Ethnic Influences on Apparel

Ethnic influences, mainly non-western patterns & forms, have been part of the fashion conscious consumer's outlook for decades. The use of non western forms and patterns brings many aspects to a piece of clothing, mainly a freshness and global perspective on fashion. This in itself makes one look truly fashionable as we can work differences in fashion into our wardrobe, thus making our wardrobe as a whole different. And as we all know, most of the props always go to the innovators.


When working at Anthropologie, I saw this first hand. Part of the store's aesthetic was incorporating multi-ethnic products into our product mix, thus giving our customers a truly eclectic shopping experience. Through collaborations, Anthropologie has become known for going outside the box in terms of innovation and creativity. One example was our partnership with Zachary's Smile, a vintage boutique in New York that offers one of a kind pieces as well as aspiring designer pieces. The owner traveled to the Ivory Coast, where she found numerous vintage wax block prints that only came in small quantities. With these, they made $300 dresses to be sold at Anthropologie and were, print wise, unique.

Photo courtesy anthropologie.com

This was also noticed on the runway in New York fashion week this year. In particular, Anna Sui used many ethnic styles and prints to create a neo-bohemian look that wasn't too costume but chic and fabulous.

Using ethnic prints and designs is a great way to diversify your wardrobe.

photo courtesy of elleuk.com

New York s/s09 trends

One can spot countless trends in all of the collections shown at New York Fashion Week, and many of the fashion & style writers did.  However, a few main tends popped up many times in many collections, often falling into many categories (for example, one look might be metallic & tailored).

1. Tailored.  This look consisted of very classic tailoring, but with modern twists.  Some of the suit pieces were very late 80s-early 90's woman power suit, with the use of big shoulders and bright colors. I really liked the slouchy linen shorts suit look- I thinks its a fresh idea.

2. Metallic.  This trend has lasted from this years lines to next year, with more emphasis on metallic fabrics than metallic accessories.  

3. 70's Inspired.  The Boho looks is still in full effect, with the maxi dresses and head scarves, big glasses and wide leg pants.  High waisted is huge, and looks like it will still be huge for s/s09.

4. Jumpsuits.  Part of the 70's look, rompers and full on jumpsuits paired with blazers and platform heels were huge.  I think this look is the fiercest- its very versatile and ca

n transition easily from day to night.  Proenza Schouler and Marc Jacobs stood out here.

Go Green! Well, maybe...

It is only too obvious how much the green movement is affecting our society.  It only seems like yesterday when Al Gore's book and movie, An Inconvenient Truth, blasted environmental awareness into mainstream culture.  Carbon footprint was the buzz word, and reducing said "footprint" was the name of the game.  Obviously, the fashion industry being trendsetters, were well into using green materials like organic cotton and dyes way before going green became such a huge thing.

Now that organic is such a desired commodity, apparel manufacturers are pursuing organic materials in order to advertise that their product is green friendly.  One such company is American Apparel LLC, who's "sustainable edition" of jersey clothing uses 100% organic cotton.  One would think that this line from a company already known for its socially responsible mission would have a great contribution to this field.

I shop at American Apparel for my basics, and was very disappointed in the sustainable edition.  I am not sure if its the organic aspect of the cotton, but the shirt I bought shrank about 30% of its size, and disproportionately.  It looked like a bad 90's crop top! I just hope that the future of organic apparel is as reliable as the everyday cotton of today.

Favorite Designer

Iattribute the fact that my favorite designer is Vivienne Westwood to the fact that she is the first high fashion designer I truly noticed (to the extent of following her work season to season). I have been interested in fashion for quite a while, but until I became enamored with VW, I only identified with looks I liked, not designers.


Vivienne Westwood made her career on trend, specifically spotting them before they became mainstream. As the exclusive outfitter for the Sex Pistols in 70's London, she dressed the pioneers of punk rock music through her "SEX" boutique and quickly gained attention for her trademark "punk" looks. She's also attributed to starting "new wave" fashion in the 80's, mixing traditional british looks with own her concepts to create an inspiring and artistic expression. She might be most celebrated for her work with traditional english tartans in the mid-90's, making elegant dresses and outfits with fabrics typically used only for classic menswear.


Today, she is known for her play on sizes and proportions, using asymetry to throw off our preconceptions of what a garment should look like.


I also admire Vivienne Westwoods control over her brand. Though she has lisenced her name out to sunglasses, jewelry, fragrances, and even teacups, she always insists on comple design control. This is refreshing when one looks at the oversaturated market today (for example, calvin klein nail clippers).

Cheers Viv!