Conscious Clothing

 

(Photo:orange prom dresses)I love fashion as much as the next girl. Actually, if I’m honest, I love fashion a little more than the next girl which is why I chose it as a full time career. Unfortunately, as with most things I love (aerosol deodorant, frequent taxis and disposable water bottles included) fashion isn’t exactly good for my future.

Now I know that sounds a little dramatic (don’t I always?) but bear with me. Are you aware that the fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world? Yep, the oil moguls may be right up there at the top but we fashionistas are hot on their heels.

It’s a scary thought that bulk buying spaghetti strap tops for your summer holiday could be contributing to global warming. So that’s it then… no more clothes for us! Now that is dramatic. There is an answer and as per usual I have it for you. Just call me the Dalai Lama of fashion.

Before you burn all of your clothes in protest (which, BTW, would just add to the pollution) let’s take a second to think about how we can make a change. You might have heard the term ‘ethical fashion’ and wondered what it means.

Well, ethical fashion does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s the idea that as consumers we should be aware of where the materials used in our clothes have come from, the pollution that we have caused and how the people creating our garments are being treated.

We are all aware of the horrors that workers in sweatshops are often subjected to. The idea behind ethical fashion is that we research where we buy from and avoid the labels that are guilty of a less than ethical manufacturing process.

However, ethical fashion isn’t just about where your clothes have come from. It’s also about what they say. Fashion has the unique power to portray a message to the masses. Recently, Karl Lagerfeld sent a pack of models careering down the catwalk on a feminist march for Chanel. It was a ploy that placed the feminist movement into all of the right news outlets for all of the right reasons.

That’s what ethical fashion is all about, improving the world that we live in through the medium of fashion. We are a generation of people that are painfully aware of what we put in our bodies so it makes sense that we should be just as aware of what goes on those same bodies.

The full article appears in the December issue of Xposé Magazine, out now.Read more at:purple prom dresses uk

How British High Street Shops Have Been ‘Misleading’ Customers

Faux fur is one of the biggest trends this winter, but what if the fashion you’re buying is actually real fur…

A new investigation by the Humane Society International/UK (HSI/UK) and the BBC’s ‘Fake Britain’ has exposed a number of retailers on the British high street who they claim are misleading shoppers by selling items containing real animal fur that have either been mis-labelled as fake or not labelled at all.

Stores such as House of Fraser and TK Maxx are among some of the shops named as failing to provide clear information on their labels about whether the fur is real of fake.

faux fur 

(Photo:black prom dresses)In response to their findings, HSI UK has launched a new campaign – ‘Make It Fake’ – calling for more robust labelling laws that enable ethical consumers to buy faux fur with confidence.

Claire Bass, executive director of HSI UK, said: “More than 100 million rabbits, foxes, raccoon dogs and other animals endure appalling lives and suffer terrible deaths just to make cheap trim for coats, hats and gloves that end up on the UK high street.

“Polls confirm that the vast majority of people want nothing to do with this sickening trade, yet our research shows that real fur is being widely sold in markets and stores.

“One logical explanation is that unsuspecting consumers are being duped into buying real fur assuming that it’s fake.”

HuffPost UK Style has contacted House of Fraser and TK Maxx for comment.Read more at:pink prom dresses uk

Local boutiques offer variety of on-trend clothes

 

(Photo:http://www.marieprom.co.uk/prom-dresses-london)”Comfortable and cozy with a creative blend of textures and textiles” goes a long way in describing winter fashion this year.

Garments such as vests and flowing cardigans—some made with unexpected blends of lace, knitted or open-weave materials—make shopping not only fun but interesting.

At Mainstream Boutique and MODE, customers can find unique pieces they can be sure they won’t see on too many, if any, others around town, store owners say.

“People love the smaller stores, where they can find more unique items and get customer service,” said Kathy Klath, who owns Mainstream Boutique, a satellite store on the outskirts of Columbia Mall in Grand Forks. “I think people are looking for that.”

Kay Derry, who owns MODE (located on 42nd Street next to Tim Hortons), agreed.

“We only get a few (of each item), so when it’s gone, it’s gone,” she said. “That makes it unique. We want you to stand out, at a reasonable price, and be confident.”

At Mainstream Boutique, Klath offers a fitted single-breasted taupe tapestry coat with wider, rounded lapels trimmed in one-inch taupe lace—which is reminiscent of the ’70s.

In fact, some of the most iconic fashion staples of the 1970s, carrying over from the fall, are prevalent in clothing for the winter season, Klath said.

“Fringe, the poncho, flared jeans, cowl necks—they’re all coming back,” she said.

“It’s funny how we go back to what we had, but we tweak it. It’s how we wear it, too. There’s no right or wrong way—however you feel that day is how you dress.”

“It’s kind of like anything goes,” Derry said. “You might try a statement necklace or, depending on the top, it may be that ‘less is better’ or something simpler will work.”

Vests, sweater, tunics

The shorter vest, especially with fringe, is coming on strong for winter, Klath said.

