Range Planning: From Ideas To Inspiration For A Men’s Casual Line

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blog, bold prints, brand consultant, colorboard, fashion blog, fashion blogger, fashion brand, Fashion Business, fashion consultant, fashion designer, fashion trends, growing demand for streetwear in 2019, inspiration, linear stripes, Men's fashion, mensstyle, mood board, printboard, range planning, street fashion, Street wear trend spotting, street wear trends, Streetwear, Streetwear trend spotting, stripes print

In the previous blog, we discussed range planning and how inspiration boards, color palettes, and sketches can be used in sequence to design a women’s clothing line. This week, we see how the same process can be used to come up with the men’s line.

Fashion designers have superpowers. One of those powers is creativity, while the other is the ability to break creativity down into a process. The most crucial superpower is the ability to find this inspiration and make something of it even before the trend actually hits the shelves.

Without further ado, it is time to exercise some of those powers!

Part 1: The mood board

This is perhaps the single most abstract element in the entire design process. While color and print boards represent those attributes respectively, mood boards reflect what the collection feels like. While designing the mood board, it is worth asking yourself some of these questions:

• What is the objective my mood board wants to achieve?
• What are some key inspiration points for my range?
• What unique ideas am I implementing with this mood board?

The last question is fundamental because we often generalize collections based on the season. For example, summer and men may always mean nautical stripes and pastels. However, adding in a unique element, such as the fact that many people also travel in summers can bring in a new feature to the range. For our casual athletics range, the mood is athleisure. This range is for those people who love being sporty and being outdoors but also don’t take themselves too seriously. A bomber jacket over tracks takes them from the gym to the streets in next to no time. The mood is casual, carefree, outdoorsy and charming.

Part 2: The color board

The color board, as the name suggests, is a collection of at least five colors you’d like to see represented in your range. Picking out colors is heavily dependent on the theme. For our casual athletics theme, we chose urban, outdoor colors like shades of brown, grey and green.

How do we come up with these colors? You can save images of clothes you like and use a digital color picker to identify the different shades. You can also use the Pantone color guide to spot the exact tone you’re looking for. Moreover, you can also use color mapping tools to help you pick colors that complement all others.

In any case, be sure to pick at least five base colors and two shades for each color that you’d like to work with.

Part 3: The print board

If there is one street trend that is taking over the world, it is the idea of prominent prints in menswear. Small, inconspicuous origami doves are giving way to large, placement prints and even outfits that are printed all over. Neon highlights are an excellent option for the colors we have chosen, as are geometric prints and stripes in a variety of sizes.

Part 4: The concept board

This is the stage at which all of your work comes together. A concept board is centered primarily around the main sketch it represents. The sketches themselves are inspired from all of the other boards and incorporate aspects from each of them.

 Around the sketch are images of what the style would look like in real life as well as the primary colors that make up that particular outfit. Long jackets are the staple in our range, keeping with the global trend and K-pop sensation. Our pants are loose, drawstring and aimed at people who want to move freely. It is both casual and athletic, perfect for today’s city dweller.

From here, the sketches are followed by choosing the fabric and picking the colors that closely match your original palette. This is followed by designing a few prototypes which then go into manufacture.

What is your menswear design inspiration this time around? How are you using the range planning process to come up with the collection?

Tell us in the comments. Need a hand? Book a 30 mins free session for an in-depth consultation and help with range planning.

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Supriya Ghurye is the founder and owner of Fuel4Fashion. She is a Freelance Fashion Designer and Brand Consultant helping fashion brands to create great products from idea to launch. Fuel4Fashion social links: Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram

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Range Planning: From Inspiration To Product For A Women’s Clothing Line

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#moodboard, blog, bold prints, brand consultant, colorboard, fashion blog, fashion blogger, fashion brand, Fashion Business, fashion consultant, fashion designer, fashion trends, growing demand for streetwear in 2019, inspiration, linear stripes, mood board, printboard, range planning, street fashion, Street wear trend spotting, street wear trends, Streetwear, Streetwear trend spotting, stripes print

Planning well is a job half done, the saying goes. For most professions needing creativity, it is hard to pin down a process. We don’t often know whether the inspiration comes first or the process. However, having a linear process in place is useful for those occasions when the time is short and it is imperative that you get results in a short period.

