As any young freelance designer in Paris will tell you, you must approach design houses in Europe with an answer to their plea for something new and different, innovational and having never been done before. It makes one question weather beauty and wear-ability is no longer important so long as the press makes a comment or two even if those lines in the press are unflattering. After all, there is no such thing as bad press, right?

Interestingly enough, it seems the streets resonate a different attitude as reflected on the bodies of the people who are actually buying the clothes. By in large, it appears people want to look attractive and feel comfortable even as the fashion houses struggle to give the public exactly what they don’t even know the want yet. In fact, society may never want it.

The profession used to dictate what the public will wear. But the times, they are a changing. The public will not bend to fashion rules set out by creative directors tucked away in their ivory towers. The power has shifted, and the educated masses are interrupting a long held pattern. They want us to listen. They know what they want. They want to be surprised each new season, but pleasantly; as a thoughtful lover who remembers you love yellow roses, not an angry slap in the face from someone who is trying to convince them that they “love it”.

It is our job to find out where the key to their hearts is tucked away, find it, interpret what we find inside, and then entice the fashion disciples to choose what they will define as the look of any season. The trick is to interpret the social energy and create a fashion philosophy which reflects the wearers own. That means designers and trend reporters have to tap into every trend from music to the economy to politics with a global perspective. Clients are no longer buying into the “emperors’ new clothes” doctrine; “just trust the experts and wear it weather you like it or not” philosophy. They want real clothes, and they want their attire to reflect their beliefs without having to utter a word. They want their garments to live in synchronicity with their core values.

It is a big job, and finding the synchronicity between the trend setters and the old-school fashion houses is not an easy fit. Luckily, as people begin to discover and trust their own intuition, there are more choices for shoppers to adopt a personal representation. With the interesting new “non-trends” emerging on the horizon; consumers will have even more choice as their buying power increases.

As fashion creators in the world, it is our job to do more than cover bodies so they don’t get arrested in countries where garments are required. It is our duty to listen, hear, and let the public know we understand them and care about what they think. Not just in words, but through our gifts and offerings to them each season.

Jennifer Marvin is an American born Parisian fashion and accessories designer whose impeccable reputation is supported by international devotees. Her exclusive handbags, wedding gowns and made-to-measure pieces are hailed as rare treasures. Her work has been featured in British Vogue, auctioned by Sotheby’s, and sold on the worlds most fashionable streets. Jennifer Marvin serves an a consultant in fashion branding, market, color and trend forcasting globally.

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It is a dreary day in the Paris as we prepare for fashion week. There is a great anticipation in the air, not uncommon to the world’s capital of fashion, just before the unveiling of the collections. What will we be wearing next autumn and what colors will occupy our overstuffed wardrobes? What will we have to pack away in storage and what will we pull out again to accompany the looks of winter 2006/2007? It’s a blessing and a curse to live always a season ahead. It’s almost as if spring 2006 has passed before it has even arrived. So, in homage to living in the moment before delving head-first into next winter; let me take this opportunity to stop and smell those roses which will soon be blossoming in Parc de Bercy and the lilacs at La Place des Vosges and remember another reason why we love Paris in the springtime; fashion!

This spring, we get to remember why it is so much fun to be girls! (Or ladies, if you prefer). Lace, flowers, pearls and bows, if it says “feminine” it is on order this coming spring! Don’t pack away your flirty print skirts from last year just yet; they will still look fresh this summer! Preppy shirt dresses will look great on women of every age, weather your hips are more suited to a straight belted style, or a fit and flair, there is something for everyone. We simply must take advantage of the great A-line dresses which will keep us looking fresh and lady-like, while being oh so comfortable. The androgynous look seems to have found it’s feminine place in fashion for the past several seasons and won’t be neglected this coming spring.

Please, do have a flip through your favorite fashion magazines before trying this look at home, however. A heal or open-toed sandal (exposing well-manicured toe nails), puffy sleeves and a generous flower on the lapel keep us from looking like cross-dressers. Spring 2006 is all about celebrating femininity.

It seems hard to find a color not on offer this coming spring. Pick your favorite and enjoy! White will dominate the scene allowing plenty of opportunities to accessorize with fantastic colors. Denim done in a clean-cut casual style opens up the same accessorizing opportunities. Golden beige is can be a bit boring on its own, but mix it with a little white, and you have understated elegance. Or, if you prefer, add a jewel tone and let the fun begin! The little black dress is still a must have; chose a style which suits you and enjoy accessorizing to show your individuality. Floral prints will brighten any spring day weather you chose to get the print dress and accessorize with solid accessories or vice-versa; we have the opportunity to indulge in our individual femininity like never before.

