Friday, January 30, 2009

Handbags Online - Are Fake Designer Handbags Illegal?

When I decided to move into e-commerce from wholesale manufacturing, I felt that my background in fashion and design should play a major role. After some research, I settled on fashion handbags. In looking for a designer manufacturer, I received 79 offers from factories making designer handbags. All were from China, except one, and made fake high end designer handbags. Fake is not what I was looking for. I chose an American designer who manufactures his own line.

But, what about all these fake handbags? I got these offers in just two days. Could they be legal? The answer is yes and no. High end designers may be granted a design patent on the uniqueness of an article which prevents others from making exact copies. However they are not prevented from using a similar look or style. Fake handbags that try to take advantage of a hot style may come close to the original without violating the law. Fake handbags that are difficult to tell from the original probably are violating the law. This is predicated on a design patent being issued.

Now lets look at the trademark issue. A fake handbag that copies a trademarked logo or pattern is in violation of the law, even if the bag is not a copy. If you want a fake bag, there are plenty of places to get them. If you want an original, great, but avoid the fraudulent fakes which could result in criminal activity.

I market a line of Designer handbags. Not the unique, high end designer handbag, but a legitimate authentic US designer. If you Google designer handbags, you will see a number of designer handbag sites. I visited a few sites, and there are authentic designer sites, and there are high fashion sites for new designers marketing their own line, and some sites marketing for new designer labels as I do. Be careful as you negotiate these sites. There are a number of places where you can get great deals on authentic designer handbags, but be careful of the too-good-to-be-true sites. Great deals on designer and fashion handbags are available through liquidators buying clearance lots from department store inventory reduction, and return goods inventory. Liquidators sell lots at auction to retailers. The retailers can then sell the inventory, and quite often online, at greatly reduced prices, and still be authentic. Some may be returns, some may be shelf inventory, and some may be warehouse over-stock, but they will all be identified as such, and they will all be authentic. This is a legitimate method major department stores use to clear space for a new line, or the spring collection.

Be assured, that great deals are out there on high fashion designer bags, but a little caution should be used to avoid having the "I just got scammed into buying a knockoff" blues. Be as skeptical online as you would be on the street corner.

Are fake designer handbags illegal? The answer is still maybe yes, maybe no, but now you have another tool to make an informed decision.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

How to Clean Linen Trousers?

People have been using clothes made up of linen material for centuries. It is still widely in use in textile industry. There are various reasons behind its continuous use for so many years. The fabric material of linen has many characteristics, which did not let it to be out dated. The clothes made up of linen fabric material are widely liked and used by the people all over the world as they are comfortable to wear.

Apart from its various fabric qualities and easiness, a large number of people can easily afford it. Especially, linen trousers are in common use. The clothes made up of linen material are easily available and have high consumption rate. One of the factors is the strong fabrics available in it, which give long life to your clothes.

As linen is made up of different material; it requires proper care if you want to keep the quality of linen trousers for a longer time. Like, it is better to give them to professional dry cleaners for cleaning. To remain the quality of the linen fabric material as same as it was the day you brought it, you should follow the cleaning instructions about linen clothes.

If you intend to wash a linen trousers all by yourself then be very precautious, like use a good and branded detergent. Before, using the detergent, make sure that it does not contain any bleaching agent. It will do no good to your linen trousers, but would probably discolour them, or the linen trousers may get patches.

If you are washing linen trousers by hands then it is better to soak it in water with good detergent, but do not keep them in it for a long time. Do not deal with the linen-trousers harshly; do not twist it. And, if using a cleaning brush then be sure that it is made up of soft material.

If you are going to use the washing machine to clean your linen-trousers, make sure that the rotation button of machine is on gentle option. Also, be careful that the washing machine should not be overloaded with other clothes, as it is good for linen trousers to have sufficient space in the machine to be washed safely.

Also, take special care while you are going to dry them; do not over dry them, because with this, they may become frail or get wrinkles on them. Similarly, if you are going to make them dry in the sunlight, do not expose them for a prolonged period as it would be harmful for the quality of linen-trousers. It is always advisable to iron them when they are still slightly damp, as it will not only make your ironing easy but also good for your linen clothes.

