Changes in Apparel Retailing

With growing technology and more emphasis being placed on convenience and availability of products, apparel retailing is constantly undergoing changes. Companies are faced with new marketing challenges often, as our country is frequently enduring different ethnic population ratios, different values and attitudes, and different financial situations. As availability of products via catalogs and internet ordering increases, companies face more competition and are forced to come up with new sales strategies. The success of an apparel company is directly related to the financial stability of a country and the attitudes of its citizens.

With the recent economy scare, negative changes have been dramatically affecting apparel retailing. Most Americans are now "living on less" which is bad news for companies that rely on profits from people having extra cash to blow on looking good. Priorities are put into perspective when financial crises occur. Apparel retail will never be unsuccessful, because people will always need clothes, yet setbacks have been occuring in clothing sales and business.

America, known for being the melting pot, is constantly shifting it's demographics. With the arrival of more ethnic populations comes the responsibility to meet their apparel needs as well. More options for dress become neccessary as the population becomes more varied. As our country becomes more diverse, it demands more convenience. Plus size marketing has experienced a neccessary growth along with the growing obesity rate. More options than ever are available for children's wear. Supply and demand is the force that is driving apparel retailing to change.

Sweatshops.

(toothpastefordinner.com^)










It is easy to say that I don't support sweatshops, for the obvious moral reasons, but then again the clothes that I am wearing today probably can be attributed to sweatshops. So even though I may not want to support them, I am by purchasing apparel that has been involved in making sweatshops successful. Luckily there are now emerging companies that refuse to use sweatshops to cut costs. Unfortunatley, there must be a downside- price. Most of these companies also support organic clothing, which is also expensive. Hopefully these companies will spark a bit of a revolution, and we will be able to keep children in other countries out of sweatshops at some point in the future.



It is sad that America has become so greedy. Retailers are only concerned with profit, and if Americans will pay ridiculous amounts of money for clothes that only takes companies cents to make overseas, then they're all for it. They don't even take into consideration that they are making 16 year old girls and younger work all day under harsh conditons such as heat, abuse, and no maternirty leaves.




(

milan fashion week: art vs. usability.

This year Milan fashion week featured a lot of pieces that were more wearable rather than artistic, as Milan is known is for. Even in the lines that stayed true to their artistic messages and inspirational motives, there still existed wearable pieces, even if it was just a pair of leggings or shoes. The styles were tamer than normal, which is probably a reflection of the struggle and desparation for peace now. I never really realized how much of an effect events in the world have on fashion. It's wonderful that designers take into account what's going on while they are creating clothing, because it expresses further that there is more to fashion than what we see. It conveys that what we wear is a parallel of what we've been through, what we believe in, and what we are currently facing.

Some of the transparent fashions were obviously not practical, but what I really like what they suggested, and I am eager to see more transparency used in wearable ways in stores soon. I am also very interested to see how the outrageously tall shoes will transfer into the market. Personally, I am slowly getting over flats, and I would love to see more girls putting effort back into looking good by sporting the pain-stakingly high heels. I feel that I will be entering the business world at fashion's business peak, based on the transformations of the once simple and unflattering, now proffessionally sexed-up suit. Another trend I was really glad to see were the exaggerated sillouhettes that somehow remained true to the shape of a woman. Dolce and Gabbana mastered this: I was also impressed with the balance Dolce&Gabbana sustained between over the top artistic and completley wearable. While there are many beautiful ideas and feelings that are provoked from this dress:
, you can also see how the flowers in a lesser amount would transfer beautifully to a wearable outfit.


All in all it was fascinating to see the contrast between the designers who stayed true to the artistic spirit of Milan week, and the designers who toned down in lue of our current crises. What was even more fascinating were the designers who did both in the same line, and somehow avoided an abrupt interruption in the flow of their lines. From victorian inspired to 60s inspired, to 20's inspired.... Milan was full of surprises, exaggerated and simplistic.









((ALL PICTURES COURTESY OF STYLE.COM))

What inspires me to design

I, like many of the other students in class expressed, am in this for the marketing and merchandising aspect of apparel-but I do doodle way more than I should, so I figured I would give it a shot. I'm a huge fan of patterns, and i desperately miss my photoshop because i used to design prints for t-shirts and layouts for my old myspace page and things of the sort with it. I haven't really had time or money to get it on my new computers, and even if I did I doubt I would have time to dabble in it anymore, but I enjoyed it a lot.

If I did design, I feel like people would be my main inspiration. Not how they look, but their personalities. That along with music and outdoors. Clothes can definitley tell stories, just like songs. Sometimes when I can't fall asleep I think of a song and then design the outfit for the artist's video in my head. It usually works too, because I get so into detail that I eventually just start drifting into dreams. Patterns inspire me as well. I go to graphic websites a lot to look at pictures that people have taken or edited, and I am constantly changing the background on my computer, and sometimes this blog as well. In fact I probably will again when I finish this post.

