French Fashion Icons Everyone Should Know

France has a rich history of fashion and style, and is home to many legendary fashion designers and brands. Many leading fashion companies have their headquarters located in Paris, which is aptly regarded as the Fashion Capital of the World. The French have contributed many iconic and revolutionary pieces, securing their position as one of the leading countries in the fashion industry. Here are some of the most iconic French designs and the stories of their creation.

Givenchy’s Little Black Dress

Founded by French designer Hubert de Givenchy in 1952, Givenchy is a luxury fashion brand that produces clothing, perfumes, accessories and cosmetics. For the first two decades after its formation, the fashion house focused on haute couture womenswear. In 1979, he released his first ready-to-wear line for men, “Givenchy Université”, becoming one of the earliest to introduce ready-to-wear lines in the luxury clothing industry.

This well-established brand is part of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH), the largest luxury goods conglomerate in the world. According to LVMH, Givenchy’s fashion style is “casual chic, aristocratic elegance and femininity all combine[d]”, but they cater to the male market as well. The brand is also a member of La Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, an organization that governs France’s fashion industry.

The brand has been affiliated with plenty of famous figures, but the most iconic brand ambassador for Givenchy easily goes to Audrey Hepburn. The star wore the brand both in real life and in the films she starred in, many of which turned out to become classics. One design in particular became one of the most influential dresses in clothing design, and that is the “little black dress” worn by Hepburn in the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Hepburn had a close friendship with Givenchy himself, and went on to become the face and muse of the brand for over 40 years. Givenchy even had a perfume made exclusively for Hepburn’s personal use, before marketing it to the rest of the world one year later.

In the past few decades since its establishment, Givenchy has continued to have a strong presence in the luxury fashion industry, often worn by influential persons and celebrities alike. Most recently, Givenchy appointed the first ever K-pop group to be their brand ambassador, up-and-rising girl group Aespa.

Chanel No. 5 and Chanel Flap Bag

Starting out as a hat store in Paris in 1909, the brand has gone on and evolved into one of the most recognizable fashion names of today, producing clothing, accessories and perfumes. Founder Coco Chanel designed womenswear with simplicity and functionality in mind, at the same time keeping them elegant and timeless.

In 1921, Chanel launched their first perfume, which would go on to become one of the most iconic Chanel products today: Chanel No. 5. Every aspect of the perfume from its scent to the bottle design has become a renowned feature in the fashion industry. The first product ambassador for Chanel No. 5 was none other than Coco herself, and was later promoted by other big stars like Marilyn Monroe.

Among her other iconic inventions are the Chanel Flap Bag, one of the most recognizable luxury brand handbags. With its launch, Coco Chanel revolutionized handbag fashion by introducing a long shoulder strap that can be slung over the shoulders, instead of having to be clutched in the hands as with most designs back in the day.

The bag has many notable features like its turn-lock clasps, the diamond-shaped quilting pattern, and the burgundy inner lining that distinguishes it from other designs. In line with the brand’s style, the Chanel Flap Bag combines functionality and simplicity, resulting in a design that is both lasting and versatile.

Christian Louboutin Red-Sole Shoes

Christian Louboutin started out as a freelance fashion designer in his hometown Paris, before opening his own shoe salon in 1991. Since its opening, the brand has received tremendous success and love from patrons and the public. In 2011, Louboutin was one of the most widely searched shoe brands on the internet, and was given the title of the Most Prestigious Women’s Shoes by the Luxury Institute for three years in a row.

While the brand now produces an assortment of fashion accessories like handbags and perfumes, their signature products continue to be their high heels, specifically, the red-soled stiletto. While the shiny red-sole design has practically become synonymous with the brand, the laws regarding ownership of a single color are not so straightforward. Louboutin has continuously fought to trademark his signature design, undergoing numerous litigations under various jurisdictions.

The popular red-bottomed high heels come in a wide variety of different styles ranging from plain nudes to flashy spike-studded heels. But not to forget, Louboutin also produces lower-heeled shoes, flats, and even mens’ footwear. Till today, Louboutin shoes continue to be one of the most coveted shoes, boasting fantastic sales records every year despite their high price.

Why Brown Adipose Tissue Matters if You Want to Lose Weight

Weight loss advice often ignores the processes already happening in the body that support losing weight. Here’s a closer look at brown adipose tissue and how it can help the body shed pounds.

The body has four main types of fat: white fat, brown fat, subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. Each type of fat has a different role, and not all fats are bad.

White fat – also known as white adipose tissue – stores energy, produces important hormones, such as adiponectin, which makes a person less likely to get diabetes or suffer from cardiovascular diseases.

Subcutaneous fat is located just underneath the surface of the skin. This is one of the types of fats that accumulates when someone has more weight on them than they should. A little subcutaneous fat is ok to have, as long as it’s not too much.

