Fashion Merchandising Degrees

This Halloween, don’t settle for animal ears and a funny t-shirt. Be creative and show your friends just how spooky, silly or sassy you can be. Here are 10 Halloween costumes to die for:

• Comic book character
  You really can’t go wrong with a classic Batman, Spider-Man or Catwoman costume for Halloween. If you want to be a more recent comic book character, get an Iron Man or Watchmen costume for extra coolness.
• Lady Gaga
  Give your friends your best poker face in a Lady Gaga Halloween costume this year. Get studded sunglasses, a platinum blond wig, a body suit and you’ll have the perfect Lady Gaga costume.
• Vampire
  Vampires are so hot right now, especially around Halloween. This versatile costume can be as simple or as original as you like. If you want to do a couples costume, be Bella and Edward or Jacob. You can also do a 2-in-1 costume and go as a vampire cheerleader, vampire nerd or vampire bride and groom. Take a bite-err-stab at this classic Halloween costume!

• Cast of Jersey Shore
  Gather your friends and pump your fists as the cast of Jersey Shore for this Halloween. It won’t be hard to dress like these guidos and guidettes, but be sure to wear your sunglasses at night and inside, put on your best Ed Hardy t-shirt and get ready to dance!
• Avatar
  Transform into an avatar this Halloween. If you want to be an avatar from the movie, you’ll want to wear a blue body suit, blue body paint, dreadlocks wig, and, if you’re feeling risky, wear yellow contacts to complete the avatar movie look.
• Toy Story characters
  Find your inner kid and dress up as Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Mr. Potato Head or one of the other lovable Toy Story characters. Many of these character costumes can be found packaged and ready to go.
• Justin Bieber
  Prepare to have girls swooning over you in your Justin Bieber costume. To pull of this little heartthrob’s look, you’ll need to comb your hair down, wear a baseball hat backwards, a hoodie and straight-leg jeans. Also, carry around a microphone and serenade girls with Bieber’s songs.
• Michael Jackson
  You can’t go wrong dressing up as the ‘King of Pop’ for Halloween. Jackson’s Thriller outfit is one of the most recognizable looks and it’s easy to pull off. If you can’t find the packaged Thriller costume, look for a shiny red jacket and matching pants, black loafers, a black, curly-haired wig and one shiny glove to complete the look.
• Politicians
  Dressing up as a politician is always a crowd pleaser on Halloween. Barack Obama, Sarah Palin and Bill Clinton are just a few of the popular politicians you can imitate from head to toe.
• Pirate
  Whether you go with a Captain Jack Sparrow costume or a more traditional look, pirates are a fan favorite among the Halloween costumes. Don’t forget to talk the part and say things like, ahoy, arrr and aye matey!

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Overspenders, also called shopaholics or compulsive spenders, are people who spend beyond their means and often fall into debt because of their irrational spending. Sure, we all deserve a nice dinner or new pair of shoes every now and then, but overspenders struggle to say no to these types of purchases every day. Check out these 10 signs of overspending to see if you fit the bill:

