The Alexander Report

The Coach brand, familiar isn’t it? You might have encountered the brand name in various boutiques, shops and malls. Actually, it has been around for a while, for more than 60 years in fact. The brand had its humble beginnings in a small Manhattan loft way back in 1941. The now popular trademark started from a small family-run business.

The very first products that carried the brand name were leather handbags crafted by skilled hands and from high quality leather. Since then, their products have been synonymous to quality and beauty.

They continue to exhibit excellent workmanship until this day. The brand name can now be seen, not only in handbags, but also in various women accessories such as gloves, key rings, wallets, sunglasses, leather cases, wristlets, watches, even umbrellas, bracelets, silk scarves and floppy hats. Trough the years, the brand has also branched out to the fashionable men who want quality designer travel bags and briefcases, messenger bags, totes, watches, belts and ties.

Moreover, you can find the brand on a complete line of women leather shoes, which due to the rock solid reputation that the brand had built, has been quite successful in the fashion world this past years. This was totally different from a few years ago. Even though the brand has become famous for quality leather bags, they were not able to capture a wider market due to the fact that their products only appeal to a minute group of conservatives.

Their black and brown leather bags and shoes were never that popular to teens, hipsters and yuppies. They needed a fresh and younger look to sell. When finally they decided to expand their product lines, they started integrating the newest craze and trendiest styles in fashion into their designs. Slowly they built up their catalogues until they reached the level of diversity they have now. Continue Reading »

Tags: Coach in the World of fashion/Celebrities/Designer/colo

Japanese T-shirt, the thought which takes one’s mind on to an entourage of punk t-shirts, is a creative blend of art and fabric, an upbeat street fashion exclusive to Japan.

The Japanese T-Shirt design and trend has not only managed to hit the right chord among the teens and the fashion-enthusiasts but also compelled pro-designers and fashion experts to explore its vibrancy and colors to enliven the ramps further.

Art-inspired fashion is one of the mesmerizing Japanese T-shirt trends catching on with the pulse of the people.

Art doesn’t quite get its due cut in museums, be it in terms of space or its exposure to the world. How about wearing the art and taking it places? That’s exactly what the trend is about. Continue Reading »

Tags: Japanese T-Shirt

I love NY t-shirts is a very popular item in the city of New York and across the globe. Also every country has some kind of mimicking of the “I love NY” style. You might be saying, who’s the founder of I love NY t-shirts? Well, it is no other than Milton Glaser, a revolutionary artist that made I love NY t-shirts that we have known to love.

Milton Glaser was born at 1929, and was a New York native. He attended High School of Music and Art and also went to Cooper Union Art School to further extend his education. Upon graduation, he obtained a scholarship to study under Giorgio Morandi in Italy. He loved exploring new graphic techniques and motifs.

Glaser founded his first company in 1954 called the “Push Pin Studios” with a couple of his classmates. As a graphic artist, Milton Glaser used culture and historic period styles as a way to create inspiration. His drawing style was very lively and witty. He helped big businesses marketing campaign on things like packaging, mailing, advertising and etc. He made a living and gained recognition as time passed from his art.

Glaser helped edited the New York Magazine in 1968. A couple of years later, Milton made his own graphic design company called Milton Glaser Inc. During that time he helped redecorate and redesign many magazines and gained many recognition and commission as a result of his talent and art. In 1973, Milton Glaser developed and made the logo “I Love NY” to help increase tourism in New York. It became a stunning success and every tourist was buying them. Later on, it became one of the most copied ideas as many countries were making their own “I Love Country” as a way to promote their own country.

Milton did what he loved and his love for art was undying. He used his talent as a way to captivate the viewers. Milton’s work was honored worldwide and my art museums hold his work. Milton is the founder of the “I Love NY” t-shirts that we have grown to love. Continue Reading »

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The spices of life are more to some and less to others. Contrary to a captain with no hull beneath his deck, but a good steady wind and a pair of Denim flares more befitting a weather worn sailor feeling his years, to the Far East in search of spices. Time and tide won’t let a sailor sleep.

Now it’s the spices of fashion for men, the rising tide: And, dandyism still contrasting Beau Brummell rejection of 18th century frills, his mandate; a dark blue coat, buff-coloured pantaloons and waistcoat, black boots and a clean white neck cloth.

