholic program that promotes modest dress in young women. In this program, girls learn about the modesty, hair, make-up, and posture. I'll say here that this...
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As I walked out of the bookstore today, I saw a little girl with her family doing what little girls do, skipping and enjoying the day. But what I really noticed about her was her very cute outfit: pink and...
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I'm not one to wear thong sandals, but if you are, then Harrods Girl of I Am Fashion offers a great review of the new summer thongs. What? What girl doesn't wear thong sandals in Southern California? Sorry, but I've...
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Ok, I know, this is not the forum to complain about the price of gas. The point is, how's a fashionista to balance looking great with rising oil prices? It's certainly something to think about...
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Apr28
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Who knew that a bale of wool could cost so much? The finest bale of wool of 11.7 micron was recently sold to the Italian fashion house, Loro Piana, for $63,000. Loro Piana owns 83 stores worldwide and distributes luxury...
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Carnivale of Couture is hosted by Sense of Soot this week and.."The Topic is Torturous Fashion, and not the kind you tried, hated, and discarded. Oh no, we're going deeper into the dark corners than that, my dumplings. There is...
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Louis Vuitton has set sail for India. The company has acquired a stake in Mumbai’s LV Trading (LVT India) and will only provide Louis Vuitton products through this venture. When I read about this, I thought, "How can people in...
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It's fashion diva nomination time and this time I have to give Jessica Alba her props for always coming in style to all the Hollywood events. I don't recall ever seeing her in anything but ultria chic. For example.... This...
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During college I was known to wrap my hair up like the singer Erykah Badu - which illicited a question from my brother, "Why do you always try to be different?" It's not that I try to be different. I...
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Apr27
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Coolchiq is in Australia covering the Mercedes Fashion Week and offers tons of photos and commentary... I especially like the post titled You Know You’re In The Middle of Fashion Week When… My favorite lines: ... You’ve got blisters on...
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If there's one thing the fashion industry likes to do and knows how to do well - it's partying. This time it's the Swarovski brand (you know those bling-bling crystals!). The company is hosting a runway show at the Rockefeller's...
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Ok, I admit that I'm not the pop culture fan that I used to be in my early 20's. When I read that Keira Knightley had replaced Kate Moss as the new face for Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle perfume, I asked:...
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I have dreams of visiting New York, labeled as one of the fashion capitals of the world. I have dreams of walking into immaculate fashion houses and possibly catching a glimpse of a fashion designer. But I don't have a...
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Apr26
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If you really want to get noticed, don't wear those 2 karat diamonds. Instead, throw on a colorful hoodie made by the Billionaire Boys Club and owned by hip-hop music producer, Pharrell Williams. "The patterns are like children's wallpaper gone...
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Ummm...call me a little "set" in my ways, but I personally think pink should stay a women's color.
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As if NBC didn't have enough money, the daytime division has come out with a line of clothing called Crane Couture - named after the clothing worn by Fancy Crane of the soap opera "Passions". To be quite honest, I...
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How can a shoe designer not be interested in the fashion industry? However, if you're Christian Louboutin, it doesn't really matter...He's already made a name for himself among the wealthiest and most fashionable women in the world. ''I am not...
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In case you didn't know, Amazon.com just isn't an online bookstore. You can find thousands of clothing items - so that's where I logged on today to look for flat sandals. (Thank Goodness the weather is getting a little warmer...
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Apr25
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Ok, the idea isn't as crazy as the roach accessory, and at least it isn't REAL skin.
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This just in... Australian Fashion Week kicks off with Nude Models with painted bodies resembling Chinese dresses. After 11 years, the fashion event now makes its mark in the fashion industry and can certainly compete with those events in Paris,...
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M.A.C. makeup seems to be pretty busy these days. There's been talk that Raquel Welch will be the new face for the makeup company and will be featured in an upcoming ad campaign that will be debuting in 2007. Hmmm......
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Apr24
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I'm going on week 3 of no TV, so I'm somewhat out of the loop when it comes to fashion marketing on TV. Although I do have to admit that I don't miss it too much - advertising, that is. ...
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There's more to life than fashion, you know. An article at The North County Times, a newspaper here in San Diego, featured Dana Buchman, but didn't talk at all about her fashion life. It served as a reminder that the...
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I've always been fascinated with why fashion and lifestyle are hot topics all across the globe and thought about it even more after I read about the launch of a new designer fashion and lifestyle broadband web channel called High...
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According to a report at fibre2fashion.com, experts in India say that the textile industry is the industry to invest in. I don't know if these experts are representatives from the textile companies themselves trying to capitalize on the post India...
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An article at The New York Times prompts me to write about the "throw away" mentality that our society seems to have adopted. We're very quick to throw away old clothing, but I do urge you to stop and think...
