Is Your Authentic Designer Handbag Really Authentic?

You have just bought a new designer handbag. Maybe you have had your eye on a Christian Dior Saddle Handbag, or Gucci Jackie-O that you know your friends will drool over . You got a huge discount off of the hefty retail price and you're feeling pretty good about yourself. But now you are wondering- is my designer handbag authentic.
Determining the authenticity on any product can be a little tricky, but if you know the basics, you will be able to spot a fake in just a few seconds.
One of the best ways to ensure your new handbag is authentic is to look at the bag itself. Designer handbags are popular and cost as much as they due because first and for-most they are made from quality materials. Take a good look at the stitching. There should be no loose or missing stitches, the color of the thread should match the main color of the bag and the stitches should be evenly spaced. If the handbag is leather, the logo should be engraved, not just printed on the leather.
Also take a look at the hardware. All of the hardware should match in color and sheen. The hardware should also be free of scratches. Many manufactures, including Gucci, Fendi and Prada, protect their hardware with a removable plastic cover that is to be removed only after it has been purchased. The brand name or logo should be engraved, not embossed or simply printed on the hardware. You can also find the brand name of logo engraved on the strap hardware on Gucci, Fendi, Prada, Chanel.
Inspect the material the bag; lining, hardware and accents are made of. Many handbags are made of different types of leather, from Lambskin, Calfskin, Goatskin and Patent Leather, but it is easy to distinguish if the leather is of a good quality or not. The lining is usually made of a satin material that has a nice shine to it and most designer handbags have the name brand name or logo on the lining. Designers almost always use leather accents, not plastic. Some purses have straps that are specially coated and seem to be artificial. However a quick look at the edge of the strap, usually near a stitched joint, should reveal a leather core.
Is there an authenticity card. An authenticity card is a little card that usually has the manufactures logo embossed on the front and has some information about the product you purchased and sometimes includes a magnetic strip, bar code. Many manufacturers, including Gucci, Prada, Fendi, Kate Spade and Coach, use these cards.
Check for a serial number. Not all manufacturers use serial numbers, but many do. The serial number for Fendi purses can be found on the inside pocket. Simply turn the pocket inside out and there will be a printed number on the fabric or possibly on the leather tag. Gucci includes a small leather tag on the zipper seam of the handbag which includes a serial number.
If you shop wisely, and inspect the bag carefully, you will be able to spot a fake from a mile away.

Don't make these fashion mistakes

1. Wearing the Wrong Colors
To look your best wear clothing colors that will complement your skin. Wearing the wrong colors will make your skin appear sallow and lines and wrinkles will be more evident. The right colors will make you look more vibrant and healthy.
2. Wearing too much makeup
Too much makeup will make lines appear deeper and will create a harsh look. Keep makeup light for day and a little darker for evening. See a professional if you are unsure of makeup application techniques.
3. Wearing Clothes that are too small
Wearing clothes that fit too tightly will make you appear larger. Wearing clothes that do not suit your body type will make you appear larger. Buy clothes that suit your body type - not someone else's.
4. Chipped nail polish
The idea of nail polish is to make your nails appear nicer. Chipped polish just brings attention to poor grooming.
5. An old-fashioned hairstyle or messy hair
Your hairstyle creates a first impression. From your hairstyle people will assume your education level, status, age etc. This doesn't mean the judgments are correct - they happen instinctively. Make sure it doesn't happen to you. Visit your hairstylist regularly.
6. Messy Shoes or wrong shoes for your outfit
Take care of your shoes they complete your look. Also pay attention that your complement your outfit.
7. Roots that show
If you colour your hair make sure you keep it maintained regularly.
8. Bras and bra straps that show
When wearing sleeveless tops make sure you wear a racer back bra. Don't wear bras that fit too tightly or don't have good support.
9. Mismatched hose
Match your hose with your shoes or with your pants or skirt.
10. Wearing inappropriate clothes
When in a working environment make sure that your clothes are not flashy (unless you are in a creative field) do not wear short skirts, (more than 3 inches above the knee) sleeveless tops, plunging necklines, stilettos, too much jewelry, leather pants or skirts, or anything that shimmers.

