Introduction

India is a country with diversified customs and cultures. People following various traditions live here, their way of dressing also differ from each other. The traces of Indians being fashionable can be found out from the ancient remains of Harappa and Mohenjodaro civilizations. After the independence, globalization is being witnessed in the Indian fashion industry, due to which changes have occurred in the style of Indian dressing.

Styles of wearing saris and salwar-kameez have changed. The look is more cosmopolitan than region-specific. Different styles of blouses like katori style, halter-neck, back button blouses, high neck blouses, puffed sleeve blouses, etc. have become the hot favorite among women. The average lengths of the blouses have decreased. Saris are draped mostly in traditional back pallo style or gujarati style. Indian fashion scene is greatly influenced by its films. For example Mumtaz style sari draping inspired by yester-year heroine Mumtaz. Here sari is tightly draped around the body.

As far as salwar-kameez is concerned numerous styles and patterns can be given to this garment. For instance the kameez can be long, short, A-line, skin tight, etc. Such variations can be done to salwar as well as dupattas. Modern version of kameez is known as kurti, it could be coupled with jeans, pants or churidar. It has taken the form of Indo-western outfit. People in western countries too have started wearing kurtis.

Emergence of mall culture

Mall culture is slowly and steadily growing in India. Many brands and private labels are launched in the Indian market. The first such retail outlet was Shopper’s Stop which launched India’s first

Fashion jewelry trends come and go faster than the wind blows, it seems. What is hot in jewelry one year isn’t even in fashion the next. So, what are the current trends in fashion jewelry and where are things headed?

Predicting the future in trendy looking jewelry is basically impossible to do. But, with that said we can take a look at where things seem to be headed.

The punk look is dying out. For many, this is good news and a blessing at that. It looks as if costume jewelry is becoming the new “in” look now.

Sparkling jewelry that really stands out is becoming hot. The more glittering the better.

Rhinestones are also making a comeback of sorts as the girly look is becoming more prominent today.

Bracelets on both wrists that sparkle seem to be fashionable as well.

Fashion jewelry that isn’t in right now includes large chains, toe rings and big earrings. Small chains are fine, and always will be for that matter. Silver seems to be the color of choice.

Classic styles such as single stone diamond earrings and pendants are always in fashion. The same can be said for rubies and emeralds.

White or black pearls are also popular in single strand necklaces or earrings. While not as dazzling or sparkling, pearls always give someone a chic look and appeal.

This is where we are currently in the fashion jewelry world. But, if this is not your style just wait a little as things will undoubtedly be different by this time next year.

Bridal Fashion

For a woman, her wedding day is often the moment when she feels the most beautiful, the most loved, and therefore the happiest. Many articles, advice columns, websites and magazines have been devoted to bridal fashion and wedding day tips to ensure that the bride-to-be is most informed about her vast number of options. Everything is done to secure her position as the most fashionable and beautiful woman of the day.

The wedding fashion industry is one that will continually boom. People will always get married, and on this special day, most are willing to go all out to make it the most beautiful and special. Wedding trends in bridal fashion are common, and do change from season to season and year to year.

Celebrity weddings also often set the scene for bridal fashion. In 2008, a number of well-known celebrities got hitched, and their wedding styles were quite different. Eva Longoria of Desperate Housewives fame preferred her dress to be short and stylish. The dress was pink with ruffle trimming. Gwen Stefani, rocker chick, was seen in a stand-out Dior silk gown. It was pink and white in colour.

Bridal wear is generally made from silk satin, dupion, voiles, georgettes and chiffons. The season that the wedding is held in can make a difference to the best type of material to choose when tailoring a dress. Silk satins tend to be looser and airier, thus allowing ease of movement and temperature comfort. Plain and embroidered fabric is usually available, and a combination of both can result in a very unique dress.

d’Italia, a designer fabric store that specialises in bridal party wear, is based in Melbourne. Its pure Italian silk and French lace are directly imported from Europe, from

The sport of cricket is bigger than ever before with the masses constantly looking out for the latest cricket news and all the live scores of cricket matches…even from work! The need to have the latest cricket updates and the fastest breaking news in the world of cricket has become a norm for those who can’t be glued to the television all day long.

Office Punters 

There are a number of cricket enthusiasts who need to satiate their appetite for the game with all that goes within or beyond the boundary ropes. People have come across numerous ways to quench their thirst for live cricket scores on match days, post match conferences and the controversies emanating from the cricketing realms.

One can log on to a cricket news website to get the latest information on cricket matches, get a glimpse of their favourite cricket stars and virtually do anything to do with the sport/religion called cricket.

Student Stumpers

A large army of students who are equally crazy about cricket also need to think out of the box when it comes to keeping the tab on the live cricket matches and events like the cricket World Cup. How can one think of trigonometry when the run-rates of your team are screaming in a nail biter!

