The high end fashion designer Yves Saint Lauren has died at the age of 71 in his Paris home. The death of the famous fashion designer who gave us the wonderful label was confirmed by a long time friend Pierre Berge. There was no cause of death identified or provided by Berge except to say that Lauren had battled a long illness and unfortunately had lost the battle.
There is no doubt that with the news that Yves Saint Lauren is dead there will be questions asked on the cause and also if it was related to his early personal choices (which might indirectly lead to suspicions of his death being related to AIDS). However, it would be all in bad taste and this sad news of a top French designer and fashion revolutionary should lead us to remember his achievements instead.
There is no doubt that Yves Saint Lauren was one of the greatest fashion designers in the 20th century, with his numerous awards even including those of his personal style such as being named one of GQ's most stylish men as early as 1954. He was also credited with reviving the fortunes of another fashion icon Christian Dior in the 1950's when he took over the reins and prevented the fashion label from going under.
As someone who never ceased in efforts to perfect the ultimate look, Yves Saint Lauren once said that he endeavored to seek "expression, modesty, sex appeal and simplicity" all within the same look. There is no doubt that YSL will be sorely missed in the industry, but his fashion line continues to live on and produce top quality high end beautiful designs and accessories.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Men's Design Fashion And Its Changing Face
As it has been for some time now, men's designer fashion has grown increasingly strong and its popularity ever rising as men all over the world learn to take better care of their looks and fashion sense. No doubt a strong contributing factor to this was the creation of something known as the sensitive new age man who dresses well and goes for manicures and pedicures. But real men everywhere are also picking up the slack and decking out in designer men's clothes and high end fashion accessories that have both sexes swooning over them. Clothing and fashion accessory brand names such as Versace, Gucci and Salvatore Ferragamo have also always dedicated a lot of their core businesses to men's fashion, and many of them are go-to's for the male individual who makes it a commitment to not miss a step when it comes to the latest fashion trend and news.
Initially such high end men's fashion was restricted to fancy suits and clothes for the formal occasion, as well as smart shirts that a man could wear for any occasion but still retain an air of elegance. Right now, their designer wear is slowly seeing an increase of the loud designer fashion that has become the norm for women. Bright colors and out of this world designs that scream for attention and only the bravest men would put on. The opinions on them are divided as always, as there are women who love their men to be making statements in the wildest sense, and those who prefer their men to retain a dignified air of elegant charm without going overboard with things.
Where designer men's fashion will go and develop is subject to anyone's imagination, but one thing is for sure - it is here to stay and as men get more in tune with their inner selves and senses, they will rejoice with the wider choices they have in terms of fashion apparel and accessories that will not only make them look good, but feel great as well. Already, many mainstay female fashion apparel makers are branching out to men's fashion, a sure sign of the changing times and trends.
Initially such high end men's fashion was restricted to fancy suits and clothes for the formal occasion, as well as smart shirts that a man could wear for any occasion but still retain an air of elegance. Right now, their designer wear is slowly seeing an increase of the loud designer fashion that has become the norm for women. Bright colors and out of this world designs that scream for attention and only the bravest men would put on. The opinions on them are divided as always, as there are women who love their men to be making statements in the wildest sense, and those who prefer their men to retain a dignified air of elegant charm without going overboard with things.
Where designer men's fashion will go and develop is subject to anyone's imagination, but one thing is for sure - it is here to stay and as men get more in tune with their inner selves and senses, they will rejoice with the wider choices they have in terms of fashion apparel and accessories that will not only make them look good, but feel great as well. Already, many mainstay female fashion apparel makers are branching out to men's fashion, a sure sign of the changing times and trends.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Foreign Fashion Investments To Explore US Market
In my last post on high end fashion brands facing possible economic crunch, I briefly mentioned the possibilities of foreign brands who will try to take advantage of the downturn in the US economy to establish some presence or even a more powerful one in the country. The South Korean giant, Samsung, is now assessing the possibilities of that in the same state that was used as an example yesterday, California, and the two Americans heading the project will determine if it could be used as a launchpad for several budding South Korean fashion apparel brands who are hoping to expand internationally.
Cari Redington and Lyra Jakabhazy are trying to benefit from advice and consultation provided by Frances Harder, president and executive director of Los Angeles–based Fashion Business Inc., who has been instrumental in other established fashion apparel makers' success such as that of Kellywood Co.. They are helming Samsung Group's interest in learning more about the fashion trends that Americans follow, so that they are able to assess if their own country's fashion designers and apparel can be exported to the US and establish a strong presence and following. The learning gleaned from the experience will also indirectly help to expand Samsung's fashion retail operations in the long run as they try to include a more global approach to their business.
It would be interesting to see how this develops, as more foreign fashion brands are brought into the US and external fashion trends seep more into the general public. It will also provide competition to local brands and existing foreign high end fashion companies that are already established here. Whether this eventually makes the whole fashion industry stronger remains to be seen, but competition usually results in that, so despite the gloomy financial outlook, there is still a silver lining in the clouds.
