eFashionHouse Blog Network

GUCCI, AT THE PEAK OF DESIRE

2008-08-18T06:29:00.000-07:00

From Fashion News

Gucci has just been named as the most desirable luxury brand in a wide-reaching international online survey conducted by the Nielsen Group.

When it comes to the most desired luxury brands, Gucci is unquestionably leading the way. This is the key point from the results of a major online survey conducted by the Nielsen Group at the end of 2007.

To the question, "Which luxury brand would you choose if money was not a problem?" one person in five surveyed answered Gucci. The Institute questioned over 26,300 consumers in 48 markets around the world.

Two years ago, Gucci shared 1st place in this survey with Armani, which has now slipped down to 4th place.

"Over the last two years, Gucci has succeeded in developing the power of its brand in a highly competitive and unstable market", says Patrick Dodd, President of Nielsen Europe. "They have managed to do this by consolidating the brand's value in all its product categories, from fragrances to accessories, through glasses, jewellery, leather goods and "prêt-à-porter".

The most spectacular results come from emerging markets. 41% of Indian people interviewed and 37% of people who live in the United Arab Emirates said that Gucci was their favourite one. 30% of people in Hong Kong did so as well. "Shopping is an integral part of culture in these countries and luxury brands occupy a very special place, even though for the consumer it just comes down to a simple pair of glasses", analyses Patrick Dodd.

At the other end of the scale, the Americans are the least interested ones in luxury brands. 36% of those questioned said that they wouldn't buy any brands, even if they did have the money.

These results confirm Gucci's excellent health. For the last two years the company has been managed by a winning duo: Frida Giannini, 35, Creative Director and Mark Lee as CEO of the company. They have succeeded in closing the book on the Tom Ford period and open a new, successful era in keeping with current times:

"Nowadays, women are living their sensuality in a more intimate and day to day way, through their attitude and intelligence and not just by a pair of suspenders and a large chest", says Frida Giannini, slightly tongue in cheek.

"We have gone back to basics: quality, Made in Italy and exclusivity", adds Mark Lee. “We have managed to remain focused on our customers and reconnect with our traditions and past icons".

And it's a winning combination, if Gucci's popularity around the world is anything to go by.

Men's Fashion - 5 Tips For Camouflaging and Not One Involves Fatigues

2008-07-31T04:46:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, do you look in the mirror, wish you looked hip, and cool without looking like you stepped out of a music video or Saturday Night Fever? If you think you need some help, then you probably do. If you don't think you need help, then you definitely do! So, read on for some great dressing guidelines from me. Dressing men is one of my favorite things, because just a few tips can make a big difference for you. Of course, I do love menswear and helping men look and feel their best. Moreover, because I have dressed many men on television and in private life. I know just what is needed.

First, it does not matter what shape you are. You can have a body like Brad Pitt or Sponge Bob, and still look great, IF you know what to wear. Second, buy what fits you regardless of the size on the tag. All designers cut clothes differently. For example, Hugo Boss tends to cut narrow. Some of his labels, especially in small sizes, run very tight and narrow and would barely fit your baby brother. You may need to size up to get the right fit. Third, if you have to disguise some extra pounds or gain a few pounds because the only six-pack you own is in your fridge, then read on for some more dressing tips.

Broaden your chest:

Lighter colors and interesting details around shoulders in clothing will make you appear broader
Avoid clothes fitting too tight unless you are going for the scrawny, rock star look
Horizontal stripes will be your friend, and make you look wider, verticals will only make you look narrow
Heavier, textured fabrics and knits will give you needed upper body bulk
Slightly wider lapels on jackets (now don't get crazy on me and do a total 70's flashback)
Layering shirts is another trick that will add dimension to your chest

Take my belly...please!

Vertical stripes will give you a long lean look
Dark and muted colors are best to camouflage, along with lightweight, soft, matte fabrics. Never shiny Boogie Nights specials
Shirts too baggy will only make you look bigger. Skim the body, Baby!
Wear your pants at your waist guys! Under the belly will make you look heavier. Trust me on this one!
Opt for suits that are dark, pinstripes will be amazing
Try a 1 or 2 button jacket to give you a sleek silhouette
Monochromatic dressing will always make you look like you lost 10 lbs

Do not forget to look at the rear view:

If you have a full-size butt:

Pants need to be a bit looser (I am not talking clown styles here), relaxed, easy fit. Flat fronts will work but make sure they are not so tight that the front pockets stick out, go up a size if needed
Waistline of pant should not be too high. Otherwise, your butt will look even bigger. Think elephant!
Keep pants dark and sleek. Pants with a lot of whistles and bells will add attention to hip area

If you have a pancake butt:

Back pocket details such as flaps add heft
Baggy pants still not good here, makes your butt look flatter
Jackets and long shirt tails that hit below the hip are best for camouflage

Check your neck:

Thin necks need a wide spread dress shirt collar to give width
Thick necks should stick to a regular point collars and open neck styles look awesome
V necks will make your neck look thinner, crew neck will emphasize thickness
Turtlenecks on long necks only, makes short necks look thicker and well... like a turtle