Indigenous ways like using the hands-free contraptions, SMS alerts and using GPRS to browse websites for the latest in cricketing action; be it cricket blogs, cricket forums, cricket archives are a fast spreading trend.

Whatever the means, one thing is for sure…The entire world today feels the need, the need for cricketing speed!!

It is fun to be fashionable and to always look your best in front of your peers and other people. There is nothing more exciting than trying out the latest fashion trends and dressing up for casual and special occasions alike. But every fashionista should also establish a sense of social responsibility and make sure that they are not guilty of pollution and animal abuse.

You may not know it but magnificent clothes, shoes, and make-up may have been made at the expense of endangered animals, child labor, and all sorts of environmental abuse. It could also be that your favorite pair of shoes or leather skirt may have been made without proper government approval.

The key of course is awareness. In order to be aware, you must do your research well. You owe it to the environment not just to take whatever the fashion industry tosses at you. Information is readily available to anyone who is interested. The Internet itself is a powerful tool that could help you check out which brands adhere to international standards, which materials are good or bad for the environment, which companies follow the labor code, and all sorts of information.

There is too many information available you may not know how to begin. Start by researching about your favorite brand. News items are most helpful. Do you like leather or fur? Browse the PETA website for guidelines on which materials they deem animal-friendly and which ones are not. Researching about fashion is bound to be an exciting and fascinating activity. The next time you show off a classy outfit, you would be surprised how much more you know about it than its price and the designer’s name.

A very effective way of exercising social responsibility with regard to fashion isby patronizing thrift shops. Thrift shops not only save you lots of money, they also offer rare and unique items for way lower prices. The trained thrift shopper easily spots the best bargains for designer clothes and vintage items.

Fur, leather, and wool are some of the materials not highly esteemed by animal rights advocates. The genuine versions are taken from seals, snakes, minks, and other animals, which activists insist may not have been killed mercifully. Thrift stores sometimes offer clothing items made of any of these materials. If you buy them, you could somewhat have a peace of mind that the animal which sacrificed its skin for the clothing piece had been long dead before you came across the piece in the thrift shop.

Enthusiasts ditch faux fur or leather altogether while some settle for fake ones. Unless you are sure that the way the animal was skinned had been humane, skip that leopard print or fur coat you have been eyeing for so long. Doing so may not even put a dent on the designer’s profit but it is your way of expressing support for movements that have long been fighting for animal rights.

As for leather, PETA has been promoting alternatives such as those made of PVC and other plastic substances. You do not have to be a fiber or chemical expert to be able to uphold your social responsibility. If you are willing to do your part, a little common sense, organization, and practicality will surely help. Be innovative and resourceful. Take up the challenge of being fashionable and socially responsible.

Written by Fabulous Collections, suppliers of designer jewellery and Thomas Sabo Charms and designer jewellery.

Year Fashion Trends 2008: A new year comes up with new fashion trends, but separating the good ones from the bad, and 2008′s new look and trend from the old 2007 has never been an easy task. Loads of new fashion poured this year out of which some were really good and some quite appreciative.

The spring summer collection of 2008 had a lot of things to show up as the days were getting hotter, and clothes getting thinner and finer and the waist line shorter. What girls should be investigating, avoiding and the look they just can’t afford to miss. What’s on the move on the Spring/Summer 2008 runaways, sheer good looking fabric were there everywhere from Louis Vuitton’s coast to some flowery dresses and some Luca’s sheer tailor-made pants and trousers. In 2008 it’s more about covering the skin than a brave attempt to reveal it. This trend is expected to peak in 2008 and will last to the year 2009.

Draping tops and dresses in the fabric range like chiffon are a must buy. There are also some Sunray-Pleats in these see-through fabrics and has a great impact. Some pieces have those small varying sheer designs for everyday wear, such as sheer sleeves of the top, some sheer panels on the various dressings, or transparent looking fronted tops. If somebody is bold enough to try the trend, go for sheer skirts, pants or coats that are in stiff fabrics. Avoid using those figure hugging sheer trends as that gives away too much losing all your elegance in that kind of a look-after all it’s all about the elegance and beauty.

The Lingerie trend for 2008:  This trend has changed from the tight fitting structure to the much appealing trend of some seductive and feminine fashion statement, a timeless beauty look. Go for the trend that

Fashion video and TV will become huge online in the coming years. Here you will find out why fashion TV and video online is set for huge growth online in the coming years.

So, why are websites providing fashion TV and videos online for free?

Quite simply it appeals to everyone.

Both men and women have an interest and it helps websites sell by capturing a captive audience.

Today, fashion is a huge business and we are all more conscious of our appearance than ever before.

