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By Ellie Violet Bramley March 8, 2024 Source: The Guardian Photo Source: Unsplash From styling tweaks to what to dig out of storage, here’s a rundown of looks to inform the way we get dressed T he big four fashion weeks – New York, London, Milan and Paris, in that order – have drawn to a close and while there were plenty of fashion month goings-on that will have little to no effect on the majority of people’s lives, there were plenty that will. Because what happens at the shows doesn’t stay at the shows. Expect the clothes, as well as the way they were worn, to trickle down. From styling tweaks to a steer on what it is time to dig out of storage, here is a rundown of the looks that it feels fair to say will inform the way we get dressed. Cowboycore The return of boho-chic The platform sandal Thigh-high riding boots Green Having been stuck on red for a while, fashion this season has given the green light. Impractically long hems Belts, belts and more belts Varsity jackets Sensible shoes Jumpers as scarves How can you shop sustainably for your home? How can this impact the environment positively? Why? Heirloom COLLECTION: ( Environmentally Friendly ) Share your comments with the community and this post with 3 of your family and friends.

Source: Shidonna Raven Fashion Photo Source: Unsplash, What are favorite gift ideas for Mother's Day? Why? Which Mothers will you shop for? Share your comments with the community and this post with 3 of your family and friends.

By LINDSAY LOWE Updated February 12, 2024 Source: Parade Photo Source: Unsplash, This year marks the 54th anniversary of Earth Day ! Every year on April 22, people worldwide mobilize to address some of the most urgent threats facing our environment, from climate change to deforestation to plastic pollution. We're taking a look at what you need to know about this year's Earth Day events, as well as looking at some fascinating Earth Day facts .  In honor of Earth Day, here are 25 facts about the history of our celebration of Mother Earth, as well as facts about the environment that may serve as a wake-up call for action. ‘Connections’ Hints and Answers for NYT's Tricky Word Game on Tuesday, February 20 25 Facts about Earth Day 1. Gaylord Nelson, a senator from Wisconsin, founded Earth Day in 1970 to raise public consciousness about environmental concerns such as pollution, oil spills and vanishing wildlife. He tapped into the energy of the anti-war movement, framing Earth Day as a “national teach-in on the environment.” 2. April 22 was chosen as the date for Earth Day because it fell between Spring Break and final exams, and organizers wanted to maximize student involvement. 3. Twenty million Americans, or about 10 percent of the country’s population at the time, took part in events and demonstrations on the first Earth Day. 4. The first Earth Day pushed environmental concerns onto the national agenda. That same year, Congress authorized the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 5. The first Earth Day in 1970 inspired the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts, according to the EPA. 6. The theme for Earth Day 2024 is Planet vs. Plastics.  7. Around 1 billion people take part in Earth Day activities around the world every year. 8. In the lead-up to Earth Day in 2024, millions of people worldwide will participate in Earth Hour on March 23. At 8:30 p.m. local time, people will participate in events and demonstrate their commitment to the planet. In past years, Earth Hour gatherings have contributed to real policy changes, including the creation of a marine-protected area in Argentina and environmental protection legislation in Russia. 9. On Earth Day in 2011, people planted 28 million trees in Afghanistan as part of a “Plant Trees Not Bombs” campaign. 10. Since the first Earth Day, average annual temperatures in the contiguous United States have been warming at a rate of 0.45°F per decade. 11. Humans today use about 50 percent more natural resources than we did 30 years ago, according to a report from Friends of the Earth . 12. Animal species populations saw an overall decline of 60 percent worldwide between 1970 and 2014, due to habitat loss, pollution, climate change and other factors, according to the WWF . 13. 2019 was the second-hottest year on record worldwide, just behind 2016, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . 14. Twenty of the warmest years on record worldwide have occurred in the past 22 years, according to Climate Central . 15. Scientists estimate that dozens of plants and animal species go extinct each day due to human activity. 16. Rising global temperatures are leading to more extreme weather events, including more intense wildfires and more frequent, high-intensity hurricanes, according to the Earth Day Network . 17. The world’s population is expected to increase from 7 billion today to 9 billion in 2050, which will only increase the impact of human activity on the environment, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development . 18. Today’s average American generates about 4.5 pounds of trash per day, compared to 2.68 pounds in 1960, according to the EPA . 19. Food accounts for 10 to 30 percent of a household’s carbon footprint, due to the emissions involved in food production and transportation, according to the Center for Sustainable Systems . 20. U.S. automobile fuel economy increased 24 percent between 2004 and 2017. 21. You can improve your car’s fuel economy by 7 to 14 percent simply by obeying the speed limit. 22. Electronic devices plugged in on “standby” mode can account for 5 to 10 percent of a household’s energy use. 23. Using a dishwasher is more eco-friendly than hand-washing dishes, according to a recent study from the University of Michigan. 24. Nearly 80 percent of all plastic waste ever created by humans is still in the environment, according to Recycle Now . 25. More than 30 countries and regions have introduced bans on disposable plastic bags to fight plastic waste, according to Greenpeace . How can you shop sustainably for your home? How can this impact the environment positively? Why? Share your comments with the community and this post with 3 of your family and friends.

