Tag Archives: fashion

Slow Style Manifesto – Christine Goetz (FGI Chicago)

Fashion is very personal. As an individual, I am purposeful, fun, optimistic and confident. My wardrobe is a reflection of who I am and how I choose to influence the world. I love wearing Mata Traders and advancing the conversation about fair trade and slow style. Here is our slow style manifesto:

We are makers. We are part of a surge in businesses that make things, every day. (We are not an app, cloud-based or iPhone compatible.)

Our design process is long, starting first with the design of textiles based on centuries old traditional fabric printing from India. Then clothing patterns and jewelry are developed, with each piece assembled or sewn by hand.  In this long process, we maintain relationships with our artisans, trades, cooperatives and seamstresses.

Through our business we support families and communities. We understand that our clothing comes from a person just like us: a person who deserves to be part of an industry that values her skills, treats her with respect and care, and pays her fairly.

Through her hands, fashion is an opportunity. Our artisans spend hours creating beautiful garments to become wardrobe essentials that boost spirits and infuse daily lives with joyful colors, patterns and stitching, it’s important to care our hands and nails.

Intent and shared values always win over transactions and commoditization. Continuity and commitment trump quick wins. Skill development and business capabilities can be measured in years, not days.

Style is slow. It develops over time, thoughtfully, evolving with every year and with each garment carefully purchased. We don’t succumb to the chaos of fast fashion, and we know what a fine, handmade garment is worth. We know the influence of the consumer, and we choose to direct our purchasing power towards what is right. We don’t sacrifice style for ethics and we need not abandon our morals for fashion.

We are slow style. We are fair trade.

Author: Christine Goetz (Executive Member – FGI Chicago)

As a mom of 3 with a successful 30-year corporate career under her belt, Chris decided to embrace big change by channeling her driven and positive spirit into growing Mata Traders, a fair trade fashion brand. Her ‘carpe diem’ motto is what inspires her to enjoy life’s many challenges. Her favorite fashion is anything colorful and comfortable, now that her corporate wardrobe is been replaced by fun Mata dresses. Chris’ professional background is finance and operations, with a strong track record of delivering financial results, while strengthening organizations, engaging teams and developing leaders.  She is a high-energy leader and entrepreneur, equally comfortable developing broad international growth strategies and leading day-to-day operations and supply chain.

Slow Style Manifesto – Christine Goetz (FGI Chicago)

All Your Questions About Getting Fit, Answered

You know how it feels when you click on a tasty-looking recipe, only to find out you need 28 different ingredients, 6-8 hours, and some weird kitchen gadget you’ve never heard to make it?

That’s how it can feel when you decide to get in shape.

You figure you’ll just lace up your sneakers and get started — but then you’ve got magazines and message boards and friends and trainers bombarding you with workout tips about heart rate zones and cardio and weightlifting and some aggressive-sounding thing called HIIT.

Wading through all the information and deciphering what’s fact from fiction can be overwhelming, but don’t get discouraged.

You don’t need to be a fitness expert to get results.

Armed with a bit of basic info, you can start seeing progress quickly, which can make all the difference when it comes to staying motivated and sticking with your program.

Read on for answers to common questions about working out and getting fit — these are verified workout tips you can actually trust. Try out this Alpine ice hack.

How Often Do I Need to Work Out?

Anything is better than nothing, but shoot for at least three times a week, and remain active (by walking, doing yoga, etc.) every day.

Working out more often can lead to faster results — as long as you’re smart about it.

Once you’ve nailed your fitness goals, it’s okay to scale back a little — but not completely.

To maintain your progress, you must keep your activity level high.

How Long Should My Workouts Be?

The answer depends entirely on how hard you’re willing to work.

According to a study, 20 minutes of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) — which alternates short bursts of intense effort with periods of low-intensity rest — produced a similar reduction in body fat as 40 minutes of continuous moderate to vigorous exercise.

