#Garment Industry Articles

[textile-industry-magazine]

Apparel, Clothing, Garment, Textile | Industry News Updates.

One Source for Apparel Views, News, Trends, Innovations & Technology updates in the Apparel, Clothing, Garment, Textile Industry Articles. - Garment Industry News

[puppy-stevee]

@steddieas-shegoes :)

the media and fans have a field day with it. steve and eddie have been public for years yet there's pictures all over twitter of steve cozied up in a booth in the corner of whatever bar, tucked tight into gareth's side under his arm with eddie nowhere in sight. a different fan posts a tiktok of them from a different angle and a little closer and you can clearly see that steve is drunk. his eyes shine unfocused in the camera flash and his cheeks are flushed. in the video he laughs loudly at something and just before one of cc's security guards blocks the view, steve leans in and buries his face in gareth's neck and gareth's fingers go to his hair.

the cheating allegations come out after that. article after article with the photo on the front page but it's nothing but radio silence from the band's twitter. no statement from eddie or gareth. fans think they're hashing it out behind the scenes and are preparing themselves for gareth's exit statement from the band or for the news to hit of steve and eddie breaking up.

none of that happens.

gareth stays in the band, steve and eddie go on like normal. they're papped in a starbucks in new york looking just as much in love as they were before the scandal. eddie and gareth don't behave any different in the videos they post of each other or on stage.

it kind of dies down after that- until a video goes up on the band's youtube one afternoon, shot that morning.

they try to keep themselves as authentic as they can, show the fans that not everything is sunshine and rainbows in the industry, and that they're real people who do real people things, too.

in the video, someone knocks on a hotel door and jeff answers. he says something that's purposefully scripted very badly and it gets a laugh out of the guys. the video shows them walking into jeff's room and it's revealed that it's a room tour. they pan around the corner into the main room and there's a lump in the bed.

there's no awkward silence between them, just a laugh from freak and a "jeeeff, it's almost ten a.m." and then eddie's pulling back the covers to reveal a slumbering steve.

people watching expect the footage to cut off abruptly or for eddie to angrily demand the situation, but again, it doesn't happen. he just laughs and squats down on the side of the bed and runs his hand through steve's hair until he wakes up.

"hey, sweetheart," he says, his voice dripping with fondness as he smiles a syrupy smile that hundreds of fans have dreampt of being on the receiving end of. "have a good sleep?"

they see steve reach out and pull eddie in by the head for a kiss. the video goes back to its scheduled programing after that, eddie following steve into the bathroom to get ready.

they don't do many interviews in the span of all this happening so fans and the media are left wondering what in the world is going on between the five of them. the boys act the same on stage every night without any signs of jealousy between them.

and then steve is photographed wearing a hoodie that fans can clearly see belongs to freak just from the size alone. neither steve or freak are small guys, but the garment is like a dress on steve. it almost goes down to his knees and the arms hang at least three inches passed his hands. it threatens to hang off of one shoulder but goddamn does steve look cozy and comfortable, burrowing into the hood pulled over his head like a little hamster.

the hoodie isn't what gets their attention, though.

it's the fact that the picture is from the band's soundcheck, to the band's twitter, and that steve is sitting on gareth's lap at his drum kit, while wearing the hoodie, and while eddie is leaning down and kissing him. gareth doesn't look put off by it. he's looking somewhere off camera and laughing but his hand is still on steve's waist and steve's is tangled in eddie's wild hair.

it answers all and none of everyone's questions.

[officialabortive]

Bakugou's parents work in the fashion industry, so what if they taught him how to make his own clothes at a young age? And of course -just like with everything else- he's amazing at it

This little skill of his isn't something many people are aware of, even you. Until a day you can recall so clearly

All day you had been rambling on about an outfit you saw online, saying how the fabric would go so well with your skin tone. Describing each fine detail that adorned the garment to the seemingly disinterested blond sat across from you.

But little did you know Bakugou had been making mental notes on every word that passed your lips. Slowly creating a mental image of the item that had you so worked up

A little over a week had passed since then. You just woke from the blissful depths of sleep, planning to grab some breakfast from the fridge. But while exiting the threshold of your dorm, as you were too tired to fully see where your legs took you, you stumble over something in your path.

A bag with a neatly folded paper rested on top

'You wouldn't shut up about that damn outfit, so here"

You slipped open the bag, reaching inside, and slipped out the article of clothing that you have had on your mind for days. It was custom made to complement your figure and had your favorite color cleverly interwoven into the minuscule details

Your Katsuki is amazing

MASTERLIST

Ngl I kinda hate this one

[workingclasshistory]

On this day, 24 April 2013, the 8-storey Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh collapsed, killing over 1,100 mostly women garment workers, as bosses in the country's largest industry put profits before people. The first people on the scene to render assistance were local workers and relatives of those trapped, who began desperately trying to rescue survivors before emergency service workers arrived. The building had been evacuated the previous day after cracks appeared in walls, floors and pillars, but the owner of the building, Sohel Rana, claimed that an engineer declared the structure safe and workers should go back to work the following day. At 9 AM, one hour after the morning shift began work, a quality inspector named Mahmudur described to the Daily Star what happened next: “Darkness engulfed the entire place with thick clouds of debris. I heard screams around me. My heart started pounding… I lay down near a pillar, thinking that perhaps I was going to die. We were being roasted inside”. Rana, who was an official in the ruling Awami League party, had the building constructed without any supervision from engineers or architects in 2008, and in 2010 added three more floors of the building without planning permission. At the time of the disaster he was planning on adding an additional ninth storey. On April 25, the day after the collapse, hundreds of thousands of workers in the area walked out on strike, built barricades on major highways, attacked working factories and battled police before besieging the headquarters of the garment employers' federation, demanding prosecution of Rana and the factory bosses. More information, sources and map: https://stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/9625/Rana-Plaza-collapse https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=614209984085554&set=a.602588028581083&type=3

[omgthatdress]

Re-living my childhood and working on doing a fashion history spam of the American Girl dolls!

Oh my god I can’t begin to tell you what a huge part of my childhood those dolls were. Before I go on, let me clarify my family’s financial circumstance growing up: I was a pretty solidly middle-class only child. I definitely wasn’t rich, but my mom was willing to spend a lot of money on buying me a shitload of American Girl stuff because A.) she thought they were cool, and B.) they provided a much smarter alternative to Barbies. And when I grew up and got too old for them, I was able to give my stuff over to my younger cousins.

Looking at what the brand has to offer now, it’s pretty clear that the brand has changed over time and that the emphasis has gone from the historical dolls to the modern ones. Honestly, that’s not a 100% terrible thing. I fully embrace change as a part of the universe, and if it’s a part of the survival of the brand, so be it. As long as the historical dolls remain in tact and the brand integrity is respected. And for the most part, until very recent years, it looks like it has been.

Mattel bought the American Girl brand in 1998, and from then on, you can see the brand shifting away from the original five dolls. I’m going to get waaay more into this with the spam, but really, the historical dolls until very recently have actually remained pretty great. If there’s one really broad critique I could give, it’s that the overall color palette skews towards the modern, with a lot of very bright colors and a heavy emphasis on pink, but when taken individually, the pieces remain very accurate.

HERE’S THE THING! In 2016, a new historical girl was released: Maryellen, repping the 1950s. She’s blonde and has blue eyes, following shortly on Julie, who repped the 1970s and also had blonde hair and blue eyes. You can kind of see a theme developing here. The girls from the 30s, 50, 70s, 80s, and 90s are all blonde with blue eyes. You’d think that girls in the 20th century were only blondes. But anyway I’m getting away from the point. Maryellen was released with only TWO books! The fuck?! Maryellen’s collection remained the same very immersive collection that I love about the brand, but clearly, shit’s changing.

The next historical dolls, Nenea (repping Hawaii after Pearl Harbor), Melody (repping Black girls, Motown, and civil rights in the 60s), Courtney (repping blonde hair blue eyed girls with 80s nostalgia and very little historical engagement), Claudie, (Black girl in the 1920s Harlem Renaissance) and Isabelle and Nicki (again blonde girls repping 90s nostalgia with little historical engagement) all only have two books. The brand has LITERALLY been diminished. The books were an equally important part of the playset, not only providing context for the garments and objects you were playing with, providing REAL, often complex lessons about history, making history feel real and relatable, but they fleshed out the girls, their lives, and the worlds they lived in. They made what you were playing with more than just a playset, more than just a dollhouse or Barbie accessories, they were a whole universe for girls to explore.

Like I said at the beginning, I didn’t grow up rich. I definitely had more privilege than others out there, but I still wasn’t the rich kid villain from a 90s kids movie. I had a lot of American Girl shit because my mom saw the value in the brand and was willing to spend a lot of money on it in a way that she wouldn’t be willing to spend a lot of money on Barbies.

Honestly, I don’t know the toy industry, I don’t know what little girls today want out of their dolls. I know that times change, and that what’s beloved in one generation isn’t necessarily going to be carry over to the next. But I find it hard to believe that little girls straight up no longer are interested in history, and that moms no longer want to give their daughters toys that will actually teach them things. I’ve read a lot of articles about how the brand is struggling, and I don’t think it’s a generational divide. Mattel has fucked up the brand, and I am not just saying that out of Boomer toxic nostalgia that says that everything from the past is GOOD, everything today is BAD, and that anything that changes is inherently not only bad but a personal insult. The stuff that made these expensive dolls worth buying just isn’t there.

