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News flash: Maternity wardrobes are not what you thought.

Once upon a time, maternity wardrobes involved tent-like dresses, lots of elastic waistbands and inevitably, little style kudos. But if you're a Fashion Girl in 2018, you can forget having to sacrifice good style during your pregnancy.

Thanks to a slew of the internet's top fashion bloggers, Instagrammers and street style stars, pregnancy style has transformed forever; and this revolution has been more than televised.

From Man Repeller's Leandra Medine Cohen and Instagram's Eva Chen, to Pandora Sykes, The Blonde Salad's Chiara Ferragni and The Frugality's Alex Stedman, fashion's key players have all styled their way through pregnancy of late. The results, as you can imagine, are impeccable.

Dressing your body through nine months of continual change is always going to be tricky, but to help you style your own way through it, we've rounded up some incredible maternity wardrobe inspiration from the women who have, thankfully, made bump fashion a whole lot easier.

Cue elegant partywear, chic office looks and comfy-not-scruffy outfits from the fashion bloggers who have owned their own maternity style.

Pandora Sykes

Fashion journalist Pandora Sykes well and truly nailed maternity party style, thanks to sleek bodycon dresses and oversized jackets.

Alex Stedman

The incredibly-dressed editor behind affordable fashion blog The Frugality, Alex Stedman has long been a go-to for tricky wardrobe fixes. When it comes to pregnancy fashion, she's taken comfy-chic to the next level.

Chiara Ferragni

The Blonde Salad founder Chiara Ferragni is used to bringing the glamour. During her pregnancy however, the the fashion blogger has nailed off-duty maternity dressing.

Sofie Valkiers

Sofie Valkiers, founder of Fashionata, discovered the power of pairing loose fitting shapes with strategically placed belts, to give comfortable maternity workwear a smart finish.

Leandra Medine

Man Repeller founder Leandra Medine Cohen is famed for her quirky sense of style, and she didn't let that go during her pregnancy. The key? Keep an open mind, and don't be afraid to experiment.

Eva Chen

Eva Chen, director of fashion partnerships at Instagram, has long used social media to document her cool, smart-casual style. She didn't let up with a bump in the mix either.

Need more pregnancy style inspiration? See our full guide to the best maternity clothes that won't let your style slip.

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The Fashion Bloggers Revolutionising Pregnancy Style | Marie Claire

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News flash: Maternity wardrobes are not what you thought. Once upon a time, maternity wardrobes involved tent-like dresses, lots of elastic waistbands and inevitably, little style kudos. But if you're a Fashion Girl in 2018, you can forget having to sacrifice good style during your pregnancy.

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22/04

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River Island - Fashion Clothing for Women, Men, Boys and Girls

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Find the latest clothing trends at River Island as well as the latest girls and boys clothes collection. Shop online at your favourite high street store.

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22/04

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Sales of fashion in the UK increased 2.04% year on year for the week to 14 April.

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22/04

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There has been a broad and heavy investment in technology platforms at River Island, enabling us to work rapidly with new and emerging technology.

At the moment we have a lot of stuff going on in the background related to in-store technology. We are still broadly reshaping the future of our stores by trialling platforms of the future. In several stores, we are trying out mobile points of sale on iPhones, Android devices and tablets, in order to improve customer service by providing better transactions.

We are also investing in building our own micro-services to support in-store applications, such as click and collect. Currently we are going through the foundations for that, and then we can have a solid look into how we want to apply it.

We are also playing around with changing room technology. We are looking at RFID [radio frequency identification] tags to identify what products a customer has brought in a changing room. They would then be able to use a tablet in the changing room to request additional products.

River Island is also focused on looking at stock-taking technology to determine what is on the shop floor and in the storeroom. We have just signed a partnership with Spanish AI retail tech firm Nextail to roll out its technology across 343 stores in the UK, Ireland, Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Nothing has been implemented yet - we are still experimenting - but the aim of our digital journey is to provide better customer service.

The technology should start to involve in-store uses before the tail-end of this year.

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River Island's CIO on reshaping the future of stores through tech

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There has been a broad and heavy investment in technology platforms at River Island, enabling us to work rapidly with new and emerging technology. At the moment we have a lot of stuff going on in the background related to in-store technology. We are still broadly reshaping the future of our stores by trialling platforms of the future.

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22/04

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River Island is committed to protecting human rights both within our own operations and in our global supply chain. We work to protect and respect all individuals including employees, supply chain workers and our customers. Tackling and eliminating Modern Slavery from our business and supply chain continues to be a key aim of the business and is written into our long-term sustainability strategy.

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This week is crunch time for the Brexit talks: if the UK fails to get another extension by 12 April, it will crash out of the European Union without a deal - unless it decides to revoke article 50.

Brexit uncertainty has caused total UK sales to fall by 1.1% in the four weeks to 30 March, compared with an increase of 1.4% in March 2018, the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor showed this week.

Accountancy firm BDO's Optimism Index shows it has also caused business confidence to crash to its lowest level since September 2012, down from 99.79 in February to 96.10 in March.

Meanwhile, businesses face the additional burden of a 4.9% rise in the living wage to £8.21/hour and a £186m increase in business rates, both of which came into effect on 1 April.

"Brexit uncertainty is resulting in subdued consumer spending across retail," Marc Dench, chief financial officer at Joules said. "Combined with Brexit, you've got other costs growing, such as national living wage, pensions, the apprenticeship levy and business rates. Any of one of these factors is challenging, but all of them combined makes it very hard for a lot of retailers to continue in the current climate without resulting in store closures or company voluntary arrangements."

A record net 2,481 stores disappeared from UK high streets in 2018, research for PwC compiled by the Local Data Company has shown. In total, 3,372 shops opened, while 5,833 closed.

"It is no coincidence that more UK high street retailers have fallen away in the last three years than probably in the last 10 years," said Ray Clacher, executive vice-president at Trinity, which owns premium brands Gieves & Hawkes and Kent & Curwen.

"Brexit must have played its part. The general public is exhausted by it all as this political soap opera rambles on. Economic uncertainty and a fear of currency collapse, pension deficits and a property price crash definitely stops people buying 'stuff'."

The managing director of one multiple retailer agreed: "There is no question that we felt a slowdown in March having started 2019 really well. The shift of Easter makes it hard to draw a final conclusion until we get to the end of April, but it is concerning.

"Uncertainty with regards to Brexit, a volatile FTSE, a sluggish pound - if you throw pressures of rising rates and employment costs [on top of that], it certainly makes for a challenging time ahead."

Rob Feldmann, chief executive of off-price etailer BrandAlley, said: "Brexit uncertainty is really crippling the fashion industry. People are not buying because they are waiting to see what happens.

"It's also tragic that the government isn't addressing the issue of rates properly because it's incredibly hard on so many businesses. It's not healthy for anyone if there's a lot of empty units on the high streets of towns and cities."

Touker Suleyman, owner of Hawes & Curtis, Ghost and Low-Profile Fashions, added: "Retailers are currently facing the unknown. Business rates are disproportionate, prices will go up with inflation and there is a constant threat surrounding online retail. There is also the uncertainty surrounding Brexit. It's the perfect storm."

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Brexit uncertainty 'crippling fashion industry'

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This week is crunch time for the Brexit talks: if the UK fails to get another extension by 12 April, it will crash out of the European Union without a deal - unless it decides to revoke article 50.

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Bernard Lewis has been a retailer almost since birth. As a young child, he helped out in his parents' greengrocer and, through years of selling soft fruit, he learned how to price stock, assess what his customers wanted and minimise waste. In the 1940s, he began selling clothing - initially blouses and skirts, and later dresses.

At first, he had a small string of shops called Lewis, which morphed into a number of boutiques with different names, such as Chelsea Girl. But it wasn't until his son, Leonard, came up with the name River Island in the late 1980s that the chain as we know it today was born. River Island is now one of the UK's biggest fashion retailers, with a turnover of just over £930m in 2015. Mr Bernard - as he is known - is still involved in the business, which is now run by his nephew Ben. The latter has learnt a lot from his uncle: he describes Bernard as an "amazing retailer" who is "brilliant at taking the complex and making it simple". Here, they discuss how the business has evolved, particularly in response to the rise of online, and why they always keep the customer at its core.

Ben Lewis: Am I right in saying the first logo for the business was based on your signature?

Bernard Lewis: Yes, when it was called Lewis. But in the 1960s we changed the name to Chelsea Girl. One of my brothers, Geoffrey, had the idea: he opened a shop on the King's Road and called it Girl. It was when the boutiques were all there, Barbara Hulanicki [founder of Biba] and that sort of thing. We opened other stores and they were called things like The In Scene and Shades, because we had the idea then that a boutique should not be national but individual. But then we realised it didn't make any difference, because they're all in different towns. Head office started to call the King's Road shop Chelsea Girl because that's where it was, and it stuck. Then, in 1988, we decided we needed to move it on again, and opened River Island.

Ben: Why call it River Island?
Photographer: Roger Bool
Bernard: We didn't want to tie it to a family name. It was my son Leonard's baby. At one time he fancied Oyster Island, but I don't like shellfish, so I didn't like that. He lived at that time near the Thames and he had a little motor boat, and one day he said: "River Island". There was a menswear division, which traded as Concept Man, typically in the basement or upper floor of Chelsea Girl shops, and he was running that side of the business at the time.

One of our people said we ought to open a small group of upmarket menswear-only shops. We had a store in a good position in Exeter, so he took that and opened a River Island menswear standalone [in 1988]. We went down to look at it and on the way back I said, "This is good - the customers like it; it takes a lot of money." I said, "Womenswear is bigger than menswear, why don't we do some womenswear [in that shop]?" We did and it went very well.

