Fashion PR division of Pierce Mattie Public Relations, A Fashion Public Relations. Fashion publicity, promotion marketing firm

What is Haute Couture? Is it the same as Couture? Check out Fashion-Era.com and Pauline Weston Thomas will give you a quick little lesson on what makes couture "Haute".

Haute Couture is a French phrase for high fashion. Couture means dressmaking, sewing, or needlework and haute means elegant or high, so the two combined imply excellent artistry with the fashioning of garments. The purchase of a haute couture model garment is at the top level of hand customised fashion design and clothing construction made by a couture design house. A model haute couture garment is made specifically for the wearer's measurements and body stance. The made to measure exclusive clothes are virtually made by hand, carefully interlined, stay taped and fitted to perfection for each client.

On Tuesday, August 29th, STAGR launched its premier collection at the “G-Suite” in Palms Casino Resort. UFC fighter Chris Leben was the evening’s special guest. Guests and members of the media enjoyed music spun by special DJ Malik from The Real World, Back to New York and had the chance to create their own customized STAGR shirt.

Interesting interview with Cathy Horyn of the New York Times. Cathy shares Julie Fredrickson's viewpoint on the need to take bloggers seriosly. Also discussed, Cathy's take on personally blogging and the "imaginary" conflict that some luxury brands feel when it comes to blogging about luxury. I'm sure if Billy Daily was still working at KCD he would have let Julie from Coutorure Media in to see the Mark Jacobs show at the Spring collections fashion week. Other sources for coverage are: New York Magazine, Fashion Week Live website, with coverage by Lauren Ezersky

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 10th, 2006
9.00 AM
10.00 AM - LELA ROSE
The Atelier
Photos

11.00 AM - BRIAN REYES
UPS
Photos

NOON - DKNY
711 Greenwich Street
Photos

1.00 PM - GUSTAVO ARANGO
The Atelier
Photos

2.00 PM - TRACY REESE
The Promenade
Photos

The Designers of Fashion Week 2007

The devil wears green pants! See Almost Girl fashion blogger making contact with Anna Wintor.

I don’t think I have ever been more terrified in my entire life. As much as I talk a lot of shit about numbers being the only arbiter of access in an ideal new media world I still harbor a lot of fear. I know that I am only in my position because of luck, timing, and very little aversion to risk. I talk smack about KCD because I know that they can’t hold us off forever: there are more of us than there are of them and this time the barbarians are out for good. I know that numbers don’t lie because well the economists at the University of Chicago told me so.

But still when I arrived early for Costello Tagliapetra and saw Anna Wintour alone in the front row I didn’t think I had the guts to go up and interview her. I had already tried at Rag and Bone and she waved us off. But heart pounding I steeled myself, left Patryk in the pit, and requested to ask her a few basic questions. She didn’t want to talk about collections because it was too early in the week but I assured her I was interested in her experience and not her opinions on current fashion. Ever the consummate professional she agreed.

Here is the Heatherette line showed at New York Fashion Week. Some say the line was all about "Mommy Drinks" The drunk, slutty mom look also called "pre-teen cool"

The enigma has been solved. Science has found the answer. No, not the cure for cancer; the reasoning behind the Brazilian takeover in the glamorous world of super models. I, like 99% of women, experience Gisele-Bundchen-envy (substitute Adrina Lima, Ana Beatriz Barros, Alessandra Ambrosio interchangeably) every time I put on a bathing suit. But I no longer curse God for bestowing the Victoria’s Secret Angels with heavenly proportions and me with back fat and cellulite. Turns out that God doesn’t necessarily like Gisele more than me, the leggy Brazilian bombshell, and her equally beautiful Brazilian sidekicks, can credit their mind boggling good looks to science.

Our friends over at Pantone sent out the fashion color forcast for Spring 2007 many weeks before the tents were open in New York. Props to Pantone for always getting it right! Pierce Mattie Red is Pantone 186, it's hard and strong, like rock and roll! Creative minds think alike, it also happens to be the Pantone color of choice for Paola Kudacki, fashion photographer at de facto

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Manity…I'm a man!? But am I Ubor or Metro? Macho or Mini? From Mars or Venus? Protector or Poser? Am I a Daddy Papi or Dandy, Guycumer, Mansclusive, or god forbid… a girly man!

