Handbags, Purses, Jewelry, Clothes - DesignersLA

California Love

2008-09-11T04:39:00.000-07:00

Alice in wonderland didn’t have the advantage. She, poor thing to carry away all the tempting treats that were within arm’s reach had only a pair of apron pockets after the nasty spill.

If only she knew Efashionhouse and Internet. Moreover the Designers of LA whose bags come in various colors, styles and finishes that is perfectly suited for urban adventures.

The DesignerLA features designers of LA who have their unique styles that would give you choices of handbags from work to party. They offer Hobos to shoulder bags for everyday hauling for the moms. Glamorous handbags are definitive styles that make style statements for the wearer, be it a clutch or small handbags.

Alexander Zar brings for us designer purse in white leather with mosaic mirrors shoulder hobo. 3D mossaic mirrors and details to the front of this bag make it a real knock out. Made of the softest thick Napa Italian leathers available. Alexander Zar puts his designs to work for us

AANETA DESIGNER HAN DBAGS are large leather motor cycle designer purses. They are made of soft Italian leather and are available in a variety of colors. There are lots of pockets and zippers. Double handles are woven at the edges. Fringed leather strings hang from the bag. Inside is fully lined. Extra zip pockets are inside and out. Detachable shoulder strap. If only Alice had a motor bike.

BCBG designer sling handbag with soft chocolate leather that would have done well for Alice in any glamour event. Extremely soft chocolate leather with a flap over weighted ring and a magnetic snap top closure. The bag has fully lined interior with one zippered pocket and multiple open pockets.

Alice would have loved this treat from BELLS & WHISTLES. The designer zoe clutch bag with metallic floral print on suede has silver leather edge trim and purple lining. The top has a flexible metal frame closure.

Look and touch, Alice: the textures, trims and feel of suede, string leather and buttery soft leather that is cut to perfection. This is just the beginning. Wander into Efashionhouse the designer handbag wonderland and find treats and treasures by designers you would love to own.

She would be hatter mad not to get one.

Fashion Trends For Women Accessories: Handbags

2008-08-30T04:10:00.001-07:00

By kirsty semple

Trendy Designer handbags from designers of Los Angeles

Bags are seeing the same fashion trend as boots: a classic shape with an extravagant twist. Animal print, especially crocodile skin is finding its way onto simple shapes, bold colours are adorning the classic cut and otherwise unassuming bags are finding themselves in the limelight having had a glam makeover.

Day bags. This season sees the quirky twist of the oversize bag. If you can carry this off (excuse the pun) then go for it, if the bulky bag is too much for you then the oversize clutch bag can give daywear a glamorous lift. Faux fur is also an alternative to the bulky bag whilst giving you that must have luxurious style. Bags are no exception to the other trends of the season, metallics, vivid colours especially purples and animal print are all represented on the catwalks.

The contrast of simple and extravagant does not bypass bags either, where casual styles are accented with luxurious detail. Chain is a big look this season, chain handles or just as decoration on the bag itself, glitzy cabochon beads are adorning the corners of neutral coloured bags, distressed leather is being given new life with studs and fabrics are mixing different textures together for a new kind of love. For the retro look bead bags with trailing fringes. If going for the bold colour look then stick to the block of colour with a bag matching the outfit.

Evening bags. There is a renewed trend for the clutch bag, again in metallics, colours and animal print. The minaudiere, or tiny bag is also a trend and can be matched perfectly with metallic ballerina shoes.

If the clutch bag is not for you then shoulder bags with chain strap can be carried leaving your two hands free. Or for carrying overnight things there are some great barrel bags available in this seasons colour trends.

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

The 3 Most Commonly Used Fabrics in Designer Clothing

2008-07-31T03:30:00.000-07:00

Designer apparel has become extremely popular over the past decade or so. It was always popular but recently we have seen an overwhelming rise in popularity from this industry. To get the best of the best in designer clothing, choose pieces that incorporate these 3 fabrics into your choices:

Silk
Silk has always been associated with luxury and wealth. There’s something about silk that makes you feel important and when you wear an authentic silk piece, your confidence level goes up a couple of levels immediately. There’s just something about the way the silk hugs your body that flatters every curve, regardless of your shape.

Silk is used for a variety of fashion related pieces. It can be used for skirts, dresses, blouses, scarves, pajamas and lingerie. There are a number of manufacturers who have taken full advantage of the benefits of silk. Some of the designers who have been recognized for creating unbelievable silk designs include Prada, Chanel and Roberto Cavalli. These world renowned designers offer only the best of the best when it comes to their designer clothing and their customers are always happy with their purchases.

Purchasing authentic silk items will benefit you in a number of ways. Not only will it look better because the quality is higher than other materials (or materials that are only 50% silk and 50% other materials) but it will also last longer. A true piece of silk is likely to last twice as long as the “knock-off’ materials. In addition, silk is said to be one of the most comfortable clothing fabrics on the market right now. The sleek, luxurious feel of silk on your body will outweigh the cost in a second. Now you can justify paying twice as much.

Satin
Satin, although usually classified in the same category as silk has a few very distinctive features. Silk is made from insect larvae and is made of small, fine threads. Satin is shinier than silk and usually incorporates some kind of silk fabric into it but has a dull back. Silk is shiny on both sides so you feel the silk against your skin. Satin is perfect for those who don’t like the glossy finish against their body and prefer something a little softer. Generally, satin is slightly shinier, but for the most part, the two are hard to tell apart just from looking.

Like silk and cashmere, there are many designers who have decided to incorporate satin into their magnificent designs. Some of the most luxurious satin gowns have come from prestigious designers like Versace and Valentino. Unlike silk and cashmere, satin has become a very popular material in shoe design. World renowned footwear designers like Nine West have decided to use silk.

Cashmere
Cashmere is known for its long lasting comfort and unbelievably soft appearance. It’s one of those materials that when you see someone wearing it, you just want to touch them because the material looks and feels so incredibly soft. Cashmere is one of the most popular materials in designer clothing because it provides so many benefits. Like silk and satin, cashmere is also long-lasting, comfortable and pleasing to the eye.

There are many designers who have taken full advantage of the popularity of cashmere. Some of the prestigious designers creating cashmere pieces include Kenneth Cole, Michael Kors and Christian Dior. These luxurious designers are definitely the ones to look for if you’re shopping for high quality, stylish designer clothing.

The world of fashion can be a little undermining. Designers have clued into which materials are popular among consumers but realize that they can’t sell their items for low cost if they’re made from this authentic material. So here’s a secret to help you out: Some designers advertise their items as cashmere when in fact they are only partially made of the material. This way, you think you’re getting a deal because you can’t believe you just bought a cashmere sweater for $29.99. Well let me tell you something – nothing good comes for free. Look at the tags on these items and I guarantee you the product isn’t 100 percent cashmere.

Article source: articleworld.net

Glamour girl lifts head-turning looks from fashion mags

2008-06-26T17:19:00.000-07:00

By Lisa Hinojosa

CORPUS CHRISTI — I wouldn't be caught dead wearing... a fake designer bag. I feel if I can't afford it, I shouldn't pretend I can. I believe having a sense of style doesn't reflect on how much you can spend it's whether you know how to put it together or not.

Three accessories women definitely need are... a pair of natural-toned heels with a matching purse (because it's easier to match something that's close to your skin tone than it is to find the perfect colored shoe to match every dress) and a pearl necklace with matching earrings -- they just define classy.

Fashion advice I'd give my best friend Keep it simple and you don't have to be revealing to be sexy. My favorite shopping haunts definitely Forever 21. I used to drive to San Antonio just to shop there, so when they brought one here, I was like, "Finally." They have the best prices and a huge selection of styles.

I spice up my wardrobe with bright colors and beautiful dresses that I can dress up or down. Three words to describe my wardrobe bright, simple and a little sexy. I have a tough time shopping for jeans, so when I find what I like, I usually try to buy them in all shades. I have a fashion addiction for shoes and purses... and of course the jewelry to match. The best way to organize your closet is Color coordinate and then organize from casual to evening wear.

The only thing I dislike about shopping is you either don't have enough time or you think, "Will it be here when I get back if I leave it behind?" A fashionable find from an unusual place my little bamboo purse. My former employer bought it for me when she went to Thailand. She knew my taste so well. I have had it for about seven years. I truly love this purse and I always get compliments on it.

I love shopping with my girlfriends, because we know it's just us and we know we really trust each other to be honest about what we're trying on and whether or not it really looks good. My biggest fashion pet peeve is seeing someone wear a cute dress with big strappy shoes that do not match. It really drives me crazy.

Eco-fashion: Transforming trash into treasures

2008-06-22T09:13:00.000-07:00

Fashion designers are giving new life to worthless candy wrappers, newspapers and plastic bags; turning trash into trendy tote bags, purses and jewelry. From "post-consumer and industrial waste" comes durable, funky accessories reportedly worn by celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan, Cameron Diaz and Petra Nemcova.

One self-described eco-fashion label, Ecoist, has partnered with Coca-Cola, Luna Bar and Aveda to create handbags made from misprinted and discontinued packaging. "We tap into that source of waste because it is reliable, and unfortunately, it's abundant," Ecoist co-founder Jonathan Marcoschamer said. "We believe that for the next few years, there's going to be a significant amount." How about 7.6 billion tons of waste? That's how much American companies toss each year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

During the past four years, Ecoist said, it has sold more than 100,000 accessories created by its designers in Peru and Miami, Florida. The bags -- some of them one-of-a-kind -- are priced from about $30 for smaller versions to about $180 for larger ones. "For now, we're an immediate solution for many of these companies to utilize waste for something that's creative and promotes environmental awareness," Marcoschamer said.

Ecoist isn't alone. Katherine Rasmussen, owner of the label Reiter8, creates totes from recycled boat sails. Nicola Freegard and Robin Janson, the design team behind Vy&Elle, have recycled 100 tons of vinyl billboard ads to create wallets, bags and a variety of other products. Another designer, Anna Built, has opted to create jewelry from recycled tin cans.

But it's not always easy being green. Timbuk2, a company famous for its messenger bags, has encountered resistance in its attempt to produce totes made from discarded plastic bags. The idea seemed feasible when Timbuk2 formed a partnership with RootPhi, which developed a machine capable of bonding plastic bags together. The machine, called the Lamitron, allowed them to produce a new fabric while maintaining the visual details of the original plastic bag. See photos of the eco-friendly accessories »

The timing seemed appropriate; San Francisco had banned the use of plastic bags, and other cities worldwide were considering similar initiatives. Despite a following of 3,000 potential customers on the Timbuk2 Web site, the bags are unlikely to be sold any time soon, if at all. The companies have encountered legal and technical hiccups in their efforts to mass produce the bags.

"Everyone is afraid to be the large-scale manufacturer, to stick their toe in the water. It's a risk and a cost issue," says Doug Patt, co-founder of RootPhi. Tinbuk2 also found that, although trash may no longer have an owner, logos on trash still do. Target sent Timbuk2 a cease and desist letter in September when it discovered that some Lamitron bags showed the company's bull's-eye design. RootPhi and Timbuk2 scrambled to identify and remove the offending bags from its limited collection of prototypes.

"We encourage and promote recycling efforts, including ones that use our recycled bags," Target said in a written statement to CNN. "However, in this particular case we believed that the prominent use of our bull's-eye design mark implied a sponsorship or affiliation with Timbuk2 that did not exist at that time." Target said Timbuk2 has cooperated. Perry Klebahn, Timbuk2's CEO, acknowledges that Target wasn't technically wrong. "The onus was on us to talk to Target and get them to say OK, in this particular case, to grant us a license. If we really are going to make use of this, we should be responsible as the manufacturer."

However, the initial draw for Timbuk2 was the possibility that it could simultaneously clean up neighborhoods and satisfy a market demand for highly localized and personalized eco-products. "What's great here is that no two bags are the same. ... What if you could roll into a town and make artifacts that have a local flavor?" Klebahn asked. His vision was that one day, anyone could drop off their used shopping bags at Timbuk2 and receive a customized tote bag a few weeks later. For now, the masses will have to wait.

Eco-fashion has certainly proved that it has enough caché in the fashion world. Last year, British designer Anya Hindmarch created an instant eco-fad with her $15 limited edition "I Am Not A Plastic Bag" bag. The cotton bags quickly sold out in London and New York, with hundreds of people lining up for them. The bags fetched $400 on eBay and spawned a dizzying number of knock-offs.

