The story of the best known and first-ever plus size clothing retailer, RedCats USA, known until 2004 as Brylane, is the story of a young Lithuanian immigrant, Lena Bryant, who in 1901 started the firm. Bryant's husband died leaving her financially destitute. From money acquired with the sale of her diamond earrings, Bryant bought a sewing machine and started her dressing making business. Her plus size clothing beginnings was in the design and creation of wedding gowns. They she had an inspiration that resulted in her much lauded "number five" maternity tea dress. This instant success was the start of the biggest plus size catalog firm in the industry.

Lane Bryant is the flagship brand of the Redcats USA plus size clothing empire. It is noted for comfortable sportswear reasonably priced. The Limited Inc. bought Lane Bryant in 1981, relaunching the catalog division as Brylane, which in 2004 was renamed Redcats USA.

In 1907 Lerner Shops premiered its plus size clothing shops on Manhattan's 7th Avenue, focusing on clothing that plus size women could wear to the office and then out on the town at night. In 1985 Lerner became part of the Limited Inc. and the plus size clothing catalog division of Lerner shops debuted. One of the most popular Lerner shop plus size clothing types are suits and dresses with style and flair.

Roaman's plus size clothing was founded in 1932. This retail chain, centered on women who wanted to look great in spite of obesity, began on Manhattan's fifth avenue right across the street from Lord & Taylor. The success of this plus size clothing line was so popular that its expansion finally totaled 50 stores. Redcats USA acquired this second most popular plus size clothing catalog in 1982.

So you say you're feeling a little funky. You wouldn't mind a little glitz and glamour, but nothing in your makeup kit is quite up to the challenge.

For less than four dollars a tube in most stores -- a good buy for eyeshadow -- Maybelline's Cool Effects might be just what the doctor ordered. Available in six different shades, Cool Effects is glimmery, shimmery, and oh-so-cool.

As a self-confessed makeup junkie, and raccoon-like in my adoration of all things shiny, I snatched up Cool Effects in a variety of colors as soon as they hit the market.

Gel-like in consistency, the shadow is remarkably cool, a definite perk on a humid, hot August morn. Of course, coolness is not really a reason that I buy eyeshadow. More important, by far, is how it looks, and Cool Effects has a great look.

Used sparsely (and by sparsely, I mean a pinhead drop of the gel), Cool Effects is little more than a veil of color. Done this way, the look is romantic and light -- perfect for a summer event, though perhaps a bit sparkly for the office.

Add a little more color, and what you get is pure drama. "Cool Beans" is just right for a big night out, and what could be more perfect than "Cool as a Cucumber" for a holiday party? For those of you uninitiated to Cool Effects, "Cool Beans" is a deep bronze, and "Cool as a Cucumber" is a terrific green.

If you reach for a color like "Cool Cat", you might even try it at the office. "Cool Cat" -- a pale, shimmery copper -- is probably the only color I'd grab for everyday use.

But ease of use is where Cool Effects falls short. The gel is difficult to blend, and it's all too easy to come away with an uneven, blotchy effect. Blending is tedious, and if, like me, you favor a more dramatic look, beware. With the heavier application of colors comes another dilemma. If you don't keep your eyes closed while until it dries completely, Cool Effects creases badly.

Oh, and be sure to have a sink handy. For best results, you'll need to apply it with your fingertips. I've tried with cotton swabs and makeup sponges, but they just don't do the same job. Unfortunately, on a few occasions I've had to go back and wipe shimmery fingerprints from doorknobs or faucets.

Ever since they hit the market, Louis Vuitton handbags have been sought after for their fine craftsmanship and unmatchable aesthetic appeal. Louis Vuitton handbags are now the international standard in baggage, the suitcases and bags from which all others are judged.

Like champagne, Bourdeaux wines, cheeses, and many other things that greatly improve this life, Louis Vuitton handbags began in France. In the beginning of the nineteenth century, the emperor of France, Napoleon III, was looking for someone to manage the bags of Empress Eugene.

The man the emperor found was Louis Vuitton, a professional luggage handler who packed luggage for upper class families. Vuitton broke ground by inventing airtight and flat stackable luggage. From these beginnings, Vuitton constructed his business, establishing his first design offices in 1854.

At the World's Fairs in 1867 and 1889, Louis Vuitton won first a bronze and then a gold medal in recognition of the excellence of his bags. But it wasn't until 1892 that the first Louis Vuitton handbags hit the market. Soon after the Louis Vuitton Company's luggage line grew larger and larger. Since the very beginning, and right up to today, Louis Vuitton handbags have been respected and known as synonymous with high end quality and craft.

Fast forward to today's world, and Louis Vuitton handbags have become markers of class and luxury. This contributes to making Louis Vuitton brand bags the industry leader. In fact, the bags are so coveted that fertile counterfeiters flood the market with fake Louis Vuitton handbags, so that less than 1% of the bags bought and sold are genuine Louis Vuitton made.

