While fashions come and go, one designer and her styles stand the test of time. Eileen Fisher, who operates out of Irvington-NY, has chosen to stay true to her vision for decades, refusing to fall whimsy to changing trends.
“I talk about timeless design, something that transcends the moment but somehow belongs to the moment,” she said. “How much do we be in this moment and how long will the moment last?”
For years, her focus has been to design simple, comfortable pieces using sustainable materials that women can wear on many occasions. It hasn’t always been easy but by being steadfast to her vision, she’s grown her company, which sells items in more than 60 Eileen Fisher stores in 21 states,to $429 million and amassed a small fortune along the way.
By our calculations, Fisher, who owns 65% of the company (her employees own the other 35% through an employee stock ownership program) is worth just over $210 million. With that net worth, she is one of several female entrepreneurs involved in lifestyle businesses (others include Martha Stewart and the two founders of Vera Bradley) who just missed the cut for Forbes’ first ever list of top 50 richest self-made women.
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“When I started designing, I was a clothing designer trying to solve the problem of women getting dressed and how to make it simpler, rather than finding the next cute style,” Fisher said. “I think we struggle to stay true to that as we get larger.”
Fisher says one key to her success, besides her focus, has been viewing challenges as opportunities. In 1984, then a 33-year-old graphic artist living in New York City, she took a risk, starting her own women’s clothing line with just $350 to invest.
Her first line – which consisted of four pieces: a box top, crop pant, tunic and shell top — didn’t sell well at her first boutique show. Fisher, however, didn’t lose hope or focus. She revised her designs and made more clothes, borrowing money from family and friends.
Three months later, at the next boutique show, she sold $40,000 worth of clothing. “That was the official launch of the business,” she said. “I knew I had an idea that had potential.
One other idea that she championed early on was sustainability. She produced her first organic cotton product in 2004. Today, 83% of the clothes in Fisher’s current collections are made from organic cotton, and the company is moving toward making more of its clothes with non-toxic dye practices.
“It’s big work and we’re kind of up against the price, up against the fashion industry that’s constantly changing,” she said.Luckily, she says, her “conscious consumer” base is made up of women who don’t mind paying a little extra for quality design and an emphasis on sustainability.
“It has to be a woman who values our kind of design, timelessness and simplicity,” she said. “She does have certain values, and is learning about our sustainability.”
Brittny Gastineau has already conquered the world of reality TV, modeling, jewelry design – and now affordable fashion.
That’s right, the 32-year-old, whose roots started in couture, is opening up her wardrobe to fashionistas on a budget by teaming up with HSN.
The Brittny Geatineau for Tiana B. collection debuts tonight at 9pmEST/6pmPST on the Home Shopping Network and includes closet covetable pieces including caftans, shrugs, jumpsuits and sexy dresses all for less than $100!
PHOTOS: Best, Worst & Wackiest Fashion At The Academy Awards Through The Years
Kim Kardashian‘s super stylish BFF sat down with RadarOnline.com to talk about her new venture.
Radar: How did you get into the fashion industry?
Brittny Gastineau: I signed with the FORD Modeling agency in NYC when I was 3 years old so I have been exposed to fashion my entire life. My mother was also a model in her youth and parlayed that hands on education in fashion into a successful business. She owned a high end fashion boutique that carried select pieces from incredible designers from all over the world such as Gaultier, Versace and Valentino. I am grateful to have grown up surrounded by high fashion and have been fortunate enough to befriend some of the most creative and talented designers in the world.
PHOTOS: The Homes That Inspire The Fashion Week Designers
RO: You’ve had other achievements showing off your fashion know-how.
BG: I styled the clothing for my international television series and began writing about fashion for my blog, Eye on Glam. I also appear frequently on national entertainment shows as a fashion and beauty correspondent.
RO: Why did you decide to partner with HSN for this collection?