Well, for those (fashionable) men who were at Olympus Fashion Week who didn't attend you should scan the report from the 'Ad Age' and 'Maxim' Man Conference. They checked the testosterone level of men and galvanized some of Pierce Mattie PR’s findings, that yes, Metrosexuality is dead (amen, I loved it for a few months in 2003) If you don’t live in New York or Los Angeles “forgetaboutit” and move on to other publicity strategies. Don’t think that we’re not consumers, in fact 58% of men polled in the survey spend more cash then they make every month. Yes we are still stupid. Purchases and spending is up for men 18-34 in clothing from department stores. Dispelling the myth that men only “mission shop” once a month. Good news to fashion labels, T-shirt designers and denim manufacturers.

When it comes to entertainment, marketing to men can be tricky. But Jeff Bell, VP-interactive entertainment at Microsoft, has a solution.

"The answer is control," Mr. Bell said during the "Boys and Their Toys" panel. "The more we relinquish control the better. We really need to present male consumers with both the right hardware and software so they can watch the content they want with less-spooky marketing."

That relinquishing of control and subsequent rise in user-generated content has been an emerging way to both engage consumers and shape the products being advertised.

Patty Huntington reports from Milan's fashion week: Gucci's 85th

Now don't get me wrong. It's not that the Gucci party wasn't nice. It was very nice. A series of elegant, ivy and bay leaf-lined black/transparent marquees had been erected on some vacant block or park in Milan's Via Melegari last Wednesday night to create a mini Gucci world. The R&B artist John Legend performed. The service was impeccable. People "got down" nicely – but not naughtily.

Backstage after Thursday's scintillating Dolce e Gabbana show. And I do mean scintillating, with a finale of one-armed, Lesage-sequinned catsuits and jumpsuits. I should note that the most amusing aspect of this finale was not the outfits themselves, which seemed more than a little Elvis-meets-Coogi but rather, the performances of the models who had all apparently been briefed to wave one arm up and down in a kind of interpretative dance movement - designed, presumably, to best highlight the unisleeves. Twyla Tharp, it wasn't.

The Leak: Can this be true? Glamour takes Crimes of Fashion and Don't Spotting from photos to video! Glamour magazine and Blip.tv have launched a Web site for readers to rat out their less-than-fashionable friends, or tip off America to the next big trend.
Don'tspotting accepts e-mail photos taken by users of the fashion highs and lows they come across on the street. Visitors can send in comments on the images, including rankings of approval and disapproval.

I fell in love with Mango as a teenager while on my first European trip. I remember the Spain based clothing retailer Mango as the one place where all of the clothes fit my hour glass shape perfectly and had a playful yet sophisticated look that often evaded American designers. While other European based clothing retailers, such as H & M and Zara, expanded to the US, Mango remained a European treasure.

When I first saw these Ads I thought they were exploratory portfolio comps. Some of the most edgy stuff never makes it out into the public sector.

Hindu clothing chain High-Style The Fashion World creates relevant "shock-and-awe" advertising campaign that will definitely appeal to the younger audience. If you think about trends, this is nothing new, we've been incorporating more and more gore in our entertainment for years. Cobranding big name brands in goreiffic video games is old news. From my experience the more edgy and subtle the integration into the game the better it is received. Clients never like o hear this of course, they want blatant obvious placement which is not accepted as well as modest "easter-egg" style placement. Has anyone seen Michael C. Hall in Showtime’s new drama DEXTER? I'm not advocating that this is appropriate advertising for everyone. I do think you can take things too far, remember the Sandra Burnhard Mac cosmetics spot?

