Fashion designers and wholesale boutique clothing stores alike are claiming that for this upcoming season, white is the new black! This trend can look great, but it can be easy to mess up. Let’s start with the positive, why is white so great? An all-white outfit can be paired with bright accessories that will make the outfit POP! Wholesale fashion boutiques across the world are jumping on this trend from their offprice apparel buyers that pick up the best styles from all designers!
The fabric as well as the tailoring of an all-white dress is crucial to how a person can pull of this new daring look. Lace is almost a guaranteed winner to make any body shape look complimented. This high brow fabric will hide body flaws and also bring out the best shapes in a person. You will start to see white lace everywhere, be aware, take notice and buy! Pairing a white lace dress with a pair of gladiator sandals, a bright trendy clutch and large (slightly obnoxious) necklace or bracelet will be the perfect combination to this great new white trend.
Maxi dresses are very flattering but can also be very romantic, especially in all white. They can be worn to any event, including a walk on the beach, a pool party or a fun/casual dinner date! While choosing a maxi dress, and if only buying one, think of all the accessories you already have at home. You can pair a strapless white maxi dress with a lot more accessories, necklaces and bracelets alike, than an all white halter maxi for example.
Fashion Spot LA has offered a plethora of maxi dresses, print, solids and fun loving patterns, but they as well as everyone else has seen the magic an all white dress can produce. Many celebrities have come out wearing all white to events to prove that this trend is here to stay! A great white dress can be worn with wedges, gladiators or open toe heels and will make your summer something you will not forget. Wholesale clothing for boutiques is a great way to catch this trend.
Tags: Contemporary Apparel, Offprice Apparel, Wholesale Clothing for Boutiques, Wholesale Fashion Clothing
If I could, I would write a little something about every designer ready-to-wear contemporary apparel collection I saw at Fashion Week, but that would take up a lot more space than this page. So I will narrow it down to three of my favorite RTW collections at Fashion Week.
Michael Kors wanted to assemble the quintessential collection of American sportswear, so he opened is show with a giant coyote vest worn by Abbey Lee Kersaw, over a body-hugging cashmere bodysuit and scrunched booties. Kors went on to present a show that embodied the “relaxed luxury” of successful working women. Comfort and opulence meet with the furs and cashmere introduced in his line of wholesale boutique clothing.
Proenza Shouler got buttoned up a little this year, after a primal animal print look shown last spring. From layered swing coats to bubble-skirt dresses, the look was incredibly sexy and feminine. Many of these looks are so sporty they can be worn almost anywhere, but they had a certain collegiate feel. Black and white animal prints and inkblot patterns were in keeping with a graphic theme that was seen throughout the show on pieces like a black and white angora jacquard dress.
Finally, the J. Mendel line offered up a surprisingly playful collection of black textured wool coats, furs and polished classics, like spunky brown sequined dress with a sheer back panel and urban inspired epaulets made of black Finn raccoon. Pair this with a luxurious mink messenger bag and this designer lays claim to the look of “sassy opulence” for fall like he’s laughing in the face of luxury. Gilles Mendel’s eveningwear line was a montage of filmy georgette with details like ruching and knife pleats to make them the star of the show.
How will these designers impact the ready-to-wear lines remains to be seen. Follow your wholesale clothing for boutiques websites to find out.
Tags: Contemporary Apparel, Wholesale Boutique Clothing, Wholesale Clothing for Boutiques
After attending dozens of inspiring fashion shows at New York’s Fashion Week, I’m very thankful I’ve learned to take careful notes. So many designers are putting their best foot forward for fall 2010; it’s hard to keep track of all the exciting future trends in contemporary apparel.
Here are a few of my favorites in RTW contemporary wholesale apparel:
* Velvet showed up in some surprisingly soft yet edgy ways, both in floor-length gowns by Nanette LePore and in bright, flirty mini-dresses by Zac Posen. Velvet even showed up in tailored pants and vests by Charlotte Ronson, and on platform boots by the ever-urban Alexander Wang.
* Wang also lined up some rugby striped looks with his sporty collections, and the same overt stripes were seen in dressed up, lacy cardigans by Charlotte Tarantola. Could this tomboy trend become an influence on junior fashion apparel as well?
