lagarments.com hot fashion trends from los angeles based designers

Graduated color is back but DIY isn't – so put down the bucket, the clothes pegs and the elastic bands.It was only a matter of time. With bell-bottoms, batik fabrics and paisley prints making a comeback in this season's fashions, sooner or later the hippie homage was going to extend to tie-dye.

Brightly colored and patterned through resist dyeing, this unique version of traditional dyeing techniques used throughout Africa was a 1960s must-have, resurrected in the 1980s when we were more likely to home dye our clothes with elastic bands in buckets, than buy it. Now, graduated color is back.

"Thankfully it's had a glamorous makeover," admits Edinburgh stylist, Louise Wilson. "No longer is it about shapeless T-shirts, out-sized cotton sun dresses and even flimsy cotton dungarees brightly hand-dyed in your bucket in a kaleidoscope of colors. This time around tie-dye has gone chic and, dare I say it, elegant."

Designing heavyweights such as Louis Vuitton, Nina Ricci and Matthew Williamson wowed industry insiders at spring- summer 2008 shows, with their take on dip dye.

Celebrities have been quick to jump on the act too, with Claire Danes and Thandie Newton sporting high fashion dip dye dresses on the red carpets, while Madonna and Eva Mendez are currently clutching onto their Prada ombre handbags.

This time tie-dye is glamorous – so forget any notions of prancing around a muddy field at T in the Park. Luxurious silks and chiffons work well for evening chic, in elegant colors of taupe, plum or navy.

Zara is working the trend to great affect with an array of slinky jersey dresses, while Principles has offered up a range of subtly-dyed chiffon tops and blouses. Warehouse has taken inspiration from Matthew Williamson's dyeing technique with a bolder look, as has John Rocha at Debenhams and New Look.

"For those buying into this season's boho look, the hippie chic of tie-dyed fabrics works perfectly," says Louise. "Team a basic racer-back T-shirt with a funky full-circle skirt, or vice versa. A casual sun dress works well with thonged sandals, a long gold necklace and bangles, as does a ombre maxi dress."

Matalan, Jesire, Miss Selfridge, Topshop, Evans and Warehouse offer the best in casually chic tie-dye.

"Unless you're opting for the statement maxi dress, avoid the head-to-toe look," says Louise. "This trend is perfect for effortlessly injecting color into the summer wardrobe, but try and avoid the full rainbow spectrum unless you're tall – or have the confidence to carry it off.

"It's safer to stick to a two-color scheme or even hues of one color – this will look more chic. Muted greys, taupe or aubergine work best for evening wear and the office. And with accessories, keep them simple."

However, if the thought of introducing tie dye to your wardrobe sends you back into a terrifying 80s time-warp, you don't have to shun the trend completely. Prada's banana heel ombre shoes kicked off a big passion for shaded shoes – just choose the shiniest of ombre heels to tap into a more grown-up version of the look. Handbags and scarves are also an accessible way to inject a touch of tie dye into your spring/summer ensembles. Or flaunt your ombre on the beach with a stylish shaded bikini.

Fluid watercolor, bright shades fading from vibrant to pastel. It's the stuff of 1980’s whimsy, and it's also what's now.

Bobette Stott says fashion is seeing a resurgence of tie-dye and ombre, widely worn in the 1970s and 1980s.

"We're looking to the past for times we felt good as a nation, no war, recession and global warming," she says. "The '70s and '80s fit the bill."

"Tie-dye, print mixing and ethnic looks inspired by '70s bohemian rocker chicks are hot hot hot," says Stott, principal of Alternative DesignSource and adjunct professor of fashion design at Woodbury University in Burbank, Calif.

"Think Kate Hudson in 'Almost Famous.'" "Wear sheer strappy swing tops in white with bright-color, ombre-dyed striped hems," says Stott.

The shades to look for are lemon yellow, electric blue and hot pink. Pair them with knee-length denim with a dark wash for "that classic pedal pusher look with a twist," she says.

Since feminine looks of the '80s were inspired by the '50s, the feminine chic of Audrey Hepburn and company has been living large since fall and earlier.

For a feminine throwback to those times, wear the same '80s power colors in a sheath silhouette. Tie-dye can be worn in sheer wrap dresses, pleated sheaths, tanks or, of course, in T-shirts.

David Hacker, vice president of trend and color for Kohl's, names dip-dye ombre as one of the top five summer trends, easily worn in accessories.

