Have you ever joined a pageant?  What was it like?  Beauty pageants are definitely great avenues for individual growth.  Say for example, the Search for Miss Universe.  The candidates are from different parts of the world and they compete for a title that brings honor and prestige not only to the candidates but to the countries they represent, as well.  Back stage, they may become friends and enjoy each others’ company whilst exploring Las Vegas.  As we often see it, the candidates are those in the front line, wearing the beautiful gowns that the different designers make.  Designers are not always in the limelight but they are actually a big factor in winning a pageant.  Would you agree?  A designer knows how to let the beauty of a particular candidate shine through by making the perfect gown for her.

I, too, had an experience in joining a beauty pageant.  It was not as huge an event as the Miss Universe, though.  I remember I went berserk in looking for the best gown.  And, it was at that time that I realized how good and passionate designers can be.  Are you one of them?  Oh, do you know that I really admire designers?  It is one of my frustrations that I’m not a fashion designer.  Anyway, I had difficulty in choosing a gown since for me, there were a lot of beautiful designs.  I believe it is passion and a love of their craft that makes fashion designers produce outstanding designs.  If only I had some of their creativity, I would join contests related to fashion.  I would see to it that I did my best to win a design prize.  I am not actually saying that it’s the prize that matters the most, but prizes can be a motivation in getting started and trying your hand at something new to you.  Am I right?

The Art Institutes announces its search to find the next winners of the Passion for Fashion Competition. The call for entries is open to high school students throughout the U.S., Canada (excluding Quebec) and Puerto Rico. High school seniors with a passion for fashion design or the business side of fashion are encouraged to submit an entry. Entries must be postmarked by November 19, 2010.

The national competition consists of two separate categories: Fashion Design or Fashion Marketing & Merchandising and Retail Management. Local competitions will take place at each participating Art Institutes school throughout U.S. and Canada. Each local Fashion Design competition winner and Fashion Marketing & Merchandising and Retail Management competition winner will earn a $3,000 tuition scholarship to The Art Institutes school they represent in the competition. Local first place winners in each category will move on to the national competition. The national grand prize winners in both categories will earn a full tuition scholarship to their respective Art Institutes school. In addition, the winners will receive a VIP trip to Fashion Week in New York City in February 2011, participate in a “meet and greet” at Seventeen Magazine’s New York City offices, and lunch with a Seventeen Magazine Style Pro.

“It is our distinct honor to sponsor the annual Passion for Fashion Competition. We believe the competition provides a forum by which those interested in a fashion education can express their full range of talent. Since we hosted the first competition six years ago, interest has continued to grow with a record number of entries submitted for last year’s competition,” said Bruce E. Dempsey, Vice President, Academic Affairs Specialist for The Art Institutes.

The Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition is open to legal residents of the fifty United States, the District of Columbia, Canada (excluding Quebec) and Puerto Rico, who are full-or part-time high school seniors scheduled to graduate in 2011 with a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Entries must be submitted along with a completed Entry & Release Form to The Art Institutes school the student wishes to represent in the competition. Entries must be postmarked by November 19, 2010.

Please visit http://www.artinstitutes.edu/pr.aspx?ID=AI2119 to learn more about The Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition.

Just for additional information, you may want to know that the Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu) is a system of more than 45 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

Anyway, come and join the search as the winners of The Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition will earn a full tuition scholarship and a trip to NYC for Fashion Week 2011!

Related articles:

• Miss Universe 2010 Pageant Fashion Tonight (piercemattiepublicrelations.com)
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If you ask your mom or granny, it would be surprising if they do not know or have not heard of Fashion Bug. It has been around since the 1940s. They are known for their affordable fashion apparels and accessories for everyday use. Whether it be for work, play or partying.

The store is a household name. It has been a big success over all these years. Just like any surviving business, it has had several challenges. The people who manage and own the company have made adjustments decade by decade which has helped the company adapt to the modern world.

The market has been really challenging with the birth of a lot of other thrifty stores. Fashion Bug met the challenge. Their 800 stores across forty-three states should be proof of this. This achievement calls for a celebration.

Fashion Bug celebrates its 70th birthday in September. Fashion Bug stores celebrate “70 years of style” with special offers, promotions and a fantastic sweepstakes where they will give away a new, 2010 Volkswagen® Beetle®.