Atlanta, Georgia, boutique owner Joyce Justicz said she doesn't think consumers buy eco-fashion exclusively for environmental reasons. "They buy them because they're cute, and it's an added bonus," she said. Will the trend last? Yair Marcoschamer, another Ecoist co-founder, is optimistic. "Businesses and individuals have realized that if something isn't done [about the environment], this is going to have a profound effect on each of our lives," he said. "Consuming products that are fair-trade, that are environmentally responsible, is our responsibility as consumers."

Carrie's purses are towering triumphs in 'Sex'

2008-06-16T16:21:00.000-07:00

By Olivia Barker, USA TODAY

On TV's Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw inspired women to think outside the boxy bag and instead pick up purses shaped like horse heads and telephones. In Sex and the City the movie, she's getting them to grab something monumental: the Eiffel Tower.

Since a publicity shot of Carrie embracing Mr. Big and clutching a purse shaped like the Parisian icon was released in the fall, Beverly Hills designer Timmy Woods has sold about 150 of the bags showered with Swarovski crystals at $3,000 a pop and another 1,000 purses without stones for $450 each.

CELEB STYLE: Get that fresh 'Sex and the City' look

The movie may be stuffed with more blatant status bags from the likes of Fendi, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Prada, but the Eiffel Tower's triumph is evidence that four years after the show wrapped, Sex can still sell fashion that's quirky and in contrast to the other characters, consummately Carrie. (Remember nameplate necklaces and saucer-sized flower pins?)

And, like so much of Sex style, it serves a narrative purpose.

"It's a great wink and homage to Carrie's experience in Paris" at the end of the series, says W accessories and jewelry director Brooke Magnaghi. She envisions "die-hard Carrie fans are buying this. It's kind of a fun memento."

Woods, the woman also behind the horse and telephone bags, created the Eiffel Tower purse made from acacia wood four years ago as a valentine to her adopted city. (She has an apartment overlooking the tower.)

"I really wanted it to be very surreal," a la Salvador Dali. "I wanted it to look like it was emerging out of the clouds. Then I decided it should glitter." (The version studded with 6,300 Swarovski stones takes nearly two months to make.)

Last summer, Sex costume designer Patricia Field walked into Woods' showroom and asked for the tower tote. Woods had no idea how it would be featured until a friend saw the publicity still on the Internet. Available on her website and on Field's, as well as at Macy's New York Herald Square location, the model is among Woods' top five all-time best sellers. She's been making wood purses for a dozen years, and her current catalog boasts about 100 styles.

"(Carrie) can get away with carrying a funky little bag like that," says Samantha Durbin, editor of FabSugar.com. "It's cinematic. Everyone dreams of Paris. It kind of has that romantic feel to it."

Gloria Shulman bought her Eiffel Tower purse, the sparkly "major one," a month or two ago after spying the photo of Sarah Jessica Parker holding the original one.

"It was so darling, and she is such a trendsetter," says Shulman, 60, who owns a Beverly Hills mortgage brokerage — and three dozen other Woods totes, including the horse head. "I don't want to say I copied her — I'm little old for copying — but I enjoy seeing what the latest trends are."

When Pam Price carried her Eiffel Tower to a recent luncheon in La Jolla, Calif., someone thought she had stolen it from Parker, asking, "Where did you get that?"

"I bought it," Price replied; along with a horse head model, the tower sits among her two dozen-strong Timmy Woods collection.

"A lot of people think it doesn't open," says Price, 65, a writer and editor in Palm Springs. She manages to squeeze in the essentials: a credit card, $10 bill, tube of lipstick, business card and set of keys.

"You're not carrying your office with you," Price concedes.

But, then, how much time did Carrie spend in an office?

From LA to NYC Graduating Fashionistas Speak Out!

2008-05-28T21:19:00.000-07:00

No matter which continent or sea coast, fashionistas speak out. Designer fashion is a must for the new graduate. Blog comments show your little girl is grown up. She wants an authentic designer purse. Shopping online is your best choice for a new designer handbag. Whether she's into Yoga or an obvious Fashionista, decide the award your girly grad deserves and say "congrats" with an authentic designer handbag for the Class of 2008. You know she really wants a designer purse this year! And, she's all grown up and wants something special. Shopping Online SAVES YOU MONEY! No travel time or gas to buy! Shop from the comfort of home 24/7! All the girls are carrying a new purse to their new job. Your little graduate dreams about a new designer handbag. There are many styles and designs to select in price ranges from under $100 to more than $500. It's up to you. Whatever you pick will be a hit. Some of our favorites are Tano bags, Melie Bianco handbags, Elaine Turner handbags, Pietro Alessandro handbags, Gucci Bags, Prada bags, Fendi bags and many more. And, they are all on Sale! See the coupon codes below and start saving on your graduation gifts for that special gal in your life.

Shop the Sale Section. Take an extra 10% off!

Use Coupon OFF10 at
http://www.efashionhouse.com/productlist_saleefh.html/sale/4

Shop Final Clearance. Deep discounts. Plus get an extra 20% off!

Use Coupon OFF20 at
http://www.efashionhouse.com/productlist_saleefh.html/clearance/4

PLUS...Free Shipping $200 Orders & NO Sales TAX Worlwide!

----------

Graduation is here! She wants a REAL Designer Handbag! Have fun shopping! Here's a series of Graduation Tid-Bits we found amusing and thought you might, too!

Bad Graduation Gift Ideas
by Andy

A Briefcase: Oh, thanks Uncle Frank. You getting me this briefcase ensures that I’m supposed to work the same 9-5 office job that you've worked for that last 25 years while complaining about it and cheating on my wife with my secretary. (Sorry Aunt Jane)

“Planet Earth” on DVD: Am I that hard to shop for? How long did it take you to pick this out at Wal-Mart? Do you think that all I do is get high and watch the Discovery Channel? Well guess what, I DO!

“Planet Earth” on VHS: What? There’s like 20 tapes. Get out of my sight Grandma.

Money: What am I supposed to do with this? It's only four dollars.

----------

All Sorts of Graduation Ideas
from My Expression

Graduation Party Ideas
The Traditions of Graduation Party -Traditions are the lifeblood of every college. Traditions connect the students to the past of the college while at the same time preparing them for the future. From the historic to the contemporary, traditions can express a spirit of unity and create a sense of community while providing for loads of fun.

Graduation Planning Checklist - Its Graduation time! You’re planning on hosting a graduation party and you want it to be unique and exciting. Planning any party can be overwhelming and many things can go wrong. So, to be on the safer side, you need to come up with a graduation planning checklist to keep things from bouncing out of control.

The Do’s and Don’ts in the Graduation Party - So, you’re graduating from high school or college and what better excuse to throw a party! Spring is that time of the year for graduation invitations, announcements and gifts. Etiquettes and manners form a very important part of our being social animals.

What To Wear on Your Graduation Day - For 12 (in some cases more) seemingly never-ending years, you obediently went through the schoolyard quarrels, your first boy-girl party, your first date, the Prom, and now finally what you’ve always been waiting for – your Graduation day! This time you’re going to be wearing an outfit that your parents will finally approve of – a gown and a cap ...

Decorating your Graduation Party - So, its graduation day and you’re all set to host a special theme party. Yes, theme parties are fun and a whole lot easier to decorate! Half the fun of hosting a graduation party is decorating the party. You can decorate your room, your lawn, you table, and even your guests! You can turn graduation caps upside down and fill them with balloons or flowers ...

Graduation Speeches Etiquette - The graduation ceremony confirms each student’s quest for knowledge. Traditionally, the ceremony will include a graduation speech that seeks to put each and every students hard work (in some cases, not so hard work) into the perspective of their future. Yes, most of us have heard one or more graduation speeches either as spectators or as graduates ourselves ...

Graduation Gift Ideas - The date is fixed, and the invitations and announcements have already been given out. So, the day has finally come for you students to cry and to cheer and to leave your school or college halls forever. Yes, graduation day is indeed one of the biggest days in everyone’s life. After years and years of hard work, your efforts have finally paid off. You’re happy but ...

Chance to Promote Your Business with Graduation Open House Invitations - Do you plan to host a graduation open house for yourself or one of your children? It may not seem like it could work, but you can actually promote your business when you have an open house. You can start the promotion with something as simple as mention that the open house is being hosted by your business. This will definitely ...

Graduation Announcement Tips, Wording, and Special Poems
Graduation Announcement Wording Tips - Graduation is an important time in life, and should be announced properly. Stationary with crayons and graduation caps on it is an appropriate means of announcing a child graduating from kindergarten. A photo announcement is a nice keepsake for loved ones who are being invited to the graduation ...

Graduation Announcements Wording Ideas - So, you’re graduating from high school or college and you’re busier than ever! Your last year of college is filled with thousands of events and activities that you have never even tried to attempt during your college years. From sending out resumes and applications to asking for letter of recommendation, you have loads ...

Do it yourself Graduation Announcements - A great substitute to printed graduation announcements are announcements that you print by yourself on your personal computer. Not only are these ‘Do-it-yourself’ graduation announcements a lot more economical, but they can also be equally colorful and creative. Start of by using plain white card stock or even plain white paper ...

Sending Graduation Announcements - So, its graduation day and its time to let everyone know that you are a proud graduate. Now that all those seemingly endless years of toil and hard work have finally paid off, it’s finally time to celebrate. First things first, start by sending out graduation invitations and announcements to all your near and dear ones. Most colleges and high schools ...

Graduation Invitations in General and the Etiquette
Graduation Party Invitations - Planning the Party - Everyone who has played a role in the life of the graduate should be sent an invitation to the graduation party. It is understood by most that tickets to commencement are limited, however an open house allows for everyone to congratulate the graduate. - Invitations - You can choose informal themes, such as a backyard ...

Graduation Invitations Etiquette - There is a very good reason why people call graduation ceremonies ‘commencement ceremonies’. This is because graduation does not mark the end; it marks the beginning. Graduation is the achievement of all goals, and rewarding the graduate for his or her hard work is a must. Graduation time is the time to invite friends and family together for an exclusive ...

Choosing Graduation Invitations Theme - Whether for you or a friend, Graduation day is one of the most joyous and welcomed occasions in any student’s life. It marks the end of your educational journey that can sometimes seem to be an endless and intolerable journey. Graduation is a once in a lifetime event, so give this event the honor and prestige that it truly deserves. The very first ...

The Traditions of Graduation Cap & Black Color in Your Invitations - When it comes to graduation invitations or stationary there are some traditions that are still observed by most people. In the majority of samples that you look at while shopping you will find that there are graduation caps in the majority of them. This is simply an obvious choice of décor since it is an invitation for a graduation ...

Graduation Invitations Theme
Casual Graduation Party Ideas - If you want to throw a wonderful party for that special high school or college graduate in your life, don’t assume you have to spend a fortune and put together some very elegant get together. After all, your graduate has already worked very hard to achieve this accomplishment and now just needs some time to relax and unwind. That’s why sometimes a more casual ...

Throwing a Cocktail Theme Graduation Party - Graduating from college is a major accomplishment and is definitely one of the best reasons to have a celebration. However, too many graduation parties are all the same. If you want to throw an amazing party, then you’ll want to take a creative approach with your graduation celebration. One idea is to celebrate with a cocktail theme ...

Throwing a Party for Valedictorians and Summa Cum Laude Graduates - Graduating from high school or college is a huge achievement, but if your student is graduating with honors then that achievement is even more deserving of a special celebration. No ordinary graduation is going to be sufficient. Background on Graduation Honors - If you’re not familiar with all of the “honors” terminology, then ...

Black, Red, and Green for Graduation Invitations - Graduations are one of those major milestones in life that deserve not only to be recognized but also to be celebrated. Whether the student in your life has just earned a high school diploma, a bachelor’s degree, or an even higher degree, you’ll want to find a way to show him or her just how proud you are of their hard work ...
Ideas for a Formal Graduation Party - When we think of graduation parties, sometimes we have the impression that all of them are just full of young people drinking too much and playing loud music. And sure some graduation parties would fit that description pretty well, but that isn’t your only option if you’re planning a celebration for a special student in your life ...

Feng Shui Graduation Party Ideas - Celebrating a graduation is a big deal. The family wants to show their pride at how well their student has succeeded. The student wants to know that he or she has done a good job by achieving this important life goal. When you’re planning something this special, then it only makes sense that you should take into consideration every possible way of ...

Creating Tassel as Embellishments For Your Invitations - If you want to create a graduation invitation that is sure to get the attention of those you invite you can do a lot of it yourself. It can be fun to add your own personal touch to it, even if you order the actual stationary and then create a tassel as an embellishment. Everyone associates a tassel with graduation, so this can be a fun addition! If you ...

