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Archive for July, 2011

It has rightly been said by fashion gurus that year 2010 is and will continue to be an interesting and exciting year for fashion. With the end of the global financial crisis and recession trend, an upheaval in the fashion world was seen in the beginning of the year and this is continuing. In all the fashion shows that have taken place so far, a new standard of fashion rise up is seen. The latest trends in women fashion 2010 have been inspired by yesteryear’s classic styles with a dash of sex, skin, colors, embellishments and of course attitude and glamor. Let us see some of the latest women fashion trends 2010.

2010 Fashion Colors, Prints and Patterns
There is a mix of soft, delicate styles with sporty look in the Spring/Summer 2010. No doubt, you could trace a touch of past fashion but mixed with modern outlook in this season. The popular colors for the year are neutral shades, sober colors and also other colors like the blues, pinks, browns and surprisingly a color like neon green. An important aspect of women fashion trends in 2010 is that heavy patterns and prints, earthly tones teamed up with bold and outrageous designs are in this year. So there is nothing wrong or embarrassing to experiment with a neutral attire, team up with bright colored footwear like pumps and jewelries to bring some color to your look. Or get yourself a gorgeous dress with huge floral or other prints all over, and team it up with patterned hand bags and stockings and hooped jewelry.

Fashion Trends 2010 in Women Fashion Wear
While the last decade saw the fashion circuit being dominated by tight jeans, the women fashion wear trends in 2010 has seen the emergence of loose pants. So go for a baggy jeans and throw on a loose kurti or tunic this year. Wearing sporting attire is also a trend in 2010. So you can see in the fashion stores, designer jogging suits and fashionable sweat pants. These two trends have clearly shown that fashion 2010 is more focused on comfort, rather than looks.

Hot ladies shorts in bright and vibrant colors have made their way in 2010. Colorful chunky jewelry and accessories and big glasses play a major role in adding glamor to your ensemble. Do not wear too short shorts so as to make yourself a fashion disaster. A sultry and sexy high dress is in for those who do not prefer to wear shorts. This particularly looks good on those who have well toned legs and skin.

Full skirts are out in 2010 and this trend has been replaced bandage skirts. In fact, the fashion designers have concluded that the the bandage skirt is the “it” piece of fashionable clothing for women for work or a night out. A fitted top gives the perfect slim figure look, accentuating the waistline. Mini skirts in neutral tones are also in this year.

Women fashion trend 2010 has also seen the casual fitted t-shirts paired with denim jeans looking good on women for that cool look. Denim jeans will never be go out of fashion. There is a comeback of torn jeans teamed with white t-shirt.

Business suits in the form of blazers and formal trousers are still in, giving importance to masculine gender dresses. This has now been extended to long length blazers with leggings or shorts, with beads and bangles for that feminine look. The knee length capris, showing off a toned calf, is also seen among the younger lot in 2010. It is decent, cool and still looks hot.

Another fashion trend that is seen in 2010 is to be bold and beautiful with some revealing styles. Long, floor length dresses are gone. In fact women are willing to go sleeveless with strong lines to look sexy just by displaying enough cleavage, and a cut at the waist defining the curves rather than being covered by wearing a long dress. The revealing fabric is in fashion.

2010 Fashion Footwear & Accessories
Fashion accessories trends in 2010 show the emergence of large accessories. Do not hesitate to wear large sized chains, striking studs, over sized chain bags, shimmering bracelets, big pendants, bold cuffs and rings. Stilettos are out this year. Instead, flat shoes, pumps, tiny heel shoes, and boots with buckles and zippers are in.

Conclusion

Try out styles that look good on you. Fashion trends 2010 have shown a number of options for mixing and matching and coming up with the right style. It is necessary to be fashion conscious but not necessary to stick to them always. If you feel that a certain style is out of fashion, do not worry, fashion trends keep on changing and when an old style is back in fashion, you wear it at the right time. 2010 is a year of taking hold of the importance of being a woman and embracing the womanhood’s essence. The basic point of fashion is to be comfortable in what you are wearing.

Fashion has everything to do with being attractive. There are many things to know about the style you choose if you want to be fashionable and look good at the same time. These things include the colors you wear, clothing you choose, hair style, and more.

When you want to look good all of the time there are many things you need to know about being fashionable. Fashion doesn’t always come easy for some people but it really is easier than you might think. Here are a few things to consider when you want to look good all of the time, even if you are wearing a sweat suit.

