The World's Best Dressed Royals

Princess-to-be Kate Middleton has big shoes to fill, what with Princess Di and Grace Kelly before her. Check out the new wave of well-dressed royals... After all, what goes better with a crown than couture?

Kate Middleton at Her Royal Wedding

Kate Middleton at Her Royal Wedding

Fashionable Designer Lingerie and Branded Lingerie

Beauty of a woman is a matchless attribute; with nothing to surpass it. So long a time there have been the existence of women in this world, there have been lingerie's as well. This fashion serving luxury undergarment expresses her beauty loving feminine personality, apart from the basic need of supporting her physique. Though the word 'lingerie' normally describes both male and female undergarments, the term is commonly used to refer woman's intimate wear. Lingerie is a broad term and includes garments like bras, panties, stockings, thongs, garters, peignoirs, sheer night gowns, and exotic night wearsEvolution of Lingerie:Concept of the lingerie's dates back to the period when people lived in forests whose beginnings are lost in far antiquity. Women in those days bound their body with long scarves folded, looped, and cross folded so as to mould their figures and enhance their beauty. Sculptures of the classical age depict women wearing pieces of fabric to support their bust and waist.

The applications of these fabrics were simple and functional, focusing more on support over appearance. Lingerie's evolved into a fashion icon during the 19th century. When men were involved in the First World War, women became the breadwinners of their family. This new identity beckoned them about the need for more practical undergarments that are lighter and breathable, and can be worn during industrial works. Later during the 21st century manufacturers and fashion houses started expanding their manufacturing and marketing with sexy and fashionable designs and colors. There was a renaissance in the lingerie world seen with more focus on female curves, as women went to unforeseeable extremes to obtain the perfect 'hour glass' figure.

Lingerie's were designed with lavish laces, embroidery and ribbons. Today, the intimate wears available in the market have more sex appeal as compared with the ones used in olden days. Exclusive boutiques are also becoming inherently popular in cities. Designer and Branded Lingerie's:Designer lingerie brands have an ever increasing demand in many countries as they are very fashionable and sensuous. They are considered the best due to their cutting edge designs, and the high quality materials used; subject to strict quality control standards. Thus the consumer can be assured that they are not only buying under garments of latest designs and trendiest fashion, but also a superior product out of their money. Manufacturers concentrated on the 'Artisan Matrix', the designing phase, knowledge of body shape, quality, appearance, tradition, and fusion for innovation. Retailers agree that lingerie market have a higher profit margin as compared with other apparels. From dazzling, bold colors, to the soft hues of the color palette, a wide range of collections are available to cater to the tastes of every fashion savvy woman.

The most attractive feature of designer lingerie is its soft and delicate embroidery designs. Most popular color choices of women are pink, red, aqua, and pastel. World's largest lingerie manufacturer 'Victoria's Secret' operates exclusively in North America. European market is dominated by brands like DB Apparel, and Triumph International. Top brands like Virgina Poppe, Groversons Apparel, Lotus Creations, TNT Fashion limited, sell a wide range of lingerie's in various colors, and designs to fit every customer's taste. Other brands like Cosabella, Felina, Fashion Forms, Chantelle, On Gossamer, Jezebel, Spans, Fleurt, and Mary Green also have their share in the global market. Brands like Calvin Klein, Vanity Fair, Jockey, Maidenform etc are renowned for their quality. Some special brands are available which can be worn for certain specific occasions like wedding lingerie etc. Global Lingerie Market:Global intimate wear market is estimated to be around $29.15 billion USD in 2004, $30 billion USD in 2007, and is further projected to increase at the rate of 9% to become $31.6 billion USD by 2012.

Organized players constitute over 40% of the lingerie market currently. Branded lingerie market is further expected by industry experts to see a rise of 25% by 2010. Of the total global lingerie sales, bras account for 56%, briefs at 32%, and daywears make the remaining 12%. Retail lingerie market has grown by $770 million USD. The main concern in the marketing of lingerie's; worldwide, is the fight for market share between the global brands and the retailer's local brands. The leading global key player is Sara Lee, a US based manufacturer who also have a strong hold in the European market. Followed by this are other companies like La Perla, Truimph, Maidenform, VF, and Warnaco. In chain stores, Victoria's Secret of US, Knickerbox of UK, and Hunkemoller of Europe have a whiz market.

Summer Fashion News - Ankle Bracelets

Adornment to the body dates back to the earliest of times. Rings, necklaces, and bracelets, arrayed on the body, from the ears to the ankles and everywhere in between, have been used as decorations by both sexes. Jewelry like the ankle bracelet may be merely for beautification and decoration or it may take on specific cultural and societal implications and meanings.