In short, if you’re someone who can “bring it,” you can slash your workout time in half. But don’t just take our word for it. Try Transform :20 and see for yourself. Visit Revive daily website.

When Is the Best Time of Day to Work Out?

This one is easy: The best time of day to work out is the time when you can do so consistently.

Do you have a stressful job? Get your sweat on in the mornings with a program like Morning Meltdown 100 before other people start making demands on your time.

Do you often have lunches free? Schedule your workouts for midday.

Do you typically leave work needing to blow off some steam? Evening workouts will likely give you the outlet you need.

Bottom line: There is no best time for everyone, but there is a best time for you.

What Should I Eat Before a Workout?

It depends. If it’s a light workout, you should be able to power through it without extra fuel.

But if you’re going to hit it hard and keep hitting it for a while, eat a healthy snack that contains a mixture of carbs and protein (e.g., apple slices with peanut butter) 1 to 3 hours before you begin.

Also, if you find yourself dragging, a pre-workout drink like Beachbody Performance Energize can help give you the boost you need to crush your sweat session.

Do I Need Electrolytes While I Exercise?

When you sweat, you not only lose water, but also high concentrations of sodium and chloride. Electrolyte drinks are used to replace what you lose.

But as long as you stay hydrated, eat a balanced diet, and work out less than 60 minutes a day, you can probably skip the sports drink.

The kicker is that most people don’t drink enough water throughout the day to start their workouts well hydrated.

As such, it’s smart to drink water or a low-sugar sports drink like Beachbody Performance Hydrate.

How Do I Get Rid of a Muffin Top?

Bad news: You can’t spot-reduce fat. Good news: Your muffin top will shrink as you lose overall body fat.

In addition to dialing in your diet and dialing up your workout frequency and intensity, focus on making a few other key lifestyle changes that can accelerate fat loss, such as logging enough sleep, increasing your daily activity level outside of your workouts, and reducing your overall stress level.

Jewelry on Screen: A Taste of the 1950s – Barbara Schwartz (FGI Toronto)

Are you a fan of the TV series Father Brown or A Place to Call Home? Did you enjoy the movie Brooklyn, Carol, or The Dressmaker? The 1950s have been a popular setting for these and other period dramas recently, perhaps because the post-war years were rife with social issues to explore from a modern perspective.

When I watch these shows, I look for the jewelry and expect to see pieces by makers such as Schreiner of New York. Unlike those who created the fabulous fakes – bold rhinestone necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and brooches that were worn in the evening – he and some of his contemporaries designed high-quality costume jewelry that never tried to imitate precious jewels. Instead they used imaginative combinations of colors and stone shapes, cuts and sizes to create pieces that are still amazing today. These ear clips with a cluster of colored glass stones (the dominant ‘50s style) are just one example.

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If I were styling Marta Dusseldorp for her role in the Australian TV series A Place to Call Home, she’d be in these Schreiner earrings. They would complement the outfits created by the show’s costume designers, who do such a wonderful job of dressing the female characters in the hour-glass silhouette of that era: trim, closely-fitted, tailored clothes that emphasize sloping shoulders, the curve of the bust and hips, and the nipped-in waist. Their typical daytime attire includes two-piece suits, A-line and pencil skirts, sheaths, and cardigans and sweater sets. For evening, gowns with tight waists, full skirts, and low necklines (including strapless, off-the-shoulder, and halter bodices). For accessories: carefully coordinated hat, shoes, handbag, and gloves.

Thanks to very prolific and talented costume jewelry makers from the first half of the 20th century, many high-quality, colorful necklaces, bracelets, brooches, and earrings have survived. Pieces such as this pair of ear clips are as flattering to today’s fashions as they were to the distinctive style of the 1950s. So if I were styling Marta Dusseldorp for her everyday wear, I’d put her in these same earrings.