One can also use ironing sprays but be careful with its contents. If you get a blot on your linen-trouser, wash it immediately with clean water, but do not rub or scrub it roughly. Just leave it for some minutes with mild lotion or soap, as this will lighten the stain, and then rinse with water.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Choose the Best From Wholesale Designer Apparel Online at Amazing Prices

Designer clothing and fashion apparel are very expensive and usually consist of outstanding quality. Due to the creativity and fine tailoring work, these clothes deserve to be sold at higher prices to compliment the hard work. Some are even auctioned if there is an increased demand. Most of the brand freaks who want to cut down on costs go for wholesale designer apparel as this is the best way to get the most bang for their buck. Using this approach, you'll find a variety of fashion clothing that won't break the bank as buying retail would.

Wholesale design apparel gives you many options to choose from and your favorite branded clothing will always be reasonably priced, making this an ideal way to cut down on costs for retailers who sell designers clothes as well. Visiting an online store and browsing through a list of various designer apparel is probably the best option as you'd be able to bid on the product and possibly make an ever better deal.

There is a strong possibility that you can buy wholesale designer apparel at a rate that no one could ever imagine. Picture buying Calvin Klein, Gucci, Christian Dior and other famous branded clothing at affordable prices, and still having enough money left over to purchase more. Shopping websites like eBay or wholesale directories are the best places to bid and get the most out of the offers given on the internet. These wholesalers would definitely satisfy the customers by providing them quality products at a low cost.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Celebrity Diaper Bags For Stylish Moms

If you are the kind of mom who would not be caught anywhere with a bulky and simple storage bag, there are better alternatives - the celebrity diaper bags. These are the fashionable storage bags that you can carry with style. Though you can be really lucky to find some that are reasonably priced, most of the fashionable storage bags are way too expensive. But, then you can not put a price tag on fashion, can you? The biggest advantage is that these bags are not only fashionable but they are functional as well. Here are some of the most popular celebrity diaper bags for you:

Maria by Mia Bossi: If you are the trendy mom then diaper bag by Mia Bossi is the perfect choice for you. This fantastic storage bag is made up of Italian leather. It constitutes of designer canvas fabrics and polished hardware. They also come in a wide variety of colors and shapes. You can choose from exciting colors such as black cherry and exotic pink. This bag is multipurpose and it can also be used as a stylish purse when you go out without your baby.

Black Stripe Lexington: This special storage bag is for the moms who want their bags to be fashionable like the small ones but have the same space as available in a big storage bag. The Black Stripe Lexington is glamorous like the small bags but have enough space to accommodate all the baby stuff and yours. The outside of the bag is laminated and weatherproof. It also has straps to fit the bag securely onto your stroller. Lexington offers you a wide variety of pattern to choose from.

Duo Glam in Olive: This collection is as good as the original Duo bag. The bag is not only eye-catching but also durable. The bag contains dual pocket system to keep your cell phone and other baby stuff. You can also keep the wet clothes of the baby separately as the bag has several pockets.

If you are a Hollywood fan may be you would like to use the celebrity diaper bags used by the likes of Jessica Alba, Halle Berry, and Angelina Jolie. Getting the celebrity diaper bags would mean shelling off around a thousand dollars to carry the nappy, but then style knows no price labels.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Buying Omega Watches - Should You Buy an Omega Watch Online?

Prior to you shopping a brand new, used or vintage Omega wrist watch, there are actually a few things that you might need to know. Points that will help save you lots of time and possibly a lot of money! First, the official concept on new watches (in accordance to Omega). Should you absolutely wish to be 100% sure that you are going to be getting a authentic, genuine Omega wrist watch with the manufacturer's warranty, then don't even consider purchasing one on the internet! Why?

Simply since Omega Watches does not permit their circle of retail outlets to offer Omega watches on the internet in any way, form or fashion. Does that mean that you simply cannot find a brand new Omega watch via an online merchant? No - just make sure you understand what you are and what you will not be getting! There are many honest, reliable merchants selling Omega watches on the internet but if you purchase from them, you will not likely have the ability to verify that it's genuine. At the least, not from Omega Watches.

Numerous online retailers in fact have disclaimers in their website revealing that this wrist watch is authentic but it can not be covered under the Omega guarantee. Additionally, a few even state the serial numbers are going to be eliminated. Why would they do that? Simply because Omega evidently maintains a record of each and every watch they send to their retailers. If Omega at any time catches just one of their retailers breaking the sales agreement, their authorization would be revoked immediately.

