Going back to tradition

Why women’s groups and designers are encouraging Indonesian women to wear the kebaya

The traditional long-sleeved blouse known as the kebaya has long been part of Indonesia’s national dress and while it is usually associated with the Javanese and Sundanese areas, it is also widely worn all over the archipelago.

“A long and loose kebaya with a head scarf is the common dress of Muslim women in West Sumatra and also the Malay people,” says Lila Imelda Sari, the owner of kebaya store Lemari Lila. In Bali, the kebaya with its typical cut and sash is also commonly found in Hindu rituals and ceremonies.

But the kebaya has fallen out of favour in recent years, as women turn to modern, more Western attire for everyday wear, leaving the kebaya for formal or special events. Many of them claim that wearing a kebaya is impractical and incompatible with the spirit of youth.

Models present modern kebaya styles by designers from the Indonesian Fashion Designers and Fashion Entrepreneurs Association. Photo/The Jakarta Post

In an attempt to reverse the trend, the Kebaya Women’s Community has organised several programmes, including the declaration of 1,000 kebaya-wearing women and a seminar on the kebaya presented by writer and archaeologist Edi Sedyawati and designer Musa Widyatmoko.

Both Edi and Musa reminded the audience of why the kebaya was once the outfit of choice.

“Loosely cut and made with comfortable fabrics, the kebaya is suitable for work and neat enough to receive guests,” they said.

The wardrobes of Indonesian mothers or grandmothers always included the kebaya for daily needs but it is rarely found in more modern cupboards, as young people have no example to imitate and end up seeing the kebaya, despite its modern touch, as only for formal occasions.

“The kebaya shouldn’t just be limited to the annual celebration of Kartini and wedding parties,” says Kristin Samah, a member of the Kebaya Women’s Community. “Take Indian women: they wear traditional saris every day. Why aren’t we doing the same? After all, the kebaya meant for daily use and is both comfortable and practical.”

In fact, even non-members are preserving the kebaya for daily wear. Lila of Lemari Lila in Yogyakarta says her store is famous for its classical kebaya collection for daily use. “I wanted to promote Indonesian traditional fabrics in modern manifestations and started by offering a variety of products in traditional fabrics like gowns and culottes,” added Lila.

“I soon realised that the kebaya was the most sought-after product, especially the Mbok Jum kebaya, which gets is name from the daily kebaya mostly worn by Javanese women in the past.

Made from cotton with a flower motif, it has a kutubaru (vertical chest band) pattern and stagen (waist sash) and Lila says she designs it with the younger woman in mind. She has also modified the kebaya of Sumatra.

As a collector and lover of classical kebaya herself, she has often hunted for old kebaya in Yogya’s Beringharjo Market and found several classical pieces. “I cherish the memories of my mother and grandmother in their daily kebaya,” says Lila, who makes her kebaya from fabrics that are not too transparent and produce less heat.

“Women used to wear inner garments so they could get away with a thin kebaya,” she says.

Besides exploring kutubaru kebaya for her Mbok Jum |products, Lila also creates Kartini and long kebaya models, with modifications to enable buyers to match them with other wardrobe items for daily wear. Lemari Lila also has an Instagram account, which she uses to share ideas with her customers. Some of them, she says,, combine Mbok Jum with jeans, shorts and sneakers. Others make long kebaya their outerwear.

In Lila’s view, buyers’ ages affect their ability to mix and match. Teenagers, senior high school or college students tend to wear kebaya for formal occasions like weddings and exhibitions. Customers aged 25 and above are bolder in combining the kebaya with other clothing for work or hanging out.

“When the models suits them and they get some inspiration for a mix-and-match I can see that Indonesian women are not reluctant to include the kebaya in their daily wardrobes,” she says.

Resource: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/aec/asean_plus/30313680

Look dapper at parties

While ladies have a huge variety to choose from for parties, men are seldom left with choices beyond suit, kurtas and t-shirts, inevitably leading to the notion that parties are ladies’ forte; but not anymore. Breaking down such misconceptions are these collection of apparels you can sport to look dapper.

Waistcoats
This resourceful piece of clothing comes in handy for professional as well as informal occasions, for it can give a simple shirt/t-shirt and trouser combination a complete makeover. Fold your sleeves up till your arms to enhance the look.

Nehru jackets
Nehru jackets can take your look to another level, giving an impeccable ethnic touch to the outfit. The formal trace it offers to your get-up doesn’t stop you from sporting it on occasions either.

Mandarin Collar
This collar style resembles the Nehru jacket a lot, except that it is not a jacket. Also known as Chinese collar, it also gives an attractive ethnic touch to your attire. You can wear it to casual, as well as formal parties and still stay simple.

Leather jackets
The leather jackets have withstood the tides of time and are as sexy as ever. You can wear anything from a shirt to a t-shirt with jeans and all you have to do to up the fashion quotient is pull a jacket over.

Bomber jackets
There’s no better choice if you want to look badass in the party. Also known as flight jackets, they were originally created for military pilots, before they became part of popular culture. This jacket tightly gathered at the waist and cuffs by elasticated bands has a zip in the front and makes you look well-built.

Resource: https://telanganatoday.news/look-dapper-at-parties

Pigg River pageant queens crowned

Ajah Wright, 16, of Roanoke is Miss Pigg River 2017 after being crowned at the pageant held April 15 at the Pigg River Community Center.

She also received awards for talent, evening-wear, casual-wear and on-stage question.

Wright is the daughter of Christy Wright and is a junior at Patrick Henry High School.

First runner-up is De’Anna Harootunian of Rocky Mount.

Tamia Gilbert of Rocky Mount is Petite Miss Pigg River. Gilbert received an award for talent, as well. She is a fifth-grader at Lee M. Waid Elementary and is the daughter of Marquetta Williamson and Thomas Gilbert.

First runner-up is Jamya Bond, daughter of Carla Edmonds of Roanoke.

Jaylah Tyree received an award for casual 70s-wear. She is the daughter of Crystal Tyree and Somner Martin of Rocky Mount.

La’Miya Lee, a Kindergartner at Callaway Elementary, is Little Miss Pigg River. She received awards in casual-wear, evening-wear and on-stage question. She is the daughter of Latoya Mattox and Deon Lee of Callaway.

New to the pageant this year was the category of Senior Ms. Pigg River, for women ages 26 and up who are single, divorced, married or widowed.

Women in the Senior Ms. category can be with or without children.

The new Senior Ms. Pigg River is Marquetta Williamson of Rocky Mount. She is the daughter of Eugene and Brenda Williamson, and the mother of Gilbert.

First runner-up is Linda Coger of Rocky Mount, who also took home an award in the category of casual 70s-wear.


Winners in each division received a sash, crown and other gifts.

The winner of the Miss division also received a $500 scholarship.

“It is our mission to build self-esteem, character, confidence and leadership,” said Luci Cobbs Thomas, pageant coordinator. “Helping young women and young girls grow to their full potential is our way of making a positive difference in the world. The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dream.”

The pageant showcases girls from Franklin, Henry and Roanoke counties.

This year’s pageant consisted of nine contestants who were judged for their charm, poise and talent exemplified in the categories of creative expression, casual wear and self photogenic, Thomas said.

“We’re very proud of our girls and we look forward to the continued support from family, friends and the Pigg River Community Committee,” Thomas said.

Miss Pigg River 2016 was Kazia Crump of Rocky Mount, the daughter of Tasha Crump and Charles Tinsley.a

Resource:   http://www.thefranklinnewspost.com/news/pigg-river-pageant-queens-crowned/article_f2dede90-28f8-11e7-af5c-cf46926381a7.html

Lauren Singer talks about her new zero-waste store, Package Free

In an exclusive interview with TreeHugger, the waste-free lifestyle pro explains what's gone into creating this unique shop.

Yesterday I wrote about Package Free, the zero-waste pop-up store coming to New York City this spring. It’s the innovative brainchild of Lauren Singer, of Trash is for Tossers fame, and Daniel Silverstein, a.k.a Zero Waste Daniel, a fashion designer who uses discarded textiles to create his funky clothing line. After publishing that introductory post, I caught up with Singer over email to learn more about the project firsthand. (Responses have been edited for length.)

TreeHugger: Has this project been in the works for a while?

