 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO IRIDESCENT TAFFETA ONE SHOULDER COCKTAIL EVENING DRESS 10 525 $99.00 Time Remaining: 9d 17h 23m Buy It Now for only: $99.00 |
 Carmen Marc Valvo Ruched Blue Cocktail Dress Silk Embellished 4 $33.00 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 18h |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO White Floral Sleeveless Dress 6 $69.00 Time Remaining: 9h 22m |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO purple S 4 6 velour gathered side gown dress PREOWNED damaged $49.99 Time Remaining: 14h 58m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO Black Silk Organza Dress Sz 6 Strapless Pleats $49.99 Time Remaining: 29d 18h 46m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
 Carmen Marc Valvo Signature Full Length Gown 12 $115.00 Time Remaining: 17h 10m |
 Carmen Marc Valvo Open Back Black Semi Formal Dress Silk Pleated Front 8 $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 4d 18h 5m |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO IRIDESCENT TAFFETA ONE SHOULDER COCKTAIL EVENING DRESS 4 525 $99.00 Time Remaining: 9d 17h 23m Buy It Now for only: $99.00 |
 Carmen Marc Valvo Blue Navy Stripe Rayon Sleeveless Dress 8 $24.79 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 5h 17m |
 AUTHENTIC CARMEN MARC VALVO COLLECTION DRESS BLACK IN SIZE 4 $19.99 Time Remaining: 3h 23m Buy It Now for only: $79.99 |
 525 NWT Carmen Marc Valvo jewled dress sz 8 $179.99 Time Remaining: 5d 19h 17m Buy It Now for only: $179.99 |
 TheMostExquisite CARMEN MARC VALVO Aubergine Onyx Cocktail Dress 12 $12.99 Time Remaining: 6d 17h 27m |
 New Carmen Marc Valvo Designer Dress 710 Retail Ivory Size 10 Ribbon Shift $89.95 Time Remaining: 1d 18h 11m |
 Carmen Marc Valvo Signature Ivory gown $65.00 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 39m Buy It Now for only: $65.00 |
 STUNNING CARMEN MARC VALVO GOWN SZ 10 12 100 SILK GORGEOUS $29.99 Time Remaining: 20h 18m |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO Enticing Silk Ruched Gown Dress 4 NEW $414.00 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 22m Buy It Now for only: $690.00 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO COUTURE SHEER BLACK NUDE LACE COCKTAIL EVENING DRESS 6 11BCB $129.99 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 55m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
 Carmen Marc Valvo Size 10 Dress $150.00 Time Remaining: 10h 54m Buy It Now for only: $165.00 |
 CARMEN MARC VALBO Swagged Dress w SHELL Style Half Buckle SZ Med $18.99 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 59m |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO SILK PRINT RESORT DRESS 6 $24.99 Time Remaining: 5d 11h 40m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO Tiered Silk Chiffon Gown Dress 4 NEW $462.00 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 25m Buy It Now for only: $770.00 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO Designer RED Beaded Evening Dress Gown 2 Boutique with flaws $12.11 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 9m |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO Black Sequin Evening Dress NEW 10 $189.95 Time Remaining: 28d 13h 52m Buy It Now for only: $189.95 |
 1980 Auth Carmen Marc Valvo Black Sequin Bow Moire Silk Lined Dress Size 10 $13.29 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 14h 44m |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO IVORY EMBROIDERER STITCHE ELEGANT COCKTAIL DRESS NYCTO 11BET $69.99 Time Remaining: 16h 23m |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO NUDE LACE BLACK ELEGANT COCKTAIL PARTY DRESS 6 NYCTO 11BDN $69.99 Time Remaining: 4d 12h 41m Buy It Now for only: $69.99 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO Stunning Midnight Blue Rhinestone Evening Gown Dress 4 NEW $358.00 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 25m Buy It Now for only: $598.00 |
