Loft 102

Will she love her new Designer Purse?

noreply@blogger.com (eFashionHouse) — Thu, 29 May 2008 04:03:00 +0000

Just ask any graduate this year. She'll tell you plain and clear. She really wants an authentic Designer Handbag. A purse just like the ones her mother carries! Whether she's into Yoga or an obvious Fashionista, decide the award your girly grad deserves and say "congrats" with an authentic designer handbag for the Class of 2008. You know she really wants a designer purse this year! And, she's all grown up and wants something special.

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All the girls are carrying a new purse to their new job. Your little graduate dreams about a new designer handbag. There are many styles and designs to select in price ranges from under $100 to more than $500. It's up to you. Whatever you pick will be a hit. Some of our favorites are Tano bags, Melie Bianco handbags, Elaine Turner handbags, Pietro Alessandro handbags, Gucci Bags, Prada bags, Fendi bags and many more. And, they are all on Sale! See the coupon codes below and start saving on your graduation gifts for that special gal in your life.

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Graduation is here! She wants a REAL Designer Handbag! Have fun shopping! Here's a series of Graduation Tid-Bits we found amusing and thought you might, too!

Bad Graduation Gift Ideas
by Andy

A Briefcase: Oh, thanks Uncle Frank. You getting me this briefcase ensures that I’m supposed to work the same 9-5 office job that you've worked for that last 25 years while complaining about it and cheating on my wife with my secretary. (Sorry Aunt Jane)

“Planet Earth” on DVD: Am I that hard to shop for? How long did it take you to pick this out at Wal-Mart? Do you think that all I do is get high and watch the Discovery Channel? Well guess what, I DO!

“Planet Earth” on VHS: What? There’s like 20 tapes. Get out of my sight Grandma.

Money: What am I supposed to do with this? It's only four dollars.

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All Sorts of Graduation Ideas
from My Expression

Graduation Party Ideas
The Traditions of Graduation Party -Traditions are the lifeblood of every college. Traditions connect the students to the past of the college while at the same time preparing them for the future. From the historic to the contemporary, traditions can express a spirit of unity and create a sense of community while providing for loads of fun.

Graduation Planning Checklist - Its Graduation time! You’re planning on hosting a graduation party and you want it to be unique and exciting. Planning any party can be overwhelming and many things can go wrong. So, to be on the safer side, you need to come up with a graduation planning checklist to keep things from bouncing out of control.

The Do’s and Don’ts in the Graduation Party - So, you’re graduating from high school or college and what better excuse to throw a party! Spring is that time of the year for graduation invitations, announcements and gifts. Etiquettes and manners form a very important part of our being social animals.

What To Wear on Your Graduation Day - For 12 (in some cases more) seemingly never-ending years, you obediently went through the schoolyard quarrels, your first boy-girl party, your first date, the Prom, and now finally what you’ve always been waiting for – your Graduation day! This time you’re going to be wearing an outfit that your parents will finally approve of – a gown and a cap ...

Decorating your Graduation Party - So, its graduation day and you’re all set to host a special theme party. Yes, theme parties are fun and a whole lot easier to decorate! Half the fun of hosting a graduation party is decorating the party. You can decorate your room, your lawn, you table, and even your guests! You can turn graduation caps upside down and fill them with balloons or flowers ...

Graduation Speeches Etiquette - The graduation ceremony confirms each student’s quest for knowledge. Traditionally, the ceremony will include a graduation speech that seeks to put each and every students hard work (in some cases, not so hard work) into the perspective of their future. Yes, most of us have heard one or more graduation speeches either as spectators or as graduates ourselves ...

Graduation Gift Ideas - The date is fixed, and the invitations and announcements have already been given out. So, the day has finally come for you students to cry and to cheer and to leave your school or college halls forever. Yes, graduation day is indeed one of the biggest days in everyone’s life. After years and years of hard work, your efforts have finally paid off. You’re happy but ...

Chance to Promote Your Business with Graduation Open House Invitations - Do you plan to host a graduation open house for yourself or one of your children? It may not seem like it could work, but you can actually promote your business when you have an open house. You can start the promotion with something as simple as mention that the open house is being hosted by your business. This will definitely ...

Graduation Announcement Tips, Wording, and Special Poems
Graduation Announcement Wording Tips - Graduation is an important time in life, and should be announced properly. Stationary with crayons and graduation caps on it is an appropriate means of announcing a child graduating from kindergarten. A photo announcement is a nice keepsake for loved ones who are being invited to the graduation ...

Graduation Announcements Wording Ideas - So, you’re graduating from high school or college and you’re busier than ever! Your last year of college is filled with thousands of events and activities that you have never even tried to attempt during your college years. From sending out resumes and applications to asking for letter of recommendation, you have loads ...

Do it yourself Graduation Announcements - A great substitute to printed graduation announcements are announcements that you print by yourself on your personal computer. Not only are these ‘Do-it-yourself’ graduation announcements a lot more economical, but they can also be equally colorful and creative. Start of by using plain white card stock or even plain white paper ...

Sending Graduation Announcements - So, its graduation day and its time to let everyone know that you are a proud graduate. Now that all those seemingly endless years of toil and hard work have finally paid off, it’s finally time to celebrate. First things first, start by sending out graduation invitations and announcements to all your near and dear ones. Most colleges and high schools ...

Graduation Invitations in General and the Etiquette
Graduation Party Invitations - Planning the Party - Everyone who has played a role in the life of the graduate should be sent an invitation to the graduation party. It is understood by most that tickets to commencement are limited, however an open house allows for everyone to congratulate the graduate. - Invitations - You can choose informal themes, such as a backyard ...

Graduation Invitations Etiquette - There is a very good reason why people call graduation ceremonies ‘commencement ceremonies’. This is because graduation does not mark the end; it marks the beginning. Graduation is the achievement of all goals, and rewarding the graduate for his or her hard work is a must. Graduation time is the time to invite friends and family together for an exclusive ...

Choosing Graduation Invitations Theme - Whether for you or a friend, Graduation day is one of the most joyous and welcomed occasions in any student’s life. It marks the end of your educational journey that can sometimes seem to be an endless and intolerable journey. Graduation is a once in a lifetime event, so give this event the honor and prestige that it truly deserves. The very first ...

The Traditions of Graduation Cap & Black Color in Your Invitations - When it comes to graduation invitations or stationary there are some traditions that are still observed by most people. In the majority of samples that you look at while shopping you will find that there are graduation caps in the majority of them. This is simply an obvious choice of décor since it is an invitation for a graduation ...

Graduation Invitations Theme
Casual Graduation Party Ideas - If you want to throw a wonderful party for that special high school or college graduate in your life, don’t assume you have to spend a fortune and put together some very elegant get together. After all, your graduate has already worked very hard to achieve this accomplishment and now just needs some time to relax and unwind. That’s why sometimes a more casual ...

Throwing a Cocktail Theme Graduation Party - Graduating from college is a major accomplishment and is definitely one of the best reasons to have a celebration. However, too many graduation parties are all the same. If you want to throw an amazing party, then you’ll want to take a creative approach with your graduation celebration. One idea is to celebrate with a cocktail theme ...

