Handloom exports from Panipat in the state of Haryana slipped down in the fiscal 2008-09 due to lack of technical expertise. Growth of Panipat handloom industry is being stifled as the state government has not taken any concrete steps to develop a special cluster for handloom units in the town since establishment of the industry.

Handloom units keep on operating in scattered areas in the town, said Mr. Ramesh Verma, President of the Handloom Exports Manufacturers Association (HEMA), Panipat, which has been demanding a specific area and necessary infrastructure for the exporters in handloom industry, so that these units can work jointly and witness development.

HEMA is among the largest handloom manufacturers associations in Panipat having around 1,200 members.

Handloom industry that has offered international recognition to Panipat is facing challenges to acquire competitive stand in the global market just because the government has not offered technical knowledge to the manufacturers on quality control measures and the value-added products, which are essential factors to cater to the global markets.

There are about 2,000 handloom units in the medium and small sector producing durries, mats, table covers, bed sheets, curtains and carpets, actively, revealed the records of industries department.

Variety of products are manufactured mainly on three types of looms; Frame looms, Jacquard Looms and Pit Looms, which are used to produce plain as well as striped fabrics, designer fabrics and heavy fabrics, respectively.

The manufactured products are sold in domestic as well as international markets such as the US, Australia, Japan, Canada, Germany and Malaysia. Handloom exports from Panipat soared up from Rs. 6.8 billion in 1999-2000 to Rs 30 billion in 2007-08, as per industries department’s records.

However, in the year 2008-09, these exports dropped down to Rs. 28.4 billion due to recession. Handloom manufacturers see the prospects of recovery if they receive required support from the government.

Government needs to guide these manufacturers for the kind of products they need to produce and for quality maintenance of the product, to make these manufacturers competitive on the global platform, said Mr. Ram Pratap, Executive Member of HEMA.

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CARRERA, one of the most recognized sunglass and sport eyewear brands in the world from Safilo Group, has announced the inclusion of its "Champion" sunglass model in the latest Lady Gaga music video "Bad Romance," the lead single off the singer's upcoming album The Fame Monster.

"Bad Romance" contains all of the elements that have made Lady Gaga's videos widely embraced since her debut single last year. The highly stylized video finds Lady Gaga performing within a controversial and risqué environment, which enhances Lady Gaga's overall sensuality and vulnerability. The Fame Monster builds upon Lady Gaga's debut album The Fame, with eight new tracks including "Bad Romance." 

The CARRERA sunglass model "Champion," the brand's signature and most colourful style in its recently relaunched "vintage collection," adorns Lady Gaga during the video. With the narrative set against a crisp and clean landscape, the distinctive and fashionable eyewear enhances Lady Gaga's fearless and confident performance.

"Bad Romance" is currently in rotation on all major musical broadcast and on-line outlets. 

The Carrera "vintage collection" features new fashion sunglass styles that resonate with young and stylish trendsetters around the world. Customized with iconic retro detailing, the new models from Carrera have achieved cult status and make a bold fashion statement.

The highly unique and recognizable aviator shape of the "Champion" sunglasses are inspired by the original design first introduced in the early Eighties and produced in Optyl (registered trademark of Safilo), an extremely lightweight and hypoallergenic material.

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This holiday seasonGap is bringing the new babyGap and GapKids Holiday collection designed by Stella McCartney to Los Angeles’s fashion-savvy kids with a pop-up store on the famed Robertson Boulevard. The exclusive Stella McCartney for GapKids Pop-Up Store opens its doors through Saturday, Nov. 28.

"We love Stella McCartney's style and brand, as a mother, she understands what children want to wear," said Pam Wallack, president of babyGap, GapKids, and GapMaternity. " Mixing Stell's unique style with the playfulness and versatility of babyGap and GapKids signature designs resulted in an exceptionally fun collection for the holiday season. We couldn't think of a better place to host the only stand-alone shop for the collection than in L.A. where style makers and trendsetters make their mark as a very young age."

