What It Takes To Be A Fashion Designer

by: James Mitchell

Let's get one thing straight - to be a fashion designer you'll need to possess a formidable range of skills and personal qualities. Be honest with yourself, evaluate the extent to which you possess these skills and qualities otherwise you'll eventually run into obstacles in your attempts to be a fashion designer. First and foremost you need talent. This encompasses a wide range of skills including drawing, sewing, research, vision and creativity. Without a high level of natural talent you can never be a fashion designer. The fashion industry is tough and competitive - you need to be prepared to use your abilities to give yourself an edge over your rivals. This only comes through having the confidence to truly believe in what you're doing and the assertiveness to deliver. Without a high level of ambition and the necessary commitment to achieve that ambition you may struggle. You have to be prepared to work hard yet remain open to learning. Displaying high levels of flexibility and using criticism from others in a positive way will allow you to adapt in what is an ever-changing environment. Effective communication skills are a must. If you can't explain, listen, negotiate or delegate you'll struggle. Likewise organisational skills - if you can't plan and co-ordinate you simply won't finish jobs on time. Part of this comes from being able to make quick decisions and accepting responsibility for those decisions. If you want to be a fashion designer then you need to accept the fact that you'll also be running a business. That means being able to spot opportunities as well as carrying out the more mundane tasks that are part and parcel of running a business. You'll need to be able to show leadership and be prepared to take a few risks if you want to achieve real success. On a more artistic level you'll need to be imaginative and creative to generate new ideas. Without a genuine ability to visualize, draw and paint in two dimensions you won't be able to deliver innovation which is the energizing force of fashion design. The same can be said for color sense and the many practical skills that go into making a fashion designer. To be a fashion designer means being prepared to work as part of a team. You'll need to enjoy group activities and recognize you're only part of a bigger picture that draws from the input of many players. This calls for a friendly, calm temperament, patience, humour and at times a little bit of humility. The one personal quality that pulls all of this together is having a real passion for fashion - without this the other skills and personal qualities become undermined and you'll find it difficult to be a fashion designer. If you feel you possess these qualities then don't give up until you cover all the steps you need to take to become a fashion designer.

About The Author
James Mitchell owns and operates http://www.fashiondesignerbasics.com Fashion Designer

Looking Fabulous – With Accessories!

by: Marion Chamberlain

Many women seem to have a "thing" for shoes, designer handbags, fancy scarves and high-end fashion jewelry. However, many women do not realize the powerful weaponry they have in their arsenal with these fashion accessories. Most women either buy pieces to go with a single outfit or to be a slave to a seasonal fashion trend. They rarely consider how the fashion accessory complements their appearance, whether it will go with other items in their wardrobe collection, how many uses they'll gain from the item and how many different ways they can wear the item. My goal is to help you understand the important role your fashion accessories play in creating your "look" and how you can easily set yourself apart to emphasize your uniqueness. Yes, you heard me right – accessories are meant to play up on your individuality and uniqueness, which is, if we admit it or not, our true yearning as a woman. We want to be different and unique. Accessories can help you achieve this by bringing attention to your face, hiding those flaws you want to hide, or just making a statement about your individuality without your having to say a word. Let's look at fashion accessories that you can easily play up on and create playful variances with: A neckerchief scarf can be worn as a: * Headband * Neck scarf with a collared shirt, V-neck, round neck T-shirt * Bracelet by wrapping around multiple times and creating a cuff-type bracelet * Tied around a plain handbag strap to add a splash of color and flair A long rectangular or wider square scarf can be worn as a: * Belt * Neck scarf loosely draped as a shawl, a wrap or with various types of knots * Top in summer * Skirt on the beach A brooch can be worn as: * On the front of your pair of favorite jeans or chinos * At the bottom of a long or short strand of pearls as a pendant, or clipped off-center on a double-stranded set * An addition to a scarf where it overlaps * A decoration to an evening bag * A cluster at the lapel or shoulder of a denim jacket * At the bottom of a V-neck A necklace can be worn as: * Part of a number of layered necklaces with varied lengths * A belt if a longer necklace. * A bracelet with multiple wrappings around the wrist * A basis of creating a new look with a brooch Fashion accessories are such a powerful arsenal in creating your own unique style. Start looking at each accessory you have as to how to can create different variations. Also, when purchasing new accessories, concern yourself with how many different ways you'll be able to wear the accessory and whether the item or items will complement other wardrobe items you already own. Don't become a slave to the seasonal must-have's. Please also keep these five things in mind, when playing with your new look: 1 It's okay to mix silver and gold. 2. Focus on one key accessory, such as a necklace or handbag, and keep the other accessories light. 3. Stay within a certain color family when accessorizing. 4. Your handbag color and shoe color can be different colors. 5. Most importantly – keep it simple, chic and feminine. Adorn your uniqueness – look fabulous with fashion accessories! Copyright (c) 2007 MMC Lifestyles, LLC, dba MMC Style