Arms and the man

Great arms, flaunt them with short sleeves and tapered shirts
Skinny arms need more fabric around them to look fuller, layers again, will be your friend, along with sweaters
Thin arms look better long sleeved shirts with sleeves rolled, and then short sleeves. Gives your arms bulk
Big biceps need full cut shirts, and sometimes custom shirts are best to get a perfect fit

So there, you have my tips for emphasizing the positive and eliminating the negative. Hey guys, I do not think I have worked with anyone who has not looked significantly better with these few adjustments. My fourth tip is to find a fabulous tailor to achieve great style and terrific fitting clothes (this may take time to find the "one" but it is well worth the effort!). And my fifth and final tip is to know your skin color and best colors and use them to your advantage. Darker colors really do diminish your not -so -hot spots and light colors highlight your hot ones. Beyond darks and lights, there are cool and warm colors, mixing patterns, etc. but those pointers are for future articles, so stay tuned.

If you found this article informative and would like more enlightening info and tips please visit http://larconsultants.com

Lori Ann Robinson is an image and fashion consultant, speaker and Emmy nominated costume designer. She works with women and men to match their personality, lifestyle, and body type to today's clothing styles.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lori_Ann_Robinson

Warmer weather boost sales

2008-06-27T12:02:00.000-07:00

from Fashion United

Warmer weather and U.S. income tax rebates have begun to fuel demand for clothes and shoes according to Jones Apparel Group Inc chief executive Wesley Card. Card told Reuters that sandals, T-shirts and lightweight dresses have been selling particularly well over the past couple months. "We saw a definitive pickup as the weather turned. I wouldn't categorize it as really robust, but there is less inventory in the channel," Card said, meaning that retailers were taking on less stock to avoid having to take big markdowns to move unsold merchandise. Jones Apparel sells brands like Jones New York, Nine West and Anne Klein, through department stores and its own stores. Card, who has been in the top job for less than a year, said there are mixed views on how strong the second half of the year will be. "I don't think it's great, but I think it's better than the way it's being portrayed." Analysts, economists and retailers expect a weak holiday selling season this year as consumer spending has slowed while the average price of a gallon of gasoline has topped $4, the housing market has sagged, access to credit has tightened and food prices have jumped.

According to Card these factors may pressure sales, but he thinks that with inventories appropriately managed, profits and margins can be strong. New York-based Jones Apparel cut its full-year earnings forecast in April, citing the worsening economy and conservative ordering by its retail customers. The company expects to earn $1.20 to $1.35 per share on revenue of $3.62 billion to $3.78 billion. Card continued: "I think next year we're going to start to see some low-single-digit price increases in footwear and accessories. I think it's unavoidable." Roughly 90 percent to 95 percent of the shoes sold in the United States are made in China, where costs of labor and fuel are rising. But unlike apparel production, which often moves to ever-cheaper frontiers, footwear factories are highly mechanized.

DRESSED IN CULTURAL AWARENESS

2008-06-24T16:17:00.000-07:00

By Phillip Zonkel, Staff Writer

Merry Colvín and her husband, Dallas, own Merry s Fashion, a unique oasis of Middle Eastern, African and Asian wearables. (Diandra Jay/Staff Photographer )Humphrey, a life-sized camel constructed from tin, welcomes visitors into Merry's, a Long Beach fashion shop that resembles a Middle Eastern bazaar.

But this store, which opened July 2006, is more than a fashion oasis. It's also an oasis of cultural awareness.

Outside the front door sits the "Perception Receptacle," a basket with a sign that reads - "Before entering, please dispose of any prejudice, bias or preconceived notion of any type. They will be available upon your departure."

Merry's, on Broadway just west of Temple Avenue and next door to Syndicate hair salon, is owned by Merry Colvín, 64, a one-time New York runway model who, in the 1990s, owned a similar boutique in a suburb of Portland, Ore.

Colvín's husband, Dallas, 71, is the shop's business manager.

Merry's carries a vast selection of handmade clothes, accessories and trinkets from eight African, Middle Eastern and Asian countries. She says the accouterment can be a bridge between cultures.

"This store is my personal protest against prejudice," says Colvín, dressed in a Moroccan headwrap, layered shirt and harem pants along with a tribal necklace from India.

"Prejudice is the root of all evil. The way we have world peace is through cultural awareness," she says. "I sell things from around the world that people have made with their own hands. When you understand people and their culture, it's hard to demonize them."

Inside the shop, browsers will find a different culture on every rack: men's and women's kaftans from Morocco and Egypt, men's and women's harem pants from India, authentic tribal and cabaret belly-dancing attire, kurtas from India and Nepal and rainbow-colored scarves from Pakistan and Iran.

Colvín also sells an eclectic selection of necklaces, bracelets, belts, hats and vintage Afghan jewelry, as well as Moroccan rugs, Egyptian statuary and lanterns, and salt crystal candleholders from the Himalayas.

She says all her work is one of a kind. Once it's sold out, it can't be reordered.

To help build those bridges between cultures, Colvín enthusiastically tells customers the origin of an item as well as the story behind it.

