Featured Story- DIY CRAZE

The DIY or do-it-yourself craze is the newest phenomenon sweeping the globe. The DIY business is blooming as more and more people are becoming self-reliant and independent. With the continued and current economic crisis in the nation, many Americans are trying to save as much as they possibly can. This newest obsession as even hit the White House— recently photographed buying fresh farm products at the Fresh Farm Market, Michele Obama has furthered the DIY craze.


DIY is also the latest trend on the fashion scene. Teen Vogue, one of the leading fashion magazines has even featured some DIY pages in their issues and on their website. Teen Vogue has already teamed up with designers such as Brain Reyes, Rachel Roy, and fall’s breakout designer Joseph Altuzarra. These designers transform ordinary clothing by reinventing them into “chic” fashionable pieces. Teen Vogue also teamed up with ALDO. ALDO, most commonly known for their shoe collection has formed a contest that looks for designers to create a unique piece from their shoes, boots or bag line. The winner will have an opportunity to collaborate on an upcoming ALDO design for their Fashion Week 2010 collection which will be featured in Teen Vogue.

This craze that has hit the fashion scene has generated a set of independent consumers that are customizing their own clothing for much less than buying designer names or even retail clothing. According to Dannielle Romano, fashion expert and editor of DailyCandy.com “Customization is no longer the exclusive domain of the wealthy and well-connected ... It's a great entry into the fashion world and appeals to people's egos.” Although customization has been out for many years now, it is becoming more prevalent as the idea of self-expression begins to grow. “A desire for individuality has fueled DIY fashion's three-fold market expansion over the past year “said, chief analyst at the market information company NPD-group, Marshal Cohen.

Creating your own individual customize clothing has become easier and more efficient as the use of the Internet medium increases. Along with fashion sites like cosmogirls.com—which frequently updates DIY blogs that gives step by step instructions on how to glamorize any ordinary outfit, there are sites that are committed solely to DIY fashion. DIYStyle.com is a website that weekly uploads video podcast that features how to design, sewing tips and interviews with designers. The magazine format vodcast can even be seen from a person’s IPod, pc and/or media-capable phones. It is also an interactive community website and meeting place. Do-it-yourself or design-it-yourself like the DIYStyle.com calls it also consists of blogs written by the Creative Chicks team.

DIY fashion has even hit the college scene. Jessica, a freshman at St. John’s University believes that DIY fashion is really efficient for people who are trying to save money as well as people who want to bring their own individuality into the clothing that they wear. “DIY fashion is another way to expand our creative horizon.”

If you are interested in designing your own outfit, visit your local fabric store and/or one of the website listed in the article to create designers look for less.

Credit: Teenvogue.com ;  Aldoshoes.com