[dresshistorynerd]

Dress History Corner Navigation

Welcome to the corner of the interned where I nerd about (mostly) Western dress history! This is the post I will update with all my more structured and researched articles. I have the same navigation on my blog, but it's only for the browser so I figured it would be useful to have navigation that work for the app too.

Some basics

An Introductory Timeline Of Western Women's Fashion

How I do my research into dress history

Dress History

Lacing in Western Fashion History

Dress Etiquette Thorough Western History

When Did It Become Acceptable For Western Women To Wear Pants?

When Did Skirts Stop Being Acceptable For Western Men To Wear?

Is Lingerie Going Backwards - A Rebuttal

The history of showing your boobs for fashion

Victorian Era

A summary of different kinds of corsets

Historical Finnish Clothing of Modern Period

Victorian Dress For Every Occasion - 1890s Edition

1890s Day Dresses

American Civil War era (1861-65) ball gown

Regency

Debunking the common narrative about Beau Brummel - The whole modern men's fashion is not the fault of One Guy

Gender non-conforming Regency styles

18th century

The Colonial History of How Cotton Became the Most Important Fabric

Mantua And It's Variants

Northern Italian countryside fashion in late 18th century.

Working Class Clothing In Late 18th Century France

Early Modern Era

Deep Dive into 15th and 16th Century Working Class Fashion in Western Europe

Medieval Era

Late 14th to Early 15th Century Bohemian and German Men's Fashion

Construction of Men's Hose

Codpiece

Construction of the French hood

Iron Age

Viking and Crusader Age Finnish men's dress

Historical Sewing

Sewing Medieval Bathhouse Dress

For Dolls

Sewing mid-16th century Venetian dress in doll scale

Sewing mid-16th century Venetian dress in doll scale - Part 2

Sewing 1890s day dress in doll scale

Historical Costuming

History of the Fantasy Corset

Met Gala 2022 Costume Commentary

Pride and Prejudice 2005 Costume Analysis

Ranking Men's Costumes in Renaissance Period Dramas - Part I: The Bad

Ranking Men's Costumes in Renaissance Period Dramas - Part II: The Good

Textiles

Hemp's properties

Sustainability

How to see through the greenwashing propaganda of the fashion industry - Case study 1: Shein

The Real Cost of the Fashion Industry

Architectural History

History of Sauna and Steam Baths

History

Palestinian History Between Great Powers

European History Is Not White

Queer History

Julie d'Aubigny

Roughly 10 Cool Historical Queer Figures More People Should Know About: From Ancient Era to Early Modern Era

Tag Navigation

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Primary sources

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Victorian Fashion

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[wonderlanddreamer]

Chapter 2: Florence continues to snoop in Peaky Blinders territory and John ups his intimidation tactics.

TW - Slight dubcon at the end. NO SMUT.

Masterlist here.

Florence awoke to the soft, diffused light filtering through the worn lace curtains of her bedroom. The hues of dawn cast gentle shadows across the room, illuminating the organised chaos that was her personal sanctuary. Her petite frame rose from the bed, the crisp linen sheets falling away to reveal her nightgown, a simple but elegant garment that spoke volumes about her understated grace.

She stretched, her long, wavy hair cascading over her shoulders like a dark waterfall. The braid she had worn to bed had come loose during the night. Bright blue eyes, framed by oversized circular glasses, flickered to the mirror on her vanity.

Her house, small and quaint, was a perfect display of her solitary life. Papers were strewn across the wooden floor, remnants of late-night research sessions and hurried mornings. Books were piled high on every available surface, their spines cracked and pages dog-eared, evidence of her voracious reading habits. Articles and photographs adorned the walls, a collage of her life's work and passions. In every corner, plants thrived, their vibrant greenery adding a touch of life and colour to the otherwise monochromatic palette of ink and paper.

Florence moved through the space with a quiet confidence, her steps light yet purposeful, as if each movement was part of a well-choreographed dance.

She pulled on a simple white blouse, its fabric soft against her skin, paired with a charcoal grey skirt that fell just below her knees. The ensemble was practical yet stylish, embodying the balance she strived for. Florence needed to blend into the background when necessary, yet command respect in the moments that mattered most.

Her fingers worked deftly, fastening the small, delicate buttons of her blouse with a ease. She slipped on a pair of low-heeled black pumps, the kind that allowed for quick movement but still gave her an air of professionalism. Her accessories were minimal: a watch with a leather band, a simple silver necklace, and a pair of stud earrings that glinted subtly in the sunlight.

Florence paused in front of the full-length mirror. She adjusted her glasses, the frames dark and sturdy, framing her intelligent eyes. She smoothed her braid, ensuring that not a single strand was out of place.

She made her way to the kitchen, where her favourite china cup awaited her, ready for her morning tea. The aroma filled the air as she poured herself a cup, savouring the warmth and comfort it provided. Her eyes scanned the morning newspaper, but her mind was already racing ahead to the day's agenda. She was undeterred by John Shelby's threat; if anything, it had only strengthened her resolve. She was ready to dig deeper, to uncover the truths buried beneath layers of intimidation and corruption.

With a final sip of tea, Florence gathered her notes and tucked them into her satchel. The weight of her work rested on her shoulders, but it was a burden she bore with pride. She paused at the door, taking a deep breath before stepping out into the bustling streets of Birmingham. The world outside was rife with danger and intrigue, but Florence was ready to face it head-on. She was a force to be reckoned with, a beacon of truth in a city shrouded in shadows.

The morning air in Birmingham was crisp and tinged with the scent of coal and industry as Florence stepped out onto the cobbled streets. The city was already alive with activity, the relentless hum of machinery mingling with the distant clatter of horse-drawn carriages and the murmurs of early risers.

Florence navigated the narrow alleyways and bustling thoroughfares with the ease of someone who had spent years learning the city's intricate rhythms. Her bright eyes, sharp and observant, caught every detail: the hurried steps of labourers, the haggling of market vendors, the furtive glances exchanged between men in dark overcoats. Each interaction, each whispered word, was a potential clue.

Her first stop was the local bakery, a modest establishment run by Mrs. Whitaker, a stout woman with a kind face and flour-dusted hands. The bakery was a hub of local gossip, a place where news and rumours mingled as freely as the scent of freshly baked bread.

"Good morning, Mrs. Whitaker," Florence greeted, her voice warm and sincere.

"Ah, Miss Fletcher! Good morning to you," Mrs. Whitaker replied, her eyes crinkling with a smile. "What can I do for you today?"

"Just a loaf of your finest, please. And perhaps, if you have a moment, any news from around Small Heath?" Florence asked, her tone casual but her eyes keenly observant.

Mrs. Whitaker's expression shifted subtly, a flicker of hesitation crossing her features. "Well, there's always something, isn't there? Heard there's been some trouble with the Peaky Blinders again. Nasty business, that lot."

Florence nodded, her mind filing away the information. "Anything specific?"

"Just whispers, really. Some say they're planning something big, but who knows with those boys? Best to keep your head down and stay out of their way," Mrs. Whitaker advised, handing over the loaf.

"Thank you, Mrs. Whitaker. Always a pleasure," Florence said, slipping the bread into her satchel and giving a parting smile before stepping back into the street.

Her next destination was the local pub, The Garrison, a known haunt for the Peaky Blinders. As she approached, she adjusted her glasses and took a deep breath, readying herself for the tension that always hung thick in the air around the place.

Florence entered The Garrison, the familiar hum of conversation and clinking glasses filling the air. The pub was a sanctuary of sorts for the locals of Small Heath, a place where deals were made and secrets exchanged. The dim lighting cast shadows across the room, giving it an aura of mystery that matched the reputation of its most famous patrons, the Shelby family.

Harry, the bartender, stood behind the counter, his bald head and kind eyes a stark contrast to the rough crowd he often served. He spotted Florence immediately, his curiosity piqued as she approached the bar. It wasn't every day that a woman like her walked into his pub.

"Not often we see a lady like you in here," Harry remarked, his voice carrying a mix of surprise and caution.

Florence met his gaze evenly, her expression unwavering. "Just doing my job. Heard there's been some activity in Small Heath. Thought I'd see if anyone had any information."

Harry shrugged, reaching for a glass and filling it with whiskey. "Depends on what you're looking for. Might be some folks who don't take kindly to questions."

"Yes, I'm vaguely aware," she replied, taking the glass from him and slipping a coin across the counter. "But I find people are more willing to talk when they know someone's listening."

Harry studied her for a moment, sizing her up. There was a determination in her eyes that suggested she wouldn't be easily dissuaded. He nodded slowly, a hint of respect in his gaze. "Just be careful, miss. This place has its shadows, and not all of them are friendly."

Florence gave him a small, appreciative smile before taking a sip of her drink. She knew the risks, but she also knew that the truth was worth pursuing. As she scanned the room, she felt the weight of Harry's warning. She was here to uncover stories, no matter how deep she had to dig.

She moved to a corner table, her back to the wall, and sipped her drink. Her eyes scanned the room, noting the subtle exchanges between patrons, the way certain names drew sharp glances and hushed tones.

A young man, scruffy and nervous, approached her table. His clothes were tattered and his hands trembled slightly as he clutched his cap, twisting it in his grip. "You lookin' for information?" he asked, his voice low and barely audible over the din of the pub.

Florence nodded, leaning in slightly to hear him better. "Yes. Anything you can tell me about the Peaky Blinders or crime in Small Heath."

