Oct 31, 2011

Tips on Finding Cheap Prom Gowns

Look for a cheap dress for your important prom? Don’t know where to find the cheap yet stylish prom dresses? Well, you are in the right place. Although prom gowns are becoming more and more expensive, there are still ways and tips to find a beautiful dress at a low price.Shopping online is a good way. Browse through different online bridal shops to find the affordable prom dresses. Look at the reviews presented by other customers to know whether the dress is good or not. Usually, dresses sold online are cheaper. What you need is to find a reliable website which sells high-quality prom dresses at low prices.
Check the Yellow web pages for stores that specialize in affordable prom dresses. Call the store manager and ask if you can buy or rent a dress for that prom. Make sure that you know your exact size, color and style of dress. Ask if you can obtain an electronic mail owning a photo attachment belonging toward dress.Fashion Houston: 5 questions with Barbara Tfank. Be ready to negotiate a lot more compared to price. Anticipate that a prom dress could be less expensive excellent if you are paying a less expensive price.
You also can go to shop a prom gown with your mother as well as a friend. Try on many prom dresses. Do not make a fast choice about your purchase. Looking at yourself inside the mirror and get the advice from your mom or your best friend. After you have made a decision, buy that dress and get a receipt. Possess the dress dried out cleaned and take satisfaction in the prom.
Moreover, you can take a look at your local thrift or second hand bridal shops. These places usually receive lots of donations of no longer used gowns and in turn sell them at a low price. Contrary to some well-known perception a great offer from the objects that will be found at second hand or thrift stores are in relatively good and normally barely used circumstance and no one will know where you got your prom dress unless you tell them.There are still other tips in finding cheap prom dresses. Planning ahead and then you can find what you want easily.

Oct 27, 2011

Handcrafted cocktail dresses take center stage

I tried on six dresses in total. Two were absolute flops (I can’t blame my mother for her choice, because all the dresses were bagged. She didn’t know that the bottom ballooned into a ball gown-on-crack overload of taffeta. The top was nice, in her defence.) And two were total hits. One of the hits received comments like “You look like Grace Kelly!” and “You could rule Monaco in that dress!” (three guesses what the dress looked like), and the other was basically a tangible representation of what I, my bridesmaids and my mother had all pictured me in once we wrapped our heads around the fact that I’m getting married.
Of course that dress – the only one that made me squeal just a little bit – was much too expensive. Despite some calls to “say yes to the dress!” I vowed to begin my search for a cheaper alternative. It may be possible to order the dress somewhere else much cheaper. For example Ashton Station bridal boutique, also in Carleton Place, had a comparable dress for 25 per cent less, which I found at the Ottawa Wedding Show at Lansdowne Park the same day.Buying special dresses for special occasions. After all, my colleague Kristy got a stunning dress (with pockets!) for only $85. It can be done.
I’ll embark on this mission because, despite my mother’s insistence that it’s on her bill so it doesn’t matter, I’m still an eco bride at heart. I’m still the practical girl who hates to waste money on frivolity (unless it involves wine...) and I’m not sure I can justify buying a Paloma Blanca dress just because my mother says I can. I already found my centrepiece materials at Value Village, and now that I know I have a dream dress, I can try to find it while sticking to my rather stubborn frugal values! Capital Brides, I’ll keep you posted.
Sophisticated detailing: Makers are incorporating more handcrafted features. Ribbon is wrapped or folded around the whole dress or the bodice. Beads, sequins and stones are manually sewn. Shirred torsos, pleated waistbands and pickup skirts are also pinned and set by hand.Current colors: Although black styles dominate output, gold and ivory are becoming more popular among suppliers. On the back of strong color in recent runway shows, many releases also come in sea blue, fuchsia and green.
Price forecast: Product quotes rose 20 to 30 percent in the past year due to mounting material and labor costs. Further augmentation of 10 to 20 percent is expected in the months ahead as spending for worker salaries and benefits continues to climb.

Oct 25, 2011

Needle artist creates heirlooms

My work is traditional children's garments and quilts. I have made baby quilts and hand smocked christening gowns and little girls dresses for family and friends.I have been sewing all my life. I majored in textiles and clothing at the University of Maryland College Park but did not start heirloom sewing and smocking until my first daughter was born in 1973. I have four daughters, six nieces and three granddaughters so I have a lot of experience sewing for little girls. I have one grandson that I made a christening dress for, but now he prefers shirts and jeans.
I didn't start to make quilts until I took a part- time job at a quilt shop and I was hooked. I have made lots of baby quilts for my grandchildren and the babies of friends.I am inspired by my grandchildren.Navajo Nation Fights Urban Outfitters Over 'Disrespectful' Clothing Line. They look so beautiful all dressed up for Christmas or Easter that I have to keep sewing.Right now my biggest challenges are finding time to sew and finding the quality of fabric and laces I need to do heirloom sewing.
Do you have a job outside of your art?Yes, several jobs. My husband and I own All Seasons Farm where we raise registered polled Hereford cattle. We also raise sheep and goats. I keep the books for my family's real estate business and I work full time at Tractor Supply in Pocomoke City.
Who is your favorite artist?I think that would be Martha Pullen. She has done so much to revive the art of heirloom sewing through her Sew Beautiful magazine and website. One day I would love to attend her Heirloom sewing classes in Alabama.
Where in the community can your work be seen?Right now I have two smocked dresses entered in the needle arts show at the Julia A. Purnell Museum in Snow Hill, on display though Oct. 30.
What do you think the Eastern Shore can do to improve its art scene?We have some wonderful local quilt shops here on the Shore but I would love to see a shop that sold quality apparel fabric and lace and offered classes in smocking and heirloom sewing. Now to find the cotton batiste that I need for smocking I have to order online or go to the western shore or Richmond.

