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If you are looking for That Little Black Dress for a special occasion then there are plenty to choose from, so whether it is for a cocktail party or a family reunion there are some many designs up and down the country you will definitely find something to suit your budget and taste.

This type of dress has been around for many years dating back as far as the 1960s although then it was only used for mourning purposes but now it is considered that every woman should have one hanging in her wardrobe to keep herself “IN” fashion.

In the 1980s saw the dress come back with an explosion and was considered more of a fashion statement with many top fashion designers having at least one in their collection. Now this dress is as popular as ever and can be seen in many shopping outlets up and down the country.

One of black dresses sold for around $410,000 back in 2006 which was around six times its original value. Now back again by popular demand That Little Black Dress is going to be seen up and down the country on many of the catwalks.

So if you have a reunion or a special occasion coming up you are sure to find one in your style, shape and also design that you are looking for so that you can keep up with the fashion of today.

You will be amazed on how many there actually are for you to choose from. These are offered in many different materials including lace and silk as well that will make heads turn as you walk in the room.

If you are the larger lady then do not despair there are a wide variety for you to choose from as well. A fuller skirt that will help to disguise those heavy hips but still allow you to show off your waist although you are looking at paying anything in the regions of $168. Although this does depend where you are buying your item from to how much you will end up paying.

There are many mail order catalogues that can be viewed online that offer That Little Black Dress at some incredible prices which you buy online from the convenience of your home. This caters for the small petite lady right up to the larger lady where you can keep up with fashion. Photos courtesy of thegloss.com

A pearl necklace urban can bring charm and elegance like no other piece of jewellery. Pearls are objects that resemble precious stones and have their own natural beauty. They originate in the shell of a living mollusc. Although the most common shape of pearls is round and the most common colour is white, there are oval and black pearls that are found in various places. Pearls differ in their shape and size, texture and even their place of origination as they are found both in freshwater as well as seawater. Pearls from different areas have their own characteristic traits. Pearls are sometimes cultured as well with the right ingredients provided. The size of pearls too varies from 6mm to more than 12 mm in some cases.

A pearl necklace urban can be cheap or expensive depending upon the quality of the pearls that have been used. For example the Majorica Extra Long Single Strand 8mm pearl necklace costs slightly under $400. The luminous necklace has been crafted by master artisans who used distinct processes to bring out the original essence of the pearls. You will also find pearl necklaces with organic man-made baroque pearls in varying colours that could cost over $250. These pearl necklaces are ideal for both casual as well as formal wear.

A pearl necklace urban could be different in terms of the size and shape of the pearls and also in terms of the number of pearl strands that have been used to create the necklace. Elaborate dresses at celebrity events could demand the use of more ornate and intricate pearl strands. For example, the Assael Baroque necklace made of culture South Sea Baroque pearls exhibits generations of excellence in designing pearl necklaces. This particular model is very expensive at $8600. You can also go for multi chain necklaces with satin band closures. Photos courtesy of s10.thisnext.com and fashiontribes.typepad.com

If you are looking for finding Cool Collection Prom Dresses then there are plenty of varieties, colours and designs that you will definitely be able to find something that matches your personality and style.

So whether you are looking for a short or long prom dress or something that bit special. It doesn’t matter if you are the larger lady or petite there will definitely be something that is going to make you look great on the night in question.

Prom dresses in multi colours are definitely popular this year although you need to act fast as these are becoming very popular and are selling really quickly. Although for this prom dress you are looking at paying $450.

Floral patterns are also popular this year and this is definitely the case with Cool Collection Prom Dresses for 2011. These have an elegant look to them and you will definitely make an entrance wearing one of these dresses. These come with a cut out side and also a chain back and these are selling for around $500.

Halter neck prom dresses are also popular with a nice attractive ivory print. This one will suit you perfectly definitely if you are looking to make that special entrance. These are selling for around $380 and are available to order online at many outlets.

If you are looking to make that special entrance then the ball gown designs prom dresses are definitely something that is worth looking for. With a strapless bodice and black skirt these are definitely something special. These are being sold on the market for around $440 let’s just say you will definitely make that entrance you are looking for achieving.

Before rushing out to the shops it would be best to have a look online to see what prom dresses are available and also be aware of the different price ranges so ultimately you need to know how much you can afford for your prom dress.

The colour fushia is another popular colour this year especially for prom dresses, and this one is no exception. This one shows nothing but amazing and can be purchased online for around $340 and goes up to size eighteen.