 Carmen Marc Valvo Beaded Lace Multi tiered Cocktail Dress 2 Retail 60000 + $50.00 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 58m |
 Carmen Marc Valvo Red Cocktail Evening Sheath Dress Size 8 DT095 $65.00 Time Remaining: 26d 10h 45m Buy It Now for only: $65.00 |
 Carmen Marc Valvo Collection Beige Champagne Beaded Halter Long Evening Dress 4 $99.79 Time Remaining: 1d 5h 25m |
 Carmen Marc Valvo Ribbon Cocktail Dress size 6 $259.99 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 44m |
 Size 4 Carmen Marc Valvo Blue Linen Shift Woman Dress $45.00 Time Remaining: 28d 17h 34m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO sexy MARILYN HALTER MIDI DRESS WITH PLEATING sz 10 $299.97 Time Remaining: 1d 4h 31m Buy It Now for only: $399.97 |
 Carmen Marc Valvo NEW One Shoulder Black Formal Dress Silk Sale 8 $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 6d 17h 50m Buy It Now for only: $258.40 |
 Carmen Marc Valvo Collection Light Green Silk Dress 2 $31.99 Time Remaining: 25d 9h 53m Buy It Now for only: $31.99 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO TURQUOISE LINEN PENCIL CUT OUT COCKTAIL DRESS 8 NYCTO 11BDW $89.99 Time Remaining: 1d 4h 30m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
 MARIE ST CLAIRE BY CARMEN MARC VALVO EMBROID RARE COCKTAIL DRESS 8 NYCTO 11BAU $59.99 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 16m Buy It Now for only: $79.99 |
 Carmen Marc Valvo Ivory Soutache Ribbon Beading Cocktail Party Wedding Dress S M $134.00 Time Remaining: 27d 18h 32m Buy It Now for only: $134.00 |
 Carmen Marc Valvo Crisscross Strapless Silk Gown 10 $239.99 Time Remaining: 1d 20h 51m |
 NEW Carmen Marc Valvo Strapless Sequin Stripe Bandage White Dress XS $299.00 Time Remaining: 2d 16h 7m Buy It Now for only: $399.00 |
 Carmen Marc Valvo Black Evening Dress Beautiful Size 10 $95.99 Time Remaining: 29d 20h 35m Buy It Now for only: $95.99 |
 1870 New CARMEN MARC VALVO Black Mesh Embroidered Lace Ribbon Dress 8 $239.99 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 16m Buy It Now for only: $263.99 |
 NWOT CARMEN MARC VALVO Gold Crochet Sequined Cocktail Mini Dress S SEXY $119.99 Time Remaining: 3d 9h 32m |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO ELEGANT BLACK BEADED SLEEVELSS DRESS 6 $25.00 Time Remaining: 6d 16h 59m Buy It Now for only: $25.00 |
 Carmen Marc Valvo 100 SILK Cocktail EveningParty Dress Size 6 EUC LN Red Carpet $199.00 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 36m Buy It Now for only: $249.00 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO RED OFF SHOULDER ELEGANT COCKTAIL PARTY DRESS 6 NYCTO 11BCN $99.99 Time Remaining: 13h 31m |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO PINK CHIFFON BEADED ELEGANT COCKTAIL PARTY DRESS 4 NYCTO 11BEJ $59.99 Time Remaining: 3d 9h 34m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO black LACE ruffled silk 18 20 evening wedding special dress $74.99 Time Remaining: 8h 38m |
 Carmen Marc Valvo Collection Black 12 Strapless Dress $29.99 Time Remaining: 2d 4h 58m |
 Elegant Fab CARMEN MARC VALVO BLACK DRESS with Bling EUC M $39.00 Time Remaining: 26d 3h 51m Buy It Now for only: $39.00 |
 Carmen Marc Valvo Beaded Sequin Dress $29.99 Time Remaining: 1d 4h 22m |
 NWT CARMEN MARC VALVO Black Zip Front Mini Dress 4 $49.99 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 46m |
 Carmen Marc Valvo Red Silk Long Dress Gown Size 8 $175.00 Time Remaining: 22d 13h 19m Buy It Now for only: $175.00 |
 CMV Carmen Marc Valvo Dress Sleeveless Bow Accents 100 Silk Sharp $34.00 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 53m |
 MARC BY MARC JACOBS Carmen Silk Jacquard dress $150.00 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 12m |
