Native American designers fight cultural caricatures

This November, events nationwide celebrated the traditions, fashion and food of the nation's 566 recognized Indian tribes as part of Native American Heritage Month.

But a few high profile missteps surrounding the use of indigenous cultural imagery made bigger national headlines than any heritage month event.

First it was the release of No Doubt's Wild West-themed music video "Looking Hot," featuring teepees, fire dances and singer Gwen Stefani on horseback, a feather crowning her long blond braids. Then, supermodel Karlie Kloss walked the runway in a floor-length feather headdress, skimpy leopard-spotted bikini and turquoise jewelry at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

Both instances sparked allegations of "playing Indian" for profit, leading No Doubt and Victoria's Secret to publicly apologize. The gaffes also reignited debate over where to draw the line between cultural appropriation and appreciation and the extent to which non-Natives should represent Natives in mainstream media and pop culture.

Opinion: Just say no to "playing Indian"
The conversation is important, because acts of cultural appropriation are not simply isolated incidents of "hipsters in Navajo panties and pop stars in headdresses," said Sasha Houston Brown, a member of the Santee Sioux Nation of Nebraska. They are byproducts of "systemic racism" that perpetuate the idea that there's no such thing as contemporary Native culture.

"Despite what dominant society and mainstream media say, Native culture is a vibrant and living culture. We are not a relic of the past, a theme or a trend, we are not a style or costume, we are not mascots, noble savages or romantic fictional entities," Brown said in an editorial for the blog Racialious, "Nothing Says Native American Heritage Month Like White Girls in Headdresses."

It's a discussion that is especially vital as the holiday season of mass consumerism kicks off, she said. The goal is not to ban from the marketplace beaded jewelry or clothing incorporating tribal motifs, Brown said, but to involve Natives in their creation, marketing and profits.

"Collaborations can work as long as the dynamics at hand are empowering Native artists and designers so they are actually able to participate in an equitable manner," said Brown, who advises American Indian students at the Minneapolis Community and Technical College.

As the American-Indian and Alaska Native community, which numbers 5.1 million and makes up about 1.6% of the population of the United States, works toward getting a stronger voice in mainstream media, it needs allies, including non-Natives, she said.

"What an ally does is support and help communicate the message of Native artists and entrepreneurs instead of speaking for them," Brown said. "There's a huge market for Native and non-Native partnerships, but there's also an inherent distrust of non-Natives coming into communities because of the examples that have been set in history. It just takes time."

A good ally is hard to find
The ingredients of a mutually beneficial collaboration can be hard to nail down. Budding entrepreneur Mac Bishop knows how hard it is to toe that line as a non-Native. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, the 23-year-old doesn't have any Native American ancestry. But, as a descendant of the Pendleton Wool family, which owns one of the country's longest-running wool mills, famous for its Native-inspired blankets, he grew up with a strong interest in the culture and close ties to the community.

He was a sophomore at Cornell University in 2009 when he decided to launch a "social business" that celebrated Native American culture through apparel and art. It was around the time Native-inspired clothing was showing up on runways and in the pages of fashion magazines. But Bishop insists he wasn't trying to ride a trend. He wanted NATIVE(X) to showcase products that told a story.

He began with a pair of wool shorts made from Pendleton's "Chief Joseph" patterned fabric, named for the Nez Perce leader who resisted orders from the U.S. government to move his band onto a reservation. A few fashion blogs picked up on the "Chief Joe" shorts and Bishop ran Facebook ads targeted at users of Native American-related fan pages.

Not everyone was happy about it. When Caleb Dunlap, an Ojibwe from Northern Minnesota's Lake Superior Band, realized Bishop was not Native, Dunlap began posting comments on Bishop's Facebook page accusing him of exploiting indigenous culture for financial gain.

"For me, it was like, 'Who is this guy who had the money to go to Cornell and start his own company? Why is he taking this Pendleton-looking stuff and making it into shorts? Be smarter, do your own thing,' " he said. "I wanted to convey to him that a Native person should be doing this."

A spirited exchange followed the wall posts, with Dunlap questioning Bishop's motives and Bishop insisting he was exploring a sincere interest in Native culture with altruistic goals in mind. After that, the two didn't speak for nearly two years until Bishop contacted him after launching his website with a new perspective.

"I was naive in thinking I could build cultural awareness without that culture's involvement," Bishop said. "That conversation helped expose me to how controversial this could be and opened my eyes to the Native perspective on what's going on in the fashion industry."

Why it matters to Natives
Collaborations between natives and non-Natives can work, like when Nike teamed up with Pawnee artist Bunky Echo-Hawk on its N7 line. The collection, which was developed by a Nike employee of American Indian heritage, creates sportswear with a Native aesthetic to fund athletic programs in Indian country.
Echo-Hawk said he had concerns about working fora large corporation. But after learning of its philanthropic goals, it was a no-brainer.

"The whole line is really steeped in the Native philosophy and tradition of giving back to the community so it was an opportunity I was really proud to be a part of," said Echo-Hawk, who is still a design consultant for N7.

"The fact they felt like they needed to work with a Native artist won a lot of respect from me because most corporations don't do that. They grab some clip art or culturally protected images that are sacred to us and put them on panties."

He knows that outsiders still may not see what the big deal is. Who wouldn't want a personal visit from a Victoria's Secret model in a headdress? It matters because what some see as a beautiful geometric print is sacred imagery with a deeper cultural and religious significance, he said, like the Christian cross or star of David.

Plus, the community is still reeling from the effects of colonialism, he said.
"This country is really young and what may seem to a lot of people like ancient history is really recent history to us. We're just a few generations removed from our freedom," he said.

"It's all we have left and it's like we're being picked apart by vultures. It's something we feel like we have to protect and celebrate. It's our identity."

Thanks to the Internet, it's easier than ever to find hoodies and T-shirts with sleek variations on Northwest Coastal designs, hand-sewn moccasins or silver and turquoise jewelry -- all by real Native artists.

Turtle Mountain Chippewa Jessica R. Metcalfe started the blog Beyond Buckskin to promote Native artists and designers. This summer, she expanded the platform to an e-commerce site featuring products made by Native Americans where you'll find "hipsters in headdresses" bowties, but no headdresses, said Metcalfe, who has a PH.D in American Indian Studies from the University of Arizona.

In contrast, most Americans probably get their Native-inspired looks from the likes of Proezna Schouler, Forever 21 or, until recently, Urban Outfitters. Last October, Brown wrote an open letter asking the company's CEO to pull its "Navajo" collection, which included the infamous "Navajo hipster panty" and flask. A Change.org petition followed, along with a cease-and-desist order from the Navajo Nation, ultimately leading to the removal of all "Navajo" references in product descriptions, though a trademark lawsuit is still winding through the courts.

Each step forward seems to be followed by another gaffe. In September, apparel maker Paul Frank Industries drew ire for throwing a "neon-Native American powwow" on Fashion's Night Out called "Dream Catching with Paul Frank." Images of the brand's iconic monkey in war paint and headdress plastered the walls as similarly dressed employees photographed guests with tomahawks and bow-and-arrow sets, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Guests had a choice of drinks with names like "Rain Dance Refresher," "Dream Catcher" and "Neon Teepee."

"We have sophisticated tribal governments and communities, but how will we be able to be seen as modern, successful people if we are continually represented through plastic tomahawks and feathers?" Native Appropriations blogger Adrienne Keene said in an open letter to Paul Frank Industries and the agency that threw the party.

The company removed photos of the party from its Facebook page and issued an apology. A few days later, the president of Paul Frank Industries contacted Keene to discuss ways of rectifying the situation, from design collaborations to a panel on the use of Native Imagery, in what the blogger deemed a rare gesture of collaboration.

Building mutually beneficial relationships
After some initial hiccups, NATIVE(X) founder Mac Bishop believes he has a solid foundation for a collaborative effort, but acknowledges there is still lots of work to be done. In its current form, NATIVE(X) is a platform for Native artists to sell their work and share their stories by collaborating with NATIVE(X)on its line of bags, wallets and iPad cases, he said.

Nathaniel Wilkerson is the first artist to work with NATIVE(X). He created the design for its product label and allows Bishop to sell his prints and art cards on the NATIVE(X) website. It's a collaboration that he considers mutually beneficial because it exposes his work to a wider audience. Working with a non-Native was never an issue, said Wilkerson. Most of the galleries that show his work are not owned by Natives, and a lot of them have closed since the economic downturn, making the extra exposure all the more valuable, he said.

Some feel NATIVE(X) has yet to prove itself. Metcalfe of Beyond Buckskin says it's too early to fairly evaluate the company's success, especially in light of its Pendleton connection.

"Pendleton has built their small empire off of being inspired by and learning about (and replicating) Native American aesthetic traditions," she said. "I think it's time that we stop looking at non-Native versions of Native American cultures as the thing to celebrate and the thing to uphold as the best example of 'Native American fashion.' "

Bishop acknowledged the sensitivities associated with being a white person going into business with Native artists, but he is hopeful that "good intentions should be able to overcome that."

In the meantime, NATIVE(X) has made strides toward its goal of social consciousness by sponsoring a wearable art workshop on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, which drew praise and attention from various people. Handbag designer Maya Stewart learned about NATIVE(X) from Metcalfe's Twitter feed and saw potential through the platform to reach a wider audience. She contacted him to discuss potential ventures, which are still in the works.

"I think it's important that we as designers educate people through our art and whoever creates that platform, whether it's a Native or non-Native, it's the same thing as long as we're getting the word out."
After their somewhat acrimonious beginning, Dunlap says he now considers Bishop an "ally-in-training."
"We need allies who may not be from our community, but know our community because someone educated him. That's what's going to help change how others see us."

