When you are selecting a dress to wear, there are certain things that you need to consider and give importance on. If you want to have a dress, which is fashionable and at the same time something that you can wear with utmost comfort then one of your top choices would be maxi dresses. Maxi dresses are becoming more and more popular among a lot of women today, because of the fact that these types of dresses make it easier for them to come up with their own fashion statement. On top of that, there are a lot of maxi dress types that you can choose from when you check them out in the market. If you want something that you can wear for different occasions though, then you should consider purchasing a black maxi dress soon.

A maxi dress that is colored in black will help a lot in accentuating your charms and your beauty. In fact, if you have already checked them out in a store, you probably find it hard to take your eyes away from them. So many designers of these types of maxi dresses are now coming up with different styles; and, because of that, more and more women, even celebrities choose them because they simply are best worn on many different occasions such as formal parties, and even dinner dates. Therefore, if you want to achieve that glamorous looks, then it is time that you check out different black maxi dress styles today.

One of the best ways to search for these maxi dresses is through the web since there are a lot of online stores that offer them. With that, you will be able to choose the kind of style that you want when it comes to a black maxi dress, since there are just a lot of them to select from. All you got to do is to sit in front of your computer, visit a number of internet stores, compare their deals and prices, and select the black maxi dress that you like. Just make sure that you are able to choose the right size of maxi dress that you place an order for, since you won’t be able to try it out until it gets delivered just outside your front door.

Why Choose a Black Maxi Dress?

There are many reasons why you should purchase a black maxi dress today. One of which is that, it is one of the best types of dresses today. With that, they are very versatile since you will be able to wear them in different occasions. You can wear them during formal dates, casual dates, birthday parties, Sunday brunches, and many more. Therefore, you are assured that you will indeed be able to enjoy it, since there are just a lot of events that you can wear it for.

Maxi dresses in general are made in such a way that they provide utmost comfort to you. Thus, this is one of the best dresses that you can pick if you simply want to have a good time with your friends, or impress certain people on certain events, and still feel comfortable with it. Most women actually wear maxi dresses in special events that are held outdoors, especially during summer. This is because they will not make you feel too warm unlike other dresses. On top of that, there are also a lot of choices that you have when it comes to these types of dresses. In other words, if the kind of party that you are going to attend to is going to last until the wee hours of the night, then you can always choose a black maxi dress that has long sleeve, so that you won’t feel cold later on. Aside from that, if you are wearing a strapless maxi dress, you can always bring with you a jacket that matches its color, to keep you warm.

A black maxi dress will also enhance the kind of figure that you have. In other words, if you want to feel more confident in attending a party or any kind of event, this is the kind of dress that you want, since it will help in making you look very attractive, especially since it will hug your body. Thus, it will accentuate the curves that you have, and would even make you look that you lost a certain number of pounds. If you want to attract someone special, you can always choose a one shoulder black maxi dress to achieve that. You can also choose to purchase a strapless maxi dress, so that your date or someone you want to get to know better could not resist but to spend more time with you.

Some people, especially curvy women think that wearing a maxi dress is not for them. On the contrary, there are actually a lot of black maxi dress styles that would fit you perfectly if you belong to that category. You can even choose a plus size maxi dress that would emphasize your bust area, in order to accentuate the amazing curves that you have. In most cases, maxi dresses that sport a band along the waistline can achieve that effect; thus, it is best to take note of that, if you want to emphasize some of your assets.

Keep in mind that even when you are purchasing a black maxi dress, they are also available in different sizes, styles, and shades. If you want to hide some bumps, it is also best to choose a dress that sports a darker shade of black and is filled with some interesting prints. On top of that though, it is also very important that you accessorize properly, so that you will be able to maximize the benefits you can derive from your black maxi dress.

Always remember that a black maxi dress can also fit you perfectly even if you are petite. There are actually a lot of petite maxi dress styles that you can find in the marketplace today, and you can also choose one that is colored in black, so that you will be able to accentuate your features. Purchase your black maxi dress soon, so that you will be able to figure out what accessories you can best wear with it to the upcoming event that you are going to attend to.

Maxi dresses are becoming more and more popular these days, especially with so many stars wearing them in certain occasions. Lots of women choose maxi dress because of the fact that they are not just fashionable, but they also are very comfortable to wear. Maxi dresses are known to be long dresses, which come with long and short sleeves, in a variety of designs. Some women think that since maxi dresses are long, then they may not work when being worn by shorter ladies. Because of that, a lot of shorter women hesitate in trying them on, perhaps, they are not aware that they can make use of a petite maxi dress in order to take part of this fashionable trend.

If you are one of the petite girls who want to try on maxi dresses but you are not able to because of your height, then you should think again, since a petite maxi dress will provide you a way to take advantage of the trend. Just take a look at certain celebrity shows these days, and you will see a lot of petite stars wearing maxi dresses fashionably. If you are not very fond of watching TV, you can always try to search for pictures of a petite celebrity that you like through the internet, and you will certainly find some where she is wearing a maxi dress.

How to Find a Petite Maxi Dress that Would Suit You Best

In general, there are two ways that you can follow in order to find a petite maxi dress; and, this is done either through the internet or visiting a local store. Choosing between these two ways to shop for a petite maxi dress would hugely depend on your preferences. However, you can also do them both if you like. The important thing is to become more aware of the advantages and disadvantages of such ways of shopping, so that you will be able to make up your mind effectively.

When you shop for a petite maxi dress by visiting a store near your place, the big advantage is that, you will be able to try it on whenever you like. Aside from that, you would also be able to feel the fabric, which will greatly help you in choosing the best one. The only downside in this type of shopping method is that, it is very possible that the stores you would be visiting are limited in terms of the available styles that they have for maxi dresses. On top of that, since most maxi dresses are quite long, then it may be possible that there are only a few petite maxi dresses available for you to choose from.