Singer: Daniel and I have been friends for years which all started because I was in love with his clothing and begged him to let me wear it for my 23rd birthday. Three years later, we are still friends. We have both been involved in the zero-waste space for over five years now and realized that, while it is easy to live a zero-waste lifestyle, finding everything that you need to do it is not always so convenient. You have to go to lots of online stores to find the tools that you need.

TH: Are there any similar zero waste stores in NYC yet, or is this the first of its kind?

Singer: Package Free is the first such store in NYC, and maybe in the country, and maybe in the world! Most zero-waste stores integrate grocery, whereas Package Free is exclusively lifestyle-based. We have all the products and tools that you need to live a zero-waste lifestyle, ranging from reusable coffee cups and refillable dental floss to reusable toilet paper (yes, a thing!)

TH: Do you hope to open a permanent location, if the pop-up is successful?

Singer: Daniel and I started with a pop-up to test out this concept in NYC. Since the response is already incredibly positive, and Daniel and I work together so well, we are definitely open to creating a permanent location for Package Free after July 2017.

TH: Who will be teaching the on-site DIY classes?

Singer: At Package Free, we will offer a variety of classes, panels, and workshops to equip our customers with the skills they need to be successful. These include, but are not limited to, classes like soap-making, cooking, sewing, and more. We hope that Package Free will become a nucleus for the sustainable community.

TH: How did you select brands to feature?

Singer: I have personally used the products of every single brand that we’ve chosen to feature at Package Free. I have vetted and studied them extensively. To say that I am particular is an understatement. I chose these brands not just because their products are sustainable, but because each brand in the store is a problem-solving company.

For instance, Bureo, company that we are featuring, aims to reduce ocean plastic pollution and does so by making their products from reclaimed fishing nets. (Read TreeHugger’s article on Bureo.) Daniel's company, Zero Waste Daniel, uses discarded cutting room scraps destined for landfill, recovers them, and uses them to make his clothing.

Daniel and I believe in knowing your makers and we want every customer that comes to Package Free to learn about the incredible brands that we are featuring, connect with them personally, and create lasting relationships.

TH: How do you approach the issue of 'intrinsic' waste, i.e. the waste that is embedded in the production process or packaging before the item is displayed package-free on your shelves?

Singer: All brands at Package Free already have very strong plastic and waste reduction philosophies, which is what drew us to them in the first place. When we received samples from each of the brands, they were almost all packaged in recycled packaging with paper tape and paper wrapping.

With every one of our brands, if a product comes in packaging (i.e. because of FDA regulations), we take the responsibility upon ourselves as a store to ensure that it is recycled or composted properly, instead of putting that burden on our consumers. We want to make it as easy as possible for everyone that walks into Package Free to shop and walk out with tangible and simple ways to reduce their waste, not give them more waste to deal with. We truly want to show that living a zero-waste or low-waste lifestyle is simple, cost effective, fun, and sexy!

If you're in NYC this spring, then stop by Package Free to check it out. Opening May 1st at 137 Grand Street, Brooklyn. Follow @packagefreeshop.

Resource: http://www.treehugger.com/green-home/lauren-singer-talks-about-her-new-zero-waste-store-package-free.html

Wyuen Tattoo Sticker offers its Collection of Designer Tattoo Stickers Online

Wyuen Tattoo Sticker is a Chinese company that is involved in retail and wholesale of different tattoo stickers through their online portal. From this year onwards, the company has started selling its stickers globally.

Body arts have been popular since ages and the growing popularity of having tattoos on your body shows its presence till today. Body tattoos can both be permanent and temporary and one may choose depending on his/her requirement. If one is looking for a temporary tattoo, then the tattoo stickers are the one to go for. There are a number of companies that are offering a huge collection of body tattoo stickers. Wyuen Tattoo Sticker is one such brand that has been offering its products throughout China. Recently, the company started selling its collection of tattoos to customers across the world through its online store. The store features some extensive collection of tattoo designs for almost every age group.

The company is headed by a reputed professional designer named Ada. The tattoos that has been featured on the online store have all been created by Ada himself. The store primarily offers its collection under the categories of Tattoo stickers, nail stickers, and arm sleeve stickers. Each of these categories feature hundreds of options to choose from. To facilitate the user in selecting from the vast collection and ensuring they get to choose the design they are looking for, the listed products come with descriptions and HD images. Moreover, the site runs exclusive discounts on a regular basis besides adding new and updated designs from time to time. Any of the temporary tattoo sticker that the company has featured on the website is made from skin friendly materials to ensure that the wearer does not get any sort of irritation when wearing these tattoos.


An exclusive collection of nail stickers is also one of the most popular sections on the website. Under this section, women can find some great looking nail paints to enhance the look of their nails. Making a purchase from the website is quite simple as customers need only register with an account and add their preferred designs to the cart. The site accepts payment through multiple channels and customers are free to choose their preferred options. All orders are shipped in two business days after receipt of the payment and it could take as many as 15 days to reach the destination to any part of the world.

About Wyuen Tattoo Sticker

Wyuen Tattoo Sticker is an online retailer of a wide range of tattoo stickers and nail stickers from China. The company is presently shipping its products to different countries of the world and presents an exclusive collection of tattoos to choose from. For more details about the products on offer and to select from the designs featured on the website, customers can visit their website.

Media Contact
Company Name: Wyuen Tattoo Sticker
Contact Person: Ada
Email: info@adatattoosticker.com
Phone: +86 13735283215
Country: China
Website: http://www.adatattoosticker.com
Resource:http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/3306817

Savvy new housewares brand more than just decor

We are a nation in love with home decor and there’s always room for one more. Merchant Sons is Canada’s newest home decor retailer, a Toronto-based company founded on looking for smart and subtle ways to improve how homewares work — like moisture-wicking bed sheets, extra-absorbent towels, and stain resistant throw cushions as soft as velvet.

The Merchant Sons summer 2017 collection manages to combine a clean and modern look, with a timelessness that will appeal to the urban male demographic and beyond.

“I’ve been involved in homeware design for years, and creating a high-quality home that manages to exude a relaxed masculine style is difficult with the products currently offered in the market,” said co-founder Greg Robson, adding “all our products are genuinely beautiful, well-made, and practical, and are available at a price point that makes them significantly more accessible.”

The Merchant Sons’ team researched materials and established partnerships directly with family-owned factories around the globe, including local Canadian businesses. Bed sheets are a custom blend of the performance fibre Tencel, sourced from Austria, and long-staple cotton from Egypt, which is then woven, dyed and finished by a family-owned mill in northern Portugal. Quick-drying, absorbent towels are made in Turkey with 100% combed Turkish cotton, while home accents are produced by workshops in the GTA — the sweatshirt fleece used for the signature Merchant Sons blanket is custom-made by one of the last knitters and dye houses in Ontario. Available online, plus there’s a bricks-and-mortar shop coming to Richmond St. W. on May 11.

    Check out Merchantsons.com for more details.

L’OCCITANE FOR MOTHER’S DAY: I love wandering into a L’Occitane store — it’s like stepping through those delicate shops you find in France, where the company has its roots. Created in 1976, L’Occitane en Provence is an award-winning company that specializes in both beauty products and natural fragrances made with essential oils. From soaps to creams to hair products, the products are based on timeless tradition, and products that are a pleasure to use. And everything smells magical. For Mother’s Day, L’Occitane is offering a variety of options for every budget; gift sets include the Terre de Lumiere collection — the first gourmand aromatic fragrance from the company that “captures the most magical hour on Earth, the Golden Hour in Provence.” Comes with matching shower gel and beautifying lotion, and is exclusive for Mother’s Day. There’s also the Neroli & Orchid collection, a feminine, delicious fruity floral scent collection that also includes eau de toilette, body milk and shower gel. Other items include the Shea at-home manicure set and the Savons de Provence — a collection of four, vegetable based bar soups made with shea butter in lavender, milk and two verbena scents. Numerous other ideas, perfect for mom!

    Check out Ca.loccitane.com.

DIAMOND SMILE: Electric tooth brushes seem to be all the rage, with advanced technology that even a few years ago could only be dreamed of. The latest is the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean that says it can remove 10 times more plaque than a manual toothbrush, whitens teeth in one week and can improve gum health in only two weeks. A new study recently commissioned by Philips Sonicare revealed that improving oral health is a major concern for Canadians, with a whopping 78% of Canadians surveyed mentioning they plan to improve their oral health care habits over the coming year. Health care is more than just achieving a pretty smile — it reflects on your overall health.