The "Joy Bringers" sandals, with intricate hand-beading, are made by a group of HIV-positive women in Eldoret, Kenya, Colvín says. Each sandal has a tag with a photo and biography of the

Merry Colvín of Merry s Fashion, a unique oasis of Middle Eastern, African and Asian wearables. (Diandra Jay/Staff Photographer )shoemaker.

Colvín also points out the turquoise neck pieces, purses and belts handcrafted by Tibetan refugees living in India.

Merry's has a devoted clientele. A costumer from the Walt Disney Co. purchased numerous bags of clothing for a Brazilian version of "The Lion King," and Long Beach-based radio personality Charles "Karel" Bouley (KNX-AM, 1070) owns almost a dozen of Merry's Moroccan outfits.

Colvín's fashions are as colorful as her life.

While attending Temple University in 1966, Colvín, a Philadelphia native, says she started fashion modeling for a local department store. Eventually, she says, she was recruited to be a runway model in Philadelphia, New York and Washington, D.C., for Oleg Cassini, the fashion designer who dressed first lady Jacqueline Kennedy and was renowned for his simple geometric dresses and pillbox hats, plus Italian designer Emilio Pucci and Diane von Furstenberg.

But in the mid-1970s, Colvín wanted a change of life.

"Modeling was the most inane thing I had ever done," she says. "It was so shallow."

After visiting her younger brother in Long Beach, Colvín moved to the area in 1979. She met Dallas a short time later and the couple married Feb. 14, 1980.

A few years later, the couple moved to southwestern Oregon and the tiny hamlet of Agness, an isolated area in the foothills of the Siskyiou Mountains, before settling, in 1987, in Lake Oswego, just outside of Portland.

Colvín was active in environmental causes, such as protecting old-growth trees and saving open space.

On several occasions, she protested forest clear-cutting by having herself tied to a tree.

"That was no big deal," she says. "I always tied myself to a tree when we were bullied at a protest or someone was threatening to cut down an ancient tree."

In 1995, Colvín met a local woman wearing a pale blue Moroccan top and skirt, and fell in love with the clothing's feminine, exotic and sensual look. A short time later, Colvín opened Merry's Barefoot Boutique.

The 900-square-foot store carried jewelry, belly-dancing attire and garb from Egypt, Morocco and India.

But in 1999, Lake Oswego demolished the block where Merry's Barefoot Boutique was located and built a new mall. The Colvíns returned to Long Beach the following year.

Colvín worked at a variety of retail clothing stores in Long Beach and Seal Beach, but held onto the idea of opening another fashion shop. When she saw a "For Lease" sign in a State Farm Insurance office - she says her Oregon shop was in a former State Farm Insurance office - her dreams of operating another multicultural boutique were realized.

"This shop," Colvín says, "is a culmination of my fashion and political life and my desire to help people."

eFashionHouse News!

2008-06-17T15:15:00.000-07:00

eFashionHouse.com has been selling designer handbags, purses and accessories online for over 12 years. The business began back in the early-to-mid-ninetys before anyone really knew what the Internet was all about. Designer purses became the rage and the Internet made it possible for women throughout the world to shop for fashion!

Just recently, the eFashionHouse site has made some management changes. Operations is now being driven from a Las Vegas location. There were many factors involved in making these changes. Las Vegas is a hub of resources, conferences and events. That makes the resources for eFashionHouse.com expand to provide a wider range of accessories for its consumers.

If you want to look like you spent a fortune without breaking your budget, check out the designer handbags and accessories at eFashionHouse.com. Shop 5 Fashion Stores using one shopping cart! Here's the link.

eFashionHouse Welcomes 2008 Graduates

2008-05-28T21:05:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our house, eFashionHouse, is the place to shop for your Graduation needs. Whether she's into Yoga or an obvious Fashionista, decide the award your girly grad deserves and say "congrats" with an authentic designer handbag for the Class of 2008. You know she really wants a designer purse this year! And, she's all grown up and wants something special. Shopping Online SAVES YOU MONEY! No travel time or gas to buy! Shop from the comfort of home 24/7!

All the girls are carrying a new purse to their new job. Your little graduate dreams about a new designer handbag. There are many styles and designs to select in price ranges from under $100 to more than $500. It's up to you. Whatever you pick will be a hit. Some of our favorites are Tano bags, Melie Bianco handbags, Elaine Turner handbags, Pietro Alessandro handbags, Gucci Bags, Prada bags, Fendi bags and many more. And, they are all on Sale! See the coupon codes below and start saving on your graduation gifts for that special gal in your life.

Shop the Sale Section. Take an extra 10% off!

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Graduation is here! She wants a REAL Designer Handbag! Have fun shopping! Here's a series of Graduation Tid-Bits we found amusing and thought you might, too!

Bad Graduation Gift Ideas
by Andy

A Briefcase: Oh, thanks Uncle Frank. You getting me this briefcase ensures that I’m supposed to work the same 9-5 office job that you've worked for that last 25 years while complaining about it and cheating on my wife with my secretary. (Sorry Aunt Jane)

“Planet Earth” on DVD: Am I that hard to shop for? How long did it take you to pick this out at Wal-Mart? Do you think that all I do is get high and watch the Discovery Channel? Well guess what, I DO!