The modern sailor’s uniform, endures and has remained a popular choice for designers to mimic idiosyncratic characters, a simple uniform to draw inspiration from; each changing style to suit forms and functions.

A little more evidence on how history in fashion repeats itself: Bell bottomed trousers were another ‘icon’ of the square rig uniform. These were practical garments for men who worked sailing ships since they could be rolled up securely to clear the feet and ankles when working the rigging. In common with all other items of a sailor’s kit, trousers were kept folded ready for use in a kit bag. Kept inside out to avoid fluff on the outer surface and to avoid ’shine’ by ironing, they were folded horizontally at about a hand’s width and taped into a rectangular ‘block’. When worn, this produced inverted vertical creases down the side of the leg and five or seven, depending on the height of the wearer, horizontal creases down the leg. In time these were accepted as the thing to have and were pressed firmly into place from the early years of the century. Since the First World War bell bottoms were purchased for tradition rather than any practical use but were replaced by flared trousers in 1977. Continue Reading »

Trade fairs and events are mainstay for the textile machinery companies market promotion. Various trade fairs and events are organized every year by organizers like ACIMIT, TMMA, CSMA, JASMA, CITME etc. Some fairs like ITMA, JIAM exclusively focuses on textile machinery sector while some other includes machinery as an integral part of textile industry. Such fairs have become potential hub of meeting for buyers and sellers. Unique Selling Preposition of such fairs is that manufacturers can display their machinery to the buyers directly and buyer can examine and negotiate on the spot for different parameters. Buyers can also compare different machines at the same place for their prices, applications and technologies used.Trade fairs and events are mainstay for the textile machinery companies market promotion. Various trade fairs and events are organized every year by organizers like ACIMIT, TMMA, CSMA, JASMA, CITME etc. Some fairs like ITMA, JIAM exclusively focuses on textile machinery sector while some other includes machinery as an integral part of textile industry. Such fairs have become potential hub of meeting for buyers and sellers. Unique Selling Preposition of such fairs is that manufacturers can display their machinery to the buyers directly and buyer can examine and negotiate on the spot for different parameters. Buyers can also compare different machines at the same place for their prices, applications and technologies used.

Textile machinery manufacturers and visitors attend such fairs with different expectations and perceptions. Decision to visit fairs/event depends on many factors like geographical location of the fair, visitors profile, past experience with the fair, reputation of the fair within industry etc.

Amongst Machinery manufacturers fraternity, for companies like Dalal Engineering, ITMA is the most preferable trade fair. For ITMA, Mr. Rainer Thum (Head Marketing - Spindelfabrik Suessen GmbH) quotes Infrastructure in Munich was better than anything they had seen before, including Singapore! We had very good customer attendance, much more than we had anticipated. A major problem for many of our customers was the difficulty in getting visas. Overall it was a very good show. Continue Reading »

Tags: Trade Fairs

French fashion designer Dominique Sirop, who was born January 1956, is one of the more popular couturiers. At age 7, Sirop had a dream of being a fashion designer. When he was 17, Sirop served Yves Saint Laurent as an apprentice. He learned the basics of sewing and working on dress materials. When he showed some of his works to Hubert de Givenchy, the latter immediately took him as an subordinate designer.

Sirop stayed with Givenchy until 1989, working on several high profile clients like Audrey Hepburn. Sirop then proceeded to be a creator for Hanae Mori. Sorip also had research and writing gigs, publishing two books.

In 1995, Sirop was installed as Hubert de Givenchy’s successor as top designer of Givenchy. But usual corporate bickering led to an appointment of another person as the chief creator of the brand.

Unperturbed by this, Sirop decided to launch his own couture house. It would later be regarded as one of the top most renowned French couture fashion houses. He has some highly regarded clients and likewise produces fashion collections for each season in major markets like Tokyo, New York, Milan, Los Angeles, and Paris. Sirop designs are staples in top fashion magazines, such as Vogue and Madame Figaro.

In 1998, Sirop partnered with the Daimaru Stores of Japan in manufacturing a popular ready-to-wear label. By January of 2000, Sirop’s shop moved to Faubourg Saint Honoré in Paris. It currently holds office in one of the most historic places in the city. The shop boasts of its own theatre. Continue Reading »

Tags: Dominique Sirop

Givenchy is a famous French brand specializing in clothes accessories, cosmetics and perfumes. It was started in the year 1952 by the designer Hubert de Givenchy. John Galliano took over the reigns as designer, but soon he was substitute by Alexander McQueen.

