Fashion for Pets

I thought this was a great opportunity to elaborate on the fashion industry and pets. The market for  dog fashion especially , has grown substantially over the last five years.  These pet boutiques are not only in upscale cities, like Beverly Hills, but are also in many other cities such as Vancouver.  I visited Fetch in Vancouver to find this demand actually exists, and is flourishing. 

If you would like to join the Pooch Party , the next "Fetch Yappy Hour" will take place on May 28th, 5:00 to 8:00 pm.

Our city is embracing the pet friendly culture, including many retail stores.  A cute little dog with a fashionable outfit on, turns heads as much as a model on a “cat walk”. Our pets are our part of our family, so why not showcase them when we can, and also they love this attention!!

Malucchi specializes in fine Italian style for dogs, makes exquisite collars, leashes and carriers, in addition to a clothing line for pets. The majority of customers  for these European manufacturers which uses silks, and crystal beading. If any of you are interested spending a little more on pet products for the “distinguished doggie”, you can visit the online Posh Puppy Boutique.

However, if you are more like me, and don’t have the extra cash, you can still have a fashionable dog, by being creative, and keeping your costs down by sewing them yourself, or purchasing the outfits in discounted retail stores such as Winners.

Do any of you know of any other retail stores to purchase discounted pet clothing and accessory lines?

My  closing tip....fashion whether for your dogs or yourself, doesn’t need to be expensive,  it’s being creative that makes that fashion statement. 

Top 10 List For a Successful Fashion Event

I put this list together from experiences I gained from the Fashion Week 2010, that I helped out on as well as an Event Planning course that I took.

My top ten list of a successful fashion show:

1)      Determine the Event purpose, and understand exactly what the intent of the fashion show is.  Is is to showcase local designers? Is it to introduce a new designer?

2)       Identify your target audience and their state of mind. What are their demographics? Is this a event for profit or a charity event?

3)      Create a budget by estimating fashion event show costs, from start to finish.  Is this event being paid for by sponsorships, and if not who will responsible for the costs.

4)      Select a date and venue by considering the type of fashion event you are planning.  Ensure the venue accommodates the all aspects of the event. Consider if there are multiple venues.

5)      Create a timeline, and event project plan, including deadlines for each milestone.

6)      Hire staff, volunteers, and models for the event.  Select event planners and project managers to oversee the event from start to finish.

7)      Publicize the event. Send out invitations to VIP’s, and advertise fashion event using various social media tools to announce the event.

8)      Event logistics, including music, lighting, décor, and obtain permits required for the event.

9)      Money should be spent strategically. Always go back to the intent and the audience.

10)   Post event evaluation.  Look at what worked well, and what the weakness were to improve on for the next Fashion show!!

Does anyone have any others that should be added as a priority, or possibly replaced in my list?

Liana

Fashion Frenzy begins in the Twenties

In my search for a unique fashion article, a thought came to mind about the fashion industry in the 1920’s and 1930’s.  The reason I chose this era, is my grandparents were born in the 1920’s. Since my thoughts always drift to the fashion industry, this led me to the search for fashion history and how it has evolved over the last century.

Fashion in the 1920’s

Women's fashion in 1920’s was the beginning of a liberated, free-spirited woman.  The fashion for these “liberated” women included flappers, short skirts,  and make-up. The flapper style symbolized a youthful and boyish style, as young women were changing the popular curves from earlier generations.  The shorter skirts meant women were now dressing to their heart’s desire, and not to what society felt women’s fashion should be.

Greta Garbo

Louise Brooks

The 1920’s was a social rebellion which was illustrated by women through  fashion.  This article (Flapper magazine), published in June 1922, is titled  Psychology of Knees.  In a humorous way the article announces  “for the first time since civilization began, the world is learning that girls, women , females, maidens and damsels have knees”.   As the skirt hems began to rise, it was understood that exposing a woman's leg would cause a passionate enthusiasm from the male species, which was worth the liberating feeling. 

Fashion icons in the twenties included movie stars like Greta Garbo and Louise Brooks.  Although their style was very different, they both were fashion icons. Greta had a mystery and allure about her, but also feminine. Louise Brooks became one of the most famous fashion icons in the twenties and 20th century. Her hair style became what is known as the bob, and is still a hairstyle today.


Fashion in the 1930's

Fashion in the thirties a more “ladylike” appearance. The dresses with waistline curves were much more feminine and glamorous. Small round hats became popular, which completed the look of the admired and stylish 1930’s woman. The following is an interesting historical article that introduced the fashion era and the Hollywood affect that we still see today. “How Hollywood is ruining a billion dollar industry”.  The article talks about... the way movie stars dressed that became news, and was copied by girls around the world.  Movie stars such as Joan Crawford became fashion icons in the thirties.

I found this information on fashion so very interesting.  I especially like how fashion played a big role in the twenties in liberating women. Does anyone else share my thoughts? Any other interesting historical fashion news?

The 1920's flapper fashion article has been featured on Digg it.

Portebello West

Portebello West is a artisan market located here in Vancouver, brining together local artistists and designers in a creative atmosphere.  They have recently gone through some exciting changes to expand there "society".  Portebello West in now an official non-profit society and this will allow them to work more closey with the city and the art and fashion industry in vancouver.  For the past four years they have been located at the Rocky Mountaineer Station hosting tons of exciting artisan exhibitions, but now are expanding to the Creekside Community Recreation Center at Olympic Village.  This new location will allow them to provide space for over 90 artisans!

This new change and expansion was the perfect opportunity to launch a revised social media campaign, as they did.  They now have there own blog, and have links on there homepage to there new facebook and twitter accounts. Because there pages are fairly new, they do not have many followers or likes.  They have an space for people to leave reviews on there facebook page.  Although there is only one reveiw, it is a very positive one!  How am I going to test the effectiveness of there campaign? Heres how.  Since i have attented a few of there exhibitions, I will write a review on there website, and there facbook page, and connect those to my facebook,and twitter accounts to see how many people like, comment, repost or retweet it.  Since all there pages are connected, it also makes it easier to navigate throughout all the of the information provided by Portebello West, which also makes it easier to get my reveiws through tweets and posts about the comapy out there aswell.