“Planet Earth” on VHS: What? There’s like 20 tapes. Get out of my sight Grandma.

Money: What am I supposed to do with this? It's only four dollars.

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All Sorts of Graduation Ideas
from My Expression

Graduation Party Ideas
The Traditions of Graduation Party -Traditions are the lifeblood of every college. Traditions connect the students to the past of the college while at the same time preparing them for the future. From the historic to the contemporary, traditions can express a spirit of unity and create a sense of community while providing for loads of fun.

Graduation Planning Checklist - Its Graduation time! You’re planning on hosting a graduation party and you want it to be unique and exciting. Planning any party can be overwhelming and many things can go wrong. So, to be on the safer side, you need to come up with a graduation planning checklist to keep things from bouncing out of control.

The Do’s and Don’ts in the Graduation Party - So, you’re graduating from high school or college and what better excuse to throw a party! Spring is that time of the year for graduation invitations, announcements and gifts. Etiquettes and manners form a very important part of our being social animals.

What To Wear on Your Graduation Day - For 12 (in some cases more) seemingly never-ending years, you obediently went through the schoolyard quarrels, your first boy-girl party, your first date, the Prom, and now finally what you’ve always been waiting for – your Graduation day! This time you’re going to be wearing an outfit that your parents will finally approve of – a gown and a cap ...

Decorating your Graduation Party - So, its graduation day and you’re all set to host a special theme party. Yes, theme parties are fun and a whole lot easier to decorate! Half the fun of hosting a graduation party is decorating the party. You can decorate your room, your lawn, you table, and even your guests! You can turn graduation caps upside down and fill them with balloons or flowers ...

Graduation Speeches Etiquette - The graduation ceremony confirms each student’s quest for knowledge. Traditionally, the ceremony will include a graduation speech that seeks to put each and every students hard work (in some cases, not so hard work) into the perspective of their future. Yes, most of us have heard one or more graduation speeches either as spectators or as graduates ourselves ...

Graduation Gift Ideas - The date is fixed, and the invitations and announcements have already been given out. So, the day has finally come for you students to cry and to cheer and to leave your school or college halls forever. Yes, graduation day is indeed one of the biggest days in everyone’s life. After years and years of hard work, your efforts have finally paid off. You’re happy but ...

Chance to Promote Your Business with Graduation Open House Invitations - Do you plan to host a graduation open house for yourself or one of your children? It may not seem like it could work, but you can actually promote your business when you have an open house. You can start the promotion with something as simple as mention that the open house is being hosted by your business. This will definitely ...

Graduation Announcement Tips, Wording, and Special Poems
Graduation Announcement Wording Tips - Graduation is an important time in life, and should be announced properly. Stationary with crayons and graduation caps on it is an appropriate means of announcing a child graduating from kindergarten. A photo announcement is a nice keepsake for loved ones who are being invited to the graduation ...

Graduation Announcements Wording Ideas - So, you’re graduating from high school or college and you’re busier than ever! Your last year of college is filled with thousands of events and activities that you have never even tried to attempt during your college years. From sending out resumes and applications to asking for letter of recommendation, you have loads ...

Do it yourself Graduation Announcements - A great substitute to printed graduation announcements are announcements that you print by yourself on your personal computer. Not only are these ‘Do-it-yourself’ graduation announcements a lot more economical, but they can also be equally colorful and creative. Start of by using plain white card stock or even plain white paper ...

Sending Graduation Announcements - So, its graduation day and its time to let everyone know that you are a proud graduate. Now that all those seemingly endless years of toil and hard work have finally paid off, it’s finally time to celebrate. First things first, start by sending out graduation invitations and announcements to all your near and dear ones. Most colleges and high schools ...

Graduation Invitations in General and the Etiquette
Graduation Party Invitations - Planning the Party - Everyone who has played a role in the life of the graduate should be sent an invitation to the graduation party. It is understood by most that tickets to commencement are limited, however an open house allows for everyone to congratulate the graduate. - Invitations - You can choose informal themes, such as a backyard ...

Graduation Invitations Etiquette - There is a very good reason why people call graduation ceremonies ‘commencement ceremonies’. This is because graduation does not mark the end; it marks the beginning. Graduation is the achievement of all goals, and rewarding the graduate for his or her hard work is a must. Graduation time is the time to invite friends and family together for an exclusive ...

Choosing Graduation Invitations Theme - Whether for you or a friend, Graduation day is one of the most joyous and welcomed occasions in any student’s life. It marks the end of your educational journey that can sometimes seem to be an endless and intolerable journey. Graduation is a once in a lifetime event, so give this event the honor and prestige that it truly deserves. The very first ...

The Traditions of Graduation Cap & Black Color in Your Invitations - When it comes to graduation invitations or stationary there are some traditions that are still observed by most people. In the majority of samples that you look at while shopping you will find that there are graduation caps in the majority of them. This is simply an obvious choice of décor since it is an invitation for a graduation ...

