Fabulous frocks

Designer Carmen Marc Valvo zips into Austin from Dallas, where he spent part of the previous evening riding a mechanical bull at Neiman Marcus' 100th anniversary event.

Valvo, dressed in black jeans, a white button-down and short boots, might not be a familiar face in women's wear in the same way that other New York designers such as Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan are recognizable. But since he started his label in 1989, Valvo, who turns 54 next week, has become known as the go-to guy for women's evening wear.

His designer frocks from his couture and ready-to-wear collections have been worn by A-listers such as actress and singer Queen Latifah (he simply calls her "Queen"), "Ugly Betty" co-star Vanessa Williams and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson.

He's about to expand his line, which includes swimwear, coats and furs, with lingerie and women's and men's eyewear.

He's a favorite of Austin women, and if you go to any of the many galas scheduled to happen over the next few months, you're sure to see his creations. As we talked, I asked him to share some style tips for a holiday gala, wedding or other big event. What follows are some of the highlights:

How to stand out, Part One

"The best way to do it is with color," Valvo says. "Here in Texas it's probably more color. In New York and San Francisco and really any urban setting, people find wearing black is a safer kind of color or a dark brown or midnight. If you really want to make an entrance, wear something that's bright red or hot pink."

How to stand out, Part Two

"One color that I think is amazing for balls is winter white," he says. "It's so unexpected in that sea of black or dark jewel tones. That white will make it go whhhhaaaa. I suggest that the chairwoman (of an event or ball) should wear ivory for that very reason."

Go beyond the mirror

"Take a camera and take a picture of yourself in the gown you're thinking of probably purchasing or take a picture of the three options that you have" in your closet, he says. "A photograph never lies."

Trust your judgment

"Don't go shopping with friends," he says. "Sometimes they say, 'Oh, that looks terrible on you' because they think it looks too good. Sometimes they are not as honest as you think they are."

Why the empire rules

"Usually the goal of every designer is to make someone look taller and thinner," he says. "An empire silhouette gives a really nice appearance of tallness. You're changing the proportions so it's just under the bust. It looks like you have incredibly long legs even if your legs are really short. It works if you're petite and it works if you're a bigger girl."

Behold the halter dress

"The other silhouette that I think is always flawless and elongating for a woman is a halter, a deep plunging halter," he says. "You elongate the neck. A halter empire — that's a home-run. It's an amazing dress. I put that dress on Claire Danes, on Vanessa Williams. I'm doing a version of it for Jennifer Hudson."

Battle of the bulge

"Layering with a little fur shrug to cover yourself, a chiffon stole or a wrap would be nice," he says. "I always suggest a woman not to wear it over the shoulders but to double wrap and drop. If you wear it over the shoulders, you're adding girth and width. If you drape it on one side and let it hang on the other, it makes the woman's appearance smaller."

Mother of the bride, Part One

"I always say it has to be youthful," Valvo says. "Gowns are easy and you can have a shawl for some comfort. A lot of times because it's a mom, they feel like they want a little more coverage. If that's the case, a little chic jacket or a soft jacket and a long skirt. We offer a lot of options actually for those occasions. With evening separates that we do within the collection, we can get anything for any body shape or type."

Mother of the bride, Part Two

"You can be feminine and sensual," Valvo says. "But not overtly sexy. These days with the changing family dynamic — sometimes there are three and four mothers involved in a wedding — I always say err on the side of conservative. Don't get too overtly sexual. It's not their day. It's their daughter's day or their son's day."

Mother of the bride, Part Three

"Pick a color that looks good on you," he says. "In the photograph that's going on the piano, it's you and your child, not the other mother and not the bridal party. Make yourself look gorgeous for yourself and your child and don't worry about the color. Even midnight in the summer is fine. It's a year-round color like black, and gold's a year-round color."

Evening separates

"You can get a lot of looks out of them and really maximize your options," Valvo says. "For someone who is very social it gives them a way to mix and match their pieces so it looks like they are wearing something new and different."