The gore is not from physical violence, just fashion descriptions supported by graphic images. It gets my attention, seems appropriate for the target market and the ads are "executed" well. Although I no longer fit the 18-34 demographic, I actually love first person shooters! I have several girlfriends who love them and UFC fights as well-go figure. Most of us worked in advertising or marketing which taints the demographics a little. So I understand that it takes "more" edge or shock-and-awe to reach an over stimulated generation of shoppers. Trends to keep in mind: Shock-&-Shop, Multicultural-Must-Haves and Gore-iffic.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BLOGGERS

Trendsetters around the globe are engaged in a fashion race, scouring boutiques and department stores in a desperate search to be the first to discover the new “It” denim line. Now, more than ever before, jeans are the staple item in stylish wardrobes. Jeans have also progressed in the fashion world. Designer denim has made its mark, appearing everywhere from the runways of New York to the office and bars during happy hour. Dressed up or dressed down, designer jeans are an essential item. Given the popularity of denim, the market is over saturated with new designer denim lines. Bread Denim is a unique brand in the overwhelming world of designer denim. Bread Denim’s fresh styles and flattering cuts have rendered them the next premium designer denim line.

New Un-retouched Photos Released: October 10, 2006

Photographer is Clarence K @ Frank Management
Models are Agatha @ Elite and William @ IMG
Photoshoot, October 10th.

Rather than following current trends, the creators of Bread Denim took a chance and ventured on their own. The young entrepreneurial team prides themselves in their “anything fly’s” mantra that is reflected in their unique designs. Bread Denim’s styles are as fresh as their namesake. The hot new line specializes in ultra sexy and stylish denim for men and women. Bread has quickly risen to the top of the competitive world of denim and established itself as the “Must Have” brand for 2007 and has already become a celebrity favorite.

The Predator Skinny Zip Jean is the company’s best selling style. A zipper extends from mid-thigh down, making The Predator an adjustable skinny-jean that is flattering on all body types. “It is minimalist, but super-sexy and sophisticated,” states Jason Ferro, the head designer of Bread. The line has three other styles for women and six styles for men. The designs come in a variety of six washes and three colors. The environmentally conscious line uses non toxic dyes at the wash house and the finest denim from Italy, Turkey, Japan, and U.S. Bread Denim has exclusivity on all their denim, which makes each piece unique and original.

Bread’s Holiday line and much anticipated spring line will debut at fashion havens such as Hollywood Trading Company, Fred Segal, Atrium, Selfridges, Isetan and Gallerie Lafayette. Get Bread while it’s hot.

From bathroom stalls to concert halls to the red carpet thralls, Bread Denim designers Sun, Jason, and Clark bring the outlandish and glamorous and grittiness of Los Angeles into their line. Visit www.breaddenim.com to learn more about Bread and get it while it’s hot.

Media Contact
Quinn Doan
Pierce Mattie PR
323.469.5500
quinn@piercemattie.com

Source: Yomiuri Online

Project Runway, indeed! The University of Tokyo recently hosted a spacewear fashion show with couture designed for weightless environments. You know how some raincoats are reversible, so you look as good in dry weather as you do in rain? So here, clothes must be directionally revsersible, and look just as good up as they do down. I've floated in microgravity a few times on Zero G flights, and it would sure be even more fun to float around in satin poufs instead of those pedestrian spacesuits.

The show was held by Rocketplane Kistler — a US company that plans to begin offering space tours in two years — and a group of Japanese fashion designers, as part of the Hyper Space Couture Design Contest. Winners of the contest, which is organized by Tokyo-based fashion designer Eri Matsui with the support of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and many others, will help design the clothes for use on Rocketplane’s space tourism flights set to begin in 2008.

The 11 garments appearing in the show were selected from over 880 designs submitted by college students. The clothes incorporate a variety of features designed for zero gravity, such as ruffles that expand under weightless conditions or small air-jet propulsion systems in the sleeves to help you change direction while floating.

Link (via jwz). Here's an earlier story by Dennis Overbye in the NYT about plans for the contest: Link.

I remember when I was a little girl, I felt so grown up the day I got to wear pantyhose. As fashion trends change and fashion itself evolves, it seems that pantyhose is a thing of the past. A recent post here on Pierce Mattie about Pantyhose vs. Tights now seems to be null, as Hanesbrands has noted a 70% decline in pantyhose purchases. It seems, for now, the consumer has spoken.

