New Fashion

We find ourselves at a cross roads, the air is calm, the fear subsided and a stir is rising in the factories, fields and high street coffee shops. I am talking about the anticipated economic recovery, or is it a recovery?

Fashion for many is like football, golf or swimming, the pursuit of the perfect game, round or lap, just like sport we who seek to be fashionable, and in honesty that is a large portion of society, sometimes get it wrong in our pursuit for perfection. However I doubt there is any one person on the planet who didn’t have fun doing it regardless of the outcome.

Now as like fashion and sport, the economic stability and development of a nation is distinctly similar. Our great nations across the planet have been striving for hundreds of years to create the perfect social, political, technological and financial system and yet there always appears to be changes afoot. So like the fashions in society, politics, and technology it seems only predictable that finance also had to have its day of out with the old and in with the new. Some might say it was long over due. Now what we all must hope for is that the new heads of finance and development don’t forget all too quickly the bad jacket day they had at the back end of 2008.

We find quite clearly by simply looking around our world that clothing is not the only thing that comes in fashions. Almost anything that you can quantify comes and goes and can be labelled fashion. Sometimes fashions come and go all too quickly like Fawlty Towers (12 episodes). Sometimes fashions hang around way too long like reality TV shows. Sometimes great fashions make a comeback like rock music and the rubix cube and sometimes a fashion re-invents itself like Opal fruits to Starburst.

What we never want to see again is the fashion off bad banking and poor management of our financial institutions nor the big gapping hole left behind by the greed that was the root of it.

Be watchful of fashions in your area. If you see a disastrous pair of socks stamp it out. If you see your MP not pulling his or her weight make a noise. If you have some terrible tunes in your music collection throw them out, and if you see or hear of poor financial practices point it out to the public. We are the ones who can regulate our country, we have the power of the polls; don’t let our money be used recklessly ever again. POINT IT OUT.

Why all things Green will be the new UK high street.

The high street, as you know has taken a battering over the past 6 months. We have lost names such as Woolworths, Wittards, Zavvi, Adams and Morgan and don’t be surprised to see more fall before the recession of 2008 is over. These are indeed sad times for those directly associated with these companies either as employees, directors, suppliers, customers or founders. However in reality we must look upon this as an opportunity to create something better.

Yes, we associate these names with our high street, our childhood and much more the nostalgia could be endless, but if we take even a brief look at history the shops that we know and are losing today played absolutely no role in the retail market of 1850, the early 1900’s or even in the 1950’s. Our retail market has a distinct short term life span and we should realise that beyond a small number of exceptions such as Debenhams, House of Fraser, Marks and Spencer and John Lewis who you will notice have a diverse product range and pitch themselves as department stores, our high street is built for a high turnover and will continue to operate that way.

Stores will come and stores will go unless like the above they adapt to change and provide services and products that are diverse enough to weather the bad times of short term product demand slumps and able to take advantage of product demand peaks. The leaders and prime examples of adaptability in recent years are supermarkets. Supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsburys and Asda are fast becoming budget department stores. Although they also have greater history than most stores they have over recent years taken the proverbial baton and ran with it, providing what the people demand when they demand it. Hats off to them for ingenuity.

Now what has this got to do with the new high street being green? After the bust of the early 1990’s the high street facades that were left dull and empty were bolstered by coffee shops and patisseries. Just like then faced with such grim times, we all know that eventually, although appearing highly unlikely at times, that the bad times will end and we will once again find ourselves hiking around shopping centres across the country and surfing internet stores around the planet. So, what will fill the high street facades and online shopping centres? Well we can’t have online coffee houses in a literal sense. Actually not yet, but who knows what the future holds.

But, what will fill the spaces are environmentally and ethically conscious stores. Why so? Because the world demands so.

Our society is an ever growing mass of disapproval pushing everyday towards items that are produced with an environmental forethought and in an ethically respectable manner. The basis of retail in our society supply and demand will prevail as it always does. Customers at present would probably not purchase based upon products environmental or ethical credentials, or if they would they are currently in the minority due to the current economic condition. However in the months and years to come, when the country is lifted from the dull affair with poverty, consumers will begin to think more deeply about their purchases, because all around the constant reminder of our environmental impact and how we can reduce it will be plastered.

