Pakistan Holds First Fashion Week Despite Violence

When Pakistan is considered as a country, it's not likely that one of the first things that comes to mind is fashion. For several years, the land has faced waves of conflict between Taliban militants and rival security forces, and has been featured in the news mostly for the coverage of bombings and other attacks. Women in Pakistan have been especially highlighted as oppressed, with conventional costume dictating that a minimum of flesh is shown, requiring the use of burqas and confining women to the house most of the time. In such an environment, the emergence of a grand fashion empire might seem unlikely. Yet that is precisely what has been unfolding in the city of Karachi, home to twelve million people and home city of the country's first-ever Fashion Week.
Taking the world by surprise –and by storm--, the event has faced numerous difficulties both in its organization and in the final presentation. Throughout the planning process, the launch of the event was put on delay in response to security threats. As the fashion show, featuring the designs of several rising talents in the field, largely flaunted Western ideas in fashion and society, the event was seen as a direct challenge to Taliban rule and many conservative values held by traditional Pakistani society. Persevering through the threats to deliver a week of entertainment and visual enlightenment proved to be highly successful, even in spite of an initial power outage, one of the many chronic problems experienced in the bustling metropolis of Karachi.
The few who might naturally associate Pakistan with fashion are likely historians and other scholars; one of the leading producers of silk and other fine fabrics, Pakistan has enjoyed a rich history of the production of precious textiles, and supports a massive exporting industry responsible for much of the country's income. Yet this fabric is mostly sent out others to be made into modern, fashionable clothes. The organizers of Pakistan's first Fashion Week have underscored the need for residents to explore the riches of their own resources, and to take part in the country's fashion revolution.
It is hoped that along with dresses, shawls, suits, and other items of apparel, the designers will broaden their creations of accessories, including costume jewellery. With an arsenal of fabulous and affordable gems bedecking costume jewellery necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, and other popular pieces, Pakistan may well achieve its goals towards a more peaceful society with fashion on its side. Strolling down the catwalk in creations that might cause quite a stir on the streets of Pakistan itself, the models sported inventive hairstyles and sparkling garments, taking part in one of fashion's most respected events. Proving themselves worthy of international fame and involvement in the global fashion community, the Pakistani Fashion Week team turned out, by all accounts, a spectacular show, and there are many hopes for happy returns of the event in well into the future.

Berlin Fashion Week Presents an Up and Coming Show

Of all the often flaunted and much-lauded fashion capitals of the world, chief among them Paris and New York, Berlin's fashion week usually doesn't get to make many headlines. On one hand, it's understandable; the show itself has only just enjoyed its fifth year of production. But the vibrant German city, with its bevy of eager young designers, hasn't been gaining too many accolades from critics in the past few shows. This year, plenty of critics were equally under-enthused, but some commentators spotted glimmers of creativity and hope among the collections. In particular, the works of young fashion talents from the “Designers for Tomorrow” segment proved impressive for many critics. The category featured fashion design students and up and coming stylers and other professionals, who showed several collections that were both off the wall and wonderful, all while remaining wearable –an element that many designers, especially newer ones, often overlook.
Accessories created a strong presence at this year's Berlin fashion week, which has the unhappy distinction of being wedged between several major events in the fashion world, sometimes threatening to steal its proverbial thunder. But the bags, shoes, and other assorted goodies accompanying models down the catwalks were full of inspiration and spirit, proudly proclaiming the hues of summer and autumn with materials that weren't afraid to let loose and shine
From funky bangle bracelets in a rainbow of colors to specialty necklaces layered with charms and structural elements, costume jewellery looks at Berlin's big show were full of proud and punky statements without becoming too whimsical. Clean lines seemed to take a major hint from the clothing collections themselves, offering clearly defined corners and exact, rich, full colors. Achievable through intensely shaded enamel and other oft-incorporated materials, clean lines are some of the very best friends of costume jewelry, as a good linear structure helps serve as the basis for a piece that otherwise has free reign to morph in any number of complex ways. From simple yet stunning Swarovski crystal drop earrings in a wide variety of colors to sleek silver bracelets and simple necklaces, costume jewelry is hardly a stranger to the sleek fashions seen on the runway in Berlin this week.
While the parties are all over and the champagne has gone flat, the charming German city is sure to experience an increase in interest over its annual fashion event. With the wise addition of young and developing designers to the regular section of the show, the event was elevated from being simply another international fashion week splinter to a truly interesting event worthy of the attention of its more prominent sister shoes, throughout Europe and the rest of the world. If you missed Berlin Fashin Week this year, not to worry; you can start experiencing its one of kind allure with costume jewelry options that will bring out your own inner beauty and display it in a whole new way.