The man glanced around the room, his eyes darting to the shadowy corners where danger might lurk. He leaned in closer, the scent of sweat and fear mingling in the air. "There's been talk of a big shipment coming in, something the Blinders are keen on. And there's been more fights, more blood in the streets. If you're smart, you'll stay clear."

His words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of the violence and danger they implied. Florence's mind raced with the new intel, piecing together the fragments of information she had gathered. The Peaky Blinders were notorious for their ruthlessness and cunning, and any shipment they were interested in was bound to be significant.

"Thank you," Florence said, her voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins. She reached into her purse and slipped him a few coins, the metal clinking softly as they exchanged hands. It was a silent agreement, a promise to keep their interaction discreet.

The young man pocketed the coins quickly, casting one last wary glance around the pub before slipping back into the crowd. Florence watched him go, her mind already turning over the possibilities. She knew she was treading dangerous waters, but the pursuit of truth was never without risk.

As she left the pub, she felt the weight of eyes on her, a reminder of the dangers that came with her profession. But Florence was undeterred. She had a story to chase, truths to uncover, and no threat from a Shelby or anyone else would sway her from her path.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting shadows across the cobbled streets of Birmingham, Florence made her way to the Birmingham Gazette's office. The sky was painted in hues of orange and pink, a fleeting moment of tranquillity before the night claimed the city. The streets, usually teeming with life, were beginning to quiet down, with only the occasional pedestrian or horse-drawn carriage breaking the silence.

The Gazette’s building loomed ahead, an imposing structure of brick and stone that stood as a testament to the weight of the words crafted within its walls. Its façade was marked by tall, narrow windows and intricate masonry, though the exterior was darkened by years of soot and grime from the industrial heart of the city. A single lantern flickered by the entrance, casting a warm, inviting glow on the worn steps leading to the door.

Florence pushed open the heavy wooden door, and was immediately enveloped by the familiar scent of ink and paper. The interior of the office was a world unto itself, a haven of intellect and inquiry amidst the chaos of Birmingham. Rows of desks were neatly arranged, each one cluttered with typewriters, stacks of paper, and half-empty inkwells. The walls were adorned with framed front pages of past editions, chronicling the city's history and the Gazette's role in it.

The office was eerily quiet at this hour. The only sound that broke the silence was the distant, rhythmic ticking of a clock mounted high on the wall, its hands inching closer to the end of the workday. The occasional creak of the floorboards under Florence's feet added to the ambiance, a reminder of the countless journalists who had walked these halls before her.

Florence made her way to her desk, a solid oak piece that had seen better days. It was littered with notes, clippings, and a well-worn leather notebook she carried everywhere. She placed her bag on the floor and lit the small oil lamp on the corner of her desk, its soft light creating a circle of warmth in the otherwise dim room.

Florence settled at her desk, the familiar weight of exhaustion pressing down on her shoulders after a long day of chasing leads and delving into the dark underbelly of Small Heath. She took a moment to collect herself, her eyes scanning the cluttered surface before her. The desk was strewn with hastily scribbled notes, newspaper clippings, and a map of Birmingham marked with various points of interest.

Her fingers lightly brushed over the cool, metal keys of her typewriter, a trusted companion in her investigative journey. The machine was old but reliable, its black finish worn to a dull sheen by years of use. Florence took a deep breath, the scent of ink and paper filling her lungs, and let it out slowly, trying to steady her nerves.

She straightened a few sheets of paper, aligning them perfectly before feeding one into the typewriter. The paper slid into place with a satisfying click, ready to bear the weight of her words. Florence's fingers hovered over the keys for a moment, her mind organising the day's events into a coherent narrative.

The rhythmic clacking of the typewriter keys soon filled the room, a comforting and familiar sound that seemed to drown out the worries and dangers of the outside world. Each keystroke was deliberate, the letters imprinting themselves onto the paper with a crisp, decisive snap. As she typed, the story of Small Heath's underworld began to take shape, each word a step closer to uncovering the truth.

Her focus was so intense that she didn’t hear the door creak open, nor the soft footsteps that followed. The rhythmic clacking of the typewriter keys filled the room, a steady cadence that drowned out the subtle sounds of intrusion. Florence was lost in her work, her mind completely absorbed in the story she was weaving. It wasn’t until a shadow fell across her desk, cutting through the warm glow of the oil lamp, that she looked up.

Her heart skipped a beat as she met the cold, calculating gaze of John Shelby. He stood there, a picture of calm menace, his presence both commanding and unsettling. The dim light cast sharp angles on his face, highlighting the hardness in his features and the glint of steel in his eyes. He was dressed impeccably, as always, in a tailored suit and polished boots, but there was an air of danger about him that was impossible to ignore.

“Florence,” he said, his voice low and smooth, yet carrying an unmistakable threat, a reminder of the power he wielded.

Florence’s pulse quickened, but she forced herself to remain composed. Her mind raced, assessing the danger while her exterior remained calm and collected. “Mr. Shelby,” she replied, her voice steady and measured. “What brings you here at this hour?”

John took a step closer, his eyes never leaving hers, piercing through her facade with unsettling ease. The intensity of his gaze was like a vice, squeezing the truth out of her without a word. “Heard there was little lady in glasses digging her nose around at The Garrison today,” he said, his voice low and laced with menace. “Sounded a lot like you.”

Florence’s heart pounded in her chest, each beat a reminder of the peril she now faced. She fought to maintain her composure, her eyes locked onto John’s unyielding stare. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, her tone even and controlled. “I’ve been busy with my work all day.”

John’s lips curled into a sinister smile, a chilling contrast to the coldness in his eyes. The corners of his mouth lifted just enough to reveal a hint of amusement, as if he enjoyed the cat-and-mouse game they were playing. “Oh really?” he drawled, taking another step closer, the space between him and her desk now almost nonexistent. “You know, I fuckin’ hate liars.”

He circled around her desk, his movements slow, like a predator sizing up its prey. Florence could feel the tension in the air, a palpable sense of danger that made her skin prickle. She gripped the edge of her desk, her knuckles turning white as she tried to steady herself. The room seemed to shrink around her, the walls closing in as John came to stand behind her.

John leaned in close, his breath hot against her ear, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine. His hand brushed against her shoulder, the touch deceptively gentle, fingers trailing down her arm with a chilling intimacy. “I warned you, didn’t I?” he murmured, his voice a low, threatening whisper. “Stay out of our business.”

Florence’s eyes darted to her notes, the evidence of her day’s work spread out before her in a chaotic array of papers and scribbles. Each piece of information represented hours of painstaking effort, a tapestry of connections and secrets that she had painstakingly woven together. She knew there was no point in denying it further, but fear kept her silent, her throat constricting as if gripped by an invisible hand.

John’s gaze followed hers, landing on the scattered papers and the typewriter that had been the instrument of her relentless inquiry. His calm demeanour cracked, replaced by a flash of unbridled fury. With a sudden, violent motion, he grabbed the typewriter and hurled it across the room. The crash echoed through the empty office, the machine shattering into pieces, keys and metal fragments skittering across the wooden floor.

Florence flinched at the sound, her heart racing, but she quickly composed herself. The defiance that had been simmering beneath the surface now blazed in her eyes as she faced John. “You can’t scare me into silence, Shelby,” she declared, her voice stronger and more resolute. “The truth will come out, whether you like it or not.”

John’s eyes narrowed, his anger intensifying. The room seemed to darken as his presence grew more menacing. In a swift, brutal motion, he grabbed her wrist with an iron grip, yanking her to her feet. The force of his pull sent a jolt of pain up her arm, but she refused to show any sign of weakness.

“You think you can ignore me?” he spat, his voice a low, dangerous growl. His face was inches from hers, close enough that she could see the flicker of rage in his eyes. “You think you can lie to me and get away with it?”

Florence struggled against his grip, her fear morphing into a reckless determination that burned in her chest. “Please, Mr. Shelby, I’m just doing my job,” she pleaded, her voice trembling with a mix of desperation and defiance. She refused to let him see her break.

John’s grip tightened around her wrist, the pressure sending sharp jolts of pain up her arm. His eyes blazed with a dangerous intensity, and yet there was something undeniably magnetic about his anger, a raw, primal energy that seemed to fill the room. He leaned in closer, reducing the space between them to mere inches. His other hand rose slowly, almost languidly, to brush a strand of hair from her face, the gesture mockingly tender and intimate.

“Your job,” he hissed, his breath hot against her skin, each word a caress and a threat, “is to keep your nose out of our business.” His voice was a low, seductive growl, filled with a dark promise that sent shivers down her spine.

Florence’s breath quickened, her senses overwhelmed by the proximity of him, the scent of his cologne mingling with the raw power he exuded. But beneath the fear, a spark of defiance flared. She met his gaze head-on, her eyes flashing with an unyielding resolve.

“You cross us again,” John continued, his tone softening to a dangerously smooth whisper, “and it won’t just be your typewriter getting smashed.”

Desperation and courage surged within Florence, a volatile mix that fueled her next, reckless action. Her eyes darted to a letter opener lying on her desk, its sharp edge glinting under the dim light. In one swift motion, she snatched it up and slashed at John, aiming for his arm with all the force she could muster. But he was faster.

John’s reflexes were like lightning. He caught her wrist mid-swing, his grip like a vise, unyielding and painfully strong. He twisted her arm with brutal efficiency until she was forced to drop the weapon, a cry of pain escaping her lips as the letter opener clattered to the floor.