Clip-Arts for Graduation Invitations - Do you want to add some fun and uniqueness to your graduation invitation but you aren’t sure what may or may not be appropriate? If so, you aren’t alone. The fact of the matter is that there are a lot of fun or original things that you can do; you simply need to infuse your own style into it and get creative. Anything that you can imagine can generally be created ...

Personalize Your Graduation Invitations with Special Inspirations - A graduation invitation can be just a graduation invite, but there are some great things that you can do to add your personal touch and make it interesting and even inspirational to those that you send them to. There is nothing better than sending out invites that have been infused with your own personal style, whatever that may be ...

Differentiating Masculine & Feminine Invitations Theme - Because both men and women graduate from high school as well as college there needs to be a way to differentiate between invitations that are more appropriate for men and those that are more appropriate for women. This is not to say that there aren’t invitations that are appropriate for both genders, but if you want something that ...

Seasonal Graduation Invitations
Show Your Patriotism with Patriotic Graduation Invitations Theme - Over the last couple years the patriotism in our country seems to have been renewed and this includes the young, the old, and everyone in between. If you are graduating from high school or college why not share your patriotism with others with a patriotic invitation theme? Why go drab when you can serve to inspire those that ...

Graduation Photo Christmas Cards - Are you graduating early? Many students that graduate early, graduate in the winter months, which is a great opportunity to do something different with your graduation invitation. You can not only send an invite to all those that you would like to attend your graduation ceremonies; you can send a Christmas greeting at the same time by enclosing a Christmas card with a photo ...

After The Graduation
Sending Graduation Thank You Cards - So, your graduation day has come and gone, the ceremonies were amazing, the graduation party was brilliant, and above all, the graduation gifts were super cool! The graduate is happy, the graduate’s guests are happy, everyone is happy. But, after the ceremony, party and gifts comes the most daunting part – sending out ...

Graduation Photo and your Scrapbooking Project - Honoring the graduate is one of the most important parts of the graduation ceremony. If you’ve organized your photo albums over the years, then everything should be up to date. But, if you are like most of us, then you’re family photos are probably piled up in boxes in the attic. Since you are going to be graduating pretty soon, now ...

Career Guide After Graduation - Transitioning out of college can be both, an exciting as well as a scary experience. There are newer and tougher challenges to face, unwritten laws to be followed, unexplored opportunities for progress – and humiliation – in every nook and cranny. While recent graduates and most other college students are preparing themselves to become experts ...

Reunion Graduate Party Planning - Once you graduate, you only get to see you friends every ten years at each reunion! So you want to have a fun reunion party this time and not a boring formal one? Planning for your reunion would mean coming up with a special plan or an idea for the party. From the decorations to the food and particularly the entertainment, your graduate reunion party ...

A Juicy Story - The Great History of Juicy Couture

2008-05-25T05:18:00.000-07:00

Juicy Couture Velour Shoulder Bag

By Roy Leadwell

Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Taylor (wife of John Taylor of Duran-Duran) founded Juicy Couture in 1994. The company started as a designer T-Shirt company. The look of the company changed drastically in 1999 with tho companies entrance into the denim and sportswear market. Next came the item the company is most famous for, "The Track Suit." The item came in velour, terry cloth, and cashmere. The elements that made these suits so famous was there low riding draw string pants and form fitting zip up hoodies in a variety of mouthwatering colors. Skaist-Levy and Taylor, according to most fashion magazines, have made there track suit as popular as the little black dress.

In 2003 Juicy Couture was purchased by Liz Claiborne, Inc. for an undisclosed multi-million dollar sum. Quite an accomplishment for a company that sold track suits, "Juicy loves Martha" T Shirts, and ruffled velvet tube dresses. All of Juicy Couture items are manufactured with the companies signature logo, too highland terriers holding a shield bearing three hearts and love P&G (Pat and Gela) Juicies creators. A crown lies overhead while a Juicy Couture banner flutters below the underline slogan, "Made in the Glamorous USA"

Juicy Couture's label has reached the heights of such labels as Gucci, Guess and DKNY. This was accomplished by a brilliant marketing ploy. They cultivated relationships with the Hollywood community and invited top celebrities such as JLO, Cameron Diaz and Madonna to shop for Free. Then they had these famous women have there pictures taken with these items and this concept raised the label to the status of, "Chic Couture."

Fast forward to today and under the Liz Claiborne aegis, Juicy Couture markets many items under many categories. They have both men and womens collections, children's collections as well as a mix of fashion accessories including jewelry, handbags and swim wear.

In the last 14 years we have seen many changes but one thing that hasn't is Skaist-Levy and Taylor are still at the head of this most prosperous organization as co-presidents.

____________

LA Designers Celebrate Memorial Day with American Fashion

2008-05-16T15:56:00.000-07:00

Use coupon code MDS08 for an extra 20% off. Click Here!

Celebrate Memorial Day in style and take an extra 20% off all the American Designers at eFashionHouse.com. We owe a lot to the European influence when it comes to fashion. Yet, the American Designers produce an image we call, "Home." People like Ralph Lauren, Liz Claiborne, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Jacobs, Melie Bianco and Elaine Turner pave the way for upcoming American fashion influence.

Designers like Tano Bags, BCBG, Coach, Dooney & Bourke and Brighton bring a sense of American style and unique image to their collections. We honor all the American Designers this season and celebrate with them for Memorial Day 2008.

Whether you are looking for a new handbag, wallet, tote or leather shoulder bag, you can find a perfect American Designer Handbag for an unbeatable price. But don't lose sight of the true meaning of Memorial Day. We celebrate in honor of many people who have died in military service protecting our country. It's really about honoring our heros.

Yes, we are addicted to fashion, and we admire the creative design process. We are always seeking a bargain, and we shop online for the best deals we can find. So, get ready for Memorial Day with a celebration of American Designers at an additional 20% off, and remember our heros who lived their lives to make America our home.

MORE ABOUT Memorial Day
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May (observed in 2008 on May 26). It was formerly known as Decoration Day. This holiday commemorates U.S. men and women who have died in military service to their country. It began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it was expanded to include those who died in any war or military action. One of the longest standing traditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500, which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911. It is also traditionally viewed as the beginning of summer by many, for many schools are dismissed around Memorial Day.

Many people observe this holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. US Eastern time. Another tradition is to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. Volunteers place a U.S. flag upon each gravesite located in a National Cemetery.

Many politicians and community leaders give speeches at community gatherings on Memorial Day.In addition to remembrance, Memorial Day is also a time for picnics, family gatherings, and sporting events. Some Americans also view Memorial Day as the unofficial beginning of summer and Labor Day as the unofficial end of the season. The national Click it or ticket campaign ramps up beginning Memorial Day weekend, noting the beginning of the most dangerous season for auto accidents and other safety related incidents. The USAF "101 Critical days of summer" begin on this day as well. Some Americans use Memorial Day to also honor any family members who have died, not just servicemen.

Flags flying at Fort Logan National Cemetery during Memorial Day 2006.Memorial Day formerly occurred on May 30, and some, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), advocate returning to this fixed date, although the significance of the date is tenuous. The VFW stated in a 2002 Memorial Day Address, "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed a lot to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."

Following the end of the Civil War, many communities set aside a day to mark the end of the war or as a memorial to those who had died. Some of the places creating an early memorial day include Charleston, South Carolina; Boalsburg, Pennsylvania; Richmond, Virginia; Carbondale, Illinois; Columbus, Mississippi; many communities in Vermont; and some two dozen other cities and towns. These observances eventually coalesced around Decoration Day, honoring the Union dead, and the several Confederate Memorial Days.

Decoration Day, c. 1900. "You bet I'm goin' to be a soldier, too, like my Uncle David, when I grow up."According to Professor David Blight of the Yale University History Department, the first memorial day was observed in 1865 by liberated slaves at the historic race track in Charleston. The site was a former Confederate prison camp as well as a mass grave for Union soldiers who had died while captive. A parade with thousands of freed blacks and Union soldiers was followed by patriotic singing and a picnic.

The official birthplace of Memorial Day is Waterloo, New York. The village was credited with being the birthplace because it observed the day on May 5, 1866, and each year thereafter, and because it is likely that the friendship of General John Murray, a distinguished citizen of Waterloo, and General John A. Logan, who led the call for the day to be observed each year and helped spread the event nationwide, was a key factor in its growth.

General Logan had been impressed by the way the South honored their dead with a special day and decided the Union needed a similar day. Reportedly, Logan said that it was most fitting; that the ancients, especially the Greeks, had honored their dead, particularly their heroes, by chaplets of laurel and flowers, and that he intended to issue an order designating a day for decorating the grave of every soldier in the land, and if he could he would have made it a holiday.

Logan had been the principal speaker in a citywide memorial observation on April 29, 1866, at a cemetery in Carbondale, Illinois, an event that likely gave him the idea to make it a national holiday. On May 5, 1868, in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans' organization, Logan issued a proclamation that "Decoration Day" be observed nationwide. It was observed for the first time on May 30 of the same year; the date was chosen because it was not the anniversary of a battle. The tombs of fallen Union soldiers were decorated in remembrance of this day.

Many of the states of the U.S. South refused to celebrate Decoration Day, due to lingering hostility towards the Union Army and also because there were very few veterans of the Union Army who lived in the South. A notable exception was Columbus, Mississippi, which on April 25, 1866 at its Decoration Day commemorated both the Union and Confederate casualties buried in its cemetery.

The alternative name of "Memorial Day" was first used in 1882, but did not become more common until after World War II, and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967 . On June 28, 1968, the United States Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which moved three holidays from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend and for the first time recognized Columbus Day as a federal holiday. The holidays included Washington's Birthday (which evolved into Presidents' Day), Veterans Day, and Memorial Day. The change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. The law took effect at the federal level in 1971 . After some initial confusion and unwillingness to comply at the state level, all fifty states adopted the measure within a few years, although Veterans Day was eventually changed back to its traditional date. Ironically, most corporate businesses no longer close on Columbus Day or Veterans Day, and an increasing number are staying open on President's Day as well. The holiday has endured as one where most businesses stay closed because it marks the beginning of the "summer vacation season" (similar to neighboring Canada's Victoria Day, which occurs on the prior Monday).

Celebrity and Environmentalist Favorite - Anya Hindmarch

2008-05-11T09:16:00.000-07:00

Celebrity and Environmentalist Favorite - Anya Hindmarch - Launches First Las Vegas Boutique at The Shoppes at The Palazzo - Boutique marks fifth store in North America

from Earth Times

Anya Hindmarch, London-born designer who was catapulted to fame last year with her environmentally conscious I'm Not a Plastic Bag tote campaign, is proud to announce the opening of her newest boutique at The Shoppes at The Palazzo -- the 450,000-square-foot luxury destination retail center within The Palazzo Las Vegas. The 1,000-square-foot boutique is the fifth Anya Hindmarch store in North America, joining Los Angeles, Short Hills, and two locations in New York.

The Las Vegas boutique remains true to the Anya Hindmarch aesthetic: a creative space that can be adapted to accommodate seasonal inspiration and change. Traditional haberdashery continues to be a strong inspiration while Art Deco influences add polish and shine. A combination of mirrors, black glass and marble create a timeless elegance for Hindmarch's collection which has grown beyond her signature handbags crafted from the finest Italian calf leather to include footwear, outerwear, luggage and travel accessories.

Hindmarch first launched an eponymous line of luxury handbags and small leather goods in 1993 and now boasts 47 stores worldwide, including China, Japan, Russia, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. Recognized globally for her 2007 I'm Not a Plastic Bag tote, Hindmarch used her influence to make a fashionable statement discouraging the use of plastic bags. The limited edition canvas tote sold for just $15. The bags have been seen on the arms of a variety of celebrities and were selected by Graydon Carter to be included in the 2007 Vanity Fair Oscar goodie bags. The I'm Not A Plastic Bag tote launched in four limited edition colors around the world. Thousands of customers queued to get their hands on this cult bag which sold out within hours around the globe. Over 100,000 customers registered online to purchase the I'm Not A Plastic Bag tote -- a product launch that still resonates today with the fashion-forward and celebrity elite.

In testament to her continued success, Anya Hindmarch was honoured with the accolade of Designer Brand of the Year at the 2007 British Fashion Awards and garnered Glamour Magazine's Accessory Designer of The Year Award for the second time running.