Fashion retail braces for American invasion

If you’re an apparel brand, how do you hope to succeed in a market where every shopper’s silent wish is for someone to bring in H&M?

The argument may seem incongruous, given that Herve Leger by Max Azria and BCBG by Max Azria are of entirely different price points as the popular Swedish chain, the one remaining hold-off in the Philippine fast-fashion shopping list that already has Zara, Uniqlo, Forever 21, Topshop, Mango, Miss Selfridge.

And it doesn’t seem to matter, as businessman Raffy Florencio looks bent on duplicating his success with the Swiss watch brand Technomarine in the Philippines, as he brings in the two American apparel labels.

BCBG by Max Azria will open its doors in the country in mid-December at Bonifacio High Street Central. The brand will open a second, bigger boutique early next year at Shangri-La Plaza Mall, side by side with the first store of Herve Leger in the country, according to Sophie Rietdyk, president for international and licensing of the BCBG Max Azria Group.

Rietdyk and Shannon Duerst, BCBG director for international, were in town briefly to survey the stores’ locations. They even attended the Tatler Ball to assess their market.

Reona color-blocked bandage dress, Herve Leger
“Our customers come for the quality, the fit, the detailing,” Rietdyk pointed out. “The fast-fashion brands may match our dresses, but the quality is what you pay for. It’s a different customer. She’s not investing in a piece of fashion; she just wants to have the latest in fashion. You wear two to three times and it’s okay. We separate ourselves. We are a lifestyle brand.”

Expansion
Price is only one of the key points that sets BCBG and Herve Leger’s profiles apart from the brands currently available here, designer and high-street included. The core of the business for both brands is apparel, with accessories only a secondary portion of the assortment. Most of the brands close to the two labels’ price points sell mostly accessories here, with a few token apparel pieces, if at all.

LOOKS from BCBG Runway Fall 2012 collection
Seeing this, and across the rest of the two brands’ markets in Asia, Rietdyk said her company is encouraged to further develop its accessories segment.

“Asia is a very good market for accessories. A lot of the brands have extensive offering,” she said. “In BCBG we have a very good assortment… but it hasn’t been a big portion of the business. But visiting the markets, we see a big opportunity. Our prices are aspirational. We have been successful in the United States in those categories, and we intend to push it.” For now, it’s all about the clothes.
In the US, BCBG apparel are priced from $128 for a top and up to $400 for dresses; Herve Leger from $600 for a skirt, to an average of $1,500 for the dresses.

Its Hollywood customers include Selena Gomez and Eva Longoria, but the typical BCBG customers in Asia are around 30-40 years old, “independent, want to be noticed, confident, fashion-oriented, not interested in basics, but more into classy brands,” Rietdyk said. Dresses are a big portion of the BCBG business in Asia, though the brand also offers sportswear.

GISELE pleated cocktail dress with elastic corset, BCBG Max Azria
Herve Leger, of course, is famous for its bandage, body-con dresses. “It’s a very confident woman,” said Rietdyk of the label’s customer. “She’s confident of her body, she’s sexy, and not afraid to show it. In the US, they don’t even have to be skinny-skinny. It’s okay. Herve gives you a beautiful body.”
The curve-hugging dresses of the label have draped the famous bodies of Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, Tyra Banks and Miranda Kerr.

Great combination
BCBG was founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1989 by Max Azria, a Frenchman of Tunisian descent, with his wife Lubov, the chief creative officer. There are several brands under the company, including Herve Leger, which Azria acquired in 1998, BCBG Runway, and BCBGeneration, a younger, secondary line, whose footwear are sold in Rustan’s and Vince Camuto, the licensee of the BCBGeneration brand.

“Max is an amazing merchant, a great retailer,” said Rietdyk of her boss. “His wife Lubov is a great creative person. She’s the designer while Max has now focused on the retail and merchandising. It’s really a good partnership. She’s into the sexy dresses, but he’ll make the power skirt.” She was referring to the popular BCBG bandage skirt inspired by the Herve Leger dresses. “She’ll make the beautiful runway dresses and he’ll make something [that will sell] for the store.”

“POWER skirts” from BCBG Max Azria
Herve Leger has so far been only in select markets in Asia, while BCBG has a presence in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. BCBG has about 700 points of sale globally, with the US still its biggest market.

“It’s very important to establish ourselves as a lifestyle concept first,” Rietdyk said when asked if they had plans to open shop-in-shops. The few dresses sold at Rustan’s are being phased out as the BCBG store opens in Manila. “Then if there’s an opportunity to do business with Rustan’s, I’m sure Raffy will work it out. Those who don’t know our brand from other countries, they will be very surprised with the [product] assortment of the brand.”

Rietdyk is teeming with optimism about expanding in the region. “We had no reservations coming here,” she said. “We’ve been doing really well in Asia. What we saw on our travels was an eye opener. Between Bangkok and Manila, we were very surprised with the stage of development in retail in general. I think we’ll do fine in this country.”

Charleston Fashion Week 2013 and Belk, Inc. Announce Partnership

Charleston Fashion Week® 2013 (CFW), and Belk, Inc. are pleased to announce that they have entered into a major sponsorship for Charleston Fashion Week 2013 (March 19 – March 23, 2013).

The sponsorship will entail an exclusive Belk tent in Marion Square throughout the week, a special Belk night including an extended runway show under the main tent on Thursday March 21, 2013 and a variety of other exciting promotional events. Further details will be announced over the coming months.

Jed Drew, one of the owners of Charleston Fashion Week®, commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Belk to Charleston Fashion Week 2013, and we look forward to a fantastic week celebrating Belk and their unique place in Southern fashion.”

Arlene Goldstein, Belk’s Vice President of Trend Merchandising and Fashion Direction, said, “We are very excited to be participating in Charleston Fashion Week this year. CFW is one of, if not the South’s premier fashion event(s), making it a perfect place for Belk.”

Charleston Fashion Week® 2013 takes place March 19 – 23, 2013. For more information on CFW visit charlestonfashionweek.com. Find @ChasFashWeek on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For more information on Belk visit belk.com.

Showcasing fashion designers, retailers, and models, Charleston Fashion Week® has fast become one of the premier fashion weeks in North America. Named a Top 20 Event for March by the Southeast Tourism Society, this multimedia event presents high-end runway shows, interactive entertainment, chic after-parties, and press events. The 2013 event will be held under the tents in Marion Square in Charleston, SC, featuring more than 45 runway shows, the Spring Bridal Show, Emerging Designer Competition: East, and Rock the Runway Model Competition™. Charleston Fashion Week® 2013 is scheduled for March 19-23.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Belk, Inc. (www.belk.com) is the nation’s largest privately owned mainline department store company with 302 Belk stores located in 16 Southern states. The company was founded in 1888 by William Henry Belk in Monroe, N.C., and is in the third generation of Belk family leadership. Belk.com offers a wide assortment of fashion apparel, shoes and accessories for the entire family along with top name cosmetics, a wedding registry and a large selection of quality merchandise for the home. To connect with Belk via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blog, mobile phone, text messages or by email, go to Belk Get Connected.

Modern. Southern. Style.
Belk seeks to satisfy the modern Southern lifestyle like no one else, so that our customers get the fashion they desire and the value they deserve. Our vision is for the modern Southern woman to count on Belk first – for her, for her family, for life.

British Fashion Awards: Manolo Blahnik to receive special award

The British Fashion Awards are set to take place November 27 in London, the awards recognizing the most influential people in fashion today and celebrating the reputation and development of British fashion. Internationally renowned shoe designer Manolo Blahnik will recieve an Outstanding Achievement Award for his achievements in the industry.

Manolo to steal the show
Manolo Blahnik will receive the Outstanding Achievement Award at this year's British Fashion Awards at the Savoy Hotel in London. The award recognizes the impact of Blahnik's career on the global fashion industry and on the London style scene ever since his arrival in the capital in 1968.

After nearly 40 years as one of the world's most influential footwear designers, the Spanish-born designer will be fêted for his contribition to the service to the British fashion industry. This is not the first major award for the 69-year-old, who has won three previous British fashion awards, and was granted the honorary title of Commander of the British Empire back in 2007. 

Immortalized by Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, "a pair of Manolo's" has become a byword for high luxury, and the designer, who now lives in the ancient city of Bath, will be the star of the show.

Buzz building
Elswhere, there's plenty of buzz in the categories waiting to be annonced. Nominees for 'Model of the Year' include Burberry star Cara Delevingne; David Gandy, who is world-famous as the face of Dolce & Gabbana; and Jourdan Dunn, who in 2008 became Prada's first black runway model in over a decade.

Another fascinating category is 'Designer of the Year' which sees strong competition between Christopher Kane (for his work on his own line as well as at Versace's Versus); last year's 'Emerging Talent' winner Mary Katrantzou who has exploded onto the international scene; and Stella McCartney. McCartney is an established queen of the British style scene, designing the official Olympic and Paralympic uniforms this summer as well as showing a a series of well-recieved ready-to-wear collections.

The 'Isabella Blow award for Fashion Creator' is awarded in honor of the late fashion icon, who was credited with the discovery of Alexander McQueen. The award will go to "a British stylist, make-up artist, photographer, art director or producer whose creativity has been a major inspiration and influence in the past year" and nominees include iD and W magazine's Edward Enninful, LOVE editor Katie Grand, and 'style dictator' professor Louise Wilson, the head of the famous Central St Martins MA course in Fashion Design.

In a Click, a Vivid Fashion Garden

Anyone who has made vacation snaps pop and glow with heightened intensity knows the effect of the Instagram color-filter technique that can turn a photograph of the most banal landscape into the fiery furnace of a sunset.