 Carmen Marc Valvo stripe banded waist crochet silk dress size 12 $82.80 Time Remaining: 29d 8h 11m Buy It Now for only: $82.80 |
 565 NWT Carmen Marc Valvo purple beaded belt evening dress sz 10 $69.99 Time Remaining: 1d 21h 2m |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO BRIGHT PINK SIL ELEGANT PENCIL COCKTAIL DRESS 8 NYCTO 11BFC $89.99 Time Remaining: 1d 18h 3m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO lime silk halter dress 8 $36.99 Time Remaining: 27d 7h 43m Buy It Now for only: $36.99 |
 1430 CARMEN MARC VALVO Sexy Strapless Peach Gold Floral Bustier Pleated Dress 8 $159.99 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 16m Buy It Now for only: $175.99 |
 Sundress by designer Carmen Marc Valvo NWT spaghetti strap V neck 10 $24.99 Time Remaining: 3d 15h 49m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 |
 Carmen Marc Valvo One Shoulder Ruched Chiffon Gown 6 $525.00 Time Remaining: 1d 18h 47m Buy It Now for only: $525.00 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO SEXY IVORY MINI EMBROIDERER WEDDING DANCE DRESS 8 NYCTO 11BDO $79.99 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 12m |
 DESIGNER DRESS BY CARMEN MARC VALVO $14.99 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 8m |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO Black Full Length Gown A Line One Shoulder Beaded Size 8 940 $199.00 Time Remaining: 25d 13h 24m Buy It Now for only: $199.00 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO Gorgeous Black Nude Beaded Silk Cocktail Evening Dress 8 NEW $348.00 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 23m Buy It Now for only: $580.00 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO CMVBRAND NEW WITH TAGS RETAILS 310 $119.00 Time Remaining: 4d 19h 7m Buy It Now for only: $225.00 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO Glamorous Deep Red Silk One Shoulder Evening Gown Dress 6 NEW $1,180.00 Time Remaining: 5d 10h 20m Buy It Now for only: $1,180.00 |
 595 NWT Carmen Marc Valvo navy blue crochet beaded party dress sz S $99.99 Time Remaining: 1d 21h 2m |
 MARIE ST CLAIRE BY CARMEN MARC VALVO RARE CHIFFON COCKTAIL DRESS 6 NYCTO 11BBH $69.99 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 6m |
 585 Carmen Marc Valvo Dress Gold Royal Purple 18 XL XXL 00085L $140.00 Time Remaining: 3d 7h 28m Buy It Now for only: $140.00 |
 Carmen Marc Valvo CMV White Floral Eyelet Fitted Sundress Dress 2 $39.99 Time Remaining: 1d 18h 11m Buy It Now for only: $69.99 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO COLLECTION SHIMMERY GREEN BEAD COCKTAIL DRESS 8 NYCTO 11BEW $79.99 Time Remaining: 1d 19h 31m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
 Carmen Marc Valvo Cocktail Dress Size 0 $69.99 Time Remaining: 20d 5h 57m Buy It Now for only: $69.99 |
 1760 New CARMEN MARC VALVO Sexy Strapless Satin Brown Silk Bustier Dress 10 $219.99 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 16m Buy It Now for only: $241.99 |
 Vintage CARMEN MARC Black Silk Cocktail Dress 10 M $49.99 Time Remaining: 3d 18h 2m Buy It Now for only: $69.99 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO LBD LITTLE BLACK DRESS COCKTAIL DRESS L SZ 12 $39.00 Time Remaining: 25d 7h 40m Buy It Now for only: $39.00 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO SEXY MULTI COLOR CROCHET UNIQUE STYLE CUTE DRESS 6 NYCTO 11BDR $79.99 Time Remaining: 1d 13h 37m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO APPLE GREEN SEQUIN MINI COCKTAIL EVENING DRESS 4 NYCTO 11BAW $109.99 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 20m |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO SUPER SEXY BLACK LACE SKIRT FLIRT EVENING CRUISE DRESS 4 11BCP $99.99 Time Remaining: 2d 15h 32m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO IVORY FLOWER VELOURE SEXY COCKTAIL EVENING DRESS 4 NYCTO 11BBN $89.99 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 21m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