PHOTOS: Famous Fashionistas: 23 Models With Celebrity Parents
BG: I have been an HSN shopper for a long time and also launched a jewelry collection with my mom there. In addition to being part of the HSN family, I have always appreciated the impeccable quality of the products offered here.
Friends that follow me on social media and read my blog are always asking me for advice on how to look chic on a budget. The truth is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to look fabulous and I was on a mission to design an affordable and fashionable line.
I identify with the HSN shopper, we appreciate the finer things in life but don’t want to spend a fortune to posses them. HSN women are fearless, fashionable, smart and fabulous.
PHOTOS: Best, Worst & Wackiest Fashion At The Academy Awards Through The Years
BG: Style and fashion aren’t just about the clothes you wear, it starts from within. I have learned through growing up in modeling, appearing on television and being surrounded by the most fashionable people in the world that anyone can carry themselves with style and grace, at any age, any weight, and anywhere in the world. Adding a fabulous piece of fashion to your collection is the icing on the cake, the reward that you deserve to give yourself for all of your hard work and dedication to your career, family and obligations. A great piece of fashion serves as a reminder to never forget about you because you deserve it.
Co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie Perez, Nicolle Wallace and guest co-host Stacy London kickoff summer with films, fashion and country super star Hunter Hayes.
Hot Topic: Honoring Our Heros
“The View” co-hosts take a moment to thank the troops that have fought for our country and discuss the meaning of Memorial Day as many people often forget. Rosie Perez also points out that few people know the law states at 3pm on this day we should observe a moment of silence for the troops.
Entertainment Weekly Presents Upcoming Films, TV Shows, Books and Concerts
New and exciting films, TV shows, books and concerts will be released this summer. The much anticipated “Magic Mike XXL” hits theaters and popular shows returning this summer include the second season of “True Detective” with an all new cast and “Orange is the New Black.” Taylor Swift is going on tour and it will be one of the hottest tickets this summer. Author Judy Blume releases a new novel, her first adult book in 16 years, as well as authors Jonathan Franzen and Steven King.
ENTERTAINMENT:
MOVIES
Spy (june 5th)
Magic Mike XXL (july 1)
SUMMER TV SHOWS
Orange is the New Black: Season Three on Netflix (June 12)
True Detective: Season Two on HBO (June 21)
SUMMER MUSIC
Taylor Swift’s tour: May 5th – December 12th
Shania Twain’s Tour: June 5th – August 23rd
Kanye & Rihanna’s albums
SUMMER BOOKS
"In the Unlikely Event” by Judy Blume (June 2nd)
“Purity" by Jonathan Franzen (September 1)
“Everybody Rise" by Stephanie Clifford (August 18)
Red, White and Blue Summer Fashion Show
The Red, white and blue summer fashion show includes halter-tops, high-waisted bikinis, gingham and jumpsuits.
Swimsuit: Lisa Marie Fernandez
shopbop.com
$385
Swimsuit: Esther Williams
modcloth.com
$89.99
Pants: Forever 21
forever21.com
$39.90
Red Top: Gap
gap.com
$54.95
Pants: Banana Republic
bananarepublic.com
$69.50
Shoes: Banana Republic
bananarepublic.com
$118.00
Dress: Lane Bryant
lanebryant.com
$89.95
Dress: The Children's Place
childrensplace.com
$19.95
Vest: The Children's Place
childrensplace.com
$17.95
Top: The Children's Place
childrensplace.com
$10.50
Shorts: The Children's Place
childrensplace.com
$19.95
Shoes-Boater Sneaker: The Children's Place
childrensplace.com
$22.95
Mixologist Russell Davis Makes Summer Cocktails for the Co-hosts
Mixologist Russell Davis makes “The View” co-hosts summer cocktails including a sangria, cucumber cocktail and jalapeno hibiscus margarita.
