Green Fashion

Archive for the ‘Fashion Designers’ Category

When we go to watch a movie at the cinema, we rarely stop and think about all that took place behind the scenes to make the movie possible; the same often happens when we are out and about shopping for clothes, we seldom think about the person who actually created the clothes we buy.

Perhaps, some might not think it very useful to know the background of the people designing the clothes we wear, however I find it interesting and intriguing to get to know more and dig a little deep into the fabric. Just like getting to know what inspires a writer to put thoughts and ideas into words, it is fascinating to me to find out the passions and inspirations of those who design and create the beautiful clothes we wear.

That is why I am today taking a closer look at three unique and intriguing plus size fashion designers, in a bid to bring you a little step closer to those designing the awesome plus size fashions we have available on the market nowadays. Knowing ‘where your clothes come from’, like a piece of art, will make you cherish them more.

Yuliya Zeltser of IGIGI

A fashion designer born and raised in Ukraine, Yuliya felt the need to provide full figured women with beautiful clothing, when she saw how hard it was for her own mother to find clothes in her size that made her feel like a gorgeous and chic woman. Through IGIGI Yuliya is now able to provide plus size women with clothes which not only make them feel beautiful, but which also accentuate their figure. Yuliya designed from the heart and is also sometimes inspired from her travels around the world and the United States.

Monif of Monif C. Plus Sizes

A very artistic person at heart, Monif C. saw the need plus size women had for stylish and sexy clothing, and embarked on a mission to satisfy this need, and dare we say, Monif is doing a pretty good job at it! Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, Monif is inspired by life and her dreams. Her aim is to provide curvy women with colorful plus size fashion which makes them feel stylish, inspired, luxurious and sexy.

Anna Nicole of Jahqoi

Anna Nicole is a rising star in the pus size fashion scene. Coming from Detroit, Michigan, but currently residing in California, Anna began sewing clothes at the tender age of 12. In June 2004 Anna launched ANR apparel as an online retail store, to give curvy women more choices of plus size clothing. She has recently moved the retail site over the newly renamed Jahqoi site. Jahqoi when spelled correctly means: ‘I believe’ in French. Anna’s passion is contemporary, modern, sassy styles.

It is interesting, getting to know a little more about plus size fashion designers and the inspirations behind the clothes we wear. There is a lot more than fabric to a dress, more which can turn a beautiful dress into a meaningful work of art.

The realm of fashion design, by its sheer glamour and grace, has always been exciting and intriguing. When we talk of fashion design, it implies a form of art that incorporates the nuances of creating clothes and accessories.

The history of fashion design can be traced back to the beginning of the19th century when the designs were the product of the dresses worn in the royal courts. Eventually, Charles Frederick Worth, the first fashion designer, set up his first fashion house in Paris. His designs greatly influenced the people and they labeled them as the designs of the “House Of Worth.” As a result, a designer became synonymous with a particular brand.

Another important designer who made a significant contribution to the evolution of the fashion was Paul Poi Ret. He blended the classical style consisting of aesthetic dressing with Paris fashion. Other important designers of this age were Patou, Vionnet, Fortuny, Lanvin and Chanel.

Throughout the 20th century, Paris remained the world’s fashion hub, with countries such as the US and Britain openly aping the French designs. The post World War era saw the emergence of other countries as the centers of fashion and Paris ceased to be the sole influential factor. The rising British fashion industry brought a new range of street fashion focusing mainly on the young consumers.

Later, American designers such as Calvin Klein And Ralph Lauren came to the fore with their sportswear and made it a style statement. Today, fashion designs can be categorized into two main categories. The haute couture is designed for individual customers. The other category is the ready-to-wear collection. While the former is based on certain themes and is more for creating a style statement, the latter is meant for the masses.

The mid-90s saw the emergence of a new breed of designers who redefined traditional concepts. They looked at fashion from a new angle, creating their own new concepts.

Thus, the world of fashion design has witnessed a steady evolution over the years and has been the by-product of the sincere efforts of many of the top designers.

For an artist, the world of fashion can seem more like a business than a world of creative fashion design. Aspiring fashion designers need to understand that this is all necessary. Business is the life blood of fashion and the fashion itself is only the soul. Fashion simply wouldn’t be able to see mass production if it were any other way. So you may be a ‘creative’ but as a fashion designer you must develop a passion for not only design but manufacturing challenges, the excitement of marketing and overcoming competition.

In the professional world of fashion, you’ll spend less than 10 percent of your time designing your collections and the rest of the time working out money management issues, and executing marketing strategies. These are the only things that will give life to your creative work and allow you to survive as a fashion designer so your garment designs will hit the store shelves and not just remain the beautiful figments of your creative imagination.

You want to become well acquainted with the business aspect of fashion. Don’t even think of starting out on you own. Work for any designer, design house or clothing manufacturer first so you can become well versed in how the fashion industry works on a daily basis and carefully climb up the ladder from there. Study how other fashion designers made their way to the top. Most of the biggest name designers worked under other designers for years before they started their own labels. They often worked for more than one fashion designer or fashion house. Having different positions and seeing different ways of how business was handled, they gained hands on knowledge, experience, confidence and acquired indispensable assets of credibility and reputation at the same time.

So if you’re getting into fashion design you’ve got to plan on being a lifer if you’re going to one day own your own line. Here is a list of characteristics you need to either have already or acquire as you go along in order to become a successful fashion designer:

- A hard edge against negative feedback and rejection.

- You need a very competitive spirit.

- You need the ability to be organized and be able to function under extreme stress of dealing with difficult people, multiple deadlines and responsibilities.

- You need to love or learn to love the marketing, negotiating and networking game in the world of fashion.

- And you need the willingness to keep your mind open to learning new things as a fashion designer.