In this modern day and age, the wearing of jewelry is much more commonly associated with women, though men are known to outfit themselves with many types of jewelry as well. Popular jewelry can range from the simple, delicate chain, to the outlandish and rare pieces, and can adorn just about any part of the body. The anklet is a piece of jewelry that while has been around for thousands of years, is making a popular comeback.

Ankles are not necessarily the first spot a person thinks to adorn themselves when they begin to put on jewelry. However, the ankle is a perfect location for bracelets, as the foot provides a nice barrier to keep the jewelry in place. One might even say the ankle is like the wrist of the lower half of the body and as such deserves as much embellishment.

Fashion News - Types of Silver Jewelry

Nowadays, the precious metal that is used the most for the purpose of creating jewelry is silver. Most number of women and men from around the world admire jewelry that is made from this valuable metal. This is not surprising because ornaments made of silver jewelry are quite affordable, trendy, lustrous and available in a huge variety of designs. These ornaments are elegant and have an intrinsic appeal that is difficult to ignore.

Ornaments made of silver that are available in the market are usually made of kinds of silver which are commonly used. The jewelry that is made from a particular type of this valuable metal is referred by the name of that type. Jewelry made from pure silver is called pure silver jewelry.

The different types of silver that are used to make jewelry that are very popular nowadays as follows. Pure silver has 99.9% silver. This kind of silver is very soft and has a glossy finish. Because of its softness, it is extremely malleable. This is why it is used for crafting handmade silver jewelry like earrings, necklaces, bangles, etc. This type of silver is used to create jewelry having elaborate patterns which is not possible in jewelry made of other metals.

Sterling Silver consists of 92.5% silver. It is very hard. It is an extremely popular type of silver that is used for creating jewelry, nowadays. Accessories made of sterling silver like chains, earrings, bracelets, rings, necklaces, bangles and so on are made with the help of different kinds of methods of embellishment like chasing, engraving, filigree and inlaying. Ornaments made of sterling silver has a '925' mark which proclaims authenticity of the metal.

German silver is also known as alpaca silver. It is an alloy made of a combination of zinc, nickel and copper. Jewelry made of this type of silver is known primarily for its resistance to corrosion, durability and toughness. These ornaments usually consist of adornments that are not worn on the body. The reason for this is that these items of jewelry contain nickel which causes allergies in certain people. Pendants, earrings and necklaces are the main varieties available in this specific type of jewelry.

Silver gemstone jewelry are ornaments made of silver but they are named so because they are studded with gemstones and form a separate class. Ornaments made of silver look charming, attractive and unique when gemstones are blended in. This results in an increase in their elegance as well as value. All types of ornaments are made under this type.

A huge variety of gems and gemstones are made use of in order to create Silver gemstone jewelry. The gems that are commonly used are sapphire, emerald, pearl, topaz, ruby, amethyst and turquoise.

Glamour Magazine Can Offer Insights Into A Fashionable Lifestyle

Glamour is one of the most popular monthly magazines for women, available in most countries and targeted to women aged between 18 and 50. It is available as a monthly print publication and also as a digital version for the iPad or your mobile device or you could buy a Glamour magazine subscription to save some money on the usual cover price and ensure timely delivery.

Glamour was founded in 1939 in the USA and first went by the name 'Glamour of Hollywood'. The magazine still encompasses the initial feel, set out way back before the Second World War. The magazine launched in the UK in 2001 where it introduced a smaller, compact sized product to the UK market. Glamour is published by Conde Naste, who also publishes popular titles such as Vogue, GQ, Conde Naste Traveller, Tatler, Brides and House & Garden.

The magazine promotes good health, beauty and fashion, empowering women with to tips and information on Shopping, Fashion, Beauty and Hair, Celebrity News and Love and Sex issues. A favourite section is the Do's and Don'ts for style and hair to ensure you learn the important lessons to make you look your best.

Glamour magazine is considered to be one of the best fashion magazines in the world. The official Glamour website features information about fashion, style, and makeup which makes it a popular place for women to visit.

As well as the informative content, Glamour regularly offer free coupons to their readers, which can often save you money when shopping with fashion or health and beauty retailers, so a good tip is to look out for or search for these subscription offers.

Glamour magazine hold the coveted 'Woman of the Year' award ceremony to recognise women's achievements. Held in June of every year, the awards attract many celebrities with the 2010 Woman of the Year' award going to Cheryl Cole. Votes are taken from the Glamour website and last year consisted of over 50,000 votes.

