Boutique Runway

What will you do to prove that you are fashion conscious and keep yourself updated on latest trends? You will buy latest designer clothes, shoes, handbags or a may be you will run to the parlour to get a latest hair cut? Or you can just get a nail art done. Yes, ladies and gentleman, nail art is the “in thing” in the fashion these days. Everyone is getting nail art done to show that they are fashionable, be it models, actors, socialist and celebrities.

Nail Art includes Nail lacquering, , nail piercingnail painting, nail decoration etc. Nail Art can be divided in to different parts such as Gel, Acrylic nail art, Nail polish, Built in nail art, Step by Step , Gel/ built in nail art, Acrylic/ built in nail art, Toe nail art  and French manicure. Nail art only looks perfect when it’s done by a professional. Therefore the beauticians have to take special training for it. Designing a pattern on a small nail takes lot of efforts and concentration. They also have to redo exact same design ten times so that the fingers don’t look uneven. The person, who is getting nail art done, also needs to have lot of patience, as he or she will need to sit down for hours to get it done. And people, who don’t have that much patience and time, can go for easier option i.e. artificial nails. Artificial nails with ready made nail art are easily available in the market these days and you can also order them online.

Pop Rocker Avril Lavigne, who is known for her unique fashion sense, launches her own fashion line named “Abbey Dawn”. The collection was co-launched by the Kohl’s, which will be exclusive U.S. retailer for the brand. As per the statement released by Kohl’s on behalf of Avril lavigne, the collection has been divided in two parts, first part comprises of colours and mix-and-match iconic prints which is the combination of feminine sophistication and rock and roll style. The other part comprises of traditional tartan plaids, checks and stripes.” “I’m thrilled to announce my clothing line, Abbey Dawn”. Abbey Dawn will aspire to be a unique and accessible reflection of my ever-changing style.” said Lavign in the statement released by the Kohl. 

The line will not be much expensive, as it will range between US $24 to $48. The clothes will be available in all the Kohl’s stores from July onwards. Kohl has announced that the collection will be updated in every 60 days. The 23 year old pop singer, who released her first album “Let Go” at the age of 16, is following on the footsteps of other pop singers Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and Gwen Stefani who have their own fashion line. Amy Winehouse, the singer with beehive hair style, has also announced her fashion line recently. Avril’s album “The Best Damn Thing”, which was released in April 2007, is a success. More than five million copies of the album have been sold in the US and above 14 million copies have been sold across the world.

A London based charity has invited students of various universities to design fashionable earplugs for the youths. According to a survey conducted by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), youths tend to damage their hearing ability because of being exposed to extremely loud music at discos and pubs.  The survey also says that these youths want to use earplugs at discos, but refrain from doing so because they look ugly and unfashionable.

Therefore, in order to promote use of earplugs among youths at pubs and discos, the charity has decided to launch ultra fashionable earplugs.  The RNID is conducting an earplugs designing competition in which students from De Montfort, Coventry and Sheffield Hallam universities will take part.  The winners will be awarded with internship at the leading designer consultancies. The RNID says that youth should adopt habit of putting an earplug in the discos and pubs, same as the habit of using condoms during sex or wearing helmet while driving two wheelers. The RNID official said that youth should not have much problem in doing sos as they are already in the habit of using headphones and ipods.  People generally use big earplugs while sleeping but they don’t do so at the party or the pubs, as they think they are un-cool and non-trendy. Therefore RNID thinks that new designer earplugs will change the perspective of these youths towards earplugs. Well we have to wait and watch to find out how many young people actually use these designer earplugs.. 

When was the last time you saw a man wearing a Cardigan? Well, if you are not up to date on fashion, you will say that in a black and white movie you saw last week. But if you keep updating yourself about fashion then you will say, just yesterday you have seen David Beckham wearing one in a magazine.   Yes, ladies and gentleman, cardigans are very much the in thing in the fashion these days.