Throwing a Party for Valedictorians and Summa Cum Laude Graduates - Graduating from high school or college is a huge achievement, but if your student is graduating with honors then that achievement is even more deserving of a special celebration. No ordinary graduation is going to be sufficient. Background on Graduation Honors - If you’re not familiar with all of the “honors” terminology, then ...

Black, Red, and Green for Graduation Invitations - Graduations are one of those major milestones in life that deserve not only to be recognized but also to be celebrated. Whether the student in your life has just earned a high school diploma, a bachelor’s degree, or an even higher degree, you’ll want to find a way to show him or her just how proud you are of their hard work ...
Ideas for a Formal Graduation Party - When we think of graduation parties, sometimes we have the impression that all of them are just full of young people drinking too much and playing loud music. And sure some graduation parties would fit that description pretty well, but that isn’t your only option if you’re planning a celebration for a special student in your life ...

Feng Shui Graduation Party Ideas - Celebrating a graduation is a big deal. The family wants to show their pride at how well their student has succeeded. The student wants to know that he or she has done a good job by achieving this important life goal. When you’re planning something this special, then it only makes sense that you should take into consideration every possible way of ...

Creating Tassel as Embellishments For Your Invitations - If you want to create a graduation invitation that is sure to get the attention of those you invite you can do a lot of it yourself. It can be fun to add your own personal touch to it, even if you order the actual stationary and then create a tassel as an embellishment. Everyone associates a tassel with graduation, so this can be a fun addition! If you ...

Clip-Arts for Graduation Invitations - Do you want to add some fun and uniqueness to your graduation invitation but you aren’t sure what may or may not be appropriate? If so, you aren’t alone. The fact of the matter is that there are a lot of fun or original things that you can do; you simply need to infuse your own style into it and get creative. Anything that you can imagine can generally be created ...

Personalize Your Graduation Invitations with Special Inspirations - A graduation invitation can be just a graduation invite, but there are some great things that you can do to add your personal touch and make it interesting and even inspirational to those that you send them to. There is nothing better than sending out invites that have been infused with your own personal style, whatever that may be ...

Differentiating Masculine & Feminine Invitations Theme - Because both men and women graduate from high school as well as college there needs to be a way to differentiate between invitations that are more appropriate for men and those that are more appropriate for women. This is not to say that there aren’t invitations that are appropriate for both genders, but if you want something that ...

Seasonal Graduation Invitations
Show Your Patriotism with Patriotic Graduation Invitations Theme - Over the last couple years the patriotism in our country seems to have been renewed and this includes the young, the old, and everyone in between. If you are graduating from high school or college why not share your patriotism with others with a patriotic invitation theme? Why go drab when you can serve to inspire those that ...

Graduation Photo Christmas Cards - Are you graduating early? Many students that graduate early, graduate in the winter months, which is a great opportunity to do something different with your graduation invitation. You can not only send an invite to all those that you would like to attend your graduation ceremonies; you can send a Christmas greeting at the same time by enclosing a Christmas card with a photo ...

After The Graduation
Sending Graduation Thank You Cards - So, your graduation day has come and gone, the ceremonies were amazing, the graduation party was brilliant, and above all, the graduation gifts were super cool! The graduate is happy, the graduate’s guests are happy, everyone is happy. But, after the ceremony, party and gifts comes the most daunting part – sending out ...

Graduation Photo and your Scrapbooking Project - Honoring the graduate is one of the most important parts of the graduation ceremony. If you’ve organized your photo albums over the years, then everything should be up to date. But, if you are like most of us, then you’re family photos are probably piled up in boxes in the attic. Since you are going to be graduating pretty soon, now ...

Career Guide After Graduation - Transitioning out of college can be both, an exciting as well as a scary experience. There are newer and tougher challenges to face, unwritten laws to be followed, unexplored opportunities for progress – and humiliation – in every nook and cranny. While recent graduates and most other college students are preparing themselves to become experts ...

Reunion Graduate Party Planning - Once you graduate, you only get to see you friends every ten years at each reunion! So you want to have a fun reunion party this time and not a boring formal one? Planning for your reunion would mean coming up with a special plan or an idea for the party. From the decorations to the food and particularly the entertainment, your graduate reunion party ...

Celebrate Memorial Day with American Fashion Designers

noreply@blogger.com (eFashionHouse) — Fri, 16 May 2008 22:53:00 +0000

Use coupon code MDS08 for an extra 20% off. Click Here!

Celebrate Memorial Day in style and take an extra 20% off all the American Designers at eFashionHouse.com. We owe a lot to the European influence when it comes to fashion. Yet, the American Designers produce an image we call, "Home." People like Ralph Lauren, Liz Claiborne, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Jacobs, Melie Bianco and Elaine Turner pave the way for upcoming American fashion influence.

Designers like Tano Bags, BCBG, Coach, Dooney & Bourke and Brighton bring a sense of American style and unique image to their collections. We honor all the American Designers this season and celebrate with them for Memorial Day 2008.

Whether you are looking for a new handbag, wallet, tote or leather shoulder bag, you can find a perfect American Designer Handbag for an unbeatable price. But don't lose sight of the true meaning of Memorial Day. We celebrate in honor of many people who have died in military service protecting our country. It's really about honoring our heros.

Yes, we are addicted to fashion, and we admire the creative design process. We are always seeking a bargain, and we shop online for the best deals we can find. So, get ready for Memorial Day with a celebration of American Designers at an additional 20% off, and remember our heros who lived their lives to make America our home.

MORE ABOUT Memorial Day
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May (observed in 2008 on May 26). It was formerly known as Decoration Day. This holiday commemorates U.S. men and women who have died in military service to their country. It began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it was expanded to include those who died in any war or military action. One of the longest standing traditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500, which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911. It is also traditionally viewed as the beginning of summer by many, for many schools are dismissed around Memorial Day.

Many people observe this holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. US Eastern time. Another tradition is to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. Volunteers place a U.S. flag upon each gravesite located in a National Cemetery.

Many politicians and community leaders give speeches at community gatherings on Memorial Day.In addition to remembrance, Memorial Day is also a time for picnics, family gatherings, and sporting events. Some Americans also view Memorial Day as the unofficial beginning of summer and Labor Day as the unofficial end of the season. The national Click it or ticket campaign ramps up beginning Memorial Day weekend, noting the beginning of the most dangerous season for auto accidents and other safety related incidents. The USAF "101 Critical days of summer" begin on this day as well. Some Americans use Memorial Day to also honor any family members who have died, not just servicemen.

Flags flying at Fort Logan National Cemetery during Memorial Day 2006.Memorial Day formerly occurred on May 30, and some, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), advocate returning to this fixed date, although the significance of the date is tenuous. The VFW stated in a 2002 Memorial Day Address, "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed a lot to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."

Following the end of the Civil War, many communities set aside a day to mark the end of the war or as a memorial to those who had died. Some of the places creating an early memorial day include Charleston, South Carolina; Boalsburg, Pennsylvania; Richmond, Virginia; Carbondale, Illinois; Columbus, Mississippi; many communities in Vermont; and some two dozen other cities and towns. These observances eventually coalesced around Decoration Day, honoring the Union dead, and the several Confederate Memorial Days.

