Welcome to the Fashion Blog

Are you interested in reading fashion news about haute couture, prêt-à-porter and avant-garde clothing? We hope so because you will learn about these topics as well as find style reports about emerging designers, new lifestyle brands, cutting edge fabrics, and much more. Anything relevant to the fashion industry is open for discussion.

Enjoy the fashion blog to obtain your daily dose of inspiration. Keep your wardrobe as trendy as your mind.

Read more about fashion & style.

We hope that you love reading about fashion as much as we do.

Monday, July 27, 2015

Ugg Colors 2015

You love your Ugg boot, but you are ready for some new colors.  Perfect timing, because Ugg now offers some new colors.  Here are a few options.
Classic Mini Ugg Colors
Classic Mini Ugg Colors
Classic Short Boot Ugg Colors 2015
Classic Short Boot Ugg Colors 2015
Classic tall Ugg Colors 2015
Classic tall Ugg Colors 2015
They have other boot types in new colors as well.  View more of the new Ugg colors at that Ugg Australia website.
Set the tone with these haute hues.

You may also be interested in viewing our recent rustic Ugg blog post.

It is important to note that the color strips shown above are only portion of the colors available.  Other boot styles are available as well.  Consult with the Ugg website if you are interested in learning the names of these colors.  For example, they have Spanish Moss, Redwood, Aster, and more.

Fall is changing colors in a few months.  Are you ready to change your shoe colors?

Learn more about UGG colors.

Friday, July 24, 2015

Six Favorite Footwear Trends from Leslie Gallin

MAGIC is just around the corner! This August 17th to 19th, the fashion industry will gather in Las Vegas for a 3-day peek at what’s to come for Spring 2016. Leslie Gallin, President of Footwear at UBM Advanstar, is sharing several of her favorite trends to look out for in the coming months. 

Footwear Trends August 2015 Report

Below you will find these footwear trends below. 

1. Penny Loafers – One of the hottest shoe trends of the season, penny loafers are back in a big way! The nostalgic shoe trend offers a sophisticated look paired with comfort. Found in leather (distressed or patent), suede or print, the options for this look are endless!  

2. Metallics – Spring 2016 is calling for lustrous shine! Whether it’s head-to-toe technicolor or just a touch of glimmer, this iridescent style is becoming the next closet staple. The best part of this revival? Any color will do! Gold, silver, technicolor or every trendsetters current favorite – rose gold! 

3. Booties – Season after season, this look remains. Booties have been found to wear well throughout each season; whether paired with a dress or shorts, or worn with jeans. Make an investment in leather or suede booties, because this style has proven its staying power. 

4. Woven and Leather Materials – Whether crafted with a more natural fabric or modernized with a bold, technicolor look – woven fabrics have been popping up more than ever before! This handcrafted looks offers subtle dimension while remaining casual and contemporary. 

5. 1940’s & 1950’s Revival – No longer associated with granny styles, the 1940’s and 1950’s are having a major moment. After a few seasons of a masculine aesthetic, feminine looks are making their way back. Everything from a rounder toe, kitten heels and slingbacks – add the perfect touch to this feminine silhouette. 

6.  Varied Heel Heights – Women can now rejoice! Varied heel heights are trending for spring; meaning the same high fashion shoe styles are available with a few height options allowing no woman to ever choose between style OR comfort again!

For additional info please visit www.magiconline.com or www.fnplatform.com.

About MAGIC

Every August and February, the fashion industry converges in Las Vegas for the most influential event in the business – MAGIC. As an incubator of fashion, MAGIC is where new trends surface and develop into what will be seen on the consumer. The show’s goal is to connect and inspire the fashion community. The August 2015 MAGIC will run from August 17 – 19, 2015. For up-to-date exhibitor listings, seminar scheduling, travel support and registration information please visit www.magiconline.com. 

About FN PLATFORM

FN PLATFORM is the statement of fashion in footwear; where global leaders in footwear convene to shape the industry, network and shop for shoes. Built by the industry, for the industry, this international showcase is the pillar of branded footwear. FN PLATFORM is the global showcase for branded footwear, showcasing over 1600 men’s, women’s, juniors' and children’s footwear brands from more than 20 countries. From luxury to lifestyle, footwear is curated at FN PLATFORM with buyers in mind. Offering 6 merchandised lifestyle environments, FN PLATFORM provides buyers with a convenient and efficient way to shop the most comprehensive selection of international footwear.

You may also be interested in learn about MAGIC University.

