What is Fashion
Fashion is a popular style or practice, especially in clothing, footwear, accessories, makeup, body or furniture. Fashion is a distinctive and often habitual trend in the style in which a person dresses. It is the prevailing styles in behaviour and the newest creations of textile designers. Because the more technical term costume is regularly linked to the term “fashion”, the use of the former has been relegated to special senses like fancy dress or masquerade wear, while “fashion” generally means clothing, including the study of it. Although aspects of fashion can be feminine or masculine, some trends are androgynous.
Fashion design
Fashion design is the art of application of design and aesthetics or natural beauty to clothing and accessories. Fashion design is influenced by cultural and social attitudes, and has varied over time and place. Fashion designers work in a number of ways in designing clothing and accessories such as bracelets and necklace. Because of the time required to bring a garment onto the market, designers must at times anticipate changes to consumer tastes. “Designers conduct research on fashion trends and interpret them for their audience”. They attempt to design clothes which are functional as well as aesthetically pleasing. They consider who is likely to wear a garment and the situations in which it will be worn. They have a wide range and combinations of materials to work with and a wide range of colors, patterns and styles to choose from. Though most clothing worn for everyday wear falls within a narrow range of conventional styles, unusual garments are usually sought for special occasions such as evening wear or party dresses. Some clothes are made specifically for an individual, as in the case of haute couture or bespoke tailoring. Today, most clothing is designed for the mass market, especially casual and every-day wear are called ready to wear.
Fashion trend
Iris van Herpen 3D printing technology: Fashion trends are influenced by several factors including political, economical, social and technological. Examining these factors is called a PEST analysis. Fashion forecasters can use this information to help determine growth or decline of a particular trend.
What does fashion mean to you?
I was recently interviewed by a student as part of their university dissertation research which discussed, in part, what fashion meant to me and it really made me think. As someone who is interested in ethical fashion as opposed to, indeed as well as, ‘regular’ fashion, I questioned how does my relationship with fashion change? Fashion is about expr
essing your identity, showing someone who you are through your fashion choices and using your clothes to tell someone something about you. Or at least it is for me- I suppose for some people clothing is just about comfort or utility but for me it’s about expressing myself. Part of choosing ethical fashion over other fashion brands adds another element to what fashion means to me and what I choose to express to other people. For me fashion isn’t just about picking pretty garments that show off my personality, it’s also about linking me to where the clothes themselves have come from- they make me feel like I’m part of the bigger picture. I choose clothes based on where they have come from and who has made them. I like to know that what I’m wearing hasn’t negatively impacted on someone else’s life and by wearing that, I not only pick those garments for my own benefit but I express that to everyone else who sees me wearing them. I suppose other people might not pick up on it to the same extent that I do as I tend not to wear garments with ‘Fair Trade’ or ‘Oxfam’ emblazoned over the front of them but anyone who knows me even a little will know how I pick my clothes. So what does fashion mean to you? Do you wear clothes to express yourself or it is simply about aesthetics or utility for you? Is it something else altogether different? And how does the element of ethics work its way into your concept of what fashion means to you? Let me know- I’m intrigued!
The first day of 2016 may begin only mere moments after the last day of 2015, but there’s something about a new year that makes us want to, uh, start fresh. As we look forward to 2016, we have a pretty stellar list (if we do say so ourselves) of trends that are going to hit it big in the New Year. We can’t wait to try them all, but the below 11 are, far and wide, our favorites of the bunch. From bright and bold stripes to sexy exposed shoulders; statement earring and embellished bags, these are the trends you need to try in 2016.
Bold Stripes
Choose color this season as you go for bold, wide stripes. In any silhouette—from casual T-shirts to festive cocktail dresses—reach for bright, contrasting hues to make a head-turning statement.
Layered T-Shirt Under a Dress
Up your styling game easily by slipping a cotton T-shirt underneath a dress. Try one under a slim pencil silhouette for the office or beneath a gown to make a black-tie a bit cooler.
Exposed Shoulders
Expose a little skin in the New Year. While off-the shoulder hit it big in 2015, this coming season’s take on the trend is a little more dramatic, with outrageous sleeves or cutouts adding just the right amount of appeal.
Pajama Dressing
Keep it casual or dress it up with PJs dressing in 2016. For a fancier take on the silhouette, opt for silk materials and lace detailing, while a more casual vibe may call for a stiffer cotton and colorful piped detail. You can even wear them to work if you follow these tips.
Bright Bags
When it comes to your handbag, this is the year to go for color. You can rock it in every handbag style or size. Grab an oversize blue tote for weekend travels, or opt for a mini red box bag for a night out.
Low Slung Pants
The biggest pants of 2016 are going to be of the low-slung variety. Reach for a pair that’s softly tailored to keep them appropriate for any occasion. Pair your trousers with a T-shirt on the weekends and grab a silk button-down for office days!
Shirting Stripes
We’ve always had a bit of an obsession with striped shirts, but it’s time to expand the pattern to our entire wardrobe. On skirts to dresses to pants, 2016 is definitely going to be the year that shirting stripes took over.
Marled Knits
The multitone texture of marled knits adds dimension to any look, but they’re not so crazy you can’t wear them with nearly everything. Pair a slim sweater with a leather skirt for work, or opt for a slouchier fit with your denim on the weekends.
Slippers
Boudoir dressing has infiltrated our wardrobes in more ways than one for the coming year but one of our favorite iterations of the trend is in footwear. Seek classic leather shoe styles, sans backs, for an ease of dressing that looks tailored and classic all the while!
Statement Earrings
Statement earrings are going to be huge in 2016—no pun intended. The more graphic and structured, the better: Reach for abstract shapes in bright hues, and wear them with your off-duty look or you’re favorite cocktail dress.
Embellished Bags
The detail of the moment when it comes to bags this year is patched embellishment. They were all over the spring and fall runways and certainly worth an investment. Whether you shop the bag pre-embellished or DIY a bag you already own, this style is a major eye-catcher.
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