Why Hollywood's bad girls are rarely fashion victims

2008-05-09T21:05:00.000-07:00

from The Independent

From Marlene Dietrich in the 1930s through Brigitte Bardot and Ursula Andress in the 1960s, the more 'fatale' a 'femme', the better she is dressed. Charlotte Cripps on a new festival of cult thrillers in which the devil always gets the best clothes

Links between film, fashion, crime and violence are explored in a festival that will examine how fashion and style in film glamorise criminal behaviour.

There is no shortage of examples. Frank Borzage's 1936 film Desire stars the foxy-but-treacherous Marlene Dietrich as a super-glamorous aristocratic crook trying to get hold of a rare string of pearls. The classic 1971 crime flick Get Carter rounds up the whole relationship between the beautiful surface and the darker underworld of the criminal look with a stylish Michael Caine, who plays a violent London gangster, in suits designed by Vangie Harrison.

Fashion gets even darker in Dario Argento's 1970 Italian horror film The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, in which an anonymous figure in a shiny black PVC raincoat and black leather gloves slashes beautiful young women. The 1981 film Ms .45, directed by Abel Ferrara, is about a vengeful female serial killer who looks dowdy until she embraces her killing sprees and obsessively puts on red lipstick and killer heels.

At the Fashion in Film festival around London, designer Bella Freud will present a rare Swedish film, Mannequin in Red (1958), about murder in a fashion house, directed by Arne Mattsson, who has been dubbed the Swedish Hitchcock.

"The thing about fashion and film is that still the most important aspect is the plot," says Freud. "Some films are so stylised and the costumes are amazing, but the film is boring. Apocalypse Now, which you would never call a fashion film, has got the most brilliant fashion in it. It's so stylish. There is a scene where they lower these dancers in from helicopters and they are wearing cowboy boots and shorts. I thought I'd died when I saw that scene. It was such an exhilarating moment.

"Some directors have such a feel for how things look that it becomes fashion. This film that I'm introducing, Mannequin in Red, is set in a fashion house, but there is so much intrigue in the woman that runs the fashion studio, who has a white cat on her lap like a James Bond villain. This old harridan also has a wheelchair draped in leopard print, and another one draped in black lace.

"But despite the beautiful 1950s full-skirted dresses and petticoats – definitely worth a few sketches while watching – it is a gripping film. "As a fashion designer I was really influenced by the 1965 film Viva Maria!, directed by Louis Malle, and starring Brigitte Bardot and Jeanne Moreau. It was made in the 1960s but it was set at the turn of the century, so it was a slightly bouffant version of revolutionaries in the early 20th century wearing these long white skirts with coloured cinched-in waists and circus people wearing these flowered shirts. My whole second catwalk show in 1994 was based on this film."

GQ's editor Dylan Jones introduces the 1965 Italian cult science fiction film The Tenth Victim, directed by Elio Petri, starring Ursula Andress as a huntress who uses clothes as both weapons to seduce and to kill victims in the "big hunt" – a competitor sport of 10 rounds in which players are both hunter and victim. In one scene she even fires at her victim from her bra, a move later copied in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. Marcello Mastroianni stars as the blond-haired victim, her tenth potential conquest.

"I was surprised this iconic quintessentially Sixties film hadn't been more lauded, actually. It is so of the moment yet it is almost slapstick," says Jones. "The point of the film is that it is futuristic, but like a lot of science fiction it says more about the time that it was produced than the time it is meant to represent. A lot of films that were made in the Sixties have similar themes. The 1968 film Barbarella is probably the most famous one of them. It says more about the hopes and dreams and the short-term iconography of the Sixties than it does about anything else.

"The Tenth Victim is a very funny film. Mastroianni does look amazingly cool and, whenever someone is trying to represent anything that is remotely Modernist or Futurist, they always put somebody in a polo-neck jumper, which is exactly what he is wearing. Andress as his beautiful hunter could dress in anything and look good; at that point she had such a phenomenal body. She plays this mad sex-maniac and she is very vampish.

"Often you look back on these films and they are rather shallow affairs. Everybody holds up The Thomas Crown Affair, the 1968 heist film, as being a cool Sixties moment, with all the obvious iconic fashion flag-points. But actually this film inspired many more art-directors and advertising campaigns than it did cinematographers or directors. If you watch it now, the film is incredibly slow, brooding, and pretentious, despite being an extraordinarily elegant film to look at – but the remake is a far superior film. Does The Tenth Victim glorify crime? If you think that The Italian Job glamorises criminal behaviour, then so does The Tenth Victim. It is so far removed from reality that I don't think it glorifies it because it's a farce."

Other Fashion in Film screenings include the 1945 melodrama Leave Her to Heaven, directed by John M Stahl and starring Gene Tierney as the wickedly possessive wife whose impeccable dress-sense masks her flaws. There is also Michelangelo Antonioni's first feature film, from 1950, Chronicle of a Love, with the former Miss Italy star Lucia Bose groomed to perfection in high couture designed by the lawyer-turned-costume-designer Ferdinando Sarmi. He was also cast in the film as her husband Enrico.

The Korean-director Kim Yong-Gyun's 2005 thriller The Red Shoes is an adaptation of the 1948 Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger classic of the same title, and its showing is a London premiere. Follow Me Quietly (1949) features a faceless dummy of a serial killer used by police to track down a criminal in a noir thriller by Richard Fleischer. And Marleen Gorris' 1982 feature-film debut, A Question of Silence, tells the story of a bunch of women who decide to kill a boutique owner with clothes rails and shopping bags in a metaphorical gesture of violence against being exploited by men.

Does fashion in film glorify violence and can we see this throughout cinema's history? The festival's curator Marketa Uhlirova, based at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, thinks it might. "We wanted to explore the link between cinema, crime, fashion and costume," says Uhlirova, "and soon realised that certain patterns were emerging for us across film history and a variety of genres. The thread that weaves throughout the whole season is a concern with how and why fashion and clothing have been so instrumental to cinema's crime-narratives.

"We were particularly fascinated with how film often pinpoints specific garments and accessories, such as hats, gloves, shoes, handbags, or jewellery – and how these begin to function as objects of desire, murderous weapons, clues, evidence... There is something very poetic about that. But some of our guest curators identified sartorial gestures, rituals and even mistakes as worthy of examination – take the turned-up collar, or the blood stain."

"Cinema definitely has a tendency to show criminality as stylish. Not that real criminals can't be stylish [in fact, a short film by Dino Dinco, one of the artists involved in the new commissions, looks at real LA gangsters' obsessive preoccupation with clothes, and specifically focuses on the ritual of ironing], but cinema often exaggerates the glamorous or dandyish element of criminals and their criminal acts.

"Fashion is all about fabricating the ultimate arresting image and, on top of that, it can be very obsessive and indulgent. It is all artificiality, which makes it inhuman – and this is why it can make crime absolutely captivating in its cruelty. It's generally the baddies and the troubled ones that are portrayed as glamorous and gorgeous, not the goodies.

"Having said that, I would argue that fashion doesn't just glamorise crime – it can also sensualise it. Just look at some of the silent films in our season, or the sumptuous horrors by Bava and Argento, or some of the artist-films we are screening at Tate. Fashion rests on the surface, it has an excessive preoccupation with dress and grooming – and this usually signals something dark."

Fashion in Film Festival: If Looks Could Kill takes place at various cinemas in London from 10 to 31 May

A Jewelry Travel Case is a Must

2008-05-06T18:04:00.000-07:00

JUICY COUTURE designer purse travel case cosmetic train case navy green.

A jewelry travel case is a must for anyone who travels regularly. It also comes in handy for people who only get away once or twice each year. Your jewels are valuable to you. They are not only expensive but in most cases they hold great sentimental value as well as monetary worth. The last thing you want to do is leave them lying on a table in a hotel somewhere.

I say this because I did just that a few years ago. This hard lesson left me devastated by my loss and sickened by my lack of organization. I can’t say where I lost my mother’s ring that she passed down to me but I do know that it was during spring break.

I took the valuable ring along on a short trip. I didn’t have a jewelry travel case but I really didn’t think that I had much use for such a thing. The occasional necklace and bracelet was all that I really wore aside from my mother’s ring. I really didn’t think that a jewelry travel case was necessary for so few items.

However, if you even have only one single jewel along for the trip, you really should invest in a jewelry travel case for your adventure. The traveling case can help you stay organized even during the most rushed occurrences on your outing. Keeping your valuables in your purse may seem like the perfect solution but I can guarantee that it is not.

I know this because that is precisely where I put my mother’s ring. I placed it in the change compartment of my purse sometime during the trip. To be honest, I put it there for a really stupid reason. The ring was for an engagement and I wanted to communicate loud and clear that I was available so the ring disappeared into my purse.

A couple of days later I decided to search for the ring and was sickened that it was gone. I bought a jewelry travel case for my next outing. I kept a pair of earrings in it and nothing else. My friend asked me why on earth I would keep one little pair of earrings in a jewelry travel case, “Because I want to take them home with me,” was my response.

I never lost those earrings or any other piece of jewelry on any vacation after that. Buying a jewelry travel case may have saved me a lot of money over the years.

Customs Bust at Port of L.A. Nets $1.3 Million in Counterfeit Goods

2008-05-02T15:22:00.000-07:00

Photo of China Port where most of the counterfeit garbage comes from!

From Apparel News

Customs officials inspecting two cargo containers at the Port of Los Angeles recently came across hundreds of counterfeit hats, shoes, blankets, wallets, wearing apparel and jewelry all bearing designer names.

The discoveries were made on two separate days, April 8 and 11, but all the merchandise was sent from the same company in China to the same buyer in Texas, said Christina Gamez, a spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, on Tuesday. Gamez did not reveal the name of the supplier or the importer.

Nor did she say why these two particular containers were singled out for inspection. She noted there are a number of factors considered when deciding what cargo gets scrutinized by customs officials.

The value of the apprehended merchandise was placed at $1.3 million, but if they had been sold as authentic items, they would have fetched $38 million, customs officials said.

The counterfeit items were bearing labels such as Burberry, Giorgio Armani, Baby Phat and Dolce & Gabbana, as well as other prominent names.

This is the second major load of counterfeit goods that customs has intercepted recently. Last month, customs officials at the Port of Los Angeles discovered a container of fake handbags valued at $500,000 but with a full-market value of $22 million if sold as originals. Labels on the purses included Gucci, Chanel and Coach. —Deborah Belgum

____________________

Everyone at eFashionHouse.com is really happy LA is cracking down on counterfeits!
Thank you Port of LA!
Yippee!

Online Shopping Brokers: Meet the newest designer to go green for Target

2008-05-01T21:55:00.000-07:00

Online Shopping Brokers: Meet the newest designer to go green for Target

Americana at Brand set to open in Glendale

2008-04-27T16:42:00.000-07:00

Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times
Rick Caruso’s mega retail and residential center, Americana at Brand, is open in Glendale.
Get set for a Grove on steroids.

After spending years and $400 million, Grove developer Rick Caruso is ready to cut the ribbon on his glitzier, way bigger retail and residential center.

By Emili Vesilind, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

CONSIDER the Grove -- L.A.'s love-it or hate-it open-air mall that's more insular universe than shopping center. Now think of the Grove on steroids. The fountains are jazzier, the shops swankier, the rolling green lawn super-sized. And you can actually live there -- have breakfast at Tiffany every day.

Daydream or nightmare, it's reality at the Americana at Brand, the new shopping center and residential development in Glendale from Grove developer Rick Caruso. The project, which cost $400 million and was under construction for two years, opens Friday.

Photos: Americana at Brand in GlendaleThe sheer scale of the Americana -- 15.5 acres rambling over four city blocks -- would be significant for any metropolis but is especially major for Glendale, which boasts a sturdy mid-tier mall, Glendale Galleria, but not much else in terms of notable retail.

The Americana tenants include Barneys New York Co-Op, Kate Spade and Tiffany & Co. Not every store is in the Rodeo Drive club, but Caruso's proved that high-end retail flourishes at his centers. Barneys' store at the Grove is one of the top-selling Co-Op boutiques, said Michael Celestino, executive vice president of stores for Barneys New York. "The great success of the lifestyle center of the Grove encouraged us to do another Co-Op store in this format with Caruso," he said.

The developer has turned areas around before. When the Grove was built in 2002, the neighborhood was more a throughway than a place to stop and shop. "People said we were nuts to open the Grove in an old Hasidic Jewish neighborhood," said Caruso, while strolling through the Americana (still under construction just three weeks before opening, with 3,000 workers on site). "The Farmers Market looked like a stage set for 'Cocoon.' If you were under 80, you were there to do karaoke night."