Bedazzle, bejeweled

"I always think the attention should be brought to the face," Valvo says. "If you wanted something, I would do bracelets, and a bag and ears as opposed to a necklace. I know a lot of women love their necklaces and they have beautiful, beautiful pieces, but sometimes in a photograph it becomes too, too much."

Jewelry,night and day

"You can never go too wrong with adding another layer with a scarf or adding another five or six bangles," Valvo says. "That always works. For evening you should pare it down more. It's 'less is better' for evening."

Evening wear splurge

"Women usually spend a lot of money on their day attire but not for evening for some strange reason," he says. "They probably only will wear it once or twice. If you're buying a gown and you wear it once, put it in the back of the closet and, like an old friend, bring it out in five or six years."

The must-haves

"The little black dress is what they should have," Valvo says. "It should be special enough that it can go black tie but classic enough to go cocktail, especially if you're traveling and you're not too sure what the attire requires. And the black strapless evening gown would be a big evening staple."



http://www.statesman.com/life/content/life/stories/style/10/25/1025marques.html

Yoga clothes need to move with you, your favorite jeans will not do it!

A pair of jeans and a button up shirt and the full lotus position is not a pretty picture and worse still, if you do get there, getting back to your start position could be worse. Your normal street clothes are not what you want when practicing the art of yoga. Your body builds up in flexibility while you are doing yoga and so must your clothes. They must be able to move with your body and the more advanced you get with your yoga positions, the more movement you need in your clothes. To start, you don't need to go out and buy yoga specific clothes, you could even have suitable pieces in your wardrobe already. It is so important that you practice your yoga in something that you are comfortable in when performing the various positions. Your yoga clothes need to support, move with the body, not ride up leaving bare skin exposed to the elements.

You will probably find there are clothes in your wardrobe that will suffice for the first few weeks and then when you decide you are going to continue with the yoga lessons, with some guidance from your instructor, you should seek the yoga clothes that will be suitable.

What To Look For When Shopping For Yoga Clothes.

When you are looking for yoga clothes, keep in mind the primary purpose of what you will need the yoga clothes to achieve for you. You will need the clothes to move with you in a myriad of positions and poses so the fabric will need to have a softness and flow to it, with body.

There are many fabrics on the market today that would be suitable, there is French terry, which is like a soft knit and not at all like terry toweling, many of the knits are suitable as long as they are not too heavy and some of the micro fibers would be excellent too.

You also want a fabric that doesn't crease and is low maintenance. Hand washing is a big no-no, you need to be able to wash your yoga clothes in your washing machine. Make sure they can be tumbled dried too. That way if you are practicing yoga every day, you will not need so many yoga clothes to get you through the week.

We are really spoilt for choice these days. With the specialist sporting stores and so many wonderful brands available for all types of sport, finding suitable yoga clothing will not be a problem, finding what you are happy with, should also be easier. You don't need to just look at the clothes made especially for yoga practicing, the gym clothing can be excellent. The sports back tee shirts are excellent for yoga clothes, as they don't restrict your arm movements. These are the things to look for and don't be shy about doing some stretches and bends when trying on the various styles, you won't know if they will work for you if you don't.

With the new technologies today, fabrics will keep the body cooler while exercising, there are fabrics actually keeps the body dry by absorbing the perspiration and keeping it away from the body. You may not think yoga will bring up a sweat, maybe not as much as an aerobic workout, but yoga still works the body.

There is another consideration for your yoga clothing. If you are handy with the sewing machine, you could make your own. Try on a few yoga outfits, find the style of yoga clothes that suit you then source out your fabric, pattern and a few hours later you will have a new wardrobe of yoga clothes.

There is also the Internet to check out. Online yoga stores will give you a good guide as to what to look for and if you are not near a suitable local store, then the online stores are a great option. They are also a good place to find what is available and what to look for when you do go shopping.

As nothing is cast in stone, you basically need yoga clothes that, move with you to the yoga poses, postures and positions when practicing your yoga.



http://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/1/50/yoga-clothes-need-to-move-with-you1.asp

Paul Smith Fashion - Including Paul Smith Women And Paul Smith Jeans

There are only a handful of household names in the fashion world and Paul Smith is one of them, having built up his company on an international stage. He was born in 1946 in Nottingham, England and opened his first shop there in 1970, later opening others in London. The shops gave him the opportunity to showcase his designs and his label became much sought after.