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Apr21
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The Guardian published an article today about the Spanish government launching a study that compares the clothing sizes of models and everyday women's real sizes. They would like to see if the fashion industry is causing the increase in eating...
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I never bought into the whole "Juicy" line of clothing. Something about paying $100+ for a terry-cloth sweatsuit just because it has "Juicy" on the butt just doesn't sit well with me. Why not buy that same sweatsuit at Express...
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When Geox Shoes first came out, the kids would come into the Nordstrom Kids Shoes department demanding the "shoes that breathe!" Geox sure did a great job with their advertising campaign on Nickelodeon.......
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I missed last week's Carnivale due to the holiday and other hoopla. This week's question is quite interesting and is hosted by Final Fashion: "I want to invite anyone who wants to join to describe that favourite outfit that you...
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In the corporate world where fashion retailers are selling hundreds of thousands of units per week, a few cents difference in stock price can certainly make a difference, huh? This question comes after reading an article about Charlotte Russe's loss...
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Apr20
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This must be what Naomi Campbell is thinking as she reads the newspaper stories about her beating up her housekeeper.
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Looks like Project Runway has certainly inspired many aspiring fashion designers out there! An article in The New York Times says that there has been a big increase of enrollees in the fashion department of Parsons - 489 students in 2005...
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Apr19
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If you're looking to break into the fashion industry as a designer, MSNBC Newsweek has a great article about how three sisters have started their own Manhattan design label. This is the first article of a monthly series... If you...
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Here's the scoop on two fashion industry executives that have recently called it quits: Marlo Sabo, president and chief executive officer of Christian Dior’s U.S. component, has quietly resigned after five years of employment. It's been reported that her only explanation...
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I stumbled upon the blog and it turned out to be a good resource with a load of commentary and dialogue from addicts like myself.
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The California Market Center will play host to a few industry events: April 24-26, 2006 - Los Angeles International Textile ShowThis event will showcase hundreds of designer fabric lines, including exhibitors from Europe, Italy, France, and Korea. There will also...
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Golf is a topic that's a little bit out of my element, but definitely something I would like to learn. There's a growing interest in women who want to play golf and they do need outfits to wear! I believe...
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Apr18
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Bory Tan of BeverlyHillsPeople.com sat down with Nick Verreos, one of the "Project Runway" alumni, to talk about being on the fashion reality TV Show and his background in fashion. Here's a little snippet of the interview:...
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This is in reference to Las Fashionistas post about crochet... I, for one, remember quite vividly wearing the crochet vest with bodysuits back in the early 90's. Boy, did I think I was cute back then :) Would I wear...
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I came across this at Anna's Fab-Ulous blog... I'm getting the chills just thinking about it! Jared Gold has come up with the absolute weirdest pet/jewelry piece ever...a real cockroach with Swarovski crystals on its head. It comes with a chain...
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I like Calvin Klein clothing, but have been a little tired of seeing their standard casual sportswear in product offerings. I'm excited to find out that the company has entered a licensing agreement with G-III Apparel Group Ltd to distribute women's...
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This is what Gilbert W. Harrison, the chairman of Financo, a New York investment bank that specializes in retail, said in an article published in The New York Times today. Executives of Saks Fifth Avenue will be meeting today to...
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Apr17
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An artist like me always appreciates the art on a Hermès scarf. The smooth texture of silk combined with rich design and colors definitely makes any outfit go from drab to fab. What if you could buy a Hermès scarf...
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What company has more sales than H & M? According to Business Week's Rachel Tiplady, the "Queen" of high fashion is a Spanish retailer named Inditex which owns over a hundred companies and is associated with textile design, manufacturing and...
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Apr13
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There are many companies who still deny exploiting kids in the manufacturing of their products, but I think many of them do know and don't really care. I've read here and there that companies "have no control" of what happens...
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Skip the heels this season and try a pair of ballerina flats. They're all the rage and companies like Converse and Keds are catching onto the trend. I'm in love with my new ballerina canvas flats from Target. I've literally...
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Was Marc Jacobs serious when he designed this shoe or is there a market for this type of mouse shoe somewhere? Quite clever and cute, but no thanks...
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Aspiring designers have a chance to show in Olympus Fashion Week in New York this fall! UPS in partnership with IMG, is holding a contest and ten winners will get to show their 2007 Spring Collections in the UPS Hub...
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Laura Ashley, famous for its floral prints in the home and apparel industries, has announced a 39% rise in annual profits and will be paying out a dividend to its shareholders for the first time in nine years. The company...
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Apr12
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Yes, fresh and new is good. However, if something works for you, why change? What should change is the industry's constant use of young faces...
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If you're looking for an online place to interact with others in the fashion industry or people who just love fashion, I recommend checking out The Fashion Spot. You can talk about everything from fashion designers, models, to careers and...
