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About Giorgio
Armani 08/13/2008
Giorgio Armani
Giorgio Armani - The Man Behind the Design was born in in Piacenza,
Italy. Giorgio Armani, Italy's premiere fashion designer formed his
company, Giorgio Armani S.p.A., in 1974, and by 2001 was acclaimed as
the most successful designer to come out of Italy. His work is crisp,
clean, elegant and tailored. Armani's designs have changed the look
and feel of contemporary fashion. He was originally trained in
medicine, but found his passion in photography, before being called
up for national service in 1957. He then worked in a department
store, La Rinascente, as a window dresser. From 1961 to 1970, Armani
worked as a designer in well-known fashion house Nino Cerruti, after
which he left to pursue freelance work. In 1974, with his partner
Sergio Galeotti, he established Giorgio Armani S.p.A., with a
menswear label, introducing a womenswear line in 1975. His sister
Rosanna Armani joined him in the company; Galeotti died of AIDS in
1985. Giorgio Armani S.p.A designs and manufactures products in
several categories including fashion accessories, apparel, cosmetics,
fragrances, home interiors, jewelry, eyewear and watches under
several labels including Giorgio Armani, Armani Collezioni, Emporio
Armani, Armani Jeans, Armani Junior, Armani Exchange A|X, and Armani
Casa Armani Collezioni is a high-end line from fashion designer
Giorgio Armani. The line is more expensive than the Armani Exchange
and Armani Jeans and Emporio Armani lines. This line has items that
are classy and very high quality and less trendy.It is also referred
to as Armani 'black label' and “haute Couture” Emporio
Armani is a more youthful inspired Armani Line that markets for
younger adults. Armani Exchange (often A|X) was created in 1991 is
geared towards younger customers and features urban style products,
especially T-shirts, jeans, polos, and sports coats. Armani Exchange
is the most affordable designer clothes of all the Armani lines and mainly targets the
American market. It is geared toward older teens and young adults
with a contemporary fashion style Armani Jeans is a lower-priced
collection of denim-related clothing created in 1981 by Giorgio
Armani Armani also created the 'power suit' which has been the
blueprint for business wear for over 20 years. In 1982, Armani graced
the cover of Time magazine, the first designer to receive that honor
since Christian Dior. Other awards that Armani has won during his
long and illustrious career include: · Neiman Marcus Fashion
Award (1979) · Cutty Sark Award for International Top Men's
Designer (1980, 1981, 1984, 1986, 1987) · Commendatore
Dell'Ordine Al Merito Della Repubblica (Italian Government Award) in
1985 · Occhio D'Oro as Best Designer for Spring/Summer
Collections in 1984, 1986, 1987, and 1988 · Gran Caveliere Della
Repubblica (Italian Government Award) and the Lifetime Achievement
Award for men's wear by the CFDA in 1987 · the PETA Award in
1990 · the Fiorino D'Oro Award for promoting Made in Italy image
in 1992 · Aguja De Oro Award for Best Designer of the Year in
1993 · GQ's Man of the Year Award in 1996 · Goodwill
Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 2002.
| About Dolce and
Gabbana |
| 08/13/2008 |
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Dolce & Gabbana
Dolce & Gabbana Domenico Dolce was born on
August 13, 1958 in Polizzi, Generosa (near Palermo, Sicily). He got an early
start in the fashion design business working for his father's small company.
Stefano Gabbana, of Venetian origins, was born on November 14, 1962 in Milan. He
began his academic career studying graphic design but soon turned his attention
to his real love, that of fashion. Both men spent two years working as assistant
designers but one day decided that they wanted to start their own design studio.
They made it happen in 1982. Dolce & Gabbana both had an interesting and
eclectic mix of ideas to bring to the clothes they designed and it was believed
(and still is) that Dolce's ties to Sicily inspired many of their fashions. The
dynamic team of Dolce & Gabbana got their first break in 1985 when they were
among three names chosen to present their collections in the new talents
category at the shows held in Milan. Their work was met with much praise and
admiration Being one of Madonna's favorite fashion designers helped this pair
immensely on their climb up the ladder of success. Together they have designed a
great many costumes for her to wear in her world tours. And their work just
keeps getting better and better! The unique vision of Dolce & Gabbana is
evident in all of the clothes they make, clothes that have "real" women in mind.
