Ethnic Influences

Since fashion designers are all over the world, it makes sense that ethnic inspired clothing seems to appear everywhere in fashion. Everything from the colors a designer uses in their collection to the jewelry and accessories found in stores make up what we call "Ethnic Influences." From Grecian-inspired gowns to Indian-inspired tunics, different cultures seem to appear within each and every designer.
Animal print creates a feeling of the African Safari. Animal prints can be found on anything from jewelry to garments and even shoes. This trend remains popular in the United States today. Indian inspired clothing ranges from the always popular bangle to the intricately beaded and embroidered tunics. Hispanic influences come from the bold colors and flouncy styles of dresses and skirts. Long, flowing Grecian inspired gowns are a growing trend. The simplistic styles and elegant drapes are quickly becoming a go-to look for the red carpet.
We often forget where a design comes from simply because we are so used to seeing it in our American culture. These designs come from different foreign places and so many designers use these influences to give them inspiration for their next collection. Designers have been using these influences for as long as fashion has been a part of the American culture.

New York Fashion Week

At the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York, the most of the fashions seemed fun, short and colorful. Designers such as Abaete, Diane von Furstenburg and Nanette Lepore chose bright colors while others such as Brian Reyes, Jill Stuart and Erin Fetherston chose a more neutral palette.
Some of my favorite designs were from Lela Rose, Badgley Mischka, Michael Kors, Cynthia Steffe and Monique Lhuillier. Lela Rose had really cute dresses that were bright and fun. Badgley Mischka had really gorgeous flowy and easy to wear gowns. Michael Kors had many vintage inspired silhouettes that were emphasized by bold primary colors. Cynthia Steffe had many flirty dresses that I just loved. And finally, Monique Lhuillier featured very glamorous nad flowy gowns.
Most of the designs featured bright and bold colors that are excellent for spring. Many of the designs were short dresses to emphasize the legs this spring. I really loved what the designers came up with for spring 2009. Everything looked very easy to wear and simplistic yet very sophisticated and polished.

Organic and Enviromentally Friendly Clothing

Organic and environmentally friendly clothing is a great step towards going green. Going green is everywhere and now it's even for fashionistas!
Organic clothing is great because the garments are produced without the use of pesticides and chemicals. Water and energy conservation, organically grown and recycled materials as well as cleaner dyeing and finishing processes are all taken into consideration when constructing organic and environmentally clothing.
Most of the materials used in making the organic clothing is sustainable and can be easily reproduced or grown again. Many popular companies are using the organic cotton and trying to help make a difference in our world. Natural dyes are also being used to treat the clothing. Other companies are trying to recycle scraps and parts of clothing that were not used in the final garment.
I think organic clothing is great. I never realized how much went into producing clothes and how wasteful it normally is. I hope all fashion companies look at the benefits of using organic materials and processes in the near future!

My favorite fashion designer is Marc Jacobs. Since he is a very talented designer, he also serves as the creative director for Louis Vuitton. I admire his creative and somewhat quirky designs which, somehow, still remain classic-looking. I'll admit, some of his creations are a bit over the top, but his handbags are always gorgeous.
I am a big fan of the Marc by Marc Jacobs special items. They are cute, fun and also very affordable. (I wish his clothing was that affordable!) My favorite perfume is of course, Marc Jacobs Daisy! I wear it almost everyday.
What I'm not so big on about Marc Jacobs are his advertisements. They always have a sort of mysterious and creepy look about them. In a recent Teen Vogue issue, there was a Marc Jacobs ad in which a man was the model wearing women's clothing. That wouldn't sell his product to me!
I love and admire Marc Jacobs for what he has done in the fashion industry!