Hey hey fashionistas!
So before I begin this blog I'm going to give you a little side note:
When I was a little girl my mom had me in ballet, I believe I was about 5, and I loved it! The costumes, the make-up, the music, the movement, the elegance, etc. Even though as a 5 year old you don't really get a lot of crazy ballerina experience, but it was still so much fun. After a year of being in it, my mom took me out for reasons unknown and ever since then I wish she hadn't. Aside from my aspiring career in the fashion industry, I would have to say my true out of the ball park dream career would be to be a ballerina! I am obsessed with everything about the ballet and I love to dance, especially like a ballerina. And to add to the yearning to be a ballerina, people even ask me if I am a dancer because I have a "dancers body," oh how I wish I could be a prima ballerina!
Anyways, long story short, last week I had the AMAZING opportunity to take a tour of New York City Ballet's workroom. It was magical; the tutu's, the glitz, the colors, everything was by far the most exquisite costumes I have seen. To wear one of the tutu's would have been a dream come true. And the fact that they do designer collaborations is so cool, I never knew that! After taking a tour and speaking with the head director, it got me very very interested in the idea of costume design, I would really love to pursue a career in that direction.
Out of all the study tours, this is the one that may have influenced me the most in the sense of a career path. Just recently I was put on board to do the costume designs for a short film, which I guess could be seen as hand in hand, and I am loving every second of it!
This study tour class was by far my favorite class of the semester. To be able to tour different places in the fashion industry and speak with industry professionals is such a privilege and I am happy I was able to experience that. It really helped me learn more about the fashion industry in a real world sense rather than just learning "how to do this" and "how to do that."
Another great tour that was in my favorites list was the Cotton Inc., tour. Even though we just sat and listened rather than toured, I learned about another career path I would be interesting in taking: trend analysis. Aside from that learning about the company was very interesting too because even though we seen Cotton Inc. everywhere, I never really knew much about the company and what they really did. So, that was very interesting.
The hat museum was also a treat because I love hats, first of all, and I also love the idea of eccentric, off-the-wall designs that I saw in a majority of the hats.
Having Meryl as our instructor was great as well. She really had a passion for everything that she showed us and it made me reappreciate why I love fashion and why I chose to work in this industry.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
I Tip My Hat To You
Hey hey bloggers!
Any hat wearers out there? Well if you know me it's rare to me without a hat on my head! (well until last weekend when I misplaced it!) Anyways last week I had the opportunity to tour a hat museum! As always I didn't know what to expect but I was blown away! All the creative and innovative concepts behind the hats were simply incredible! From the actual design to the materials used for the hats, not a single detail was missed.
There were hats from films, runway shows, etc! Each exhibit had a general theme and all the hats in the display fit the part perfectly. The art of hat making is very special. Customization is key! I loved the idea of when someone wanted to give another person a hat as a gift, that they would first give them a miniature of the hat and then they could take it to hat maker to redeem their hat to fit just right.
Hats are truly a special accessory that not a lot of people recognize because not everyone wears hats! For example, people need to wear shoes to get by so, shoes are a very popular accessory! But hats get overlooked too much! So many fun things can be done with hats and it's the perfect accessory to complete an outfit.
Any hat wearers out there? Well if you know me it's rare to me without a hat on my head! (well until last weekend when I misplaced it!) Anyways last week I had the opportunity to tour a hat museum! As always I didn't know what to expect but I was blown away! All the creative and innovative concepts behind the hats were simply incredible! From the actual design to the materials used for the hats, not a single detail was missed.
There were hats from films, runway shows, etc! Each exhibit had a general theme and all the hats in the display fit the part perfectly. The art of hat making is very special. Customization is key! I loved the idea of when someone wanted to give another person a hat as a gift, that they would first give them a miniature of the hat and then they could take it to hat maker to redeem their hat to fit just right.
Hats are truly a special accessory that not a lot of people recognize because not everyone wears hats! For example, people need to wear shoes to get by so, shoes are a very popular accessory! But hats get overlooked too much! So many fun things can be done with hats and it's the perfect accessory to complete an outfit.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Cotton The Fabric Of Our Lives
Hey hey bloggers!
Before Thanksgiving break our class had the opportunity to go Cotton Inc. to learn about the company and trend analysis. It was interesting to learn that Cotton Inc. is a non for profit company that basically promotes cotton. The more cotton is purchased and used is how Cotton makes their money.
The offices in NYC are basically where the trend analysis, product development and advertisement campaigns are developed. Cotton is constantly trying to figure out new innovative ways to use cotton in clothing as much as possible. Cotton is no longer for your basic t's and simple apparel. The whole process for figuring out new innovative ways to use cotton is really interesting. The trend analysis team basically travels all over the world to gather inspiration. Of course, they go to all the main fashion capitals of the world, but what I also thought was great was the fact that they go to low-key, less known areas for inspiration as well.
Learning about what they do and giving cotton life through trend boards and presentations made me really interested in that aspect of the fashion industry. I was excited to hear that Cotton Inc. has internship opportunities available for students, so I hope to learn more about that and hopefully intern with them the summer after I graduate this May!
Before Thanksgiving break our class had the opportunity to go Cotton Inc. to learn about the company and trend analysis. It was interesting to learn that Cotton Inc. is a non for profit company that basically promotes cotton. The more cotton is purchased and used is how Cotton makes their money.
The offices in NYC are basically where the trend analysis, product development and advertisement campaigns are developed. Cotton is constantly trying to figure out new innovative ways to use cotton in clothing as much as possible. Cotton is no longer for your basic t's and simple apparel. The whole process for figuring out new innovative ways to use cotton is really interesting. The trend analysis team basically travels all over the world to gather inspiration. Of course, they go to all the main fashion capitals of the world, but what I also thought was great was the fact that they go to low-key, less known areas for inspiration as well.
Learning about what they do and giving cotton life through trend boards and presentations made me really interested in that aspect of the fashion industry. I was excited to hear that Cotton Inc. has internship opportunities available for students, so I hope to learn more about that and hopefully intern with them the summer after I graduate this May!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Calvin Klein - A Designer and Merchandiser Collaboration
Hey hey fellow fashionistas!
