Betsey Johnson 50 years of Flips and Splits

It's amazing to be a designer, but the will it takes to be a designer for 50 Years is just beyond explanation. Legendary Girl of all Girls Betsey Johnson celebrated 50 years of exciting, youthful and intriguing designs. Betsey Johnson needs no introduction , just a Great Big Congratulations! I am honored to have been able to see you in action for the past 4 years of my own career in design and I am always in awe of my Betsey, cheers to 50 years of inspiration!!!

Here's my favorite highlights from yesterday's show.

Kyms Favorite Afro Punk Fest 2015 Images

Afro Punk is far from a fad, it's not something new. Afro Punk is genetic memory being played out in modern society as well as many other things Black People do unknowingly due to the primordial substance in Melanin. I just decided to grab a few of my favorite images that capture the primordial essence of what is now a new being.

What is Alternative Fashion

1. Alternative fashion is fashion that, at least at one time, stood apart from mainstream commercial fashion. Alternative fashion includes the fashions of specific subcultures such as emo, scene, Goth subculture, Hip hop, industrial and Cyberpunk, however it is not limited to this, think Costume...
2. 
   Cape by Emile Pingat, ca. 1895. Housed at the Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
3. 
   

Edith Head design for Lucille Ball in 'The Facts of Life', 1960. Costume design

Costume worn by Rachel Weisz as Evanora in Oz, the Great and Powerful (2013)

Television has certainly had its share of memorable fashion moments, from Mary Ann’s red-and-white gingham dress to Bill Cosby’s sweaters. But few of its designers are widely remembered, other than the late Nolan Miller, for “Dynasty,” and Patricia Field, for “Sex and the City.”

Among classic cinema fans, costume designers are often thought of last in a long line of artists involved with a production.  The director, actor, writer, and cinematographer are among those who are highly regarded whereas the costume designer is not.  Yet movies from the Golden Age of Hollywood are heralded for their style, and few recognize how much these films' longevity depends on their iconic costume design. Among the fashion community, most are only concerned with what's currently coming down the runways.  What they fail to realize is that successful designers know their film history well and regularly reference classic cinema in their collections.  This is true among fashion designers, but also photographers, editorial stylists, hair stylists, and makeup artists alike.

One challenge is that 'costume design' tends to be misunderstood.  For one, it does not necessarily mean period pieces a la Shakespeare or Gone with the Wind.  In fact, from the earliest days of cinema, the style in the movies (almost) always inspired the trends and led the direction of mainstream fashion.  Also, few people understand how many costume designers started and/or ended their careers as fashion designers and couturiers.  And many strictly fashion designers also crossed over to design for the movies--names like Hubert de Givenchy, Pierre Balmain, and Yves Saint Laurent.  Coco Chanel herself once designed for film in the early days of her career.  Therefore, knowing the history of film is to know much of the history of fashion.

“Your work is the first thing the audience sees so you have to be able to tell them who that character is. You have to know how the actor and the director see the character before you can dress them. Once you have an idea of who you’re dressing then you can begin to develop a look that he can portray that character.”

- Walter Peterson, costume designer and author of Out of the Closet: The Life of a Costume/Fashion Designer quoted in New England Film-

New Sexy Size Collection by Kymcouture Kollection

Everyone may be wondering what's the latest with KymCouture Kollection, who else has more info than Haute Issues?

We decided to share the news about KCK's latest collection fit for sexy size women in the fashion world known as Full Figured Fashion. 

Here's a look at the 5 garment collection available on www.kymcouturekollection.com for a limited time, get there now ladies!

Socks & Heels this Winter

Lets not knock this look to fast before we try it. I think it's a great way to get a wear in on those cute heels you bought over summer! Here's some great visual of stylish sock and heel looks!

The Fashion Industry Inside (Ode to Business Planning)

Selling retail apparel, including clothing, accessories and footwear, is a multibillion-dollar industry. If you’re thinking of opening a clothing store, an eye for fashion and a desire to sell your own designs or offer a variety of name-brand apparel are just the start. You also need to analyze the industry to find out if the potential for selling apparel, footwear and all the goodies that go with it is a solid, moneymaking idea.

Market

A number of large, well-branded retailers make up a chunk of the apparel market, but many smaller businesses, such as boutique and niche apparel stores, are part of the market, too. The larger apparel retailers have an advantage over smaller shops since they get better pricing from suppliers because they buy such large quantities of apparel. That means their profit margin is greater and they can offer better retail pricing to their customers. Smaller apparel retailers make up for the high pricing they pay for wholesale retail apparel by selling certain types and styles of clothing rather than offering everything for everyone like many larger apparel stores.

Trends

One of the major trends affecting the retail apparel industry is the increase in people who like shopping for apparel on the Internet from the comfort of their home rather than shopping at a traditional brick-and-mortar store. Emerging technology such as mobile applications are changing the way retailers do business. For instance, NRF Stores reports that customers who use mobile devices to buy spend eight times more than people who only shop in a store. Other mobile trends include creating mobile point-of-sale applications to make it easier to buy and offer services such as virtual fitting rooms. Another trend is the use of customer data to figure out what your customers want. A way for small retailers to get this information is to use social media to learn what their customers want.

Challenges/Competition

Staying on top of the latest styles of clothing, footwear and accessories is key to attracting apparel-hungry shoppers. Otherwise you end up with too much inventory, or worse yet, your branding suffers. Another challenge is the abundance of retail apparel shops on the Internet since these may lure local shoppers, causing you to lose revenue. On top of the Internet threat, building and operating a physical location is a costly endeavor. If money is a big concern, counteract these costs by solely selling apparel via the Internet and eliminate the need for a costly storefront and staff.

Las Vegas Delano hotel displays Organic Fashion Exhibit

Collection Features Styles By Pratt Institute Students Displayed Throughout Lobby on Ralph Pucci’s Iconic Mannequins Through Nov. 24 

 

For a limited time, a collection of unique woven pieces ranging from elegant sheaths and sweaters to artfully crafted crocheted scarves and headpieces will be displayed throughout the lobby of Delano Las Vegas. Each design flanks one of the hotel’s iconic draped white linen columns, offering a unique visual for guests and passersby.  

Credited with revolutionizing the mannequin industry in the 1970s by breaking away from traditional rigid forms, Pucci is renowned for his high-end sculpture, lighting and furniture company based in New York City and is a trustee of the esteemed Pratt Institute.

Among the diverse works from ORGANIC MATTER showcased at Delano Las Vegas are:

• A large-gauge knit tee made of panty hose and a knit skirt with leather suspenders
• A crocheted coat featuring a stuffed-dog doll collar
• A caged sphere head piece and skirt with a crocheted bodysuit