Shopping for a petite maxi dress online means that you only have to do the shopping by staying in front of your computer. All you have to do is to do the search for petite maxi dresses through your favorite search engine, and you will find countless online stores that offer them. Because of the fact that there are a lot of online stores offering maxi dresses, you will have better chances of finding the kind of petite maxi dress that would suit you best. Aside from that, it also means that you will be able to compare prices from one online store to another, without even going out of your house. Unlike shopping from local stores, where you may have to drive from one point of the city to another to compare prices and deals, shopping online makes comparing them very convenient. One only has to open a good number of online sites simultaneously and jump from one page to another.

Another advantage of shopping through the internet is that, most online stores offer deals in a regular basis. Internet stores can afford to offer their products on prices that are usually discounted, because of the fact that they do not deal with a lot of operating expenses in running their businesses. Thus, you will have a big chance of saving more money in purchasing a petite maxi dress through the internet. Just make sure that you pick out the right size, so that you won’t be disappointed when it gets delivered right in front of your door.

Tips in Buying a Petite Maxi Dress

Although you are after a petite maxi dress, you need to be aware that they are also available in many colors and styles. It is true that maxi dresses are usually worn in summer garden parties, but they can also be worn in a lot of other occasions. In fact, all you got to do is to find the right style for the kind of occasion you are going to attend to.

If you want to accentuate your curves, you can always choose a strapless maxi dress in order to achieve that. When you prefer this style of maxi dress though, you can always choose a white colored one or something that sports a lighter shade of color. You can also make it a bit more daring by choosing a strapless maxi dress that has a criss-cross back.

Wearing a long sleeve maxi dress would also be another choice for you, if you want to have a more conservative look. Grays and browns would be the best colors to choose when it comes to this. Just make sure that you wear it for an occasion that would be held during the afternoon or at nights, since the long sleeves can make you feel a bit warm.

Don’t forget that you need to search for styles, which would adequately fit the kind of body shape that you have. For petite girls, it is very important to choose a maxi dress that has shape, especially if you are the curvy type. You don’t want to look like you gained some weight by wearing a maxi dress that is simply hanging down due to a large bust. Therefore, choose something that is cinched somewhere, or a dress that has an empire waist.

Keep in mind that you also need to accessorize if you want to wear your petite maxi dress in style. Choose a bag that is small in size, and wear a pair of wedge heels or chunky heels in order to make you look taller and display your dress more effectively. Start your search for the maxi dress that you want today and follow these tips, so that you will feel very comfortable and confident on the special occasion you are going to attend to.

Most women want to be as fashionable as they can be, especially in attending special occasions such as weddings. There are many types of dresses that a woman can consider when it comes to this. However, many are still wondering if a maxi dress for weddings would be appropriate.

If you are considering wearing maxi dress for weddings, you should know that it is indeed one of the more fashionable dresses you can wear for such an occasion. It is a great idea to wear a maxi dress for your friend’s wedding, but you also want to make sure that you pick something that would suit the theme of the wedding, so that you will be able to make your fashion statement fit into it perfectly.

Long maxi dresses are preferred by a lot of women today, because of the fact that they offer a lot of advantages. One of which is that, it provides utmost comfort especially when it is worn during the summer time. On top of that, women also prefer them since they are mostly available in very fashionable styles. Some are made with floral and other styles of prints. If you want to wear something that is more glamorous, then you can always choose those ones that are made with fine artistic impressions. In addition, this is one of the types of dresses out there that can help you achieve a more unique look.

Maxi dress for weddings is very appealing, especially for women who are quite tall. Some people may think that they are too casual, but they are actually perfect for weddings, especially when the ceremony or the reception would be done outdoors. Weddings are formal occasions; therefore, the bride and the groom would be happier to see women wearing maxi dresses, than seeing them in cocktail dresses, which are more revealing. Maxis are long dresses, and they will help you achieve that gorgeous looks you want to have without drawing too much attention from everyone.

Things to Consider in Wearing a Maxi Dress for Weddings

When you visit a local store, you will most likely see a lot of maxi dresses available in different colors. Some women get attracted with black colored maxi dresses; however, you need to know that the color black is not something that one wants to see in wedding ceremonies. Although they may look great on you, it is not the one you want for your friend’s wedding. It is also possible that you would be tempted to try on some maxi dresses that are colored in white; however, you need to consider that the bride or her bridesmaids may be wearing the same color. Therefore, you should avoid that, so that you won’t be mistaken to be one of them.

When it comes to the color of the maxi dress for weddings, it is best that you choose something that is neutral. You could also go for something that has floral print or even a dress that sports a slightly darker shade of color, as long as it does not go against the theme or the motif of the wedding ceremony.

Aside from the color of the maxi dress though, you also want to make sure that you are going to have one that has the perfect fabric. It is best to choose either a satin or a silk fabric, since they will provide a very feminine effect, which will help you make a good impression, without having to outshine the bride, or any person belonging to her entourage.

You should not forget to consider the weather when you are going to wear a maxi dress for the wedding ceremony of your friend, especially if it is going to be done outdoors. If it is quite chilly, it is best to make use of a long sleeve maxi dress, so that you would be more comfortable with it. You have to keep in mind that weddings usually start around noontime and the reception can last until the night. Therefore, there is a big possibility that you would feel cold later on.

In relation to that, it is best that you bring with you a jacket that can match the style and color of your maxi dress, especially if you won’t push through with wearing the long sleeve type. It is important that the jacket you wear would have neutral color as well, so that you will be able to match it perfectly not just with your maxi dress, but to the wedding as a whole.

Matching your maxi dress with the right accessories is also very important. Since it is going to be a formal occasion, it is a good idea that you bring a small bag or pouch with you to the wedding, which sports the same color as your dress, or something that perfectly matches with it. You should make sure that you bring only a few items with you on the wedding, so that they will comfortably fit into your pouch.

Keep in mind that you should also match the maxi dress for weddings with the right pair of shoes. You may be tempted to wear high heels in this kind of occasion, but you need to remember that there would be dancing on the later part of it. Prioritize comfort when it comes to your shoes, since if you are able to perfectly match it with your maxi dress, then a lot of men would ask you to dance with them.