So when looking for finding Cool Collection Prom Dresses you may have a particular hard time as there are many different dresses to choose from. There are many short and long dresses it just depends on what you are actually looking for at the end of the day. Photos courtesy of antracon.strefa.p

The Pantone Spring 2011 colors are out and going by the New York Fashion Week and the London Fashion Week there are 10 chosen colors that have made it this season.

Honeysuckle is a pink color that can give an instant lift and pep up your moods. There is a certain feel-good factor about this color. It is a shade with some attitude and is also flirtatious. It is a refreshing shade and will help get you out of the gloomy moods.

Regatta is a shade of blue that has really gained momentum in the fashion circuits. Blue always has a cool and calm effect. It is a very soothing color and a favorite among both men and women.

Coral Rose is a shade of orange and not what the name suggests. This is one of those exotic colors and these oranges are favorites in almost all seasons. This is the apt color for the Pantone spring 2011 season. It is vibrant and catchy.

Beeswax is one color that is steadily gaining ground and has been a favorite in recent times. This color reminds you of honey and far-away lands. This is a pleasing color for the season.

Peapod is a shade of green and is a neutral color. This symbolizes the beginning of spring and marks the Pantone Spring 2011.

Blue Curacao is another beautiful shade of blue but is more close to turquoise. It is an interesting color and most people respond well to this color.

Russet has a kind of peachy tone and these are ideal for various skin tones.

Silver Peony has a stunning effect and a favorite among women. It is a romantic color.

Lavender is a favorite among creative and artistic people. This is a mix of red and blue and lends a lot of creativity.

Silver cloud is a neutral shade and a good background color. Photos courtesy of portiajewelry.com

Manicure is most common beauty ritual that is a favorite of every woman. Grooming the nails and polishing them is most preferred activity among teens and women alike. Acrylic nail art takes the polishing to a completely new level, giving a chance to imagine and create refreshingly new designs to decorate the nails.

Nail art is particularly popular among teens, who like to create fresh and cute nail art during their sleepovers or girls night out. Hello Kitty nail art is one such design which is popular among young girls, who like to give the design their own twist. The result is that there are thousands of hello kitty inspired designs on the internet to help young girls achieve this ever so popular look easily.

Hello Kitty symbol looks the best when created in colors like pink, purple or light shades. Use of the color pink is a must to make hello kitty nail art look chic and cute. Nowadays, there are nail art stickers available in this design to make it simple for young girls to apply them on the go. For a simple look, painting the nail in a base color of white, and creating a simple design of hello kitty in pink will be sufficient. But for a more complex and sophisticated design for a special occasion, or simply for a sleepover fun time, decorating the hello kitty designs with stickers, rhinestones, and even small cute pink colored pearls specially made for nail art, will be a good idea.

For a more elaborate design option, there are hello kitty symbol stickers available in the market with the acrylic nail kit. These can be applied effortlessly and a cute bow design can be created using a pink colored pen or even a black one to highlight the design. Hello kitty design has evolved into numerous different forms over time, to suit the varying tastes of girls who love to decorate their nails.

Photo By www.mynailstyle.com and www.tokyomango.com

Some students go to college or the university without knowing what they want or where they are going. Some others are quite the opposite. Noel Duan is an example of the opposite.

Along with her friend, Jina Lim, they came to school with a plan. A plan to start Columbia University’s first fashion magazine, Hoot Magazine. At this point, Hoot is updated online with posts about style, people in the fashion industry, and upcoming events. You’ll also get more info on their blog. Recently, a fashion show was covered with some of the following:  “Hoot had the pleasure of attending D2’s 3rd Annual Gala Fashion Show & Scholarship, featuring up-and-coming designer Jennifer Chun. Chun’s line focused on contemporary women wear and featured lots of cute, ready-to-wear pieces (Hoot had our eyes on an adorable black-on-beige, thigh-skimming bow-tied pea coat). We spied lots of modern structural elements that recall the latest 3.1 Phillip Lim collection as well as bright color blocks reminiscent of vintage Benetton.”

They co-founded Hoot one day in Morningside Heights. “I was taking a walk with Jina along Broadway and suddenly realized that Columbia, in spite of its stylish students and the fact that it’s in New York City, didn’t have a fashion magazine,” Duan said. “A lot of schools, like UC Berkeley and Penn, have campus fashion magazines, so we decided that it was time for Columbia to have one too.”

It appears that the first issue is not yet available in print. Anyone that wants to read the magazine will need to do so on line. “It would be interesting to see how one of our most fashion-conscious former students reflects upon her experiences at the university,” Duan said.

