The Fashion Industry

Image: Pamoyo

A German fashion label has come up with a unique idea to make its designs and patterns available for free on the internet. Pamoyo, based in Berlin, are publishing their designs on their website under a Creative Commons license. This is a a major departure for the fashion industry, where companies usually keep their designs closely guarded with patents.

The Pamoyo website allows users to download A4-sized PDF files of the raw designs, to create and alter in any way they see fit.

According to Cecilia Palmer, one of the company’s chief designers:

“Everybody’s free to use [the designs], as long as they attribute us as the source,” “If they make new works based on this, they must publish them under the same Creative Commons license. People can also contribute their own ideas to the designs, potentially being able to sell clothes they have designed through the company.

“Part of our philosophy is not to be a one-man band, but to involve the creativity of other designers into the label. I would really love it if one of our designs gets worked into something completely new and comes back to be part of our collection.”

Their first pattern, a shirt from the Styled With Heart collection is available on their site now. It’s going to be interesting to see where this goes. You can check it out here.

Source: BBC

Image: Pocket Picks

Two major brands will be coming onto the designer lingerie scene this spring. Donna Karan Intimates will be relaunching its lounge, play and sleep wear and Emporio Armani Underwear is coming to the U.S. for the first time with its collection of intimates.

The spring-summer 2009 collection is aimed at major stores such as Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, and will also be sold at 12 Emporio Armani boutiques in the U.S.

The women’s intimates line features four groups, all named after flowers: Gardenia, which is based on feminine, everyday comfort; Camelia, offering basic colors and fashion shades linked to the ready-to-wear collections; Tulipano, a contemporary group in basic styles and fashion colors, and Lila, featuring an eclectic range of colors and prints. Anchored in lightweight and intricately designed lace and double-ply stretch mesh and tulle, special treatments include allover printed Emporio Armani logos, double strap treatments with minibows and hardware like the Giorgio Armani flying eagle logo.

“I am very pleased to finally offer the American woman the opportunity to wear my underwear designs,” said Giorgio Armani. “While researching this market, my main goal was to satisfy the specific needs of the American woman: comfort, fit, quality and, above all, great design and functionality.”

Source: WWD

Image: Neiman Marcus

It’s always nice to have a little something in your jewelry box to go with that perfect dress… or perfect tee shirt and jeans. This Judith Ripka Garland Pave Cuff is the ideal piece to to add a little glitz to any outfit. Award-winning designer Judith Ripka creates jewelry that is meant to be worn everyday whether with casual wear or evening dress. It’s made of 18-karat yellow gold set with Pavé diamonds; 3.675 total carat weight. Cost for this bit of bling, $17,900.00. It’s almost better than having a man on your arm.

Image: Nordstrom

Well not really, but this looks so much like a hospital gown, I couldn’t resist. A straight-cut silk crepe shirtdress with looped off-center tie has banded cuffs, silk lining and hidden front zip closure. I doubt there are any hospitals that could fit too many of these in their budget. Cost:$2500

By the way, if you just can’t wait to get your hands on this dress, you can pre-order it from the Fall 2008 collection at Nordstrom.

Image: Neiman Marcus

Here’s the perfect dress… if you like your silk sheets tied in knots that is. This  pure silk sour green dress from Burberry has an all over knotted detail, jewel neckline and short sleeves. Obviously you’ll need a pencil thin figure to wear this as the knots and folds are going to add bulges to your bulges.  Made in Italy, this dress can be found at Neiman Marcus and will set you back $5995.00. I think I’ll pass. I need to put gas in the car this week.

Image: The New York Times

If you want to get ahead in the competitive professional world, you need to set yourself apart from the crowd and while this look might set you apart, I’m not sure it will get you ahead. This just looks strange! I have images of men running to their tailors asking to have their suit pants shortened. Why not a casual jacket and Docker shorts? While I’m all for men staying cool and casual in summer, and a nice pair of legs has a lot of eye appeal for us ladies, let’s not mess with the business suit.

Image: nymag.com

French born Catherine Malandrino got her start in Paris working for designers such as Louis Feraud Haute Couture, Et Vous and Emanuel Ungaro. She came to the U.S.  in 1988, where she worked as head designer for Diane von Furstenberg before launching her own label, Catherine Malandrino Limited Edition in 1998. She quickly gathered a following of celebrities who admired her rock inspired sexy styles.

When speaking of her designs Malandrino says, “I want to design irresistible clothes that make a woman desirable, clothes that a man just wants to discreetly take off.”

She now has stores in New York’s’ Soho and Meatpacking districts, East Hampton, and L.A. The label is also available at Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Source: nymag.com

Image: Nice Kicks

Nine West  a division of Jones Apparel Group, Inc. and New Balance announced that they have joined into an agreement to develop a new line of footwear. The Boston based New Balance will be responsible for the  material direction and insole technology while Nine West will create the soft-tech styling and trend-right color.

The collection will offer active lifestyle footwear and will be available for spring 2009.

Source:CNNMoney.com

Image: Neiman Marcus

I love a really rich looking leather handbag and while this one may be a bit too rich for me (pocketbook wise anyway), I do think it’s adorable. This is the Nappa Ruffled clutch from Prada. It comes in beige or black and can be found at Neiman Marcus. Those ruffles remind me of a blouse with little ruffled cap sleeves. It’s such a feminine look. How Much? I knew you’d ask. $1695.00.

Source: Neiman Marcus

Image: Forbes.com

A girl’s got to have those all important accessories to go with her favorite fashions and what’s better than a little bling?

A black diamond is considered to be very rare but a black diamond weighing  84 carats is almost unheard of. This black diamond in a contrasting gold setting has 958 fancy yellow pave diamonds and two smaller black diamonds on either side. How much? 1.2 million. Dig out your piggy banks ladies!

Source: Forbes.com