Make Travelling Easy With a Luxury Leather Weekend Bag

If you are going on a weekend trip, you wouldn't want to bring your wheeled luggage with you, do you? You simply want to just carry an overnight or a weekend bag that is enough to carry your personal belongings. One of the best investments when it comes to weekend bags would have to be leather. Here are some of the reasons why you need to buy yourself a leather weekend bag:
1) Durability
When it comes to durability, you can be sure that leather bags are the best in the field. Leather, if genuine, can really withstand extreme weather conditions. You can bring your leather weekend bag to Cabo in Mexico where it is hot and tropical and at the same time, you can also bring it to a ski trip in Aspen in Colorado. You can be sure that wherever you bring your leather bag, it won't chip and it won't wear out. You just have to make sure that the one you invest on is real leather. The best thing too about leather is that it is very similar to wine. Like wine, as genuine leather bag ages, it gets finer and the quality is stronger. Leather travel accessories such as leather wallets, leather key rings, and leather travelling bags, attache case, and leather storage boxes are good travel accessories to carry.
2) Style
Another quality that sets leather weekend bag from the rest would have to be the style. Leather has been in generations way back in the past and you can be sure too that it will still be here in the future. Leather is a classic material and it is really timeless. You do not have to worry that it will go out of trend. As a jetsetter, you do not have to worry if your travel bag will be cohesive with your clothes because you know that they will. For ladies, a travel wallet, leather shoulder bag, ladies briefcases, and other leather luggage carriers are available to express the latest trends.
3) Personality
Have you ever heard about the saying that your bag says a lot about you? Not only is it the things inside your bag but the bag that you use yourself. Leather will give the impression that you are serious, professional and luxurious. All of these qualities are what you would want to possess especially if you are going to a business trip. If you are on a leisure trip, you can be sure too to create a good impression on other people who are staring at you at the airport.
4) Convenience
If you are always out on the weekend, you do not have to worry about changing your bag very so often. For instance, if you are a college student who lives in a dorm and goes home every weekend, you simply can keep your leather weekend bag in your closet or under your bed. You do not have to pack things all the time and unpack them as you arrive. Leather bags can be thrown in the back seat of your car anytime and you do not have to worry about crumpling the clothes you have inside. The best thing about leather bags is their compartments too.
With a leather weekend bag, you can be sure that you will have more time relaxing than stressing out on your luggage.

Wholesale Dress Shirts For Women

Women and fashion are synonymous to each other and when you talk about fashion how can you not talk about wholesale dress shirts? These are shirts that women can team up with formal trousers, casual trousers or even skirts for that matter. For every woman it is essential that the garment she wears compliments her figure and makes her look attractive and smart. These cuts, fits and designs are not possible in the non-branded apparels as compared to the branded apparel. But what about the cost of buying these branded dress shirts? This is where wholesale dress shirts come to your rescue; they are the branded shirts that you see in any exclusive branded retail outlet but at a huge discount.
Understanding the Business Dynamics of Wholesale:
When we speak the work "wholesale" we mean buyers who pick up merchandise in bulk. They may do so from the manufacturer directly or have a tie-up with low-cost manufacturers and suppliers. Due to the bulk purchasing, they have a cost advantage which only a wholesaler can afford and not a retailer. This discount is then passed on to the customer. This way, if you purchase from a wholesaler, you get massive discounts and you can purchase more garments for the price you would have otherwise spent on one garment.
Expanding Your Product Line:
If you are looking at wholesale dress shirts as a business proposition, first you have io design your product line that you plan to sell. For this you should primarily understand the demands, needs, preferences and aspirations of the target group. Here your target group would mostly comprise of young women ranging from the age group of a teenager to regular office goers.
The needs of the target group can be divided in two categories: what they need as of today and what they may need as of tomorrow. The products that fall in these two categories would comprise of your product line. The inspirational needs of the target group would show you the direction in which your business could grow if nurtured well. For this you need to understand the needs the women may have or which they nurture in their hearts but have not been able to express so far.
For example every woman aims to be the most stunning and would love to dress like a diva; you can tap this inspirational need in her by including such attire in your product line and give out special offers and promotions to make her buy the product. This way you have created a new need and increased demand.
Similarly, apart from formal dress shirts try to introduce various apparels that can be worn for formal and casual occasions in terms of tops and bottoms. Add in the accessories too for the complete look and your customer is guaranteed to stay loyal to you as long as you keep your product line rich and innovative along with the price advantage.
Wholesale is a very competitive market with wholesalers importing from various countries where the cost of labor and material is a fraction and this results in goods that are as good in quality but priced very nominally. This is one business that would never go out of fashion as women would always love to dress well and would continue to buy irrespective of how many clothes they have in their wardrobe. You can get into the business of not just wholesale dress shirts but also pants, jackets, skirts, dresses, accessories, shoes, coats, clubwear, swimwear and become the one stop shopping destination for women worldwide.