• You buy items you don’t need and never use
  If you can’t shut your closet door or make room in your garage because of the stuff you buy and never use, you may be an overspender. Whether it’s clothes, shoes, electronics or cookware, you are likely buying things you don’t need and won’t truly use. Once these items pile up, they lose importance and become just stuff you enjoy buying.
• You charge more than you can realistically pay
  Maxing out your credit cards and spending more than you can afford are clear-cut signs of overspending. Spending above your means is not healthy, because you are digging a hole of debt that will be hard to get out of if you don’t have the money to pay up.
• You hide your purchases and feel guilty or embarrassed for irrationally spending
  If you hide purchases from your partner, family and friends, and argue with them over your spending habits, you may be an overspender. When the people closest to you notice your irrational spending, they will often interject and urge you to change your habits. You may feel guilty or embarrassed for spending more than you can afford, which shows you’ve gone too far.
• You obsess over money
  If you go to bed and wake up thinking about money, such as how much you’ve spent, how little you have or what you want to buy next, you may be obsessed with money and spending it. With money on your mind and debt piling high, you may become frustrated, stressed and depressed, causing you to spend more money to feel better.
• You have 5 or more credit cards open in your name
  Plastic is far easier to spend than cash, which may explain why you have five or more credit cards in your name. The more credit cards you have, the easier it is to spend more and spread out your purchases, but the harder it is to manage multiple cards and pay all of them. Besides, if you aren’t paying your credit cards, it doesn’t matter how many you have open because your credit score will be in shambles. Limiting your amount of credit cards and paying each one off, will help deter the temptation to overspend and allow you to get ahead of your debt.
• You ignore paying your bills or only pay the minimum amount
  Unopened or unpaid bills are a bad sign of overspending, because it shows you are incapable of making payments or don’t care about having debt. Nothing good comes from this kind of denial. Not only are you ignoring your fiscal responsibilities, but you are putting yourself in a load of debt and a future of credit problems. In addition, only paying the minimum payment for your credit cards is not going to help your credit or overspending problem. Instead, you are likely to continue spending freely, while the debt rises and your issues persist.
• You are out of money by payday
  If you find yourself living paycheck to paycheck, you are overspending. This is a dangerous habit because you have no cushion for emergencies, and if you lose your job you’ll be completely broke. Living paycheck to paycheck prevents you from saving money, and makes it difficult to get ahead or pay off growing debt.
• You use credit cards to pay for everything, even when you have cash
  Instead of taking out cash or using the money you have on-hand, you insist on using your credit cards to buy even the smallest purchases. Putting all of your purchases on credit cards creates a false sense of financial security because it lets you keep cash in your wallet, while ignoring how much you’ve actually spent. Carrying cash and using it on smaller purchases will give you a physical, realistic idea of how much money you’re spending on a daily basis, and if you are in fact an overspender.
• Your checking account is frequently overdrawn
  Credit cards aren’t the only form of payment you can get into trouble with. Overdrawing your debit card and bouncing checks are other signs of overspending. Whenever you use a debit card or write a check to make a purchase or withdrawal for more than the amount in your checking account, you’ll overdraw and subsequently receive an overdraft fee for having insufficient funds. Over time, overdrawn accounts can be shut down and unpaid overdraft fees will be turned over to collections.
• You pay off debt but feel urges to spend freely again
  You haven’t learned your lesson if you pay off debt and want to start spending irrationally all over again. This cycle of overspending is not healthy because you can easily fall into debt again. Getting out of debt is difficult, but it does not mean you should reward yourself by splurging. If you feel urges to go on a spending spree even after paying off debt, you may be an overspender.

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If your child is about to go back to school and you have to make that dreaded run to the mall to buy new clothes then one great reason to delay is to take advantage of tax-free shopping that some States offer.  You can effectively skip the sales tax which results in instant savings on items that are needed for school like clothing, computers, and related items.  You better believe that the stores will be packed with other people trying to get in on the savings and it’s easy to see why.  Who doesn’t like skipping sales taxes?  It’s great for customers and a huge financial win for local stores.  There are rules and we have done our best to define them below by State for you (hope you are not seeing this too late):

• Alabama

  Aug. 6-8; clothing-$100, computers-$750, school supplies-$50, books-$30

• Connecticut

  Aug. 15-21; clothing and footwear-$300

• Florida

  Aug. 13-15; clothing and books-$50, school supplies-$10

• Illinois

  Aug. 6-15; clothing, footwear and school supplies-$100

• Iowa

  Aug. 6-7; clothing-$100

• Maryland

  Aug. 8-14; clothing and footwear-$100

• Mississippi

  July 30-31; clothing and footwear-$100

• Missouri

  Aug. 6-8; clothing-$100, computers-$3,500, school supplies-$50

• New Mexico

  Aug. 6-8; clothing-$100, computers-$1,000, school supplies-$15

• North Carolina

  Aug. 6-8; clothing-$100, computers-$3,500, other computer-$250, school supplies-$100, instructional materials-$300, sports equipment-$50

• Oklahoma

  Aug. 6-8; Clothing-$100

• South Carolina

  Aug. 6-8; clothing, school supplies, computers and other school-related equipment are exempt from the sales and use tax.