A similar technique is being used beyond photography. The patterns that are spread over dresses or pants this winter are often digitally enhanced to make them brighter and bolder than nature. In fact, the less they resemble the botanical, the more fashionable they look.

Roses, larger than anything produced in the soil, swell across fabric with that sensual expression of Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings from the 1920s.

But whereas it once took an artist a lifetime to create large-scale, artistic images, today’s hyper-reality is, literally, child’s play — hence the popularity of Instagram and other smartphone apps.

In the fashion world, it may take a sophisticated designer to work those patterns of burning bright blooms into something stylish and wearable, yet the actual process is just another computer click. The floral effects are rarely just sketched, more probably manipulated. The British designer Mary Katrantzou is an example of a designer whose computer skills have created a new genre of fashion prints.

The result is a winter offering of outfits so eye-poppingly bright that the display of the Marc Jacobs resort line at Colette, the Paris concept store, appears at first glance to have turned the sophisticated shop into a greenhouse.

Even if the clothes themselves are still quiet or pallid, as was once the norm for winter, that reality can be enhanced in a magazine by post production.

One of the quiet revolutions in fashion is the way that images in magazines have been transformed, so that the consumer is viewing hyper reality. Nothing is quite what it seems since post-production has become an intrinsic part of fashion photography, transforming the image. Over the past decade, photographers have turned art into a science, using the computer to change both the subject and the surrounding scenery.

No one has been more devoted to the possibilities of processing imagery than Nick Knight, the British photographer whose SHOWStudio first animated fashion by creating films at the same time as stills fashion shoots and now uses digital enhancement as an every-day process.

Such is his reputation for inventiveness and imagination — from his initial street snaps of British Punks to the Lady Gaga videos — that Mr. Knight has been selected as creative consultant by New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. He will work on “Punk: Chaos to Couture,” the Costume Institute exhibition in May 2013.

The Nick Knight flowers — the subject of “Flora,” the flower photography which he developed 15 years ago — have grown ever more painterly and dramatic.

In fact, it is hard to define his current floral work in intense colors that appear to drip from the petals as “photography.” He explains how he took the initial image to a laboratory in Los Angeles where the pigments were treated to make them “run,” creating a scissored effect on the edge of the petals and drips of color from the big blooms.

“I have become a painter of a surface,” says Mr. Knight, referring to the new rose images as “Photo/Paintings.”

The result of this innovative technique can be seen at an exceptional exhibition at the SHOWstudio space on Bruton Street in London, where both the intense new Rose photo/painting hybrids are on offer as well as 15 of the “Flora” works.

The Fashion World Media Announces the Patent Publication of Its Fashion Social Network Platform

The fashion world media patent app. provides a support system to enable a contributory user interface for submitting at least an image and for accessing social communication activity data relating to contributory fashion images using electronic devices to connect to a server machine operable for providing social media services. The social media services comprises fashion social media; fashion social network; fashion communication environment; and model media environment.


Silver Spring, MD, November 24, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Fashion World Media (FWM) announces the patent publication of one of its innovative, fashion-inspired social media platform for improving community cultural values and for advancing community cultural interest aficionados and the general public, found at this link: www.uspto.gov, publication number 20120296974. The patent application further covers methods through which the world would capture fashion power-trends by examining the universe of model-related products and beauty services.

Fashion is love, an art, or an expression, and this platform further allows media content communications. The fashion world media platform is a network environment that allows individuals and companies to capture large audiences through presentation of fashion brands, trends, styles, and awareness. Let your passion for fashion or your product offerings reflect every possible influence on the broad areas of fashion, which isn’t defined solely by clothing choices, but is also conveyed through the manner in which people carry themselves that in turn inform and reflect their personalities and world views. Yes, fashion touches on prevailing styles, customs, and behaviors, both individually and collectively.

Further, the fashion world media platform is configured to allow individuals and corporations the opportunity for a ready forum to announce, display, reveal, share and advertise their products. Users of the network are encouraged to project and embrace creative minds to achieve all stated goals. Indeed, this platform is a centralized fashion tool to reach worldwide clienteles thereby facilitating online brand passion, fashion passion, brand postings, and customer loyalty.

The expected positive community impact that the fashion world media platform brings will not only succeed at the above-listed goals, but must also be seen as a potentially effective medium for enhancing brand success, business awareness, generational awareness and, in the long-run, growing a versatile community with noticeable cultural and economic improvements. Fashion world media services include fashion social media; fashion social network; fashion communication environment; model media; dress code media; accessing images, enabling images, transporting images, editing images, filtering images, locating images, posting images, editing posted contents, editing comments, saving images, taking images, enabling tags, discovering fashion topics, enabling interactive app, following a user of the social network, fashioning a user of the network, or modeling a user of the social network.

A powerhouse of a fashion show

Some of the country’s leading fashion designers have loaned their best frocks to the city of Bathurst.

A travelling fashion exhibition created by the Powerhouse Museum is on display now at Bathurst Regional Art Gallery.

Bathurst is the fourth stop in a seven-stop national regional tour for Frock stars: inside Australian Fashion Week, an exhibition telling the story of Australia’s most prestigious annual fashion event, Australian Fashion Week.

The Powerhouse Museum’s curator of fashion and dress, Glynis Jones was in town yesterday to launch the installation.

“We wouldn’t have thought it possible to take a fashion exhibition on the road as you usually have to put clothes on models and keep the fabrics away from people’s touch.” Jones said.

The exhibition showcases some of the most recognisable designs from leading Australian fashion designers. It also gives people a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into designing garments with a live cutting-room forming part of the exhibition.

BRAG director Richard Perram said the installation of the exhibition was a work of art itself.

“The team, along with our staff, were brilliant at getting such an extensive collection set up in just two days.

“There were literally hundreds of items to be put in place.”

Mr Perram said the exhibition was made possible by a Visions of Australia Government grant.

“Visions is one of the most important programs for regional art galleries, BRAG has been fortunate enough to receive three grants over the years.”

The latest addition to the gallery was opened by local fashionista and gallery volunteer Joyette Swain.


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Mayor Monica Morse was pleased to see an exhibition which had appeal for all age groups at the gallery.

The exhibition also has an activities room where children can design their own dresses and contribute to a paper doll runway.

Frock stars: inside Australian Fashion Week will run until Sunday, January 20, 2013.

Key Players in Fashion and Leather Industries Confirm BIFF&BIL 2013 Being Packed with Enormous Opportunities

Fashion and leather industrial leaders expressed their confidence that Bangkok International Fashion Fair and Bangkok International Leather Fair 2013 (BIFF&BIL 2013) will provide great opportunities for Thai and ASEAN manufacturers to emerge into the global trade scene. The event, promising to be filled with a complete range of products from Thailand and the ASEAN countries, will be held during March 13-17, 2013 at Challenger 1-2, IMPACT, Muang Thong Thani.

Organized under the theme of "Rhythm of ASEAN", BIFF&BIL 2013 will be a gathering of fashion and leather business from downstream to upstream industries and will see a synergy of designers from Thailand, ASEAN countries, and other countries across the world to create a phenomenon with the uniqueness and full of creativity.

Mr. Sukij Kongpiyajarn, President of the Thai Garment Manufacturers Association said, "Garment and textile industries have generated high revenue, amounting over hundred billion baht to the country, while Thai leather goods is also an essential part of the overall revenue."

"BIFF&BIL will make the world experience the quality and unique design of Thai fashion products. Although this is not a global fair, we can say that this is the best and the 'must-go' fair, full of good products that attract a lot of people throughout the region. So, Thai entrepreneurs need to be well-prepared to show the world their full capacity."

Dr. Nauvarat Songswaddichai, President of the Thai Leather Goods Association revealed, "Thai Leather Goods Association has played a key role in organizing BIFF&BIL during the past years. We are willing to join hands with the Department of International Trade Promotion to run the Fashion Trend workshop to update entrepreneurs and students in fashion fields about the world's latest design and color trends."

Assistant Professor Anothai Chonchartpinyo, a fashion guru, pointed out on the current situation of Thai fashion industry that "BIFF&BIL will be a center of all varieties of fashion products that will create a word-of-mouth effect to attract more and more fashion enthusiasts. Highlight will be the design innovation supported by the Department of International Trade Promotion. Brand's owners will pass the workshop where they are well-trained and encouraged to discover their inner ability and express it out in their own fashion show. Look Book is also instrumental to actuate pre-orders. And after that, they will grow strong on the right track."

Last but not least, Mr. Chanin Jitkomut, President of the Thai Footwear Association said, "BIFF&BIL 2013 is a significant event for footwear industry because it will showcase all aspects in the business not only to overseas buyers but also to the local public, or even students. Everyone should not miss this fair, and all the concerned parties should work together to make BIFF&BIL a well-known event in the world fashion calendar."

Trade days for BIFF&BIL 2013 are from March 13-15, 2013 and Public days are March 16-17, 2013 at Challenger 1-2, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani.

Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce, is inviting designers and exporters in the fashion, textile, apparel, garment, leather goods and shoes industries to join BIFF&BIL 2013 to express their full potential and create a new dimension of the industries. For further information, visit www.biffandbil.com and www.thaitradefair.com or DITP Call Center: 1169

Fashion Angels Become Holiday Angels

Fashion Angels become angels to kids everywhere as the company today announced its 30 Days of Giving program. For every toy that is purchased from its website from November 19 through December 19, 2012, the company will match the purchase and donate the same toy (or a toy of equal value) to Toys for Tots.

Bill Uzell, Executive Vice President of Fashion Angels, said, "We're in the business of making children happy through fun and engaging products.  This is a way for us to share our most sincere wish that EVERYONE has a wonderful holiday."

