Fashion Industry 02

Selecting your wedding gown is a very special time. There are important things to consider, in addition to the "pretty" factor. Style and cut are two such points which need to be considered when choosing the fabric.
Another determining element is the season. A designer original with a high neck, full sleeve and a-line skirt with a chapel train made from a lovely white velvet would not be the right choice for a Garden Wedding in May. Fabrics are chosen largely for their texture, weight, and how they flow or cling. Most designers choose the softness and elegance only the natural fiber fabrics can offer.


Silk is, undoubtedly, the most popular thread used by designers. When woven in a certain way, or combined with other materials, a vast variety of fabrics is the result. Silk satin is one resulting fabric which is very frequently used by top designers. Duchesse satin is a blend of silk and rayon which results in a lighter, wrinkle resistant fabric. It's also less expensive than pure silk satin. Charmeuse is a soft, lightweight silk satin that has a lower sheen than Duchesse satin and is perfect for the designer gowns that flow and cling. If the designer is looking for a low sheen silk fabric she'd probably use shantung, which has a rough rather nubby texture.


The fabrics that are most used to create those gorgeous ballroom skirts are the filmy, gauze-like silks. Chiffon, French for cloth, is a lightweight sheer fabric that, due to the alternate weave, has a slight pucker in both directions giving it stretch and a slight texture. Chiffon is also a popular choice for illusion sleeves. Silk tulle is the super fine, lightweight netting that many designers use in several layers to produce the poofy skirts and also for bridal veils. Organza is a thin, plain silk weave, stiffer than chiffon, used for bridal gown skirts, sleeves, backs and overlays.
For the bride who would like the effect of brocade without the weight, damask would be the fabric of choice. It's woven with the same raised and lowered areas, so there would be the white-on-white design, and it could be worn comfortably for spring and summer weddings. A designer gown with a crystal-beaded, damask bodice and silk satin skirt with brush train would be a stunning summer choice.


Brocade is a lovely jacquard-woven fabric with a raised design which normally is of beautiful colors, but for a bridal gown could be white-on-white. This is a heavier silk fabric and, therefore, would be a perfect choice for the bride who has set a fall or winter wedding date. Silk faille is another heavier fabric that's ribbed, resembling grosgrain ribbon. A Vera Wang designer original made of silvery white faille would make an absolutely enchanting winter bride.
This is the year to accessorize! Big bright, bold, colorful accessories are the fashion trend for this season. From fashion handbags, trendy belts, leather gloves and colorful winter hats adorn all the models and celebrities. Head bands are hot! Chic jewelry is bold and beautiful. Finger nails and lips are painted bright red. Fall is here and now is the time to pack on the layers, accessorize like crazy and look exceptionally chic!

Casual jackets, coats and vests are seen warm and fuzzy with lots of fur. Collars and cuffs, as well as knee high boots sport plenty of multihued fur. Sweaters and sweater vests may have a hood of fur. Double breasted capes and coats are lined and trimmed in various types and colors of faux fur or the real thing! Hats and purses may even be embellished with feathers, fur or colorful gem stones.

Knitted or crocheted cuffed chenille hats, beanies, faux fur hats, and felted cloche hats are found in specialty boutiques. Newsboy hats and the knit beret hat accessorize even the most casual outfit. A wool felted fedora dresses up denim jeans and boots. For outer wear, a crocheted confetti scarf, knitted scarf, or cashmere muffler will keep in the warmth. Matching cashmere gloves may be trimmed with suede or embellished with buttons and fur lining. Gloves may even have a small zippered pocket.

Purses come in everything from animal inspired fabrics to the metallic clutch. Shoulder bags have magnetic top closures for ease of use. Beautiful Italian leather tote bags and cross body flap bags are seen in bold colors. Imported drawstring bags have cell phone pockets. Stylish mini wristlets, either zippered or with a fold over flap and clutch bags are just as popular as large hobo handbags.

Jewelry trends this fall are plentiful. Wide silver or gold plated cuff bracelets are embellished with crystals, glass and cubic zirconia. Charms of all shapes and sizes from animals, flowers, hearts and freshwater pearls adorn chain bracelets. Sterling silver hoop earrings are still in fashion as are drop earrings with semi-precious gemstone accent pieces. Chandelier earrings with swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls and peridot find their way into many jewelry boxes. Blue is a popular color for jewelry this fall. We see pendants, bracelets, earrings and necklaces in lapis, sodalite, iolite and fire polished glass. Beautiful dichroic glass pendants of multiple colors hang from sterling silver chains. Three stone drop pendants and circle pendants with gemstone accents are very chic. Silk ribbon necklaces with beads of unusual types of stones are trendy. Chic beaded charm, multi-strand, and beaded swag necklaces as well as hammered sterling silver embellished with pearls, glass and stones are seen in one of a kind artisan jewelry.

The trend for this fall is for plenty of bold vibrant accessories perfect for your mood. Whether your outfit is casual, classic, elegant or business attire this is the season to just have fun mixing and matching all your accessories to create your amazing fall fashion statement!