Avenuequeer Fashion

Schools are constantly in need of funds. There are many fun activities available to help raise money such as worm charming or a car wash but a great favourite that involves everyone is the fashion show.

Whilst a fashion show will take a lot of planning (several months), the event can really pay off.

The school raises money by ticket sales, a raffle on the night and commission from clothes sales so it is potentially a good money spinner.

Seeing clothes close up can sway a persons decision on whether or not to buy so it is also good for the audience, plus its always nice to see friends and family modelling.

Getting outside help with the show is useful and there are companies specialising in this sort of thing. They will often supply a PA system, music, till, carrier bags and a full length mirror.

Make sure the company you go has experience of putting on fashion shows and that their stock is appealing to your audience. It will also be useful if they have the means to accept credit and debit card payment as this will increase your sales on the night.

You will need to decide whether you want to include refreshments in the ticket price and how much profit you are hoping to make on the night. Be realistic as you don’t want to put people off with the ticket price.

The venue you choose will need to be big enough to seat everyone expected and it needs to have a flat floor. A raised stage area will be an added bonus as it will make the catwalk more of a feature. Plenty of electrical points will be needed, as will a room for the models to change. Changing rooms for the audience to use after the show will also be required. The school hall may be suitable, but if not, consider the village hall or other venues nearby. Seating will also need to be sourced.

A good turn out is needed for the show so you will need to market it to your target audience which will probably largely consist of parents. Send a press release to the local paper, notify the parish magazine and make up posters to put up near the school. The school art department should be quite handy with the posters.

Pupils, staff and parents can all be used as models. Several rehearsals will be required so that everyone knows what to do on the night.

With careful planning, your fundraising fashion show should be a great night out and a financial success too.

Now that summer is almost over the fashion world has already transitioned into the fall/winter season. One of the first things that buyers, magazine editors, and other fashion insiders always notice during runway shows is the use of color. More importantly, which colors are in and which ones are out?

How to Choose the Right Hue

One of the main color trends for the autumn/winter 2011 season is the use of actual color. Blacks and grays reigned supreme in previous years but this time, bright hues are being used and it isn’t even spring! Look for combinations of red, green, and yellow paired with neutral tones so the color really pops. For example, Anna Sui used shades of dark green and dark red but paired them with natural colors in order to add balance.

Camel is another color which is getting a lot of love this season because it’s neutral yet it comes in so many different and versatile shades (which is always a style plus). Camel can be hard to wear head to toe so don’t be afraid to add punches of other fall colors such as copper and mahogany, as well. The runways of Chloe illustrated this with long, camel-colored coats and hazel pants. Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and Prada also demonstrated this trend beautifully.

The military trend has always been quite popular but this season, military hues (navy, khaki, and green) will be found all over the place. Also be on the lookout for military-style clothing to be paired with sexy accessories which add flair. Burberry Prorsum displayed this trend by combining strong, navy military blazers with sexy over-the-knee boots.

Maternity fashion trends often take their cures from what celebrity mothers to be are wearing, and this season, there are some especially exciting trends being seen on the red carpet. You can always take these styles and add your own flair to them for a personalized touch. This season, maternity fashion trends are full of basic pieces, which will serve as the foundation for your stylish wardrobe. Just because you are a mother to be does not mean that you have to let yourself fall by the wayside in terms of fashion.

Leggings – This particular style is as versatile and stylish as it is comfortable. They are available in a wide variety of different fabrics, from wild animal prints to leather or velvet. Additionally, they can be dressed with a pair of flats or paired with a bump hugging tunic top and heels for a night out. Skinny Jeans – Skinny jeans can be worn in a way that is similar to leggings. The tapered leg cut of the jeans is flattering on many different body types. Ideally, they should contain a bit of stretch to ensure that you remain comfortable during your entire pregnancy. Mini Dresses - Maternity fashion trends are no longer about camouflaging your bump, but celebrating it instead. These bump hugging garments are ideal for doing just that! For an especially sexy look, they can be paired with a pair of opaque tights for a night out with your girlfriends or significant other. Feminine Dresses - To continue the trend of certain clothing that celebrates your pregnancy, you should look for dresses that feature feminine details, like flower prints, ruffles, or flowing designs. Because most women feel the most feminine when they are pregnant, this feeling can be expressed through their clothing. Rocker Chic - This particular trend replaces feminine dresses with boot cut and torn jeans, graphic print tees, boots, and tough cut leather jackets. It is the antithesis of feminine, but they are many women who enjoy this rocker/biker/tough appearance. One particular celebrity who is frequently embodying this trend is Gisele Bundchen.