SHOPPING 4 FUN: Oktober 2008

Jumat, 31 Oktober 2008

New choice for intimate apparel

It is not that time any more when lingerie used to be only lacy and frilly. Leather lingerie is an in thing these days, looking as glamorous as lace lingerie. It is gradually becoming popular and gaining acceptance in the fashion world. Leather lingerie is also being paired with a number of other clothing items, to create a unique effect. This article seeks to study this fashion of leather lingerie in detail.

Leather lingerie today is available both for men and women, in a variety of colours, patterns and finishes. Belts, corsets, bras, teddies, panties, stockings, thongs, etc. are some of the commonly available types of leather lingerie. The sizes available range from normal to extreme plus. Leather lingerie is commonly available in the traditional colours of leather such as black, brown, white, and tan. A number of lingerie producers have now started producing leather lingerie ranges, sensing the rising demand for the same. Leather lingerie is easily available in most lingerie shops over the world, as well as in online stores.

The quality and feel of leather lingerie depends upon a number of factors, such as the properties of the leather originally used, the agents that are added during the process of making the garment, as well as the technology used for the same. Modern technology has made it possible to make leather lingerie in different colours than the traditional ones, and to give different types of finishes to them.

The kinds of leather that are commonly used to produce garments are those of the cow, pig, sheep and goat. These days, artificial or man-made leather is also being largely used for the production of garments, which is known as faux leather. Faux leather is similar to original leather in appearance and qualities, except for the smell. Moreover, it is cheaper than original leather.

There are many reasons as to why leather lingerie is being preferred by more and more women around the globe. First of all, leather lingerie looks absolutely gorgeous and sensuous. Available in a variety of sizes, colours, finishes, and patterns, leather lingerie makes a wonderful fashion statement. It is suitable for all body sizes.

Good quality leather lingerie is soft and supple, and it does not irritate the skin when worn. Leather lingerie, when worn, heats up and reaches the same temperature as the body. This makes it well-fitting and comfortable to wear.

Leather lingerie is very easy to care for, and does not require much maintenance. The use of leather cleaners and conditioners helps in keeping the material soft and supple in the long run. Leather has good breathing properties, which makes leather lingerie quite comfortable to wear. Leather is a highly flexible material, making it form-fitting and adding to its comfort factor. Leather lingerie fits like a second skin, making movement fairly easy. Initially, a leather garment may seem tight, but with the passage of time and continuous wearing, it gets moulded in the shape of the body. It is highly durable, and does not tear easily.

Leather lingerie can make a wonderful fashion statement, and can speak volumes for the wearer. It can make a great gift item as well. So, if you are looking for something new and exciting in lingerie, do not forget leather lingerie!

References:

Picture Courtesy:

http://www.leatherobsession.com

Indian Womenswear Foresees Lucrative Market by 2010

The beauty of a woman lies in her graceful charm, and it is the desire of every woman to look gorgeous without losing the essence of what makes her uniquely attractive. A right kind of apparel enhances her beauty and makes her look presentable. Womenswear is more complicated comparatively with menswear. Its trends are capricious and keep changing constantly and swiftly in every season in design, fabric, color, and style, whereas, men's wear trends evolve slowly with predictable changes.

Womenswear Market Scenario:

Indian womenswear market is going through a phase of renovation. Total value of womenswear market is estimated to be around Rs. 37,000 crore during 2007. It further indicates a positive growth rate of 14% a year, for the next five years reaching Rs. 61,000 crore by 2010. With the increasing number of working women, and simultaneously; the amount of their disposable incomes, womenswear market has taken a new dimension with the entry of many new as well as foreign brands. Consistent changes in fads, increasing information and knowledge of dressing sense due to media exposure, have also supplemented to the metamorphosis. With more women coming into spotlight now, they seek to dress well, look presentable and also prefer to buy branded clothing. Thus this segment of the apparel market has ample growth opportunities, as the market still remains untapped with only a few notable brands.

Womenswear includes both intimate wear and outerwear. Main categories are suits and coats, T-shirts, jumpers, tops, jackets, skirts, blouses, sweaters, and sweatshirts. Ethnic Indian wears like salwar suits also add to it. As the number of working women increase, market for fusion wear and western wear are likely to grow simultaneously.

Prominent Womenswear Brands:

Indian retailers believe that womenswear and lingerie are the two categories that have a potential market and new brands can be introduced frequently. Branded wears for women is having an encouraging conversion rate of 60% on large store formats. Many manufacturers who were initially concentrating only on men's wear have started to focus more on the formal wears for women. Their main targets are working women in the age group, 22-40. Raymond has established its womenswear brand through its flagship brand 'Park Avenue', and its casual wear with the label 'Color Plus'. It is targeting to achieve 25% of the share in womenswear market estimating a revenue of Rs.400 crore by 2010. Premium labels such as Allen Solly, Esprit, and Mango have a solid market. Indian Terrain, with an intention to refocus its business has expanded its portfolio by including womenswear in its collection.

Lingerie market is also seeing a rosy future in India. Organized players will comprise 40% of the total lingerie market by 2009. Branded intimate wear 'Jockey' registered a 50% growth for womenswear during the first half of 2007, comparatively with a 30% growth in the menswear segment. French brand 'Etam', and Italian 'La Perla' have already made their Indian debut.