So anyways there's something I just designed downstairs. The back of it would be black nylon/spandex material so as to keep the dress up, until the waist line, where it would return to the same fabric and design as the front to the bottom. My inspiration for this was the gay boy sitting beside me downstairs while I drew it who I just recently saw in a drag dress. I think an actual woman would look better in it, but he's very inspiring. I would pair this dress with strap up black heels and a metallic clutch. Or, I would dress it down with tights and ballet flats.

Ethnic Influences on Apparel Design

Ethnic Influences are everywhere when it comes to fashion, so much so that it is barely even noticeable anymore. I remember a few years back when kimono style dresses and shirts were really popular and trendy, and now they're everywhere and in a gazillion different shapes and styles. Like this kimono top for example (http://www.forever21.com/), it's been so jazzed up that at first glance you might forget its origins.

Another influence that we may just look over from time to time is African. Take this urban-styled hat, for example, from www.strictlyfitteds.com. This hat was inspired by the African kente cloth, hailing from Ghana. Owners of this trendy headwear may not even know that they are representing traditions and lifestyles of the people of Ghana everytime they throw it on with a tall tee.

Whether I realize it or not, there are probably multiple articles of clothing in my closet that have been influenced by cultures from all around the world. I know for sure that my roomates taste is a bit different from mine because of her Mexican heritage. Peeking over at her jewelry box, I see two Catholic bracelets, tons and tons of big flashy earrings, and a rosary necklace.

NY FASHION WEEK

This year I was impressed with Tracy Reese first and foremost, because of her sharp attention to feminine detail. She really understands the shape of a woman....I doubt a female could wear a Tracy Reese outfit and not feel pretty. Betsey Johnson is really creative and I liked the costume theme, and most of the floral patterns, but I am not very fond of her pattern mixing. I really loved Anna Sui's collection. The apparent ethnic influence in each individual outfit was quite genius. It was evident that a lot of time and thought went into each piece.

I was unimpressed with Calvin Klein's presentation. The color theme was interesting..as were the designs, but I really didn't like the lack of attention to the chest. His garments wouldn't be flattering on a woman with any type of curves, and would only flatten a thin figure even more. Miss Sixty wasn't very innovative or progressive, in my opinion, but there were some good ideas that appeared to be overdramatized. My favorite part about the Vera Wang collection was the beads, although I feel like I could not find much else to praise from her line.

I can definitley see Max Azria's line being the future of clubbing clothes. They fit correctly where they are supposed to and they are sexy, but classy. I loved how versatile the Project Runway line was. The draping of fabrics in some of the dresses was outstanding. Ralph Lauren's use of earthy tones was perfect for his male-influenced presentation. Personally, I liked the mildly masculine pieces because he balanced them out with feminine shapes.

Organic and Eco-friendly clothing

One thing I will never do is buy a shirt with a catchy saying like "Go Green" or "Save the Planet" from a store that does not actually use eco-friendly materials. Its amusing to me that stores are making money from people's desire to seem supportive of the efforts to make the world a better place, when the products themselves are hurting the planet and not helping it. I personally do not own one garment of organic or eco-friendly clothing, but that is only because I am a broke college student who cannot afford to help save the planet in ways other than recycling and consciously conserving water and energy. That, for me, is the biggest drawback to organic clothing- the cost. If it were more affordable and i could find organic clothes on clearance then my wardrobe would be entirely "green".

For those who are more financially established and don't mind paying extra to help out, organic clothing is a great choice for ethical peace of mind. Organic cotton has come a long way in the past years and now most companies who advertise eco-friendly production also don't use sweatshops or child labour, which probably accounts for the extra expense. It is very unfortunate that it costs so much to keep children from working in sweatshops, but I am glad the effort is being made.

Also, when purchasing organic clothing, you really have to do your research on the company you are buying from. Some companies claim to be environmentally friendly and use bamboo that is entirely antibacterial, yet recent studies show that its not entirely bacteria free. Either way, the effort is what counts, and hopefully in the future it will become more affordable to produce organic clothing and refrain from the use of sweatshops.

My Favorite Designer and Why.

I've never been good at favorites but as far as designers go, the late Emilio Pucci is definitley in my top five. His brilliant use of patterns and colors sets him apart from other designers. Pucci's designs are always surprising and refreshing. He masters the combination of flashy vivid colors while staying classy and not tacky. His line's perfect balance between funky patterns and classic solid styles are like a breath of fresh air.

Accessories from Pucci have this elegant-meets-spunk vibe that make them perfect to jazz up any ensemble. Emilio Pucci shoes can make an outfit. I'd love to be able to splash around in a $140 pair of Pucci rainboots or to be fancy in Emilio Pucci satin covered stiletto. Special attention to detail and creative use of shapes are the perfect ingredients for a subtly flashy foot. While my favorite purses by this line are the colorful and fun ones, there is a variety of handbags to choose from, including neutral and dull colors classed up.

The first time i remember being interested in this designer was a few years back when i saw a dress of his on the red carpet. Now when I see a piece from his line I automatically know who made it because his signs his works with fabulousness. Pucci has been around for a while, and i forsee it sticking around and being continuously successful in the future.