Givenchy also undertook some changes in leadership in the year 2000 when designer Julien McDonald took over as artistic director of the women’s lines, and Ozwald Boateng being selected designer for men’s range. Givenchy clothing lines consist of haute couture plus ready-to-wear fashion for both men and women.

The management for the haute couture plus the ready-to-wear for women was given to Riccardo Tisci. He assumed the post as chief creator of women’s’ wear in 2005. His fondness for gothic inspired designs and space-age styles has attracted people to the brand. While Tisci has earned mixed reviews, many fashion insiders have hailed Tisci’s conceptual leanings. Many also think that Tisci has the potential to revitalize the Givenchy brand with his excellent designs and imagination.

The most popular patron of the Givenchy line was Audrey Hepburn. She used Givenchy clothes and accessories in many of her movies like Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Sabrina. Other popular clients of the line were Grimaldi and Kennedy families. They wore Givenchy clothes during the funeral of the late President John F. Kennedy. Continue Reading »

Getting ready for the hot weather? Let us take a look at what we can expect in Swimwear trends for 2008/2009.

First lets talk colour and prints. Fuchsia is huge this season as well as jewel tones including emerald, purple and sapphire blue. Geometrics, African prints and a touch of metallic bling are all making an appearance on the international catwalks. Of course we can not forget that nothing epitomises poolside glamour like a classic black swimsuit. As Kerry McCallum, editor of Shop Till You Drop recently remarked when asked on tips for buying a swimsuit this summer.

A black halter-neck on-piece. I am loving the revival of the on-piece I think its chic and glamorous.

While the return of the classic one-piece is evident, variations on this style including cut-outs, monokinis and stylish maillots will be gracing poolside and shorelines in a modern chic fashion. Also taking a front seat will be lower leg lines embracing a retro look in an updated way.

Who are the brands to watch out for? Swimwear has previously been dominated by the surf giants of the fashion world and although surf brands will always have their place, the recent acquisition of Tigerlily by surfwear giant Billabong proves that swimwear fashion is being taken more seriously. Continue Reading »

Sunny side up is not just reserved for eggs and breakfast. Professional ladies are stepping out of the basic color trends and adding a little flavor to the everyday outfit. The color yellow is becoming increasingly popular and a versatile color to manage in any wardrobe. Yellow is bright, vibrant and fun and encourages happiness, joy and other good feelings. Learn how you can make the most of this superb color for you next business outfit!

Going for the Gold

Gold is such a rich jewel toned color that sparkles and can enhance any outfit. Gold accessories are excellent for glamorizing any outfit. Thing gold bangles, gold hoop earrings, or gold pendant necklaces are nice and attractive pieces. Gold is also nice for hang bags and clutches for evening and after hour wear. Gold shoes are also becoming increasingly popular in women’s wardrobes. Flat sandals, flat shoes, pumps, open-toed pumps, patent leather pumps and crocodile embossed styles are very chic and innovative. In regards to clothes, gold tops look dazzling with navy, black or white suits. Gold can even be paired with bright colors or neutral colors for a twist in the ordinary looks.

Amber Rays Continue Reading »

Tags: Little Miss Sunshine

Any business plan has the three magic letters USP (unique selling proposition). Prior to any new design creation or a series for the season it is essential to brainstorm on the look of the launch collection. This is a quite a process wherein team leaders vouch for various themes and the decision maker finalizes on a project. In a creative field, like fashion designing such management principles are hard to applied. But for survival in this-day competition this is essential.

USP can be a colour, a dress apparel, or simply exquisite dupatta or men’s jhuttis. Dramatic projections on the ramp at a fashion shows are not a reality. This is known to all and hence such creations minus the props are regular sales. It is an extensive work by your marketing team to decide on the launch product. Maintaining the brand is essential. In a desire to augment sales the brand positioning should not be compromised.

Once the brand or the fashion designer has won recognition his reputation is unquestioned. Fashion designing is just not about influencing and begetting customers from Page 3. It’s an era of awareness and to far-reach your sales. Niche clientele is a fleeting lot and succumbs to anything anew. Hence the need to re-invent. Continue Reading »

Tags: Fashion Business