And we are not saying this only because David Beckham, who is famous for his eminent fashion sense, has been spotted wearing one. In fact our New James Bond, Daniel Craig, heart throbbing actor Jude Law, pop singer Justin Timberlake and Johnny Borrell have been spotted wearing cardigans as well. Therefore men who keep themselves updated about fashion are rushing to the stores and mall to buy one for themselves. In fact, lot of stores across has registered record sales of cardigans in past few months. In fact, women like the men who wear cardigans; they feel that men who wear cardigans are more sensitive and caring. Apart from fashion, cardigans are also a very comfortable cloth to wear. Men generally wear it at home but were ashamed of telling it to anyone. But after stars like Daniel Craig and David Beckham promoting it, may be they will start wearing it outside as well. However, the only problem is that although this trend has been started only few people will adopt this, as summers are just around the corner.  

The annual Melbourne Fashion Festival, which started twelve years ago, commences on Sunday. Over 1000 guests attended the launch party of the Melbourne Fashion Festival organised at the Government house. The guest list, of the 1950’s theme Cocktail party, comprises of top models, socialites, Hollywood actresses and politicians. In fact, unlike fashion weeks and fashion shows where fashion editors are given the seats at the front row, the water ministers and transport ministers were occupying the seats at the front row. Hollywood actress Miranda Otto who was dressed in exquisite red Nicola Finetti dress, Supermodels Doutzen Kroes and Kristy Hinze were among the celebrities who attended the show. A wonderful show was presented by swing dancing couples, who were dressed in the creations of designers like Toni Maticevski, Ksubi, Romance Was Born, Wayne Cooper, Wheels & Doll Baby and Alex Perry.

Melbourne Fashion Festival is completely different from the fashion weeks. Where only invited guests and press can attend the Fashion Weeks, Melbourne Fashion Festival is open for everyone who can buy tickets. The Director of Melbourne Fashion Festival, Karen Webster, says the aim of the festival is to create awareness about fashion among the people walking on the street, but the fact is only few, of those walking on the streets, can afford these tickets.  The Melbourne Fashion festival comprises of runway shows, cultural programs, business seminars and food and wine events. Organisers say that the tickets to most of the shows are already sold out. 

Models from Australia have set ramp on fire across the world. Aussie models are in great demand at popular fashion weeks around the world. Although this is not the first time that Australian models are making it big in the fashion industry. Australian model Gemma Ward, who started her career at the age of 15, five years ago, is all set to retire from the fashion industry on high note. More than dozen models, some famous, and some less, are ready to fill her shoes in the fashion industry.

Top on the list are Catherine McNeil and Abbey Lee Kershaw. Where Catherine McNeil is on top of her career, Abbey Lee Kershaw has just tasted the success in the fashion industry. Models like McNeil charge $ 50, 000 for a single show and Abbey Lee Kershaw is walking towards the same target. Kershaw bagged the exclusive Gucci’s contract during Milan Fashion after walking the ramp for the top labels in the London and the New York Fashion Week. In fact, Kershaw walked the ramp for 31 labels during the New York Fashion Week. This Melbourne girl entered in to the fashion industry after winning the Girlfriend Magazine model search in 2004. However, she suddenly came in light after being featured in new Dolce and Gabbana campaign. The 19 year model is as busy as a bee during the Paris Fashion week, as she can be spotted flying from one show to another. She even opened the show for famous couture label Givenchy.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are all set to release their own coffee table fashion book. The Olsen twins, who are known for their unique fashion sense, already have their own fashion line.  After their success in the film industry and fashion industry, the Olsen twins are ready to conquer the book business by releasing their coffee table books.  Olsen sisters’ book has been christened “Influence”, and will be published by famous Penguin publishers.

Although some fashion critics do not like the fashion sense of 21 year old actresses, their fashion line is a success, and therefore their fashion book is also expected to be a success. The book “Influence” will have lot of pictures of Olsen sisters, who are in the film industry since childhood. Also the pictures of Olsen sisters, taken by the world renowned photographer Rankin, will be included in the coffee table book. The book will also include some facts that have never been revealed before in the media and a personal collection of interviews. The Olsen sisters are taking interview of artists and designers, like Bob Colacello, Terry Richardson and Jack Pierson for their book. The Olsen sisters say that these are the people who have inspired them, and therefore they are giving them preference in their book. The Olsen sisters’ expressed hope that their book will inspire readers. The book will be launched later this year by Penguin. However, Coffee table books are bit expensive and therefore critics have doubt over the success of the book. 