The issue with pantyhose has always been how easily it runs and that you just can’t get them to fit right. I recall in the early 90’s that tights were a major hit, as I would wear them with anything, even under stonewashed ripped shorts as a way to “dress up” my nightclub attire. Tights remained around, but lost their momentum until the last few years when it came back in force. As with all fashion trends, things are in one minute and out the next, until 10 years later they are the all the rage once again. Can the same be said for pantyhose?

According to Hanesbrands, they think it will take some innovative pantyhose to bring them up to par with newer products. For example, they now offer “anti-cellulite” nylons and hydrating nylons. Of course, the decline is blamed on Generation Y and their desire to be fashionable yet casual in the workplace.

Being old enough to have watched trends recycle themselves over the years, I have no doubt that eventually pantyhose will be in again. What do you think?

It seems that the death of a few anorexic models are finally making the fashion world sit up and take notice. Rather, they are forced to take notice when such countries as Spain are going to be implementing laws to ensure that models have a BMI of at least 18; Italy will be soon to follow with their own rules. Have we grown so immune to sickly thin models that we don’t even notice until someone dies from the deadly disease?

Unfortunately, in fashion and the beauty industry, the thinner the better. This isn’t only seen throughout the pages of any fashion magazine, but it has also transferred over into how sizes are now being made for clothing. Banana Republic has size 00 and Nicole Miller will soon have size “subzero.”

We can’t seem to make up our minds. We have an outcry over the epidemic of childhood obesity and urge kids to lose weight and get healthy, we exploit deadly thin models throughout the fashion industry enforcing the view that thinner is better, we now have fashion designers creating negative sizes further reinforcing that skinny is beautiful and then we suddenly try to put all of that on hold announcing that maybe we were wrong about the whole thing. As an adult, it doesn’t affect me as much, as my sense of self is pretty secure with how I look. The people this harms most are teenagers who crumble under pressure, especially peer pressure, and the pressure to be thin is enormous.

In the beginning of November it was announced that Sophia Kokosalaki would soon be designing shoes for Payless. For this Fall season, it was Laura Poretzky, who designed Abaete for Payless winter collection. Much to the surprise of trend watchers and even Payless, most of the collection has sold out and has been a major hit in the select 400 stores Abaete for Payless was sold in. So what can Payless do, except extend their contract with Laura Poretzky to design another seasonal collection?

I’m sure that this is only the beginning for Payless. As trends are showing the popularity, not to mention the increase in sales, that top designers coming to the department store level have exhibited. There is no where to go but up with increasing designer shoes made available for the general public at a reasonable price.

I haven’t graced a Payless shoe store since the beginning of the summer, but wonder if the same quality is put into these “public” designer shoes as is in the private label designs. Although, I can’t help but be excited that fashion designers are making their brands more affordable and available to the average consumer. As Target’s motto goes, “Design for All.”

India is set to overtake China as the world's most populous nation by 2050 and designers like Nicole Miller are taking note. India’s luxury clothing and accessories business generates around $434 million in sales annually. Researchers estimate that by 2010, this figure will rise to $800 million. Nicole Miller is looking to sell her clothes and accessories to an Indian retail chain and may partner with a luxury apparel company to distribute the Nicole Miller label.

According to a study done in the UK and published in the British Medical Journal, it recommended that obesity health line numbers be printed inside clothing for Plus sized persons. The British Medical Journal is known in the UK to be an established source of policy recommendations. Unlike the United States individualized health care system, the UK has a universal health care plan in which the government foots the bill. Since obesity in the UK is steadily climbing, the government is looking for ways to avoid their health care system going bankrupt over obesity health related issues.

While I am all for assisting those manage their weight that want the help, I was dumbfounded by the recommendation to put a health line number in an obese persons garment of clothing. You know you are overweight because you shop at Lane Bryant, but now we are really going to shove it in your face and urge you to get help. To me it is the same as putting “Smoking Kills” on a pack of cigarettes, since that is a blatantly obvious fact known by the entire free world.

