Drawing The Fashion Figure
By James Vincent
To draw a good fashion figure the body must first be placed under the clothes.
The figure given in this lesson is not nude, but is ready for underclothes, bathing suit, dress, suit, or a coat.
If you draw the complete figure carefully under every garment, you will have no trouble when drawing a bathing figure, or one in underclothes although busy artists merely sketch in the figure without finishing parts that do not show in the finished drawing. This is a saving of time for one who knows how.
The dress form conforms to the shape of the human figure.
Fashion figures vary as style changes, but figures seven (7) to eight (8) heads high are typical. The figure must be slim and graceful. If too stout it will not look right.
Proportions of The Figure
The figure measures seven (7) to eight (8) heads high.
The neck is about one-third (1/3) the width of the shoulders.
The waist measures less than the shoulders.
The legs join the body at the center of the figure.
The knees are less than half (J) way between this point and the feet.
From the shoulder to under the arm is one-half (i) head or less.
The waist is about one and three-quarter (If) heads down from the chin.
The arms bend opposite the waist, reaching down to the center of the figure, while the hands extend below this point.
The standing line (or fine of support) is an imaginary line from the pit of the neck to the standing foot. This line must be parallel with the edge of the paper.
The foot is about the length of the head.
The hand is as long as from the chin to above the eyebrows.
In this position the standing hip is high while the other one is low, both of the hips being above the middle of the figure.
The relaxed leg may be placed anywhere, but must extend from the hip and not from the knee, which would give it a knock-kneed appearance. See line of direction for the hips, also sketch of the nude hips.
If the figure were balanced evenly (on both feet) the line of support would fall between the feet. See Lesson XVIII.
The legs must join the body at the center and on the center line of the figure.
In the three-quarter view one sees considerably more of one side than of the other.
In fashions there are very few strictly full front faces, but many are almost full, being turned slightly.
The head is often turned in the opposite direction to the body; this lends grace to the figure.
When drawing hands, keep them the same size, also be careful to have the feet mates.
Drawing The Figure
Place the figure nicely on the paper; commence at the top, and swing in the correct oval. When this is done, measure down seven or eight heads to the standing foot, making a mark where the foot comes. Remember the standing line must pass through the ball of the foot. This takes but little time and can be easily erased if the figure does not fill the given space nicely.
If incorrect, begin again by redrawing the oval the proper size. Do not draw the features until the whole figure is swung in correctly.
Mark off the waist line one and three-quarter heads down, draw the shoulders, the bust, the standing hip, and one long line down to the standing foot, which is on the action side. Keep in mind all proportions and swing in the figure, using these spacings as guides.
Figure Drawing for Fashion Design
Fashion Glasses
Top 3 Tips on How to Choose Fashion Glasses
By Jim Kirk
There are a lot of choices for fashion glasses today, so in this article I will show you how to choose the right fashion glasses just for you. There is not much difference in the lenses, so I will concentrate on mainly the frames. The first tip is to choose the type of frames material, but popular choices are titanium and aluminum that looks classier than plastic ones.
The second tip is to choose the right color for your frame. There is a good technique to narrow down the choices. First, determine your skin color. If you have whitish or yellowish facial skin, your skin color is cool. If you have tanned, brown or dark skin, then your skin color is warm. If your skin color is cool, choose bright silver, blue, or green. If it is warm colored, then choose red, orange or gold.
The final tip is to determine your face shape. If your face is round or square shaped, choose narrow frames. Avoid round frames especially if you have a round face, else it will make your face seem even rounder. If your face is oral shaped, choose wider frames. If your face is heart shaped, choose a frame that is rimless, else it will distort your face shape.
My advice is to totally get rid of your eye wear altogether. I now have perfect vision in my right eye and near perfect in my left. I have searched for natural ways to improve my vision, and have found one that actually works for me. Do check out the scientifically proven, natural and easy way to improve your vision, without burning a hole in your pocket.
