24 year old model Kangna Ranaut is more used to walking catwalks than offering opinions on the style and fashion sense of others however she recently admitted that, with a few exceptions, by and large the fashion scene in Bollywood is inherently lacking.

Ranaut revealed that she believes Sonam Kapoor to be the ultimate icon in style however when questioned about Bollywood as a whole, the model who has walked for Shantanu Goenka, admitted that the ‘style quotient’ in Bollywood just isn’t there and, aside from the likes of Kapoor and Priyanka, iconic fashion diva’s just don’t exist.

Ranaut was speaking after walking the catwalk for the designer Shantanu Goenka at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week and revealed that the range on show was very much inspired by Marie Antoinette, the former Queen of France. Indeed, the Goenka part of the show was very much a different spectacle than the usual seen at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week; the Baroque architecture of Versailles was used in the fine embroidery and appliqués on the various dresses and garments that were on show and the highly specialised wallpaper prints proved to be a popular addition for the baying audience.

Goenka admitted himself that he felt that Baroque was the next big trend in the world of fashion and was very keen to showcase that fact during the weeklong event. Garments made from silk, satin and tulles were on display as were a various assortment of dresses, jackets, gowns and skirts.

While the prevailing image of a fashion show is of skinny models strutting up and down a glamorous catwalk, Models of Diversity are planning to hold an altogether different extravaganza.

In an effort to raise both money and awareness for The Advance Centre, an organization that helps families with brain damaged children, the Curves in Couture event will be held in November of this year. Some 45% of the female UK population is a size 16 or over and this show aims to reflect that by diverging away from the traditional size-zero model to one more representative of the nation as a whole.

The event itself will be held in two parts. The Diversity Show will feature models of all sizes and heights in an effort to highlight the one dimensional nature of modern day fashion shows and, following this, Curves in Couture will feature models and designs aimed at those who are sizes 14-18.
Danielle Liane and Miss Lacy’s works will both be present as these new designers will be displayed against the more recognized houses of Anna Scholz and Jill Alexander. While the prime objective is to raise awareness for The Advance Centre and help to bring in some much needed funds for the charity, the shows are also being used to present a different view from the traditional mainstream fashion show. Curvy models and less well known designers will help to demonstrate that fashion shows and models exist beyond those that are featured in the London, Paris, Milan and New York fashion weeks.

Not everyone that works in retail depends on commission checks to make ends meets. In fact, many members of the fashion industry are still doing quite well despite the current state of the economy. Although sales fell, financial experts believe that profits should improve about 3.5% over the next quarter in the fashion industry. With each new graduating class, fashion companies, department stores and designers are able to pick from the cream of the crop. Those that don’t make the cut end up working lower paying jobs until they are able to prove their worth. But whats worse is that high ranking employees have not been able to get the raises and bonuses that they expect because of lagging sales.

Approximately 70% of all employees in the industry such as fashion merchandisers, designers and event organizers are planning changing employers within the next year. For some, this means going into advertising and marketing while others are planning to move to another part of the world in order to find more employment opportunities. With fewer applicants, and many more open positions, employers may have to increase their salaries in order to attract the best in the industry. Fashion, like other industries, is suffering from the effects of an unstable economy.

Some members of the fashion industry aren’t giving up on their passion. Those that are dedicated to fashion are electing to work in retail part-time while they earn the majority of their income in other sectors. Others are moving on for now, but they have vowed to come back when things turn around.

In the past, just about any neighborhood in NYC was a great location for new fashion designers. If you were able to manage to pay the sky high rents, and you offered a wide selection of eclectic products, you would be able to make a small fortune. Now, it seems that shoppers in Manhattan are a lot choosier about the places that they frequent. SoHo is still as popular as ever, but the Lower East Side is anything but chic. Lesser known retailers have been forced to close their doors because consumers are going elsewhere.

No matter what your personal tastes are, you will always be able to find a clothing store in NYC that suits your needs and fits your budget. Some of the most well known fashion hubs are going out of business because shoppers aren’t as impulsive. Even the cost of a metrocard has had a huge effect on the number of consumers that come to the Lower East Side. When you have a choice between getting off in SoHo and knowing that you will find something that you like versus going to the Lower East Side, the choice is obvious.

Some designers have managed to hang on by launching websites and holding sidewalk sales, but even they know that the inevitable is unavoidable. Although the rent for commercial space is slightly less in the Lower East Side when compared to other neighborhoods, retailers also have to think about if they will be able to post the profits that they need to survive.

Are you excited to hear who has been crowned the winner of the Scottish Fashion Awards Style Icon of the Year? Well, you are going to have to wait until all of the votes have been cast and counted, but you can still learn more about the nominees. Gerard Butler may be a huge star in the US, but his Scottish roots make him the ultimate ‘total package.’ His rough and rugged persona is countered by his sense of style and soft spoken manners. If Butler takes home the award, he will need to make sure that he is always dressed to impress when he comes back to Scotland for a visit.

Karen Gillan, who is on the cast of the ‘Doctor Who’ TV series was a model before she ever considered acting, but she was able to make a seamless transition. Her good looks continue to land her modeling gigs, but she might not have enough experience to be named the Style Icon of the Year. Laura McGonagle has played in more roles than the average person can could, however, she still knows how to dress when she’s off the set. If the Scottish Fashion Awards are looking for a nominee that is consistent, then McGonagle is their woman.

Last but not least, Freya Mavor, is the newest kid to hit the block. Although she is very young, Mavor has already shown that she has a real perchance for fashion. While the winners won’t be announced for a few days, just being nominated is an honor in and of itself.

Nyasha Matonhodze, a native of Zimbabwe, has just been named as the new face of Louis Vuitton. The 16 year old fashion model has only been in the industry for two years. After being crowned the winner of the 2009 UK Elite Model Look competition, Matonhodze embarked on a professional modeling career. With her striking good looks, Matonhodze bares an eerie resemblance to Naomi Campbell. As the new spokeswoman of Louis Vuitton, Matonhodze will be appearing in the label’s newest ad campaign.

Along with a long list of fresh faced models, the magazine style advertisement layout makes all of these young models look mature, sophisticated and debonair. Wearing threads fashioned out of leather, snake skin and fur, each model holds a signature Louis Vuitton purchase with a lap dog by her side. The combination of youth and luxury was designed by none other than Marc Jacobs. After working with a series of older icons such as Madonna, the Louis Vuitton brand is overhauling its look.

As the new spokeswoman for Louis Vuitton, Nyasha Matonhodze has a bright future ahead of her. Few models this young are able to get so much exposure. Daphne Groeneveld, who is also 16, appears in the ad campaign with Fei Fei Sun, Zuzanna Bijoch , Gertrud Hegelund, Anaïs Pouliot and Matonhodze. Louis Vuitton has amassed a powerhouse of gorgous, young, stylish models that will help to appeal to a new generation of shoppers. The ad campaign will be appearing in magazines, newspapers and on billboards all over the world.