When it comes to fashion, designer sunglasses are “hot!” Paris Hilton or the Olsen twins can be seen, just about anywhere in Hollywood, day or night, wearing the latest in designer sunglasses. When they walk the red carpet and they are asked, “What are you wearing?” they might lower their sunglasses down on their noses and peer over the rims and drop designer names like Vera Wang, Dior, Valentino, Gucci and Armani.

Stars like Donald Trump and Britney Spears have their own name brand sunglasses on the market while others may be wearing Marc Jacobs or Armani sunglasses for a classy look or Baby Phat for punk style. The mood for the day might be for the retro 1950’s look of Fossil sunglasses.

Your favorite clothing designer may also be the designer of the sunglasses that you choose to accessorize your brand-name clothing. For instance, the smart Tommy dresser can add to the look of a Tommy Hilfiger clothing ensemble with Tommy Hilfiger sunglasses. For casual wear, Kate Spade sunglasses might do nicely. Carrera is known for a sporty look. For a sensual mood, Valentino frames that have smooth round edges and Swarovsky crystals might just put you (or whoever is looking at you) in the mood.

Trendy, cool-looking name-brand or designer sunglasses, if you can afford them, are a status symbol showing everyone that you have the cash (or credit card) to buy them. However, in order to be fashionable in sunglasses, you do not have to give up quality. Sunglasses, not being just fashionable accessories, are used to protect your eyes from damage caused by the sun’s UV (ultra-violet) rays. Designer prescription sunglasses can improve vision, and reduce eyestrain, just like ordinary glasses.

Quality designer sunglasses can be polarized to reduce the glare of the sunlight reflecting off surfaces like the highway, cars, water or snow. Polarized sunglasses work by blocking off the horizontal light reflections and only let in vertical light reflections. The polarization of designer sunglasses makes them fashionable in other areas of lifestyle like golfing, boating, biking, swimming, fishing and aircraft flying.

Marketers of designer sunglasses target children who enjoy the same hot styles and brand-names as their parents and their idols. Sunglasses for children have Disney and cartoon characters in many colors, shapes and styles. Children’s designer sunglasses can also be polarized to block the harmful UV radiation. Sunglasses should be part of children’s daily wear as they play outside and engage in outdoor sports and activities. Sunglasses can prevent them from the long-term affects of sun damage to their eyes.

When most people grab a pair of sunglasses, they are only thinking about shading their eyes or looking cool. Sunglasses in any shade, shape or size, by any name may be a “hot” fashion accessory for trend-setting stars, men, women and children, but the importance of protecting the eyes from damage far outweighs the importance of looking cool. The next time you head out in the sunshine, be sure to grab your designer polarized sunglasses and give some thought to the fact that you and your sunglasses are protecting your eyes and your eye sight. Seeing is cool.

Despite the fact that there are so many designer wedding dresses to choose from, there is no guarantee that you will find that elusive “perfect dress”. Are you looking for a decidedly different wedding gown style for your walk down the aisle? Does the idea of getting married in a confection of lace and tulle leave you cold? Do you want a wedding dress that will turn heads and make everyone at your wedding sit up and say “Wow!”? If so, take a look at some of the fabulous designs in these designer collections.

Melissa Sweet

Though designer Melissa Sweet, who originated the line, has left the company, her line and her spirit lives on in the person of her two long-time designers, Antonio Gual and Lia McNairy. McNairy and Gual are responsible for the eye-catching designs in both the Melissa Sweet and the youth-oriented Reverie line. The inspiration for the Melissa Sweet line weds historical lines with modern details. The line includes elements of haute couture in the fine detailing and intricate embroidery, while the modern spirit shines through in the unusual lines and silhouettes.

One of the most eye-catching designs in the Melissa Sweet line is the Selma, with its unusual baby-doll trapeze bodice. Designed in an embossed silk organza, the Selma features a strapless pleated bodice that swings playfully over the A-line skirt. The hem carries on the pleating theme, sweeping into an elegant train silk organza train.

The Selma design is not the only unique silhouette in the Melissa Sweet Collection. One of the most elaborate and unusual designs is the Mila, a stunning gown created in shimmering pearl-colored taffeta. The silhouette is a modified trumpet design, with a slim, fitted style that flares into a wide bell at the knee. The eye-catching aspect of the Mila is the chic asymmetrical line that runs from just below the hip on the right to just below the knee on the right. The ruched hem is gathered just below the hip and tacked with a delightfully frothy corsage.