Graduation Invitations Theme
Casual Graduation Party Ideas - If you want to throw a wonderful party for that special high school or college graduate in your life, don’t assume you have to spend a fortune and put together some very elegant get together. After all, your graduate has already worked very hard to achieve this accomplishment and now just needs some time to relax and unwind. That’s why sometimes a more casual ...

Throwing a Cocktail Theme Graduation Party - Graduating from college is a major accomplishment and is definitely one of the best reasons to have a celebration. However, too many graduation parties are all the same. If you want to throw an amazing party, then you’ll want to take a creative approach with your graduation celebration. One idea is to celebrate with a cocktail theme ...

Throwing a Party for Valedictorians and Summa Cum Laude Graduates - Graduating from high school or college is a huge achievement, but if your student is graduating with honors then that achievement is even more deserving of a special celebration. No ordinary graduation is going to be sufficient. Background on Graduation Honors - If you’re not familiar with all of the “honors” terminology, then ...

Black, Red, and Green for Graduation Invitations - Graduations are one of those major milestones in life that deserve not only to be recognized but also to be celebrated. Whether the student in your life has just earned a high school diploma, a bachelor’s degree, or an even higher degree, you’ll want to find a way to show him or her just how proud you are of their hard work ...
Ideas for a Formal Graduation Party - When we think of graduation parties, sometimes we have the impression that all of them are just full of young people drinking too much and playing loud music. And sure some graduation parties would fit that description pretty well, but that isn’t your only option if you’re planning a celebration for a special student in your life ...

Feng Shui Graduation Party Ideas - Celebrating a graduation is a big deal. The family wants to show their pride at how well their student has succeeded. The student wants to know that he or she has done a good job by achieving this important life goal. When you’re planning something this special, then it only makes sense that you should take into consideration every possible way of ...

Creating Tassel as Embellishments For Your Invitations - If you want to create a graduation invitation that is sure to get the attention of those you invite you can do a lot of it yourself. It can be fun to add your own personal touch to it, even if you order the actual stationary and then create a tassel as an embellishment. Everyone associates a tassel with graduation, so this can be a fun addition! If you ...

Clip-Arts for Graduation Invitations - Do you want to add some fun and uniqueness to your graduation invitation but you aren’t sure what may or may not be appropriate? If so, you aren’t alone. The fact of the matter is that there are a lot of fun or original things that you can do; you simply need to infuse your own style into it and get creative. Anything that you can imagine can generally be created ...

Personalize Your Graduation Invitations with Special Inspirations - A graduation invitation can be just a graduation invite, but there are some great things that you can do to add your personal touch and make it interesting and even inspirational to those that you send them to. There is nothing better than sending out invites that have been infused with your own personal style, whatever that may be ...

Differentiating Masculine & Feminine Invitations Theme - Because both men and women graduate from high school as well as college there needs to be a way to differentiate between invitations that are more appropriate for men and those that are more appropriate for women. This is not to say that there aren’t invitations that are appropriate for both genders, but if you want something that ...

Seasonal Graduation Invitations
Show Your Patriotism with Patriotic Graduation Invitations Theme - Over the last couple years the patriotism in our country seems to have been renewed and this includes the young, the old, and everyone in between. If you are graduating from high school or college why not share your patriotism with others with a patriotic invitation theme? Why go drab when you can serve to inspire those that ...

Graduation Photo Christmas Cards - Are you graduating early? Many students that graduate early, graduate in the winter months, which is a great opportunity to do something different with your graduation invitation. You can not only send an invite to all those that you would like to attend your graduation ceremonies; you can send a Christmas greeting at the same time by enclosing a Christmas card with a photo ...

After The Graduation
Sending Graduation Thank You Cards - So, your graduation day has come and gone, the ceremonies were amazing, the graduation party was brilliant, and above all, the graduation gifts were super cool! The graduate is happy, the graduate’s guests are happy, everyone is happy. But, after the ceremony, party and gifts comes the most daunting part – sending out ...

Graduation Photo and your Scrapbooking Project - Honoring the graduate is one of the most important parts of the graduation ceremony. If you’ve organized your photo albums over the years, then everything should be up to date. But, if you are like most of us, then you’re family photos are probably piled up in boxes in the attic. Since you are going to be graduating pretty soon, now ...

Career Guide After Graduation - Transitioning out of college can be both, an exciting as well as a scary experience. There are newer and tougher challenges to face, unwritten laws to be followed, unexplored opportunities for progress – and humiliation – in every nook and cranny. While recent graduates and most other college students are preparing themselves to become experts ...

Reunion Graduate Party Planning - Once you graduate, you only get to see you friends every ten years at each reunion! So you want to have a fun reunion party this time and not a boring formal one? Planning for your reunion would mean coming up with a special plan or an idea for the party. From the decorations to the food and particularly the entertainment, your graduate reunion party ...

Celebrate Memorial Day with American Fashion Designers

2008-05-16T16:31:00.000-07:00

Use coupon code MDS08 for an extra 20% off. Click Here!