The Sonicare DiamondClean comes in a variety of beautiful colours including in rose gold, amethyst and pink, for those looking for a truly unique gift idea for Mother’s Day, or perhaps as an investment in your own oral care. Retails for around $240; available where most electronic toothbrushes are sold including London Drugs, Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond and Amazon.ca.

    Check out Philips.ca for additional details.

SEAFOOD DEPOT — FISH AND A LOT MORE: Well, for many of us, it’s fish for Good Friday, so you may want to check out this award-winning seafood emporium in Vaughan. Seafood Depot carries all sorts of terrific stuff, including one of the biggest seafood counters in Ontario. This place is a real shopping find, as not only is there plenty of fresh and frozen seafood but also one of the best olive oil and pasta selections in town. You’ll also find everything from herbs, spices, lots of kitchenware, gift items, coffee, cookies and more.

    81 Aviva Park Dr., Vaughan (near Steeles Ave. and Weston Rd.); 905-856-2770; HOLIDAY HOURS: Thursday, April 13, 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Good Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call or check the website for regular business hours. Seafooddepot.ca.

ICED: There’s a new men’s fragrance on the horizon — Hugo Iced, geared towards the millennials who have grown up with legacy of Hugo Man. This powerful new fragrance is a unique blend of invigorating icy ingredients of a multi-layered scent that inspires confidence as it develops. With invigorating notes of iced mint, it comes alive with a cool, cutting-edge fusion of freshness and energy. Infused with clean, crisp notes with the heart of wild tea, a potent and exotic ingredient that embodies an ice-cold earthy frozen effect, and finishes with calming notes of wild vetiver. Even the packaging is an icy-looking and metallic version of Hugo’s iconic flask-shaped flacon. A stimulating new fragrance for an increasingly fast-paced world. Available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart, Hudson’s Bay, Hugo Boss Boutiques and Jean Coutu; priced $72 for 50mL and $95 for 125mL.

The famous Baci Perugina’s Easter Eggs (with the secret surprise inside) and mini eggs are now on the shelves in Canada, just in time for chocolate’s favourite season. The large (266g) eggs retail for around $18, and are considered one of the finest expressions of Italian craftsmanship in chocolate. The shell of the traditional chocolate egg is made with premium-quality chocolate, with a delightful surprise of four Baci chocolates inside. Variations include dark, milk and extra dark chocolate. The mini eggs are available in four different variations including dark chocolate filled with a chocolate-hazelnut cream centre and chopped hazelnuts; milk chocolate filled with the same centre; Fondentissimo – dark chocolate filled with a chocolate-hazelnut cream centre and chopped, caramelized cocoa nibs, and the assorted, a mix of all three. These chocolates are made exclusively in Perugia, Italy, and sold during the Easter season only. Look for them wherever fine chocolates are sold.

    See Baciperugina.com

DESIGNER SHOE WAREHOUSE SALE 2017: Spring always means new shoes! Head on over to the International Centre starting today (VIP Day — see website for details) for the Designer Shoe Warehouse Sale, with over 30,000 pairs of shoes to choose from, at prices 50% to 80% off the retail. Name brands include Franco Sarto, Fergie, Dr. Scholl’s, Naturalizer, Via Spiga and more.

    DESIGNER SHOE WAREHOUSE SALE 2017, April 13-17, International Centre, 6900 Airport Rd., Hall 1. Thursday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday-Monday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Designershoesale.ca.

NORDSTROM WAREHOUSE SALE: While you’re in the neighbourhood buying shoes at the nearby warehouse sale, check out this other famous sale, now on until April 17.

Savings are up to 80% off the retail on your fave Nordstrom designers and labels, including clothing, footwear and accessories for the whole family.

    Nordstrom Warehouse Sale runs to April 17, International Centre, Hall 6, Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Resource: http://www.torontosun.com/2017/04/13/savvy-new-housewares-brand-more-than-just-decor

How teens and smartphones are killing teen-fashion retailers

Mipri Haye, 17, of Sewell, N.J., posts her latest outfits on Instagram and Snapshot. Her favorites are H&M, Forever 21 and Charlotte Russe. Many are not as popular. Several teen retailers - such as PacSun and Aeropostale - have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the last year and a half as the sector is struggling. Experts say teens like Haye make vast use of social media on what they like and don't like and can be very influential. (Suzette Parmley, Staff Writer/TNS)

PHILADELPHIA - Mipri Haye, a high school junior, is on Instagram and Snapshot daily, showing off her latest outfits to her girlfriends.

She also shares where she got those clothes: Forever 21, H&M, and Charlotte Russe often top her list.

"I take pictures of myself trying on new things, post them, and see what my friends think," said Haye on a recent Friday as she shopped with her mother, Capri Haye, inside Francesca's at Cherry Hill Mall in the New Jersey portion of suburban Philadelphia.

Retail experts say such prolific use of social media by Haye and others is driving the rapid success of some teen retailers, and causing the quick demise of others. Teen brands have also been among the slowest to close their brick-and-mortar stores and grow their websites.

In the last 18 months, Aeropostale, with 800 stores, Pacific Sunwear, with nearly 600 stores, and American Apparel, with 273 stores, have all filed for bankruptcy. (An ownership group stepped up in September 2016 to buy Aeropostale for $243 million at auction; the new owners plan to reopen its 500 stores across the country this year.)

Wet Seal, a California teen-oriented brand with 171 stores, filed for Chapter 11 last month. It specialized in selling clothing and accessories to young women.

Others, such as Abercrombie & Fitch and American Eagle Outfitters, are struggling. On a recent Friday at Cherry Hill Mall, neither store attracted much foot traffic from 7 to the 9:30 p.m. closing.

E-commerce sales continue to grow at about 15 percent a year, noted Garrick Brown, vice president, retail research of the Americas for Cushman & Wakefield. And online retailers keep gaining market share.

But while most have been focused on millennial shopping habits, "what has been missed . is the impact of the next generation: Generation Z," Brown said. "This generation (the first to have grown up completely on smartphones) are poised to put that growth to shame."

In 2015, Forrester Research reported that, despite low incomes due to their youth, Generation Z consumers spent 8.75 percent of their total income online. This compared with 5.33 percent for millennials and 3.85 percent for Generation X.

"The entire apparel marketplace has been sharply impacted by the encroachment of Amazon into the fashion arena and by the general rise of e-commerce," Brown said. "But that impact has been sharpest on teen apparel because their core consumer, Generation Z, have been even stronger users."

Combined with retailers being slow to develop an in-store/online sales strategy, "this is why there has been a wave of teen apparel retail failures that is nowhere near finished," he said.

Ken Perkins, president of Retail Metrics Inc., which provides investors with research on retail, cited four factors in teen fashion's fall:

-Teen apparel retailers are almost exclusively located in malls (Aero, Wet Seal, PacSun, American Eagle, Abercrombie, Tilly's, Zumiez). "Consumers are venturing to (mediocre, under-performing) malls at a rapidly declining rate. Teen chains are not alone in their inability to make up for lost foot traffic with rapid e-commerce growth."

-Social media have changed what teen consumers focus on. "Teens are more interested in dining out with friends, attending shows, concerts, sporting events that they can post to social media than they are about their wardrobes."

-Teens are very fashion fickle, and no overarching fashion trends are driving sales. "Denim is a constant but what else?" said Perkins.

-The transition to mobile spending and rapid delivery "is happening so rapidly that most retailers cannot keep pace with it," he said. "Amazon is eating everyone's lunch."

Compared with all of retail, the teen category has under-performed every quarter since 2008, according to Retail Metrics.

A similar pattern holds with earnings growth. Teen earnings are far more volatile than the industry's and have under-performed in 13 of the last 16 quarters.

Corali Lopez-Castro, a Miami-based lawyer, has handled retail bankruptcies and regularly represents landlords. She said "fast fashion" retailers, such as Zara out of Spain, which sell a lot of volume and change offerings daily, were altering the rules of the game. Zara will debut a store at Cherry Hill Mall in fall 2017.

"Zara changes the trends all the time," Lopez-Castro said. "Teens will go to the store here (in Miami) just to see what's new. There's often a group waiting outside for the store to open. It has great price points and a very hip web presence."

With teens, "status is less important," Lopez-Castro said. "Today it's more about what's unique."

