Eid shopping gains momentum in Peshawar

With each passing day, eid shopping is picking-up momentum in city as rush of buyers is being witnessed in almost all markets and shopping arcades of the provincial capital that continued after Iftar till late night.

The people along with family comes out for shopping soon after iftar and are seen busy by buying shoes, suits, ready-made garments and other items for Eid. Most of the shopping markets have artistically been decorated and illuminated with colorful lights to attract buyers especially during night.

According to survey conducted by this scribe on Sunday, most of the ladies and kids love to buy imported ‘saree', short-kameez, lehnga, woolens knit-wears, knitted garments and ornaments.

These dresses are mostly imported from Dubai, Singapore, China and Thailand as Eid special offers.

“The fervor of Eid shopping is gradually picking up in Peshawar as majority of buyers are coming for shopping during last ten days of Ramadan while some will probably visit on Chand Raat,” Shahid Khan, a salesman of a popular garment centre in cantonment told APP.

“Most of buyers nowadays just entered his shop, ask about prices and then returned empty handed. The customers who are demanding quality products have to pay more for it,” he remarked. He said buyers often complaint about high prices and mostly are making bargains.

“People are taking interest in buying sweets especially of Jaleebi, Mardani Peera and DI Khan Sohan Halwa,” Muhammad Shahjehan alias Shahjee, owner of Punjabi sweets said.

Sabri, a shopkeeper in Liaquat bazaar told APP that great rush had been witnessed on shopping of bangles and henna last year and that is why I converted my book shop into bangles and henna shop.

“The customers' are gradually picking up but hopefully it would further go up as Eid comes nearer,” he said. In Jahingirabad area, majority of new shopping arcades are full of famous foreign goods to cater to the demand of the affluent buyers.

“I often go to Dubai for Eid shopping but now majority of imported items such as cloth and cosmetics are now available in Peshawar. Therefore, this time I decided not to go abroad for shopping,” Ehsan Khan, who was busy in shopping in CT Tower told APP.

The sale of Punjabi garments which has lot of variety and colours are also attracting buyers, Imran Khan, another shopkeeper said. He said he was selling Arong and Punjabi lehnga between Rs.950 and Rs.1200 each as eid special offer.

Similarly, people in large numbers are thronged to bookshops which have been turned into Eid cards stalls to buy the best card for their relatives and dear ones.

People take interest in traditional eid cards but youth opt for internet and SMS cards as majority is now sending their eid cards either through emails or mobile phones,” Nisar Sabri, owner of Sabri Book House said.

It is hoped that the eid shopping activities would further gain pace as Eid-ul-Fitr comes closer.

Send your kids back to school in style

It's time for the kids to head back to school, and that means new clothes, gadgets and supplies for the school year.

Dress your children in plaids, stripes and patterns - all of which reign supreme this season. Versatility will make shopping a breeze for your older teens.

For the girls, look for slim-fit pants or denims. Wide legs and bell-bottom styles also are making a comeback. And the must-have top of the season? The poncho.

For the boys, hoodies, button-down shirts and dark jeans are your best bet. Stocking up on layering tees will guarantee an endless array of outfit options.

For the youngsters, let them experiment with patterns and fanciful pieces like fedoras and tutus to make getting dressed a fun experience. And don't forget your accessories, including backpacks and carrying cases for your kids' iPads.

Send your children back to school with these stylish looks.

Add a touch of pizazz

Melanie Evans, 17, is a rising senior and varsity cheerleader at South View High School. On the days she has to cheer, Melanie wears dressier attire to school.

'These outfits are really cute. These would definitely be fun to wear on those days.'

B Wear print ruffle halter top, $44; B Wear boot-cut pants, $48

Layer it up

It's all about denim this fall. Stock up on gray pants and darker washes for your teenage boys.

Kyle Mohn, 17, is a senior and varsity football player at Westover High School. He sports a technology-friendly jacket with ear buds attached to the hood and a built-in headset jack for an MP3 player.

'I like it, because I like the headphones,' he said. 'I've seen some kids at school wear them, too.'

Mix and match

You can't go wrong with these layered-shirt combos. Don't let the prints fool you. You can layer plaid over a graphic tee with ease.

For your elementary-age boys, the layering rule still applies. Toss on a vest for added flair.

Rock Loud graphic tee, $10.50; striped woven shirt, $19.95; vest, $24.95; Coastal Nomad shoes, $19.95. All from The Children's Place. Basic Editions Carpenter Jeans, $14.99. Kmart.

Express yourself!

Jaysha Young, 8, is a third-grader at Margaret Willis Elementary School. She had no problem embracing this fun and frilly tutu skirt, a "Blossom"-esque fedora and a peace-inspired backpack. Bow fedora, $9.95; denim jacket, $19.95; cascade tutu skirt, $19.95; Kaywire ballet flats, $22.95. All from The Children's Place. Nickelodeon iCarly graphic tee, $12.99; Basic Editions leggings, $5.95, Kmart.

