Issey Miyake - Fashion Technology

Born on April 22, 1938 in Hiroshima, Japan, designer Issey Miyake is known for creating an eclectic mix of Eastern culture and the textile technology of the West. This blend stems from his early exposure to the Western culture during the World War II American occupation in Japan, when he was just aged 10. He is noted to be one of the most innovative fashion designers and the first Asian to be renowned globally as such.

He studied and majored in graphic design at the Tama Art University in Tokyo. As a student he was influenced by Richard Avendon, Hiro and Andy Warhol. He moved to Paris in 1964 where he learned haute couture by working as a design assistant for Guy Laroche and Givenchy. He moved to New York and created designs for Geoffrey Beene, until he finally returned to Tokyo in 1970 where he founded the Miyake Design Studio. He started to incorporate designs with Japanese elements, such as the kimono and sashiko coat.

In 1978, he published a book called "East Meets West" - a picturesque collection of his greatest designs. A year after, he opened a company in France, followed by another in the States in 1982. In the late 80s, Miyake tried to experiment with a technique that would let fabrics stay permanently pleated yet allow flexibility for the consumer. This turns out to be one of the most popular lines of Miyake's and is aptly named "Pleats Please". He collaborated with ballet productions such as "The Loss of Small Detail" and "Garden in the Setting" for the costumes. He also launched another popular line, A-POC (A Piece of Cloth), which showcases single, ready-to-wear clothes.

In 1992, Miyake's first fragrance, L'eau d'Issey (French for Issey's water) for women was launched. It was succeeded by L'eau d'Issey Pour Homme (for men) in 1994. In 1999 he temporarily turned over his collection to work associate Naoki Takizawa to re-focus on research. In 2004 he introduced yet another perfume, L'eau Bleue d'Issey Pour Homme, but production was recently cut off because of low sales.

Miyake received numerous recognitions for his creative ingenuity. In 2001 he was awarded by Toronto for being a world leader in innovative fashion. Then, he won the Arts and Philosophy Prize in Kyoto in 2006. He was also featured in an exhibit hosted by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London entitled "What is Radical Fashion".

Today, Issey Miyake has yet another new line of fragrance in the market, L'eau d'Issey Pour Homme Intense and has several stores in Tokyo, Paris, London and New York, where his flagship store in Tribeca showcases his complete collection. Aside from clothing and perfume, his label also features hosiery and home furnishings, a proof that Issey Miyake does not limit himself to the niche of a fashion designer, but also lends himself to life and art.

Best Baby Clothes

Buying baby clothes can be so much fun with loads of choice and so many wonderful and cute outfits. When you are starting out it is so easy to get distracted from what your baby needs and start buying baby clothes just on how they look.

For a newborn the rule is easy, keep your baby clothes simple. Avoid complicated baby clothes with lots of buttons, difficult clasps and little bows. Don’t buy newborn babies clothes with looks in mind, keep to comfortable and practical. Look for clothes that have been designed for ease of use, baby clothes with envelope necks that stretch and little stretch suits with easy fastenings up the legs.

With baby clothes think about comfort and warmth. ‘All in one’ body suits that fasten between your babies legs are brilliant for helping keep your baby warm.

It’s natural for you want your baby girl to look pretty in her clothes and buying cute little dresses is an obvious way to go but not what is best for your baby. Dresses just aren’t a practical item of clothing, they easily ride up your baby’s body leaving her cold, exposed and uncomfortable and when your baby starts to crawl, a dress will just get in the way. Keep to the rule, buy your baby clothes with comfort and practicality in mind and keep the cute dress for special occasions.

As your baby grows the type of baby clothes you buy will need to change. Body and stretch suits are fine before your baby starts to crawl but from three months you want to start thinking about little colourful romper suits (basically stretchsuits without feet) and dungarees. As your baby grows and embarks on each new stage of their life the type of baby clothes you buy need to change so that your baby is dressed in clothes fit for the job.

When you are buying baby clothes keep weather in mind. When it’s warm go for cool and comfortable cottons and don’t forget a sun hat for when you are out and about. In cooler weather clothes made of natural fabrics will help keep your baby warm.

Your baby won’t need proper shoes until his is starting to walk but making sure all-in-one suits, socks and bootees aren’t constricting your baby’s toes is very important. Regularly check that your baby always has enough room in his clothes to wriggle his toes.

Spring Fashion 2006

‘The look’ for spring 2006 is a bit lighter than in seasons past. You may recall that last fall/winter marked a long overdue return to structure and basic black. Well, it’s time to move on! This spring is about mixing and matching. We’re not talking about the ‘boho chic’ of last spring, but of mixing the old with the new. Case in point: the Chloé 2006 collection combines 1960’s mod with 1940’s a-line proportions and chunky platforms. Gucci also looked back into the archives, finding older prints and patterns and reworking them with a modern eye. “We’ve come out of a long period of monochrome,” said new Gucci designer Frida Giannini, “And I love prints and colors. What I want to do is an intelligent kind of glamour for my generation. Mixing the 1940s’s and 1970’s has revived the brand yet again, just like Tom Ford did for the house almost a decade ago.”