Celebrate Memorial Day in style and take an extra 20% off all the American Designers at eFashionHouse.com. We owe a lot to the European influence when it comes to fashion. Yet, the American Designers produce an image we call, "Home." People like Ralph Lauren, Liz Claiborne, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Jacobs, Melie Bianco and Elaine Turner pave the way for upcoming American fashion influence. Designers like Tano Bags, BCBG, Coach, Dooney & Bourke and Brighton bring a sense of American style and unique image to their collections. We honor all the American Designers this season and celebrate with them for Memorial Day 2008.

Whether you are looking for a new handbag, wallet, tote or leather shoulder bag, you can find a perfect American Designer Handbag for an unbeatable price. But don't lose sight of the true meaning of Memorial Day. We celebrate in honor of many people who have died in military service protecting our country. It's really about honoring our heros.

Yes, we are addicted to fashion, and we admire the creative design process. We are always seeking a bargain, and we shop online for the best deals we can find. So, get ready for Memorial Day with a celebration of American Designers at an additional 20% off, and remember our heros who lived their lives to make America our home.

MORE ABOUT Memorial Day
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May (observed in 2008 on May 26). It was formerly known as Decoration Day. This holiday commemorates U.S. men and women who have died in military service to their country. It began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it was expanded to include those who died in any war or military action. One of the longest standing traditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500, which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911. It is also traditionally viewed as the beginning of summer by many, for many schools are dismissed around Memorial Day.

Many people observe this holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. US Eastern time. Another tradition is to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. Volunteers place a U.S. flag upon each gravesite located in a National Cemetery.

Many politicians and community leaders give speeches at community gatherings on Memorial Day.In addition to remembrance, Memorial Day is also a time for picnics, family gatherings, and sporting events. Some Americans also view Memorial Day as the unofficial beginning of summer and Labor Day as the unofficial end of the season. The national Click it or ticket campaign ramps up beginning Memorial Day weekend, noting the beginning of the most dangerous season for auto accidents and other safety related incidents. The USAF "101 Critical days of summer" begin on this day as well. Some Americans use Memorial Day to also honor any family members who have died, not just servicemen.

Flags flying at Fort Logan National Cemetery during Memorial Day 2006.Memorial Day formerly occurred on May 30, and some, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), advocate returning to this fixed date, although the significance of the date is tenuous. The VFW stated in a 2002 Memorial Day Address, "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed a lot to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."

Following the end of the Civil War, many communities set aside a day to mark the end of the war or as a memorial to those who had died. Some of the places creating an early memorial day include Charleston, South Carolina; Boalsburg, Pennsylvania; Richmond, Virginia; Carbondale, Illinois; Columbus, Mississippi; many communities in Vermont; and some two dozen other cities and towns. These observances eventually coalesced around Decoration Day, honoring the Union dead, and the several Confederate Memorial Days.

Decoration Day, c. 1900. "You bet I'm goin' to be a soldier, too, like my Uncle David, when I grow up."According to Professor David Blight of the Yale University History Department, the first memorial day was observed in 1865 by liberated slaves at the historic race track in Charleston. The site was a former Confederate prison camp as well as a mass grave for Union soldiers who had died while captive. A parade with thousands of freed blacks and Union soldiers was followed by patriotic singing and a picnic.

The official birthplace of Memorial Day is Waterloo, New York. The village was credited with being the birthplace because it observed the day on May 5, 1866, and each year thereafter, and because it is likely that the friendship of General John Murray, a distinguished citizen of Waterloo, and General John A. Logan, who led the call for the day to be observed each year and helped spread the event nationwide, was a key factor in its growth.

General Logan had been impressed by the way the South honored their dead with a special day and decided the Union needed a similar day. Reportedly, Logan said that it was most fitting; that the ancients, especially the Greeks, had honored their dead, particularly their heroes, by chaplets of laurel and flowers, and that he intended to issue an order designating a day for decorating the grave of every soldier in the land, and if he could he would have made it a holiday.

Logan had been the principal speaker in a citywide memorial observation on April 29, 1866, at a cemetery in Carbondale, Illinois, an event that likely gave him the idea to make it a national holiday. On May 5, 1868, in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans' organization, Logan issued a proclamation that "Decoration Day" be observed nationwide. It was observed for the first time on May 30 of the same year; the date was chosen because it was not the anniversary of a battle. The tombs of fallen Union soldiers were decorated in remembrance of this day.

Many of the states of the U.S. South refused to celebrate Decoration Day, due to lingering hostility towards the Union Army and also because there were very few veterans of the Union Army who lived in the South. A notable exception was Columbus, Mississippi, which on April 25, 1866 at its Decoration Day commemorated both the Union and Confederate casualties buried in its cemetery.

