How often do you give someone a gift? Christmas and birthdays are two of the big gift giving days in your calendar no doubt. If you’re lucky enough to have someone special in your life then Valentine’s Day too. Then there are those times when you just feel like spoiling your friends and family. So chances are you are spending a lot more of your calendar year giving gifts than you realise.

So why have we forgotten the more creative side to gift giving? Despite the fact that it has become quite an integral aspect of Western culture. Now we aren’t talking about the actual gifts that you buy. We are talking about the gift giving process and everything that is involved in that. Wrapping. Presentation. Building suspense. All those little flourishes and details that can elevate gift giving into something truly memorable. Which is why we have put together this guide to help you jazz up your gift giving skills!

Step Up Your Wrapping Game

When it comes to giving a gift it is true that it is the thought that counts. But this also extends to how you present the gift to the other person. Imagine if all of your birthday presents as a child were wrapped in old newspapers. It wouldn’t be quite as exciting as the likely vibrant and colourful wrapping paper you did get.

The first step is to watch some gift wrapping tutorials to ensure you are doing it right. And invest in quality wrapping paper. Cheaper wrapping paper is far more likely to rip during the wrapping process. But why not take it a step further? Adding hand tied bows to a gift can really elevate it into something with a more personalized feel. I often like to find good luck charms to add to gifts. This is a nice way to not only make the gift stand out visually, but also adds in a little extra present for the recipient.

Presentation Is Key

How you give someone a gift also plays a huge part in the whole process. Rather than just handing them the gift with no ceremony, why not try to make it a bit of an occasion. Maybe invite them out somewhere nice. Or maybe invite them somewhere with a special meaning to you both. And try to build up to the gift giving. Maybe dance around the subject first or lead with some nice compliments about how much the recipient means to you.

People Love Surprises

Nothing is better than seeing someone’s face when they get a gift they weren’t expecting. So, where possible, you should try to surprise the recipient. This is especially effective if you are just giving them a gift for no reason. Try to meet up with them under some other pretense and avoid giving them the gift straight away. Build up to it and it will be far more effective.

Scavenger Hunts

This is a great idea if you’re planning to give someone a lot of gifts. People think scavenger hunts are only fun for children. But the truth is nearly every adult would love a scavenger hunt where they find gifts as they go. You can also take this to the next level by making all the clues and hiding locations relevant to your shared history with the recipient.

Quality Or Quantity

People often assume that you need to focus on both of these at the same time. But this isn’t true. A high-quality gift, something like jewelry or a sentimental object, is much more impactful in isolation. Whereas if you’re giving a lot of gifts then you can afford to lower the quality of these gifts. Now this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still try to buy nice gifts if you’re going for quantity. But try to avoid a lot of emotionally impactful gifts in that case.

Experiences Over Objects

Getting new things is always nice. But a lot of people have forgotten that the best gift you can give is creating new memories for or with someone. That is why you should consider giving more experiences as a gift. Concert tickets, holiday bookings, a trip to the theatre. Things like this are a great way to show that you have taken a real interest in the recipient. You don’t always have to do these activities with the recipient either. Sometimes it’s nicer to simply give them some tickets and let them bring whoever they want along with them.

Breaking into the fashion world is by no means an easy endeavor. Not only is it a highly competitive environment from a creative standpoint but the logistics and legality of establishing a fashion brand, let alone making it successful, is a monumental undertaking. We aren’t trying to put you off trying. We just want to make sure you are informed before you start on this journey.

This guide has been designed to help you establish your own fashion brand. We will be covering both the creative and logistical aspects. Giving you a basic overview of all the things you need to consider to ensure your brand has the best chance of success.

Building Your Brand Identity

This is one of the more fun parts of the process. When you get to design your brand’s logo, slogans, and work on all the design aspects that will surround your brand. Colour schemes, website design, business cards. All the little things that will compile together to make your brand feel more alive.