Cari Redington and Lyra Jakabhazy are trying to benefit from advice and consultation provided by Frances Harder, president and executive director of Los Angeles–based Fashion Business Inc., who has been instrumental in other established fashion apparel makers' success such as that of Kellywood Co.. They are helming Samsung Group's interest in learning more about the fashion trends that Americans follow, so that they are able to assess if their own country's fashion designers and apparel can be exported to the US and establish a strong presence and following. The learning gleaned from the experience will also indirectly help to expand Samsung's fashion retail operations in the long run as they try to include a more global approach to their business.
It would be interesting to see how this develops, as more foreign fashion brands are brought into the US and external fashion trends seep more into the general public. It will also provide competition to local brands and existing foreign high end fashion companies that are already established here. Whether this eventually makes the whole fashion industry stronger remains to be seen, but competition usually results in that, so despite the gloomy financial outlook, there is still a silver lining in the clouds.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
High End Fashion Retail - Will Economic Downturn Affect Sales?
With news that many retail stores, and not just fashion chains, in California feeling the crunch of the economic downturn and credit crisis aftershocks emanating from the housing bubble meltdown, many high end fashion stores might be feeling the effects of less consumer confidence and penny pinching from the general buying public. However, will it really have much of an effect on brand name fashion items such as those from Versace and Chanel, or can these popular fashion brands stay relatively immune or safe from a less financially secure climate in the world at the moment? The spate of retail closures announced in California recently in the first quarter of the year has been worryingly and the obvious result of the worsening economic situation there, but while there are some medium level retail chains included, none of the brand names have surfaced.
What might have more of an effect on high end fashion companies like that from Burberry to Prada is that of the weakening US dollar, simply because a large slice of their revenue would come from the US economy and there are still substantial operations that are concentrated in that country. These fashion brands are not of US origin, but they have enough vested interests in the country to feel the effects of the dollar that would probably feel akin to becoming as weak as the currencies from countries such as Indonesia or Malaysia. An option would be to move the operations out of the country to another which offers lower operating costs without adverse effects to productivity and returns. But that would require another investment in terms of shifting operations but it might provide longer term rewards.
High end fashion items from the typical Italian brands like Prada and Versace will probably still retain their core client base and also remain elite enough to not experience overtly critical effects but are definitely likely to to take a hit in revenue. But these are all established brands and will survive. It is medium level and lower end fashion retail that will bear the brunt, especially those which disregarded expensive real estate costs in their fast expansion plans.
Incidentally, at the same time, the crashing real estate market in the US will offer opportunities to the fashion companies that are hardier, as they can take advantage of plummeting value in retail space to expand their chains. That is of course if they can also offer affordable fashion items and accessories otherwise the revenue will not be sufficient to cover costs. At the end of it all, it looks like high end fashion companies will again come out the winners, assuming with their larger reserves and better financial and asset management. This opportunity will also be open to overseas investors from foreign fashion and clothing brands, such as those suggested here with Chanel. Local US fashion brands will have their hands tied one way or another.
What might have more of an effect on high end fashion companies like that from Burberry to Prada is that of the weakening US dollar, simply because a large slice of their revenue would come from the US economy and there are still substantial operations that are concentrated in that country. These fashion brands are not of US origin, but they have enough vested interests in the country to feel the effects of the dollar that would probably feel akin to becoming as weak as the currencies from countries such as Indonesia or Malaysia. An option would be to move the operations out of the country to another which offers lower operating costs without adverse effects to productivity and returns. But that would require another investment in terms of shifting operations but it might provide longer term rewards.
High end fashion items from the typical Italian brands like Prada and Versace will probably still retain their core client base and also remain elite enough to not experience overtly critical effects but are definitely likely to to take a hit in revenue. But these are all established brands and will survive. It is medium level and lower end fashion retail that will bear the brunt, especially those which disregarded expensive real estate costs in their fast expansion plans.
Incidentally, at the same time, the crashing real estate market in the US will offer opportunities to the fashion companies that are hardier, as they can take advantage of plummeting value in retail space to expand their chains. That is of course if they can also offer affordable fashion items and accessories otherwise the revenue will not be sufficient to cover costs. At the end of it all, it looks like high end fashion companies will again come out the winners, assuming with their larger reserves and better financial and asset management. This opportunity will also be open to overseas investors from foreign fashion and clothing brands, such as those suggested here with Chanel. Local US fashion brands will have their hands tied one way or another.
Welcome to High End Fashion World!
Thanks for visiting my blog on the world of high end fashion. I love brand name apparel and the glitz and glamor of the high end fashion world, and would like to learn more and share what news bits and fantastic apparel that have just landed on our laps. In between I will also talk about the brand name clothes, shoes and accessories that I find just too beautiful to resist. Hopefully they will delight you as well if you love fashion and the related stuff that comes with it. Nothing like the latest fashion to adorn that body of yours that you worked so hard for, and getting the compliments from friends and strangers alike on the street, in parties and functions, and even in the office. High end fashion is for everyone, and even if your budget is tight, that one piece that you have in your wardrobe could be enough to allow you to enjoy the fantastic world of high end fashion!
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