The holiday program is brilliantly simple: At www.FashionAngels.com: Buy a Fashion Angels' Color Rox Hair Chox kit, a Color Rox Hair Chox kit is donated to Toys for Tots; Buy a Project Runway Sketch Portfolio, a Project Runway Sketch Portfolio will go to Toys for Tots; Buy a Tapeffiti™ decorative craft tape set, the same Tapeffiti set will go to Toys for Tots; Buy a Monster High™ Velvet Poster Collection, a Monster High Velvet Poster Collection will go to Toys for Tots.

"It's that simple," Dr. Toy, Stevanne Auerbach, PhD, endorsing the program, said. "This is a very generous offer by Fashion Angels. We hope that any consumer, who is doing any online shopping for the holidays, would also want to support Toys for Tots. Bravo, Fashion Angels, what a wonderful idea."

British Blokes Are Models of Men’s Fashion

The Sartorialist, aka photographer/blogger Scott Schuman, had a hand in it. And obviously Tom Ford. And really, centuries of designers and men who cared just a bit more than the average male. But in the end, it's all Becks' doing.

Thanks to him, more and more men are actually paying attention to what they wear. No longer content to throw on that free T-shirt they got with a beer purchase, men are buying fashion magazines, reading fashion blogs and yes, even buying clothes based on fashion. Nowhere is this shocking trend more evident than in the UK.

You see, the man knows how to dress, and he cuts a damn fine figure to boot. Being married to one of the most stylish women in the world certainly forces his hand a bit, but you get the sense that he has a genuine interest in, and decided taste for, the clothes that go on his back.

Great Britain, of course, has a long and rich tradition of excellent tailoring and above-standard men's clothing. But it was not exactly the norm to be fashionable. Credit Beckham and his counterparts for the recent global shift of focus in the way we view men's fashion.

This past summer saw the launch of The London Collections: Men (or LC:M, as GQ dubbed it). LC:M was an entire event devoted to men's fashion, three days of male-focused style that was so big Prince Charles himself hosted a lunch to celebrate the event (a gallery of the prince's style choices is on the event's website).

Considering London's longstanding history of bespoke and high-street style (not to mention the breeding ground that is the fashion college of Central Saint Martins at University of the Arts, London, among others), it only makes sense that London would be a launch pad for menswear into the next level of fashion. Plus the Beckham effect, of course.

Now preparing for a January encore, LC:M is the perfect platform for established menswear designers and newcomers alike to showcase their expertise in a field that, compared to women's fashion, has been historically left by the wayside.

Many of us know and love big names like Burberry, Paul Smith, and Christopher Kane. But it's the opportunity for young British talent to showcase work that makes LC:M so exciting. MAN — a joint operation from established names in the field — proudly supports hand-picked newbies through sponsorship and mentorship (they have a knack for being spot on, too: J.W. Anderson and Christopher Shannon are testament).

In January, all eyes will be on Agi & Sam (ideal client: "Ace Ventura Pet Detective"), Astrid Andersen and Shaun Samson (ideal client: "some guy loitering on the street looking cool") as the three MAN talents of the season.

So, ladies and (especially) gentlemen, welcome to the era of the fashionable male. David Beckham inspired it, Scott Schuman voiced it, and now it feels like all of London is designing it, with The London Collections: Men paving the way for the entire industry to notice. It seems menswear is having its Swayze moment: These days, nobody is putting it in the corner.

China Xiniya Fashion Limited Reports 2012 Third Quarter Earnings

China Xiniya Fashion Limited ("Xiniya" or the "Company" NYSE: XNY), a leading provider of men's business casual apparel in China, today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2012. The financial statements and other financial information included in this press release have been prepared in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS").

The Company publishes its financial statements in Renminbi ("RMB")
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Third Quarter 2012 Highlights
Revenue in the third quarter of 2012 increased by 15.7% to RMB417.9 million, as compared to RMB361.1 million in the third quarter of 2011, which exceeded the prior guidance of 8%-11%.

Gross margin was 34.5% in the third quarter of 2012 as compared to 34.4% in the third quarter of 2011.
Profit before taxation in the third quarter of 2012 declined by 21.1% to RMB74.8 million as compared to RMB94.8 million in the third quarter of 2011.

Net profit in the third quarter of 2012 declined by 21.4% to RMB56.4 million as compared to RMB71.8 million in the third quarter of 2011.

Earnings per ADS were $0.16 in the third quarter of 2012 as compared to $0.19 per ADS in the third quarter of 2011, and exceeded prior guidance of $0.09-$0.11 per ADS.

Xiniya's network of authorized retailers had a net addition of 20 new retail outlets in the third quarter of 2012, consisting of 79 new retail outlets opened and 59 retail outlets closed, bringing the total number of authorized retail outlets to 1,679 as of September 30, 2012.

As of September 30, 2012, the Company, Mr. Qiming Xu - Xiniya's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Chee Jiong Ng - Xiniya's Chief Financial Officer, have purchased, through the public market pursuant to a written plan, an aggregate of $1,385,787, $153,968 and $38,490 worth of ADSs, respectively, or 830,226, 92,259 and 23,076 ADSs, all at an average price of $1.67, in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Recent developments
The Company announced that the total value of purchase orders for its 2013 Spring and Summer Collection showcased during its biannual sales fair held in September 2012 in Xiamen, China increased by 2% as compared to the total value of purchase orders placed in September 2011. In an effort to ensure the long-term, sustainable development of its authorized retail outlets, the Company reduced prices on its 2013 Spring and Summer Collection by an average of 2.2% to improve the price competiveness of its products beginning in 2013. As a result, the Company's gross margin for its 2013 Spring and Summer Collection is expected to decline by approximately 2.2%.

The Company announced the opening of its sixth and seventh flagship stores in Urumqi City, Xinjiang Province and Shenyang City, Liaoning Province. Both stores were opened and are operated by Xiniya's distributors.

Guidance
Revenue in RMB for the fourth quarter of 2012 is expected to increase by 4%-7%.
Earnings per ADS in the fourth quarter of 2012 are expected to be in the range of $0.17 –$0.19.
The Company reiterates guidance for net additions of retail outlets for 2012 to be more than 100.      
"On the back of continued store expansion and the rapid conversion of our authorized retailer- managed retail outlets, we were able to beat guidance with another strong quarter of top line revenue growth," said Mr. Qiming Xu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "

Despite the economic softening in China, we were able to adapt to the current situation and push through numerous initiatives we have put in place to ensure the long-term, sustainable development of our business. Following our bi-annual sales fair in September 2012, where the total value of purchase orders grew slightly despite distributors' and authorized retailers' cautionary approach, we reduced the prices on our collections to improve the price competitiveness of our products, improve product turnover and reduce inventories during the slowdown. We conducted training courses for distributors and authorized retailers to strengthen retail management and enhance profitability as the refurbishment of our existing retail outlets continued as we adjust our image to meet changing consumers taste. We are pleased with the flexibility we have shown during the quarter as we push through these difficult times. I remain confident in our ability to seek new growth opportunities as we enhance our brand value and provide our customers with the high-quality products they have come to expect."

Third Quarter 2012 Results
Revenue for the third quarter of 2012 was RMB417.9 million, compared with revenue of RMB361.1 million for the third quarter of 2011, which represents a 15.7% increase. The Company delivered approximately 2.0 million units during the third quarter of 2012, which is similar to the number of units delivered during the same period last year. The total retail outlet count as of September 30, 2012 was 1,679. The table below sets forth the number of retail outlets by outlet type:

Although total outlet count increased by a net addition of 72 units since December 31, 2011, the number of outlets managed by department store chains decreased by 317 outlets. Of these 317 department store chain managed outlets, 301 outlets were converted to authorized retailer- managed retail outlets. This conversion was mainly due to the change in the business model used by the regional department store chain operators. In an effort to streamline their business, the regional department store chain operators shifted their business model focus from retailing directly to customers to leasing department store concession areas to retailers. 

Gross profit increased to RMB144.3 million in the third quarter of 2012 from RMB124.4 million in the third quarter of 2011. Gross margin was 34.5% in the third quarter of 2012 as compared with 34.4% in the third quarter of 2011.

Interest and other income was RMB5.5 million in the third quarter of 2012 as compared to RMB8.5 million in the third quarter of 2011. The decrease was mainly due to the reduction in exchange gains of RMB3.0 million in the third quarter of 2012.

Selling and distribution expenses in the third quarter of 2012 increased to RMB71.1 million from RMB32.3 million in the third quarter of 2011 mainly due to increases in rack expenses for authorized retail outlets of RMB24.6 million, training expenses of RMB4.4 million, advertising and promotional expenses of RMB4.2 million, brand consultancy fees of RMB3.5 million, sales fair expenses of RMB0.9 million, flagship store expenses of RMB0.6 million, and freight and packing expenses of RMB0.6 million.

Since July 2011, as part of the Company's overall strategy to unify the image of its authorized retail outlets, the Company has been paying for shop rack, signage and various outlet-related accessories for authorized retail outlets opened or refurbished on or after July 2011. During the third quarter of 2012, the Company paid for shop rack, signage and various outlet-related accessories for 79 new retail outlets and refurbished 90 retail outlets, including expanding floor space for two existing retail outlets.  The refurbishment of existing retail outlets is expected to upgrade the older retail store image, help to attract consumers into the retail stores, help to improve presentation of our apparel products to consumers and, eventually, enhance retail outlet sales. These expenses were approximately RMB39.6 million, or 9.5% of revenue, in the third quarter of 2012,  compared to RMB15.0 million, or 4.2% of revenue during the third quarter of 2011. 