If you want to buy a watch online, there are many alternatives to Omega. Many of these watches keep the manufacturer's warranty and are priced very reasonably.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Buy Mens Watch From the Biggest Selection of Mens Watches on the Planet

When you buy a mens watch, you want to get the watch that you you want, and not just what is available at the local mall. Shop online to buy a mens watch and you will find exactly what you are looking for. There is only one place to look if you want to browse 100s and 1000s of fine quality mens watches.

If it is a Casio that you want you, they have it. There is a good price range with the Casio watch. Depending what you are looking for, you will find a price range from 13 dollars to 70 dollars.

A Timex will run you around 15 to 75 dollars and have a wide selection of sports watches, casual watches and gold and silver watches. The Timex name holds strong with the consumer as well.

One of the more stylish watches on the market today is what is called an Automatic Watch. This style of watch was first conceived in the late 1700s. It was modified and improved in the early 1800s, but still using the same laws of physics that deal with perpetual motion.

These Automatic watches do not require winding. They wind themselves with the movement of the person wearing the watch. Just by the days activities of walking and moving around, your arms motions will keep the watch ticking. A Swiss watch manufacturer has taken this method of watch making to the next level, they have a series of its own dedicated to Automatic Watches. These Watches are a little on the high end, but they definitely add some style and class to the watch wearer. These little beauties will go anywhere from 100-5000 dollars.

Any watch, any style, any brand and any price delivered right to your door, There is only one place that will give you the most satisfaction when you buy a mens watch.

When it comes to having what you want and when you want it, online shopping can prove to be very valuable to you. We all seem to live a busy lifestyle and alot of times our schedule will not allow us to go from store to store to find exactly what we want and we end up getting the "OK" item instead of what we really would have liked to have.

Shop online from the comfort of home and get the best price for exactly what it is you want. Shopping this way also has the benefit of your goods being delivered right to your door.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

How to Buy a New Bed Sheet

Keep in mind when buying a bed sheet for your bedroom that you will want to match your existing decor, unless you are buying a whole new bedroom set, which is the most fun but also the most expensive option. A lighter colored bed sheet will show stains, but the darker ones will fade easier. Also, if you are getting a pattern you will want some element of it to coordinate with your bedroom and you will want to make sure the pattern willl not clash with any other patterns you already have in your room.

Make sure you choose the right size. In addition to twin, full, queen, king, or California King, you will need the depth of the mattress. If you have a deep mattress, you'll want to make sure that you get the deep pocket sheets so that the bottom sheet will go all the way to the bottom of your mattress and that you have enough fabric to tuck it in. There is nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night with the bed sheet coming off of your mattress and you find yourself sleeping on top of the mattress instead of the sheet. This happens to me sometimes when I am staying at a motel and I hate it! Usually this happens because the maid has put the bottom sheet on in the wrong direction.

What type of fabric do you like for your sheets? A lot of people don't really think of the type of fabric when they are buying bedding sheets, they go more for the aesthetic appeal. The type of fabric that you are sleeping on can have a large impact on the comfort of your sleep. Silk, in my opinion, would be the ultimate sleeping experience. However, real silk sheets, not the fake ones, can run you over $1000. And the fake silk sheets just do not have the same feel. Satin can often be confused with silk, but once you have felt the difference you will not be able to make that mistake.

Cotton is the most common fabric used for a bed sheet. But even with cotton there is a large variety in the type of cotton that is used. There is Egyptian cotton, which is the highest quality, best cotton that can be used for a bed sheet. Then there is regular cotton, which can be 100% cotton or a cotton blend. With the blends you are getting some of the features that you cannot get with 100% cotton, such as the sheen on a sheet, or wrinkle free. Other products that are used to produce bedsheets is bamboo and hemp. Cotton, Bamboo and Hemp are all choices for natural bedding. You may think that bamboo or hemp would be rough to the touch, but these fabrics can be very soft to the touch. To add to the choices, you can have regular fabrics or organic fabrics. If you are concerned about the environment or health choices, organic bedding is a good choice, but make sure you choose certified organic. So many choices!