Under such circumstances, a process keeps you from losing track and helps you come up with styles that can actually work in stores.

In today’s article, we talk about range planning from start to finish- from the mood board to the final sketches. We will take you through each step and give you tips on making that step work for you, for a women’s clothing line.

1. The Inspiration:

With a whole host of fashion weeks and their accompanying streetwear trends behind us, there is no shortage of inspiration to choose from. For this collection, our theme is Modern Fairytales. In the literal sense, this theme is all about making a strong, bold statement. Empowerment is the word, as stories like Moana and Brave have shown us in recent times. Moreover, tulle as a fabric is in vogue because it is so easy to pair with absolutely anything to create a look of your own.

Pinterest is a powerful tool for gathering all of your inspiration in one place. Create a separate board for each inspiration path that you want to follow, and start gathering material around it.

2. The Moodboard:

We’re feeling whimsical, but we’re also looking at functionality. Textured earrings are just a reference point for things that are both practical and statement-making. For flowing fabrics with a hint of sheer, it is only right that we use as many pastels as possible. Flowy silhouettes and interesting detailing add to the magical feeling. The overall mood of this collection is telling a story that is aspirational and good to have. We all want to be a Disney Princess, even if it is just a little bit!

Use adjectives to describe the mood of your collection. Print them out in big, bold letters. Find reference images for the ideas you’re trying to express. You can read more about designing a moodboard here. 

3. The Colorboard:

Pastels rule the collection, and we love all shades of nature, muted just a bit. Think clouds, the sky on a damp morning, powder pinks, blues, and yellows, off-white. These colors are just about there- not too jarring, not to mute. They have a subtle, graceful voice of their own, and boy do they get heard!

Make the most of the colors you want to incorporate-choose five- and adapt them into all of your ensembles.

4. The Printboard:

What’s life without a few prints? Everyday ensembles are brought to life with a dash of prints. We’ve seen everything from doodles to emojis and retro themes find their place in the sun. For our Modern Fairytales collection, we’ve chosen stripes and checks. These linear elements help us add every day, friendly vibe to clothing and give us a chance to bring in some versatility into the collection. In fact, plain outfits are very often paired with printed ones, so you need to think carefully about what your prints represent.

Choose a print based on how it blends with your colors and ideas. For example, a floral theme for this collection would have made it too feminine, which is not what we’re looking for in everyday wear and functional designs. Likewise, you need to decide what these prints represent to you and your audience.

5. The Ensembles:

Now, if we’ve done our job well, we should have clothes! We’ve created three ensemble sketches basis our inspiration, and we feel like these designs would be run(a)way hits.

Ensemble 1 :

In the first ensemble, the focus is on creating volume at the bottom and balancing it out at the top. The pastels stand out better because of darker shades, and the ruffles make this outfit perfect for Friday workwear, lunches, evening meet-ups and even for traveling long distances.

Ensemble 2 :

The second one is a personal favorite because an asymmetric hemline is not for the faint of heart. Add peplum to the mix, and we’re taking it one notch higher. We’re thinking of a warrior-princess who conquers the world with her attitude, and of course with her clothing.

Ensemble 3 : 

The third and last image is power dressing in all its essence- stylish, comfortable and full of utility. Culottes are in- in fact, we don’t know why they took so long to take off in the first place! A culotte jumpsuit with frills is the perfect urban dream. A hoodie adds to its streetwear appeal and is very, very suggestive of Red Riding Hood. For us, this is Once Upon A Time with a generous helping of happily ever after.

Which design inspiration are you going with for your women’s wear collection?

Need a hand? Book a 30 mins free session for an in-depth consultation and help with range planning.

