What is Eco Fashion?

Today I sat contemplating the meaning of the term 'eco fashion'. I thought to myself, "If anyone should really understand the meaning of the above it should be me, as I have dedicated the best part of three years toward the creation of an eco fashion brand." The problem is there is no point in me understanding the meaning if others can't conceptualise the term, and how it may fit into their lifestyle. So here we are, and I am going to attempt to detail the meaning of 'eco fashion'.

'Eco fashion' could quite literally be seen as two entirely different entities. Firstly the idea of ecological and environmentally sustainable ideas being somewhat of a trend, fad, or as it states fashion, something that may be washed away or brushed under the carpet in years to come. Secondly it can be viewed as fashion, as in clothing, accessories, perfumes, aftershaves and footwear, which is made with the environment in mind.

For the purpose of 'eco fashion' as apparel and its derivatives, the point to focus on is the statement that 'eco fashion' is fashion made with the environment in mind. What does this really mean? From my point of view it can mean one of four things;

- Fashion produced and created through the use of organic materials
- Fashion produced and created through the use of recycling of otherwise excess fabrics
- Fashion produced and created through the use of recycled materials not initially directly related to fashion
- Fashion produced and created that gives back directly to the planet.

How to Become a Successful Fashion Designer

If you are like me you live and breathe fashion. You are constantly inspired with so many new designs racing through your mind, so many you can't seem to get them all down quick enough at the pace they arrive. You constantly dream of the day your fashions will be on the fashion runway with the lights beaming brightly overhead, the cameras flashing everywhere and the audience being completely mesmerized by your incredible designs. You can't stop thinking of the day you will open a magazine or watch the Oscars and see a famous celebrity in one of your breathtaking designs. Your book shelf is stocked with fashion books and magazines, and you absolutely can't resist visiting textile stores to view all the latest fabrics, decorative beads, rhinestones and trims.

It's this ever present dream of being a successful fashion designer that has you work day and night on your designs in most cases for many years without pay and working a job to pay the pills which is brutal torture, when all you can think about is living and working in fashion.

 

Famous fashion designers come from all walks of life there is no one system to follow that will have you become the next famous fashion designer. Some have graduated from elite fashion schools and some have never attended fashion school. Some have undertaken a fashion internship with a fashion house and others have made their own designs in their basement. The only elements all these fashion designers have in common is they had an intense passion for fashion, were able to design fashions highly sought after and connected with someone who gave them the opportunity to break into the fashion industry. It is essential in becoming a successful fashion designer you get you and your designs out there as much as possible, as how will anyone know about your fashions if they can't see them?

Why a Job in Fashion?

Why look at the fashion industry and the fashion world these days? Well there is a good reason to look at fashion especially if you plan on getting a job in the fashion industry. There are different types of jobs in the fashion industry. If you decide to be a designer you have to be up on the latest trends of celebrities and political people alike. You also have to know your clients and what they want and most of them want to be fashionable and be presentable when they go to a job or when they go to a photo shoot.

You can get a job as a photographer in the fashion world and be happy in it but you still need to know what is fashionable in the time you are in and what is considered not to be fashionable. You can be an editor in a fashion magazine and be able to research fashion trends through out the United States and through out the world or you can be a fashion assistant where you go and do things for the photographer, editor or designer. The fashion world has all kinds of opportunities available for jobs if that is an area you are interested in.

A retail store has to be up on the latest trends in order for them to sell clothes. If they were not then they would not be able to sell the line of clothing. Many places carry a line of clothing and fashion from a certain celebrity. For example some stores like Wall-mart and K-mart and other superstores carry brands like Martha Stewart, Miley Cyrus or Just My Size and those are just some of the brands they carry.

Types of Work Shoes

Shoes are a vital element of any workplace and indeed, there are often strict policies in place regarding appropriate footwear. This could be because of the health and safety of the staff or simply due to the expected uniform or dress code of the employees.

The variety of footwear needed for every job is quite staggering. We sometimes may not think it, but most of us have certain shoes we only ever wear at our place of work. There are some occupations where you are permitted to wear whatever you feel comfortable with, such as residential carers, couriers, bar staff etc.

