Sunday, October 28, 2007

To some, shopping is a serious hobby. Where better to practise your bargaining skills than in Bali? Unless the product is price-tagged - in Bali, bargaining is the norm.Try not to accept the first price that you are given, as most vendors add on anything between 30%-50% extra. You’ll get more for your money, if you are prepared to spend time and a smile whilst bargaining. Although tempting, try not to make any major purchases for the first few days. Look around, take your time, bargain hard and then buy...And so to shopping... What to buy, and where? Bali Plus has tried to simplify this task by classifying products and areas. In the tourist hubs of Kuta/Legian/Seminyak, Sanur and Ubud, almost anything that you might want to buy will be available. Many small villages specialize in certain crafts, and actually seeing the craftsmen at work will make whatever you’re buying that much more special. A definite must for all shoppers is the road from Denpasar to Ubud road - a 20 km stretch of antiques, stone and wood carvings,just to name a few items! Please refer to the ‘Essential Info’ chapter for market lisings.

Saturday, October 27, 2007

YOUR FUTURE IN FASHION

Did you know that the fashion industry generates $20 billion a year in revenue and is New York City's largest manufacturing industry?

The fashion industry is a fast-paced, increasingly complex world of creativity, design, business, and technology that many people find fascinating and alluring. As a growth industry, fashion is certain to provide many future career opportunities.

If you are contemplating a career in fashion, it is beneficial to take as many art-related classes as possible while you are in high school. This will help you develop your creative skills and sense of aesthetics. Being computer literate is also important, since many fashion companies obtain valuable information from the Internet and make use of design software programs.

You should also follow industry trends by reading books and fashion magazines, visiting museums, exploring fashion-related web sites, and watching television to observe advertising. It is critical to understand the world around you and to be aware of cultural, economic, and political events, which all have an impact on the fashion industry.

The payoff for a fashion career can be glamour and excitement, but it can be a long hard road. Most people in the industry start at the bottom and pay their dues, and there are no guarantees of fame and fortune. It is a very competitive and demanding industry, and many careers in fashion require that you work long and tedious work hours. In order to be successful, you must have a passion for fashion—a real burning desire to work in the industry. For many successful people in this business, fashion is their life—they live it, breathe it, and think it constantly.

If you decide to attend college, try to select a school that will provide an enriching and exciting educational experience—one where you can grow intellectually, creatively, professionally, and personally. A college or university that offers a specialized curriculum in fashion education is especially beneficial. Attend a college that has strong ties to the industry and where faculty are active practitioners in their fields. This will enable you to gain essential information and develop the skills you need to be successful.