With organized retail structure gaining much more importance and new malls springing up, potential for branded wears foresee a lucrative market. Women like to look and feel attractive in the clothing she wears. With more and more women coming out of their shells for work, their challenging job environment, and women involving in jobs requiring long-haul travel, more requirements is felt for western wears. Retailers have to take care of providing a more conducive environment as they like to shop in privacy. With all positive aspects retail market for womenswear will witness a cut-throat competition in the forthcoming years with every retailer fighting for a slice in the pie.

References:

Kamis, 30 Oktober 2008

Fashionable embroidered jewellery

Trends in Indian jewellery demand are fast changing. Preferences are shifting from traditional forms of jewellery to trendy jewellery - commonly known as junk jewellery, fashion jewellery, imitation jewellery, and a gamut of other names.

A new trend is emerging in junk jewellery - embroidered jewellery. A far cry from the traditional heavy jewelry, embroidered jewellery is colourful, light, creative and fun to wear. This kind of jewellery that suits almost all kinds of garments is gradually gaining acceptance in the fashion world. Though embroidered jewellery has been around for quite some time on a small scale, the national and international demand for embroidered jewellery has been rising constantly in the past couple of years. It is now being considered as an item with a considerably high export potential.

Embroidered jewellery is commonly made of materials such as metal, shells, wood, cloth, sequins, glass, beads, horn, bone, lac, leather, etc. These materials are used in different combinations to create various kinds of artistic designs. A considerable amount of time, effort, creativity and precision is invested in the preparation of such jewellery, as most pieces have intricate workmanship. Bracelets, bangles, earrings, necklaces, rings, pendants and cufflinks are the commonly available forms of embroidered jewellery.

Usually, the base of the jewel is made of cloth, leather, metal, wood or lac. In the last three cases, the base is covered with cloth. Embroidery is done on the cloth, using colourful threads, so as to create attractive pieces of jewellery. Silver and golden threads are also made use of, to add to the elegance of the jewel. Sometimes, embellishments like glass, sequins, shells, beads, horn and bone are used to add to the beauty of the design. In some cases, precious and semi-precious stones are also made use of.

Usually, in case of rings, the base ring is made of metal, while an embroidered stud made up of felt, jute or leather is attached to it. Similar is the case with bracelets. The base may be made of metal, while embroidered studs or pieces of embroidered fabric may be attached to it. Some of the embroidery styles that are commonly found in case of embroidered bracelets are knot stitches, Romanian crocheting, woven picots, bullion knots and Tunisian Intarsia crocheting.

The craft of making embroidered jewellery was largely practiced in the villages of India, but with its rising popularity, it has begun to be produced in the urban areas as well. Sometimes, embroidered jewellery is also custom-made, to suit the individual requirements of customers.

Some of the main reasons behind the picking up of the trend of embroidered jewellery are that they are trendy, attractive and go with all kinds of apparel. Also, they are inexpensive, and can be easily afforded by all classes of people.

So, the next time you are looking for some trendy jewels, don't forget to shop for some great embroidered jewellery!

References:

Picture Courtesy:

Fusion Fundas - A Note on Indo-Western Fusion Fashion

As is the case with a number of things, Westernization has had its impact on Indian clothing as well. A significant part of the Indian population has turned to Western garments such as jeans, trousers, skirts, T-shirts, suits and shirts, and prefer them over traditional clothing such as sarees and dhotis. There is, however, a certain section of the population that prefers to stick to traditional Indian clothing. Interestingly in the last decade, a beautiful amalgamation of Indian and Western clothing has become popular, which has come to be known as 'Indo-Western' garments or 'Indo-Western fusion' garments.

Indo-Western fusion garments are being largely preferred by Indian consumers males, females and children alike and have now become 'the in thing'. These garments are gaining acceptance in the Indian mindset, and are becoming the choice of apparel at formal and informal events, as well as for work wear. There are several designers who have taken to the designing of Indo-Western fusion garments. Consequently, there are several such pieces of apparel available in the market.

Indo-Western fusion garments are usually a combination of Western-style patterns and Indian designs. Usually, in Indo-Western style salwar kameez, decorative stoles are used as an accessory for added effect. Another way of fusion commonly found in today's times is the use of ethnic embroidery styles from different parts of India - such as Phulkari from Punjab and mirror work from Rajasthan - on dresses with Westernised patterns. Sometimes, more elaborate embroidery styles such as Meenakari, Kundan, Resham and Zardozi work are also used. Denim jackets and pants with Indian-style embroidery and other embellishments on them are all the rage in India today. A shorter version of the kurta, called 'kurti', paired with denim pants or trousers is also quite popular, both among males and females. Another piece of Indo-Western fashion wear that is highly preferred in India is a kurti paired with a straight-cut pant-style salwar and a dupatta. With the passage of time, newer fusion styles are being developed such as short dupattas, pants with slits and sphagetti-style tops in case of salwar kameez. Patiala-style salwars worn with short shirts is yet another example of Indo-Western fusion wear largely preferred by youngsters in India.

This trend of Indo-Western fusion wear has also gradually spread to bridal wear. Sarees are being draped in the Grecian style, and saree blouses are becoming more and more Westernised in pattern. Lehengas worn with halter tops is another example of Indo-Western fusion fashion that is being accepted as wedding wear.

This amalgamation of elements from the Indian and Western cultures is found in accessories as well, especially in case of jewellery. Usually, a light Western touch is added to Indian traditional jewellery, so as to make it suitable for wearing with fusion wear. Apart from this, large, dangling earrings, beads, and fancy bracelets are also in vogue with fusion garments.

