Fashion Design

“All that you desire or require is already on your pathway, but you must be wide awake to your good to bring it into manifestation.” – Florence Scovel Shinn

Whether you are a professional secretary, a nurse, a vice-president in a large corporate organization; a creative arts director, or an attorney, as a total individual, you must always strive for self- improvement. Your personal image is what sets you apart from all others. Your image speaks for itself and has a lot to do with the way others see you.

Imagine how you feel when you …..

> Treat others with respect. Extend courtesy. Show consideration. Be kind. Know yourself and how you’d feel if you were in the same situation and required assistance from someone else. Whenever you feel tempted to criticize another person– today, tomorrow, or next week– realize that criticisms are like homing pigeons, they always come back to peck you.

> Take charge of your life. Knowing what you want to achieve, and setting out to fulfill even a minor goal leads you down the right road to a life filled with successes. Having the courage to go for your goals requires you to act from a position of strength.

And in order to achieve your desired result, your goal must be

worthy. Do not become discouraged when a specific goal isn’t

successful. It takes lots of practice to get it right. The

important point is that you acted.

> Work smarter, not harder; be more efficient, not faster, and

always strive to be better, and avoid carelessness. Do not dwell on past mistakes. Be aware of what you did incorrectly and learn from it. Then avoid repeating the same mistake the next time.

Try not to blame others for your faults. No one else is

responsible for your actions–not what you feel, not what you

do, or what you say, or how you react in any situation. Take

each new day as it is given to you. Learn to create a pleasant

experience for yourself and for others.

> Accept and initiate change. If something isn’t working, find a

better way to complete the task–don’t give up. Doing tasks the

same old way may work for a time, but if there’s a way it can be

done more efficiently, try a different method. And a more effective way may be discovered. After all, there is no right way and no wrong way to do a task….it may just be whatever feels right to you.

Respect for yourself and others. In building your self-image, courtesy, taking charge of your life, and working smarter are all good habits to develop. Your life may improve when you practice these habits daily. Then find others to add to the list. You’ll be amazed at how good it makes you feel.

Copyright, 2005

Unemployed workers aren’t the only ones looking for new jobs. Those who feel stuck in their careers, or are looking for more meaning in their work, are also thinking about making a fresh start. But what are the best careers to pursue the second time around? Career surveys and employment experts have identified the following fields as some of the most fulfilling for people looking to make a change. You won’t land one of these jobs overnight. But with education and preparation, you can well be on your way.

Nursing. If you like helping people, especially when they’re sick, and you have a knack for science, nursing could be a good second career for you. There’s a nursing shortage in the country, so opportunities are certainly there. To become a Registered Nurse, you’ll first need to get a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, or a two to three year AA degree from a community college.

Fashion design. Besides being a fashion designer, careers in fashion range from marketing to merchandising, and apparel construction to buying. If you’ve dreamed of working in any of these capacities in fashion design, you’ll learn the necessary skills by earning a degree at an accredited, career-focused fashion college. Internships while you’re in school and networking with alumni in the industry will also give you a competitive edge in the job market.

Teaching. Some people just know they were meant to be teachers. And those who leave their old jobs to pursue teaching as a second career are frequently the most committed and satisfied educators. If you’re interested in becoming a teacher, check online to find out the licensing requirements in your state. You may need to earn a graduate degree, or at least take additional classes, as well as pass a credentialing exam.

Counseling. Whether you’re interested in working with children, families and couples, or patients experiencing substance abuse or mental health problems, therapy can be a particularly rewarding career. As with teaching, check the licensing requirements in your state. Besides earning a master’s degree in a relevant discipline, you’ll probably also be required to practice under the supervision of an established therapist for a certain amount of hours before being able to hang your own shingle.

Culinary arts. Thanks to the popularity of television cooking shows, a lot of people dream of turning their love of food into a career. But to be a successful chef, it takes more than being a good cook. It can take years of formal training and hands-on experience, starting at the lowest rung in the kitchen before you even get to cook a meal. And if you plan on opening your restaurant, take some business courses to help you survive in the competitive food industry.

Coaching. One of the fastest growing careers, especially for business executives escaping the rat race, is personal coaching. Life coaches help people navigate their careers, relationships, or any part of their lives that need guidance, giving their clients a solid game plan and motivating them in the process. Although some practitioners without any formal training call themselves coaches, most life coaches are certified after taking accredited classes.