Having opened its doors in 1940 as “Charming Shoppes”, a women’s apparel store with a commitment to offering up-to-date fashions for women on a budget, the store was re-named in the 1960s to give the chain a more fashion-forward vibe. Fashion Bug is still the specialty store where women across the country can look great and spend less. From dress to business casual, and from active knits to jeans and fashion tops, Fashion Bug offers fresh looks to satisfy all the lifestyle needs of today’s busy woman.

All during September, stop into Fashion Bug stores for fabulous birthday sweepstakes, special promotions such as RightFit jeans and dress pants and MVP items at a special price when you buy two or more. MVP items always offer shoppers best-selling items at the lowest possible price every day.

Customers can join in the festivities by entering the Ultimate Accessory sweepstakes for a chance to drive away with a new, 2010 Volkswagen® Beetle®. A second prize winner will jet off on a fabulous and fun-filled week long vacation for four to Walt Disney World® theme park. 100 third prize winners will each receive a $70 Fashion Bug Gift Card. For a chance to win, enter at Fashion Bug stores or online http://www.fashionbug.com/sweepstakes.

Another special party favor is especially for Fashion Bug Credit Card members. Fashion Bug is offering 70 bonus fashion rebate points with any Fashion Bug credit card purchase from September 1 through September 31. Fashion Bug’s Fashion Rebates program offers card members the opportunity to earn points toward Fashion Rebate Certificates that are good on future purchases. This one-time bonus is available to both existing card members and customers who open a new Fashion Bug credit card account from September 1 until September 31.

For more information about this great celebration, please contact your local Fashion Bug store. For store locations and contact information or more about Fashion Bug, please visit fashionbug.com.

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Most women, if not all, love to dress up and make up. However, not everybody has the time. Looking good is sometimes about being in. Catching up with the latest is a challenge having all the other stuff that we need to accomplish.

This challenge is especially true for working moms. It is a liberating experience to build your own career and raise kids at the same time. It could be rather depressing to look back to the days when you had all the time in the world to take care of yourself.

Along with the technology comes convenience. It has given birth to online shopping which makes life a lot easier for many people. Busy women would only need a few minutes of their time to purchase the latest designer bags. Hands-on moms do not need to leave home to buy a brand new set of make up.

Beauty product line Cherry Jack Couture launched its unique “Creative Beauty” line on a custom online store on THE LOOK today, announced Alan Mruvka, Founder & CEO of the newly launched celebrity, fashion, and beauty network – www.thelooktv.com.

Cherry Jack Couture is a skin care and beauty company, which features an extensive collection of the most effective bed and bath products using natural raw organic ingredients. Jamie Livingston, Owner and Founder of Cherry Jack, is defining the concept of Raw Organic Skin Care, while setting a new standard for quality organic ingredients.

“Since my childhood, I have been focused on the true concept of beauty through the art of creativity,” said Livingston. “Being asked to participate in THE LOOK’s online shopping experience is symbolic, because it recognizes what Cherry Jack Couture is about — Creative Beauty both inwardly as well as outwardly.”

“We’re excited to be offering the Cherry Jack bath and body collection on THE LOOK,” added Mruvka. “It is important throughout our various stores to offer the best products around.”

Other online stores recently launched on THE LOOK website include Lotus Wei Organics, featuring floral water elixirs, energy mists and body serums; and Clear Poreformance, with their deep pore cleansing system for radiant hair and skin.

About THE LOOK

Created for women, THE LOOK covers everything celebrity from fashion and beauty, to lifestyle and fitness. Through its numerous fashion and beauty experts, THE LOOK editorial team gives the audience an inside perspective into the world of celebrity lifestyle. THE LOOK is really three sites in one, an online network, a daily editorial and photo site, and an ecommerce store. As a network, THE LOOK features four original series including: “On the Scene,” “Fashion Diva,” “DIY: Do It Yourself,” and “Beauty School.” Viewers can find these series online at thelooktv.com and in the future on cable, satellite, syndication, mobile and in the international markets. As an editorial and photo site, THE LOOK features hundreds of articles and celebrity photos updated daily. In addition, each celebrity photo is enhanced with an ecommerce rollover capability that allows the consumer to purchase similar items to those worn by the celebrity in the photo. As an ecommerce store, THE LOOK offers hundreds of fashion, beauty and lifestyle products for sale on the site, both name brands and celebrity brands.