Throughout my semester here in the city I have been lucky enough to tour and speak with industry professionals that work for some of the most highly recognizable American fashion houses. Last week I was able to take a tour of the Calvin Klein showroom and speak with the head designer and merchandiser of CK!
The showroom was located on 7th avenue on the 14th floor. The showroom space was really interesting; it was open and had a modern industrial look to the room. Their were garments for the upcoming seasons hanging on the walls and also on display on mannequins throughout the space. Also, there were mood boards all along the wall, so it was really interesting to see the mood boards come to life with the garments surrounding them. For instance, in some of my fashion classes at KSU I have had to create numerous mood boards, but as a merchandising major, the project usually ends at the mood board, so it was great the see the creative process.
While speaking with head designer and the merchandiser I got a more realistic view of how a designer and merchandiser work together for a single goal. In the past I never knew how closely linked the designer and the merchandiser were because in school it is almost like they keep the merchandisers separate from the design students. Yes, there are times when we share a class here or there together, but for the most part we are almost segregated. In a way after hearing the designer and the merchandiser speak it made me think, why hasn't KSU intermixed the design students and the merchandising students together more often? In the fashion industry it is really important to understand the full creative process of a fashion line, so it is also important to understand how the merchandiser and the designer work together as opposed as separated.
Overall, I found this tour to be more informative rather than just a tour of looking at the CK lines, which is great because I was able to get a better understanding of the relationship between a merchandiser and a designer.
Throughout my semester here in the city I have been lucky enough to tour and speak with industry professionals that work for some of the most highly recognizable American fashion houses. Last week I was able to take a tour of the Calvin Klein showroom and speak with the head designer and merchandiser of CK!
The showroom was located on 7th avenue on the 14th floor. The showroom space was really interesting; it was open and had a modern industrial look to the room. Their were garments for the upcoming seasons hanging on the walls and also on display on mannequins throughout the space. Also, there were mood boards all along the wall, so it was really interesting to see the mood boards come to life with the garments surrounding them. For instance, in some of my fashion classes at KSU I have had to create numerous mood boards, but as a merchandising major, the project usually ends at the mood board, so it was great the see the creative process.
While speaking with head designer and the merchandiser I got a more realistic view of how a designer and merchandiser work together for a single goal. In the past I never knew how closely linked the designer and the merchandiser were because in school it is almost like they keep the merchandisers separate from the design students. Yes, there are times when we share a class here or there together, but for the most part we are almost segregated. In a way after hearing the designer and the merchandiser speak it made me think, why hasn't KSU intermixed the design students and the merchandising students together more often? In the fashion industry it is really important to understand the full creative process of a fashion line, so it is also important to understand how the merchandiser and the designer work together as opposed as separated.
Overall, I found this tour to be more informative rather than just a tour of looking at the CK lines, which is great because I was able to get a better understanding of the relationship between a merchandiser and a designer.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Ralph Lauren - Not Just A Brand, But A Lifestyle
Hey hey fellow fashionistas!
So when I think of a traditional All-American designer there is usually only one name that comes to my mind and that would be Ralph Lauren. Ralph Lauren is known for the Polo Ralph Lauren brand, but the name Ralph Lauren is much more than just a brand, it is a lifestyle. Last week I was able to take a tour of the Ralph Lauren store located on Madison Avenue. The women's store that we toured was massive, elegant, and eye catching. So many beautiful pieces and so much to take in. During the tour we got to learn all about the brand and lifestyle that is Ralph Lauren and hearing what the tour guides had to say while taking everything in, really put everything in perspective. Ralph Lauren takes so much pride in what they are as a fashion house and as a brand.
All the details that went into the store were also breathtaking. The rooms that were especially decorated to look like a part of a home made me want that room in my future home! Everything was very lush and extravogent.
After the tour of the women's store I popped into the men's store which was also a sight to see. The men's store is located in the Rhinelander Mansion which is absolutely beautiful. The interior of the men's store was much different than the women's store. The women's store had a sense of lightness and, of course, femininity; however, the men's store was very masculine. There was dark woods, and lush warm colors; it gave a feeling of a gentlemen's hunting lounge that could be found in Aspen, or even Maine. One of my close friends in the city works in the Men's store, so that was another reason why I wanted to go visit.
Going to both the men's store and the women's store gave me a whole new appreciation for what is Ralph Lauren. It was truly a great experience.
So when I think of a traditional All-American designer there is usually only one name that comes to my mind and that would be Ralph Lauren. Ralph Lauren is known for the Polo Ralph Lauren brand, but the name Ralph Lauren is much more than just a brand, it is a lifestyle. Last week I was able to take a tour of the Ralph Lauren store located on Madison Avenue. The women's store that we toured was massive, elegant, and eye catching. So many beautiful pieces and so much to take in. During the tour we got to learn all about the brand and lifestyle that is Ralph Lauren and hearing what the tour guides had to say while taking everything in, really put everything in perspective. Ralph Lauren takes so much pride in what they are as a fashion house and as a brand.
All the details that went into the store were also breathtaking. The rooms that were especially decorated to look like a part of a home made me want that room in my future home! Everything was very lush and extravogent.
After the tour of the women's store I popped into the men's store which was also a sight to see. The men's store is located in the Rhinelander Mansion which is absolutely beautiful. The interior of the men's store was much different than the women's store. The women's store had a sense of lightness and, of course, femininity; however, the men's store was very masculine. There was dark woods, and lush warm colors; it gave a feeling of a gentlemen's hunting lounge that could be found in Aspen, or even Maine. One of my close friends in the city works in the Men's store, so that was another reason why I wanted to go visit.
Going to both the men's store and the women's store gave me a whole new appreciation for what is Ralph Lauren. It was truly a great experience.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Fabric to Finish
Hey hey bloggers!
Last week I was able to sit and listen to Jamie Koff, the president and founder of Fabric to Finish, Inc., speak. Like usual I never really know what to expect with Study Tour but it never fails to blow me away.