COCKTAILS
Rosie: Kalimotxo: Red Wine, Natural Coca Cola, Cinnamon Sticks, Orange
Whoopi: Arnold Palmer Variation: Watermelon, Fresh Lemon, Agave, Black Tea
Cristela’s Cucumber Cocktail: Cucumber Gin, Cucumber, Mint, Lime, Simple Syrup, Salt, Tonic
Stacy London: Frozen Jalapeño Hisbiscus Margarita: Hisbiscus Infused Tequila, St Germain, Lime, Agave, Jalapeño
Nicolle Strawberry Shandy: Tito's Vodka, Fresh Lemon, Simple Syrup, Strawberries, Pilsner Beer, Mint
Hunter Hayes Performs "21"
Hunter Hayes' new song “21” will be available through streaming. He performs “21” for the first time on television on “The View.”
Cristela Alonso Upcoming Stand Up Show
Catch "The View" guest co-host Cristela Alonso perform stand up live. Tickets and tour info at Cristelaalonzo.com. Upcoming performance dates are below:
Brava Theater - San Francisco, CA - 5/30 (2 shows at 7:30 PM and 10 PM)
Brea Improv - Brea, CA - 6/5 - 7
While American swans of society hit the shores of the Hamptons or Cape Cod for the long weekend, Euro jet setters have docked their yachts in Monaco to catch the Monaco Grand Prix. Among that crowd was social media royalty Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and their coterie of siblings and high profile BFFs including Kylie Jenner, Bella Hadid, and Hailey Baldwin. They marked their Sunday afternoon in Monaco with a flurry of Instagram posts, cheering on Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, who took home the third place prize this year.
Seeing as those names would likely never be mentioned in reference to a NASCAR race, why isn’t Formula 1 more of a favorable sport among the fashion flock?
The Monaco Grand Prix is undoubtedly the toniest of the stops on the F1 circuit. As the stands at other races on the tour tend to be filled with varying levels of Euro trash, this particular event has been famous for attracting a compact crowd of A-list actors and a handful of other notable attendees. In the past, the likes of Will Smith, Cameron Diaz, and George Lucas have made an appearance, while Cara Delevingne and Cristiano Ronaldo were spotted at this year’s Grand Prix.
Despite the lush location of the tricky race track, perched in winding curves above the French Riviera and surrounded by opulent wealth as far as the eye can see, shouldn’t more stars queue up to sit in the stands? Perhaps it has something to do with the unsightly noise cancelling headphones that must be worn to protect from the vicious roars of the racecars. Or maybe it’s the fact that the city’s streets are inconveniently closed to the public for the entire weekend. But can a few top models change this race’s perception for good?
Conveniently timed to take place just a few days after the completion of the Cannes Film Festival, it’s a mere 15 minute jaunt via helicopter from the South of France to the streets of Monte Carlo. And a car ride would only take only an hour from the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc to the Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo, door-to-door. That should help persuade more starlets to catch the contest. Plus, should the competition get dull, there are tony casinos to play in and posh yachts to lounge on. Think of all the Instagram opportunities there!
But back to the actual sport at hand, or at least the drivers. While there can only be one Grand Prix winner, quite a few competitors happen to be certified eye candy as well. There’s Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg, who was this year’s victor, as well as McLaren-Honda’s Fernando Alonso and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, who were both unhappy with their poor rankings. So whether you’re after the vanity factor of the sport, or the technical details of the track, the fashion set and the A-list alike will definitely find something favorable about this sporting event.
AT ITS HEADQUARTERS in London last week, Net-a-Porter toasted the latest addition to its e-commerce empire—the Net Set, the retailer’s new social-media shopping app. The launch party included a Steve Jobs-style presentation of the Instagram-like shopping tool from the Net-a-Porter Group’s founder and executive chairman, Natalie Massenet (who was also celebrating her 50th birthday) and a live performance by a gospel choir. Trendsetting London gals such as Poppy Delevingne and Laura Bailey enjoyed tacos and margaritas with designers Christopher Kane, Roland Mouret and Alice Temperley. “It’s the perfect thing for any nosy fashion person,” said Ms. Delevingne of the Net Set app, which allows women to view profiles of prominent style-setters detailing their favorite fashion pieces.