Solo Merav

Solo Merav has over 20 years of experience in the wedding and evening dress industry, creating the most sophisticated and elegant styles, while maintaining the highest quality materials, meticulous stitching and attention to details.  
Solo Merav
Solo Merav Fashion
Solo Merav Fashion Brand
Please visit www.solomerav.com for more information. 


First Person Lover of Fashion & Gaming

The Swedish sports fashion brand Björn Borg made a huge success with its computer game First Person Lover and was this summer awarded the Silver Lion in Cannes Lions 2015, category Branded Content. Now, six months after launch, Björn Borg celebrates by releasing its in-game SS15 collection, love weapons and characters for Unity users to use and modify.
First Person Lover Fashion Heroes & Clothes
When Björn Borg launched its Spring Summer 2015 collection, the Sports Fashion brand blew a kiss to the gaming world through the introduction of a completely new genre: the First Person Lover (not shooter!) game. Half a year later, the sports fashion brand puts its SS15 collection in the hands of game developers, free to modify any way they see fit. The Björn Borg SS15 collection plus love weapons and characters from the game are free to download in the Unity Asset Store. 

“We have been showered with love after the release of the game and want to give something back. This is our way of returning the love. It is going to be exciting to see what other artists and designers can do with our collection.” Jonas Lindberg Nyvang, Marketing Director, Björn Borg.

The Björn Borg SS15 collection goes from black & white to brights and is inspired by the Plato’s fictional world of Atlantis. First Person Lover got, over the first three months after release, over 700 fan videos generating 20M views and 500,000 worldwide players. 

The development package is free to download in the Unity Asset Store:

First Person Lover - Female character and clothing pack

First Person Lover - Male character and clothing pack

First Person Lover - Weapons pack

Play the game here (PC and Mac): firstpersonlover.com 

First Person Lover is a game developed by Isbit Games, with the professional e-sport player Christopher “GeT_RiGhT” Alesund as co-developer, for Björn Borg AB. All love weapons are created together by Garbergs Advertising Agency, Isbit Games and Björn Borg AB.
First Person Lover Fashion Game Weapons
ABOUT BJÖRN BORG: The Group owns the Björn Borg trademark and its core business is underwear and sportswear. It also offers footwear, luggage & bags and eyewear through licensees. Björn Borg products are sold in around thirty markets, of which Sweden and the Netherlands are the largest. The Björn Borg Group has operations at every level from branding to consumer sales in its own Björn Borg stores. Total sales of Björn Borg products in 2014 amounted to about SEK 1.4 billion, excluding VAT, at the consumer level. Group net sales amounted to SEK 539 million in 2014, with an average of 129 employees. The Björn Borg share has been listed on NASDAQ Stockholm since 2007.

Learn more about fashion games here on Apparel Search in our fashion terms section.

Thank you for taking your valuable time to read the Fashion Blog.  We truly hope that you find the Fashion Blog to be enjoyable and informative.

About The Chuck Taylor All Star II

Have you heard about the Chuck II from converse?  The Chuck Taylor All Star II features arch support, padded tongues and even more updates with comfort in mind.  
Chuck Taylor All Star II

The Chuck Taylor All Star II sneakers are arriving to stores on July 28, 2015. The shoe has the similar appearance as it's predecessor but it does have a few improvements in regard to comfort.  The sneaker features Nike's Lunarlon cushion with arch support, a padded tongue (padded non-slip tongue for 360 degree comfort around the ankle and instep), and a higher quality canvas. The premium canvas used for the Chuck II sneaker is for a high quality touch and texture. Possibly a few other improvements tossed into the mix as well.

It appears that the goal is to keep the converse look, but infuse it with Nike technology.  Keep in mind, Nike owns Converse.

For those of you that love your original Chuck Taylor's don't panic just yet.  We are fairly certain that they will be selling the original Chuck as well as the Chuck II's (at least for now).

Converse Chuck II
Photo Credit: Converse

The Chuck Taylor was never gone, so it really can't technically be coming back, but they sure can be improving.
The Chuck Taylor All Star II Back View
By the way, Converse had a pre-sale with limited edition Chuck II sneakers. The tease read like this, "The Limited Edition and collectible Chuck Taylor All Star II sneakers are now on pre-sale. Each pair is individually numbered and delivered in exclusive, Limited Edition packaging. Order now before they’re gone. Limit one pair per order.".  Guess what?  Yup, they appear to already be sold out.

