Bold fashion defies slowdown in South Africa

Bold fashion defies slowdown in South Africa
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters Life!) - Designers defied the global economic crisis at this season's South African fashion week by showing off vibrant outfits with hints of tradition inspired by a golden era of African civilisation.
Stoned Cherrie, South Africa's best-known black design label, closed fashion week in Johannesburg with bold colors and fabrics reminiscent of royalty, influenced by the ancient Mapungubwe civilisation from southern Africa.
"Stoned Cherrie is about abundance," Nkhensani Nkosi told Reuters after the show, which featured models bedecked in brightly colored dresses covered with frills, mixing fabrics such as mesh, lycra and a delicate silky cotton.
"Inspired by the curiosity around Mapungubwe, we basically tried to imagine what it would have been like in the present day," she added.
Mapungubwe is believed to have developed into the largest kingdom in sub-Saharan Africa before it was abandoned in the 14th century and may have boasted sophisticated trade links with India and China as far back as a thousand years ago.
Fashion in post-apartheid South Africa reflects the country's journey from pariah state to a multiracial democracy, as young designers like Nkosi mirror the country's diversity and growing cultural confidence.
http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSTRE53639620090407

The economic crisis is spreading

The economic crisis is spreading, now in Madrid

Thursday, April 02, 2009
Spain's Unemployment Continues Its Sharp Upward Surge
(Source http://spaineconomy.blogspot.com/)
The number of unemployed in Spain was up again in March - by "only" 123,543. I say "only" since it is evidently less than the 154,508 increase registered in February, or the 198,538 registered in January. And indeed many of the newspaper stories have been full of arguments from Employment Minister Maravillas Rojo (would that she could work "Maravillas") about how Spain registered the weakest unemployment gain in six months in March (when compared to the previous month). However, as those who look into the economic analysis side of this a bit more (and who don't believe in either wonders or "miracles) point out, taking seasonal factors into account the monthly 3.55% rise in March shows a more or less steady trend, and no special sign of improvement, despite the large stimulus programme. Last March, for example, unemployment fell by 0.62%.
So when we come to look at the year on year situation (which more or less eliminates the seasonal variation) we find that the year on year rate of increase of 56.69% was the highest so far, and if we look at the chart we will see there is no sign of a softening in the curve.
Read article...
http://spaineconomy.blogspot.com/

London Fashion Week with sofeminine.co.uk

London Fashion Week
Invitations to Schwab’s show came with inbuilt 3D glasses which saw the audience peering through them to see 3D marble prints popping out from the curvaceous dresses. Featuring tulip-shaped skirts, waist-cinching belts and slash details, the collection gave a nod to the 1950s and was a true celebration of women’s curves.
http://www.sofeminine.co.uk/news/luxury/n28528.html

26 Creative Casual Tee Shirts

26 Creative Casual Tee Shirts
Putting on your favorite tee shirt?
We found this on TrendHunter.com, some very cool, artistic and original T Shirts.
There's a lot more to see about Tees, just check out the various galleries and slides.
You can order online as well.

If you live (or are) in Amsterdam (Netherlands) you can go to Bas Beima in the Govert Flinckstraat 116, near the Albert Cuyp Market. Bas Beima is an Artist and can print Tee Shirts with text, images, designs, drawings and logos in a personalized and original way. His website is on www.artwave.nl



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Cannes Shopping Festival from 8 to 10 January 2009

Cannes Shopping Festival
The perfect alchemy between elegance and glamour
The 6th anniversary of Cannes' fashion event to be held from 8 to 10 January, right after the Christmas holidays, will combine fashion shows, gala dinners and exceptional stay offers. Cannes, key destination in the heart of the winter, will be again the inescapable meeting place of the fashion passionates around the Cannes Shopping Festival and its 6th edition which will emphasize the up-market image that Cannes reflects.
Six fashion shows following the example of those held in the big fashion capitals
Fendi (on Thursday 8 January), Escada and Zegna (on Friday 9 January), Jean-Claude Jitrois (on Saturday 10 January), ... will present their new Spring/Summer 2009 ready-to-wear collection at the Lérins Rotunda of the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès of Cannes. This unique and prestigious place, opened on the bay of Cannes and the Mediterranean Sea, will welcome for this 6th edition, the collections of the present brands to 900 privileged guests who will attend, every evening, the magic of the spectacle. Lalique will be co-directing the fashion shows and will also be the partner for decoration.
Nippon Ménard (make-up) and Lorenzo Cosi (hairstyling) will be the creative partners for the make-up and the hairstyling of the models.