The colors you choose need to match your skin tone and your hair if you want to look good. Blondes shouldn’t wear colors that make them look washed out and ill. Colors that may have this effect on a blonde with a very white skin tone would include a lime green, pastels, yellow, and even orange. A blonde can get away with these colors if her skin tone is very tan. Always make sure the colors you choose to wear go well with your skin tone and the color of your hair.

Another factor in trying to look good is your hair style. Many women often wear a hair style that really doesn’t suit them well. If you have a big forehead then you shouldn’t wear your hair all of the same length. This can make it look even bigger and even draw on the length of your face. Only people who have a small forehead can get by without wearing bangs. It is best for a long neck and forehead to wear bangs and possibly even a layered hair style. This will accentuate the face and show off your features better.

When you choose clothing it is important also so you can look good. The fashion styles you choose should be based on your body type. Don’t buy clothing because you have coupons and not pay attention to the style of the clothing. If you are overweight then you may not look very good in a pair of tight jeans. You should also not wear things that are too tight or that do not cover up your stomach. Relaxed clothing is best for someone who is overweight. Skinny jeans and tight clothing are designed for women who are really skinny and have the body to look good in them. Skirts and dresses need to be chosen wisely also. Be sure if you are overweight to wear a dress with a waist. This will make you look thinner.

There are many things to consider when you are trying to look good and be fashionable. Your style has everything to do with how good you are going to look. The best thing you can do when you want to look good is pay attention to the colors in your wardrobe, the type of clothing you normally wear, and your hairstyle. These are helpful tips that can help you look good all of the time.

Dress to kill with budget wears

There is a saying “your clothes reflect your personality”. Whatever you wear, it shows who you are and what background do you belong to. If you want to get a good impression, you have to take care of the kind of clothes you wear. So if you want to create your personal style statement, you should be aware of the current fashion trends and should be equally adept to carry off those trends with great panache. Nowadays, almost every fashionable outfit comes with a big tag on it. It is always not possible to afford them, so one could choose a cost effective alternative for that.

Budget clothes are available with some famous retailers during the annual sales period. This would provide you with the latest fashion at amazingly affordable rates. Having decided to go for budget clothing, you have to start from the roots by keeping constant track on the offers provided by the retailers. While shopping, deciding the fabric of your clothes is important. Make sure that the fabric is such that you can wear all through the year. When selecting clothes keep the kind of color shade in mind that would compliment your personality. Try to create maximum styles out of your wardrobe.

To enhance your look, along with the right kind of clothes you will also require good shoes. For this, you have the option of budget shopping where you will find some nice collections of shoes to select from. You can mix and match these shoes with your attire. Apart from clothes and shoes, you will also find accessories like watches, belts and son on in these budget shops. So make full use of this opportunity and dress to kill everyone.

Summer is almost over which means it is time to start dressing a little bit warmer to prepare for the chilly weather. One of the great things about fall is that you can put away your sandals and start wearing some of the latest women’s shoe fashion trends for this fall. One of the must have shoe fashions this fall are thigh high and over the knee boots. Whether you choose high heeled, flat or the increasingly popular wedge style, these boots come in materials ranging from soft suede to cutting edge leathers.

Another style of footwear you will be seeing more of is the type of shoes that blend the lines between masculine and feminine. Women’s shoe fall fashion trends for this season will include classic styles like oxfords, but with a feminine touch. You can find the shoes embellished with lace and flowers and bows. Military boots are also going to be a hot item this autumn. Military inspiration will be obvious in boots but will have high heels and peep toes to give them a girlish charm. These almost gender neutral boots and shoes will make an excellent addition to any wardrobe and are perfect for the office or a night on the town that.

Women’s shoe fashion trends will also see the popular clogs still being one of the favorites. Their influence will be seen in everything from open toed sandal type shoes to boots. Get ready to see shoes with a much more feminine look to them this autumn. Designers will be using lace, velvet, and suede along with bows and other very ladylike accent details. For women who enjoy fashions that incorporate the whimsy and fun of these details, this season is the perfect time to go shoe shopping.

As the weather gets colder it may be time to take a look at some of the other women’s shoes fashion trends for this autumn. You will be seeing a lot of fur boots ranging from fur trimmed suede to full on fur. Platform boots and shoes with exciting animal prints, especially leopard, are also going to be hot ticket items this fall. If you are looking to spruce up your wardrobe or just need a reason to go shoe shopping, this autumn is going to be one of the most exciting seasons for new shoe trends in a very long time. The cooler weather does not mean that the styles are any less hot.