If you happen to get a pair of The Chuck Taylor All Star II limited edition 2015 sneakers, the inside tongue of the shoe will look like this.
The Chuck Taylor All Star II Limited Edition

It all started with a simple idea: obsession. Converse obsessed with creative spirits and realized they wanted more. A sneaker that meets the demands of their “on the go” lifestyle. The following image showcases what makes the Chuck Taylor All Star II different than any Chuck Taylor you have ever seen before.
Lunarlon Sockliner for Chuck II

The Nike Lunarlon Sockliner provides responsive and lightweight cushioning.

Lunarlon technology debuted in two new shoes in time for the summer of 2008 in Beijing, the Nike Lunaracer for the marathon and Nike Hyperdunk for basketball. Athletes of all levels loved the way Lunarlon minimized impact while providing both spring and support.  In 2008 the Nike LunarGlide debuted with Dynamic Support, a two-part midsole system developed to provide stability and cushioning. Lunarlon was the perfect soft density foam to cushion runners’ heel impact, while a firmer density foam wedge helped stabilize pronation as the foot flexed down.

Nike designers Kevin Hoffer and Eric Avar put their heads together to confront a challenge. Marathon runners typically take around 40,000 steps from start to finish – they needed a shoe to withstand the relentless impact and to put a spring in their stride. Meanwhile, elite basketball players needed a shoe to cushion their high-impact jumping and provide quick push-off for explosive changes of direction.  Now lovers of Chuck Taylor sneakers can take advantage of this comfort and performance.  Learn more about the Lunarlon Sockliner at the Nike website.

The new shoes also have a super soft micro-suede lining.  The are perforated for maximized comfort.  Here is what it looks like.
Chuck II super soft micro-suede lining

I wonder if the Simpson's Chuck Taylor collection will get an upgrade as well.

Let's take a few moments to step inside the new sneaker.
Inside Chuck Taylor All Star II
What do you think of Chuck II?

Azul Ink

Azul Ink
Here is some fashion brand news from a company that has made branded denim for names such as Paco Denim, Vintage Brass, Oil & Vinger, Request Jeans, Antiquet Rivet, Royal Premium.  

Mischief International from Ridgefield, New Jersey will soon be presenting Azul Ink.  

What we have heard from the company is that this new label will be premium quality with great fit & ultra modern style.

http://mischiefintl.com/

Ruby Rose Wears Kimmie Tee

Ruby Rose was photographed wearing KONUS in Los Angeles yesterday. The Orange is the New Black star sported the Kimmie tee as she boarded a private plane heading to Las Vegas ($120.00, www.konusbrand.com)! 
Ruby Rose Wearing Konus Kimmie tee

Konus Kimmie tee
Learn more about Konus fashion brand here on the Apparel Search blog.

Did you know the Konus rocked the Los Angeles Line Hotel back in June of this year?

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Taylor Swift Fashion in China & U.S. Mall at JD.com

The title of this blog post may be a bit confusing.  Let me clarify that this is regarding China, even though it says “U.S. Mall”.  In summary, the Chinese retailer has created a segment of their website referenced as the U.S. Mall to sell product from USA brands.  However, it is regarding the sale of product in China.  If you read below, it should become more clear.

As reported on Bloomberg earlier this week, Taylor Swift is teaming up with JD.com Inc, to sell a new fashion line designed specifically for Chinese shoppers.  Dresses, sweatshirts and other tops will be available in August 2015 on the website, ahead of Swift’s “1989” tour visit to Shanghai in November 2015.  JD.com is one of the largest e-commerce companies in China.

JD is hoping that this project with Taylor Swift will help them expand deeper into the clothing segment.

The company also announced plans on Monday for a “U.S. mall,” an area of its site devoted to American products.

According to the Bloomberg article, “JD shares have climbed 85 percent since their initial public offering in May 2014. The stock fell 0.7 percent to $35.06 at the close in New York on Monday.”

Below you will find the full news about the Taylor Swift clothing product with JD.com

JD.com (Nasdaq:JD), China's largest online direct sales company, announced July 20, 2015 it will be the first authorized seller of Taylor Swift merchandise in China. The new JD.com store will be the official online source of Taylor Swift items featuring select, high-quality goods, including a new fashion line the music superstar designed specifically for the Chinese market.

Ms. Swift announced the news in a video released July 20th.

"JD.com is delighted to become the sole online source of authentic, high-quality Taylor Swift merchandise," said Richard Liu, JD.com founder and CEO. "She is an enormously popular artist and true global cultural icon who is winning over thousands of new fans in China each day. It is gratifying to be recognized as China's online shopping platform of choice for those who value authenticity and quality."