In an effort to counter the efforts of bootleg handbags, Louis Vuitton's son Georges introduced the LV Monogram Canvas in 1896, which was an industry first. The canvas is the designer's label branded onto the product at the factory. Only genuine Louis Vuitton luggage has the LV Monogram Canvas. Imitators may try to copy it, but the trained eye will know the difference!

Starting in 1888, Louis Vuitton bags were available in the Damier Canvas. Both Louis and Georges worked on the design, which bears marque L. Vuitton deposee, the French way of saying trademark L. Vuitton. Following this, Georges released the Monogram Canvas whose symbols and graphics were influenced by the Late Victorian influence in Asian art.

In 1901, The Steamer Bag, a small handbag to go with larger LV luggage and trunks, was introduced. 1930 saw the introduction of the elegant and timeless Louis Vuitton handbag Keepall, which first was a fashion sensation and then an icon. Along with its smaller successor, the Speedy, the Keepall's leather is tooled with the trademark LV design throughout, and the hallmark suave curves and handles suggest simplicity and practicality while maintaining the aura of luxury.

Originally a carrying case for five bottles of champagne, the Louis Vuitton Noe bag became a phenomenon when upper class women took notice and transformed it into a must have handbag. Renowned designers Stephen Sprouse and Marc Jacobs unveiled a limited edition graffiti LV monogram in 2001, which was available to only a list of the designer's choosing.

In the world of fashion, which let's face it, decides what is hip for the rest of the world, there are only two ways to dress. You can dress to the prevailing trend's current whim, like famed celebrities, or dress to be one of those people whose style rises above the changing trends and is timeless.

Any other handbag might be the flavor of the month, or week, but a Marc Jacobs handbag is something that stands out from the mass of imitators and knockoffs. With its bold colors and striking styles, Marc Jacobs handbags are made for a woman who prides herself on distinction, by a man who has defined himself for his excellence in design and his eye for fashion forward style.

The Marc Behind Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs was born in New York City in 1963. Even as a young child his talent for design and his superb eye stood out. His father took note of young Marc's abilities and encouraged him to develop them, enrolling him in New York's High School of Art and Design. Marc moved from there to the world renowned Parson's School of Design in 1981.

While at Parson's he created his own distinct style, classy yet cutting-edge, and garnered many awards including Design Student of the Year and the Chester Weinberg Gold Thimble. Marc also become the youngest artist to be awarded The Council of Fashion Designer's of America's (CFDA) Perry Ellis Award for New Fashion Talent, the Nobel prize of the fashion industry.

More recently, in 1999, Marc was named CFDA's Accessory Designer of the Year. We can be sure that in the future, more accolades will be granted him, and that he will continue to astonish us with his work.

Marc's abilities garnered him the attention of industry insiders. He was granted a position at the celebrated Perry Ellis design house, and created a highly successful grunge style. Although this product was successful, Marc was kicked out because his work clashed with house's image. Never daunted, Marc continued to create and gain supporters and fans, finally launching the highly sought after Marc by Marc Jacobs brand, which includes the prestigious Marc Jacobs handbags. Currently Marc is Louis Vuitton's creative director.

Prom night is just around the corner. You want to look your best and amaze your date and friends with a stunning prom dress. You've made the appointment with the hair stylist and make-up artist. You've planned every aspect of your special night. But wait! Don't forget one of the most important things - accessorize your prom dress to make it dazzle!

Prom dresses can look plain without at least a few accessories. Even a gorgeous, long prom dress by Jovani can be spruced up with a sparkling necklace and matching earrings. Stunning evening wear by Niteline wouldn't be complete without a few accents. No matter what style prom dress you choose, accessories will make it dazzle even more! Here are some great prom tips to get your wheels turning.

Prom Dresses with No Straps or Spaghetti Straps

The neckline can look bare when wearing a prom dress that has no straps or spaghetti straps. A plain neckline can easily be brightened with a beautiful, sparkly necklace and matching earrings. The type of necklace you choose should blend well with your dress colors and fabric. With a prom dress that has lots of lace or sequence, a plain gold or silver necklace will do. Or, maybe even a simple strand of pearls. With a simple satin dress, wear a necklace that sparkles with unique design. Add a charming slide as a bonus.

Gloves and Shawls

Strapless prom dresses also look great with satin or lace gloves a shawl. The gloves and shawl should match the color(s) of your prom dress for a simple, but elegant look! Shawls can be worn around the neck or loosely held around the upper arms.

Half-Jackets

If shawls aren't your style, try a half-jacket instead. These typically come in satin finish to match the color of your prom dress, or in a lacy see-through style. There are even jackets that tie in the front mid-section to cover the tummy! Pick the jacket that looks best with your body type. Try one on with your prom dress to be sure it offers the look you want.