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Supriya Ghurye is the founder and owner of Fuel4Fashion. She is a Freelance Fashion Designer and Brand Consultant helping fashion brands to create great products from idea to launch. Fuel4Fashion social links: Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram

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Ruffles, Florals and Jewel Tones: Updates From London Fashion Week Spring Summer 2019

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blog, Burberry, Christopher Kane, David Coma, Erdem, fashion, fashion designers, fashion trends, fashionweek, inspiration, LFW, londonfashionweek, springsummer2019, SS19

Before we state anything else, let us say this- cherry red is the new color of the season for SS 19. When Prada and Salvatore Ferragamo go overboard with it, we know there’s good reason to start using it in our collections too.

Which brings us to the other thing we love about London Fashion Week in general, and this year in particular. Unlike the clean-cut lines and definitions of other showcases, LFW is all about leveling the playground and providing equal opportunity to both established designers and newcomers alike. This is why so many new trends come forth here- it is just a different perspective.

Here are some key lessons from LFW that all retailers can follow:

1. Bending, not breaking the rules: Halpern Quinn is all about sequins, but other shiny things can follow suit as well. Burberry is known for their iconic checks, but they can be adapted. Brands are very conscious about moving away from their statements entirely, but they do know how to play within the boundaries and create something unique. In fact, this is what sets a good brand apart from the rest- the ability to see itself with stark clarity.

2. A touch of nostalgia: New doesn’t always mean doing away with the old. For Victoria Beckham who marked a decade of her collection at both NYFW and LFW, the choice was clear. Nostalgia in motifs and elements can be an excellent way to rehash an old collection and make something new and spectacular.

3. Not too streety: Street styles are great- they’re comfortable, cozy and very easy to maintain. However, fashion houses at LFW disagree. They did their best to take clothing away from the streets and into couture without losing the very aspects that make street-style so desirable. Looks like the time has come to put street-style and athleisure together, and let the good clothes be as they are.

4. The loud colors: A Londoner, until yesterday, would never be caught in a bright coat. Indeed, a black or a tan overcoat is a wardrobe staple that never goes wrong. Blame it on the political circumstances in the world, but everyone wants to express themselves today. True to London style (where coats, let’s admit it, are needed ten months in a year), the overcoats are getting brighter and chirpier, not to mention bolder. Yep, time to get spotted on the Underground.

5. The full look: Not so long ago, the real intent behind a fashion week was to showcase individual pieces, heavily dressed up. Patrons would then face the challenge of taking the different elements and creating their own looks with them. Either people are bored in general, or online shopping has done its bit, but shoppable looks are all the rage this season. You might do well to design a collection with a few different complete looks than to leave it to the consumer to mix-and-match. Fashion as a form of self-expression is, for one, giving up the hot seat to fashion for comfort and speed.

Meanwhile, we’re not done yet! What is a fashion week if we don’t give you the lowdown on the designers we loved, and hopefully you did too? Here are a few that stood out.

1. J.W.Anderson: One of the few street-styles we saw on the runway, and yet, here’s a collection that manages to look so chic! We’re in the same league as mesh any day, and we know it is good when we have these looks for a company.

2. Christopher Kane: Form meets high fashion in this collection for so many different body types. We can already see the boxy mini dress on a tall woman, and the warrior suit is a must-have for the power dresser who makes a statement at work and the after-party.

3. Burberry: We’d die of nostalgia if we didn’t spot at least one piece in the Burberry collection with the trademark lines and colors. Luckily for us also, Burberry is going experimental- with colors and form. Needless to say, this is one work wear collection people will be waiting for. The proof is in the reinterpreted animal prints.

4. David Coma: Never one to shy away from bold silhouettes, this one. Can just a juxtaposition of black and white give rise to such stunning outfits for work and beyond? David Coma’s collection proves that it indeed can. We love that cutout details are making a comeback. Nostalgia, anyone?