This team does not make clothes that just look good on models on a runway;
instead they want women from all different types of backgrounds, cultures and
lifestyles to enjoy wearing their fashions. The designs of Dolce & Gabbana
draw inspiration primarily from Mediterranean colors and culture. The clothes
are not rigid or unyielding, but instead cheerful and sensual. Their fabrics of
choice include lace, silk and wool. Both men put their "all" into the work they
undertake Another major success came for Dolce & Gabbana in 1988 when they
signed an agreement with the Onward Kashiyama Group and began distributing their
designs in Japan. This allowed them to break into a relatively untapped fashion
market, up to that point. Dolce & Gabbana`s first knitwear designs were
launched the previous year and in 1989 they came out with their very first
lingerie and beachwear outfits, closely followed by a menswear collection in
1990. To say they were on a roll was an understatement. Further agreements were
signed to design the Complice line for the Genny group. But it didn't stop
there- following on the heels of their agreements was the boutiques they
established, first in Milan, then in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei and Seoul.
Dolce & Gabbana launched a perfume in 1992, which won the Perfume Academy
International Prize for the best female fragrance the following year. Dolce
& Gabbana manufactures products in several categories including fashion
accessories, apparel, cosmetics, fragrances, home interiors, jewelry, eyewear
and watches under two labels: D&G and Dolce&Gabbana. Dolce&Gabbana
specializes on more expensive luxury items, is influenced more by designers and
is more formal and 'timeless', responding to long-term trends rather than
seasonal changes. D&G is a more casual line geared towards the younger set,
in relation to both style and price and follows an urban inspiration and
attempts to set trends rather than follow them.
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| Prada News |
| 08/13/2008 |
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Prada
Prada,
is a well-known Italian fashion company. The company, originally known in Italy
as "Prada Brothers", was founded in 1913 by Mario Prada in Milan. In 1978,
Mario's granddaughter Miuccia Prada inherited what was still a leather goods
business from her grandfather, and led the company's expansion into couture with
an overall more bohemian style.
Currently Prada is considered one of the most
influential clothing designers in the fashion industry. Prada. The name
alone signifies style and luxury, designer handbags and fabulous
shoes
. Prada
is recognized worldwide for its simple and elegant creations.
Their
shoes for men and women have become a staple for fashion enthusiasts and
celebrities alike, and those extraordinary handbags are still wildly popular.
The distinct silver Prada triangle is a status symbol all over Europe and North
America.
In 1992,
Miuccia presented the more affordable Miu Miu line, which targeted a younger
consumer. More flowing shapes and earthy colors and prints set this collection
apart, although the simple designs and classic appearance continued the quality
of the Prada label. Soon after, the Prada Sport label was created, followed by a
line of men`s wear and a lingerie collection. The following year, in 1993, Prada
received the Council of Fashion Designers of America award for accessories.
The Prada look has certainly evolved over the years, and Miuccia is credited
with many innovations in fabric and design. She has added everything from mirror
fragments to beaded latex to her garments, and experimented with new and unique
fabric blends. Even with all of this experimentation however, the caliber of the
finished product has never wavered.
Prada
garments and accessories are smart, sophisticated, and extremely high quality.
Luxurious fabrics and simple styles, mostly in blacks, browns, grays, greens,
and creams, are the signature Prada look. The Prada apparel is sexy and speaks
of confidence without revealing too much skin. Prada accessories included skinny
leather belts, elegant high heeled shoes, and of course, the classic
handbag.
Following
the lead of other companies in a popular trend to absorb as many other fashion
houses as possible, Prada took on large debts when it acquired the financially
floundering Rome-based house of Fendi in the early 1990s. Prada assumed shares
in Fendi with the LVMH company. Prada was unable to turn around/support the
money-losing Fendi label, and sold its Fendi shares to LVMH. Prada is still
recovering from this debt. In 1999, the company acquired Church's, the English
maker of quality shoes; more recently a 45% stake has been sold to
Equinox.
The
Prada Group's other notable purchases in the 1990s were the Helmut Lang and Jil
Sander labels. By 2006, however, both labels had been sold. Jil Sander was sold
to the private equity firm Change Capital Partners, which is headed by Luc
Vandevelde, the chairman of Carrefour, while the Helmut Lang label is now owned
by Japanese fashion company Link Theory.
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| Gucci News |
| 08/13/2008 |
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Gucci
Gucci, or the
House of Gucci, is an Italian fashion and leather goods label.
Much of Gucci’s
appeal lies in its classic designs. Gucci has been a part of the fashion world
for nearly 100 years. Gucci is recognized for being a brand for the wealthy and
glamorous. Gucci is known for producing high quality products, including
luggage, jewelry, clothing,
fragrances, and eyeglasses. Gucci has always been very popular
amongst celebrities and film stars with clients including Audrey Hepburn, Jackie
Onassis, Sophia Loren and Elizabeth Taylor. One of the label’s most famous
handbags is called the Jackie O. The popular shoulder bag was named after Jackie
Kennedy was photographed carrying it. The bag still remains as an important part
of Gucci’s collection. Similarly, the flora design was created for Grace Kelly
and is still popular today .