"JD.com is simply the one and only e-commerce site where shoppers in China can be assured they will get only authentic Taylor Swift products that meet the high quality standards her fans deserve," said Mark McDonald, Chairman of Heritage66 Company, Taylor Swift's Nashville-based partner company that will host her products on JD.com. "We are excited to unveil a Taylor Swift Fashion line exclusively on JD.com later this summer."

Clothing from the new Taylor Swift fashion line will include high-quality dresses, sweatshirts and tops and will be available next month on JD.com. The line was designed exclusively for the Chinese market with local consumers in mind, and will only be available for sale in China and on JD.com. The styles were created by Taylor Swift in partnership with Heritage66 Company, which represents American artists seeking to expand their reach in China.

Taylor Swift will bring her 1989 World Tour Concert November 10-12, 2015 to Shanghai.

Below is more information about the “U.S. mall” planned for the JD.com website.

JD.com, Inc. (Nasdaq:JD), China's largest online direct sales company, on July 20, 2015 announced the launch of its U.S. Mall, a new channel on the company's JD Worldwide cross-border platform dedicated exclusively to offering authentic imported U.S. products for sale to its customers in China.

Kicking off its push with American brands, JD.com announced on July 20, 2015 that it will feature authentic products from Taylor Swift including a fashion line that the artist is designing exclusively for JD's customers. The products will be sold through the Heritage66 Company flagship store operated by the Nashville-based company that partners with Taylor Swift and other leading celebrities who are looking to tap into the China market. In addition, some of the recently signed American brands that JD.com features include Converse, Samsonite, Ocean Spray and several major apparel labels that are part of the Global Brands Group (SEHK:787), including Nautica Kids and Jeep apparel (The Global Brands Group started in 2005 when Li & Fung established a wholesale business focusing on private label and branded apparel in order to broaden its relationships with existing and new retailer customers).

JD.com also announced a partnership with DHL Global Forwarding to help American brands ensure that their products reach Chinese consumers more quickly and easily. Through this partnership, DHL is the preferred logistics service provider for moving American products ordered on JD.com's U.S. Mall to and across China.

The launch event, hosted by JD.com founder and CEO Richard Liu, included several hundred representatives from major U.S. brands, including Mark McDonald, chairman of Heritage66 Company.

"As American companies increasingly understand our core advantages of zero tolerance towards counterfeits and unparalleled same-day delivery capabilities, we are gaining excellent momentum attracting U.S. brands to our site," said Mr. Liu. "Chinese consumers appreciate that the United States is a global leader in the areas of product reputation, quality, reliability and variety of goods, and American companies are clearly benefiting from this unprecedented market opportunity. That’s why we are so pleased to be bringing Taylor Swift’s new fashion line to China through our partnership with Heritage66 Company.

"With JD.com's U.S. Mall up and running, and great partners like Global Brands on board, Chinese consumers have an ever-growing range of new choices of American products, including Nautica Kids and Converse. We couldn't be happier to be working with DHL, a brand synonymous with superior international logistics, to help get these products into the hands of Chinese consumers with the speed and reliability our customers have come to expect."

"With increasing demand for 'Made in America' products, Chinese consumers are buying American products from JD.com at an exponential rate, with exports from the U.S. into China in 2014 totaling over $123 billion," said Alfred Goh, Senior Vice President & Global Head, Fast Growing Enterprises, DHL Customer Solutions and Innovation. "With our full suite of logistics solutions, DHL is well positioned to provide Chinese consumers with easy access to U.S.-made products, while improving overall supply chain efficiency for the retailers. All consumers globally expect their orders to arrive promptly and our extensive network and reliability will help JD.com extend quality service to its customers."

"We are thrilled to be partnering with JD.com, the leading platform for upwardly mobile Chinese consumers seeking quality American brands and products," said Bruce Rockowitz, CEO and Vice Chairman of Global Brands Group Holding Limited. "Online shopping has become an increasingly important trend in the Chinese market. Through our strategic partnership with JD.com, we look forward to making even more leading American brands available through this innovative platform."

At a Beijing event earlier this year with U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus, the company launched a trial offering of fresh produce including Boston lobster, California wines and fruit from the U.S., and food products from brands including Ocean Spray, Ghirardelli, Silk, Starbucks, Organic Valley, Mars, Quaker, Dead Guy Ale, Sun-Maid and Pringles, among dozens of others. The new U.S. Mall builds on the success of these efforts and brings a whole new range of U.S. products to the Chinese market in categories including apparel, cosmetics, electronics and baby products, among many others.