His eyes gleamed with a dangerous light, a mixture of amusement and fury, as he bent down to pick up the fallen letter opener. He turned it over in his hand, examining it with a calm, deadly curiosity. “You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that,” he said, his voice a deadly whisper that seemed to vibrate in the tense air between them. “But guts ain't gonna save you.”

With a final, violent shove, he forced her on to her back against the top of desk, the edge of the wooden surface digging painfully into her lower back. The letter opener was pressed menacingly against her throat, its cold metal biting into her skin. For a moment, the world seemed to stand still, the tension between them almost palpable.

With a sudden, predatory move, John surged forward, his body a blur of motion. In an instant, he climbed onto the desk, his powerful frame pinning Florence beneath him. The hard surface pressed painfully into her back, trapping her against the unyielding wood. His weight bore down on her, a suffocating force that made it difficult to draw breath. The edge of the letter opener felt like a shard of ice against her skin, a cold reminder of the lethal danger she was in.

Florence's breath came in shallow, rapid gasps, her chest rising and falling in frantic rhythm. Her heart pounded so violently she feared it might burst from her ribcage. She stared up at John, her vision filled with the furious intensity of his gaze. His face was contorted with rage, every muscle tight with barely restrained violence. Yet beneath the mask of fury, she glimpsed something else—something darker and more complex, a volatile mix of emotions that defied easy categorisation.

"Do you have any fuckin' clue who you're playing with, Florence?" he demanded, his voice a low, dangerous rumble that seemed to vibrate through her very bones. The words were laced with venom, each syllable dripping with contempt and menace. "Do you understand the fuckin' consequences?"

Florence swallowed hard, her throat dry and constricted, each breath a struggle against the weight of the fear and tension that enveloped her. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, a searing contrast to the cold edge of the letter opener against her skin. The intensity of his gaze bore into her, a tangible force that seemed to strip away her defences and lay her soul bare. The air between them crackled with a dangerous, electric charge, a volatile mix of fear and something else—something she couldn't quite name, but that thrummed through her veins with an unsettling familiarity.

"I know the risks," she managed to say, her voice barely more than a whisper, each word a battle against her own terror. "But I won't back down. I can't."

John's eyes narrowed, the fury in them blazing like a storm ready to unleash its full wrath. Yet, as he searched her face, scrutinising every nuance of her expression, a flicker of something else crossed his features. It was brief, almost imperceptible—a softening of his hardened gaze, replaced momentarily by something that looked almost like admiration.

But the moment was gone as quickly as it had appeared, swallowed up by the relentless tide of his anger. His grip tightened, the letter opener biting more deeply into her throat, a cruel reminder of the precarious edge on which she balanced. The brief reprieve of humanity vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating menace.

"You’re a stupid, stubborn little girl," John said, his voice a volatile mix of frustration and grudging respect. Each word was tinged with a raw intensity that made Florence's skin prickle. "It's gonna get you fuckin' killed."

His grip on the letter opener relaxed slightly, and with a deliberate slowness, he allowed it to fall to the desk beside her. The metal clattered against the wood, the sound reverberating through the tense silence. Florence's heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing the gravity of the moment. She barely had time to process the shift in his demeanour when his hand moved to her face, his fingers brushing against her cheek with surprising gentleness. The contrast between his earlier violence and this unexpected tenderness sent a shiver down her spine, a confusing mix of fear and something unsettlingly close to desire.

John's touch was light, almost reverent, his calloused fingers tracing the curve of her cheekbone with a delicacy that belied the brutality of their confrontation. His eyes, dark and stormy, held hers with an intensity that made it impossible to look away. The fury that had blazed within them moments before had softened, replaced by a deeper, more complex emotion that Florence couldn't quite decipher.

"You’re playing with fire, Florence," he murmured, his voice a low, intimate whisper that seemed to wrap around her like a physical presence. His face was inches from hers, so close she could feel the movement of his lips against her own. "I'd hate to see that pretty little face burned."

Florence's breath hitched, a jagged sound that betrayed the whirlwind of emotions swirling within her. Fear was there, a cold, unyielding knot in her stomach, but it was accompanied by something more confusing, more dangerous—a spark of something primal that flared in response to his proximity. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, a searing contrast to the cool air of the room. The intensity of his presence was overwhelming, a magnetic force that drew her in despite every rational thought screaming at her to pull away. It was intoxicating, and she hated herself for the way her body responded, a traitorous shiver running down her spine.

"I stand by what I said," she replied, her voice finding a steadiness that belied the tumult inside her. "I’m not afraid of you."

Her words hung in the air, a bold declaration that seemed to challenge the very fabric of the tension between them. John's eyes darkened, his expression shifting into a dangerous mix of anger and something more primal, more visceral. His gaze locked onto hers, a storm of emotions swirling in the depths of his eyes. He leaned in closer, his breath mingling with hers, the space between them shrinking to a hair's breadth. She could feel the heat of his skin, the roughness of his breath, and the raw power emanating from him.

"You should be," he whispered, his voice a rough, dangerous promise that sent a fresh wave of shivers cascading through her. His lips were almost brushing hers, the tantalising proximity a heady mixture of threat and temptation. Each word was a caress and a warning, a reminder of the perilous edge on which they both balanced.

For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. The tension between them was almost unbearable, a taut wire ready to snap. Florence could feel the rapid thudding of her heart, each beat a drumroll leading to an inevitable climax. John's eyes bore into hers, dark and stormy, a tempest of emotions she could barely decipher. And then, with a sudden, fierce urgency, his mouth claimed hers in a bruising kiss.

The initial shock was like a jolt of electricity coursing through her veins. His kiss was violent, a raw expression of dominance and control. Florence's mind screamed in protest, her body instinctively recoiling from the intensity. She raised her hands to his chest, pushing with all her might, but it was like trying to move a mountain. His body was a solid wall of muscle, immovable and unyielding.

His kiss was a battle, a clash of wills fought with lips and teeth and tongues. The taste of him was overwhelming, a blend of heat and fury that left her breathless. Her struggles only seemed to fuel his intensity, his grip on her tightening as if to prove a point. His hands were everywhere—cupping her face, tangling in her hair, pressing her harder against the desk.

With a surge of desperate energy, Florence managed to tear her mouth from his, gasping for breath. "Get off me!" she demanded, her voice a mixture of anger and something she couldn't quite name. She shoved at him again, her palms pressing against the hard planes of his chest, but he didn't budge.

John laughed, a low, mocking sound that sent a chill down her spine. "You think you can push me away, little Flo?" he taunted, his voice dripping with a dark, twisted amusement. "You think you have any fuckin' control here?"

His words stung, a cruel reminder of the power imbalance between them. But Florence refused to back down. She met his gaze with a defiant glare, her eyes blazing with determination. "You bastard," she spat, her voice trembling with the force of her resolve.

"Don't you dare fuckin' forget this," he said, his voice rough. "Remember what fuckin' happens when you cross me."

With that, he released her and stood, stepping back from the desk. John straightened, his expression once again cold and controlled. "Stay out of our business, Miss Fletcher," he said, his tone a final warning. "Next time, I won't be so forgiving."

John turned and left the office, each step echoing with finality on the polished hardwood floor. The door closed behind him with a decisive click, the sound reverberating in the silence that followed. Florence remained where she was, her chest rising and falling with rapid breaths, her mind spinning in a chaotic whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.

She slowly pushed herself up from the desk, her body trembling visibly as she tried to regain her composure. Her legs felt unsteady beneath her, as if they might give way at any moment. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to steady the trembling that had taken hold of her. Every breath was a reminder of the intensity of the encounter, the bruising pressure of John's lips still lingering on her own.

As her eyes roamed the room, they landed on the broken typewriter lying on the floor, keys scattered like fallen soldiers around it. The sight of the shattered machine sent a fresh wave of fear and anger coursing through her. That typewriter had been her lifeline, her conduit for uncovering the truth, and now it lay in ruins—a stark symbol of the power John wielded and the lengths he was willing to go to silence her.

With a deep, steadying breath, Florence forced herself to move. She knelt down and began picking up the scattered keys, each one a small, sharp reminder of what she was up against. Her fingers brushed against the cold metal, and she felt a pang of loss for the machine that had been her trusty companion in this dangerous game.

Piece by piece, she gathered the remnants of the typewriter, placing them gently on the desk as if by some miracle she could put it back together. But she knew it was beyond repair. The typewriter was a casualty of this war, but she wouldn't let it be in vain.

As she tidied up the office, straightening papers and organising her notes, her mind raced with thoughts of what to do next. The reality of her situation was clearer than ever—she was in over her head, but she couldn't afford to stop now. The truth was too important, and she was determined to see it through, no matter the cost.

The night outside had deepened, the city settling into a restless silence. The distant hum of traffic and the occasional wail of a siren were the only sounds that broke the stillness. The darkness outside the window seemed to press in on her, a stark contrast to the harsh fluorescent light inside the office.

As she placed the last of the broken keys on the desk, Florence stood back and surveyed the room. It looked more orderly now, but the chaos in her mind was far from settled. She knew she had to come up with a new plan, a new way to continue her work without the typewriter. But how?

She leaned against the desk, her fingers tracing the lines of her notepad. The battle had only just begun, and she needed to be ready for whatever came next. Ideas began to form, tentative and fragile, but they were enough to give her a glimmer of hope.

Florence's resolve hardened, her determination solidifying into a steely resolve. She couldn't let John's intimidation tactics break her spirit. If anything, she needed it to fuel her determination. She was ready to face whatever came next - at least she thought she was.