One thing you need to be aware of is copyright infringement. If you don’t know what this is, it is the term given when someone produces something that is too similar to an early existing intellectual property. Most people assume it only applies to entertainment media. But it also applies to branding. For example you can’t simply call your fashion brand ‘Gucci.’ And it is also recommended that you avoid making your logo look too similar to another brand.

Once you have some preliminary designs and names for your brand you should consult a copyright law firm. They will be able to help you file your trademarks while also finding out if there are any other registered brands already using your suggested names or designs. It is also a good idea to make use of legal transcription services both during the design process and during any meetings with your copyright lawyers. This will help cover you legally while also giving you a clear record of everything that has happened during the trademark process.

Brick-And-Motar Or Online?

This is one of the biggest decisions you will have to make in the early days of your brand. Will you operate from a physical store or exclusively online? Now this decision doesn’t have to be permanent. You can start as an online only store and then, if you are doing well, expand to a physical location. You should always have an online store even if you are planning to have a physical store as well. The vast majority of people do their shopping completely online these days. So ensuring you have a robust online store is essential to the success of your business.

But let us look at the pros and cons of having a physical store. One of the biggest advantages is you are less likely to get returns when people shop in person. If people can try on your clothing in store they are less likely to end up returning it. Whereas a lot of online shoppers will buy a lot of items and then send them back once they try them on and realize it isn’t their style.

Another advantage of a physical store is the ability to launch exclusive items that are only available to in person shoppers. This will allow you to charge a slight premium on the items while also generating more hype. Exclusivity is a huge marketing tool in the fashion industry. So you should utilize it whenever possible.

The main disadvantage to having a physical store is the running costs. Rent, staffing costs, utility bills, repairs, insurance. All of this will eat into your profits. This shouldn’t be an issue if your store is in a busy location. But if you can’t guarantee enough foot traffic to cover your costs then you are better off not having a physical store.

Social Media

This is going to be the best marketing tool at your disposal. Maintaining an active social media presence on as many platforms as possible will be key to the success of your brand. And you should start your marketing long before the launch of your brand. We spoke briefly about generating hype earlier. Making posts about your brand and your upcoming launch will get people excited and should boost your initial sales by a considerable amount.

As your company expands you might want to consider hiring a social media manager. You will naturally need to shift your focus to maintaining your company and designing new clothes. But you need to maintain a consistent social media upload schedule. Having a member of staff dedicated to managing this will massively help your business.

When people think of fashion their first thought is to look to the European nations. France, Spain, Germany. And this is understandable. Europe has always been one of the main fashion hubs of the world for the longest time. Paris, for instance, is often considered the most fashionable city on the planet.

But today we are going to be examining fashion brands that focus on styles from the Middle East. People are quick to overlook the Middle East in regards to fashion. Yet it is home to some extremely trendy locations. Istanbul, Cairo, Lebanon. Dubai was recently declared one of the most fashion forward cities out there.

And the fashion trends of the Middle East aren’t confined to the Middle East either. They have been slowly dominating the global fashion scene for quite some time. Shows like Dubai Bling have been highlighting the luxuriant lifestyles and fashion trends of the Arab Emirates. And many of the biggest fashion shows in Europe and America have started featuring designs inspired by Middle Eastern culture.

You would be surprised at just how many familiar brands call the Middle East home. So today we are ranking the hottest Middle Eastern fashion brands of 2025!

NÓRA

One of the biggest names in the fashion industry right now. This Dubai based brand is one of the most progressive and fashion forward companies out there. Focusing on creating sleek, stylish looks that capture the cultural stylings of Dubai while adding their own unique twist on Dubai fashion.

NÓRA is a female founded company that has its principles firmly in empowering women through fashion. Be that in the workplace or socially. The company is very outspoken about their desire to see women embrace their femininity in numerous different ways. Fashion has always been one of the primary tools of female empowerment throughout history. And NÓRA is keeping that tradition alive. They are also one of the more sustainable fashion brands out there. They ensure that they only partner with ethical manufacturers.

