So Where Is The Fashion Capital Of The World?

I think many people would argue on where the fashion capital of the world is. Lets look at the rivals:

Milan (Italy)

London (UK)

New York (US)

Paris (France)

Tokyo (Japan)

Well, having visited all these places in my time, i would hedge a bet and say that New York is probably the fashion capital of the world for me. The sheer number of fashion houses and stylish men and ladies parading the streets makes it quite special to me. However, some might say this is a rather obvious choice, so i decided to weigh up the other options.

In London, you get class combined with elegant chic fashions. With renowned UK designers, it make this one special place to be. My faves: Vivienne Westwood and Paul Smith.

In Paris, you get a much more effortlessly chic sense of style. The French fashions are often unique and it is the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré that shows us just what is so great about France. Luxury brands and neat stores makes this one my favourite locations.

For many, Milan is undoubtedly the fashion capital of the world. It has, for decades, been renowned for its stunning fashions and authentic brands. When you think of Gucci, you think of travelling to Milan and seeing the store in all its glory. The Italian ladies are, once again, stylish to the max and epitomise all that is on trend in the world of fashion. The Gucci store in Milan is the largest Gucci flagship store.

http://www.fashionwindows.com/boutiques/gucci/milan.asp

However, let us not forget about Tokyo. The Japanese are so on the pulse with their fashions, i believe this is a strong contender for fashion capital of the world. Japanese fashion makes the UK seem almost archaic in its approach to trends. Simply take a look at eBay and type in “Japanese dress” to see what i mean. You will often see the word “kawaii”  which means “cute” in Japanese, and this is something that young Japanese girls like their look to be. Japanese fashion is quirky and most definitely unique. Just take a look at my findings below:

Japanese Fashion

(Source: http://www.japaninc.com/mgz_may-jun_2008_lacking-in-style)

Take a look at the fur used here; not to my style, but very big in Japan.

Quirky Japanese Fashion

(Source: http://www.xanga.com/Colour_In_My_Quotes_x3/676912727/japanese-fashion.html)

The image above shows some rather unsual examples of Japanese fashion. Naturally, this isn’t regular attire, but just look at the facial decorations; even these are stylish and quirky! Anyone walking down the street in the UK with these would look ridiculous

For more examples of unique Japanese fashion, and why i think they could quite possibly be the fashion capital of the world, or at least the most unique fashion capital of the world, then paste the link below:

http://www.xanga.com/Colour_In_My_Quotes_x3/676912727/japanese-fashion.html

Fashion Labels – Who’s Hot And Who’s Not In The World Of Skulls

When it comes to fashion labels, i feel like i know my stuff. I worked in fashion for many years and everything i do revolves around it. One thing that i used to get asked a lot is “who’s going to be big next season” and i would try and guide my clients with their fashion styling.

Fashion labels are a fashionista’s dream. For some, just the sight of a Chloe label can create hysteria. For me though, it is all about the designers that start the trends, not keep up with them.

For example, who started the skull print trend? Some might say Alexander McQueen, some may say Thomas Wylde. There are so many fashion labels catching onto this skull print trend now, that i find myself looking for those fashion labels that spice it up a little bit. Okay, so we’ve seen the McQueen skulls scarfs; what next? Well, i really like A&G, a cult brand that hasn’t really taken off here in the UK, but is a big success in the US. The creator of A&G is Amal Guessous, and he is revered as a very edgy, rock and roll style fashion designer, as proved through his latest collection of Rock ‘n’ Roll Couture. The skull print in Amal’s designs took on a new form, with striking skulls adding a bit of “character” to your wardrobe. The image below is from RevolveClothing.com – NOW SOLD OUT.

A&G Skull Cashmere Sweater

 I really like the skull look and i can’t see it going out of fashion anytime soon. However, just looking at Thomas Wylde’s collection, which has focused on skulls for a few seasons, the fashion label then started introducing scorpions as a quirky edge to the label. I think this was a great move; being pigeon-holed into one trademark thing might not always be beneficial, especially if skulls go out of fashion. So has this fashion label decided that skull print shouldn’t be “overdone” anymore? Well, as i say, i don’t think skulls are going to go out of fashion, but i do think they should now be used as subtle accents rather than bold all over skull prints. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more fashion labels taking this approach and expanding their ranges.