Maybe it’s about putting that little bug in their ear to linger in their subconscious that they have a weight issue and should seek weight loss help, although I am not sure I don’t know anyone who is overweight who is not already aware of that fact. My opinion is that of being proactive instead of reactive. Instill good eating habits and exercise programs from the beginning, or have dr.’s assist in weight maintenance and weight loss when it begins to become an issue, but putting a label in clothing with the number to an obesity help line? That’s just ludicrous.

What do you think?

I’m sure most men will agree, but as a woman I say thank God the days of the male version of the short-short is over. For those much younger than myself who may not really remember what a guy looked like in such athletic attire, I advise you to watch an episode of Mad TV whenever there is a skit of “Coach Hines” or simply rent the movie Grease and pay careful attention to John Travolta in the track scenes. As recent as 1996, I saw a male fashion victim wearing these shorts. In fact, he was in my Modern Dance class in college and we all would cringe and close our eyes when he would do high kicks or splits.

Even after the male short-short, men’s athletic shorts weren’t really impressive nor did they scream style until recent years. When a guy was heading to the gym or playing hoops, the athletic shorts were mesh or your basic cotton short. Times have really changed and nowadays men’s athletic shorts
are what make the outfit. Now at mid-thigh (thankfully) with different fabrics, most athletic attire revolves around the shorts and their brand. It’s no longer status quo to just throw on no name shorts and your average tee. It’s New Balance, Adidas, Nike and so on. The shirt now matches the shorts, and most likely, so does the socks and sneakers making it an “outfit” and in a sense “dressing up” to go work out.

Men’s athletic shorts have also grown in innovation. There is the Nike Dri-FIT Workout Shorts, which manages moisture and keeps you dry or Insport’s Legend Short that has a quick drying microfiber shell and an X-Static brief that manages moisture and inhibits odor. Many of the new athletic shorts are not just about style alone, but also about comfort during your workout and they’ve taken into consideration the issues men have had over the years with working out and working up a sweat. Just another way that listening to the consumer has changed the direction of fashion.

When I first saw the headline "Solar Powered Bikini," I wondered what they would think of next. Sure, we all know the sun to be a great energy source saving us money on batteries and electricity. There's the solar panels for your house, the solar powered lights for your walkway, automotive hybrids, but now a solar powered bikini?

So what would such an item be good for? Well, how many times do you head out to the beach making sure you have your cell phone fully charged, fresh batteries in your iPod or try to pack enough ice in your cooler to keep your drinks nice and cold? It's all a project in itself just to go soak up some rays, but this Solar Powered Bikini is supposed to be the solution. The suit soaks up the sun's rays as you get a golden tan and can charge your iPod through a USB connection in the hip section of your suit, ensuring your ability to listen to your favorite tunes your entire stay on the sand.

My question is, do you change into a second suit in order to hit the waves?

Even though on the runway, all you see are splashes of color in the clothing designs, the one thing that always remains in style is that little black dress. Started by Coco Chanel in 1926, it has been the one fashion staple that has remained in style no matter the various trends over the years.

It’s not something you only reserve for Holiday parties, but can be worn to any function, as this classic can be reserved or spiced up depending on the occasion. There are many who say that the little black dress is old fashioned. They complain about the lack of style when going to a party and being lost in a sea of black dresses. However, who says that a black dress alone should be your “outfit”? Add a red purse for a splash of color, brilliant jewelry, whatever the accessory it shouldn’t necessarily be matching in color to your dress.

Every LBD comes in various styles; make sure the one you are wearing accents your best feature. Black is also slimming, no one will argue that, so this fashion-fall-back looks great no matter your dress size.

What do you think? A classic or old fashioned?

Should we be thanking Jennifer Hudson for finally showing the world that you can be bigger than a 10, but still look curvy and gorgeous? Or is it a culmination of the fashion industry shunning underweight models, while plus-sized women seem to shine? Whatever the reason, I say it is about time.