Fashion Merchandising Program
Online Fashion Merchandising Courses-A Convenient Path to a Fashion Career
By Amy Wells
The Internet has revolutionized education. Distance and online learning is one of the fastest growing segments of the educational field. If you are thinking of attending fashion school for a fashion merchandising degree or certificate, you may want to consider an online fashion design program. These online programs have evolved and are more comprehensive and sophisticated to meet student needs.
As a fashion merchandising student, you'll learn the nuts and bolts of fashion design and marketing. You'll study the whole cycle of fashion creation, concentrating primarily on the manufacturing, buying, selling, and promotion of items to retail and other outlets. You'll also learn about the actual textiles that create fabrics, and their manufacture.
There are many advantages to studying fashion merchandising online. You will have a more flexible schedule, and can study around your job, or other responsibilities. A great way to get even more prepared for working in the field is to take a fashion-related job while you are attending school online. This will help you get real world fashion experience that can enrich your online education, and help qualify you for your fashion merchandising career once you graduate.
There are a number of schools that offer online programs. Many respectable and respected fashion campuses also offer an online component. Its better to enroll in an online program that is well-known and has a presence in the fashion industry. Many schools offer a two year associates degree or a certificate, and some schools offer a four year bachelor degree. Whatever degree program you choose, you want to make sure that your online program has the appropriate accreditation, so that when you graduate, your achievement has merit in the industry, and is recognizable.
Another factor to consider is the job placement assistance offered after you graduate. Most schools will have statistics regarding the number of graduates working the fashion merchandising industry. Before you enroll, you should review the school's job assistance program, and make sure it is comprehensive as possible.
A fashion merchandising career is one of the most flexible and varied in the fashion industry. Once you have achieved your diploma or certification, there are a wide variety of positions available. You could work in retail as store manager, or store owner. You could also work as a fashion buyer, merchandiser, fashion event planner, and that is just a small number of the variety of positions available.
If you live too far away to attend an on campus fashion school, or need more flexibility with your schedule, an online fashion merchandising program may be a good fit for you. More and more schools are catering to the needs of their students by offering online degree and certificate studies, and there are now a number to choose from. Your fashion career could be just a few mouse clicks away.
Ladies Clothing
Dressing For Any Occasion - Ladies Country Clothing
By Rob Small
Ladies country clothing has seen a growth in popularity in recent years. What was once only associated with the gentry or country set has successfully made the crossover into mainstream fashion.
Although you can still buy your country attire from specialist clothing retailers, many high street fashion outlets now stock country clothing items. Designers are inspired by the classic timelessness of the outdoor sporting look and this has been translated into many of the garments available for purchase nowadays.
Country dress allows the wearer to look and feel good while at the same time it helps to keep the elements at bay. Several styles are now seen to be must-have items for any woman's wardrobe and with recent developments into the conventional marketplace, you only need to pay high street prices.
Women who love outdoor pursuits such as hiking, camping, fishing or shooting all need apparel to keep them warm and dry. Perhaps the most important purchase to start with would be a coat. Whether you opt for a heavy waxed jacket with a waterproof coating and fleece lining or a light shower-proof mackintosh, you can find the ideal garment whatever the weather conditions.
You can buy coats with removable fur trims and hoods, made from breathable materials. Some come with a plethora of pockets to store your essential items whilst keeping them dry.
Shooting jackets usually come with elasticated storm cuffs, which will keep the wind out. These over-garments are made in a vast array of up-to-the-minute colours, and poly-cotton linings add an element of comfort and style.
If you are looking for a pair of trousers to add to your ladies country clothing range, you could go for a traditional pair of breeches or jodhpurs. These are comfortable, warm and perfect garb for a chilly day. Made of durable materials, they are lightweight and easy to wear.
Should you want to vary your look why not team up a woollen sweater with a gilet? These sleeveless, often quilted garments are not restricted by the season as they vary in thickness and so can be worn all year round.
A wardrobe staple is definitely the fleece, especially when worn as one of several layers. It is very practical and fashionable, and can be purchased in a large variety of colours and styles. Some zip up the front while others slip over the head. Whether you purchase one made from wool or synthetic fibres, they offer the female wearer functionality and comfort.
