Designer Clothing: Is It Really Just A Name?

When it comes to designer clothing, whether men or women, we are either on one of two sides; one which argues of the quality, style and taste that designer labels inject into a wardrobe whilst the other which argues that designer labels are nothing special, going so far as to in fact state that they are just a waste of money and nothing but a name.

Designer labels are often recognised by their high price tags; for many a symbol of their quality, for others a symbol of unnecessary cost but which argument is the right one? Often, with similar situations, the right answer is open to interpretation however as a lifelong expert and fan of mens designer clothing I have my own arguments I would like to put across.

Understandably the majority of us purchase designer clothing because we give in to the branding; whether the cool sophistication of the Ralph Lauren Polo or the dark and mysterious determination of Armani; we desire to be a part of a specific target group. However is designer clothing all just a fad? Hopefully the below points will leave you thinking again…

  • Quality- The undoubtedly obvious difference between high street store clothing and designer is simply the quality of the craftsmanship. This is a point which, whatever your belief, cannot be denied; designer clothing really is made better and done so with the finest material and often, the difference is immediately noticeable… that old saying comes to mind; “you get what you pay for”.
  • Unique- Designer clothing is a unique piece of/range of clothing and that is what you are buying into; the “design” created by that specific designer. Admittedly there will no doubt be a huge hoard of copies available but the quality, the exact perfection of the design and the evident uniqueness won’t be there and if you are fortunate to find that it is; then the quality will be lacking. No copy can be as good as the original which is why people prefer purchasing the real thing from the real label.
  • Investment- Tying in with the above point, the quality of a piece of designer clothing makes it a lasting investment. Look at it this way, say you want a nice bag; you can either pay high street store prices, only to need a new bag next year or you can invest in a designer piece that can last for years. Many think designer clothing is too expensive but let me ask you one thing; when was the last time someone showed you a piece of clothing they have had for years, from a high street store? Now answer that same question but this time from a designer store? It is a well known fact that the craftsmanship and quality means that designer clothing lasts for many years and after all isn’t that what we want when we spend our money?

Whether you believe that designer clothing is all about the labels and just a fad there is no denying the quality, the uniqueness and the lasting power of a designer item. Whether a lifelong lover of designer menswear or womenswear or a high street trooper; never be afraid to invest in quality as it will stick with you for years to come!

Architectural Design And Designing Beachfront Properties

When it comes to designing a beachfront property you need to be fully prepared for what you are getting involved with. Architectural design is a highly specialised industry and you need to work with the best professionals to have your home designed perfectly. Whether you plan on building a holiday home or a permanent abode for your family, the architectural blueprints set the foundation for moving forward. From the structure and support of your new home to the unique layout and design that can set your home apart from the rest, you have plenty of things to consider. Designing beachfront homes is not a simple task and you need to ensure that you work with the best.

The most important element of architectural design for beachfront properties is the structure of the home. Building beachfront properties requires the consideration of different weather elements and landscape features compared to inland country homes for example. The right materials need to be used when the home is built on or near the sand because of the nature of this ground cover. While building in the hard dirt might be simple in regard to structure, building on sand or other soft ground requires special tools and materials to get the job done right.

Architectural design of a beachfront property will cover everything from the structure to the actual home design, including the number of rooms, the layout and how to best maximise the views of the ocean. Understanding what you want or have in mind will make it easier for you to find the right architect to help you design your beachfront home. When researching design professionals, look at their style and design capabilities so that you can compare what they offer to what you have in mind for your beachfront property.

Designing a beach house is no easy task. With no shortage of beachfront real estate available in New Zealand you owe it to yourself to find architectural design professionals who will be able to help you in your quest for the seaside home of your dreams. From open floor plans with stunning views to structurally sound homes that are secure and safe, there are many considerations and elements to sort through in building and designing beachfront properties. Make sure that you take the time to research your options and find the professionals who can give you the best home design possible.

The Benefits of Revit 3D for Retail Design

The design and presentation of retail space is an important element of the retail experience and therefore a fundamental representation of the retailer’s brand. The use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in retail projects has helped designers to improve the accuracy of design data produced during the planning and pre-construction stages. By using Autodesk’s Revit Architecture platform, retailers and retail designers are able to create BIM retail design in a collaborative environment, however the benefits are broader than collaboration alone and include:

Database Design For Controlled Changes: A retail design in Revit can be easily modified throughout the pre-construction and design stages of the project. Revit allows users to make changes to one area, such as a plan or a section, and that change will then update all other areas of the Revit model such as a schedule or an elevation due to the database structure of Revit. This makes others involved in the project aware of the changes, eliminating the wastage of time.

Creation Of Intelligent Models: Revit is a more intelligent tool compared to traditional drawings and design software. The use of parametric 3D models instead of poly-lines helps to obtain accurate data from the project which can then be used for procurement purposes. The models themselves are built as ‘families’ allowing pre-built variations to be used in 3D models. The data within the 3D models can include sizing data, manufacturing data, servicing schedules, installer data, view of the retail project right from its beginning to the post-construction phases and so much more.

Material Take Off: One of the more salient features of Revit is that if set up properly, it calculates the required materials and component parts, based on the design, into schedules. This helps to avoid manual checking and therefore can prevent human errors. As a result, procurement managers have access to more accurate data to allow more accurate budgeting.

Rendered Views: Whilst it is not a standalone rendering tool, Revit does have excellent rendering tools and capabilities that will allow designers to use Revit views directly from the model as opposed to a separate rendered solution using a specialist package such as 3DS Max. Furthermore, the renders can become part of the drawing set so that users can see 3D views with accurate finishes as well as the standard 2D elevations and 2D floor plans that Revit can produce.

4D Models & Time Lines: In modern construction, it is absolutely essential for effective coordination between the personnel involved in a retail project during construction. Creation of Revit BIM models during retail design helps project managers to track project progress through integration with time-liner tools for all stages of the construction phase.

The many advantages of Revit Architecture and BIM generally mean that leading retailers around the world are increasingly adopting Revit Architecture for retail BIM modelling. As mentioned, it has helped them to manage the design process more effectively, create clash free drawings that are based on clash free models, extract accurate procurement data and use 3D views in their design data. Collectively this helps retailers to reduce costs and create more certainty in terms of timescales and live dates for store openings. With BIM becoming a mainstream development in construction generally, retailers have rightly started to adopt it and benefit from the advantages of a BIM solution.