It has been known for a long time that the average size of women in the US is 14. 14 is where plus-sized apparel begins and many times, where good fashion ends. As I get older, and right after having each of my son’s, I have no choice but to wear a size 14 since it seems to get more difficult to drop the weight that I put on during pregnancy. Normally I go back and forth between 10 and 12; mostly 12, but I can tell you that even at a size 12 you feel plus-sized and the lack of fashion is truly discouraging.

Now many more stores are beginning to extend their brands into the plus-sized market and are seeing them taking off. Finally recognizing that 14 and beyond is more common than a size 4, many clothing stores are finding that plus-sized clothing means plus-sized profits. Not only do the stores themselves recognize this, obviously the designers supplying the clothes are, as well.

I’m certainly not advocating being overweight or even obese, but if you are, why should you have to suffer wearing a mumu?

As we say goodbye to 2006 and its love of pointy toed shoes, skinny sheath dresses, low rise jeans and handbags with all the bells and whistles; let’s look forward to the new year. So what can we expect to be big in 2007?

We can expect to see the continuation of skinny jeans, leggings, and animal prints in 2007. What makes its grand entrance are maxi dresses, quilted bags with an unstructured style, babydolls, shirtwaisters and metal-based designs. Tight and form fitting are out, while big and baggy are back in. Boot cut jeans will only be in style if you are actually wearing a boot and your low-waist jeans can now be safely put away. Round-toed platforms and wedges in neutral colors will be gracing the feet of fashionista’s everywhere. For accessories, it’s all about chunky beads, long necklaces and slouchy handbags.

Personally, I am most excited about wedges and platforms since I am short and they have always been my favorite to give me height. My husband often makes fun of me for my love of chunky styled shoes. I also love the idea of big and baggy. This will be good for me post-baby while I am trying to lose my pregnancy weight. I’ve never really felt comfortable wearing tight fitting clothing, so it looks like being comfortable will finally be in style.

What are fashion trends are you looking forward to in 2007?

Beatriz Cristina Ferraz Lopes Bastos, a 23-year-old Brazilian teacher, died from complications of anorexia on Christmas Eve. Bastos was 5’2” and weighed 77lbs. Bastos is the fourth reported person to die from this disease following a string of models who also succombed to the disease.

While the fashion industry has started to closely examine this problem and try to reverse the damage done, it looks to be coming a little too late for some models and those who look up to them, but hopefully can prevent future deaths. Brazil will now be adopting the same measures that Milan and Madrid have implemented for their models. That is, no one under the age of 16 will be allowed to walk the catwalk and that every model must present a medical certificate deeming them in good health. While it’s a start, it’s a weak start at that.

Without knowing the exact details as to who and how a model is deemed in good health, I would wonder if there will be a more defined definition of what the fashion industry considers “good health” and if there are certain guidelines and criteria that have to be met. That said, would the medical certificate come from the model’s own primary physician or an independently appointed doctor to make this determination? A model could go unnoticed if she is bulimic, but still deemed in good health. I speak from experience, as my sister was bulimic and no one ever knew until a concerned friend approached my parents.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I think Spain’s off to the right start by giving a concrete standard of a minimum BMI of 18. Hopefully the fashion industry will come up with more concrete measures and work together as a collaborative effort that will not vary so much from country to country.

The ever-popular Amazon.com has decided to branch out and take advantage of the continually growing popularity of online shopping for fashion by creating Endless.com, a shoe and accessory website. The newest venture is made to compete with the likes of Zappos, Gap's PiperLime and Nordstrom. Endless.com is still in beta, but looks eerily familiar to another shoe and accessory destination that I am familiar with: Shoebuy.com

Both sites cater to women, men and children for their footwear needs, both sell handbags, offer a 110% price match guarantee, free return shipping and 365-day returns. However, the two sites do differ. Obviously Shoebuy.com offers a very expansive collection of shoes and handbags, but they also offer apparel, bags (such as luggage) and fashion accessories such as belts, shoe trees and watches. Another perk is that they do not charge sales tax.