Ben: There was a huge demand, wasn't there? When the market for ready-made clothing opened up in the 1950s, you were there. Suddenly the economy was improving and people wanted to buy new things.

Bernard: They always want new. We were selling knitting wool and then I saw some nylon stockings with fancy black seams up the back, so I found out where I could get those and sold some of them. Then I saw some blouses in shop windows, bought some of those, and skirts, and it moved ahead. I'm not a fashion person: I'm an operator. We just did what we thought the customers wanted, rather than being traditional fashion people.

Ben: I'm similar - I'm a business person in fashion rather than a fashion person in business. What I like to do is tune in to lots of different things. If the job is to tune in to what's going on in fashion, that's what I'll do. Do you think it's more competitive now?

Bernard: I think it comes in little waves. There are times when there's not a lot of competition and times when there is. It used to be good retail operators, and now with online you've got it from that channel as well. But there always was and always will be competition.

Ben: I like competition.

Bernard: I don't! I like an easy life!

Ben: I like it because it sharpens you up, keeps you on your toes. I also think it's good for the industry. It means that you'll get the best being delivered all the time.

Bernard: Well, it's a fact of life. You know, if you get a lull in competition, it's very nice, and enjoy it while it lasts, but it doesn't last. What is it they say? Nature abhors a vacuum. If there's something good going on, people will suss it out and get in there.

Ben: That's certainly been the case in our experience. Looking back, what would you say has been the biggest change for River Island?

Bernard: Online. It's absolutely amazing, isn't it? I don't think there's been anything like it in retail.

Ben: You don't think what happened post-war was as dramatic? Things like the development of chain stores, the offshoring of production, the development of own labels - none of these touch on what ecommerce is doing now as far as you're concerned?

Bernard: No, all those you could take in your stride. The focus of merchandise sourcing switching to the Far East - you just get out there and do it. This is a different ball game.

Ben: I'm quite philosophical about it. Something I remember you telling me years ago is that the business is about two things: product and shops. The fuel for that business is cash and people, but it's about product and shops. When I think about ecommerce, I think of it as a shop: it's another way of distributing product.

Something I remember you telling me years ago is that the business is about two things: product and shops

Ben Lewis

Bernard: It's a very good way of looking at it. Whether it's going to end up at 25% online or 50% online, there's still going to be retail. It's a question of managing the change - looking at location, size and shopfit. We're more fortunate than most multiples, which have 500, 600 or 700 shops. We have under 300.

Ben: We've always been cautious about overextending ourselves. We're in it for the long run, not to make a quick buck.

Bernard: Another big change for us, in the 1960s, was that we used to produce mainly separates, and then suddenly the mini-dress came in and it was overwhelming. I remember, because I looked at the figures afterwards: in the spring, dresses were about 5% to 6% of our fashion turnover; by the autumn it was 50% to 60%. And that was the mini-dress. Everybody wanted it.

Ben: When did we start doing home production and in-house design, shortening the lines of supply?

Bernard: In the 1940s. I think we were one of the first retailers to design and manufacture their clothes.

Ben: When you talk about the switch from separates to the mini-dress, which would have been around 1965, obviously sitting on tight stocks and being able to turn the tap on quickly for different types of product would have been critical.

Bernard: Well, dresses are easier to produce quickly than virtually anything else. It had to be new every time. I had to change the warehouse over from shelving to rails, because stuff would come in on the Thursday, it would go out on Thursday or Friday, we'd get the reaction Saturday and repeat on Monday.

Ben: I remember you saying that your first experience of perishable merchandise was selling fruit, and that was a good foundation for selling fashion.

Bernard: Yes, soft fruit - strawberries, raspberries. They have got to be sold on the day. When you're in the market at 6 o'clock in the morning, if it's going to be a hot day, you'll sell more, so you've got to suss out what quantity and price. You're taking that decision every day - over a season, hundreds of decisions - quickly. Every afternoon you learn where you've got it wrong. You've got to know what's right for your customer. I remember years ago being with a coat manufacturer, and he said: "Why don't you buy this coat? It's selling very well for Miss Selfridge." But I could see I wouldn't sell it. Even as close as we are to Miss Selfridge, we still have a different customer.

Ben: When I started, I remember there was still quite a difference in bestsellers and trends up and down the country. Today I think that's very much less the case. The fashions seem to be universal. So the trick is how you interpret those trends in a unique way.

Bernard: It's a culture. We have always been in design and manufacturing. We must have well over 70 designers now. As I mentioned with the coats, we have a certain take on fashion, an interpretation of it. That, I suppose, is a type of brand, and that's what customers look to us for.

Ben: If the customer can see that the fashion's been interpreted in a unique way, the quality is good and the price is more than acceptable, it's great value as far as they're concerned. Do you think fashion retail is more complicated today than it was in the past?

Bernard: Oh, yes. But I don't think that's just the fashion retail industry - it's everything. The whole world is evolving. On the radio this morning it said that by 2020 the population of India is going to overtake that of China, and that India will be the third-largest economy in the world. I remember going to India buying clothes and producing a calculator - they'd never seen one before. Everything's changing all the time, thank goodness!

Ben: You're right; you should just try different things and be prepared to change. What advice would you give to someone starting in the industry? I guess I'd say take your time and learn, and don't think you have all the answers.

Bernard: I think the golden rule is that there is no golden rule. Never assume you're on the right track.

Ben: What would you say are the pros and cons of a family business?

Bernard: We're very fortunate. Our family has been able to take along with us some wonderful, first-class executives. That's what I get a lot of satisfaction out of: the company is as good as, if not better than, ever. The reins have been passed across successfully. That is an achievement.

Ben: You are probably the longest-serving fashion retail executive in the country. You started in what, 1948?

Bernard: If you take the word fashion out of it, I've been in retail since I was born. I remember being on the till in my parents' greengrocer's shop at the age of nine. I always enjoyed it. I used to pack out and pack in. Go through a box of apples and sling out the bad ones. I've always been in retail, always been dealing with customers and product.

Ben: I think the length of your career and all the things you've achieved is something to be very proud of.

The family history of River Island: Bernard Lewis and Ben Lewis

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The family history of River Island: Bernard Lewis and Ben Lewis

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Bernard Lewis has been a retailer almost since birth. As a young child, he helped out in his parents' greengrocer and, through years of selling soft fruit, he learned how to price stock, assess what his customers wanted and minimise waste. In the 1940s, he began selling clothing - initially blouses and skirts, and later dresses.

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Much like workwear, the idea that your pregnancy wardrobe should be an entirely separate entity to your regular wardrobe, is no longer the case. It's now par for the course to mix key maternity pieces with the more capacious items you already have in your wardrobe.

''Invest in a good pair of maternity jeans as soon as possible,'' says Cecile Reinaud, founder of Seraphine. ''You'll feel so much more comfortable, and they're a staple item that you can pair with tops, jumpers and blazers.''

Founders of Nine In The Mirror - the online boutique that stocks styles and sizes from designers including 3.1 Phillip Lim, Joseph, Maje and Marni, that suit women in their first to third trimester, refutes the idea that pregnant women need to shop solely at maternity brands: ''the age-old rule of buying only maternity wear is being challenged and debunked,'' says the company's co-founder Adriana Chryssicopoulos.

There are a growing number of brands that, while are maternity-friendly, are not the preserve of pregnant women alone, and as a result make for a super-stylish nine months.

Here's are five labels to have on your radar...

Isabella Oliver

Lisa maternity maxi dress, £109, Isabella Oliver

What's the story? Founded in 2003 by husband and wife duo Baukjen De Swaan Arons and Geoff von Sonsbeeck (who are also behind the luxury basics brand Baukjen), Isabella Oliver's primary focus is fabrics that ''fit, flatter and grow as your body does.''

Head there for: Flattering midi dresses are in abundance, in a mixture of stripes and block colours as well as neutral tones. Other key pieces to look out for are the slouchy jumpsuits and chic shirts with waist-ties that can be dressed up or down accordingly.

Need to know: Beyonce, Angelina Jolie, Natalie Portman and Halle Berry are among the stylish pregnant women to be spotted out and about sporting their Isabella Oliver buys.

Nautical nursing shawl, £49, Seraphine; maternity boyfriend jeans, £55, Seraphine
What's the story? Cecile Reinaud set up Seraphine in 2002, with the intention of creating covetable maternity clothes that you would want to wear even without a baby bump. The brand scooped the Queen's Award for Enterprise in 2015, and was the Duchess of Cambridge's label of choice as she stepped out for the first time following Prince George's birth and for the Prince's first official photograph.

Head there for: Knitwear with a twist, by way of buttons, ties and asymmetric details that double up as a craft nursing opening. Seraphine also has a wide selection of bump-friendly trousers, ranging from classic chinos to leather trousers (the latter of which Marion Cotillard is a fan of), as well as pretty printed dresses and good outerwear.

Need to know: Seraphine has acquired quite the celebrity following. From Mila Kunis, to Anne Hathaway and the Duchess of Cambridge: the label has been recognised as a sourced of stylish maternity clothes that couldn't be further from frumpy.

Credit: Getty

Denim jumpsuit, £138, Clary & Peg
What's the story? This under-the-radar label specialises in vintage-inspired maternity-friendly womenswear that can be worn with or without a burgeoning bump. The brand was born in 2013 out of its founders, Edwina and Johanna's mutual frustration at having to sacrifice their love of vintage pieces when it came to purchasing maternity clothes.

Head there for: Smock dresses and dungarees. Edwina and Johanna were inspired by old photographs of their mothers wearing similar pieces that bridged the cool-comfortable divide.

Need to know: The brand sells their capsule collection exclusively through their own website.

Mango

Cotton striped maternity T-shirt, £17.99, Mango; high-waist maternity jeans, £19.99, Mango
What's the story? High street stalwart, Mango, launched their maternity collection last year as a capsule collection of nine items made predominately from cotton, with plans to expands over the coming seasons.

