LONDON (AP) ― In the world of women’s fashion, London often plays second fiddle to other style capitals ― it lacks the allure of Paris’s haute couture or the polish of Milan’s luxury labels. Yet when it comes to dressing gentlemen, no city can rival the British capital’s heritage. Steeped in a rich history of tailoring for kings, army generals and the world’s wealthiest men, London is now being marketed as the home of men’s fashion ― the original birthplace of the tuxedo jacket, the bowler hat a

WASHINGTON (AP) ― Michelle Obama’s fashionable clothing has become something of a given in her five-plus years as first lady. Yet her wardrobe still is the subject of endless public fascination and one long-simmering question: Who pays for those incredible outfits? It’s no small matter. Her high-low fashion choices mix everyday, off-the-rack fare with custom creations from top designers whose gowns can run into five figures. In recent weeks, Mrs. Obama has turned heads with a forest-green Naeem

In her newly minted shop in Seoul’s Cheongdam-dong, florist Audrey Oh starts arranging marigolds, blue delphiniums, shepherd’s purse and stonecrop into a vibrant, spring-appropriate bouquet.The veteran floral designer’s swift movements make it look deceptively easy, yet the marriage of near-violet blue with ruffled golden orange, the carefully spaced exclamations of yellow-green, are portrait-worthy, serving as a testimony to her years of experience.“I like natural and simple designs,” said Oh,

MINNEAPOLIS ― When Natasha Cronen got married last September, she knew exactly what her bridal bouquet would look like, down to the petal.That’s because she’d made it herself, two days earlier, along with all the other flowers for her wedding.Cronen, of Woodbury, Minn., and her bridesmaids gathered at Market Flowers near the Minneapolis Farmers Market to craft coral and white roses into bouquets, centerpieces, corsages for the bride and groom’s mothers and grandmothers as well as boutonnieres fo

AKRON, Ohio ― It was bound to happen ― you’ve found your first gray hair. It may remind you that the internal clock is ticking. You make a mental note to call the hairdresser for a dye job.Or do you?Silver or gray is trending now in fashion, accessories and home decor. And while some local stylists say going gray naturally may be a trend, others say it can make a woman look 10 years older.Before you squeeze that tube of Vidal Sassoon on your locks, examine your shade of gray.“I have one client w

NEW YORK (AP) ― Old-style glamour ― especially in black and white ― ruled the night air as stars of Hollywood and the fashion world converged on the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday evening for the annual Costume Institute gala, the biggest event on the New York fashion calendar.This year, the glamour quotient was raised a notch: Whereas last year’s theme was punk, this time women were focusing on flowing gowns, and men were asked to dress in white tie ― full evening dress, including tails,

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EVANSTON, Illinois (AP) ― They’re called leggings ― popular fashion items that are tight-fitting pants to some, and glorified tights to others. Younger girls often wear them as pants with little fuss. But as those same girls approach middle school, leggings have become a clothing accessory that’s increasingly controversial ― and seemingly, the favorite new target of the school dress code. Some schools have banned leggings outright. Others have set limits. Haven Middle School in Evanston, just no

LONDON (AP) ― London is getting a new fashion extravaganza ― the Victoria’s Secret Show, which will take place for the first time in the British capital this year. Victoria’s Secret models Adriana Lima and Candice Swanepoel joined Chief Marketing Officer Ed Razek at the company’s London flagship store for the announcement Tuesday. The annual show, known for its unique lingerie and live performances by top entertainers, will be held at Earls Court in the fall and air on CBS at a later date. No sp

PHILADELPHIA ― Designers pulled a bunch of pretty, petaled patterns from their graphic arsenals this spring, planting them generously all over sheaths and trousers, jumpsuits and shorts.The idea, of course, was to get women so excited about the sweet peony prints that they would start shopping well before the first crocuses of spring. The last time flowers were this fashionable was the early ’90s ― so most of our closets had nary a bud. And coincidentally, it also helped that we needed a boost a

Hundreds of Chinese fans were in a frenzy at the opening of Seoul Fashion Week last Friday, when K-pop boy group EXO took the catwalk presenting the creations of young Korean designers. The popularity of K-pop has put a spotlight on the Korean fashion industry event, launched in 2000, and designers as well. Now, Seoul Fashion Week is one of the most anticipated fashion shows in Asia.“K-pop and Korean TV dramas play an important role in attracting attention to Korean fashion,” said Griffin Chan,

NEW YORK (AP) ― It’s still chilly in much of the U.S., but stores are clearing out coats and sweaters to make way for spring’s bright colors and lighter clothing. And if you’re looking to update your wardrobe this season, you’ll need to know about a few key trends: crop tops, high waists and wider pant legs.But don’t panic just yet about the idea of wearing a top that may not reach your navel. There are several ways to pull off the potentially midriff-baring trend ― whether or not you have great