While Endless.com’s shoe selection may not provide as many varieties of brands and designers as Shoebuy, this can be forgiven because they offer free overnight shipping. So if you need those shoes by tomorrow, Endless.com is the place to buy them. I also love their clean layout and how the sidebar navigation makes color, size and brand selection easy. Actually, overall, I like Endless.com’s total web design layout. It doesn’t feel cluttered and is easy on the eyes.

It will be interesting to watch it grow and evolve, but also to see if it can become a true competitor in the footware market.

You know him from That 70’s Show and Yo Momma, he co-owns three restaurants (Dolce, The Lodge and Geisha House), but now Wilmer Valderrama is looking to do more. It’s reported that he will launch a men’s fashion line called Calavena this February.

Calavena is said to be a clothing line that is a mix of Latino-inspiration and Diesel. The line will consist of jeans, t-shirts and jackets. Valderrama joins the ranks of many celebrities that are launching their own clothing lines such as Tommy Lee, Justin Timberlake and Gwen Stephani. The trend seems to be progressing with celebrities launching not only their own clothing lines, but fragrances as well, with a positive money making track record to boot.

Will this trend continue to move upward and remain successful or eventually bottom out?

Marketers know that baby boomers are the largest consumer base with money to spend. So footwear retailers and manufactures are sitting up and taking notice of how Baby Boomer’s shoe buying habits are different from other generations. Baby Boomers do not see themselves as aging, and certainly don’t want to be reminded of it, so they want shoes that don’t look like they say “senior citizen,” yet want them to be as comfortable as possible for their aging feet.

They are looking past the trendy designers to find ones who meet both their needs of comfort and style. While they are still willing to open their wallets for a good shoe; they are less influenced by traditional marketing and therefore require designers and their ad campaigns to hit the drawing board to understand what style and effective marketing strategy will work in their favor.

Many more female Baby Boomers are also shopping online for their footwear needs. I spoke with She Finds back in mid-November, as they explained women’s online shoe buying habits. These same habits hold true for Baby Boomers and it’s no surprise to see that online retailers, such as internet giant Amazon, are capitalizing on this trend.

Baby Boomers, I would love your input. What do you look for in a shoe? What brand gives meets your needs?

Well I saw this coming. Other countries are taking the issue of eating disorders in the fashion industry seriously with the recent anorexia-related deaths, while the Council of Fashion Designers of America gives a less than enthusiastic attempt at it. Their idea of getting involved? Keeping a more vigilant eye on models. How will they do this? Scheduling fashion-show fittings during the daytime instead of after dark to give models more sleeping hours, urging designers to work harder at spotting models with eating disorders and improving the quality of backstage catering.

Are you kidding me? When I first read what their new guidelines would be, I thought it was a joke. It’s very disappointing to hear that they won’t implement any rules or policies to ensure better health for their models, despite top designer Diane von Furstenberg’s comment that, “It is important as a fashion industry to show our interest and see what we can do because we are in a business of image."

That’s where they fall short…simply “showing their interest” without anything really concrete to be part of the solution. I could “show my interest” in people suffering from cancer, but if I never contribute in some way, shape or form concretely to help aid in furthering research for the disease with a donation or by volunteering to help my local ACS raise awareness of their support programs, then by merely “showing interest,” I am doing nothing.

I certainly don’t mean to sound so harsh, however, our fashion industry plays a major role in the way we view body image. So many women (and men) become vulnerable to believing that they must be super thin in order to be normal and I whole heartedly feel it is the fashion industry’s responsibility to do all they can to contribute to being a solution to eating disorders and not be the cause of them.

I’ve been seeing a trend emerging lately and that is in the both the fashion and beauty industry regarding green and Vegan products. Although Vegan and green products have been around for a while, it seems to be picking up momentum, as more people are becoming health conscious and earth conscious. As we watch the glaciers melt and fall into the Ocean in the Antarctic, it’s bringing to light the issue of global warming and forcing people to take a look at how to make and use products all around that are friendlier for the earth and our environment.