Glendale, he added, is ripe for posh retailers. "The truth of the area is that there's lots of disposable income here and nowhere to shop." But the center is making its debut at a dicey time for retail, with an economic recession in motion that's cinching wallets and purses. Dana Telsey, retail analyst and chief research officer of the Telsey Group, said high-end and luxury retail has been affected by the downward market conditions but added that malls "are built not for today or tomorrow, but for years from now. Environments and climates change. It will take a little time, but they will turn around."

Caruso, who spent millions fighting Glendale Galleria owner General Growth Properties while planning the project, has built an empire by creating stylized retail centers that encourage shoppers to kick back and hang out. You either love the idea of shopping in a fantasy land -- where shiny trolleys cruise mini-streets and uniformed elevator men ask "Which floor? "-- or you cringe over its Disney-esque surrealness.

But only the terminally cynical will be blind to the Americana's charms. Yes, architectural purists will bemoan the hodgepodge of design styles -- Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Mediterranean, Classical and many more. But walking down the paved pathways, you almost feel as if you're strolling Boston's Newbury Street or Georgetown in Washington D.C. Or the main drag in Vegas. A 2-acre grassy knoll features an 80-foot "dancing" fountain, the centerpiece of the project, with stores and a playground curving around all sides.

Unlike at the Grove, there are no department store anchors, only a multilevel Barnes & Noble and an 18-screen Pacific movie theater. And though the outdoor space is triple what it is at the Grove, there's actually less retail. But the lineup is aimed straight at younger shoppers: Calvin Klein, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, Lacoste, Martin + Osa, Free People, H&M, Juicy Couture, Custo Barcelona and XXI from Forever 21.

Abercrombie & Fitch will open its first store in California for its Australia-based line Gilly Hicks, which features hip lingerie and lounge wear for twentysomethings. Paperchase, a British stationery store, will debut its first West Coast shop. Tiffany & Co. will launch its lower-priced "concept store," geared toward the trendy jewelry shopper. The boutique, which is still called Tiffany & Co., corrals its more accessibly priced baubles -- including sterling silver staples and diamond, gold and platinum -- inside a smaller storefront. Kiehl's, Bare Escentuals, an Aveda Lifestyle salon, Art of Shaving and the L.A. flagship for Calidora Skin Clinic are the center's beauty tenants.

And you won't go hungry -- though you might leave with a touch of indigestion. Restaurants and eateries include Beard Papa (cream puffs), Caffe Primo (salads and paninis), Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, CrepeMaker (handmade crepes), Jamba Juice and Richie's Neighborhood Pizzeria. On the higher end, there's Katsuya, the Japanese restaurant from sushi chef Kaysuya Uechi and designer Phillippe Starck.

The Americana takes its customer service seriously. The concierge desk offers -- for fees -- valet service, on-site oil changes, rental car and taxi reservation assistance, wardrobe consultation and styling, dry cleaning, tailoring, a notary public and even a yoga instructor. That's just for shoppers.

There are even more perks for those planning to move into Caruso's Neverland. Stacked above the center's shops and restaurants are 100 condos and 238 apartments, with condos ranging from the low $700,000s to $2 million and rents from $2,000 to $5,500 a month. The list of services for residents reads like Mariah Carey's backstage rider: piano tuning, baby-sitting (kids, pets and plants), movie tickets, personal shopping, art appraisal and food delivery.

Day shoppers who won't be rolling out of bed and into Urban Outfitters -- and don't want to valet -- will be subjected to a fascimile of the Grove's creeping, merry-go-round of a parking garage. But then passage to strange lands has always been tricky.

Fall '08: Trend Evolution

2008-04-26T08:17:00.000-07:00

Boho moved forward into Fall with modern 1960s and '70s inspiration
Melie Bianco's Boho Ethnic Applique Handbag $55

from Apparel News

Knits are the new jersey, retro is the new modern, and green is the new black. Trends were redefined at the recent MAGIC Marketplace, Project Global Trade Show, United trade show and Pooltradeshow in Las Vegas and the Action Sports Retailer Trade Expo and Agenda trade show in San Diego. Not to be missed, the West Coast trade shows have become centers for emerging style trends.

Los Angeles Handbag Designer Melie Bianco Slouchy Hobo $66
Looks like the famous Tano Boogie Bucket at 1/3 the price! Great find!

Denim continued to reinvent itself with retro cool and futuristic styling, the '80s returned with their colorful version of edgy, and eco continued its growth as a category. The new "must haves" included knits, leather jackets and dresses with vintage styling.

Boho moved forward into Fall with modern 1960s and '70s inspiration, and a uniform-meets-menswear look emerged. Designers also looked to the stage for inspiration, creating styles with that are rock 'n' roll-hip and full of circus whimsy. Here is a look at the key trends for Fall '08.

—N. Jayne Seward

L.A. County Bar Takes on Design Copyright Debate

2008-04-25T20:34:00.000-07:00

from Apparel News

The Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law section and the International Association of Entertainment Lawyers will tackle the issue of emerging intellectual-property issues in the fashion industry during its “Hot Off the Runway!” seminar. The networking event and panel discussion will take place May 1 at the Luxe Summit Hotel in Los Angeles’ Bel-Air neighborhood.

Panelists will discuss the scope of copyright and trademark protection for fashion designs and styles. Topics will include issues regarding rights in brands, the tension between protecting creativity in fashion and allowing more freedom to copy as a way of benefiting consumers, the pros and cons of the pending Design Piracy Prohibition Act, online sales of counterfeit products, and other emerging intellectual-property issues in the fashion industry.

Scheduled speakers include Ilse Metchek, the California Fashion Association’s executive director; Los Angeles attorney David Erickson, whose fashion designer clients include Libertine, Magda Berliner, Suzanne Costas Friewald (founder of Earl Jean), Spring & Clifton, Jasmin Shokrian, Wren, Trasteverine and Cheyann Benedict (co-founder of C&C California); copyright litigator Robert F. Helfing of the Sedgwick, Detert Moran LLP firm; independent designer Rami Kashou; and French attorney Anne-Marie Pecoraro, a member of the International Association of Entertainment Lawyers and an established European fashion lawyer.

For more information, call (213) 896-6560.

—Erin Barajas

Forget the flowers! Mom wants a new designer handbag for Mother’s Day

2008-04-25T15:20:00.000-07:00

What mom really wants for Mother’s Day is a new designer handbag so eFashionHouse.com is making shopping for mom easy with free shipping.

Sky Valley, CA (PRWEB), April 24, 2008: Gone are the days where shopping for mom meant a pretty floral arrangement or a box of her favorite chocolate. Today’s moms are more interested in trendy or classic designer handbags, so eFashionHouse.com is making shopping for mom a little easier with free shipping for Mother’s Day (May 11).

Named Best of the Web by People StyleWatch for below retail priced designer handbags and recognized by About.com as the top of three online retailers of off-priced Chanel, eFashionHouse.com has all the designers and styles moms want. From handbag darling Elaine Turner, to couture legend Chanel, to American staple Coach, eFashionHouse.com offers the latest in designer handbags for all budgets.

"It’s not only fashionistas that want the latest designer handbag all the time, today’s mom is very hip and wants to carry a nice leather handbag as well" said Anna Miller, eFashionHouse Owner. "To meet the needs of our clients, we now carry handbags that are age-friendly…meaning most of the designers we carry cater to women of all ages who simply love fashion."

Not only does eFashionHouse.com, and its five fashion ecommerce stores (BrandsBoutique, LuxuryVintage, DesignersLA, ItalysOutlet and ValueBags), offer a wide variety of authentic designer handbags but they guarantee the lowest prices online for Tano, Melie Bianco, Murval, Elaine Turner and Pietro Alessandro. Plus the site offers a layaway plan that allows its clients to pay over time and still get the bag of their dreams.

If you still don’t know what to get mom, here’s a couple of hot selling bags that are sure to make her smile (and maybe even giggle with glee):

• COACH Hamptons Cream Large Tote – 26% off
• ELAINE TURNER Andie Platinum Distressed Leather Satchel – 24% off
• Tano Bauhaus Leather Tote – 21% off
• Gucci Brit Medium Tote in Brown – 26% off
• Yves Saint Laurent Downtown Tote in Cream – 21% off
• Vintage Chanel Quilted Lambskin Shoulder Bag – only $499

In addition to huge savings on brand new, 100% authentic designer handbags, shoppers will receive free ground shipping from April 24th thru May 2nd on purchase over $100 with coupon code MD08. Plus there is no sales tax on all purchases worldwide.

About eFashionHouse.com
Anna Miller is the President of i-GlobalMall.com, Inc. She operates the website http://www.efashionhouse.com/ and sells high-end authentic designer handbags and accessories at off-retail prices. EFashionHouse.com was named Best of the Web by People Magazine StyleWatch for Discount Designer Handbags and Purses. eFashionHouse.com should not be confused with any other website selling a similar product or using a similar name. EfashionHouse.com is the home of five fashion ecommerce stores: BrandsBoutique, LuxuryVintage, DesignersLA, ItalysOutlet, and ValueBags. Anna is considered an Internet Pioneer & Ecommerce Entrepreneur. She’s been reselling Designer Merchandise online since the early 90s. eFashionHouse.com has an extensive Press Page and a Fashion Blog Network. Visit the site for more details.

Melie Bianco Los Angeles handbag designer - affordable purses with style and charm

2008-04-19T16:04:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles handbag designer Melie Bianco is right on the money these days. Her handbags sell for a low price usually aroung $50 - $75 each. The purses are eco friendly and carried by all the Celebs! We couldn't resist sharing these finds with you! Check it out. Don't have thousands$$$ to spend on a new designer handbag? No problem! Read more.....Click too!

MELIE BIANCO handbags designer handbag S8149K distressed hobo push lock shoulder bag designer purse black. If this large slouchy Melie Bianco push lock hobo reminds you of Louis Vuitton you are right. Melie Bianco takes the best of the best and makes an affordable designer handbag anyone can afford to own. The 3000 dollar Louis Vuitton is beautiful and if you do not have the money but love the look then here is one for you. Melie Bianco handbags are verstile and have style class and function. Just look at this design. It is perfect for all day long and transitions nicely into evening wear. The MELIE BIANCO designer handbag S8149K distressed hobo push lock shoulder bag is roomy and comfortable to carry on your arm or over the shoulder. This design has a touch of high end Louis Vuitton designer all rolled into a cool Melie Bianco affordable design. Melie Bianco takes the best of the best and makes her designer handbags affordable for the masses. We love Melie Bianco and we are introducing her collection on DesignersLA. The Melie Bianco handbag line is made of very soft pleather or synthetic leather like material with the look and feel of real napa. Some of the designs are made to look distressed and others are smooth and soft. The sizes are considered medium to large. The Melie Bianco bags have a secure top closure. The bags are fully lined and have extra storage pockets. You will be delighted to add a Melie Bianco handbag to your collection. And at these prices you may want to add several while supplies last. The neutral colors in her collection are amazing. Your Melie Bianco handbag comes complete inside its sleeper bag packaged directly from her warehouse. Measurements are approximate. The Melie Bianco handbag S8149K distressed hobo push lock shoulder bag measures about 12 x 16 inches with double rolled and stitched handles for shoulder straps. The depth of this bag is deep due to the slouchy round gathered hobo design. Gold tone hardware. Guaranteed authentic. Comes with sleeper bag.

MELIE BIANCO handbags designer handbag S8149K distressed hobo push lock shoulder bag designer purse white. If this large slouchy Melie Bianco push lock hobo reminds you of Louis Vuitton you are right. Melie Bianco takes the best of the best and makes an affordable designer handbag anyone can afford to own. The 3000 dollar Louis Vuitton is beautiful and if you do not have the money but love the look then here is one for you. Melie Bianco handbags are verstile and have style class and function. Just look at this design. It is perfect for all day long and transitions nicely into evening wear. The MELIE BIANCO designer handbag S8149K distressed hobo push lock shoulder bag is roomy and comfortable to carry on your arm or over the shoulder. This design has a touch of high end Louis Vuitton designer all rolled into a cool Melie Bianco affordable design. Melie Bianco takes the best of the best and makes her designer handbags affordable for the masses. We love Melie Bianco and we are introducing her collection on DesignersLA. The Melie Bianco handbag line is made of very soft pleather or synthetic leather like material with the look and feel of real napa. Some of the designs are made to look distressed and others are smooth and soft. The sizes are considered medium to large. The Melie Bianco bags have a secure top closure. The bags are fully lined and have extra storage pockets. You will be delighted to add a Melie Bianco handbag to your collection. And at these prices you may want to add several while supplies last. The neutral colors in her collection are amazing. Your Melie Bianco handbag comes complete inside its sleeper bag packaged directly from her warehouse. Measurements are approximate. The Melie Bianco handbag S8149K distressed hobo push lock shoulder bag measures about 12 x 16 inches with double rolled and stitched handles for shoulder straps. The depth of this bag is deep due to the slouchy round gathered hobo design. Gold tone hardware. Guaranteed authentic. Comes with sleeper bag.