Sleeveless long sweaters or vests and long-sleeved cardigans or “dusters”—we’re talking midcalf-length—in cable knit make a strong fashion statement this season.

Women of shorter stature should not shy away from these longer silhouettes, Klath said. “They can look good on shorter women, too.”

Tunics continue to be well-received by consumers.

“Tunics are very in,” Klath said. “(They) are so easy. In the store, they can be hard to decipher: is it a dress or a tunic? Someone who’s shorter could wear it as a dress.”

Some garments feature hems that dip down on the sides or vary from front to back, she said. “They’re high in front and lower in the back.”

Many of her mature customers prefer the shorter-length garment, which Klath makes sure to have on hand, she said.

She also is showing plenty of plaids, including the Northwoods’ classic red-and-black-checkered buffalo plaid, as well as sweater vests and sleeveless vests that combine knit, woven and even lace materials. And the influence of fleece on winter clothing options is unmistakable.

The hottest colors for winter are more subdued, drawing heavily from neutrals such as black, charcoal gray, taupe, browns and muddy greens.

“Taupe is a color for year-round,” Klath said. “It’s a really great neutral to wear either in a bottom or top.”

In her take on trending colors, Derry included sage or greyish green, muted mustard, a winey red-brown, deep plum, cashmere rose, orange, a vibrant amethyst orchid and a “stormy weather” blue that captures the blue-gray of a hazy, cloudy day.

Accessories important

Layering is key to putting together a great look this winter, Derry said.

“There’s a lot of layering,” she said. “You can make a whole new outfit with a scarf.”

Layering is not only smart but also very practical for wintertime dressing, Klath said.

“Scarves can add so much (to the look of an outfit) and keep you warm, too.”

They add a punch of personality to a new top or jacket, or even rejuvenate something you already own.

“Jewelry, scarves, hats or another accessory is an easy way to bring a new look to an old top that you’re sick of,” Klath said.

Look for anything with tassels, whether on jewelry, scarves, handbags or footwear.

And don’t underestimate the visual impact of “fun gloves in a plaid or an argyle print,” Klath said.

Speaking of the emerging popularity of prints, Aztec patterns are beginning to take center stage in fashion, she said.

The American Southwest influence also is evident in timeless jewelry that mixes turquoise with wooden beads and other elements.

Leather as a design element, and smooth or copper wire-wrapped natural stones, impart an ethnic vibe to necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

Choosing the perfect belt can be a great way to change your look and add versatility to a wrap cardigan sweater, Klath said.

Pearls are not just for your grandmother anymore.

Pearls, which “are always classic and beautiful,” are worn more casually this season, Klath said.

Crosses, measuring 3 to 5 inches in length, grace long chains and take on new life when studded with pearls or other unusual decoration.

Best boots

When it comes to boots, there’s a height for every taste and preference.

Tall boots make an important fashion statement, Derry said.

Her store, MODE, is offering a selection that she got as an “opportunity buy,” she said. “We don’t usually have footwear.”

In boots of all types, “suede is in,” Klath said, noting especially the bootie, or ankle-height boot, with a wedge heel.

Shoppers also will find midcalf and lace-up styles, she said. Buckles add a bit of flare to an otherwise plain boot.

If you’re looking for just the right pair of jeans to tuck into those boots, you might want to make MODE your first stop. It’s known for its large selection of jeans and other designer garments that it scoops up from closeouts or overstock sales.

“We buy for less and pass that saving on to customers,” Derry said.

Like Mainstream Boutique, MODE is aimed at a clientele that varies widely in size and age, “from 8 to 88,” she said.

“I recently had a mom, daughter and grandma come in. They all found something in the store.”

“We help women shop differently,” Derry said. “I’m brutally honest; I want (customers) going out looking good. The most fun I have is dressing people … I want them to look great and feel comfortable and confident.”Read more at:http://www.marieprom.co.uk/prom-dresses-manchester

Investment traditions are also important

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and like all holidays, this one has plenty of traditions, including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City (started in 1924) and football (the first broadcast Thanksgiving Day game was played between the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears in 1934).

Traditions are important, and you may want to establish some in one of the key activities of your own life: Investing.

So, what sort of investment traditions could you start?

Here are a few ideas:

•Invest regularly. By definition, engaging in a tradition means performing the same acts over and over.

This type of behavior can impose discipline and consistency to your investing.

For example, consider con-tributing the same amount of money each month to the same investments.

When the price of these investments is down, your contribution will pay for more shares – in other words, you’ll be “buying low,” one of the key principals of investing.

And when the price of your investments is up, you’ll be a savvy enough investor to buy fewer shares.

Over a long period, this technique can help lower the per-share price of your investments, but it does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss.

To make it easier to follow through, you could set up monthly, automatic purchases of these investments from your checking or savings account.

•Increase 401(k) contributions when you get a raise. Why not make it a tradition to boost your contributions to your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored plan every time your salary increases?