Her ambition and her drive was very inspirational. Her story made me want to achieve more just like she did. Her story goes to show when you want something badly enough and go for it, it's possible; if there is a will there is a way! Jamie had many difficulties growing up as a student having to fit a certain persona with her family, and I can relate to that so well. My sisters are either studying medicine, chemistry, or business, and then there is me who is studying fashion, which is extremely important and I love it so much, however, some people may not take me serious, so it is tough. Also, as a KSU fashion student, there are more obstacles coming my way as opposed to a FIT or Parson's student because they are able to have access to the fashion industry right here in the city. Jamie graduated school with a degree in English, however she had a passion for fashion and followed her dream anyways. Jamie has worked for J. Crew, Tommy Hilfiger, and Sean John when she finally decided to open up her own company.
Jamie was actually fired from J. Crew but that never stopped her. Your life is not going to be perfect with a smooth transition from job to job, the reality of it is, is that being fired can happen and will happen, but you cannot dwell on it. You need to take that instance and better yourself from it.
The most important thing I learned from Jamie was to be persistant and to be yourself. By being herself Tommy Hilfiger created a position for her because they loved her so much! Do not be shy either because in the fashion industry you need to be a good communicator and have good interpersonal skills.
Are you a sponge or an arrow? The answer to this is be both! Have the absorbency of a sponge by always listening and being aware of your surroundings but also be an arrow with a strong head and determination.
It's very easy for my generation now to get ahead and have access to opportunities but is this access/open door taking away from our drive? Jamie had to do everything the old fashion way because internet was not a common thing at the time. People would literally have to hunt for opportunity and there isnt much of that anymore.
In the end to sum up what Jamie was trying to tell us students was to be true to yourself, earn respect, don't necessarily break the rules but you just need to understand professionalism. Have tough skin and be resilient.
I was honored to listen to Jamie's story, I hope the other students took as much out of it as I did!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Still - a look into the making of knitwear
Hey hey fashionistas!
Last Thursday I has the opportunity to get an inside look at Stoll where they create garments for designers. It was pretty neat seeing how these garments are made because as a merchandiser I never gave much thought to how a garment is constructed. Our tour guide took us through the space and showed us sample garments that are made there. We also got to take a look at the machines, which were very large scale. Honestly, that doesn't surprise me because when you think about it, to produce a lot of garments you need something that is large scale. Another interesting thing about Stoll were the classes that they offer. I'm a firm believer in always continuing your education even after you received a degree because there is always something to learn and in an industry like the fashion industry, it's constantly changing and evolving. There are many untapped areas of the fashion industry that some people have not really gotten into, so it's great to know Stoll is somewhere you can go to learn and grow. Also, the fact that they offer the classes at a discounted price for students is amazing.
Overall it was an enriching experience to learn the construction methods of garments. Even though the clothing samples they showed weren't my style in particular, I still appreciated every moment of it!
Last Thursday I has the opportunity to get an inside look at Stoll where they create garments for designers. It was pretty neat seeing how these garments are made because as a merchandiser I never gave much thought to how a garment is constructed. Our tour guide took us through the space and showed us sample garments that are made there. We also got to take a look at the machines, which were very large scale. Honestly, that doesn't surprise me because when you think about it, to produce a lot of garments you need something that is large scale. Another interesting thing about Stoll were the classes that they offer. I'm a firm believer in always continuing your education even after you received a degree because there is always something to learn and in an industry like the fashion industry, it's constantly changing and evolving. There are many untapped areas of the fashion industry that some people have not really gotten into, so it's great to know Stoll is somewhere you can go to learn and grow. Also, the fact that they offer the classes at a discounted price for students is amazing.
Overall it was an enriching experience to learn the construction methods of garments. Even though the clothing samples they showed weren't my style in particular, I still appreciated every moment of it!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
One Month Down
Hey hey bloggers!
So I've officially spent a little over a month in the city, and what a month is has been! Never in a million years did I imagine I would be doing what I've been doing here... well at least, maybe I kinda knew this was the life for me, but I didn't know I would obtain it so quickly! From the Hamptons, to the Meatpacking, even all the way up to Inwood, and almost everything else in between, I have marked my spot there. With only one month down and three more to go, I'm very excited to see where else I venture. Everyday is a new adventure and I'm loving every minute of it; actually scratch that, I'm loving every second!
Being here, I've come to the realization that this is truly where I belong, and I'm not just saying that because this is NYC and mostly everyone wants to be here, but for me it's much more than the surface of the idea of the city. Every single morning I wake up and I am so happy; every single day! Back in Ohio, I definitely did not wake up happy every single day. And it's funny because being here in NY, yes I am broker than a joker, but that doesn't even matter to me. I am still so, so happy. I guess I've mastered the art of just barely getting by and still being fabulous, maybe I'll write a book? The things I have done, the people I've meet, and most of the places I have gone to, broke people don't usually go there! I guess I'm just lucky, but I am extremely thankful.
So let's break down a couple of the amazing things I have done so far! My very first weekend here was a little shaky because we arrived when the infamous Hurricane Irene came raging through the city, oh, the horror... It was just a little rain, but it was nice to mingle and meet the other students lodging in the New Yorker Hotel.
It wasn't until the next weekend when I really started to live up that NYC lifestyle. Lucky for me, a friend of mine in Ohio connected me with one of her dearest friends in the city who took me in and showed me around. We went to PhD at the Dream Hotel down on 16th and 9th; a rooftop penthouse lounge with amazing views of the city. From PhD we hopped in a cab and headed to Lavo. Lavo is a hot club located in the upper east side, more towards the lower end of things though. Lavo was bumping and we were right there experiencing it all by the DJ booth. Another perk? Endless bottle service and champagne. It's funny that we started the night off at Dream because I literally felt like I was in a dream, and I didn't want to wake up! The next day, Charlotte invited me back to Dream to attend a small pool party, more like a pool gathering honestly, where I met some really great people and just spent the day relaxing by the pool. Who couldn't ask for more?! That next Sunday Charlotte asked me to accompany her to the Hamptons, I've never been so of course I jumped at the opportunity! The Hamptons was simply amazing, the weather was perfect, and it was a great way to end summer in general and begin my NYC life!