In New York, another big name in fashion had reason to celebrate. The New School’s 67th annual Parsons Fashion Benefit, a runway show and dinner that raises scholarship funds for the design college, feted the class of 2015. The seniors presented their collections in the Javits Center to a crowd of over 900 guests including Anna Wintour, Donna Karan and new Saks Fifth Avenue president Marc Metrick.
The gala also honored LVMH and Marc Jacobs, a Parsons alumnus, who showed his graduate collection at the same gala 31 years ago. “I worked during school, after school, on weekends, and when I wasn’t doing that, I was buying art supplies,” said Mr. Jacobs of his student days. When 28-year-old designer Wes Gordon, in a Tom Ford tux, was asked if he had any advice for this year’s seniors, he responded with a smile: “Um, law school?”
Anyone who assumed Mad Men would conclude with the typical platitudes — the nuclear family reunited, an impulsive marriage, a new life in a tropical paradise — forgot how much these characters love to work, and how the office is their whole world. While Joan starts the episode as a woman of leisure, living off her payout in Key West in a bathing suit, pareo, and straw hat, not to mention a couple grams of coke, she’s soon out of her vacation mufti and back to work. As she says later in the finale, “I just can’t turn off that part of myself.” Soon, she’s back at it in red power dresses and big gold jewelry, turning her home into her office and her babysitter into her secretary. Peggy, too, is all business — she opens the episode in a red blazer, a forerunner of the '80s-power-woman look. Even when she finds love, it’s at the office, with her longtime collaborator Stan (who, unlike everyone else on this show, believes “there’s more to life than work”). In place of a final clinch, he rubs her shoulders while she works away on the typewriter, whose clicking soundtracks the final montage. While Peggy is staying at McCann Erickson, she’s doing it very much in her own way, as we’re reminded by the fleeting shot of her plaid dress — the one she wore while making her badass, memorable entrance into the new office — hanging on her door in a plastic dry-cleaning bag. And when, toward the end of an intensely charged phone conversation, she tells Don, “Come home,” she means, of course, to their North Star, the office.
However, Don is still off tuning in, turning on, and dropping out at a West Coast retreat, which gives the show its biggest canvas yet for its love of all things hippie, something we glimpsed last season when Margaret (then newly christened Marigold) joined an upstate commune. Stephanie’s red lace-up dress vaguely recalls a more bohemian version of Megan’s Snow White costume from the season-five finale — perhaps because she’s an equally peripatetic, fleeting character in Don’s life, disappearing on him soon after they arrive at the commune. Don remains a bit of a square, never adapting to the embroidered Indian blouses and other free-love garb the other men wear — he sticks with a classic Americana uniform of denim, a white T-shirt, and khakis. While he may be dressed ever so casually, even as he’s pursuing his own bliss, he’s figuring out how to turn it into an ad, namely a bohemian, communal take on the Coke ad — a tendency that’s both his gift and his curse. Even a lesson about living in the moment can be transmogrified into a catchy jingle of some kind.
Betty, who’s notably still smoking despite her diagnosis of lung cancer, spends the episode in a pink ruffled robe, and, later, a flannel nightgown, while Sally is looking more and more adult, and following her mother’s instructions from last week's episode about carrying out her wishes. Her navy sweater and neat white collar, part of her boarding-school uniform, are work attire of their own, and just like the adults on this show, she has an important job to do. And with that, the Mad Men fashion parade comes to an end, but we'll be back to wrap things up with our favorite style moments from the show.
Crystal-studded cutout swimsuit (HK$6,200) by Roberto Cavalli. Thin tweed and metal bangles (HK$3,700 each) and thick tweed and plastic bangles (HK$15,800 each), all by Chanel. Gold cuff (HK$7,900) by Louis Vuitton. Patent leather heels (HK$6,250) by Jimmy Choo.