Any lady who loves her country clothes will need to ensure she accessorises appropriately too. Thick socks are a must in cold weather and a pair of leather gloves and a woolly hat will finish off any winter look.
It is also worth considering what you wear on your feet. Expect to pay more for a decent pair of wool lined walking boots but feel reassured that they have been manufactured to high standards and will last the distance.
If you cannot see what you want in your local clothes store, you will find many sites online that also specialise in country attire, stocking a huge variety of items such as hats, scarves, shoes, coats and jumpers. They are easy to find, convenient and you can often pick up a bargain if you take some time to shop around.
Gone are the days of deerstalker hats and green waxed jackets being confined to those attending a shooting party. Ladies country clothing is now designed to be worn daily, to be durable and to meet the needs of the fashion conscious woman.
Fashion Sandals
Ariat Sandals - Mules and Clogs - Fashion and Comfort
By Harry Bernstein
Ariat Casuals - Modern, Stylish, and Comfortable
Ariat - From Boots to Shoes and Sandals
Ariat is a boot and shoe manufacturing company founded in the early 1990's to provide quality, stylish footwear. Initially focusing on the equestrian community, they pride themselves on supplying the most technologically advanced footwear to the professional and amateur horse rider. Over the years, the company has increased it's product line to include casual shoes and sandals in addition to riding boots. Today Ariat products are sold in locations all over the world to everyone from the celebrity fashionista to the working class rancher, as well as Olympic level riders.
Adding Technology to Traditional Design
The company Initially hired "footwear engineers" to develop a point of difference in the market place, and add technological improvements to the way riding boots had been manufactured for centuries. Although these design changes do make the boots, shoes and sandals more costly, you are definitely getting a higher quality product.
Bringing Casual Footwear to the Market
Within the last few years, Ariat has introduced a line of casual shoes, bringing several styles of mules, clogs and sandals to the consumer market place. These casuals feature the Ariat patented Advanced Torque Stability - ATS technology. This design utilizes a series of cushions and supports to provide unparalleled comfort and stability to your foot, improving your posture and reducing wear and tear on your whole body.
The following styles are available from the Ariat line of casual footwear. They all come in a variety of colors in each style.
Ariat Sandals
• Women's Bridgeport - Open Toe, modern, casual
• Women's Annie - Open toe, light weight
Ariat Mules
• Women's Richmond - sleek yet sophisticated casual
• Women's Nikkie - western style mule
• Gable - light weight and sophisticated
• Manitoba - equestrian styling
• Shasta - comfortable, fashionable
• Women's Juliette - J toe style mule
• Women's Carson - Sophisticated J toe style
• Women's Calgary - detail and fashion
• Santa Cruz Mule - classic equestrian details
Ariat Clogs
• Women's Arch - stylish with western details
• Malibu - zipper side for ease
• Dawson - details and style
• Strathmore Clog - extremely detailed styling and stitching
As you can see, Ariat provides something for almost everyone in their line of casual footwear. Which ever pair you choose your are sure to get quality shoes which are not only good for you, but will also compliment the most fashionable outfits.
If you are looking for a wide selection and great deals on Ariat Sandals please feel free to visit our Western Wear and Tack online store where you will find Ariat Sandals, Clogs, Mules and a wide variety of western fashion.
LA Fashion
La Senza Strapless Bras - Much More Than Amazing Fashion Engineering
By Sofia P.
Have you just found the perfect strapless wedding or evening gown? Lucky you. Do you have a bra to match? Yikes! Don't worry. La Senza offers a complete line for every occasion. Discover the La Senza strapless bra collection.
Want full support in a strapless, but think it's impossible? Think again. The La Senza Multiway Strapless Bra offers full support, and adds oodles of style. Molded cups offer a smooth line for the ideal look for that new gown. Get the sexy black. Let the sexy be all you with the nude. In any color, your problem has just been solved.