Opening today, the Stella McCartney for GapKids Pop-Up Store, situated across from renowned The Ivy, will feature the new Stella McCartney for GapKids collection, designed for girls and boys from newborns and on up to 12-year-olds. The collection features Stella McCartney’s signature touches, including a soft color palette, familiar silhouettes and her unique mix of unexpected pieces. The result – looks that stay true to Stella’s unique vision, reinterpreted with GapKids' playful, child-like charm, keeping fun and practicality at the forefront of the design intent.

For girls, key pieces include an intarsia leopard print sweater dress, velvet blazer, tulle tutu and cashmere hoodie that are sure to delight little girls the world over. The boy’s collection is fun and functional, featuring a mix of monster and superhero graphics and classic pieces like a navy wool peacoat and quilted chambray jacket. For the littlest ones, the collection features organic cotton and cashmere/silk mix styles in simple, indispensible shapes for babyGap.

The launch was celebrated with a kid-friendly event, complete with face painting, balloon animals and more, hosted by Liv Tyler at the Pop-Up store.

Details about the Stella McCartney for GapKids Pop-Up Store:

When: Thursday, November 5, 2009 – Saturday, November 28, 2009.
Monday – Saturday: 10:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Where: 108 N Robertson Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90048

Stella McCartney launched her own fashion house under her name in 2001 in a joint venture with Gucci Group. A lifelong vegetarian, Stella McCartney does not use any leather or fur in her designs. The brand’s luxury women's ready-to-wear, shoes, bags, fragrances, eyewear, accessories, CARE skin care range and performance range with Adidas is available through 16 flagship stores including London, NY, Los Angeles, Shanghai, Tokyo, Beijing, Hong Kong and Paris as well around 600 wholesale accounts in key cities worldwide.

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This year plastic has become the newest trend in couture. From Paris to Milan to New York, plastics are showing up in a variety of innovative and unusual ways on the runway including funky jewelry, 10-inch platform shoes and even sequined mini-dresses made from recycled plastic bottles. Celebrating this up-and-coming trend, Plastics Make it Possible, sponsored by the plastics industries of the American Chemistry Council, will present the Gen Art "Fresh Faces in Fashion" Los Angeles Show on October 29, hosted by actress Kaley Cuoco, star of the popular CBS sitcom, The Big Bang Theory.

"Plastics and couture might not seem like an obvious fit, but the fact is that plastics have played a very large role in fashion for decades," said Steve Russell, vice president, Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council. "Without plastic, we wouldn't have faux fur, and skinny jeans wouldn't have their stretch. Plastics also provide women with comfortable, smooth support under their favorite looks. We're thrilled to partner with Gen Art to highlight how plastics inspire designers' imaginations and allow artists to create pieces that are cutting-edge, on trend, chic, affordable, and even eco-friendly."

The "Fresh Faces in Fashion" show is the first in a series of events sponsored by Plastics Make it Possible as part of a new partnership with Gen Art aimed at showcasing the creative use of plastics in fashion design and the ways in which up-and-coming designers are applying them to today's - and tomorrow's - trends. Whether it's polyester, nylon, spandex or Lycra, the fashion and design world has embraced these plastic materials.

At the show Kaley Cuoco will announce a nationwide fashion design competition challenging new and established designers to create two dynamic womenswear looks made from fabrics that include plastic-based fibers such as chiffon, rayon, nylon and more.

"In my business, I need to stay on top of trends and I love to support up-and-coming designers wherever possible," said Kaley Cuoco, who is currently starring as Penny in the third season of The Big Bang Theory. "I'm very excited to work with Plastics Make it Possible(SM) as they challenge designers to create innovative looks using plastics and recycled plastic fabrics."

The Gen Art "Fresh Faces in Fashion" show, presented by Plastics Make it Possible, will take place on opening night of Rock Fashion Week in Los Angeles, October 29, at the impressive Peterson Automotive Museum. Entering its 15th year, the show traditionally draws over 1,200 attendees and has launched the careers of leading designers such as: Zac Posen, Rebecca Taylor, Shoshanna and Milly. A star-studded after-party will take place in a specially designed plastic-themed lounge after the show.

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