[sybilius]

Old Internet Fridays #11: Fashion's Unseen Stories

Transform Trade Unseen Stories Project

What’s this?

What’s this website?

A UK based advocacy organization for better trade, that prioritizes workers and environmental sustainability. Originally known as Traidcraft Exchange, it split off from Traidcraft Plc to focus entirely on advocacy.

The "unseen stories" project is a 2023 project about textile homeworkers in Tirupur, Tamil Nadu, India. They were trained on photography and given nice cameras to document their own lives to raise awareness about homeworkers and their roles in the garment industry.

Okay, how did you find it?

Looking mainly for information about textile industry imports and fast fashion. I came from DuckDuckGo trying to find out where a lot of clothing manufacturing happens. This article from the BBC prompted me to research Bangladesh, which led me to this article, which then led me to the excellent but dense report on conditions post early COVID-19 and unfair practices from buyers, from Transform Trade. It's a bit too much to be the main topic of a post in this series, but here's a highlight of statistics that made me go "mmmm":

How's it doing on Internet Archive?

Kind of flabbergasted I got the first save, ngl! I'm not sure if this is because the stories were added recently or what, but happy to be a part of it.

What delighted you the most?

Okay, "delight" is a strong word-- this one was a thinky topic and no mistake. Regulars on my blog might know from the #math skirt tag that I'm making my first garment, and as a result, I'm thinking a lot of the clear and absolutely fucking absurd undervaluing of garment-making labour. Skimming that report netted me the knowledge that the minimum wage for textile-workers is $2.50 USD in Bangladesh. This is less than half of the urban living wage cited by this study, if you're wondering (and that's already hedging for a modest family).

The delightful part is how clearly the homeworkers are proud of what they do, and happy to be the ones with their hands on the camera. I liked that there was clearly enough freedom left to the individual artists to allow for pictures like this, literal time to smell the roses (from K. Selvrani):

Thanks for reading this far if you got here. I truly hope in my lifetime that textile-production and the way that garments are created, compensated, purchased, repaired and cherished undergoes major changes (fast fashion die challenge). I hope for the return of a certain amount of everyday savvy for basic repairs, and respect for the good work a local tailor can do for you. I hope every corner in the world can afford the time or is given the resources to have clothing that they cherish and can take care of. I have a lot of hopes, you see. <3

[mode-genesis]

The Legacy of Meadham Kirchhoff

by MODE GENESIS

Known for their outrageous interloping of romanticism and rebellion, Meadham Kirchoff had become an iconic brand in the early to mid-2000s. The brand was founded by designers Edward Meadham and Benjamin Kirchoff, both graduates from Central Saint Martins, which gained fame through its extravagant expression of whimsicality. An interview by Glamcult with Kirchoff verbalizes how he designs from instinct in a state of “aborted happiness,” and both feel the fashion industry is “based on a repetition of ideas, often aimed at product placement.”

Their inspirations ranging from Victorian dolls to Courtney Love lookalikes in the SS 2012 show, the duo expressed a fresh approach to fashion which became one of the signatures of their brand identity.

Each show transported you into a carefully crafted almost theatrical performance with scent, visuals, light, and music accompanying. Their rebellious spirit brought new design innovation through patchwork dresses in velvet and leather, stacked glittering platform shoes, and a runway decorated with what looked like blood-dipped tampons. Each piece in their collection was carefully made through tailoring research and using techniques such as Elizabethan lacework. The handwork which came in forms of hand embroidery showed in garments in almost all seasons, and detailed construction of each piece became a standard for the brand

Although their womenswear lines achieved most of the media attention, their menswear emerged as out of the ordinary on the London scene. The collections set the direction of modern-day menswear, anticipating the arrival of gender-fluid casting and boy-meets-girl styling. One of their final shows, SS 15, was reclaimed as a celebration of different bodies, genders, and races. The use of rubber, chiffon, color, and layered drapery was an ode to the liberation they stand for. They were chosen as LVMH Young Fashion Designers but weren’t included as finalists so in their show notes they elaborated, “Fuck LVMH corporate fashion,” which is admirable considering the nature of the fashion industry, LVMH, and celebrity culture. As a Dazed article states, “Because fashion doesn’t just have to be about seasonal trends; it can, at its best, be a broader reflection of society, and like riot grrl, BodyMap, Westwood, and Leigh Bowery before them, Meadham Kirchhoff is making clothes for the people they love: the dykes, fags, slappers, and freaks.”

The brand met its demise when most of their clothes they were making weren’t sellable; the market was too niche, and production costs of garments became too high. While it was believed for Meadham Kirchoff as a whole for their clothes to be either too expensive or costume-like, critics praised them, and many designers looked at them as an inspiration. As a Dazed Article states, “They were showing detailed lace on par and on time with the wonders that Alexander McQueen was showing on its runway. Some have even likened the brand’s jackets—particularly from years ago—as foreshadowing those that made Christophe Decarnin a star at Balmain.”

Most of the brand’s pieces have been long lost, as the archive was taken by their landlord and sold in 2015, leaving only pictures and memories of what once was. Since the brand shut down, the duo has gone on separate paths. Meadham launched a new label called Blue Roses, and Kirchoff has become a stylist and menswear consultant. While Meadham Kirchoff could not have survived in the corporate fashion world, they live on as a martyr of sorts through their fun, cheeky, whimsical yet rebellious spirit, which inspires the future of the industry and may even have been ahead of its time.

References:

[fabelhaftestudio]

Embroidery: A Timeless Craft with Modern Appeal

Embroidery is an age-old art form that continues to thrive today, transcending generations and geographical boundaries. This intricate craft involves decorating fabric with needle and thread, resulting in stunning patterns and designs that can be both practical and decorative. Whether it's embellishing clothing, home decor, or accessories, embroidery serves as a bridge between tradition and contemporary style. In this article, we'll explore the fascinating history, types, tools, techniques, and modern applications of embroidery.

The Historical Roots of Embroidery

To fully appreciate embroidery, it’s essential to understand its historical context. Originating thousands of years ago, embroidery can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as Egypt, China, and India. In these cultures, the craft was not only a form of decoration but also a symbol of social status. Elaborate embroidered garments and tapestries adorned royalty and were often passed down as valuable heirlooms.

Over time, embroidery techniques spread across Europe, where it became a popular pastime among noblewomen. This period gave rise to some of the most famous embroidery styles, such as French Rococo and English crewel work. Additionally, the Industrial Revolution brought changes to embroidery, transforming it from a labor-intensive handmade art into a more accessible craft with the invention of the embroidery machine.

Types of Embroidery: Traditional vs. Modern

While embroidery has a rich historical background, it has evolved significantly over time. Today, it encompasses a wide range of styles, techniques, and materials, making it accessible to various skill levels and preferences. Understanding the difference between traditional and modern embroidery is key to appreciating its versatility.

Traditional Embroidery

Traditional embroidery refers to techniques that have been passed down through generations, often rooted in specific cultural practices. Some well-known types include:

Cross-stitch: One of the oldest and most basic forms, cross-stitch involves creating X-shaped stitches to form patterns.

Blackwork: Originating in England during the Tudor period, blackwork is characterized by black thread on white fabric, typically featuring geometric patterns or florals.

Crewel Embroidery: Using wool thread on linen or cotton, crewel embroidery often depicts natural themes such as flowers, birds, and animals.

Sashiko: This Japanese technique, meaning "little stabs," involves simple running stitches to form geometric patterns, originally used for mending clothing.

Each of these techniques has deep cultural significance and relies on specialized tools and materials to create intricate designs.

Modern Embroidery

Conversely, modern embroidery tends to focus on creative expression and often incorporates non-traditional materials and techniques. It can blend styles, integrate mixed media, or even include 3D elements. Some key examples are:

Machine Embroidery: As the name suggests, this technique uses a sewing machine to create embroidery designs quickly and efficiently. It’s popular in the fashion and textile industries.

Freehand Embroidery: This style allows for more freedom and creativity, as the artist uses various stitches to create a one-of-a-kind design, often without following a strict pattern.

Thread Painting: Also known as needle painting, this technique uses long and short stitches to blend colors, much like brushstrokes on a canvas.

Embroidery with Mixed Media: Incorporating elements such as beads, sequins, and even paint, this contemporary style pushes the boundaries of traditional embroidery, creating textured and layered designs.

Essential Tools and Materials for Embroidery

Embroidery, while highly intricate, requires relatively few tools to get started. These basic tools, however, can vary slightly depending on the type of embroidery you plan to do.

Needles

The needle is, unsurprisingly, the most important tool for any embroidery project. Needles come in various sizes and shapes depending on the type of fabric and thread being used. For example:

Crewel needles: Have a long eye and a sharp point, perfect for wool embroidery.

Tapestry needles: Have a blunt point and are best for counted thread techniques like cross-stitch or needlepoint.

Chenille needles: Similar to crewel needles but with a larger eye, ideal for thick threads or ribbons.

Threads

Equally important to the needle is the thread. While silk and cotton are traditional choices, modern embroiderers often use synthetic threads, metallic threads, or even wool. Some popular thread types include:

Embroidery floss: Made of six easily divisible strands, embroidery floss is the most versatile and widely used thread.

Perle cotton: A non-divisible, thicker thread that adds texture and depth to designs.

Silk thread: Known for its shine and smooth texture, silk thread is luxurious but can be more challenging to work with.