Green opportunities. Many people looking for second careers want to make a difference in the world, so interest in environmental careers is booming. Thanks to the 2009 Federal Stimulus Act, billions of dollars have been allocated to green businesses, and as many as 4.2 million jobs are expected to be added in the years ahead. Many green jobs will not require learning new skills or changing professions, as green businesses will still need traditional office staff like accountants, engineers, and project managers. But enrolling in an environmental studies or sustainable design program will give you a better understanding, and appreciation, for the green work ahead.

Nonprofit work. Despite the recession, jobs in the nonprofit sector are expected to grow. In fact, senior-level job openings have actually increased in the past few years. Nonprofit work can be very rewarding, but before jumping in to just any job, think about what charitable organizations are most meaningful to you, and spend some time volunteering. You’ll gain valuable insight into how nonprofits function, as well as the jobs within the industry.

Interior design. Designing the spaces in which people live and work can be both artistically and professionally rewarding. But interior designers do more than just choose colors, fabrics and furniture. They also have to be knowledgeable about construction codes, engineering, and safety. That’s why many states require interior designers to be certified, only granting licenses after candidates have earned an Interior Design degree or advanced certificate from an accredited university, fashion college or interior design school.

It may take more education and training to pursue a second career, but when you’re in a job that you absolutely love, you realize that all the hard work was worth it.

Have you ever wanted to create a cartoon design of your own? I’m a fabric artist so I frequently come up with my own designs with no particular source of inspiration.

First, let’s clarify the word cartoon. I’m not referring to drawing cartoon characters although the word is the same word. My use of the word cartoon is more in the sense of a pattern drawn on a large piece of paper (usually 18″ x 24″).

There are many ways to practice turning on the creative juices. It always starts with a blank piece of paper. Now instead of deciding to draw anything in particular, I just pick up a pencil or pen, place the pencil on the paper somewhere and let the flow begin.

One technique is to draw a rectangle somewhere in the middle of the paper. Now you have certain defined spaces to fill with straight lines, curvy lines, groups of lines, shapes, repetition of shapes or free flow.

The center space can be filled with circles of various sizes, a simple leaf design or triangular shapes. Shapes can be repeated in various ways by changing the sizes of the shapes. The outside space around the edge of the paper can also be filled with similar shapes or just drawn curvy lines or straight lines.

At this point, I don’t think about placement or an actual design, just let the process of drawing take place.

After you have created some shapes and lines, begin using colored pencils or crayons to fill in these spaces. Use three colors to start with, use three colors that you really like. Then add variations of these colors, lighter and darker, softer and brighter. You would be surprised what can happen in this process.

These images that you’re creating are mostly abstracts but if you really like flowers and leaves, draw flowers and leaves. Just do very simple drawings with simple color schemes.

As you practice the above techniques, it will be easier and easier to draw designs starting on an empty page. The page is your canvas, it’s there to serve you, so let things happen. If you love the color purple, use only shades of purple, then add a little black here and there, with some soft greys.

Once you get comfortable with the process of creating designs, begin to look at the overall balance of the various elements you have created. Could they be smaller, larger? Could they be placed in a different area of the paper and have a greater visual impact? Could you add a bright lime-yellow to make the other colors pop?

Another technique is to take an abstract drawing you’ve created, cut the paper in strips or any kind of pieces you want, then re-assemble the drawing in a new way. Look at the overall effect. Do you want the shapes to pop? Do you want the colors to be more dominant? Does your design have energy and flow to it? What do you want to convey with your drawing?

Practice the above process as often as you can. I try to draw something on a daily basis and a lot of times I do this late at night before going to bed or early in the morning before my busy day begins. Find a slot of time for your creative juices to begin blossoming. I really believe that becoming creative (in whatever medium you choose) requires practice, practice, practice. Soon you will find your inner voice and direction for your art to express itself.

Happy sketching! Take time for you! Good Luck!

Sure, the most style conscious among us want to sail through the seasons in all of the new fashion styles. But purchasing a new wardrobe twice a year is a luxury that few of us can afford. Is there a solution to this trendsetting dilemma? Of course there is, as long as you know how to shop smarter instead of shopping more. With some retail savvy and a bit of patience, you can have new fashion style in your closet every season at a fraction of the money that you may be thinking you will have to spend.

Don’t Buy Clothing as Soon as it Appears Retailers will bank on the fact that many women will pay full price for a new fashion style just to get the best selection or be the first woman on the block to flaunt it. This does not have to be you! With a bit of patience, you will soon see that must have tunic that will look just perfect with your favorite jeans at 30-50% off. Wait even longer, and you may find a coupon in the circular in the Sunday paper for an additional percentage off. Wait an additional month or two, and that adorable tunic will be offered at a clearance price that you are sure to afford.