Coming to the reasons as to why Indo-Western fusion fashion has become so popular in India, several can be cited. Indo-Western garments have an elegant and trendy appearance, without losing the touch of Indian culture, making them suitable for wearing at all kinds of occasions. They are the perfect blend of elements from both Indian and Western cultures, balancing both, i.e. neither too Americanised nor too ethnically Indian. It is, thus, suitable for wear by almost all age groups, and is all the rage among the youngsters in India today. Indo-Western fusion garments are available in different styles, from daring ones to modest ones. They suit the Indian body type rather well. Fusion wear is more comfortable to wear, as against the cumbersome traditional Indian dresses, which is why it is being largely preferred by the working class.

So, the next time you are out shopping for something trendy but comfortable to wear, don't forget to stop for a few pieces of Indo-Western fusion wear!!

References:

http://www.americanchronicle.com

http://www.waytoindia.com

http://www.utsavsarees.com

http://www.sitagita.com

http://en.wikipedia.org

http://www.indobase.com

Picture Courtesy:

http://lh3.ggpht.com

http://www.meenalsindianfashions.com

http://www.zardosi.co.uk

Rabu, 29 Oktober 2008

The WSA show: The global footwear & accessories marketplace- Part IV

Source : World Shoe Association

Las Vegas Review-Journal

LOSING THEIR VERY SOLES

Crowds sparse at twice-a-year shoe convention

Sparse foot traffic this week in the Las Vegas Convention Center suggests fewer people than usual made tracks to town for one of the shoe industry's biggest conventions.

Thanks to an economic kick in the shins from increased manufacturing costs and decreased consumer spending, folks flogging footwear this week at the World Shoe Association Show say it's unlikely the 35,000 or so people who typically attend the semiannual event made the trip this time.

People who did make it say they weren't surprised attendance is down because manufacturers and retail buyers - especially small, specialty companies - are finding it hard to make ends meet.

"Customers owe money to their suppliers. They don't want to run into them," said Neal Marks of Hazan Shoes Inc., maker of affordable, stylized dress shoes sold in stores such as Mastroianni Fashion in the Las Vegas Valley.

Marks said he has attended the show regularly for about 20 years and expected fewer people would make the trip to Las Vegas for the event, which ran Monday through Wednesday at the convention center and The Venetian.

"The little guy is not here," said Marks, who estimated it cost his company about $20,000 for space, hardware and other expenses related to exhibiting at the show.

Others suspect larger firms are cutting costs by sending fewer people to conventions. If that's the case, shoe manufacturers might still write enough orders to make the show a success, but there will be fewer people spending on hotel rooms, restaurant meals and other building blocks of the Las Vegas economy.

"It only takes a couple of orders to pan through and a slow show becomes a great show," said Ken Struss, West Coast sales representative for Goorin Bros. Inc., a San Francisco-based retailer.

Struss was pushing products from Goorin's 1333 Minna brand, a line of hats styled by artists and aimed at younger buyers. In Las Vegas, the line is available at Stash Clothing stores, he said. "For the big guys it is status quo," Struss said. "For the other, smaller, exhibitors it seems to be pretty slow."

It isn't just the shoes, either.

Through May, the number of convention visitors to Las Vegas is flat compared to 2007 at about 3.3 million. But the number of conventions and trade shows is down almost 3 percent and the amount of money conventioneers spend in Las Vegas is down nearly 5 percent.

"Flat is good in this type of economy," said Chris Meyer, vice president of convention sales for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

The authority, which runs the convention center and boosts conventions at resorts throughout Las Vegas, is trying to juice attendance with increased marketing.

In March it launched a telemarketing service it says has made about 65,000 calls to potential convention attendees. About 2,000 of those responding told operators they would attend an event. At the typical spending level of $1,500 per person while in Las Vegas that translates to more than $3.1 million.

But attendance remains stagnant for some events, especially in hard-hit sectors of the economy.

"Anything that is in that retail space, they are having troubles," Meyer said.

The short shelf life of fashion trends has always lent an air of even greater volatility to footwear and other fashion-oriented industries.

But current economic problems seem deeper than sartorial sensibilities.

On the demand side, consumers who feel insecure about their jobs and the value of their homes are reining in spending on all but the most basic staples, such as gasoline, food and sensible clothing.

It's happening as the supply side faces dramatic increases in the cost of bringing products to market. Petroleum, which is needed to transport and manufacture shoes, costs about twice as such now as it did last year at this time.

And in China, where many of the shoes sold in America are produced, factories face rising costs because workers are organizing for improved workplace safety and higher wages and the government is enforcing stricter environmental regulations.

According to a report by specialty news service Internet Product Development Group, more than 2,300 shoe factories in one Chinese province closed during the first half of the year.

The news service, with bases in Prague, Czech Republic, and Washington, D.C., quoted factory owner Tim Hsu saying, "Shoe factories, clothing, toys, furniture, everyone is shutting down."

And it could worsen. A risk analyst from the firm Sovereign Advisers told the news service the problems in China haven't yet seeped through the supply chain in the form of higher costs.

"We expect a lag of two to three quarters before the real impact occurs," analyst Kevin O'Brien said.

The global squeezes on supply and demand are already taking their toll in Las Vegas.

"I think we are in a period of time now where it is that much more dramatic," said Diane Stone, chief operating officer of the WSA Show and the Collections at WSA. "There isn't just one thing going on now."

But Stone says the 60-year-old WSA show is better positioned than most Las Vegas conventions to weather the current economic storm. It moved to Las Vegas from Long Beach, Calif., 20 years ago and has been held at the Las Vegas Hilton and, now, the convention center and The Venetian in summer and Mandalay Bay and Sands Expo Center in winter.

