LFW: Ashley Williams

 
http://www.vogue.co.uk/shows/autumn-winter-2017-ready-to-wear/ashley-williams/collection/

Ashley Williams is better known for being a designer who likes to stand out. This year for London fashion week she lives up to that name to the fullest extent giving us amazing pieces that have everyone's attention.

 
http://www.vogue.co.uk/shows/autumn-winter-2017-ready-to-wear/ashley-williams/collection/

Her theme of cowgirl inspired clothing has many messages quite literally printed in bold on her clothing. Hoodies that read MISERY showing her feelings after the horrific political storm of last year that was Brexit and Trump. Dresses that read SAVE THE EARTH which is getting the message out about climate change and all the terrible things happening in the world.

http://www.vogue.co.uk/shows/autumn-winter-2017-ready-to-wear/ashley-williams/collection/
Apart from the messages being so serious her whole collection is full of fun and different outfits. She really does dare to take risks in fashion creating pieces not many designers would. Her inspiration comes from everyday life through films and media, making the clothing so much more appealing to the audience.

http://www.vogue.co.uk/shows/autumn-winter-2017-ready-to-wear/ashley-williams/collection/
The range is completed with statement pieces such as the classic bright coloured checked skirts and trousers paired with basic hoodies or trendy puffer jackets. Pattern of some sort is used in almost every outfit making them catch peoples eye even if there isn't any colour.

http://www.vogue.co.uk/shows/autumn-winter-2017-ready-to-wear/ashley-williams/collection/

NYFW: Calvin Klein

Raf Simons made their debut this year at New York Fashion Week at Calvin Klein with beautiful pieces that covered a range of different aspects. Some of the clothing had a gender neutral look as the men and women's clothing wasn't outstandingly different. They took the long trench coat/ blazer and pants look and made it suitable for both men and women to wear.

http://wwd.com/fashion-news/shows-reviews/gallery/calvin-klein-rtw-fall-10785041/
The clothing was simple yet stunning with bright bold colours, different materials and textures all paired together. The collection was so minimalistic but really stood out because of some element within the outfits. Full of statement pieces that left everyone talking about the collection.

http://wwd.com/fashion-news/shows-reviews/gallery/calvin-klein-rtw-fall-10785041/#!15/calvin-klein-rtw-fall-2017-15

 The whole collection was their own twist on smart clothing made edgy. The range was like a work of art strutting down the catwalk, catching peoples attention and engaging people in their message. That's message being a political one, a homage to America.

http://wwd.com/fashion-news/shows-reviews/gallery/calvin-klein-rtw-fall-10785041/#!23/calvin-klein-rtw-fall-2017-23
The support for equality was shown as both men and women wore sheer see through outfits portraying the message that men and women should both be allowed to show their bodies without it being seen as explicit or unnatural. The daring side of fashion was really shown throughout the range.

http://wwd.com/fashion-news/shows-reviews/gallery/calvin-klein-rtw-fall-10785041/#!32/calvin-klein-rtw-fall-2017-32
So many materials and textures were used in the collection from feathers dresses to plastics trench coats and sheer tops with chunky knitted sleeves. The pairing of these is so different to what is usually seen for clothing, this is how you grab the attention of the audience.

Ethical fashion

When you think of ethical fashion you think of everyone in the process of making garments being treated fairly. Whether that be in the work place with the conditions they are in or whether they are getting paid the legal amount. However that's not the case for most factories that make the garments for some of these high street brands.

http://www.theplaidzebra.com/fast-fashion-companies-treat-human-lives-the-same-way-we-treat-their-cheap-consumables/

It's all about fast fashion now a days and everyone is competing to make sure they stay at the top of the trend game, producing and selling clothing before any other high street store does it first. In some cases this then means that unfortunately the clothing isn't produced ethically as the factories these stores choose to produce their clothing don't treat the workers well or morally.

https://www.procurious.com/procurement-news/the-need-for-speed-clothing-sweatshops-in-the-uk

The definition for ethical fashion is a term to describe ethical fashion design, production, retail and purchasing. It covers all sorts of issues involving the working conditions, exploitation of employees, fair trade, sustainable production, the environment and animal welfare.

http://ecowarriorprincess.net/2016/09/ethical-fashion-101-the-top-5-ethical-issues-in-the-fashion-industry/

Thankfully high street brands such as Topshop and others have a reputation to keep, so they make sure they stick to strict guidelines that insure they are producing ethical fashion. They make sure they regularly check the factories their clothes are produced in so they know that the workers in the factories are working in good conditions and are treated and paid fairly.