Source: Shidonna Raven Fashion. All Rights Reserved. Copyright. Photo Source: Shidonna Raven Fashion, Chevron Cowl . All Rights Reserved. Copyright. Be entered to Win one of our sizzling spring, summer and fall and season cowls or scarves when you submit a comment on one of our E Magazine posts and complete our survey . Limitations apply* Which one will you choose the scarf or the cowl? Who will it be for? Will you gift it for a special occasion? Share the love with your fellow fashionistas by sharing this post with 3 friends and family members today!

By Jenna Curcio December 30, 2019 Source: CR Fashion Book Please contact us for republishing permission and citation formatting. Photo Source: Primavera Dress - Shidonna Raven Fashion. All Rights Reserved. Copyright. 1920S: FLAPPER DRESS The flapper dress rose to popularity during the 1920s . The drop waist shift style accompanied by the decorative beads, fringe, and other embellishments added playful elements to the dress that reflected the exuberance of the decade. Tremendous social change post-WWI caused women to feel empowered due to gaining the right to vote in 1920. The heavy prevalence of Jazz music and prohibition also inspired recklessness amongst the youth. This societal shift made for perfect timing for the flapper dress to make an unconventionally stylish statement, along with the short bob hairstyle that was often worn in conjunction with the dress. What historical styles do you wear today? Which Shidonna Raven Fashion design will you be wearing this season? How will you accessorize this season? Send us a picture ! It could be featured in our E Zine. Share your comments with the community and this post with 3 of your family and friends.

By Jenna Curcio December 30, 2019 Source: CR Fashion Book Please contact us for republishing permission and citation formatting. Photo Source: Primavera Dress - Shidonna Raven Fashion. All Rights Reserved. Copyright. 1930S: EVENING GOWNS Many consider the 1930s the "Golden Age of Glamour." Given the socioeconomic context in the years following the Great Depression, this decade was all about accessible extravagance which caused the ready-to-wear market to explode within the U.S. Old Hollywood stars would be pictured on the silver screen wearing long, backless evening gowns made of silk, velvet, or chiffon and would emulate a desirable fantasy that many American women wanted to imitate in their own lives. What historical styles do you wear today? Which Shidonna Raven Fashion design will you be wearing this season? How will you accessorize this season? Send us a picture ! It could be featured in our E Zine. Share your comments with the community and this post with 3 of your family and friends.

By Liz Jones May 25, 2021 Source: Daily Mail - UK Photo Source: Shidonna Raven Fashion. Copyright. All Rights Reserved. The Heirloom & HOME Collections The garment Prince Charles chose for the Country Life magazine photoshoot is now a faded tartan tweed This is not the first time the Prince of Wales has made do and mended From waxed jackets to coats, suits and shoes, his wardrobe is full of items that have been given a new lease of life In a world full of talk about environment-friendly fashion, he at least practises what he preaches Back in its heyday nearly 20 years ago, it had a relaxed but discernible shape. The colours were muted but you could still pick out shades of lavender, green and brown. Today, the tartan tweed is barely recognisable as the smart jacket it once was. The garment Prince Charles — pictured in the latest issue of Country Life magazine — chose for the photoshoot is now a faded, shapeless garment sprouting loose threads that looks as if it belongs on a tramp, not on the heir to the throne. In an accompanying article, Charles tells how he has turned the Sandringham estate in Norfolk organic by banishing chemicals and seeing insects thrive — which might explain why giant moths appear to have attacked his ancient tweed favourite. He explains that he is patron of the National Hedgelaying Society and it's clear he doesn't mind getting his hands dirty or, indeed, looking as if he has just emerged from a hedge backwards. But perhaps the most notable thing about his gardening jacket is not its threadbare state — the upper classes often look as if they shop at jumble sales — but that it has undergone many repairs. The collar, originally dark brown velvet or cord, is now fawn. And while the pockets still have their stud fastenings, they have clearly been patched up (and even the patches now have holes). There is a strip of contrast fabric on the inside of Charles's left arm. But this is not the first time the Prince of Wales has made do and mended: from waxed jackets to coats, suits and shoes, his wardrobe is full of items that have been given a new lease of life. In a world full of talk about environment-friendly fashion, he at least practises what he preaches. As he told Vogue last December in its sustainable fashion issue, he is a fan of good wardrobe maintenance: 'I'm one of those people who hate throwing anything away. Hence I'd rather have them maintained, even patched if necessary.' He explained he had a team — presumably a valet, maid and seamstresses — to help with repairs. 'I'm lucky, because there are kind people who help with these things. But yes, I happen to be one of those people who'd get shoes or any item of clothing repaired if I can, rather than throw it away.' He has also spoken of how, as a child, he loved seeing a cobbler repair shoes: 'We would watch with fascination as he ripped the soles off and put new soles on.' While the Prince has always been a bit of a dandy — he chooses ties to match the colour of the sweet peas at Highgrove, and admits he minds about 'detail and colour' — he was also an early advocate of sustainability. A pair of brogues he still wears were made in the 1980s using Russian leather salvaged from a 200-year-old shipwreck, tanned with willow bark and birch oil. His linen jackets have binding added to the lapels to make them last, and new cuffs as soon as they fray. The Savile Row morning suit he wore to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding was from 1984. He considered something new to meet Meghan at the aisle, but said: 'I only wear it a few times a year, so obviously you want to keep these sorts of thing going.' His mantra is 'lived in'. How can you shop sustainable fashion? How can this impact the environment positively? Why? Share your comments with the community and this post with 3 of your family and friends.