THE LOOK Founder & CEO Alan Mruvka has over 25 years of experience in the entertainment business. His monumental successes in the entertainment industry include revolutionizing a genre of entertainment and celebrity based news by founding pop culture icon, E! Entertainment Television. Since leaving E!, Mruvka founded The Ministry of Film, a film and television company, where he created and executive produced numerous television shows including USA Network’s “Pacific Blue,” basic cable’s highest rated one hour drama which shot over 100 episodes and ran five seasons; and the weekly boxing series “Thunderbox.” He also produced several feature films including the winner of the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival and the Sundance Film Festival’s critically acclaimed “Digging to China,” starring Kevin Bacon and Evan Rachel Wood, and directed by Academy Award winner Timothy Hutton; Showtime’s “The Legend of Gatorface;” and “State and Main,” starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Alec Baldwin, William H. Macy and Sarah Jessica Parker, and directed by acclaimed playwright David Mamet.

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Style is not age-specific. As early as the teenage years, one can already identify his or her developing style. This is the stage where we start experimenting with clothes that are maybe new for a teenager. While a number of teenagers are still having a hard time identifying or defining their style, others already emerge as stylish.

Being stylish is a gift. Not everyone can be stylish. But some people can be stylish without spending a fortune. Not everyone can identify his or her sense of style that fast. Not everyone is artistic enough to put different pieces together and look fab. Even as simple a thing as mixing and matching colors, some of us struggle with. Not all of us can mix and match colors and make them work, especially for those who have just let go of the stereotyped blue and pink when we were kids!

The Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition announces its search to find the next winners. The call for entries is open to high school students throughout the U.S., Canada (excluding Quebec) and Puerto Rico. High school seniors with a passion for fashion design or the business side of fashion are encouraged to submit an entry. Entries must be postmarked by November 19, 2010.

The national competition consists of two separate categories: Fashion Design or Fashion Marketing & Merchandising and Retail Management. Local competitions will take place at each participating Art Institutes school throughout U.S. and Canada. Each local Fashion Design competition winner and Fashion Marketing & Merchandising and Retail Management competition winner will earn a $3,000 tuition scholarship to The Art Institutes school they represent in the competition. Local first place winners in each category will move on to the national competition. The national grand prize winners in both categories will earn a full tuition scholarship to their respective Art Institutes school. In addition, the winners will receive a VIP trip to Fashion Week in New York City in February 2011, participate in a “meet and greet” at Seventeen Magazine’s New York City offices, and lunch with a Seventeen Magazine Style Pro.

“It is our distinct honor to sponsor the annual Passion for Fashion Competition. We believe the competition provides a forum by which those interested in a fashion education can express their full range of talent. Since we hosted the first competition six years ago, interest has continued to grow with a record number of entries submitted for last year’s competition,” said Bruce E. Dempsey, Vice President, Academic Affairs Specialist for The Art Institutes.

The Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition is open to legal residents of the fifty United States, the District of Columbia, Canada (excluding Quebec) and Puerto Rico, who are full-or part-time high school seniors scheduled to graduate in 2011 with a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Entries must be submitted along with a completed Entry & Release Form to The Art Institutes school the student wishes to represent in the competition. Entries must be postmarked by November 19, 2010.

Please visit http://www.artinstitutes.edu/pr.aspx?ID=AI2119 to learn more about The Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition.

The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu) is a system of more than 45 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

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Although we have been anticipating the holidays, gift shopping is still something that challenges us every year. Other than our closest family and friends, the kids that are dear to us will always be on top of the list. We may know these kids pretty well. However, when shopping days come, it still gives us a headache picking the right gift for them.

There are a lot of things to consider when picking a gift. First, you have to know what the person likes, more than what he or she needs. A kid will not care about anything other than what he wants at the moment. Second, you need to consider the safety and durability of the stuff that you will give them. It is your gift. It is your responsibility to pick toys that are not hazardous to their health.