We live in the age of the celebrity, of looking good and youthful.

Fashion TV provides escapism, fun.

For the viewer on one side and on the other side advertisers know that everyone wants to watch it, so advertising revenue is big, so it makes sense to provide it free.

1. Women

We all know woman love fashion. They can keep up with the latest trends and tips. No surprises here.

2. Men

Men love fashion TV if it’s just to look at some stunning models!

Today, men are becoming just as image conscious as women and the huge gay community is the most image conscious group and they have money.

Getting a captive audience

Advertisers know that fashion sells a look and a lifestyle we all aspire to.

Fashion TV set to music is a great way to keep people on their websites.

It’s easy on the eye, with beautiful people and a lifestyle most people aspire to.

Add in some music and its fun escapist entertainment.

Expect to see a huge increase in fashion and lifestyle TV and video streamed live on the

The Magic slimming dress is one dress that all women will love as not only does it look good but the unique way that is made means that it flatters your figure instantly and makes you look a size smaller!

Let’s look at the magic slimming dress in more detail.

1. The concept

Ever looked at the Tour De France and seen how the cyclists look in Lycra? Well, the Lycra clothing they wear holds the body firm.

The construction of the magic slimming dress uses the concept of holding the body firm on the first level and then uses softer fabrics on top to give a firmer, slimmer look.

2. Design

The magic slimming dress has Elastane Lycra support in the design of the lining and the seaming of the dress.

This support is designed to flatter your figure and is part of a new Magicwear range where all garments feature this unique construction.

The marketing From Marks and Spencer’s who have produced this first range claims:

“Firm control inner lining that is cut and seamed to control and lift in all the right places – holding in the stomach and lifting the bottom and bust”

Well, to any women a claim like that has to be investigated!

The best place to start was the magic slimming dress (as all of us girls need one) and is a simple conservative plain black dress.

The Magicwear ™ Short Sleeve Dress arrived, in the mail and I tried it on straightaway.

Girls the good news is – It really does deliver and is not all marketing hype, which is great news!

The dress was not only well made, but made me look slimmer,

How retailers can come up with quicker, superior resolution in a move to react quickly to shifting shopper demand? The retailers are under noticeable pressure in order to respond continuously evolving fashion trends. The consumer’s demands are continuously changing with the fashion trends, whether its design, fabric types, colors or even the modest technology. The major point is to get known about the product that would be saleable in stores and at what time. To cater the most sensitive moods ever of shoppers, there is a requirement of precise anticipation, buying and planning the merchandise.

The retailers will voluntarily agree that the buying behavior is hard to forecast. There are many reasons which can affect the behavior, such as fashion trends, style-setting by celebrities, brands, monetary-standards and even the change in weather. These irrepressible outer issues can lead surplus stock, heavy loss, and stock wear-and-tear. Simultaneously, the greater than ever before competition in the High-Street to offer ‘Fast Fashion’, urges for lesser lead times, enhanced sourcing and buying plan.

Additionally, many times merchandisers and consumers cope-up with plans for various seasons at single time, foreseeing the trends for one or even two upcoming seasons. Also, they have to take care that the errors from the current season are not being carried-out into upcoming seasons. One of the major difficulties, which retailers have to face in a response rapidly to evolving consumer demand, is a blend of rigid systems and a short of on-time information. Converting data into real-time information is one of the problems faced by present business houses.

Tons of data can be produced is a seconds, however

Evolution of Jeans:

Jeans has been, and is an important item of clothing for many decades. Denim garments came into existence during the 18th century, a time when there was abundant production of cotton. During that period, it gained importance due to its aspects of durability, and not easily torn which benefited physical laborers much. During the 19th century the garment was popularized by Levi Strauss, a well known name in the jean world. Denim clothing was manufactured by them for miners. 20th century brought jeans as a fad of pop culture. Western cowboy movies portrayed people wearing blue jeans. The 50s witnessed the cloth becoming a craze of the teen age population. Manufacturers utilized the situation by coming up with innovative designs like new colors, embroidery and patch works. During 60s and 70s bell bottoms and hip hugger patterns became popular.

It was during the 80s denims started drawing attention of the fashion designers. New and glamorous patterns were created and were brought to lime light by popular models in commercials. Puffy pants, puffy shoulder pads, and puffy hair became a style. In the 90s; it became one of the most sought after garment. To skim the cream of the denim market, manufacturers then, came up with various innovative ideas of using the denim fabric like poodle skirts, caps, handbags etc. It was during that time the denim sales skyrocketed. Currently the new millennium finds denim in each and every home; worldwide.

Denim as a Fashion Icon:

From the place of normal clothing, denim has risen to be a fashion icon and is being adorned by fashion models. It has now become a symbol of modeling and modern culture. The metamorphosis of jeans from