Decoration Day, c. 1900. "You bet I'm goin' to be a soldier, too, like my Uncle David, when I grow up."According to Professor David Blight of the Yale University History Department, the first memorial day was observed in 1865 by liberated slaves at the historic race track in Charleston. The site was a former Confederate prison camp as well as a mass grave for Union soldiers who had died while captive. A parade with thousands of freed blacks and Union soldiers was followed by patriotic singing and a picnic.

The official birthplace of Memorial Day is Waterloo, New York. The village was credited with being the birthplace because it observed the day on May 5, 1866, and each year thereafter, and because it is likely that the friendship of General John Murray, a distinguished citizen of Waterloo, and General John A. Logan, who led the call for the day to be observed each year and helped spread the event nationwide, was a key factor in its growth.

General Logan had been impressed by the way the South honored their dead with a special day and decided the Union needed a similar day. Reportedly, Logan said that it was most fitting; that the ancients, especially the Greeks, had honored their dead, particularly their heroes, by chaplets of laurel and flowers, and that he intended to issue an order designating a day for decorating the grave of every soldier in the land, and if he could he would have made it a holiday.

Logan had been the principal speaker in a citywide memorial observation on April 29, 1866, at a cemetery in Carbondale, Illinois, an event that likely gave him the idea to make it a national holiday. On May 5, 1868, in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans' organization, Logan issued a proclamation that "Decoration Day" be observed nationwide. It was observed for the first time on May 30 of the same year; the date was chosen because it was not the anniversary of a battle. The tombs of fallen Union soldiers were decorated in remembrance of this day.

Many of the states of the U.S. South refused to celebrate Decoration Day, due to lingering hostility towards the Union Army and also because there were very few veterans of the Union Army who lived in the South. A notable exception was Columbus, Mississippi, which on April 25, 1866 at its Decoration Day commemorated both the Union and Confederate casualties buried in its cemetery.

The alternative name of "Memorial Day" was first used in 1882, but did not become more common until after World War II, and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967 . On June 28, 1968, the United States Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which moved three holidays from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend and for the first time recognized Columbus Day as a federal holiday. The holidays included Washington's Birthday (which evolved into Presidents' Day), Veterans Day, and Memorial Day. The change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. The law took effect at the federal level in 1971 . After some initial confusion and unwillingness to comply at the state level, all fifty states adopted the measure within a few years, although Veterans Day was eventually changed back to its traditional date. Ironically, most corporate businesses no longer close on Columbus Day or Veterans Day, and an increasing number are staying open on President's Day as well. The holiday has endured as one where most businesses stay closed because it marks the beginning of the "summer vacation season" (similar to neighboring Canada's Victoria Day, which occurs on the prior Monday).

Hip Urban Leather Bags & Jewelry Online

noreply@blogger.com (eFashionHouse) — Sun, 11 May 2008 15:45:00 +0000

Budget Shopping Online - Huge Designer Handbag Sale at eFashionHouse! In today's tight budgets, there's always hope for online bargain hunters. Click here to enjoy a huge Sale on all your favorite Designers like Fendi, Marc Jacobs, Gucci, Coach, Tano bags, Murval, Melie Bianco, Elaine Turner handbags, Pietro Alessandro and many, many more! For more information.

Whether you love leather or just want a new purse to tote around town, you must see the sale currently in progress. The Sale Section is marked down plus use coupon code OFF10 for an extra 10% off. The Clearance Section is as low as possible plus use coupon code OFF20 for an extra 20% off.

Enjoy designer handbags and accessories at unbeatable prices. Plus, guaranteed lowest prices for Tano, Elaine Turner, Murval and Melie Bianco. Click here for details.

Is it okay for men to carry around designer handbags, shoulder-strap bags, totes, and be into fashion

noreply@blogger.com (eFashionHouse) — Wed, 07 May 2008 01:47:00 +0000

Versace Handbags - Unisex Moc Croc

from On The Subject Of Design

I'm a male and I'm into fashion to a degree. I like form-fitted clothes, designers, and carry around a louie vuitton, or a gucci/prada shoulder strap bag/tote, and I also have accessories (male of course) However I want one of those balenciaga types of bags that you just carry, almost like a portfolio or briefcase type, but obvously has a “purse” like quality too. Do they have those for men, and is it okay for men to carry around “casual” bags like that out and around, shopping, in the mall, etc, or is that too girly? Honestly, girls look hot when they're in style, and I don't see why men have to miss out? Please don't reply if you think guys should just go around looking like they just rolled out of bed, or have no respect for fashion. Or if it's gay. I don't care if it's gay. As long as it's not “bobby trendy” gay.

No economic slowdown on Internet

noreply@blogger.com (eFashionHouse) — Fri, 02 May 2008 23:55:00 +0000

Mother's Day is May 11, 2008! Don't forget Mom.
She wants a new designer purse!

By Frank Davies
Mercury News Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - Internet commerce continues its robust growth, defying a sluggish economy that's teetering on recession, Google's chief economist and several analysts said Friday.

Electronic commerce has grown about 22 percent in the past two years, said Hal Varian, the economist, who spoke at a forum on the state of the Internet economy at Google's new Washington office. Ed Garrubbo, chairman of the Electronic Retailing Association, said online sales jumped 17 percent in the first quarter of this year.

"The lesson here is that the economic slowdown is not an Internet slowdown," Varian said. "The Internet is looking pretty strong compared to other sectors."

Robert Atkinson, president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a non-partisan tech think tank, predicted continued growth for online commerce as high-speed connections increase and "the core technologies are becoming faster and cheaper."

"The absolute growth has been steady now for several years. The Internet economy is almost counter-recessional," Atkinson said. He added that comparisons with past slowdowns are difficult because this is the first downturn in which online commerce has played such a big role.

Garrubbo said traditional retailers such as Saks are experiencing a boost in online sales while other retail sales in stores are leveling off. The falling dollar is also helping online businesses attract foreign customers.

Research, he said 53 percent of all computer hardware and software sales take place online, along with 30 percent of all toys, video products and auto parts. One survey showed that two-thirds of all Internet users have bought products online.

The looming recession may actually contribute to e-commerce, Garrubbo said, because cautious consumers are doing more research and comparison shopping online before making a big purchase.

"A recession forces smarter decisions, and there's an increased desire to go online," Garrubbo said.

Michael Avon, a venture capitalist with Columbia Capital, said investments in Internet companies and start-ups have dropped off a little from last year. But he said the coming development of open platforms on mobile devices and the increasing use of social networks to sell more services and products - even $3 personalized ring tones - will create new business opportunities.

The key to much of the e-commerce boom has been the success of targeted search advertising. Google is able to closely measure consumer sentiment, Varian said, and showed data that indicated how search queries and clicks on ads reflected the downturn in real estate and the seasonal nature of car sales.

Because the impact of search advertising is more measurable than TV, radio and newspaper ads, and the coveted demographic group of twentysomethings use the Internet more than other media, spending on online advertising will start to catch up with TV ads, Avon predicted.

Atkinson sounded one cautionary note about the growth of e-commerce - that officials in Washington "still don't understand how much of a driving force information technology and the Internet are in the economy, responsible for a lot of growth."

He called personalized online ads "economic rocket fuel" that makes much of that growth possible. Atkinson warned that worthy efforts to protect consumer privacy online - now under discussion in the Federal Trade Commission and Congress - could have the unintended consequence of threatening that growth.