Dolls are back as the new must-have toy and kids are using them to express their inner creativity by playing dress up, matching outfits, holding tea parties – the possibilities are endless for an imaginative child. Kmart is introducing every little girl’s new best friend in its exclusive What a Doll!™ collection for the US, created by Kahn Lucas Lancaster, Inc, one of the world’s leaders in girls’ fashion since 1889.

“Kmart is excited to help little girls make everlasting friendships by bringing the What a Doll! collection to stores nationwide,” said Dev Mukherjee, president, Seasonal & Toys, Sears Holdings. “We hope parents will appreciate the value of the dolls, not only for their affordability, but also for their children, who will learn new means to express themselves through safe and creative playtime.”

Girls can fuse their personal styles with their newfound friends: all girls’ apparel comes with a matching doll-sized version. The collection includes dolls, travel bags, identical outfits, cosmetics and accessories to inspire girls’ friendships, creative play and imagination. Doll apparel and accessories fit standard 18-inch dolls. The collection launched in July with new outfits available in stores for the 2010 back to school season. New dolls and a seasonal assortment of clothing will be available beginning in October and November to celebrate the holiday season.

Howard Kahn, CEO of Kahn Lucas Lancaster, Inc said, “The What a Doll! brand creates a positive, pretend play experience uniquely tailored to millions of Kmart consumers. The strong price/value relationship gives us the ability to drive incremental toy, apparel and accessory opportunities not currently addressed by market offerings.”

Kmart is also bringing the What a Doll! collection online to Kmart.com. The website www.WhatADollGirls.com offers fun activities for parents to do with their children, including play date and sleepover party recommendations, healthy cooking ideas, coloring pages, seasonal tips for activities like outdoor fun and gardening. Plus, it offers easy online shopping for moms and gift-givers.

“In this era of playtime, there are virtually millions of way kids can entertain themselves,” said Mukherjee. “Dolls have been a part of our lives for many generations and Kmart is enhancing the tradition with a fun, safe website for What a Doll! fans.”

The What a Doll! collection also makes the perfect gift.  Parents can choose to take advantage of Kmart’s layaway program – both online and in store – and reserve What a Doll! items early, pay over time and cross them off their daughter’s holiday wish list early.

Products in the What a Doll! collection are affordably priced to meet the Kmart shopper’s budget. All of the dolls are available for $29.99. Clothes and accessories range from $19.99 to $24.99 and are sold separately. Customers can shop for any of the What a Doll! toys exclusively at select Kmart stores in the US and online through www.Kmart.com.

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Every now and then, we see new designs from different designers that suit the fashion trend of this generation. Many girls or teens are fond of designing their own dresses, and I myself am among them.

Here we have one company to introduce . Bold Girlz, a new fashion brand, strives to promote girl’s talents and encourage them to embrace their inner beauty and give back.  But, it’s more than just fashion. The Bold Girlz website is an ambitious undertaking that will feature stories of girls each month being BOLD in areas of Sports, Music, the Arts and most importantly, Community Service.   There will be four categories Brave, Original, Loving, and Daring. The teens will be able to re-post these stories on Facebook and share them with friends — creating a social networking buzz.

Image by Meliza de Castro via Flickr

Each month Bold Girlz will also spotlight a non-profit and donate 10% of its proceeds to it that month.  BOLD Girlz is seeking qualified non-profits (with valid 501c3 status) that were founded by girls or benefit women and girls.  Organizations that are grassroots in nature and can show strong teen or college girl support will be favored over larger corporate non-profits.

“The marketing strategy is clear,” says founder, Cheryl Beck. “We want our marketing dollars to go to benefit women and girls’ causes.  Other apparel companies have taken a similar approach to giving back to charity, but no other fashion brand is focused on highlighting and empowering girls.  Bold Girlz also seeks to sponsor teams of girls that are raising money for charities. We will provide free t-shirts for them to wear during fund-raising events (i.e. Walk-a-Thons, etc.) as well as support them with entry fees (up to $250.00). Contest winners on the website will also win donations for their chosen charity.”

For more information visit: www.boldgirlz.com

To submit an inspiring story or to learn more about the Bold Girlz non-profit program contact: stories@boldgirlz.com.