They’ve published their two issues so far on a web site called Issuu.com. On the site it says: “Issuu is the leading digital publishing platform delivering exceptional reading experiences of magazines, catalogs, and newspapers. Millions of people have uploaded their best publications to create beautiful digital editions. When will we see yours?”

On the site, magazines in digital form, too many to count. All types seem to be there and most appear interesting. Similar to when one goes to the magazine stand, you had better have a good idea about what interests you, or you may have trouble selecting anything to read. Or, you may end up for hours browsing all types of topics and formats, views and viewpoints.

Even from grammar schools to high schools and especially colleges and universities, publications of all types abound from the school newspaper to various other instruments of reporting and entertaining to informing. In the sea of information on line, it is often difficult to be heard. We wish luck to the budding journalists Noel and Jina. It is a competitive world out there. But, if you have something to say  and you are persistent, you will be noticed. Just remember, few magazines make it right away. And as a student, oftentimes the torch must be passed when the founders graduate and move on to the challenge of making enough to survive. Life’s challenges take their toll. All the best!

It is a thin, all-cotton fabric used to make clothing for spring and summer wear. It is commonly striped or checkered. Some say the word came into English from the Hindustani language, which originates from the Persian words “shir o shekar,” meaning “milk and sugar”, probably from the resemblance of its smooth and rough stripes to the smooth surface of milk and bumpy texture of sugar. Whether this possile origin of the term is true or not, it is still an interesting word – especially for a fabric name. Seersucker is woven in such a way that some threads bunch together, giving the fabric a wrinkled appearance in places. This feature causes the fabric to be mostly held away from the skin when worn, facilitating improved heat dissipation and air circulation. It also means that pressing is not necessary. This makes it very convenient to wear, but also causes it to be worn on more informal occasions than formal.

Common items of clothing made from seersucker include suits, shorts, shirts and robes. The most common colors for it are white and blue; however, it is produced in a wide variety of colors, usually alternating colored stripes and puckered white stripes slightly wider than pin stripes.

As for a bit of history, during the British colonial period seersucker was a popular material in Britain’s warm weather colonies. When Seersucker was first introduced in the United States it was used for a broad array of clothing items. For suits the material was considered a mainstay of the summer wardrobe of gentlemen, especially in the South, who favored the light fabric in the high heat and humidity of the summer, especially prior to the arrival of air conditioning.

Some have reported that the fabric was originally worn by those with limited means in the U.S. until undergraduate students, in an air of reverse snobbery, began to wear the fabric. Damon Runyon was quoted as saying that his new habit for wearing seersucker was “causing much confusion among my friends. They cannot decide whether I am broke or just setting a new vogue.”

If you’ve ever worn it, you know that seersucker is comfortable and easily washed. It was the choice for the summer service uniforms of the first female United States Marines. The decision was made by Captain Anne A. Lentz, one of the first female officers selected to run the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve during the Second World War. She must have had some personal experience with its comfortable properties in warm weather.

Because seersucker is made by slack-tension weave, the crinkle stripe may have slightly larger yarns to enhance the crinkle. The stripes are always in the warp direction and on-grain. Today, seersucker is produced by a limited number of manufacturers. It is a low-profit, high-cost item because of its slow weaving speed. Seersuckers are made in plain colors, stripes, plaids, checks – which are also known as gingham – and prints. Seersucker is used in curtains and summer suiting, dresses, and sportswear and other items. If you live in a hot climate or need cooler clothing for the summer months, see what you’ve been missing with seersucker.

The New York Fashion Week is held in February and September of each year in New York City. It is one of four major fashion weeks held around the world. The other 3 are in Paris, London, and Milan.

The first New York Fashion Week was actually the world’s first organized fashion week. It was held in 1943 and the event was designed to attract attention away from French fashion during World War II. At that time, fashion industry insiders were unable to travel to Paris to see the French fashion shows. It came about when fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert organized an event she called ‘Press Week’ to showcase American designers for fashion journalists, who had previously neglected their innovations. Buyers were not admitted to the shows and instead had to visit designers’ showrooms. Press Week was a success all around and fashion magazines like Vogue increasingly featured American fashion instead of the French designs they previously adored.

In 1994, the event was moved to its current site in Bryant Park, where it is held inside a series of large white tents in the almost-block-long park. Admission is by invitation only, to the fashion industry, fashion press, assorted celebrities, and internet based Fashion press. Beginning in February 2009, many designers opted out of their usual Bryant Park tent fashion shows because of the economy and held their own smaller presentations.