Yung Girbaud, 22, who stopped going to malls when he was 19, represents the malls' greatest fear.

He was at another Philly-area mall on a recent weekend to hang out with his buddies and "pick up girls," he said sheepishly. His posse was sitting on sample massage chairs in front of Aeropostale, and never ventured into the store.

Girbaud, of Hamilton, N.J., said he does virtually all of his shopping online from such websites as Neiman Marcus, Barney's, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Mall offerings are "so vanilla," he said. "When I see people walking around the mall, they are all wearing the same clothes.

"I like finding stuff on eBay - clothes and accessories that no one else is wearing," he said, citing a Christian Dior wallet from eBay.

Girbaud then pulled out his iPhone to show off what he wore while recently visiting a friend in New York: a headband with a matching blue shirt/pants outfit. "Everything you can't find in a mall," he said.

Resource: http://www.mcall.com/business/retail/mc-teens-hurting-retailers-20170314-story.html

Weaving a new story

 David Abraham, Madhu Jain and Rina Dhaka on how they have incorporated traditional elements to make a statement at the AIFW

Giving their passion for handwoven fabric a new edge, veteran couturiers David Abraham, Madhu Jain and Rina Dhaka are creating outfits that appeal to the young. With androgynous fashion finding currency and Make in India becoming a socio-political reality, the three seasoned players have created a blend of past and present for the Amazon India Fashion Week (AIFW), starting this evening.

See now, buy now!

Abraham will showcase how on a day-to-day basis people can access functional clothing suitable for Indian climate. The catalyst for creating this collection was watching women airlines employees looking uncomfortable in their suits at airports.

“It is high time we realise that our climatic conditions are totally different from European cities, which inspire most of our fashion. 40 degree is a reality in Delhi and jackets make the wearer distinctly uncomfortable. So we are deriving our jacket shapes from traditional cuts like choga, jamat and see how we can make them light and easy so that they can be worn over a shirt and trousers.”

Going against the Fall/Winter theme, in the show, “Back to Work”, Abraham along with Rakesh Thakore, has designed clothes keeping in mind the summer season as he wants to be in sync with the trend prevailing in international fashion weeks . “A change is beginning to happen internationally which is based on the concept of see now, buy now. It is a new marketing trend which wants to capitalise on interest generated in the media immediately. Three months after the collection comes out, customers get confused. Big designer brands like Tom Ford are following this. Our collection would be made available within a few weeks at pop up stores in Chennai, Delhi, Bangalore.”

Abraham will give a push to handloom in myriad avatars. “We are exploring whether it is possible to take handloom fabric and move it from traditional to executive space. Rather than traditional kurta, we will showcase how handloom can be used for shirts and jackets. We are using double ikat and natural dye block printing.”

Abraham will demonstrate his strength in androgynous fashion. “I am creating a collection good for people of both genders. So we have created handwoven fabrics and developed special fabrics with weavers of Phulia, Mangalagiri, Vijayawada and Barmer. Personally, we want to say that handloom jackets can work for men and women. A banker might not wear it but somebody from creative field will. We wanted to go back from where we started and see whether we can create a fabric story which unites men and women with a common colours, motifs and create a whole range of fabrics which would be appropriate for this kind of clothing.”

Retrospective

Madhu Jain, a craft revivalist as much as a couturier, will showcase a rich tapestry of weaves that she has presented over three decades in India and abroad. The show titled “Celebrating 30 years of Madhu Jain” will virtually reflect her lifelong journey in crafts.

To reach out to the youth, this handloom specialist is making an ingenious effort. “I have given a twist to blouses. If blouses are funky, the young generation gets interested. I have always used weaves as an embellishment. This time I have given interesting variations on sleeves, necks. We will be showcasing exquisite heritage pieces like rare embroidery from Central Asia and finest mirror work. Some khadi saris will also be showcased.”

Madhu has made clothes suitable for Indian climate. “ Today’s fashionistas are rediscovering textiles made from natural fibres. I have incorporated eye-catching contrasts and bold designs in my ikat collection. My Moroccan pants teamed up with little tunics should appeal to youth as should my nature-derived embellishments and buttons made from shells, rudrakash and seeds.”

Inspiration is from overseas but everything has been made by indigenous weavers. “I have incorporated unique and absolutely stunning Central Asian embroidery in some of my outfits, which have been crafted in tribal villages. My kalamkari range, done entirely in natural inks, draws heavily from nature and the animal kingdom. I have also included a personal favourite: the Tree of Life.”

To arrive at some of the weave blends, Madhu has experimented with the heavy Thai ikat. “It has been rendered on silk and fashioned into a lighter thread count suitable for Indian weather conditions. In Thai ikat, inspiration is from abroad but it has been made here. So even if the pattern may be Uzbeki, it is all made in India. Similarly, we will be showcasing little kurtis and Moroccan pants made in Indian handloom.”

Make in India

For Rina Dhaka “Make in India” fillip being given by the FDCI holds special significance. “As a designer, I have ideas and research based on many parts of the world, but we manufacture it in India, be it techniques of prints, digital embroidery, hand embroidery and laser cutting.”

Androgynous fashion will be explored in an interesting, innovative way. “Menswear will be showcased to honour male models, who have been selected through a contest. I have created a sweat shirt kind of look for male models who will be on the catwalk. My menswear is going to be more androgynous than my women’s wear. The reason being that we are making the collection for next winter.”

Working with Jharkhand weavers has been a creative exercise for Rina, who has worked with textiles of the State, to create modern funky outfits. “ As Jharkhand is the theme, there will be inspiration from Chhau dancers yet the look is modern. I have explored traditional elements with modern dying and frayed edges. We have used tussar silk because it has a good hand fall.”

Illustrating how she has given varied looks to some of her outfits which would be presented collectively under Jharcraft – an initiative of Jharkhand Silk Textile and Handicraft Development Corporationas Jharkhand is the partner State –the seasoned designer says, an ankle length printed dress with loose sleeves has been created. “Here I have done patchwork on top of the garment and sleeves and then embellished it with sequins.” 

Resource: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/weaving-a-new-story/article17465449.ece

Local church makes prom affordable

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- Prom season is just around the corner and between the dress, the accessories and the hair and make-up, the big dance can come with a big price tag.

With that in mind, the Green Castle Baptist Church created the Perfect Prom Princess Event.

For five years now, the church has been providing free prom dresses and accessories to young girls who may not be able to afford them.

Organizers say they're excited to help local girls like one group from Southern High School that included many girls from different countries.

"The kids were just ecstatic when they came through. I don't know what country this one lady was from, but she said she knew nothing about prom. She just saw it on television, how the movie stars dressed and so forth. And so to be able to get an outfit and have this dress, she's looking so forward to the experience,” event organizer Vonda Drinkard said.

While the ladies don't charge the girls for the dresses, they do ask them to pay it forward and do something for their community.

And it's not too late for you to get a dress. You can stop by Saturday between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Green Castle Baptist Church on Murphy Lane

Resource: http://www.whas11.com/news/local/local-church-makes-prom-affordable/419607026

Omose Kids launches new fashion hub for children

Omose Kids launched a new fashion hub, a store designed to offer quality and affordable made in Nigeria clothes, shoes, and accessories for children.

Tricia Ikponmwonba-Yusuf, CEO and Creative Director of Omose Kids & Queen B The hub offers African and contemporary fashion, fused seamlessly into breath-taking clothes for children aged 0 – 10, including amazing gift items for babies.


“There’s nothing more gratifying than seeing kids dressed smartly and fit for any occasion,” said Tricia Ikponmwonba-Yusuf, the Chief Executive Officer and Creative Director of Omose Kids.



“That is why we decided to open up a store dedicated exclusively to making children of age 10 and below look the best they can while promoting entrepreneurship and creativity among them.” Omose Kids also stocks indigenous brands like 7teen09, Aem & Bow, Afro Creations, Phly Creations, Afro Urban Fusion, Lovely Beauties by Niffy owned by a 7-year-old entrepreneur, The Els Little Things which is co-owned by kid entrepreneurs El-nathan and Elianne Oamen, and Beads by Tundun, owned by 8-year-old fashion entrepreneur, Tundun.

 All items are inspired by African fabrics and bold, colorful prints carefully crafted to give every child a smart look.