Pop Star Amy Winehouse is all set to enter fashion world, according to various newspapers and websites. News is that the “Rehab” star is talking to various fashion experts about her plan, and will soon launch her own line of products. Winehouse, who recently won 5 gongs at the Grammy awards, is all set to launch her line of hairspray, eyeliner, perfumes and scarves.
 
Amy Winehouse, who is in her early 20’s, is famous for her huge beehives hairdo, smudged eyeliner and denim mini skirts.  The pop star has recently spent some time in rehabilitation center, for taking drugs and alcohol addiction. But it seems that all this did not affected the popularity of the star in anyway. Thousands of young girls want to look like Amy, and for them Amy’s own line of products will be a nice gift from their favourite star. In fact many admire Amy’s style, including “Project Runway” judge Michael Kors.  Although few think that Amy’s line will not take off well, as she has been in the news for all the wrong reasons lately. Amy was also on second spot in Richard Blackwell’s worst dresses celebrity list. But the list is no criteria to judge anyone as Victoria Beckham, who was recently seen in top fashion designer Max Azria’s fashion show, topped the list. Amy will join the long list of celebrities, who have their own line of fashion products, with this. Recently Avril Lavigne has also announced that she will enter fashion world as well after finishing her present tour.
 

We know Oscars are the Academy Awards that are bestowed for excellence in the film industry. But apart from awards in the ceremony, what makes news are the dresses of the actresses. Like past several years, celebrities walked on the red carpet in fabulous designer gowns this year as well.   Red was the favourite colour of the celebrities this year, as most of the celebrities were sporting red colour dresses. Heidi Klum’s beautiful red silk satin dress, designed by Galliano, was applauded most by fashion critics. Helen Mirren, who gave away best actor award to Daniel Day-Lewis for “There Will Be Blood”, wore a red duchess satin dress with a pleated bodice and silver beaded sleeves. Mirren, who played Queen Elizabeth in “The Queen”, was indeed looking royal in the fabulous red dress. Ann Hathaway also won some applauds for her off-the-shoulder red dress with floral accents.

Black was the second favourite colour of the actresses walking the red carpet. Nicole Kidman successfully covered her pregnancy with a simple black satin dress. Jennifer Garner sported a strapless black dress, which perfectly complemented her figure. Action girl Hillary Swank wore a black Versace lace gown.  Apart from black and red, Penelope Cruz looked stunning in midnight blue Chanel dress with feathered details. Although a drape at the waist was not so impressive in her dress. But the worst dress awards goes to Rene Zelwelger. Her dress was intentionally designed to show most of her figure and skin. Julie Christie did not look impressive as well in her knee length dress, which not at all looked appropriate for the Oscars.

Some of the top Designers of the industry, including Calvin Klein, Versace, Diane Von Furstenberg, Bottega Veneta and Stella McCartney, participated in the eco-friendly fashion show, ahead of New York Fashion week on Thursday. The attires and accessories presented in this show were designed with eco friendly fabrics such as organic cotton, bamboo and hemp. Designer also used recycled material for their designs. But if you think that these clothes were any less than other clothes made of non-eco friendly fabric, than you are wrong. The designs were fabulous and clothes were simply outstanding. It seems these designers are taking eco-friendly fashion quite seriously. Some lesser known eco friendly fabrics were also introduced by the designers like PLA, which is made from Corn and is an alternative of polyester, abaca, which is made from leaf stalks of Philippine banana plant and Lyocell, which is made from wood pulp cellulose.   All these fabrics are not only environment friendly, but also good for you skin. People with sensitive skin do not have any threats of getting rashes and allergies from these fabrics. Versace presented a gorgeous dress made of hemp and silk, Stella McCartney’s presented a long summer dress made of organic cotton and Maison Martin Margiela presented a ball gown crafted from three vintage wedding dresses and a vintage bustier. Around 25 fashion designers participated in the fashion show sponsored by Barneys New York, Lexus Hybrid, and Pure & Natural, Earth Pledge. You can see the collection at Barneys New York flagship store window at Madison Avenue and 61st Street from February 1 – 21.