For global suppliers, JD offers a simplified handling process for cross-border transactions, including recommendations on operational and international logistics partners that businesses can use to reduce costs and improve the efficiency of selling through the JD Worldwide platform. As global companies look to reach the rapidly growing Chinese market without the typical logistical challenges of doing business there, the JD Worldwide platform provides an easy entry point without a huge time investment.

The launch of the U.S. Mall marks the company's fifth sales channel dedicated to coveted national products, with others to follow based on customer demand in China. Online malls announced so far in 2015 cover Australia, France, Japan and Korea.

For your reference, this new segment of the Chinese e-commerce website is different than an actual shopping mall in the United States.  Here is the shopping mall definition if you are curious and wish to learn more.

We hope that you have found this news about this online retailer to be helpful.  You can find additional online fashion retailers in our retail clothing store directory section.

Cheeky in a Courtney Allegra Bikini

When it comes to swimwear and 18-year olds, most of the time the big decision is which bikini bottoms to pair with which bikini top. However, when it comes to 18-year-old Courtney Allegra, the big question is which swimwear designs to launch this season.
Cheeky in a Courtney Allegra Bikini

At 18, Courtney Allegra has achieved more success in fashion that many designers who have dedicated their whole lives to the field. With her unique sense of style, paired with true design talent, it is no wonder that Courtney Allegra is fast becoming a household name for her sexy and fun swimwear that makes women feel good and look fabulous.
Fun in Bikinis Courtney Allegra Swimwear

Designing fun and flirty swimwear that is inspired by all the beautiful places in the world, Courtney Allegra has her finger on the pulse of what fashionistas want in their swimsuit designs. Edgy and feminine style that never sacrifices comfort or quality! Each swimwear design by Allegra is a work of art that combines beautiful patterns, sexy cuts, and high quality fabrics, including modern and sophisticated metallics. All of Courtney Allegra’s designs are created in San Diego and made in Los Angeles, so they are true California girl wear!
Bikini Courtney Allegra Swimwear

Not only is Allegra an amazing designer, but she gives back to the community that gives to her with partnerships with many charitable organizations such as The Cancer Survivors Fashion Show, AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Never Leave One Behind, just to name a few!
Riding Bikes in Bathing Suits

When it comes to swimwear this summer you could go with the run of the mill swimsuits that look the same year after year, or you could choose something with flair that shows off your style and is sure to turn heads, while keeping you comfortable and feeling amazing. The choice seems pretty clear: have fun and be cheeky in a Courtney Allegra Bikini!

Learn more about Courtney Allegra swimwear from her website.

Aspire Eyewear Celebrated Colors

Aspire Eyewear introduces the new “Celebrated” this season in three colors; Black Fade, Blue and Brown
The style is created with the same high-tech performance the brand is known for—offering its proprietary SDN-4 frames for superior lightness, thinness, flexibility, strength, shape memory and resistance to heat and UV exposure. 
Celebrated also features the brand’s revolutionary seamless hinge, eliminating the need for screws at the sensitive hinge-point. 

Aspire Eyewear is helping redefine the summer and how Labor Day weekend may be celebrated this year.  By the way, Labor Day is Monday, September 7, 2015 (46 days from when this post was written).  Never too early to start planning what you will be wearing to celebrate Labor Day weekend 2015.

May your holiday be unbreakable!

Learn more about bendable eyewear from Aspire here on the Fashion Blog.


Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Jennifer Morrison Lovely Braids

Jennifer Morrison shows off the summer's hottest hair trend - BRAIDS- in an exclusive photo shoot for BeautyCoach.com. The Once Upon A Time star models four beautiful braid looks perfect for every summer occasion, styled by Riawna Capri and Marissa Marino of NINE ZERO ONE salon in West Hollywood. Head to BeautyCoach.com for the latest trends in hair, beauty, fitness and more!
Jennifer Morrison Hair Braid Trend
Jennifer Morrison Amazing Braids

Jennifer Morrison Fairy Tale Braided Hair

Jennifer Morrison Great Braided Hair
Photos courtesy of www.beautycoach.com.

Among other things, Jennifer Morrison is known for her roles as Emma Swan in the ABC adventure fantasy series Once Upon a Time and as Dr. Allison Cameron in House.  She also portrayed Zoey Pierson, one of Ted Mosby's love interests on How I Met Your Mother (season 6).

We are big fans of her acting.  Now we are huge fans of her hair.

