Housing Crisis Affecting Fashion

Since we are in an economic crisis, the housing market has been struggling as well. Many people are not buying house right now due to the fact that they do not have any money and if they do it is usually being spent on other things. Surprisingly, this is affecting the fashion industry, more specifically, the home fashion industry.

Because people are not buying new houses, or spending money to upgrade or remodel their current homes, the need for home fashions has decreased. Most people are having to spend what money they have are more practical things such as gas and groceries. Even if Americans want to move into a new house or remodel one which they are currently living in, it is usually not possible at this time.

Another factor in the housing market depends on the location the house are being sold in right now. Houses located in areas that are not as flat tend to be a bit more pricey because of the lack of land. Home furnishing stores in these areas struggle more than the home furnishing stores in areas where the land is mostly flat. The housing market is just another example that we are going though an economic crisis and it is also affecting the fashion industry.

Guest Speaker

The guest speaker we had today was very informative and interesting. She was the best one we have had so far this semester. I really enjoyed her, mostly because was a recent graduate and knew what kinds of things we were dealing with right now and how to help us most.

She gave us vital information that we would need in order to succeed in our careers. For example, she explained to us that our internships are very important and can dictate your future career. I was surprised to hear that but it does make a lot of sense. She also told us that she still blogs in her job. I found this amusing because I never thought I would blog after this class! I also enjoyed hearing about her career and how she got into it. She seemed to have worked really hard and made great connections with people to get where she is today.

Overall, she was a great speaker and really easy to listen to. She made her presentation funny and entertaining. She also had a great personality. Not only was she a great speaker, but she was very informative about matters that are relevant to us now and also in our very near future.

Sweatshops

Sweatshops have become a controversial issue within the fashion industry. Should they be allowed or not? There are many different opinions on this issue and whether or not the companies should produce their clothes in such a way that can be harmful to other humans.

The definition of a sweatshop is "a working environment with very difficult or dangerous conditions, usually where the workers have few rights or ways to address their situation," (Wikipedia). Some sweatshops involve dangerous situations with workers who are barely making enough money to support their families. They even sometimes involve children.

I am kind of in the middle as to whether or not I believe sweatshops should be prohibited. I do not agree with the conditions of the sweatshops and the way that the people are treated sometimes but I also think that these sweatshops are helping the workers support their families and without them, they would not have a way to do so. I believe the workers would rather work in the situations they are in now than to not have any source of income and watch their families die of starvation.

Milan Fashion Week: Art or Usability?

When it comes to fashion, some people view it as art and others view it as usability. But can it be both? I think that fashion is an art and it is also usable. The Milan fashion week showcased different designers who achieved both art and usability with their fashion lines.

There were designers in the Milan fashion week who had lines that were purely art, not very usable. But there were also lines that were all about usability. Designers produced lines with a lot of sheer clothing that can be worn in many different ways. Designers also produced lines with versatility that could definitely been seen as art.

Fashion is, without a doubt, an art. But I think that usability is just as important for a designer to accomplish if not more important. Usability is what the consumer is looking for most of the time more than art, and I think the designers in the Milan fashion week achieved both the art and usability within their fashion lines.

Design Inspiration

If I were ever able to design my own clothes, I would create something that would go with many occasions and be fun at the same time. I would want it to reflect my personality and style. Oscar De La Renta's designs are some of my favorite. He always has collections that are versatile and that can be worn by the everyday woman.

I would want my collection to also be very unique, but not too over the top. I would not want it to look futuristic, but classy and elegant. I would also want it to be modern.

After doing research on Badgley Mischka, I have come to really like their clothing lines as well. Their outlook on fashion is "one zip and your glamorous" (Hart, 2008). They create lines that can be worn anywhere from work to a nice social event, without ever changing clothes. I think these two designers have great collections and I would want my collection to be very similar.

Ethnic Influences in the Apparel Industry

Ethnic influences have been very visible throughout the fashion industry. Designers are always looking to other countries and cultures for new ideas for their future designs. They go and visit these countries and bring back their new ideas and inspirations and apply them to their designs.

Not only are places such as Paris, Milan, and London great locations to look to for ideas, but a place like Africa can also give inspiration to designers. Designers have been looking more and more to cultures that are minorities for their clothing lines and these designs are making certain designers more distinct.

Since the influence of ethnic culture in the fashion industry, designers have stepped outside the box and produced collections that are amazing. The ethnic trends are going to become more and more prominent in the United States and in the fashion world.

Organic and Environmentally Friendly Clothing

In our world today, almost everything is about taking care of this earth and the environment. We are constantly seeing ads for different kinds of products promoting a new way to take care of the earth and the people on it. So why not clothes too?

Organic clothing is becoming more and more popular than in the past. Although more expensive, it is a much safer way to go. Not only is it better for our environment, but also for the individual's health. Some non-organic clothing can cause irritation to the skin because of certain chemicals used for the product. With organic clothing, this is not the case. The fabric used in organic clothing has not been made with a pesticide.

Overall, in our world today, organic clothing is the way to go. The environment has been a big issue lately, and organic and environmentally friendly clothing is just another way to deal with this issue.

Favorite Fashion Designer

Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel started her career in 1910 when she opened up a small shop in Paris. Chanel is my favorite designer because she has always brought originality and versatility to her designs. She was known as the "Chief Designer" up until her death in 1971.

Chanel was the first to come up with the "little black dress" that showcased in Playboy for the first time. It was widely accepted because of its versatility; women could wear it at any time of the day. Chanel's luxury line includes handbags, cosmetics, ready-to-wear, accessories, perfume, and other things.

Chanel is one of the most recognized labels in the fashion industry. Her influence is inevitable in a wide range of designers following her. I love her designs because of the elegance and class that is brought to each one of them.

First Blog

First blog for CRS 231