Innovative ways to 'sale'
 

A lot of companies try to really engage with their target audience and get to know them so that their product works for everyone. You have to know your audience just as well as the products you are trying to sell, they have to be what people want or need otherwise you wont sell. Selling is key in being a successful company and getting popularity over other stores.

https://uk.pinterest.com/april4033/show-window/

People have to be creative with the way they sell their products if they want to stand out in the market. They have to sell their products in different ways to everyone else, whether that be through advertising or visual merchandising you want to attract your customers in through exciting ways.

http://www.propstudios.co.uk/windows-in-store-vm

Using many different ways of advertising helps as you are reaching a wider audience and you can be shared around to gain popularity. Social media is the best way of advertising if you want to be shared around on a big platform. All people have a better chance of seeing the products you are trying to sell as almost everyone uses social media now a days.

https://uk.pinterest.com/mikulasm/ki-display/

Fashion from the 70s
In the early 1970s the fashion scene was very similar to the end of the 1960s, it was only slightly different with the style being more over the top. The material that most clothing was made out of was polyester and everyone wore big bright colours that really showed off as a statement. Men and women both wore tight fitting pants and platform shoes which had never been seen before, women especially explored with fashion but never before would they dress exactly like men. By 1973 most women were all wearing high cut boots and low cut pants and this was the beginning of a big fashion changing trend.

http://www.vintag.es/2015/04/50-awesome-and-colorful-photoshoots-of.html
Early 1970s fashion was a fun era for fashion because it had continued on some of the best trends of the 60s and just made them even better by perfecting or exaggerating them. Some of the best clothing of the 1970s was pieces that blended everyone together, especially the mods with the hippies. Some of the clothing that was very popular were pieces such as tunics, culottes and robes that were the go to outfits to wear. Everything was comfortable and it was even hard to tell sometimes what dresses were more causal and what were meant to be worn for a night out. Clothing or accessories such as butterfly collars, bell bottoms, skin-tight t-shirts, sandals, flower patterned dress shirts and tennis headbands where the rage and the biggest and before statement trends of the 70s.

http://www.vintag.es/2015/04/50-awesome-and-colorful-photoshoots-of.html
Colour by the end of the 1970s had pretty much almost completely disappeared and instead Earth tones such as greys, whites and blacks were back in full force. This is because people were beginning to get bored of wearing the brighter more statement colours that they had for so long. Vivid colours that once use to catch peoples attention when looking at an outfit became almost non existent. The midi skirt was a clothing trend that came around that a lot of women really didn't like and the colours/shades they came in such as purple, grape, raisin, plum, murky green or indigo didn't help it out at all.

http://midvalevintagepost.blogspot.co.uk/2013_06_01_archive.html
Hemlines were a crazy issue in fashion that people had very mixed opinions about as all across the fashion industry designers were dropping skirt lengths anywhere between the knee and ankle and called it the Midi Look or midi skirt. A lot of women did not like this trend at all, they were finally daring to show a big of skin and wear short dresses and skirt and now skirts were being made that completely covered their legs. Throughout the 1970s there was a constant common theme in fashion that didn't change and stayed a very big well liked trend and that was that trousers were always tight fitted and flared at the bottom.

http://flashbak.com/the-good-the-bad-and-the-tacky-20-fashion-trends-of-the-1970s-26213/
There was a lot more culture shown in fashion in the 1970s as Moroccan themed clothing was becoming quite big. This is because of pieces such as capes striped like bedspreads worn with folk-embroidered Hungarian peasant blouses which gave fashion a bit of ethnic flavour. Accessories were a must have and everyone wore them as they were a vital part of the new fashion trends. Chokers and dog collars replaced standard jewellery and new jewellery embraced natural elements like wood, shells, stones, feathers, Indian beads and leather and this was the new trend.

Fashion from the 60s
In the early 1960s fashion was very bi-polar in the sense that it couldn't make up its mind, trends were all over the places and nothing stuck around for too long. There were still a lot of the 1950s trends going on and people weren't really changing that because they liked the more classic in style and design. However the late 60s were the complete opposite of the beginning with people venturing out and wearing bright colours and tie-dye shirts and woman showed more skin than ever by wearing the shortest of skirts and men wore tunics and capes.

http://jo-stophaveachat.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/the-history-of-mini-skirtdress.html
The 1960s were best known for being the decade of experimentation in fashion the trends didn't just happen they were developed with inspiration and then put out into the fashion world for everyone else to wear. Contemporary architecture and sculpture were the biggest of inspirations for fashion designers in the 60s. Inspiration came from everywhere with people even venturing back to the 20s and 30s with blouses making a come back paired with short skirts and fitting hats.