* Another designer that captured my attention was Jason Wu, and his new collection of great cashmere sweaters and flannel blazers for Tse. Of all the wintry ensembles on this runway, my favorite was Wu’s sensational fox fur coat. Pair this with one of his sexy chiffon dresses and the textures can overwhelm the senses.
* The Vera Wang fall collection was inspired by the mystery and moodiness of the “film noir” genre, a highly seductive aesthetic that included models coiffed like sexy film stars of yesteryear. Most of the girls were dressed in black, with collars spilling into abundant sleeves, gorgeous sparkling jewelry and dollops of fur worthy of any “femme fatale”. Closely aligned with the curve of the body, Vera Wang created an interesting juxtaposition of fluffy flourishes against a form-fitting silhouette.
The contemporary apparel seen at Fashion Week was surprisingly carefree and decadent, despite the fashion community’s nervousness about consumer spending patterns. Excitement generated during this wintry week will determine which styles are chosen by wholesale fashion boutique buyers around the world and from what I can tell, it looks like consumers are in for a treat this fall.
Tags: Contemporary Apparel, Contemporary Wholesale Apparel, Wholesale Fashion Boutique
If you lived through the 80’s, you are probably familiar with the term “preppy”, which usually referred to an Izod-shirt wearing crew of crisply attired, self-centered young men and women with a more conservative approach to dressing. Instead of sporting some of the faddish contemporary wholesale apparel like leg warmers, Chinese jackets and Sassoon jeans, the preppy crowd always looked “prepared” for success in pressed chinos and pastel-colored oxford shirts. Think Buffy and Biff in their Volvo convertible and you will get the picture.
A lot has changed since the 80’s. Instead of munching on Pop Rocks and listening bands like Culture Club and the Knack, today’s preps are more tuned into political and social issues. They’re just as competitive in academic and social circles too. And while they represent the lion’s share of spending on junior fashion apparel, they are less flamboyant than their peers. This group is extremely brand-conscious, hence their obsession with the recognizable moose and birds stitched onto their favorite clothing, but they stick to these labels because they are more widely acceptable as the “right” ones.
Unlike the “preppies” of previous generations, preps are not superficial; they are simply more conservative with their choice of colors and patterns. You will rarely see a prep wear black in their everyday clothing. They tend to choose contemporary apparel in shades of navy, pea green, maroon, cream and grey. Partly inspired by the luxury generation, preps are motivated by the appearance of wealth. Try buying a teenage prep a top from a department store that looks exactly like their favorite brand-name clothing and you will find yourself in line to return it a few days later.
Wholesale fashion apparel buyers know that to attract a wealthy “prep” audience, they must look for well-fitting brand name clothing in stripes and solids. Despite any claims they make to the contrary, preps care very much about their reputation, and any deviance from the junior clothing apparel labels approved by their crowd will make them feel like an outsider.
Tags: Contemporary Apparel, Contemporary Wholesale Apparel, Junior Fashion Apparel, Wholesale Fashion Apparel
What kind of event can attract an audience as diverse as the Duchess of York and Beyonce at a moments’ notice? If you’re guessing a fashion show, then you are correct, but this wasn’t just any fashion show. It was Naomi Campbell’s fundraiser to raise money for Haiti relief efforts. It was also a heartfelt tribute to fashion icon Alexander McQueen, who was found dead in his London apartment just the day before.
Supermodels like Helena Christensen, Karen Elson and Campbell herself proudly walked the runway in McQueen-designed contemporary wholesale clothing. Victoria Beckham described Alexander McQueen as a “master of fashion” in a recent interview, saying he made everything he touched beautiful.
Then in a post-show interview with CNN, Naomi Campbell said, “the public came out to this show, but it is not normally the public who attends a fashion show.”
She expressed her appreciation for all the amazing designers, who took time out from preparing their fall 2010 collections to select the right contemporary apparel for the show. Campbell herself has a special interest in the suffering women and babies in Haiti, which is why she chose to donate all the proceeds from this event to Care.org.
As a woman with a Jamaican heritage, Ms. Campbell is acutely aware of the desolation that Haitians must be facing, saying “I feel like my people are there.” She said [this event] is “something I’m doing to care for me” but it will only work with everyone’s collaboration and time. This is definitely the Naomi Campbell they don’t talk about in the supermarket tabloids.