British designers crimped by lack of factories

noreply@blogger.com (eFashionHouse) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:24:00 +0000

Burberry Designer Handbag

By Rachel Sanderson

LONDON, (Reuters) - As the fashion show cycle heads to a climax in Milan and Paris, in London industry executives are debating if Britain's efforts to grow its own Gucci or Louis Vuitton will require a new industrial revolution. A decades-long decline in British manufacturing is back in the limelight with the launch of government-funded research to find out if, despite acclaim, young designers like Marios Schwab are at a terminal disadvantage to French and Italian rivals because they don't have a factory on their doorstep.

So far one problem is clear: however hot the designer talent, it is impossible to get ahead if you can't get your clothes made. "British designers are not progressing season-on-season because of the manufacturing," said Wendy Malem, director for not-for-profit Centre for Fashion Enterprise, who is leading the 100,000 pound government-sponsored project. "They cannot overcome the manufacturing glass ceiling."

In the past 40 years, British factories owned by some of the oldest brand names from Burberry to Barbour have closed down and shifted some of their manufacturing to cheaper places such as China and Eastern Europe. Burberry has kept two factories in Britain, in Yorkshire, but shut one in Wales last year because it was too expensive.

In Manchester -- once the locus of global coat making -- one of Britain's last surviving premium outerwear manufacturers offers a snapshot of British manufacturing's decline. Cooper & Stollbrand employs 60 workers today, stitching and cutting trench coats, overcoats and bomber jackets often in signature hunting-and-shooting fabrics such as tweed and gabardine.

Their number has fallen from 200 in 1995 and 450 in 1971, a year sterling strengthened sharply against the dollar, increasing costs for British exporters and marking the start of retailers' exit to cheaper sites. Now, with a renaissance of British luxury underway -- thanks to a crop of new talents and booming new demand for high-end goods from Chinese and Russian consumers -- this manufacturing gap is gaining attention.

"SELLING YOUR SOUL"
Pierre Mallevays, a former LVMH executive and now managing partner of Savigny Partners LLP, a corporate finance and M&A boutique specialising in luxury goods, said British luxury's renaissance may have come just in time. "British brands simply cannot emulate the French and Italians -- they need to reach back and find their history, but in many cases that history in no longer there," he said in an interview. "Where the British were very good traditionally was in their own production and their own manufacturing. Once you start dismantling that by selling factories you sell your soul." Of course, Britain is not alone in shifting manufacturing offshore.

The best-known French and Italian brands can start making a handbag or shoe in China or Turkey and bring it back home to be finished and gain the "Made in France" or "Made in Italy" tag. But designers in Paris and Milan have the benefit of commercial networks in the luxury goods trade developed over centuries and still thriving local artisanship, that is often protected by the biggest conglomerates. PPR's Gucci Group, for example, trains the artisans making its Bottega Veneta signature woven leather bags.

By contrast, designers and luxury industry executives say Britain is jeopardising the growth of its talent by taking the move to offshore too far.Among Britain's most acclaimed young designers, Christopher Kane is one who is suffering from the lack of nearby manufacturing capacity.

Even with his credentials -- he was partially sponsored by Donatella Versace through his master's degree -- Kane said he has difficulty finding anyone willing to make his clothes. "Especially being a young designer, it's actually quite hard to source outside Britain because people really don't want to touch you, you don't have a brand as such, like Gucci, or huge amount of money behind you," he told Reuters. At home, the few factories left find it inefficient to turn out the small runs Kane requires, or they do not have the skill.

NOT JUST NEWCOMERS
Complaints about lack of skill, in a country where a century ago artisans were rated more highly than those in Italy, are not just restricted to fashion's newcomers. Geoffroy de La Bourdonnaye, the new French chief executive of luxury store Liberty founded in 1875, told a recent industry meeting how difficult it is to find someone in Britain who can still operate the traditional block printers used for its signature fabrics. Cooper & Stollbrand owner Michael Stoll said the British had been too short-sighted: "In Britain, loyalty has been to short- term profit, rather than long-term gain," he told Reuters. At the Centre for Fashion Enterprise Malem, working jointly with British-government sponsored endowment Nestor, plans interviews with 30 designers to provide a snapshot of the 800 million pound UK design industry.

Her aim is to lobby the European Union for assistance in providing British designers with equal access to manufacturers as that available to their Italian and French rivals. But not all Britain's upcoming luxury designers believe a lack of factories should curb their international ambitions.

Anya Hindmarch, creator of the "I'm Not a Plastic Bag" tote whose high-end handbags have been photographed in the clutches of Hollywood star Reese Witherspoon, will have 55 shops by May after openings in Las Vegas, Moscow, Beijing and Japan. Having started her business aged 19 after selling bags in Britain that she spotted in Italy, Hindmarch says being British is in her products' "DNA" but she will manufacture "all over, wherever we think it is the right thing for that particular bag". "It is about being tenacious and getting on with these problems," she told Reuters in an interview. "You have to wake up and smell the coffee and get through the tough times." (Editing by Sara Ledwith)

7 Style Secrets from the Red Carpet

noreply@blogger.com (eFashionHouse) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:16:00 +0000

We can never get enough feedback and tips for style & fashion!

by Cynthia Nellis from About.com

1. Play Up Your Coloring
2. Elaborate Dress or Major Bling (But Not Both)
3. Don't Dress Your Age
4. Steer Clear of Style Ruts
5. If You Can't Hide It, Flaunt It
6. Show Off Your Best Feature
7. It's All About the Hair

Play Up Your Coloring . Julianne Moore in emerald green Yves Saint Laurent designed by Tom Ford at the '03 Academy Awards. You don't need Julianne Moore's or Marcia's Cross' red hair and fair skin to look striking in color. But you do need to know which hues work best with your skin and hair. Don't buy into the belief that there are a limited number of colors that work for you; instead, be your own best stylist and hold up hues to your face to see which ones bring out your skintones, eyes and hair the best. In general, warm hues like fire engine red and coral look best on brunettes with darker coloring; cool pastels work for blondes. But there are a myriad of colors -- metallic gold and silver included -- that work for all colorings. If you're not sure, drag a friend to a store and get a second opinon while trying on lots of colors to see which ones compliment your look best.

Elaborate Dress or Major Bling (But Not Both) . Cate Blanchett, 77th Academy Awards, Cate Blanchett's cornflower blue dress with fabric flower and flowing scarf was stunning enough by itself. The addition of button diamond earrings added a bit of sparkle, but didn't overwhelm. The idea here is to make either the dress or the accessories the focus, not both. For example, a black strapless gown with no adornment could carry a chunky diamond bracelet and necklace or a pair of chandelier earrings. Solid color dresses and neutrals are a great backdrop for colorful jewels.

On the other hand, the more ruffles, tiers and beading a garment has, the simpler the accessories should be. It doesn't mean you have to go bare (although if you are young and gorgeous, that's a big statement in itself), but you need to use restraint and choose smaller pieces.