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I received the May issue of Lucky Magazine the other day and noticed an insert - a little excerpt of Jean Godfrey-June's new book, Free Gift With Purchase: My Improbable Career in Magazines and Makeup. It gives us a candid and...
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On a recent shopping excursion at Fashion Valley Mall here in San Diego, I entered the Burberry Store to check out the latest spring fashions. I oohed and ahhed over the scarves laid out in an array of colors. A...
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We all know Lacoste as the brand with the crocodile logo - a company that has come a long way since its beginnings back in 1933. Famous for its polo shirts and preppy wear, Lacoste has found a way to...
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Apr11
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TV Shows don't have to worry anymore about pixelating logos on the clothing of the people they're shooting. David Friedman came up with the idea to create pre-pixelated shirts. What started out as a funny joke turned him into an...
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Forth & Towne is the Gap's latest fashion clothing concept for women and just announced plans to expand into the Bay Area of California this fall - namely Westfield San Francisco Centre (San Francisco) and Westfield Valley Fair (San Jose)....
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I'm sure most big name designers know that they're pieces sell themselves. However, I wonder whether or not customer service matters at all to them? I ask this question because as some of you know, I also write for CustomersAreAlways.com...
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Chanel is making plans to open a 3,200 square foot store this summer in Moscow, Russia. It will be the first Chanel boutique in the country - exciting for them! There is no set date for the opening. The store...
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As I tried to pick out my outfit for the day, I said out loud, "Oh! I need new clothes!" My boyfriend was quick to point out that I haven't worn half the clothes in my closet in about six...
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Apr10
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First it was Melanie Griffith, and now it's Jessica Simpson. This time it's a huge (I mean huge!) lawsuit. The Tarrant Apparel Group has filed a lawsuit against Jessica Simpson because she supposedly signed a contract with them a couple years...
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This past Friday the EU's tariffs of China-made leather shoes took effect which is going to hurt China's shoe industry. They've already begun to feel the pinch. According to an article at Chinaview.cn, Guangzhou Yunfang Shoe Trade Co. Ltd exported...
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If you look up the word "fashion" in the dictionary, I bet you'll see a picture of Giorgio Armani next to the definition. At 71 years of age, the man looks pretty darn good...
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It's great to see companies giving back to the community. The Johnson family has been doing it for 48 years and has given over $52 million to local and national charities. Eunice and John Johnson founded Johnson Publishing which includes...
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I just found out that Barneys opened a store in Boston last month - after thirteen years of not opening any stores. (Did not know that!)
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Apr 9
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As most people in the fashion industry know, fashion shows are big venues that draw in huge crowds, especialy the fashionistas wanting to check out the latest. Sponsoring a fashion show can put a big dent in your advertising budget,...
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It's been reported that Kate Moss is going back to her roots. She just signed a contract to be the "new" face for Calvin Klein jeans. She returns back to the fashion house after a hiatus of seven years. Calvin...
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Apr 8
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Apparel executives from all over the world met this week during the "Material World" trade show in Miami. But the price of importing clothing wasn't the hot topic - it was the speed at which they received apparel. In the...
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Like most of us, I don't really think about the process that goes into the clothing that we wear. If it's cheap, why not? But lately ethics in fashion is being brought back to my consciousness. Questions like, "Are kids...
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According to the BBC News, fashion designer Niklas J. Palm has filed a lawsuit against actress Melanie Griffith for allegedly refusing to pay for a dress that she wore during the Golden Globes. Supposedly she also agreed to mention his...
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Chantel Rousseau, Bloomingdale's vice president for Europe, offers her advice to the fashion designers showing this week in Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week: "I am very enthusiastic about India's potential but to succeed abroad, the designers need to be more...
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My concern is what this shift from offline print to the Internet will cost to the consumer.
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Apr 7
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Ok all you ladies out there, I think you may need to sit down for this one. Dolce & Gabanna has a new ad campaign featuring the USA soccer national team. Check it out by visiting the website: http://eng.dolcegabbana.it/main.asp Talk...
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With regards to the fashion industry, London is creating headlines this week. I'm guessing that it's their hope of making London a fashion capital. When I think of London, I think of cold weather, big heavy jackets, and black boots. ...
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I've been reading quite a bit about companies expanding into China recently. The increased economy in the country is attracting many American companies like bees to honey. Just a couple days ago, 7thOnline, a New York based company, announced that...
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To read the previous entries in this series: Part 1 - Study the fashion industry and market Part 2 - Analyze the competition Part 3 - Determine why you want to go into business The fourth part in this series will...
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Ok, what happened to the supermodels out there? Retailers and fashion designers nowadays are employing stars and actresses to replace the supermodel. I'm not mad at them, but we see enough of them in movies and on TV. Give someone...
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Apr 6
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So tonight I thought I'd indulge in a little TV while I made jewelry. My channel surfing brought me to Lil Kim's show on BET called Countdown to Lockdown. Since I had talked about her before, I thought I'd check...