Visceral fat is fat that accumulates around the organs, and has a negative impact on health if there is too much of it. This type of fat is linked with everything from diabetes and cardiovascular disease to a higher risk of stroke.

Brown fat – also known as brown adipose tissue – is the most interesting fat in terms of its links with weight loss. When brown fat is stimulated, it actually burns calories. It is brown fat that keeps you warm when it gets cold. The cold activates brown fat to produce warmth through a process called thermogenesis. As well as keeping you warm, thermogenesis helps to break down too much of the other fats in the body, and it increases metabolism. Research shows that a higher amount of brown fat is found in slim people than it is in overweight people, and is thought to help leaner people stay slim.

How To Get More Brown Adipose Tissue

With research showing that the activation of brown fat can actually help you lose weight, the question everyone wants answering is ‘how do you get more brown fat?’ One answer is to look towards weight loss pills such as Exipure. While other weight loss pills are not founded on real science, Exipure incorporates ingredients such as quercetin, that has the specific aim of turning white fats into brown adipose tissue. Read some Exipure reviews for more insights into this weight loss solution.

The idea of getting more brown fat into the bodies of those who want to lose weight is one that is rapidly gaining traction. While this is best done in conjunction with other approaches to weight loss, such as healthier eating, eating less and exercising, increasing brown adipose tissue is the piece of the puzzle that has been missing in the weight loss world for many years.

Research also shows that eating nutrient-rich diets and exercising consistently helps to build up brown fat supplies. In particular, ingesting a high amount of protein, fiber and water – plus vitamins and minerals from fresh fruit and vegetables – is the best way to gradually increase brown fat supplies through food. In terms of exercise, high intensity exercise that makes you sweat is the best for increasing levels of brown adipose tissue. Since brown adipose tissue is activated when it gets cold, some people suggest lowering the temperatures of the heating in your home to kickstart it into action. This doesn’t mean you have to be so cold you are shivering, but lowering the temperature a little can help.

Once an individual has more brown adipose tissue in their body, the effects of their weight loss regime as a whole should start to kick into effect. In particular, brown fat enables the body to burn calories all the time, not just when exercising. Furthermore, having more brown adipose tissue helps the body regulate its temperature better, since one of the core purposes of this brown fat is thermogenesis. A body with a better regulated temperature is one in which organs can function more optimally, keeping metabolism at a healthy rate. This also helps with weight loss before any exercise or healthy eating is even done.

Another great benefit of having more brown fat in the body is that it helps to regulate both insulin and leptin levels. Insulin helps to maintain glucose levels, which can particularly help if someone is transitioning from unhealthy eating habits into healthier ones. Stable levels of leptin can also help to suppress appetite so people don’t eat more than they need to.

Much of the research around brown adipose tissue also shows how people with more of it feel more energetic. Scientifically-speaking, this is because it supports the breakdown of glucose into energy. When someone has more energy, they will be more physically active, either by generally continuing to move throughout the day, or by embarking on more intensive forms of exercise. This is how having more brown adipose tissue can create a positive cycle of weight loss and healthy weight management.

Influences on Style: A Comprehensive Guide

Do you ever wonder why some people seem to have a natural sense of style?

Well, it’s not just luck. Many factors influence your style and how you dress. This article will help you understand why you should start dressing better today.

You’ll learn about everything from the nature of your job to the history behind fashion trends. It’s time for you to take control over your wardrobe and make sure every outfit is ideally suited for who YOU are as an individual.

The Nature of Your Job

The nature of your job can significantly influence the types of clothes that you feel comfortable wearing and what is appropriate for the situation. There are many jobs where it would be inappropriate to wear jeans or shorts. For example, if you are a doctor or nurse, you would not typically wear denim scrubs. Dressing professionally can also make other people take you more seriously in some cases, which could be helpful if you are trying to get a promotion or raise at work. It is always good to ask yourself how others will view you when they see what you are wearing when it comes to your job.

History

The history of a person has a lot to do with their style. If you come from a long line of artists, for example, your artistic tendencies will likely show up in your work. The same is true for people from families of lawyers or doctors. Their profession may have certain expectations about how they should look and dress.

In some cases, the country a person is from can also influence their style. People who grow up in colder climates, for example, might typically wear more layers or heavy fabrics than those who live in warmer areas. And people who grow up in cultures where modesty is prized might cover themselves more than someone from a culture that values showing skin.

Foreign Influences

The Hawaiian leis, for instance, are a foreign influence on American style. They were introduced to the mainland in the early 1900s, and their popularity has grown ever since. Leis are now commonly seen at weddings, graduations, and other special occasions.

Another example of a foreign influence on American style is the Spanish sombrero. This wide-brimmed hat was brought over by Mexican cowboys in the 1800s and quickly became popular throughout the Southwest United States. Today, you can still see people wearing sombreros at rodeos and other cultural events.

