Fashion Trend - Fall and Winter 2009 (Black Always)

Whenever we ask what the favorite color of fashion is for Fall & Winter, the answer is always black. Some people may not admit this fact and state different colors that may replace black as the dressing color. However, when you pick your clothes from your closet in the "cold" time, you may have taken a black one in your hand unconsciously. As such, in strick speaking, we should not treat BLACK as a fashion trend as it is always a favorite for Fall & Winter. Black represents "cold and mysterious" which is a perfect match of the mood of Fall & Winter. Dressing in black, you can easily catch up with the fashion trend in every Fall & Winter. Though black is a must color, fashion designers have used their imagination and creativity to create black fashion in different materials, different styles and different cuttings. Black color is all along the runway of brands like Chanel, Fendi, Calvin Klein and Lanvin etc this year.

An Introduction to Kimono - The Traditional clothing of Japan

Kimono is a traditional clothing of Japan. The word "kimono" is originated from Japanese which means a "thing to wear" (ki "wear" and mono "thing").

Kimonos are T-shaped, straight-lined robes worn so that the hem falls to the ankle, with attached collars and long, wide sleeves. Kimonos are wrapped around the body, always with the left side over the right (except when dressing the dead for burial), and secured by a sash called an obi, which is tied at the back. Kimonos are generally worn with traditional footwear (especially zōri or geta) and split-toe socks (tabi).

The earliest designs of kimono were heavily influenced by Chinese clothing as the Chinese cultrure has great impact on many Asian countries in ancient times. Designs have been modified by Japanese during its developement to make them more stylish and elegant. Today, kimonos have become a high class dressing for Japanese women and are most often worn on special occasions.

Fashion Power from Japan

Japanese fashion designers are now an influential power in fashion industry. Yohji Yamamoto, Tsumori Chisato, Rei Kawakubo (Comme des Garcons) and Issey Miyake are well recognised Japanese fashion designers in the global fashion industry. Though they are with their individual collections, one thing is in common that they do not simply follow the western design styles learned from fashion schools but to mix the traditional Japanese kimono, origami, cultural, architectual elements into modern western fashion designs. I would like to call this a "Fashion Fusion" in line with the popular "Food Fusion" in the dining industry. Fashion magazines like to call this "Fashion Fusion" as "East meets West" but I will recognize this as "Japan meets West". Irregular shapes, multi folds, loose designs and fine embroideries are all basic elements of Japanese traditional kimonos. Now they are mixed, matched and simplied into kimono style clothes to meet the needs of different modern occassions.

Fashion Trend - Fall and Winter 2009 (Golden 80's)

The 80's seems to be a memorable and golden decade for us. We have different great MJs around the time, Michael Jackson in POP, Michael Jordon in Basketballs and Marc Jacobs in Fashion. Oh, don't mix up. Marc Jacobs is not quoted to be great in the 80's but his greatness in promoting the golden 80's for this Fall and Winter fashion trend. Bright colors, oversized jacket and power shoulders all featured in the runways leading by brands such as Louis Vuitton, YSL, Dolce & Gabbana and surely Marc Jocobs etc. New elements have been adopted by fashion designers to give a new look of these 80's features such as geometric cuttings of power shoulders from YSL. Tight pants or pencil skirts are also dressed with oversized jacket to create contrast effects.

Fashion Trend - Fall and Winter 2009 (Summary)

The year, the Fall and Winter fashion trend is a continuation of the Spring and Summer trends. Under the financial tsunami, fashion designer tends to goes from "Runway Fashion" to "Dressable Fashion" and from "Conceptual" to "Practical". Below are some of the fashion trends for Fall and Winder 2009 :

1. Golden 80's

2. Black Always

3. See-through

4. Dress Coat

We will discuss each trend in details later.

Fashion Trend - Spring and Summer 2009 (80's Again)

History repeats itself. Fashion elements in different decades also repeat themselves to create new trends. One typical example is the hot "bling bling" of 60's becomes trendy again around these few years. This year, it's 80's turn. In the 80s, the fashion trend was masculine influenced with the wide use of shoulder pads for women. However, fashion designer will not just simply copy but adopt. Fashion designers manipulate fabric in ever bolder (and bigger) ways but the shoulder pads are smaller to give a less masculine effect than the 80's. Fashion brands leading this trend are Jean Paul Gaultier, Givenchy, Christian Lacoix and Ralph Lauren etc.

Fashion Trend - Spring and Summer 2009 (3D Design)

Volume cutting becomes a popular design trend in fashion in recent years. Fashion designers fulfill their needs for creativity by bending, folding and twisting fabrics in a ever bolder way. This year, 3D designs are leading the trends along the runways of different brands. Dolce & Gabbana, Calvin Klein, YSL and Chloe are presenting their ways of 3D ideas. Some people may think 3D designs are only showpieces to attract eyeballs in fashion shows and are not suitable for real life dressing. But, you may also catch this trend with clothes carrying 3D features like cocoon sleeves and draping designs. These features will surely make your dressing styles richer and more trendy.

Perky Yellow

Isn’t it fabulous to wear YELLOW now? It’s the colour of sunshine and could brighten up one’s mood. After seasons and seasons of black, black and… black, perky YELLOW has finally come. It is the perfect colour to wear whenever your spirits needs an uplift. Yellow carries the same healing qualities associated with the sun. It offers warmth, optimism, and light. All shades of yellows (and golds) will cheer you up and help make you feel happier. Yellow is often criticized as being garish and overpowering. But there are so many shades of yellow.. from amber yellow, mustard yellow to tangerine yellow and buttery yellow. The options are unlimited. Pick one to match your own skin and hair colour and wear it out out into the world to make an affirmation statement.

Remember, being happy is your choice!