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It's that time again - Carnivale of Couture! Designer Ella is hosting it this week. Her question is: What is your fashion confession, either a long ago faux pas, or today’s guilty pleasure? It's funny she should pose this question...
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It's day two of The Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week and it looks like people are a little fashioned out (Ok, I've officially created a new phrase - fashioned out). This is the second fashion week being put on in...
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Gap seems to be feeling the April Showers. They've reported a 9% decrease in sales compared to last year at the same time. The Gap Inc. divisions include Gap North America, Banana Republic North America, Old Navy North America, and...
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When I was in Las Vegas a couple years ago I shopped til I couldn't shop anymore. Never, I say never(!) have I ever been as tired as I was on that shopping excursion. While others were blowing money on...
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Apr 5
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A brand that's been around for ages, Levi's doesn't stop moving. The company has come out with a new campaign which is all about keeping life authentic and being true to your style. It's funny I should come across this...
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My favorite designer in the whole world is Donna Karan. Ever since the tender age of 18 I've wanted to visit New York, but couldn't, so I was left to pretend I was in New York by dressing the part. ...
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It's customer recognition time at Neiman Marcus & Bergdorf Goodman. Yesterday the companies announced the launch of the InCircle Exclusive Rewards of Membership for 2006. Some of the rewards include: InCircle Exclusive ISABELLA FIORE golden leather wallet Enjoy lunch or...
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The new wave of media is starting to make a crash in the fashion industry. An example of this is ElleGirl's plan to cease production after the June/July issue. The publishers are setting sights on enhancing ElleGirl's online presence and...
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Awhile back I applied to become a buyer for Neiman Marcus, but unfortunately wasn't fast enough to answer all the questions on the timed test I had to take online. Frusteration and rejection deterred me from retaking the test. Why...
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Apr 4
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I've always admired Angelina Jolie, not just for her fashion sense, but the way she carries herself as a person and her involvement in humanitarian efforts. She's a beauty in more ways than one, despite what others may say about...
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I believe it's the fashion designer's duty to fashionistas (and fashionistos) to go boldly where no fashion designer has ever gone before. With the 80's making a comeback, I beg of someone to come out with something new. I lived...
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In this month's issue of Forbes Magazine, the world's billionaires were ranked. Quite a few from the fashion industry made the list: #158 - Giorgio Armani - worth $4.1 billion #185 - Ralph Lauren - worth $3.6 billion #258 -...
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As U.S. fashion houses seek to expand in the Asian market, especially in China, alliances are being formed to help grow trade exports in the region. China is seeking to propose an apparel federation. The leader in apparel exporting, this...
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Watch out Walmart and Target, there's a new clothing retailer who wants to play the game too. Steve & Barry's University Sportswear is making ground with apparel for men, women, and children priced at $7.98 or less. I didn't even...
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Apr 3
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If you've always wanted to study fashion and live in San Diego, well, now you can... Not that you couldn't before - San Diego does have FIDM - but now you have a choice. The Art Institute of California just received...
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Ok, first it was Janet Jackson in that famous Super Bowl halftime show in which her bra was accidentally ripped by Justin Timberlake. Now fast forward to a fashion show in Mumbai, India where a halter top accidentally slips down...
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The Fashion House Inc. has just announced that it has signed licensing agreements with fashion designers Bill Blass and Isaac Mizrahi for distribution to major fashion retailers. Their business strategy is an aggressive one with hopes of growth and profitability...
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I've often wondered what the big attraction to Tiffany jewelry was. The pieces are quite simple, although there are some collections that I do admire and yes, I do admit are very fabulous. This goes to show that simplicity does...
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Let's face it, not everyone can indulge in haute couture, so I thank God that designers have come out with "cheaper" versions of their brand. For example Donna Karan's, DKNY line makes it easier to be fashionable while allowing me...
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Apr 2
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The largest trade show for garments, textiles, and accessories just began with over 250 exhibitors from 30 countries. Motexha provides an opportunity for international companies to expand their markets and do business with the Middle East. The region's fashion and...
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In the world of fashion we all strive to be cool and to be well, be different. Isn't that what fashion is about, an expression of yourself? If you're a t-shirt wearer that may be somewhat of a challenge. Well,...
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Al Quds has designed a new line of jeans which it claims to make it more comfortable for Muslims to pray. They're high on the waist, wide around the leg, and have many pockets. The jeans are manufactured at a...
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Tommy Hilfiger made an appearance at the Global Retailing Conference in Tucson, Arizona on Friday where the Arizona Daily Star interviewed him. When asked what strategies or concepts worked for him in regards to staying competitive in a global retail...
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My pension for saving stuff has benefited me once again! I can dig into my jewelry box, dig up those brooches, dust them off and adorn them once again. According to "Ask Fashion Kitty", a recent trip to the Big...
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