About The Author
Marion Chamberlain is founder of MMC Style (http://www.mmcstyle.com ), an Internet store for European fashion accessories sourced from unique and highly-talented small design shops in Europe. The online store offers high-quality European fashion jewelry and leather handbags to those women who want to be unique. MMC Style (http://www.mmcstyle.com ) European fashion accessories are truly unique and can't be found in department or chain stores.

9 Secrets to Pampering Yourself in a Pinch

by: Angela Strosnider

There are women all over this country who feel like they’ve lost themselves somewhere along the way of life. While their reasons are many, the answers are all the same, “There’s just not enough time in the day for me.” Without adding that 25th (or even 26th or 27th) hour to your day, there are little things you can do to incorporate the four R’s (we’ll get to these later) of pampering into your daily routine. Remember when you had all day to and for yourself? You’d sit and perhaps do your hair or nails for hours. Boy were those the days. That was then though and this is now. Whether it’s your career, children, or other priorities, taking time out for you is more essential than what you think. When you feel good, you have the ability to make those around you feel good. If you feel dreadful and unoptimistic about yourself, those around you will of course pick up on this. For example, have you ever noticed the mom at the supermarket who seems frazzled that all three of her children just happen to be misbehaving at the same time? This is usually because they’ve picked up on her stress and went with it. One is crying in the front of the cart and two are at the end of the aisle fighting while the mom is all but losing it trying to find her credit card or checkbook to pay for her groceries and hightail it out of there. Feeling good and feeling good about yourself definitely has its benefits. To you, and those around you. For some reason, thinking about pampering yourself in this light helps us to place a priority on it. If we feel it will help us take care of our family better, do our jobs better, or be a better person, we’re all for it. Taking time out to relax, refresh, renew, and revitalize doesn’t have to mean three hours a day for complete alone time. Here are ten little ways in which you can incorporate them into your daily life: 1. While running errands, or doing yard work, play a relaxing CD rather than an upbeat one. This will not only soothe your mind, but your soul as well. (This trick works will young children and falling asleep or calming down in the vehicle as well.) 2. While the children are napping or getting ready to come home from school, grab a quick face mask, apply, and then lay back in silence for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off the mask, and get ready for a great second-half of the day. 3. Have a home office? A plug-in scent diffuser with essential oils will help with little whiffs of pleasantness throughout the day. Do a little research on which oils appeal to you and you are on your way. If plug-ins aren’t your thing, all-natural candles and scents may be just way you need. 4. After the children are in bed, hubby is busy or not home for the evening, seize this opportunity for all its worth. Grab a relaxing CD, some candles, and go draw a nice warm bath. Soak for at least 15-30 minutes in the dark. Afterward, you’ll still have time for sugar scrubs or any other products you rarely get to use. 5. Warm up a spa neck pillow and watch some TV while your senses unwind. 6. Keep your favorite sugar scrub next to your hand soap and give yourself a mini-manicure. This literally takes less than thirty seconds and gives your hands the go signal for the rest of the day. 7. When stressed to the max, secure yourself a ME time block. This can be day or night, weekend or weekday. No one is going to regret that you need a break. Personal coaches that cost thousands of dollars to obtain, place this first on their list of things to do for their clients. You are getting the information for free. Save the money and purchase some new pampering goodies. 8. Drink lots of water and walk. Water helps flush your system of impurities and walking helps keep your physically and mentally refreshed. Offer to walk the dog from now on or if you are already the family dog-walker, make it a point to think about all the things in your life that make you happy or you are blessed with. Make your walks positive with a rule of no negative thoughts. 9. Quick showers are great refreshers, but what if you life depends on how quickly you can get in and out? Sugar scrubs are a great 30-second revitalizer. Apply all over after washing and just allow shower to rinse it away. The shine and softness will last all day long and you’ll feel and smell great. Pampering your body and soul are self-created. No one can do this for you. However, the benefits are multiple and you deserve it.

About The Author
Angela Strosnider is the Marcom Director for SpaGirl Parties, Inc. – http://www.SpaGirlParties.com - She prides herself on creating ways women can enjoy being themselves by instilling the importance of pampering into everyday life.