Foreign influences on American style are also seen in the fashion industry. Many designers draw inspiration from foreign cultures for their clothing lines, especially those that showcase ethnic prints and patterns like African tribal masks or Japanese kimonos.

The same goes for other countries too – think about how French people dress compared to Americans; even though both groups share similar tastes in fashion, there are still differences between them based on what each culture considers fashionable at any given moment.

Movies and Music

Your taste in movies and music may significantly influence your style.

For instance, if you love watching action films, don’t be surprised to find yourself wearing all-black clothing or even leather jackets. If you like romantic comedies, the chances are that you will buy more casual clothes than anything else because you will want something comfortable to wear when you are spending time with your friends.

The same is true of music as well. If you like rock and roll, there’s a good chance that you will have some rock-inspired items in your wardrobe, whether it be band t-shirts or leather jackets. If you love hip-hop music, don’t be surprised if people think that the clothes in your closet look great for parties because they probably do.

Celebrities

Celebrities are another source of style inspiration for many people. While it is essential to be mindful that celebrities often have stylists who help them put together their looks, there is no doubt that some celebrities have personal styles that transcend what they wear on the red carpet.

For example, Jennifer Lawrence is known for her down-to-earth and relatable style, which often features jeans and a t-shirt. She doesn’t shy away from wearing high fashion items either, but she always looks like herself—a girl next door who happens to have impeccable taste in clothes.

On the other hand, Kim Kardashian is known for her over-the-top and glamorous style. She often favors body-hugging silhouettes and neutral colors like black, cream, and white. Even when dressed down, Kim’s style is still flashy and edgy.

If you have a favorite celebrity who has a personal style that appeals to you, don’t be afraid to take inspiration from them. Just make sure that the look works for your taste and your lifestyle.

Conclusion

The factors influencing style are vast, and the scope of this article does not cover a lot. However, we have touched on some essential ideas that will help you understand style. The best advice you can take away from this article is to be yourself. Be true to who you are and what you like. There’s no need to copy someone else’s style because you can create your own that is unique to you.

Tips and Tricks to Improve Your B2B SaaS Marketing

Gaining B2B customers for a Software as a Service (SaaS) product is often crucial to business success. Yet B2B marketing requires a totally different approach to B2C marketing. Here’s how you can improve your B2B SaaS marketing to experience greater rewards.

Anyone who works in SaaS knows that this way of delivering software is both popular and efficient. As cloud-based services, SaaS products mean that users do not have to download software to a computer or computer network in order to access it. As long as a customer has an internet connection, SaaS is often a preferred way of accessing a piece of software.

For those working in B2B SaaS marketing, this is one of the great advantages that helps convert customers. While downloading traditional software can be costly, time-consuming and face compatibility issues, SaaS is more readily available, often at a fraction of the cost too. However, the fact a business has not committed to a traditional software download means they are more likely to shop around among different SaaS products.

The process for getting a business to choose your product is also much lengthier than it would be for B2C marketing. Procurement processes, budgets and checking a product’s usefulness across colleagues who work in different areas of a business can all take time.

So how can you overcome some of the common issues with the B2B marketing of SaaS? Here are some tips and tricks you should try.

Record Screencasts

One reason many possible customers never even contact you is because they don’t really understand what your SaaS product does. Often the functionalities are described in words and ‘what’s included’ lists on the pricing plan web page, but prospective customers can’t actually visualize what the software does. This is why recording screencasts is really important in SaaS marketing. Show prospective customers what the product does in various different screencasts that show off different aspects of the software. Invest in some good quality audio and subtitling to go with it too.

If you have some existing customers who already love your software, consider recording a promotional video with them, incorporating some screencast elements into it. This can be a powerful asset for your B2B marketing, as it will demonstrate the software and help potential customers understand why it is so useful.

Offer a Free Trial

Most prospective customers expect a free trial before they buy any software these days. So don’t miss out by being one of the few SaaS companies that does not offer this! As well as showing off the capabilities of your software, a trial period is also a great way to show the other brilliant aspects of your business. Demonstrate your good customer service, have helpful humans at the end of an email or live chat if they’re needed, plus show any added extras you offer paying customers. At the end of the free trial period, offer a great discount for the first month of subscription. This will make it difficult for them to not sign up.

Use Paid Advertising

Most marketing professionals have some advertising budget, and using this on targeted paid advertising is an effective method for promoting SaaS. Social platforms such as LinkedIn and Meta (Facebook) can offer great targeting, to help you get your adverts in front of the right people. Google AdWords is another must for most SaaS marketing campaigns. One key tip is to focus budget specifically on desktop users. Research shows that prospective customers who are searching for software for their business are mostly doing so on desktop computers. This is against the norm for most other types of advertising, which increasingly focus on mobile, so this will help you channel your advertising budget towards serious prospects.