I am not a scientist and nor do I claim to understand either side of the argument regarding global warming fully. I am not even sure if the scientists can stay impartial long enough to see each others’ side. Not to forget that 50 years from now scientific and popular opinion could be dramatically changed by further discoveries. However we cannot deny that if we continue to use our planets natural resources at the rate we are currently doing so, coupled with an ever growing population we will in 30 years time look upon a planet that would be distinctly unrecognisable to our grandparents. Unless we wish to live in concrete countries, having no perception of what green fields or clean air feels or looks like, we must make a change to our lifestyle and stop ignoring what is obvious around us. If we take simple steps the picture will be very different. We must reduce packaging and recycle it, we must replenish those natural resources when it is possible to do so, we must support countries that are developing, we must burn less fossil fuels, we must invest in clean energy sources, we must build more eco-homes. Taking simple steps will have a dramatic affect on the landscape that generations of our race will live within.

As with anything in society we are pushed in the direction of populist opinion, thank you for democracy. Although those in industry who currently profit, and profit hugely from non-environmentally friendly industry, will attempt to influence government and society, popular opinion shall prevail. The somewhat disturbing thought to me however is, those who openly and wilfully defy the logic, could benefit widely from adopting greener methods, practices and processes. Perhaps as with all things in our race, they don’t like change as much as the populous would not like to see our planet change for the worse.

Why the global economic melt down is good for your wardrobe and the retail industry at large.

To put it simply the global economic melt down is not a bad thing for the retail industry or your wardrobe in the long term. “Why I hear you scream?” Once again simple, by the end of the rocky road to recovery the market will become unsaturated and the focus up until and well beyond that point will be you the consumer.
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Companies that lack solvency bring down those companies who have been bothered to operate from a stable business platform. I guess you have heard of the term “loose canon” or “dead man walking” well for far too long companies that have been hanging on by the skin of their teeth have been eating away at those companies who have built themselves up with strong financial foundations and maintained their position through good financial management, transparency, drive and adaptability. The perverse thing being that many companies were willing to idle through the good years of boom, living on the crest of a wave and act surprised when the inevitable occurs. They failed to plan and guess what, failing to plan equals planning to fail.

The loose canon company is living from day to day. In an economic upturn this is fine as their shaky foundations will be masked by high sales volume and exaggerated growth. In recent years, well the last 15 years retailers have forgotten the key ingredient “profit.’ The loose canon company continues along its path of discounts, special offers and giveaways which in theory suit the consumer, because hey “it’s a bargain.’ But, is it really? These discounts and special offers are almost certainly made possible by old stock or discounted stock that the retailer has been able to obtain from its supplier. Who I might add is only too happy to move this stock on to free space up in his warehouse. The result is the consumer ends up with a promotional or discounted product that is pushed by the sales staff. The product does not fulfil the needs of the consumer, or does for a time, until it is quickly out dated by a new release. However the loose canon doesn’t care because the sales box is ticked. This is a triple whammy of misconception and failures. The company has completely missed the point and probably hasn’t made a profit, the consumer goes away with a poor product and to top it off the sale that has been made won’t retain the customer for future business.

This attitude toward sales and products brings about an inherent stagnation. Originality, quality and service go out the window. The consumer is faced constantly with mediocrity. So what does this all have to do with the economic meltdown being good for your wardrobe?

Well the fact is that once we as a county, or should I say world rise from this festering heap of over promoted mediocrity and the wheels of economic rehabilitation begin to turn, you the consumer will be looking at retailers that have come out the other end and will be doing anything they can to please you. Now I don’t mean special offers and discounts. I mean quality products provided by retailers who have a firm grasp of reality. The focus will have flipped 180, away from sales, sales, sales of mediocre products for the sake of sales. Too providing high quality original products with great service so as they can retain their customers. Why the big flip? Because quite simply the retailer will have realised that without consumers, retail is nothing and the retailers who did not provide such services prior to the crash of 2008 lost their consumers first and hey presto BANG!

Anyway the retailer lost his way, but sometimes things have to get terrible before out the other side comes a corrected way of thinking.
Now I guess some of you are shaking your head saying crazy fool. Well look at these examples of flip therapy already beginning in terms of product change.