MELIE BIANCO handbags designer handbag W822SDL distressed chain shoulder bag tote bag designer purse saddle tan. If this design reminds you of Fendi you are right. Hey Fendi move over because Melie has arrived. All the celebrities carry these big shoulder bags and now you can too. Melie Bianco takes the best of the best and makes her designer handbags affordable for the masses. We love Melie Bianco and we are introducing her collection on DesignersLA. Melie Bianco is a Los Angeles handbag designer with styles you will adore and prices you can afford. The Melie Bianco handbag line is made of very soft pleather or synthetic leather like material. The sizes are considered medium to large. The Melie Bianco bags have a secure top closure with snaps and zippers. The bags are fully lined and have extra storage pockets. You will be delighted to add a Melie Bianco handbag to your collection. And at these prices you may want to add several while supplies last. Your Melie Bianco handbag comes complete inside its sleeper bag packaged directly from her warehouse in Los Angeles. Measurements are approximate. The Melie Bianco handbag W822SDL distressed chain shoulder bag tote bag designer purse measures about 14 x 16 inches with double rolled handle straps and a chain to use as a longer shoulder strap. The chain strap has a partial leather like portion at the top of the shoulder for comfort and wearability. This bag has it all. Style function and design. Gold tone hardware. Guaranteed authentic. Comes with a sleeper bag.

MELIE BIANCO handbags designer handbag W822SDL distressed chain shoulder bag tote bag designer purse white. If this design reminds you of Fendi you are right. Hey Fendi move over because Melie has arrived. All the celebrities carry these big shoulder bags and now you can too. Melie Bianco takes the best of the best and makes her designer handbags affordable for the masses. We love Melie Bianco and we are introducing her collection on DesignersLA. Melie Bianco is a Los Angeles handbag designer with styles you will adore and prices you can afford. The Melie Bianco handbag line is made of very soft pleather or synthetic leather like material. The sizes are considered medium to large. The Melie Bianco bags have a secure top closure with snaps and zippers. The bags are fully lined and have extra storage pockets. You will be delighted to add a Melie Bianco handbag to your collection. And at these prices you may want to add several while supplies last. Your Melie Bianco handbag comes complete inside its sleeper bag packaged directly from her warehouse in Los Angeles. Measurements are approximate. The Melie Bianco handbag W822SDL distressed chain shoulder bag tote bag designer purse measures about 14 x 16 inches with double rolled handle straps and a chain to use as a longer shoulder strap. The chain strap has a partial leather like portion at the top of the shoulder for comfort and wearability. This bag has it all. Style function and design. Gold tone hardware. Guaranteed authentic. Comes with a sleeper bag.

MELIE BIANCO handbags designer handbag W832SDL convertible satchel with pockets shoulder bag designer purse saddle tan. If this design reminds you of Juicy Couture you are right. It has that young at heart style and appeal. Gold tone hardware and a heart charm hanging from the zipper pull exterior pocket. Melie Bianco takes the best of the best and makes her designer handbags affordable for the masses. We love Melie Bianco and we are introducing her collection on DesignersLA. The Melie Bianco handbag line is made of very soft pleather or synthetic leather like eco friendly material with the look and feel of real napa. Some of the designs are made to look distressed and others are smooth and soft. They have buckles and strap details with lots of roomy pockets inside and out. The sizes are considered medium to large. The Melie Bianco bags have a secure top closure. The bags are fully lined and have extra storage pockets. You will be delighted to add a Melie Bianco handbag to your collection. And at these prices you may want to add several while supplies last. Your Melie Bianco handbag comes complete inside its sleeper bag packaged directly from her warehouse. Measurements are approximate. The Melie Bianco handbag W832SDL convertible satchel with pockets shoulder bag measures about 16 x 10 x 6 inches with double shoulder straps. This bag has it all. Style function and design. Guaranteed authentic.

MELIE BIANCO handbags designer handbag W824K top stitched shoulder bag designer purse black. If this design reminds you of Yves Saint Laurent you are right. It has that sleek look with just enough designer hardware for perfect style and appeal. Melie Bianco takes the best of the best and makes her designer handbags affordable for the masses. We love Melie Bianco and we are introducing her collection on DesignersLA. The Melie Bianco handbag line is made of very soft pleather or synthetic leather like material with the look and feel of real napa. Some of the designs are made to look distressed and others are smooth and soft. The sizes are considered medium to large. The Melie Bianco bags have a secure top closure. The bags are fully lined and have extra storage pockets. You will be delighted to add a Melie Bianco handbag to your collection. And at these prices you may want to add several while supplies last. The neutral colors are seasonless and can be carried any time of the year. Easy to keep clean and maintain your Melie Bianco handbag comes complete inside its sleeper bag packaged directly from her warehouse. Measurements are approximate. The Melie Bianco handbag W824K top stitched shoulder bag measures about 13 x 14 inches with double shoulder straps and gold tone hardware. This bag has all the style and design you need for a price you can afford. Guaranteed authentic. Comes with sleeper bag.

MELIE BIANCO handbags designer handbag W824SDL top stitched shoulder bag designer purse saddle tan. If this design reminds you of Yves Saint Laurent you are right. It has that sleek look with just enough designer hardware for perfect style and appeal. Melie Bianco takes the best of the best and makes her designer handbags affordable for the masses. We love Melie Bianco and we are introducing her collection on DesignersLA. The Melie Bianco handbag line is made of very soft pleather or synthetic leather like material with the look and feel of real napa. Some of the designs are made to look distressed and others are smooth and soft. The sizes are considered medium to large. The Melie Bianco bags have a secure top closure. The bags are fully lined and have extra storage pockets. You will be delighted to add a Melie Bianco handbag to your collection. And at these prices you may want to add several while supplies last. The neutral colors are seasonless and can be carried any time of the year. Easy to keep clean and maintain your Melie Bianco handbag comes complete inside its sleeper bag packaged directly from her warehouse. Measurements are approximate. The Melie Bianco handbag W824K top stitched shoulder bag measures about 13 x 14 inches with double shoulder straps and gold tone hardware. This bag has all the style and design you need for a price you can afford. Guaranteed authentic. Comes with sleeper bag.

MELIE BIANCO designer handbag S8170PT quilted satchel with side pockets shoulder bag designer purse pistachio green. If this design reminds you of Chanel you are right. It has that undeniable classic qulited style we all adore. Melie Bianco takes the best of the best and makes her designer handbags affordable for the masses. We love Melie Bianco and we are introducing her collection for on DesignersLA. The Melie Bianco handbag line is made of very soft pleather or synthetic leather like material with the look and feel of real napa. Some of the designs are made to look distressed and others are smooth and soft. The MELIE BIANCO designer handbag S8170PT quilted satchel with side pockets shoulder bag has lots of designer touches and details. Side pockets. Hang tag charm. Double rolled and stitched shoulder straps. An unbelievable low price. A pop of color perfect for a seasonless look all year long. Lots of room and extra pockets inside and out. Buckles and straps and stud details. The sizes are considered medium to large. The Melie Bianco bags have a secure top closure. The bags are fully lined and have extra storage pockets. You will be delighted to add a Melie Bianco handbag to your collection. And at these prices you may want to add several while supplies last. The colors in this collection are amazing. Your Melie Bianco handbag comes complete inside its sleeper bag packaged directly from her warehouse. Measurements are approximate. The MELIE BIANCO designer handbag S8170PT quilted satchel with side pockets shoulder bag measures about 14 x 9 inches with hand held or shoulder length double straps. This bag has it all. Style function and design. Guaranteed authentic. Comes with sleeper bag.

Share this with your friends..... Women on a budget unite!

The beauty of Vintage - Designer handbags & accessories

2008-04-18T16:55:00.000-07:00

Vintage designer handbags and accessories are very difficult to source. For one thing, unless you really know what it is you are buying and who you are buying it from, there are risks involved. Shopping at reputable resale boutiques in your area and internet sites with longevity like LuxuryVintage is the best way to obtain pre owned merchandise you can trust is the real deal.

Having shopped online for about ten years, we've seen it all. We tried the eBay route and got burned too many times. The fakes run rampant on auction sites, and the sellers are difficult, elusive and evasive. Most of the other auction sites are too new to have established a following or credibility. Buy from someone with a proven track record. Unless you have a lot of time to spare dealing with fraud and decete, we suggest you establish a good relationship with a resale shop or website vs. an auction site. That's just our personal opinion for the novice designer handbag and accessory shopper. You are better off dealing with a known shop or website vs the entangled mess of eBay and Paypal. Sorry guys! That's just how we feel from personal first-hand experience. We aren't saying it's all bad, we're just giving guidance to the novice shopper who isn't as educated in the area of online shopping as they would like to be. They know who they are.

The best source for used designer fashion accessories like handbags, jewelry, watches, bracelets, scarves, hats, etc. is a woman's closet! It's just not easy to find the woman with the goods who wants to unload her old unwanted treasures. That's the task of the resale shop or website owner. It's not an easy task, either. And, the items come at high cost for the owners of the resale or luxury vintage site or shop.

Some of the most coveted items come from famous designer brands like Hermes, Chanel, Cartier, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Prada, and Dior. Unless you know people with these items, it's difficult to find them used for a good price. So, if you love "vintage" you are better off finding a good retailer to buy them from instead of trying to hunt them down yourself. A resale shop or etailer usually doesn't make a bundle on the resale of used goods. Most of the items come at a fairly high price and are marked up enough to cover costs and make a very small profit. Vintage etailers provide options for returns if you are not happy once you have the product in hand. Always check for the authenticity guarantee, talk with the owner of the site and establish trust.

If you are looking for an authentic pre owned designer item and want a great price, but still don't have the money, use a layaway plan. It's a perfect way to get the items you want and keep within your budget. We do not advocate rental of designer bags and jewelry. We think it's a waste of your hard earned money. Rental fees, insurance and hidden fees add up quickly. And, the time you spend fussing with all that can be better spent doing other things you enjoy. Making an investment in a timeless designer fashion accessory is better in the long run. It's yours to keep or pass down to your children. Many of the timeless items from Hermes and Chanel hold maintain excellent resale value. Keeping the name and email address of the people you buy from may help you later if you ever want to resell some of your collection.

Top 5 Green Actors

2008-04-18T10:54:00.000-07:00

Melie Bianco - Los Angeles Designer -
Uses Synthetic Leather to make affordable designer handbags.

About.com
From Courtney Curtis,Your Guide to Green Living.
Celebrities Who Have Gone Green

They’re rich, they’re famous, and for some reason the whole world seems to be obsessed with everything they do. Even though celebrities are best known for their extravagance, there are a fair few that do their part to make the world a greener place.

The question is: which stars are the greenest of the green? Grist identifies the following five celebrities as the most eco-conscious actors striving to make a difference in the world as we know it. Any of their efforts sound familiar?

1. Leonardo DiCaprio
A strong defender of the environment, Leonardo DiCaprio has had his own eco-site to inform others of environmental issues since 2000 and has been a Board Member of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Global Green USA since 2004. Since his line of work is in the entertainment industry, it’s incredibly suitable that he reaches a large audience with his environmental efforts. Narrating 11th Hour, a documentary about the impact humans have on the environment, and starring in Blood Diamond, a feature-length film based on conflict diamonds are two examples of his work. As if that wasn’t enough, he is also involved in the ad campaign for Gap’s (Product) RED line, which donates half of all profits to the Global Fund.

2. Cameron Diaz
This model turned actress started getting a lot of recognition for her green lifestyle when MTV's reality show Trippin' hit the airwaves in 2005. Even though the show didn't last, Cameron's greener way of living stuck with her, as evidenced by her day-to-day efforts. Not only does she insist on using offsets for carbon-neutral travel, she works with Gwenyth Paltrow to promote Act Green. Cameron also finds the time to work with environmentalist and former Vice President Al Gore. She was among 1000 individuals invited to participate in Gore's global warming slideshow training program, which she successfully completed. Afterwards, she joined Gore to announce the initiative Save Our Selves: The Campaign for a Climate in Crisis, in 2007.

