Kazia Jaszkiewicz
Nhi Py
Izzy Bea
Robbie W
Mikko Puttonen
Are affluent Chinese consumers willing to travel just to shop?
It appears the biggest spenders, generally from tier 1 cities like Shanghai and Beijing, will go directly to Paris, NYC or Geneva to buy luxury goods. Many luxury buyers also flock to Hong Kong, the shopping mecca that's much closer to home. Going abroad (including H.K.) makes sense because of high Chinese import taxes on luxury goods, better selections, authentic goods, and better customer service. Of course, there is the prestige factor or the bragging right that you purchased your LV handbag from Paris.
In France, Chinese tourists surpassed all other nationalities as the biggest shoppers according to a recent French government survey. As a result, French travel companies are developing more shopping programs for the Chinese.
More Chinese are traveling abroad for business and for leisure, a result of the economic boom, growth in personal wealth and ease of travel restrictions. Even with the recent global recession, the Chinese tourists traveling abroad rose 5% in 2009 to 42.2 million from 7 million in 2001. Their total spending jumped 16% to $42 billion in 2009 from 2008. While the majority travel to Hong Kong and Macao, their growing presence is seen around the world. Analysts considered the rapid emergence of Chinese tourists as the most significant thing occurring in global tourism for a generation.
"Before 2003, the only destinations outside the Asia-Pacific area to which the Chinese government allowed its citizens to travel for leisure were Turkey and Egypt. Since then, Beijing has approved almost 100 countries as tourism destinations. The US was approved in June 2008 but only for citizens in a handful of China's largest and most prosperous areas."
According to surveys, the favorite activity of Chinese tourists is shopping and they like traveling in tour groups. Most are not concerned where they stay and prefer to save on accommodation so they can spend more on goods. "This is partly a cultural thing - I'm absolutely expected to bring back gifts for family and friends when I go abroad - but it is also because things like Hermes bags are just not available or are much more expensive in China," says Yvonne Du, a young professional who regularly goes on shopping trips to the US and Europe.
Reinforcing this shopping mentality is the fact that tour operators make more if tourists shop and therefore, they structure their tours packages based on economics. "For now the system is based on commissions earned on the amount of shopping tourists do," says Guy Rubin, managing partner at Imperial Tours in Beijing. "You have an odd situation where a great many outbound tour operators are breaking even or losing money until you factor in commissions for shopping. That means tours usually have to fit in sightseeing between visits to five shops a day.
Finally, Chinese tourists are relatively newbies to traveling abroad. Newbie travelers tend to concentrate on the tangibles or stuff (remember the Japanese and Koreans) to commemorate their trips while more mature or seasoned travelers focus on the experiential aspects of the destination.
Kareen Borgella will be turning heads left and right on December 2, 2010 with the debut of her Spring 2011 “K.Borgella Collection” presented at the New Art Gallery in Midtown Manhattan. The collection will consist of edgy but contemporary pieces for the modern day fashionista.
The “K.Borgella Collection” represents women who want to make a statement; “I appreciate color, I love great fabrics and texture, but ultimately I just want to look and feel comfortable in what I’m wearing”.
Kareen describes her line as “feminine pieces coated with charm and character. Just an instinctive aspiration to create beautiful things for the fashionista”. Styles comprised of everything from evening and cocktail dresses to flowy tops and relaxed pants. There is no doubt that intricate draping was incorporated in the many of the styles. The selection of fabrics, as well as color and texture were given the utmost consideration.
December 2, 2010 marks the debut of Kareen Borgella’s first collection, a destination well deserved and long overdue. Her well traveled road to success has known many successes and accomplishments. Over the past 8 years Kareen Borgella has been technical designer for fashion brands Armani Exchange, J. Crew, Joyce Leslie, and Marc Ecko's Ecko Red, just to name a few.
Kareen's goal was always to design, but learning the technical aspects has contributed to her knowledge of constructing clothes to perfectly fit the body, properly selecting fabrics and implementing different finishes to create beautiful clothing. Her skill set includes everything from designing/development, to dip dye approval, which is effortlessly incorporated within her collection. Dip-dye is a unique and intricate way to design which involves literally dipping and dying the clothing. It results in gradient colors and even patterned effects on fabrics to give them a more elaborate and personalized touch.
The “K.Borgella Collection” debut’s guest list will include New York's top stylist, editors, celebrities, and fashion industry affiliates. Guests will enjoy red carpet access, a runway show, cocktails, V.I.P area. Special gift bags will be available from sponsors Cityslips, We Love Colors, Spa H, and Darcy's Botanicals. “Expect an intimate setting that showcases vibrant colors, rich fabrics and innovated creations. The collection embodies my mind and soul,” says Kareen Borgella.