Once you've chosen the type of fabric that you want, you'll want to look at the quality of the product. The amount of money you will want to spend for your new bed sheet is directly proportionate to the quality of the fabric that you will choose. And of course that will be dependent upon the type of use you have planned for your new bed sheet. If you will be using this bedsheet as a beach blanket, then I suggest that you go for the lowest quality sheet you can find. After all, it will be blasted with sand and soaked with salt water. So you won't want to spend a lot of money on it. If you're using your new bed sheet in a guest room, then you'll probably want to get something that is going to be comfortable for your guests to sleep on, without costing you a lot of money. If you grab something around the 300 thread count range, it should be comfortable without being scratchy. That is the range where the line is drawn between poor and good quality.

If you are buying a new bed sheet for your own bed, you will of course want to get the best quality that you can afford. There is some controversy regarding thread counts. While most people agree that a quality thread count starts at 300, the controversy comes in the higher range thread counts. Some people feel that once you get beyond the 800 thread count range the quality does not improve. I say test it for yourself. Some people have more nerve endings in their skin than others, the same as some people have a better sense of smell than others and some have better eyesight than others. To me it makes sense that if you are squeezing 1500 threads into a single square inch as opposed to 800 threads squeezed into the same square inch, that there must be a difference. Whether that difference can be felt by you, only you can tell. But if you are one of the people who can tell the difference you will want to get what feels best to you.

The next step in the process, it is to shop until you drop! If you are like me you like to get the very best quality at the very lowest price. I don't mind spending a little time shopping around, if it will help me to find the best bang for my buck. Many times, if you are willing to do a little shopping around you can find clearance prices on your new bed sheet. Just because it is clearance, does not mean that it is in inferior in quality, it simply means that it is the last of that product, and they are wanting to move the old product out so they can bring the new products in. Bonus for you! If you do not like to comparison shop, I suggest you go to a store or estore that specializes in bed sheets and find a product there. They will have the best selection and a good range of prices.

Here are some other suggestions for using your new bedsheet, besides putting on your bed. Use it as a very large beach towel, the sand shakes out of it nicely and it folds up much smaller than a beach towel and will fit better in your bag. Use it as a table covering. Use it as a backing for a quilt. Use it as a curtain, just remove the stitching from either side of the top hem, and you have a place to insert the curtain rod. Use it as a floor covering for a baby to lay on to play. Fold it up and put it on a tabletop to use as padding to iron on if you do not have an ironing board. Attach it to your gazebo in the summer, inside the netting to create shade.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Fashion Accessories For Boys

The 21st century fashion criterion is not what it used to be a decade from now. The fashion statement across the globe is changing and transforming leaps and bounds. The fashion, earlier considered as a field or a department for the female gender, is changing its perception. Today, fashion is a necessity for all genders and group ages. There are famous brands and tags, which endorse fashion for men as well as for women.

When it comes to fashion, one must keep in mind that fashion is not just about mere clothing or shoes. It has changed altogether, because it has now extended its range to accessories, jewellery and adornments. Fashion has intruded the most neglected aspects of dressing for men, especially belts, bracelets and ties.

In the contemporary times, bracelets are the most demanded fashion accessory for boys. These include gummy bangles in black with motifs like football, George Cross, camouflage, skull and crossbones, silicone camouflage bangles, fabric wristbands in skull and crossbones, football, George Cross, Union Jack. These bracelets are available in a variety of textures like leather, plastic and rubber. Denim is also used for making bracelets and bands.

Tattoos are the next most wanted section of the fashion industry. It is the application of designs over parts of your body. They are available in the form of stick-on ones and most people get them engraved upon their bodies as well. The tattoos for young boys are designed keeping in mind their interests. They are available in designs from sports like football, soccer, wrestling and basketball. The tattoo of devil is very famous as it is widely used for a modern look. They can be applied temporarily and one can get them engraved permanently as well.

With the formal wear, fashion styles for boys have transformed like anything. Dinner jackets and dress pants are being designed with innovative cuts and styles. There are waistcoats which are especially designed keeping in mind the trends of today for young boys. Thus, the jackets are of various materials like leather and jade. There are ornaments attached to it to give it a complete look, perfect for young boys in their evening functions.

The casual wear is also very vastly admired when it comes to young boys. They tend to adapt the rock look that is very chic nowadays; they wear denim jeans that are torn, with faded t-shirts.