Auto Industry – Investment has already begun in electric cars. Although possibly too late for some companies in the long run this investment will ultimately provide a higher quality product. Our regular run of the mill vehicle will cease to be pushed and we will have a product that truly serves the needs of the future public. Lower emissions, cheaper to run and quieter.

Food – Actually the food retail sector was ahead of the game on this one. Over a year ago high street supermarkets began introducing products with nutritional guidelines printed on the packaging. The products as a result improved in quality, when consumers can see in black and white what they were purchasing, it is of far greater importance for the producers to ensure that the product they sell is high in quality and nutritionally balanced.

Bank lending – The apparent ‘Damien’ of our current plight. Up until 2008 when Northern Rock hit the panic button, consumers in the UK were allowed to borrow over, or up to 100% of the value of a home they were to purchase! Who came up with that bright idea? Seems crazy when we look in hindsight, but because it was pushed by the banks and corporations and no one in authority thought to put a stop to it, the consumer jumped on the band wagon and accepted that it was a good deal. No, no, no, no. The banks were not caring for their customers as they should do; they were crucifying them with overburdening repayment schemes. However the banks have now begun to return to offering mortgage packages up to 70% of the value of the consumer’s home. This is a balanced approach that better serves the needs of the consumer and backs off the sell sell sell and any cost attitude. Ultimately the mortgage consumer will be better served by a process suitable to their needs.

It is however difficult to see beyond these examples at this time because in reality we have a long way to go to truly revamp the services and products that the world desires. Here is a list of examples of what could be improved to better serve the needs of the consumer in the UK across various industries.

Internet service providers – Although in the UK we pay one of the highest premiums for broadband service to our homes. We receive one of the slowest connection speeds in the world and limits set on downloads are burdensome. Not only that when a problem is reported it can take up to 7 days if not longer for an engineer to attend. In comparison developed nations in Asia receive internet broadband more than ten times faster, limits on downloads are rare and an engineer will attend within 24 hours.

Clothing – In the UK we are faced with expensive clothing that can be indifferent in quality, Consumers in the UK spent 48.55 billion pounds in 2003 on clothing, footwear and accessories. The products we receive should be of higher quality and increased environmental and ethical responsibility.

Products and services in the UK will be drastically impacted by this recession. In the short term this may have detrimental affects upon consumers however further down the road, I am positive that the consumer in the UK will emerge in an enhanced and fortified position of strength.

Raise a well made highly polished glass to the seeds of change.

8 ways to make your winter fashion statement a success for you and your wallet.

As winter draws in and the nights become shorter, the mornings colder and last years coat old and worn, we all desire the winter fashion statement that will keep us looking better than the next guy or girl. What we never want and especially this winter, is the wallet or card hit that usually comes with the purchase of our winter wardrobe revival. What I am about to tell you will if you scan your minds come as no surprise, however in times of economic prosperity we ignore it, perhaps because we are care free, or perhaps because we are lazy or, and I am sure this is the case for most of us, perhaps the lure of the high street and the fresh smell and feel of that new purchase is far too appealing.

The following advice will help mix the old with the new,

1. Clothing Swap, ultimately we all have friends, who like us have too many clothes that we have bought in rushes of excitement. Sometimes these clothes just don’t get worn, either they don’t fit just right or we just change our mind. Get together with a group of friends and bring clothes old or new that are of good quality and obviously clean. See what you can swap your friends. It is just like shopping but far less expensive and a lot of fun for an evening event.

2. Shop Online. If you have access to the internet at home and let’s face it, if you have time to read this you probably do. Look on the internet for new clothes as opposed to the high street. There are a number of advantages to this. First when you shop online you will not feel pressured into buying the garment if you are not absolutely sure, even if you leave the online shop it will be there when you log back on again. Also when you shop online you avoid the cost of making your way to the local high street, with fuel prices high, this can save valuable pounds. Finally the last advantage of shopping online is that it will save you cash in incidental costs. Undoubtedly when you go to the high street you will purchase a snack, a coffee or some food at highly inflated prices. If you shop online you can drink your perfectly good coffee and food from your own fridge at very reasonable prices. High street shopping costs you a lot more than you think.