Australia's Fashion Week Dampened by Blues

Sadly, we're not talking about the sorts of blues that come stonewashed, riveted, and ready to wear. Rather, Australia's dear old institution of Fashion Week --usually so full of life and gaiety, especially for the Spring and Summer seasons-- has shown that the country's clothing industry is feeling the crunch of the worldwide economic downturn. Australia has refined and revolutionized over the years to become one of the world's front-runners when it comes to fashion. Several luxury boutiques and famous brand-name designers have opened up shop in Sydney and Melbourne, and many cities feature dedicated districts with all manner of chic modern fashion stores.
Experiencing a surge in popularity as well as the development of a national identity, Australian fashion is today able to contend with other world-class clothing destinations such as New York, Paris, Milan, and Tokyo. Naturally, the national fashion week, a spin-off of similar week-long events held in other clothing capitals, has likewise gained quite the cult following. In recent years, Australia's Fashion Week has featured scores of enthusiastic and well-dressed patrons, plenty of media coverage, and a generous amount of energy and spunk. Designs have been fresh, interesting, bold --the full range of everything modern dressers want in their wardrobes.
But fashion, like so many industries have been proving lately, is not immune to what has become a global financial tumult of staggering scale. There are a number of ways in which the global credit crisis presents the fashion industry with hurdles. One of the most pressing factors in the mix is the fact that many consumers aren't spending as much on clothes as they were during more prosperous days. The occasional splurge on a designer dress, suit, or bag (bought with that now-haunting phrase, “I'll charge it!”) has become a remnant of the past for scores of people around the world, in Australia and abroad. As demand for couture realizes a steep decline, the costs of materials and services are up; suddenly all that charmeuse and calfskin is creating a price tag that would have been shockingly high before the crisis hit, and which is now, for the most part, laughable.
Of course, fashion is all about creativity and invention, the putting together and fine-tuning of what's available to present the best aesthetic picture possible. As a result, the fashion industry in general, and Australia's market in particular, are showing that they're capable of adaptation, even if the adjustment is a little rocky at first. Australia's fashion week took the hint from its accounting books as well as the ambient mood to make its show strong, but more subdued than recent years. While many pieces still showed off the vibrancy and flights of fancy associated with the Spring and Summer seasons, there was a distinct presence of neutral, subtle designs, making well-crafted yet humble statements about the state of the industry and of the fashion-loving heart inextricably tied to it. Accessories and jewelry offered the brightest and best glimpses of hope among the various shows, presenting both bold and beautiful ideas that hint of the reinvention and invigoration to come, both for the industry and for its fans. In the meantime, sunnier days can be prophesized with affordable, elegant, and definitely Spring-ready costume jewellery.

Seattle Fashion Week Adds its Credentials to International Style

It seems a whole host of unlikely cities and causes are creating their own versions of the classic new York and Paris fashion weeks these days. Just on our blog here at Janeo, we've covered a fashion week in South Africa as well as one devoted especially to the curvy set. But while some determined purists may view this diversification as a negative thing, watering down the prestige and tradition of the original events, most fashion mavens and industry experts are all for the emerging fashion weeks. In addition to highlighting the local perks and flavors of cities that do not normally garner as much attention in the fashion world, these events tend to be organized and presented on a smaller, more efficient scale. This makes it possible for fans -- and future customers -- to get the full effect of the fashion itself without having to suffer in terms of prices inflated by the costs of a show. Taking full advantage of these benefits, Seattle is the latest city to add its fashionista credentials to the international collective.
Though the event may seem to be a completely new phenomenon to many, Seattle Fashion Week is actually celebrating it's five year birthday. With shows taking place last week and continuing through the weekend, the event is aimed at presenting the Spring collections of the city's finest upcoming designers. Known as a town with a lot of attitude, aesthetic appeal, and penchant for intelligent, efficient production, Seattle's connection with fashion is a strong one. The city's many conservatories and dedicated universities for art and design help the profession flourish among new generations. Of course, the local weather, which maintains a fairly overcast and drizzly demeanor through much of the year, plays a role in the particular manifestations of the fashion muse in this Washington mecca. But this constraint helps give Seattle fashion an extra flair and local sense of personality and identity.
The designs have been decidedly “earthy”; Seattle is, after all, a rather ecologically friendly and conscientious city. As such, a keen attention to structure was wed with organic materials and ideas, fully grounded pieces, and an attention to attractive function. Citing the growing number of big-name businesses making their home in Seattle, many event organizers described the need for fashion-forward duds that, if they didn't launch Seattle to the status of a Paris or a London, would at least address --and dress well-- the burgeoning professional public.
The shows' collections of accessories carry through the natural feel but add a bit of brightness and fun for playing with the themes of the season. Elegant rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, in materials ranging from sterling silver to swarovski crystals and semi-precious stones graced outfits, and created a strong impression of the marvelous talent of the city's jewelry designers. As their main event turns five and prepares for another year next Spring, these designers are sure to find their pieces, and their city, a bit brighter on the international fashion map.