• Tennessee

  Aug. 6-8; clothing-$100, computers-$1,500, school supplies-$100

• Texas

  Aug. 20-22; Clothing, backpacks and school supplies-$100

• Virginia

  Aug. 6-8; clothing-$100, school supplies-$20

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We’re all a little spelling challenged at times. But if you find yourself stumbling over the same words again and again, there are ways to improve your spelling without studying a spelling book. Here are 10 tips for the spelling challenged:

• Read
  Reading text of any sort will exercise your brain and memory, while improving your spelling. When you’re faced with an unknown word, you may phonetically sound out the word and examine each letter and its placement.
• Write
  Writing can deeply improve your spelling. Whether you are typing up an essay, blog entry or e-mail, chances are you’ll use a word processing program that has a spell-checker of some sort to correct any misspelled words. When it catches a mistake, look at the incorrect word, remember your misspelling and study the correct spelling. When you handwrite documents, proofread and use a dictionary if you are unsure.
• Play Word Games
  Playing crossword puzzles, word finds and hangman are not only fun, but they can enhance your spelling as your become more familiar with words and remember how they are spelled.
• Play Board Games
  Board games like Scrabble and Boggle test your spelling by creating words with the letters you’re given. Playing board games let you have fun while learning, and the best part of it all is that you won’t think you’re actually practicing or studying words. Even your opponents will teach you new spellings as you compete.
• Game Shows
  Even watching game shows can improve your spelling, like Wheel of Fortune, where contestants spell our words to solve puzzles, and Jeopardy, which quizzes contestants’ knowledge on a variety of subjects. Each show is different in their purpose, but they allow viewers, like you, to think ahead, practice your spelling, enhance your vocabulary and overall knowledge.
• Go to School
  Whether you’re studying to get your GED, nursing degree or taking a foreign language class for fun, being immersed in academia and exercising your brain regularly will help your spelling. Chances are you’ll have to write essays, give presentations and take examinations that require correct spelling.
• Get a Dictionary
  Dictionaries are the best guides for learning a word from pronunciation, spelling to definition. You’ll probably never subject yourself to studying a dictionary, but it’s a good idea to keep a pocket dictionary on-hand when you get stumped on a spelling. If a dictionary weighs you down, try using an online dictionary or download a dictionary application on your phone.
• Master Words One at a Time
  No matter what tools you use to practice your spelling, they won’t help a bit if you don’t practice. But, don’t bog yourself down with 20 words a day; master one word at a time. There are various way to test your spelling, such as having a friend quiz you, make a word of the day and test yourself and write on your mirror or wipe board a word that you want to master and don’t erase it till you do.
• Spell it Out Loud
  If you’re more of an audible learner, saying and spelling a word out loud may be the key to learning it. This is usually more challenging than writing out a word, hence spelling bees, but if you can spell out loud, you’re golden.
• Proofread
  Every person should proofread their work, especially those who are spelling challenged. Proofreading will teach you the correct way to spell words, and get you into the habit of checking every document, making corrections and learning from your mistakes.

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For an aspiring fashion designer, getting your designs noticed is one of the biggest hurdles to overcome in this extremely competitive industry. Like all artistic trades, it takes years of experience and training to develop fashion designing and manufacturing skills used in the market. Luckily, there are several opportunities for designers of all ages and backgrounds to enter their designs, have them judged and get noticed as fresh talent. Here are 10 tips for getting your fashion designs noticed:

• Academic Training
  
  In order to take your fashion designs to a professional caliber, academic training may be necessary. Most apparel design programs consist of art, fashion drawing, manufacturing and other relevant subjects that will teach you industry specific skills and prepare you for a career in apparel design. Fashion design programs are offered at four-year universities, community colleges, as well as art and design institutes. Once you undergo the necessary training to develop and enhance your design skills, you will have a portfolio of designs that will help you get your first fashion job and noticed as a young designer.
• Internships
  
  From fashion merchandising, fashion showrooms to fashion PR internships, Free Fashion Internships posts several internship opportunities at big name designers around the country. Most of these internships are geared toward college students who need the internship credit for class, as well as working professionals and those who want to expand their fashion design skills. Some are paid internships and others are not, which is irrelevant to the knowledge you’ll gain from working with a fashion designer, the relationships you’ll create and the experience that is key to getting your name out there.
• Fashion Jobs
  
  Very seldom do people become fashion designers right out of college, therefore, it is important to find fashion jobs that will help launch your career as a fashion designer. There are a wide variety of occupations in fashion, such as sales representative, buyer, stylist and merchandiser, that allow you to work with designers and manufacturers on the creative and business aspects of apparel design. There are several online job sites for careers in fashion, like Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) career site, which posts highly-
  desired fashion jobs in fashion-forward cities.
• Competitions
  