3. Don’t over wash your clothes. With your existing clothes or new clothes, don’t over wash them. Obviously if they smell or are dirty you must wash them, but before you wash your garments check if they actually require to be washed. Over washing garments will make them look old long before their time.

4. Wait for the Christmas Sales. This advice is not me being a grinch, it is just simple logic. So many items of clothing will be reduced in the after Christmas sales that there are some great savings to be made. This isn’t to say go out on Boxing Day and face the crush. Wait until January and there will be equally as good bargains to be found.

5. Buy next year’s winter coat and clothes in the Christmas Sales and save them for next winter. Just as finding some great bargains for now, there are some great items that are available in the sales that you can pick up and put away in the back of the wardrobe and pull them out next winter. The savings you can make are huge.

6. Accessorise. It is a far cheaper way to funk up your wardrobe. Items of clothing clearly cost more than hats, scarves, bangles, necklaces, bags and gloves. Shop online for accessories and there is a double saving.

7. Spread your social circle. This may well be a little more expensive than the other options, but if you spend time with different people, they will not know the age of your clothing. The clothing is new again, you will receive compliments about clothing you have had for many months and it will give you a real confidence boost.

8. Buy neutral colours. When you buy major pieces of clothing this winter, purchase neutral colours that will match with many things that you already own. Usually a winter coat is a major purchase, if you buy a coat that fits with all your items then although other items may not be new, by wearing your shining new coat it will make all your other items feel fantastic.

This winter can be fun, festive and fruitful for us all in all areas of our life. There is no need to break the bank to stay looking wonderful, just spice things up a little with a few different ideas and have a cracking Christmas.

7 Top tips on how to avoid ethically unfriendly clothing

Fashion is enjoyed by billions of people across the globe, it brightens people’s days, it fills magazines, it dominates whole channels of television and our everyday life is affected and exposed to fashion and its offspring all day everyday.

We the consumer see the public face of fashion, the glitz, the glam, the models, the promotion and the hype. What we don’t see is where it comes from? Recently it has become a far more topical issue. With ever more budget ranges of clothing appearing.

This question is not as new as you might expect, there were similar questions raised in the late 1980’s early 1990’s but they were in my personal opinion forgotten in the recession of 1992 in the UK. Since then although regenerating with new charge and impetus; a charge that I believe will see such issues weather the storm of our current downturn in economic conditions, they could easily get lost in the financial troubles that we see ourselves in currently. What we must be careful to remember is that while we seek bargains on the high street, those bargains could be fuelling someone else’s economic woes. This may seem very distant to us on the high street when we are suffering ourselves, however by fuelling others economic woes by purchasing garments that are produced without reference to ethics we are fuelling the system that has brought us to our knees.

We should be looking to create a system that is fit to provide a future of economic stability for all countries and economies. The result will be a system that is not so prone to cracks and problems.

It is all well and good to gasp when the economic hardships of others appear on our television sets, starving populations, diseased nations, over worked and under paid factory workers, disgraceful working conditions, but when we leave our sofas regardless of what level of income or social status we believe we could be categorised within in the UK, we have a lot more than those who have nothing. It is important to note that we do not have to do so much to avoid unethical clothing, it will not burden us greatly, we must just open our eyes and ears to the vast amount of information available to us and force those involved with fuelling such processes to curtail their greed and spread their good fortune.

First I must dispel two myths

“Ethically friendly clothing doesn’t always come with a huge price tag” and “Unethical clothing isn’t always accompanied by a low price tag.”