Currently, the company retails twelve different collections, including Paul Smith Women and Paul Smith Jeans. The R.Newbold line is exclusive to Japan, where the designer is very popular. Other collections are for shoes, watches, pens, furniture and perfume. The company is firmly rooted in Europe with manufacturing operating in the UK and Italy. Fabrics are of the highest standard and are mostly sourced from suppliers in Britain, France and Italy.

The range of men and women's fashion is noted for its blend of traditional and modern design. One of his most popular designs is a pinstripe accompanied by colored stripes. In fact, stripes are a common sight on Smith's clothes and his line of multi-colored socks are a favorite item with his customers. His other, more controversial, feature is the use of an image of a nude woman concealed on cuff links etc. The menswear is marketed at the men who are fortunate enough to be tall and of slender build.

The shops bearing the Smith name include locations in Moscow, Milan, Paris, Los Angeles and New York City. There are also stores in the Middle East and Asia, including numerous sites in Japan. The label is made available to over thirty countries.

The designer likes to bring his individual vision to many things and he has produced a range of items for the home. His China Collection includes two full dinner services named White and Stripe. There is also a tea set called Tartan. The rug collection is typically bold with brightly colored patterns. The Paul Smith soft furnishings borrow from the clothing line in the use of the multi colored, mixed with white, pinstripe motif. This range is called Bespoke Stripe and the fabric is 100% wool with six color ways available.

All the hard work and innovative design was recognized by the country when Paul Smith was knighted by the Queen in 2001. He has flown the flag for British fashion for many years and contributed to the economy. His fans like the irreverent style wrapped up in tradition and quality.


http://www.statssheet.com/articles/article50956.html

Indian women clothing - The epitome of elegance!

Perhaps the most endearing quality of an Indian woman is the range of comely apparels that she adorns. Indian clothing, especially Indian women clothing, is famous the world over for its elegant, ostentatious and exquisite styles. Not only that, Indian clothing has also become popular for its elegant cuts and comfort. Moreover, with the popularity of Indian clothing gaining strength in western countries, various Indian designers have now launched ranges of westernized Indian clothing lines to suit the western palette. This has led to Indian clothing gaining wider popularity throughout the world.

Even though women living in different regions of India adorn different styles of clothing, there are certain styles of women apparels that are more popular than the others. The more popular Indian women apparels are saris, salwar kameez and kurtis. These apparels have wide appeal both among working women and housewives. Considering the tropical climate of India, these apparels have wider appeal in lighter fabrics such as cotton. However, there is no dearth of the variety of fabrics in which these apparels are available. For the western reader, a 'salwar kameez' can be described as a long shirt worn with loose pants, with or without a scarf and the 'kurti' can be described as a top that can be worn over jeans or formal trousers.

Indian women clothing for everyday wear-the combination of unmatched comfort and unequaled style! With more and more styles of Indian salwar kameez and kurtis invading the market, this apparel is now available in very comfortable designs that can be worn to work, to parties or even as casual wear at home. So, you can choose from a wide variety of these dresses made out of cotton, crepe, silk and various other materials. Depending on the occasion for which you wish to pick this dress, you may choose a salwar kameez or kurti with embroidery, stone work, sequins and so on. The range, truly, is mind boggling.

Truly a comfort wear, most women love to wear a comfortable Indian dress or an elegant kurti with western trousers to work. The dress looks classy, stylish and very contemporary, especially the Indian dresses that are now available in western cuts.

Shopping for this comfort wear is now easier than ever For those of you who don't live in India, buying Indian clothing is now easier than ever. No longer do Indian clothing enthusiasts have to make a trip to India to buy Indian clothes. They can now buy the Indian clothes of their choice over the net. There are numerous websites who now cater to the huge western demand for Indian clothes. So, you can now sit in the comfort of your home and order an exquisite Indian salwar kameez of your choice to impress your friends at a get together.