Don’t Spend more on Trendy Items There are plenty of places to shop for the new fashion style. Upper end boutiques and department stores will offer the latest crazes with a high price tag. Average department stores will offer similarly trendy merchandise for a much lower price. Discount house will provide comparable items for the best price of all. When it comes to new fashion style, spend less on the really trendy items that will only work for one or two seasons. This leaves money in your clothing budget to spend more on classic pieces like the wool blazer or black riding boots that will be able to get you through multiple seasons in style and quality.

Shop Online There are some great bargains on new fashion style online. Whether you are into hip hop or urban fashion trends, you can find great selection and prices at many retailers on the Internet. These virtual stores usually have sales and clearance events just like the department stores in the mall. And you don’t have to leave home and fight the crowds to check out the new fashion style. The disadvantage to this method is that you can’t try items on prior to purchase.

Keeping up with new fashion style can be a lot of fun, and now it can be economical as well. With these tips, you can look up to the minute without breaking the bank.

When it comes to fashion accessories, everyone knows that Italian luxury handbags are timeless. But, if you own a boutique or retail store, you may not know where to buy wholesale handbags, or have the knowledge to recognize reputable manufacturers. Here are some tips about what to look for, both in terms of fashion handbags and in terms of selecting the right supplier:

1. Skins are in. When it comes to Italian luxury handbags, look for those that are made from real python skin, real ostrich skin, and real crocodile skin. If you’re concerned about price point, consider cocco-ligator skin, a process whereby natural crocodile fibers are used to create a skin similar to that of a crocodile, but is less expensive than crocodile leather.

2. Remember the color story. This year, the color story is all over the spectrum – literally. Vibrant reds continue to make a statement, while green is emerging as the must-have color of the year. Perhaps due to the influence of the environmental movement, women are selecting clothing and fashion accessories that reflect this eco-friendly color. The other two colors that are emerging as frontrunners this season are purple and olive, while gold and silver are catching the limelight for eveningwear accessories. Of course, black never goes out of style, but embellishments are being added to more traditional black fashion handbags.

3. Look for the artisanal touch. The best Italian luxury handbags are handmade by artisans who have years of experience in crafting timeless pieces. The manufacturer you choose to work with should acknowledge the traditions associated with Italian craftsmanship, and the production process should involve a collective effort to bring out the finest qualities in the materials used. When it does, you will have the opportunity to purchase unique wholesale handbags that your customers will treasure.

4. Watch the paperwork. If you live outside of the European Union and you purchase genuine Italian luxury handbags made from exotic skins, there is an entire body of regulations governing their export. The manufacturer that you choose should be able to meticulously carry out the requirements for exporting these leather goods. For example, the manufacturer needs to track the origin of the skins, obtain the necessary licenses, and complete the proper CITES paperwork in order to ship the finished products to you.

5. Variety is key. Although you know your customer better than anyone, the chances are good that she has different needs for different occasions. Carrying a variety of clutches, purses, and tote bags helps build customer loyalty and repeat sales. The best manufacturers of Italian luxury handbags will give you the choices that you – and your customers – need. For example, you should be able to choose the styles of bags you want, as well as from among four different varieties of exotic skins and more than 30 different tonalities. When you do, your customers can find exactly what they need to match their wardrobes and lifestyles.

If you are in the fashion world and on your way to becoming a top fashion designer yourself, of course you need to be aware of all those whose footsteps you are following in and so you will want to know who is a famous fashion designer and what they have brought to the fashion world which you should be respective of.

Ralph Lauren

Most people, whether they are getting a career in fashion or not, are aware of the name Ralph Lauren. As one of the most infamous names in all of the fashion world, the famous fashion designer Ralph Lauren is a designer that all the hottest celebs love and often don to red carpet events.

What began forty years ago with a collection of ties has not grown into an entire world, redefining American style. Ralph Lauren has really always stood out when it comes to providing superior quality products, and whenever you buy any Ralph Lauren product you know that you are getting the ultimate in quality.

He is a famous fashion designer without a doubt, one of the most popular in the world in fact. He has always been known for providing quality products, creating worlds and inviting people to take part in his dream of delivering gorgeous, stunning designs for men and women.

Christian Louboutin

This is another famous fashion designer, only he is known best for his signature red sole heels. You have probably heard of this famous fashion designer before, maybe on Oprah because she wears his heels quite often?