At the Fashion Week of Fall 2009, the public got to sample technology as it is shaping the future of fashion. It is not only making it cheaper and easier for designers to create their collections, it is also saving them travel time as many broadcast their lines over the Internet. Some designers opted to not only market online but also sell online exclusively. Norma Kamali and the Polo Ralph Lauren Rugby brand both have an application for the Apple iPhone. In the Vivienne Tam show, models walked the runway carrying Hewlett Packard mini notebook computers instead of the usual handbag.

The recession has had an impact on the New York Fashion Week. Previously, fashion houses would be preparing for up to $750,000 to produce a quality runway show. Now, the idea of using mannequins to display clothing was used by established designers Betsey Johnson and Vera Wang as a way to cut model and runway costs. Mara Hoffman, Sergio Davila and Nicholas K saved 40 percent of their costs and combined their separate lines into one show. There was also recession friendly fashion to be seen. A number of pieces displayed were items that could be worn in the fall and carry over to the spring. A popular staple was bold color dressed that could be worn over a turtleneck in colder weather and stand alone in the spring; convertible blazers were introduced by Vera Wang and Karen Walker as a way to get double the wear out of one piece. This type of frugality is not usually associated with fashion shows.

Although practicality must have its say, there are always indulgences and frivolity to enjoy. New York fashion week marches on despite the slump in the economy and promises to come back with a self-indulgent vengeance just as soon as finances allow. For now, it’s frugal fashion.

Does it work? So many new trends in diet and exercise and the world keeps getting fatter. TV shows are made of it and so many new experts with so many new theories. How do you keep track? Find the one that works for you, of course. After all, statistics don’t mean anything if they don’t work for you personally. Let’s look at this thing called Bursting. It’s been around for a few years, but is really getting some more attention lately for the results some are getting. First of all, what is it?

The key difference between bursting and other forms of exercise – especially traditional methods including long periods of low intensity, such as walking – is that this is done in ‘bursts’. It teaches your body to become a better fat burner. Burst training is short, but intense periods of an exercise for 30 to 60 seconds. It’s a matter of giving it your all in just a few moments until you feel like you’re going to burst. Your legs are on fire or your lungs are burning. You feel like you can’t go on another second. It’s exhilarating.

Here are some technical facts behind it as shared by J.J. Virgin, a bursting instructor and absolute fitness expert. “When you burst instead of just going at a steady pace, you create lactic acid which in turn triggers the rise of Human Growth Hormone (HGH). This is good stuff! In fact, movie stars pay big money to have HGH injected into them. It helps you hold onto or build more muscle mass, burn off fat weight and keeps your skin supple and younger looking. Your body will also take more time to recover from bursting than traditional aerobic exercise which means a bigger boost to your metabolism post exercise.”

She recommends that you incorporate at least 4 minutes of total burst training every other day. “Burst for 30-60 seconds with an active rest break between sets. Your bursts should be a 9-10 in terms of intensity on a scale of 1 to 10. You truly need to feel like you can’t go another second during your burst. If you can go more than a minute then go harder. The goal isn’t to exceed that one-minute mark, but to incorporate more intensity as you get better. In fact, you will be amazed at how quickly you get better.”

The specifics will be different for everyone, but the main thing is to totally exhaust yourself in just a minute or so. Do the exercise until you feel like you can’t go on another moment.

Here’s a routine she recommends:

Ideally, do a three minute warm-up. Then Burst for 1 minute, recover for 2 minutes and repeat 4 or more times and then Finish with a three-minute cool-down. She points out that the entire session should take just a little bit over half an hour.

Pick your own favorite way to burst. Sprint/walk, Stationary cycle, Stairs, Jump rope, stationary stepping machine – the important thing is bursting and then relaxing, then bursting some more. Why not try it and see if it works for you?

This year, the Hong Kong Fashion Week is Monday, July 5th, to Thursday, July 8th. Some of the main categories and highlights follow.

Under the category of Fashion Accessories, they have 1154 items. Some of the items will be: belts and bow ties, bridal accessories, and footwear, eyewear, gloves and handbags. Handkerchiefs and hats, scarves and shawls will also be on display with the latest styles incorporated.

Under the category of bridal and evening wear, we find a single veil. Not a strong category this year, it appears. But there’s much more the show has to offer in other categories.

By the way, according to the 2009 show they said the ‘Chinese mainland pavilion is larger than ever’. Among the companies exhibiting here, the four largest groups come from Ningbo, Wenzhou, Jiaxing and Hangzhou. We can safely assume this has expanded with China treating Hong Kong more and more as its own and China itself having more and more to offer the marketplace. Now back to more products.