Jaylynn Morales keeps it simple with a striped sweater dress. The 5-year-old starts kindergarten this fall in New York. Striped sweater dress, $24.95. The Children's Place.

Mad about plaid

This funky plaid dress was an easy pick to fit Sophia Spangler's spunky personality. Sophia, 7, is a second-grader at Tanglewood Elementary School in Lumberton. Pintucked woven top, $19.95. The Children's Place. Basic Editions leggings, $5.95. Kmart. Zoo Lunchie Bee lunch box, $13. The Company Store.

It's all in the bag

Whether your children like bright colors, military prints or toy cars, they can showcase their personalities with these fun backpacks. Explorer Kids brown dot backpack, $39, lunch bag, $20; Explorer Kids Transportation toddler backpack, $26; Explorer Kids Skull/Crossbones backpack, $39. All provided by The Company Store.

Stylist: Jessica De Vault

Special thanks to: J.C. Penney, Target, The Children's Place and The Company Store. Additional clothing provided by B Wear, IZ Byer and BCX, which can be found at Macy's, J.C. Penney and Kohl's.

Don't horse around with style

Once a pastime for royals and society's upper crust, the doors of country clubs hosting polo matches have opened to welcome commoners like me, you and everyone else.

When I received an invite to witness my first live polo match, I was haunted by that narcissistic question: "What am I going to wear?"

But after my wardrobe troubles, I quickly realised that I'd committed a fashion faux pas when I arrived at the country club and scanned the crowd at the 2011 Inanda Africa Cup Polo tournament.

Sartorially, polo is not as theatrical as the Durban July and not as stiff as the Met. Shirts were buttoned down, hats were worn for protection and outfits were centred on the cut and quality of the garments. It was all about exuding a quiet elegance that isn't about flaunting your wealth, but subtly embracing it.

Style architect Felipe Mazibuko, who is featured on best-dressed lists and has judged awards shows like GQ Man of The Year, says a fail-proof outfit for a man who is attending a polo game is "a well-cut pair of chinos, a blue or white cotton shirt and a tailored navy blue double-breasted blazer", and adds that "men should stay away from ties and women should stay away from fascinators, anything sequined, long or dramatic."

Fashion editor Jenny Andrews agrees: "Don't wear anything you'd wear to a nightclub, cocktail party or wedding."

Andrew is a polo enthusiast who has been attending tournaments with her family since she was a little girl, so for her the biggest faux pas is wearing high heels.

"You shouldn't wear heels for good reason. There's a long-standing tradition in polo called 'divot stomping' which involves spectators walking onto the field at half-time and stomping down the torn up turf in preparation for the next game. You can't do this if you're wearing stilettos," she says.

Both Mazibuko and Andrews mentioned that self-proclaimed "Queen Of Bling" Khanyi Mbau, who wore a navy blue Moschino suit with a pair of riding Wellington boots, was one of the best dressed attendees at the 2011 Inanda Africa Cup Polo tournament.

"She was dressed appropriately. Her suit was well-tailored, her shoes were practical and even though she wore some bling, it was minimal," says Andrew.

Mazibuko says Generations actress Katlego Danke was also dressed well: "She wore a finely knitted polo neck, a fitted jacket and a great-fitting pair of jeans. She looked good, but she would have looked great if she had removed her fascinator."

Fashion blogger Maque de Gorgeous says: "Wearing a fascinator to polo is questionable. Polo is about looking effortless and being comfortable. A wide-brim hat is more appropriate."

De Gorgeous suggests a summer dress with flat shoes and modest wedge heels for women who insist on adding height. For men, he says jodhpurs with boots are a stylish alternative to chinos and loafers.

The general advice for people attending the BMW Polo Series this weekend is to remember that polo is an outdoor day sport, so keep it simple, comfortable and elegant.

L.A. captures the premium edge

Because of denim's pedigree as an inexpensive work-wear fabric, the five-pocket jeans in the premium denim category occasionally find themselves deconstructed, rivet by rivet, in an attempt to unravel the riddle of the retail price tag. In 2005 it was: "Who pays $600 for jeans?" In 2011: "How can jeans cost $300?" While the prices and dates may change, the underlying implication does not.

The question looms even larger against the backdrop of the economic malaise of the last few years; according to Port Washington, N.Y., market research firm NPD, while overall jean sales dropped about 2 percent to $13.7 billion for the 12 months ending in June, sales of jeans priced $50 and up dropped 8 percent.

But that still means Americans snapped up some $2 billion worth of premium denim in the last year - with the vast majority of that coming out of the Los Angeles area.