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The little black dress is a woman’s best friend. It’s a must have for every wardrobe and a must see for every social event. It’s simple construction flatters all figures and hides all flaws. With all the complex ideas and design that fashion designers have launched season after season, the little black dress will always be a winner and in fashion. It is a good thing to note that simplicity often is the key to win the battle in a complex world. This is true in the fashion world and in our day to day lives.

With the flood of media messages insisting that if women buy more, eat more, own more and become more they’ll be happier, best friends and co-authors Jamie Belo and Kathy Burke realized they were falling for the trap.  The clutter, chaos and accumulation of all of the excess were keeping them from tapping into their inner selves and finding greater joy in their lives.  Enter the little black dress.

Not only a fashion staple, the little black dress is also a metaphor for keeping things simple, pared down and going back to basics, which became Belo and Burke’s inspiration for The Little Black Dress Way…of Living, a recently published guidebook for women to live a simple, uncluttered, easier way of life.

The book is comprised of the following sections encouraging women to simplify their lives in four different ways, which include:

• Living Lean: Living Lean is all about eating right and staying toned.  It’s about fitting into that Little Black Dress, for good!

• Living with Less: The Living with Less journey begins with “Taking out the Garbage” of the excess stuff, and saying “NO!” to anything and everything that takes away from a simpler way of life.

• Living in Love: Once all of the excess stuff is cleared, the next logical step is to enjoy Living in Love by the three A’s: Affection, Attention and Appreciation.

• Living Life: The final step is living and embracing the journey and the roller coaster that is life…Love Life.

“We made a simple choice to focus on all of the parts of our lives that needed to be slimmed and streamlined, and together we began living lean,” said co-authors and Little Black Dress Girlz Kathy Burke and Jamie Belo. “The simplicity of the little black dress has inspired us and changed the way we live our lives, and we hope it empowers other women to do the same.”

Co-author and Little Black Dress Girl Jamie Belo is currently the very proud mother of a teenage daughter. Formerly, she worked for FOX television developing kids programming and as a director/producer for NHL gamenight entertainment content for the JumboTron Sport screen. Jamie is the wife of Craig Patrick, the former general manager of the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins of 17 years, and the assistant coach/general manager of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” Olympic hockey team.

Co-author and Little Black Dress Girl Kathy Burke is a former pediatric nurse at Boston Children’s Hospital and Shriners Burn Institute.  Kathy is the wife of a leading orthopedic surgeon and team doctor for the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team. As a mom of four children, Kathy has been an active volunteer with school committees, community events and local sports teams.

To purchase the book and for more information about how to embrace The Little Black Dress Way…of Living, visit:www.thelittleblackdressgirlz.com.

The Little Black Dress Girlz Mission Statement: To tap into every woman’s ‘common sense’ for a healthy, happy, and balanced life, by offering a roadmap to joyful living. Join us on our journey to Living Lean, Living with Less, Living in Love, and best of all, Living Life! Visit us online at www.thelittleblackdressgirlz.com.

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I can’t remember anymore how many times I’ve ruined my aunt’s designer shoes and sandals as I go waving my hand while donning my fancy tiara, and walking back and forth from the kitchen area to the sala – and (giggling) sometimes, up and down the stairs too. My kind and gentle Aunt Dayzie was just living with us back then for several years to get a degree in the metropolis but, boy, was she mad when she found out! But hey, didn’t we all do this when we were like seven or eight years old? I loved the feeling of being a fashion model or a beauty queen; in short, a celebrity. There were a few, if any, pageants for young ones during that time. Kids are a mile luckier now because kiddie contests, pageants and even fashion shows are commonplace.

Lord & Taylor just announced recently that they are looking for chic or otherwise, exceptional children to be part of  Back to School Fashion Shows at each of their many stores.

Just last May 29 of this year became the official holding of casting calls for this particular fashion show for kids, which will be taking place at stores nationwide in August 21, 2010.  This was obviously set on a Saturday to accommodate children who are going to schools during that time.  Kids are sure to get excited but their parents seem to feel more anxious.  The casting call dates for specific locations are viewable at their website (http://www.lordandtaylor.com/casting).

Children from age 4 to 11 (with sizes 4-16 in girls, 4-20 in boys) are encouraged to join and be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians for a chance to be a part of the Back to School Fashion Show at your nearest Lord & Taylor. Sponsors for this kiddie fashion show include Guess Kids, Nina Kids, and Sperry Shoes; hence, kids are guaranteed to look and feel like a celebrity. Parents or legal guardians are required to provide one current color full-length or head shot photo and will have to fill out an application when they arrive at the casting site.