By far the biggest category is garments. With 3713 products on offer, it is sure to stimulate and fascinate. Some of the new items to peruse will be: blazers, cardigans, casual wear, items for babies and items for men as well as jackets, knitwear ad maternity wear. So many new items to check out, this category will keep you busy in the 4 short days to shop.

Although children’s wear can also be found in other categories, it is also a category unto itself. Just like for adults, jackets, pajamas, shorts and trousers, coats, dresses, skirts and suits can all be found. Even cardigans and uniforms will be available, so don’t miss this category of items.

Another category which usually stirs some interest is intimate wear, which is called underwear as well. Not flashy names, but perhaps some flashy items. Besides boxers, briefs, panties and slips, there are also 8 items to be found in the sexy underwear category. Don’t miss them.

The final category is yarn, piece goods and textiles. These are miscellaneous items you may need to manufacture clothing. There are 55 items in the yarn subcategory and even some vegetable fibers available. This rounds out our list of categories to cover.

Shoppers the world over plan to come from places like Lebanon, The Netherlands, Russia, Brazil and France. One buyer from Argentina had this to say: “We specialize in clothes for large-size women, everything from sporty to elegant. I’m keen to find new factories that can make garments for our market in Argentina and our internet business in Europe. We can also investigate the market for bigger sizes in Asia. I’ve already met with factories that will be suitable for our younger range, and an Indian supplier of scarves and other accessories, and even jewelry suppliers. The organization of this fair is perfect – staff are very kind and efficient.”

It looks like the Hong Kong Fashion Week is going to top last year and prove to be an interesting place to be. So, if you can be there to check it out, hop on a plane and show up. Hong Kong is an exciting and electric city with many things to offer during your visit. Nightlife, food, history and stunning views are all there and waiting for you. Have a great time!

BUY luxury, buy quality, buy something that will become an iconic piece in your wardrobe – from Miuccia’s Prada’s chandelier dresses, to Jil Sander’s raw and ripped chiffon, to Dolce’s knickers or McQueen’s metallic snakeskin marvels, to Lanvin’s most beautiful dresses ever, to Peter Pilotto’s prints, to Burberry’s trench dresses, if you buy one thing for spring/summer, make it a big story. If the recession isn’t letting up yet, buy one thing and the thrill will last.

If hemlines are to be believed as the rule of all things financial, though, things are certainly looking up – skirts are creeping up the thigh and bottom-revealing bloomers, henceforth known as hotpantaloons, first appeared in New York and bred across the fashion cities fast.

While there was a touch of sparkle in the front row of every single show, it’s a trend that is built to last and whether you wear it on your tights, on lamé socks with high heels, around your neck, woven into your chiffon evening gowns or tied to your handbag, a little bit of glitter always does a girl good. Shoes are still big statements but heels are coming down too; kitten heels have even been mentioned and so have clogs (Chanel, Celine, Louis Vuitton).

The big story for summer though, is nudity – the vast majority of shows opened with nude, ice-cream colours, making cut and drapery the big style statements as opposed to eye-popping colours. Where last summer we obsessed about colour blocking, next will be about subtleties of tone: nude with peach with washed out nutmeg, or grey with icy blue. A general lack of clothing will be approved of too – your underwear must look its best next summer because if it’s not on show it’s not worth wearing – only to be covered by swathes of knotted and ruffled sheer chiffon – and a touch of lace will keep things interesting (Stella McCartney, Fendi).

White is always a trend for summer, but 2010 is expecting a full washout – bleached cotton came tailored and masculine or bulging and ruffled. And if you want colour, make it a check (Christopher Kane, Louis Vuitton).

So what to buy, if you will be shopping? Party dresses – lots of them, to be worn day and night: with interesting (and forgiving) folds around the hip for added shape. A jumpsuit – single shouldered or strapless if you dare. Loose trousers that taper to the ankle, preferably in silk. Bring shoes down a level or two, and if you venture from the washed out palette, make it a bold, tribal or ethnic print (Dries Van Noten). A trench coat, long or short (or turned into a party dress at Burberry). A belt – skinny ribbons or wide leather versions; the waist intends to allow you to show off your curves next summer. And if your curves are that good, swimwear is teeny weeny as can be.

And everybody’s new favourite model? Australian model Abbey Lee Kershaw appeared in all the key shows, surely with plenty of ad campaigns to follow. Certainly no recession hangover for her.