After my amazing "first" weekend, I consider it my first because the weekend of my arrival just didn't count in my eyes, my life was in full swing and I was ready for classes and interning! During the day when I had nothing to do I would just walk around the city and get lost in the places and faces that I would see around me. When you're new to such a big place like Manhattan, honestly the best thing to do is just explore. There is so much to do, not even a tour guide book can help you out, so you really need to just throw yourself out there and experience things for yourself. So on my free time all I would do was walk and I ran into some pretty cool things. Lovely little parks, Bob Dylan's apartment (once upon a time), amazing street art, quirky little cafes and restaurants, cool little vintage stores, and much more.
If you're looking for gourmet pizza but don't have the money to spend definitely check out Two Boots on west 11th at 7th. I ordered "the Dude," considered their cajun bacon cheeseburger pie which consisted of tasso, andouille, ground beef, cheddar, and mozzarella - so delicious! Other pizza's they feature go under the names of pop culture icons, for example: The Newman (sopressata and sweet italian sausage on a white pie), Tony Clifton (wild mushrooms, sweet red pepper pesto, vidalia inions and mozzarella), and Mr. Pink (marinated chicken, plum tomatoes, fresh garlic and mozzarella) - my mouth is watering as I type! And they deliver!
Get more cheap eats at Taco Bandito on 8th avenue, it's kind of a hole in the wall but a hidden gem of the Mexican food genre. Cheap AND good eats, and it's authentic. They have fast free delivery and the food is always fresh. I got the chicken quesadilla and guacamole nachoes, and it was simply delicious.
If you're a doughnut connoisseur like me, you CANNOT skip out on Doughnut Planet located at 23rd street between 7th and 8th. So many doughnuts, all so delicious, and they have a plethera of organic juices. I always go with the vanilla bean doughnut, very sweet, pretty big, and perfectly glazed. They feature all sorts of crazy flavors so everyone's bound to find the sweet treat for them.
Another great place that deserves a looking around is the Chelsea Market. So many interesting little stores, shops, restaurants, and bakeries. If you love the smell of fresh baked bread, that reason alone should have you stop by because the aroma fills the place! And there is always a free sample table, free = amazing.
If you've found yourself in the NYU area and are in need of a latte or just a chill place to work on some homework, get free Wifi, and avoid the insane amounts of people that you find at Think Coffee, then mosey on over to Gizzi's Cafe on west 8th between 5th and 6th. The interior consists of brick walls, wooden floors (my favorite combination of the interior design world), the menu is drawn in chalk, walls have funky little pieces of art, and the music is a combo of techno club, but daytime appropriate (if that makes any sense!) Anyways, to accompany the music there was a video mash-up of vintage Chaplin films that fit the music very well. I ordered an iced Chai and it was probably one of the best Chai lattes I've ever drank. Price wise, it could be compared to Starbucks, but the sizes are bigger, so its actually worth it. Plus they also serve food and alcohol. I didn't venture to that end of the menu, but I'm sure it's amazing.
If you're looking for a late night snack after a night of club hopping in the Meatpacking, you definitely need to head a little uptown and hit up Cafeteria on 17th and 7th avenue. The restaurant is open 24 hours a day, but during the late hours of the night that's when things get interesting, and you might run into a celebrity or two. Honestly, I think nothing goes better with eggs than a drag queen or two! Kidding, but the cool club atmosphere is still there but just toned down a bit. If you do go and have no idea what to order let me just throw out this suggestion for you: MACARONI AND CHEESE!! Trust me, this mac and cheese will change your life. Three different flavors of baked mac and cheese? Is there really any questions here? Just get it!
Speaking of the club and nightlife my favorite spots to hit would be RdV, Juliet, SL, and PhD at Dream. There are a ton of other places, but those in particular always bring out the best! RdV is hands down my favorite spot. Its this exclusive underground lounge with an antique, vintage look. It's a small place so it's a little exclusive, which is nice.
Other fun clubs to check out would include Avenue, 1Oak, Tenjune, Lavo, Plunge at Hotel Gansevoort, the Jane Hotel, 675 Bar, and Kiss n Fly.
Other great places to check out in the city include the obvious: Central Park, Union Square Park, Washington Square Park, SoHo for the shopping, Madison Avenue for the shopping (if you can afford it), Madison Square Park (check out Shake Shack if you're out there, but make sure it doesn't rain!), Highline Park, and Brooklyn Bridge just to name a few. This spots are great places to just get lost and walk around. They're nice little get aways from the city while still being in the city.
Like I said before, I feel very lucky to be able to experience all these amazing places that I have thus far and I look forward to what is coming up next. As I meet more people and make more connections, my time here is only going to get better and better. If you're in NYC and have no idea what to do, the city is your playground. Get out and about and experience all the life this city has to offer!
So I've officially spent a little over a month in the city, and what a month is has been! Never in a million years did I imagine I would be doing what I've been doing here... well at least, maybe I kinda knew this was the life for me, but I didn't know I would obtain it so quickly! From the Hamptons, to the Meatpacking, even all the way up to Inwood, and almost everything else in between, I have marked my spot there. With only one month down and three more to go, I'm very excited to see where else I venture. Everyday is a new adventure and I'm loving every minute of it; actually scratch that, I'm loving every second!
Being here, I've come to the realization that this is truly where I belong, and I'm not just saying that because this is NYC and mostly everyone wants to be here, but for me it's much more than the surface of the idea of the city. Every single morning I wake up and I am so happy; every single day! Back in Ohio, I definitely did not wake up happy every single day. And it's funny because being here in NY, yes I am broker than a joker, but that doesn't even matter to me. I am still so, so happy. I guess I've mastered the art of just barely getting by and still being fabulous, maybe I'll write a book? The things I have done, the people I've meet, and most of the places I have gone to, broke people don't usually go there! I guess I'm just lucky, but I am extremely thankful.
