How to Become a Successful Fashion Designer



If you are like me you live and breathe fashion. You are constantly inspired with so many new designs racing through your mind, so many you can’t seem to get them all down quick enough at the pace they arrive. You constantly dream of the day your fashions will be on the fashion runway with the lights beaming brightly overhead, the cameras flashing everywhere and the audience being completely mesmerized by your incredible designs. You can’t stop thinking of the day you will open a magazine or watch the Oscars and see a famous celebrity in one of your breathtaking designs. Your book shelf is stocked with fashion books and magazines, and you absolutely can’t resist visiting textile stores to view all the latest fabrics, decorative beads, rhinestones and trims.

It’s this ever present dream of being a successful fashion designer that has you work day and night on your designs in most cases for many years without pay and working a job to pay the pills which is brutal torture, when all you can think about is living and working in fashion.

Famous fashion designers come from all walks of life there is no one system to follow that will have you become the next famous fashion designer. Some have graduated from elite fashion schools and some have never attended fashion school. Some have undertaken a fashion internship with a fashion house and others have made their own designs in their basement. The only elements all these fashion designers have in common is they had an intense passion for fashion, were able to design fashions highly sought after and connected with someone who gave them the opportunity to break into the fashion industry. It is essential in becoming a successful fashion designer you get you and your designs out there as much as possible, as how will anyone know about your fashions if they can’t see them?

In getting your fashions out there here are a few things you can do:

1. We are not usually good at everything some of us are great at designing clothes but lack the sewing and pattern making skills. It is here you can partner with someone who shares your passion for fashion and has the skills you lack. It is in the bringing together of different skills you can create a real product that can be showcased.
2. In having a fashion line of 14 outfits you can apply to your local fashion week. In the USA: New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco all have fashion weeks. These fashion weeks attract many editors, journalists and local socialites who will see your fashions and potentially give you the exposure you need to get known.
3. Many city night clubs hold fashion shows, find out what night clubs hold fashion shows and contact them as to how you can be apart of an up and coming show.
4. Locate fashion boutiques that cater to the fashions you design, first make a trip to the stores to look around, if you can see your clothes fitting in well with the store, find out who the owner is and ask if they would be willing to have some of your fashions offered for sale in their store. You will be amazed at how many store owners are willing to work with you. I walked around San Francisco in the Nob Hill district and had my fashions placed after visiting and discussing my product with four boutiques. In having your fashions displayed you will receive valuable insights as to whether or not your designs are in demand and if you need to change your designs to increase sales. It will also give you free exposure to the public. When your fashions do sell you can present this to investors who are more than willing to invest in your line, when you prove the existence of a strong demand for your fashions.

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Men’s Fashion and Designer Clothing Ideas for Fall-Winter 2010



As the Fall/Winter 2010 season approaches, along with it comes a lot of new and exciting trends and fashions. It can be quite confusing to know which designer clothing brands work best with others, and which styles are going to be the more popular ones. While wearing famous designer clothing brands is not essential in order to be fashionable, it can really help especially if you are not sure which particular fashions work for you or if you are looking to emulate a celebrity’s style.

For those that do not know, designer clothing styles are released twice a year in time for the upcoming season. In January or February, the Spring / Summer collections are released. In August or September, it is time for the Fall / Winter collections. Each season has its own overriding individual styles that run year-to-year. For example, Spring / Summer clothing will likely be of light or bright colours, whereas Fall / Winter collections will usually bit a lot thicker than the Spring / Summer clothes to keep the wearer warm on the cold winter days.

Each season has its own set of traits and trends that run throughout all brands and is based upon how people and celebrities have been wearing the clothes in previous seasons. A popular misconception that its detractors spread about the fashion world is that fashion imposes rules and laws on what people that follow fashion have to do. This is a nonsensical statement as ‘fashion’ is simply the manifestation of popular trends as worn by people. Contrary to what the naysayers say, fashion is created by people, it is not the people’s captor.

For the upcoming Fall / Winter 2010 season, there are already some trends that will be making appearances. Designer denim, such as Edwin jeans, Pepe and Prps will be very popular. If you’re new to fashion, denim is always a safe bet. Try to get jeans that are ‘raw’, this means that there is no wash, abrasions or stresses on the jean. It is just the basic cut and stitching and nothing more. The great thing about raw jeans is that they look incredible when you first get them, and then over time the colours gradually fade as the jeans get worn out. This is really good, as jeans wear out according to how they are worn – they are a record of all the time that you have spent with them, telling your story back to you whenever you look at them. However, it is really important that you do not wash raw denim – certainly at least not for six to nine months after you get them. If they get dirty or smelly, try to dab stains away with damp cloth and try to neutralise odors with a product such as Febreeze.