Don't Dress Your Age. Jane Fonda in Vera Wang at 72nd Academy Awards in 2000. The pitfall to dressing for special occasions is that women on either end of the age spectrum look wrong if they dress their age: in froufrou dress, young women look ready for prom. More mature women look mother-of-the-bridish in outfits that are deemed "appropriate" for their age group. Younger women like Scarlett Johansson can carry off classic Hollywood glamour girl looks like platinum hair, lush red lips and form-fitting gowns. In a grown-up dress, a younger woman looks sexy. Over 40-women can take a cue from Jane Fonda and stick with soft, modern hair (stiff updos look frumpy on mature women) and updated dresses. That doesn't mean they have to dress too young by flaunting ridiculous oversized tattoos like Melanie Griffith or wear microminis. It does mean that the dress should show some skin, even it's only a peek of a shoulder or an arm. Long sleeves, long dresses and high necklines age every woman.

Steer Clear of Style Ruts. Nicole Kidman in gold Dior with then-husband Tom Cruise, in '00. Nicole Kidman experiments with fashion. She's worn a metallic dress that matched her hair, a flapper girl dress and a peacock feather on the red carpet. None of it was so out there or strange that it wasn't understandable, but her look is constantly evolving. Nicole may turn up in pastel ruffles one event, and a black dress with straps that smack of bondage at another. Sarah Jessica Parker is another fashionista that forges her own style trail. Whether she's experimenting with placement of priceless brooches or trying out an elaborate new updo, Sarah Jessica always looks like she's having fun. The best way for you to have fun with fashion is to try something new: venture into a store that you've never shopped in, wear straight-leg jeans if you're a bootleg girl, try a mini and tights instead of a full, knee-length skirt. The idea is to push the limits of your wardrobe and experience innovative looks.

If You Can't Hide It, Flaunt It. Queen Latifah, left, in Carmen Marc Valvo at the '06 Golden Globes with Scarlett Johansson. Designer fashion is made for the skinny. It's sad, but true. But that doesn't stop bodacious broads like Queen Latifah from strutting down the red carpet looking gorgeous in a made-for-her Carmen Marc Valvo gown. She would never cover up her assets with a high-neck gown or wear a sack-like dress to disguise curves. Likewise, usually tiny celebs who are pregnant at awards shows have learned to play up their newly ripe figures. The most memorable was a ready-to-deliver-any-day Catherine Zeta-Jones in a low-cut black Versace, the most recent was a glowing Gwyneth Paltrow in a not-meant-to-be-slimming ethereal cream Balenciaga gown at the Golden Globes in '06. Learn to embrace your body, too. If you aren't comfortable in curve-hugging dresses because of too much jiggle, then try a body slimmer underneath for more control.

Show Off Your Best Feature. Hilary Swank at the '05 Oscars in a backless Guy Laroche. Susan Sarandon shows off her cleavage, Hilary Swank displays a toned back, Angelina Jolie makes sure nothing overpowers her full lips. Everyone has at least one great asset, even if it's something as simple as thick hair, white teeth or nice legs. You don't have to do anything too extravagent to show off your best feature, just make sure that your look enhances it. If your best feature is great skin, the last thing you'd want to do is cover up every inch of it with clothing.Dressing for your best feature is less about dressing for size or age and more about making the best of what you have to work with.

It's All About the Hair . Natalie Portman in Lanvin and headband at '05 Oscars. Nothing kills a red carpet look quicker than bad hair. Whether it's too casual or too contrived for the dress, the wrong hairdo can make or break a star's look. For more casual special events -- say the Grammys vs. the Academy Awards -- celebrities often go with slicked-back ponytails or messy buns for a more laid-back look even when paired with a formal gown. One of the worst mistakes you can make for a special event is to go with your everyday hair, unless your hair is fabulous everyday (Halle Berry comes to mind). Even if you only add a sparkly barrette or a pull back part of your hair, it's enough to set off the look as being special. In fact, just going with a fancier version of your everyday look is much easier to carry off than going with a complicated beehive or some other look that's hard to pull off.

Is Moscow the new Big Apple?

noreply@blogger.com (eFashionHouse) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 03:29:00 +0000

from the Telegraph.co.uk

Moscow is being hailed by some as the new New York. Celia Walden samples its excesses. If you've ever worn tight shoes, you'll know that the relief you feel when you take them off is so akin to euphoria it leaves you dizzy. Imagine a whole capital city, hobbled for 72 years of communism, united in that sense of deliverance. Ceilia Walden finds Muscovites are suicidally serious about fun. Then try to imagine waking up after a night out in that city - or don't: it's a painful business. Inky nightclub stamps in Cyrillic script brand the back of my hands; my hair and, by proxy, bedclothes reek of cigarette smoke: and my head reminds me why, even in binge Britain, we choose not to chase each glass of wine with a thimbleful of vodka.

"This city is a sick place," shrugs Elena, the biggest party girl I know and the perfect companion as I set about uncovering whether Moscow lives up to its claims as the new New York. She means sick in the LA sense of the word: when a place, style or person is so outlandishly hip, cutting-edge or viciously innovative that it prompts only that most contrary of adjectives. Others may prefer to use the same word in its original meaning. Not for nothing, I am about to discover, has Moscow been named the capital of excess.

My first night was gentle enough: dinner at Turandot (a new £30 million restaurant built in the style of an Italian palazzo, complete with waiters in 18th-century dress), followed by two bars and three nightclubs. advertisement"We'll ease you in," laughed Elena as we arrived at a rave in an old factory where pornographic pop-art lined the walls and strobes bounced off eyeballs avid and dry from drugs. Two £25 drinks later and we were off again in search of transport. Nobody takes taxis in Moscow. So far, so very un-Manhattan. Instead, they hail down any car that will take them: a Skoda, a Lada or, occasionally, something fancier, courtesy of a dignitary's chauffeur doing a spot of moonlighting.

We were in luck: a black Merc with leather seats and a siren on the roof pulled up. MPs in Russia are allowed them "for emergencies". "Can we have the siren on?" I joked, as we sped, at 120 miles an hour, past endless construction sites, towards Solyanka, Moscow's answer to Soho House. "Nyet," came the gruff reply. Two minutes and a 500 rouble note (£10) later, we were wailing past grey, gridlocked streets.

On arrival we were ushered through the VIP zone, into the VVIP zone, up a fire escape and through a kitchen into the VVVIP zone. You're nobody in this town unless you're forced to walk through a kitchen to get your shot of Stoly. There, a gaggle of women with machete-like cheekbones were dancing on the bar-top, below them a troika of men, looking skywards in awe as they guzzled champagne.

Muscovites have waited so long for their time to come that they act as though it will all be taken from them come morning. "See those trapdoors?" grinned one clubber. "People climb on to the roof to have sex - even in December, when it's minus 10." Dimitri, my taciturn photographer, shook his head. "Is any of it really making these people happy?" Looking at the knicker-gazing businessmen by the bar, I'm fairly certain the answer is yes. "You guys seem to think our women are all prostitutes," said Artemy Troitsky, an outspoken music critic and writer, often described as the Russian John Peel. "And you're sort of right. They will establish early on what you can offer them and tell you what their previous boyfriends gave them. Russian men have grown quite wary, but foreigners are easy prey."