  Depending on your level of skill, you may want to enter local or state competitions first, and work your way up to regional, national and international competitions as your design skills increase. The annual international competition, ITS Fashion Competition, features talented, young fashion designers who want to have their designs noticedacross the world. There are also competitions that offer full or partial scholarships to fashion institutes, such as The Art Institutes’ Passion for Fashion Competition. This annual competition is geared toward high school graduates, who are looking to study fashion design, fashion marketing, merchandising and retail management.
• Fashion Shows
  
  In order to get your designs noticed, you have to start small sometimes. An easy way to accomplish this is to host or enter a local fashion show. Hosting a fashion show that features your designs can be done on a shoestring budget. Rent out a local venue, school gym or open your house, invite the whole neighborhood and use your friends as models. You never know what kind of connections you’ll make, and who might want to promote your designs. The same can be said for entering into a local or regional fashion show, to feature your designs and scope out your competition.
• Networking
  
  Networking in person is sure to get your name out there, but if you don’t know anyone in the fashion industry or with connections, then you might want to start by using social networking sites, such as Facebook and MySpace. These sites allow you to create your own profiles, where you can upload pictures of your designs, post events and tell the world about your potential as a fashion designer. Let the chain of befriending help push your name and designs throughout the Web.
• Blogs
  
  Starting a fashion blog is a surefire way to get your designs noticed. Not only do you have the freedom of writing about your designs, styles and influences, but you can also post pictures of your designs and sell garments online. There are several free blog services, such as Google’s free Blogger, which is simple, easy to use and a great starting point in your journey as a fashion blogger and designer.
• YouTube
  
  What better way to share your fashion designs than to broadcast them on the ever-popular video platform, YouTube. Here, you can show your designs and market your skills, while letting viewers in on who you are, what your style is and why you should be noticed. You can also videotape your competition garments, runway shows and your design process and share it with fans.
• Sell Your Stuff
  
  Let your designs get noticed and sold on fashion marketplaces, like Etsy, which sells handmade or vintage apparel, accessories, art and supplies made by independent designers. This international marketplace connects you, the designer, with consumers who are looking for one-a-kind pieces. Selling merchandise on online marketplaces is a quick way to develop clientele and see what consumers enjoy most from your collection.
• Dress Your Friends
  
  Dressing your friends in your own designs is one of the easiest ways to get your garments noticed. Like walking advertisements, your friends can sport your designs and promote you as an up and coming designer. This practice will capture the attention of the public and get people talking about you and your clothes. With friends on your side, you can count on them to talk-up your designs and spread the word about your potential as a professional designer.

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You remember them, you probably wore them, so get ready, because fashion styles of the past may make a comeback soon. We all know that fashion repeats itself, for better or worse, but some styles are worthy of another go round. Here are 10 styles that desperately need to make a comeback:

1. Leisure Suits
   Leisure suits weren’t staying alive for long, but this ’70s fad could easily make a comeback based on its comfortable and casual appeal. Leisure suits consist of two pieces: a jacket and matching trousers that came in several bold colors and groovy patterns. Men were often seen at discothèques, golf courses and even in some workplaces wearing leisure suits. Shortly after its peak in popularity, leisure suits were deemed too casual for the workplace, but with some fresh updates, leisure suits could come back just as strong and successful as their first go round.



2. Stirrup Pants
   Stirrup pants were a fad of the ’80s, and one that could easily be brought back. With all the pluses of flexible spandex and knitted fabrics, as well as an elastic strap that fit under your heels, stirrup pants are a cool twist to a basic pair of leggings. The stirrup is mostly a decorative addition, but it also helped keep the tapered look in place and is useful when wearing boots. Women of all ages could keep this beloved ’80s look going, by pairing stirrup pants with oversized sweaters, belted shirts and flats.



3. Skorts
   For the active girl, skorts were a perfect choice. Skorts are a combination of shorts and skirts, hence the name. Some skorts look like skirts all around, but have shorts underneath, while others look like skirts from the front and shorts from the back. While golfers and tennis players still sport skorts, all women could benefit from having a casual skirt that has the comfort of shorts.