5. Erdem: Making a point on the shoppable looks we mentioned above, Erdem’s collection is one that you can walk off the runway and onto the streets in. We love the high-waisted pants so reminiscent of a tuxedo, and the more feminine outfits with stunning details. The fascinators, we’d probably save for the next royal wedding.

6. Victoria Beckham: posh spice meets everyday woman, and that’s where Beckham’s magic lies. Her clothes are as easy to pull off as they are elegant, and that’s why we’re rooting for them.

7. Mary Katrantzou: Bohemian prints have the uncanny ability of looking good on all clothes. Mary’s collection is perfect for workwear as separates, and to the Met Gala alike.

Which of these business trends do you see as easy to adapt for your brand? Tell us in the comments below.

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Supriya Ghurye is the founder and owner of Fuel4Fashion. She is a Freelance Fashion Designer and Brand Consultant helping fashion brands to create great products from idea to launch. Fuel4Fashion social links: Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram

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Challenges of Creating a Pre-Set Offering for Fashion Design Projects

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apparels, blog, business offerings, fashion blog, fashion designers, fashion illustrations, freelance fashion designer, garments, pricing, Virtual Fashion Design Studio

The freelancing space has been getting a lot of attention, and freelancing platforms offer freelancers and buyers the opportunity to get together for projects ranging from a simple logo to creating content and even mobile apps. Freelance fashion designing too has been growing with small and upcoming fashion labels able to connect to hundreds of freelance fashion designers across the globe through platforms like Elance-Odesk, PPH and Guru.

Freelancing platforms have been the intermediaries of such discussions and help create clarity between both sides. However, what happens when a client directly interacts with a freelancer? How does a freelancer determine what is the right price for a project and how do clients ensure they have a clear understanding of what will be delivered, when and in what format? There are numerous variables and any one of them can be misinterpreted, leading to dissatisfaction on one side or the other. Freelancers also face a challenge in trying to regularize the flow of work to ensure they’re not overburdened with multiple deadlines too close to one another.

To some extent, content creators and marketers have found ways to resolve this issue. Many offer standard packages for creating blogs, tweets, FB posts and the like, and a number of agencies offer packages for white papers, website content updates, product descriptions, etc. (E.g. This and this) Others bill clients on the hours of work that would be put in; giving an approximation of the content that would be created in that time. But applying this for freelance fashion design can be tricky. The scope of work varies widely, depending on the kind of garment designs required, the level of detail, the number of garments, and other elements that might be needed such as measurement charts, tech packs and the like. On the whole, it seems impossible.

At Fuel4Fashion, we were determined to give it a try. The result is our new Pricing page that gives clients the opportunity to choose between two models – project and subscription – for their fashion design requirements. With a project based model, you get your work in the best time possible, and different pricing levels give you the various added features that make up the design package. With a subscription based model, you get a few designs every month, based on the fashion design trends for your segment, at a more reasonable cost than getting them all at one go in project form. The latter is a definite advantage if you are a fast fashion (think Zara, H&M) or boutique label that needs new designs at regular intervals to keep the store inventory fresh.

At the start of our engagement, all the relevant details will be taken, before creating the concepts and designs specific to your needs. The designs chosen by you will not be offered to anyone else, and each client will get a set of unique designs that combines current fashion trends with the individual DNA of their fashion label. In return, you are assured of timely delivery, clear deliverables and the best work, at economical rates that make sense for your growing fashion business.

As a fashion business, does this kind of pricing model work for you? Do let us know through your comments below. If you’d like to share any personal insights, write to me here.

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Supriya Ghurye is the founder and owner of Fuel4Fashion, the freelance fashion design studio for multiple product designing in apparels that caters to start-up fashion labels and growing fashion brands with a diverse portfolio of design services. She is a member of the Cherie Blair Foundation’s Women Entrepreneurship Program and has over a decade of fashion industry experience with international labels and start-ups.