Fabric

The fabric serves as the canvas for embroidery, and the choice of fabric can significantly impact the outcome of your project. Some common options include:

Cotton: Ideal for beginners, cotton is easy to work with and versatile.

Linen: Known for its durability and smooth texture, linen is often used for fine, detailed work.

Aida cloth: A stiff fabric with an even weave, Aida is the go-to choice for cross-stitch.

Hoops and Frames

Embroidery hoops and frames are used to keep the fabric taut while stitching, ensuring clean, precise work. Hoops come in various sizes and are typically made of wood, plastic, or metal. For larger or more complex projects, an embroidery frame may be more suitable.

Techniques for Mastering Embroidery

Once you have your tools ready, it’s time to explore the wide array of stitches that bring embroidery to life. While there are hundreds of stitches, here are a few of the most commonly used:

Running Stitch

The running stitch is one of the most basic stitches and is used in many forms of embroidery, including Sashiko and kantha quilting. This simple stitch creates a dashed line and is perfect for outlining designs.

Satin Stitch

For solid, filled areas, the satin stitch is ideal. By laying the thread close together in smooth rows, you can create shiny, raised areas in your design. It’s often used for filling in shapes like leaves or flower petals.

French Knot

The French knot is a decorative stitch used to add texture and dimension to your embroidery. It involves twisting the thread around the needle and pulling it tight to create a small, raised knot on the surface of the fabric.

Backstitch

Backstitch is excellent for outlining and adding fine details. It creates a continuous, unbroken line and is often used in lettering or to outline shapes.

The Modern Renaissance of Embroidery

Interestingly, embroidery is experiencing a modern renaissance. With the rise of DIY culture and the push for sustainable fashion, many people are turning to embroidery as a way to customize or upcycle clothing and home textiles. Moreover, social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest have become hubs for embroidery inspiration, showcasing the creativity of artists from around the world.

Embroidery kits, designed for beginners and hobbyists, are more popular than ever, offering an easy entry point for those interested in learning the craft. Meanwhile, contemporary designers are embracing embroidery in haute couture and ready-to-wear fashion, creating pieces that blend tradition with innovation.

Embroidery as a Form of Mindfulness

In addition to its artistic appeal, embroidery has also become a popular form of mindfulness practice. The repetitive nature of stitching can help to calm the mind, reduce stress, and promote focus. In a world that often feels fast-paced and overwhelming, many individuals find solace in the slow, deliberate process of creating something beautiful with their hands.

Conclusion: Embroidery's Timeless Charm

Embroidery has come a long way from its ancient origins, yet its charm remains timeless. Whether you're drawn to traditional techniques or prefer to experiment with modern styles, embroidery offers endless possibilities for creative expression. From the soothing rhythm of the stitches to the intricate designs that emerge, this craft is a testament to patience, skill, and the enduring power of handmade art.

In a world increasingly driven by technology and fast fashion, embroidery serves as a reminder of the value of time, effort, and craftsmanship. Whether you’re a seasoned embroiderer or a curious beginner, there’s never been a better time to explore this captivating craft.

More information...

[textile-industry-magazine]

Apparel, Clothing, Garment, Textile | Industry News Updates.

One Source for Apparel Views, News, Trends, Innovations & Technology updates in the Apparel, Clothing, Garment, Textile Industry Articles. - Clothing Industry News

[pocketbaazar]

Modern Plus Size Women’s Fashion-Shop The Latest Collections With Stylish&Comfortable Fits

In a world where fashion often feels like it's designed for a single body type, plus-size women have long been sidelined. But times are changing. The fashion industry is increasingly embracing body positivity, with more brands recognizing the beauty and diversity of all shapes and sizes. If you're on the hunt for stylish, affordable plus-size clothing, this article is your ultimate guide to navigating the world of fashion that celebrates every curve.

The Evolution of Plus Size Fashion

Gone are the days when plus-size clothing meant shapeless, oversized garments that did little to highlight a woman’s beauty. Today’s plus-size fashion is bold, stylish, and, most importantly, designed with the same level of care and attention as straight-size clothing. Designers are now creating collections that are not just an afterthought but a core part of their offerings.Embracing Your Shape

The key to looking and feeling great in your clothes is to embrace your unique shape. Understanding your body type and finding cuts that accentuate your best features can make a world of difference. Whether you're an hourglass, apple, pear, or rectangle, there’s a style out there that’s perfect for you.

For hourglass figures, wrap dresses and fitted tops can highlight your curves beautifully. If you have an apple shape, try empire waistlines or A-line dresses that draw attention away from the midsection. Pear shapes can balance their silhouette with wide-leg pants or dresses that add volume to the upper body. Rectangular shapes can create the illusion of curves with belts and fitted blazers.

Affordable Fashion without Compromise

Affordability doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style or quality. Many brands now offer chic, budget-friendly plus-size options that look and feel luxurious. From trendy online retailers to well-known high street brands, there are plenty of places to find stylish pieces that won’t break the bank.

Shopping sales and using discount codes can also help you stay fashionable on a budget. Don’t be afraid to mix high and low fashion – pair a statement piece with more affordable basics to create a balanced look.

Must-Have Pieces for Every Wardrobe

When building your wardrobe, focus on versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched for different occasions. Here are some must-have items that every plus-size woman should consider:

Classic Jeans: A well-fitting pair of jeans is a wardrobe staple. Look for styles with a bit of stretch for comfort and a flattering fit.

Blazer: A tailored blazer adds polish to any outfit. Opt for one that nips in at the waist to create a flattering silhouette.

Little Black Dress (LBD): The LBD is timeless and versatile, perfect for everything from casual outings to formal events.

Comfortable T-Shirts: Invest in a few high-quality tees that can be dressed up with accessories or worn casually.

Statement Outerwear: A bold coat or jacket can elevate even the simplest outfit.

Comfortable Shoes: Don’t forget footwear. Comfortable yet stylish shoes can make or break an outfit.

Shopping Tips for Plus Size Women

Shopping for plus-size clothing can sometimes be challenging, but with a few tips, you can make the experience more enjoyable:

Know Your Measurements: Sizing can vary between brands, so knowing your exact measurements is crucial. Always check the size guide before purchasing.

Focus on Fit: Don’t be swayed by trends that don’t work for your body type. Focus on finding pieces that fit well and make you feel confident.

Try New Styles: Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Experimenting with new styles can lead to discovering pieces you love.

Invest in Quality Basics: Basics like jeans, tees, and blazers are the foundation of your wardrobe. Invest in high-quality versions that will last.

Accessorize: Accessories can transform an outfit. Don’t underestimate the power of a statement necklace or a bold pair of earrings.

Celebrating Body Positivity

Fashion is more than just clothing; it’s a form of self-expression. Plus-size women deserve to feel confident and beautiful in what they wear. By embracing your shape and choosing pieces that make you feel good, you’re celebrating not just fashion, but yourself.

Remember, style has no size. The most important thing is how you feel in your clothes. Confidence is the best accessory you can wear, and with the right wardrobe, you’ll be unstoppable.

So, go ahead and explore the world of plus-size fashion – there’s a whole world of affordable, stylish clothing waiting for you!

[haggishlyhagging]

"Some enchanted evening, you will see a stranger. . . ." The music came up at the MK Club in New York, and the buyers and fashion writers, who had been downing drinks from the open bar for more than an hour, quieted as rose-colored lights drenched the stage. Six models in satin panties and lace teddies drifted dreamily into view and took turns swooning on the main stage prop—a Victorian couch. The enervated ladies—"Sophia," "Desiree," "Amapola"—languorously stroked their tresses with antique silver hairbrushes, stopping occasionally to lift limp hands to their brows, as if even this bit of grooming overtaxed their delicate constitutions.

The press release described the event as Bob Mackie's "Premiere collection" of fantasy lingerie. In fact, the Hollywood costume designer (author of Dressing for Glamour) had introduced a nearly identical line ten years before. It failed then in a matter of weeks but the women of the late '80s, Mackie believed, were different. “I see it changing,”Mackie asserts. "Women want to wear very feminine lingerie now."

Mackie got this impression not from women but from the late-80s lingerie industry, which claimed to be in the midst of an "Intimate Apparel Explosion." As usual, this was a marketing slogan, not a social trend. Frustrated by slackening sales, the Intimate Apparel Council—an all-male board of lingerie makers—established a special public relations committee in 1987. Its mission: Stir up "excitement."

The committee immediately issued a press release proclaiming that "cleavage is back" and that the average woman's bust had suddenly swelled from 34B to 36C. "Bustiers, corsets, camisoles, knickers, and petticoats," the press kits declared, are now not only "accepted" by women but actually represent "a fashion statement." A $10,000 focus-group study gathered information for the committee about the preferences of manufacturers and retail buyers. No female consumers were surveyed. "It's not that we aren't interested in them," Karen Bromley, the committee's spokesperson, explains. "There's just limited dollars."

In anticipation of the Intimate Apparel Explosion, manufacturers boosted the production of undergarments to its highest level in a dozen years. In 1987, the same year the fashion industry slashed its output of women's suits, it doubled production of garter belts. Again, it was the "better-business" shopper that the fashion marketers were after; in one year, the industry nearly tripled its shipments of luxury lingerie. Du Pont, the largest maker of foundation fabrics, simultaneously began a nationwide "education program," which included "training videos" in stores, fitting room posters and special "training" tags on the clothes to teach women the virtues of underwire bras and girdles (or "body shapers," as they now called them—garments that allow women "a sense of control"). Once again, a fashion regression was billed as a feminist breakthrough. "Women have come a long way since the 1960s," Du Pont's sales literature exulted. "They now care about what they wear under clothes.