4. Pillbox Hats
   A pillbox hat is a small women’s hat that was popular from the 1930s until the 1960s. A traditional pillbox hat has a flat crown and straight sides, and is made with felt or another sturdy material. These small formal hats were typically pinned on the head to stay put and many came with veils or fine detailing. Jackie Onassis was famous for wearing pillbox hats and making them a popular fashion statement. Much of today’s fashion emulates old-fashioned, formal wear, in which the pillbox hat could be the perfect fit for the modern woman.



5. Suspenders
   A forgotten accessory, suspenders, without a sports coat, was a fashion statement of the ’80s and early ’90s. Suspenders help keep your pants up, in addition to creating a laid-back touch to a semi-formal look. Suspenders quickly became popular among men and women, especially TV stars like Steve Urkel from Family Matters and Robin Williams from Mork & Mindy, whose bright colored suspenders added to this nerdy, but popular trend.



6. Leg Warmers
   Leg warmers were a rad accessory in the ’80s. These soft, footless socks were first worn by dancers, because they were thought to keep their lower calves warm and prevent muscle cramps. Leg warmers’ popularity skyrocketed when aerobics videos and dance-crazed movies like, Fame and Flashdance featured them. This iconic accessory was typically worn with workout gear, tennis shoes, heels, leggings and anything funky, which would be easy to pull off with today’s fearless fashion.



7. Crop Tops
   Crop tops weren’t totally short-lived; they actually survived much of the ’90s. These mini shirts were best paired with a little waist and a lot of confidence. Crop top are a versatile piece of clothing that could easily make a comeback with summer on the rise. Sorry fellas, but leave the crop tops to girls.



8. Trucker Hats
   Although trucker hats have been around for decades, and are known by actual truckers and farmers as “gimme caps” for their promotional origin, these hats didn’t become trendy until the early 2000s. Once musicians and actors started wearing trucker hats, the fad caught on with American teens and young adults. Trucker hats are made of foam and plastic mesh, with a slightly curved bill and plenty of room to personalize. Trucker hats, while funky and flashy, should make a comeback for their coolness and affordability.



9. Overalls
   Think back to the days of rolling up the pant legs or wearing one strap on your favorite pair of denim overalls. The relaxed fit, durability and casual appeal of overalls are what made this clothing item a favorite amongst men and women of all ages. They were first worn by construction workers, farmers and railroad workers to protect themselves and their trousers when doing laborious work, but later became a fashion statement in the ’60s, ’70s and most of the ’90s. Denim overalls offer comfort and practicality, two necessities missing in much of today’s clothing.



10. Leotards
    The same leotards you saw in gymnastics and aerobics classes were being worn by women in the ’80s and ’90s as street wear. They were often worn with pants or jeans to create a tucked-in look, and paired with crop tops or tights for that exercise-chic style. While the leotard was mostly phased out in fitness wear by sports bras and shorts, there is no reason why this extremely versatile item can’t make it big again.

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Fashion influences the masses in ways we cannot totally comprehend. From the haute couture styles of the runway to the trendy looks of street wear, fashion encompasses art, personal expression and individuality in a world of monotony. Those designers who are deemed influential, have made clothing lines that were avant-garde, original and set trends that have withstood the test of time, while paving the way for future designers. In no particular order, here are the 10 most influential fashion designers:

• Ralph Lauren
  (October 14, 1939 – )
  Whether it’s the signature Polo horse or the embroidered RL, Ralph Lauren is arguably the most widely recognizable label in American fashion. The preppy casual look of Ralph Lauren’s Polo shirts, denim and Hampton-esque pieces were Lauren’s recreation of English aristocracy and the sporty elite. Much of his original collection included classic tweed suits for men and feminine tailoring for women that exemplified classic American clothing and timelessness. Since his debut in the late 1960s, Lauren has expanded his label to include fragrances, jeans and children’s lines, as well as a home accessories collection of towels, linens, furniture and paint to make him a true household name around the world.



• Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana
  (September 13, 1958 -, November 14, 1962 – )
  Dolce and Gabbana are arguably the most powerful and renowned designers within the industry. This dynamic Italian duo is revered for their classic, glamorous collections using traditional elements, such as corsets, gangster pinstripes and black pantsuits. Dolce and Gabbana are committed to making sharp, flattering and trendy pieces that celebrate curvaceous female forms and thrill their celebrity and average clients alike. It’s their innovative ability to transform simple garments into shockingly sexy and luxurious pieces for men and women.