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The Best Trends to Emerge From Menswear Spring Collections 2015

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apparels, blog, fashion blog, fashion designers, fashion illustrations, fashionalert, freelance fashion designer, garments, men's wear, pattern, Trend forecasting 2015, trends, Virtual Fashion Design Studio

Fashion for men has always been about basics and trying to interpret ideas along the current trends. For those who love fashion in its contemporary form, spring trends are easily intended for them. The runway shows and designer collections have a lot to tell on what we would be wearing in days to come, especially about the freshest season of the year. Here are the top spring 2015 trends in menswear!

The Best Trends to Emerge From Menswear Spring Collections 2015 – Get sporty

Get sporty: In the last few seasons, the athletic look seems to come straight out of the sports court to the ramp, and the trend has been rampant in both men and women collections. If you love being sporty and look more like a man with a cool quotient, the good news is the new element is everywhere in spring 2015. As for the cues, you can check Carven that has managed to make the baseball tee look more authentic than ever. When buying clothes online, you also need to own one of the caps, which have been used in some collections like that of Umit Benan.

The Best Trends to Emerge From Menswear Spring Collections 2015 – Unusual colours

Unusual colours: Pink for a suit? Well, this seems like someone mistook the women trends for spring in menswear! However, you will change the idea once you see the soft pink shade of suit used by Dolce & Gabbana for their spring 2015 collection. That is more like a bold statement that needs a lot of understanding and daring attitude on how to carry off the look without making it look funny.

The Best Trends to Emerge From Menswear Spring Collections 2015 -Welcome the spring sandals

Welcome the spring sandals: Most men will agree that spring sandals are comfortable and genuinely easy to carry off, and the look came to the runway at the Fendi collection. It doesn’t get better than wearing a pair of casual tees, shorts and a pair of casual sandals. Black and leather should be the ideal combination, but if you like experimenting, a few of the bold colours in sandals can certainly replace the crocs. Another strong contender is a pair of sneakers, which works effectively a stylish cool statement. Click here to check some fresh sneakers!

The Best Trends to Emerge From Menswear Spring Collections 2015 – Get the trench coat

Get the trench coat: For those, who checked the collection of Dries Van Noten for spring 2015, they have one thing to admit- the trench looks perfect for the spring! Yes, you can now wear the spring trench coat like a pro without having worried on the statement. In the sudden spring rain, getting casual and effective with regular dressing ideas doesn’t get bigger and better than this!

The Best Trends to Emerge From Menswear Spring Collections 2015 – The statement blazer is back

The statement blazer is back: If you love statement blazer, you should check the Gucci collection for the season. Unabashed and truly macho with a school boy touch, the blazer went for a complete makeover. That’s something we would like to own for the days when there is nothing new to wear, and you can trust this blazer to transport you to style zone.
Start your fashion collection now!

[Images Credit: www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion]

Author: Suzy Walsh is the Editor for The House of Elegance Fashion- a popular and growing fashion blog. She writes for a number of websites and magazines as their chief contributor and guest writer

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Supriya Ghurye is the founder and owner of Fuel4Fashion, the freelance fashion design studio for multiple product designing in apparels that caters to start-up fashion labels and growing fashion brands with a diverse portfolio of design services. She is a member of the Cherie Blair Foundation’s Women Entrepreneurship Program and has over a decade of fashion industry experience with international labels and start-ups.

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Picking Your Valentine’s Day Outfit

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apparels, blog, colors, Dailylook, fashion designers, fashion history, freelance fashion designer, garments, LBD, little black dress, outfit, Valentine's day

I had done a post on the Little Black Dress a while back, and I thought this would be just the right time to take a look at it again. February is here, and with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, all the ladies are just waiting to get jazzed up for that special night with their loved ones. This is one evening that you want to look PERFECT, and since it’s a Saturday night this time round, get ready for some serious competition from all the other pretty women around. All the popular hotspots are going to be brimming with beautiful ladies, and if you want to stand out, it’s going to take some preparation!