The increase in training expenses related to consultancy fees paid to external professional trainers for training provided to our distributors and authorized retailers across China. These training courses are expected to strengthen retail outlet management in the areas of retail inventory management, retail outlet managers and staff, and retail sales management. Also, these training courses are expected to enhance retail sales and to help to reduce inventory levels at the retail channels.

Advertising and promotional expenses were RMB16.7 million in the third quarter of 2012, arising mainly from billboard advertisements placed by the Company across 20 provinces in China and an advertising campaign on Channel 12 of China Central Television.

Sales fair expenses were RMB2.5 million in the third quarter of 2012, arising mainly from the sales fair in Xiamen City, Fujian Province in September 2012.

Flagship store expenses were RMB1.1 million in the third quarter of 2012, arising mainly from the two flagship stores operated by the Company and five other flagship stores opened and operated by distributors.

Administrative expenses decreased to RMB3.9 million in the third quarter of 2012 from RMB5.8 million in the third quarter of 2011. This was primarily due to the beneficial exchange rates between RMB and United States dollars which resulted in translation exchange gains for the third quarter of 2012, compared to translation exchange losses for the second quarter of 2012.

Profit before taxation was RMB74.8 million in the third quarter of 2012, compared with RMB94.8 million in the third quarter of 2011. 

Income tax expense in the third quarter of 2012 was RMB18.4 million, compared with RMB23.0 million in the third quarter of 2011. 

Profit after taxation for the third quarter of 2012 was RMB56.4 million, compared with RMB71.8 million in the third quarter of 2011.  Earnings per ADS were $0.16 in the third quarter of 2012, compared to $0.19 per ADS in the third quarter of 2011.

Financial Position
As of September 30, 2012, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of RMB0.8 billion, and time deposits held at banks with maturity over three months of RMB220.0 million.

As of September 30, 2012, the Company had trade receivables of RMB373.5 million, arising entirely from sales during the third quarter of 2012.  Trade receivables outstanding as of June 30, 2012 have been fully collected as of September 30, 2012.

Inventory as of September 30, 2012 was mainly related to finished goods produced from orders placed during the April 2012 sales fair, which will be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Other receivables and prepayments on September 30, 2012 increased compared to balances on December 31, 2011, primarily due to prepayments for advertising and promotional expenses associated with the billboard advertisements in 20 provinces across China and for commercial air time on China Central Television's Channel 12.

Other payables and accruals at September 30, 2012 increased compared to balances at December 31, 2011, primarily due to deposits collected from distributors for April and September 2012 sales fair orders.

Fashion Chief Rallies to Make Park South Korean President

Kim Sung Joo, who refused an arranged marriage to pursue her fortune selling luxury goods, said electing Park Geun Hye next month as South Korea’s first female president would help destroy its entrenched gender gap.

“If she becomes the top leader in Korea, we’ll break through everything -- glass, concrete,” Kim, 55, a co- chairwoman of Park’s election campaign committee, said in an interview on Nov. 15. “That will equalize men and women in Korean society.”

Kim Sung Joo, founder of Sungjoo Group. Photographer: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg

“In Korea you have no idea what’s out there because it’s such a male, closed society -- a big boys’ club,” said Kim. Photographer: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg

Kim, whose business took off after securing the local Gucci franchise in 1990, and Park are exceptions in Asia’s fourth- largest economy, which has one of the world’s biggest divisions in gender equality. Park is the front-runner and has pledged to appoint more women to ministerial posts while working to increase jobs and reduce a growing income gap.

“In Korea you have no idea what’s out there because it’s such a male, closed society -- a big boys’ club,” said Kim, dressed in black pants, white shirt, and her trademark red scarf and red high-top sneakers.

South Korea ranks 108th among 135 countries surveyed in the World Economic Forum’s annual Global Gender Gap Report. The country is 116th in economic participation and opportunity for women, 99th in female educational attainment and 86th in political empowerment, according to the report.

The number of women legislators increased to 15.6 percent after an election in April, from 13.7 percent in 2010. There are no female chief executive officers leading the nation’s top-20 business groups, and women make up 6.2 percent of executives in companies with more than 1,000 employees.
Future IPO

Kim’s Sungjoo Group, which owns German fashion brand MCM, isn’t a publicly listed company. Kim said sales approached $400 million last year and may rise to as much as $600 million next year. An initial share sale in Hong Kong may be on the agenda in three or four years, she said.

Park leads in polls ahead of male rivals Ahn Cheol Soo and Moon Jae In for the Dec. 19 election that will determine who leads the nation for the next five years. Thrust into the role of first lady at 22 when her mother was killed in a North Korean assassination attempt on her father, the late dictator Park Chung Hee, she is one of the 47 female lawmakers in the 300-seat National Assembly.

Her critics contend that because she has never married and is childless, she can’t relate to the problems faced by women trying to juggle work, family and child rearing. Empathy and experience combating the “machoism” and “deep patriarchy” of South Korean politics will serve her well, said Kim, who ultimately married a man of her own choice and has a 23-year-old daughter.
Incentives, Subsidies

Ahn, the independent candidate and software entrepreneur, has pledged to increase the number of daycare centers by 30 percent while Moon of the main opposition Democratic United Party wants to encourage men to play a greater role in raising children and would legislate for a minimum of two weeks’ paternity leave.

Park has also said she would offer incentives to companies to increase the number of women in management roles, double the budget for job training for women and add 30 new employment centers for women seeking to join the work force. Government child-support subsidies for single-parent homes would be raised to 150,000 won ($138) per month from the current 50,000 won.

A “Women Talent Academy” would also be set up to nurture future female leaders in business and government, Park said in a Nov. 14 speech. There are two female ministers now serving in President Lee Myung Bak’s administration and the highest government posts to have been held by women previously are prime minister and justice minister.
Amherst Graduate

Park’s support rate is 44.4 percent, compared with Ahn’s 25.2 percent and Moon’s 24.1 percent, according a Nov. 14-15 survey by Seoul-based pollster Realmeter and JTBC, cable- television affiliate of the Joongang Ilbo newspaper. Ahn and Moon have discussed merging their campaigns, which might be enough to overcome Park’s advantage.

Kim, a graduate of Amherst College in Massachusetts who also studied at the London School of Economics and Harvard University, joined Park’s camp on Oct. 11. She will return her luxury business and life-long interest in style and fashion after the election.

“Grace does her own hair and make-up every morning because she wants to be herself more than anything,” said Kim, using a nickname for Park the pair use together. “And that is beautiful.”

Luxury Fashion in Africa?

Donning wooden, leopard-print earrings, Suzy Menkes, the legendary fashion editor of the International Herald Tribune, spoke to hundreds at the Rome Cavalieri, a decadent hotel that sits atop the city’s highest hill. Yet instead of discussing the merits of hand-stitching and dyed pelts, Menkes referred to a solemn passage from Il Gattopardo, an Italian novel about Lampedusa, a troubled island on the Mediterranean Sea, where war-weary African migrants have been flocking since the Arab Spring. Sitting in front of her were roughly 600 designers and critics including a number of fashion greats—Vivienne Westwood, Manolo Blahnik, and Jean Paul Gaultier—who gathered in a dimly lit ballroom to discuss two seemingly disparate topics at the IHT’s 12th annual Luxury Conference: luxury fashion and Africa.

When one thinks of African art and fashion, tourist trinkets invariably come to mind, images of beaded bracelets sold outside safari lodges. The view is unfair, of course, but common. Slowly, however, this misplaced caricature is changing as a growing number of fashion designers and industry experts are looking to Africa as the next major hub for the production—and eventually the consumption—of luxury fashion products. Yet as the fashion industry takes notice of the continent, some fear that high hopes will soon give way to exploitation and sweatshops as has occurred in countries such as China and Bangladesh. “There has to be a balance between virtue and desire,” said Bono, the U2 frontman and activist, who attended the second day of the conference.

One fashion luminary who is trying to break the mold is Nigerian-native Duro Olowu, one of Michelle Obama’s favorite designers and a man who represents the type of African high fashion that the luxury leaders are hoping to harness. Olowu told the audience that although none of his clothes are on the market in Nigeria, he hoped that Africans will one day become luxury consumers at home. So far only Ermenegildo Zegna has dared to open a shop in Lagos, Nigeria’s impoverished capital, but Olowu expects that to change. “It’s reasonable that one day streets in Lagos will be lined with the same fashion boutiques found in European capitals,” he said. Nigerians spend more than any other country in Africa on luxury goods, but only when they travel abroad because so few options are available at home. “Africans are big spenders across the world, but they cannot spend their money at home,” said Franca Sozzani, editor-in-chief of Italian Vogue. “We need to help them.” Yet she cautioned that: “Africa is a continent, not a country, and must not be considered as one market.”

On the surface, investing in clothing factories borders on frivolous when not everyone on the continent has food and fresh water. But many at the conference said that foreign aid—while important—can also encourage dependence, and that investing in fashion manufacturing could empower the population to become skilled workers, high earners, and eventually customers. “The future focus is doing real business,” said Jochen Zeita, the chairman of Puma, noting that many Africans have a keen interest in luxury goods, whether they can afford them or not. “Luxury is not about price, but inspiration, rare, bespoke and quality far beyond utility.”

Increasingly, luxury is also about diversity. Gaultier, the French designer whose signature spiked gray hair and charming savoir faire made him the darling of the conference, said that African models made his clothes come alive, liberating him from industry norms. “There are different kinds of beauty,” he said. For years, Gaultier has been ahead of his time, using unique women of all shapes, sizes, and ethnicities in his seasonal shows, and both he and Menkes scolded Italian and French fashion houses for sticking to cookie-cutter, thin white models on the catwalks. “There needs to be a real push and effort by the fashion houses to encourage diversity on the runway,” said Menkes.