MISSABAYA

MISSABAYA is one of the hottest up-and-coming brands in the UK right now. Their primary focus is on the popular abaya, a modesty focused garment that functions in a similar style to a robe. The Abaya finds its roots in Islamic culture. A garment designed to highlight the wearer’s faith and modesty.

MISSABAYA is focused on creating a more stylish and fashionable range of abayas for the modern woman. The UK has seen a huge rise in immigration from Islamic nations over the last few decades. Yet the nation hasn’t caught up in regards to providing high quality fashion from Islamic cultures. MISSABAYA is breaking down that barrier and cultivating a strong name for themselves in the UK fashion sector.

Their philosophy focuses on the idea that modesty need not be boring. And this is reflected in their product range. You’ll find a huge selection of elegant abayas in a range of styles and colours. From abayas suited to work environments to those designed for formal occasions. They have something for everyone. They also produce some fantastic khimars and slip dresses too.

Their products have made their way into a few popular UK retailers. But their website is the best place to go in our opinion. Not only do they offer free shipping but they sell Abayas here at a discount for students or NHS workers. Making them one of the best choices for international students looking to study in the UK.

Qasimi

So far we have focused heavily on female fashion. Now we are turning our attention towards a brand that prides itself on gender inclusivity. Qasimi was founded in London back in 2015 and has been a staple of the global fashion scene ever since.

Qasimi’s philosophy is one of melding different fashion cultures together to create something truly expressive. They focus on streetwear that is form fitting, stylish, and affordable too. They have an absolutely huge collection on offer. And every item is of the highest quality. If your style is something more subdued, perhaps lots of blacks and simple designs, they have something for you. Or if you’re someone that likes to show off with vibrant colours and bold patterns then you will also find something to your liking.

While their primary focus is on trendy streetwear they haven’t been against dipping their toes into the world of high fashion either. They have been featured in a number of high profile fashion shows in recent years. Most recently during London fashion week we saw Qasimi take to the runways. Showing off their more experimental fashion designs that build upon Middle Eastern culture in new and exciting ways. They are definitely a brand to keep an eye on in the coming years.

Reddit is a known and trusted platform that is packed with information on any imaginable topic, both technical and non-technical.

As a fashion designer looking to stand out amongst others, you need to expand your knowledge and gain more insight into what the professional entails. You can access thousands of useful fashion tips and advice that will help enhance your skills and keep your clients happy.

The best way to access useful fashion information on Reddit is by joining one or more of some of the best fashion subreddits on Reddit.

Join us as we explore the most impactful fashion subreddits that will be great for both old and new fashion designers.

6 Best Subreddits For Fashion Designers

1. r/malefashionadvice

Reddit’s communities or subreddits are different from those on other platforms. They are more organised and regulated and can exist for a longer period. r/malefashion is one of the strongest fashion communities on Reddit, with all the right features. This subreddit, like many others on the platform, has stood the test of time. r/alefashionadvice was founded in 2009 and has, since then, grown immensely into a community with over 5 million members. The community is great for new fashion designers looking to gain more ground in male fashion. You can even get as much as a step-by-step introduction to male fashion.

2. r/sneakers

The fashion subreddits on Reddit are not only limited to clothes, they cover everything about fashion. If you are doubting that joining a sneaker community can impact your fashion designer career, you need to think deeper. In the fashion world, everything is interconnected. You cannot consider an outfit without thinking of the best footwear and accessories to combine with it. r/sneakers like the r/malefashionadvice subreddit, was founded in 2009. The community boasts of over 3.3 million members and this goes far to show the importance of sneakers in the world of fashion. Fashion topics are frequently shared by Reddit users, hence the need to ensure that you are well-grounded in the best fashion subreddits to avoid missing out on them. Important information