Stitch Perfect Rustic Ugg

Stitch Perfect Ugg in Nature

Stitch Perfect with the Women's Classic Short Rustic Weave from Ugg.

The beloved Classic Short silhouette gets chicly updated this season with artisanal leather stitching and contrasting binding. Finished with signature UGG® comfort, this boot features luxurious Twinface sheepskin and a lightweight, flexible outsole.

Women's Classic Short Rustic Weave from Ugg
The sueded side of Twinface sheepskin is susceptible to staining and discoloration if worn in snow or rain. To ensure longevity, please handle with care.  This product contains real fur from Sheep or Lamb.  Fur Origin: Australia, UK, Ireland or United States.  Real Fur has been artificially dyed and treated By UGG® Australia; RN# 88276

This product is made in US, China, or Vietnam, varies by product
Use UGG® Australia Care Kit and follow their cleaning instructions.

ICE Crystal Jewelry Awards at FABB 2015

It was a jewelry design competition that showcased the brilliance of six Fashion Institute of Technology students. And Bo Won Hwang was victorious—with Preciosa Crystal Components supporting her from start to finish.

Hwang took top honors at the second annual ICE Crystal Jewelry Awards, held during the 26th annual Fashion Accessories Benefit Ball, or FABB, at Pier 60 in Manhattan on May 6. Czech Republic-based Preciosa supplied the crystal for each student’s extraordinarily ornate, highly embellished creations. The company underwrites the ICE Awards, whose name is an acronym for Innovation, Creativity, and Excellence. The competition was originally created through a partnership between Preciosa, FIT, and Accessories magazine.

Jana Klapkova, Preciosa’s Marketing Communications Manager, highlighted the importance of fostering young designers. “Our aim is to support new jewelry designers who are original, who have unusual or unique designs,” she said. “Their thoughts are fresh and we like to support this next generation of creative talent.”

So much so that Preciosa has been sponsoring the event for two years now. “The idea emerged five years ago,” noted Klapkova. “And we were fortunate to build a partnership with Sherie Dolinoy, publisher of Accessories Magazine, who helped us to make this happen.

“We always find new ways of designers using our crystals,” Klapkova continued, “because they can be used in ordinary ways—but we look for designs that use the crystals in extraordinary ways.

“The aim is being fulfilled because the young designers are very original,” she said. “And also we hope they are happy to work with our crystals and that they will remember this period of time when they become well-established companies.”

Hwang was announced as winner at the ICE Awards before an audience of 767 accessories executives, and will receive $1,200. Varuna Suraseranivong was named first runner-up, which came with a $600 prize.

The Preciosa-embellished designs of all six students—Hwang, Suraseranivong, Han Lin, Kyungrim Kim, Jia Zhu, and Yuan-Hsin Chang—were on display in sparkling cases at FABB. As a theme, each competitor picked a fall-winter 2015-16 trend specified by Accessories magazine, from “Dark Romance” to “Russian Charm.”

All of the student-designers are from FIT’s Jewelry Design undergraduate program. For the competition, each student is paired with a mentor from a jewelry marketer or manufacturer. The overarching goal of the competition and mentorships is to build relationships between a new crop of promising designers and these marketers.

And Hwang has gotten off to a good start. She is an intern at Haskell Jewels, and her mentor during the competition was Jackie Canzone, Vice President of Design at Haskell, which designs, markets and distributes costume jewelry and watches.

When asked of she was happy about the win, Hwang, who picked “Dark Romance” as her inspiration, said in her soft-spoken manner, “Of course.” She joked: “I think my mentor was more excited than me.”

For her part, Canzone said, “It was great because it’s not every day a student can actually have a piece of jewelry manufactured. They usually have to make it themselves, so it’s a different experience. It was fun working with her and to win was really exciting.”

“I think Preciosa and FIT did an awesome job of organizing, said Stephan Rubin, who is President of jewelry wholesaler Stephan & Co. and mentored Suraseranivong. “So much time and energy went into it…really well done. The entire process is fabulous—to encourage young, creative people in our industry, which we desperately need to keep going on and on. She’s awesome.”

“I’m so happy, the outcome is great,” said Suraseranivong, who went with “Russian Charm.” “My inspiration is purely Russian, from flower shapes to the colors,” she said, pointing to the red tassels adorning her necklace and earrings. “I tried to make all the jewelry textured, with golden thread embroidered on.” 

“There’s no reason that Preciosa can’t be the Swarovski of tomorrow,” said Kim’s mentor Tahseen Ali-Khan, Design Director/Partner at costume jewelry manufacturer AKA Mystique Accessories LLC, paying homage to the crystals that were used. “It’s wonderful for us to find designers,” she added.