 The store which officially opened on February 25, 2017 is located at 30B Opebi Road, beside Wakanow office, Ikeja,
Resource:  www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/omose-kids-launches-new-fashion-hub-children/

Fibers Arts Yarn Shop: Lovely Yarns, Lovely People for 30 Years & Counting

Located within a small cluster of shops in Cape May, known as the Washington Commons, is Fiber Arts Yarn Shop, a premier knitting shop stocked floor to ceiling with exotic, organic and natural yarns from around the world. Founded in 1986, Fiber Arts Yarn Shop recently celebrated 30 years of providing quality yarn and kitting accessories to the Cape May County community and beyond.

Owner Jana Greer started Fiber Arts Yarn Shop at the age of 31 when her children were just 2, 4 and 6 years old. A stay-at-home mother, Jana needed to find something she could do while staying home with her young children. She resorted to knitting, a hobby that warped into so much more.

“I wanted to do something creative with yarn, colors and designing, and this was something I could easily do at home,” Jana shares. “I loved to knit and create garments and accessories for my kids and family, and there wasn’t really another yarn shop around, so I started selling yarn and it became my job.”

The business only grew from there, and eventually landed Jana in the beautiful space Fiber Arts Yarn Shop occupies today.

Fiber Arts Yarn Shop not only offers beautiful, brand name yarns, but also specialty knitting tools, handcrafted buttons and a large selection of books and accessories. Classes are available for first-time knitters, or experienced knitters who just need a hand!

Fiber Arts Yarn Shop’s mission is simple: to represent all the Fiber Arts modalities – knitting, crocheting, spinning, weaving and machine knitting; as well as inspire your creativity and enhance your fiber skills while providing fine quality yarns, implements and one-on-one instruction to do so. Stop by soon at 315 Ocean St., Cape May, and find lovely yarns and lovely people!

For more information on Fiber Arts Yarn Shop, visit www.facebook.com/FiberArtsYarnShop or call (609) 898-8080.

Resource: www.capemaycountyherald.com/community/business/article_4a376b74-0051-11e7-873e-8f8e4ede1e9c.html

New womenswear etailer to launch in March

A new UK etailer called Ownthelook.com will launch in March, offering a personal styling service alongside a multi-brand shopping platform for women.

Ownthelook.com will offer advice on how to style different pieces and put together outfits. Customers will be able to purchase a model’s entire outfit, as well as buy each piece individually.

The site will initially provide an edit of more than 40 global brands, including contemporary label N12H, Swedish brand Aeryne and Australian athleisure brand First Base. It will include ready-to-wear, swimwear, accessories and jewellery.

The site was co-founded by Olivia Cantillon, who has a background in styling and fashion journalism, and her business partner Terry O’Sullivan. Cantillon will run the day-to-day operations.

“I wanted to create a brand that not only helps consumers discover the most exciting fashion brands breaking into the market, but also acts as a guide on ‘how to wear’ each piece to create unique looks, making the shopping experience all the more effortless and enjoyable,” said Cantillon.

"Throughout my career in the fashion industry I’ve had the pleasure of styling some of the strongest emerging labels and I felt it was key to share my expertise to create an innovative and engaging new shopping platform.”

Resource: https://www.drapersonline.com/news/new-womenswear-etailer-to-launch-in-march/7018696.article

Niamh O’Neill Sophie Skirt

Niamh O’Neill Sophie Skirt. The ladylike silhouette of the Sophie skirt by Irish fashion designer, Niamh O’Neill is given a contemporary twist with this season’s floral print

The blue satin Sophie skirt sits comfortably on the waist and flares to a full bodied silhouette. Fabulous!

Fashion.ie is an Irish fashion website that offers the latest celebrity and fashion news to our users. Fashion.ie also gives our users the opportunity to purchase high quality goods directly from our wide range of fashion affiliates. Keep up to date with the latest fashion news, celebrity fashion news, health and beauty news as well as current fashion trends of the week and news from the world of music. Fashion.ie is a 100% Irish owned fashion website. Buy clothing on line. Irish celebrity and fashion news.

 Fashion.ie is an Irish fashion website that offers the latest celebrity and fashion news to our users. Fashion.ie also gives users the opportunity to purchase high quality goods directly from our wide range of fashion affiliates. An important note to remember is that Fashion.ie is an affiliate sales website that offers users, links to accredited fashion websites on the Internet. 

Fashion.ie takes no responsibility or liability for any transaction between user and each fashion vendor. It is the sole responsibility of each user to ensure they are completely happy to interact and trade with each on-line fashion vendor. Fashion.ie would also advise all users to check for the correct sizes of items as well as delivery and returns policy of each vendor prior to purchasing items from them. 

Follows us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin and Pinterest Buy clothing on line. Irish celebrity and fashion news. Women Online shopping | Womens Archives – Fashion.ie. Shop for a wide collection of women clothing, shoes, accessories, dresses, jewellery and more. Keep yourself updated with the new fashion at fashion.ie. Niamh O’Neill Sophie Skirt

Resource: http://www.fashion.ie/niamh-oneill-sophie-skirt/

Judy Foreman: One Year In, Jennie Reiter Sees an Even Brighter Future for Blanka

With expansion plans underway and on the horizon, Montecito women’s boutique plans Feb. 24 anniversary party to celebrate with customers and community 

Jennie Reiter, left, opened her Blanka women’s boutique last winter, and the store has become a popular — and comfortable — destination for her customers. “We feel so blessed to be part of this amazing community in Montecito,” she says. “As Coast Village Road continues to grow, evolve and expand, we could not be more excited to sink our roots down deeper as we launch our second year.” (Jessica Dalene Weber photo)

A year ago, Jennie Reiter opened Blanka on Coast Village Road in Montecito. The women’s clothing boutique has been a hit with customers, and the experience has given the budding entrepreneur new ideas to pursue.

Between planning for a mega one-year anniversary party on Feb. 24 and working on the May launch of a new online store, the 30-year-old dynamo squeezed in time for a conversation between friends.

As a business owner myself on Montecito’s retail row, and responsible for leasing the store at 1266 Coast Village Road to Reiter and her husband, Eric, I wanted to hear her take on her first year in business.

“We feel so blessed to be part of this amazing community in Montecito,” she told Noozhawk.

“As Coast Village Road continues to grow, evolve and expand, we could not be more excited to sink our roots down deeper as we launch our second year. It’s been very encouraging, motivating and exciting to see the new stores and restaurants pop  

Reiter says she senses that locals are beginning to view Coast Village Road as the “hometown shopping experience that State Street used to be.”

“Many of the stores are owned by local residents, many of whom are younger first-time entrepreneurs like myself,” she explained.

She said she enjoys walking around the neighborhood, grabbing coffee at Jeannine’s Restaurant & Bakery, surprising her husband with a gift from Whiskey & Leather or K. Frank, stopping in at the locally owned Liquor & Wine Grotto for a bottle of wine, and then popping into Allora by Laura for something fun for herself.

“It’s nice to shop somewhere else besides my own store,” Reiter said. “It’s all right here — a true destination.

“And I don’t have to drive my car to get there!”

Reiter welcomes the new stores — and the competition for her boutique, which specializes in contemporary woman’s ready-to-wear clothing and accessories. Many of the other merchants are her personal friends, and she believes there’s plenty of business to go around.

“It’s even better to be part of a destination that is actually worth coming to since we all provide a different and unique aesthetic in our community,” she said.

Jennie Reiter is a champion of the Coast Village Road retail atmosphere, and says she senses locals are beginning to think of it as the “hometown shopping experience that State Street used to be.” (Jessica Dalene Weber photo)

In fact, Reiter is so bullish on the area that she confidently predicts Coast Village Road will be the next big shopping and dining destination in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

“My philosophy is if its not evolving, it’s growing stale,” said Reiter, who acknowledged that Blanka has refined itself over the last 12 months.

“It’s part of the learning curve to get dialed in to what people like, but also to introduce the customer to what is trending right now, not just in Santa Barbara but also in the larger fashion community,” she said.

“We carry a range of price points and sizes. We serve a variety of age demographics and want everyone to feel comfortable shopping and enjoying the Blanka experience.”

As part of her own evolution, Reiter recently opened a second store, called Blankita, in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone. The store is part of The Guilded Table, a shared artist collective at the Waterline at 120 Santa Barbara St., which also houses Nook restaurant, Blair Fox Cellars, Lama Dog Tap Room & Bottle Shop and Topa Topa Brewing Co.