Much of the time though, a job needs specific work wear to complement it and this includes the shoes. Think of builders, bricklayers, road workers, hod carriers or roofers. This line of work requires sturdy and tough boots, often with steel toe caps in case of something heavy falling on the foot. This type of footwear is all about protecting the wearer in what can be a hazardous working environment.

Becoming a Fashion Designer

It seems like everyone is jumping on the designer bandwagon these days. And why not? The fashion industry is sexy - fashion shows, parties, celebrities, recognition, and even fame go along with a career in fashion.

Now herein lies the question: do you go to design school or go straight to starting a business? Not all fashion designers go the traditional route to design school, instead drawing on an entrepreneurial spirit, some "designers" turn their head for business into a thriving fashion enterprise.

Ralph Lauren is an example of a fashion designer who bypassed the sewing machine and headed straight for the marketplace. Which path you take depends on your personal motivation. If you love sewing and pattern making, the traditional route is going to bring the most satisfaction. If you love the fashion world but don't have the patience for needle and thread, a career in the fast-paced and exciting fashion biz is still possible ... read on.

So you want to go out on your own, what's first?

You've always admired fashion designers and their ability to design trendy, unique and wearable fashions season after season, as if by magic. But it's not magic; it's a business. And to succeed in business, nobody is an island (meaning that everyone needs a little help to accomplish his or her dreams). And it's not all glitz and glamour. Being a fashion designer means you have to actually run a business.

Before you print up those business cards, ask yourself if you're prepared to roll up your sleeves and tackle the not-so fun aspects of fashion.

At first, running a fashion business could mean fulfilling orders yourself (i.e., packing boxes until the wee hours of the morning), steaming clothes repeatedly during fashion shows, and bookkeeping. You could spend only a small percentage of your time actually designing; instead you're networking, schmoozing and negotiating with suppliers and vendors.

If you're planning to take the direct-to-consumer path, you'll have to create a website and maintain it (and most likely have to pay someone to handle these tasks), get a merchant account to process credit card transactions and manage charge back cycles. If you're not interested in learning what these things mean, then you may decide to work for a large fashion house to learn the ropes.

But if you have the endurance and enough friends with skills or services you can trade for, you could go out on your own and succeed. Today is the age of entrepreneurship, why shouldn't you get a piece of the pie?

Why Fashion Shows Are Reaching Out To Everyone And Not Just The Elite

Now I'm sure that you know what a fashion show is but have you ever been to one? Most of you probably think that fashion shows are only for the rich and I will admit at one time that was mostly true but of late I have seen that change immensely. These fun functions have been geared more for the Rich at "Heart" as well as the Rich of pocket book. So if you enjoy fun, fashion and your own piece of the fashion world then get out and partake in one.

"Why should I attend a fashion show?" Well you don't exactly need a reason to attend one as long as you remember that they are for everyone and anybody. And if your feeling uneasy and have a fear of the unknown join some friends and attend one or better yet go alone and gather up the fashions for you while making new friends. Need other suggestions, read on

You may not wind up making any purchases from the numerous designers carrying their latest trends but one thing for sure is you will learn what is popular and selling. And this alone is a great reason to attend especially if you own or run a clothing store, fashion store or even a clothing accessory store. You'll want to make sure your stores are selling what is selling nationally and locally and stocked with the latest fashions. Attending any fashion show can help improve your business, by becoming the store that is sought after for stocking the styles and fashions most wanted in your area.

Is Fashion Your Passion? Make Fashion Your Career

Do you live and breathe fashion? Would a career in the fashion industry suit your style and aspirations?

For fashion enthusiasts, a career in fashion might be the ideal job; an opportunity to influence society and change the way a nation dresses for the day and evening. Read on to see which branch of the fashion industry might be right for you.

Fashion careers are essentially of two types - those in fashion design and those in the sales and marketing side of the industry (fashion merchandising). You can further customize your specialty by choosing to focus on a particular style or kind of garment.

Other fashion niche opportunities include costume design for TV, film and theater productions; personal stylist positions with high-end department stores and private clients, fashion photography; and modeling work for everything from newspapers ads to strutting the catwalk in Milan or Paris.

But to turn your passion for fashion into a lucrative career you need more than just the ideas and enthusiasm; you need technical and industry expertise to turn your creative energies into saleable apparel.