Head there for: The basics. Mango has adapted their four best-selling jeans styles to make them suitable for pregnancy, which sit alongside cotton T-shirts and nursing bras.

Need to know: Stylist and co-founder of Social Zoo Direct, Pernille Teisbaeck, recommends Mango's mid-rise maternity jeans: ''I have a grey pair that were really the only maternity piece I wore during my pregnancy - they were a total lifesaver.''

Hatch

Isabel dress, £230.06, Hatch
What's the story? Former Wall Street worker and founder of bridesmaid line, Two Birds, Ariane Goldman, launched Hatch in 2012, with the aim to create gorgeous maternity clothes that defy preconceptions. Rather than accepting the idea that, for nine months you're expected to look like a sub par version of yourself, Goldman set about creating a collection that was flattering, interesting and sexy.

Head there for: Everything. You could easily craft your entire maternity wardrobe out of pieces from this brand alone. Hatch wields a selection of gorgeous dresses and tops in a range of frill-laden, printed and simple designs, as well as sumptuous cashmere pieces, slouchy trousers and even swim and sleepwear.

Need to know: Hatch abides by an ethos of merging your maternity and non-maternity wardrobes. ''It's really resonating with women today,'' says Chryssicopoulos of the label's success.

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5 maternity brands which stylish expectant mothers need to know

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Much like workwear, the idea that your pregnancy wardrobe should be an entirely separate entity to your regular wardrobe, is no longer the case. It's now par for the course to mix key maternity pieces with the more capacious items you already have in your wardrobe.

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Copyright © 2019, Clary and Peg. Ecommerce Software by Shopify

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‘True Gen’: Generation Z and its implications for companies

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Generation Z characteristics center around the search for truth as the influence of the first generation of true digital natives is now radiating outward. For companies, this will bring both challenges and equally attractive opportunities.

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Fashionably Pregnant | Seraphine Maternity

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Seraphine™ is the top maternity fashion destination for stylish mums to be, with over 15 years' experience designing maternity clothes loved by celebs & royals.

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Maternity wear for Women 2019 | Mango United Kingdom

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Latest trends in women's fashion. Discover our designs: dresses, t-shirts, jeans, shoes, bags and accessories. Free delivery from £30 and free returns

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Womens Maternity Clothes | New Collection Online | ZARA United Kingdom

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Maternity Clothing | Maternity Wear | Dorothy Perkins

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Discover marvellous maternity clothes at Dorothy Perkins. Shop this season's collection of tops, jeans and trousers with free delivery on orders over £50.

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Maternity Clothing | Maternity Wear & Pregnancy Clothes | New Look

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Discover your perfect pregnancy clothes from New Look's maternity clothing, including tees, jeans and standout maternity occasion wear. Free delivery available.

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Cotton is the most important natural textile fiber, as well as cellulosic textile fiber, in the world, used to produce apparel, home furnishings, and industrial products. Worldwide about 40% of the fiber consumed in 2004 was cotton.

Cotton fibers are seed hairs from plants of the order Malvales, family Malvaceae, tribe Gossypieae, and genus Gossypium. Botanically, there are four principal domesticated species of cotton of commercial importance: hirsutum, barbadense, aboreum, and herbaceum. Thirty-three species are currently recognized; however, all but these four are wild shrubs of no commercial value. Each one of the commercially important species contains many different varieties developed through breeding programs to produce cotton with continually improving properties (e.g., faster maturing, increased yields, and improved insect and disease resistance) and fibers with greater length, strength, and uniformity.

The cotton fibers used in textile commerce are the dried cell walls of formerly living cells. Botanically, cotton fibers are trichomes or seed coat hairs that differentiate from epidermal cells of the developing cottonseed. The cotton flower blooms only for one day and quickly becomes senescent thereafter. On the day of full bloom, or anthesis, the flower petals are pure white in most hirsutum varieties. By the day after anthesis, the petals turn bright pink in color and, usually by the second day after anthesis, the petals fall off the developing carpel (boll).

The wild cotton plant was domesticated in Asia, Africa, and South America nearly six thousand years ago. Ancient Egyptians made fine cloth at least four thousand years ago. Their hand-spun cotton was as fine as for today's best. Today, cotton is grown on 77 million acres in over 80 countries - anywhere the growing seasons are long and hot. Cotton grows on bushes that are three to six feet high. Its flowers last for five to seven days.

The boll is a seedpod about the size of a golf ball. It begins to grow after the flowers drop off. Inside are 7 or 8 seeds, and attached to them are the cotton fibers. Each seed may have as many as twenty-thousand fibers - that's as many as one hundred fifty thousand individual fibers in each boll!

Cotton is threatened by the boll weevil. It's a beetle feeds on bolls and the blossoms. Each year the weevil causes around two hundred million dollars of damage to the cotton crop in the US alone. So cotton is treated with insecticides, often by airplanes.

Harvesting

Cotton was once harvested by hand, often by slave labor or tenant farmers. As recently as 1965, over a fourth of the U.S. cotton crop was picked by hand. Today, harvesting cotton is highly mechanized.

Harvesting machines called strippers and pickers efficiently remove the cotton while leaving the plants undisturbed. Spindle harvester, also called a picker, has drums with spindles that pull the cotton from the boll in one or two rows at a time. Even a one-row mechanical picker can do the work formerly done by 40 hand pickers.

In stripper harvesting, the stripper moves along rows of plants, passing them between revolving rollers or brushes that pull off the cotton. Strippers also pull twigs and leaves with the cotton.

Cotton gins separate the fibers, called lint, from the seeds. After ginning, the cotton goes to the bale press that packs it into 480-pound bales about the size of a large refrigerator.

Classing Cotton

Cotton buyers judge cotton on the basis of samples cut from the bales. Skilled cotton classers grade or "class" the cotton according to standards established by the US Department of Agriculture such as cleanliness, the degree of whiteness, length of the fiber, and fiber strength.

The classes pull a sample. They discard most of the cotton until just a pinch of well-aligned fibers remains. They measure the length of the fibers, referred to as staple fibers. Longer staple fibers are higher-grade cotton and are sold at higher prices. Long staples range from 1.1 inches to 1.4 inches long.

Cotton is a seed fiber and grows in warm climates.

Modern harvesting of the cotton crop is highly mechanized.

Cotton is a good choice for clothing for its comfort and easy care.

Properties & Uses

The fibers are sent to a textile mill where carding machines turn the fibers into cotton yarn. The yarns are woven into cloth that is comfortable and easy to wash but does wrinkle easily. Cotton fabric will shrink about 3% when washed unless pre-treated to resist shrinking.

Cotton is prized for its comfort, easy care, and affordability and is ideal for clothing, bedding, towels, and furnishings.

Characteristics of Cotton Fibers and Products

Comfortable to wear

Natural, cellulosic fiber

Made from the cotton boll

Absorbs water and "breathes"

Slow to dry

Resists static electricity build-up

Wrinkles easily

Can withstand heat, detergents, and bleach

About 20% stronger when wet than dry

Will shrink unless treated

Can be damaged by mildew

Can be damaged by prolonged exposure to sunlight

Long staple cotton (such a Supima, Pima, Egyptian, and Sea Island) can be woven into smooth, almost silky fabrics.

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Cotton Fibers and its Properties - Textile School

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Cotton is the most important natural textile fiber, as well as cellulosic textile fiber, in the world, used to produce apparel, home furnishings, and industrial products. Worldwide about 40% of the fiber consumed in 2004 was cotton. Cotton fibers are seed hairs from plants of the order Malvales, family Malvaceae, tribe Gossypieae, and genus Gossypium.

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History, uses, and manufacturing of polyester.

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Fabric comes in all shapes, sizes, weights, and constructions. It can be natural, synthetic, or manufactured. Some fabrics have more stigma than others. In this blog post, we will be asking the question; what is viscose? A textile, which might be a little misunderstood.
1. What is viscose and where did it come from?

Perhaps you have heard of viscose, or maybe you know it better as Rayon. This is the term for viscose in the United States. But what actually is it?

What is viscose?

Viscose is a type of rayon. Originally known as artificial silk, in the late 19 th century, the term " rayon" came into effect in 1924. The name " viscose" derived from the way this fibre is manufactured; a viscous organic liquid used to make both rayon and cellophane. What this means in English? Viscose is the generalised term for a regenerated manufactured fibre, made from cellulose, obtained by the viscose process.

As a manufactured regenerated cellulose fibre, it is neither truly natural (like cotton, wool or silk) nor truly synthetic (like nylon or polyester) - it falls somewhere in between.

Viscose is a low-cost fabric, which is popular thanks to its myriad of qualities. It can be found in cotton end uses, as well as luxurious velvet's and taffeta's. Viscose can also be found in feminine hygiene products, as well as tire cords.

Chemically, viscose resembles cotton, but it can also take on many different qualities depending on how it is manufactured.

So, what is this fibre of many faces? To really understand what viscose is, we need to understand how it is made and what it is made from.

2. What is cellulose?

Cellulose fibre which is turned into viscose fabric

If a fibre is manufactured, then it is made from cellulose or protein. Cellulose is a carbohydrate and the chief component in the walls of plants. There is a difference between synthetic and manufactured fibres, which makes a difference in their sustainability. Viscose is made from wood pulp, making it a cellulosic fibre, like cotton or linen. It is often regarded as only partially manmade.

Manufactured fibres derive from naturally occurring cellulose, or protein, while synthetic fibres do not - they are completely manmade. So, if they come from a natural source, then why don't they fall under the " natural fibre" category? Because they require extensive processing to get to the finished result. Therefore, the category of manufactured fibres is often referred to as " regenerated cellulose."