• Vivienne Westwood
  (April 8, 1941 – )
  British designer, Vivienne Westwood, is the woman responsible for bringing you punk fashion. During the 1970s, Westwood began designing outlandish garments using lots of leather and skin-tight materials, safety pins, chains, spiked dog collars and other nontraditional fashion elements that imitated the clothing of bikers, prostitutes and fetishists. Her rebellious, grunge collections became popular among punk rock musicians and youth and has retained its popularity ever since. Westwood truly broke the mold when she introduced modern punk into everyday street wear, and continues to do so today with shocking, cutting edge designs for women and men.



• Gianni Versace
  (December 2, 1946 – July 15, 1997)
  Gianni Versace was an Italian fashion designer and international icon, whose brand remains undeniably powerful and influential even after his tragic death. As the founder of Versace, Gianni began creating glamorous, ready-to-wear styles for women, as well as his trademark siren dresses that were seen on celebrities and royalty alike. He was also known for his innovative approach to combining art and fashion, by using unconventional materials like aluminum mesh and fused leather and rubber. Throughout the years, Versace had expanded his line to include menswear, couture jeans, accessories, home collections and much more. After his death, sister Donatella Versace stepped in as creative director, while his brother Santo Versace became CEO and Donatella’s daughter Allegra Versace took ownership of 50 percent of the company, as wished by Gianni.



• Gabrielle Bonheur ‘Coco’ Chanel
  (August 19, 1883 – January 10, 1971)
  Coco Chanel was a pioneer of luxurious, sophisticated women’s clothing. From little black dresses to her famous suits, Chanel created timeless pieces that continue to influence women’s fashion today. Her clothing broke the mold just as much as her independent spirit, by incorporating elements of menswear with materials that were both feminine and comfortable. After Chanel passed away, designer Karl Lagerfeld took over the company to carry on the trendsetter’s vision and keep it fresh for years to come.



• Christopher Bailey
  (1971 – )
  Christopher Bailey is the chief creative director of Burberry and the mastermind behind the company’s advertising, corporate art direction and designing of Burberry collections and lines since 2001. Burberry is most widely recognized by its distinctive checkered pattern that garners much of the collection, which also happens to be one of the most copied trademarks in fashion history. Bailey has helped expand Burberry’s classic, tailored look by adding more contemporary elements and simplifying the line, while maintaining the orderly tradition and British style that is Burberry.



• John Galliano
  (November 28, 1960 – )
  A leader in haute couture, John Galliano has taken runway fashion to another level of fine artisanship and rich storytelling. This London native is the current chief designer of France’s couture flagship, Christian Dior, and the former chief designer of Givenchy. Galliano is revered for his romantic, theatrical designs that use exotic colors, dramatic lines and feminine bias cuts. He has changed the face of modern dress through thematic storytelling and characterization, in addition to making ready-to-wear pieces that offer beautiful, feminine silhouettes.



• Marc Jacobs
  (April 9, 1963 – )
  Marc Jacobs has influenced fashion in more ways than one. In addition to the success of his own line, Marc Jacobs, and his diffusion line, Marc by Marc Jacobs, the American designer is also the creative director of the French design house Louis Vuitton. Jacobs has helped further the success of Louis Vuitton by designing its first ready-to-wear line, and collaborating with other designers to create new, youthful accessories for this timeless brand. Jacob’s designs are simplistic and understated, by using muted colors and classic cuts that cross multiple genres and styles. The international success of Marc Jacobs continues to grow, with his expanding line and chic collections that keep customers coming back for more.



• Vera Wang
  (June 27, 1949 – )
  Vera Wang is one of the most well-known names in the wedding industry for her high end bridal gown collection that incorporates luxurious fabrics, fine detailing and a modern twist on classic designs. In addition to her highly praised bridal collection, Wang also designs to ready-to-wear womenswear that exudes sophistication, sensibility and couture-like quality. The award-winning and cutting edge designs of Wang have stood the test of time and have made her a household name, as she adds new label collections, fragrances, beauty products, as well as home fashion items like crystal and China collections, mattresses and silverware to her name.



• Giorgio Armani
  (July 11, 1934 – )
  Giorgio Armani is one of the most successful Italian designers of all time, specifically for revolutionizing menswear. With more than 10 lines under his name, Armani has developed everything from haute couture, jeans, winter sportswear and diffusion lines that are excusive to the United States. Armani is also revered for his use of men’s wear elements, such as unstructured jackets, tailored lines and suits in his womenswear collections. It’s the effortless elegance and sophistication of his tailored garments that make him an international trendsetter and leader in the fashion industry.