Polka-dot bikini (top, HK$6,900; bottom, HK$11,500) by Dolce & Gabbana. Tweed jacket (HK$40,000) and square bangles with pearls (HK$6,300 each), all by Chanel. Sunglasses (HK$3,700) by Christian Dior. Clutch (HK$6,990) and patent leather shoes (HK$6,250) by Jimmy Choo.
Bikini (top, HK$1,200; bottom, HK$1,400) by Mara Hoffman from Lane Crawford. Crochet kaftan (HK$7,100) by Roberto Cavalli. Crystal and metal bracelets (top, HK$20,500; bottom, HK$24,600) by Chanel. Monkey hoop earrings by Tory Burch (inquiries: 2234 7282). Sunglasses (HK$3,800) by Christian Dior.
Bikini (HK$8,000) by Chanel. Zip-up jacket (HK$15,100) by Fendi. Cuff (HK$1,780) and spiral earrings by Tory Burch. Sunglasses, same as before.
Shirt (HK$6,700) and bikini bottom (HK$1,500) by Versace. Perforated leather jacket (HK$52,200) by Roberto Cavalli. Earrings (HK$2,580) by Tory Burch. Necklace (HK$24,300) by Louis Vuitton. Straw beach bag by Dolce & Gabbana (inquiries: 2877 5558).
Cutout one-shoulder swimsuit (HK$3,800) by Hermès. Trousers (HK$17,000) by Céline. Brass spiral necklace by Tory Burch. Square chain bangles (HK$5,900 each), chain bracelet (HK$5,100) and bangles with pearls (HK$16,400 each), all by Chanel.
Zigzag bikini bottom (HK$1,300) by Marysia from Lane Crawford. Linen cover-up (HK$3,800), collar necklaces (HK$3,800 each) and slippers, all by Tory Burch. Earring, bangle (HK$5,000) and scarf (HK$2,400), all by Fendi (inquiries: 2524 1339). Bag (HK$21,500) by Céline. Sunglasses, same as before.
New Delhi: There is a world beyond political, financial or territorial issues that Prime Minister Narendra Modi trailed into during his visit to China, when he walked out with black glares staring at the fashion world with a new style statement.
Modi, who was on a three-day visit to China from Thursday, made a savvy style statement—with a stark white kurta-pajama and a shawl. But the thing that stood out were the dark glares
The fashion fraternity gave a thumbs up to his gesture to lighten up things and bring the grassroot fashion aesthetics of India into the spotlight.
Samant Chauhan, a designer known for painting a story in calm hues with Indian textiles, mentioned that Modi understands the basic principle of fashion which is “expect the unexpected”.
Designer Gautam Gupta thinks fashion plays an important role in lightening up the serious atmosphere and bringing the otherwise boring stuff into the limelight.
“It is a very cool way to give a new dimension to serious headlines,” he told IANS.
“It is a kind of tensed situation between India and China so when Modi goes over there and does little things like these it breaks the ice. He gives a reason to the people, busy with their professional or personal life, to read about the visit,” he added.
In January this year, Modi sent ripples across the fashion world with a bandhgala pinstriped suit that he wore for a joint appearance with US President Barack Obama. The fact that the pinstripes also carried his name in fine print and sent waves of mirth, amusement and derision across the political and media world is another story.
During the same tour, he also sported brightly coloured Nehru jackets, something that is rarely expected from a politician.
Modi also incorporates his ambitious “Make in India” campaign in his style quotient by injecting Indian art and weaves in his ensembles.
Another designer Varija Bajaj feels that Modi is taking India’s real fashion to foreign shores with panache.
“He has brought the attention to what India stands for in terms of fashion on ground reality and not in a runway week, but in terms of artisans who are actually developing the grassroot fashion,” Bajaj said.
Talking of his fashion sense, the style gurus give him a thumbs up.
“He is just going perfect with the kurta look and the jackets he is wearing as they are very comfortable for somebody like him, who goes in and out of several meetings,” Bajaj said.