Wearing jewelries to match your short or long sleeve maxi dress is also a good idea. Just make sure that you wear something that is quite conservative and not too glittery, so that you will be able to have a getup that is fashionable but simple. Don’t forget that you can always ask your friends for their advice when it comes to the different kinds of accessories you want to wear with your maxi dress for weddings. Invite them over your place when you tryout the dress, so that they will be able to give you tips about it.

Maxi Dresses and Skirts: Spring/Summer 2011 Trends

 

 

Maxi dresses and maxi skirts are one of the massively popular trends this year (2011) for women in spring/summer.

 

If you think about it of course, it’s not really a trend per se. I mean, when I say trend I tend to think of other crazy things like high waisted pants making a sudden comeback (yes, that post is coming soon!)

 

Maxi dresses and maxi skirts have been around for a while. They get especially popular in summer, because they tend to be free flowing and comfy and overall they help you to stay cool in the heat.

 

Gabriella Rocha – Suchin T-Shirt Dress (Indigo)

Maxi Dresses DON’T Have to Be Frumpy!

 

Unfortunately, maxi dresses and skirts have gotten associated with “frumpy” – and to be honest this what I used to think too. Maxi skirts are preferred by many for their modesty, especially in summer when you want to stay cool and still not show too much skin – but these have been worn too “modestly” by many which leads to a frumpy appearance.

 

Maxi dresses are often loose and made with soft material… and then at some point they start to resemble a nightgown!

 

Please stay away from frumpy. I hate frumpy more than anything else in the fashion sin book… and there is a definitely a way to wear maxi dresses without looking frumpy. There are some great styles of maxi dresses out there that will keep you looking stylish and keep you cool, all without looking frumpy. And you can cover up and be modest too, if that’s what your goal is.

 

The main criteria I have when selecting nice looking maxi dresses is to pick something that screams “evening gown” rather than “night gown”! Use your intuition for this one. Every time you evaluate a long dress or skirt, ask yourself: where in the spectrum does this dress fall? Is it more like something I would wear to bed, or is it more like something I’d wear to an evening gala? Try to pick styles that err more towards the latter.

 

Michael Stars – Sleeveless Halter Maxi Dress (Passport/White)

 

The one exception I have in this rule is if the maxi dress in question is bold and bright. As we all know by now, stripes are in. Bold blocks of color are in. Heck, even florals are in (though I suggest you pair them with something chunky or cool to avoid looking dated).

 

Another rule of thumb is, never buy something that doesn’t suit you. Maxi dresses may be in vogue, but don’t buy a dress that’s not your type. For instance, I have flabby belly issues – so I try to avoid those clingy dresses. A friend of mine thinks she has fat arms (she doesn’t) so she always pairs sleeveless or strappy tops with cardigans or shrugs.

 

Jessica Simpson – Strapless Cotton Maxi Dress (White)

 

How to Wear a Maxi Skirt

 

 

Now the next question is – how should you wear a maxi skirt? Personally, I like to wear maxi dresses over skirts, but I admit that a skirt can be more versatile.

 

The key when choosing clothes to wear with a maxi skirt is to keep in mind that the skirt is long and flowy, so your top should counteract this by being tight and cool. If the skirt is patterned, try to stick to solid colors for your top. Try to avoid button down shirts, which can lead to a prairie look.

 

Also, if you are pairing a solid colored top with a maxi skirt, I suggest you look into chunky jewelry to liven up the top. I love seeing girls who wear chunky necklaces with their tops. Extreme fashionistas can carry off bow ties and other crazy accessories, but if you want to be more demure you can wear modest scarves or jewelry.

 

Buying Cheap Maxi Dresses

 

I am a big fan of buying things when they are less expensive. However, keep in mind that cheap maxi dresses are often cheap for a reason. Cheap maxi dresses that cost less because they are on sale may be a great bargain, but items that always cost less may have been made with lower quality materials. In the long run, it is always, always better to buy something that costs a bit more but is great quality and that you will wear more often.

 

I used to love my bargain buys, but it didn’t take me too long to realise that my el-cheapo clothes wore out more quickly and often looked flimsy.

 

 

 

Lole – Prominent Dress (Castlerock)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plus Size Maxi Dresses

 

 

Plus size maxi dresses are also available in a range of colors and styles. You can select from the styles that you prefer and still stay cool this summer! Most plus size maxi dresses are very loose, so I suggest you opt for one that is tight on top and then flows out with an empire style waist.

 

DKNY Jeans Plus Size – Plus Size Solid Smocked Maxi Dress (Fern) – Apparel

 

 

 

DKNYC Plus Size – Plus Size Tank Maxi Dress (Black)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gabriella Rocha – Plus Size Rania (Purple) – Apparel

 

Maternity Maxi Dress

 

 

A maternity maxi dress is a great way to stay cool and trendy this summer – even when you’re pregnant! In the early stages of pregnancy you can get away with wearing a regular maxi dress which has an empire waist. However, later on you can choose from a number of maternity maxi dresses.

 

 

Olian – Maternity Erin Dress (Black and White Border Print) – Apparel

 

 

 

Olian – Maternity Fern Dress (Blue Print) – Apparel

 

Maxi Dresses for Petites, or Maxi Dresses For Short Women

 

Maxi dresses for petites are a great way to dress. It’s a myth that short women cannot wear maxi dresses and skirts. As a vertically challenged chick myself, I recommend that you shun the nay sayers. Most women will look stunning in a maxi dress as long as it’s in their style.

 

One thing I’ve seen though, is that maxi dresses for petites should have something covering the shoulders. For some reason, my shorter friends and I have always felt a bit weird wearing strapless maxi dresses – maybe covering the shoulders adds a bit of an illusion of height? I’m not sure… but I’ve given up on trying to wear strapless maxi dresses.

 

 

 

Maxi Dresses for Tall Women

 

Maxi dresses for tall women are a great solution for those who are taller than average and don’t want their “maxi” to stop short at their calves!