Glamour is often available with a free gift to accompany a paid magazine subscription, and a popular Glamour magazine subscription offer would be just 5 for 5 issues.

Women's Fashion Ponchos Get Sexy This Summer

Ponchos have come down from the high plains and back into high fashion on to the catwalks this season.

Women's fashion ponchos featured strongly on the catwalks this season.

Gone are the heavy, horse-blanket style ponchos of yesteryear, replaced by delicate fabrics and sexy styles that complement every body. Fashion ponchos hide a multitude of sins.

Whether you choose silky, sheer and sexy, or embroidered ethnic style, the poncho can be adapted for all sizes and all occasions.

Your fashion poncho can be thrown over a pair of jeans for a chic, casual look, or dress it up with a glittery brooch over your favorite little black dress for night time style.

The hot fashion trend straight from the catwalk was the shabby-chic boho-style fashion poncho, ornamented with embroidery, beads and sparkles. Or the casually elegant cashmere poncho, perfect with your favorite jeans.

Ponchos also come short and long this season. The chic little shrug-style poncho clasped or tied on the shoulder in soft knits and delicate lace was featured by many European designers for spring/summer. Also featured were longer, asymmetrical fashion ponchos in a rainbow-bright display of colors and patterns.

Whatever your look for this summer, there is a women's fashion poncho to suit.

Fashion and Beauty - A Historical Perspective

More than 40 000 years ago the inhabitants of Western Europe adorned themselves with jewelry of ivory and bone. Clothes, worn to protect their bodies from the elements or to provide covering for modesty's sake, came much later. The people of northern Europe probably first slung animal skins around themselves as protection from the cold in about 25000 BC. In the Mediterranean and Middle East, fibers from plants such as flax, and the hair of goats and sheep, were woven to form lightweight fabrics that not only afforded protection against the Sun's rays but also signified social status. The earliest of these textiles, made in Anatolia in Turkey, date to about 6500 BC.

As civilizations developed, so styles of dress also evolved. In Egypt, Greece and Rome, clothes were draped, while the people of northern Europe and the East wore stitched, tubular garments. In the classical world the toga, worn not only by rulers but also by philosophers and teachers, was regarded as a symbol of civilization. Breeches and tunics, by contrast, were considered typical of barbarian, tribal societies.

But the idea of fashion, with its ever changing cycles of styles and trends, first took hold in the mid 1300 in Paris, London and the Italian city-states, when the elite rejected their flowing garments for tight-fitting clothes decorated to show the latest tastes. Men's robes, which had previously been ankle-length, now reached above the knee, while female dress was transformed by lacing, buttons and the introduction of the décolletage. As people desired to change their silhouettes at regular intervals - a trend that coincided with a growing international textiles trade - so cutting and tailoring developed.

Early fashion belonged to the elite, who tried to preserve their social superiority with 'sumptuary laws' forbidding tradesmen and yeomen from wearing expensive and lavishly embroidered fabrics. But the French code of dressing, based on a fixed social hierarchy and courtly etiquette, was overturned by the Revolution of 1789. Elaborate wigs and powdered hair were abandoned, men's clothes were no longer embellished with embroidery and lace, and women adopted the simple Empire gown. Style became a mark of individual freedom, adopted for its own sake. No longer the preserve of the aristocracy, it soon became associated with the avant-garde, Romantic writers and artists, political activists and dandies.

In Britain affordable, mass-produced printed textiles and fashion accessories were made available by the Industrial Revolution. These were popular with the middle classes, who saw them as a means of expressing their new confidence and success. For men power now lay in business, not the court. The dark suit became a male 'uniform', while women paraded the family's status through their own and their children's dress. Fashion and femininity were inextricably entwined. Women were weighed down by petticoats and their mobility restricted by delicate shoes.

Miss Pakistan in a Bikini

This might come as a welcome shock to the readers of this blog who would under normal circumstances associate Pakistan with Burqua Clad women who are under house arrest when not wearing one. Apparently a strong group of Non-Resident Pakistani's want to give out the image of a progressive Pakistani women and what better way than to organize a Miss Pakistan competition in Canada and declare its winner, "Miss Pakistan"

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Yukta Mookhey in bikini

Yukta Mookhey was former Miss India World and went on to win the Miss World crown in the year 1999. She is now married. Yukta had a brief foray into films, none of them doing well. However, in her brief stint, she did many bold roles marked by appearances in bikini. Here are a few shots of Yukta in bikini and swimsuit.

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