“Our stores have become a comfortable place for people to shop and hang out,” she said.

And speaking of hanging out, to mark her milestone anniversary, Reiter and Blanka will host an open house party from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 24 at the shop. The festivities will include pizza and champagne from Honor Market, wines from Sonja Magdevski’s Casa Dumetz in Los Alamos, a complimentary Airstream photo booth, and dancing on the patio to music queued by local DJ Ryan Peitzke.

The party theme is Dress in Your Blanka Best! All guests sporting Blanka apparel and accessories purchased in the store’s first year will be entered in a drawing for various Blanka items and gift cards. Anyone spending $200 or more also will be entered in the giveaway.

Reiter said that 10 percent of sales from the event will be donated to Dress for Success, a Santa Barbara nonprofit organization that assists women in getting jobs and looking and feeling their best. She said it was an easy choice.

“The mission and heart of Blanka,” she said, “was always to assist women in seeing their true beauty, inside and out, and growing in their ability to look in the mirror and love what they see looking back at them!”

Looking ahead to Year Two, Reiter said Blanka will be launching a new online store in May. She also hopes to provide her customers with more personal styling and shopping services.

Having started her career as a personal stylist, Reiter said she understands how important it is for women to get personal closet help and styling assistance — at home or in the marketplace.

“Getting back into people’s wardrobes, getting into the nitty gritty of what’s working for them and not working — from style, color and silhouette, to fabrics and textures — is the creative juice I love,” she said.

Blanka Boutique is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at 1266 Coast Village Road. Click here for more information, or call 805.869.1811.

— Judy Foreman is a Noozhawk columnist and longtime local writer and lifestyles observer. She can be contacted at judy.foreman@noozhawk.com. Click here for previous columns. The opinions expressed are her own.

Resource: https://www.noozhawk.com/article/judy_foreman_jennie_reiter_blanka_boutique_montecito_20170220

Valentine’s Day Gifting By The Numbers

Didn’t get what you wanted on Valentine’s Day? Then, according to Loop Commerce, surprisingly, you are among the mere 12 percent of consumers who received a gift and decided they hated it enough to return it. And we’ve got a ton more exclusive data about who bought what, when and how much was spent all inside. We think you’ll fall in love.
 

OK, true confessions time. Did your special Valentine get you a present last week, and did it truly knock your socks off? Or did it leave you wondering why you hadn’t ditched that Valentine a long time ago?

We’ve got data on this holiday gift giving occasion that might surprise you — who spent more, who procrastinated more and what gifts went over like a heart-shaped lead balloon — courtesy of Loop Commerce and its evaluation of the State of Valentine’s Day gift giving.

Hot off those heart-shaped presses.

First, a little context.

Gifts, Bring Them On!

While the fact that people like receiving gifts on Valentine’s Day — and any other day — will come as a shock to exactly no one, Americans, as it turns out, also really like giving gifts. According to Rasmussen, 82 percent of Americans report that giving gifts is something they enjoying doing, which, statistically speaking, means gift giving is as popular as eating chocolate.

But giving gifts in the digital age can be something of a challenge, mostly because it is easy to take for granted how much you actually you have to know about someone to buy them a decent present. Even thinking beyond the obvious stuff, like personal taste, favorite color, hobbies, interests, etc., gift giving online also requires a bunch of other technical data that one might not have easily on hand about a friend — even a close friend — like their mailing address or shoe size.

Never mind the can of worms/sensitivities with giving some of the rather personal gifts that Valentine’s Day tends to inspire.

The default solution to this quandary historically is the handy dandy gift card — it requires minimal personal knowledge of the recipient and can be delivered digitally. It’s a popular solution — $140 billion spent on gift cards annually attests to that — but not a perfect one.

The majority of consumers, according to brand new data from Loop Commerce, don’t actually like giving gift cards, by and large. And on Valentine’s Day, it might even be a real no-no — that is, if you’d like to spend next Valentine’s Day with him or her.

Only 5 percent of consumers report really loving the act of giving someone a gift card, 19 percent report loving it and 20 percent report liking it — for a net positive takeaway of 44 percent. A quarter of consumers say that they dislike giving gift cards so much they never do it, and 31 percent of consumers say they do give them if they have to, but only as a last resort.

That means that 56 percent of consumers would rather give a gift, which, for retailers, is a much bigger market opportunity — in the $200 billion–$300 billion range. It’s a market opportunity that Loop Commerce, with its GiftNow buttons inserted on product pages on web sites, set out to solve. Loop Commerce allows gift buyers to send items without having to select a given size, color or other unknown that might otherwise lead to rejection, exchanges or returns. The receiver gets the gift via email, the day of the gifting occasion, and it can be customized to their liking or exchanged for another item or store credit. And all the gift giver needs is the recipient’s email.

Now back to the Valentine’s Day gift giving part of this story.

Loop looked at data from across its portfolio of merchants — some fancy ones, too, like Bergdorf, Neiman, Saks and Coach — to see how gifting all played out that day. And at a presentation last week at National Merchant Day, the team at Loop Commerce had some — in some cases, surprising — insights to offer into America’s annual celebration of love and togetherness.

So, what did we learn?

Love — By The Numbers

So, how popular is Valentine’s gift giving? Depends on how one looks at it.

While Americans have just collectively shelled out $18.2 billion in flowers, chocolates and jewelry, Valentine’s is not the heaviest-hitting gift giving or getting occasion of the year. Birthdays and Christmas own most of that market, representing over half of the reasons Americans take to the stores or web. “Just because” is also a surprising popular reason to buy someone a present, beating out both Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day.

Valentine’s Day may also be among the year’s more impromptu holidays, since Loop’s data showed that a little more than a quarter (27 percent) of Valentine’s Day gifts were scheduled to deliver ahead of time, as opposed to the 73 percent of gifts that were bought and sent for receipt the day of via GiftNow.

Nothing says I love you more than not being found out that you actually forgot to shop before the big day itself.

This Valentine’s Day also saw consumers who did most of their browsing via mobile device — 81 percent via their phone versus 19 percent who browsed via mobile. But when it came time to convert, the desktop still won the day — 68 percent of purchases were made on computers, while 38 percent were made via devices.

As far as what payment brands gift givers used, Visa was the big winner with ~40 percent of purchases, followed by PayPal, Amex, Mastercard and Discover.

As for what people were buying, maybe not much of a surprise. Apparel was the leading category for both men women; accessories and footwear also have appeal across genders. Men, however, were more likely to get electronics or jewelry/watches as a gift, while women were more likely to get beauty products or home and garden-related goods.

That also means that, yes, men got more jewelry than women for Valentine’s this year — if we count (non-smart) watches.

PYMNTS would ordinarily observe that something seems quite wrong with a Valentine’s Day picture that has men getting more jewelry and women getting more home and garden products.

But Loop’s data also shows that, by and large, people made good gift-giving choices. Nearly two-thirds — 64 percent — of gift recipients accepted their gifts as selected, and only 36 percent exchanged. Among those who exchanged the gift, 66 percent modified an attribute and accepted it. Only 12 percent of the total set of gift receivers decided they wanted something different.

It does seem men did somewhat better in choosing gifts than their lady-loves this year, since men exchanged their gifts more often.

And that was not the only notable gendered difference when it comes to spending on love.

The Battle Of The Sexes

Women are more likely to buy for Valentine’s than men are — 47 percent more women than men send gifts on Valentine’s. We surmise that has something to do with women buying for their kids and parents/grandparents.

But what men lack in quantity, they may be trying to make up for in quality of gifts since, on average, men spent 63 percent more money on their gifts than their female counterparts. They may also be trying to get the edge on advanced planning, since 54 percent — and thus the majority — of last-minute gift senders were women.

And as for those returns, 32 percent more men exchanged their gifts than women, either indicating women aren’t as good at buying gifts as men are or that men are just much, much pickier than women, despite what stand-up comedians might have one believe.

As for what people didn’t like?

For women, scented body lotion/perfume was not a big hit; For men, it was belts.

So, the pro tip here might be Valentine’s is a poor time to imply your girlfriend’s/wife’s skin could be softer or that your boyfriend’s/husband’s pants could fit him better.