 Carmen Marc Valvo Silk Red Dress Size 10 $80.00 Time Remaining: 10h 46m Buy It Now for only: $90.00 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO METAL CHAIN EMBELLISHED PLEATED COCKTAIL SHEATH DRESS 2 490 $119.00 Time Remaining: 9d 17h 23m Buy It Now for only: $119.00 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO womens CELERY SILK STRAPLESS COCKTAIL DRESS SZ 8 NWT $79.99 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 55m |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO IVORY EMBROIDERER FLOWER TRAPEZE COCKTAIL DRESS 6 NYCTO 11BAB $69.99 Time Remaining: 1d 19h 31m Buy It Now for only: $79.99 |
 EVENING FORMAL GOWN CARMEN MARC VALVO Size 6 Sleeveless $35.09 Time Remaining: 11d 6h 3m Buy It Now for only: $35.09 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO BLACK BROCADE COUTURE DRESS SZ 4 595 $79.95 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 40m Buy It Now for only: $159.00 |
 Auth Carmen Marc Valvo retro print Sz 6 Halter Wiggle LINEN Dress Tropical CMV $49.99 Time Remaining: 2d 18h 50m |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO FLORAL PRINT SUNDRESS SZ 2 EXCELLENT CONDITION $68.00 Time Remaining: 6d 8h 41m Buy It Now for only: $68.00 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO IVORY STRIPES SEXY ELEGANT FULL SKIRT COCKTAIL DRESS 4 11BDD $69.99 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 36m |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO CREAM SHEER FLOWING SILK COCKTAIL EVENING DRESS 8 NYCTO 11BAR $89.99 Time Remaining: 1d 19h 11m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
 Saks Fifth Avenue shirt with Carmen Marc Valvo drees top from Saks size 10 WOW $103.60 Time Remaining: 4d 20h 24m Buy It Now for only: $103.60 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO PINK SPRING FLOWER ELEGANT COCKTAIL PARTY DRESS 10 NYCTO 11BEK $59.99 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 43m |
 Gorgeous Carmen Marc Valvo Silk Gown Sz 10 NWT MSRP 850 Neiman Marcus NR $199.00 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 44m |
 425 Carmen Marc Valvo Dress Evening Beaded 6 S 0007HD $89.00 Time Remaining: 6d 6h 57m Buy It Now for only: $89.00 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO Signature Dress Blue Lace Another Classic Dress $24.99 Time Remaining: 2d 6h 59m |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO CUTE RAYON PINK SPRING FLORAL COCKTAIL DRESS 8 NYCTO 11BFB $69.99 Time Remaining: 2d 15h 47m |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO Blue Black Piped Leaf Bodice Design Full Evening Gown Dress 8 $122.45 Time Remaining: 11d 10h 4m Buy It Now for only: $122.45 |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO BLACK ORANGE BEAD DOTS COCKTAIL EVENING DRESS 6 NYCTO 11BEC $69.99 Time Remaining: 14h |
 CARMEN MARC VALVO COLLECTION IVORY SEXY HALTER WEDDING DANCE DRESS 6 NYCTO 11BEV $99.99 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 15m Buy It Now for only: $109.99 |
Carmen Marc
Fashion Career Specializations: a Breakdown by Natalie Nizhny
Coming straight from fashion school, you might be thinking that as a fashion designer; you'll have the opportunity to work with all types of clothing. What you may not know is that generally, the fashion industry is split into categories, and then categories within categories. Basically, the fashion industry is very specialized. The breakdown begins with price (which usually corresponds with quality). The lowest classification is Discount, and at the height of fashion is Haute Couture:
Discount: These stores sell merchandise that retails at a discounted price from what other stores charge. Outlet malls or stores like Ross, Walmart, Target, or Conway are example of discount retailers that sell discount labels.