By Jonathan Foulds, Search Strategist Chef Editor, Shidonna Raven June 14. 2016 Source: Swarm Agency Shidonna Raven Fashion. Photo Source: Shidonna Raven Fashion. Copyright. All Rights Reserved. Please contact us for republishing permission and citation formatting. Silicon Valley is typically known for its technologies. However, it has truly led the way in the development of office casual, creating what has gone beyond a trend and has become a style. If you work in our industry, you’ve probably been talking and tweeting (mostly tweeting) about the June 13th Apple WWDC keynote , where the company announced new product updates for Mac, iPhone/iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. The major highlights included iOS 10 and… well, pretty much just iOS 10. But the announcement that Siri, Maps, and iMessage will be open to third party developers also made waves. It’s a huge opportunity for apps to ruin your sleep cycle even more often. Not be be outdone, Google also had their own product announcements and keynote address last month at the Google I/O developer conference. The main purpose was to let all of us know that Google now knows what we’re thinking before we even search it or say it. Awesome. The keynotes were led by Apple’s CEO Tim Cook and Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai. And with all of this talk of new and smarter technology, its easy to overlook the little, more tangible things that we still hold dear and that are a little less Minority Report-esque. I’m talking of course about clothes. One could argue that the fashion at these conferences is just as important and just as talked about. So let’s forget the distant technological future for a few minutes and discuss what Sundar and Tim brought to the table. The Clothing Style Both: Silicon Valley Business Formal. Yes, I know what you’re thinking. Business Formal? 100%. As a native of San Francisco, I can confidently say that we all dress in pajamas and sweatshirts most of the time out there anyway. But who wore it better? We’ve done a complete analysis below. The Shirt Tim: A classy blue shirt with collar. +1 for the collar but he probably played it a little safe with this one. Sundar: Zip-up cardigan with a white shirt underneath. Does the shirt have anything on it? We’ll never know. For the shear element of mystery, point for Sundar. The Pants Both: Dark jeans. Want to look like you care just enough while still wearing something comfortable? Any guy in tech knows that dark jeans fit the bill. It’s a tie. The Microphone Sundar: Small but visible headset. Tim: Microphone attached to his shirt. A little more tech conference and a little less talk show. Sundar wins this round. The Glasses Tim: Half-framed black glasses. Sundar: Full-framed bifocals. If there’s one thing I know about glasses, it’s that what looks good on one person may make the other look like, well, whatever the opposite of on fleek is. It’s another tie. The Accessories Sundar: A silver Android Wear watch (we’re pretty sure). Tim: No watch. Tim doesn’t need to check the time. Or they’ve got the Keynote timer running in the background. Either way, point for Tim. The Verdict Both CEOs brought their own versions of Silicon Valley Business Formal each with their pros and cons. But Sundar has worn blazers and more formal shirts in the past, so we’re proud of him for getting out of his comfort zone and looking like he could work for one of the 5 billion startups in San Francisco. Congratulations to him for blending in with the Silicon Valley in-crowd and wearing it better! How can you shop sustainably for your home? How can this impact the environment positively? Why? Share your comments with the community and this post with 3 of your family and friends.