Oct 19, 2011

Buying special dresses for special occasions

Social norms and class barriers have altered considerably over the last 20 years and as a result people have consistently adopted a less rigid approach to dressing for special occasions. Now dressing down as opposed to dressing up is almost universally accepted across all strata of society in the UK. Up to the onset of the 1970s dressing for occasions was incredibly defined, perhaps even regimental with exact attire expected to be worn at certain society functions, regardless of whether or any other external 'excuses'. For example, how often did we see gentlemen sweltering in the posh seats at Wimbledon Tennis Tournaments wearing decidedly uncomfortable jackets and ties in the middle of July, alongside ladies in incredibly formal dresses with pinned on hats looking as though they wear about to pass out at any moment, just because society dictated their outfits?
Thankfully, dress rules have been relaxed in many social situations including at prestige sporting events, and now being comfortable in addition to looking smart are the important factors for modern clothing.Fashion Houston: 5 questions with Barbara Tfank. However, the relaxation of severe dress codes hasn't resulted in a total loss of elegance. People are just more inventive about constructing their own individual look.
With the spread of dressing down for almost any occasion it can be difficult to pinpoint a suitably 'posh' dress for the prom, a wedding or any other special occasion. Not because there aren't any to be found, but rather the complete opposite; it may be difficult to determine exactly what a suitable dress is for any of those occasions simply because of the availability of such a huge selection of different styles and colours!
There are many different styles for each occasion, such as for the prom; strapless or strappy dresses with or without taffeta all available in classic black, daring bright colours or even on-trend jungle print. Indeed, there is no need for any girl not to feel unique, individual and special and better still many quality high street dresses are available for under £100, at the same time looking much more expensive. Dresses for weddings are abundantly available with a huge choice to be found in any high street department store. Or, for a special evening out take your choice from a colourful selection of long or mid-length dresses. Indeed, whatever the occasion demands you'll find the perfect dress on the high street.

Oct 18, 2011

Navajo Nation Fights Urban Outfitters Over 'Disrespectful' Clothing Line

Urban Outfitters' line of Navajo-branded clothing and accessories has set off a firestorm online and within the Navajo Nation government, with allegations of trademark violations and criticism of the products -- particularly underwear and a liquor flask -- that many tribal members consider disrespectful.Native American-inspired prints have shown up on runways for years, and it's common for designers to borrow from other cultures.But the Navajo government's issue with Urban Outfitters is the clothing chain's use of the name "Navajo" on its products and in marketing. The tribe holds at least 10 trademarks on the name that cover clothing, footwear, online retail sales, household products and textiles.
The tribe's Department of Justice sent Urban Outfitters CEO Glen Senk a cease-and-desist letter in June, demanding that the company pull the Navajo name from its products. The tribe has received no response but says it remains "cautiously optimistic" it can persuade Urban Outfitters to adopt another name and trademark."When products that have absolutely no connection to the Navajo Nation, its entities, its people, and their products are marketed and retailed under the guise that they are Navajo in origin, the Navajo Nation does not regard this as benign or trivial," said Brian Lewis, an attorney for the tribe.Cheap Pretty Prom Dresses - Don't Spend An Arm And A Leg This Prom. "It takes appropriate action to maintain distinctiveness and clarity of valid name association in the market and society."
Urban Outfitters, which has stores across the country and overseas, said it has not heard from the Navajo Nation and has no plans to alter its products."Like many other fashion brands, we interpret trends and will continue to do so for years to come," company spokesman Ed Looram said. "The Native American-inspired trend and specifically the term `Navajo' have been cycling through fashion, fine art and design for the last few years."
While the Navajo Nation has not threatened legal action, law professor Bill Hennessey thinks it has a strong case. He said the tribe could argue the products cause confusion among customers about who manufactured them.
"If you're going to maintain control over your mark, the more quickly you bring an action against the infringer, the more likely the federal court is going to grant an injunction order prohibiting Urban Outfitters from continuing to use the word `Navajo,"' said Hennessey, who teaches at the University of New Hampshire's Franklin Pierce Center for Intellectual Property.