The K. Borgella brand is a luxury contemporary line for women. The K.Borgella collection represents women who look to make a statement, who love color, great fabrics, and texture, but ultimately women who just want to look and feel good in what they are wearing. The K. Borgella collection consists of edgy but contemporary pieces that will turn heads left and right. Styles comprise of everything from evening to cocktail dresses to flowy tops and relaxed pants.
The third edition of the award-winning Islands of the World Fashion Week will continue the legacy of introducing stunning creations from both established designers and novices in the spectacular setting of The Bahamas. The three-day event will take place November 11–13 at the British Colonial Hilton, Nassau, The Bahamas.
Nassau, Bahamas: In two days, the runway of "Islands of the World Fashion Week" returns to the Bahamas for its third annual parade of fashions from island nations across the globe. This year's event will feature 17 designers from over 6 different island nations including the Philippines, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago and Turks and Caicos. Joining the lineup of island based designers will be famed international designers Jay McCarroll; Season 1 winner of "Project Runway", Oliver Tolentino; L.A. based Filipino designer known as the "Valentino" of the Philippines and celebrity designer and winner of VH1's "Glam God"; Indashio.
As the rest of the fashion world pays homage to Haiti after the recent devastation, IWFW has invited 7 designers from the island to participate in the "Fashion Cares for Haiti: The Relief Benefit Fashion Show". This special runway show will not only display the talents of the islanders, but also expose the potential of the economic growth of the fashion industry within their country. This event which will host Haitian dignitaries and the designer delegates, will take place on Saturday 13th November, 2010 at 7:00pm.
Since its inception, IWFW's presence has grown significantly the fashion world, particularly since the introduction of the newly created "Islands of the World Fashion Tour". The tour which took IWFW 2009 award-winning designers through El Paseo, Chicago and Miami, will conclude the on the opening runway of IWFW 2010.
Mode Îles Ltd, producers of IWFW, are also pleased to announce a new award category, "In Search of the Next Oscar"; a competition that will select the designer capable of following in the footsteps of fellow islander Oscar de la Renta (Dominican Republic), to create a captivating "red carpet" collection. This anticipated segment will be hosted by popular television/fashion celebrity Nick Verreos and will include designers from Turks &Caicos, Dominican Republic and Trinidad & Tobago.
Sponsoring this year's event is King's Realty, Ministry of Tourism, The Montaque Group, American Airlines, British Colonial Hilton and CDM Beauty Division.
Project 2011 will be a great opportunity for models in the fashion business to kick start their career, network with agents, photographers, stylists and people in the entertainment business.
Learn about the career you have chosen at the hands on level and meet the kinds of people you will work with.
Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 28 with excellent physical and mental health.
This sponsored casting will provide all the models the opportunity to pose for professional photographers, for headshots and portfolio shots.
A hint of what to expect for the selected models that will participate in the big fashion tribute to female achievement follows:
The first day of meeting with the selected models will consist of image consultation, manicure, pedicure, hair care and nutritional consultation as well discussions on yoga, Pilates, general exercise and the best care of the whole person. Show preparation will continue throughout 2011 from February onward.
December 4, 2010, wristbands will be distributed from approximately 6:00pm to 7:30pm.
The selected models will be working with some of the top people in the business and will have optimum exposure and publicity throughout the year 2011 and beyond. Their names will be published on social websites , press portals, broadcast newsrooms, and media sites around the world from the first night that they are selected.
The models must be prepared for training in all aspects of the modeling world and bring with them the motivation and desire to do more that just "wear clothing and pose." There is also domestic and international travel involved, as well as meeting with top level people. Confidence, charm, education and ability to speak well are all part of modeling for the future.
This is an opportunity to carry the garment industry into the future, while creating jobs in the present.
The Levi's brand and Pendleton announced the launch of the third collection in the Levi's Workwear Series: Levi's Workwear by Pendleton. This partnership combines the iconic pioneering spirit of the Levi's brand with the authentic craftsmanship of Pendleton for a truly American collaboration. In stores now, the new workwear collection features key items for men, women and the home, and will be available at Levi's retail stores nationwide and at select Pendleton stores.
Collection highlights include a selection of men's and women's Trucker Jackets – each incorporating a unique Jacquard pattern woven exclusively by Pendleton Woolen Mills for Levi Strauss & Co. The Native American-inspired Jacquard design alludes to the signature characteristics of a well-worn pair of vintage Levi's jeans: the indigo hues of denim that's been aged to perfection; the golden yellow thread selected by the original inventor of the blue jean; and the iconic red found in selvedge stitching and the celebrated Levi's Red Tab.
"The idea behind our partnership with Pendleton was to leverage the 'best-in-breed' aspects of both brands," offers Carl Chiara, director of Men's and Women's Brand Concepts for the Levi's Brand, the Americas.