3. Is viscose a sustainable fabric?

Because viscose is made from renewable plants, it is frequently cited as being environmentally friendly, and sustainable. But is this actually the case?

Viscose is the oldest manufactured fibre, first being produced in 1883 as a cheap alternative to silk. Viscose production generally begins with wood pulp, and there are several chemical and manufacturing techniques to make it.

This is where some controversy comes into play.

To create viscose, and make it stand up to regular wearing and washing, it must be chemically treated. The recycled wood pulp is treated with chemicals such as caustic soda, ammonia, acetone, and sulphuric acid. We therefore have a fabric, which comes from a natural and sustainable source, but that is made with chemicals.

Because viscose is made from cellulose, there is an argument to say that it is a more sustainable fibre then other synthetic fibres, such as polyester. Viscose is increasingly being manufactured using the Lyocell process. This uses N-Methlymorpholine N-oxide as the solvent. This method produces little waste product, making it far more eco-friendly.

4. What are some characteristics of viscose?

Viscose fabric, also known as Rayon

Viscose has a myriad of brilliant qualities, which makes it a popular fibre to work with. Thanks to its characteristics, several industries use it, to create a wide range of products. Some of the most beneficial characteristics of viscose include: These all sound great, but there are some slightly less positive traits to viscose. However, none of these are particularly negative. A little care during wearing and washing, will make these traits obsolete.
5. Viscose: a misunderstood fabric?

When a fabric is not labelled as " natural " then consumers can judge it harshly, without any true understanding of the fabric. Viscose is probably the most misunderstood of all fibres, manmade or natural. It is not a natural fibre, but nor is it synthetic.

In regards to the use of chemicals in the production of viscose, as fabric technology advances, many manufacturers are making considerable and positive efforts to ensure clean production. As we continue to strive for a green-friendly world, increasing work is being put into the sustainability of fibres such as viscose.

Viscose has many desirable qualities, which makes it a wonderful fibre to work with in many ways. Because of its unique versatility, many industries use viscose, from fashion, to the medical profession, to everyday items in the home.

6. Printing on Viscose

You can print your designs on viscose in just a few simple steps. First, upload your design, photos or pattern to Contrado's design interface. Then make sure it's the right size and in the right position. Once you've done that you can choose whether to repeat your pattern using one if our repeat effects, and then all that's left is to choose your dimensions and place your order. You can get your hands on a discount voucher for viscose printing if you order a test print first, plus it means you get to see for yourself just how easy it is.

What do you think?

We would love to know your thoughts on viscose. Do you love it, or are you wary of it? Let us know in the comments below.

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What Is Viscose? 6 Facts About This Misunderstood Fabric

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Fabric comes in all shapes, sizes, weights, and constructions. It can be natural, synthetic, or manufactured. Some fabrics have more stigma than others. In this blog post, we will be asking the question; what is viscose? A textile, which might be a little misunderstood.

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Once the centre of the Ottoman Empire, the modern secular republic was established in the 1920s by nationalist leader Kemal Ataturk.

Straddling the continents of Europe and Asia, Turkey's strategically important location has given it major influence in the region - and control over the entrance to the Black Sea.

Progress towards democracy and a market economy was halting after Ataturk's death in 1938, and the army - seeing itself as guarantor of the constitution - repeatedly ousted governments seen as challenging secular values.

Joining the European Union has been a longstanding ambition. Membership talks were launched in 2005, but have stalled over serious misgivings about Turkey's human rights record.

Kurds make up about a fifth of the population. Kurdish separatists who accuse the Turkish state of seeking to destroy their cultural identity have been waging a guerrilla war since the 1980s.

FACTS

LEADERS
President: Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Recep Tayyip Erdogan won a new term in elections in June 2018 and also gained substantial new powers under a new system approved the previous year by voters.

He first came to power in 2003 in the wake of a sweeping electoral victory by the Islamist-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP), of which he was a founding member.

He spent 11 years as Turkey's prime minister before becoming the country's first directly-elected president in August 2014 - a supposedly ceremonial role.

To his supporters Mr Erdogan has brought Turkey years of economic growth, but to his critics he is an autocratic leader intolerant of dissent who harshly silences anyone who opposes him.

In July 2016, the AKP government survived an attempted coup which saw clashes on the streets of Istanbul and Ankara that left 256 people dead. The authorities subsequently detained thousands of soldiers and judges on suspicion of involvement in the attempt that President Erdogan said was inspired by his exiled opponent Fethullah Gulen.

A referendum in April 2017 narrowly backed switching to a presidential system of government, which would significantly increase Mr Erdogan's powers. Critics say the move could usher in authoritarian rule, and amounts to a power grab.

MEDIA

Turkey's airwaves are lively, with hundreds of private TV and radio stations competing with the state broadcaster, TRT.

Television is by far the most influential news medium; both press and broadcasting outlets are operating by powerful business operators.

For journalists, the military, Kurds and political Islam are highly-sensitive topics, coverage of which can lead to arrest and prosecution.

Some of the most repressive restrictions have been lifted on the path to EU entry, but it remains a crime to insult the Turkish nation and president, and a wave of prosecutions of journalists under Recep Tayyip Erdogan has prompted new concern for press freedom.

TIMELINE
Some key dates in Turkey's history:
1453 - Sultan Mehmed II captures Constantinople, ending Byzantine Empire and consolidating Ottoman Empire in Asia Minor and Balkans.

15th-16th centuries - Expansion into Asia and Africa.

1683 - Ottoman advance into Europe halted at Battle of Vienna. Long decline begins.

1908 - Young Turk Revolution establishes constitutional rule, but degenerates into military dictatorship during First World War, where Ottoman Empire fights in alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary.

1918-22 - Partition of defeated Ottoman Empire leads to eventual triumph of Turkish National Movement in war of independence against foreign occupation and rule of Sultan.

1923 - Turkey declared a republic with Kemal Ataturk as president. Soon afterwards it becomes secular.

1952 - Turkey abandons Ataturk's neutralist policy and joins Nato.

1960 - Army coup against ruling Democratic Party.

1974 - Turkish troops occupy northern Cyprus, partitioning the island.

1984 - Kurdish PKK group launches separatists guerrilla campaign which develops into a major civil war that simmers on for decades.

2011 - Syrian civil war breaks out, resulting in tension along the countries' border and a huge influx of refugees into Turkey.

2016 - Attempted coup fails.

2017 - Referendum approves switch to presidential system.

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Once the centre of the Ottoman Empire, the modern secular republic was established in the 1920s by nationalist leader Kemal Ataturk. Straddling the continents of Europe and Asia, Turkey's strategically important location has given it major influence in the region - and control over the entrance to the Black Sea.

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Public Holidays in Turkey in 2019 | Office Holidays

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List of National Public Holidays celebrated in Turkey during 2019 with information on the meaning of the holidays.

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ETI's Martin Buttle reports on our annual meeting on Turkey's garment and footwear sector and the challenges Turkey's industry and workers face.

Here's what ETI believes.

Local coalitions - platforms of interested parties - are a key mechanism in finding solutions to local problems.

Turkey's footwear and garment sector is a case in point.

As we have pointed out previously, Turkey is a fast fashion hub where its ability to produce fashion quickly is part of its USP.

Yet this can result in cutting corners. Particularly, as over the last six years, Turkey has had to absorb three million Syrian refugees.

Many are working in the footwear and garment sector and are hugely vulnerable to exploitation.

That needs to be acknowledged.

But we also must acknowledge what is being done to safeguard workers - both Syrian and Turkish - as was discussed at our Turkey platform 2018 annual meeting.

Strengthening the garment sector

ETI facilitates an apparel and textiles platform in Turkey which aims to strengthen the garment sector's ability to implement the UN's General Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Since its inauguration in 2016, it now reaches 30 brands and retailers, employer associations, trade unions and civil society as well as thousands of factories. Its steering group includes important industry voices including ITKIB, TTSIS and TGSD and it has wide-ranging industry and governmental support.

As part of the platform's operating principles, it meets every year to assess progress and plan for the future.

This year's meeting in Istanbul attracted delegates from business (local and international) trade unions and civil society as well as government representatives.

They heard that three working groups have been established made up of ETI member brands, employers' associations, trade unions and NGOs.

Those groups raise business and human rights awareness, promote workplace social dialogue, and address the root causes of any human rights issues.

Over the last year (in addition to progress which has been reported in earlier blogs and on our programme webpages) we have seen:

Workshops organised for supplier factories (in collaboration with the IMPR/UNHCR) on the needs of Syrian refugees, what constitutes illegal work and obtaining legal work permits.

The production of a guide to buying responsibly, preparatory research for a planned study on purchasing practices and activities coordinated with ACT (Action, Collaboration, Transformation) around paying living wages.

Training on workplace social dialogue delivered to supplier factories nominated by ETI member brands, and worker representative systems introduced.

Many steps forward

It is obvious that Turkey is already many steps forward from where it was a year ago.

The government, for example, has introduced a temporary protection regime for Syrian refugees.

It is driving forward work permit legislation and is building the capacity of institutions, businesses and of Syrian workers themselves to work legally in Turkey.

The ETI facilitated Platform has recognised that any initiative towards Syrian workers should take into account the situation of Turkish workers as well as the specifics of the Turkish labour market and it is addressing key issues that rightly sit with businesses themselves to take forward.

But I would be remiss if I didn't concede that challenges remain and all stakeholders, including ETI, must continue to cooperate.

As discussed at the meeting, these challenges include collaborating around issues such as audits (they're essential but there is huge debate about their true worth and whether then can be streamlined), addressing structural problems within the industry itself (Turkey has 52,000 garment manufacturers with the vast majority employing less than 49 workers) and improving the ability and effectiveness of unions.

Very specifically, we know that transparency in the lower tiers of supply chains, particularly within subcontracting units, remains a challenge and one that must be addressed.

