TAIPEI: Local is the new Global

Home to manufacturers of some of the biggest retail brands out there, Taiwan is better known for cheap labor, than skilled design. However, a sudden surge in homegrown fashion brands is challenging this view. 

Several textile makers in Taiwan are starting and promoting their own clothing brands, by emulating former clients such as Spain’s Zara and Japan’s Uniqlo.

NEW YORK: Year(s) of Accessible Fashion

Prabal Gurung recently announced the launch of a line of  t-shirts to expand his eponymous brand's S/S 2012 collection - a move that mirrors some of JWT's consumer spending predictions for the coming year.

Great news for my credit rating, but I can't help but question: Is Fashion truly Fashion, if it isn't somewhat aspirational?

TRENDWATCH: Embracing the Elements

2012 is already a year a steeped in mythology and superstition (isn't there supposedly an apocalypse planned?) What better way to fight it then, than to embrace it: Shedding the cocoon of shapeless winterwear, we delve into a season flooded with sheer fabrics, fringe embellishments and algaeic patterns 

NEW DELHI: Bundle Up this Winter, with BIBA

Winter isn't ordinarily thought of as a time of renewal; but, any die-hard fashionista knows there's no better way to fight a touch of the winter blues than with a punch of bright, uninhibited color. While the following are no doubt intended for milder winters, they'll also fit in perfectly with many a cocoon-like layering ritual.   

NEW YORK: A Jaded View on Fashion

Just what the world needs: Another Fashion Week. We invite you to view the video below - An apparent step into a new era of fashion; one that promotes tolerance, understanding and ultimately unity, through stereotyping (the one thing that represents Nigeria is a row of mud huts? Really?) and video editing skills that make my iMovie projects look like Oscar-worthy cinematography (note the blatant disregard for the 'n' in Friendship at 1:40).

SHANGHAI: Zuoan Menswear's Award-Winning Collection

Zuoan Fashion Limited a leading design-driven fashion casual menswear company in China, is awarded China Fashion Week's 'Menswear Design Award' for 2011.

LONDON: Life in Plastic

Gareth Pugh debuts his shoe designs for Brazilian label Melissa at Layers in London and proves, once again, that life in plastic truly is fantastic.

NEW YORK: Too Old for Games?

Madonna announces the launch of a new fashion line targeting a more mature audience (Hence the name "Truth or Dare")

Set to launch late next year and on the coveted racks of some of America's leading department stores by Spring 2013, the new line by music-turned-lifestyle icon Madonna, will include footwear, handbags, intimates, accessories and a fragrance.