Ethnic Influence on Apparel Design
Designers today seem to be turning and reflecting upon specific ethnic cultures when designing their new apparel designs. They look at the ethnic beliefs, cultural colors, and even incorporate designs from traditions of a culture. Two cultures that the United States has and continues to fashion many clothing lines after is the Hawaiian and Indian cultures. These are showing in greater popularity through the fabric, stitchery, and style design that is used.
Hawaii is a wonderful place for color, customs, and beliefs that are desired in clothing apparel. The Hawaiian designs are seen in America as bright, printed hues, and created from cool fabric usually worn during the summer. I found it interesting as Dr. Linda Boynton Arthur states that, “Hawaiian clothing has become a visual testament to both ethnic integration and ethnic diversity. The unique cultural landscape of Hawaii has proven to be a fertile ground for fashion designers.” America constantly reflects back to the relaxed idea of Hawaii and the feel good experience it provides to the fashion world.
Indian apparel has for many years been seen and worn in American culture. Americans seem to appreciate the early civilians that developed and helped contribute to the foundation of our heritage today. The earth tone colors seen in the Indian apparel seem to be a basic, popular one in our society. Beading is added to enhance color just like the Indians created beads, jewelry, and woven accessories. I feel that designers are extremely interested in sharing a country’s ethnic background and integrating it into designs and clothing that everyone could be comfortable wearing in our fashion conscientious society today.
Dr. Linda Boynton Arthur, “Ethnic Influences on Hawaiian Fashion”. http://2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/costume/hawaiianbrochure.htm

Ready to Wear Main Treads of the New York Fashion Week

The clothing economic status is showing many changes today. New York’s fashion trend of ready to wear clothes is being created by all designers. The elite designers continue to create clothing for the higher priced buyers, but they are also providing their lines in ready to wear to meet the everyday consumer interest, availability, and affordability. New York’s ready to wear fashion trends are enabling standard sizes and styles of the same design to be available to the clothing market. This is great in our got to have it to wear now society.
New York’s recent trend of Oscar de la Renta’s ready to wear line shows that he kept his floral pattern from his spring line and incorporated them into his fall line. This ready to wear line is able to meet everyone’s interest. It was stated that “the designer sent out a fall collection of impeccable clothes for gals young and old who are accustomed to the good life.” Retailers are able to purchase fashionable, standard, ready to wear garments which meets the interest and fit of all their customers. Retailers are able to sell more, creating more profit, if they get these types of finished garments.
Finally, the consumer is more likely to buy the latest fashion trends if they can find their style and are able to wear them without many alterations. If the designer creates fashions and produces styles that can be worn by all, then their profit increases and the fashion consumer’s interests were considered. I feel the ready to wear fashion line is one necessary for the fashion business, and where else to have it introduced but in the ever popular New York fashion district. It’s too expensive to purchase a one of a kind design, and if it requires a lot of alterations, many times the original design has been lost. It may also be less appealing and fashionable!

Citations:
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/F2008RTW-ODLRENTA

Organic and Environmentally Friendly Clothing

Organic and environmentally friendly are not new words in our world today. They are, however, becoming used and integrated more in our fashion and textile productions than before. Organic clothing is an increasing popular style with designers and consumers alike. To be organic, the fabric has been made from a source that has not been treated using a pesticide or herbicide. Many producers in the past have used this treatment method to help in the production of their crop, especially cotton, which is a leading material that is used in many clothes that consumers wear today.

Using organic and environmentally friendly fabric is gaining popularity because it is more healthy, both to our bodies and our earth. Some fabrics may contain a residue of the chemicals that were used in growing the product. This residue could possibly get onto the skin causing irritations, aggravate or initiate allergies, or may even cause more serious affects. Using organic materials to design our fashions also contributes to a better environment, especially since the focus of our world today is GREEN. If we’re not using pesticides, that’s one less pollution concern that we have to worry about.

Many question and express different feelings on organic fabric. These concerns are fabric durability and the expense. I am for organic fashion, but I have to be a cost wise shopper. As designers continue their desire to appeal and attract the fashion buyers, they hopefully will keep the cost in mind when using organic and environmental safe materials. I’m sure they will continue to design desirable clothing using organic environmental safe ideas that will last. Hopefully styles last a little longer, especially since everyone should be concerned about the future of our world.

My Favorite Designer

My Favorite Designer

Our fashion society has experienced and seen many designers come and go. Many designers have stimulated the market with new and inspiring attire that the public enjoys and desires to display. My favorite designer in our competitive fashion market is Ralph Lauren. His clothing line is attractive and available to men, women, and children. The clothes, whether they are shirts, pants, or socks, visibly display that classy Lauren touch with his signature polo rider. His clothes are designed on well-made fabric that is durable, comfortable, and of course fashionably stylish and appealing. I like the acceptability of being able to wear either his shirts, pants, or sweaters to many levels of various events and social occasions.

Although Ralph Lauren’s fashion signature is seen on clothes, I also like his extended design in the home. These items include sheets, towels, and even paint. I enjoy and am attracted to the design, colors, and fabric that he uses, especially in the bed and bath ensembles. His design and style is uniquely seen and gives a room that special touch and an air of its own.

Finally, I like Ralph Lauren and his line of products because they have presented themselves as being a strong, desirable product in the fashion market. I feel he is a strong designer who wants to appeal to the public and gives his merchandise a taste for everyone in many areas of interest. Although his products my have a price tag higher than other designers or manufacturers, I am a believer in that you get what you pay for.