By LeAnne Italie April 14, 2023 Source: AP News Photo Source: Shidonna Raven Fashion. Copyright. All Rights Reserved. The Heirloom & HOME Collections NEW YORK (AP) — They’re the biggest of brands. But with no logos. And that’s the whole point. Call it stealth wealth, or quiet luxury. For the rich and those who aspire, logo-free fashion with outsized price tags is having a moment — at least among people who can spend in the face of higher inflation and a volatile economy. It’s a come-and-go trend that, while spiking in the pandemic’s wake, traces its roots as far back as the American industrialists of the 19th-century Gilded Age and France in the 1700s. And retailers are taking note, as are more designers looking to capture not only the rich but their wannabes, too. Think Hollywood nepo baby and Goop multimillionaire Gwyneth Paltrow and her head-to-toe Prada, luxurious cashmere sweaters and Celine boots during her week in a Utah courtroom in a dispute over a ski crash . She was a picture of neutral-toned designer duds, and those who know luxury easily spotted the brands behind her staid, logoless, very pricey wardrobe. “When you know, you know, and that’s sort of the point,” says Robert Burke, a luxury retail consultant. “The people they care about, the people in their rooms, know exactly what they’re wearing. And they’re the only ones who matter.” TV TRENDSETTERS Cue HBO’s hit “Succession,” the story of the uber-rich, cutthroat Roys led by the snarly patriarch Logan. Costume designer Michelle Matland has created pricey yet stealth wardrobes unique to key characters as they have evolved, delighting fans who have followed her fashion breadcrumbs since the show’s 2018 premiere. “It shouldn’t have bling quality,” she says. “You’re always going to have your, I guess, Kardashians — you know, the people who wear things that draw attention. They may have the same amount of money, but different aspirations.” The stealth fashion world is perfectly tailored dark suits, often bespoke; bare baseball caps with perfectly rounded rims; and neutral power pieces worn by the only female Roy sibling, Shiv. No logos for the Roys and their jet set, though one important striver in their midst had to learn about stealth wealth the hard way. “It’s incredibly accurate. Every time you look at it, it tells you exactly how rich you are,” Shiv’s outsider husband, Tom Wambsgans, tells Logan of the Patek Philippe he presents the billionaire early in “Succession.” With a trademark mumble and nothing in the way of a thank you, Logan rebuffs, then gives away, the birthday gift emblazoned with the name of the company whose watches can sell for north of $300,000. Fast-forward to the latest season, at yet another Logan birthday bash. This time it’s Tom, still the groveler but a far savvier one, dissing wannabe Bridget’s display of luxury: a conspicuously huge $2,890 Burberry tote in a plaid familiar to fans of the company, sans logo. “She’s brought a ludicrously capacious bag,” Tom snarls at his underling, Greg. “What’s even in there, huh? Flat shoes for the subway? Her lunch pail? I mean, Greg, it’s monstrous. It’s gargantuan. You could take it camping. You could slide it across the floor after a bank job.” SPLASHY TO CLASSIC Paltrow, to be fair, has always been drawn to a sleek, minimalist luxury. But her recent trial wardrobe was blasted out on TV at a time when more brands are putting understated (yet pricey) tones and shapes on runways and shelves. Some are doing it while also staying true to customers living their spends out loud with flashy, recognizable silhouettes, fabrics, logos and bling. “The stealth wealth mood was solidified in this season’s buys when the usually splashier brands, like Loewe, Saint Laurent, Miu Miu, leaned into the more classic sensibility,” says Jodi Kahn, vice president of luxury fashion at the high-end retailer Neiman Marcus. Those designers joined companies that have always done it, including some worn on “Succession” and the back of Paltrow: The Row, Brunello Cucinelli and Loro Piana among them. Burke says much of the moment can be explained by the pandemic, when young aspirational buyers flush with stimulus money and savings went after big brands with visibly big statements. “To some degree, there is a fatigue now, along with uncertainty in the economy,” he says. “People are feeling they don’t want to show they have a lot of money necessarily.” The quiet luxury moment has counter-moments, as fashion cycles generally do. Companies from toothpaste makers to discounters are putting more premium items like $10 toothpastes and $90 creams on supermarket shelves. Some are looking for new ways to pump up sales and profits by focusing on premium items amid an overall sales slowdown. Martin Pedraza, CEO of The Luxury Institute, a research, consultancy and employee training firm, says stealth wealth is a long-standing code among the uber-rich. Now, with a white collar recession , “all the people getting laid off want to look very pristine.” Can they afford to do it in the $1,390 Tom Ford hoodie worn by Kendall, another Roy? Maybe not, but they’re picking up more affordable cashmere and other goods from mass-market labels like J.Crew, Banana Republic and Vince. It’s the difference between $400 or less and upwards of $2,000. “It’s all about fabric and texture,” Matland says. “You can have a cashmere sweater you get at J.Crew, but you can see the difference with what a more expensive one from another brand looks like.” THE EVOLUTION OF QUIET Analysts note that it’s during good times when people want to show off, not when nerves are raw about financial futures. Explains Pedraza: The rich try to imitate the masses as those in the middle and top of the mass mimic the minimalist rich. He cites other stealth eras in fashion. There was the minimalist aesthetic of the 1990s, when Donna Karan