The women are clearly high?maintenance: in clubs and bars, miniature chairs ensure that designer handbags - often worth as much as £2,000 - never touch the floor. Culturally the capital is a frenzy of amorphous creativity, with one art form bleeding into another: bars are selling books, nightclubs sell clothes. All-night contemporary art museums (with their own DJs) are springing up across the city. Norman Foster has been commissioned to build 20 new buildings, and Philippe Starck is designing a whole village just outside Moscow. "People forget that what Communism left behind was a skilled workforce," explains Tony Brenton, the British ambassador to Moscow. "Add money to that and it's an extremely productive combination."

And one that is attracting Brits with dollar signs in their eyes, such as Tony Blair, who is rumoured to have secured a £125,000 speaking engagement in the capital this summer, and Damien Hirst, who is to take his diamond-studded skull to Russia in June. One detail says it all: Moscow is the only place in the world where movie billboards have the film's budget in the same-sized type as the title, as though the fact the new George Clooney epic cost £65 million makes it worth seeing. Contemporary art is also big business. "Over the past seven years we have had this new class of people who want to buy and collect art," says Igor Markin, owner of Moscow's Art4 museum. "Some chose to buy football clubs instead, of course… I just heard that Roman Abramovich's girlfriend, Dasha Zhukova, has bought a space to open her own museum."

Abramovich's name is on everybody's lips: he is the ultimate success story, and a great supporter of the Russian contemporary art scene. The following night, at the launch of the Moscow Photography Biennale, I met John Mann, Abramovich's PR director at his company Millhouse: "New York isn't as 24-hour as Moscow. I have two bookshops near my flat that are open all night, two supermarkets with everything you could possibly need, and I can have a drink at seven in the morning. In a few years' time, New York will be claiming it's the new Moscow, trust me."

Even fashion has caught up. Tsum, the gigantic Moscow department store modelled on Selfridges, has a greater collection of Balenciaga, Miu Miu and Lanvin than Harrods or Harvey Nichols, as well as exclusive ranges designed by Daria Werbowy and Naomi Campbell. The clothes cost 40 per cent more than elsewhere, but people still buy them. "Don't forget that Russians lost everything three times, in 1990, 1993 and 1998," said Natasha, a Russian model shopping for the latest designer gear in perilous stilettos. "Now they are happy with their lot and happy with Putin. Everything is not affordable but it's available, and that's enough."

Russians are filling the capital's restaurants: at Sky Lounge, a huge New York-style eatery, businessmen tuck into millefeuille with sorbet of foie gras and fruit jelly. Vostok, another celebrity haunt, offers its cheapest starter at £30. Sushi is the latest craze. Luxury has bred a new physicality. Men and women now work out, cut carbs and get mani-pedis in their lunch hours. But the real beauty staple is their weekly steam bath. "The winters are harsh on our skin," said Sandra Vermuyten of marka:ff, a Moscow-based arts PR company, as she led me into a room heated to 120 degrees and full of naked beauties. It looked like a slaughterhouse: 40 women, like me wrapped in sheets, were draped across benches or lying on the floor, trying to escape the crushing temperature.

"You can't be the first to leave - it's a matter of honour," whispered Sandra. Minutes later she started beating me with a birch branch - "to get the circulation going". I looked at her in disbelief. "Oh, I'm sorry - would you prefer me to use pine?" she replied. When I finally escaped I felt two kilos lighter. "Vodka cocktail sound good?" chirped Elena and we hitched a ride to Krisha Mira - a club filled with giant Buddhas, where, at 6am from a roof terrace, we watched the sun come up over the Moscow river. I've spent all-nighters in New York and LA and been disappointed to discover only a forced, self-conscious attempt at hedonism. Muscovites are suicidally serious about fun.

But if this is New York, then it's the New York of Brett Easton Ellis and Jay MacInerney, or the Chicago of the Twenties, where corruption and decadence, though spectacular to witness, can be a heartbeat away from despair. "The thing I have come to love about Moscow," says Ambassador Brenton, "is that it is a highly urban, highly unpredictable place with a slight undertone of danger." "As long as the oil prices stay the way they are," sighs Troitsky, "the lifestyle will continue. Politically we are in limbo, but for you guys, for visitors? It may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit a capital that burns money."

Forget the flowers! Mom wants a new designer handbag for Mother’s Day

noreply@blogger.com (eFashionHouse) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 22:26:00 +0000

What mom really wants for Mother’s Day is a new designer handbag so eFashionHouse.com is making shopping for mom easy with free shipping.

Sky Valley, CA (PRWEB), April 24, 2008: Gone are the days where shopping for mom meant a pretty floral arrangement or a box of her favorite chocolate. Today’s moms are more interested in trendy or classic designer handbags, so eFashionHouse.com is making shopping for mom a little easier with free shipping for Mother’s Day (May 11).

Named Best of the Web by People StyleWatch for below retail priced designer handbags and recognized by About.com as the top of three online retailers of off-priced Chanel, eFashionHouse.com has all the designers and styles moms want. From handbag darling Elaine Turner, to couture legend Chanel, to American staple Coach, eFashionHouse.com offers the latest in designer handbags for all budgets.

"It’s not only fashionistas that want the latest designer handbag all the time, today’s mom is very hip and wants to carry a nice leather handbag as well" said Anna Miller, eFashionHouse Owner. "To meet the needs of our clients, we now carry handbags that are age-friendly…meaning most of the designers we carry cater to women of all ages who simply love fashion."

Not only does eFashionHouse.com, and its five fashion ecommerce stores (BrandsBoutique, LuxuryVintage, DesignersLA, ItalysOutlet and ValueBags), offer a wide variety of authentic designer handbags but they guarantee the lowest prices online for Tano, Melie Bianco, Murval, Elaine Turner and Pietro Alessandro. Plus the site offers a layaway plan that allows its clients to pay over time and still get the bag of their dreams.

If you still don’t know what to get mom, here’s a couple of hot selling bags that are sure to make her smile (and maybe even giggle with glee):

• COACH Hamptons Cream Large Tote – 26% off
• ELAINE TURNER Andie Platinum Distressed Leather Satchel – 24% off
• Tano Bauhaus Leather Tote – 21% off
• Gucci Brit Medium Tote in Brown – 26% off
• Yves Saint Laurent Downtown Tote in Cream – 21% off
• Vintage Chanel Quilted Lambskin Shoulder Bag – only $499

In addition to huge savings on brand new, 100% authentic designer handbags, shoppers will receive free ground shipping from April 24th thru May 2nd on purchase over $100 with coupon code MD08. Plus there is no sales tax on all purchases worldwide.

About eFashionHouse.com
Anna Miller is the President of i-GlobalMall.com, Inc. She operates the website http://www.efashionhouse.com/ and sells high-end authentic designer handbags and accessories at off-retail prices. EFashionHouse.com was named Best of the Web by People Magazine StyleWatch for Discount Designer Handbags and Purses. eFashionHouse.com should not be confused with any other website selling a similar product or using a similar name. EfashionHouse.com is the home of five fashion ecommerce stores: BrandsBoutique, LuxuryVintage, DesignersLA, ItalysOutlet, and ValueBags. Anna is considered an Internet Pioneer & Ecommerce Entrepreneur. She’s been reselling Designer Merchandise online since the early 90s. eFashionHouse.com has an extensive Press Page and a Fashion Blog Network. Visit the site for more details.

