Students Can Strut Their Fashion Sense

The Art Institutes International is inviting local high school students who picture themselves one day designing runway threads to submit their designs to "Passion for Fashion 2009." The two grand-prize winners will receive a full scholarship to the Art Institutes International, a tour of "Seventeen" magazine and will attend New York City Fashion Week.

"It's a great opportunity for students to strut not only their fashion design sense, but how well they are organized in retail marketing or retail management," said Anjila Kozel, director of communications at Art Institutes International Minnesota.

The competition is a scholarship program for those interested in attending the school. The categories are broken into fashion design, and also fashion marketing, merchandising or retail management. The Minneapolis school only offers the fashion marketing, merchandising or retail management program.

Students who plan to attend the Minneapolis campus can submit a process book of their designs. The process book includes a summary of the design process, influences of the design, sketches, photos or illustrations of the designs and other research to show that the design is feasible. Contestants need to do so by Nov. 20.

The closest Art Institutes International campus is in Minneapolis, but another school exists in Chicago. There are 40 locations across North America.

Last year's winners provided a video blog of their experience on YouTube, Kozel said. Contestants will need to show their creative edge that sets them apart from the other designers.

"They usually walk to the beat of a different drummer," Kozel said.

Local winners will be selected in December. National winners will be announced in January.

Before You Buy Jeans

They'll take you on a first date or to the grocery store. Wear them with high heels and they're hip; pair them with sneaks and they're relaxed. Denim jeans may have started out as sturdy workwear, but they have reached fashion icon status. According to Cotton Inc., the average American owns seven pair of jeans and wears them three or four times a week. Here's the lowdown on what to buy:

• Trendy

For the chic at heart, it's not enough to have a nice-fitting jean: it's paramount that it be the hottest wash, coolest leg style and hippest length. And a designer label doesn't hurt either. Primo labels can set you back more than $100, so make sure you can get them zipped without laying down. Hot labels: J Brand, Chili & Pepper, Blue Cult, Hudson, Paper, Denim & Cloth, Seven, Earl Jeans and Joe's Jeans.

• Customized

If perfect fit or personalized style is what you're after, try custom-made jeans. Online merchants will use your measurements to design a one-of-a-kind pair; in-store shops let you customize or create a pair from scratch. Do-it-yourselfers can add crafty touches like patches, crystals and studs for self-expression.

• Basic

You may love splurging on new styles, but it's the trusty five-pocket style that you'll probably reach for day after day. Look for comfort and great fit: a bootcut jean (your choice of rinses) with some stretch tops the list.

• Budget

No question: you need plenty of jeans in your wardrobe. Stock up on sales, promos and discount-store priced jeans to see you through. Look for basic and classic styles (glitzy knock-offs usually look cheap).

Best Dressed Of London Fashion Week - 24/09/2009

Londoners love a party. And the 25th anniversary of London Fashion Week was the perfect excuse for the style set to celebrate, with a party programme that was almost as packed as the show schedule and offering plenty of opportunities to dress up, of course.

The likes of Kate Moss, Alexa Chung, Victoria Beckham, Emma Watson, Olivia Palermo, Agyness Deyn, Leigh Lezark, Natalia Vodianova and London's other glamorous party people kept style watchers happy with their after-dark and show-side ensembles at some of the week's best parties including the Browns party for Mark Fast, Mulberry's carnival-themed knees-up at Claridges, Christopher Kanes post-show party in Mayfair and the Alll Walks Beyond the Catwalk event.

Meanwhile, the front rows of the Matthew Williamson, Topshop Unique, Henry Holland and, of course, Burberry shows were the place to spot the best dressed celebrities.

10 Fall Fashion Classics You Need to Own

1. Fitted Jacket :

A great tailored jacket -- fitted to show off feminine curves, not a baggy masculine style -- will pair with everything from work trousers to jeans.

A jacket adds structure to your figure: gives curvy girls more angular lines, creates waistlines for boyish figure types and smooths out lumps and bumps for all shapes.

Choose traditional fall jacket fabrics like tweed, corduroy, denim or menswear plaids; or go luxe with velvet, leather, brocade.


2. Neutral Coat :

There's a reason timeless fashion pieces retain their popularity: they go with most things in your closet and transcend the trends. The neutral coat -- especially in a camel color -- is an enduring fall classic because it has so many possibilities.


3. Turtleneck Sweater :

Neckline trends come and go -- cowl necks, plunging Vs, henleys -- but a turtleneck sweater has earned its place as a classic. Here's why:

• The turtleneck brings your face into focus.
• A mock turtleneck is a good option if you don't like the bulk of a true turtleneck (it's the same height, only the fabric doesn't fold back over).
• Stick with cozy, touchable materials for your turtleneck sweater because anything itchy or scratchy is unbearable on your sensitive neck area.
• The black turtleneck is the ultimate classic because it creates a blank palette to show off wonderful necklaces, cuff bracelets or just a pretty face.

4. Sheath Dress :

Match a sheath with a hem-length coat or wear it on its own with pumps; anyway you wear the classic, knee-length sheath dress it's a winner.

Fabric choices include knits, crepe, silk and menswear fabrics. Or try something edgy like a leather sheath.


5. Plaid :

Plaid -- a perennial menswear print favorite -- translates very well to trousers, coats and jackets. Pair with everything from a solid shirt to a twinset.


6. White Shirt :

Sounds basic, but a crisp, long-sleeve white shirt is a building block of your fall wardrobe.

The varieties are endless -- cotton with stretch, fitted silhouettes, cuff and sleeve details, collar variations -- but they all work under everything from cardigans to jackets or on their own with wide-leg trousers.


7. Black Pantsuit :

Pantsuits may be the ultimate power suit for the working woman, but they also pull their weight after hours when paired with a silky cami and heels.

A solid black pantsuit is the most flattering (head-to-toe monochromatic color) and the most classic. Look for a fabric with drape -- nothing too stiff or shiny -- preferably in wool (or wool with some stretch for comfort).


8. Tall Boots :

Knee-high boots make great sense for fall because they let you get more wear out of everything from skinny jeans to miniskirts.

Tuck in slim trousers for a young look or layer on opaque tights with a skirt or dress to keep out the chill.

Choose a mid-heel height for the most trend-proof look (something 2 inches or less).

Brown boots are a great choice if you wear lots of denim; black pairs with almost everything.


9. Pearls :

Feminine pearls are the perfect trend-proof accessory to compliment the more structured styles of fall. Wear gray pearls with black for a sexy tonal look; or choose layers of creamy white pearls worn with a simple black sheath dress for a perfect cocktail dress look.


10. Leather Bag :

Bags get bigger with cooler weather because you have more to carry (umbrellas, wraps, hats).

The leather bag doesn't have to be boring -- there are logo ed styles, patent, exotic skins, quilting, bold hardware, bright colors and much more -- but the most classic looks have a ladylike feel to them and understated luxury.

Unlike an in-today/out-tomorrow "It" bag, the large leather bag will be your faithful friend for years. This is one splurge where you'll get lots of mileage on your investment.