In December I wrote a post on Eco-Fashion, which is clothing that takes into account the environment, the health of consumers and the working conditions of people in the fashion industry. For a time there has been a handful of designers that have created their pieces to be eco-fashion friendly using hemp and other fibers to create earth friendly clothing, but as time progresses we’re seeing more designers venturing into this arena, most especially as vegetarians begin to grow in number and create a demand for more earth friendly products.

I know that personally, I’ve begun to choose more organic and mainly natural beauty products, but have yet to really try clothing made in the same way. If you have worn Vegan clothing, let me know what your thoughts are in the comments section.

Just when I thought I heard it all, Godfrey Deeny at FWD reminds me that I haven’t. In an article today about Milan’s newest runway looks, he points out that leggings were the theme at the Marni Men’s show. I was hoping that the skinny jean look for men would fade out, but to have it transfer over to leggings; oh say it isn’t so.

While certainly the model pictured from Marni’s collection looks pretty good in his burgundy colored leggings, how many guys do you know with the perfect legs to wear such attire (and make it look good)? I supposed in a sense it would be like wearing jogging pants, except a little tighter and a lot more stylish. Somehow I just can’t imagine this trend will take off, but then again I am sometimes surprised at what makes it from the runway into my own closet.

What do you think of this new trend for men?

The Golden Globes had quite a few fashion trends going on, did anyone else notice? I was surprised to see so many bare necks, when flashing the jewelry has always been a staple of the Red Carpet. At least Heidi Klum didn’t let us down with her one million dollar diamond necklace, plus she looked positively radiant in her gorgeous Givenchy gown.

More trends were white gowns, black belted gowns and unfortunately multi-layer ruffle type gowns as evidenced by Rinko Kikuchi and Cameron Diaz (who almost looked like Snow White.)

While it’s split down the middle about Sienna Miller’s look on the Red Carpet, I think her gown by Marchesa was gorgeous. Despite many other’s nay’s, I also liked her hair. However, that “I just got off the treadmill” shiny look to her face was the least beautiful thing about her.

I think Drew Barrymore and Angeline Lily were the best dressed of all. They both looked stunning and had this beautiful elegant look to them. Worst had to be Rose McGowan, although she looks much better post-Marilyn Manson, and Vanessa Williams.

My biggest surprise had to be when I saw Sacha Baron Cohen with Reese Witherspoon out of Borat attire. WOW. Imagine my surprise at how absolutely gorgeous he is.

Many other Bloggers gave their input about the beauty and fashion gracing the Red Carpet, be sure to check them out:

Beauty Addict: Worst Makeup, Best in Beauty
Second City Style: Best & Worst Dressed
HiiFii Celebrity Entertainment: Best & Worst Dressed
LMNOP: Golden Globes Fashion Recap
Seamsters: Fashion Honorable Mentions

What were some of your favorites?

Blood Diamond, the movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio with talk over possible Academy Award nominations, is based on the violent civil war in the 1990’s in Sierra Leone in which the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels attempted to overthrow the government, and an illicit diamond trade was used to fund the war effort. The movie has brought attention to the diamond trade and many times what is involved in mining diamonds that are the most sought-after gem in the world.

So it’s no surprise that there are laboratories out there, such as Apollo Diamonds and Gemesis, that are perfecting on creating real diamonds in a lab setting. Not your typical chemically produced Cubic Zirconia, but diamonds created through a process involving real diamond seeds that come together under pressure to create a diamond that matches or exceeds a mined diamond in quality and brilliance. Same natural diamond, only it takes 2 weeks to produce one in a lab setting versus billions of years in the earth. Obviously it is also much safer to create than the risks involved in mining and what it does to our environment.

Creating and mimicking what is real is nothing new. It’s in how man-made products are taking its toll on the industries that produce the real deal. Cultured Pearls are almost indistinguishable to the naked eye compared to its natural counterpart. Fake fur, really well produced pieces, can often be mistaken for the real thing. While the industry that brings you the real products is beginning to feel its effects, it tries to counteract the new demand for man made quality copies by stressing the importance and value on their non-synthetic product.