Los Angeles image consultant Linda Arroz says to wear a tie-dyed scarf or bandanna in order to represent the trend without making it your entire outfit. And, avoid prime colors to escape the Grateful Dead look.

Tie Dye - The Hippie Fashion Statement...Is Back!

The Hippie counterculture that started out in the 1960s was more than just a movement advocating peace and freedom. What started out as a peaceful protest against the established societal norms and political arena that was in place, became an entire lifestyle that the hippies lived out from waking to sleeping, and from head to toe.

The hippie movement was about breaking free from society and pursuing liberation and peace.The hippie fashion trend made strong fashion statements and people began viewing this style as eccentric and unique clothes that were closely associated with freedom of expression. A lot of people, especially those who wanted to be unique, embraced the trend fully.

The tie dye movement is making a huge comeback this season in its new modernized version. You will see it used in a variety of techniques and on every type of garment. T-shirts, tank tops, skirts, dresses, sundresses, hats, and even underwear and shoelaces are now tie-dyed. The mix of bright colors has made tie-dyed garments popular especially during summer seasons.

However, no matter how commercialized the hippie fashion statement may get, it is still closely linked with the same hippie values. The return of the hippie culture continues to represent what it did in the past......freedom from restrictions with a sense of self-expression. Peace and love are shown through the cheerful, bright colors of tie dye and those who wear the style represent a peaceful, positive outlook in a beautiful free life.

The Connection Between Celebrities and Fashion

Tuesday 17 April, 2007

Which films have been nominated? You are not sure. Who is the Oscar favorite for “Best Cinematography?”

What will Halle be wearing?
How many diamonds will fit around Nicole’s thin little wrist?
Yes! Those are the questions!

And thus we see the reason for the relationship between fashion designers and our favorite A-list celebrities. Calvin, Donatella, Marc, and the rest of the gang are certainly not fools! Fashion designers are aesthetically driven – they seek to create physical beauty inspired by their thoughts, ideas, and visions. This physical beauty is known to us as clothing. And how beautiful it truly is!

And what can be better than a meticulously constructed and designed floor length Vera Wang gown? A meticulously constructed and designed floor length Vera Wang gown on Julia Roberts! Fuse the most beautiful fashion designs with some of the most beautiful faces, bodies and people and the result borders on sublime – a sensory delight that keeps us tuned in and left wanting to emulate.

Flashback to the months leading up to my senior prom…just weeks after Gwenyth Paltrow won her Academy Award for “Best Actress,” the racks of Macy’s were overflowing with replicas of Paltrow’s bubblegum pink ball gown. As much as we value our individual tastes and fashion sense, there is at least a part of us (no matter how small), that emulates the beauty we find in the world. This is natural, right?

I have heard that a celebrity wearing your gown/tux/creation to a red carpet event is worth over a million dollars in advertising. Further, they tell me that slipping a gorgeous frock onto an Academy Award winner is worth tens of millions of dollars in advertising. This does not seem to be much of a stretch. Beauty sells – making the relationship between fashion and celebrity brilliant....

Skull jewelry is red hot on runways and in Hollywood as it juxtaposes a daring and edgy symbol with diamonds and platinum. Take your pick of the loot with LA GARMENTS rhinestone skull jewelry, hats, belts and tote bags. Our rhinestone skull jewelry will keep you on course when treasure hunting on the high seas of life. As seen on celebrities including Angelina Jolie, Gwen Stefani, Paris Hilton, Hilary Duff and Mischa Barton.

It was time for the MAGIC Convention once again. MAGIC is the industry's most important event with over 150,000 attendees and 10,000 exhibitors in attendance.

This year there were even more fashion hipsters, rock stars, artists, designers, celebrities, photographers, and groupies. The fashion industry’s leading style editors, designers, and fashion junkies were seen everywhere as artistic talent surrounded the hallways.

I left the convention with a fresh outlook on this year’s upcoming fashion trends as well as what styles will continue to generate positive revenue in 2008. Most importantly, my predictions on styles were validated as the convention once again conveyed how important the music, hollywood, and the celebrity craze has affected the fashion industry.

The West Coast continues to dominate the industry by being the most influential force behind fashion trends. This year, there were even more actors and musicians at the convention picking up sample clothing for next year's lines. Celebrities, actors, rock stars, DJs and breakdancers were everywhere. This past week was action packed with fashion agents buying and selling. Order sheets and catalogs were everywhere!

Below, are a few of the trends I took note of. Good or bad, you be the judge...