Celebrities ranging from Angelina Jolie to Mariah Carey are fans of this fashion designer extraordinaire, and he is definitely worth checking out and learning more about if you love gorgeous heels.

These are just two of the literally hundreds upon hundreds of famous fashion designers out there. It is good to be aware of the different fashion designers out there no matter who you are, but particularly if you are interested in having a lucrative career in the fashion world, you are of course going to need to be up to date on the different fashion designers and on which offer the products that you love.

There are always new and up and coming designers all the time, so make sure that you keep your eyes and ears open to see what is new and hot. If you want to be a success in the fashion world, this is something that you just have to do.

Fashion design templates are layouts that are pre-designed. These can be used to make new designs by adding certain features. Fashion design templates are extensively used for making fashion drawings. The templates are available in different sizes. Templates are of different types such as fashion silhouette templates, posture template and free fashion and body silhouette template. The templates are the best option for those who do not have the necessary drawing skills.

The fashion design templates display the outline of a model in different poses and sizes. The designer has to make his own judgment about the pose and the size of the template that would be chosen for the display of the fashion apparel or accessory. For instance, if the costume is classy and represents the bygone era, the designers would normally choose a template that is more elegant and refined.

The templates are important for the proper presentation of the designer’s artistic skill. The templates have to be chosen according to the theme of the apparel ready for display. If the template chosen for a particular designer apparel or accessory is not correct, it might give a misrepresentation of the theme and the concept of the design, and have a negative impact on the marketability of the design.

Considering the importance of templates, many people have come out with e-books based on templates. Similarly, there are web templates that serve the fashion needs of the budding as well as the established designers.

The templates can either be downloaded or they can be used to produce similar images for the purpose of sketching. The templates display basic outline of the models .The outlines can be drawn upon or a print can be taken to create a fashion design befitting the template.

The fashion design template is an important tool that can be used by the designer to escape the drudgery of drawing or for getting a fair idea of what to incorporate in his creations.

Haute Couture is a French phrase for high fashion. Couture means dressmaking, sewing, or needlework and haute means elegant or high, so the two combined imply excellent artistry with the fashioning of garments. The purchase of an haute couture model garment is at the top level of hand customised fashion design and clothing construction made by a couture design house. A model haute couture garment is made specifically for the wearer’s measurements and body stance. The made to measure exclusive clothes are virtually made by hand, carefully interlined, stay taped and fitted to perfection for each client.

www.ebridals.com is a a site which have the wide range of wedding gowns, prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses exclusively designed by couture designer Andy anand which are hand-made and hand-beaded which have the feelings of ”today” yet they are classic.

It is fair to say that the dresses are usually of very high quality, so many people are happy to pay a price that they feel reflects the image and standard. However if this is all way beyond your means and part of fantasy why not get one of the many online catalogues that features clothes for real people like http://www.ebridals.com which have the wide range of wedding attire designed by couture designer Andy anand.

The final toile of a design idea is an accurate interpretation of the line or cut right down to the button placement or hemline that the designer is seeking. Once satisfied the designer instructs his staff to make up the garment in the selected and exclusive materials. One seamstress or tailor will work on the garment from start to finish. The cutting and finishing is done in one room and the workroom manageress is responsible for everything produced in that room. When a customer decides to order a Haute Couture garment she needs to first make an appointment with the design house prior to any visit to Paris. Model garments from collections are sometimes out of the country being presented elsewhere. Some couture houses provide video of the collection to the serious purchasers. At http://www.ebridals.com customers can look up to their choices and can order online.

Couture Fashion is a language of signs, symbols and iconography that non-verbally communicate meanings about individuals and groups. Fashion in all its forms from a tattooed and pierced navel, to the newest hairstyle, is the best form of iconography we have to express individual identity. It enables us to make ourselves understood with rapid comprehension by the onlooker.

Fashion of today has its roots in the Ancient Greek Costumes. The Ancient Greeks have inspired the facet of clothing. They were painstakingly fussy about their turn out. There are innumerable statues, carvings and pottery depicting their fashion statements. Such great Greek historians as Herodotus have given us very detailed written descriptions of developments in fashion and the societal significance of Ancient Greek Costume and their accessories. The period post 1200 BC started with a civilization of people who wore bell-shaped skirts and tightly fitted bodices and ended with a race dressed in draped clothes that we associate with the Greeks.

In comparison, the Ancient Greek Costumes were more voluminous then that of the Egyptian counterparts. More often than not these were made of fine wool or linen in spite of the fact that Greeks also had access to linen, hemp cloth and silk. Although there were a variety of styles, the dresses were basically the same – rectangular pieces of cloth draped in different ways. The outfits were unisex and hardly varied down the ages.