Oct 12, 2011

Fashion Houston: 5 questions with Barbara Tfank

Los Angeles-based Barbara Tfank showed her Elizabeth Taylor-inspired collection on opening night of Fashion Houston. The event continues with fashion shows through Thursday at Wortham Theater Center for ticket information.
We caught up with Tfank after the show:
Your collections are show in New York and Los Angeles, why come to Fashion Houston 
There’s so much energy here, and people enjoy getting dressed up. That’s the type of clothes I design.
What’s it like designing for famous women, like the curvaceous singer, Adele?Vogue asked me to design a Grammy Awards’ dress for Adele. She was 19 at the time. I can’t even count how many wedding dresses I’ve done for her. I am really happy to be able to help shape her image. Adele has empowered a lot of young women, showing them that you can have style and sophistication regardless of your size. Adele is very happy with who she is.
And what about working with First Lady Michelle Obama?   The First Lady wore one of my dresses for the Wounded Warrior Project. It was such a poignant occasion. To see her among the troops in this floral dress, looking like a beautiful blossom, was such an honor.  
Are your clothes New York or LA?My clothes are really more New York. People are starting to buy them in LA, but they are dressy. In LA, people are either in jeans or gowns. I try to set an example. I’m not going to dress down just because everyone else does.  
Are you pleased that ladylike fashions have returned?The pendulum has turned toward me, and I’m glad of that. I hear this all across the country: Women want femininity. People are embracing feminine curves. That makes me happy.     
“There a few big names in the fashion industry that are notorious for ‘sampling’ the models before they took the job. Basically, it comes down to a choice of whether you are willing to throw your principles overboard to accelerate your career,” said former model Ariane Sommer. “It becomes more problematic, however, if the model in question is extremely young and impressionable. These girls often don’t know how to stand up for themselves and are like a deer in the headlights.”

Oct 11, 2011

Cheap Pretty Prom Dresses - Don't Spend An Arm And A Leg This Prom

Are you searching for an excellent prom gown but seem like crying since the pretty ones tend to be so expensive? Well, you now really can get reduced pretty prom gowns to match your spending budget. To begin with most of the shops are selling knock-offs of gowns that you simply saw at the different award ceremonies.
If you loved an outfit from the Oscars, Gold Globe awards and so on, you'll find great copies of these gowns at wedding shops, evening wear retailers and some of the shops. A few of these gowns are only about $99.00.
But when $99.00 is simply too much, you may opt to rent your dress. Inexpensive pretty prom gowns may also be had for a few days after which back they go to the leasing company. What one business does is actually purchase custom gowns at wholesale and rent them for around $60.00 to $190.00. You are able to rent the dress for usually a period of time in between 4 to 8 days.
Additionally you will most likely to have the choice to purchase an additional size of the same gown for free. That choice is very useful because depending on the producer, the best size for you personally will be different.Her pillowcase dresses clothe girls worldwide. Moreover, you may be able to purchase the back-up style for around a $30.00 extra cost. Check online for these types of gown leasing businesses.
If you do not like the thought of leasing but nonetheless would like cheap pretty prom gowns think about resell retailers. You have to discover the trendy retailers in your area or city. They are most likely to have women who often go to occasions needing formals. You're going to get a great choice of formal dresses in good shape. Usually, these types of women just put on the gowns several times and then might sell the gowns to invest in their own next purchase.
The most crucial standards for choosing an inexpensive pretty prom gown is you really feel wonderful in it. Self-confidence is definitely the best accessory. Subsequent, verify and find out if you're able to move in the gown easily. Additionally, think about what type of undergarments you'll need.

Oct 8, 2011

Feel fabulous when the party season arrives in beautiful dresses from Eva Alexander

Dressing for special occasions while pregnant can be daunting. Women want to be beautiful, sexy, sophisticated, glamorous, and for good measure let’s throw-in jaw-droppingly gorgeous as well. But pregnancy brings with it a new body and a new look. Opening the closet, throwing on that classic little black dress with the Christian Louboutin’s and running out the door just isn’t an option anymore.
Fortunately, there are now a number of maternity design houses creating gorgeous designer maternity wear in innovative styles and beautiful fabrics inspired by this season’s catwalk. These maternity formal dresses will turn heads with every step. Designed to create stunning, figure flattering and sexy silhouettes in the first, second and third trimester’s, evening maternity wear has never looked so good.
Understanding that women want to look and feel beautiful when going out, formal maternity dresses are no longer just made out of viscose or cotton T-shirt material, but out of silks, satins, sequins and other creative combinations of luxury fabrics in rich eye-catching colour palettes to celebrate the holidays and special occasions. For this holiday season it’s the jewel tones that everyone will want to be seen in!
When looking for maternity dress clothes a woman should embrace her new curves and look for features that will highlight her new attributes. Empire waists create a sexy feminine silhouette and low necklines accentuate her new cleavage particularily for an evening maternity dress. For women who naturally have a fuller figure, a soft v-neck can be a more slimming look by drawing the eye to the centre of her body. Women who are looking to show off their new bump should look for a well designed ruched dress. These dresses are perfect for creating a sexy feminine silhouette that accentuates a woman’s new curves in all the right places.
There is something about being pregnant that makes a woman want a bit more colour in her wardrobe. When looking for a touch of colour but versatility is a necessity, a good maternity wrap dress can be worn throughout a pregnancy and for many years thereafter. A maternity wrap dress will always be flattering on naturally curvy women and women with a little extra on the tummy because the empire waist emphasises the smallest part of the torso while draping over the tummy to create an attractive and slimming look.