A detailed report on the day's discussions is available and we'll be taking forward several of the ideas raised.

Regional powerhouse

What's clear is that Turkey is a regional powerhouse.

Its garment industry has the potential to become an architype for good practice - particularly around refugee working - providing gaps can be filled.

That's why, over the next three years, our aim is to bring the industry together and bring more factories on board to address ingrained issues.

Importantly, we will build consensus on how to scale up efforts and support the growth of a high quality industry that meets international expectations around business and human rights.

If companies or organisations would like to join the Turkey Platform email martin.buttle@eti.org.uk.

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Giving everyone in Turkey's garment industry a voice and a platform

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ETI's Martin Buttle reports on our annual meeting on Turkey's garment and footwear sector and the challenges Turkey's industry and workers face. Here's what ETI believes. Local coalitions - platforms of interested parties - are a key mechanism in finding solutions to local problems. Turkey's footwear and garment sector is a case in point.

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Workers clashed with police as the protests continued into January, prompting the government to urge the manufacturers to raise wages.

Union leaders said Crony Group, East West Industrial Park and Metro Knitting & Dyeing Mills have all laid off workers.

Crony Group and Metro Knitting & Dyeing Mills both list H&M and Next as clients on their websites.

Head of the Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation, Babul Akhter, said at least 7,580 workers from 27 factories had lost their jobs in recent weeks.

A spokesperson for H&M said: " The well-being of the workers at our suppliers' factories is a priority to us, and we are therefore deeply concerned about the recent development in Bangladesh. The garment workers' frustration clearly highlights the need for strengthened industrial relations in the country. When workers are listened to, when the parties in the labour market can engage in peaceful dispute resolution, and when the minimum wage level is revised regularly, situations such as this one can be resolved long-term.

Following this unrest, a settlement (a memorandum of understanding) has been signed by factory management, associated trade unions (including IndustriALL), and worker representatives. We understand garment workers have recently been dismissed from three factories produce for H&M group amongst others, and we are closely observing the situation to ensure that that the documents and agreements that have now been signed are acknowledged and approved by all parties, outlining valid information and appropriate grounds for termination of employment. This issue will remain at the top of our agenda and we stay in close contact with the suppliers, industry association, trade unions and other buyers."

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Bangladeshi manufacturers lay off thousands

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Workers clashed with police as the protests continued into January, prompting the government to urge the manufacturers to raise wages. Union leaders said Crony Group, East West Industrial Park and Metro Knitting & Dyeing Mills have all laid off workers. Crony Group and Metro Knitting & Dyeing Mills both list H&M and Next as clients on their websites.

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Politics of Bangladesh takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Bangladesh is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament.

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UN's report on World Economic Situation and Prospects unveiled

Bangladesh will be the third fastest growing economy in the world in terms of achieving high Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2019, according to a United Nations report.

The report titled World Economic Situation and Prospects put Bangladesh only behind South Sudan and India. Bangladesh will expand at 7.4% this year, while India at 7.6%, and South Sudan to grow at a staggering rate of 8%, it said.

"The economic outlook for South Asia is highly divergent across countries. There are some economies, including Bangladesh, Bhutan and India, where economic conditions are largely positive, with GDP growth projected to remain robust in the near term.

The UN in its report, published on Monday, said Bangladesh economy is also set to continue expanding at a fast pace in the near term, above 7% per year, amid strong fixed investment, vigorous private consumption and accommodative monetary policy.

Focusing on South Asian economy, the flagship UN report said the regional GDP is expected to expand by 5.4% in 2019 and 5.9% in 2020, after an estimated expansion of 5.6% in 2018 . Economic growth is expected to be supported by private consumption and, in some cases, investment demand, even as monetary policy stances tighten in some economies. Despite the increase observed for inflation figures throughout 2018 due to the depreciation of domestic currencies

Highlighting the economies of Bangladesh and India, it said economic growth is expected to be supported by private consumption and, in some cases, investment demand, even as monetary policy stances tighten in some economies. Despite the increase observed for inflation figures throughout 2018 due to the depreciation of domestic currencies and higher oil prices, inflation is expected to accelerate only moderately or to remain stable in most economies in the near term.

The report highlighting on downside risks on South Asian economies said political uncertainties and infrastructure deficit could weigh on the growth prospect of South Asia.

"The downside risks to the projections have recently increased across the region, because of domestic and external factors. On the domestic side, political uncertainties, setbacks in the implementation of reforms and, in some countries, security problems can affect investment prospects. This is a crucial issue, as the region needs to tackle the infrastructure bottlenecks for promoting productivity growth, encouraging further poverty reductions and adjusting to climate change."

On Bangladesh, the report further said: "The fiscal deficit in Bangladesh is at a record high, close to 5.0 per cent of GDP, as the country struggles to expand the tax base."

Talked, Mirza Azizul Islam, former adviser to a caretaker government said the economic growth will keep its momentum in coming years if enhanced private sector investment was made in the economy.

"The government should focus to accelerate economic growth, as well as reducing income inequality to sustain the growth momentum," Aziz told the Dhaka Tribune.

The report said Bangladesh economy will grow at 7.2% in 2020, while Indian at 7.4%.

Focusing on global economy, the report of the UN said urgent and concrete policy action is needed to reduce risks to the global economy and secure the foundations for stable and sustainable economic growth.

"A dynamic and inclusive global economy is central to delivering the ambitious targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Policymakers must work to contain short-term risks from financial vulnerabilities and escalating trade disputes, while advancing a longer-term development strategy towards economic, social and environmental goals."

"Decisive policy actions rely on a multilateral, cooperative and long-term approach to global policy-making in key areas, including combating climate change, sustainable finance, sustainable production and consumption, and redressing inequality. This also requires progress towards a more inclusive, flexible and responsive multilateral system."

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Bangladesh to become 3rd fastest growing economy in world in 2019

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UN's report on World Economic Situation and Prospects unveiled Bangladesh will be the third fastest growing economy in the world in terms of achieving high Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2019, according to a United Nations report. The report titled World Economic Situation and Prospects put Bangladesh only behind South Sudan and India.

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XE: Convert GBP/BDT. United Kingdom Pound to Bangladesh Taka

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Convert 1 British Pound to Bangladeshi Taka. Get live exchange rates, historical rates & charts for GBP to BDT with XE's free currency calculator.

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Public Holidays in Bangladesh in 2019 | Office Holidays

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Comprehensive list of National and Regional Public Holidays that are celebrated in Bangladesh during 2019 with dates and information on the origin and meaning of holidays.

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Tearing strength:
A fabric tears when it is snagged by a sharp object and the immediate small puncher is converted into long rip by what may be a very small extra effort. It is probably the most common type of strength failure of fabrics in use. It is particularly important in industrial fabrics that are exposed to rough handling. (E.g. Tents, Sacks, Parachutes, etc.) In some applications low tear strength is require, e.g. Adhesive tape, bandages, etc.

Tear strength is the strength required to start or continue the tear in a fabric under specific condition & tearing force is the required to continue a tear previously started in a fabric. The tear resistance test on fabrics or tear strength is measured to check how the material can withstand the effects of tearing or cuts when in tension. The tear strength is measured as per the ASTM D412 standard test method, which is also used to measure tensile and elongation.

Importance of tear strength test on fabrics:

The tear strength is the resistance of fabric against tearing. The tear strength is vital for the textiles, bulletproof jackets, worker jeans, tents, apparel, sacks, and industrial applications. If the tear strength is high, means punctures in the fabrics do not propagate easily. The tear strength is vital in the industrial textiles as heavy duty work is performed.

Factors affecting the tear strength are as follows:

1. The GSM of the fabric indicates the tear strength. High the GSM means more the tearing strength.

2. The strength of the yarn has a direct relation to the tearing strength of the fabric. More the yarn strength means more tear strength.

3. Weave designs mean the plain weave could have lowest tear strength. Similarly, the spun yarn has low tear strength as compared to filament yarn.

4. The knitted fabric is less strong as compared to woven fabric.

The tearing strength tester is an appropriate tool to measure the tear resistance of various materials including textiles and fabric

Measurement of fabric tearing strength:

1. First we take specimen of 100 ×75 .

2. The template is placed on the specimen and cut according to the template, which are given below.

3. A slit is created at the middle point of the specimen, which range is 20 mm.

4. In the test, the Elmendorf continuous to tear the fabric from the end of the slit to the opposite edge distance of 43mm.

5. Pendulum lever principle is used here.

1. The apparatus consists of a sector shaped pendulum carrying a moving sample clamp & a fixed clamp on the frame.

2. When the pendulum is in the raised to starting position, the specimen is transferred between the two clamps.

3. The tear is started by a slit cut in the specimen between the clamps.

4. The pendulum is then released & the specimen is torn as the moving clamp, moving away from the fixes clamp.

5. The pointer attached to the pendulum, which is graduated to read the tearing force directly.

Fig : Elmendrof tearing tester

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fabric tearing strength test | textile study center

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Tearing strength: A fabric tears when it is snagged by a sharp object and the immediate small puncher is converted into long rip by what may be a very small extra effort. It is probably the most common type of strength failure of fabrics in use.

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Color fastness is the ability of fabrics to retain the dyes used to color them. Some fabrics hold dye within their fibers extremely well - like denim - while others do not (mostly synthetic or artificial non-natural fabrics) and tend to "bleed" when they are washed. The denim would therefore be more "color fast" than the other fabric.

The resistance of a material to change in any of its color characteristics, when subjected to washing is called color fasntess to washing.

General Principle:
A specimen of the textile to be tested, with the adjacent fabric attached is subjected to washing under specified conditions. Te extent of any change in color and that of the staining of the adjacent fabric are assessed and the rating is expressed in fastness numbers.