Fashion Letters: Matt Korvette Grills a Pair of Russian Photo Editors

The Pissed Jeans frontman meets and corresponds with Katya S. and Katya V.

Hi fashion friends! It’s been too long since my last post, but not to worry, I'm as clothes-obsessed as ever. In fact, when I was recently in Katowice, Poland for Off Festival, I met two lovely Russian ladies, both named Katya, and made a point of talking to them about clothes. Not even a broken nose could stop me! You see, Katya S. (left) and Katya V. (right) are two enthusiastic and fun young women who work as photo editors for fashion magazines in Russia, at least when they aren’t traveling Eastern Europe to experience all of its beautiful architecture, cheap food and wild music festivals. Even though I don’t think they had showered for like three days when I met them (it’s the festival lifestyle!), I greatly admired their style and figured I’d learn more about where they come from and the things that inspire them. I gotta go to Russia!

How did you get into photo editing? Was it something you wanted to do, or did the job just sort of happen?
Katya S.: Well, at first I was working for one financial weekly magazine as an editorial assistant, but one day the art-director suggested I join the photo department. I was looking for faces of politics, pics like "what damn inflation now!" and "the share price of petroleum companies go to the dogs," and helped to organize the shoots in the "luxurious restaurants" and the dull shoots of "well-known in the narrow circles" people. Despite the not-so-exciting content, the process was quite interesting and the team was wonderful. Then I moved to the weekly fashion magazine, where everything was in another stream — and , yes, I can say without any doubts, I like this job. You are rummaging in great photo-banks and through the internet and can finally find something awesome.

Katya V.:In the spring of 2011, I felt incredibly tired and mentally exhausted thanks to my previous job. I spent five years as director's assistant in one business, then I braced up and quit! The whole summer I mostly did nothing, taking all the advantages of unemployment: watched a good amount of movies, read books that were waiting for so long, started drawing again and playing accordion just for my own pleasure. But time passed by, savings came to an end, something had to be done. Right at that moment Katya needed someone to help her with picture editing and of course I couldn't refuse, that was the best job offer ever!

What type of shoots are your favorite to work on?
Katya V.: Street-style images are my favorite. Some years ago, my friend send me a link to hel-looks.com and I must admit it is still my number one blog about street-style. During the workday I monitor a lot of fashion shootings, mostly by Grazia photographers from all over the world. I think this is the most pleasant part of work besides drinking coffee and chatting with Katya. I don’t like the word "inspiration," but this is a proper word; no one can stay calm admiring so much beauty during the day. Though, to tell the truth, for me an ideal shoot is the one where beauty and humor can live together.

Katya S.: As there are many rubrics in our magazine, we can give reign to our imagination and taste — we can find the most freaky catwalks in unconceivable colors. Then, of course, all the images are sorted by fashion-editors and designers, but we at least have fun during the process. The most unfavorite theme is "celebrity fashion news," but sometimes the pictures are so awesome, especially paparazzi shoots, that you can hardly suppress the laughter. The funniest and most awesome we join to collages and upload to our idiotic blog, brodermordet.tumblr.com. But seriously, it is very interesting to deal with material connected with the past; for instance, recently we have been looking for some Ozzy Clark shoots from the '60s, Dior and Emilio Pucci collections from the '70s, David Hicks prints and even pictures from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas — their psychedelic prints became the trend of this season.

Are there any Russian designers you have really been enjoying lately?
Katya V:  Not long ago I saw the last male collection created by Tatiana Parfionova. The young men were reciting poetry right on the catwalk: Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. Unusual idea, bi-sexual, tender looks, various voice timbres and well-cut clothes. Some looks from Konstantin Gayday’s FW 11/12 collection are something that I would like to wear. And if I find a wallet one day, Alexandre Arngoldt’s collection FW12/13 with it's long sleeves and fake blind eyes.

Katya S.: I think Alena Akhmadullina is the best. Maybe you know her — she is quite well-known and took part in the fashion weeks. Her collections are full of femininity, so I can say she is very pretty.

In her fresh collection she is inspired by “Nutcracker and the Mouse King”, and I think she has made a go of such a “tale into reality” transformation. I like everything here: colors, shapes, combination of psychedelic prints and military coat details. I have never heard about Natasha Drigant till I started rummaging the archive of last year's Moscow fashion week for one article, so I was really surprised by her collection. Androgyny, сolor pallette, asymmetry of сut — it is the perfect harmony of everything.

Do you have any fashion advice to offer the guys out there? Anything they should or shouldn't do?
Katya V.: I think people should wear anything they like. A sparkling evening dress or a trash bag. Or a trash dress and a sparkling evening bag. It depends. What I know for sure — money will never save your look if you have no idea how you want to look.

Katya S.: Not any special advice, but I think it is quite stupid idea to follow the trends madly, and be a fashion victim. It is more interesting when a person has his or her own style and considers their outfit with a sense of humor. I like freaks dressed in vintage clothes, people who wear second hand things. It can be just fun, nothing more.

EIT Fashion Show A Runway Success

EIT fashion students and their models sashayed down the runway, showcasing a stunning selection of designs at a spectacular event staged at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House last night. (Wednesday, 14 November)

The evening is the traditional finale to the Certificate in Fashion Apparel students’ year, and the fledgling designers made the most of the opportunity to flaunt their fashion flair, pattern-making prowess and tailoring talents to the capacity crowd.

Twenty-three fashion students organised and managed most of the aspects that formed part of the EIT ideaschool fashion show, including modelling garments they had styled for themselves.

Showing promising aplomb, 12 first-year students modelled street-wear, portfolio garments and fashion entries that were accepted for judging in the prestigious Cult Couture show held recently in Auckland.

Several of the garments were runners-up in Cult Couture categories.

For the EIT Fashion Show, the 11 students completing the two-year certificate programme were each required to submit a competition piece and a collection of three garments for their final collection.

Screen production students, who also come under the ideaschool umbrella, filmed the show so that students completing the fashion certificate programme will each have a DVD to illustrate their work.

EIT hairdressing and beauty therapy students also played their part in the show’s success, styling hair and applying make-up for the catwalk models.

As a new feature of the annual event, prizes donated by sponsors were awarded to high-achieving students.

Programme coordinator Cheryl Downie says the evening demonstrated a high level of mastery of the multiple skills the students will need to survive and thrive in the fashion world.

“It is exciting to see the flowering of their talents and development of their skills as they progress through the programme,” she said.

“In the course of two years, they learn so much about the industry – from apparel production, machinist skills, pattern drafting, fashion illustration, production skills, garment production through to managing small businesses.”

Now in its fourth year, the two-year certificate is proving to be a well-established pathway into the fashion industry. Those completing take a variety of pathways including, for some, self-employment.

“After such a spectacular fashion show, I am very much looking forward to welcoming the new creatives joining the programme next year,” Cheryl said.

Indonesian fashion designers turn eyes to the wider world

Indonesian fashion designers paired clean, urban styles with traditional batiks and designs inspired by ancient temples at the sixth annual Jakarta Fashion Week.

Local designers in Asia's fourth largest economy looked to the past and their heritage to gain a foothold in the international fashion market, a hope expressed in the week's theme "Indonesia Today, The World Tomorrow."

"This collection sums up 40 years of my work," said Josephine Komara, who is also known as Obin, a noted batik artisan who showcased eclectic designs with radiant silks.

Although Obin has shops in Singapore and Japan, she is most successful in her own country. There are other success stories like hers but Indonesia lacks a brand with global recognition, unlike its Southeast Asian neighbors such as the Malaysian Vincci and Singapore's Charles & Keith.

But the London-based Centre for Fashion Enterprise (CFE) hopes to change this, propelling young Indonesian designers to the international stage through a mentoring program. Experts say one of the biggest problems is inexperience and a short history of aiming at international markets.

"By going international, it means they have to be ready for what the market needs," said Toby Meadows, a CFE consultant. "It might be overwhelming for them because creating winter wear might never have crossed their minds. But if you have a brand, the buyers expect you to have a Fall/Winter collection as well."
The fundamentals for international recognition are already there. Designers Yosafat Dwi Kuniawan and Jeffrey Tan offered high fashion and urban cut pret a porter collections, while Barli Asmara and Albert Yanuar went for glamourous dresses with a costume-like touch.

Dian Pelangi, in a nod to local fashion, showed contemporary designs incorporating the hijab that many Indonesian women use to cover their heads.

All are among eight local designers and labels in CFE's mentoring program, which they hope will propel them onto the international scene.

None of the designers have dealt with international buyers, although Barli and Yosafat have showed their collections in fashion weeks overseas. Most are still struggling with branding and business plans over creativity and design ideas.

"I went for a showcase in China Fashion Week in 2009, but there wasn't any actual trading," said Yosafat, 23, whose designs are inspired by the ancient Javanese Borobudur temple.

"I simply don't know how to sell and deliver and I've made some big mistakes in my business."

The CFE mentoring program, which is backed by the Indonesian and British governments, includes three years of training in branding, pricing, production and marketing. It also helps connect young designers with prospective buyers and to decide which market suits them best.

"I made some dresses for overseas clients in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore," said Albert Yanuar, whose designs are inspired by the shapes of traditional Wayang shadow puppets. "My dresses seem to fit into Asian markets such as China, Korea, Hong Kong or Singapore."

One success story is Ardistia, who started her label when she was based in New York and later expanded to the Indonesian market with her clean, urban look. Her designs have been shown in department stores in the United States, Canada and France.


Given the growing wealth and middle classes of Asia, Meadows encourages Indonesian designers to broaden their outlook and not just target the most established, traditional fashion markets.