Your 401(k) is a great way to save for retirement, as your contributions are typically made with pretax dollars, resulting in lower taxable income, and your earnings can grow on a tax-deferred basis.

Even if you don’t reach the contribution limit (which, in 2015, is $18,000, or $24,000 if you’re 50 or older), you can help yourself make progress toward your retirement goals if you give your 401(k) a “raise” every time you get one.

•Review your progress at least once a year. Pick one day a year, perhaps a “milestone” day, such as your birthday or wedding anniversary, to review your overall investment picture.

Are your investments performing the way you had hoped?

Is your portfolio properly diversified, or are there gaps you need to address?

Are you investing too aggressively or too conservatively?

A yearly review of your invest-ments and long-term financial strategy, possibly with the help of a financial advisor, can help keep you on track toward your objectives.

Of course, you don’t need to wait 12 months before looking over your situation; you may need to adjust your holdings during the course of any given year, in response to changes in the financial markets or your individual needs.

But by committing yourself to at least one full-scale review a year, you can greatly reduce unpleasant “surprises” while staying abreast of exactly where you are and where you’re headed.

On Thanksgiving, you can enjoy the holiday’s traditions, along with those that may be unique to your family.

And someday, you may well be thankful that you followed some productive investment “traditions.”Read more at:http://www.marieprom.co.uk/vintage-prom-dresses | http://www.marieprom.co.uk/princess-prom-dresses

The fairest of them all

There is a little of Caitlyn Jenner is this year’s Miss International Queen winner Trixie Maristela. Not unlike the former Bruce Jenner, who has become a high-profile transgender advocate after her breakout Vanity Fair cover, the Filipina has also been put on the pedestal as a rising LGBT advocate after winning a series of beauty pageants.

Shortly after winning the inaugural Miss Gay Manila 2015 title, Maristela caused a buzz on the social media when she and transgender fashion designer Veejay Floresca were denied entry to a high-end night club in Metro Manila in June.

At the ID check prior to entering the club, Maristela. who was wearing a short yellow dress that night, was told that she was not dressed appropriately as the club did not allow cross-dressers.

“I was humiliated in front of my clients,” Maristela tells Asia News Network.

Her Instagram and Facebook posts on the episode then went viral forcing the club to subsequently issue an apology. The unfortunate incident sparked a healthy debate on the rights of transgender people in the Philippines with other clubs compelled to reassess their entrance policies.

“It was a good thing that it happened and I had a chance to share it on social media to make people talk about it,” says Maristela, 29.

Although a mainly Roman Catholic country, the Filipino society has largely tolerated the LGBT community.

Nevertheless, Maristela and her companion’s brush with the nightclub bouncer highlights the fact that even fame and status do not translate to liberation and respect. The crux of the problem, she says, lies in the ambiguous legal status of transgender people.

“We still can’t change our gender markers and don’t have a legal status,” Maristela laments.

But all is not lost yet for Maristela and her comrades – with the large and vibrant LGBT community in Manila, LGBT rights have lately become a hot issue for politicians

Maristela herself was tapped by the campaign machinery of Manila mayor and former Philippine President Joseph Estrada to engage the LGBT community.

“I wish to conduct more seminars on LGBT and talk about issues like sexual harassment and sexual orientation,” she says.

“It is important for people to understand the basics and learn the difference between being gay and transgender, for instance. In the Philippines, transgender women are often called ‘bakla’ although the term actually refers to homosexual men.”

With her recent triumph at the Miss International Queen’s finale on November 6, Maristela who was earlier signed by Philippines’ Viva Entertainment, is all set for further stardom.

That would be a huge leap from her former job as a multilingual business analyst but true to her advocacy streak, Maristela hopes to be more than just a pretty face.

“It is important for a transwoman like me in be visible in the media but I don’t just want to appear glamorous.

“I want to send out the message that transgender people are just like everyone else…we have rights, we can be talented and beautiful. There’s really no reason to look down on us, we can be the best version of ourselves if you just let us do what we want,” she says.

While Maristela is adjusting to life as a public figure, her romance with her beau Art Sta Ana is already out in the open with the release of the book “He’s dating the transgender” lovingly waritten by Sta Ana.

The lovebirds started in a typical boy-meets-girl fashion and their relationship has been going strong for six years. Their love story became the talk of the town in the Philippines when a column titled “‘I’m dating a transgender” that Sta Ana wrote in the Manila Bulletin won 80,000 shares on social media within hours of publication,

In a honest recount of their relationship, Sta Ana, who identifies himself as a straight man, wrote that many of his family and friends were not aware that Maristela was a transwoman until she came out on the popular “Super Sireyna” television show. He admitted that it was not easy for them to ignore what others think but he said “Being with Trixie exposed me to the plight not just of transwomen but of LGBT people in general. Being gender deviant doesn’t make you any less capable of contributing to society, taking care of family and living a normal life”.

It looks like Maristela has found her soulmate in her crusade.Read more at:http://www.marieprom.co.uk/prom-dresses-manchester | http://www.marieprom.co.uk/prom-dresses-liverpool