Ethnics influences in the fashion world

There are ethnic influences in more than half of what's out on runways now.  Everything from jewelry, to shoes, to apparel.  Influences include the vibrant colors of Indian clothing, to the animals prints that capture the feel of African wildlife.  

The most recognizable influence, i would say, is the asian influence in Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Lovers brand.  Every element of that brand has an asian feel.  The inspiration for Harajuku Lovers was Gwens fascination of the Harajuku girls of japan.  Harajuku girls are young girls who have a youthful and fun attitude towards fashion.  The patterns used have little asian characters in them, they also have japanese writing.  

Even just with bright and vibrant colors you get a feel of the East.  Much like in Anna Sui's Fall 2008 line.  There are alot of deep blues and vibrant golds and purples.

We see a lot of Russian inspired clothing as well.  You see a lot of pieces that look like traditional Russian dresses and blouses.  Anna Sui's Fall 2008 line also had a Russian feel to it.  She incorporated a lot of blouses and deep reds that looked Russian-inspired.  

Another thing you see a lot of is Grecian inspired dresses.  In Vera Wang's Fall 2007 fashion show there were a lot of Grecian goddess pieces.  My prom dress in my junior year of high school was a Vera Wang.  It was a scoop neck and was long.  The color was a pewter.  It was very Grecian.

I really like any kind of ethnic influence in apparel because i feel like I'm not just stuck in America.  Even if i cant travel to these places I can wear a little bit of the culture.  

Organic and Environmental Friendly Clothing

I completely support organic and environmental friendly clothing.  I think that everyone should process their fibers and fabrics through organic ways.  There would much less contamenated water from runoff and things like that.  One of my favorite organic processes is when cotton grows an actual color, not just white.  I think that because we can grow cotton actual colors there is no need to use chemicals and dyes on naturally white or off white cotton.  We can now engineer cotton to grow the colors we want.  To grow naturally colored cotton it takes less than one ounce of pesticides.  Along with cotton that naturally grows a color, I would like to see more Green cotton.  Green cotton is cotton that has been washed with a mild natural soap.  Green cotton has also not been bleached or chemically treated.

I also think that we should use more fabrics that come from animals like sheeps and camels.  Fabric that comes from animals who are not slaughtered for their hair is very envi

ronmentally friendly.  Sheeps, for example, are sheared and then the hair is washed, may be dye

d, and finally spun into yarn to be used for many different things.  If the shearer is good and quick then the sheep goes through no pain at all.  There may be discomfort but after the shearing is over the sheep would feel much lighter without that big coat of hair.  Sheep are typically sheared twice a year.

Alot of people are trying to be "green" nowadays.  There are alot of companies that only use organically grown and processed fabrics.  Such as Organic Childrenswear by Green Cotton.  The company behind Green Cotton is Novotex A/S.  All the cotton used in their childrenswear line is certified as organic cotton by KRAV, IMO, and CUC(different independent institutions that certify organic cotton).  

Anna Sui

My favorite designer would have to be Anna Sui.  I've always been into vintage shops and old clothes and I really love the updated vintage feel of her clothes.  The patterns and colors of all her pieces are simply beautiful.  I think that I am drawn to her designs because it's a similar style to the clothes that I make.  All her designs are very eclectic and worldly.  Especially in her fall 2008 line.  The fabrics she choose give a native american look but at the same time they also look a little russian and even swedish.  I really love that she can capture all those looks in one line.  Another reason why I really like Anna Sui is because her fall line isn't all black like everyone else.  She has some black pieces but she also has so many other beautiful vibrant colors it just draws me in.  The best part is that not only are they beautifully tailored clothes made from amazing patterns, everything looks so comfortable!  I admire greatly that she can design something thats breath-taking and well as comfortable.