Gucci was
founded by Guccio Gucci (1881-1953) in Florence in 1921. Guccio Gucci originally used the
shop as an outlet for selling leather goods to horsemen. In 1938, Gucci opened
the first retail shop in Rome. Known for high quality and having
long been recognized as a symbol of prestige, the Gucci fashion label remains a
vital part of the fashion industry. With both classic and new creations which
are crafted from rich materials such as satin, crocodile, and velvet, Gucci
reflects a unique sense of glamour that can be enjoyed by both men and women.
Gucci’s designs are recognizable because of certain signature trademarks. Two of
these trademarks are the double G logo and the red striped webbing that appears
on many of the pieces. Another trademark of the label, the Gucci horsebit can be
found on anything from shoes to watches and bags. As a symbol for the label, the
horsebit refers back to the company’s early beginnings.
The Gucci label was passed on to
Guccio's four sons, with Maurizio Gucci eventually becoming President of the
company. The 1990s saw a protracted legal battle with an investor and Gucci
making a huge loss in 1991.
The label was revived by Tom Ford
and and Dawn Mello, through a combination of cost cutting, a reduction in the
product line and a total reorganisation of the company. The company's finances
began to improve in 1992 and a Tom Ford designed snaffle clog was a huge hit.
Maurizio Gucci was murdered in
1995 and his wife was convicted of his murder. Taking Tom Ford's was succeeded
by Alessandra Facchinetti, who joined Gucci in
2000.
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| Fendi News |
| 06/10/2008 |
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FENDI
Adele Casagrande founded the house of the Fendi in
1918 when Adele Casagrande opened a leather and fur shop in Via del Plebiscito
in central Rome.Adele married Edoardo Fendi in 1925 they decided to change the
name to Fendi. The business prospered, and a new shop was opened in Via Piave in
1932.
Adele's had five daughters, Paola, Carla, Anna, Franca, and Alda.They all joined
the family business. Over
time their business prospered and grew
rapidly.
In 1965 German designer Karl
Lagerfeld joined Fendi and it proved to be fortuitous for both. Lagerfeld
immediately created the inverted FF logo that joined the growing list of
international status symbols, and then set about, aided and abetted by the
sisters, to revolutionize the treatment of fur and other
clothing.
Fendi is
well known today for their treatments of luxurious fur accessories and garments,
Lagerfeld and Fendi began to develop new and different ways to use fur. They
made it lighter and less cumbersome, softer and much more wearable. They
continued to find new ways to treat fur, including new methods in tanning and
dying it, and created pieces out of hides that had never been used in the
fashion industry. In 1969 Fendi presented its first ready-to-wear fur
collection at Palazzo Pitti in Florence, bringing continuously evolving
techniques and imaginative designs to lower-priced furs without sacrificing
quality.
President of Bloomingdale's, discovered Fendi's leather goods and
introduced them to the United States. Other outlets soon followed, and today
Fendi is largely represented through high-end department stores. The company's
accessories are now found on the arm of many stars and signature bags such as
the Spy, buckled B-bag, and embellished bucket bag are often in high demand
sometimes creating long waiting lists.
The Fendi sisters
had discovered that they couldn't find the exact garments they wanted their
models to wear under their furs, and thus the Fendi ready-to-wear line was
created. Fine fabrics and designs that were ahead of their time brought Fendi
into the spotlight once again.
Fendi
designs and manufactures products in several categories under several labels and
companies that include
Fendissime
This "young" line (also known by Prada's Miu Miu line) was formed by Karl
Lagerfeld in 1962 in cooperation with input from the five daughters. It is now
discontinued.
Writing
Instruments
Fendi
licensed their name and logo to Cross Pens in 1989. As of 2000, Cross was no
longer producing writing instruments under the Fendi name.
Timepieces
Fendi currently licenses out their name for their watches, which feature
Swiss movements.
Fragrances
Fendi launched its first perfume, Fendi for Women, in 1985. The line has
been expanded to Theorema Uomo and Fendi Uomo (for men) and Celebration and
Fantasia (for women).
Eyewear
Fendi's eyewear line currently includes prescription eyeglasses and
sunglasses in addition to non-prescription
sunglasses.
Furs
Fendi's internationally renowned line of fur helps to differentiate the
brand from its competitors as one of the few designers with a full range of fur
offerings. Naomi Campbell was fired from her position as a People for the
Ethical Treatment of Animals spokesperson in 1997 for wearing fur at a Fendi
fashion show. Elizabeth Hurley wore a red Fendi coat in the 2000 film Bedazzled,
costaring Brendan Fraser.
Prêt-à-Porter
This includes all of Fendi's clothing sold off-the-rack at department
stores.
Fendi
Casa
Fendi's newest brand offering a wide variety of home furnishings.