Whereas Gupta suggests a scarf to get the groove on.
“We cannot make much of a fashion statement on the diplomatic level. So may be a scarf, shawl or a pocket square. One cannot play with much colours at official level either,” Gupta said.
However, designers want to see in his performance the same winning elements that he is creating with fashion.
“I don’t know why people are bothered about what Modi is wearing. What he is doing in terms of fashion is fantastic, but I think performance is what matters. As a Prime Minister heading a new government, people have a lot of expectations so we need surprise element from his work,” Chauhan said.
Bajaj too echoed the same thoughts and says the country still waits for “Acche Din” from his governance.
Bajaj noted that talking about his fashion statement with the performance meter on the back burner is ‘frivolous’.
“After one year, the country is now looking forward to his performance and if his performance is good any statement that he carries will become a fashion statement,” Bajaj said.
Oscar Wilde wrote that "fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months." For men, that mindset has generally been their M.O.
However, that tide has slowly turned the past few years.
"This movement - men taking interest in their clothes - goes beyond fashion," says Rebecca Robinson, assistant professor of fashion at the Columbus College of Art and Design.
And it is an eye to the past that is inciting this revolution.
Our culture has an affinity for reminiscence, and with good reason. According to studies from the University of Southampton, nostalgia has been shown to offset seclusion and anxiety. It raises tolerance levels and combats boredom.
If boredom is an issue that men have battled in their wardrobe choices, it would stand to reason that turning back the clock could be the solution.
"Current fashion aren't trendy guises. They're more classical looks that you envision your grandfather wearing," says Anthony Graziani, owner of Article, a menswear shop in Over-the-Rhine.
To give visual context, the materials that are at the forefront of this movement include collar sweaters, gray suits, unembellished jeans and khakis, wool jackets, casual sport coats and leather shoes. Modesty is inherent to this look.
"Retro fashion has those elements of simple, clean designs," Patrick Van Oflen, a consumer of men's fashion who lives in Oakley. "People feel they want to go back to a time when products were made better, and life was a lot simpler."
Rather than a consensus, uniform look, gathering vintage-inspired materials have given men more choice in their wardrobe.
"Over the past five to 10 years, men's clothing has evolved into more of a trendsetter role," says Injoo Kim, associate professor at the University of Cincinnati's fashion design program. "Vintage fashion influences more creative designs."
Another factor is the hipster theme moving from the counterculture to the mainstream.
This generation has impressed a more natural look. In short, grooming has been put aside. Instead of flashy or preppy materials, fashion has more of a salt of the earth feel.
"The hipsters wanted their own look, and have responded with a demand for vintage denim looks and have abandoned their razors," Robinson says.
Their ensembles are tried and true, having stood the test of time. As a result, men know they can get mileage out of their purchases.
This is on the opposite end of the spectrum from women's fashion, which thrives on season-to-season apparel.
"Men don't shop that way," Graziani notes. "They want to buy something of quality that will last awhile."
"The only real difference between the throwback pieces and the originals is today's clothes are more tailored," notes Cale Darrell, Article's store manager. Adds UC's Kim, "New styles are more clean and simplified in design from the original garments. They are pared-down version of the original pieces that can be worn with other modern garments and accessories."
Even in casual, modern wear, nostalgia has become omnipresent, evidenced in companies such as Cincy Shirts and Homage.
"There is a sentimental element to all of this in which we have a generation that is yearning for an era they never lived in and use vintage products to replicate elements of that time," said Robinson.
Draper brings back dapper back from America's past
In many societies - including America - the lower classes try to emulate the styles of wealthy, in hopes of raising their own social rank.
Today, that often means imitating figures on television and film.
"The fashion you see on TV and movies is super on-point, and men are drawn to that," Graziani says.
And perhaps no influencer has had a bigger impact than Mad Men.