The Back to School Fashion Show will take place simultaneously in all stores on Saturday, August 21, 2010 at 3 p.m but each store’s casting will be held at different times. Every kid will get be given the opportunity to have his/her picture taken and be featured on Lord & Taylor’s Facebook page and website. He or she will also have a chance to win $150 worth of kid’s wardrobe – very much in time for the new school year! There will also be special events to be held between 1p.m. and 5p.m at each store so both parents and children will find it enjoyable as a family.

By joining this fun occasion, your kids will  have something to share when school officially begins once more.  Therefore, missing this event would be a no-no.  Visit Lord & Taylor’s website for your local L&T’s casting call time and brace yourself for a new and wonderful experience that’s meant for you and your children. Isn’t this a great way to end the summer? Fashion and fun, all in one!

Source: Lord & Taylor

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Fashion is evolving to accommodate your style, budget and  size! Runways may still be crowded with skinny models but designers are increasingly interested in voluptuous women who look healthy rather than starving. Women with a curvy figure can be proud to flaunt their figure now and can draw attention to themselves by wearing plus sizes. To look good is to feel good, whatever your shape or size.

Woman Within®, the premier plus size brand in the portfolio of Redcats USA, proudly celebrates Cinco de Mayo with an unbelievable sale that will have women everywhere dancing in the streets!

Running exclusively online for one week only beginning Monday, May 3, Woman Within® is offering $5 tees and tanks, as well as more than 50 plus size items specially priced at $5, $10 and $15 — the lowest prices of the season and a tremendous value for quality, innovative designs in a wide range of colors.

With more than 100 years of plus size expertise, Woman Within® provides its customers the largest selection of plus size fashions designed to fit ‘curvy’ women, the majority of women today. Even more, vibrant colors and quality, comfortable fabric that breathes in the summer keeps any woman feeling ‘put together’ and ready for a busy day.

Check out a few of the items featured as part of Woman Within®’s annual Cinco de Mayo sale:

Innovative Modern V-Neck Tee — Enjoy the appeal of this modern fit. The design of this innovative tee offers a new youthful fit that is slimmer in the bust and shorter in length. The modern tees are offered in 8 ‘soft’ colors in sizes M to 4X.

Crewneck plus size tee — Only one word can be used to describe this solid crewneck tee: perfect! These tees are offered in 29 vibrant colors in sizes M to 6X.

Dip-dye polo plus size tee — A classic best-seller in a new ultra-soft honeycomb fabric and fashionable ombre colors (aqua deep teal, soft green, pale pink and lavender). Available in sizes M to 5X.

Boyfriend plus size tee — The greatest trend of the season for comfort — the boyfriend. Offered in Pale Pink, Lavender and Celery in sizes M to 5X.

“Women of every size and shape want to dress fashionably, yet still feel comfortable in styles that are ageless and timeless,” said Neil Mulhall, Sr. Vice President/General Brand Manager for Woman Within. “Our classic selections allow for all of that — all the color and curve-appealing pizzazz that Woman Within customers have grown to know and love at low prices worth celebrating.”

Visit WomanWithin.com or call 800-248-2000 anytime 24/7 and join Woman Within® in celebrating Cinco de Mayo. You can also find these fabulous fashions on the web’s only plus-size shopping mall at OneStopPlus.com.

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The first thing that comes to my mind whenever the month of June approaches – just a little over a month from now – and hence, the wedding season, is Julia Roberts’ 1998 romantic comedy film - The Runaway Bride.   For those who haven’t seen it (I’m pretty sure most have!), the title speaks for itself. It’s about a charming young lady who gets cold feet just as she was about to tie the knot with an equally adorable guy (Richard Gere)  — and, believe me, I’ve seen this happen to a friend in real life.  And although I am still young and single, still, I can’t help but imagine how nerve-wracking that special day must be.  Indeed, could there be something that brides can do to avoid suddenly bottling out on that most special moment in their lives? I say, perhaps, yes! Preparation, lots of preparation…

Among other countless things, one of the most important things that you can physically prepare for is your wedding attire, and that includes everything from your wedding shoes to your headpiece, from your wedding gown to your lingerie. With some stroke of luck, some soon-to-be brides got this perfect opportunity when Get Married, a national multimedia wedding lifestyle resource, took them on a behind-the-scenes tour of the newest trends in wedding fashion during New York Bridal Fashion Week 2010.