Furniture, sofas, armchairs, poufs, chaise-longues, consoles, day-beds: items of
everyday life seen, interpreted, and lived with the typical Fendi style and
culture. Above all this there is one common denominator: the home seen once more
as the heart of a lifestyle, small pieces of furniture acting as a support for
the most immediate and practical needs and more significant pieces to be
personalised according to the taste. Great attention is paid to the past while
tending towards the future, with considerable concern for evolution in modern
design, which is interpreted, enjoyed and shared in the spirit of today’s
culture. And so we find objects for the home distinguished first of all – as is
the entire creation of Fendi - for their fine quality: great care and attention
in the choice of fabrics and their combinations, and in the 'mix' of materials
which creates new forms. All this together with the craftsmanship and attention
to detail, the careful working and hand finishing, the personality which is an
integral part of Fendi style. And last but not least, that creativity and
imaginativeness which come from research and experiment, a mood which extends
from fashion to design through the creation of personalised and personalising
objects.
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| What is haute
Couture |
| 07/23/2008 |
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Haute Couture:
Charles Frederick Worth is widely considered
the father of haute couture as it is known today. He was born in
Bourne, Lincolnshire, England, but made his mark in the French fashion industry.
While he created one-of-a-kind designs to please some of his titled or wealthy
customers, he is best known for preparing a portfolio of designs that were shown
on live models at the House of Worth.
Haute Couture is a
French phrase for high fashion. The purchase of a haute couture model garment is
at the top level of hand customized
fashion design and clothing construction made by a couture design house.
A model haute couture garment is made specifically for the wearer's measurements
and body stance. The made to measure exclusive clothes are virtually made by
hand, carefully interlined, stay taped and fitted to perfection for each
client. Dependant on the Haute Couture design house and the garment, the cost of
a couture item runs from about £10,000 to £40,000 and often beyond that
figure. The manual labour needed to produce a garment this way takes between
100-150 hours for a suit and up to 1000 hours for an embellished evening dress.
The fabrics and colors used for haute couture are exclusive and reserved for the
couture house. Haute Couture is the prestigious front for French creative
fashion and original design. This ultimately translates into the lesser priced,
but still costly designer label known as Prêt-à- Porter or
ready to wear. In turn, the ready to wear and couture house beauty industry
employs a huge workforce for the many lower level sales of perfume and
accessories.
Some of the fashion houses owing
Haute couture houses are Callot
Soeurs, Patou, Poiret, Vionnet, Fortuny, Lanvin, Chanel, Mainbocher,
Schiaparelli, Balenciaga, and Dior. Yves Saint Laurent, Pierre Cardin, André
Courrèges, and Emanuel Ungaro, Jean Paul Gaultier, Giorgio Armani, Valentino SpA and many more.
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| How to spot a fake
handbag |
| 08/14/2008 |
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Designer handbags are known for their wealth, good taste and high quality.
These are bags showcasing power and status and released in limited editions.
They are one of kind bags that all want to own . These day to meet the growing
demand of designer bags a number of replica handbag companies have come up. So
we understand that it is very important that we check the bag thoroughly before
we buy a designer bag and make sure that we are buying an authentic designer
handbag.
To distinguish an authentic handbag we need to keep the following in
mind.
Compare the bag you're interested in to what is being sold in designer LV
stores or by authorized dealers.
Check the quality of the bag, the fabric and materials used.Leather bags
should be supple and have no signs of cracking. The fabric must be even and
smooth.
Both the interior lining and the exterior of the purse will be
designed well, not with flimsy or shoddy looking materials.
Check the hardware, zippers, and any other detailing for quality
craftsmanship. Look at the stitching for even and careful
placement.
Price will generally be high. If you see an LV bag or a designer handbag
being sold for $40, there's almost a guarantee that it won't be
authentic.
Fake designer bags have incorrect styling. They are offered in colours and
styles different from the authentic ones
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| Louis Vuitton Handbags and
celebrities |
| 08/14/2008 |
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A Louis Vuitton Handbag is a symbol of style, sophistication, prestige and
status. Louis Vuitton Handbag that is loved by celebrities and stars . A few
stars that have promoted the Louis Vuitton Handbags are:
-Uma Thurman
-Jennifer Lopez
-Kate Moss
-Naomi Campbell.
-Lindsay Lohan
-Paris Hilton
-Angelina Jolie
-Carmen
Electra
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| Dolce and Gabbana
Spring/Summer Collections |
| 08/13/2008 |
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Dolce and Gabanna is one of the most celebrated and influential designers
Italy has ever produced.Get for less Authentic Dolce and Gabanna Women
Spring/Summer Collections and Dolce and Gabanna Mens spring/Summer
collections.
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