The shirts are of very funky colours, not like before when only the colours blue, black, grey and white were restrained for menswear. Now, the colours have moved to reds, yellows, greens and electric blue. This variety has given the young boys a chance to look modern and classy.

Thus, now the fashion sense of boys is changing, and they are getting into the sense of dressing up and maintaining themselves as stylish and trendy as they can.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Fashion Clothes For Teenagers

Teenage is the age when everyone is very conscious about appearance and really wants to look trendy and fashionable. This is true for both girls and boys. When it comes to teenagers clothing, there is a huge variety of clothes that are worn and are in fashion from time to time.

Teenagers also like to show their individuality and dress in a certain way to convey their point of view. When we consider teenage fashion and clothing, one thing that comes to mind is as many separates as possible. This means that you get separate items of clothing and then wear them by matching and contrasting. This tends to be not only highly fashionable, but also makes a strong statement.

When it comes to clothing, it is important to be yourself and not lose your style in the prevailing trend. You should make sure that you have some pieces of clothing that suit you the best and you feel and look great in.

There are many brands out there that specialise in clothing for youngsters and teenagers. If you want to stay with the trend, you can always go to one of these stores and look at the new designs and trends and shop for yourself. However, all the while, you do have to keep in view that whatever you get should look good on you.

When getting clothes for yourself, you also ought to keep in view what suits your figure. You should always buy clothes that tend to enhance your figure. When buying clothes, you should make sure that you buy some of the essentials of a teenager's wardrobe. Some of these items of clothing that are like essentials include jeans, khaki shorts and some t-shirts.

These are some of the things that you can always wear with other clothing items and look great. A pair of jeans is always the essential because you can accent it with a great looking kind of top. Girls can always get tops in beautiful colours and designs and accessorise with jewellery, scarves and belts.

Other than these things, you should also make sure that you have pants in three or four solid colours so that you can wear them with different tops. It depends entirely upon your taste as to what kind of clothes you get. You can also get some dresses if you like wearing them. For summers, you should try dresses in brighter colours and floral.

In fashion and style, attention to detail is very important and hence, you should always have accessories and good shoes to enhance the entire look. Belts are kind of an essential. When it comes to shoes, wedges are the trend this season. When it comes to boys, they should also own some good pairs of jeans and khakis and some pants in solid colours so that they can wear t-shirts and also dress shirts. For teenage boys who are older, ties are also important so that they can look classy on relatively formal occasions.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Casual Teenage Boys Wear

Are you conscious about the dressing of your teenage boy? Are you looking for casual and relaxed boys wear? Teenage boys wish to wear relaxed dresses that can let them play and roam around. Most of the boys do not like to go for shopping with their parents as they have developed their style and comfort; they desire dresses that are sporty and easy.

Most of the parents hope to shop for their teenage boys, but they forget to follow what their sons crave for. If you want to buy anything for a teenage boy, first know about his choice and opinion, give him some time and try to know him fully. I can bet you, more than 90 % boys will ask for casual wear rather than formal or restricted wears.

Teenage boys often go with trends; they simply like to follow it without recognizing it fully. Presenting themselves up-to-date and most stylish among the peers is the dream and trance of the new generation; they are in competition with one another and you simply cannot stop them. So, it is better to let them choose their dresses at this age.

If your son selects any dress that goes mainly with style, you need to consider if it is comfortable or not? Do not go for style only; make your son go for the comfort and ease factor when going for dressing; he will surely understand it. You need to give him models or simply ask him to try it and feel the comfort level. He will admit the actuality only when he will feel it by himself.

Try various styles and buy from more than one shop as it will leave a good impact on the traits of your teen. Try to follow diverse patterns in dressing as the same scheming will leave a boring impact. You must be vigilant about the colours and shades of the clothes of your son. Do not go for the same shades and tones; try unique but suitable colours. Make sure that you do not put odd or gauche colours for your son. You should have proper knowledge about the colours that are restricted to boys and girls as well. No parent would like to make fun of his son in front of others while wearing pink t-shirt.

You can buy online; there are ample websites that offer great packages and deals to the parents. They have experts that guide you in newest trends in unfussy wears; you can just sit with your son and select any wear for him. Most of the sites catch your interest by offering price series and colour selections.