Get Married conducted real-time interviews with designers and gave them an exclusive inside look at the newest wedding trends as stunning models strutted down the runway.  The full coverage of the Bridal Fashion week can be seen at www.getmarried.com/wedding-planning/fashion-week.

TV show host Stacie Francombe blogged about the styles that were exhibited and discussed about the geniuses behind its success – the designers.  Another site, TheKnot.com, even featured an online broadcast of the eight live runway shows and a half-hour recap special with a prominent editor-in-chief, Carley Roney.

Photos and videos of the runways and designers are also available such as those of the following (in order of their first names): Adele Wechsler, Alfred Angelo, Amsale, Angel Sanchez, Anne Barge,  Augusta Jones, Badgley Mischka, Claire Pettibone, Christos, Dessy, Douglas Hannant, Elizabeth Fillmore, Grand Bridesmaids, Jenny Lee, Jenny Packham, JLM Couture, Junko Yoshioka, Kenneth Pool, Kirstie Kelly, Legends, Modern Trousseau, Monique Lhullier (a proud Filipino like me), Priscilla of Boston, Reem Acra, Rivini & Alyne, Romona Keveza, Rosa Clara, St. Pucchi, and Ulla Maija.

In addition to bridal fashions, Get Married showcased and translated all the latest wedding trends in bridal registry, wedding decor and centerpieces, in paper products such as wedding cards, save the dates, and even wedding travel on its tri-media platforms— online, on TV and in print —giving brides the trends they want, whatever the place, time or manner.

Source: Get Married Media

About Get Married Media

Get Married Media is a national, integrated tri-media wedding planning resource that reaches passionate brides on TV (WE tv Saturdays at 9:30am et/pt), online (http://www.GetMarried.com) and in print (Get Married magazine).  Get Married connects brides with local and national wedding vendors and industry experts through entertainment and news.

Get Married magazine (distribution 300,000)—the new shopping and trend guide for the savvy bride—moves beyond the traditional ways of delivering a bridal publication, from the newest interactive technology and latest trends in bridal shopping and style to a colorful, fresh voice in the wedding genre.  Get Married is offering the magazine as a one-time free issue: (http://www.getmarried.com/magazine).  Also available in bulk (magazine@getmarried.com).

Closely integrated with the TV show and Get Married magazine, the online portal at http://www.getmarried.com offers brides an interactive experience, including an online wedding shop offering wedding invitations, wedding favors, accessories and products as seen in the magazine, as well as a wedding blog, video segments from the show, articles, image galleries and wedding planning tools.

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Diana, Princess of Wales is  an icon of Fashion. Humility and A sweet disposition makes her “the People’s Princess”. She is one of the most well known Glamour woman of fashion and she will always be in our Hearts.

Jewelry Television® (JTV), announced their partnership with Diana: A Celebration, the traveling exhibition showcasing the life, humanitarian efforts, and timeless fashion of Diana, Princess of Wales. On display will also be many pieces of Diana’s dazzling tiara collection which will be housed in the Tiara Gallery. To commemorate this collection, Diana fans will have the chance to enter the Royal Tiara Sweepstakes and win a tiara encrusted with 13 carats of diamonds valued at $25,000, a trip to Atlanta to see Diana: A Celebration, and other prizes. The exhibit, on display at the Atlanta Civic Center, will run through June 13.

“We saw this partnership to help promote Diana: A Celebration,as a natural opportunity to acknowledge Princess Diana’s influence on the modern jewelry industry,” said Bill Kouns, Chief Merchandising Officer for JTV. “Diana’s personal selection of a sapphire engagement ring was unprecedented at the time, and influenced women everywhere to consider colored gemstones as an alternative to the traditional diamond engagement ring,” he noted.