But the big lessons we can take away are…

It is, of course, the thought that counts when it comes to giving gifts, though some thoughts are better than others. But, at least as it seems to appear from looking at the Loop Commerce data, people tend to do a great job when they are able to send gifts. They just need a little help getting them there in time when shipping windows expire or critical information is not handy.

Which is good news because there is little in life less romantic than getting a gift card for Valentine’s Day.

Resource: http://www.pymnts.com/news/retail/2017/loop-commerce-valentines-day-gifting-trends-data/

New York fashion brand launches first true Virtual Reality shopping experience in the United States

Customers can view a retail store in 360 degrees, interact with content in the video, and purchase high-quality products

Tarrytown, NY - Eye Hunee is proud to announce the first true Virtual Reality shopping experience in the United States. The video (which can be seen here www.eyehuneevr.com ) allows shoppers to be in a real retail store, look around in 360 degrees and choose items off the rack or from the models. The video also features augmentation within the video, some of which is clickable for full interaction. The technology allows users to interact with content within the video and make a purchase after clicking desired products. Users can shop for high-quality fashion accessories like hats, crowns, men’s apparel, women’s apparel, sunglasses, sneakers, laces, gloves, and music.

More information about their fashion collection and one of a kind shopping experience is available on their website at www.eyehunee.com

Today’s customer deserves a new and better way to shop online. Eye Hunee is ecstatic to collaborate and partner with the world’s premier Virtual and Augmented Reality technology company VirtualAPT. This is the first in a series of VR shopping experiences of the partnership featuring Eye Hunee apparel worldwide.

“We are confident with our line of fashion products, which has been manufactured from the best materials and created with style and purpose. We want people to join us in creating a new cool culture that will define the present time and the future of fashion,” said Christopher Sander, Co-Founder of Eye Hunee.

Eye Hunee manufactures apparel, eyewear, and accessories by combining classic style with modern contemporary urban aesthetics. They offer customers an extensive collection of items available in different categories including women’s and men’s apparel such as sheer jackets, T-shirts, shorts, leggings and tank tops. They also sell eyewear such as unisex round sunglasses, aviator sunglasses, cat eyes sunglasses for women and wayfarer sunglasses for men. Customers can also shop for custom sneakers, baseball caps with a large metal lion head, leather crowns, laces with gold lion lace locks and gold label gloves.

“We are excited to have our technology combined with such a cool brand. The creative elements that Chris and his team have had us build for this experience should help generate a lot of excitement for Eye Hunee products,” said Bryan Colin, Co-Founder and CEO of VirtualAPT. Shopping with virtual reality offers a new kind of experience for consumers. On the Eye Hunee website, users can view many of the products available in 360 degrees. The company’s desire, with help of VirtualAPT, is to introduce a new kind of shopping experience that offers great opportunities and possibilities for customers.

About Eye Hunee

Eye Hunee is a fashion brand based in New York that manufactures and sells high-quality accessories to young adults. The company collaborates with entertainers like Method Man, Fetty Wap, Keri Hilson, Tiffany Evans, etc. to design and market new products that combine classic style with modern aesthetics.

For more information, please contact: 347-946-8638 | chris@eyehunee.com | www.eyehunee.com

About VirtualAPT

VirtualAPT is an advanced Virtual and Augmented Reality technology innovation company that builds autonomous robots that move through a space, recreating a real-life experience in full 360x180 degrees. The hardware and software are proprietary and the content can be viewed on any device worldwide with no app download necessary. VirtualAPT is one of the early innovators and currently has what many consider the world’s foremost VR and AR technology. This includes a substantial patent portfolio, more than a dozen unique algorithms, and inventions including interactive Virtual Reality video, real-time AR in a VR video, streaming VR with mobility in cinema grade quality, a method to watch VR videos in multiple languages, and Field of Vision Stop and Go (FVSG).

For more information, please contact: 917-293-3173 | info@virtualapt.com | www.virtualapt.com

Media Contact
Company Name: Eye Hunee
Contact Person: Christopher Sander
Email: chris@eyehunee.com
Phone: 347 946 8638
Country: United States
Website: http://www.eyehunee.com/

Resource: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/3242426

Online grocery shopping taking off

One in three shoppers will engage in “eGrocery” this year, using an online device to place orders at their supermarket for pickup or delivery, a new study predicts.


The rate is up from one in five shoppers last year and way ahead of the one in 12 shoppers just two years ago.

It’s impressive growth, to be sure. But why then, I wondered, listening to the late-January webinar on the topic, did an

informal poll of session participants show a good chunk of them still lacking e-commerce capabilities?


Unata, a Toronto designer of online tools for supermarkets, surveyed more than 500 U.S. shoppers in December to compile the outlook offered in the webinar. According to the

company, the findings show that eGrocery had shifted from being “a differentiator” among supermarkets to being “a critical method of doing business.”


It underscored that point by noting that of the shoppers who said their current grocer does not offer e-commerce, 36 percent said they still would likely order online this year –

meaning they’ll wind up shopping elsewhere.


“That’s missed opportunity,” said Dan Farmer, a Unata vice president and webinar presenter.

He said it was important for grocers who do offer online ordering to make sure customers are aware of the service. The Unata survey showed that 41 percent of shoppers didn’t know whether the chain they frequented had e-commerce capabilities.


Farmer also stressed the importance of doing eGrocery well, since the survey showed that two-thirds of online shoppers would switch chains for a better user experience.

Chris Bryson, Unata’s founder and CEO, said that for the customer who tries and then embraces eGrocery, the option becomes “so critical to them that they’re willing to switch

grocers based on the quality of the online experience because their M.O. going forward is convenience.”


“The digital shopper … is impatient,” he added, and has high expectations. Also participating in the webinar was Bill Bishop, co-founder of Brick Meets Click, a

suburban Chicago e-commerce adviser to grocers.


It was Bishop who posed the informal poll asking webinar participants where they stood with e-commerce: their stores had it; they were setting it up now; they didn’t have it but

want it; they didn’t have it and are unsure they want it. The poll showed 73 percent of participants reporting e-commerce capabilities, but I asked

Bishop later why the percentages in the latter two categories – no online option – were still so high.

David Bishop, a partner in Brick Meets Click who oversees research, emailed me to say that grocers are a conservative bunch given their “very complex and challenging

business.”


“The dynamics are very different for grocers as compared to retailers selling books, electronics or clothing,” he said. “As such, traditional brick-and- mortar grocers are taking

a cautious and controlled approach to e-commerce as there’s a lot at stake for them and their shoppers.”


Marlene Kennedy is a freelance columnist. Opinions expressed in her column are her own and not necessarily the newspaper’s. Reach her at marlenejkennedy@gmail.com.

Resource: https://dailygazette.com/article/2017/02/08/online-grocery-shopping-taking-off

Why people buy products online instead of in stores?

With the increased use of mobile devices and advanced technology, online shopping is increasingly becoming popular in comparison to shopping at physical stores. But what exactly has fuelled the increased purchase of products online rather than in stores?

A survey conducted by PWC indicated that almost half the consumers buying stuff online do so due to reduced prices and better deals

PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Global Retail and Consumer Practice in conjunction with the International Survey Unit conducted a study that would help answer the above question.


The price war

Discounts and reduced prices have always been the biggest crowd pleasers when it comes to retail. Consumers have learned to look forward to specific times of the year when discounts are offered.

Online retailers have successfully managed to leverage discounts as a mainstream business model and as such, price has become the biggest factor that drives customers to shop online rather than shop at stores.

The survey conducted by PWC indicated that almost half the consumers buying stuff online do so due to reduced prices and better deals.

Exclusive product launches

It’s normal to walk into a physical store only to walk out disappointed because you couldn’t get what you need. The survey conducted by PWC showed that a third of consumers prefer to shop online because they have access to a wider variety of products.

Additionally, 53 per cent of the respondents indicated that the reason they prefer to shop is that particular products are not available in physical stores. The influx of people shopping online has pushed brands to launch their products exclusively with online stores. This trend has been observed across all product categories including fashion, electronics and beauty products.

Greater convenience for shoppers

While a mere 43 per cent admitted that they prefer to shop in-store to get immediate delivery, 69 per cent of the consumers said that they are willing to pay extra for same day delivery and 49 per cent would rather pay for delivery within a pre-agreed timeframe.

Delivery has always been one of the most responsibilities that retailers find hard to full fill. The most important differentiation elements when it comes to delivery include convenience reverse logistics, traceability solutions, doorstep delivery and negligible or zero delivery charges.