Casual clothing is unlike the formal one; your son can try any style in it. You need to be with him just to guide him. Teenage boys get crazy about few and limited colours; here you need to tell the significance of other colours as well. Casual wear does not signify that you have the liberty to wear socks with sandals.

Teenage boys are fond of wearing hand bands and chains; accept the taste of your son. If you do not get time to shop with your son, ask your daughter to do this job for you, as it will be a good companionship for your son.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

The Proper Way to Stretch Shoes

Does this shoe-related scenario sound familiar: You go to a shoe store, find a great pair of shoes and try them on, buy them, take them home, and ultimately discover that they don't fit as well as we thought they did. Or you realize that when you add your favorite pair of socks, there's no way you'll be able to squeeze these special shoes on? When this happens, you don't have to automatically toss out the shoes; there are ways to work with these tight shoes to make them more comfortable and finally wearable.

One of the first things you can do is look online for inexpensive wooden shoe stretchers. Usually costing about $30 or less, these shoe stretchers can be bought to match your foot size, and you can keep them throughout your life to use for any pinching shoes you may buy in the future!

Using a wooden shoe stretcher is simple: just insert it into the shoes or boots that you want expanded, and leave them alone for a few days to do their thing for your footwear.

Keep in mind that shoe leather and skin are essentially the same thing, so it's important that you don't overstretch the leather - it won't shrink back to its original size. As soon as you work the stretcher into the shoe you'll have a good idea of how much stretching is actually necessary - the harder it is to fit in the show initially, the more stretching you'll need to do.

Another solution that you can use along with a shoe stretcher is to try one of the wide variety of stretching sprays now available. These alcohol-based sprays are made to dry fast, and if you spray them on your shoes or boots while your feet or the stretchers are in them, you can boost the speed of the whole process considerably.

These sprays are a better answer than water, which can stain leather, and because they dry so rapidly you can have the option to wear your shoes much sooner. You can use the sprays on a small area of the shoe that is tight, or over the entire surface of the footwear.

Such sprays and spray bottles are sold online, can be bought inexpensively, are delivered to your home, and can be used independently or in conjunction with a wooden shoe stretcher.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Smells Like Teen Fashion - The Hottest Teen Idols and Their Celebrity Fashion Design Labels

You've got to love today's teen idols. They sing. They dance. They act. And they design clothes. They might not have two years of fashion school under their belts, but their legions of fans represent sizable buying power, so it's inevitable that these celebrities would lend their names to a label. However, even the most popular teen idols don't necessarily find success with their namesake brands. As with any fashion line, it takes a well-designed, marketable product to be a success. Let's take a look at ten of the most notable celebrity fashion lines by teen idols, some that have become wildly successful, and some that have fizzled.

Avril Lavigne. Lavigne's "Abbey Dawn" clothing line for Kohl's is one of the retailer's best-selling brands. Her signature pieces include skinny jeans, hoodies, and graphic tees. She even collaborated with Disney for an "Alice in Wonderland" inspired collection, demonstrating the strength of the Abbey Dawn line. One reason the singer's line is so successful is because she has always been known for her offbeat fashion as much as she has for her music.

Gwen Stefani. Unlike most celebrities who launch fashion labels, Stefani actually has roots in fashion design. She comes from a long line of seamstresses, and she created most of the outfits she wore on stage as No Doubt's lead singer. It's no wonder that with this expertise, her "L.A.M.B." line has become one of the most critically respected and financially successful celebrity brands in history, with sales of more than $90 million a year.

Miley Cyrus. She's already conquered the worlds of television, movies, and music, so the teen idol is out to rock the fashion design world as well. She's teamed with Max Azria of BCBG for the "Miley and Max" line for Walmart, a mix of boho chic and English rocker looks.

Justin Timberlake. Just as Timberlake transcended boy band teen idol status to become a global superstar, his clothing label "William Rast" has gone beyond being only a celebrity line of denim. It is now a high-end lifestyle brand encompassing leather jackets, outerwear, and tops for both men and women. The brand has become so successful, William Rast flagship stores have opened in Los Angeles and Santa Clara, California. Perhaps one reason William Rast has succeeded is that Timberlake hired actual fashion designers to develop the collection.