and Miuccia Prada made practical dressing fashionable, and a show of stealth wealth amid the recession of 2008-09. Patricia Mears, deputy director of the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Museum at FIT, goes back even further. “People with real money and power have always done this, at least in the United States,” she says. “We have this sort of WASP culture, Protestant culture, that turns away from maximalism.” That’s only part of a larger story, Mears says. “You really have to go back to the end of the 18th century. You have the fall of the French monarchy, and then you have this sort of dual rise of industrialization and the rise of urbanization. And so men step into what is called the Great Renunciation.” There’s a turn away from powdered wigs and floral-brocaded suits covered with lace. “All of this court life goes away, and now you have the real power base being the industrialists. They come in, they build wealth and power, and they’re doing it in a uniform, the dark suit,” Mears says. “A lot of scholars have said that this really becomes the respectable uniform if you want to be both powerful and understated.” Does mimicking stealth wealth work? Investing in quality staple pieces is achieved for longer-lasting wear and less waste, but trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the rich with cheaper alternatives can be a problem. Because after all, when you know, you know. But minimalism isn’t everything. No one expects that logos, along with recognizable signature prints and edgier silhouettes, are going anywhere. “There will always be people who want the logos. Chanel could hardly give up its logo,” Pedraza says. “But there are always going to be brands that cave to what’s going on.” How can you shop sustainable fashion? How can this impact the environment positively? Why? Share your comments with the community and this post with 3 of your family and friends.

By Clare Thorp 5th April 2023 Source: BBC Photo Source: Shidonna Raven Fashion. Copyright. All Rights Reserved. Please contact us for republishing permission and citation formatting. Quiet "stealth-luxe" fashion is dominating runways and TV screens – but why now? Clare Thorp explores the low-key, under-the-radar world of stealth wealth. If you're trying to blend in among the super-rich, carrying a handbag worth $3,000 might seem like a plausible way to do it. But, as the first episode of the current season of Succession showed, when you're mingling with the ultra-wealthy, it's not quite as easy as that. In a scene that quickly went viral, Cousin Greg brought a date, Bridget, to the birthday party of Logan Roy, billionaire founder and CEO of media conglomerate Waystar-Royco. By inviting a stranger into Logan's private home, he had badly misread the situation. But if Greg made a faux-pas – his date made a bigger one. By carrying a "ludicrously capacious" bag – as Greg's tormenter and co-conspirator, Tom Wambsgan designated it – Bridget immediately marked herself out as an interloper in this exclusive world. "What’s even in there?" asked Tom mockingly. "Flat shoes for the subway? Her lunch pail? It’s gargantuan. You could take it camping. You could slide it across the floor after a bank job." The ultra-rich, of course, rarely need to carry anything themselves. But it's not just the size that's the issue. The distinctive checked print is immediately recognisable– even without an accompanying logo. This is a bag that wears its price tag on its sleeve. It's flashy, attention-grabbing and everything the Roys and their ilk are not – because, once your bank balance is in the billions, you don't need to try to impress anyone. Over four seasons, Succession has given us a glimpse – albeit a fictional one – into the lifestyles of the richest people in the US, and shown how billionaires differentiate themselves from a bog-standard multi-millionaire. The show famously has wealth consultants to advise on every minor detail, and costume designers who carefully construct a wardrobe that truly reflects the 0.01%. Shiv Roy might be able to afford any couture gown she desires, but you'll most likely find her in a plain black polo neck, brown trouser suit or beige shirt (though one made from the finest silk).There might be the odd pinstripe or check – or an occasional flash of colour for a social event – but for the most part this is suppressed, not stand-out, style. Her brother Kendall, meanwhile, loves Loro Piana, an Italian label that specialises in low-key pieces made from the finest fabrics , where a coat can cost $25,000 (though you can pick up one of Kendall's beloved cashmere baseball caps for a bargain $495). As Colleen Morris-Glennon, costume designer for TV series Industry – another show that allows us to hang out with the fictional super-wealthy – explained to Vogue , the richer someone is, the harder they can be to pick out in the crowd. "The last person you'd think was a billionaire is the billionaire." It's not just Succession that's shone a spotlight on stealth-luxe style. Cate Blanchett's character in the recent film Tár might be problematic, but her wardrobe is perfect; an immaculately put together collection of staple pieces from Margaret Howell, Max Mara, The Row and Dries van Noten. "I wanted to do costumes that nobody will look at," costume designer Bina Daigeler told WWD . Instead, Lydia Tár's understated style has turned her into an unlikely fashion icon. Then there's Gwyneth Paltrow's much-discussed recent courtroom style. During an eight-day trial – in which the actress was found not at fault over a 2016 ski accident – Paltrow wore a series of low-key but luxurious outfits in earthy tones, including a cream cashmere knit from Loro Piana, a moss-green wool coat from The Row, a double-breasted grey trouser suit, Prada boots, Proenza Schouler leather culottes and pieces from