Melissa Sweet’s Daria wedding gown is another gown that makes great use of an asymmetrical waistline. The silk and satin confection features A-line styling that flatters any figure shape and an asymmetrical dropped waist that does a wonderful job of accenting curves without accentuating bulk. The real beauty of the gown, though, is the shimmering satin of the flared skirt, cut on the bias to make the most of the fit and drape of the material.

Overall, the Melissa Sweet Wedding Collection manages to be both fresh and contemporary without sacrificing the bridal tradition in the least. The Reverie collection from the Melissa Sweet line takes freshness a few steps further toward youth with flirty short dresses in sheath and cocktail styles as well as full-length gowns in sumptuous fabrics like silk shantung. You’ll find a wide range of head-turning styles in lengths ranging from baby-doll mini to sweep-the-floor elegance, all executed in a style that is unmistakably young and sassy and modern at the same time.

Platinum

If your style is more elegant and dramatic, the wedding gowns in the Platinum line may be more to your taste. Drama and elegance are the hallmarks of the Platinum designer collection. The Platinum line is designed for the bride who wants “the ultimate in glamour and a sophisticated flattering cut”. Each Platinum gown is made to order, cut precisely to fit the measurements of the bride who will wear it.

This season, the Platinum line features sumptuous fabrics, silks and satins and taffetas that feel as luxurious as they look. The Platinum signature look is high couture, and most of the gowns in the Platinum collection are modeled with the couture ball gown in mind. A perfect example is the Platinum Style PL268, a full-skirted strapless ball gown with a dropped waist and a chic contrast-colored gathered belt that dips in a deep V in the back. The skirt is detailed with metallic thread embroidery, and the belt fastens with an embroidered brooch closing that will definitely capture attention and turn heads.

While most of the dresses in the Platinum line are floor-length sweeping ball gowns, there are a few very eye-catching shorter styles, including one sleek, chic slim silhouetted mini-dress that features a hem embellished with about a foot and a half of chiffon, tulle and ostrich feather roses.

Whatever your style, you’ll find plenty of drama and flair in the top designer wedding dress lines. Pick out your fantasy wedding dress and dare to be a total drama queen on your wedding day. You are the bride, it is your day, and you deserve to be the center of attention!

Colors can represent different meanings and create different moods. Black, for one, is the absence of light. For a great deal of people, black symbolizes the absence of life, as well. However, on a not-so grim note, this shade is said to symbolize authority and depth. Some describe the dominance of black as classic. But for others, black is just drab and dull. When it comes to business cards design, there’s an array of reasons why black is not the only popular choice.

There are, literally, thousands of colors that you can choose from. If you want to use black ink for your name but use other colors for the remaining texts and on the logo, go ahead and do that. It is also possible to completely drop black, and use other colors for all the letters and graphics on your business card.

If you feel like restraining yourself to black tones, there are still options which will allow you to veer away from a plain look. This is crucial since people tend to respond more to colorful and/or visually entertaining prints.

Options to differ from the traditional business card look

By simply changing the ink color of your choice or by selecting a different custom or finishing job, you can significantly alter the appearance and appeal of your business card.

Option 1: One-color, no black business card

If you want to retain the homogeneous look, pick a color, any color, except black. You can follow the color of your logo if it has only one color. This way, you can stick to a single color or shade and retain a high impact card. This monochromatic scheme would still give you the contrasts you need and still make you a print that is different.

Option 2: Multi-colored, with or without black business card

With this option, you can play with color combinations. You can choose from cool, bright and neutral shade for your business cards design. You can include black or opt not too. Adding black can help make a piece of information stand out, like your name, and at the same time, break the monotony from a sea colors.

Option 3: Metallic, fluorescent and pearl inks

Make the color and effect striking altogether. You can ask the printers to use metallic, fluorescent or pearl inks that add character to the prints. Metallic and pearl inks give off a certain sheen or sparkle while fluorescent inks give a strong and eye-catching impression.

Option 4: Raised Inks

The procedure for creating a raised ink effect is called thermography. Resin powder is placed on top of wet ink. Heat is applied so the resin powder melts, sticks, and molds itself after the text or letters. When the temperature drops, the powder combined with the ink hardens.

Aside from the raised lettering, the resulting text appears to have a gelatin-like texture and a light sheen. Thermography is said to be cheaper than other methods such as engraving and embossing.

As you have seen, there are numerous ways to add ‘life’ to your business cards design. While black remains to be a favorite, you can easily try out new approaches to have the look that you want and still make a card that is a crowd favorite. So while your business card represents you, it is also built for and meant for the pleasure and use of others.