Kim, who chose “Russian Charm,” said, “It was a good experience because I designed it and the company made the piece. It is really amazing.” 

At FIT, “We have the only curriculum in the world where the makers become designers and the designers become makers,” said Wendy Yothers, Chairperson of Jewelry Design at FIT’s School of Art and Design. “So all of our graduates know how things are put together and how to create and mine an idea.” Her colleague Michael Coan, head gemologist at FIT’s School of Art and Design, added, “Many times we combine the [design and production] process. This is a first-hand experience: that they’re able to work with the industry to create the pieces of work. In other words, it’s not a fanciful sketch; it’s a working sketch that will be developed.”

The students’ pieces—primarily necklaces, earrings, and bracelets—were voted on by numerous retailers, including Macy’s and Dillard’s. Salability of an item was kept in mind by the retailers, but they also realize it’s a competition, “so it has to be something really impressive with artistry,” Lauren Parker, editor-in-chief of Accessories magazine, noted of judging the creations.

Parker added that student competitors go on to get jobs in the industry.

“Basically it’s like ‘Project Runway,’” she said. “It’s a whole job interview, where they get to show their design skills, and work with the mentor, who gets to see not just how talented they are, but their work ethic. So some of them get scooped up!”

Lin, who worked in the “Dark Romance” realm with mentor Robin Regnier, Vice President of Merchandising at NES Costume, a designer, developer, marketer, and distributor of costume jewelry, said she tried to think of what “Dark Romance” is. For her, it came down to flowers and dark gray and black tones. “It also has a little bit of a feminine side,” she said.

Chang and Zhu both picked “Dark Romance.” Chang, who was paired with mentor Mandy Reiter, Co-owner of costume jewelry designer and manufacturer International Inspirations/Lux Accessories, noted, “The concept of my design is a garden at midnight, with roses that grew all over the walls and bloomed deep red flowers. When the midnight breeze came by, the vines trembled and the withered leaves and petals fell to the ground.”

Zhu worked with mentor Colette Pace, Vice President of Product Development/Design/Merchandising at Jams/Punch Fashions, a costume jewelry company with a house line and private-label partners. “The red stones in my design stand for the passion, the love, and the excitement of the Garden of Eden we are living in now,” Zhu stated. “But within all the excitement, there is always a black, mysterious snake within the soul, looking for a chance to draw out the sin and black romantic from deep inside you.”

Here, the student-mentor teams to which Preciosa supplied crystal:

Student: Bo Won Hwang

Mentor: Jackie Canzone, Vice President of Design at Haskell Jewels, which designs, markets and distributes of costume jewelry and watches.

Inspiration: “Dark Romance”

Student: Varuna Suraseranivong

Mentor: Stephan Rubin, President of jewelry wholesaler Stephan & Co.

Inspiration: “Russian Charm”

Student: Han Lin

Mentor: Robin Regnier, Vice President of Merchandising at NES Costume, a designer, developer, marketer, and distributor of costume jewelry.
Inspiration: “Dark Romance”

Student: Kyungrim Kim

Mentor: Tahseen Ali-Khan, Design Director/Partner, AKA Mystique Accessories LLC, a costume jewelry manufacturer.

Inspiration: “Russian Charm”

Student: Yuan-Hsin Chang

Mentor: Mandy Reiter, Co-owner, International Inspirations/Lux Accessories, a costume jewelry designer and manufacturer.

Inspiration: “Dark Romance”

Student: Jia Zhu

Mentor: Colette Pace, Vice President of Product Development/Design/Merchandising at Jams/Punch Fashions, a costume jewelry company with a house line and private-label partners.

Inspiration: “Dark Romance”

Thank you for taking the time to read our jewelry blog post. We hope that you have found this news to be informative. If you have comments or questions, please add your thoughts in the discussion area below.

Capri Pant Inventor Sonja De Lennart

Have you ever wondered, "who invented the capri pant?"

2015 will be the 70th anniversary of the world famous Capri pants, invented by fashion icon Sonja De Lennart.

In years where women were not allowed to wear Pants or anything sexy, where Harrods did not let women enter the store in pants, a German designer, Sonja de Lennart, had a dream, Freedom for women to dress sexy.

She is one of the few fashion designer who made History. 

Thank you Sonja de Lennart.