her own brand, G Label by Goop. It was quiet luxury at its most powerful. We demonstrate our allegiance to our social groups, and distinguish ourselves from others through our clothing – Carolyn Mair It might be grabbing the headlines now, but the concept of stealth wealth is far from new. "The term 'conspicuous consumption' was noted by Thorsten Weblen in his book, The Theory of the Leisure Class, in 1899," Dr Carolyn Mair , Fashion Business Consultant and author of the Psychology of Fashion, tells BBC Culture. Weblen described it as the "the act of displaying ostentatious wealth to gain status and reputation in society", and determined that those new to wealth were more likely to indulge in this behaviour. "The idea is that if you're used to having money, you needn't show it off," says Mair. Fashion is a powerful communication tool, and one that even the super-rich aren't above using. "We demonstrate our allegiance to our social groups and distinguish ourselves from others through our clothing," says Mair. "Like any language, unless you are fluent in that language, you are likely to miss, misunderstand or at least misinterpret, the nuances. This is the concept behind stealth wealth: buying understated products for their quality, beauty and rarity, but not leaving the price tag on (metaphorically speaking) so only those in equally wealthy positions would recognize the monetary value of the item." There is an inner-circle, semi-secret code about stealth-luxe dressing – a sense of "if you know, you know". But stealth wealth has become more than just a way of life for the extremely privileged few. It's filtered down the food chain to become this season's dominant aesthetic. As New York Times' chief fashion critic Vanessa Friedman recently noted , the Milan catwalks saw a shift towards clothes that "don't shout, but whisper". Friedman describes the look as "the kind of clothes that don't advertise their value in obvious ways" but instead "rely on plushness of fabric and rigour of line – on insider information rather than influencer information – to suggest value." Think streamlined silhouettes, luxurious materials and a colour palette featuring every shade of sombre. Max Mara dubbed their collection "the Camelocracy". British Vogue describes the trend as "more of a mood than anything else" and "essentially a synonym for elevated basics". Meanwhile on Tik Tok, hashtags like #stealthluxe are amassing millions of views, with fashion stylists breaking down how to get the "stealth wealth" look for less. Conscious consuming So what's driving it? Some say it's a response to current economic turmoil, echoing similar shifts in fashion after the financial crisis of 2008. Lorna Hall, Director of Fashion Intelligence at trend forecasting agency WGSN thinks there's some truth in that. "As insensitive as fashion can sometimes be, it is still acutely attuned to social dynamics," she tells BBC Culture. "Now as in the last financial crisis, brands look to strike the right tone. When huge bits of the population are struggling to heat their homes, flaunting extreme expressions of wealth looks tone deaf." However, she thinks there's more at play this time – including a reaction to the extended period many of us spent in leisurewear, thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic. "An overlooked and potentially bigger driver this time round is the shift in the trend cycle away from casual looks. Post-pandemic there is a need to dress up performatively, and we are seeing streetwear and sportswear give way to more formal or sartorial looks." Then there’s fashion’s continued obsession with all things 90s. "We've seen the youth market rampage through 90s trends but the last of them coming through, with much wider age appeal, is 90s minimalism. This look aligns beautifully to stealth wealth dressing and low-key luxury. Social media just ups the ante, and the frenzy around 'Succession dressing' serves to accelerate and fuel the proliferation of this look." If it's about consuming more consciously, and spending your money on pieces that will last, that's something we can all get behind – Sean Monahan Sean Monahan, founder of consultancy 8Ball – plus the man who helped coin the term " normcore " back in 2013 and predicted a "vibe shift" in a famous 2021 article – agrees that an emergence from the pandemic has ignited a desire for smarter dressing. "It's really boring to just wear sweatpants all day," he tells BBC Culture. But he also thinks it's intensified what was already happening; a reaction to the blurring of the boundaries between casual and work wear. "In the 2000s and the 2010s, especially in the US, there was a strong shift towards casualisation. Strict dress codes at work really fell out of fashion, and your college wardrobe could be poured into your professional life." He's noticed an interest in older styles of dressing for a while now. "There's been a preppiness revival that's been bubbling under the surface for the last few years," he says. He thinks part of this is a generational churn, with millennials growing up – many are now hitting their 40s – and trying to develop a more mature style. "Part of what's happening is people trying to figure out, well, 'what does adulthood look like? What kinds of things should I be buying? What makes me feel like a serious person?'" But can the stealth wealth trend really be something anyone can aspire to? Isn't getting the style of the super-wealthy for a fraction of the price kind of missing the point? Perhaps, if you're hoovering up as much cheaply-produced camel-coloured knitwear as you can lay your hands on. But if it's about consuming more consciously, and spending your money on pieces that will last – even if that means buying less but paying more – that's something we can all get behind.” "I've been joking to my friends that I think