The alternative name of "Memorial Day" was first used in 1882, but did not become more common until after World War II, and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967 . On June 28, 1968, the United States Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which moved three holidays from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend and for the first time recognized Columbus Day as a federal holiday. The holidays included Washington's Birthday (which evolved into Presidents' Day), Veterans Day, and Memorial Day. The change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. The law took effect at the federal level in 1971 . After some initial confusion and unwillingness to comply at the state level, all fifty states adopted the measure within a few years, although Veterans Day was eventually changed back to its traditional date. Ironically, most corporate businesses no longer close on Columbus Day or Veterans Day, and an increasing number are staying open on President's Day as well. The holiday has endured as one where most businesses stay closed because it marks the beginning of the "summer vacation season" (similar to neighboring Canada's Victoria Day, which occurs on the prior Monday).

ETRO Designer Handbags - Add a Pop of Color to Your Life!

2008-05-13T19:09:00.001-07:00

Add a pop of color to your life! It's easy with a new Etro handbag. Just in time for the coming of warmer weather. We all deserve it after this long cold winter. Some folks report it has been the hardest winter ever. Well, then it is time to bring out the warm colors of ETRO.

ETRO designer handbags come in warm colors like yellow, orange and brown. Click here for more details. There are a variety of styles and shapes in monogram canvas and leather. Plus, as an added incentive use coupon code OFF10 and take an extra 10% off your entire Etro purchase. When you are looking for a bargain and start bargain hunting online remember your favorite sites to get great designer purses at a fraction of what they cost retail. Click here.

Huge SALE in progress at eFashionHouse

2008-05-11T08:22:00.000-07:00

In today's tight budgets, there's always hope for online bargain hunters. Click here to enjoy a huge Sale on all your favorite Designers like Fendi, Marc Jacobs, Gucci, Coach, Tano bags, Murval, Melie Bianco, and many, many more! For more information.

Purse selection: Personal, practical or Prada?

2008-05-06T17:35:00.000-07:00

PRADA backpack BZ0020 designer handbag brown satin large back pack designer purse.

from Pioneer Local
By KIMBERLY FORNEK

An exhibit at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, entitled Pocketbook Anthropology, showcases purses through the decades and their evolution from a coin purse carried by men to a fashion statement for women.

About 70 purses are on display including a souvenir cloth coin purse from the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago and a black leather Christian Dior bag that the owner bought for $1,200 in 1995. The owner reported she carried the purse, with the gold-plated letters, D, I, O and R dangling from the strap, around the globe as she conducted international business. It conveyed to those she met that she was a successful, polished businesswoman.

Other bags are more whimsical, such as the straw handbag that resembles a little house with felt windows, bought in Japan about 1950. The exhibit has pocketbooks resembling fans, piano keys and a barn. Other novelty purses are made from a cigar box, bottle caps, cigarette packages or license plates. A bright yellow purse, imprinted with the warning, "This Bag is Not a Toy," is quite comical. The following advice is printed on the purse: "To avoid dangerous withdrawals, keep away from men and children."

Early designs
The early 1900s are represented by delicate, elegant bags: a black and beige beaded drawstring bag, a green and silver crocheted miser's purse, a metallic mesh bag and an embroidered silk purse decorated with wood and ivory beads. "Dainty, impractical evening bags have always been cherished because of, not in spite of, their inutility," the exhibit historian states in text accompanying the displays. Purses have come to symbolize a woman's identity and individuality. Or they may suggest privacy and status, the exhibit explains. For many contemporary women, however, a purse has become an everyday necessity, as essential as their wallet or eyeglasses.

Practical purses
Dawn Suarez of Arlington Heights said size and the number of pockets are the most important factors when she chooses a purse, because "with kids you have to be able to put all their little toys in to keep them entertained." On Wednesday morning, her Coach purse held a baggy with different colored pens, a roll of crayons and a plastic horse. The supplies for her 4-year-old son, William, who accompanied her, also included a bottle of water, Goldfish crackers, and an EpiPen auto-injector because he recently had a severe allergic reaction. "And I always have lollipops for the kids for when they get bored," she said. Other essentials in her bag were sanitary hand wipes ("They go with me everywhere") and Starbucks gift cards ("I don't leave the house without them.") Suarez said she prefers Coach bags "because they hold up really good." But when she wants a dressier look, she'll often carry a Kate Spade purse "when I am out for a nice evening with my husband."

Style and comfort
Michelle Pantone, too, likes Kate Spade. She was carrying a bright green purse by that New York designer when she met two friends outside Egg Harbor Cafe in Arlington Heights. "This (purse) will last years," Pantone said. But she acknowledged she will probably use it only one year. Then it will be retired to the "purse cellar," her reserve of handbags she doesn't use anymore, but doesn't get rid of. "Maybe one day it will be vintage," Pantone said. Her friend Beth Dazzo said she looks for style and comfort, meaning how the strap rests on her shoulder, when she is buying a purse. She had a large, dark brown handbag from Perlina of New York with her. In addition to typical items, such as lipstick, a cellular phone and a comb, Dazzo carries a juice box, Band-Aids and "a lot of meds, things my kids need. Mine is usually a suitcase," Dazzo said. Loree Parker of Spring Grove said she likes a big, shoulder bag. "So I can carry my water bottle and an umbrella. I carry an umbrella all the time, it doesn't leave my purse. It's one of those tiny ones that opens up."