3. r/femalefashionadvice

This subreddit is the female version of the r/makesfashionadvice. It was founded in 2010 and has around 3.2 members. The community involves discussions on everything about female fashion. You can get any information you need by simply asking questions or from previous posts. Members of the communities can request brand recommendations, critiques, style inspo, fashion ideas, etc. If you are new to the fashion world, there is no better way to kick-start than joining a subreddit like r/femalefashionadvice.
Like other subreddits, the members of the community are guided by rules that have consequences if broken

4. r/frugalfemalefashion

One common attribute of the female fashion communities on Reddit is that they are often tight-knit. This doesn’t come as a surprise especially since it involves fashion. Fashion is almost like a universal language that everyone understands. r/frugalfemalefashion is a tight-knit Community that was founded in 2012, and It has around 1.1 million members. This subreddit is mostly about fashion on a budget, so if you mostly work with a limited budget, this is the best community for you. The best part about this subreddit is that members are allowed to post about active sales happening at the moment. This way, you no longer have to worry about missing deals.

5. r/frugalmalefashion

r/frugalmalefashion was founded in 2010, and like r/frugalfemalefashion, it mostly involves fashion on a budget. You can learn more about good sales deals that will have you or your clients looking luxurious on a low budget. Aside from the steady deals posted in the community, other fashion-related posts and discussions are also available.

6. r/streetwear

r/streetwear is one of the most popular fashion communities on Reddit. This may be because almost everyone wears streetwear. Streetwear involves casual outfits worn by all genders. r/streetwear was founded in 2011 and has over 4 million members. The community is not subjected to a particular gender, anyone can be a member. Most of the posts on this subreddit are visuals or images of casual outfits. As a fashion designer, you can get some inspiration from some of the outfits posted

Conclusion

One of the attributes that make a good fashion designer is having an idea about everything in the fashion world. So, if you are looking to excel in your fashion career, joining as many fashion communities as possible on Reddit, will be a better option for you.

There are other wonderful subreddits for budding fashion designers but these are some of our best picks. One of the best parts of joining subreddits for fashion designers is that you can connect with others and share useful ideas with them.

As 2024 draws to an end a large swath of the Asian continent is preparing to celebrate the closing of the Year of the Dragon to make way for the year of the Wood Snake. While the Dragon represents good fortune and luck the Wood Snake is well known for its affinity to luxurious goods and mastery over skills that require a lot of expertise. With this in mind, now seems the best time to explore the fashion of the Orient and see what Chinese culture offers the world in 2024. You might be surprised to see how cultural clothing items from China have greatly impacted how we see Asian fashion today.

Chinese Tradition and the Hanfu

While nowadays, it is pretty easy to partake in Chinese games available online, like the site Arkadium games have mahjong which you can play for free, or even taste traditional Chinese meals thanks to your local Chinese restaurant, you might not know that clothes, as we know them today, owe a lot to the Hanfu. The Hanfu is, as the name implies, the traditional robe worn by the Han people of China. The popularity of the Hanfu since its introduction in the second millennium BC spread all around Asia inspiring some other iconic cultural apparel like the Hanbok for Korea and the Kimono in Japan. During the 17th century, there was also a surge of interest towards the Orient in Europe which saw many arts including fashion take a lot of influences from China during the rise of the Chinoiserie artistic movement. While many of these inspirations had different flavors of Orientalism and imperialism attached to them nowadays, they remain artifacts of an old relationship between the East and the West regarding fashion.

Special attire for Special occasions

Generally speaking, when we speak of special events in China we think of the Chinese New Year or wedding ceremonies for example. In these events, you will see many people wearing the Tang suit. The Tang suit is extremely recognizable by its straight collar And its buttons made out of woven rope which are often called frog-style buttons. While the original inspiration was won by the people of Manchu as an everyday where it has become a unisex attire that can be worn for many important events. In those cases, generally, the tang suits will be adorned with bright colors as well as many characters from Chinese lore as a sign of good luck and good fortune. It is one of the most widespread and most recognizable attire that has come out of China especially when we talk about modern fashion and mother and depictions of China in media.