Prada has moved to the other extreme, introducing fewer form-fitting pieces in favor of a looser-fitting silhouette with a focus on white and soft greys. Bamboo platforms and open toe boots were the collection highlights. Miu Miu, Prada’s sister label, presented disco-chic shoes in gold with wild patterns that really stood out. Louis Vuitton Marc Jacobs drew on a refined 1980’s influence with an emphasis was on stylish embellishment. No shoulder pads (thankfully).

In men’s wear we are seeing more of the ‘well groomed, well dressed man.’ Skinny suits are the order of the day from Hedi Silimane for Dior men’s collection and Dolce and Gabbana men’s. Suit jackets and blazers have assumed smaller proportions, shorter sleeves, and shorter body length. John Varvatos is using sun washed fabrics and going for a softened military look. Burberry Prorsum made a trench coat comeback, modernizing the garment without changing its structure. Miu Miu men’s flashed back to the 1980’s with square shoulders, crew neck shirts, and pointy shoes reminiscent of Duran Duran a la ‘Planet Earth.’ Stefano Pilati, head designer for Yves Saint Laurent, built the YSL men’s collection on a foundation of Moroccan intrigue. Think less Marrakech (where Yves plays house) and more Paul Bowles, the American writer (in)famous for his lifelong artistic and cultural exile in Tangiers. Sharply tailored linen suits and military style shirts made for a look of casual sophistication.

Long locks and wavy, casual styles mark spring trends in hair. Natural, windblown, and air dried looks are replacing a more ‘styled’ finish. Do it yourself at home with a dab of Bumble and bumble Styling Balm, or mix a dollop of Leave-In Conditioner with a touch of Defrizz. Natlie Portman’s close crop and Sienna Miller’s short bob (hopefully) portend a comeback for shorter styles. These kinds of cuts look particularly good with dab or two of B&b Sumotech and a shot of Surf Spray – nice and tousled.

Gender Neutral, Unisex Baby Clothes Are Hard to Find

Gender stereotyping starts even before a child is born. As friends and family buy gifts for an upcoming birth, color choices are often limited to pale green or yellow if the baby’s gender is to be a surprise. If the baby’s sex is known, or after the child is born, pale pinks and small flowers adorn newborn girls’ clothing, while light blue with trucks and sports insignia adorn newborn boys’ clothes.

An attempt to find gender neutral clothing, unisex, or bright colored clothes for babies and toddlers can result in frustration. The clothing exists and boutiques do carry them, but the selections are often limited. Children’s clothing should represent the spirit of childhood: fun and exciting, colorful and unique. Children’s clothing should not begin to stereotype children prior to their ability to determine their own likes and dislikes. This does not mean dressing boys in pink lace and girls in black, it means providing a range of colors and options.

There are some wonderful children’s boutique clothing with colorful, unisex designs. It can take some time and perseverance to find these clothes, but there are sources available for busy parents and shoppers.

Finding high quality, gender neutral and unique baby clothes can be a challenge, but hopefully not as difficult as it once was!

Breaking with the current trends, while still being fashionable, Polkadot Patch Boutique opened in April 2006. Online at polkadotpatch.com, parents looking for unique, whimsical and bright colors, as well as fun gender neutral clothing will find a growing selection at one, convenient location. While you will still find pink and blue, black and brown, unless it is bright, whimsical or unique, Polkadot Patch Boutique will not carry it.

For fun bright colored baby clothes see the Cow & Lizard line featuring turtles, fish, and caterpillars. For something a little more funky, take a look at the “Zoot” the Bee or “Algernon” the Fox on the long sleeve shirts, with matching striped pants and hats from Tiny Tyrants.

Buying Satin Bridesmaid Dresses Online

Choosing a satin bridesmaid dress that suits everyone in the bridal party can be a daunting task. It would be ideal to get all the attendants to get together and go on a shopping trip, but that is not always possible. Between jobs, family commitments and travel restraints, coordinating such an event can be impossible. That is why many brides are now choosing to buy their bridesmaids' dresses online. But how do you know what to look for and whether you are getting a good deal?

Why buy online?

Lets start by looking at the reasons to buy the dresses online. Firstly there is the convenience factor. Often bridesmaids can live in different states or even different countries and if you want their input it is easy to give them a url where they can all view the dresses. Cost also comes into consideration. Online stores have less overheads, meaning they can bring you the same dresses you see in the stores, but at a lower price.

How to get a good deal

Online stores have sales just like regular ones. Sometimes these are advertised on the main page, but other times you need to be subscribed to the mailing list to take advantage of "member only" sales. If you find a site that has styles you like have a look at what deals they are offering. Don't be afraid sign on for updates. A reputable store will always let you unsubscribe after the wedding is over.

