Jewel & Jewel

What one imagines when thinking of an eco-political “green” t-shirt is generally neither visually appealing nor stylistically stimulating- the perennial clip-art squeezed globe with a recycle symbol around it comes to mind. Yet the means by which an eco-friendly message impacts the world is usually largely due to innovative design. Spreading the “green” message should not mean giving up on style.

Recently, new breeds of t-shirt designers are emerging who combine fashion forward sensibilities while being ecologically and socially considerate as well. “We’ve taken extra effort to design our clothes without cheap shot political messages or cheesy catch phrases,” says Joe Maluso, president of Brand of the Free, a family-run business that prides itself on its ethically-aware message.

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Kenneth Cole had the right idea with their Holiday 2008 collection, which they presented in New York. Here’s the prescription: Keep the regular fall wardrobe of cozy shawl knits, simple smocked jersey tops and little black dresses and when holiday party season rolls around, just add a jolt of jewel toned color in the form of a smart round toe patent leather pump or flat, or a chic envelope clutch bag.

Starting with dark grays and inky blacks as their base - something that Kenneth Cole knows will never go out of style - for Holiday 2008, the collection added fuchsia, teal and cherry red sweaters, tops and dresses for a more festive look, if accessories alone won’t get you in the spirit of things.

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UAE. Dubai Fashion Fiesta, one of the most awaited annual fashion events in Dubai and a ‘mega event’ in DSS 2008, is all set for a glitzy opening this Thursday 24 July, as fashion celebrities, well-known models, and trend-setting international designers gather at the World Trade Centre. During the four-day event, 11 designers and fashion labels will present their collections on the ramp.

Laila Suhail, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Shopping Festival said: “Dubai Fashion Fiesta is a prominent fixture in the list of fashion events that have contributed to reinforcing Dubai’s status as the fashion hub in the region. As a Mega Event in DSS this year, the DSF Office is endeavouring to organise, host, and support similar events that add to Dubai’s unchallenged position in the region’s fashion industry.”

Celebrated designers and labels for this year’s Fashion Fiesta include Deanoor (Italy), Ritu Kumar (India), Preeti Chandra (India), Larisa Karts (Holland), Deeya Nanda (India), Falguni & Shane Peacock (India), Dia (UAE), Jessica Joyce (Holland), SARV Atelier (India), Mystic Mantra (India), and Amato (UAE). The highlight on the first day will be the collections of Zahara Mohammed, who presented her collections at the Miami Fashion Week this year. 

Launched to bring together designers, buyers, and fashion enthusiasts, Dubai Fashion Fiesta or DFF is slated to attract wide media attention due to the inclusion of high profile participants. The larger aim of the fashion extravaganza is to contribute in promoting Dubai as the fashion hub in the region.

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Mariah Carey, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce and Rihanna will perform at the fifth annual Fashion Rocks concert celebrating the relationship between music and fashion.

The event will be held Sept. 5 at Radio City Music Hall, and will air in a two-hour special on CBS the following night. Proceeds will benefit Stand Up to Cancer, a program established by the Entertainment Industry Foundation to raise money for cancer research.

Also performing: Keith Urban, Chris Brown, Kid Rock, Fergie, Lil Wayne and the Black Eyed Peas.

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Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N) presented a colorful, casual line of youthful looks for kids and teens at a fashion show that previewed the mass-market chain’s new low-cost offerings for back to school.
The world’s largest retailer has been careful not to accentuate the fashion quotient in its clothing offerings this year ever since a disastrous push into more stylish gear in late 2005 alienated its core customers looking for basics.

Still, the company’s presence at the Fashion on the Square runway show in this city’s posh downtown Union Square was a nod to the importance of youth trends when it comes to selling apparel.

This year, Wal-Mart is focusing on key seasonal items for families, and showcasing young women and girls’ denim brand l.e.i. from Jones Apparel Group Inc (JNY.N) and surfer brand Op, which it has licensed from Iconix Brand Group (ICON.O).

Little girls in jeans and T-shirts with pink ribbons in their hair sauntered down the runway.

The image of Hannah Montana, the popular Disney television character who is a student by day but a pop star by night, emblazoned many T-shirts, whether sparkly pink, bright fuchsia, or adorned with images of silver and gold guitars.

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For one night, Berlin could safely claim that it was the center of the fashion world. It was just about the only time that the city, an aspiring fashion hub and perennial economic also-ran, could make such a claim.

A rare dash of ostentation arrived for Berlin’s fashion week, which ended Sunday, in the form of a new fashion award sponsored by the German edition of Elle magazine and Mercedes-Benz. The event had been brought “quite consciously” to Berlin, the capital of Germany, according to Sabine Nedelchev, the magazine’s editor in chief.

“Germany needs a fashion capital,” she said during her presentation.

With the German supermodel Claudia Schiffer handing the top prize to the top German designer Karl Lagerfeld on Saturday night, it was easy to imagine that Berlin had arrived at just that point. That is, until one remembered that the German edition of Elle is based in Munich, that Mr. Lagerfeld works in Paris and that Ms. Schiffer lives in England.

The city has been something of a paradox since reunification, known for its creative energy but also for its high debt and unemployment. Dubbed “poor but sexy” by its mayor, Klaus Wowereit, Berlin hopes that creative industries like fashion could be the solution to its chronic economic woes.

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Mercedes-Benz has been committed to fashion for over a decade, establishing itself as an experienced partner of major international fashion platforms. The Stuttgart-based automaker is the title sponsor of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Weeks in Berlin, New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Mexico City, and supports numerous fashion events in Milan, Stockholm, Amsterdam and elsewhere in the world. “People are interested in the things that connect them to their personal lifestyles. This is why we’ve been aiming for years to present the Mercedes-Benz brand within the lifestyle environments of our target groups. Fashion is one of those environments,” says Dr. Olaf Göttgens, Vice-President Brand Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars.

The Mercedes-Benz brand has epitomized European luxury goods for generations. Just as in the case of, for example, Armani, Chanel and Dior in fashion – and Tiffany in jewellery or IWC in watches –, Mercedes-Benz is synonymous with premium class automobiles. This reputation is anchored in the heritage of a brand whose high-society appeal dates from the beginning of the last century. True to its name’s Spanish meaning of ‘charm’ or ‘grace,’ Mercedes has always proved its worth through the advanced technology and timelessly elegant design of its vehicles. In fact, even the first automobile to bear the Mercedes brand in 1901 took the market by storm with its extraordinary design. Ever since, the Mercedes-Benz brand has been the embodiment of automotive excellence. Firmly established among international luxury brands, it is also a hallmark of exclusive living.

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Adrenalina, a new innovative retail entertainment destination designed for extreme sports enthusiasts, announced that the Company has signed exclusive licensing agreements to sell Adrenalina-branded children’s footwear and fragrances. Both product lines will be available at national and international retailers, as well as Adrenalina stores.

“We are delighted to expand Adrenalina’s profile, and believe that our ability to attract international licensing deals reflects the strength of the Adrenalina brand,” said Jeffrey Geller, president of Adrenalina. “With over 1 million people visiting each of our stores per year, a popular television program and three magazines, Adrenalina is rapidly becoming the ultimate extreme sports brand.”

Adrenalina has agreed to a five-year licensing contract with children’s footwear company, Kinderland, Inc. The Miami-based company will create girls and boys shoes in various athletic styles with a concentration in skate shoes and fashion sneakers. Kinderland’s top brands include Giorgio Armani Juniors, Pliner Jrs, and Venettini.

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