Not very long ago, it was Kim Kardashian making it to the list of PETA. Well, now Janet Jackson has been tagged cruel by the animal rights group.

PETA of late named Janet as their first ever Grinch of the Year for designing a fur collection for Blackglama. Moreover, anti-fur group tagged her for her consistent use of fur despite several warnings over the years.

Condemning Janet, PETA said, “When Janet Jackson had her infamous wardrobe malfunction during Super Bowl, at least what popped into view of 170 million onlookers belonged to her, unlike the animal skins she drapes herself in, which are as dead as her fashion taste and her career.’

Creativity though can be derived from each and every aspect but the most astonishing fact came into spotlight when the Italian designer duo Giuseppe Albarelli and Andrea Pensiero revealed the secret behind their $61 million fashion abode. A petite college located at Pennsylvania in America bought in the title of their ace label Franklin & Marshall into existence. The name of this arts college is exactly similar to the title of the designer’s label.

Similarly like any other institution Franklin & Marshall also displayed their logo-emblazoned outfit on several general book stores and co-incidentally the duo once during their venture into a store in London was hauled towards the very casual logo-engraved sweater of the college. The sweater mesmerized them to such an extent that without seeking any background information, Giuseppe and Andrea came up with their label based on the insignia of the college. Thus the chic label Franklin & Marshall started its voyage. It was quite lately, the designers came to know the chronicle behind the logo. The college although was surprised and thwarted at the begging with the news but later became fairly convinced after getting in touch with the designer duo and especially after knowing about the success story of their logo based label.

The logo has spread its aura all over the globe starting from the Europe to the Middle East and even in Japan. Last year the label Franklin & Marshall was acclaimed with around $61million turnover. The outfits by the label have set fire all over with its charismatic design motifs.

The designers have even assured the institution to contribute a handsome amount of $130,000 for welfare purpose.

The fourth edition of Let’s Design – a fashion design contest organized by Cotton Council International of late saw the announcement of the final 13 contestants amongst a record 1493 entries – all shortlisted by jury comprising of Rina Dhaka, Shantanu & Nikhil and Neha Dhupia.

The 13 selected contestants are Kanika Seth, Ishan Mazumdar, Mehendi Sharma, Umesh Kumar, Riya Mondal, Lalit Senger, Aniket Satam, Kritika Gupta, Astha Narang, Aradhana Dutta, Vaibhav, Mazhar Khan and the surprise entry Dhruv Singh.

The selection was on the basis of the preliminary rounds – ‘Design for your icon’ – which was all about celebrating one’s muse or inspiration. Design hopefuls submitted a sketch of an original design for their icon along with a concept note.

The selected 13 finalists will remain in Delhi at a ‘Reality House’ to compete in a series of challenges specially designed to highlight the many facets of cotton.

About the contest Shantanu Mehra says, “Nikhil and I are delighted to be a part of Season 4 of Let’s Design. We met some very talented young designers today and it was difficult to select just 13. Based on what we’ve seen so far I think we can expect some very strong competition in the show.”

Leather is the perfect material to be used for making attires, footwear and accessories to be worn in winter. Sourendra Kumar Das witness a lot of leather in Fall/Winter 2011/2012 paraded by fashionistas that automatically makes it the newest trend of the invierno season…

The leather trend proves to be popular and quickly evolving coalescing punk-bondage and luxury as it gives a strong é aesthetic look that depicts courage to take risks. This equestrian styling exposes polished glamour as leather clothing are updated with exposed zip fronts, clever trans-seasonal styling to avoid looking too wintry in cropped proportions with decorative laser cutting and lace.

Fashion gets a primitive vive with leather and suede, reptile and animal skin or lush jungle foliage placement prints. Slim-fit, mandarin & Nehru, asymmetric, belted, sleeveless, mid-toned brown jackets, calf-length/midi, long sleeves, cutaway, mid-toned gold dresses, re-colored & hyper real exotic leathers, fiber optic-inspired and wet-look patterns add an otherworldly dimension creating technical edge with granular and magnified natural grains é free flowing ripple effects.

Leather is the most primitive material used in clothing, accessories, upholstery and the likes. “As far as winter is considered, leather is far better option to go with than to wear bulky woolen clothes. Leather is often paired with sexiness, bold character and a certain type of animal appeal,” revealed Shama Shaikh, coveted style connoisseur and a fashion researcher da Istituto Marangoni a Milano, Italia.

Shaikh’s most unique accessory would be her crocodile skin handbag that has a rich feel to it and makes her feel complete. “I can never walk in the strade of Duomo di Milano without a classy leather handbag just like any other fashionistas,” added the moda giovane researcher who feels that Gucci é Prada are the best places to ottenere leather accessories a Milano nel Italty.

