Fashion Journalism - ELLE - Essay Example

Trend Retro Glam Picture from Elle Magazine Website The "Retro Glam" trend, pictured above, creates the feeling of "the golden age of Hollywood." The look is very classic, and even recalls the fashionable elements of the flapper. There is a certain "time was better back then" aura to this design. It can be worn both day and night, and creates a feeling of austere elegance. The colors are mostly dark, sober, and serious, and reflect on trends from the 20s through the 50s. The look is very serious and also very classic (Elle Magazine Website). Trend 2: The Eighties Picture From Elle Magazine Website "The Eighties" look pictured above is a recall of many fashion trends during the eighties but created with a modern edge. There is a feeling of excess and power with these clothes, and this is shown by the return of the power suite. Exaggerated shoulders top off many of the tops and jackets, creating an overall felling of power and elegance. Punk feelings as well as neon, sequins and metallic are also used, recalling the decade of excess (Elle Magazine Website). Trend 3: Velvet and the Power Suit Picture from Elle Magazine Website The Velvet Power Suit, pictured above, is becoming a trend on its own. The plush softens the overall powerful feeling of the suit, but there is still a feeling of glamour present. The designs are retro but also modern, and provide a combination of past and present concepts. Prints are also very popular, making the suit stand out in a crowd. To create a more eye catching feeling, shades such as ruby and amethyst are used, and the material is generally high in lustre (Elle Magazine Website). Fashion Item 1: Hippie Jeans, popular in LA Picture from Elle Magazine Website Much as the 80s are becoming popular again in fashion, the "hippie" jean is also making a strong comeback. In Los Angeles, a strong trend of "hippie" clothes combined with California fashion is seen on the streets worn by stars such as Nicole Richie and Kate Moss. There is the feeling of cool, casual comfort ability when wearing these jeans. Their faded presentation makes them both eye catching and interesting. The fact that they are oversized increases the delight in wearing them. Fashion Item 2: Pleather bags, Popular in : New York Picture from Elle Magazine Website Pleather bats are making a very big play on the scene in New York. More affordable and resilient than actual leather bags, in the economic recession, many are looking to cut corners with affordability. These bags allow for that concept without losing a sense of fashion. Furthermore, the colors seen are often vibrant and eye-catching, complimenting one's overall look. Fashion Item 3: Striped Polyester, Popular in: Paris Picture from Elle Magazine Website Striped polyester is a very keen fashion in Europe, with a strong focus in Paris. This fashion trend is very modern and sheik, while at the same time, allowing the individual to stand out with a bold contrast of colors and lines. Many of these blazers are made to compliment almost any outfit. New Fashion Designer: A new designer that is becoming very popular in my area is Charleze Mantosh, who owns Belladonna clothing company. Charleze started selling clothes in the retail industry but saw an opening for making her own clothes and selling them as well. Her focus is on rhinestone designs, mostly on T shirts and jeans, which can be made by herself and then resold. As rhinestone designs have become more and more popular, Charleze grasped the concept of ordering various hotfix designs and applying them to T-shirts to sell both by request and in mass. Once she became familiar with this, she was able to also make her own basic designs and add them to T-shirts. When interviewed, Charleze mentioned the difficulty in keeping her store open during this economy. Her ideas for making her own designs and own clothes allowed her to sell many clothes for less, thus drawing more individuals to her store. I discovered when talking to her that fashion design and owning one's own business takes much ingenuity and cleverness, especially during tough economic times. Furthermore, it must be agreed that Charleze is a hard worker, as she often spends time after store hours making the various clothes requested by her customers. I also learned during the interview that another way she saved her store was by branching out onto the Internet. Customers can now order her clothes and request various designs online through her website. This has helped to increase sales, as customers now do not always have to come to her store, and she is able to reach out to the industry globally rather than just locally (Mantosh). New Trend: Hippie Chic The latest fashion trend that continues to grow is that of "Hippie chic," discussed somewhat above. This trend is popular to many because it is both fashionable and comfortable. Hippie chic clothing includes the wearing of comfortable and tattered denim jeans, complimented by a flowing blouse or other colorful top. The obvious attraction here is the ease in which one can cloth oneself while still being comfortable and active. Started mostly in Los Angeles, actresses such as the Olsen twins and Kate Hudson are often seen in these types of styles, shopping and enjoying various sporting activities as photographers snap pictures of them in their rather comfortable and stylish ensembles. These women have also brought back the peasant dress and peasant skirt, another very feminine look that it also comfortable. This presentation allows women to wear skirts and dresses without feeling overly dressed or overly forma. In California, where many people are on the go, involved in beach and sporting activities especially during the spring and summer, this type of dress is almost liberating, and allows one to be both fashionable and comfortable. It is easy, therefore, to see why this concept has caught on and spread into other areas of American and other parts of the globe. Works Cited: Elle Magazine Website. 23 July 2009. http://www.ellecanada.com/ Mantosh, Charleze. 23 July 2009. Personal Interview. Read More