Create Expert Content

One struggle many SaaS marketers have is to find new ways of describing their product, or they find it difficult to bring it to life. Often there is only so much you can do with a product description alone. This is where a content strategy can really help. Developing original and interesting content has multiple benefits. It helps to consolidate the idea that you are experts in your field, it helps you describe your product from different angles, and it is great for search engine optimization (SEO). Any additional content you create can be repurposed for marketing purposes on multiple channels.

When you are first creating a content marketing strategy, think as broadly as possible about what topics and themes your company is knowledgeable about. What different industries can your software support? Who are the people behind the company and what are their stories? Can you create some case studies of how your software has helped some customers? What kind of advice and ‘how to’ guides would you be able to give as a company? These are all the building blocks of creating a thriving blog and content marketing strategy, which will help you push your business further.

A Step-by-Step Guide for Every Aspiring Gardener

“I’m just not cut out for gardening.” You think back to all the plants you tried growing, and none of them lasted beyond a week under your care. Your futile attempts may have even made you swear off gardening at some point.

Deep down, you still wish to succeed in growing your plants one day. If that’s you, don’t let your past failures stop you from trying again. Here’s a step-by-step guide to equip you to cultivate a beautiful and bountiful garden of your own, including choosing a location and installing a garden watering system:

Step 1: Find Your Plant Hardiness Zone

As you may have experienced, it is disheartening to invest your time, effort, and money into tending plants that don’t grow well or at all. You may have made the mistake of choosing plants that can’t grow in your area!

Besides choosing plants you like, consider if they can thrive where you live. Use the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to find out if a certain plant can survive in your region’s winters, especially if you intend to grow perennial plants (i.e., plants that survive winter and typically regrow year after year). Some perennial plants are peonies, blueberries, and thyme.

Step 2: Find An Ideal Location in Your Home

Apart from the region you live in, the microclimate – your yard conditions – will affect how your plants grow. All plants require sufficient sunlight and suitable soil to thrive; your landscape should be able to support the growth of your plants, be they perennial or annual (i.e., plants that grow according to the seasons and die during winter).

How much sunlight is the allotted space in your yard exposed to in the day? Each plant requires an optimal amount of sunlight to grow (i.e., full sun, partial sun, partial shade, and full shade). Evaluate the amount and intensity of sunlight and shade in your yard and consider plants that can grow under the sun exposure your yard offers.

What kind of soil do you have in your yard? Soil provides plants with nutrients, water, and air to develop. The different soil types are sandy, clay, silt, loam, peat, and chalk. Each soil type has its benefits and limitations; you may need to mix additional compost and fertilizers to facilitate the growth of your plants.

Step 3: Refine Your Plant List and Start Planting

While you may want to plant every viable option, limit the number and type of plants for a start. Refine your existing list further by 1) setting a budget and 2) considering companion plants. Growing certain plants together helps increase yield, improve pollination, and manage pests. Some examples include the three sisters (corn, pole bean, squash), tomato and marigold, and carrot and rosemary.

Different combinations of vegetables, flowers, and herbs can help you create a productive and diverse garden. As you gain more experience and success in maintaining your garden, explore different variations to enjoy a fully-bloomed garden and seasonal foods throughout the year.

Step 4: Maintain Your Garden

Gardening doesn’t end after setting up your equipment and sowing the seeds; your plants cannot grow or survive long without regular watering and weeding. You need to commit to tending to your garden regularly for it to remain attractive, healthy, and bear fruit.

Consider installing a garden watering system to help you water your plants sufficiently and evenly. Watering your plants with a water hose, can, or sprinkler may lead to overwatering or underwatering. Some telltale signs of overwatering include soft stems, yellowing leaves, and leaves with brown spots and edges. Conversely, underwatering your plants can cause slow growth, and the leaves to droop and wilt.

Another aspect of maintenance is weeding. Commit to a weekly weeding schedule. While it may be a cumbersome process, removing weeds frequently helps ensure that your plants have sufficient moisture, space, and nutrients to thrive. Leaving the weeds to grow amongst your plants will instead stunt their growth, and kill them over time.

Involve your family in maintaining the garden where possible. You can teach your children responsibility by assigning age-appropriate tasks such as watering the plants and harvesting ripe fruits and vegetables. They are also likely to develop more interest and appreciation for their food. Tending to your garden with your family can also allow you to create new memories together in the comfort of your home.

Gardening may require a lot of planning and labor, but the benefits are numerous. You get to create a green gateway in your yard and liven up your home, especially if you spend more time at home these days. Spending time to take care of your garden regularly can help relieve stress and improve your mood. Growing your fruits and vegetables in your yard allows you to enjoy fresh and seasonal produce, saving you money and trips to the supermarket.