"People often aim for New York and London, while purchasing power is big in Asia," he said. "So why not also target that, and not just focus on the U.S. and the European market? It would be silly to overlook Asia while it's so near and feasible."

Fashion's Fight Against MS: A Charity Fashion Show and Luncheon benefitting Multiple Sclerosis Foundation

The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation presents Fashion Fights MS, a charity Fashion Show and luncheon benefitting the MSF. The event starts at 11 AM Thursday, December 13th, at the iconic Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale located at 1 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.

In addition to gorgeous, drop dead designs, there will be a silent auction and Patrick McClave playing the harp creating an elegant ambience.

This memorable Fashion Show will feature COURAGE. b, a one-of-a-kind luxury boutique with six flagship locations including Palm Beach, Aspen, The Hamptons, NYC and Greenwich as well as Luba Swimwear, swim designs that were showcased at Miami's Swim Week. The runway will showcase complete head-to-toe new looks of feminine and empowering fashions embodied by high-quality fabrics, handbags, shoes and jewelry by Sparkle of Life and Fiora.

Fiora® Charms, a precious jewelry retailer specializing in European design with various locations throughout the U.S., will be the leading jeweler for the fashion show.  Shannon Rusbuldt, who has walked the runway for major designers, including Giorgio Armani, Tommy Hilfiger, Tory Burch, and Sophie Theallet will MC the luncheon and fashion show.  Shannon is the founder of Fashion's Fight and the face of the Fearless MS Campaign.  These photos taken by Angela Capetta have appeared in Elle, Shape, Men's Health & New Yorker.

The committee consisting of devoted active community minded women including Dawn de Marco Book, Marietta Glazer, Giuliana Hirshson, Anita Lamberti, Gemma Pressinger, Sandy Segal, Nanci Simonson, Margarethe Sorensen, Hanna Zukoski, Stacey Patasnik, Nicole Zuralow, Shannon Rusbuldt, Gina Stelnik, Joey Stotsky and Jane Toney.  The chair, Manya Lowry, is the MSF Honoree for 1000+ Club Woman of The Year.

Event sponsored by Christofle Crystal, Markey's Caviar and Champagne provided by Premier Beverage.  Sponsorships available; tickets $75.00 per person.

All net proceeds benefit MSF's programs and services provided to MS patients and their caregivers nationwide. In addition to all involved MSF also thanks our other gracious sponsors; BB&T, TEVA, NOVARTIS, Broward Health, Biogen Idec, Genzyme & PMX Gold Bullion Sales, Inc.

Victoria's Secret Is Pulling This Controversial Outfit From Its Fashion Show Broadcast

Victoria's Secret took a lot of heat for what supermodel Karlie Kloss wore at its extravagent fashion show this year.

Most of the outfit was fine:  a leopard print bikini,  turquoise jewelry and fringe-covered heels.
What had people riled up was the big Native American headdress replica she had on.
It was controversial enough to prompt Victoria's Secret to pull the outfit from its broadcast and marketing materials.

Here's the statement that Victoria's Secret gave to the Huffington Post:
"We are sorry that the Native American headdress replica used in our recent fashion show has upset individuals. We sincerely apologize as we absolutely had no intention to offend anyone. Out of respect, we will not be including the outfit in any broadcast, marketing materials nor in any other way."

Outpouring of Support from Fashion Industry to Sandy Victims Information

Fashion Delivers Charitable Foundation, Inc. has seen a heartfelt response from the apparel and home goods industries following the terrible devastation of Hurricane Sandy, and is now calling on more manufacturers and retailers to join the effort.  Consumers can play an important role too by donating money that will help distribute the new merchandise to storm survivors.

"Once the urgent needs of food and shelter have been met, there will be a long road ahead as families begin rebuilding their lives," said Fashion Delivers Chairman Allan Ellinger. "We are working with local partners every day to get products to people in need. Please go to www.FashionDelivers.org to donate new product or cash to help the survivors of Hurricane Sandy, or call us at 646-786-2680."

Consumers can also support Fashion Delivers relief for families affected by Hurricane Sandy; every $1 of cash donated through Fashion Delivers.org helps move $25 of new donated product. Additionally, Stylemint.com, the fashion retail website curated by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, will donate an item to Fashion Delivers for every item purchased November 9 through 22.

Fashion Delivers has been directing the product donations through a wide range of community nonprofits working on the ground in the storm areas, including The Legacy Center serving Brooklyn and Queens, NY; Broad Channel American Legion Post serving Breezy Point, NY victims; Make the Road NY serving Staten Island; City of Secaucus NJ and the Community Food Bank of NJ, with offices in both central and southern areas of the state.

UBM Asia Supported a Special Charity Fashion Pop-up Sale Benefiting Crossroads Foundation

APLF Ltd., a UBM Asia JV company, sponsored Fashion with Compassion, an exclusive two-day charity pop-up sale held in tandem with Cashmere World and Fashion Access fairs at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 28-29 September 2012. A total sale of HK$60,500 (US$7,800) was raised for Crossroads Foundation, a Hong Kong based non-profit organisation.

Initiated by Hong Kong fashion maven Ms. Mary Yan Yan Chan, Fashion with Compassion was the first collaboration between UBM/APLF and Crossroads Foundation to link the fashion industry to those in need worldwide. UBM/APLF had sponsored the venue for the pop-up store at the HKCEC.

Featuring a diverse range of fashionable apparel, shoes, accessories, and lifestyle products donated by top fashion and lifestyle brands and companies, the pop-up sale was dedicated to offering a unique opportunity for fashion lovers to shop for a range of high-quality products at a reduced cost (at 50% discount or more).

"On behalf of Crossroads Foundation, I am pleased to present Fashion with Compassion which is made possible by the generous support from UBM/APLF as well as numerous donors and sponsors. It offers a unique and exclusive platform for people to get involved and contribute to a great cause," said David Begbie of Crossroads Foundation.

Plus-Size and Blazing a New Path

EARLIER this year, Gabi Gregg, a Chicago fashion blogger who wears a size 18, posted a photo of herself wearing a bikini. It caused such a ruckus that Ms. Gregg, 26, was invited on the “Today” show.

 “The general public is not used to someone my size wearing a swimsuit publicly,” she said recently in a phone interview.

Ms. Gregg is one of an increasing number of plus-size fashion bloggers. These are mostly young women who worship the sartorial flair of Alexa Chung, Solange Knowles and Chloë Sevigny, but who are proud to wear a size in the double digits.

“I really do love fashion and love being a voice for plus-size women, but I want to be known for being stylish and fashionable,” said Ms. Gregg, who received largely positive comments on her bikini post (the one she wore, a black-and-white striped version from Simply Be, sold out, she said).

It has been noted that plus-size women are having a moment in the spotlight. Comedians like Rebel Wilson and Melissa McCarthy are becoming stars in their own right, Adele has conquered the airwaves, and television shows like “Parks and Recreation” and MTV’s “Awkward” feature plus-size characters with active love lives. Stars a few dress sizes shy of plus-size, like Lena Dunham and Mindy Kaling, have become known for their proudly curvy physiques, and Lady Gaga has unapologetically put on a few pounds.

But the fashion world is not known for being particularly hospitable to anyone above a sample size, so plus-size bloggers have banded together to form a community of sorts.

Bethany Rutter, 23, of the London blog Arched Eyebrow, said she often hears from girls who “say they never thought they could wear a jumpsuit or a bikini or printed trousers before, but after seeing me wearing one they gave it a go.”

“Sometimes, though, it’s really big stuff,” she said, “like examining their relationship with their body for the first time, questioning why they feel they should lose weight or why they feel they don’t deserve to enjoy fashion.”

Tiffany Tucker, 22, writes the blog Fat Shopaholic from her home in Chicago and dreams that the designers Jeremy Scott or Rick Owens will start a plus-size range.

“I get a lot of messages that I inspire readers to dress well,” Ms. Tucker said. “In the grand scheme of fashion blogs, there really isn’t a lot of plus-size blogs. I want to help people see that plus-size blogging is a valid form of blogging.”

Nadia Aboulhosn, 24, is a blogger and model in the Hamilton Heights neighborhood in West Harlem who, at a size 10-12, has posed for American Apparel and Seventeen magazine.

“Sometimes I see myself as a role model,” she said. “American women are size 10, 12, 14. I’m very relatable. People aren’t used to seeing the clothes on somebody with the curves I have. If you’re fashionable, you’re fashionable regardless of size.”

Posts showing outfits tend to be the most popular.

“People like to see what you wear to work, out with your friends, what you wear to the gym,” said Samantha Rasmussen, 26, of the blog Stiletto Siren. “They want to say, ‘I love that jacket,’ and go to the link and find it for themselves.”

Ms. Rasmussen, who lives in Boise, Idaho, started the blog as a place to chronicle her dieting.

“It was making me feel horrible about myself,” she said. “I thought, I should be blogging for the curvy girls out there, who are having confidence, looking cute, living life at their weight, not an imaginary weight they cannot reach.”

Discussing weight is unavoidable, but not taboo.

“People around me get uncomfortable when I refer to myself as fat,” said Amanda Valdez, 27, of Fresno, Calif. She writes for the blog Fashion, Love, and Martinis. “I embrace the word ‘fat.’ Fat does not define me, it doesn’t define my character, or where I’ve been in my life. I am just another girl who is posting about her life and style, and I happen to be fat.”

These bloggers said they often bypass traditional stores like Lane Bryant, Ashley Stewart or Avenue in favor of more up-to-the-minute styles at ASOS Curve, Forever 21+ and vintage shops.

