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.

On Trend Skirt Styles
 

Autumn/Winter 2016/17 skirt trends are seen all over shops like Zara, Topshop, River Island, H&M and House of Fraser. Some of the trends include designs such as embroidery and floral patterns/ prints.
The material  and style of these trendy skirts are velvets, faux leather, frills and pleats, mesh/lace and ribbed textures. The look and style of them are a- line or tight fitted, usually a mini skirt length or just above the knee with components such as pockets, zips, buttons and buckles.Colours that's stick with the autumn/winter trend that are used for these skirts are block colours such the basic white, black and greys. Also brighter colours such as burgundy, copper, rose gold, browns, gold and sparkely silvers are popular among the trend setting skirts.

http://www.zara.com/uk/en/trf/skirts/asymmetric-leather-effect-skirt-c269213p4116520.html

Leather look skirts are popular this year for the autumn winter trends as they are sold in almost all high-street stores in different shapes and styles. The most reoccurring style for these types of skirts are ones with scrunches and usually they are paired with components such as zips and/or buckles.

http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/skirts-449/moto-embroidered-clean-a-line-skirt-6144860?bi=0&ps=20

 Embroidery typically in a floral print or design is a big trend this year that people seem to be loving. Its very different to other trends where the material they use is the trend or the shape and style is, as this is a design that is a trend for autumn/winter. Embroidery is made to look like art work on a canvas which has be displayed on the skirts.

http://www.riverisland.com/women/skirts/mini-skirts/black-floral-print-a-line-mini-skirt-696814
Floral printed fabric is usually a trend for all seasons especially spring, and this season is no different. Autumn/winter is still keeping the floral print trends going, using different colours for the flowers that fit with the season perfectly. The types of flowers are important for these designs as they have make sense to be a trend in autumn/winter, it wouldn't be a trend if they were flowers such as daisies as they are associated with summer.

http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0413899002.html
Lace this year is a trend seen for all types of clothing, but especially for skirts. The style for them are see through with a smaller fabric underlay skirt underneath, just enough so u can still see the lace fabric design. Lace is also added as frills onto skirts therefore one skirt has two different trends on them but using one of the trends to create the other. Components such as zips are the most common to be paired with lace skirts as the fabric has so much design it doesn't need anything to take away from that.

http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/skirts-449/velvet-flippy-skirt-6062551?bi=20&ps=20
Velvet is the biggest of trends this year for autumn/winter being the chosen fabrics for most clothing and collections. The different colours and ways they garments are styled are what makes them unique as velvet can be worn in so many ways. The velvet skirt is the popular choice this year that people pair their clothes with to give them the autumn/winter vibe. Velvet skirts don't usually have many components on as on its on it stands out enough.

ASOS Autumn/ Winter 2016

Asos has used a variety of different trends for Autumn/Winter 2016, they promote on trend clothing when you first visit their website and show them in categories of coats/jackets, tops, dresses, jeans/trousers and skirts etc. They always show their most popular items of clothing on their home page and the show offers people can get. The trends they are showing off for this autumn/winter are faux fur, velvet, embroidery, lace, frills, bomber jackets and colours such as coppers, browns and mustard yellows.

 

They incorporate multiple trends into one item of clothing or outfit shown on a model so that people are persuaded more to get their autumn/winter collection. Asos shows different outfit options and clothing that can be worn with these specific trend for autumn/winter which is helpful and also promotes their other ranges of clothing as well. 



http://www.asos.com/women/ctas/fashion-online-3/cat/?cid=13491&CTARef=shop|promo|coatsandjackets

Faux fur is a popular trend amongst the coat/jacket section of their website where it is seen on the collars of coats, the sleeves or the entire coat itself. It isn't seen as much on other items of clothing such as tops, dresses or skirts because it wouldn't sell as well. Almost all of the coats/jackets promoted on the website have faux fur on them which makes this the perfect trend for autumn/winter.

http://www.asos.com/women/ctas/fashion-online-3/cat/?cid=13491&pge=1&pgesize=36

Prints and patterns are one of their frequently shown trends on their website which is usually paired with another trend such as a jacket or on a top, skirt or dress. The most used pattern keeping with trends is floral prints which is their main pattern visibly shown on their site.

http://www.asos.com/women/dresses/cat/?cid=8799

Embroidery isn't as popularly shown on their website but is still a trend that is seen on various items of clothing, in particular dresses or bomber jacket which is also another autumn/winter trend.