So let's break down a couple of the amazing things I have done so far! My very first weekend here was a little shaky because we arrived when the infamous Hurricane Irene came raging through the city, oh, the horror... It was just a little rain, but it was nice to mingle and meet the other students lodging in the New Yorker Hotel.
It wasn't until the next weekend when I really started to live up that NYC lifestyle. Lucky for me, a friend of mine in Ohio connected me with one of her dearest friends in the city who took me in and showed me around. We went to PhD at the Dream Hotel down on 16th and 9th; a rooftop penthouse lounge with amazing views of the city. From PhD we hopped in a cab and headed to Lavo. Lavo is a hot club located in the upper east side, more towards the lower end of things though. Lavo was bumping and we were right there experiencing it all by the DJ booth. Another perk? Endless bottle service and champagne. It's funny that we started the night off at Dream because I literally felt like I was in a dream, and I didn't want to wake up! The next day, Charlotte invited me back to Dream to attend a small pool party, more like a pool gathering honestly, where I met some really great people and just spent the day relaxing by the pool. Who couldn't ask for more?! That next Sunday Charlotte asked me to accompany her to the Hamptons, I've never been so of course I jumped at the opportunity! The Hamptons was simply amazing, the weather was perfect, and it was a great way to end summer in general and begin my NYC life!
After my amazing "first" weekend, I consider it my first because the weekend of my arrival just didn't count in my eyes, my life was in full swing and I was ready for classes and interning! During the day when I had nothing to do I would just walk around the city and get lost in the places and faces that I would see around me. When you're new to such a big place like Manhattan, honestly the best thing to do is just explore. There is so much to do, not even a tour guide book can help you out, so you really need to just throw yourself out there and experience things for yourself. So on my free time all I would do was walk and I ran into some pretty cool things. Lovely little parks, Bob Dylan's apartment (once upon a time), amazing street art, quirky little cafes and restaurants, cool little vintage stores, and much more.
If you're looking for gourmet pizza but don't have the money to spend definitely check out Two Boots on west 11th at 7th. I ordered "the Dude," considered their cajun bacon cheeseburger pie which consisted of tasso, andouille, ground beef, cheddar, and mozzarella - so delicious! Other pizza's they feature go under the names of pop culture icons, for example: The Newman (sopressata and sweet italian sausage on a white pie), Tony Clifton (wild mushrooms, sweet red pepper pesto, vidalia inions and mozzarella), and Mr. Pink (marinated chicken, plum tomatoes, fresh garlic and mozzarella) - my mouth is watering as I type! And they deliver!
Get more cheap eats at Taco Bandito on 8th avenue, it's kind of a hole in the wall but a hidden gem of the Mexican food genre. Cheap AND good eats, and it's authentic. They have fast free delivery and the food is always fresh. I got the chicken quesadilla and guacamole nachoes, and it was simply delicious.
If you're a doughnut connoisseur like me, you CANNOT skip out on Doughnut Planet located at 23rd street between 7th and 8th. So many doughnuts, all so delicious, and they have a plethera of organic juices. I always go with the vanilla bean doughnut, very sweet, pretty big, and perfectly glazed. They feature all sorts of crazy flavors so everyone's bound to find the sweet treat for them.
Another great place that deserves a looking around is the Chelsea Market. So many interesting little stores, shops, restaurants, and bakeries. If you love the smell of fresh baked bread, that reason alone should have you stop by because the aroma fills the place! And there is always a free sample table, free = amazing.
If you've found yourself in the NYU area and are in need of a latte or just a chill place to work on some homework, get free Wifi, and avoid the insane amounts of people that you find at Think Coffee, then mosey on over to Gizzi's Cafe on west 8th between 5th and 6th. The interior consists of brick walls, wooden floors (my favorite combination of the interior design world), the menu is drawn in chalk, walls have funky little pieces of art, and the music is a combo of techno club, but daytime appropriate (if that makes any sense!) Anyways, to accompany the music there was a video mash-up of vintage Chaplin films that fit the music very well. I ordered an iced Chai and it was probably one of the best Chai lattes I've ever drank. Price wise, it could be compared to Starbucks, but the sizes are bigger, so its actually worth it. Plus they also serve food and alcohol. I didn't venture to that end of the menu, but I'm sure it's amazing.
If you're looking for a late night snack after a night of club hopping in the Meatpacking, you definitely need to head a little uptown and hit up Cafeteria on 17th and 7th avenue. The restaurant is open 24 hours a day, but during the late hours of the night that's when things get interesting, and you might run into a celebrity or two. Honestly, I think nothing goes better with eggs than a drag queen or two! Kidding, but the cool club atmosphere is still there but just toned down a bit. If you do go and have no idea what to order let me just throw out this suggestion for you: MACARONI AND CHEESE!! Trust me, this mac and cheese will change your life. Three different flavors of baked mac and cheese? Is there really any questions here? Just get it!
Speaking of the club and nightlife my favorite spots to hit would be RdV, Juliet, SL, and PhD at Dream. There are a ton of other places, but those in particular always bring out the best! RdV is hands down my favorite spot. Its this exclusive underground lounge with an antique, vintage look. It's a small place so it's a little exclusive, which is nice.
Other fun clubs to check out would include Avenue, 1Oak, Tenjune, Lavo, Plunge at Hotel Gansevoort, the Jane Hotel, 675 Bar, and Kiss n Fly.
Other great places to check out in the city include the obvious: Central Park, Union Square Park, Washington Square Park, SoHo for the shopping, Madison Avenue for the shopping (if you can afford it), Madison Square Park (check out Shake Shack if you're out there, but make sure it doesn't rain!), Highline Park, and Brooklyn Bridge just to name a few. This spots are great places to just get lost and walk around. They're nice little get aways from the city while still being in the city.
Like I said before, I feel very lucky to be able to experience all these amazing places that I have thus far and I look forward to what is coming up next. As I meet more people and make more connections, my time here is only going to get better and better. If you're in NYC and have no idea what to do, the city is your playground. Get out and about and experience all the life this city has to offer!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
A Subway Ride Away From History Itself
Hey hey bloggers! Any history buffs out there? Cause if there is, you're in for a real treat!