7 Top tips on how to avoid ethically unfriendly clothing

1. Search the internet. The internet contains a vast spectrum of information about everything including information on most clothing brands and their production practices. I would say with 95% assurance that if a brand is not behaving in an ethically correct manner they will have been ousted in a news story that can be found on the internet. Simply insert the brand you would like to investigate and the sub heading ‘ethically friendly.’
2. Price. The price of the garment can help us assess whether or not the piece of clothing has been bought for a reasonable unit price from the manufacturer and hence if the worker who made that garment is getting a fair wage for the work that has to go into producing the garment. Although this does not necessarily apply to sale items, if the price of the garment originally is so low to make you gasp at what appears to be great value, it probably isn’t providing great value to the worker who produced it.
3. Ask the shop manager. The shop manager although possibly not informed of the full details is legally obliged to tell you in his knowledge the truth about how the products the shop sells are produced and if the brand has an ethically friendly and compliant policy. Often surprising the manager with such a question will get an honest and accurate response.
4. Don’t be fooled by the well known brand. Although well known brands and high end labels are aware of their ethical responsibility, the fact that the price is high and reputation good, doesn’t mean their ethical record is excellent. It also doesn’t mean it is bad, do your research ask the questions.
5. Don’t be fooled by the hype. Just like above don’t be fooled by the claims of brands new or old that they are ethically responsible, they may be telling the truth, they may not, do your research ask the questions.
6. Check the labels. The labels of some brands may contain information about their product and policies. If they offer printed information about their ethical policies with their products, it is most likely to be accurate because if it is not they will have opened themselves up to some serious criticism and or possible prosecution for false advertising.
7. Check the company website and email a representative. This is probably without doubt the fail safe way of getting the accurate information that we require about companies’ practices. In responding to a request for information about their products in relation to any number of issues, animal testing, manufacture, packaging etc., the company has a responsibility to respond accurately. Companies that provide open, honest and detailed responses are the ones to trust. Those who appear guarded, coy or don’t reply at all, well the answer is right there in their actions. Avoid

Ultimately we shall find clothing that is ethically friendly and reasonably priced, we also might find some brands that we thought where trustworthy that are not. The idea that good ethical practices comes with a huge price tag is simply not true.

Follow this advice and I am sure you will be wearing items that are ethically friendly.

7 Top tips on how to reduce your Energy bills and Carbon footprint through what you wear.

As I have said before our carbon footprint has now become a day to day priority for many of us, and more pressingly for most of us, so has our fuel bills. We hear of numerous ways by which to reduce our carbon footprint through, ‘how we travel’, ‘how we act in our homes’ and ‘how we eat’, however we don’t hear so much about how, ‘what we wear’ can help reduce our carbon footprint and our energy bills.

Much of what I am about to tell you will appear ever so familiar to advice given to us by our parents or grandparents, advice often given in jest, however it is solid advice, that will help you reduce your carbon footprint and the dreaded energy bill this winter.

1. In winter wear an extra jumper, jacket, scarf or gloves, rather than turning up the heating. This is simple advice but applying an extra jumper will mean that you don’t need to turn the heating on or up.
2. Exercise on those cold winter mornings wearing sportswear that can be worn more than once. Loose jogging bottoms and a cotton sports t-shirt would be ideal. In the cold winter mornings it is difficult to get out of bed if it is cold outside, and when you do the heating almost certainly goes straight on. Instead pull on your running gear and head for a run or walk outside. The heat generated by your body through the exercise will soon warm you up and when you return there will be no need for the heating, just a lukewarm shower to cool you down and freshen you up. Wearing loose jogging bottoms and t-shirt allows the hot air to circulate round your body to heat you up faster. Also as the clothes are loose they will not become as sweaty or let’s face it smelly, so you won’t have to wash them after one use hence reducing your electricity bill. This all has the added bonus of getting a little bit fitter, possibly loosing any excess weight and giving you a spring in your step for the day ahead.
3. Thermals and underclothing can significantly increase body temperature and body comfort in the winter months. A set of winter warmer body wear will cost you significantly less than an increased energy bill. ‘Long johns’ may not be the most attractive of underwear but it sure will keep you warm and reduce the need for heating. When all is said and done I would rather be toasty and have more money in my pocket.
4. Wear warming colours and dress children or loved ones in warm colours too. Surrounding ourselves with warm positive colours can change our mood dramatically. If we are surrounded by cold blues and greens we feel cold. However if we surround ourselves with warm red’s, orange’s and yellows we shall feel warmer. The mind is a funny thing and the inclusion of warm colours around can warm you up so that the heating doesn’t have to.
5. Wear a fashionable cap, beanie, hat or ear muffs. Up to 55% of human body heat is lost through our heads. Without doubt the easiest way to keep ourselves warm over winter without turning on the heating is by wearing some type of headwear. This is not only practical; it is a sensible and stylish choice. There are so many wonderful hats of all types available that we can stay warm and make a great winter fashion statement.
6. Wear your hair down or simply grow it if you have short hair. Hair is our body’s natural insulator so it is sensible to keep this natural insulator as long as possible. Without our natural insulator, our body has less ability to keep warm. For those of you thinking we don’t wear our hair, think again! Our hair can be the foundation for the fashion statement of the winter.
7. If you have washed your hair, use a towel to towel dry your hair. Also wait for your hair to completely dry naturally before going outside into the cold winter weather. Many of us I am sure have experienced the effect on our bodies when we have wet hair in cold temperatures, our bodies become cold. If we wait until our hair is dry and we are wearing a hat to go outside, then less heat is going to be lost through our heads. ‘Don’t let your hair wear you, wear your hair to keep you warm and funky this winter.’