As a part of New York’s Fashion Week, Fashion for Haiti was a huge success as both a fundraiser and a fashion show. With so many important designers descending on one event with such short notice, it was interesting to see what kind of fashion apparel wholesale they chose to display. But it is at spontaneous events like these that the best wholesale clothing apparel buyers get their inspiration for a season.
Tags: Contemporary Apparel, Contemporary Wholesale Clothing, Fashion Apparel Wholesale, Wholesale Clothing Apparel
Hidden among the socialites, celebrities and fashion editors sitting in the front rows of Fashion Week runways is a pint-sized teenage girl wearing a large hat who has made a name for herself as a fashion blogger.
Not only is thirteen-year old Tavi Gevinson the muse behind Kate and Laura Mulleavy’s “Rodarte” for Target label, she also has graced the cover of several fashion magazines and even has her own column in Pop magazine. A fearless future fashion mogul in her own right, Tavi Gevinson is already known among the fashion elite for her quirky hats, and she takes in the top fashion shows from the same row as the most powerful fashion editors in the world. But a thirteen year-old girl becoming the new “darling” of the contemporary apparel fashion industry should come as no surprise when you consider how our Internet crazed culture has catapulted so many bloggers to international fame. Fashion bloggers have even provided inspiration for the designer collections of Marc Jacobs.
If the fashion clothing wholesale industry has ever had its own respected advocate, it is Tavi Gevinson. The young author of the popular Style Rookie blog has quite a following, and people have fallen in love with her unique style, wit and charm.
The future looks bright for this tiny thirteen year old girl. After all, how many people do you know who took a week off of school to be chaperoned to each and every venue of New York’s Fashion Week. Given what she has accomplished at such a young age, Tavi Gevinson is sure to play an important role in the future of wholesale juniors clothing.
Tags: Contemporary Apparel, Fashion Clothing Wholesale, Wholesale Juniors Clothing
In partnership with the teenage fashion magazine, Teen Vogue, L.e.i. recently announced their “L.e.i. Model Citizen Campaign”. The junior fashion apparel brand, now exclusive to Wal-Mart, is looking for three teen role models to be featured in its next advertising campaign, each of whom embody the “life, intelligence and energy” that defines the L.e.i. brand.
In addition to inviting girls between the ages of 15 and 21 to shoot a video about why they should be an L.e.i. Model Citizen, the company will also host events in Los Angeles, Miami and New York. Aspiring “model citizens” will be able to upload their video presentations to the campaign’s web site, and grand prize winners will be selected by a celebrity panel of judges. Notable names from the contemporary apparel industry include Teen Vogue editor Amy Astley, model Chanel Iman, and fashion designer Rachel Roy. Following the announcement of ten finalists, a public vote will take place between March 25th and April 6th 2010.
Because of their partnership with Fashion Delivers, this longstanding icon of the junior clothing apparel industry will also invite participants to “pay it fashion forward” by encouraging girls to donate products for the charity. A $50 Wal-Mart gift card will be awarded to the first 25 girls who donate jeans at the events, and all participants will be urged to spread the word about the L.e.i. contest on Facebook and Twitter. This exciting campaign promises to be a model that other fashion clothing wholesale brands will follow for years to come.
In addition to appearing in the L.e.i. 2010 ad campaign, the grand-prize winner will also receive a $100,000 scholarship, an internship at Teen Vogue, a complete L.ei. wardrobe and a fashion makeover. But perhaps the most enticing reason for teens to enter is the chance to attend Teen Vogue’s Young Hollywood party.
Tags: Contemporary Apparel, Fashion Clothing Wholesale, Junior Clothing Apparel, Junior Fashion Apparel
As the opening ceremonies began in Vancouver last week, I couldn’t help but wonder if anyone else noticed the contemporary apparel worn by each country’s Olympic competitors. As each team paraded into the winter wonderland of the BC Arena, one would expect to see a full range of puffy down jackets and Nordic sweaters, but what surprised me was how many trendy junior fashion ensembles were on display.
Like any other internationally televised event, it wouldn’t surprise me if some designers hurried off to create their own Olympic-inspired contemporary apparel. But I couldn’t help but chuckle at the predictable red Bermuda shorts worn by the Bermuda team, or ponder what inspired the colorful 70’s style psychedelic pants worn by the Azerbaijan team.