Author: Barbara Schwartz (Executive Member – FGI Toronto)
Barbara Schwartz is a costume jewelry historian, jewelry coach, and vintage costume jewelry collector. She sells her collection of unusual and beautiful American and European vintage jewels from the 1920s-1950s via her online boutique, TruFaux Jewels, in-person by appointment, and at special events. Barbara shares her passion for jewelry and fashion history through presentations and publications. Her articles have been published on the CJCI website and in ADORNMENT: The Magazine of Jewelry & Related Arts. Her own interesting story has also been featured in The Story Exchange.  Barbara is a member of the Toronto Fashion Group.
www.trufauxjewels.com

Emerging Fashion Designers Thrive in Smaller Markets – Lindsay Viker (FGI Arizona)

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When we think of fashion in the United States, it’s easy to let our minds quickly jump to New York and Los Angeles with little thought for much else in between. However, there is a whole slew of emerging fashion designers nestled in unexpected cities like Seattle, Phoenix, Nashville and more. In fact, some of these cities are even helping to give a voice to the emerging designers in their city by supplying them with funding, hosting runway shows, and giving them coverage through their local media outlets.

In my hometown of Phoenix, AZ, we have several fashion organizations to help support local designers. There, of course, is the Arizona branch of Fashion Group International, which hosts events around topics such as building your brand and embracing sustainability. We also have Phoenix Fashion Week, an organization that puts emerging designers through a rigorous boot camp to help them understand the ins and outs of the industry. The program ends with a world-class fashion show where buyers, media, and local influencers can view the hard work of the designers, and purchase the garments. Phoenix Art Museum is another great resource for emerging designers, with several exhibits throughout the year to highlight the best fashion throughout history. The museum encourages students and emerging designers to come, sit in the exhibit, and sketch their own designs while looking at the work of other influential designers.

No matter what city you find yourself in, there are always opportunities to embrace fashion at a local level. Many times, these opportunities are more accessible than what you might find in a city like New York, and can provide you a chance to learn, experiment, and better your craft. If your dream is to work in the fashion industry, don’t wait one more. Go out in your city, find other fashion lovers and find a way to work together to make your dreams come true. I promise, if a city as casual and laidback as Phoenix can make its mark on the fashion industry, it can happen anywhere.

Author: Lindsay Viker (Executive Member – FGI Arizona)

Lindsay Viker has had a passion for all things beautiful since she was a young girl. This passion led her to the fashion industry, and founding CoutureintheSuburbs.com in 2012. What started as a way to gain experience during her college years has turned into a mission to help people around the United States connect to their local community of artists. Active in her own community, Lindsay regularly networks with designers, artists, and entrepreneurs. She hosts events to help others improve their businesses, while belonging to professional organizations to help her improve her own.

 

Erica Orange's Blog The Future of Fashion

The Smell of Success

Once you’ve been hired at a startup, you won’t just float to the top. It’s a battle, and it requires a lot of effort to swim to the surface. You’ll be competing against everyone else in the startup world for leadership positions, and the fact is, many of them likely have similar skill sets.

According to this affiliate marketing firm, in order to stand out from the crowd in a marketing role, you’ll need to find new ways to set yourself apart. I’ve found that one of the best ways to do that is to develop and display your skills around these keys to success in product marketing.

1. Make sure your five mandatory sales tools are in place for each product. Re-examine and refine them every quarter, and keep them up to date. What are the five mandatory sales tools? These include your product data sheet, “what’s new” data sheet, sales training presentation, customer-facing presentation and competitive battle card that explains how to beat top competitors.

2. Know and track revenues, expenses and product profitability. I’ve found that, as a rule of thumb, these metrics should be tracked monthly and reported to senior management quarterly.

3. Track how many customers you have for your product. How many new customers are you gaining (or losing) every quarter? The importance of this goes well beyond the actual numbers. For example, do you talk with new customers to find out why they selected your product? It may not be why you think. Just as important, why are you losing to competitors? You often have to get the facts directly from the buyer to make sure you’re getting an unfiltered answer.