Leather is an all-time favourite with many fashionistas who acquires the ability to make a strong fashion statement, courtesy the edgy é sexy animal skin. “I am totally in love with leather, be it my strapless é backless LBD, my coffee black cloak, or my Beanie! I love parading exquisitas scarves, boots é strapless gowns by diseñador Virtudes Langa Catala, Directora Creativa y Diseñadora of Gabriel Seguí en Valencia, España,” revealed designer-cum-socialite Nisha Jamwal who wishes Gabriel Seguí comes a la India soon.

There are designers who élaboré more on the leather trends. “Perforated leathers in short sleeved-cover ups or over-sized boxy jumpers create a strong sportswear feel while faux leather embellished with small circular perforations, baby pink leather, and laser-cuts crafts a more architectural é structured effect. Fresh blue tones, seen in a spearmint blue, turquoise paneling and a Persian green shifts make the leather an hyper exotic wear as opposed to hard-wearing feel that are sturdy, riding and country work-wear,” explained Sanchita Ajjampur, a coveted nouveau Delhi-based designer who loves to parade her stone-washed pony hide black fitted trench coat avec soft é supple leather bikers gloves.

Mostly leather is in trend in winter as bikers and guys who parade roughness loves leather jackets, shoes, belts, wallets, waistbands, and the likes in varied colours. “In the newest collection of Jack & Jones, they have included assorted leather jackets, shoes and belts in most affordable prices which is most favorite with the customers,” revealed Kadir Wadia of Jack & Jones brand, who is a biker himself and loves parading leather during his balades à vélo.

Leather is raw é stylish; in winters it keeps you warm and adds an x-factor to your dress. “You can wear your brown leather boots with your denims and go out for a movie, dinner, date, and what not…just pair your leather boots with whatever humdrum clothing you wear and it becomes stylish é trendy immediately. I love my new off-white sheep leather boots as they are warm, comfortable, super-stylish and ultra-cool,” revealed model Ninja Singh who was the winner of Ford Supermodel 2011.

Be it American bebe Megan Denise Fox to our very desi gurl Priyanka Chopra, celebrities opt for their favorite quilted leather jackets teamed with denims, leather boots and sunglasses to make the most impactful airport attire. “I love the way Rachel Zoe has used leather in her Fall/Winter 2011/2012 dresses, putting together biker leather jackets with flowing solid-print attires, also adore Tabitha Simmons’ edgy leather pump wedges,” elucidated coveted stylist Esha Amin, who paraded a Zara leather leggings, Aldo leather bow belt with a leather sling purse in India Resort Fashion Week’11.

Leather acts as a heat thermal wear, especially in sub-zero cold nations and also it has got in vogue in a big way in terms of body, colour, specs, cuts, techniques and styles. For designer Felix Bendish and VJ-cum-actor Raja Sharma their leather belts and wallets are the most prized leather possession they posses, as the former is most scared for any man.

Even the international fashion brands are going gaga about leather this season. In the newest collection of Calvin Klein Jeans, they have included leather clutches with removable straps, hobo bags with iron black chains, shearling leather zip jackets, soft leather zip jackets and the likes. While French Connection’s (FCUK) one of the most la vente this season are faux-leather shearling jackets, shepherd collared leather jackets, nurburg nappe leather jackets and the likes which are available in prix les plus abordables.

The views do vary in Tinsel town too as Pamela Anderson, former Baywatch star and activist of People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is against the usage of leather however strong fashion statement it might project. “The reverence and love for animals felt by people in India is deeply moving, yet one thing fills my heart with horror: India’s leather trade. It still profits from the skins of animals that have been transported to and killed in slaughterhouses, including illegal ones, in unspeakably cruel ways,” revealed the actress in a statement.

Celebrities like Ricky Whittle, Drew Barrymore, Alec Baldwin, John Gielgud, Bill Maher, Stella McCartney, Alicia Silverstone and the likes too feels it is uncouth and inhuman to use leather clothing and accessories, as most leather produced and sold in India and US are made form the skins of cattle, calves, horses, sheep, lambs, goats, pigs, and the likes who are cruelly slaughtered for their meat and flesh in slaughterhouses. “I am anti-leather. Be comfortable in your own skin so you won’t need anyone else’s to do the job,” shrugged celebrity hair-stylist Sapna Bhawani who likes to flaunt natural fabrics instead of leather.

Delhi based coveted designer duo, Nikhil and Shantanu takes pride in not using leather in their collection. “People who are conscious and live in awareness would prefer to use less of leather as it involves slaughter of innocent animals! And, when there is an option of caring for the environment et humanity why not go for alternatives and do the right things?” concluded fashion choreographer-cum-socialite Achla Sachdev with a smile.