Lindsay Lohan. A stint as Artistic Advisor for Emanuel Ungaro resulted in a critically panned collection. Although she has parted ways with Ungaro, she continues with her own "6126" line. Originally just a line of leggings, 6126 now features dresses and bodysuits inspired by Marilyn Monroe.

Taylor Swift. The multi Grammy-winning teen queen partnered with clothing label LEI to create a line of $14 sundresses that were sold exclusively at Walmart. After one season, the line was no longer available at the store.

Mandy Moore. The once tween pop star and actress branched into fashion with her line "Mblem," a brand of contemporary knitwear and cashmere that sold in high-end boutiques and department stores. After three years, she pulled the plug on the line, saying she would get back into fashion when she found a partnership that reflected her ideas, which was not happening with Mblem.

Hilary Duff. The "Lizzy McGuire" star's first foray into fashion was her clothing line "Stuff by Hilary Duff," which was sold through Target. The company soon expanded its business to include furniture, fragrance and jewelry, but Duff eventually discontinued the line when she felt she did not have full creative control anymore. She then launched "Femme for DKNY" in a partnership with Donna Karan, which sold very well.

Lauren Conrad. After attending fashion college at FIDM and interning at Teen Vogue. the reality TV star developed "The Lauren Conrad Collection," which was carried at trendy boutiques like Kitson. Because of lackluster sales, however, the line was discontinued. Undaunted, she is now in Kohl's stores with the affordably priced "LC Lauren Conrad" line.

Ashley & Mary-Kate Olsen. The ultimate celebrity entrepreneurs, the Olsen Twins became fashion icons with their boho chic style, and are all over the fashion design landscape with several labels targeted to different markets. Besides a clothing line for Walmart, they've launched a couture label called "The Row," as well as a contemporary line called "Elizabeth and James," named after their siblings.

Teen idols come and go, and so do their fashion labels. But it looks like the trend of celebrity fashion designers are here to stay.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Why Indian Hair Extensions Are Perfect For Your Locks

All of the many options of hair extensions can be mind boggling, especially if you happen to be a newcomer to hair extension weaves and sew in extensions. Choosing the right quality at the best price point is tough because there are so many companies on the web with little information on the subject. You may have already heard that human hair extensions are preferred because of the natural nature of the product. Human hair is completely natural and guaranteed to last the longest provided the cuticle, otherwise often known as the root end of the hair, is completely intact.

Indian Hair has its own inherent rewards: it is simultaneously thin and strong. This is donated by women in India as a kind sacrifice to god during prayer. Women in India will donate their hair to god in exchange for good things to happen to them. For instance, a woman in India will pray to god in the event that a loved one is sick or in the hopes of a pregnancy. If the loved one escapes their sickness or if the woman becomes pregnant, they will presume that god has answered their prayers. The woman will then go to the temple to donate their hair as a thank you to god. The act of shaving the head symbolizes the shedding of a person's vanity, this is considered a very common ritual in the Indian culture.

Virgin Indian hair is hair which is untreated, unprocessed, and completely natural. After the temple ceremony, the hair is washed to make it as hygienic as possible. This is considered virgin hair. Remy Hair is not always virgin hair, once virgin hair has been colored or chemically processed in any way short of removing the cuticles is referred to as Remy. Remy Hair could be categorized within the 'premium' segment, as far as hair quality is concerned. Remy Hair has its cuticle intact and running in the same direction "unidirectional cuticle" to avoid tangling. The cuticles protects the hair from damage, such as tangling and matting. The cuticles give the hair its natural look, making it smooth, silky, and tangle free. Many people are unsure of the true meaning of Remy. Remy actually means that the hair has been chemically treated or processed. It is not the same as virgin hair.

Virgin Cuticle: Hair taken directly from the scalp, with the cuticles intact and running in the identical path.

Remy Cuticle: Virgin hair that has been colored or chemically treated in some way, with the cuticles intact and running in the identical direction.

Remy Single Drawn: This type of Remy Hair is taken out directly from the scalp by shaving the head, leaving the cuticle completely intact. Care is taken to remove the very short hair, with the longer hair, so that all the hair generally remains the same length, give or take an inch.

Remy Double Drawn: This type of hair is the finest quality with the same length in a piece. The hairs are arranged with exact equal lengths. There will not be any short hair in a hair extension bundle.