For hottest Indian & Ethnic clothes around visit Sulbha.com, where you can get the latest Salwar-Kameez, Kurtis and other accessories sent straight to your door. To keep up with the latest Indian fashion trends, visit Sulbha.com.



http://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/3/260/indian-women-clothing1.asp

History of the ladies polo shirt

For many women, where their clothing comes from is not nearly as important as what it looks like when they put it on. But knowing where your favorite t-shirt or polo shirt first originated can give a better sense of how this piece of clothing might fit into your wardrobe. The ladies polo shirt, for example, actually has its roots in sports and athletic activities played by men - and of course, this tradition has continued to endure over the centuries, finally assimilating into women's style and fashion.


What you might not realize is that the polo shirt can be called by many names - a tennis shirt or a golf shirt is commonly used in everyday conversations, for example. Though the names might change, all refer to the idea of a lightly constructed shirt that has a collar, a few buttons (no more than three) in front of the neck with the ability to be buttoned up or left open as well as two narrow slits in the sides of the shirt at the bottom for better movement. While the material may change depending on your use for the polo shirt, many can be found in a wide range of colors and patterns in cotton, though the texture is created by using knitted cloth and not a woven material. Dressier versions of the polo shirt design can also be found, often in materials like wool, silk, or other manmade materials.


Most fashion history will point out that the ladies polo shirt originated as a piece in the tennis attire of men. Dating back to the 1800s and early 1900s, male tennis players would wear polo shirts to give them better ease of movement without sacrificing good looks during their matches. Instead of their traditional long sleeve shirts and ties, the players were able to move about the court more quickly when they added this more casual shirt to their wardrobe.


So, the development of the ladies polo shirt came from a need for comfort, rather than for a new style or statement. By realizing this, Rene Lacoste became the first person to design what we now know as the polo shirt. Having been a tennis player and champion himself, he knew the common problems with the stuffier outfits and realized that changes were necessary.


Of course the name 'polo' shirt seems to indicate that there was some relevance to the sport of polo as well - and this is an accurate assessment. As the popularity of the polo shirt increased in the sport of tennis, polo players saw the new design as advantageous to their sport as well and began to adopt this shirt for their playtime.

It's also interesting to note that while the shirt is worn in a number of settings and activities, the name 'polo shirt' is the one that has stuck around to generally apply to all of these types of shirts. There are some companies that will label these shirts according to their purpose (tennis or golf, for example), but asking for a polo shirt will also lead you to the right style.


The popularity of this style began to extend to women as a general trend of more casual wear began to come into vogue. Women were able to still look attractive in a polo shirt and dressier trousers instead of having to wear a traditional dress or skirt. Women also adopted this look for the sheer ruggedness of the design and its ability to keep up with their busy lives - even outside of the tennis court or golf course.


Ladies polo shirts may have their origins in men's history, but their appeal for women is remarkable. You can find polo shirts in every women's department from infants to misses.




http://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/4/329/history-of-the-ladies-polo-shirt1.asp

| Shalwar Kameez

What is Salwar / Shalwar & what is Kameez?

Following definitions will explain you all about salwar kameez and embroidery, workmanship used in shalwar kameez.

Kameez - A three-quarter-length tunic for women, usually knee-length or longer. Plural is also "kameez

Salwar or Shalwar - Loose pants, broad at the top and narrower at the ankles

Sharara - A very full, flowing pants which look like a long skirt, worn under a short tunic and with a dupatta.

Churidar - Closely fitted pants, with bunches of folds at the ankles looking like a stack of bangles

Dupatta - An unstitched length of material for the upper body traditionally worn by both sexes, but now mainly worn by women as part of a salwar kameez (paijama and tunic) ensemble.