The show, which debuted on AMC in 2007, highlights the escapades of Jon Hamm's Don Draper, a creative director in 1960s Madison Avenue. The protagonist boasts a gravitating, debonair swagger. Women want him, and men want to be him.
The latter manifested itself in modern males copying Hamm's dapper presentation.
"I worked at Nordstrom when Mad Men started," says Article manager Darrell. "You had all these guys who wanted that Don Draper look. It's very monochromatic. The tie bar was almost reinvented after that show, pocket squares came back in fashion."
It reached such a fever pitch that clothing retailer Banana Republic launched a "Mad Men" themed campaign in 2011.
"Mad Men and different entertainment outlets have a role in dictating fashion," Graziani remarks. "It gives a look for men to strive towards."
What's old is new
It's not just current fashion that has tapped into this retro revival. Vintage stores that market original pieces from the '50s, '60s and '70s have played a major part.
"Given that vintage clothes are ... no longer being manufactured as such, shoppers are looking to wear something no one else will be wearing," says Emily Buddendeck, owner of Nvision, a Northside store featuring vintage art, furniture and clothing.
There's a level of authenticity in these offerings. Whereas today's clothes have retro themes, they lack the originality of the archetypes.
"Vintage resale stores provide inspiration for new designs in the industry," Kim says. "They also provide garments and props for styling photo shoots, as well as nostalgic clothing and accessories, often at a good value."
Stu Nizny of Pixel 19 Vintage in Fairview goes a step further.
"I think the retro styles influence current beliefs," Nizny says, including how people view themselves in society and what they are drawn to.
Not that it's necessarily smooth sailing for the vintage resale market.
For example, many of the old textiles and materials are tough on the skin.
"The modern man does not tolerate the itchiness of a wool tweed or flannel suit," Robinson says. "They expect comfortable clothing that looks good with little care."
But both Buddendeck and Nizny believe the vintage market is here to stay.
"The clothing being made today is not likely to last long enough to become vintage because of its poor construction," Buddendeck adds. "This means that older garments will become more and more rare."
Because men have generally disregarded the finer details of style, Internet exploration has facilitated discovery of clothing from the past.
"As the product knowledge grows, so does the consumer's curiosity," Darrell says.
Historically, for those that didn't live in the fashion meccas of New York or Los Angeles, only a handful of publications were available to inform or educate one on male fashion. New media has opened a door to a world that many didn't know existed.
"We have been copying styles for modern clothing since the late 1700s, but we have never had social media to spread a historical recurrence of fashion," Robinson says.
"The e-commerce boom has allowed menswear brands to operate in a way that's much more accessible to the general male shopper," says Nate Ellis, director of marketing for Homage.
Pinterest has been cited by many in the industry as a teaching device. The site not only highlights what's trending in the fashion world, but it gives users an idea behind the concepts and history of the pieces.
"It's nice to know the story of what you're wearing," Van Oflen says.
The Future of Retro
Men have more fashion choices than ever before. But it's the esthetic of yesteryear that powers the field.
"A man can take control of their style, and not feel like their buddies are going to make fun of him," Graziani says. "Knowing these fashions worked once upon a time is a component of that."
"I think the interest and fascination with vintage and retro will continue to grow in popularity," Nizny remarks.
Ellis warns that the current landscape is not free from future alteration or ridicule.
"Over time certain elements have survived being trendy and become new standards for what we wear," Ellis says. "But in many ways, whatever we're wearing at any point is the standard for that moment."
Yet, as Graziani points out, thanks to its historic roots, it's hard to call this look a trend.
"This fashion has been around forever, and it's not going anywhere."
Stars have turned out in their Sunday best for the 2015 TV Baftas at the Theatre Royal in London’s Drury Lane.
Saturdays singer-turned-TV-presenter Rochelle Humes showed off her incredible figure in a black lace gown with a sheer skirt.
Game Of Thrones star Maisie Williams showed just how feminine she is compared to her character Arya Stark in a sassy lace number.
Best Actress nominee Sheridan Smith has dyed her blonde crop dark to match her glamorous evening gown.