There are two types of adjacent fabrics; (1) single fiber fabric and multiple fiber fabric. In the case of multi fiber fabric only one specimen is required and in the of single fiber fabric two adjacent fabric are required.

There are various colorfastness tests. Details of washing fastness tests are given below.

Fastness to Washing:
In the test, change in color of the textile and also staining of color on the adjacent fabric are assessed. A 10 x 4 cm swatch of the coloured fabric is taken and is sandwiched between two adjacent fabric and stitched, The sample and the adjacent fabric are washed together. Five different types of washing are specified as different washing methods.

The solution for washing should be prepared to the required temperature of washing. The liquor material ratio is 50:1 . After soaping treatment, remove the specimen, rinse twice in cold water and then in running cold water under a tap. Squeeze it and air dry at a temperature not exceeding 60°C. The change in color and staining is evaluated with the help of grey scales.

Sharing Knowledge: Students, teachers and professionals can publish your article here. It is a platform to express your knowledge throughout the world. For details:

Editor-in-Chief:

Mazharul Islam Kiron is a textile consultant and researcher on online business promotion. He is working with one European textile machinery company as a country agent. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.

Let's Get Connected: | | Email: textilelearners@gmail.com

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Washing Fastness Test | Wash Fastness | Description of Washing Fastness | Types of Washing Fastness

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Color fastness is the ability of fabrics to retain the dyes used to color them. Some fabrics hold dye within their fibers extremely well - like denim - while others do not (mostly synthetic or artificial non-natural fabrics) and tend to "bleed" when they are washed.

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In a few of our articles, we've mentioned that specs are measurements and details of a garment when lain flat. If you don't know how to spec, and even if you think you do - you should become very comfortable with the process because chances are, you'll find yourself specing garments - a lot!

Here we'll cover some of the basic POMs (points of measure) used when specing different garments. Measurements can be taken "on the half", or total. In this article, spec examples are given on the half. For a fully detailed guide on specing garments, including full illustrated diagrams, measuring instructions, and extensive points of measure for various garment types, tech pack samples & templates download the "How to Spec a Garment" ebook. (See more details below.)
General Terms
HPS : (High Point Shoulder) A main reference point located at the highest point of the shoulder, where the shoulder seam meets the neckline. Many measurements are given in relation to the HPS.

Center Front (CF): Not to be confused with placket edges, the center front is an invisible line running vertically down the exact center of the front of a garment.

Center Back (CB) : An invisible line running vertically down the exact center of the back of a garment.

Side Seam (SS) : Seams on the left and right sides of a garment from the bottom of the armhole down to the bottom hem.
Points of Measure (POM): Tops/Jackets/Dresses
Body Length : Length of the garment from HPS to the Bottom Sweep.

Across Chest : Usually measured 1" below armhole horizontally from edge to edge.

Waist : Measured horizontally from edge to edge at a specific distance below HPS, which will vary depending on sample size and company standards. Example: For a Junior size 9 waist spec is taken from 15 ½" below HPS.

Hip : Measured horizontally from edge to edge at a specific distance below HPS, which will vary depending on sample size and company standards. Example: For a Junior size 9 hip spec is taken from 24" below HPS.

Bottom Sweep : The bottom edge of the garment measured horizontally straight across from edge to edge

Sleeve Length : Distance from the top of the sleeve at the shoulder seam, to the sleeve opening.

Bicep : Measured 1" below the armhole, perpendicular to the length of the sleeve.

Armhole (Curved) : Measured along the curve of the armhole seam where the bottom armhole meets the side seam, to where the top of the armhole meets the shoulder seam.

Shoulder Drop: From HPS to the shoulder seam at armhole.

Neck Opening : Measured from neck seam to neck seam at HPS
Bottoms:
Upper Waist : Usually measured by aligning the front and back waistbands and measuring straight across the top of the waistband from edge to edge.

Lower Hip : The lower hip spec is given through the 3 point method using three points of measure marked at a certain distance below the top waist at the sides and CF.

Thigh : Typically measured 1" below the crotch seam, perpendicular to the pant leg from side to side.

Knee Opening : Measured at a certain distance below the crotch seam perpendicular to the pant leg from side to side. Example: A Junior size 9 knee opening is taken from 12" below the crotch.

Leg Opening : Measured horizontally across the bottom edge of the leg opening.

Front Rise : The center front seam from the crotch seam to the top of the front waistband.

Back Rise : The center back seam from the crotch to the top of the back waistband.

Inseam : The inner leg seam from the crotch seam to the leg opening.

Here is an example of specs that have been entered into a garment Specification Sheet (Spec Sheet):

Important details not included in the spec list, should be detailed as callouts in the flat sketch, using arrows and detail sketches. Callouts should include any information that the patternmaker will need to create the pattern for the garment. Please note: Patternamkers use specs as a guide for the general size and fit of a finished garment. Actual pattern piece measurements will be different due to necessary adjustments needed to achieve proper fit and balance of a garment.

When detailing flats, try not to overcrowd the sketch with arrows and numbers. All important elements of the sketch should remain visible and all measurements and descriptions should be ledgible.
For a fully detailed printable reference on specing garments, including additional POMs (points of measures), measurement instructions and illustration diagrams, and additional tips for specing and detailing a garment, check out our full "How to Spec a Garment" ebook! With your ebook, you will also receive our Apparel Tech Packs!

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How to Spec a Garment: Basic Points of Measure for Apparel - Designers Nexus

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In a few of our articles, we've mentioned that specs are measurements and details of a garment when lain flat. If you don't know how to spec, and even if you think you do - you should become very comfortable with the process because chances are, you'll find yourself specing garments - a lot!

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Examples of technical design work I have completed in my previous positions.

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River Island Style Studio is our complimentary service, offering a unique and tailored personal shopping experience. In our exclusive in-store studio, let our expert team of personal stylists build your ideal look and help you discover your individual style. With three Style Studio locations (London, Liverpool and Birmingham), choose your nearest one and make your appointment today!

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Women's Clothing and Fashion - Womenswear - River Island

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Find your style and dress to impress with our River Island women's clothing collection. Shop from gorgeous dresses to our distinctive shoes and boots.

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Beige print wrap midi skirt - Midi Skirts - Skirts - women

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Woven fabric RI print Wrap front Back zip fastening Midi length Our model wears a UK 8 and is 175cm/5'9'' tall

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Create free ad mockups across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.

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#thefashionbump hashtag on Instagram * Photos and Videos

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11.8k Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from 'thefashionbump' hashtag

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Artificial intelligence and machine learning are an increasingly integral part of many industries, including marketing.

But while we often talk about using or incorporating AI in marketing, what do we really mean by that? What does it look like in practice?

Here are 15 examples of AI and machine learning in action in the marketing industry (P.S. remember to check out Econsultancy's Marketer's Guide to Machine Learning and AI).

1. Product/content recommendations

The practice of clustering customer behaviours to predict future behaviours began way back in 1998, with a report on 'digital bookshelves' by Jussi Karlgren, a Swedish computational linguist at Columbia University. In the same year, Amazon began using "collaborative filtering" to enable recommendations for millions of customers.

Fast forward to 2019, and some of the most successful digital companies have built their product offerings around the ability to provide highly relevant and personalised product or content recommendations - including Amazon, Netflix and Spotify. As Lori Goldberg wrote in a brief history of artificial intelligence in advertising for Econsultancy, "This all comes from AI-based clustering and interpreting of consumer data paired with profile information and demographics. These AI-based systems continually adapt to your likes and dislikes and react with new recommendations tailored in real-time."

Other major brands are now following suit with their own AI-powered recommendations. For example, Sky has implemented a machine learning model that is designed to recommend content according to the viewer's mood. As customers become used to the level of personalised recommendations provided by services like Netflix and Spotify, they look for other brands to provide the same experience.

Publishers are also implementing AI-powered content recommendation widgets that can identify related content to surface to readers, and even personalise those recommendations based on readers' browsing habits. We recently introduced a feature like this on Econsultancy: our 'Recommended' sidebar is powered by a tool called IDIO, which learns our readers' interests as they browse and uses this to suggest articles that they might be interested in reading.
How to boost conversion rates by 32%: a recommendation engine case study
2. Data filtering & analysis

Marketing is becoming an increasingly data-driven discipline, and more effective use of data is the key to improving customer experience, personalisation, targeting and more.

However, consolidating that data at scale once it has been collected, and analysing it to determine patterns, is tedious and difficult for human beings. This is where AI comes in: one of the great strengths of AI in the workplace is its ability to take on complex organisational and analysis tasks that would be difficult or impossible for humans to carry out, freeing up humans to do the more intuitive, creative work that they are better suited to.

For example, AI can be used to improve account selection in account-based marketing when ABM is carried out at scale. Targeting and personalisation company DemandBase found that it could use AI to filter out companies from its list of prospects that would ultimately lose the company money in the long run, as Jessica Fewless, the company's VP of ABM Strategy, told the B2B Marketing Conference:

"We're a stats-based company and if they churn from us in less than a year we lose money on them. So, we took the elements that made those customers churn and removed them from our model," she said.

AI proved to be most useful for DemandBase in identifying 'timely intent': highlighting the accounts where there is a window of opportunity to approach before a commitment to a competitor is made.

3. Search engines

AI has had a profound impact on the way that we search, and the quality of the search experience, that we often tend to take for granted in 2019.

Google first started innovating with AI in search in 2015 with the introduction of RankBrain, its machine learning-based algorithm. Since then, many ecommerce websites (including Amazon) have followed in Google's footsteps and incorporated AI into their search engines to make product searching smarter.

With innovations like natural language processing and semantic search, search engines can determine the links between products and suggest similar items, find relevant search results, and auto-correct mistakes, helping consumers to discover products even if they don't know exactly what they're looking for.
Three great product search experiences powered by machine learning
4. Visual search & image recognition

Similarly, advances in AI image recognition and analysis are making it possible to achieve amazing things with visual search.