The fashion press, as usual, was accommodating. "Bra sales are booming" the New York Daily News claimed. Its evidence: the Intimate Apparel Council's press release. Enlisting one fake backlash trend to promote another, the New York Times claimed that women were rushing out to buy $375 bustiers to use "for cocooning." Life dedicated its June 1989 cover to a hundredth-anniversary salute, "Hurrah for the Bra," and insisted, likewise without data, that women were eagerly investing in designer brassieres and corsets. In an interview later, the article's author, Claudia Dowling, admits that she herself doesn't fit the trend; when asked, she can't even recall what brand bra she wears: "Your basic Warner whatever, I guess," she says.

Hollywood also hastened to the aid of the intimate-apparel industry, with garter belts in Bull Durham, push-up bras in Dangerous Liaisons, and merry-widow regalia galore in Working Girl. TV did its bit, too, as characters from "The Young and the Restless" to "Dynasty" jumped into bustiers, and even the women of "thirtysomething" inspected teddies in one shopping episode.

The fashion press marketed the Intimate Apparel Explosion as a symbol of modern women's new sexual freedom. "The 'Sexy' Revolution Ignites Intimate Apparel," Body Fashions announced in its October 1987 cover story. But the magazine was right to put quotes around "sexy." The cover model was encased in a full-body girdle, and the lingerie inside was mostly of Victorian vintage. Late-'80s lingerie celebrated the repression, not the flowering, of female sexuality. The ideal Victorian lady it had originally been designed for, after all, wasn't supposed to have any libido.

A few years before the Intimate Apparel Explosion, the pop singer Madonna gained notoriety by wearing a black bustier as a shirt. In her rebellious send-up of prim notions of feminine propriety, she paraded her sexuality and transformed "intimate apparel" into an explicit ironic statement. This was not, however, the sort of "sexy revolution" that the fashion designers had in mind. "That Madonna look was vulgar," Bob Mackie sniffs. "It was overly sexually expressive. The slits and the clothes cut up and pulled all around; you couldn't tell the sluts from the schoolgirls." The lingerie that he advocated had "a more ladylike feminine attitude."

Late Victorian apparel merchants were the first to mass-market "feminine" lingerie, turning corsets into a "tight-lacing" fetish and weighing women down in thirty pounds of bustles and petticoats. It worked for them; by the turn of the century, they had ushered in "the great epoch of underwear." Lingerie publicists of the '80s offered various sociological reasons for the Victorian underwear revival, from "the return of marriage" to "fear of AIDS"—though they never did explain how garter belts ward of infection. But the real reason for the Victorian renaissance was strictly business. “Whenever the romantic Victorian mood is in, we are going to do better,” explains Peter Velardi, chairman of the lingerie giant Vanity Fair and a member of the Intimate Apparel Council's executive committee.

In this decade's underwear campaign, the intimate-apparel industry owed its heaviest promotional debt to the Limited, the fashion retailer that turned a California lingerie boutique named Victoria's Secret into a national chain with 346 shops in five years. "I don't want to sound arrogant," Howard Gross, president of Victoria's Secret, says, "but . . . we caused the Intimate Apparel Explosion. We started it and a lot of people wanted to copy it."

The designers of the Victoria's Secret shop, a Disneyland version of a 19th-century lady's dressing room, packed each outlet with "antique" armoires and sepia photos of brides and mothers. Their blueprint was quickly copied by other retailers: May's "Amanda's Closet," Marshall Field's "Amelia's Boutique," Belk's "Marianne's Boutique," and Bullock's "Le Boudoir." Even Frederick's of Hollywood reverted to Victoriana, replacing fright wigs with lace chemises, repainting its walls in ladylike pinks and mauves and banning frontal nudity from its catalogs. "You can put our catalog on your coffee table now," George Townson, president of Frederick's, says proudly.

The Limited bought Victoria's Secret in 1982 from its originator, Roy Raymond, who opened the first shop in a suburban mall in Palo Alto, California. A Stanford MBA and former marketing man for the Vicks company—where he developed such unsuccessful hygiene products as a post-defecation foam to dab on toilet paper—Raymond wanted to create a store that would cater to his gender. "Part of the game was to make it more comfortable to men," he says. "I aimed it, I guess, at myself." But Raymond didn't want his female customers to think a man was running the store; that might put them off. So he was careful to include in the store's catalogs a personal letter to subscribers from "Victoria," the store's putative owner, who revealed her personal preferences in lingerie and urged readers to visit "my boutique." If customers called to inquire after Ms. Victoria's whereabouts, the salesclerks were instructed to say she was "traveling in Europe." As for the media, Raymond's wife handled all TV appearances.

Raymond settled on a Victorian theme both because he rise renovating his own Victorian home in San Francisco at the time and because it seemed like "a romantic happy time." He explains: “It’s that Ralph Lauren image . . . that people were happier then. I don't know if that is really true. It's just the image in my mind, I guess created by all the media things I've seen. But it's real.”

Maybe the Victorian era wasn't the best of times for the female population, he acknowledges, but he came up with a marketing strategy to deal with that problem: women are now "liberated" enough to choose corsets to please themselves, not their men. "We had this whole pitch," he recalls, "that the woman bought this very romantic and sexy lingerie to feel good about herself, and the effect it had on a man was secondary. It allowed us to sell these garments without seeming sexist." But was it true? He shrugs. "It was just the philosophy we used. The media picked it up and called it a 'trend,' but I don't know. I've never seen any statistics."

When the Limited took over Victoria's Secret, the new chief continued the theme. Career women want to wear bustiers in the boardroom, Howard Gross says, so they can feel confident that, underneath it all, they are still anatomically correct. "Women get a little pip, a little perk out of it," he explains. “It's like, ‘Here I am at this very serious business meeting and they really don't know that I'm wearing a garter belt!’” Gross didn't have any statistics to support this theory, either: "The company does no consumer or market research, absolutely none! I just don't believe in it." Instead of asking everyday women what they wanted in underwear, Gross conducted in-house brainstorming sessions where top company managers sat around a table and revealed their "romantic fantasies." Some of them, Gross admits, were actually "not so romantic" like the male executive who imagined, "I'm in bed with eighteen women."

-Susan Faludi, Backlash: the Undeclared War Against American Women

[fashionlandscapeblog]

I was recently introduced to Alec Leach's work, which I find so incredibly important, especially now that our planet is on fire.

In one of his most recent articles, Alec questions whether we need new ideas in fashion and makes a very valid point arguing that longetivity in a garment is far more important than how groundbreaking it is (in reference to Peter Do's debut collection for Helmut Lang, which was harshly met by critics calling it 'Helmut lite' for not offering enough subversion to the garments as HL typically did). I do agree largely with his point, but I am not sure I think this is an absolute.

To support his argument, he mentions that 'nothing is new anymore' and that 'Brands don’t sell new ideas anymore, they sell remixed versions of old ones'. He further argues that 'a totally original idea doesn’t count for much anymore.', because the industry should instead focus on solving the climate emergency. It's the part in bold I have a problem with.

First off, saying that there are no new ideas anymore and that everything has been done is kinda suggesting that fashion hasn't changed much during the past decade, when it massively has (IMO for the better). Or worse, is he suggesting that designers influenced by others, like Peter Do who has clearly been influenced by HL, do not offer something refreshing and different to their mentors? And no, it's not just marketing or aesthetics. He fails to understand that art has always evolved through inspiration and 'remixing version of old ideas' with new ones as does music.

Furthermore, I think creativity and longevity are not opposites, they can go hand in hand. I personally own several garments with a subversive twist which I've had for nearly a decade and which I still love and wear (I was one of the only influencers rewearing years old pieces of clothing). Not everyone wishes to wear uniforms or look 'normal'. I think that space fashion offers us to express our differences is incredibly important for us humans. It promotes diversity and tolerance. I think Alec is right in his concern , but he underestimates the importance of being different in a world where sameness is the norm.

Clothes need to steal your heart, and that is where the longevity comes in. It’s then when you will repair that hole and reuse it for years, and for a lot of us, basic, razor-sharped tailoring won't cut it

What needs to change is not the design of the clothes per se (longetivity?, definitely), it's our mentality regarding consumption or worrying about our clothes being on trend or not. I could not give a rat's ass whether my 7 year old cropped puff sleeved Tomé jacket is so 'passé', because it expresses who I am.

The attempt to create new things should always exist. After all, designers will continue releasing new collections and they might as well offer their creativity. I follow Peter Do since 2018 for his unique point of view. If he offered me what everyone else offers me, I wouldn't follow him. What shouldn't really exist is our mentality when seeing these new things and 'needing' to buy them. It is possible to see beautiful fashion without that impulse. It is possible for it to exist without destroying our planet. It's the way and quantities in which it is produced what really needs to change.

Finally, I truly believe there is a place for everything on this planet. While not everyone wants to wear avantgarde fashion and basic clothing is what is mostly needed, I think there should always be a space for new ideas, even if minimal. Not everyone can build like Zaha Hadid or Frank Gehry, nor should they (our planet doesn't count with the resources for every building to look like the Guggenheim de Bilbao, plus this would lead to countless other problems). However, I believe these buildings deserve their place in the world, as does anything different, including fashion.