On 1000 sqm the National Textil Museum in Augsburg exhibits the entire work of Sonja de Lennart until September 30, 2015.
Sonja De Lennart

Exclusive pre opening took place on July 16, 2015 in Augsburg with honorable guests, stars and celebrities such as TV Actress, Uschi Glas, Erich Neureuther a.m.m.



The award-winning State Textile and Industry Museum Augsburg (tim) is the first state museum in Bavarian Swabia. The tim is an institution of the Free State of Bavaria. It was established by the City of Augsburg and the District of Swabia.

You may have interest in visiting the State Textile and Industry Museum Augsburg.

Learn more about fashion history here on Apparel Search.




Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Emmy Rossum Spotted Again in IVI Sunglasses

Emmy Rossum was photographed wearing IVI sunglasses while out in Beverly Hills yesterday. The "Shameless" actress accented her flirty floral dress with her IVI Daggerwing Sunglasses in Polished Black ($160.00, www.ivivision.com)! 
Emmy Rossum Spotted Again in IVI Sunglasses
Emmy Rossum Floral Dress


See more of Emmy Rossum wearing IVI sunglasses recently.

Racer-back Sports Bra with Lime Strap

Just in case you were curious as too which sports bra Alessandra Ambrosio was wearing under her Inca Tank top in our July 19th post.  Here it is worn by a fashion model.
Reef design sports bra with lime strap
SKU: 1000SBT-REE
Sports Bra - Reef with Navy Band & Lime Strap.

Slim straps and racer-back style coordinates with various tops. Built-in bra with removable pads for moderate support. Flat lock seams are both strong and sporty. Wear this Sporty Bra with matching Shorty Shorts for hot yoga, against contrasting colors for a cool mix and match look, or under a matching top for a post-workout iced latte.

You can purchase this sporty top at Prismsport.
Learn more about racer-back tops here on Apparel Search in the fashion terms section.

Chloe Grace Moretz in Bravado x Lucky Brand

Chloe Grace Moretz was photographed wearing a Bravado x Lucky Brand tee in Los Angeles yesterday.  

The Brain on Fire actress made a stylish exit from Barneys in The Rolling Stones Tongue Tee ($39.50, www.luckybrand.com).
Chloe Grace Moretz in jean shorts and rock t-shirt

Looks like she also enjoys Nike & the New York Yankees.
The Rolling Stones Tongue Tee
By the way, we don't know too much yet about the movie Brain of Fire.  As far as I know, it's a look at a young woman's rapid descent into insanity.  We are looking forward to learning more (and watching Chloe Grace Moretz perform).

Thank you for your interest in learn more about Chloe Grace Moretz and what she has been wearing.  The fashion blog tries to keep up with trendy people like Chloe.  If you see her wearing other stylish fashion items, please contact us at the Fashion Blog so we can possibly publish regarding her other outfits.

Ultimate Side Smoother

The beauty and slimming solutions from Wacoal.
Ultimate Side Smoother
The effects of lifting Wacoal

Smooth silhouette and tapered end up in seconds, are the tricks developed by Wacoal products.
The latest innovation of Wacoal is The Ultimate Side Smoother.


More than a bra, The Ultimate Side Smoother is a bra solution. It fades gracefully small unsightly creases that are visible on a women's arms and let themselves reveal when she puts on a dress or a shirt tight to the body, and then she begins to despair.
When we discover The Ultimate Side Smoother, one is immediately captivated by her look: Welcoming caps, soft and deep for generous breasts, in between the cups and between the cups and back, an unexpected crossover design responsible the ruthless efficiency of this magical bra.

The Ultimate Side Smoother ShapeJust tried, we realize the lifting effect of this beautiful bra. The breast is placed perfectly centered. And underarms, the cross effect of micro-fiber releases the birth of the arm while blurring the curves of our small beads.

You'll love it!

The Ultimate Side Smoother Back
Wear it with an invisible panties or panty girdle also high design and effect guaranteed facelift over the curves of the hips, stomach and bulging buttocks. 

See more bras and lingerie from Wacoal here on the Fashion Blog.  You can also visit the Wacoal website for more.

Research something new.

Time to find trendy shoes, classic tops, fabulous handbags, and more.

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Upgrade Your Wardrobe

Ready to shop? Apparel Search has a few favorite suggestions. Visit our new shopping page to view a few of our favorite fashion shopping destinations such as upscale boutiques like Barney's, Bloomingdale's, Neiman Marcus, etc.
If you are interested in upgrading your wardrobe, you can visit the fashion shopping page.


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Take your time to browse the various areas of our blog, or head back over to the main area of our Apparel Search website to learn more about our industry.

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