Primark is a clothing store that originates from Ireland, but now primarily operates in the United Kingdom. There are roughly 125 stores in the UK employing nearly 26,000 people (it is easily comparable to Target in the USA). UK consumers are now demanding what is known as ’fast fashion’. In other words, once luxury designers have runway shows, consumers expect the lower cost high street shops to stock similar mock items. Stores such has H&M, Topshop, and Primark (to name a few) are in a race with each other to get the items made and delivered to the stores for immediate purchase by consumers.
Last night the BBC had a program called Primark: On The Rack. Recently there have been major concerns and criticism against the company in regards to its supply chain in India. This BBC program was aired yesterday to expose Primark and tell the public the truth about who is actually supplying the company’s clothing. It is important to note that in every Primark store there are signs throughout stating that all of the clothing is creating using completely ethical and fair trade/labor practices.
Undercover reporters found that there was unethical labor and child labor practices in three of Primark’s subcontracted factories in India. Not just that, in the slums of India, outside the factories children were hand sewing clothing in unsightly working conditions such has in streets, basements and kitchens of homes. The footage was very disturbing and the BBC let Primark know about their findings in which Primark’s response was “Under no circumstances would Primark ever knowingly permit such activities”. Primark has since claimed to have halted business with those suppliers.
There are many movies that have influenced me in regards to my style. As I have said before, I was obviously born in the wrong decade because most of my favorite movies and styles came out of the 1950s and 1960s. Actually, I couldn’t have been born in a more dreadful decade as far as style goes, the 80s. I don’t care what anyone says either: shoulder pads, acid-stone washed jeans, teased hair, fish net stockings (and the list can go on) are all wrong and not by any means fabulous. The only good fashion trend then was leggings, which thank goodness they made a comeback because they are very comfortable, but even in the 80s they were wore completely wrong…Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda I guess!
Anyway, here are some of my favorite fashionable movies.
I don’t know what it is about resort collections, but I love them. Probably because the clothes remind me of a Caribbean holiday. Isaac Mizrahi showed his new collection this week and it was full of pastel colors. The colors in a way remind me of the icing on the cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery in NYC - Yum! The designer himself even told Vogue that “color is the most important luxury in a woman’s life.” I would have to say that a nice holiday, or chocolate, or diamonds, or shoes are the most important luxuries in a woman’s life, but whatever…
I began my morning with a cup of coffee and Fashion TV. A beautiful Haute Couture collection was shown: Grimaldi Giardina Spring Summer 2008. I really don’t know much this dynamic designing duo so I decided to google the brand. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of information about them and as I continued to search the pages of google, most of the websites were in Italian, which doesn’t help me much.
What I can tell you is that the designers are Antonio Grimaldi and Sylvio Giardina. They are based in Rome, but frequently show their collections in Paris. In fact they are very well known in Paris. Grimaldi Giardina’s designs are mindblowing and bring the true meaning to Haute Couture. In a way, some of the dresses reminded me of my favorite Haute Couture designer Zuhair Murad.
Anyway, here is the video of the fashion show that I watched a few hours ago.
AND…if anyone has anything to add about Grimaldi Giardina I would be very interested to hear what you have to say.
I am very sad to announce that Yves Saint Laurent, one of the worlds most influential fashion designers, has passed away. He died at home last night in Paris. After nearly a lifetime of battling depression, his illness became worse and he became more reclusive. The cause of dead has not yet been released to the public.
Mr. Laurent was the mastermind behind creating elegant pantsuits for women. He took chances with his designs and ended up transforming the fashion industry forever. Yves Saint Laurents collections are timeless and what proves his talent is that his designs are now considered classic pieces and are still copied by designers today, decades later.
The fashion world has suffered a great loss today, Yves Saint Laurent will be greatly missed and remembered.
Thanks to a website called whatsmineisyours.com. This site lets you list those items in your unwanted wardrobe and in return you will get items that you would like from somebody else’s wardrobe. Basically, it’s fashion swapping and proves the meaning behind someone else’s trash is someone else’s treasure!
This summer is all about bright colors and crazy prints, and according to the runway shows clashing your bright colors this season is okay!
Versace, Jil Sander and Emilio Pucci have all chosen bright colors for their latest s/s collections. The trend I love the most? Gorgeous neon pinks, oranges, and yellows that look beautiful with a tan!
Pictures starting from the left: Jil Sander, Jil Sander, Versace, Monica Vinader ring
Sand In My Toes is the perfect place to find everything you need for your beach wardrobe. Their online store is very easy to use and I nearly spend 40 minutes looking at all the items. What I love about the website is that it has a section at the top called ’stylist’ which gives advice on the lastest trends this summer. You can even shop by swimsuit style which makes it much easier to find the right swimsuit for your body type.
There is everything to love about this store, it is this summers one stop shopping experience.
A great handbag completes a woman’s outfit so this summer complete your beach look with a stylish beach bag. Personally, I need a beach bag that is big enough to fit everything I need (sunscreen, sarong, book, magazines, sunglasses etc…) This summer there are many bags to choose from and their prices can range from $10-$1000. Here are some ideas! To purchase these bags, just click on the pictures.
Accessorize
Debenhams