King Charles is kind of a fashion icon," says Monahan. "But he does wear the same clothes kind of forever. One of his overcoats he's had since the 50s or 60s. If you actually want to do sustainability, you probably should be dressing more like King Charles." Tatler magazine recently named holey socks – as recently spotted on the King – as a stealth wealth symbol . Monahan is unsure if the idea of stealth-wealth will power a lasting shift in spending habits, though. "It seems like people are interested in this, but because it's being framed from a trend angle, I don't know that it's actually going to impact on the broader dynamics in the apparel market," he says. As for logos – he thinks it's only a matter of a time before we see them back again. "I think that's just a pendulum swing thing. We're seeing a rejection of them come back through the fashion cycle, but I think we will go back and forth on this." Even so, don't expect to see Logan Roy flashing a conspicuous logo belt any time soon. And, in the event you ever find yourself invited to a party hosted by a multi-billionaire, you might not want to, either. How can you shop sustainably for your home? How can this impact the environment positively? Why? Share your comments with the community and this post with 3 of your family and friends.

December 21, 2022 Updated January 4, 2023 Source: UN Photo Source: Shidonna Raven Fashion. Copyright. All Rights Reserved. The holiday season is here, and in many parts of the world, that means one thing: shopping – and lots of it. However, that breakneck buying is hurting the planet. It is part of an unsustainable consumer culture that is feeding a triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. The kicker? Studies also suggest that having more doesn’t necessarily make people happier. UNEP supported research shows that about two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions are linked to household decisions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change found that lifestyle changes could help slash planet-warming emissions by up to 70 per cent by 2050. “It is possible to have enjoyable and memorable holidays and buy and spend less this holiday season by embracing some changes in our consumer habits,” says Garrette Clark, an expert in sustainable living with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). This holiday season, consider the following ideas to feel better and be lighter on the planet! 1. Offer home-made or upcycled gifts To reduce consumption yet give memorable gifts, you can get creative with gift-giving. You could, for example, skip buying off-the-rack new gifts for your family and friends and make something they’re sure to love, like a home-made batch of cookies. Or source your gifts from companies that upcycle items or use recycled sustainable materials. This way, you’d be promoting a circular economy that focuses on reducing waste and increasing reuse, recycling and recovery of products and materials. 2. Create a new holiday look People buy 60 percent more clothing today than 15 years ago, and each item is kept for only half as long. The toll on the planet is heavy: the fashion industry is the second-biggest consumer of water and is responsible for 2-8 percent of global carbon emissions. Rethinking your look or gifts can be a celebration of more sustainable fashion and reduce your carbon footprint. This year, think about a holiday look that takes advantage of what you value most in your closet. If you add something, check out vintage or swapping. If you buy new, buy better. You can choose amongst a growing number of designers and brands that have committed to sustainable supply chains and manufacturing. At the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2018 (COP 24), several fashion companies signed the UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action , pledging to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. In addition, the UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion coordinates between UN agencies working in fashion and promotes projects and policies to ensure that fashion contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. 3. Buy and travel local Buying locally made products and locally grown food has a slew of benefits. It can be more economical. It helps local businesses. And it cuts down on how far goods must travel, reducing the amount of fossil fuels burned during transportation. Opting for a vacation closer to home, and preferably in nature, can be rewarding for your health, the local economy, the environment, and your pocketbook. If you do travel abroad, try to stay longer, eat local, ditch disposables, and be proactive in managing your carbon footprint. 4. Buy second-hand During the holiday season, many retailers lure people in with sales. Try to resist the temptation of lower prices. Instead, buy unique, second-hand things and find new homes for things you no longer want. This not only offers creative, unique gifts but saves cash and encourages reuse. If you do buy new, opt for better-quality products that will last longer and be used many times before being remanufactured, recycled or thrown away. 5. Swap disposables for reusable Every minute, the equivalent of one garbage truck of plastic is dumped into our ocean. Half of all plastic produced is designed for single-use purposes – used just once and then thrown away. Plastic pollution can reduce ecosystems’ ability to adapt to climate change, directly affecting millions of people’s livelihoods, food production and well-being. Beautiful, second-hand items save cash and encourage circular economies. Addressing the problem of plastic pollution will require looking at what drives our consumption and a full life-cycle approach in which consumers play a critical role. You can start by saying ‘no’ to single-use plastic packaging. Each year, 5 trillion plastic bags are used, the majority of which end up in oceans. Avoid disposable cups, plastic water bottles and food containers, replacing them with reusable items. Before you wrap your holiday gifts, consider that every year, about 11.2 billion tonnes of solid waste is collected worldwide. The increasing volume and complexity of waste associated with the modern economy is posing a serious risk to ecosystems and human health. Try to wrap gifts in recycled paper or reusable material, such as beautiful textiles. 