With about 1,300 exhibiting companies, the event is widely known as the sole event for many retailers who want a one-stop shop to take in everything available on the market, an asset in tough times.

When people pare back, they tend to cut superfluous expenses first. Stone says that for many in the footwear industry, WSA is must-do event.

"In economic times like these, the shows that do best are the ones that are recognized industry leaders," she said.

The show changed hands late last year and management is cutting back on fancy parties and big concerts by the likes of Rod Stewart and Stevie Wonder in order to put the focus on feet.

That helps people who attend get more business done for less money.

"They are outrageously expensive to stage," Stone said of the concerts. "This is a business event. You want to invest in the right places."

Selasa, 28 Oktober 2008

The WSA Show: The global footwear & accessories marketplace- Part III

Source : World Shoe Association

CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOLE

WSA exhibitors hone in on comfort

Women have spoken and the shoe industry has obliged: Pretty shoes are now comfortable. Or, at least their manufacturers are doing everything they can to make them so.

The World Shoe Association, the bi-annual shoe and accessory convention at Las Vegas Convention Center and The Venetian, was in town this week and comfort was the big trend generating buzz on showroom floors.

If you're picturing Crocs and nurse shoes, you have the wrong idea.

We're talking footwear with a strong fashion focus. Velvet Angels, a new line designed by former head designer of LAMB, Joe Ponce, boasts a few nose bleed-inducing heels named after bars in L.A. The line's bowed heels, flats and kitten heels all come with silicone-padded insoles.

"For me it was a natural transition because I come from an athletic footwear background," Ponce said. "And when I started designing the line my wife said, 'Why can't these ever be comfortable?' "

Some of the Velvet Angels shoes sold locally in C-level and Shooz, hurt just to look at them and could consequently struggle with comfort claims. However, other shoe lines can rely on their reputations to uphold their claims, like the joint effort of Foot Petals and RSVP.

Foot Petals is known for its shoe inserts that relieve foot pain and RSVP is a comfort concentrated shoe line. Their collaborative collection, RSVP Cushioned by Foot Petals, is strictly sold on the Las Vegas-based retail shoe site, Zappos.com.

The Foot Petals Tip Toe and Haute Heel inserts are sewed into each of the shoes' sock liners to add a feel good element to each shoe. The line launches the end of August.

Paris Hilton's line of shoes, Paris Hilton Footwear, may include sky-high platform stilettos but even the heiress has taken steps to improve the wearability of her shoes. A cushy "comfort heart" is inside the inner sole of every shoe to make them viable options for women who "are on their feet all day."

Whether these lines hold up to their claims remains to be seen. But, rather than have you empty your purses testing each out, Shoetube.tv does the work for you. The online video channel aims to bring women together through their love of shoes. Part of its vast shoe coverage includes testing shoes' wearability and reporting the results.

Host Jill Hodges, who grew up in Las Vegas, reported from WSA and took note of the comfort efforts among manufacturers. A life-long shoe addict, Hodges has worn foot-straining shoes so long she's damaged her feet to the point she now needs corrective podiatry surgery. She plans to blog about it on the online video channel.

Her love-hate relationship with shoes makes it easy for Hodges to understand why women who watch Shoetube.tv are just as concerned with wearability as they are new trends.

"Chicks want to know if they're comfortable but they don't really care if they aren't," she said. "They just want to know what they're up against."

Senin, 27 Oktober 2008

The WSA Show: The global footwear & accessories marketplace - Part II

Source : World Shoe Association
At Vegas Expo, It's Shoetime'

LAS VEGAS- This city is a haven of glamour, glitter, and greed. Could there be a more natural location for one of the most elaborate shoe events in the world?

The World Shoe Association expo, billed as a "global footwear and accessories marketplace," took over the Vegas strip this week, drawing 35,000 guests and hosting retail players from more than 90 countries. Most flocked here to take in the Spring 2009 shoe collections. Fetishists met their match.

WSA is a surreal world where phrases like, "Your foot-beds are amazing!" and "We're combining trends, from the bootie to the gladiator to the bondage," and "like Ugg boots, but sexier" are uttered without irony. Where black, gold, and silver are tarted up as "black iris," "marigold," and "silver rose." Where the neologism "flexy" a conflation of flexible and sexy doesn't raise an eyebrow.

Showgoers - a stylish melange of buyers, vendors, designers, and brand founders - appeared to run on a steady fuel of caffeine, booze, and sugar. Fishbowls outside of every gleaming display booth - practically mini-boutiques within the enormous Las Vegas Convention Center - tempted with piles of wrapped chocolates or sticky confections.

Shoe companies constructed elaborate pavilions in which to hawk their wares. Me Too boasted a two-story wooden structure, while a lush white expanse of Panton chairs and Saarinen Tulip tables marked the Italian Shoemakers' base. Skechers ensconced buyers in a striking white capsule with gleaming blue panels and bamboo.

"The Box," an uber-chic compound, complete with a dreadlocked DJ and plastic goblets of red wine, hosted sleek collections from Velvet Angels (think knee-high filigree laser-cut leather boots) and Kathryn Amberleigh.

At the Venetian Hotel, more than 350 designer and luxury exhibitors at the Collections at WSA (think higher-end, aspirational brands) set up shop within the hotel's bedroom suites. There were United Nude colorful wedges splayed out on 600-thread-count sheets, strappy Isaac Mizrahi Couture numbers perched on an armoire, La Fenice stilettos balanced on mini-bar boxes of exorbitantly priced jelly beans.