http://www.retrowaste.com/1960s/fashion-in-the-1960s/
Skirts obviously got shorter in the 1960s as women weren't afraid to show off a little skin. This trend changed the fashion for the better it gave fashion that sense of danger and daring to take a risk then it comes to fashion. The short skirts were typically worn with low-heeled shoes so that there was more attention drawn on the legs. Culottes, divided skirts and trim trouser skirts were introduced for travel as they were seen as comfy attire that could be worn as street wear or just for an evenings at home. For the more dressy attire beads and sequin embroidered evening clothes was the choice of clothing to wear for formal events or nights out. As well as the long dresses of sequins or crystal beads that was worn as elegant and classic attire.

http://www.theluxechronicles.com/the_luxe_chronicles/2015/07/
Darker colours were the colour trend in fashion during the 1960s and they were the rage. People wore all of the darkest of colours on the spectrum such as purple, red and green and colours of similar shade such as grape, plum, wine red and olive green. These colours were worn in contrast with a very popular brighter colour that made its way to the 60s which was neon bright pink, this was the statement colour people wore is in the 1960s.

Fashion from the 50s

In the beginning of the 1950s the major fashion trend that changed fashion was the waistline, this was because women started to change how they had always dressed with tight fit dresses. Instead some women preferred wearing dresses that had no waistline as it was more comfortable, but this was often referred to as a 'sack dress' as it would just drape a women's body. Although a lot of people liked like look of a tiny waist and continued to wear dresses that showed it. People had a lot more freedom in the 50s to change fashion and doing so felt like that had to make sure they always looked a certain way for different situations.

https://www.suggest-keywords.com/MTk1MCB3YWlzdCBjcnVuY2hpbmc/
The 1950s is what some people refer to as the continuing transition in fashion. Where it remained fluid and free, trying out new fashion and old fashion and inspired fashion but the direction a lot of people went with for fashion trends was in the 1920s. Someone called Hardy Amies in London was a go to for people to feel inspired, they showed suits with straight unbelted hip-hugging jackets over straight skirts and people loved it.

http://www.ehow.co.uk/info_8441814_50s-pencil-skirt-styles.html
In 1953 the mood of fashion changed to sleek, slender elegance and everyone became sophisticated with their fashion. Trends changed and hemlines, waistlines and hairlines all grew shorter. The words everyone was using to describe the style was 'shape' and 'sheen'. Everything was simple the way people looked, the clothes people wore tailored coats in chiffon and lace that floated over tight fitted summer dresses. Everything had balance to different style trends of loose and tight were paired together to make one beautiful outfit. Loose coats in thin silk were worn over a tight suit and evening coats were worn flowing over tight evening dresses.

http://www.sovintagepatterns.com/thumbnail.asp?file=assets/images/vogue-653.jpg&maxx=500&maxy=0
Fur trimmings made a come back in the 50s but the trend didn't take over fashion with fur cuffs being the only fur touch on a coat but it was a lot more tasteful this time around. Colours however was a big part of the fashion with orange being the boldest colour people dared to wear after 20 years of just white. The early 50s is when it made its noticeable return without whole outfits, hats and accessories being bold orange statement pieces to wear. In the autumn the orange influenced the different tone of brown from gingers, tans and chestnuts they were the colours to wear.

http://dirtyfabulous.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/vintage-winter-wear.html
Blues were also a bold colour to come into fashion especially the turquoise and the mauve-blues that then shaded into lavender and purple. The grey and beige neutrals stuck around throughout the summer seasons because they were the go to colours but the favourite statement colours through summer to wear were red and yellow. For winter velvet was the winning trend for fashion with velvet collars and cuffs, velvet blouses and waistcoats, velvet flares on skirts, velvet accessories and entire velvet suits and dresses.

The Christmas Jumper

Christmas jumpers became popular in the 1980s when television presenters were seeing wearing them during the holiday time on TV, even famous singers would wear them on Christmas specials they would feature on. Because of this people started to take notice and copy these celebrities. The Christmas jumper started off as being an item of clothing people would wear around Christmas to get in the holiday spirit. 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/christmas/0/the-funniest-and-tackiest-christmas-jumpers-of-2016/
People use to view them as gifts their grandparents would knit them and give to them for Christmas which then led to in the 1990s-2000s becoming a joke present people would give to each other. They were seen as embarrassing to wear and even today people still think that. People call them ugly Christmas jumper and take it as far as trying to find the most horrendous one out there and dedicating a day to wearing the most ugliest Christmas jumper. This is a lot more popular in the United States then it is the UK but people still think the same.

http://heavy.com/social/2016/11/top-best-ugly-christmas-sweaters-for-women-gag-gift/
They started to come back into fashion in 2010 and in 2012 they wear seen as the 'seasons must have'. Big brands and high end retailers such as Burberry started to produce Christmas jumpers as well, they even released one as part of their range. By 2012 half of the British population owned a Christmas jumper.

http://www.blogdarafa.com.br/tag/itau-cultura/
Some people around the holidays wear them to work or school for charities to raise money for children at Christmas. The charity in particular save the children hold an annual Christmas jumper day every year to raise money and they use the slogan 'make the world better with a sweater' to encourage people to wear a jumper and donate. However people still see the Christmas jumper as a funny item of clothing to wear around Christmas and are now specifically made to live up to the name of the ugly Christmas jumper.