Other fashions for the new season include a special tribute to the street fashion of 1980s Great Britain. This particular style of fashion is often referred to as British Terrace-Wear, a homage to how the houses in inner-cities and strong working-class areas were constructed. If you like the sounds of this, you would do well to check out designer clothing brands such as Gabicci Vintage, Farah Vintage and Fred Perry. A good combination would be a pair of Fred Perry plimsoll sneakers, a pair of Farah Vintage bottoms and a Gabicci Vintage Polo Shirt. For the sportier gentleman, you might want to mix this up with trainers and tracksuit bottoms from the likes of Fila Gold or Adidas Originals.

More contemporary men would probably prefer something less confrontational. In this case, they might like to grab a pair of raw Edwin ED-45s (Levi’s 501s would also work a treat), throw on a white Diesel or Junk de Luxe T-Shirt and finish off with a black or navy blue cardigan from a designer such as Full Circle or Vivienne Westwood. If you are venturing outside into the cold, you might like to max your look???? out with a navy or black denim jacket from Wrangler, Levi’s or Lee.

Whatever styles you go for in Fall / Winter 2010, it’s important that you feel comfortable and confident. Experiment with different clothing combinations to get a look that makes you look and feel great. Do not follow fashion trends if they make you feel uncomfortable. If you are in any doubt or are unsure about what you think would work best for you, contact your local designer clothing boutique for more advice, it’s what they are there for.

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Top 10 Fashion Tips for 2011



With the coming of the new year, also comes new trends in fashion and as we say good-bye to all that was in 2010 (a lot of hot pants, knee high socks, lace, leather and cut out clothing) we now say hello to the fashion trends and tips for 2011. Below are our top 10 tips for best fashion advice that can be given to anyone during any time of the year.

1. Choose the clothes that suit your body
No matter what trendsetting or fashion forward clothing you purchase if it will not compliment your body-then you’d better put it back on the store rack!

2. On Jewelry: Less is not always more
(For Men) You must not over accessorize, do not wear more than 3 pieces of jewelry. Silver is becoming popular these days so you might want to invest.
(For Women) Less is not always more especially during the summer, you can accessorize you summer outfits with big and bold accessories. Wooden beads and citrus colored bangles are a good sight during the summer.

3. In the winter: Accessorize!
During the cold weather add a little pop of color to the weather, you can accessorize with sweaters and scarves, ensure it matches your outfit though! Try to mix and match things, if you are wearing tight fitting jeans then a big sweater will be a good contrast and will compliment your slender legs.

4. Keep your shoes and belts looking brand new:
Shoes and belts can catch the eye of other people so make sure that you invest in a good pair of shoes and a nice belt and make sure that they are regularly kept clean and shiny – there’s nothing worse than a pair of muddy boots combined with a smart dress!

5. If you look the part then you have to smell the part.
There is no use in looking great if you smell something like the cat dragged in. So if you take time and invest in what you will be wearing and what you will look like then make sure that you throw in some good perfume, cologne or after-shave.

6. Skinny jeans are still in!
Yes! Skinny jeans are still in! Especially with Katy Perry singing “Let you put your hands on me In my skin-tight jeans”, so don’t throw out your skinny jeans yet! Nothing is as complimentary as a good pair of high-waisted, ankle exposing, skinny jeans.

7. The Ballerina is on center stage!
With movies like ‘The Black Swan’ earning a buzz, ballet-inspired fashion is sure to make its own buzz in the fashion industry. From ballet flats to ensembles inspired from tutus and leotards, we will be seeing a lot of ballerinas this year.

8. Summer Fashion tips:
In the summer be sure to wear loose fitting clothes that are made of natural fabrics and are in light colors, printed kaftan might just be making a wave this year. For a little style and functionality, a wide-brimmed hat will keep those harsh UV rays away and will also keep you looking elegant.

9. Add color in the winter:
Spring colored sweater should add some color during the pale winter. Make sure you wear bright printed winter clothes-just so you won’t blend in with all the snow.

10. Check online!
For the latest in fashion news and trends, always check online, this is the most updated source of fashion information. Also try to look and see what celebrities are wearing these days. For one thing, everyone and I mean everyone will be looking into what the future princess Kate Middleton will be wearing-so try and see what’s she’s wearing and buy it quick before the stores run out!

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