To help you choose what to wear, Daily Look has put together their best choices for the Little Black Dress The LBD forms the base of your look for the evening, and I’ve put together a couple of outfits – accessories and all – that I think will make your beau have eyes only for you the entire evening! Depending on your taste, pick which one of the two best suits you, and have a wonderful time with your special someone.THE LOOK: The classy stylish you wants to be sure of creating an impression, and this outfit is designed to do just that. This pleated LBD with lace all over, extending to the sleeves and a high neckline highlights your face and arms to their best. The gold Arab style necklace, ring and bracelet, complemented with gold rod earrings and a vintage gold hair comb proclaim you the Queen of your beloved’s heart. Paired with a brown leather purse and high heeled animal print slippers, this look is definitely a winner!

THE WISHLIST: Those of you aiming for a younger, flirtier and more daring look can opt for this second outfit, especially if you want to attract some jealous attention! A bare shoulders sleeveless spaghetti straps LBD with a pleated fringe creates a layered classy look that will have your loved one looking at you in a new light. Pair this with black stone-studded platinum/white gold based jewelry, like this choker necklace, bracelet and danglers. A studded watch and black and white chain purse, paired with sparkling stiletto sandals completes the ensemble and will definitely classify you as a head-turner.

I loved both these looks, and if the evening program calls for a romantic, intimate candlelight dinner, I would go for the former. But if it’s a night out on the town, the second look is definitely what I would opt for. So have fun, and enjoy your special evening!

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Supriya Ghurye is the founder and owner of Fuel4Fashion, the freelance fashion design studio for multiple product designing in apparels that caters to start-up fashion labels and growing fashion brands with a diverse portfolio of design services. She is a member of the Cherie Blair Foundation’s Women Entrepreneurship Program and has over a decade of fashion industry experience with international labels and start-ups.

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A tribute to Oscar de la Renta

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Amal Alamuddin, Amy Adams, apparels, Beyonce, blog, Cameron Diaz, colors, creative, Emma Watson, fashion blog, fashion designers, fashion history, fashion illustrations, freelance fashion designer, garments, Oscar de la Renta, Oscar fashion, trends

Born in Santo Domingo in the year of 1932, the fashion world gained a precious gem for its collection, named Oscar de le Renta. He was trained by Cristobal Balenciaga and Antonio del Castillo and worked for Lanvin and Balmain before finally opening his own brand.

Oscar de la Renta became internationally known as one of the couturier who dressed Jacqueline Kennedy and even today, his fashion house continues to dress from film stars to royalty.

Image courtesy : Oscar de la Renta’s Spring/Summer Ready-to-wear 2015 collection

Oscar de la Renta’s 2015 spring/summer ready-to-wear 2015 collection was a complete representation of what Oscar de la Renta stands for. It comprised of feminism, elegance, beauty, seduction, sophistication, ambition, everything that a woman wanted herself to be. Oscar de la Renta captured this essence in each of his garments. As the Oscar de la Renta era ends, we decided to pick out some of his signature designs and pay a tribute to the most adored designer of all times.

Cameron Diaz (Photo Credits: http://goo.gl/rZYbDe )

Cameron Diaz flaunted this gold-dusted gown in the Oscars of 2010. The exquisite detailing and the flow of the fabric draped around her felt like it was a part of her. Oscar de la Renta knew exactly how to flourish the features of Diaz on this occasion.

Amy Adams (Photo Credits: http://goo.gl/xiKGoN )

Amy Adams wore this stunning Oscar de la Renta number for the Oscars 2013 and took away a lot of breaths. Amy Adams wore this number with elegance and grace that made her seem like a floating angel.

Emma Watson (Photo Credits: http://goo.gl/dXJVGC )

For the premiere of her upcoming movie Noah, Emma Watson carried of Oscar de la Renta’s autumn/winter 2014 collection for jaw-dropping effects. The elegant front and the daring low back combination worked well to represent the ambitious feminine women of today’s era.