She doesn't change her bag to go with her outfit or the seasons. Her red handbag "goes with every outfit I have worn so far. I don't have to switch it," Parker said. But it's not as comfortable as her previous purse which had a braided handle "that didn't slip off" her shoulder. Several women said they test a purse in the store before they buy it to see how the strap rests on their shoulder. "It has to be light because I have a shoulder problem," said Dorothy Santella of Park Ridge. But the purse has to be "roomy," too, she said, "because I like to take everything with me. And it has to have an outside pocket for my keys or sunglasses so I can get them without opening the purse."

Not designer
"I have lots of purses," said Santella, who was touring the purse exhibit at the historical museum with her two sisters. "I am constantly changing them. I would love a designer purse -- if you could get me one for under $100." Her sister Gloria Bernardi said, "I am not a designer purse person." She considers the size and the price when choosing a purse. "It has to have enough room to keep everything I need ... wallet, comb, tissue, keys ... and not too many compartments, "but enough, maybe three." Their sister Millie Genovise of Norridge said she buys a purse for practical purposes. "It has to have enough compartments and a good zipper or clips." She carries a larger purse when she travels to hold more items and the literature she collects as she goes from place to place. At the historical museum, Genovise carried a "Prada knock-off" that her sister in New York gave her.

Julie Iuorio said the most important thing about a purse is "that it has a zipper. I like to throw it around and I don't like everything falling out," Iuorio said. Tricia Kintzler, 20, said comfort is most important to her. "I like it to fit on my shoulder or one that goes across (the chest)." And she usually carries a large purse. "I have gotten used to carrying everything with me," Kintzler said. In the big, white shoulder bag she brought to the library with her, she had makeup, a cellular phone, a notebook and "always Tylenol." "I even have a bagel in there," Kintzler said. Salina Wunderle of Arlington Heights said a purse's size and fabric are what matter most to her. "I love this bag," she said about the cloth purse she had with her at the library last week. "This is my everyday bag. I love the earthy tones, the floral pattern, the leather supports and the hardware; it has a cute, little design." She typically chooses a large purse.

'Carry the world'
"I go to school, so I have to carry the world with me." Wunderle rattled off some of the items in her purse that day: wallet, Chapstick, lotion "absolutely," gum, mints, pen, paper, day planner and eye shadow. "I always have to have a snack with me. Sometimes jewelry goes in there, not much makeup. Band-Aids for blisters from new shoes and aspirin for everyday headaches," she added

Julie Harper only carries six items in her Luis Vuitton purse, which is standard for her, both the designer and the light load. She likes Luis Vuitton because "they have a lifetime warranty" and don't show the wear, she said. And her staples? A wallet, cellular phone, keys, sunglasses, lipstick and hand lotion. "I don't have kids, can you tell?" Harper asked.

Affordable Marc Jacobs satin quilted handbags

2008-05-02T14:59:00.000-07:00

Leave it to Marc Jacobs to market every corner of the globe! Here's a brand new designer handbag in quilted satin and polyurethane trim in a bowler bag style with straps long enough to carry over your shoulder. Read more about this bag:

MARC JACOBS designer handbags satin bowler bag designer purses silver. Marc by Marc Jacobs satin bowler bag brand new this season. Fully lined. Inside pocket. Monogram details. Satin quilted body. Polyurethane trim. Zip top. Guaranteed authentic. Comes with a sleeper bag for storage. The Marc Jacobs handbag measures about 15 x 8 x 6 inches with double straps about 20 inches each with about a 7 inch drop.

Handbags, Purses, Jewelry, Clothes - DesignersLA: Melie Bianco Los Angeles handbag designer - affordable purses with style and charm

2008-05-01T22:00:00.000-07:00

Handbags, Purses, Jewelry, Clothes - DesignersLA: Melie Bianco Los Angeles handbag designer - affordable purses with style and charm

Handbag Demand

2008-04-30T06:48:00.000-07:00

By Kenneth Elliott

Without a doubt the one accessory that most women cannot go without is a ladies handbag. And why not, the ladies handbag is a sanctuary, a place to store makeup, their cell phones, and many other wares that are essential to the on the go women. To this end ladies handbag demand has increased in the market place. As a result, so has the selection. And no doubt the top handbag distributors have taken notice.

Take for instance Coach; known for their Coach handbags, wallets and other accessories, coach handbags are manufactured to be soft glove tanned leather, which has evolved with new shapes, styles, and material. Coach handbags have always been one of the top handbags to have. But many people cannot afford a authentic coach handbags. This is where replicas step in. No, I can't say that a replica is a good choice, but if you want the coach look but you don't have the coach pocket book, well a coach handbag replica is a good choice.

One of the most popular types of ladies handbags is a handbag crafted from leather. Leather handbags are available in several different color, sizes and shades. Many women prefer a neutral shade such as brown or black when purchasing a handbag. If you don't like leather, handbags also come in other materials like vinyl-coated canvas. Or even nylon. If you can imagine it, is probably for sale.

Handbags come in various sizes and shapes and there is sure to be one to please you. From totes, compacts to shoulder designs, small clutches to sakes there is a handbag out their made just for your style.