Catherine Tate showed off her flame coloured locks in this fiery-fitted number.
Fresh back from her hen party in Dubai, Michelle Keegan looks just as radiant as ever in this fresh summery mint green dress.
Strictly fans have been absolutely dotty about Claudia Winkleman since she joined the show, and she’s at the ceremony as a nominee for Best Entertainment Performance.
Davina McCall looks super-chic in this cropped tuxedo-inspired outfit.
Mary Berry is looking hot in pink – no wonder she came ahead of Angelina Jolie in the FHM Sexiest Women 2015 poll.
Big Brother presenter Emma Willis opted for trousers and looks fab.
Saturday night marked an energetic end to 2015's Birmingham Fashion Week at Pepper Place.
"Project Runway" season nine alum Laura Kathleen kicked off the show with her Elton John-backed turn down the runway featuring a calm palette of greys, army greens, blacks and creams.
Birmingham's Rising Design Stars soon took over, starting with 2014 winner and current Fashion Week intern Sarah Foret.
Foret presented a high-low gown made of drop cloth with a train hand painted by her and her mother that paid homage to the state of Alabama.
This year's finalists, all local high school and middle school students, also showed off their clothing made of non-traditional items such as fishing net, piano keys and burlap.
Third runner-up Rising Design Star Helen Legg, 16, won $100 for her fishing-inspired gown. Rigdon Hendrix, 14, won $300 as second runner-up.
Lauryn Tankersley, 15, of Cullman was named the 2015 Rising Design Star, thanks to her chicken-inspired mini dress made of wire and burlap.
The Emerging Designers, college and post-grad designers, presented their collections for the last time.
University of Alabama graduate and Tuscaloosa native Shan Latris took the top prize of $1000 and a spot in the 2016 show for her bold red collection.
Homewood retailer Fab'ric hit the runway with its wares including rompers and summer dresses.
Featured designer Tribe Kelley brought boho to the show by way of a casual collection of ripped jeans and graphic tees paired with hippie-inspired headbands.
Headline designer and Birmingham Fashion Week co-founder Heidi Elnora closed out the show with an energetic, rock-infused show featuring a violinist, Guns N' Roses and wedding gowns for every bride.
Models danced down the runway one last time in Elnora's collection of gowns ranging from fit and flare, mermaid style, and maxi gowns—culminating in a centerpiece gold gown.
For super-rich trend-setters who want to stay a cut above in the fashion stakes, Rolls-Royce has unveiled a limited edition designer version of its sporty Wraith fast-back.
It even turned its boutique factory at Goodwood - set in the grounds of the Earl of March's stately home in Sussex - into an unlikely catwalk and photographic studio for a landmark fashion shoot ahead of the car's international debut in New York on Friday.
But expect to pay around £350,000 for the privilege of driving the ultimate luxury 'designer label' version of the car in cool shades of white which Rolls-Royce bosses are calling 'Wraith - Inspired by Fashion'.
They point out that the spirit and philosophy of Rolls-Royce and the world of 'Haute Couture' have much in common: 'They have long been bound by a common philosophy - to take the very finest materials and craft them into the most exquisite and desirable luxury goods, appointed to the customer's exact specifications.'
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Haute-omatic transmission: Rolls-Royce has unveiled a limited edition designer version of its sporty Wraith fast-back - but expect to pay around £350,000 for the privilege of driving it
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Pulling power: The wraps come off the car at New York's influential PRATT Institute - which has created generations of top creative designers - as part of an event called 'Women of Influence in the Business of Style'
Here come the grilles: The new car features a two-tone exterior colour scheme of Andalucian White and Arctic White Jasmine, Tailored Purple or Mugello Red accent colours
Fisher says one key to her success, besides her focus, has been viewing challenges as opportunities. In 1984, then a 33-year-old graphic artist living in New York City, she took a risk, starting her own women’s clothing line with just $350 to invest.
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