Wholesale Shirts Business - A Business Venture

Wholesale shirts business is one business venture which has a lot of scope. Not only is this business quite simple and uncomplicated it is also quite profitable and would last for years to come. As you already know that the apparel industry is growing steadily for the last few years and still has a lot of untapped potential. This is where you come in, capture the market when it is still developing and establish yourself. The first step before you start is to decide your market positioning as it would decide the types of shirts you procure and sell. The positioning would include the age group of the wearer, the styling they prefer, the fabrics preferred and the budget they are comfortable in.
Once you have decided your target market try to do some research about the tastes and preferences of the target customers. This would give you a fair idea about the stock you need to have and then look at the suppliers and manufacturers who can supply the required goods. Do not compromise on the quality in the name of price. Maintain a minimum quality standard below which you should not accept goods. After all it's the reputation that shall carry you forward and if you compromise on quality you've lost your business even before you have started it.
You can take a look at wholesale directories to get the contact details of authentic wholesale suppliers with whom you can start your business. Now-a-days online business is booming and you too can set up an online shop for your business. Try not to be too much into niche products as it would make your client base smaller. Try to include as much variety as possible keeping in mind the target group. The idea is to ensure that the customer purchase his entire apparel requirement from you and does not need to visit another wholesaler.
Always try to maintain the price advantage as the competition is very tough. Even if you are dealing with wholesale shirts add in items related to women as men would want to shop for their girlfriends too. This way you can slowly broaden the client base and soon the women would start shopping from your online shop. Be fashion savvy yourself to ensure that you offer them sophisticated and stylish goods. This is where your personal fashion acumen shall play the role of differentiating between you and another competitor.
Have variants to your products as there would be customers who are set in your demands and want a bright yellow and not a muted yellow. You must have scope for these variations to keep the consumer happy. Colors play a very important role in how well your customer responds to your merchandise. You should be aware of the fact that color preferences change within different age groups and also depend on the occasion the wearer intends to wear the shirt. This understanding of color preferences shall help you at the tie of procurement of merchandise and you can make wise selections of apparel that would sell for sure.
Even as a buyer you should easily be able to buy wholesale shirts by simply searching for the wholesalers on the search engine. Once you have a list of top selling wholesalers you should go through their catalog in detail, spending time in reading the fine print. The payment methods acceptable, delivery times, returns and refund policies etc are a few things you should compare before making a purchase. Do go through the photographs, item details and feedback left by buyers to understand the authenticity of the wholesale shirt brands to ensure you end up buying what you intended to buy.

Karen Kane, a Graduate of the Fashion School FIDM Featured on the Cover of Women's Wear Daily

"The better market is looking, well, pretty great these days thanks to graphic plays in sleek black and white," says Women's Wear Daily of designer Karen Kane's black and white polka dot silk blouse and rayon, nylon, and spandex skirt, which made the cover of Women's Wear Daily on Thursday, July 14, 2011.
The designer, who graduated from top fashion school FIDM, and her clothing empire is one of the industry's true success stories. This fall, she debuts Red 23, a new casual women's line that's named for Kane's favorite roulette number. The Santa Barbara, California native who began sewing at age 10, always knew that she wanted a career in fashion. In 1979, she married Lonnie Kane, and the duo launched Karen Kane, Inc. in their Studio City, California garage.
For more than 25 years, Karen Kane has been a leader in women's wear, selling at retailers such as Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, Dillard's, Belk, Bon Ton, and others and employing over 150 people. In 2008, the Los Angeles-based company launched Fifteen-Twenty, a contemporary line that has been seen on stars such as Eva Longoria, Katherine Heigl, and Jessica Biel.
"When Lonnie and I noticed that there was a void in the market for customers who wanted pretty tops that can quickly and easily be paired with jeans, we jumped at the opportunity," explains Kane. "Fifteen-Twenty has let me branch out in new ways and re-energized me creatively."
With four dynamic California campuses, FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is the premier west coast fashion design college, educating for careers in fashion, graphic design, interior design, and entertainment. FIDM's graduates include renowned fashion designers like Monique Lhuillier, Emmy® and Academy Award® award-winning costume designers, top fashion industry executives, and entrepreneurs.

Fashionable hats for summer

Summer is the time when every woman wants to show how beautiful and fashionable she is. Not only clothes take part in forming the style. Accessories are also very important; no style can be complete without a trendy necklace, bracelets or other little details. As far as during this season of the year you have to cover your head for you may get sunstroke. A hat or a bonnet may become a perfect accessory to fulfill your style and express character.
The latest trend these days is a hat made of straws. What you must have in your wardrobe is a black straw hat with wide edges and a rounded vertex girded with a band. This kind of hat is definitely the most fashionable this summer. Although black is very popular, you may choose any other dark color that would fit better with your clothes. If you're planning a trip to the beach where women commonly wear light dresses, pick a white hat and you'll look perfect.
Another fashionable way to cover your head is a cap. Of course you have to pick them very carefully and it definitely goes with sporty style or jeans. Men should pick washed pigment-dyed caps. You don't have to buy a new one and make it look as if it was used for 10 years, you'll undoubtedly find those in any fashionable shop. While men are into "dirty" style, women are suggested caps with flowers. A bright colored cap will surely make you look trendy and add charm to your appearance.
It's a must for a real lady to have a bonnet. It's very hard to define what is on top, because top is originality. Large bonnets of any color decorated with flowers and bands are always trendy; however, you may find something very different and look amazing. Bonnets are not for everyday use. Original bonnet will make you noticeable and complete your style better than any other accessory.
If you can't find a hat or a bonnet that fits to your style or your face shape, choose an original and very practical way to cover your head. Wear a turban. Yes, it's very original and fashionable. You may choose any material and tie it up any way you like. It goes perfectly with any style. Moreover, it creates a characterized style.
Crocheted hats are also popular. However, there is one problem - it's rather hard to find one in a shop, because if you'll purchase not an original one you'll certainly notice other females/males wearing the same. You have to find an originally designed one or make it yourself. You can be sure that if it'll be self-made you'll receive compliments not only for hat but also for your good work.
You have to be very careful while choosing a hat or a bonnet. However, this summer is a great chance to start wearing it, because no matter what you choose - you look trendy. You're already fashionable if you wear one! And you may feel free to experiment with various materials and forms. Being original this season means being fashionable.