While it's still early days for the technology, visual search - the act of using search to find results that are visually similar to one another, in the same way that "traditional" text-based search finds results of a similar topic - is becoming more commonplace thanks to platforms like Pinterest, and technology like Google Lens.

Visual search has a number of useful applications in marketing and retail. For example, it can be used to improve merchandising and personalise the shopping experience: instead of recommending products based on a shopper's past behaviour or purchases, visual search technology can recommend relevant products based on how they look, helping shoppers to find items of a similar or complementary style.

Target and Asos are two retailers that have made a big commitment to visual search as part of their ecommerce experience. Target launched a partnership with Pinterest in 2017 that integrated Pinterest Lens, Pinterest's visual search tool for the physical world, into Target's app, allowing shoppers to snap a photo of a product while out and about and find similar items on Target's website.

Asos' Style Match visual search tool works in a similar way, allowing shoppers to take a picture or upload an image and search Asos' product catalogue for items (or similar items) contained within that image. These tools encourage shoppers to treat retailers as go-to destinations for items that they might see in a magazine or while out and about, helping them to shop for the perfect product even if they don't know what it is.

Finally, image recognition is also giving marketers an edge on social media by allowing them to find uses of brand products and logos, and identify visual trends. This is called 'visual social listening', and it can allow brands to spot where and how customers are interacting with their brand, logo or product even when it's not referred to by name.
How visual social listening is helping FMCG and beyond
5. Social listening & sentiment analysis

Advances in natural language processing have proven extremely useful for marketers wanting to analyse their brand presence, and the conversations around their brand, on social media and use those to target campaigns.

AI allows brands to perform sentiment analysis on social conversations and understand the prevailing attitude towards their brand and products. This can allow them to spot potential issues and counteract them before they become too widespread. For example, Samsung - which works with AI consumer insights company Crimson Hexagon - was able to detect and counteract customer dissatisfaction with a red tint on the screen of its newly-released S8 smartphone model thanks to social listening.

Careful with Samsung S8 as I read yesterday some south koreans have bought S8 models that have a red tint on the display & are disappointed

- Søren Pio Nissen (@Soren_Pio) April 22, 2017

Galaxy S8 Red Screen Tint Issue And Potential Fix Has Been Confirmed By Samsung #samsung #s8 #samsungs8 https://t.co/0GFQO3eU0r pic.twitter.com/mtRxsz6CPP

- Standa Dvořák (@s_t_a_n_i_k) April 19, 2017

How Samsung uses social listening for product marketing & sentiment analysis
Social listening and sentiment analysis can also be used to spot purchase intent by analysing the ways that consumers are talking about a product - for example "In the market for a new phone. Samsung S8 anyone? How does it hold up?" or "Borrowed my boyfriend's iPad and now I'm thinking about getting one..." - which can enable marketers to target them with advertising or potentially a strategically-placed discount.

With that said, marketers should tread lightly with this kind of targeting or risk appearing creepy.

6. Product categorisation

Some online retailers and aggregators have discovered the extent to which machine learning can make the process of tagging and categorising products more efficient. Stuart McClure, founder of LoveTheSales.com, spoke to Econsultancy editor Ben Davis to explain how and why the company uses AI for product categorisation:

"One retailer might give us amazing data, and another could give us the same set of products but with awful data. We use a text-based classification tool, training various models with both positive and negative examples."

This means that even if different language is used by different retailers to describe the same product - for example, "trainer", "basketball shoe" and "sneaker" - the algorithm is able to understand that the products are the same and tag them accordingly. This can be so effective as to allow the algorithm to correctly identify a product based on nothing but context:

"The really cool thing is, we'll have examples, loads of them, where you'll get say 100 shirts and there'll be a piece of data that has nothing in it at all to say it's a shirt, but the model has classified it correctly as a shirt because of the surrounding context," McClure told Econsultancy.

7. Product pricing

Demand-based price changes are nothing new - think changes to hotel room rates depending on the season - but with AI entering the equation, prices can be determined and optimised with a whole new level of precision, taking a wide variety of data into account.

Machine learning can be used for things like dynamic pricing, which analyses a customer's data patterns and predicts what they are likely to be willing to pay, and also their receptiveness to special offers. This allows businesses to target them with more precision and calculate the exact level of discount needed (or not needed) to pull in a sale.

Dynamic pricing can also be used to compare businesses' product pricing with that of their competitors, to determine if their pricing is too high, about the same, or too low.

AirBnB is one brand that has built and refined an extremely sophisticated dynamic pricing system to help property owners determine the price that they should list their property at. It takes into account a wide variety of factors including geographic location, listing features, local events, photographs and reviews, as well as market demand and time to booking date.

These calculations are provided to users as 'price tips', which they will choose to follow or ignore; the system will then monitor whether or not the listing succeeds, and adjust its algorithm based on the results. You can read more about this intriguing system and how it was developed in this profile published by IEEE Spectrum.

8. Predictive analytics

Predictive analytics, the practice of extracting information from data sets to predict future trends, can be used to great effect in improving customer service and customer experience.

Predictive analytics are a revolutionary capability of AI because it was previously only possible to retroactively determine trends from data sets. Thanks to artificial intelligence, things that could once only be determined retroactively can now be reliably modelled, and decisions made based on those models.

Predictive analytics can be used in ecommerce to analyse customers' purchase behaviour and determine when they might be likely to make a repeat purchase or to purchase something new. Using predictive analytics, marketers can "reverse-engineer" customers' experiences and actions to determine which marketing strategies resulted in a positive outcome.

Companies like FedEx and Sprint are also using predictive analytics to pinpoint customers who are "flight risk" factors and may defect to a competitor.

In customer service, predictive analytics can be used to anticipate high or low call volumes and ensure that phone lines (and other outlets) are staffed sufficiently.

9. Audience targeting & segmentation

For marketers to reach their customers with the level of personalisation that many have come to expect, they need to target increasingly granular segments.

AI can be used to achieve this. Drawing on the data that marketers already have about their customers, machine learning algorithms can be trained against a "gold standard" training set to identify important variables and common properties, and even pick out incorrectly identified contacts.

The extent to which marketers can segment their consumers comes down to the data that they have - segments can be as simple as gender and age, or as complex as past behaviours and buying personas.

Segmentation also doesn't have to be static. Dynamic segmentation is an application of AI that takes into account the fact that customers' behaviours are rarely fixed or unchanging, and that people can take on different personas at different times for different reasons.

For example, if a young person browses for a gift for an older relative, dynamic segmentation will group them in with the segment most appropriate to their current buying behaviour using real-time data, presenting the most relevant offers and avoiding using outdated data for targeting.

10. Programmatic ad targeting

The introduction of artificial intelligence has made bidding on and targeting programmatic advertising vastly more efficient. Again, this is tied into predictive analytics and the ability to model things that could previously only be determined retroactively.

When applied to programmatic advertising, AI can determine things like the best time of day to serve an ad, the probability of an impression converting, or the likelihood of a user engaging with an ad that appears in the middle of an article they are reading.

AI can also be used to adjust bidding strategies based on customer lifetime value (CLV) and invest more in potentially higher-value customers.

11. Sales forecasting

Sales forecasting is another prediction-based application of AI - this time, for sales.

Using past sales data, industry-wide comparisons and economic trends, artificial intelligence can forecast sales outcomes and help companies to inform business decisions and predict short and long-term performance.

Sales forecasts can also help to estimate product demand, although sales teams should be careful to take other factors into account as well: for example, a company experiencing manufacturing issues may only sell a certain number of units due to a lack of stock, not due to a lack of demand for the product. Thus, using only sales figures to predict demand would produce an inaccurate forecast.

12. Chatbots & conversational AI

Over the past few years, the chatbot star has risen dramatically and then fallen even more dramatically, as a once-hyped application of AI was found not to work as well as many had hoped.

However, a number of companies are still successfully using chatbots. At a recent Econsultancy Digital Outlook event in Singapore, marketing AI expert Deborah Kay spoke of the popularity of Singapore's 'Bus Uncle' chat platform, which uses Facebook Messenger to give information on bus arrival times, and responds to natural language queries.

Other brands have begun to build conversational voice experiences, placing a bet on voice interfaces and voice-enabled devices as the future of brand interaction. Trainline, a travel company with a number of apps that incorporate AI, recently launched a voice app for the Google Assistant. In an interview with Econsultancy editor Ben Davis, Trainline's Director of Engineering Jonathan Midgley called the app "the UK's most advanced rail voice AI, with 12 levels of conversation depth". The app improves itself through machine learning, and becomes more accurate the more commuters make use of it.

13. Speech recognition

Over the past several years, voice-activated devices and their potential have become the talk (ha) of the marketing industry.

This is possible due to advances in speech recognition technology, as well as things like natural language processing. In 2017, Google's level of speech recognition accuracy reached the coveted 95% threshold, while in the same year, Baidu claimed to have reached a 97% accuracy rate with speech recognition - and is aiming for 99%.

While speech recognition is only one component of a good voice experience, it does play an important rule in making sure that voice interfaces and voice interactions function smoothly, and that users' requests are interpreted correctly.

14. Computer vision & augmented reality

Computer vision, much as the name implies, is a discipline that involves programming computers to 'see' the world around them and gain a high level of understanding from digital images and videos.

True computer vision is only achievable with AI, machine learning, and huge datasets with which to train a machine to recognise and identify objects.

Accurate computer vision is important for the sophisticated development of augmented reality (AR), and particularly for its applications in marketing. The better computers can detect and identify the physical world, the more accurately and usefully augmented reality can be overlaid on top of it.