3. Robert Redford
Robert Redford is a celebrity pioneer when it comes to living the green life. His efforts are alive and well today, but he got started making the world a more eco-friendly place even before going green was 'the thing to do.' The 'Sundance kid' took a keen interest at an early age, working at Yosemite National Park as a teenager following his bout with polio. His involvement with the Yosemite led him to produce and narrate Yosemite: The Fate of Heaven, an award-winning documentary about the national park and the environment in the late 1980s. But Robert had many other projects he worked on before regaining his focus on Yosemite. In 1969 he purchased Utah land to create Sundance Village and went on to co-found the Sundance Institute in 1981.

4. Cate Blanchett
This Australian actress makes an impressive effort to green her day to day life completely. Not only does she live in an off-grid home, powered entirely by solar panels, but she is making a genuine effort to green her work to the extreme as well. As artistic co-directors of the Sydney Theatre Company, Cate and her husband are working to employ solar panels and reuse rain water to make the company entirely eco-friendly. Cate also works tirelessly as an environmental activist on the side. She launched a web-based climate change campaign in August 2007, and was a prominent figure in 2007’s Earth Hour ad campaign in Sydney, Australia. She also has annually participated in the Walk Against Warming Protest with her two sons since 2006.

5. George Clooney
When he’s not giving interviews as People’s Sexiest Man Alive or starring in the latest blockbuster, George Clooney is doing his part to save the planet. He prides himself as being one of the first (if not the first) to own a Commuter Cars Tango, and he owns a $100,000 Tesla Roadster, both of which run entirely off electrical power. But George does more than buy pretty green gadgets to do his part; he also is a strong humanitarian activist. George is a part of the ONE campaign and is also a supporter of Save Darfur. Among others, he has participated in events such as America: A Tribute to Heroes, in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope, a telethon for victims of the South Asia tsunami in December 2004.

Sunglasses and Tips For Finding the Right Pair

2008-04-16T19:53:00.000-07:00

By Anthony J. Carter

Choosing the perfect pair of sunglasses is not as straightforward as it seems. Apart from the fact that there are literally hundreds of styles, colours and brands to make your choice from, you'll be looking for a pair that combines style with the ability to protect your eyes. Probably the best place to shop for sunglasses today is online, where the world is your oyster when it comes to the sheer number of sites you could purchase them from. Obviously the good old brick and mortar shops on the high street offer great ranges as well, but for pure choice, online is the way to go.

Virtually every brand of sunglasses known to man can be purchased online. Online retailers offer well known brands such as Oakley, Ray Ban and Von Zipper, not so well known and even replica designs. Apart from selling sunglasses, some of these retailers also offer sunglass accessories such as protective cases, wiping cloths and cords, as well as related items such as ski goggles.

Without wanting to state the obvious, when purchasing sunglasses, a person has to make sure they buy a pair that suits them. Each individual has a different shaped face so sunglasses that may look good on one person, for example, may not look quite so good on someone else. Try and make sure you choose a pair that complements your facial shape, skin tone and hair colour.

While on the topic of styles, think about frame colours as well. Frames come in a myriad of colours, from lights like yellow and orange to darks such as blacks and purples. Again, make sure you choose a frame colour that is going to complement your complexion. The very fashion conscious will want to match sunglasses with different outfits they may own- if this is the case then you will need a few pairs of sunglasses in different frame colours. No mean task if we're talking designer sunglasses!

We mustn't forget that sunglasses were actually made to protect our eyes from harmful sun rays, not just as a fashion statement, so choosing a pair that offers ultra violet protection (100% protection is now the norm) is vitally important. UV rays have the ability to cause lasting or permanent damage to our eyes if we don't take precautionary measures whilst in the sun (or outside generally). A good pair of sunglasses that offers 100% UV protection may cost a little bit more but a little bit more is a small price to pay for the health and safety of our eyes!

Fashion on a Budget - Designer handbags, clothing and shoes

2008-04-14T21:15:00.000-07:00

By Woody Lee

There has been a lot of talk about the economy lately and the forecast isn't looking too good which means it's time to start looking at ways to tighten the budget and cut back on the things you don't absolutely need. Though the thought about going without might seem grim at first, there is a silver lining when it comes to shopping. Just because you have less to spend on fashion doesn't mean you have to stop trying completely, following is a list of tips that help the budget fashionista in all of us keep looking fabulous.

Clothing
I thought starting off with the most obvious wardrobe item was a good way to kick off the list especially since a lot of us have already started thinking of spring wear, plus shopping for clothing on a budget is often the easiest. Although no one likes to worry about the economy, one positive result is retailers know that consumers are holding onto their money tighter than before, so they are more willing to hold sales and make higher decreases to entice consumers to spend. Here's a great way to take advantage of dropping prices but still come out with the stuff you want:

Be a savvy sale shopper: I already mentioned how you might notice more sales and promotions from retailers in an effort to boast slow profits, so as a savvy shopper it pays off to know when your favorite store is holding a 'secret sale' (join a mailing list or befriend the sales staff to become a VIP), end-of-season sales (household names like Banana Republic and Macys hold seasonal sales where items are 40% off), watch for the buy-one-get-one-half off type of coupon sales because you can buy the non-sale item you've been eyeing and get another item half off.

Shop online: Even the most experienced shopper can find it daunting to keep up with the sale schedule at their favorite stores which is why shopping online has become so popular. Gone were the days where you weren't sure of your size or if something looked good, most online shops allow for easy returns. But it's better to know the types of clothes you look good so you won't have to mail back a bunch of returns. The best part about shopping online is that often times you can find the same brands at cheaper prices because an online retailer doesn't have to pay for retail space. If you don't believe me, I found Rachel Pally dresses at 50% off at DesignersLA.com or check out ShopBop and click on the 70% off sale section (you'll be amazed at what you see). Plus if you sign up for your favorite e-tailers email list, you'll get even more savings with sale announcements and coupon codes sent right to your inbox. What's easier than that?

Invest in classics: Though sale shopping can result in a ton of savings, to really save money try not to buy something you won't end up wearing just because it is on sale. Sure a designer label pink suede skirt at 80% off is a great deal but if it's hot outside or pink suede isn't in style when the weather cools, you've wasted money that could have been used toward something you'll wear again and again. Trends are always fun but invest in a couple of classics that can take you through an entire season. I'm thinking white wide-leg pants and a yellow dress but you can pick your favorite spring staples.

Vintage: If the thought of secondhand shops scares you than you haven't been shopping at the right vintage store. Vintage can be ultra-hip and you'll be surprised to see what you find in the right vintage store. Make sure to find one that offers items in good condition and reasonable prices (some are actually expensive) and go hunting for shift dresses, capris and 50's style blouses that have been seen in all the fashion magazines. Plus there are even some great online vintage shops (JillsConsignment and LuxuryVintage) that carry amazing stuff in awesome condition.

Handbags and Accessories
It doesn't matter if there are tough times or not, fashionistas are constantly on the lookout for bargains on designer handbags. The good thing is that a good designer handbag has a much longer run than designer clothing because if you invest in the right designer purse or designer jewelry you can wear it for many months as opposed to changing up your clothes due to trends and weather conditions. And even though designer "it" bags cost more than ever, the average designer label handbag costs $2k, I've done my homework and found ways to score a hot designer bag, designer jewelry or accessory from Prada, Gucci, Tod's, Chloe, Anya Hindmarch, Marc Jacobs, Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Burberry, and even Chanel at up to 70% off retail. Don't believe me, see for yourself:

Shop online: As with shopping for clothing, shopping online for designer accessories can really pay off. Unlike clothes, you don't have to worry about how an item will fit because most reputable sites will list the exact measurements and provides photos from all angles so you can see exactly what you're getting. Since online retailers don't have as much overhead as say a big department store (it's hard to find a designer handbag in a small boutique), they are able to offer substantially more savings for the exact same purse. I recently picked up an authentic Chanel handbag at for 50% off retail at eFashionHouse.com and the selection is endless. Based on my budget (and a little bit of principal) I would never pay full price for a designer handbag because I know if I wait for the "it" bag craze to die down, I'll visit my favorite site and get the bag 40% off. You can also shop for brand new designer jewelry from Chanel, Gucci and others at more than 60% off.

Wait for end-of-season sales: All of the major department stores mark designer handbags off toward the end of the season an although it's nice to carry a bag as soon as the season starts, if you can hold out, you can find what you're looking for. But if you plan to wait for these sales, make sure you are the first to know because inventory goes fast and is usually sold out the day a sale starts (if you miss the boat, visit the discount designer handbag web sites who sell authentic bags at a discounts year round).

Out with the old, in with the new: If you are as much of a handbag lover as I am than you probably have a couple of designer handbags lying around that you haven't used in a while which means you can afford to get rid of them. If you sell these unused accessories on eBay or to a consignment shop, you can have some extra money to spend on the designer handbag you really want. Try it out, it won't hurt as much as you think.

Vintage: More than even clothes, vintage designer handbags, jewelry and accessories (wallets, scarves, etc.) can not only save you money but even outlast many of the trendier bags. Sites like LuxuryVintage sell authentic Chanel handbags in amazing condition (little to no wear) for as low as $400 and since Chanel handbags are timeless, this is a small price to pay for a bag you can wear for years to come.

Don't be a snob: In addition to the luxury leaders like Marc Jacobs and Prada, the handbag heyday has allowed for smaller labels like Elaine Turner, Tano and Pietro Alessandro to make a name for themselves. Often made from the same high end materials as couture fashion houses, it's easier than ever to score an ultra-soft trendy handbag, like the Elaine Turner Paige Python Frame Bag or the Alex Tote, for a fraction of the cost of an expensive designer label.

Cheap Chic: We usually don't like any handbags that fall into the $15-$40 range but we have to say that lines like Melie Bianco and Murval are quickly making us change our mind. We wouldn't recommend spending your money on a bunch of cheap, poorly made handbags but if you want the look of the moment handbag, than Melie Bianco will probably have it. Visit DesignersLA.com and be amazed at how Melie Bianco manages to make such stylish and gorgeous handbags at such unbelievable prices.

Shoes
There is not a lot of advice we have on shoes because we think that most savvy shoppers (who are women at least) have this category covered but we'll include a couple of pointers just in case you need a refresher:

Invest in a good pair: Shoes are quickly becoming like designer handbags in the fact that they are wildly expensive and there are now a ton of "must-have" styles. Christian Louboutin is the leader of the pack, followed closely by Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blanik but finding a pair of these beauties at a discount can be pretty tricky but not unheard of. If must have another pair of shoes (to add to the 30 you already have), than try to invest in as much shoe as you can afford. Maybe we walk a lot but we've found that investing in a good pair of shoes (leather upper and leather sole) can take us a long way.

Online: There are a ton of online sites selling only footwear and it's sometimes hard to go through them all but the one good thing about so many choices is that there is more competition which means that price points will be lower. We haven't found a ton of online sites that we like to shop at for shoes because we tend to shop for more high end brands (goes back to that investment thinking) and there aren't a lot of sites that sell expensive shoes but one place I have found luck at saving money is eBay (yes, eBay). I would never purchase a designer handbag from eBay because there is no way to guarantee that you are actually getting an authentic designer handbag but shoes are less likely to be knocked off. But be prepared to search often because the selection is limited however you can find some amazing deals (brand new Lanvin flats for $200 or Prada heels for $100). So brush up on your bidding war skills because wining a pair of Manola Blanik Mary Janes is harder than actually walking in them.

Sales: Like clothes and designer accessories, the best and easiest way to save money is to know when your favorite shoe store is having a sale, but the early bird gets the worm in shoes sales because if there is one thing women have in common its shoes.

So although a slow economy can be a huge drain on your wallet, just remember that looking good doesn't have to suffer a recession as well. Become an experienced (and smart) shopper and you'll ride out tough times with the shirt on your back.

Woody Lee is a free lance writer, blogger and fashion addict living in New York City. She loves fashion, she loves high quality designer handbags, and she absolutely dislikes paying full price.

Dooney & Bourke's 'duck' trades up

2008-04-13T19:46:00.000-07:00

Dooney & Bourke Handbags

By Vivian G. Kelly
Special Correspondent

The $7 billion handbag market is the fastest-growing segment of the fashion industry. And there's a potential goldmine for a firm with a luxury bag that becomes a big hit. Norwalk-based Dooney & Bourke has been working on its brand image in an attempt to capture a bigger piece of this lucrative pie. The firm has been known for more than 30 years as a leather goods maker that offers well-made bags combining superior materials and craftsmanship. Until recently, it was best-known for classic and traditional design.