Known as the “People’s Princess” because of her humility, sweet demeanor and accessibility, Diana endeared herself to people all over the world. She was and forever will be an icon in the fashion industry and was a figurehead for international clothes and jewelry designers. She exuded glamour and was one of the most photographed women in history. More than 4600 photographs appeared of Diana in Vogue magazine alone. The popularity and pageantry she brought not just to the fashion industry but to every facet of her short life is unprecedented, and women everywhere continue to be inspired by her image and flare.

“The message we want to convey through this partnership is that fine jewelry and gemstones do not have to cost a royal fortune,” said Kouns. “With JTV, it is not out of reach to own stunning jewels that you will treasure and pass down for generations to come.”

JTV will feature Diana-inspired jewelry fashion segments highlighting sophisticated, colored gemstone jewelry and pearls through mid-June. “We want to honor Princess Diana’s memory and her influence on modern jewelry styles,” said Kouns.

About Jewelry Television® (JTV)

Jewelry Television® is a national home shopping network focusing exclusively on the sale of fine jewelry and gemstones. The network is broadcast to 68 million households across the U.S., and is the 15th largest retailer of fine jewelry in the country, according to National Jeweler magazine. JTV.com is the Internet’s 4th largest retailer of fine jewelry and offers documentary style videos, an expansive Learning Library and other tools for jewelry and gemstone enthusiasts. JTV recently launched a new web site, Diamond Design Gallery, allowing consumers to design their own custom, diamond jewelry. JTV is a privately-held company headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Related articles:

• Princess Diana’s Swan Lake necklace and inspiration (beadinggem.com)

As with just about every item on this planet – from hybrid electric automobiles to eco-friendly Nano ipods, from recyclable paper bags to organic crayons – everything seems to be jumping in on the “green” bandwagon, not the least of them is our clothing, our fashion, as designers go eco-chic this spring.

One of the biggest trends of this decade is eco-fashion, and it is very evident this springtime.  Prominent designers around the world are offering more stylish and affordable eco-friendly clothing as consumer demand for it rises.  In fact, Wake Forest’s sustainability office and eco-designer Jenny Hwa will soon be co-hosting a fashion show of eco-chic clothing and accessories.

“With every year that passes, it becomes easier to incorporate eco-friendly values into our shopping habits,” says Jenny Hwa, owner and CEO of the environmentally friendly company, Loyale Clothing. “If you want to support companies with green philosophies, you have to do your homework. Eco-friendly products are available, but consumers have to do some research to find them.”

She says that to choose earth-friendly fashions, one must look for organic cotton. According to Hwa,this is because the fibers of a conventional pair of jeans and a t-shirt are embedded with two cups of toxins due to chemical-intensive growing and production methods.

Natural dyes are also good choices. In some cases, manufacturers use color-grown cotton, which is derived from organic plants that bloom in colors varying from brown to green to blue. That makes dyes unnecessary.

American-made garments can be another green option. “Domestically produced clothing is subject to U.S. labor and environmental regulations,” says Dedee DeLongpre Johnston, director of sustainability at Wake Forest University. “Clothing made in developing countries is often produced there precisely because there are no regulations.”

“To be conscious consumers, we need to focus on things other than price as a value,” DeLongpre Johnston adds. “When we buy that $1.99 shirt, we often have to give up something else that’s important to us, because the true costs of the clothing have been externalized onto the environment and the backs of the people making the clothes.”

In the long run, educating people about sustainable choices may help change the consumer mentality of quantity over quality.   DeLongpre Johnston believes it’s important to highlight the fact that earth-friendly clothing can be both stylish and beautiful.  Hwa’s designs, for example, have been featured in magazines such as Vogue and InStyle, and worn by celebrities such as Blake Lively, Rachel McAdams and Jessica Alba.

The eco-chic fashion show, will be the first of its kind in the Winston-Salem, N.C., area. Over a dozen top designers are participating.

Says DeLongpre Johnston: “People get up and get dressed every day. This event will give people an opportunity to turn the lens of sustainability on a seemingly ordinary activity and see it in a new way.”

This news release was issued on behalf of Newswise(TM). For more information, visit http://www.newswise.com.

We are Mud and Sarah and we design and make funky, one-of-a-kind jewellery as It’s A Lovely Cake! We love making opulent statement necklaces, chunky charm bracelets and cute dangly earrings.

www.itsalovelycake.Etsy.com