 

Tall women can carry off maxi dresses with ease. You don’t need to worry about whether your dress is strapless or not like us petites do. I especially love the white Jessica Simpson dress for tall women.

 

Evening Maxi Dresses

 

 

Evening maxi dresses are your solution for those glamorous summer outings you must attend. As I’ve said before, I like my maxi dresses to err on the glamorous side. An evening maxi dress will be a bit like an evening gown – just more laid back and comfortable! If you’re planning to wear your maxi dress to an evening event like a wedding or formal party, I recommend splurging on more expensive materials like silks and chiffons. Leave the cottons for the day – you don’t want to look like you dressed for the beach.

 

Halston Heritage – Shirred Shoulder Long Dress (Black)

 

Summer Maxi Dresses

Summer and maxi dresses seem to go together. Yes, there are long sleeved maxi dresses that you can wear in the winter but mostly the maxis come out in the summer.

However, just because you’re wearing a summer maxi dress doesn’t mean that you have to be extra “summery” about it. Yes, I’m looking at you, maxi dress meant as beach coverup. And maxi dress with frumpy tie die design. Stay sleek.

 

 

Long Sleeve Maxi Dress

Just because we wear maxi dresses in the summer doesn’t mean that you can’t find a long sleeve maxi dress. Here are some cool ones that I like:

 

BCBGMAXAZRIA – 3/4 Sleeve Maxi Dress (Black)

 

Modest Skirts

One of the main reasons for the popularity of maxi dresses and skirts is the modesty of the skirt. Some women (myself included, a lot of the time) don’t want to show too much skin. A maxi dress or skirt will perform the function of modest skirts without compromising in the style department.

Red Maxi Dress

Looking for a red maxi dress? Here’s one that looks awesome, I love how drapey the  skirt looks. This is a dress that will probably be flattering to most women.

Gabriella Rocha – Hally (Red)

Blue Maxi Dress

A blue maxi dress doesn’t have to be boring! I am especially loving the CK animal print blue dress… wow, it’s amazingly edgy while being totally wearable.

 

BCBGeneration – Pleated Maxi Dress (Splash Multi)

 

 

Calvin Klein – Silk Maxi Dress (Marine/Navy)

 

Purple Maxi Dress

 

A purple maxi dress can be casual, like the top one, or insanely glamorous, like the one below.

 

Type Z – Keegan (Purple)

Jean Paul Gaultier – Solid Long Drama Gown (Violet)

 

 

Black Maxi Dresses

I love me a black maxi dress. Black is timeless and you will wear your black dress over and over again. But if you want to add a bit of edge, check out this rocking maxi:

 

Volcom – Petal To The Metal Maxi Dress

 

Tommy Bahama – Crinkle Lawn Halter Dress (Black)

Pink Maxi Dress

If you want to be really girly and opt for a pink maxi dress, here are two that are cute without being cheesy:

 

 

Lilly Pulitzer – Viola Dress Eyelet (Hotty Pink Double Or Nothing Eyelet)

Formal Maxi Dresses

Yes, you can purchase formal maxi dresses to wear to the more elegant occassions. I am loving some of the dresses above as options to wear as a formal maxi dress, such as the Jean Paul Galtier dress. But what do you think about this dress? I am not sure that I’d be able to carry it off. But for some women, it might be a great option. I do think the color is amazing!

Halston Heritage – One Shoulder Maxi Dress (Olive) – Apparel

 

Well, I’ll stop rambling about maxi dresses for now! As you can see, there are many gorgeous options to choose from – just pick a maxi dress that you love.

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Clothes, Fashion, and Style

 

Another fashion blog? What’s the point of another blog talking about clothes, bags, shoes, jewelry, watches, scarves and all that? There are already a number of great fashion blogs (list coming soon) out there that I love and read, so what would mine contribute?

After a lot of thought, I decided that my blog should focus on being an encyclopedia of sorts, for everything to do with fashion. It’s all well and good for us fashionistas to know our gucci’s from our dkny’s, but what about the average person? My husband, for instance, still has no clue about what fashion is, and I suppose this blog would help inform folks like him – especially useful when they want to buy gifts for people like us! Of course, I’ll still make a few posts for fun, like what’s in and what’s hot, but I think I’ll spend most of my energy writing about what’s what. I will of course welcome any guest contributions, and I might bring another writer or two onboard to bring some different perspectives from mine.

Having said that, let’s get this party started!

 

Fashion: What is Fashion?

 

According to Wikipedia, fashion is “a general term for a currently popular style or practice, especially in clothing, foot wear or accessories. ” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fashion

That makes sense to me. Fashion is basically all about clothes and accessories, everything that we wear – but it goes a bit beyond that. Basic clothing would just do the bare minimum of being socially acceptable, i.e. covering everything that needs to be covered. Fashion goes one step further by making a statement about your preferences – it is what’s popular now or what is appreciated now. Style on the other hand is an individual preference of how you like to dress.

 

History: Interesting Tidbits About Fashion

 

From the early 15^th century onwards, fashion and trends began to emerge. People liked to wear clothes that showed how rich they were, and how up to date with the trends they were. However, around the 17^th century, fashion started to be more affordable, and was not limited to only the nobility. The bourgeois and even the peasants were able to copy the popular styles.

Apparently, this made the nobility quite uncomfortable. After all, what was the point of being rich and privileged if you were indistinguishable from a peasant? And so the modern trend of trying to keep fashion expensive began. I’m sure designer brands weren’t out there quite then, but fashions began to change at a rapid pace, apparently to help the nobility try to stay one step ahead of the crowds.

Of course, that has changed – mostly – now. Fashions are as unique as individuals, whether you prefer elegant classy styles or the “ragged jeans” rockstar look…. Even the US first lady, Michele Obama, mixes up her clothes, wearing retail chain clothing on interviews and haute couture when meeting heads of state.

 

What is Haute Couture?

 

Of course, this brings us to the next question. Fashion can be whatever you choose it to be. Mix vintage with punk rock and you’re fashionable. But what’s the big deal about “haute couture”?