6. Eat plant-rich foods Try a more plant-rich diet this holiday season. Cultures around the world offer several vegetable-based recipes that are both nutritious and planet-friendly. Meat production is a major driver of the climate crisis. Due to manure and gastroenteric releases, livestock farming accounts for 32 per cent of human-caused methane emissions. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas with a global warming potential more than 80 times greater than that of carbon dioxide during the 20 years after it is released into the atmosphere. The average person consumes 100 grams of meat daily. Incorporating more plants into your diet could improve human health while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 7. Reduce food waste When shopping for your holiday meal ingredients, try to buy only what you need and avoid food waste. One-third of all food produced in the world – approximately 1.3 billion tonnes – is squandered every year. Almost 570 million tonnes is lost or wasted at the household level. This waste needlessly contributes to biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change . To avoid waste, pack left-overs for guests and find new recipes to reuse what’s left. Final remains can be composted to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions . UNEP is at the forefront of supporting the Paris Agreement goal of keeping global temperature rise well below 2°C, and aiming for 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels. To do this, UNEP developed the https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/get-involved/practical-guide , a practical guide to know what we can all do to make sustainable living the default option. How can you shop sustainably for your home? How can this impact the environment positively? Why? Share your comments with the community and this post with 3 of your family and friends.

BY SYDNEY SLADOVNIK 5th April 2023 Source: INC Photo Source: Shidonna Raven Fashion. Copyright. All Rights Reserved. Please contact us for republishing permission and citation formatting. At New York Fashion Week, Small Brands Are Putting the Spotlight on Sustainable Business Practices For retail businesses, New York Fashion Week is full of inspiration--and not just when it comes to trending styles and colors. Many fashion brands know just how tricky it can be to scale a business and hold true to sustainability promises. But some upstart entrepreneurs have figured out manufacturing processes, strategic partnerships, and sales strategies that have helped them limit their environmental impact. Now, these designers are showing their collections at this year's New York Fashion Week, which runs from September 7 through 13. Some business create one-of-a-kind garments with deadstock fabric that's sourced from around the country, sourcing roughly 300 pounds of material that would've otherwise gone to landfill since founding her brand in 2006. Garments are designed with durability in mind. Her clothing is sewn with a unique heart-shaped stitch, which she says is considerably stronger than standard stitches. Using this stitch means garments take more time to produce, but ultimately enhances the quality of her products, she says, because stronger seams keep clothes from ripping, being tossed, and ultimately ending up in a landfill. The Toronto-based petite swimwear brand Avery also makes use of recycled materials in the name of sustainability; it is bringing its bikinis made of recycled ocean waste to its first runway show in New York on September 8, companies working with Econyl, a regenerative fabric manufacturer, to source materials made of fishing nets, plastic fibers, scraps, and other residue found in oceans. While recycled plastic polyester isn't a new material--it's been popularized by larger brands like Patagonia and Nike--Avery's use of the fabric shows that it's accessible to businesses of all sizes. Fashion brands can also practice sustainability by helping limit overstock waste. That's a key practice of San Francisco-based Shongee, which is putting on a runway show on September 8. The Zimbabwe American streetwear brand operates on a made-to-wear basis. This method minimizes fabric waste and excess inventory. Designs garments in Adobe Illustrator and uploads images of them to her e-commerce site. She uses a sublimation printing company she found through Alibaba to manufacture pieces as they're ordered. This supplier individually prints patterns onto blank fabric, then constructs and ships machine-washable garments as they're ordered. Sublimation printing doesn't require water, unlike other techniques such as screen printing or digital printing. Instead, the ink is heated until it disintegrates on fabrics, which gives the manufacturing process another sustainable advantage. Customers receive their products within two weeks, and the designs live virtually forever on her website, making business management essentially stress-free, Matangira says. The only inventory she keeps is the garments worn on runways, which she donates to her village back in Zimbabwe at the end of every year. How can you shop sustainably for your home? How can this impact the environment positively? Why? Share your comments with the community and this post with 3 of your family and friends.