So you say you're a lover of everything fashion, but did you ever stop and think where did the fashion/garment industry in the United States begin? If you haven't really thought about that or don't know, you're not alone because I didn't either. Until yesterday that is! I had the opportunity to visit the Tenement Museum on Orchad Street in the Lower East Side.
So we all know that New York City is one of the biggest fashion capitals of the world, right? Well it is was and still is the birth place of the American fashion industry. It all goes back to the Civil War era where tailors would sew the uniforms for both the soliders of the North and the South. So when you think about it, the boundary line between the North and the South was much more permeable than people think. The tailors would even make clothes for the slaves of the South! Since these tailors had to make so many uniforms for so many soliders, how could they possible make exact sizes for all these men? And so standardized measurements were born.
The museum is called the Tenement Museum because most of these garments were made in these tenements at the time. According to the Tenement House Act of 1867, a tenement is defined as any household, building, or portion thereof, which is rented, leased, let, or hired out to be occuipied or is occupied, as the home or residence of more than three families living independently of one another and doing their own cooking upon the premises, or by more than two families upon a floor, so living and cooking and having a common right in the halls, stairways, yards, water-closets, or privies, or some of them. Actually, 70% of all womeswear of the time were created in these tenements, and about 40-50% of menswear was made there as well. So in these tenements, the families that occupied them basically had little garment factories in these tiny apartments producing clothing for Americans! And it definitely wasn't like the "working from home" that we know so well today; these were basically little sweatshops in their living rooms, and these quarters were very, very cramp. There would be multiple workers, aged as young as 10, working away as a team to put together a garment. On any day, these workers could produce around 16 garments. A majority of all the workers that were making these garments were from Eastern European Jewish decent because the work did not require the need to speak English and it did not require a proper education. When you think about it, most immigrants that come to the US typically work jobs where there is not a need to speak or know a lot of English.
At the museum we were able to get an indepth look into the lives of two families that lived in the tenement where the museum is held. One family that worked straight out of their apartment like I explained above, and another family that in later years worked in a factory. Like I explained above when these workers would work out of their homes, the conditions were cramp, hot, and hard. There was a photographer that captured images of these people at work and actually released them to the public. When the public, mostly the upper class society that wore the clothes they made, saw these images they either chose to turn their back and ignore these shocking images, but others decided there needed to be a change. So then the sweatshop factory that we are more familiar with these days came about. The second home we looked into was the home of a family that worked at the factory, so the home was much nicer; however, the place was still cramp and housed families of over 6 people! It was shocking to see this to say the least.
When the sweatshops were moved to the factories things got better for the workers because unions were able to be made; however, conditions were still not good. Workers would work long hours, not get paid properly, and work under hot, dangerous conditions. The triangle waist shirt fire actually changed all of that. The fire killed around 156 workers because they were trapped in the building with no way out. Workers either burnt to death, or plummeted to their deaths with no way out. It was a shocking and devistating moment in both American Hisory and the history of the garment industry. After the fire, the owner of these factories had to change conditions for the workers; less hours, more money, and proper safty percautions, but this would cost them a lot of money and take down production, so what to do? The solution was to move these factories to countries where laws were not as strict as the laws in the states. It's a sad fact, I think.
I believe the most shocking thing I learned at the museum would have to be the truth behind the "last name change." Growing up, I was taught that when immigrants came through Ellis Island, the workers at the Island changed the names of the incomers to more "Americanized" more pronouncable names. However, this is a lie! There is no proof at Ellis Island that supports this fact; however, this was what we are taught in schools. In reality, because these immigrants that were making the garments came from lower class Eastern European countries they were considered much lower status and much lower class, less respectable. It wasn't because they were Jewish, but instead because their country of origin, so they would change there names to more common sounding European names from Germany, for example. This was so shocking to me because these people chose to change their names, and almost in a sense erase their family history. It is a shame because I know a lot of people that would love to learn about their family history but cannot because names were changed. I suppose I understand in a sense because status was/still is a huge thing to many people.
Overall it was a very eye opening experience and I learned a lot. I'm quite the history buff myself so I was really excited to learn all these interesting things, especially since this was something that I knew absolutely nothing about! The garment industry has come such a long way in the United States and there is only more to come. I'm excited to be in the now and experience more history as it happens, but it is great to take a look into the past and realize where it all begin. It's very inspiring to see how passionate these workers were to do what they did, especially under the conditions they were under.
All-in-all, whether you're a lover of the fashion industry or not, the Tenement Museum is a must-do stop to anyone that wants to learn a unique history that not many people know about. A very enriching experience overall.
And the giftshop rocked.
Until next time!
So you say you're a lover of everything fashion, but did you ever stop and think where did the fashion/garment industry in the United States begin? If you haven't really thought about that or don't know, you're not alone because I didn't either. Until yesterday that is! I had the opportunity to visit the Tenement Museum on Orchad Street in the Lower East Side.
So we all know that New York City is one of the biggest fashion capitals of the world, right? Well it is was and still is the birth place of the American fashion industry. It all goes back to the Civil War era where tailors would sew the uniforms for both the soliders of the North and the South. So when you think about it, the boundary line between the North and the South was much more permeable than people think. The tailors would even make clothes for the slaves of the South! Since these tailors had to make so many uniforms for so many soliders, how could they possible make exact sizes for all these men? And so standardized measurements were born.
The museum is called the Tenement Museum because most of these garments were made in these tenements at the time. According to the Tenement House Act of 1867, a tenement is defined as any household, building, or portion thereof, which is rented, leased, let, or hired out to be occuipied or is occupied, as the home or residence of more than three families living independently of one another and doing their own cooking upon the premises, or by more than two families upon a floor, so living and cooking and having a common right in the halls, stairways, yards, water-closets, or privies, or some of them. Actually, 70% of all womeswear of the time were created in these tenements, and about 40-50% of menswear was made there as well. So in these tenements, the families that occupied them basically had little garment factories in these tiny apartments producing clothing for Americans! And it definitely wasn't like the "working from home" that we know so well today; these were basically little sweatshops in their living rooms, and these quarters were very, very cramp. There would be multiple workers, aged as young as 10, working away as a team to put together a garment. On any day, these workers could produce around 16 garments. A majority of all the workers that were making these garments were from Eastern European Jewish decent because the work did not require the need to speak English and it did not require a proper education. When you think about it, most immigrants that come to the US typically work jobs where there is not a need to speak or know a lot of English.
