Sweatshops

Sweatshops are something that have been around for a while now. They are here in America but best known for existing in countries such as China, India, and Thailand. These are all countries that we export our goods to. It is beneficial for retailers to export their manufactuing to other countries just because it is so much cheaper. A manufacturer is considered a sweatshop (in America) when it violates two or more federal or state labor laws, occupational safety and health laws, workers' compensation or any other laws regulating the industry. They pay less than living wage and they typically unsafe and inhuman working conditions.

I believe that sweatshops are absolutely wrong. They are cruel and highly unfair. However, the reality of the matter is that they are kind of a necessary evil. In order to continue having the availibility of cheap goods right at pur hands there will always be a need for sweatshops. On the other hand, if we were to decide to keep manufacturing in America, strictly following the laws, then we would have to wait for our economy to become much stronger so that people could more easily afford what the clothing would cost.

Another point brought up in class was how the sweatshops, for most people in other countries, are their only way to make income besides prostitution. Therefore sometimes there are more benefits besides just selfish reasons. Even though I do not agree with the conditions of sweatshops I would outsource to the for most of the positive reasons.

Milan Fashion Week: Art vs. Usability

Milan fashion week has always been known for dislaying the more artsy side of fashion as opposed to the shows in New York and Paris. The Spring 2009 collection is more wearable than past collections but still shows that fashion is a form of art. They display this by using many colors, patterns, and textures and mixing them up to create more of an abstract look to each piece. Also, the designers used a lot of see-through materials under other pieces which created a nude look to some collections. The high heels in Milan fashion week were extremely high and detailed.

Most of the collections that you see during Milan fashion week are not typically something you would consider to be "reday-to-wear" as those of Paris and New York. Of course, anytime you are dealing with high fashion then niothing is going to be as usuable as just walking out of a department store but that just proves that there is an art in the fashion industry, especially the higher up the ladder you are. However, at the Milan fashion shows there are only a select few things that you would feel comfortable just wearing out and about.

I do feel that art is a huge part of fashion and though you still must considered usubility when designing, you also want to include a unique side to things. It is important to include a variety of colors and geometric figures in a collection when you are designing. I do not really have a preference. I am kind of the middle of the road when it comes to art versus usability. I believ that they both are necessities when designing and variety is a must. I think the Milan Spring 2009 collections portrayed that very well for the most part.

"I'm wearing Megan O'Neal"

My roommate is determined that I will design her wedding dress one day so when I found out our blog assignment for this week I decided to ask what she hopes her dress will look like. I did my best to apply everything she asked for to my design along with adding my own personal touches and ideas of what I believe would look best. She said on her wedding day when everyone says, "Where did you get your dress?" she will say, "I'm wearing Megan O'Neal haute couture." (I tought her what haute couture meant.)

For this design I was going for simple, sophisticated, and princess with a modern touch all in one. There of course is crinline under the skirt to help give it volume. The skirt of the gown is made of white charmeuse satin which gives it a smooth and shiny look. It is also bunched every four inches and accented with tiny rhinestones to catch the light when it moves. This skirt is a high waisted skirt so it comes to the ribs and is topped off with a pastel pink satin ribbon, which draws more attention to the chest and takes focus off the hips. I thought that it would be nice for the bride's bouquet to include some light pink roses with rhinestone accents to compliment the dress.

The pink satin ribbon falls just below the breast and is wide which creates a slimming allusion and brings more attention the to waist. It ties at the small of the back in a big hanging bow. Under the bow, is where you would attach the train. The train is nine feet long and is made with the same material of the dress. Running down the middle of the train is a lace overlay. I used the same lace that I will use on the front of the dress in the middle of the breast part to create the effect of a corset look. The back of the dress also looks like a corset because the waist of the skirt falls just above the hips. I have included pictures of the material I would use below.

The main material for the dress:
white charmeuse satin.

The white lace for the overlay on

the front and the train.

The pink satin for the ribbon.