[casual-music-enjoyer]

Ethnocide/Genocide of Uyghurs in China

China’s primarily Han government has been committing a slew of human rights abuses against Uyghurs, a Turkic ethnic minority in China, since 2014. Often referred as an ethnocide, forced assimilation, or simply genocide, these abuses include but are not limited to: forced labor, forced abortion and sterilization, and forced “re-education” of Uyghurs (aka the suppression of Uyghur culture). While Uyghurs in China have been an oppressed group since they were conquered, in 2014 over a million Ugyhurs were incarcerated without legal process and placed in internment camps located in Xinjiang. While these camps started to publicly wind down in 2019, about 40 countries worldwide called out China for the sheer amount of abuse in these camps, such as rape and torture. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of International Labor Affairs, “It is estimated that 100,000 Uyghurs and other ethnic minority ex-detainees in China may be working in conditions of forced labor following detention in re-education camps”. These forced labor conditions (according to two accounts in this article), include little pay, the forced lack of (or extremely limited) contact with loved ones, and the confiscation of identification traps the Uyghur workers within these forced labor camps. There are several Chinese industries that forced Uyghur labor contributes to, including but not limited to, textiles, hair products, and fish. 

What makes this worse is that a lot of the raw materials made through forced labor (such as textiles) are shipped out internationally to create the products that appear on store shelves. On the End Forced Uyghur Labor website, this exportation of materials is so bad that “1 in 5 cotton garments in the global apparel market are at risk of being tainted with Uyghur forced labour.” This has huge implications for the U.S. fast fashion industry in particular because of the popularity of fast fashion companies such as Temu and Shien, and how fast fashion companies often use materials that come from forced or underpaid labor worldwide. I would not be surprised if Uyghur forced labor comes into scrutiny soon in regards to the fast fashion industry. 

Outside of forced labor, Uyghurs face other horrendous human rights abuses such as forced abortions. AP News reported on how three Ugyhurs who fled from China to Turkey gave testimonies of forced abortions and torture that either happened to them, or someone else. One woman stated that she was kidnapped at 6 ½ months pregnant by the Chinese police and was forced to undergo an abortion. This is an obvious attempt to suppress the population increase of Uyghurs in Xinjiang and China as a whole because of their ethnic minority status. Meanwhile, another exile described being tortured and interrogated regarding information relating to his brother. He mentioned that, “the brother was wanted partly because he published a religious book in Arabic.” This is obvious discrimination against Uyghurs not only because of their ethnic minority status, but also because of how most Uyghurs are Muslim. 

This genocide and discrimination is why it is so important to keep Uyghur traditions alive. The Muqam, a traditional Uyghur melody type to guide the composition and improvisation within Ugyhur music, is just one distinct example of this. The Muqam is a tradition listed within the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage created by UNESCO, with “the aim of ensuring better protection of important intangible cultural heritages worldwide and the awareness of their significance.” Some other important examples of these intangible cultural heritages are the dakbe from Palestine and congolese rumba from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Congo. 

One Uyghur band, Qetiq, took the traditional Muqam and blended it with rock music. Qetiq is made up of Perhat Khaliq, his wife Pazilet Tursun, a cousin of Khaliq, and some friends. Perhat Khaliq’s participation in the Voice of China in 2014 gained him a lot of publicity. Qetiq released their first EP, Qetiq: Rock from the Taklamakan Desert, in 2013. After touring in 2015 across China, Khaliq received the Dutch's Prince Claus Awards for "breathing new life into traditional Uyghur forms". 

Being completely honest, while I searched for Uyghur music, the amount of information that I could access as an American on Google was extremely limited. I was able to come across a few Wikipedia articles and some research papers, but not anything to the extent of other cultures. I believe that this is partially intentional, but I do not have enough expertise or knowledge to say that for sure. 

However, what I did find was absolutely beautiful, and while I do not have the cultural context nor understanding of any language besides English, after listening to Qetiq: Rock from Taklamakan Desert several times, I can confidently recommend some songs. If anyone has more information to add to the conversation, I would greatly appreciate it since I was only able to gather so much from my research. 

In Review:

Recommended Band:

Qetiq

Song(s) of Choice:

Dolan muqam - Qetiq

Tarim - Qetiq

Qara jorga - Qetiq

Streaming Platforms:

Youtube, Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Qobuz, + more

Social Media Platforms:

????

Additional Information (feel free to add more in the comments):

https://livingotherwise.com/2016/08/17/the-rise-collaborative-at-the-seattle-asian-art-museum/

https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/world/article34705791.html

[rajsr143]

Fashion Faves: Top Trends to Try Now

Outline

Introduction

Statement of the Current Fashion Landscape

Trend 1: Sustainable Fashion

Subtrend 1: Eco-Friendly Fabrics

Subtrend 2: Upcycling and Recycled Materials

Trend 2: Bold Colors and Prints

Subtrend 1: Neon Hues

Subtrend 2: Animal Prints

Trend 3: Gender-Neutral Fashion

Trend 4: Statement Accessories

Subtrend 1: Oversized Sunglasses

Subtrend 2: Chunky Chains

Trend 5: Comfort-Centric Styles

Subtrend 1: Loungewear Sets

Subtrend 2: Athleisure Wear

Trend 6: Retro Revival

Subtrend 1: 90s Nostalgia

Subtrend 2: Vintage Vibes

Conclusion

FAQs

Fashion Faves: Top Trends to Try Now

Fashion is an ever-evolving landscape, with trends coming and going faster than ever before. In this article, we'll delve into the top fashion trends that are dominating the scene right now, from sustainable fashion to bold colors and prints, gender-neutral styles, statement accessories, comfort-centric pieces, and the revival of retro aesthetics.

Introduction

Fashion serves as a form of self-expression, allowing individuals to showcase their personality and creativity through clothing and accessories. Keeping up with the latest trends not only ensures that you're stylish but also reflects your awareness of the cultural zeitgeist.

Statement of the Current Fashion Landscape

The fashion industry is undergoing a significant shift towards sustainability, inclusivity, and comfort. Consumers are increasingly mindful of the environmental and social impact of their clothing choices, leading to a rise in demand for eco-friendly and ethically sourced fashion.

Trend 1: Sustainable Fashion

Subtrend 1: Eco-Friendly Fabrics

One of the key pillars of sustainable fashion is the use of eco-friendly fabrics such as organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, and Tencel. These materials are grown and processed without harmful chemicals or pesticides, reducing...

Subtrend 2: Upcycling and Recycled Materials

Another aspect of sustainable fashion is the incorporation of upcycled and recycled materials into clothing and accessories. Designers are finding innovative ways to repurpose old garments and textiles, giving them new life and reducing waste in the process.

Trend 2: Bold Colors and Prints

Subtrend 1: Neon Hues

Neon colors have made a major comeback in the fashion world, adding a vibrant and eye-catching pop to outfits. From neon green to hot pink, incorporating these bold hues into your wardrobe is a surefire way to make a statement.

Subtrend 2: Animal Prints

Animal prints continue to reign supreme in the world of fashion, with leopard, zebra, and snakeskin patterns dominating runways and street styles alike. Whether it's a statement coat, a pair of shoes, or a bold accessory, animal prints add a touch of wild flair to any outfit. Embrace your inner fashionista by incorporating animal prints into your wardrobe for a fierce and stylish look.

Trend 3: Gender-Neutral Fashion

Breaking down traditional gender norms, gender-neutral fashion is on the rise, offering clothing and accessories that are designed to be worn by people of all genders. From oversized silhouettes to unisex color palettes, gender-neutral fashion celebrates diversity and inclusivity in the fashion industry.

Trend 4: Statement Accessories

Subtrend 1: Oversized Sunglasses

Make a bold statement with oversized sunglasses that exude glamour and sophistication. From classic aviators to trendy cat-eye frames, oversized sunglasses are a must-have accessory for adding a touch of......drama to any outfit. Channel your inner celebrity with a pair of oversized shades that shield your eyes from the sun while elevating your style game.

Subtrend 2: Chunky Chains

Chunky chains have emerged as one of the hottest accessory trends of the season, adding a touch of edge and attitude to any look. Whether worn as a necklace, bracelet, or belt, chunky chains make a bold statement and instantly elevate your outfit.

Trend 5: Comfort-Centric Styles

Subtrend 1: Loungewear Sets

With more people working from home and embracing a relaxed lifestyle, loungewear sets have become wardrobe staples. Comfy yet chic, loungewear sets offer the perfect balance between style and comfort, making them ideal for...lounging around the house or running errands in style. Look for soft fabrics, relaxed silhouettes, and coordinating pieces for the ultimate laid-back vibe.

Subtrend 2: Athleisure Wear

Blurring the lines between activewear and everyday attire, athleisure wear continues to dominate the fashion scene. From leggings and sports bras to hoodies and joggers, athleisure pieces offer both comfort and style, allowing you to seamlessly transition from the gym to brunch with friends.

Trend 6: Retro Revival

Subtrend 1: 90s Nostalgia

Nostalgia for the 90s is stronger than ever, with fashion trends from the decade making a major comeback. Think baggy jeans, crop tops, platform sneakers, and bucket hats—channel your inner 90s kid with...retro-inspired pieces that pay homage to this iconic era. Embrace the grunge aesthetic or opt for preppy vibes—whatever your style, there's a 90s trend for everyone.

Subtrend 2: Vintage Vibes

From thrifted finds to vintage-inspired designs, incorporating vintage pieces into your wardrobe adds a unique flair to your look. Mix and match vintage items with modern staples to create...