Designer gear key to pleasing peers

noreply@blogger.com (eFashionHouse) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 03:50:00 +0000

by Caroline Marcus

GIRLS are feeling the pressure to buy designer handbags worth hundreds of dollars, with some enduring teasing for not having the right look. Tiarna Element, a 15-year-old from the Hunter Valley, said her friends were desperate to own designer fashion and cheaper fakes wouldn't do. Teenagers really want to be able to say. 'This is real' instead of saying, 'This is a knock-off'," she said. "People feel better if they have the real thing, although most people can't tell whether it's fake."

Tiarna said despite living in a rural area, removed from the glitzy designer boutiques in the city, her peers still hankered after bags by Guess and Paris Hilton. Already, four of the girls in her circle of friends own Guess handbags, worth up to $200. She said that not having the right bag was something girls could be bullied about. Adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg said this generation of teenage girls was "the most tribal" he had come across.

"To belong to that sort of tribe, you have to have the correct accoutrements: not only having the right hair or listening to the right music, but having the right clothes and accessories," he said. "There is no question that there is rampant affluenza in these girls and in these schools. Can you be excluded and taunted and teased for not having the right stuff? Absolutely. It happens every day." He said the bullying could lead to low self-esteem, anxiety and mood disorders, and even agoraphobia.

The editor of Girlfriend magazine, Sarah Cornish, said teenage girls today were more aware of fashion brands because the internet gave them easy access to information. The internet, along with mobile phones, had also made bullying more prevalent. "That pressure [to fit in] has always been there, but I think the level of bullying has taken on a new level with the advent of cyber-bullying," Cornish said. "It's not just in the playground. Now, it's 24/7."

Source: The Sun-Herald

Tommy Hilfiger to link fashion with contemporary music

noreply@blogger.com (eFashionHouse) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 01:03:00 +0000

Tommy Hilfiger monogram hobo designer purse

Adam Sherwin, Media Correspondent

A firm believer in reinvention, the US designer and entrepreneur is teaming up with SonyBMG to present a series of online concerts to lure younger shoppers

Tommy Hilfiger is convinced that reinvention through new media and music is the way forward in the fashion industry. Launching an online music channel in London, in partnership with SonyBMG, the street-fashion entrepreneur has promised to transform the brand he founded, which has lost sales to fashion labels such as Abercrombie & Fitch. Mr Hilfiger told The Times: “Luxury brands with very high price points are starting to feel the pressure. People are not buying $2,000 (£1,013) handbags, but they are certainly buying affordable, wearable clothes.”

He gave warning that the credit crunch was hitting high-end brands but said that a £2 billion flotation of his empire, shelved during recent market uncertainty, would be revived. Apax bought the Tommy Hilfiger brand, famous for its “preppie” look, for £1.6 billion in 2005. A planned flotation in January was postponed when equity markets dried up. Mr Hilfiger said that interest in the initial public offering (IPO) remained strong, but that the company would concentrate on expansion plans, opening 50 more outlets, before returning to the market.

Mr Hilfiger, 57, remains the principal designer and a shareholder in the business, which is seeking to regain its cutting edge. Europe is the new focus after the brand had become overexposed in the United States. Tommy TV, an online music channel, will offer exclusive concerts, called The Hilfiger Sessions, featuring stars such as Wyclef Jean and Beyoncé. Jean will appear at the first Hilfiger concert in London next month. Young musicians, who upload their tracks to the site, will be chosen to join the stars. SonyBMG hopes that the initiative will uncover new talent that it can sign.

Mr Hilfiger said: “Fashion brands have to reinvent themselves, just like Madonna does. We felt it would be most appropriate to connect Hilfiger to new media and to the brand’s heritage with music.” Hilfiger has clothed stars including Beyoncé, the Rolling Stones and Britney Spears, since the New York designer founded the company in 1984. Mr Hilfiger has no plans to quit. He said: “I plan to be there for ever. I look at Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren and Karl Lagerfeld and those guys are ten to 15 years older but still going strong.”

Maarten Steinkamp, the chief executive of SonyBMG Europe, said that the Hilfiger partnership would help to offset the decline of CD sales. He said: “File-sharing is here to stay and the fall in physical sales will continue. Branded entertainment, like X Factor and Tommy TV, allows us to uncover new talent and bring to it the marketing and distribution power where we remain strong.” The Hilfiger empire stretches from its famous menswear that features baggy jeans and sweatshirts to fragrances and home furnishings. The IPO was shelved in January after Apax, the London private equity group, blamed “recent volatile market conditions”. Mr Hilfiger said: “There was lots of interest and the IPO is still on the table but there is no hurry.”

The credit crunch is having a marked effect on fashion brands. Coach, the largest US maker of luxury handbags, reported its weakest profits growth for eight years. Richemont, home to the Cartier and Montblanc brands, said that demand was slowing, and Burberry, the British label, said that it might miss profit targets after poor sales in Spain. However, Mr Hilfiger said: “Our business has not been negatively affected by what is going on in the economy. We keep on growing. We have just signed a lease on a new Fifth Avenue store in New York.” He acknowledged that the brand had room to improve in Britain. He said: “Our business is smaller in the UK than other European countries. We are strong in Spain and Germany.” European sales stood at about £400 million last year.

Ambassadors for the Hilfiger brand, which opened its first UK store in London in 1999, have included Lauren Bush, a model and niece of the American President. The range appeals to “middle youth” purchasers aged 40 and older, so Mr Hilfiger is talking up its rebellious roots to attract younger shoppers. He said: “I wanted to dress like Mick Jagger, Pete Townshend or Jimmy Page but where I grew up it was impossible to find those outfits. That’s why I started designing clothing inspired by these musicians. “The best artists have changed their music and image to keep on top. It’s important to know how to constantly reinvent yourself.” Tommy TV will not link directly to purchase opportunities. Rather, it has been designed to create an “emotional engagement” with the brand among music fans.

Tommy Hilfiger CV

— Born March 24, 1951, in Elmira, New York

— Aged 18, buys jeans in New York and resells them in a local store

— Founds Tommy Hilfiger Corporation in 1984

— Takes company public in 1992

— Apax buys Hilfiger in 2005 for $1.6 billion

Fashion on a Budget - Designer handbags, clothing and shoes

noreply@blogger.com (eFashionHouse) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:07:00 +0000

By Woody Lee

There has been a lot of talk about the economy lately and the forecast isn't looking too good which means it's time to start looking at ways to tighten the budget and cut back on the things you don't absolutely need. Though the thought about going without might seem grim at first, there is a silver lining when it comes to shopping. Just because you have less to spend on fashion doesn't mean you have to stop trying completely, following is a list of tips that help the budget fashionista in all of us keep looking fabulous.

Clothing
I thought starting off with the most obvious wardrobe item was a good way to kick off the list especially since a lot of us have already started thinking of spring wear, plus shopping for clothing on a budget is often the easiest. Although no one likes to worry about the economy, one positive result is retailers know that consumers are holding onto their money tighter than before, so they are more willing to hold sales and make higher decreases to entice consumers to spend. Here's a great way to take advantage of dropping prices but still come out with the stuff you want:

Be a savvy sale shopper: I already mentioned how you might notice more sales and promotions from retailers in an effort to boast slow profits, so as a savvy shopper it pays off to know when your favorite store is holding a 'secret sale' (join a mailing list or befriend the sales staff to become a VIP), end-of-season sales (household names like Banana Republic and Macys hold seasonal sales where items are 40% off), watch for the buy-one-get-one-half off type of coupon sales because you can buy the non-sale item you've been eyeing and get another item half off.