Haute couture is actually French for “high dressmaking”. Traditionally, the haute couture was used only to refer to clothes that were custom fitted. Haute couture is supposed to made according to a specific order by a customer. It’s supposed to be made with very expensive materials and hand-sewn by expert seamstresses. It is time-consuming and all that expensive expertise and expensive materials add up to a very, very, ridiculously high price tag.

In reality, the term haute couture is generally misused. Most people use it to refer to any kind of designer clothing, even off-the-rank clothes. Genuine haute couture is still worn though – generally by models on the runway, actors at awards ceremonies, and people rich enough to be able to afford the insanely high price tag that accompanies the couture.

In addition, “haute couture” is a restricted term in France – only a select few companies are legally allowed to claim that they create haute couture. The conditions they need to meet, in order to claim this term are:

• They must design custom clothing for exclusive, private clients, and offer one or more fittings.
• Maintain an atelier in Paris employing more than fourteen people
• They must make a presentation twice a year (ie every season) to the public and the press. This must include at least 35 outfits of both day and evening wear.

As you can see, the terms are quite stringent. And if you consider how expensive it is to make couture you will realize that the profit on couture items is actually quite low for the designers, especially since there are very few clients who purchase couture. Often, designers will sustain a loss in order to claim their “haute couture” status. This status helps them make money in other ways – from their off-the-rack collections and accessories.

Currently, companies who can claim they make haute couture include:

· Adeline André

· Alexis Mabille

· Alexandre Vauthier

· Anne Valérie Hash

· Atelier Gustavolins

· Bouchra Jarrar

· Boucheron

· Chanel

· Chanel Joaillerie

· Chaumet

· Christian Dior

· Christophe Josse

· Dior Joaillerie

· Elie Saab

· Franck Sorbier

· Giorgio Armani

· Givenchy

· Jean Paul Gaultier

· Julien Fournié

· Lefranc.Ferrant

· Maison Michel Massaro

· Maison Rabih Kayrouz

· Maxime Simoens

· Maurizio Galante

· On Aura Tout Vu

· Stéphane Rolland

· Valentino

· Van Cleef & ArpelsLoulou de la Falaise

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haute_couture

What is Ready to Wear or Off-the-Rack Clothing?

Most people will never buy couture simply because of the ridiculously high price tag. However, designer clothes are affordable because of mass production, which keeps the prices low. And of course, mass production does not always equal lower quality – simply ask someone who owns a Louis Vuitton handbag. There is a reason designer brands can demand higher prices – and a lot has to do with the impeccable quality of the products.

Ready to wear clothing, or prêt-a-porter clothing is simply factory made clothing that is made according to certain standard sizes. In the case of designer clothing, these are often made according to the same basic design for an haute couture item. In certain cases, even the prêt-a-porter items are only created in a limited amount.

List of fashion designers by country:

Argentina

* Gustavo Cadile

* Alan Faena

* Paco Jamandreu

Aruba

* Percy Irausquin

Australia

* Prue Acton

* Rosemary Armstrong

* Zara Bate

* Linda Britten

* Susien Chong

* Christopher Chronis

* Collette Dinnigan

* Leona Edmiston

* Christopher Essex

* Enid Gilchrist

* Joshua Goot

* Juli Grbac

* Alannah Hill

* Lisa Ho

* Linda Jackson

* Peter Jackson

* Jenny Kee

* Toni Matičevski

* Peter Morrissey

* Charlene O’brien

* Jonathan Pampling

* Alex Perry

* Joe Saba

* Richard Tyler

* Carla Zampatti

Austria

* Helmut Lang

Bahrain

* Kubra Al Qaseer

Bangladesh

* Bibi Russell

Belgium

* Walter Van Beirendonck

* Dirk Bikkembergs

* Bruno Pieters

* Veronique Branquinho

* Ann Demeulemeester

* Diane von Fürstenberg

* Martin Margiela

* Dries van Noten

* Elvis Pompilio

* Raf Simons

* Olivier Strelli

* Olivier Theyskens

Brazil

* Zuzu Angel

* Igor Cavalera

* Francisco Costa

* Tufi Duek

* Alexandre Herchcovitch

* Clodovil Hernandes

* Amir Slama

* Carlos Tufvesson

* Ocimar Versolato

Canada

* Brian Bailey

* Simon Chang

* Dean and Dan Caten

* Patrick Cox

* Rad Hourani

* Tara Jarmon

* Erdem Moralioğlu

* Marie-Paule Nolin

* Arnold Scaasi

* Alfred Sung

China

* Betty Charnuis

* Cho Cheng

* Spy Henry Lau

* Vivienne Tam

Colombia

* Esteban Cortázar

* Nina Garcia

Croatia

* Damir Doma

Cyprus

* Hussein Chalayan

Czech Republic

* Zuzana Kralova

Denmark

* Malene Birger

* Erik Brandt

* Margit Brandt

* Peter Ingwersen

Dominican Republic

* Oscar de la Renta

Finland

* Minna Cheung

* Riitta Immonen

* Teuvo Loman

France

* Sophie Albou

* Adeline André

* Christian Audigier

* Dominique Aurientis

* Loris Azzaro

* Pierre Balmain

* Agnès B.