Forget "Le Reve" down the street. This shoe-heaven dream was for real.

Minggu, 26 Oktober 2008

The WSA Show: The Global Footwear & Accessories Marketplace- Part I

Source : World Shoe Association

The WSA Show Steps up to Celebrate Product Excitement in another Successful Marketplace

New Trends with Global Reach Took Center Stage at World's Largest Footwear & Accessories Event

ENCINO, Calif.

The footwear and accessories marketplace was in full-swing this past week at The WSA Show and The Collections at WSA, held in Las Vegas. The industry's biggest names were out, and business flourished in every market category, from men's, women's, and kids' shoes, to jewelry and accessories, with exhibitor participation that included category leaders, emerging brands and rising stars. An estimated 29,515 participants from 99 countries/territories were in attendance in Las Vegas, representing a 2.8% increase over the February show.

"We are extremely pleased with the participation in this edition of the show," said Diane Stone, Chief Operating Officer. "We approach buyer recruitment by talking one-on-one with the top-tier retail organizations that are important to the brands, and 86% of those retail organizations attended the show. Like all businesses today," Stone continued, "some of their teams were smaller in line with controlling their costs, as we all are, but their buying power was here and that's what's most important."

On the first day, the show floor was buzzing when singer and actress "Fergie" appeared at the Brown Shoe Co. booth to launch her new footwear collections: Fergie and Fergalicious by Fergie. The Fergie collection boasts sophisticated, sexy shoes with a glam rock influence while the Fergalicious by Fergie line embodies the popstar's fun and funky pop rock edge. Both lines will make their in-store debut for Spring '09.

Major brands such as Steve Madden and Geox benefited from being at The WSA Show. "The WSA Show has been a very successful show for us," stated Phil Pine, National Sales Manager, Steve Madden. Kitty Bolinger, Director of Sales, Geox, mirrored Pine's sentiment by saying, "We're very pleased with the attendance to the show. We maintained a strong, consistent traffic flow to our booth and received tremendous response to our womens sandals."

Another part of the show causing a stir was The Box at WSA. Doubling the size from its February debut, The Box at WSA offered retailers and buyers better, contemporary, trend-driven handbags and footwear in an open, hip boutique-style environment, allowing visitors to freely explore and discover next season's trends from new and established designers including Velvet Angels, Sergio Tomani, Gwyneth, Boutique 9, Dikuza, Sacha London, Dulce, GogoGear, Anouk, NeuAura, Peta Martin, Joan & David, Manas Spa, Kathryn Amberleigh, Tara Crystalle, YOU by Crocs, Nina, Charles David and Kowalski.

"Exhibiting in The Box has been a terrific experience for us. As a new brand, it was the perfect venue for buyers to discover our product, and with a very minimal investment, we were able to make a really big impact," said Joe Ponce, president, Velvet Angels. "The Box really has become the venue that WSA envisioned it to be."

Attendees from all 50 states, plus Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, were among those to walk the show floor alongside buyers from 99 countries/territories from all continents. The global buyer recruitment efforts were strengthened significantly for this show, and in addition to the efforts of WSA's Retail Relations Team, The WSA Show and The Collections at WSA were recently accepted into the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) International Buyer Program, which accepts only 32 tradeshows per year.

In addition to hosting international buyers, the DOC was on hand to field inquiries from U.S. brands seeking international distribution. According to Joe English, senior international trade specialist, "We have had more inquiries at this show from U.S. companies seeking to establish or expand their global reach than at any show I can remember, and we at the DOC are pleased to find companies in the footwear industry so vigorously interested in transcending borders to build their businesses."

Also, returning after its debut last February was the Materials at WSA category, which continued to add a whole new dimension to the floor by rounding out WSA's comprehensive offerings to help service the supply chain needs of manufacturers and retailers. Materials at WSA offered industry leaders access to booths from over 70 exhibitors, educational workshop programs, hands-on demonstrations and an innovative trend area featuring fall/winter '09/'10 forecasts.

The WSA Show's July seminar series was second to none, offering 11 individual seminars and four workshops featuring the best assortment of speakers in the industry including Marshal Cohen (NPD Group), Mercedes Gonzales (Global Purchasing Group), Ellen Campuzano (Fashion FACTS Folio), and others.

Another unique facet of the show was the incredibly well-received Style Walk Lounge. The fun, inviting space, sponsored by American Express OPEN, entertained attendees with five live fashion presentations per day, expert commentary from TV personalities Lawrence Zarian ("Live with Regis and Kelly" and "Extra") and Monica Jackson (Las Vegas' "Fox5 News Live"), and upbeat music from the Playboy Mansion's resident DJ - DJ Crash. The Style Walk Lounge provided an exciting space with front-and-center exposure for a variety of new and undiscovered labels including Aetrex, Clarks, Blossom Collection, Nina, Grendha, Joan & David, Prima Royale, Lishan International, Florsheim, Toms Shoes, Wanted Groove/VYBE, Koolaburra, Report, Mia Shoes, YOU by Crocs, Ed Hardy, DiKuza and Tara Crystalle.

"Despite the economic challenges at the moment, at the end of the day it's all about the product," added Stone. "When editors came to talk to me during the show, I asked them what they thought of the product offerings and many told me they saw excitement. I strongly encouraged them to write about it because that's what retailers need so they can excite customers who will buy things that are new things they don't have. We are part of an industry that's great at innovation and creativity and the most exciting brands and retailers will make their way through these turbulent times. Everyone who mattered gathered in Las Vegas and I am confident that this industry's energy charged them up. We had numerous exhibitors who had a terrific show due in large part to their outstanding product offerings."