With a little planning and a daring open mind, this spring offers an opportunity for each of us to re-discover our femininity, enjoy sunshine even on the cloudiest of days, and live in the moment making memories of the spring of 2006.

I have enjoyed this day dream of near anticipation. And now, off I go back to the future of autumn/winter 2006/2007! I will keep you updated when the time comes, but certainly not too soon! Enjoy looking forward to a beautiful spring but don’t forget to live in this moment.

Jennifer Marvin is an American born Parisian fashion designer who grew up in the mountains of Colorado passing wintry days at a sewing machine under the guidance of her mother. Jennifer’s passion for creating and manipulating fabrics into wearable art took her from her family’s Colorado ranch to London and finally to Paris where she now considers home. Her work has been published in British Vogue magazine, sold on the most fashionable street in Paris and auctioned for charities such as Seeds of Peace in New York City and The committee for Missing Children International.

Jennifer Marvin, Paris

http://www.jennifermarvin.com

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As the world becomes more and more complex, the sane seek more sanity in simplification. It seems pure shopping pleasure just isn’t there anymore. Is it just because we have no time? Are the choices just too overwhelming? Or do we just detest fitting rooms? While many of us can answer “yes” to at least one of these, the question remains, what do we do about it? We have to wear clothes in most societies and most people have a desire to be attractive in public, polished and well groomed in the office, and comfortable enough not to be thinking about their appearance all day. Let’s face it, spending Saturday at the mall begins to lose it’s appeal sometime after our 25th birthday.

Little has the power to make a person feel more uncomfortable than an ill fitting ensemble. No matter how fabulous it looks on the hanger, if it drapes poorly on your body, it is a mistake. But don’t despair! Just because a particular cut fails to flatter your body, it certainly doesn’t mean you have to abandon the idea all together. A custom clothing professional can re-create something more suitable to your frame in keeping with the style you desire.

Here are a few points to take under consideration as you revamp your wardrobe for the coming season:

1. When you buy career wear, evening wear, or even a good jean “off the rack”, the chances of a perfect fit are rare. If it flatters your body, you feel good in it and it requires simple alterations, it is money well spent to spring for the little added expense of having a trained professional alter the garment to fit your body.

2. Time is money! How many times have you spent an entire day shopping only to come home empty handed or with disappointments? A better use of your time and hard-earned income is to find a professional in your area to make a custom creation for you. It may seem an impressive expense. Certainly, custom clothing is an investment, but done in the finest fabric you can afford and created especially to fit your body, it is a contribution worth making.

3. If a custom clothier is out of your reach, consider employing your local seamstress. Every style imaginable is at your fingertips in the form of a ready-to-sew pattern available at any fabric store. Before choosing your material and haberdashery, enlist the aid of a professional to find the highest quality textiles to suit your budget and flatter the style of the pattern you have chosen. Be sure to have your measurements honestly recorded by a friend or your dressmaker to be sure to obtain a perfect fit.

4. Whether engaging a custom clothier or a seamstress to create a garment for you; don’t hesitate to ask for reference or to see some examples of their work. A qualified professional should welcome the request.

5. When investing in custom clothing, be sure to insist on generous seam allowances. None of us like to imagine the possibility of finding the need to accommodate a few extra pounds, but the expense of a slight alteration will be considerably more welcome than the price of remaking the garment.

If you still aren’t convinced custom clothing are for you due to the rapidly changing world of fashion trends, consider basing your wardrobe on well fitting essentials. The simple little black dress, made to perfectly flatter your frame, will rescue you from many last minute emergencies for years to come. A basic, impeccably tailored pencil skirt or pant in your choice of neutral color will serve as a companion to the trendy new tops you find off the rack. A good, classic overcoat will be your best friend for years to come. You don’t have to be wealthy to invest in good custom pieces. Think of them as a business investment since, let’s face it, image counts for a lot. With well fitting garments, you can look great regardless of your shape or size.

The wrong accessories will spoil your perfectly groomed image. Be sure to choose good quality shoes and handbags which reflect your personal good taste and style. A tattered handbag will spoil any outfit, no matter how beautiful your ensemble, it is the first thing people will notice. After seeing an inappropriate bag, their eyes will drop instinctively to your shoes and your custom clothing expense will be an unnoticed effort.

Consider investing in one good custom piece to add to your wardrobe this season. Try it, and I estimate by next season you will be adding as many pieces as you can afford. You will surely wonder how you ever managed without your custom wardrobe!

Jennifer Marvin is an American born Parisian fashion and accessories designer whose impeccable reputation is supported by international devotees. Her treasured handbags, wedding gowns and made-to-measure pieces are hailed as rare treasures. Her work has been featured in British Vogue, auctioned by Sotheby’s, and sold on the worlds most fashionable streets.

http://www.jennifermarvin.com

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