"We started in the Levi Strauss & Co. archives, hand-selecting an assortment of styles from the past. From there, we re-imagined each piece, utilizing the functionality and beauty of Pendleton's superior, woven-in-America Umatilla wool. The resulting collection offers a fresh aesthetic, with each style retaining an authenticity that is bolstered by a thoroughly modern fit and constructed with time-honored technique."
This tightly-edited assortment of coveted styles, the Levi's Workwear by Pendleton collection spotlights the iconic Levi's Trucker jacket for men in two styles. The first, the definitive Jacquard-Lined Trucker Jacket, has been washed down and aged and features a removable Pendleton Wool vest. The Western Trucker Jacket, in an ode to the Wild West comes in rugged Cone denim, and features hand-warming pockets for cold mornings on the range and Pendleton wool insert details for added warmth. Equally pragmatic is the men's workshirt, cut in durable indigo denim twill and reinforced with Pendleton wool panels.
Women get their own convertible trucker jacket, lined with a detachable thigh-length hooded wrap, also made of cozy Pendleton wool. This removable lining can be worn on its own or as part of the fitted denim jacket. The collection also includes a Jacquard-Lined Trucker Jacket, feminine in fit, with a soft wash and a removable button-down Jacquard vest. A stand-alone 100% Wool Pendleton Cape features authentic Levi's workwear details inspired by the company's 1920s "Type I" denim jacket.
To complete the collection, the Levi's and Pendleton brands have produced a limited number of special-edition blankets featuring the exclusive Levi's Jacquard. First used as "Indian Trade Blankets" in the 1800s, Pendleton blankets were later adopted by picnickers, beach bums and workers alike and have become highly sought after by collectors worldwide. The Levi's Workwear by Pendleton blankets are made from the traditional weight 32 oz. wool, with cotton warp, whip-stitch edging in indigo, and come in a commemorative box.
Jim Buckner, manager of Pendleton's Menswear division adds, "The combination of Pendleton and Levi's brands is a match unlike any other. Throughout the last century, these two brands have contributed to the spirit of the West in their own ways. We're both proud companies with deep roots and a profound respect for quality and craftsmanship. Coming together to offer this collection is a celebration of a shared history and a collective future."
The Levi's Workwear by Pendleton collection is the latest endeavor in an ongoing series of special Levi's products and styles that are constructed, finished and manufactured in the United States, using imported materials. Previous Levi's lines in the series include collaborative limited-edition collections developed with Brooks Brothers, Opening Ceremony, Robert Geller, Billy Reid, Filson and Engineered Garments. Now in stores, the Levi's Workwear by Pendleton collection is carried by Levi's Store locations nationwide and in the following Pendleton store locations: The Pendleton Home Store and Downtown Portland, Portland, OR; LaFiesta Square in Lafayette, CA; Old Town Alexandria, VA; and Galleria Mall in Edina, MN.
Today's fashion designers change styles much too fast, partly due to twice-yearly collections, making it harder to create couture that lasts for years, designer Pierre Cardin said on Tuesday.
In Tokyo for a show co-sponsored by a Japanese department store, the 88-year-old doyen of French fashion also said that it is now much harder for designers than when he first started in the business roughly 60 years ago.
"After the war, there were very few designers. Now there are so many designers around the world, in every country. It is impossible to change the fashions every year, every six months," he told a news conference.
"There are lots of designs that are very beautiful, crazy, fantastic on the eyes, but they are not making fashion for tomorrow. You can see it anywhere... but four or five years later, no fashion."
Cardin also said that when he launched his own label in 1950 he was told that what he was doing was "impossible" and that only belief in himself and obsession carried him through.
"At the time I was told that trying to make what I did was like trying to walk on the moon -- impossible. It was my strategy to believe that one day a man goes up," he said.
"My work was like an addiction. That's why I've been able to do it for so long."
Cardin has become a household name on products around the world from couture clothing to alarm clocks. He was the first Western couturier to turn to Japan as a high fashion market in the late 1950s and China in 1975.
The designer was expelled from the Chambre Syndicale -- the monitoring body of Haute Couture in Paris -- for launching a ready-to-wear collection in 1959, but was soon reinstated.
Ochirly online store at weeken.com was launched on November, 3. Consumers can buy its new arrivals online now. Moreover, some favorable discounts are offered.
Ochirly has over 800 stores until the end of 2009. And this number keeps rising. According to sources, the opening of Ochirly online store is the group's first step to expand its E-business.
Ochirly was established in 1999, which was loved by a lot of female consumers. It brings European fashion into China and it is the first brand to put up the idea of “mix and match" in China.
By the end of year 2011 the high tariff imposed on imported Chinese shoe will be called off in Mexico, shoe production in the industry will be reduced by at least 27% by then, said the Mexican Footwear Chamber (CICEG). Therefore a Latin America Footwear Conference was called in Guanajuato to probe the solution.