The Greeks were very conscious of the human body and displayed it to the best advantage. Rather than conceal, these Ancient Greek Costumes, artistically showed-off the human form. These may seem rather vulgar in the present day and rather impractical too but they were in vogue at that time. Some of the outfits are the chiton (unisex), exomis (males), tunic (males), himation (males), Doric (females) and ionic (females). Though most of the dresses were drapes cloths, it is known that the Greeks definitely knew how to make sleeves. However, since normal straight sleeves were considered less aesthetic, bare arms were preferred.

Doric was a popular style for women and the most fashionable garment. It was a rectangular piece of cloth approx. 2 meters in length and least 3 meters in width. It was draped folded over at the top and dropping full length to the ankle. The material was mostly linen and fine wool. The silk that came from China and the Muslin and cotton from Egypt was restricted to the higher gentry. The well-off women wore circlets of gold and valuable stones. Amethyst was a fashionable stone. It even had a mythological story to its origin!

Initially, during the archaic period, the Ancient Greek Costumes were usually white or off-white – especially for the common man. They were further forbidden to wear red chitons and himations in theaters or public places. However, colors had been adopted and were widespread by the 5th Century. Homer has recorded the fashion of extravagant costumes woven with threads of silver and gold.

These Ancient Greek Costumes were adorned with borders and motifs. More multifaceted borders portrayed themes ranging from animals, birds, and fish to intricate battle scenes. The colors of the threads were infinite. According to Herodotus, there was yellow, violet, indigo, red and purple in a single garment.

Most of the population believed in being barefoot. However, footwear was still prevalent in the ancient times. The Ancient Greek Costume was usually depicted in the statues and other scriptures with varied footwear ranging from thongs, full and toeless sandals, to ankle & calf boots. The headgear – straw hats, felt and leather hats were quite like the broad brimmed modern sun hats. So now we know where those originated!

Why not consider buying heart-shaped springtime jewelry for yourself, or for your special someone? After all, “In spring, the young man’s fancy turns to thoughts of love.” But it’s not just young men, surely! When spring rolls around, thoughts of l’amour murmur within every one of us. Heart-shaped accessories and gifts are certainly popular.

Spring is often thought of as the Valentine season, since it’s what’s in store for everyone by the time February 14 rolls around. On this day of hearts, treat your special girl to a necklace, a brooch or a pair of earrings that says just how much you love her. Though the heart shape is extremely popular, it doesn’t have to be common or tacky: a heart-shaped brooch made of tiny diamonds, for example, speaks of sophistication and a fine eye. Neither does it have to be expensive: heart-shaped earrings or silver heart outline pendants could fit reasonably in one’s budget. A thin silver band with hearts etched all around it would be affordable, and would make an especially fine gift in the bargain.

And even if you’re shopping for a special guy, heart-shaped jewelry need not be corny – in fact, your man may find it quirky and unique! Cufflinks with a heart design, for example, could come in many colors, and go tastefully with your man’s power suit. If you have a party guy in tow, bright red heart cufflinks would make him the envy of every Casanova in the house!

But if you’re not into the heart shape, don’t fret: springtime jewelry isn’t confined to that. Jewelry could come in other springtime motifs, like daisies and butterflies, favorites of children and young people everywhere. If you’re shopping for something cute to go with your new spring outfit, try a fun butterfly brooch or jeweled hairclip.

In springtime, young people just love to frolic in the cool outdoors. For this reason, picnics and nature trips are especially popular in the spring. With flowers in full bloom and a temperate breeze blowing, the days spent with loved ones outdoors seem almost perfect. To make the most of these casual excursions, people like to wear unobtrusive clothing, in the process discarding apparel that in the winter had been bulky and concealing. We see the lovely spring dresses, sleeveless or frilled, with the low-cut collars that show off the formerly hidden beauty of a young woman’s neckline. When these comfortable dresses come out, so do the comfortable jewelry.

When wearing a spring dress with a dipping neckline, consider matching it with cascading earrings, or a simple necklace with a small pendant resting on your collarbone. Either would accentuate the grace of your neck and shoulders. Consider the colors of the jewelry you wear, too: colorful beads and wire jewelry would definitely suit any spring ensemble, and certainly drive away the gloom of winter while welcoming in the seasons of fun and sun! But springtime jewelry that comes in soft colors are a favorite, especially among people with delicate features. It brings out the wearer’s youthfulness and inspires a relaxed look.