The WSA Show is gearing up for the next marketplace, which will take place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center and the Sands Expo Center February 12 -14, 2009. The Collections at WSA, making its debut in a 3-day format in February '09, will continue to be held in the suites at The Venetian.

About The WSA Show

The WSA Show is the world's largest and most comprehensive footwear, handbags, and accessories marketplace, offering a 360-degree viewpoint of the footwear industry. The twice-yearly event in Las Vegas attracts more than 37,000 participants from 95 countries in 2.1 million square feet of space. The Collections at WSA, an exclusive premium footwear and fashion jewelry show within The WSA Show, features 350 luxury footwear, handbag and jewelry designers from around the globe in an exclusive upscale setting. Materials at WSA, which launched in Las Vegas in February 2008 alongside The WSA Show, further expands the breadth of this industry marketplace to include the supply chain by focusing on materials, design, components, technology and sourcing alongside the finished product, becoming easily accessible to brand and retail leaders. For more details, please visit www.wsashow.com.

Sabtu, 25 Oktober 2008

Junk it up!!!

'Junk it up!!! - dress up in style with junk jewellery'

Talking of jewellery, gold, diamonds, silver and platinum have always been the choice of women worldwide. However, this is not the case any more. The trend now is that of junk jewellery, popularly known as funky jewellery, imitation jewellery, bling bling jewellery, modern jewellery or fashion jewellery.

More and more people are going in for junk jewellery, for office wear, school and college wear, and even for parties and other occasions. Not only teenagers, but people of all age groups are going in for junk jewellery. It's not only the women who are getting attracted by these trendy accessories, but men as well.

Junk jewellery is now available in almost every nook and corner in all the cities of India, and that too in a large variety. There are also several online stores that sell junk jewellery.

Such jewellery is in high demand all over the world. India, China, and Africa are major exporters of junk jewellery to USA, Australia and UK, in which there is a tremendous preference for this kind of jewellery.

The main reasons behind the rising popularity of junk jewellery are that it is colorful and trendy. It is lightweight, unlike traditional gold or diamond jewellery, and easily affordable, due to which it does not have to be safeguarded closely. The vast variety of colours and designs in which it is available as well as its easy availability has made it wearable on all occasions. One of the other reasons behind the picking up of the junk jewellery trend is the popularity created for it by film and television actors.

The materials in which junk jewellery is available are various:

Wood: Jewellery made from wood is trendy, and at the same time, has an elegant and natural look to it. Different kinds of wood can be used for making jewellery. Wooden jewellery is available in a number of natural colours. Usually, wooden jewellery is polished with beeswax, to give it a smooth finishing.

Beads: Beaded jewellery is available in a vast range of colors and designs. The fusion of different kinds and sizes of beads helps in creating unique and attractive designs. Bead jewellery can be very colourful and trendy.

Bone and horn: Bone and horn are used to create natural-looking, elegant pieces of jewellery. Different kinds of processes are done on the basic material, to create unique effects. Smoking, burning as well as bleaching and staining the horn or bone are some of the special processes carried out to create specific effects.

Brass: Brass is another material that is commonly used for making junk jewellery. Brass bangles are well liked by ladies the world over.

Resin: Resin is a highly versatile material, which can be moulded into a variety of shapes. Different kinds of finishes can be given to resin jewellery. Resin can be used in combination with other materials for making jewellery. It can be painted with a wide range of colours. On account of its flexibility, resin is a favourite material for jewellery makers.

Other materials: Some of the other materials used for making junk jewellery are paper, leather, glass, ceramic, clay, and plastic. Various kinds of stones are used with different materials. Semi-precious stones might also be used at times.

Junk jewellery is suitable for wearing with both modern as well as traditional outfits. It is available in large, ornamental patterns as well as in subtle designs. It is available in humourous and fun designs as well from zodiac signs to animals. Antique-look jewellery, oxidized, silver and gold-plated, stone-studded- name it and you can find it with a junk jewellery dealer. Junk jewellery is available in various kinds as well, from bangles, earrings and nose pins to arm bands and necklaces. Sometimes, a wonderful combination of traditional and contemporary designs can also be found. There is something for everybody, as far as junk jewellery is concerned!

It is quite obvious that junk is now in, as far as jewellery is concerned. Make sure you have a few pieces in your wardrobe too. Just junk it up!!!

References:

Picture courtesy:

Jumat, 24 Oktober 2008

The Production Floor in Apparel Manufacturing (An Analysis of SMEs in NCR Region)

In continuation with the article published in the previous issue on cutting room we now move on to the production floor. This article throws light on the fundamental systems of production management which are presently not followed in the industry resulting in poor productivity.

The analysis is based upon the survey conducted by the Methods Apparel Consultancy. Ten factories were rated and 300 people were assessed during the surveys in November-December, 2007 commissioned by the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) in association with Okhla Garment and Textile Cluster (OGTC) to analyze current systems and advise ways to improve overall productivity. The survey was done in two parts, the first analyzing the factory and the second evaluating the personnel.

A comprehensive checklist was developed which covered every department and each point on the checklist was awarded a value of 1 to 5 points, 5 being considered an International benchmark. The points awarded were added and a percentage score was calculated. Priorities for improvement for each department were established.

Production Floor ---------- No Measurement = No Management.