But there's more than one way to skin a cat, no? The La Senza Multiway Strapless Air Boost Bra does that without harming a single animal. Bring out the animal in your special person with removable air pads. Get fullness and shaping the way you want. Let the deep plunge front feature your natural assets in the loveliest way possible.
Some designs are Especially For You, like the so-named strapless bra. This lovely model features delicate fine dot pleated mesh lace overlaid with floral lace at the cups and bustline. Studded with pearl and gold, you can't help but feel rich in this model.
The La Senza Dreamshapers Clear Wing Backless Strapless Bra model creates a dream shape with almost nothing at all. Underwire offers comfortable, reliable support in a bra that features all you. Ideal for that backless gown you couldn't resist.
Been wishing for a strapless bra that looks lovely as it gives support? The La Senza Wishful Strapless Balconette Bra model is your dream come true. More than amazing fashion engineering, it's supremely stylish. Ornate floral lace covers ivory cups with satin trim. Removable air pads give you more fullness when you want, slip out easily when you want to shine through.
Clever you, you've just found the perfect backless gown with a plunging neckline. Oops. What to do about the bra? Going without isn't your style. Slip into the Invisible Front and Back Bra model. Enhance your cleavage invisibly thanks to clear straps that never spoil the view.
La Senza has created the most invisible look yet with the Dreamshapers Self Adhesive Bra in nude. This unique design has no back strap, but detachable clear shoulder straps are right there for those halter-style gowns. Now you can slip into that backless, strapless gown with confidence.
The La Senza ITEC Strapless Bra is one-piece, seamless, and stitchless. How is that possible? Microfiber material is laser cut to create a bra that is truly a single piece of lingerie. The straps can be worn in five different ways for complete versatility, or removed entirely.
There's more to the ITEC than brilliant fashion engineering, though. Sleek and sexy black glossy material starts the style race. It zooms off with gel push-up pads for fullness and lovely shaping. Sophisticated scalloped edging brings you across the finish line first.
Fashion Software
Get Fashion Design Software and Design Clothes Like a Pro
By Ilse Hagen
Fashion designing is not all fun and glamor, but a little bit of technology can make it so much easier. A good fashion design software (computer aided) can help every type of designer -- even amateurs -- execute professional-looking designs. Thinking of using one? Here's a starter kit.
What exactly can a fashion design software can do for you?
Although a computer program will not necessarily make you the next Chloe Dao or the next Santino Rice, it can help you expand your fashion creativity and help you design faster, so you can get more work done.
The best fashion design software allows you to play around with a range of colors, fabrics, and cuts, without necessarily having to buy the entire material. This allows you to save a lot of time and money, and allow you the freedom to experiment with different combinations without spending too much.
What should you look for in fashion design software?
Good clothing design software allows you to create 2d or 3d renders of your design for editing or experimenting. It also allows you to print, upload, and share the designs via email. Some software allow you to replicate real 3-D fabrics on the screen so that you can visualize them as close to reality as possible--and see your design in different colors and cuts. This type of software usually has a database of different fabrics, textures, and prints. Most of them also have update options that let you add new fabrics and patterns to your database.
Buying tips
Picky Guide has a complete guide to fashion design software. Picky Guide is one of the fastest growing online magazines giving free consumer advice and product information.
Fashion Marketing and Management
Online Popularity of Fashion Marketing Articles
By T Nelson 
Fashion marketing articles give an insight into the zeitgeist. Such content is drafted keeping in mind the taste and tone of the reading audience over the web. Readers include young generation, office going people and the like. Before you actually indulge in their marketing, you need to keep in mind before you indulge in it is that you should have good and compelling content for submission. If you don't have it, you have failed in first step itself, let alone the money making scheme which you'd aimed from day one. You cannot wage a war without the ammunition. And the same is true out here as well!
Such content largely aims at business, advertising and the fashion panorama in general. However, do keep a track that you have submitted in top 5 ratings otherwise, you would not be able to get the rank in the top listings category. Fashion Marketing Articles requires you to submit the text in the web based article directories. When you go in this manner, you are borne with the potential to make you rich and popular. With thousands of submission directories lurking out there, you should be able to roar high and make the lead name in just matter of time.