Beyonce (Photo Credits: http://goo.gl/oYAfHS )

For the Vogue shoot 2014 featuring Beyonce, Oscar de la Renta formed this speechless design that would make any women pause and admire the perfection this dress. The waviness of the fabric and layering combined with its colour created an unnatural spell for every woman.

Amal Alamuddin (Photo Credits: http://goo.gl/8Xr7Ns )

The last on our list is the wedding gown of Amal Alamuddin which took place in September 2014 and was exclusively featured in Vogue. The off-shoulder laced gown represented the traditional pattern while also being one of the absolutely stunning designs of the year.

Oscar de la Renta is the name every woman depended on to make them feel beautiful. He fulfilled the dreams and made wishes come true for women all over the world.

Top 5 Halloween inspired fashion outfits

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apparels, blog, fashion blog, fashion designers, fashion history, freelance fashion designer, garments, Halloween, Jean Paul Gaultier, Lady Gaga

Fashion and Halloween have been inspiring each other for decades, and every time the result is exquisite. Halloween brings the designers a new inspiration and makes them explore their Gothic side.

Here are our picks for the Halloween inspired fashion outfits:

Lady GaGa :

(Photo Credits: http://goo.gl/7bCjEN )

The lady with the crazy sense of style made a statement with Lady GaGa’s meat dress, in the MTV Video Music Awards by wearing a dress and shoes made entirely of meat. There were many interpretations as to the significance of the dress, the most popular being, Lady Gaga not being a piece of meat.

Tim Burton:

(Photo Credits: http://goo.gl/jQsHhR )

Tim Burton’s Magical Fashion shoot has the perfect combination of Halloween and his magical imagination. The shoot comprised of various designers and brands that produced inspiring designs on the theme that gave us a peep to the wild interpretations that can be constructed.

John Galliano :

(Photo Credits: http://goo.gl/NRfxyF )

In the fall of 2009, John Galliano found inspiration for his Ready-to-wear collection in the witches of the past. The make-up may say Witches of the past, but the attire is truly a Galliano interpretation that makes us look at the design in admiration.

Alexander McQueen :

(Photo Credits: http://goo.gl/dRnNiv )

Halloween is empty without Alexander McQueen being a part of it. The designer is known was his elaborate and unconventional designs that inspire others to follow and research his style. The outfit describes the feel of Halloween and Goth in a “bloody” way that can only be done by McQueen.

Jean Paul Gaultier :

(Photo Credits: http://goo.gl/iaz8nG )

Jean Paul Gaultier in the spring of 2009 presented his outfit of the Halloween Goth bride on the ramp. Nothing represents the Gothic culture and Halloween like the colour black and with that the Goths’s unconventional philosophy of wearing a black bridal dress on their wedding day.

There are many more outfits that resemble the spirit of Halloween and all its aspects in ways that sometimes seems unimaginable to the mind, but the designers keep on exciting us with their eccentric ways.

Dresses with pockets : Trend alert for 2015

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apparels, blog, colors, creative, design element, fashion blog, Fashion design studio, fashion designers, fashion illustrations, freelance fashion designer, functional wear, garments, pockets, prints, tech pack, trends

The fashion weeks brought us many trends and styles that will be seen in the 2015. As the shows end, they leave us with their interpretations of trends.

One such trend that was seen in abundance was the extensive use of the pockets. Emerging from trousers, this year saw pockets being placed in every form of garment, from dresses to skirts to any casual garment for women.

Photo Credits:Wren-http://goo.gl/MRygWq, Camilla & Marc-http://goo.gl/8s0EWG

In historic times, pockets were tied around the waist, with a string, like a pouch to hold small items like snuff boxes and perfume vials in it. Pockets have now evolved from being an attachment outside the garment, to being sewn inside the garment for convenience. Patch pocket and concealed pockets are the two most common form of pockets seen on the women’s garments. Clothes are normally differentiated according to the pockets it holds. One such example is of multi pocket Cargo pants, which is distinguished by its bagginess and the 6-7 pockets it holds depending on the styling of the garment.