The Zhongshan Suit and Modernity

This design is very much inspired by our last entry where we talked about the tang suit. While many people might know this design as the Mao suit the reality is that it was first popularized by a man called Doctor Sun Zhongshan hence the name. One of the best ways to look at the Zhongshan suit is by looking at the tang suit and a modern western suit jacket side by side. You might easily recognize the fact that this jacket is essentially a Chinese take on the modern suit jacket which is meant to not only be useful with its many variations that can have up to four pockets but also be a great everyday wear that can suit both casual and formal events. In the same way you would wear a dress suit in the West the Zhongshan suit serves the same purpose while offering a very different appearance that can be very flattering depending on your physique. The symmetrical shape as well as the centred buttons allow for a very strong and impressive figure for men.

Now that it has become easier than ever to be able to connect with cultures from around the world it’s no surprise that China is leaving a very big impression on the worldwide communities. As we see China play a bigger and bigger role on the international stage both economically and politically chances are we will see more of Chinese culture be exported to the West to the great pleasure of those who are interested to see the potential crossovers between western and eastern cultures. Only time can tell all fashion will be affected but chances are that a new equal partnership between Chinese and Western designers could be very interesting for the fashion industry. It will be interesting to see what comes of all of this.

When we talk about fashion there is no debating the fact that we are all inspired by many sources to create our fashion senses. One of the main inspirations for many younger people has been sprouting out of the many social media platforms available online. As you can imagine, the rising popularity of influencers over the past few decades has shaped how people consume media and interact with many industries. One such industry of course is the fashion industry. So, whether you see them through TikTok or Instagram, the reality is that fashion industry influencers have become a staple for many people, and you might have been consuming their content without even realizing it. So, look at some of the hottest fashion influencers you need to follow. You will be surprised by some of the names.

Emma Chamberlain

To start a fire list let’s start with in name that you might recognize if you’ve spent any time online. While many people might not consider Emma Chamberlain a fashion influencer the reality is that through her surprisingly lengthy career despite her young age Emma acquired the title of fashion influencer. She started her online career on YouTube where she created many YouTube vlogs that gathered a lot of viewers making her follower account on other platforms skyrocket. Nowadays she is very well known for her incredibly relatable fashion content she posts on platforms like Instagram. Even though she is not the young vlogger she was once she has earned a massive following simply for lifestyle content on Instagram.

Dixie Damelio

This is for sure another name you have earned or at the very least you know the family name. When we talk about content creation, especially for the Generation Z audience there is no debating the fact that the Damelio family has earned a massive place on both TikTok and Instagram. If you’re not familiar with Dixie, you have heard of her sister Charlie, or perhaps even of their father. Dixie just like her sister Charlie once word TikTok creators where they created both dance and quirky comedic content that earned them a lot of followers. They acquired a lot of their new following through platforms like Instagram and Snapchat before putting their money to use to create more fashion-oriented projects. While Dixie yourself has collaborated with companies like Yves Saint Laurent She is also part of a family business that produces high-end footwear.

Wisdom Kaye

While some of the most popular influencers in the fashion industry are women there are still plenty of men that made massive names for themselves. The Nigerian American model Wisdom Kaye is one of them. While it boasts a massive following of 3 million people which might not be as impressive as many other fashion icons the reality is that he has constantly been making brand partnerships that have earned him a lot of views as well as a massive platform. He is not only a fashion influencer he also has the opportunity to work with some of the biggest brands as well as some of the most famous designers currently working in the industry. While he does make a lot of paid partnerships one of the reasons Kaye has earned such a massive following is because he never betrays his sense of style and individual understanding of the fashion he partakes in. The most surprising thing is that if you spent any time on TikTok during the past five years you’ve seen some of his content where he would create outfits based on famous characters from anime or cartoons.