At the museum we were able to get an indepth look into the lives of two families that lived in the tenement where the museum is held. One family that worked straight out of their apartment like I explained above, and another family that in later years worked in a factory. Like I explained above when these workers would work out of their homes, the conditions were cramp, hot, and hard. There was a photographer that captured images of these people at work and actually released them to the public. When the public, mostly the upper class society that wore the clothes they made, saw these images they either chose to turn their back and ignore these shocking images, but others decided there needed to be a change. So then the sweatshop factory that we are more familiar with these days came about. The second home we looked into was the home of a family that worked at the factory, so the home was much nicer; however, the place was still cramp and housed families of over 6 people! It was shocking to see this to say the least.
When the sweatshops were moved to the factories things got better for the workers because unions were able to be made; however, conditions were still not good. Workers would work long hours, not get paid properly, and work under hot, dangerous conditions. The triangle waist shirt fire actually changed all of that. The fire killed around 156 workers because they were trapped in the building with no way out. Workers either burnt to death, or plummeted to their deaths with no way out. It was a shocking and devistating moment in both American Hisory and the history of the garment industry. After the fire, the owner of these factories had to change conditions for the workers; less hours, more money, and proper safty percautions, but this would cost them a lot of money and take down production, so what to do? The solution was to move these factories to countries where laws were not as strict as the laws in the states. It's a sad fact, I think.
I believe the most shocking thing I learned at the museum would have to be the truth behind the "last name change." Growing up, I was taught that when immigrants came through Ellis Island, the workers at the Island changed the names of the incomers to more "Americanized" more pronouncable names. However, this is a lie! There is no proof at Ellis Island that supports this fact; however, this was what we are taught in schools. In reality, because these immigrants that were making the garments came from lower class Eastern European countries they were considered much lower status and much lower class, less respectable. It wasn't because they were Jewish, but instead because their country of origin, so they would change there names to more common sounding European names from Germany, for example. This was so shocking to me because these people chose to change their names, and almost in a sense erase their family history. It is a shame because I know a lot of people that would love to learn about their family history but cannot because names were changed. I suppose I understand in a sense because status was/still is a huge thing to many people.
Overall it was a very eye opening experience and I learned a lot. I'm quite the history buff myself so I was really excited to learn all these interesting things, especially since this was something that I knew absolutely nothing about! The garment industry has come such a long way in the United States and there is only more to come. I'm excited to be in the now and experience more history as it happens, but it is great to take a look into the past and realize where it all begin. It's very inspiring to see how passionate these workers were to do what they did, especially under the conditions they were under.
All-in-all, whether you're a lover of the fashion industry or not, the Tenement Museum is a must-do stop to anyone that wants to learn a unique history that not many people know about. A very enriching experience overall.
And the giftshop rocked.
Until next time!
Monday, September 26, 2011
COTERIE - SOLE - TMRW
Hey hey fellow fashionistas!
So, in the past, I never really knew what consisted of a trade show. Literally, I just pictured trunks of clothes, fold out tables with clothes in bins, and things of that sort; kind of like a flea market. So when I heard that we were going to Coterie, I wasn't all that thrilled... But then, I walked into the Javits Center and in that very first second, I knew I was in for a treat.
It was so great to see all the upcoming trends to hit stores before they actually hit the stores. A lot of boho, hippie chic, color blocking, pattern mixing, punk studs, and just good old fashion experimentation with different looks. It's so great to be living in a time where it's the consumer that creates the look rather than the designers telling us what colors are "hot" right now. It's a great time to be an individual and shine through your clothes. Seeing all the different styles that are going to be out in the coming months truly let's the consumer be an individual and give all the new looks a unique twist.
Looking at the map/directory I was a little overwhelmed. How was I going to get to see everything?! The first thing I did was circle all the places I definitely wanted to see, so I could remember them. In Ohio, I used to work at a store called Buckle, and it was and still is my favorite place I have worked in my life, so when I saw a lot of the denim brands we carry were showing I knew I had to see them! And of course, I am a bit of denim freak myself, so I just had to explore all the denim and contemporary clothes. Even though I had the idea in my mind that I would go to the places I knew first, I surprisingly got side tracked many, many times at new places that caught my eye. I love discovering new clothing brands, not only for myself, but to see different styles and get a new perspective on clothing or inspiration.
The thing that caught me by surprise the most, aside from the large scale of the event, was how distinctive and unique most of the show areas were; they were like miniature stores! All the people working the stores were very kind and helpful as well. Of course, they were expecting me to be a buyer (honestly, I was flattered that they thought I was) so naturally they want to help me to the best of their abilities, but once I told them I was a student, they were just as helpful and kind. Most of the workers wished me luck and shared little tid-bits of advice, their business cards, and maybe even a lookbook to take with me.
The designers and brands that stood out to me the most would have to be:
Blue Pearl by Allen Schwartz - I loved the 80s punk look to the pieces that I saw. A lot of leather, black, denim, and saftey pins! Here are some of my favorite pieces from Coterie.
Twenty8twelve - This is Sienna Miller's line, and she's one of my favorite style icons, so naturally I fell in love with her line. I've heard of it in the past, but I never really looked into it, so I'm glad I got to see the pieces at Coterie. They are great everyday pieces, that I could definitely see myself rocking.
Megan - I've never heard of this brand before, but I saw this gorgeous flowy peacock printed dress that I instantly fell in love with. This brand is located out of California so it is very beachy, very breezy, and very fun. I kept thinking these would be great peices to pack for a vacation beach getaway!