Search engine crawlers are always on parole to get the feel of such food- keyword rich content- and here's your business done just the way you wanted. Fashion Marketing Articles is a smart idea of making your fashion oriented website high and rich. Going in this manner, you ought to be wary that your content is original. It should have all the clear ideas arranged in place and order.
What's more, latest content management tools will provide the vogue text services such as inclusion and management of new web pages, page caching, awesome template descriptions, RSS feeds, polls, forums, news flashes and the list is endless. Fashion marketing articles make use of innovative online tools such as the Plone, CMS made simple, Mambo etc have given a new definition to the whole concept. The tools are continually evolving and giving an extended affordability to the online marketers.
Top Fashion Colleges
Top Fashion School - Do You Have What It Takes to Get Into One?
By Jessica Bradbury
Part of the beauty of deciding to go into the fashion industry is dreaming about getting into a top fashion school. Every future fashion designer or aspiring student of fashion has dreamed of attending one of the top fashion schools in the nation at some point or another.
It just so happens that dreaming about something and making it happen are completely different things these days, and it takes a special person to push themselves to that limit in the first place.
How Are Your Grades?
All too many aspiring students make the mistake of thinking that grades not matter when it comes to getting into the top fashion school of their choice because they are not applying for interest on a traditional college or university. Things are actually quite to the contrary; getting into the top fashion school in the nation is going to require a great deal of smarts and dedication and intelligence, and good grades are a reflection that a potential student has all of those qualities and more.
If you are not used to having to work hard to get good grades, there will be no success for you at a top fashion school. A fashion school is an art school, and an art school is a type of postsecondary education where degrees are given out once studies have been completed. If you are trying to get a degree, it is important that you do as well as you possibly can to earn good marks and learn everything you can.
How Are Your Skills?
Let's face it, just because you didn't going to a top fashion designer school does not mean that you actually have talent. Just because you can style yourself in the morning to school does not mean that a career in fashion industries for you. Perhaps you should be a business owner or a celebrity ensemble artist. People with no artistic skills whatsoever are probably not going to do that well in a top fashion school atmosphere, so is important to keep that in mind.
If you can't draw but you dream of going to a top fashion school, perhaps you should consider a business in fashion marketing or fashion business; design just may not be your forte. That's perfectly okay.
Getting into a top school is about more than wanting to do so. It's about having the drive and the skill and the grades necessary to make the cut. Even people who have all of those qualities and more may not be successful. Only a small fraction of students actually become successful designers, but more than likely attending a top fashion school can help you find your personal niche in the fashion industry.
Fashion PR
Choosing the Right Public Relations (PR) Firm - 5 Helpful Tips
By Allison Kugel
If there is one industry that has become overly saturated these days it is the field of Public Relations. It seems that PR Firms are cropping up faster than weeds, and the process of sorting through the slush to choose a public relations company of quality can be a daunting and overwhelming process, to say the least.
This article offers you 5 helpful tips that can hopefully make the journey of choosing a PR Firm or a publicist a little bit easier and more streamlined, so that you can get the most bang for your public relations buck, and actually see a return on your investment.
Five Tips For Choosing The Right PR Firm For You
1. Size - Are you seeking a large corporate PR Firm, a mid-size firm or a small or boutique firm?
The question I pose is not a black and white one. The answer to this question must be determined by several things. Your budget, how much hand holding and personal attention you require, how far you want your public relations outreach to be, and your desire for a team working on your account or for just one or two ambitious publicists working on your account. Large corporate public relations firms generally charge between $10,000 and $20,000 per month for their basic retainer services, so budget is a huge factor here. To a company like Microsoft or Johnson & Johnson this is a drop in the bucket. But to a small or medium sized company that type of fee is far out of reach. The benefits of a large national and sometimes international firm is the wide reach your brand can achieve, a large team working on your account, a large pool of other clients who are with that firm from that your company can possibly network with and benefit from. These large firms generally have a ton of experience on their side. Many of these large PR Firms are 20, 30 or 50 plus years old. The downside of these large firms aside from the hefty monthly fee is the amount of bureaucracy and red tape involved in the day to day functions of the company, and unfortunately this can often lead to smaller clients falling through the cracks. Another minus to working with large PR Firms is the lack of personal touch and attention, which is fine for established companies but not as good for start ups, small and medium sized companies who require more nurturing, more brand development and other complimentary services like writing and basic marketing assistance.