Sabrina Carpenter

While nowadays the line between influencers and celebrities seems kind of blurred Sabrina Carpenter is one of those people that makes it even blurrier. While she was first known as a child actor in a Disney series the reality is that nowadays Sabrina Carpenter is not only a fashion icon but also one of the biggest pop stars in the world. Wow, she has taken the world by storm with her new album and tour the reality is that she has a massive following online which she has built up even before the massive rising success of her singing career. In the same way as many pop stars before she has had the opportunity to work with many fashion brands and create all of fashion trends just by wearing certain items of clothing. While she might not be pulling numbers like Taylor Swift the reality is that her cultural impact especially in 2024 is unavoidable.

Festival season is finally upon us! From the amazing sights of Tommorowland to the unmatched scale of Burning Man, festivals are a chance for people from all walks of life to escape into a world of creative expression. Whether you live for the thrill of seeing your favorite artists take to the stage or simply love to dive into all the creative activities festivals have to offer, this truly is the best time of year.

Festivals are also the perfect place to really express yourself through fashion! Nowhere will you see a more eclectic and vibrant array of outfits and costumes than at a festival. If you are unsure of how you can elevate your festival outfit to the next level, fear not! We are here to provide you with all the fashion tips you need to become festival ready!

UV Is King

Neon lights and intense laser shows are a huge part of any festival. They elevate a musical performance and turn a once mundane location into a magical wonderland. And there is no better way to make use of all these amazing lights than with a UV outfit.

Neon outfits are an amazing choice for any festival. They will quite literally glow under the lights. Pair them with some UV temporary tattoos or UV body paint to really stand out in the darkness!

Dungarees

When you are planning your festival outfit you need to consider function as well as fashion. The dancefloors can become extremely hot and you want an outfit that isn’t physically restrictive either. Dungarees are a fantastic festival staple that blends function with fashion amazingly well.

I highly recommend opting for a pair of dungarees with a zipped front pouch. This will allow you to store your valuables without the need for a fanny pack. They are also perfect for when you want to simply lounge around the festival getting food or chilling back at camp.

Festival Accessories

No festival outfit is complete without an assortment of amazing accessories to truly elevate it. We recommend avoiding any precious jewelry or items of sentimental value. It isn’t uncommon for accessories to become damaged or lost in the madness of a festival.

A stylish hand fan is an extremely practical and fashionable choice. Perfect for beating the heat mid-dance. Light up slap on wrist bracelets are a great choice for bringing a bit of extra glow to the dance floor. Or, if you really want to stand out, consider a pair of UV digital message glasses. These specs let you create custom images and messages to slide across your eyes.

Then you need to consider the more edible festival accessories. Either to give you a boost or to help you mellow out. I am a huge fan of THC gummies for festivals. They are perfect for helping you sleep at night. Lately I’ve been using these 5mg death star gummies that have been making the rounds and they are unbeatable! You might also want to look at getting some melatonin gummies if you want a proper night’s sleep.

Less Is More

The key to a good festival outfit is often about showing more skin. This is both for fashion purposes and practical ones. During the hot summer months you ensure you don’t overheat during the festival. So any outfits with good ventilation or that show a lot of skin are ideal.

Mandala themed light jackets and baggy shorts are a great option for any festival. They will blend in well with the vibrant themes of a festival. If you want to go shirtless during the festival, as we said above, you could opt for body paint or temporary tattoos. Feather shoulder capes are also a fun way to turn a shirtless look into a full outfit.

Practical Shoes

While fashion does play a huge part in the festival scene there is one area you will likely want to avoid focusing too much on its fashion aspects. And that is your shoes. Festivals aren’t immune from a sudden turn of weather. Especially if you’re in the UK. So you need to ensure your shoes are practical and comfortable.

We recommend having a look on websites like Vinted to find some old sneakers or boots. There are hundreds of fashionable, yet functional options out there. Your shoes will get dirty and damaged during a festival. So try to avoid wearing expensive shoes that you would be sad to lose.