* Rose Bertin

* Marc Bohan

* Serge Cajfinger

* Callot Sisters

* Pierre Cardin

* Jean-Charles de Castelbajac

* Coco Chanel

* Christophe Charvet

* Madeleine Chéruit

* André Courrèges

* Christian Dior

* Jacques Doucet

* Nicole Farhi

* Jacques Fath

* Louis Feraud

* Julien Fournié

* Maud Frizon

* Jean Paul Gaultier

* Nicolas Ghesquière

* Hubert de Givenchy

* Anne Valérie Hash

* Daniel Hechter

* Germaine Krebs

* Daniel Hechter

* Charles Jourdan

* Christian Lacroix

* Jeanne Lanvin

* Ted Lapidus

* Guy Laroche

* Alexis Lavigne

* Lucien Lelong

* Hervé Leroux

* Catherine Malandrino

* Claude Montana

* Gilles Montezin

* Roland Mouret

* Thierry Mugler

* Jeanne Paquin

* Jean Patou

* Josiane Maryse Pividal

* Paul Poiret

* Caroline Reboux

* Louis Réard

* Marcel Rochas

* Nina Ricci

* Sonia Rykiel

* Yves Saint Laurent

* Dominique Sirop

* Hedi Slimane

* Franck Sorbier

* Sophie Theallet

* Pauline Trigere

* Emanuel Ungaro

* Madeleine Vionnet

* Roger Vivier

* Catherine Walker

Germany

* Torsten Amft

* Etienne Aigner

* Iris von Arnim

* Gregor Clemens

* Egon von Fürstenberg

* Robert Geller

* Eva Gronbach

* Uli Herzner

* Claudia Hill

* Wolfgang Joop

* Karl Lagerfeld

* Sonja de Lennart

* Margaretha Ley

* Tomas Maier

* Rudolph Moshammer

* Philipp Plein

* Jil Sander

Greece

* Sophia Kokosalaki

* Panos Papadopoulos

* Elena Votsi

India

* Erum Ali

* Manish Arora

* Rohit Bal

* Ritu Beri

* Kavita Bhartiya

* Rehane Yavar Dhala

* Surily Goel

* Shabina Khan

* Rohit Khosla

* Ritu Kumar

* Neeta Lulla

* Manish Malhotra

* Asmita Marwa

* Sabyasachi Mukherjee

* Agnimitra Paul

* Wendell Rodricks

* Anna Singh

* Tarun Tahiliani

* Govind Kumar Singh

Iraq

* Reem Alasadi

* Bassem Al Cheikh Jawad

* Salim al-Shimiri

* May Joseph Ramou

* Hana Sadiq

Ireland

* Sybil Connolly

* Paul Costelloe

* Orla Kiely

* Miriam Mone

* Philip Treacy

Israel

* Yigal Azrouël

* Alber Elbaz

* Yotam Solomon

* Elie Tahari

Italy

* Giorgio Armani

* Renato Balestra

* Rocco Barocco

* Alessandro De Benedetti

* Rene Caovilla

* Ennio Capasa

* Roberto Capucci

* Domenico Caraceni

* Emilio Cavallini

* Roberto Cavalli

* Nino Cerruti

* Enrico Coveri

* Alessandro Dell’Acqua

* Alessandra Facchinetti

* Domenico Dolce

* Salvatore Ferragamo

* Gianfranco Ferré

* Alberta Ferretti

* Stefano Gabbana

* Irene Galitzine

* Guccio Gucci

* Angelo Litrico

* Achille Maramotti

* Alviero Martini

* Anna Molinari

* Franco Moschino

* Miuccia Prada

* Emilio Pucci

* Nina Ricci

* Stefano Pilati

* Fausto Sarli

* Alessandro Sartori

* Elsa Schiaparelli

* Mila Schön

* Luciano Soprani

* Sergio Tacchini

* Riccardo Tisci

* Valentino

* Giambattista Valli

* Donatella Versace

* Gianni Versace

* Italo Zucchelli

Japan

* Tsumori Chisato

* Limi Feu

* Akira Isogawa

* Takeo Kikuchi

* Rei Kawakubo

* Eley Kishimoto

* Michiko Koshino

* Mana

* Eri Matsui

* Issey Miyake

* Hanae Mori

* Tayuka Nakanishi

* Hirooko Naoto

* Kenzo Takada

* Novala Takemoto

* Akira Takeuchi

* Junya Tashiro

* Junya Watanabe

* Kansai Yamamoto

* Yohji Yamamoto

* Junko Yoshioka

Korea

* Yeojin Bae

* Doo-Ri Chung

* Andre Kim

Latvia

* Gints Bude

Lebanon

* Reem Acra

* George Chakra

* Sonia Fares

* Zuhair Murad

* Elie Saab

* Abed Mahfouz

Macedonia

* Nikola Eftimov

* Brennan Miloseski

* Marjan Pejoski

Malaysia

* Bernard Chandran

* Jimmy Choo

* Melinda Looi

* Zang Toi

* Alexandrea Yeo

Mali

* Mohamed Dia

* Malamine Koné

* Lamine Badian Kouyaté

* Chris Seydou

Mexico

* Manuel Cuevas

* Eduardo Lucero

* Mario Moya

* José María Torre

Montenegro

* Mimi Đurović

Netherlands

* Koos Van Den Akker

* Marlies Dekkers

* Olcay Gulsen

* Viktor Horsting

* Addy van den Krommenacker

* Frans Molenaar

* Antoine Peters

* Ellen Schippers

* Rolf Snoeren

* Josephus Thimister

* Warmenhoven & Venderbos

* Mart Visser

* Edgar Vos

New Zealand

* Trelise Cooper

* Elisabeth Findlay

* Flora MacKenzie

* Rebecca Taylor

* Karen Walker

Niger

* Seidnally Sidhamed

Nigeria

* Deola Sagoe

Norway

* Andreas Melbostad

* Gunhild Nygaard

Pakistan

* Amir Adnan

* Maheen Ali

* Nickie Nina

Philippines

* Mich Dulce

* Sassa Jimenez

* Monique Lhuillier

* Rafé Totengco

Poland

* Barbara Hulanicki

* Ewa Minge

* Tomasz Starzewski

Portugal

* Fátima Lopes

* Isilda Pelicano

Russia

* Erté

* Sultanna Frantsuzova

* Irene Galitzine

* Kira Plastinina

* Nicolas Putvinski

* Valentina Nicholaevna Sanina Schlee

* Valentin Yudashkin

* Vyacheslav Zaitsev

* Dasha Zhukova

Saudi Arabia

* Amina Al Jassim

Senegal

* Oumou Sy

Singapore

* Ashley Isham

* Benny Ong

South Africa

* Kara Janx

* Abigail Keats

* Nkhensani Manganyi

* Simon Rademan