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There’s no better way to understand fashion merchandising and the retail industry, than to attend a wholesale market, tradeshow or showcase in a fashion-forward city. These retail venues allow wholesale buyers and store owners to purchase clothes, accessories and other items in bulk at lower prices. Once these items arrive at boutiques and other retail stores, the owner will mark-up the price to cover freight, tax and, of course, make a profit. Depending on the event, some wholesale markets require attendees to be registered retail buyers or instead pay a public entrance fee. If you’re serious about fashion and a career in fashion merchandising, then these markets are for you! Here are 10 haute wholesale clothing markets to visit:

• Dallas Market Center
  
  Come see what “Big D” has to offer for hopeful buyers or sales reps at the renowned Dallas Market Center, the world’s largest wholesale marketplace. Comprised of four buildings: World Trade Center, Trade Mart, International Floral & Gift Center and Market Hall, this megaplex host various shows for latest names in women’s and men’s clothing, accessories, shoes, home furnishings, bridal gowns and more.
• California Market Center
  
  Los Angeles is one of the most fashion-forward cities in the nation and California Market Center (CMC) makes it possible to get thousands of premier apparel and décor collections at wholesale prices. The CMC is home to Los Angeles Fashion Market, Los Angeles Majors Market, L.A. Kids Market, Transit: The Los Angeles Shoe Show and more markets to fit your retail needs.
• fame.
  
  New York City’s fashion trade show, fame., is a leading exhibitor for junior’s, young contemporary and women’s apparel and accessories. This trade show puts upcoming designer labels on the map, in addition to pulling consumer favorites, like BCBGeneration and Steve Madden. Take your pick from one of the many show dates happening in the fall, winter or summer, and while you’re in “The Big Apple,” check out AccessoriesTheShow and Moda Manhattan, which run concurrently with fame.
• PROJECT LAS VEGAS
  PROJECT is a bi-annual fashion event that is held in Las Vegas and New York. This apparel market features hundreds of contemporary brands and trend-setting looks that have both national and international appeal. PROJECT largely pushes sportswear collections, denim and casual apparel, created by new and established fashion designers. This niche fashion market has received high attendance during the past seven years of operation, and it’s one you don’t want to miss.
• AmericasMart Atlanta
  
  Located in the ever-growing and prospering Atlanta, AmericasMart provides a centralized location for regional and national retail buyers to get brand name clothing and accessories at wholesale prices. From women, men’s and children’s apparel to home furnishings and gift items, Atlanta’s AmericasMart is the place to be for purchasing affordable, diverse and trendy pieces. This market place has more than 2,000 showrooms and 4,000 temporaries, with new designs arriving daily.
• Women’s & Children’s Chicago Apparel Market
  
  Specializing in women’s and children’s apparel, the Market features fall and summer previews of the latest trends in women’s and children’s clothing, accessories, maternity wear and gift items. The Market is located in the Chicago Apparel Center and offers everything you’d expect from the Midwest leader of fashion and more.
• Miami International Merchandise Mart
  
  The Miami International Merchandise Mart has more than 300 showrooms with merchandise at unbeatable, wholesale prices. Miami Mart has a wide selection of women’s, men’s, juniors and children’s apparel, as well as gifts and decorative items, accessories and shoes. Local, national and international retail buyers flock to Miami Mart for the huge selection of wholesale items and the promise of immediate delivery.
• Boston Collective
  
  Interested in opening a menswear store or adding men’s clothing to your boutique? Then, this is the tradeshow for you to visit. Boston Collective, located in Boxborough, Massachusetts, gathers several exhibitors, who carry hundreds of leading brands in men’s sportswear, outerwear, denims, knits, tailored clothing, hats and more.
• Brussels International Trade Mart
  
  When you think of high fashion, Brussels, Belgium, may not be the first place that comes to mind. To the contrary, Brussels is at the forefront of European fashion with Trade Mart Brussels, the largest wholesale trade center in Europe. This sprawling marketplace includes approximately 1,500 permanent showrooms, 650 exhibitors and at least 2,700 brands of trendy apparel and home decorations.
• Texworld USA
  
  For a truly awe-inspiring and eye-opening experience, all fashion merchandisers should pay a visit to the Texworld USA event in New York City. This is the largest sourcing event for apparel fabric buyers, product development specialists, designers, merchandisers and international sourcing professionals. Fabric manufacturers and mills from around the world gather at this fabrics trade fair, in order to display their collections to small and big name designers and other industry professionals.