Christmas Window Display
At Christmas stores across the world design beautiful window displays to attract customers into their shops to buy their products. By displaying these Christmas themed displayed people are intrigued to look and them and see what the retailers are selling, therefore they can make money from this as people are visiting their store. Its all about making their window displays the best so they get more attention in their store than others do, making them more money than other retailers at Christmas.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/features/harrods-and-harvey-nichols-unveil-their-christmas-2015-window-displays-a6724731.html
A lot of well known retail stores have themed window displays each year which some people travel distances to see. For example London is notoriously known for having some of the best Christmas window displays in the world, with stores such as Harvey Nichols, Harrods, Selfridges etc. They go all out every Christmas to make sure their window displays top them all and every year they don't disappoint. For Christmas 2016 Harrods themed their Christmas window display 'A very British Christmas' which told the story of two children on an adventure set in an English country house. This consisted of secret passageways, floating bathtubs and flying cars, one of the displays was even interactive with the public.

https://www.retail-week.com/sectors/fashion/in-pictures-harrods-unveils-christmas-windows/7013587.article
Harrods teamed up with Burberry so their whole Christmas window display story was advertising Burberry as well as telling a story. This is very good advertisement for the brand and it gets to show off their range and products they sell so people aren't just interested in the fairy tale aspects of the display it also makes them want to venture inside the store and have a look at the products themselves.

https://www.retail-week.com/sectors/fashion/in-pictures-harrods-unveils-christmas-windows/7013587.article
The bigger and better the Christmas display the more people that will stand outside and look at them, this then bringing more people to look at the display because passers by will want to see what everyone else is looking at. This is what attracts people to the store and that's why every Christmas big retailers put together a wonderful magical themed window display that tells a story because that's what people love. If at Christmas your shop window display looks boring and uneventful people aren't going to want to come to your store and buy your products. You need to sell your store and your products using the window display, that's why these big retailers such as Harrods and Selfridges do so well.

https://www.retail-week.com/home/in-pictures-selfridges-unveils-fairytale-themed-christmas-at-oxford-street-flagship/5065548.article

Black Friday

Black Friday for British people is known as a day that all if not most stores have a 'big discount sale' that can for some places last for up to a day at the least and a week at the most. Therefore Black Friday isn't celebrated in the UK as there isn't much meaning behind it. The term Black Friday and all the meanings behind it originated from America and that's all that most people know when it comes to the day.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/money/black-friday-2016-8649175

The original meaning behind black Friday that not many people know is that the title itself 'Black' refers to stores moving from the 'red' to the 'black'. When accounting records use to be recorded by hand the red ink they used would mean a loss and black would mean profit. How it all started was the Macy's thanksgiving day parade in 1924 in America so the Friday after thanksgiving has been known ever since as the 'unofficial' start to the holiday season shopping. This was recognised by retailers that they could attract people to their stores by discounting prices and that's how sale on the Friday started off.

https://newyorksightseeingtours.wordpress.com/tag/macys-thanksgiving-day-parade/
Unfortunately over the years especially in America black Friday has become quite dangerous as their have been so many reports on violence between shoppers because everyone is fighting to get 'the best deals'. There has even been 7 reported deaths since 2006 in the United States which is horrible to think about people undeservingly dying all over getting a 'good discount'. Most people on black Friday camp outside the shop to ensure on them being the first in line to get a good deal.
http://fistfuloftalent.com/2013/11/black-friday-hr-dirty-deeds-done-dirt-cheap.html

In 2010 Britain was introduced to black Fridays deals for the first time, when amazon decided to treat us with some discounted deals on their online shop but not many people even noticed this. Before that the sales that where around the holiday time like black Fridays was the traditional boxing day sales. Then in 2013 Asda, which is owned by Walmart (an American retail store), had a black Friday sale for the first time offering discounts on things such as TV's and laptops etc. This created madness as people went crazy for the sales and it even made I into the media which kick started the beginning of the UKs black Fridays sales.