If you are a person who would want to purchase style with comfort then you should go in for Sperry Topsiders shoes which are meant to be the best in the market worldwide, especially for their looks and quality comparatively. Amazing shoes for men and women, you will get all your various official and casual needs being fulfilled here with this brand of fashionable shoes.

Sperry Topsiders shoes are for people with a quality and marked lifestyle and this brand will simply contribute to the standard of it likewise.  The basic signature of these branded shoes which is the leather cinch which is being wrap around the whole shoes is the mark which make this brand different and unique from the others competing in the market along with this one. For all your different needs like walking, trekking, formal wear, casual wear, beach wear, sports and likewise many such other activities, you will get a perfect fit for yourself and likewise for everyone there is something just perfect for him only. These pair of fashionable shoes will give you a very smart and classic look which will match up well with maximum of your outfits and occasions as well.

A team of experts have been assigned a new motto every day about style and comfort so that they do not lose concentration from these two major factors that are so important in everyone’s life relatively. Amazing colors are available in this and the combinations will surely make your choice more difficult in choosing the perfect piece for yourself. Very less brands will offer a combination of good comfort level with good style as such and this is one amongst the few to keep its commitments right from day one till now. So go ahead and shop your collection soon!!

We have often heard the experts cry “accessorise, accessorise, accessorise” but do fashion accessories really make a difference to your finished look?

Do they really make your outfit seem more stylish or more like designer haute couture fashion?

The answer according to the most stylish people both in and out of the fashion world is, of course, “yes!”

There are many types of accessories available which can add that special something to your outfit, whether it be that special designer Italian leather bag, designer sunglasses, or an unusual item of jewellery. You can match your shoes and handbag, your scarf and gloves or even your lipstick, necklace and hair accessories!

Many styles of fashion and designer accessories are also available on the market. For example at one end of the extreme there are haute couture bags and accessories through to designer accessories, fashion and costume jewellery and items and striking necklaces and bracelets made from wood, bone or even glass!

The most stylish people plan outfits very carefully and even the smallest pair of earrings is carefully chosen to co-ordinate or sometimes deliberately contrast with the other items. Even when the finished look is casual and sporty, you can be sure that nothing has been left to chance.

Perfume can also be chosen to add to the completed outfit, for example a light flowery outfit is worn with a floral fresh scent such as Chanel Chance. A sophisticated evening look calls for a similarly sophisticated perfume.

An important thing to remember when thinking of your fashion accessories is balance. Don’t go into overload and wear every accessory you can find to co-ordinate with your outfit or you’ll end up looking a little like a Christmas tree.

If your outfit has a lot of detail, then simplicity is the key. The only items that may be needed could be a pair of earrings or a special bag.

I once saw a perfectly accessorised lady in a popular low price clothes shop in Italy. She was fascinating to watch and looked a million dollars.

On close inspection, she wasn’t expensively dressed in the latest designer labels, but she had carefully chosen everything for maximum effect. An elegant pair of black trousers, a short and fitted jacket, then stylish shoes. This lady, probably in her mid fifties had used a bracelet, handbag, nail varnish, lipstick and hair accessories (her hair was dark and pulled back tightly into a simple chignon) to complete this stunning combination.

There was nothing I could see that could have been excessively expensive but everything so carefully planned looked classy and perfect.

How to Promote Yourself as a Freelance Model

If you would rather promote yourself …

Some models would rather promote themselves instead of listing through an agency. Nothing wrong with this but it does require more work on your part.

If you are signed with an agency, they promote the business, they talk to the clients in your behalf, they set up the shooting dates, they take the heat if you don’t make it to the session, etc.

But, there are many models who are “loners” in the pool of modeling and want complete control over who they work with and why.

If you are one of these models, read on …

There are several ways to promote yourself. I will try to mention some ways for you to promote your modeling talent and a step by step format to follow.

First things first ..

In self promotion, the first step to take is putting together a professional portfolio.

Once you’ve followed the portfolio guidelines from above, it’s a good idea to have comp cards and business cards made.

A) Business Cards – Your business card should have as much information on it as possible. It’s not expensive to have extra words listed and this way you can include things other than the name and phone number.

For best results and at just a little extra cost, I would suggest putting your photo (preferably a headshot) on the card. People don’t tend to throw away photos as quickly as they do just cards. Below the photo (or on your card if you choose not to include the photo) you should list ..