Shop online: Even the most experienced shopper can find it daunting to keep up with the sale schedule at their favorite stores which is why shopping online has become so popular. Gone were the days where you weren't sure of your size or if something looked good, most online shops allow for easy returns. But it's better to know the types of clothes you look good so you won't have to mail back a bunch of returns. The best part about shopping online is that often times you can find the same brands at cheaper prices because an online retailer doesn't have to pay for retail space. If you don't believe me, I found Rachel Pally dresses at 50% off at DesignersLA.com or check out ShopBop and click on the 70% off sale section (you'll be amazed at what you see). Plus if you sign up for your favorite e-tailers email list, you'll get even more savings with sale announcements and coupon codes sent right to your inbox. What's easier than that?

Invest in classics: Though sale shopping can result in a ton of savings, to really save money try not to buy something you won't end up wearing just because it is on sale. Sure a designer label pink suede skirt at 80% off is a great deal but if it's hot outside or pink suede isn't in style when the weather cools, you've wasted money that could have been used toward something you'll wear again and again. Trends are always fun but invest in a couple of classics that can take you through an entire season. I'm thinking white wide-leg pants and a yellow dress but you can pick your favorite spring staples.

Vintage: If the thought of secondhand shops scares you than you haven't been shopping at the right vintage store. Vintage can be ultra-hip and you'll be surprised to see what you find in the right vintage store. Make sure to find one that offers items in good condition and reasonable prices (some are actually expensive) and go hunting for shift dresses, capris and 50's style blouses that have been seen in all the fashion magazines. Plus there are even some great online vintage shops (JillsConsignment and LuxuryVintage) that carry amazing stuff in awesome condition.

Handbags and Accessories
It doesn't matter if there are tough times or not, fashionistas are constantly on the lookout for bargains on designer handbags. The good thing is that a good designer handbag has a much longer run than designer clothing because if you invest in the right designer purse or designer jewelry you can wear it for many months as opposed to changing up your clothes due to trends and weather conditions. And even though designer "it" bags cost more than ever, the average designer label handbag costs $2k, I've done my homework and found ways to score a hot designer bag, designer jewelry or accessory from Prada, Gucci, Tod's, Chloe, Anya Hindmarch, Marc Jacobs, Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Burberry, and even Chanel at up to 70% off retail. Don't believe me, see for yourself:

Shop online: As with shopping for clothing, shopping online for designer accessories can really pay off. Unlike clothes, you don't have to worry about how an item will fit because most reputable sites will list the exact measurements and provides photos from all angles so you can see exactly what you're getting. Since online retailers don't have as much overhead as say a big department store (it's hard to find a designer handbag in a small boutique), they are able to offer substantially more savings for the exact same purse. I recently picked up an authentic Chanel handbag at for 50% off retail at eFashionHouse.com and the selection is endless. Based on my budget (and a little bit of principal) I would never pay full price for a designer handbag because I know if I wait for the "it" bag craze to die down, I'll visit my favorite site and get the bag 40% off. You can also shop for brand new designer jewelry from Chanel, Gucci and others at more than 60% off.

Wait for end-of-season sales: All of the major department stores mark designer handbags off toward the end of the season an although it's nice to carry a bag as soon as the season starts, if you can hold out, you can find what you're looking for. But if you plan to wait for these sales, make sure you are the first to know because inventory goes fast and is usually sold out the day a sale starts (if you miss the boat, visit the discount designer handbag web sites who sell authentic bags at a discounts year round).

Out with the old, in with the new: If you are as much of a handbag lover as I am than you probably have a couple of designer handbags lying around that you haven't used in a while which means you can afford to get rid of them. If you sell these unused accessories on eBay or to a consignment shop, you can have some extra money to spend on the designer handbag you really want. Try it out, it won't hurt as much as you think.

Vintage: More than even clothes, vintage designer handbags, jewelry and accessories (wallets, scarves, etc.) can not only save you money but even outlast many of the trendier bags. Sites like LuxuryVintage sell authentic Chanel handbags in amazing condition (little to no wear) for as low as $400 and since Chanel handbags are timeless, this is a small price to pay for a bag you can wear for years to come.

Don't be a snob: In addition to the luxury leaders like Marc Jacobs and Prada, the handbag heyday has allowed for smaller labels like Elaine Turner, Tano and Pietro Alessandro to make a name for themselves. Often made from the same high end materials as couture fashion houses, it's easier than ever to score an ultra-soft trendy handbag, like the Elaine Turner Paige Python Frame Bag or the Alex Tote, for a fraction of the cost of an expensive designer label.

Cheap Chic: We usually don't like any handbags that fall into the $15-$40 range but we have to say that lines like Melie Bianco and Murval are quickly making us change our mind. We wouldn't recommend spending your money on a bunch of cheap, poorly made handbags but if you want the look of the moment handbag, than Melie Bianco will probably have it. Visit DesignersLA.com and be amazed at how Melie Bianco manages to make such stylish and gorgeous handbags at such unbelievable prices.

Shoes
There is not a lot of advice we have on shoes because we think that most savvy shoppers (who are women at least) have this category covered but we'll include a couple of pointers just in case you need a refresher:

Invest in a good pair: Shoes are quickly becoming like designer handbags in the fact that they are wildly expensive and there are now a ton of "must-have" styles. Christian Louboutin is the leader of the pack, followed closely by Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blanik but finding a pair of these beauties at a discount can be pretty tricky but not unheard of. If must have another pair of shoes (to add to the 30 you already have), than try to invest in as much shoe as you can afford. Maybe we walk a lot but we've found that investing in a good pair of shoes (leather upper and leather sole) can take us a long way.

Online: There are a ton of online sites selling only footwear and it's sometimes hard to go through them all but the one good thing about so many choices is that there is more competition which means that price points will be lower. We haven't found a ton of online sites that we like to shop at for shoes because we tend to shop for more high end brands (goes back to that investment thinking) and there aren't a lot of sites that sell expensive shoes but one place I have found luck at saving money is eBay (yes, eBay). I would never purchase a designer handbag from eBay because there is no way to guarantee that you are actually getting an authentic designer handbag but shoes are less likely to be knocked off. But be prepared to search often because the selection is limited however you can find some amazing deals (brand new Lanvin flats for $200 or Prada heels for $100). So brush up on your bidding war skills because wining a pair of Manola Blanik Mary Janes is harder than actually walking in them.

Sales: Like clothes and designer accessories, the best and easiest way to save money is to know when your favorite shoe store is having a sale, but the early bird gets the worm in shoes sales because if there is one thing women have in common its shoes.

So although a slow economy can be a huge drain on your wallet, just remember that looking good doesn't have to suffer a recession as well. Become an experienced (and smart) shopper and you'll ride out tough times with the shirt on your back.

Woody Lee is a free lance writer, blogger and fashion addict living in New York City. She loves fashion, she loves high quality designer handbags, and she absolutely dislikes paying full price.