Anyone looking for one of those adorable reindeer caps worn by the U.S. athletes should look no further than Ralph Lauren, who was the official outfitter of the U.S. team.
Italy’s team entered the arena wearing crisp, tailored jackets, exuding a purely Italian aesthetic, and Austria’s selection of blue and purple blazers was a hit, but neither was as exciting as the small Republic of Estonia.
For being one of the least-populated countries in the EU, Estonia scored points wearing their wintry white jackets with a subtle blue snowflake pattern, along with furry ear-flapped hats.
Surprisingly, the Greek team’s white and blue track suits not so well received, leaving some commentators wondering if they were shooting for the “Smurf” look this year.
Clearly, as any Olympic hopeful knows, they can’t all be winners. However, it will be interesting to see what kind of sportswear will be inspired by the 2010 Olympics, and which teams will influence wholesale fashion apparel buyers such as Fashion Spot LA later this year.
Tags: Contemporary Apparel, Trendy Junior Fashion, Wholesale Fashion Apparel
As the holidays approach, retailers are stocking up on evening dresses in every style color and fabric. In fact, the biggest weekend for buying evening wear is quickly approaching. Many women use the same dress for their corporate Christmas party as they do for New Year’s Eve, but this year you will see even more women trying to get one dress that will suit both occasions.
Buyers of contemporary apparel are acutely aware of how the economic crisis may affect this season’s evening wear purchases, and many are looking at a more casual line-up than in past years. Part of the reason for this is that so many companies have cut back on the formality of their holiday events, and fewer people than ever are attending fancy-dress New Year’s Eve parties. For the wholesale boutique clothing buyer, it makes sense to offer a more laid-back holiday dress selection this year.
In most ready-to-wear lines, the fabrics of choice will still be silk, satin and polyester. Best selling colors in women’s holiday dresses tend to be wine red, gold, black and turquoise. Most dresses are designed to accent the bust, and include added support, especially the strapless and empire styles.
One of the reasons for the popularity of the empire-cut dress is that so many women want to hide their waistlines and upper legs. The most enduring styles are available with a matching shawl, and are fully lined in polyester with a back zipper. Most ready-to-wear dresses are retail priced at $100 and up, with designer gowns starting at over $1,000, but wholesale fashion clothing buyers like Fashion Spot LA, are getting more incentives this year, enabling them to offer lower prices to their customers.
Tags: Contemporary Apparel, Wholesale Boutique Clothing, Wholesale Fashion Clothing
The art of being “Elegant” is defined differently by everyone; hence the phrase, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” For some, elegance can be the sheer simplicity of making something beautiful appear effortless, and for others it can be a glitzy and glamorous ensemble. But for the contemporary apparel buyer, such as Fashion Spot LA, it means knowing a few secrets of the trade. For an elegant retail collection, it all comes down to knowing your customer, what she wants, and what she doesn’t.
Elegance is an abstract concept to most people, and few people can really pull it off, but wholesale boutique clothing owners know that they are not just buying clothing; they are setting a standard of tastefulness for their clientele. And beyond that, they are showing them – through their collection of clothing and accessories – how to look elegant. In short, to a wholesale clothing apparel buyer, elegance is the art of “pulling it all together.”
While everyone has their own definition of elegance, here are some of the tips I’ve picked up after spending several years as a junior clothing apparel buyer.
1. No big flowery prints on dresses
2. No fluorescent or overly bright colored clothing
3. Fabric should be appealing to the eye- stay away from polyester – please.
4. Keep it simple – no excessive sparkles, beads or embellishments on everyday clothes
5. Make sure your blacks match other blacks and your whites other whites.
6. No unnecessary zippers or buttons on sleeves, bodices and shoulders
7. Wear clothes that fit. Something too small or too large is almost always inappropriate
8. Whatever you do, wear clean clothes, and don’t be afraid to iron them when needed
9. When something gets faded, permanently stained or ripped, get it out of your closet
10. Perhaps most important of all – if something doesn’t flatter your figure, don’t wear it just because it’s trendy.
As you can see, elegance in junior fashion apparel is not about changing innate sense of style. In fact, it’s more about what not to do than anything else. Beyond that, elegance is a state of mind.
Tags: Contemporary Apparel, Junior Clothing Apparel, Junior Fashion Apparel, Wholesale Boutique Clothing, Wholesale Clothing Apparel