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Have you ever wondered what famous people did or looked like before they were famous? Here are 20 pictures of Lady Gaga, long before she was Lady Gaga, back when she was still Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta.

Lady GaGa was born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta in Yonkers, New York in 1986. Prior to becoming famous, Germanotta performed at Ultraviolet Live, New York University’s annual talent show. The first song she performed was “Captivated,” the second, “Electric Kiss.” Germanotta placed third in the competition. She began her career at age 19, while still performing under her birth name. She was signed by Def Jam records that year, but was dropped by them after three months without recording for the label. In 2007, she began performing as Lady Gaga in performance art shows on the Manhattan club scene and began to get noticed. Akon took notice and signed her to his label Kon Live in association with Interscope Records, where she worked as a songwriter, while planning her recording career. Gaga released a single “Just Dance,” in April, 2008 and an album The Fame in August. “Just Dance” became a dance club hit before debuting on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in August, and eventually reaching number one in January, 2009. Her following single, “Poker Face” was an even bigger hit, quickly reaching number one on charts in the United States and internationally.

Take a look at 50 Lady Gaga Outfits That Get Her Noticed

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Lady Gaga has taken not only the music world by storm, but the fashion world as well. She is able to go from simple outfits to ones that most would consider to be wild and out there. Here are 50 of those outfits that have helped her get noticed in a world of entertainers.

Nearing the young age of 24, Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta more commonly referred to as Lady Gaga has rocketed to global fame is under two years. Playing piano by ear from the age of 4, she proceeded to write her first piano ballad at 13 and began performing at New York clubs at the age of 14, she has now recently thrashed Billboard’s record as the first artist to have her first five singles each reach number one.

To add on to that achievement, she has already earned two Grammys, and has sold over eight million albums as well as over thirty-five million singles worldwide. Some try to attribute her success to her peculiar outfits and her outlandish live performances on stage however the bulk of the credit needs to be directed towards her marketing team.

Her team is devoted to building a loyal fan base and they know precisely what they are doing to cultivate a community of evangelistic fans. Despite your opinion on her music, there’s something to be learned from her marketing prowess and the usage of social media to interact with her fans.

1. Be sure to take your brand into your own hands rather than outsourcing from the start

Before you even consider delegating tasks to somebody else, ensure that you yourself understand what you are doing. In an article produced by AdAge, it was quoted that all parties which work with her on her label, management as well as marketing teams cite Lady Gaga herself as the ultimate brains behind most of her creative and social media ideas and techniques.

“When you’re dealing with someone as good as Gaga, a lot of it is how to stay the fuck out of the way,” said Steve Berman, Universal Music’s president of sales and marketing. “Gaga has worked tirelessly in keeping up daily if not hourly communication with her fans and growing fan base through all the technology that exists now.”

2. Share your brand with and through your audiences

Rather than calling them ‘fans’, Lady Gaga calls them her ‘Little Fame Monsters’, named after her album “The Fame Monster. She took that a step more by tattooing ‘Little Fame Monsters’ on her arm and then shared the picture over Twitter to her fans. It was also noted that, Lady Gaga only restricts professional photographers from capturing her performances rather instead she allows her ‘Little Fame Monsters’ to record and distribute videos of her live performances on YouTube unlike some artists.

3. Shape your brand into something greater than yourself

During her Monster Ball Tour, Lady Gaga recited the “Manifesto of Little Monsters” to dedicate her success to her loyal fans. This might seem strange but most of her fans took it positively.

On a different note, she religiously calls a fan inside the audience during her live performances. She dials the number onstage, the fan who was called is then located and flashed onto the big screen. Now that’s how you make your fans feel like rock stars.

It remains to be seen whether or not Lady Gaga’s prowess will have staying power but one thing’s for sure; she has definitely made waves in the music business and teaching marketers a few things.

So what do you think about Lady Gaga’s future? Will she still be the pop icon she is now or will she lose steam and gradually lose mass appeal?

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