* Victor Stiebel

* Hendrik Vermeulen

Spain

* Amaya Arzuaga

* Cristóbal Balenciaga

* Elena Benarroch

* Manolo Blahnik

* Custo Dalmau

* Adolfo Domínguez

* Mariano Fortuny

* Sita Murt

* Paco Rabanne

* Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada

* Fernando Sánchez

Sri Lanka

* Nayana Karunaratne

* Ruchira Silva

Sweden

* Sighsten Herrgård

* Johan Lindeberg

* Augusta Lundin

* Lars Nilsson

* Camilla Thulin

* Lars Wallin

Taiwan

Wang Chen Tsai-Hsia

Tanzania

* Mustafa Hassanali

Tunisia

* Azzedine Alaia

Turkey

* Ece Ege

* Dice Kayek

* Rifat Ozbek

United Kingdom

* Hardy Amies

* William Baker

* John Bates

* Sara Berman

* Ozwald Boateng

* Thomas Burberry

* Sarah Burton

* Robert Cary-Williams

* John Cavanagh

* Georgina Chapman

* Ossie Clark

* Jasper Conran

* Wayne Cooper

* Paul Compitus

* Keren Craig

* Giles Deacon

* Keanan Duffty

* David Emanuel

* Elizabeth Emanuel

* Marion Foale

* John Galliano

* Elspeth Gibson

* Maria Grachvogel

* Jeremy Hackett

* Katharine Hamnett

* Pam Hogg

* Henry Holland

* Margaret Howell

* Betty Jackson

* Charles James

* Christopher Kane

* Stella McCartney

* Julien Macdonald

* Alexander McQueen

* Edward Molyneux

* Jean Muir

* Tommy Nutter

* Bruce Oldfield

* Beatrix Ong

* Jenny Packham

* Ronald Paterson

* Jayne Pierson

* Gareth Pugh

* Mary Quant

* Jonathan Saunders

* Ben Sherman

* Paul Smith

* John Sutcliffe

* Alice Temperley

* William Tempest

* Ian Thomas

* Amanda Wakeley

* Kim West

* Vivienne Westwood

* Matthew Williamson

* Charles Frederick Worth

United States

* Carlota Alfaro

* Pegah Anvarian

* Max Azria

* Michael Bastian

* Geoffrey Beene

* Laura Bennett

* Thom Browne

* Bill Blass

* Bijan

* Dana Buchman

* Albert Capraro

* Hattie Carnegie

* Bonnie Cashin

* Oleg Cassini

* Richard Chai

* Liz Claiborne

* Kenneth Cole

* Jeffrey Costello

* Laura Dahl

* Marisol Deluna

* Chloe Dao

* Charles David

* Perry Ellis

* Erin Fetherston

* Patricia Field

* Eileen Fisher

* Tom Ford

* James Galanos

* Eric Gaskins

* Halston

* Cole Haan

* Tim Hamilton

* Christina Hattler

* Uli Herzner

* Tommy Hilfiger

* Susan Holmes

* Marc Jacobs

* Elisa Jimenez

* Betsey Johnson

* Donna Karan

* Anne Klein

* Calvin Klein

* Mychael Knight

* Michael Kors

* Derek Lam

* Ralph Lauren

* Kimora Lee Simmons

* Nanette Lepore

* Beth Levine

* Claire McCardell

* Bob Mackie

* Mainbocher

* Paul Marciano

* Leanne Marshall

* Vera Maxwell

* Keith Michael

* Joyce Michel

* Nicole Miller

* Isaac Mizrahi

* Bibhu Mohapatra

* Norman Norell

* Todd Oldham

* Rick Owens

* Patrick Porter

* Zac Posen

* Lilly Pulitzer

* Santino Rice

* Craig Robinson

* William Rondina

* Lela Rose

* Cynthia Rowley

* Narciso Rodriguez

* Ralph Rucci

* Kara Saun

* Scaasi

* Austin Scarlett

* Jeremy Scott

* John Saldivar

* Jeffrey Sebelia

* Russell Simmons

* Christian Siriano

* LaQuan Smith

* Kate Spade

* Anna Sui

* Robert Tagliapietra

* Tere Tereba

* Thakoon Panichgul

* John Varvatos

* Daniel Vosovic

* Vera Wang

* Stuart Weitzman

* Junko Yoshioka

Venezuela

* Nicolas Felizola

* Carolina Herrera

Vietnam

* Thuy Diep

* Dang Thi Minh Hanh

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fashion_designers

List of Famous Shoe Designers:

* Alexander McQueen

* André Courrèges (“go-go boots”)

* Andre Perugia

* Beatrix Ong

* Bontoni

* Bostonians

* Brian Atwood

* Bruno Magli

* Carlos Santana

* Christian Louboutin

* Christian Lacroix

* Chuck Taylor

* Cesare Paciotti

* Jimmy Choo

* Lauren Jones

* Liam Fahy

* Manolo Blahnik

* Martin Margiela

* Maud Frizon

* Nicolina

* Patrick Cox

* Prada

* Roger Vivier

* Rupert Sanderson

* Salvatore Ferragamo

* Sandra Choi

* Sergio Rossi

* Stefi Talman

* Steve Madden

* Stuart Weitzman

* Tinker Hatfield

* Vivienne Westwood

* Wayne Cooper

(to be continued…)

 

For many Kindle owners, a leather Kindle bag is a must. A leather Kindle bag gives you great looks and durability all at once. In addition, you can often find discount leather Kindle bags or leather Kindle bags on sale, so the price doesn’t have to make a huge dent in your budget. If you are keen on carrying your Kindle with style while protecting it from the elements at the same time, a leather Kindle bag is a must.

 

Click Here to Browse the Best Deals on Leather Kindle Bags

 

Saddleback Leather Kindle Bag

Saddleback bags are simply the best out there. As their motto says, “A Bag They’ll Fight Over When You’re Dead” – you can be sure that they will. A Saddleback bag comes with a guarantee of a hundred years, not that you or your grandchildren will use it anyway, what with the durability of Saddleback leather bags.