Current Production Managers are generally working with systems that are out of date, they are reluctant to learn new techniques and have little or no knowledge or interest in finding out what is available to help them improve and are reluctant to pass on their knowledge to trainees. They are doing what has always been done and repeating the same mistakes.

Production problems and bottlenecks are solved by adding additional labour instead of solving the problem that has caused the bottleneck. In some cases the management thinks that the louder you shout the more you will produce, this of course is not an answer. The major focus is to ensure that the order is delivered on time and not the efficiency that is required to remain competitive. The most skillful people in the organization are spending their time chasing orders and not problem solving.

7 of the 10 factories surveyed do not have systems in place to measure the efficiency. The average industry efficiency is between 35 -45% and certainly is not competitive in the world market. A few factories have been able to achieve improvements in their production floor by employing experts to train their people.

Bundle System

Most companies do not have bundle systems and have additional operators matching parts. Companies that do have bundle systems have poor bundle disciplines; in many cases the bundle quantity does not match ticket quantity.

Line layout and workflow

Line size is generally large comprising of 40-50 people. Line layout is poor, helper and ironing stations are often placed outside the lines. The operators are not placed in a proper sequence resulting in improper workflow and unnecessary helpers.

WIP and line balancing

The lines are not properly balanced in most of the companies. Due to paucity of proper work study procedures line balancing and WIP management is far behind acceptable standards. Average balance efficiency was around 60-65%. Line balance efficiency should be 80% or better.

Repair handling

Repairs are done within 30 minutes of their detection although in many cases repairs are not given to the person who caused them there were separate people to handle repairs. This is not a good practice since those responsible have no incentive to improve.

Meetings and reports

Reports are generally inaccurate due to improper data collection. Most factories have informal meetings on requirement basis only. There is a great need for formal supervisory meetings on a regular basis with an agenda and action requirement especially when there are shorter runs in production.

CASE STUDY: M/A Ratio Study in Factory XYZ

This is a study to establish what the operators are capable of:

M = Measured (Timed)

We timed each operation for 3-5 cycles to get the time taken by the operator.
The measured time = 23.3 minutes + 20% allowances= 28 minutes

An allowance of 20% was added to the measured time for all contingencies.

A = Achieved. This is the average time taken to produce the garment.

Total no of people working on the style: 39 working an 8 hour day, the production output per hour: 50 pieces. Therefore the actual time taken to make a garment is 47 minutes.

The M/A ratio is 28 / 47 x 100 = 59.5%

40.5 % of the operator time is lost, some of the reasons are:

Poor line balancing resulting in waiting time
Poor work flow
Poor supervisory control

Lost time

Lost time is described as "Time lost by operators for which they are not responsible". It can be used to monitor the effectiveness of line balancing, service by mechanics, and all other delays that cause the operator to lose productivity. None of the companies utilize this tool adequately.

**Please note that the efficiencies displayed on this chart are the measurement of "Section Efficiency" this means that lost time has been excluded from the calculations.

Two out of ten factories have attempted to record lost time; one factory has been able to reap substantial benefits from this data. Factory no 5 is monitoring lost time and identifying areas of improvement. Though, it still needs to refine its systems to achieve the full potential.

Production monitoring and control

Production boards are not present in many cases and wherever present are placed in inappropriate locations. Only those companies who have workstudy and operator management systems are properly able to monitor production and efficiency.

Clippers

All the companies except one had operators working with huge scissors.

Many operators trim pieces of fabric from garment panels that do not fit properly, if garment parts don't fit this indicates two possible problems:

(A) The garments have been poorly cut or

(B) The patterns are wrong.

It is essential that this activity is eliminated; operators should not be allowed to trim garment parts under any circumstances.

Recommendations

Bundle control systems with adequate bundle disciplines to be introduced.
Proper standard times and operator monitoring procedures to be established.
The supervisors trained to manage WIP levels.
The supervisors trained to do proper production monitoring and control.
Method improvement procedures introduced
Production monitoring systems to be introduced.
Production studies completed wherever poor performance is observed.
Lost time information collected analysed and acted upon.
Repair handling procedures to be revised.
Large inappropriate scissors eliminated.
Operators should not be allowed to trim garment parts.

The next article will discuss about the work-study departments and their importance in the garment factories.

(Surveys conducted by Methods Apparel Consultancy)

Source: AEPC Weekly (http://aepc.fibre2fashion.com/vol1issue58/special-focus.asp)

Look fabulous with flats!

Flat shoes usually conjure up an image of a boring, highly unpretentious pair of footwear. There are many women who have sworn off flat footwear for ever, claiming that it is not stylish or sophisticated. This, however, is not true. Flats can be fabulous too! And that is exactly what this article is all about - how to wear flats and still make your feet look fabulous!

There are a few guidelines that need to be kept in mind when wearing flat footwear. Following them will make a pair of flats look fashionable and cool.

Proper selection:

Flats usually have a simple style, which is the main reason behind so many women not preferring them. This problem can be combated by selecting the right kind of flats. Choosing flats in bright, lively colours and in lush materials could add just that right look to your outfit.

Metallic colours like gold, silver and copper are very much in vogue currently, in terms of footwear. These colours would play a significant role in making the footwear appear more fashionable and in playing down their simplicity.

In case you feel that flat footwear makes your feet look large, you should avoid thick soles and large buckles. Instead, going for petite and fashionable flat footwear would add a dash of feminity.

Using embellishments:

Embellishments such as bows, buckles, stones, straps, etc. can be added to flat footwear to increase their style quotient. With the right kind of adornment, flats can look just as stylish as high heels! However, it is advisable to be prudent with the embellishments, and not end up over-decorating the shoes.