"If I could make the exact same jeans somewhere else, with the same fabric and the same washes and everything, I could probably do it for 30 percent or 40 percent less," says Jerome Dahan, founder and chief executive of the Huntington Park-based Citizens of Humanity label and a 29-year veteran of the blue jeans business. But Dahan's experience has convinced him that it's just not possible to manufacture with his exacting specifications in China, Mexico or Malaysia, where labor and sourcing costs are lower. "Maybe if I was a 25-year-old and not a 50-year-old and I could spend 20 years in China, that might be an option," Dahan says.

He's not alone in that assessment either. "There will be a day in any given week when something (in the production process) doesn't connect just right," says Michael Geller, president and CEO of Culver City-based Paige Denim. "And that's when you can get in your car and drive over to the wash house or wherever and make it right. You can't do that if you're making them anywhere else."

Geller thinks the cluster of denim laundries and the technical know-how of the blue crews based in the Southland are the reasons why the area owns the largest slice of the premium denim pie. "Los Angeles is responsible for at least 80 percent of the premium denim in the U.S. at a minimum," he says. "Maybe as much as 90 percent to 95 percent."

Geller and Dahan say the cost of manufacturing a pair of premium jeans can vary wildly, depending on the style and the details. High-quality denim, for example, can range from $12 to $25 a yard (whereas a lower-quality denim might cost closer to $7). And seemingly minor artistic decisions can have a major effect.

"People might not notice right away that instead of nine stitches per inch it's five stitches per inch, or that we're using thread that's half the size of what we usually use, but those things can suddenly add $20 or $30 more to the cost," Dahan said.

Geller says that such style details end up having a kind of ripple effect: "The decision to add (back pocket) embroidery might cost a couple of dollars," he said. "But once it goes through everyone in the chain - from manufacturer to retailer to consumer - the cost of a couple of dollars ends up being many dollars."

But the costs of fabric and trim can't hold a candle to the most expensive step in the production process: laundry treatments that may include washing in soap, abrading with stones, drying, dipping in resins.

Denim, a fabric that's either 100 percent cotton or close to it, naturally shrinks when laundered, which means that each new bolt of fabric requires an extensive and repeated shrink testing process. At Citizens of Humanity that involves sampling 30 percent to 40 percent of each delivery before it's made into jeans.

Shrinkage considerations make the seemingly simple process of adding a new silhouette or wash more costly, sometimes requiring up to five rounds of pattern-cutting, fitting and tweaking of a design, involving as many as two dozen people. And that's solely to create a sample to show prospective buyers. Geller puts the level of investment in perspective: "To make 10 to 20 samples, all handmade, for a jean that retails for $200, might cost as much as $400 or $500 each."

Dahan estimates that Citizens of Humanity turns out about a million pairs of jeans a year, directly employing 375 people and working with an additional 400 to 500 people employed by contractors who do things like add waistband embroidery and belt loops. Though Geller declined to share Paige Denim's annual output, he did estimate that each pair of jeans made by the company was handled by at least 150 employees through the production process.

And, to hear Geller and Dahan tell it, thanks to the wash houses and the denim experts who call the City of Angels home, those jobs aren't likely to leave Los Angeles any time soon.

At least as long as the customers clamoring for those fabulous five pockets continue to have enough money in theirs.

Retail masterminds reveal all

The founders of two fashion empires will spill the secrets of their success at a free business seminar next month.

The "Glamour, global and growth" seminar, held as part of the New South Wales Small Business September event, will see Jodie Fox, co-founder of online shoe design website Shoes of Prey, and Lucie Trinco, founder of fashion handbag company Il Tutto, share their business nuance at the Sydney MLC Centre on September 14.

The business owners will discuss their experiences on how social media and digital technology have revolutionised the publicity of their luxury fashion companies both locally and globally, and will also focus on how small business brands can leverage their exposure via social media and e-commerce to profit from these online marketing strategies.

Trinco, who has been running her fashion company since 2007, said she would also discuss how to identify niche products and how to embrace multi-levels of retailing in her presentation, while Fox will cover brand etiquette in social media and the skill of making lasting customer connections.

"This seminar is the result of discussions NSW Trade and Investment on some of the possible workshop topics that would be useful for the retail industry," Trinco said.

"Together with the organisers of Small Business September and my co-presenter Jodie Fox of Shoes of Prey, we’ll be sharing the common threads in both of our now successful companies with retail business owners in the growth phase and hopefully what we share with them will shed some light on how to continue the growth through online retailing."

Now in its 12th year, Small Business September is designed to help small business owners and operators "connect for profit" and discover a new direction or ways to improve aspects of their operations, expand networks and grow their businesses.

During this small business month, organiser NSW Trade and Investment will run more than 300 events across NSW, involving several key sponsors and about 150 partner organisations.

The "Glamour, global and growth" seminar is also part of the Women In Business Mentoring Program offered by NSW Trade & Investment. The seminar will be held on September 14 from 11am to 2pm, at Level 47, NSW Trade & Investment Centre, MLC Centre, 19 Martin Place, Sydney. Places are limited.