Photo Credits: Alessandra Rich: http://goo.gl/D69VPo, Chloe: http://goo.gl/VsZlUy

Pockets become handy to the working women of today to keep their personal belongings. Now it’s not only required in their formal wear but also for their casuals. Pockets are being presented in skirts, evening gowns, casual dresses etc. to keep their hands free. Pockets are the trend that defines the working women of today, who likes to be feminine but still wants to maintain their professional image at all hours of the day.

Photo Credits: Elie Saab- http://goo.gl/4x3Lf0, Valentin Yudashkin – http://goo.gl/XAPzn7

Photo Credits: Dior- http://goo.gl/PJozee, Maticevski – http://goo.gl/YYT9Zv

Though pockets are of functional use and essential for today’s women, at certain times it is not completely required. This trend should see increasing traction in coming years, inspiring designers with its simplicity and presenting feminism to the working women who are always on the go.

Don’t forget to get inspired from our other blogs on Trend alert 2015 – Plaids , High Slit Skirts and Classic polo look .

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Supriya Ghurye is the founder and owner of Fuel4Fashion, the virtual design studio that caters to new and upcoming fashion design labels with a diverse portfolio of design services. She is a member of the Cherie Blair Foundation’s Women Entrepreneurship Program and has over a decade of fashion industry experience.

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Highlights of Berlin Fashion Week

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apparels, Berlin, Berlin Fashion Week, blog, fashion, fashion blog, fashion designers, fashion history, fashion illustrations, Fashion Show Berlin, Fashion Week Berlin, freelance fashion designer, GreenShowroom, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin, pattern

Among mainland Europe’s powerhouses of commerce and arguably its largest economy, Germany has been lagging in one key industry – fashion. Milan, Paris and London far outrank Berlin in the European and global fashion industry and the Germans have been working hard to catch up.

Since 2007, the Senate Department for Economics, Technology and Research has been promoting the German fashion industry by sponsoring the Berlin Fashion Week twice a year. The program includes a variety of events ranging from the pinnacle Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin to niche events like Bread & Butter (international trade fair for street and urban fashion) high fashion ordering platform Show & Order, as well as shows for plus size fashion, ethical fashion and the eco-fashion show GreenShowroom.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin for Spring-Summer 2015 took place in July which had featured designers such as Grazia, Marc Cain, Laurel and Schumacher. The overall tone was subdued colors with a focus on lightweight breathable fabric.

Design by Grazia (Images: Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin)

Design by Marc Cain (Images: Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin)

Design by Laurel (Images: Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin)

Design by Schumacher (Images: Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin)

The GreenShowroom featured upcoming designers from Germany like Johnanna Riplinger, Edelziege and Katharina Kaiser, with a focus on simple styling and detailing.

Design by Johnanna Riplinger (Image : GreenShowroom)

Design by Edelziege (Image : GreenShowroom)

Design by Katharina Kaiser (Image : GreenShowroom)

The ethical fashion show highlights included stylish casuals by Asquith of London, modern minimalist designs by Sonia (Netherlands) and Peopletree’s fair-trade collection.

Designs from Asquith (Courtesy:Ethical Fashion Show Berlin)

Designs from Sonia (Image : Ethical Fashion Show Berlin)

Design from Peopletree (Image: Ethical Fashion Show Berlin)

Besides these, Showfloor Berlin and Lavera Showfloor were two of the notable events where fashion brands could showcase their latest collections.

While the fashion week did have a large number of German designers participating, getting international visibility will require a few more seasons. But the fact that Mercedes Benz has included Berlin as one of the fashion weeks it sponsors along with New York, Miami, Australia and Istanbul should see increased interest from buyers in the near future.

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Supriya Ghurye is the founder and owner of Fuel4Fashion, the first virtual design studio that caters to new and upcoming fashion design labels with a diverse portfolio of design services. She is a member of the Cherie Blair Foundation’s Women Entrepreneurship Program and has over a decade of fashion industry experience with international labels and start-ups.

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