How to ensure the dresses will fit

The thing that most people worry about with ordering online is will the dresses fit? There is one sure fire way to ensure that they will, read the sizing chart. Don't let you bridesmaids just tell you what size they are, make sure they measure. Occasionally they will find that they are different sizes in different parts of their body. If this is the case, always go for the largest size. It is much easier to take a dress in than try and let it out.

Is my money safe?

Whilst it is becoming more and more common, people still wonder if it is safe to shop online. The trick is to look which payment processors are being used and whether the site is secure. On top of that, most credit card companies now offer integrated fraud protection whenever you shop online. That means if you have a problem with your transaction, the credit card company will step in and refund your money. This does vary from card to card, so make sure you check your terms of service.

With all this in mind, you should be ready to start shopping! Remember, like normal bridal stores, it can take time for the dresses to be ready. Be prepared, order early and you will have on less thing to worry about as the big day draws closer.

Flower Girl Dresses for Spring

Soon Spring will be in the air - and with Spring comes weddings!

Flower girl dresses are one of the last things to be ordered for most weddings. The reason is simple - children grow rapidly and it is risky to order too early.

So how should a Bride plan her flower girl dresses to be in time for her wedding?

First, don't put it off until it is too late. We recommend ordering approximately 4 months before the wedding. Most dresses are available to deliver in 12 weeks or under, so if you order 4 months in advance you are allowing for any unforeseen problems and still get delivery in plenty of time to have them altered before your wedding date. Three months should still work in most cases.

And there is a LOT to be said for the ease of mind knowing that it has been done and all is well!

How to select the style(s)? That's purely a matter of personal preference - but we can help you with some guidelines here.

Flower Girls - typically young girls age 8 and younger - are always sweet and adorable with a classic ballgown style dress (frothy full skirt gathered to waistline). No matter what look you select for your adult attendants, flower girls will always look darling in this type of dress. But this isn't your only choice . . . .

Flower girl dresses can be coordinated to reflect the look of the bride or bride's maids in many ways without having to struggle to exactly match (which is rarely possible). What do we mean?

" Match the silhouette. For instance, if you have A-line dresses for the adults, you can select an A-line style for your flower girls.

" Coordinate features of the adult dresses such as selecting a similar neckline. If you and/or your adult attendants are wearing a V neckline, for instance, select a dress with a V neckline for your flower girls.

" Other features can be reflected in your flower girl dresses. For instance, the pick-up style skirts are VERY popular with brides; you can select flower girl dresses with pick up skirts too.

" Coordinate the colors. It's impossible to match colors if you are ordering dresses from different companies - or even from the same company if at different times - because every dye lot is different. However, you can coordinate the colors beautifully by selecting contrasting colors, different shades of similar colors (like pink to go with burgundy) or add a splash of color with a sash, with flower petals or with embroidery to a white or ivory flower girl dress.

" Length can be either tea or formal length - entirely your choice!

Older girls will likely prefer to be called "Jr. Brides Maids" and many will chafe at the thought of wearing a dress they consider to be "babyish". Care has to be taken to select a style that looks a bit older and yet is still age-appropriate (after all, she IS still a child attendant).

Some ballgown styles are very suitable for the Jr. Brides maid, but most older girls - especially age 10 and up - prefer the sleeker styling of an A-line gown. It helps make them feel more grown up. You can still incorporate coordinating features as we discussed above for flower girl dresses.

Evening Dresses - Dress Up For An Evening Party

Evening Dresses are meant to be worn strictly for special occasions held only in the evening. Evening parties are always special no matter for what occasion and so it definitely demands a special eye-catching dress. Dressing up very well for an evening party is the most important thing for women as it adds a special feeling of elation for every woman.

Style and colour is the most important feature of an evening dress. Not every dress works for all body types. So the right colour, style and the size is very important. Evening dresses can be of various types depending on the kind of party that needs to be attended. For occasions like a birthday party, wedding or a New Years party the dress can be either classic or sophisticated, while for a discothèque the dress will be more glamorous.

Evening dresses are usually bright in colour, but black has always been the most commonly worn colour in the evening. These black dresses can also be accessorized with shimmer, embroidery, very simple jewellery to give a more gorgeous look. However, depending on the season, the type of dress can also vary. In the winter season people usually pay more attention on the colour and style of overcoats or shawls that they would wear for their evening party, while in summers people usually dress-up in bright and light clothes.

Another import aspect for evening dresses are how comfortable they are, since parties in the evening are usually light events meant for having a leisure time. Also, the difference between morning and evening dress should be distinctly marked. The perfect evening attire helps in elating a woman's confidence and has a way of making her feel special. There are many different kinds of evening dresses that can be worn for different occasions. Some of them include Evening Gowns, Ball gowns, Prom Dress, Wedding dress, Cocktail party dresses and many more. Cocktail party dresses are short, while long dresses are reserved for the other evening dresses. The little black dress is the most common look for cocktail parties.