Budget / Mass Market: Knock-offs of higher priced designer items that are sold at low competitive prices to the masses. Old Navy, Forever 21, and Charlotte Russe are a few popular budget labels. Department stores in this category include JC Penney, and Kohls. This market usually retails for less than $100.
Moderate: These include nationally advertised apparel brands such as Nine West, Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch, Express, and Zara are all in the moderate range. Examples of moderate department stores are Macy's and Dillards. These brands typically retail for less than $300.
Contemporary: More than just a specific price point, this classification is a fashion-forward image often aimed at women in their '20s and early '30s looking for trendy fashions priced more affordably than Designer pieces. BCBG, Betsey Johnson, Bebe, and Rebecca Taylor fall into the Contemporary category, which usually retails for under $500.
Better: Also selling for less than $500, these collections use better quality fabric and styling than lower-priced brands. Armani Exchange, Jones New York and Anne Klein are two examples of a better-priced line.
Bridge: Priced under $1000, these lines serve as a "bridge" between better and designer categories. And includes
names like Ellen Tracy, Dana Buchman, DKNY, Emporio Armani, and Lauren by Ralph Lauren.
Designer: True designer collections typically sell for more than $1000 per item. The fabrics, fit, details, and trims are superior to other ready-to-wear items. Some examples of designer labels are Gucci, Prada, Versace, Armani, and Chanel.
Haute Couture/ Avant-garde: Also know as couture, these terms have been commonly misused by ready-to-wear brands. Haute Couture, or simply "couture" designers sell custom, made-to-measure pieces cost tens of thousands of dollars and are affordable only to a select few. Technically speaking, there are only ten official Haute Couture Houses including: Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Chanel, and Givenchy. Avant-garde designers produce high quality, one-of-a-kind garments that experiment with new design concepts and push the envelope of popular fashion.
Even within the categories listed above, each market is broken down into more specific specializations. First, design companies are broken down by customer: men's, women's, children's etc. Then are further divided by type of clothing: sportswear, evening wear (special occasion), sleepwear etc. And then design teams are designated to specific areas like Wovens, Knits, Sweaters, Tops, Bottoms, Dresses, Outerwear and so on.
On an unfortunate note, it is very difficult to move from one category to another. If you start building your career with mass-market companies, you'll face some barriers when you apply for that dream job at Ralph Lauren. The same goes for designer specialties. If you're experienced working with children's woven tops, chances are you won't land a position designing women's dresses. If you're absolutely determined on making a switch, you're best bet is to start from the bottom in your desired field and work your way up again.
Something else to consider is the different types of manufacturers and retailers out there. Some manufacturers design and produce their own designs, which are then sold to retailers. These manufacturers don't have their own retail stores. Examples include Shoshanna, Jones New York and Carmen Marc Valvo. There are also manufacturers that own licenses for a variety of brands. For example, Warnaco holds licenses for Calvin Klein, Speedo, and Chaps; while Phillips Van Heusen (PVH) owns licenses for BCBG, Sean Jean, and Kenneth Cole.
Then, there are retailers that only sell merchandise purchased from manufacturers. These include stores like Bloomingdales and Neiman Marcus. Many manufacturers also have their own retail locations such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Armani Exchange and Nicole Miller. Other retail stores have their own product development teams and have merchandise manufactured specifically for their private label such as Gap, Old Navy, and Express. In addition to purchasing merchandise from outside manufacturers, many department stores also have their own private label collections. Examples are: I.N.C. (Macy's), and Arizona Jeans (JC Penney).
The largest employment opportunities out there lie with mass-market companies, which often pay pretty well to start, however these figures usually level-off after a few years of experience. The higher end markets pay less to start, and work hours are longer, but the prestige you'll receive from such reputable companies will do wonders for your resume!
© 2008 Designers Nexus Inc. All rights reserved. First published at FashionFrog.com.
About the Author
A NYC fashion designer, Natalie has traveled Europe and Asia for shopping, researching trends, and manufacturing. In a 14 year career, she's gained an insight in the fashion industry, and trained designers with her extensive knowledge of the global market. Due to popular demand in response to her advice and design training, she created a fashion resource center at FashionFrog.com.
First look at Carmen Marc Valvo's fall collection