Dooney & Bourke is one of the most successful handbag brands in the U.S., second only to Coach. Since 2003, the company has taken on a challenge - it's making an effort to capture a piece of the teen and young adult market. Competition is fierce, particularly as consumer spending slows, even in the luxury brand sector. Said a highly placed industry source who requested anonymity, "Retail numbers came out on Jan. 10, and they were really horrible. Creating a winning handbag is a marketing exercise for a company. The competition is very steep in this area. Women have gravitated to expensive status handbags.

"Like anything though, it's cyclical, like this whole designer jean brand phenomenon, which has seen its peak a few years ago. Everyone's trying to slice and dice a different way. The reason why fashion companies love handbags is because you don't have to worry about sizes and seasonal styles. If a style gets some traction, they can keep rolling it out." These days, however, having a good product is not enough. Buzz and glamour are needed to get to the next level with your brand.

"I was impressed by their spring 2008 line," said Richard Spiegel, editorial director at thefashiontribune.com. "They are following their competition like never before, and they are right on trend. Current styles are metallic. They have gold and silver lines, a patent leather line, which is a huge (trend) and should perform well." The company has a good understanding of its customer and offers more reasonable prices, he said. Peter Dooney and Delta Bourke founded their handbag business in 1975. From the start, the company prided itself on producing what it calls "affordable luxury," meaning its products are priced within the reach of a modest budget.

In 1981, the duo opened The Company Store in Norwalk. They became known for their collection of well-made, functional women's handbags with the easily identifiable whimsical brass duck nameplate. Their all-weather pebbled leather satchels and totes were their most popular designs, making them a staple for working women throughout the 1980s.

Coach comparison
Like Coach, Dooney & Bourke is known for its mass availability and signature style. It also is closely related to Coach in its pricing structure. Most D&B bags range from $100 to $600, with most from $200 to $400. According to research from New York-based Coach, it's the U.S. leader with 31 percent market share in the "B+" handbag/leather goods league. Although Dooney & Bourke runs second to Coach in profits, it's rumored that it's not by much, and it appears to be closing in on the accessories giant.

Coach expects its total revenue from worldwide sales to increase 21 percent this year through June 28. That D&B is profiting almost as much as Coach, which has been in the business nearly 30 years longer, is making observers wonder where D&B will stand in the next decade. In Dooney & Bourke's case, a stronger, brand image could result in catching and surpassing Coach. There would be some trade-off for trading up, though. There are advantages to the consumer in buying a "B+" rather than A handbag. Similar to Coach, Dooney & Bourke bags are available, with no waiting lists to contend with as at Louis Vuitton and Hermes, big players in the A leagues.

D&B bags are available at department stores such as Lord & Taylor, Macy's, Nordstrom's and Saks 5th Avenue. The higher-priced D&B designs are available in its free-standing stores. The reward for graduating to the "A" leagues is huge and worth taking on a branding shift. In an article on Feb. 15, 2007, on www.fashionunited.co.uk, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton reported a 30 percent surge in 2006 profits to $1.88 billion. Revenue jumped 10 percent to $15.31 billion.

"The excellent performance in 2006 illustrates the vitality of our major brands, which continue to strengthen and gain market share," Chairman Bernard Arnault said in a statement. "The year also confirmed the strong potential of our high growth rising star brands and the group's leading position in emerging markets."

Young Hollywood
D&B's success has been most recently driven by its celebrity endeavors, beginning with a successful bid for inclusion in the elite group of products selected for the "goodie bags" given to the presenters and performers at the 75th annual Academy Awards in 2003. Peter Dooney created a hand-stitched mini tassel bag, which got the company noticed in Hollywood, and added some sparkle to the previously "classic" brand. In 2003, Dooney built on his success at the Oscars, and took the next step - to launch the "It" Collection of purses that range from $65 to $225 and are aimed at teens.

The must-have phenomenon can be traced to 1997, when Fendi created the Baguette bag and found itself with a runaway success and huge waiting lists across the globe. Fendi had a hit on its hands especially after Sarah Jessica Parker carried the bag on television's "Sex and the City" and spurred sales. Successes such as these have followed at Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Chloe.

Dooney set about putting together a collection of handbags with the young female demographic in mind. He collaborated with Teen Vogue to create an "It" Team. Teen Vogue chose four "It" girls and teamed them with four senior accessory students from the Fashion Institute of Technology.

The teams were sent to Milan, Italy, to attend accessory trade shows, visit leather factories and have design meetings. Their mission: To create a hot "It" bag collection that would make magic at retail. Dooney's project is an ambitious one, most accessory houses content themselves with one must-have bag per season, if they're lucky.

Guest designers
Dooney then enlisted a collection of "It Girls," including actresses Mischa Barton, Lindsay Lohan, Emma Roberts and, most recently, Hayden Panettiere, to co-design bags that would be featured that season. Each starlet also starred in the season's ad campaign to promote her bag. With these efforts, the company hopes to raise brand level awareness. D&B's current "It Girl," Panettiere stars in NBC's hit show, "Heroes," and her bag is called "the Hayden." For spring 2008, Panettiere created her dream handbag with Dooney & Bourke.

After several revisions and with input from Panettiere, the limited edition Hayden Bag was finalized and is available for $500 at freestanding Dooney & Bourke boutiques, as well as department stores such as Lord & Taylor and on www.dooney.com. Advertisements showing Panettiere and her bag are featured in the winter and spring issues of fashion glossies, from Teen Vogue to Vogue.

"The strategy of teaming with young starlets has helped to bring new customers to the Dooney line," said Lavelle Olexa, senior vice president of advertising, sales promotion and public relations for Lord & Taylor. "Miley Cyrus (aka 'Hannah Montana') would be a great candidate for a future Dooney partnership because she encompasses classic style with a young freshness that is reflective of the Dooney line for spring."

The Hayden bag was presold, meaning there was a waiting list for it from the beginning. Its pricetag is a fraction of that of a limited edition Louis Vuitton Patchwork bag, which retails for $42,000, according to www.styledash.com. "Dooney's kind of like a sleeping giant that has woken up," said Paula Correri, accessories editor at Tobe. "They've built a strong core business; their business is much broader than just the teen market. The entire collection has evolved, and they've moved forward and pushed the fashion quotient, in a good way. The quality speaks for itself; the design is now catching up with the quality.

"D&B's just below Coach, they're both core brands for a lot of the major department stores," Correri said. "For the last three or four years, Dooney's partnered each season with that in-tween celebrity, going after the younger demographic. Thus far they've chosen the right person, but it's tricky. Lindsay Lohan (former Dooney It Girl) just had the Jill Stuart handbag ad, but it blew up when she went into rehab." But Marilyn Kirschner, editor-in-chief at thelookonline.com and former longtime fashion market editor at Harper's Bazaar, questioned the company's decision to use young starlets. "I don't know who they're trying to get (as a consumer), it's not like getting Angelina Jolie or Gwyneth Paltrow, and it's kind of getting the third-tier starlet," she said.

Industry perception
In the luxury sector, perception is huge. Dooney & Bourke differentiates itself from other leather goods companies by offering high quality leathers and a well-respected brand recognition, Olexa said. "This has developed brand loyalty," she said. "Dooney's target ranges from 12-to-20 year olds with their novelty prints to 25 to 55-plus with their classic signature and leather bodies." These middle- to upper-middle-class women understand and follow fashion, Spiegel said, and are willing to pay $400 to $600 for a well-constructed, stylish bag.

"They capitalize on the 'luxe' market, but D&B's not intimidating," Kirschner said. "It's for the Greenwich, Darien and Upper East (Side) crowd that are not overly adventurous and want the security of something that is acceptable but not too fashion forward." The company has a store at tony Westchester Mall in White Plains, N.Y. For lower Fairfield County, the shopping trip will soon be shortened with a Dooney & Bourke store set to open later this year at 250 Greenwich Ave. in Greenwich. "While the glamorous element eludes them at the department stores, the numbers they're making seem good, and the company is helping itself by putting more dollars into celebrity guest to help create more fashion forward designs and a more fashion forward image," Correri said.

- Vivian G. Kelly is the owner of the fashion blog, www.lyramag.com, and is an online instructor for San Francisco's Academy of Art Fashion Department

Alek Wek:The Exotic Face Of Africa

2008-04-12T14:52:00.000-07:00

from Leadership Nigeria

The started appearing on catwalks in 1995, when she was 18 and the stars have continued to shine for the striking Sudanese born model, Alek Wek, as she has since walked the runway for very high profile fashion designers which include John Galliano, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Fendi, Ermano Scervino, Jean Paul Gauliter, Ralph Lauren, Haltson, YSL, Michael Kors, Valentino, Gucci and many more. She has also appeared on ads for Issey Miyake, Moschino, Victoria Secret and Clinique and is not peddling down as she is still signing more ad and runway contracts at 30.

Alek Wek was born into a southern Sudanese Dinka tribe family in 1977 and was raised in a close knit family, in the small village of Wau. "In my country", she says, "Families are raised as though they are one. Although I am from the Dinka tribe, my parents didn't raise us as the Dinka tribe. They raised us as the Wek family in the way they believed their children should grow up".

She was named the black and white cow after a tribal good luck symbol and this name is sure bringing her luck as she now has all the fame and success she can garner.

In 1982, a civil war broke out between the Muslim north and Christian south of Sudan, the Wek family fled Wau and moved to Khartoum, the capital. Her father however underwent a hip replacement surgery but unfortunately passed on as a result of complications arising from the surgery.

So, this prompted the Weks' decision to leave Sudan. Alek's elder sister had moved to Britain before the civil war and hence filed for refuge status on behalf of her family. In 1991, Alek Wek and her younger sister moved to Britain, her mother and the remaining siblings joined two years after.

Fortune smiled on Alek while she was studying Fashion technology and business at the prestigious London college of Fashion. She was shopping at an outdoor market when she was discovered by models one scout, Fiona Ellis in 1995.

She signed on to Models one and it wasn't long before the success story began for the African queen as she was immediately selected to appear in the music video for Golden eye by Tina Turner. She also appeared on the pages of cutting edge publications vibe and iD, hence made it into the world of fashion as one of the world's top models.

She moved on to Ford modelling agency in 1996 and her modelling career kept sky rocketing as high profile designers couldn't have enough of the young African model who had this very rare and distinctive look.

She appeared in Janet Jackson's got till its gone video that year, walked numerous runways and appeared in highly placed ads. She went on to clinch a couple of awards, which include Best new model award at the Venus de la Mode fashion award, 1997 MTV model of the year award, and model of the decade by i-D.

Her achievements as one of the world's top model cannot be underestimated as she became one of the most expensive models in the world, earning a mouth watering 2.7 million pounds a year in 2002. Alek took a shot at acting that same year when she appeared in the movie, The Four Feathers as Sudanese Princess Aquol

The intelligent, smart and self driven African ethnic beauty also started designing her range of designer handbags called "Wek 1933", a name she decides to use in memory of her late father who was born in the year 1933.

In 2004, she was named the face of the Cape Town fashion week. She was also face of the This Day style awards held in Lagos, Nigeria in 2006. She is Africa's pride to behold and has been described as a success story for the African continent and one of the very few to have a successful modelling career outside the African shores.

Alek has been compared to Somalia born model that has been described as one of the world's greatest beauty and greatest models, Iman Abdulmajid, which she considers an honour. She has also been described as beautiful and chic by renowned designer, Karl Lager field and this she considers very exciting, "Chic was just a word that never popped into my head. Functional, yes, fashionable, lovely but to hear chic from Karl of all people was beyond exciting".

Alek is filled with great confidence and is not one for any form of self decapitating as she believes that true beauty always comes from inside and has a way of radiating through the person.

"I have no problem with whatever the next big look is, whether it is big blond hair and blue eyes or green hair and dark eyes," she says, "That's fine, so long as there isn't just one ideal image. Just don't try and tell me that only one look is beautiful".

She has also looked beyond her modelling career as she has worked for Aids awareness benefits, breast cancer research and has taken a place as a member of the US committee refugees' advisory council. Her experience as a refugee has helped her work earnestly to fight for the cause of refugees' world wide. She is also raising awareness on the humanitarian disaster in Sudan and other war torn countries and launched an aid program called doctors without borders to fight this cause.

She plans to live in Sudan again that basically will be after the war that has ravaged the country for more than a decade.

"It's a beautiful country with an amazing culture and history. It is so unfortunate that the civil war has robbed my people of their basic rights, their voices, the necessities of life and even life itself.