This enables AR advertising that integrates with people's surroundings in a way that is relevant without being intrusive and can open up new possibilities for things like interactive shopping, product insights and offers, and business information.

So far, augmented reality has been deployed to great effect in a marketing context by home improvement and furniture companies like Home Depot, Lowe's and Ikea. In 2015, Home Depot launched an augmented reality app called Project Color that allowed users to visualise how different paint colours would look on their walls.

Since 2013, it has also offered augmented reality features within its mobile app that allow shoppers to view how products like doors, patio furniture, vanity units and faucets would look in their home. Lowe's and Ikea offer similar functionality with furnishings, and Lowe's has also developed an app called Measured which - as the name implies - can measure an object or distance using augmented reality, a useful tool for DIY.

Beauty brands are also deploying AR to great effect to engage consumers and drive return purchases. Brands including Lancôme, L'Oreal, Estée Lauder and Sephora have created augmented reality experiences that allow people to virtually try on lipstick or nail varnish, provide personalised product recommendations, and even carry out a full makeover via AR, educating consumers about the products they need and how to apply them.

15. Copywriting

Lurking behind a good half of the articles published about AI is the implicit question: will the robots be taking all our jobs?

Most of the use cases for AI that we've so far covered in this article consist of artificial intelligence either augmenting a tool or performing a role which aids a human in their day-to-day work.

However, one job that AI is becoming able to perform in its own right is copywriting. At the moment, AI's copywriting skills in the realm of marketing are largely limited to basic tasks with limited parameters like email subject lines and product descriptions.

One well-known vendor in this space is Phrasee. The company prides itself on being able to produce email subject lines that are indistinguishable from those written by humans - even using emoji correctly - and has recently moved into the realm of social ad copy on Facebook and Instagram.
How Wowcher used AI copywriting to reduce Facebook ad CPL by 31%
Chinese tech giant Alibaba claims to have developed an AI copywriting tool that "passes the Turing test", but it's unclear whether the AI has actually been put through a quantitative test, or whether this is just a turn of phrase to signify that the AI can pass for human. Even then, it still isn't being used to produce complex copy, but mostly produces ads and retail product descriptions for websites like Taobao and Tmall.

However, something much bigger may be just around the corner. Earlier this month, the non-profit company OpenAI, backed by Elon Musk, revealed that it had created an artificially intelligent text generator called GPT2 which is so accurate, the company is holding back from releasing the research until it has had more of a chance to investigate how the technology might be abused.

Journalistic outlets including Reuters and The Washington Post are already employing 'robot reporters' to churn out reports on company earnings and sports scores based on structured data. While these articles are still very formulaic in nature, the creation of GPT2 - which has demonstrated its ability to perfectly replicate the tone of individual columnists - suggests that something much more 'human' is possible.

Whether this AI will be capable of comprehending the finer points of SEO or martech and thus take over writing blog posts (like this one!) from human copywriters or editors remains to be seen. For now, it seems that GPT2 is mostly capable of mimicking, rather than devising original ideas and executing them - but it mimics very, very well.

So, is there anything AI can't do?

We've found plenty of examples of ways that AI is transforming the ways that we work, shop, market and sell, allowing us to achieve things that would never have been possible without it. However, AI is by no means all-powerful.

It's worth pointing out that AI and machine learning still need people, such as Google's raters, to improve their accuracy and to train algorithms properly.

Crowdsourcing of a workforce (e.g. Amazon's Mechanical Turk) will perhaps become a bigger industry as more AI brings a need for a human's guiding hand to adjust datasets.

In addition to this, AI has yet to dramatically reshape most businesses to the extent that many expected it would. Brian Bergstein published an insightful recent write-up for the MIT Technology Review examining why this is. In it, he wrote,

"AI might eventually transform the economy-by making new products and new business models possible, by predicting things humans couldn't have foreseen, and by relieving employees of drudgery. But that could take longer than hoped or feared, depending on where you sit. [...]

"This doesn't necessarily mean that AI is overhyped. It's just that when it comes to reshaping how business gets done, pattern-recognition algorithms are a small part of what matters. Far more important are organizational elements that ripple from the IT department all the way to the front lines of a business. Pretty much everyone has to be attuned to how AI works and where its blind spots are, especially the people who will be expected to trust its judgments. All this requires not just money but also patience, meticulousness, and other quintessentially human skills that too often are in short supply."

Learn more

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15 examples of artificial intelligence in marketing - Econsultancy

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Artificial intelligence and machine learning are an increasingly integral part of many industries, including marketing. But while we often talk about using or incorporating AI in marketing, what do we really mean by that? What does it look like in practice? Here are 15 examples of AI and machine learning in action in the marketing industry (P.S.

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General data

Employment

Currently around 555,000 people are employed in fashion, textiles and fashion retail in the United Kingdom. Most jobs in fashion related industries are in the retail sale of clothing. This sub industry employs 75 percent with 414,000 people working in the retail sale of clothing. Also the retail sale of footwear and leather goods provides a fair amount of jobs in fashion, about 11 percent, 59,000, employers work within this sector. Another 8 percent, 43,000 employers, work in the wholesale of clothing and footwear. With respectively 34,000 en 5,000 positions, 6 percent and 1 percent, the least amount of jobs are in the manufacturing of wearing apparel and the manufacturing of footwear.

Fashion companies

Top companies based on market capitalization

The biggest company in the UK based on its market capitalization is the Burberry Group plc. The luxury fashion company is valued over 10 billion dollar and had revenue of 3.8 billion dollar in 2017. Burberry sells its products through retail and wholesale channel, retail sales accounted for 77% of revenue compared to 22% from wholesale.

Fast-fashion retailer Next Plc is the second largest fashion company in the United Kingdom, based on its market value of 7.16 billion pounds. Next is mostly active in retail market in the UK, where it makes most of its 4.0 billion pound of annual sales. Only a small part, 2 percent, of Next's' revenue comes from international retail.

Retail giant Marks & Spencer is number 3 in the Top 10 largest fashion companies in the UK. It is currently valued over 7 billion pounds and has annual sales of 10.3 billion pounds. Whereas its UK food division is ever expanding, Marks and Spencer's fashion and UK general merchandise sales have been declining in the past years.The UK still accounts for 89 percent of the total sales, although its international presence is increasing, especially in food. Because of the declining fashion and general merchandise sale Marks and Spencer is facing a continuous downfall in market value.

With a market value of 6.2 billion dollar ASOS is fourth largest company in the UK and has annual sales of 1.8 billion pounds. The online fashion store sells over 850 brands as well as its own range of clothing and accessories. International retail sales for ASOS accounted for almost 63% of total retail sales.

Consumer expenditure

In million GBP

In percentage

Imports & Exports

Exports of clothing: 9.2 billion USD

Imports of clothing: 34.4 billion USD

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Currently around 555,000 people are employed in fashion, textiles and fashion retail in the United Kingdom. Most jobs in fashion related industries are in the retail sale of clothing. This sub industry employs 75 percent with 414,000 people working in the retail sale of clothing.

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8 months ago

Are you due in 2019?

If you are it may be because of all the good weather we have had this year.

Yes, it seems that the heatwave that Ireland experienced this summer may have caused a surge in babies being made and 2019 is in for a huge baby boom!

Why is this?

A large part of the reason why this summer may have seen more conceptions is that of our increased serotonin levels.

Known as the happy chemical, serotonin is a chemical that transmits messages between nerve cells.

Experts believe that because this summer was particularly sunny it heightened the population's serotonin levels, making us all a lot happier and making couples feel a lot more loved up.

Scientists have also found that sunny weather can boost a woman's chances of conceiving a child by as much as a third.

Some have even gone as far as to suggest that couples trying to start a family should vacation somewhere hot to improve their chances of conception.

The reasoning behind this is the belief that melatonin, which influences our reproductive cycles, is stimulated by the sun.

Vitamin D can also affect that quality of eggs that our bodies produce, so taking in a healthy dose of sunshine while trying to become pregnant could be very beneficial.

If all of this is true then next year could see a huge influx of babies being born as we had plenty of serotonin and vitamin D boosting weather.

I wonder if any of the babies will be called Summer?

Are you due to have a baby in 2019 and if so did you fall pregnant during this heatwave?

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Summer loving? 2019 could see a massive baby boom because of the heatwave | HerFamily.ie

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8 months ago If you are it may be because of all the good weather we have had this year. Yes, it seems that the heatwave that Ireland experienced this summer may have caused a surge in babies being made and 2019 is in for a huge baby boom!

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Love fashion. Love River Island.

With over 60 years of fashion retailing experience, River Island is one of the most well-known and loved brands on the High Street.

At River Island we are renowned for our stylish, affordable fashion. The unique touches we bring to our collections help us standout from the rest of the High Street. Our customers can always rely on us for great going-out looks and occasion wear, amazing denim and fabulous bags and shoes. We pride ourselves on being the perfect store to pick up everything you need for a brand new head-to-toe look.

At River Island we always aim to bring new and original fashion to you, with great design at the heart of everything we create. Almost all of our products are designed in-house and, as we have one of the largest design teams on the High Street, we are proud that we can deliver fabulous new fashion in-store and online for you every single week.

With over 350 stores across the UK, Ireland and internationally throughout Asia, the Middle East and Europe, as well as six dedicated online sites operating in four currencies, it's time to get shopping!

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Love fashion. Love River Island. With over 60 years of fashion retailing experience, River Island is one of the most well-known and loved brands on the High Street. At River Island we are renowned for our stylish, affordable fashion. The unique touches we bring to our collections help us standout from the rest of the High Street.

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ZoteroBib: Fast, free bibliography generator - MLA, APA, Chicago, Harvard citations

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Attached is my mind map which I used during my planning to divide my project into parts and think about what resources I was going to use/ what questions I wanted to answer