These important facts about Indian human hair extensions should make shopping for your perfect locks a little easier. There are reliable sites out there for purchasing these products, companies who back their product up with their customer service is something to be appreciated. There are many terms you should be aware of as a consumer, some of which have been listed in this article. As with anything, you should always do your research thoroughly. The more informed you are when purchasing these types of natural hair extension products, the more you benefit as a consumer.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Find the Best Blazer For Your Style

Women's blazers have come a long way since the super padded, line backer shoulders of the 1980s. They are now (far) less padded, and they are more accentuating in their cut. Now a far more multipurpose article of clothing, a blazer should be present in every woman's closet. A blazer on a woman is a timeless, must-have piece that every woman should own. Whether you wear your blazer as part of a pant or skirt suit or you team it up with your favorite pair of leggings or jeans, you can be guaranteed you will look stylish. Even if you are a more casual type dresser, a blazer is a key clothing essential. It is comfortable, and when paired with different bottoms can provide completely different looks.

For an attractive, contemporary look, you can do no wrong with a blazer. A blazer dresses up any pair of jeans, or khakis, and makes any outfit look clean and professional. With the trend of office chic gaining in popularity, the blazer is this season's must have. And now with the blazer revival we are seeing blazers of new material like linen cotton blazers, as well as blazers with new shape like the boyfriend blazer.

Check out this list of some of the most common blazer types:

1) TAILORED BLAZERS - With a tidy, formal look, this is the standard style for blazers. A tailored blazer is a great option for a job interview, a classy night out, or a client meeting. With a skirt or pants this type of women's blazer is business casual.

2) THE BOYFRIEND BLAZER - Not quite as cut to your form, the boyfriend blazer is a less formal option. This type of blazer may be better for those who have a fuller upper body, due to its looser cut and less defined waist. This type is very flexible, and accessories are key to raising or lowering the fashion quotient of an outfit featuring this blazer. Worn with a fashionable pair of jeans, you have a modern update on a classic style.

3) THE CONCEALER BLAZER - This blazer is what I term the cure-all. It can mask any unwanted weight gained over the holidays, or it can effectively eliminate that spot on your shirt.

Friday, January 2, 2009

So What Are You Going to Do?

So Whatcha Whatcha Gonna DO? Earth day turns the big 4-0 today...I had no idea ED and I were so close in age however I do remember going to Earth Day concerts in Golden Gate Park in San Fran back in the 90's. Who can tell me who headlined cuz I haven't a clue....

I was unconsciously conscious for recycling all of my clothing in those days.

Yep, simply being selfish and clever enough to figure out how to get my fashion fix. Recycling your clothing was just stupid smart for me...

Did you know that celebrities and socialites sell their clothing? Accidentally green without even knowing it. Still counts. If celebs/socialites turn their wardrobe for a buck and a new bag shouldn't you too? That's how they stay rich right?

I am about to share one of my BIGGEST secret weapons on the West coast. Want to know where to go to recycle your post loved labels while perhaps picking up this season's Mui Mui at resale prices? (you heard me correct, this season's Mui Mui at resale pricing?) Like No Way???---Way!

Decades Two-Where high end meets reality--Not can't afford fantasy.

Imagine owning a Stella McCartney blouse for $140 and then selling it next season for Stella's 2011 collection?

Unless it's a major archival piece. I.E Birkin bag, Alexander Mcqueen's last collection or a Chanel pochette you want to pass down to your daughter/goddaughter. Like the Beatles sing- "LET IT GO" ok "LET IT BE".... Why you gotta hold on? When you won't be here as long as all the clothing you're collecting/hoarding? I mean right?

Feeling blocked in your life? Go sell your clothes, guarantee you won't want any of them when you see what you want now. Super BIG P.S-Decades Two is only for your high level labels and you must make an appt first.

Here's the deal, after 3 years your most coveted designers begin losing resale value. Can it be reworked for a more current fit? Absofrickinlutely! but that's a another email. Stay Tuned. But what if you are coveting this season's Bottega? How you gonna get it in these times? Get smart and sell off your old favorites in pursuit of your new ones..

Money recycled back into your clothing budget? GOOD for the planet! GOOD for you!

Speaking of the planet, please watch this video I shot for Living Well. Abc.com's new green channel and SHARE with your Facebook family and friends.