Online retailers have given a whole new meaning to consumer convenience by ensuring that consumers are not only able to shop at any time, but also making it possible for them to receive deliveries at any time and place.

Penetration of mobile devices and internet

Penetration of smart phone use in some areas is growing by 150% annually and the increased penetration of the internet doesn’t seem to slow down. This has fuelled increased online shopping.

The report published by PWC showed that the number of consumers who shop using their mobile devices increased by 7 per cent within one year.

Resour :cehttp://www.indiaretailing.com/2017/01/23/retail/why-people-buy-products-online-instead-of-in-stores/

Here’s Apple’s challenge in India

Made in India?: Apple is eager to push deeper into India and open stores so that it can sell both used and new iPhones, and get a generation of India consumers hooked on its products, but the going is tough so far with Apple and Narendra Modi’s government locked in tough negotiations over whether the company can manufacture and sell phones in the country. — Reuters


In India, for the price of the latest iPhone, you could eat breakfast, lunch and dinner for an entire year, and still have a bit of cash to spare.

Needless to say, at about 70,000 rupees (RM4,600) for a mid-range model, the iPhone 7 is a luxury item in the country of 1.3 billion. After Apple revealed the price last year, Indians had a field day on social media. One of the most-shared posts was a (fake) picture of an owner of a brand-new iPhone with a missing kidney.

It's no secret that Apple is eager for a chunk of the world’s fastest-growing smartphone market. So far, it's been a challenge. Last year, the Cupertino, California-based company shipped a total of 2.5 million iPhones in India, a small fraction of the 29 million smartphones that Samsung sold. Unlike Apple, the South Korean handset maker has an array of products designed for the market, including a smartphone that starts at US$65 (RM288).

In fact, many Indians who want an iPhone wait for new models to launch – not because they want the latest one, but because prices of older versions will drop, making them more affordable. A stroll through the market might even convince you that the iPhone 5S, which was released in 2013, is Apple's hottest product in India. There are posters telling buyers to ‘upgrade' to the 5S, even though it's already been phased out of some markets.

They retail in cramped stores in the smallest towns and cities, drawing crowds eager to own a bit of Apple magic. Storekeepers will usually try to entice people to buy newer, affordable smartphones from Oppo, Vivo and other hyper-aggressive Chinese brands. Sometimes it works, but more often the shopper will opt for a 5S, asking the shop to transfer data and contacts into the phone, along with a few Bollywood hit songs.

This is why Apple is eager to push deeper into India and open stores so that it can sell both used and new iPhones, and get a generation of India consumers hooked on its products. Apple needs a new growth engine; the company's results for the last three months of 2016, out just this week, showed sales growth in every region except China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

On a visit to India last year, Apple CEO Tim Cook wore a tilak on his forehead, draped an Indian silk stole over his shoulders and prayed to Ganapati, the elephant-headed god who is known as the remover of obstacles.

At stake is more than 750 million devices that will be sold by 2020, according to Counterpoint Research. Right now, Apple and Narendra Modi’s government are locked in tough negotiations over whether the company can manufacture and sell phones in the country. While India is insisting that Apple procure 30% of its components locally (like any single-brand retailer in the country), Apple is pushing for a 15-year tax holiday on imports of components and equipment.

The Chinese smartphone makers aren’t waiting: they have recruited movie stars and cricket players as brand ambassadors, while offering retailers bonuses for hitting sales targets. Smaller shops are blanketed with posters provided by Oppo, Vivo and Huawei.

On the Jan 31 earnings call, Cook said India is “a great place to be.” The only problem is, Apple isn't really there yet. — Bloomberg
Resource: http://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2017/02/02/heres-apples-challenge-in-india/

Budget 2017: What's in store for startup founders & their employees (Comment)

However the Budget may not be too bad for digital startups. If you are running any online startup, lets see how it impacts you.

Harsimran Julka Moneycontrol.com Although for startups, this year's Budget didn't hold any positive surprises, the digital universe lucked out. 

If you are running any online startup, lets see how it impacts you. 

If you are a startup founder running a ‘profitable’ business with a turnover of less than Rs 50 crore annually, you should feel happy that the tax rate effectively is now cut to 25 percent from 33 percent earlier.

 However, if your startup is yet to make profits or does not have a roadmap like the usual ventures in ecommerce, food tech or hyperlocal logistics, you may not have a reason to cheer.

 The Finance Minister has extended the window for claiming a tax benefit from five years to seven years now. Now, your venture can claim a tax holiday on any three years starting April 2016 onwards. But if your startup was incorporated prior to year 2016 - too bad. There will be no tax holiday for you! 

Wait, there is some more fine-print, too. If your company was incorporated post April 2016 but did not get approved by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion as an approved ‘startup’, you won’t get the tax benefit either. If you did not apply till now, it may be the right time now. ##How it impacts salaries of Startup CEOs and employees So if you are a CEO of a funded digital startup here is how Budget 2017-18 impacts you. If you or your top management draw a taxable salary of over Rs 50 lakh annually, be prepared to shell out more. The Finance Minister has levied a surcharge of 10 percent of tax payable on individuals' annual taxable income between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore. If you earn more than a crore a year in net taxable income be prepared to shell out the same as last year in taxes. There is no relief. The existing surcharge of 15 percent of tax on people earning more than Rs 1 crore will continue. Thus, those entering the top or senior management for the first time will be the hardest hit. However, freshers in a startup would be the most happy lot. If most of your employees earn an annual package below Rs 5 lakh, they will be least sharing their earnings with the government. The existing rate of taxation for individuals earning between an income of Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 5 lakh has been cut to 5 percent from the present rate of 10 percent. There will now be a simple one-page form to be filed as Income Tax Return for those having taxable income up to Rs 5 lakh. Thus, even if employees are earning a little higher (say, Rs 6 lakh) with a few smart investments, they can get themselves down in the less taxable bracket. For those earning income below Rs 3.5 lakh annually, the tax liability would be just Rs 2500 annually. Also, a person of this category who files income tax return for the first time there would not be any scrutiny. This is just a move to get them to file returns which they did not for fear of the taxman. 

##How it impacts a fintech startup or a cloth merchant 

If you are a financial technology startup entrepreneur offering payment solutions, be prepared to be regulated now under a new body. The government plans to create a Payments Regulatory Board in the Reserve Bank of India. Whether it will be good or bad, only time will tell. 

If you are any online startup that depends upon digital transactions, you may get long term benefits which may not be visible in the short term, as the full remonetisation of Indian economy is yet to happen. 

In his address on New Year’s Eve, Prime Minister Modi announced conversion of 3 crore Kisan Credit Cards to RuPay debit cards in the next three months. This is likely to get more people to transact digitally in India.

About 1.25 crore people have till now downloaded the BHIM app so far.

 The government will launch two new schemes to promote the usage of BHIM namely the Referral Bonus Scheme for individuals and a 'Cashback Scheme' for merchants. An Aadhaar Pay app will also be launched for merchants which will make more people fall under the digitally transacting bracket.

 Thus, there may be indirect benefits to digital economy in the long-run.

 Finally, if you are a small offline merchant planning to buy a PoS machine, you may some reason to cheer. PoS machines, iris and fingerprint scanners may get cheaper. 

The government has exempted basic customs duty, excise duty on miniaturized POS card reader for m-POS machines, fingerprint and iris scanners.

 However, with the upcoming Aadhaar Pay app coupled with BHIM, you don't need a PoS machine either. Just download the upcoming Aadhaar Pay and authenticate customer’s fingerprint with a scanner. The user will be able to pay you directly from her bank account provided she has linked her Aadhaar number to the bank account. 

The fingerprint and iris scan will become the debit card of future.

 Conclusion: While there is nothing big for startups in the Budget besides the tax proposals on SMEs and those earning below Rs 5 lakh, the existing plan to push cashless transactions will benefit digital startups in the long-run. The long run can be expected to be 2018 or beyond.

 However, 2017 will still be a challenging year for you. Consumer demand is yet to bounce back reeling from the aftermath of demonetization. It’s best to save for the troughs of this year and run bootstrapped. Sadly, Arun Jaitley did not address anything to revitalise consumer demand back in India’s bazaars. It was a missed chance.

Resource :http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/economy/budget-2017-whatsstore-for-startup-founderstheir-employees-(comment)_8403361.html