Saddleback has recently released their range of leather Kindle bags, and these are quite simply the very best Kindle bags out there. The new releases will fit Kindle 2 and Kindle 3, and these Kindle bags will be the envy of all your friends.

Browse the Best Deals on Saddleback Kindle Bags

M-Edge Leather Kindle Bags

M-Edge Leather Kindle Bags are also a great option as Kindle 2 or Kindle 3 bags. These bags are not as expensive as the Saddleback Kindle bags, and these will fit the Kindle like a glove. The stitching is perfect, the seams are durable and the bags themselves are available in a range of styles and colors.

The interior of these bags are made of microfiber in a lovely shade of grey. In addition, your kindle will fit into these bags even if it has a cover on. These bags are very versatile, and can be used as multi-purpose bags as well, when you do not want to carry your Kindle.

Best Deals on M-Edge Leather Kindle Bags

 

I do like these bags, however, you always have the option of just getting yourself a nice leather messenger bag or leather satchel. Those are very versatile, especially the Saddleback leather messenger bag. You can use them to carry other things as well as the Kindle, and you will be able to use them all the time. However, maybe that is not what you are looking for and you want something just to carry your Kindle. However, I would encourage you to at least browse through these before you make your final purchase, just so that you know all your options in terms of leather Kindle bags.

 

Browse Leather Messenger Bags Here

 

The Eclipse Yatch belongs to billionaire Roman Abramovich and is now officially the largest and most sophisticated yatch that is available for charter – to select clients only, of course!

The Eclipse took over four years to build and is 536 feet long; the yacht was constructed by Blohm + Voss, the design is by Terence Disdale Design while the naval architect is Francis design. Abramovich took possession on December 9, 2010 and it was rumoured that he would throw his NYE party on board (a rumour which was dispelled once the Black Eyed Peas were flown in to St Bart’s for a private party).

A September 2009 report indicates that the Eclipse yatch may have cost as much as $1.2 billion USD. And what were these billions spent on? The Eclipse has:

• two helicopter pads
• 24 guest cabins
• a disco hall
• a submarine that can submerge upto 50 metres
• several hot tubs
• room for dozens of crew members – apparantly 70 are needed to operate the yacht
• rumours have it that the yacht has two pools on board, one of which can be drained and converted to a dance floor

In addition the Eclipse has the following security measures:

• German-built missile defense system
• intruder defense system
• bullet-proof glass and armor-plated windows

Finally, the yacht reportedly has an “anti paparazzi” defense shield: these are lasers which sweep the surroundings of possible professional paparazzi, and then shine lights in that direction to prevent any photographs being taken – Abramovich and his girlfriend Daria Zhukova certainly know that it’s better to be safe than hounded by paparazzo.

If you are interested in chartering the Eclipse, you will need to go through SuperYachtsMonaco, a luxury yacht brokerage company. (And you will also need to invite me along!)

 

Another day, another ridiculous fashion accessory for the wealthy with no taste: introducing, the Diamond Encrusted Lollipop.

Kim Kardashian was presented with this lovely diamond encrusted lollipop – oh sorry, Couture Pop – at the opening of the Sugar Factory candy emporium. Unfortunately, it seems like she didn’t get to take it home, since it’s now displayed in the store window. She was also given a lovely diamond necklace.. not sure if she got to take that one home?

Oh well, now that I’ve dissed the luxury lollipops, I am sure they will be accepted by fashionistas everywhere and I’ll have to eat my words…

Here are some celebrities whose outfits I am loving right now:

First off, Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Doglous are out and about in New York. I am loving that coat Catherine is wearing. It looks deliciously warm and toasty, while being incredibly fashionable at the same time. Unfortunately, if it were mine I could never manage to keep it looking so shiny and white: I’d probably spill coffee on it the very first time I put it on.

This isn’t the most flattering photo of Douglas, but it’s great to see that he’s looking healthy and enjoying the perks of his success. Catherine looks stunning as usual: you can moan all you want about her plastic surgery, but that makeup is feminine and glowy and lovely.

Chace Crawfor and Emma Roberts at Elton John’s Oscar Viewing Party. He looks dashing, there is no other word for it, although that hairstyle isn’t my favorite. Emma’s hairdo doesn’t look that great either, and her expression is a bit, er, tired, to put it nicely. However, their outfits! I am adoring that grey dress. It’s all shimmery and princess-ey, and it seems like something you or I could wear to a party as well (with a tank top or something underneath). Also, I like that she’s given the jewelry a miss for this party, it seems appropriate.

Love her or hate her, I am loving Paris Hilton’s outfit here. The black (faux?) fur is glamorous, that pink dress is demure and chic, while the purse is something I need to own right now! Check out her black nailpolish and cool ring… not to mention that her makeup is perfect and she looks beauutiful.

I have a complete girl crush on Tina Fey, and her choice of accessory (Alec Baldwin) is perfect. Not sure I could tuck my shirt in like that, no matter how pretty and shiny it is… Tina has pulled this look off perfectly, and did I mention how pretty she looks? Gorgeous.

 

 

LVMH – Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy – is about to announce its control of 51% of the luxury jewelry brand Bulgari. 51% of Bulgari will now be owned by LVMH; the family currently controlling Bulgari will be gaining seats on the board of LVMH.

 

I suppose this is just one of many more acquisitions to come. LVMH is now regarded as a massive luxury and fashion powerfouse. It controls stakes in a large number of fashion brands, including Christian Dior, Fendi, Louis Vuitton (duh!) and Dom Perignon. Last year, LVMH’s profit rose 73% to 3 billion euros, as the looming end of the financial crisis has seen more and more consumers opt to buy luxury goods again.

Bernard Arnault, the CEO and Chairman of LVMH, has now solidified his reputation as an aggressive buyer in the industry, with a massive appetite for striking deals.

Bulgari is a 127 year old makor of jewelry and watches, regarded as being one of the most prestigious brands in the industry.