Your name, contact phone number, email and don’t forget to put your web address on the card
You may want to also include in bulleted form your attributes (i.e. height and weight), special skills and the type of modeling you specialize in (your modeling strength area)

B) Composite Cards – You’ll definitely want to get composite cards (comp cards) made to hand out to possible clients / agents and to leave with clients or photographers you work with. A comp card is one of the least expensive pieces of printed promotional material but packs a big punch in saying, “I’m a professional model”.

Here is a basic layout of a comp card ..

Front – Photo covering the front of the card (I suggest a good, strong headshot here) along with your name in bold letters.

Back – From four to six photos showing different looks (indoor and outdoor) in a variety of outfits with at least one good body shot (swimwear or tight-fitting clothing).

The back of the card will list important information about you and your stats including …

Contact information (Who to contact, phone, email, web address, etc.)

Height

Weight

Bust size / cup size

Waist size

Hip size

Dress size

Shoe size

Hair color

Hair length (short, shoulder length, long)

Eye color

Type(s) of modeling jobs preferred (i.e. commercial, fashion shows, catalog, promotional, etc.)

No need to feel overwhelmed with the details of getting your comp card ready. There are many companies online such as CompCard.Com who have versions and templates online which will help you every step of the way.

Remember too that there are many different versions of comp cards so it’s all a matter of personal preference as to which style you choose.

C) Modeling Websites – When it comes to websites, I could probably write complete chapters on the subject but I will try as best I can to simplify this part.

Your website – Paid or Free?

Should you pay to have your own website created or go with one of the free web listing services online? Your choice in the type of web promotion you do depends upon your level of experience and the amount of budget you have to work with.

If you are, in actuallity, an eccentric millionaire and are just pursuing modeling out of boredom, by all means hire a professional web designer and start from scratch to build a website that other models will be in awe of! But, even if you go this route, there’s the promotional costs and time to think about; time that could be better used to improve your modeling abilities and make contacts with clients who need you for their photo projects.

I personally feel that it’s better to start but using a few of the online services (paid and free) to get your name out there. You can do a search and find many listing places but two sites that seem to have lots of buzz at the time of this writing are ..

One Model Place & Model Mayhem

Both of these sites offer a basic free package or a paid premium package. Either way, this is a less expensive way to get your feet wet and find out if you’ve got a look which is in demand.

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A word of warning about putting your model photos online

Remember to stay safe when placing your photos online. Don’t provide too much personal information about yourself or location untill you’ve thoroughly checked out the person who is contacting you.

If you are under 18 years of age, put your parents’ email address in the contact section and have them deal with any incoming offers.

Never, Never meet a photographer or potential client alone. Take a parent or friend (preferably male) with you untill you are completely satisfied that you’re in a safe environment. I cannot stress this enough!!

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There are other ways to promote yourself on or off the Internet such as contacting local upscale clothing or department stores for fashion shows or catalog work, jewelry stores if you offer hand modeling, hair salons, etc.

This is your starting point in becoming a real model. See if you can come up with more creative ways to promote yourself as a professional model.

Remember, you can have the most awsome beauty & talent in the world but if nobody knows where to find you … It’ll all be in vain! So, get off your backside and go to work!!

Successful retailers need to forecast the fashions that their consumers will be seeking. Even top designers routinely perform surveys prior to designing their seasonal lines and the large retailers consult forecasting specialists prior to purchasing stock for their stores. So how does the independent boutique retailer gain access to valuable industry information and trend predictors?

Above all observing what’s going on in the weekly celebrity glossy’s and monthly fashion magazines, will give you an upfront view of the new names in design, what consumers will be shopping for and where the trends are headed.

Consumer spending is powerfully influenced by the media but tempered by the economy so to find out what consumers are actually buying it is advisable to make frequent visits to busy similar retailers and local shopping malls. Take time wherever possible to chat with sales assistants. They are in the frontline and this gives them a unique perspective of consumer’s needs and what the customer is seeking. Other extremely rich sources of information will be found online in the magazine fashion forums, Elle, Vogue, InStyle etc have very active fashion consumer forums. These are useful indicators for finding out what is being purchased and the buzz on upcoming styles.

In the past, US retailers looked to European retailers for market trends. Today, more US retailers are finding inspiration closer to home. There is a wealth of undiscovered local designers in our own back yard who are acquiring a dedicated following. With little detective work you can find these rising stars and establish a relationship that will be mutually beneficial.