Kurti or Tunic - A short kurta usually worn by women a type of grass fiber)

Zari or Jari - metal wrapped yarn used for zardozi embroidery

Badla - Flattened gold or silver wire

A question of culture

The sari is, without argument, the most graceful form of attire invented by homo sapiens. That is why the Begums Jinnah and Bhutto wore it on formal occasions. They were also wearing Salwar Kameez in other occassions. Over time, however, the salwar came to replace the sari even in public. Was there a larger significance in this? The respected Pakistani columnist M.B. Naqvi thought so. Fascinating piece by him on how Pakistani society was torn between identifying with West Asia or South Asia. Naqvi suggested that a woman's choice of Pakistani dress intimately embodied this dilemma; thus to wear a sari was to see oneself as part of a wider subcontinental culture, while to don a salwar was to place oneself in an Islamic world alone.

The sari was once viewed as something that could be owned by all Indian women, Hindu or Muslim, Christian or Parsi. The salwar kameez , on the other hand, was viewed by some as a dress worn exclusively by Muslims. Hindu and Sikh women knew often wore the salwar kameez. Salwar Kameez is also called Shalwar Kameez in countries like Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, etc.

Salwar Kameez Islamic, Sari Hindu?

After Jemima Goldsmith married Imran Khan and went to live in Lahore, she was visited by her close friend, Diana, Princess of Wales. Soon afterwards, Jemima and Diana were photographed wearing the shalwar kameez. Surely it must be a hard job teaching Lady Diana how to get into shalwar kameez.

Earlier in 60s & 70s Salwar Kameez or Salwar were seen as Pakistani dress or Punjabi dress (also known as Punjabi suit), the sari as an Indian dress or Hindu dress. But in recent decades the salwar kameez has spread to parts of India. Same is the case with saree, it has become very famous fashion attire around the world. Shalwar kameez fashion has not only taken India by storm but it's becoming famous around the world. Salwar has now become very famount Indian Fashion.

The victory of the salwar kameez (shalwar kameez)

Salwar Kameez has now become so famous as Indian dress that in the smallest town of Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab, Hariyana, Andhra Pradesh, etc. school going girls wear salwar. Earlier in 60s they wore the pavade, a kind of long skirt sometimes called the half-sari. Yet within one generation they had so easily, and comprehensively, shed an older, so-to-say traditional, form of dress for a previously alien one.

Is it better to see the salwar kameez as a peasant dress, worn by women in the Punjab countryside because it made their work easier, rather than as a specifically Islamic dress? What is the significance of the Bengali term dhoti-panjabi? When did the shalwar kameez first come to rural South India? What has been the role of television and film in facilitating its spread? And how and why has it become so popular among young girls, regardless of caste or religion?

These questions call for serious investigation. Why has the salwar become so ubiquitous in a region where it was unknown only a generation before? The answer must be that this is a dress not seen as "Western" or immodest, and yet a dress that allows one to go to school or college, and to participate in the work force. Jeans and tops can be worn in cosmopolitan cities like Bombay, Delhi, Banglore, Madras. The salwar kameez is suitably "decent", yet it allows far more mobility than either the pavade or the sari. One can walk in it, one can bicycle in it, one can even run a 100-metre race in it.



http://www.salwarsuits.com/shalwar-kameez.htm

Lehenga Choli

It has many different names. Call it Lehnga or Lehenga or Lehngha. It's also known as Lehnga Choli.

As most of the modern world seems to be severing its link with the natural and organic processes of textile production, the Indian subcontinent still retains a hold on many of its ancient clothing traditions -- and choli / Lehenga is just one part of that.

The classicism of Indian textile lies not only in the sophisticated craftsmanship and quiet and simple elegance, but also in the emphasis on the drape of the garment, which is ready to wear straight from the loom, further enhanced by the personality of the wearer. Majority of Indian fashion designers are still continuing with the ancient tradition of ethnic Indian lehenga, presenting it with the new age look, embellished with embroidery and other works by highly skilled artisans of India. But not to forget that Lehenga choli originally came from Muslim empire. In muslik community, specially in Pakistan lehnga choli is a Indian wedding dress.

Indians have been very fashionable from the very ancient times. The sculptural evidences found so far depict that choli has always been worn in India by the women.

In different parts of India, brides wear different kinds of clothes, ornaments, and adornments. The bride's clothes are usually typical of the area. A Punjabi bride would wear a salwar-kameez, and a Maharashtrian bride would wear a nine-yard saree and a Rajasthani bride would wear a lehenga.