Prom Dress Length and Prom Shoes

Choose your hosiery and prom shoes according to the prom dress length. With long prom dresses, you might choose hose for comfort, not style, since no one will see them anyway. For high-and-low prom dresses or short prom dresses, choose prom shoes and hose that will complement your legs and feet.

Open-toe prom shoes with nude or light-colored hose will look great with slender legs. If your legs are muscular or large in the calves, and you want to de-emphasize the bottom part of your legs, choose closed-toe prom shoes with dark- colored hose if possible. Or, a longer prom dress will do the trick.

Handbags

Carrying a handbag to the prom? Choose one that matches your prom dress. There are handbags of all colors and styles that are designed specifically for prom night. You can find handbags of satin, beads or lace to complement your prom dress. With a prom handbag, you can carry your personal belongings and still be in style!

Other prom dress accessories include hairpieces, anklets, bracelets, rings, belt bags, hats, clutches, pendants, and broaches. When shopping online, you can find thousands of unique accessories as well as many styles of prom dresses such as cocktail style, high-and-low, evening wear, pageant dresses, sheath style, and many others.

American Eagle is the icon or name of many different companies as well as the national bird. When someone asks about American eagle we can discuss many different topics. We might talk about the American Eagle Outfitters clothing line or shoes, mountain bikes, gold coins, wheels and we can even discuss the American Eagle Airlines. The conversation could go on for hours about any one of these products or home decorations such as the American Eagle Statue.

But if your into fashion you are most interesting in the local mall location of the American Eagle Outfitters. In recent years this trendy store has popped up in almost every shopping center across America. It is not a patriotic thing, it is a style thing. Teens and adults alike all love the casual comfort that the popular stores have brought to mid America.

The popular garment maker is not the only trendy fashion clothing store in your local shopping mall, there are plenty of other hip store that kids and adults like to shop in. When shopping for fashion many teens are particularly interested in clothing stores that have a reputation among other teenagers.

The Gap and Old Navy are among some of the favorite clothing stores for many teens and families. But the American Eagle stores are trying to set themselves apart from the traditional look and feel of The Gap and Old Navy. The company wants to be unique and in order to give that unique feel to their customers they continually offer great deals on their clothing and unbeatable customer service.

When shopping for clothes you really have a hundred different choices at least when you are in a mall. How do you make a decision on which store you are going to frequent. American Eagle Outfitters has decided that their level of service is a driving factor in bringing return customers into their store.

So although they may not have the lowest priced jeans in the mall, the company wants customers to remember their last shopping experience and be willing to pay a little more for the quality of their shopping experience.

To help drive new customer traffic the clothing store will often put on huge clothing sales and slash their prices to get some of the bargain shoppers in the doors. After these new shoppers buy a garment and feel the quality of the piece, the company hopes that they will also remember the great customer service and decide to come back and shop on a non-sale day.

Every woman knows how important it is to choose the perfect pair of shoes. One thing is for sure, when shopping online for women’s dress shoes, there’s no shortage of selection. From slip-ons to stilettos, you’ll discover a never-ending selection of stylish brands for every occasion. We would like to recommend the following highly respected manufacturers quality women’s dress shoes.

Via Spiga

If you’re looking for high quality fine Italian made craftsmanship, then Via Spiga is the shoe for you. Via Spiga footwear is known throughout the world for stylish trend setting footwear. Their reputation for excellent taste and cutting-edge footwear is well deserved. The Via Spiga line will continue to lead the way in high fashion design well into 2007.

Guess ?

Guess footwear is one of the most renowned brands of footwear in the world. They have 326 retail stores in the United States and Canada. Created by the popular designer Georges Marciano, Guess ? footwear is known for its quality and trendsetting styles. The company designs, markets, and distributes collections of casual apparel and accessories for Men, Women, and Children. Their apparel reflects the American lifestyle and European fashion.

DKNY Footwear

DKNY footwear is recognized as a worldwide leader in cutting-edge footwear design. Donna Karan Inc. designs shoes that are both classy and comfortable. DKNY defines the metropolitan flair that bridges the difference between stylishly casual and conventional. These great looking runway shoes reflect a combination of sporty, casual, and dressed-up looks altogether in one. Choose from a large selection of impressive styles!

Mephisto

Many people regard Mephisto as the world’s finest walking shoes. The Mephisto brand name is synonymous with comfort, superior fit, and finish. Mephisto combines high technology with superb craftsmanship. Mephisto shoes are built to be perfect and allow for the natural movement of the foot. There are over 140 different operations performed in the making of just one pair of shoes. It takes more than 90 minutes to manufacture a single pair of Mephisto shoes.