Smaller public relations firms tend to offer monthly retainers that can range anywhere from $7000.00 all the way down to about $2500.00 depending on how much overhead that firm has, their level of experience and expertise, their particular public relations niche, their contacts and how much time they plan to devote to your account. Most PR Firms out there tend to fall into the mid-size, boutique or small category and are also very effective at doing their job.
2. Ignore the Hype and Look at a Public Relations Firm's Portfolio of Work!
I cannot stress this enough. In perusing some colleagues' websites recently I was shocked to observe that some of these websites have flashy graphics, catchy promotional copy about their services, and glossy images but NO examples of their media placements, marketing case studies, writing samples... nada! Where is their work? Don't fall for public relations firms that are all flash and no substance. Always, and I mean always look to see if their website is packed with examples of past projects, past examples of media placements and other examples of work created by the firm. Look over the work that is displayed on their website and when speaking with a representative from that public relations firms ask them to elaborate on their body of work. Some great questions:
What media placements are you most proud of? How was that media placement achieved by your firm? What is your firms biggest strength? Can you tell me some of your contacts in the media? Can you give me some marketing case studies? Some public relations case studies? What sets your firm apart?
3. Make sure you are a match: Assessing values, vision and creativitiy
The above sentence is pretty self-explanatory but I will elaborate. This publicist or pr team will be your brand ambassador. You want someone whose values reflect your own values. You also want to be sure that your publicist understands, appreciates and shares your vision for your company or organization. If a PR Firm wants to pitch your beauty brand as an elite, untouchable, prestige brand and you want your beauty product to speak to the every-woman, showing her how beauty can be accessible to all women, then that publicist may have a vision that is not in line with yours and things will likely go from perplexing to downright tense. A good trick is, when speaking to a potential publicist ask him or her how they see your product, who they think your audience/demo is and how they envision positioning the product to the media and to potentiial consumers. Don't expect them to go into too much detail before really delving into the product line, but they should give you a basic pitch that falls in line with your o
wn vision. If not, move on.
4. Are you in it for Website traffic, magazine placements, TV appearances? What is it you want? Be specific!
Don't be shy about what it is you want. Why are you searching for public relations services in the first place? Really sit down and think about it. And don't be shy about your needs. Is your main objective to build a strong targeted online following to drive quality traffic to your website and convert visitors into sales? Is your main objective someone who can write outstanding copy for your business like press releases, articles, pitch copy to send to media outlets, etc.? Is your main objective to become something of a personality and expert in your field and to build a resume as someone who makes appearances on television news programs giving advice to promote yourself as a brand and an expert? Figure out what your goals are and choose a PR Firm that is strong in your area of interest.
5. Location, location, location
In the age of email, fax machines, long distance phone plans and inexpenseive air travel the location of your public relations firm may not matter to you... or it might. Do you want lots of face time with your publicist or do you not care if your publicist is in Timbuck Tu as long as they can get the job done, and get your company press coverage? Everyone's comfort level with location is different and there is no right or wrong. If you are looking for entertainment public relations you may set your sights on a PR Firm that is in Los Angeles or in New York. If you are an up and coming Internet company you may find value in a San Francisco based PR Firm. Fashion, New York may be the way to go for you, unless your fashion line is a range of swimsuits; in that case a Miami PR Firm could be the right fit. Looking to attract the Latin market, again, Miami could be the key for you.
Or, you may simply look for a public relations firm with a rolodex of contacts in a particular city or industry, regardless of their brick and mortar location.