Stay warm this winter without breaking the bank.

What price must we pay for originality in fashion?

The power of originality in fashion could be described as an intrinsic and necessary requirement. However to what extent does what we find on the high street or on e-retail websites fulfil your desire for originality?

With the buzz of London fashion week still in the air, and having watched the best of UK and world fashion talent displayed, I should be excited by the prospect of what will be found on the high street, or in my local high end fashion label store?! London fashion week was a shining success, the artistry meshing colour, fine lines with exquisite detail and high quality, but will any of this really translate to what we can buy on the high street?

The simple answer is partially yes. The more complex, far foggier answer is no. London fashion week showcased the talent of individuals and fashion houses of the future. Where as top end labels that we have become synonymous with our retail lives, through high street outlets, department stores or online retail, have lost their drive for originality and regularly churn out expensive garments that have as little originality as a jam sandwich, while marking the price for a fillet mignon, due to the label that is contained inside.

This is not to say that there isn’t originality, style and high quality products to be found, they just take a different guise. Brands such as Topman/Topshop, Zara, River island and Republic offer far more in terms of originality and innovation, than many high end brands and they do it at affordable prices. ‘Is this the start of a revolution, affordable style, style that is unique and full of charisma in high street own branded products?’ ‘Has the affordable high street learnt more about the needs of the population?’ ‘Are our high street brands just better in touch with what is required?’ Our high street brands are primarily what keep the population from petering out into a mass of dullness. It could be accurate to say that there is far more originality to be found in more affordable high street names than there is from their cousin the expensive exclusive high street fashion label.

The problem is related directly to the labels that once were desired for their uniqueness. They haven fallen into half hearted attempts to draw originality by plastering their brand name in different directions, fonts and sizes across their garments. ‘Does the purchaser really desire to be a walking advert for a label?’ In some cases yes they do, as this is a means to express to the wider public their wealth, or good fortune to have the ability to purchase that label, it becomes a statement of the wearers prosperity. However ‘have the labels miss placed the essence of fashion?’ Fashion was, and I hope still is about producing garments that are original, funky and fresh. Fashion is not about unimaginative brand advertising at ludicrous prices. Fashion labels owe it to the public, who supported them for so long in their rise to the pinnacle of their trade, to stop wallowing in their success, to stop producing mediocrity in their new designs and to stop using the public; who once believed in these brands because the garments they did produce made people stop and look; to reproduce this magic in their current work. Or if they choose not to produce garments that are original and unique, to reduce their prices to a level that is coherent with the level of innovation.

There is no danger in recapturing the innovation and imagination that brought such brands to the forefront of their industry, as by doing this they shall see sales and public opinion soar. The reason for the procrastination is unclear, however it must lie in the fact that there are enough people in the market who wish to make a public statement about their prosperity by wearing clothing massacred by the labels name or logo so that the brand need not seek originality in it’s work, or it could simply be fear of not living up to the previous levels of brilliance.

It is a simple fact that human kind actively seeks ways to express their uniqueness through, clothing, hair, body art, accessories and any number of different median. It appears imperative to me that this be met by those who we seek our inspiration from, with an equal amount of effort and desire to fulfil the publics yearning for originality and vibrancy. Our population can only hope that the fashion labels upon whom we place our trust move forward to the uniqueness and vibrancy of their past.

By James McAloon
Excentree Fashion Collections