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.