The lehnga-choli is representative of the traditional Rajasthan/Gujarat style of dressing. The rich colors which they use are symbolic of festivity/fertility. Metallic yarn is traditionally used on these garments. During the actual wedding ceremony, conducted in front of the fire, the motifs and the colors of the ensemble glow.

In Gujarat they call it ghagra choli. During navaratri festival, women wear gagra choli for navaratri dandia raas.

The lehenga-cholis with their glittering mirror-work look most attractive. The blouses have elaborate mirror-work and patch-work on them and are very colorful. It is designed to leave the back and midrib bare. These type of dresses are mainly worn by women in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Gujarat.

Saree is also interesting Indian costume.

Bollywood Lehenga All Embellished with Handcrafted Gold and Silver Zardosi, Dabka and Salma with Multi-Color Beadwork. Diya Mirza wore a Exquisite Golden Zardosi Onto Peach Pure Crepe Ghagra, Choli and Odhni in the movie 'Rehna hai tere Dil mein'

Bridal Lehenga Wearing of bridal lehenga chole is a fashion with lasting values and rich craftsmanship. Bridal lehengas are so much in fashion that in addition to wedding, they are worn even at beauty pageant contests at national as well as international level

Chaniya Choli The home of the chaniya-choli is no doubt Kutch, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The outfit is popular in the west and north of India. In the south, another more streamlined version known as the pavade is popular. Fabrics that are used for chaniya-cholis normally range from cotton, silk to khadi and at times chiffon

Designer Lehenga Designer lehenga with rich traditional chikan embroidery in colored thread all over and an equally enamoring dupatta to match makes for the most auspicious ceremony of your life. Designer Lehenga - choli sets are stitched in different types of fabric: Silk, raw silk, cotton prints, georgettes and so on

Embroidered Lehenga A embroidered lehenga or heavy lehenga have Embroidery, like every other art form, needs to be understood to be fully appreciated and enjoyed. Insight of the principles not only creates the urge to "paint" with needle and thread but gives one the knowledge that enables a more keen perception of the old masterpieces as well as modern day pieces Embroidered bridal lehengas are hot this wedding season

Ghagra Choli The Indian ghagra Cholis with their glittering mirror work is the most attractive. This comprises of long pleated skirts, known as Ghaghra or Lehenga, and is worn with twin blouses. The blouses have elaborate mirror work and patch work on them and are very colorful. It is designed to leave the back and midriff bare

Indian Cholis The Choli : It is the tightly fitted, short blouse that ends just below the bust worn under a sari. It is either long sleeved, short sleeved or sleeveless. Indian cholis as a form of garment are getting more famous and daring as dandiya festive garments

Indian Lehenga Choli The Indian lenghas with their glittering mirror work is the most attractive. This comprises of long pleated skirts, known as Lehenga, and is worn with twin blouses

Sharara Sharara is a short/ long blouse worn with matching pants fitted till the knee, with a big flare from the knee onwards. Sharara cholis are usually heavily embellished and worn with a matching long Chunnri

Traditional Lehenga or Trendy Lehenga Traditional lehengas include embroidered lehengas, traditional ghagra cholis, tremendous lehenga. Embroidered traditional Indian lehenga-choli is quite famous round the globe. The traditional lehanga-choli in soft pastel shades with light embroidery is an ideal outfit for the Sangeet ceremony

Indian Wedding Lenghas A wedding is an auspicious occasion when the attire demands keen attention, careful planning, elegant display because it is specially meant to make an individual look her /his best. During a modern wedding, appearance means almost everything. Today, the brides have a wide variety of bridal dresses to pick and choose from. Wedding lehengas is one of them

Zardosi Lehenga Zardosi lehenga is the traditional wear of Indian women since mughal time. Popular among royal family of olden days, Zardosi lehngas come in many different styles. The Zardosi lehnga-chole made up of a comfortable fabric, can be worn on festivals or other celebrations. Zardosi lehangas are glamorous and elaborate



http://www.salwarsuits.com/choli.htm