Dressing up:

Dressing up in flowy, flowery, feminine clothes helps to a great extent in playing down the simplicity of flat footwear. It is a wise idea to wear a layered skirt, a flowing gown or a top with puffed sleeves when you are wearing simple flat footwear.

Short skirts:

Flats make the legs look shorter. Hence, it would be advisable to wear shorter skirts when you are wearing flats, which give a longer look to your legs.

It is considered a fashion mistake to wear flats with dresses that end at the knee. Instead, flats could be teamed with skirts that end just at the ankle and do not trail below them.

Shorter pant hemlines:

Due care needs to be exercised when wearing flats with pants. If the hemline of the pants is too long, it tends to drag and get soiled and, consequently, tear. It is thus advisable to wear pants with a shorter hemline when wearing flat footwear. Capris and flat footwear would also make an ideal combination.

Accessorize:

Flat footwear often gives the impression of casualness. To cope up with this problem, it would be advisable to carry a formal and glamorous accessory such as a handbag.

Clean feet:

As obvious as this might sound, flat footwear usually exposes more of the feet than in case of footwear with heels. Hence, for that stylish look, it is necessary that your feet be clean. A pedicure or a dash of nailpolish on the finger toes would not go amiss in adding to the stylishness of your flats.

The bottom line

Following a few simple guidelines can make your feet look like a million dollars even in a pair of flats. Flats are also better for your feet, and more comfortable to wear.

Usually, flats are preferred only by tall women or by women who are required to wear flats due to medical causes. However, this trend is changing. Flats are very much in this season, and are being widely accepted.

Coming to the kinds of flats available, there are plenty mules, loafers, formal shoes and dress shoes, among others. Theres absolutely nothing to lose in going for a pair of fabulous flats. Just go grab them!

References:

Picture courtesy:

Kamis, 23 Oktober 2008

Awareness jewellery - fashion with a cause

Are you seeking to promote a good cause? Are you seeking to spread awareness about a medical condition? Or do you want to just put across a simple message? Well, you can always do this through word of mouth or other means. Now, however, you can do this in a fashionable way. Awareness jewellery, all the rage now, could be just perfect for you. You can spread the message you want to, in a hip and happening manner.

Awareness jewellery was introduced in the market for the first time in the 1980s, in the form of rubber or silicone bracelets with a message on them. These bracelets were known as 'Silicone bracelets' or 'Gel bracelets'. The trend of using these bracelets was a fluctuating one, with its popularity rising and falling the world over.

In 2003, silicone bracelets became the subject of controversy in certain countries, wherein they were associated with an expression of a desire for immodest sexual behaviour. However, the popularity of these bracelets surged in the year 2004, when the Lance Armstrong Foundation introduced a yellow rubber bracelet with a message on it, with the aim of spreading awareness about and raising support for cancer patients. These bracelets became popular by the name of Livestrong® bracelets. The programs undertaken by the Foundation as well as the bracelets were widely talked about on The Oprah Show, which contributed to the popularity of the bracelet.

By the year 2005, similar bracelets began to be used by a number of organizations, charities and people for popularizing their cause. A number of charities began to be benefited through awareness bracelets.

With the passage of time, apart from the original cause of supporting a noble cause, silicone and rubber bracelets began to be used declaring one's life motto or belief. Support of troops, free speech, homeless programmes, supporting school education, and disaster relief are some of the causes for which silicone bracelets have been used. These bracelets also began to be available for a wide range of medical conditions - diabetes, cancer, thalassemia, AIDS, leukemia and Alzheimer's, among others.

Different colours began to be used in the bracelets to signify different conditions. For instance, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation uses pink silicone bracelets with the message 'Sharing the promise' on them. The Diabetes Research Institute used red bracelets with the message 'Insulin is not a cure', and the non-profit organization Keep a child alive also used a red bracelet to propagate their cause. Also, different styles of imprinting the message on the bracelet began to be used. Messages began to be embossed, debossed and laser-engraved on the bracelet.

Silicone bracelets became a popular means of spreading awareness, which can be attributed to a number of factors. They are highly durable, flexible as well as heat- and water-resistant. They are colourful and trendy, at the same time being inexpensive. They can be worn by people of both sexes. Some people prefer wearing a number of bracelets can also be worn on one hand. Recently, silicone bracelets have begun to be used by all kinds of organizations, including churches, schools and colleges. Today, these bracelets are also being used by corporates to popularize trade fairs and to advertise their products.

The latest fad in silicone jewellery is silicone rings, which are also available with a variety of messages and in a wide array of colours. A number of jewellery manufacturers are also coming up with 'awareness jewellery' - beautiful, stylishly designed metal jewellery that spread awareness about a number of medical conditions and other causes.

In today's times, awareness jewellery is being largely accepted in different parts of the world. Available for almost every imaginable cause, in every imaginable colour and design, in a variety of sizes and with a wide range of messages, awareness jewellery can be easily purchased from fancy stores, as well as from the Internet.

So, what are you waiting for? Flaunt your motto or that cause you deeply believe in, and do it in style with some awareness jewellery!

References:

1) http://www.ranked1.net

2) http://bagwellpromotions.com

3) http://wisegeek.com

4) http://en.wikipedia.org

Picture courtesy:

1) http://bagwellpromotions.com

2) http://www.generousgems.com

3) http://www.churchsupplier.com

4) http://www.jackeesjewels.com