http://www.asos.com/women/dresses/cat/?cid=8799

Frills and lace are usually the trends that are paired together on an outfit or item of clothing. Commonly seen on their website on dresses or tops more than anything as they are the easiest items of clothing to show these trends on. Most of their lace pieces are see through or have a vest top attached to it as well. Plain coloured tops have been paired with lace or frilled vest tops sewn on top of them as well, this is also a well known trend on their site.

http://www.asos.com/women/tops/cat/?cid=4169&pge=1&pgesize=36

Velvet is the most popular trend shown throughout the website on all clothing for example top/shirts, dresses, skirts, trousers, jackets/coats etc. They promoted velvet as a collection on their website shown on the home page so that is the first thing people see when they entre their site. 

Zara Autumn/Winter 2016

Zara's autumn/winter trends this year have been things such as puffa jackets, velvet, camouflage, lace, leather, frills, embroidery, fur and animal print. These trends have been shown on clothing such as coats/jackets, jumpers, tops, trousers/culottes, dresses and skirts.

http://www.zara.com/uk/en/trf/new-in/velvet-jacket-with-pockets-c840006p3671050.html
Velvet is a well known trend that has been shown across highstreet stores, its one of the biggest trends this year and for 2017. The material has been used for pretty much all clothing, in Zara particularly they have used it for jackets, tops, dresses, legging and even shoes.

http://www.zara.com/uk/en/trf/new-in/military-print-skirt-c840006p3967008.html

Camouflage has been shown in a lots of different varieties of clothing, Zara has used camo print in a military style and even gone as far as incorporating badges and medals onto some of the jackets to really fit in with the full trend and stand out.

http://www.zara.com/uk/en/trf/new-in/coloured-embroidered-top-c840006p4007503.html

One trend in particular that has been very popular is embroidery, they have translated this into their clothing by embroidering jackets/coat, tops and dresses. Usually the embroidery is a big statement piece on the front of the clothing and on some of the jackets in Zara it is a big piece on the back. A lot of the embroidery is floral throughout Zara's collection but there are a few embroider patterns and small images on some of the shirts.

http://www.zara.com/uk/en/trf/jackets/metallic-quilted-jacket-c665507p3935010.html
The puffa jacket is seen all over the Zara store in different styles, colours and sizes. Zara has branched out and have an array of different colour puffa jackets as well as the typically known black ones. None of their puffa jackets are the same sort of styles so there are many options to choose from, they are the perfect trend for this autumn/winter.

http://www.zara.com/uk/en/trf/jackets/leather-jacket-with-zips-c665507p3673586.html
Leather has always been a widely known trend amongst people through the season, not so in summer but especially in autumn. Zara don't just do the original leather jacket they also do leather dresses, tops, trousers, shoes and bags. They have a large selection of styles through the collection pieces which gives a lot of different ways u can wear a leather outfit that suits everyone.

Charlene Dunbar: African Fashion Designer

 

Charlene Dunbar is a well known African fashion designer who has their own brand of clothing called Suakoko Betty. The name of her brand fits well with her theme of clothing and her African heritage as Suakoko is the name of a place in Liberia. As a child she lived in her hometown Monrovia, Liberia before moving to Atlanta where she still currently lives.

 

http://suakoko-betty.myshopify.com/collections/dresses/products/cece-jumpsuit-rust?variant=21889120711

 

Her brand Suakoko Betty was founded in 2007 and since then has been a success. Suakoko means place of new beginnings and Betty represents the western connection, this is how she was inspired to create this brand name. With her traditional African styled and African influenced clothing she has stuck to creating beautiful garments that stick true to were she is from. A lot of her clothing has very bold recognisable African prints on them as a lot of her fabrics that she used are hand dyed in Liberia. Her collection has outstanding colourful patterns that really stand out as statement pieces and her designs and style of clothing is very adventurous and fun.

 

http://suakoko-betty.myshopify.com/collections/dresses/products/makeba-dress-cocktail-periwinkle?variant=30767817290

 

Charlene's specialty in clothing is dresses and a lot of her collection is made up of them which gives her pieces a spring/summer theme to them showing that they are made to be worn specifically for these seasons. All of her clothing is hand crafted and most of the fabrics are made in Ghana although a lot of her pieces are made in the USA. Because of this she have a very limited quantity to make sure that each garment that is made is unique so not everyone can by one.

 

http://suakoko-betty.myshopify.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/bae-shirt-checker?variant=31552243210

 

She also has her own website: http://www.suakokobetty.com/