Koi Sunwannagate Needs a Margarita

I am not so sure about her designs as a fashion designer. Her rework of cashmere pieces were quite unique and beautiful, back then, when she was still an unknown designer. This resort 2009 collection does not have anything to it. Fashion designers could have mental blocks like writers and painters. Relax, have a margarita, that may help!

Hong Kong Fashion Week

(Photo Credit: Marie Claire HK)

McQueen's Femme Fatale

I have been secretly admiring Alexander McQueen as a fashion designer for years. The Hitchcock influence on his collections has been going on for quite some time now and he continues to be seduced by his femme fatale. The grey suit that Doris Day and Kim Novak had worn in Alfred's movies, and the rouge lips, OMG!

ICON STYLE P. Valentine Designer Competition

In the spirit of Project Runway and a pursuit for new design talent, P.Valentine in conjunction with IconStyle Inc. launches its first annual "City's Most Loved Designer" competition. Winner of this contest will be announced on February 27, 2008 and the designer will receive a gift subscription to our Fashion Business Basics 101 course to help jump start their fashion business.

Birds of Ohio at PrintSource New York Show

Just finished trend scouting at New York City's Direction Show and PrintSource for inspirations. Both shows are held at the Penn Plaza right across from the Madison Square Garden on 7th. Spotted some great talents at the show, Birds of Ohio brings in fresh eyes on vintage print interpretation and new print design ideas. Missi and Brian are very helpful and personable. For designers who want to do their own fabric prints, talk to the Birds of Ohio team at missi@birdsofoh!

2008 Fashion Colors

This Spring and Fall we are seeing lots of brights. Our Kate and Cate design team's creating fruity and garden inspired classics for those who just can't wait to be at the front of the trend. The linesheet will be available some time next week. Kick off the year by previewing the hottest new colors.

New Year Green Direction

New Year's Resolutions? You may have "eat healthy" or "lose some weight" in mind. How about practicing Yoga? Better yet, do Yoga wearing one of the best bamboo eco-friendly clothing lines in comfortable designs! The winner of our Sustainable Award Design, HipToBamboo, is the best bamboo clothing label in the market. Babette Sanders, the designer, has been teaching Yoga for years and her bamboo clothing line is so soft and beautiful. Go Green in 2008, wear Bamboo!

Fashion Business Quiz

Let's see ... do you think you know much about how to start a clothing line? Contact us today to see if you will qualify for a first hour free consultation.

Behind the Scene of The Fashion Industry

Have you ever wondered how a line of clothing is being developed? Many people don't know that manufacturing is not as glamorous as one may think, the final products are fashionably worn on celebrities but there are a lot of people involved in the whole process from design conceptualization to packaging. Here is a video you can see how a domestic team is getting a clothing line ready:

Fashion Business Basics 101

The much anticipated fashion business basics 101 online how-to start a fashion business guide is officially available at
www.instyleexchange.com/info/biz101/introduction.html. It's a friendly guide perfectly designed for newbies to the fashion industry. Do you want to be a fashion designer? Then don't miss this chance to learn more about how to start a clothing line from the people who've done that.

Dancing on High Heels

KC3 Laced T-Neck Top

The Kate & Cate style is a mini-dress luxe version of this style created for Victoria's Secret. The Kate & Cate version is made of very soft and luxurious wool crepe, it also has a gold buckled sash belt to go with it. Retailers who carry bridge price point designer label that is in between Marc by Marc Jacobs and Victoria's Secret, they are finding Kate & Cate's Pre-Fall collection 2008 exactly in trend.

Barneys New York Marc Jacobs Ball Pump

OMG! Look at Marc Jacobs' ball pump, how cute! I bet they are also quite comfortable. I had a pair of high heels from his line I swear I can run in them. Marc Jacobs has amazed me with his creativity, it's hard to imagine how much time he actually sleeps with all these lines to design and market. Fashion design students, please take heart - it is all about hard work.

T'is the Wine for Your Parties This Season

Wine or aubgergine is the color of the season in addition to navy and gold. We love this laced top because it's perfect with pants to keep you warm in those chilly cold cold winter days in the Pacific North West or in those charming New England towns with your insulated snow boots. In some way, holidays are more fun dressing up down South or in North Texas, you can still wear those ultra sexy stilettos.

Cherella USA by Cheryl and Cassia

The design philosophy behind Cherella USA is hip and inspirational, who could resist those hoodies with appliques? Better yet, among their best sellers, the 40's style vintage top is nostalgically stylish.

Fashion Group International Rising Star Awards Gala

The Black & Red themed gala attracted many fashionistas in town for a night of glamour. I love the gift bag: CAT cosmetics, OPI nail polish, a pair of fluffy slippers, a little black dress desk photo clip ... I have always loved hanging out at the Palomar Hotel's Central 214 so knowing the event was going to be at the Palomar Dallas, I know it will be stylish!

Diane Von Furstenberg's Wrap Dress

One woman, who is also a fellow Capricorn, totally inspires me as a fashion designer, it's Frau Diane von Furstenberg. I know almost everybody owns a wrap dress, whether it's the real thing or a knock off you could find under the Target label Merona. Ja, I worship her!

How to start a fashion line?

Fashion design is a business, you must start this venture being determined to be profitable. Designing a fashion line is not a hobby, it is a business opportunity for those who have both the creativity and the financial know-hows to manage and operate a business. Just because you can sketch or draw, you may not be ready for the operational responsibilities of starting a fashion line. Good news is that you can start today and plan for success with a professional team who has been working with new designers and private labels to get their backend work done. Don't rush into making prototypes if you have not yet define a business plan for your line. Our experts are available to help, just ask us at info@instyleexchange.com