 “I don’t shop a lot of the stores like Lane Bryant,” said Chastity Garner, 32, who lives in Dallas and blogs at the Curvy Girl’s Guide to Style. “I feel like those clothes are almost for the woman that just wants to put on something and not think about what they’re wearing. They look like fat-girl clothes. I want to bring out the body rather than hide the body.”

Ms. Gregg, who wants to start her own clothing line, said she has found her calling in fashion as a plus-size woman.

“Once I sized out of mainstream stores, I loved shopping more,” she said. “It was a challenge. Just because I was a certain size didn’t mean I was going to wear frumpy clothing. I want to show them there are other options. I say there are no rules for plus-size dressing.”

A previous generation’s rules (no horizontal stripes, bright colors, fitted shapes or bold prints) have been tossed away by these bloggers, who embrace miniskirts, jeggings, peplum tops and sheer blouses.

“I tell my readers to throw the rules out the window,” said Alissa Wilson, 30, who blogs at Stylish Curves from Bayside, Brooklyn. “The goal is not to look smaller; the goal is to find clothes that make you look good.”

Most plus-size designers still haven’t gotten the memo, it seems.

“Retailers seem to think that once you are over a certain size, you don’t care about fashion and want nothing more fashionable than yet another midlength mock wrap-front jersey dress in an ugly print,” wrote Diane Dennis, 37, who blogs at Fat Girls Like Nice Clothes Too and lives in the West Midlands region of England. “Give us something new already and, God forbid, on trend.”

Trends can take as long as two years to trickle down to plus-size lines.

“I would love Marc Jacobs or Topshop or Zara or Urban Outfitters to carry plus sizes,” Ms. Gregg said.

Ms. Rutter of Arched Eyebrow said plus-size shoppers are conditioned to buy only cheap clothing.

“We don’t have aspirational designer fashion under our noses every time we pick up a magazine,” she said. “There aren’t pages and pages of Miu Miu or Isabel Marant to set the tone for the quality and price of clothes we could wear.”

One problem is that plus-sizes are often considered a transient state, a shameful stop before heading back to smaller sizes.

“When you feel that your current body is temporary, why spend money dressing it well?” said Ragini Nag Rao, 27, who writes for the blog A Curious Fancy from England and India. “Fat women need to realize that their bodies are worth dressing well.”

Nicolette Mason started buying fashion magazines at age 12 and told her mother she wanted to be Anna Wintour when she grew up. Now 26 and living in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, she is Marie Claire’s plus-size columnist and has her own blog. Ms. Mason said she found a radical element in plus-size blogging.

“We shouldn’t hide ourselves, be ashamed or be invisible,” she said. “Posting photos of yourself on the Internet and saying, ‘Hey, I’m fashionable, even if the fashion media doesn’t recognize me’ is hyperpolitical.”

Ms. Gregg embraces the attention she has received, but “at the same time, there’s part of me that gets frustrated,” she said.

Fashion Blogger Wins GBP 500 Next Vouchers in Winter Wardrobe Competition

Fashion blogger Rhiannon Ashlee of fashionrocksmysocks.com has won £500 Next vouchers by styling her favourite Winter pieces from Next. The Next Winter Wardrobe competition, hosted by fashion and lifestyle blogger Amy Low of amyantoinette.com, asked bloggers to style their favourite winter knitwear, party dresses, shoes and accessories ready for winter days and Christmas parties.

Rhiannon Ashlee chose to style three different looks, Boyish Charms, Fabulous In Fur and Casual Comfort. Amy explained: "I loved the variety in Rhiannon''s mood boards, showcasing three very different looks with accompanying style notes on how to wear the trends."

For the first look, Boyish Charms, Rhiannon showcased high waisted berry trousers worn with black braces, a perfect white shirt and navy jacket with leather look trim. "The androgynous look is all about the perfect balance between masculine and feminine, so don''t be afraid to try out the more tailored look because at the end of the day you can still add as little or as much of your feminine touch as you like." She continued, "I love these high waisted trousers as they give off a really classy vibe and is a different take on the average suit trouser. Heeled loafers are perfect for this look because they''re a wonderful take on the classic men''s loafer."

The second look Fabulous In Fur teamed a little black dress with a statement faux fur coat for a glamorous party look. The look was completed by a simple black shoe boot with silver buckle. Lastly, Casual Comfort was all about incorporating catwalk with comfort. "Any form of khaki jacket, whether it be a parka or army jacket, is a key piece for AW12 so style it with a classic pair of black skinny jeans and a warm jumper."
Packed with catwalk inspired fashion, this season Next has the best in women''s, men''s and children''s trends - with stylish clothing for the coming season being showcased in stores and online. Love what you see? To enjoy the AW12 and Christmas collections, click onto at next.co.uk for new arrivals for the coming season.

Hollywood's Latest Fashion Statement: Political Endorsements

With the election just hours away, stars have been stepping out with some serious political fashion statements.

At her October performance for President Obama in Last Vegas, Katy Perry wore a skintight, white dress designed as a ballot, with Obama's name filled in. The "Firework" singer urged the crowd to vote for Obama and to vote early.

Perry wasn't the only celebrity to use her clothing to show off her vote. Many stars have been endorsing their candidates with their name displayed on clothing, accessories, even underwear. There are more Obama- than Romney-inspired clothing items, but Mitt Romney supporters are beginning to make their own fashion pieces for the Republican candidate too.

Spotlights fall on fashion and beauty

Spotlights fall on fashion and beauty UCOL Fashion and Beauty students will have their time in the spotlight on Wednesday night.

The Dream Believe Achieve Parade and Show is the culmination of 18 weeks intensive study for the 10 Certificate in Fashion and Beauty (Level 1) students.

It is their chance to bring all the components of their fashion and beauty modules together into one amazing show.

Among other fashionable highlights, the students will model the garments they have designed themselves and made from fabrics from Arthur Toye Fabrics.

They will also show an outfit they each assembled from one visit to the Hospice Shop.

Fashion Lecturer and Show organizer Sheran Merritt says, "The students are looking forward to showcasing their creations and what they have achieved this semester."

"They have worked incredibly hard to put the show together," she says. "You will be entertained and, I assure you will be amazed at the high standard of work."

There will be plenty of surprises on the catwalk as the UCOL ‘Studs’ model menswear from Factorie. The entries in the Decorate a Bra contest get their first public appearance.

UCOL staff member Faryn Te Atatu will show her musical talents with performances during the evening.
The Parade and Show is supported by local fashion outlets Factorie, Cotton On, the Sugar Plum Fairy Shop, Arthur Toye Fabrics and Arohanui Hospice Shop. All proceeds from the gold coin entry fee will go to the Arohanui Hospice.

Fashion show for kids with special needs

SPECIAL children deserve dedicated care. Often times, however, they are neglected, especially those from marginalized families as their parents struggle to make ends meet in these financially-challenging times.

Because of this, Little Angels Learning Center was born where a group of volunteer teachers took it upon themselves to do their share in providing support services and self-help skills to children with special needs.

Under the leadership of mentor Veronica Casiño-Lucagbo, Little Angels Learning Center evolved into what is now known as Special Education for Enhancement and Development (Seed), a non-stock, non-profit, volunteer-driven organization.

From its makeshift classroom at Agora in Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro, Seed has moved to a temporary shelter at the 2nd Floor of the Patrick Cronin Bldg., through the generosity of the San Agustin Parish of Cagayan de Oro. It is where classes are held with the aid of teacher volunteers.

With its teaching materials damaged during the onslaught of typhoon Sendong, Seed operates with very limited resources, buoyed only by the sheer dedication and commitment of its five-strong volunteer faculty.

The Federacion Internacional de Abogadas (Fida)-Cagayan de Oro City Chapter, in keeping with its advocacy for women and children, supports organizations like Seed.

Because of this, Fida aims to raise much-needed funds to get Seed going and achieve its worthy goals.

On November 24, Fida will present “Fida Rocks the Runway, Fashion for a Cause,” a fashion show featuring the Holiday 2013 Collection of one of Cagayan de Oro’s leading designers, Gil Macaibay.

The event will be held at the Xavier Estate Sports and Country Club at 6 p.m.

Other beneficiaries of the show are Barangay Macabalan’s feeding program, tree planting and other projects lined up for year 2013.

Indeed, there is no better way to spend a pre-Christmas evening than brushing up on your fashion in time for the holidays and at the same time helping this noble cause.

Fashion Digitizing Offers Vector Art Services Online

Fashion Digitizing, a leading provider of custom embroidery digitizing services, now offers vector art services online.

Digital designing using vector art is the new term given to art. People are using various software tools to create and recreate images, artwork and patterns to enhance its overall look and feel. Various business and non commercial organizations are also interested in recreating their representative look by using vector art and digitizing services.


This is the new realm of art and creativity where creativity finds its way out not through pens and pencils but through points, lines, polygons and codes. With vector art you need not to be well versed in art but creativity. If you are creative enough than making new designs, patterns and images won’t be difficult for you which is necessary while designing company logo designs and flyers.


Vector art is identified with .EPS in the end of the file. It is very much different from the raster or bitmap images. In bitmap images, images are formed by using pixels which are of different color and give the image a smooth look together. Here each pixel is a single unit consisting of a single color. These look good but when you will resize the image, it will be pixilated giving a blurry effect to the image. This is not good in digital artwork services.


But in vector, the image is saved through lines, codes and coordinates, which make it possible to resize the image without damaging the quality. While designing large banners, this technique really comes in handy, because banners are very big and this big image is not possible to be saved in form of bitmap. Moreover vector covers very little size then the raster image so users can store many images in a single compact disk and carry it anywhere or they can email it without worrying about the size limit.