According to CICEG reports, the current Mexican footwear production is 0.24 million pairs, if the imposing high tariff was canceled the imported Chinese shoes would increase as much as three times within the two years, the Mexican production would drop 27% to 0.175 million pairs, 0.1 million workers may loss their jobs.
During the Latin America Footwear Conference president Armando Martin Duenas of CICEG in Guanajuato asked their government to extend the tariff imposed on imported Chinese shoes to protect their footwear industry and requested to impose certificate of origin on imported shoes.
The countries of Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, Chile, Uruguay, Ecuador, Paraguay and Spain attended the conference.
Cotton price is nearing Rs 1,000 per 40 kilogramme in the country as deals in Mirpurkhas Sindh changed hands at Rs 9,650 per maund Friday.
This is inevitable that the lint prices will touch Rs 1,000 level in the country on more than one count, lint analyst, Shakeel Ahmad said.
Lint production in the country has shown a decline by 17.55 percent according to Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association fortnight arrival report on November 1, 2010.
There was a shortfall of 1.3 million bales in fifteen days arrival of lint by November 1, 2010 as compared to the same period last crop season, Ahmad maintained. China's buying is on full swing due to fall in 2011 cotton output, New York futures are still showing an upward trend and shortfall in crop year 2010-11 in Pakistan is the major contributors to rise in price, he added.
According to US Department of Agriculture, prices have soared 79 percent in New York this year while in Pakistan prices are up by Rs 1,000 per maund within fifteen days, he asserted.
Cold spell in China and hailstorms in Texas damaged crops. China, the world's biggest buyer is forcing mills to import more from major producing countries as the country is already facing a 14-year low production.
China's imports were forecast to rise to 13 million bales this year, from 10.9 million a year earlier. The US is the world's largest exporter that is also running of stocks ?C?C as it already sold its 98 percent crop 2010. Around 2 million bales were destroyed in the recent floods in Punjab and Sindh while millions of tonnes of seed were washed away, he said.
The thunderstorms near the Indonesian island of Sumatra might develop into a tropical cyclone and damage cotton crops in India ?? the world's second-biggest grower, according to weather forecaster MDA Information Systems Inc.
In the domestic market, price soared by Rs 400 per maund in a single trading session Friday to stay firm at Rs 8,900 per maund.
The continuous rising trend in New York future contracts, which recorded a high $1.51 per pound, and increase in export price by Indian traders by 45-50 cents per pound to $1.45 per pound swelled the price in domestic market, Ahmad said.
In international market New York cotton December futures closed at $1.41 per pound, March contracts closed at $136 per pound and Cotlook A Index settled at $1.55 per pound Friday. He said the textile and yarn sector would face a huge financial burden, importing cotton from US, Brazil and other sources.
The 11th Swiss Textiles Award was presented today on the occasion of the first Fashion Days Zurich. Mary Katrantzou from Greece has won the fashion prize presented by the Swiss Textile Federation (Swiss Textiles) worth 100,000 Euros.
Greek-born designer Mary Katrantzou has focused on graphic art to be her area of expertise. She possesses the talent to work with form and colour, which interact in a unique fashion. Her collections are a play on the senses, with unique eye-catching patterns that flatter the feminine silhouette and at the same time express attitude and symmetry. Katrantzou has been described as the «breakout star of the digital print revolution» and has been credited of «moving as fast as pixels and ink jets can be pushed to decorate a beautiful silk dress». Her own jewellery line compliments her clothing with the same play of illusion and effect.
Her successful style is credited to the intensive and diligent textile design education she received and the experience she gathered by working for the Greek designer Sophia Kokosalaki and US fashion house, Bill Blass. Since the launching of her first collection, Mary Katrantzou’s creations are found in 30 countries and are available in over 60 select boutiques and luxury department stores worldwide.
Mary Katrantzou was born in Greece in 1983, attended the Rhode Island School of Design and graduated with a BA, and later an MA with distinction from Central Saint Martins in London. Katrantzou opened the Central Saint Martins show in 2008 and the collection mapped out her signature style. It was themed around Trompe l’oeil prints of oversized jewellery, featured on bonded jersey dresses.
International Jury takes the decision about the winner
The Swiss Textiles Award has grown to become one of the world’s best endowed and most celebrated fashion prizes for talented young designers. The prize money is 100,000 Euros. This sum is intended to provide substantial support for the development of an international career and is not paid out in cash. In cooperation with Swiss Textile the winner will now decide which specific activities he intends to finance with the money (making his next collection, show production, press relations etc.). Some of the amount (10,000 Euros) will be used to purchase Swiss fabrics.
The six finalists had previously been proposed in a nomination procedure by an international team of experts from the fashion world and admitted to compete. This procedure ensures that only designers who meet the necessary quality standard can participate in the event. On the show evening, an international jury chose the winner of the Swiss Textiles Award.