Other important ways to anticipate the trends is to subscribe to industry trade publications like Accessories magazine, Apparel News and WWD. These publications are essential especially if you are a boutique in a small town and do not plan to attend industry trade shows. These magazines also now have websites which give up-to-date trend reports.

Today, between each marked fashion trend, we experience new adaptations on the fashion standards and especially routine-retro-revivals. Currently this is taking the form of spandex, leggings, 80′s fashion and the neo-preppie look. Wayfarer sunglasses as popularized by movies such as “The Blues Brothers” and “Risky Business” have returned (but in larger sizes and bolder colors) and even some of biggest names of the 80′s and 90′s fashion modeling scene are enjoying a career revival with major fashion and cosmetic companies featuring them in ad campaigns.

The best way to anticipate new fashion trends is to seek relevant visual input wherever you can – in vintage stores, flea markets and in the street. There are also an abundance of fashion blogs and online showcases discussing what the locals in major cities are wearing, thse are an invaluable resources. Chief amongst these are The Satorialist, Streetfashion.net, London Street Fashion (ftp2.dns-systems.net) and styleandthecity.com.

Whether you are an established retailer or a current boutique owner, ongoing research and trend watching is a vital function of your business if you are to evolve and succeed. Spotting trends or even setting trends will be achieved by keenly observing the market, paying attention to street trends and knowing your industry. As ever ‘knowledge is power’ in this case it is the power you can leverage into strong sales!

First, accessorize and mix and match your clothing carefully. You don’t have to redo your entire closet and run out to purchase the latest designer wear to look like a celebrity; however, you can always buy one major high-priced item (i.e. jacket, shoes, or blouse) and pair it with what you already have. Keep changing up the outfit with various accessories (i.e. bangles, earrings, necklaces, and scarves) to keep the outfit looking fresh and to keep your onlookers intrigued.

Research trends and read magazines for inspiration. Whether you’re flipping through Vogue or Cosmopolitan, generally each issue has a section dedicated to the savvy shopper who wants an amazing look for less. Pay special interest to these sections that offer specific websites or stores to frequent. You may want to invest in a subscription to some of the highest rated fashion magazines to stay current on the latest trends of Read the rest of this entry »

Team building exercises have undergone a negative shift in image in the past but are now surfacing as an essential part of any serious business. A strong team who know they can rely on each other will outperform others in all areas. With trust in the team and fellow colleagues, employees at all levels will perform at their best.

Why Team Building Is Important

The benefits for the different stakeholders must be present for any team building effort to be successful. All parties need to be committed to the process and take it seriously. Try to think of the ‘team’ as having the following stakeholders:

* The customer
* The business
* The team leader
* The individual team member
* The team as a whole

By realizing and considering each stakeholder you can then begin to see that team building training play a large role in the organization. The actual team building activities can be based on any activity in which team members rely upon each other in a trust situation or bring them together in a spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding. Obviously you can’t take your customers out team building but if your staff have undergone team building activities, and your senior staff are well versed in team building training, then the customers will benefit as well.

Team building training is important for any business management to understand and to get the best from their team situation. Activities may be planned at a weekend away, a week at a resort, or even something simple every Friday night. Good team leaders will know and recognise a potential team building opportunity and take advantage of it.

How Team Building Works

Team building can work on all levels for all business sizes. Project managers may need to work together to get a large organization involved or it may be a business owner with two or three employees. By bringing these people together and putting them into a situation or relaxed fun where they might rely on each other for support gives them a new perspective on colleagues and the company.

Once a rapport has been established, and activities enjoyed, the flow on effect back at work continues. Workers who may be in different departments may never meet in the day to day running of a large business. The opportunity to meet and get to know one another in a less formal environment puts a positive spin on the team and they are more likely to consider that person or department when decision making or recommending purchases to customers.

The customer benefits from the familiarity between departments and can see staff ready to go out of their way to assist them to find what they need. The team then works together for a successful sale, even if in another department.

Actual team building activities can involve large efforts that might cost a lot of money, or less costly but effective activities. Once in the situation team members are made to rely on each other. This might be a simple exercise of trusting that people you have never met before will catch you when you fall, or it may be a full scale weekend in teams of paintball. The most important part is the trust building and the reliance on each other as a team to succeed.

Examples of Team Building Activities

Team building activities might include:

* Team sports days
* Design an outfit catwalk day
* Novelty race days (egg and spoon, sack race etc)
* Prepare a menu, cooking challenge
* Camping/survival challenges
* Sailing
* Amazing race style challenge Read the rest of this entry »