Darling - Just like the name implies, these pieces were DARLING! So cute and preppy. If I could think of a way to describe the line to someone I would have to say these pieces were like clothes you would want to put on your favorite doll for a tea party out in the garden with the rest of your toys, but in life size. Make sense? Anyways, they were great fun pieces that you could wear for a fun day party or a way to mix it up and bring a fun flare to the work place.
Love Cupcakes - This was a great, fresh new t-apparel brand that designs around one of my favorite treats, cupcakes! These were super soft dressy t's that played little spins on known logos, but made them their own because of the cupcakes. It was fun because they named their styles after delicious cupcake flavors. I was eating up the line! (Not literally of course!)
Left on Houston - Beautiful peices where old world meets modern. Easily could see myself rocking some of these.
Desigual - This was a brand I've never heard of before moving to New York. I would always see the stores on the streets, but for some odd reason I never ventured inside, and to be perfectly honest I didn't expect to be drawn into their booth, but all the whimsy, colors, and fun atmosphere of the Desigual booth made me an instant fan. It was like a circus show! Which I guess is a good thing because their inspiration of the line was Cirque de Soleil. This is definitely a unique store worth stopping by, very innovative and fun.
Chaser, Rebel Yell, Unif Clothing, Patterson J. Kincaid Originals, Capture by Hollywood Made, Religion, and House of the Gods - These brands were all very similar and 100% my type of style. They had that rocker edge, vintage feel, and purposeful destruction that I love so much. These are the types of brands that I could only dream to fill my closet with someday, but then probably regret it when 35 and should be dressing my age ;)
Monrow - When it came to basic t-shirts, I thought it was blasphemous to go anywhere BUT American Apparel, then I saw Monrow. A lot of great basic t-shirts that were super soft and light weight, and came in a plethora of different colors.
Willow and Clay - Another great flowy, boho, looking brand that was new to me that day! Fun and feminine, but not too girly. A good combination of girly and tom-boy. Needless to say, I fell in love and definitely will be searching for this brand in the near future.
Custo Barcelona - Fun, colorful, boho. Never looked into this brand before, but I'm glad I gave it shot. They had this amazing vest that I described to my roommate as: "If I myself was a garment, I would be that vest. That vest is the essence of who I am."
Free People - A well known brand to me that never fails. With inspirations from nature and vintage looks from the 60s and 70s, it's a brand that I often flock to for an everyday look.
So, in the past, I never really knew what consisted of a trade show. Literally, I just pictured trunks of clothes, fold out tables with clothes in bins, and things of that sort; kind of like a flea market. So when I heard that we were going to Coterie, I wasn't all that thrilled... But then, I walked into the Javits Center and in that very first second, I knew I was in for a treat.
It was so great to see all the upcoming trends to hit stores before they actually hit the stores. A lot of boho, hippie chic, color blocking, pattern mixing, punk studs, and just good old fashion experimentation with different looks. It's so great to be living in a time where it's the consumer that creates the look rather than the designers telling us what colors are "hot" right now. It's a great time to be an individual and shine through your clothes. Seeing all the different styles that are going to be out in the coming months truly let's the consumer be an individual and give all the new looks a unique twist.
Looking at the map/directory I was a little overwhelmed. How was I going to get to see everything?! The first thing I did was circle all the places I definitely wanted to see, so I could remember them. In Ohio, I used to work at a store called Buckle, and it was and still is my favorite place I have worked in my life, so when I saw a lot of the denim brands we carry were showing I knew I had to see them! And of course, I am a bit of denim freak myself, so I just had to explore all the denim and contemporary clothes. Even though I had the idea in my mind that I would go to the places I knew first, I surprisingly got side tracked many, many times at new places that caught my eye. I love discovering new clothing brands, not only for myself, but to see different styles and get a new perspective on clothing or inspiration.
The thing that caught me by surprise the most, aside from the large scale of the event, was how distinctive and unique most of the show areas were; they were like miniature stores! All the people working the stores were very kind and helpful as well. Of course, they were expecting me to be a buyer (honestly, I was flattered that they thought I was) so naturally they want to help me to the best of their abilities, but once I told them I was a student, they were just as helpful and kind. Most of the workers wished me luck and shared little tid-bits of advice, their business cards, and maybe even a lookbook to take with me.
The designers and brands that stood out to me the most would have to be:
Blue Pearl by Allen Schwartz - I loved the 80s punk look to the pieces that I saw. A lot of leather, black, denim, and saftey pins! Here are some of my favorite pieces from Coterie.
Twenty8twelve - This is Sienna Miller's line, and she's one of my favorite style icons, so naturally I fell in love with her line. I've heard of it in the past, but I never really looked into it, so I'm glad I got to see the pieces at Coterie. They are great everyday pieces, that I could definitely see myself rocking.
Megan - I've never heard of this brand before, but I saw this gorgeous flowy peacock printed dress that I instantly fell in love with. This brand is located out of California so it is very beachy, very breezy, and very fun. I kept thinking these would be great peices to pack for a vacation beach getaway!
Darling - Just like the name implies, these pieces were DARLING! So cute and preppy. If I could think of a way to describe the line to someone I would have to say these pieces were like clothes you would want to put on your favorite doll for a tea party out in the garden with the rest of your toys, but in life size. Make sense? Anyways, they were great fun pieces that you could wear for a fun day party or a way to mix it up and bring a fun flare to the work place.
Love Cupcakes - This was a great, fresh new t-apparel brand that designs around one of my favorite treats, cupcakes! These were super soft dressy t's that played little spins on known logos, but made them their own because of the cupcakes. It was fun because they named their styles after delicious cupcake flavors. I was eating up the line! (Not literally of course!)
Left on Houston - Beautiful peices where old world meets modern. Easily could see myself rocking some of these.
Desigual - This was a brand I've never heard of before moving to New York. I would always see the stores on the streets, but for some odd reason I never ventured inside, and to be perfectly honest I didn't expect to be drawn into their booth, but all the whimsy, colors, and fun atmosphere of the Desigual booth made me an instant fan. It was like a circus show! Which I guess is a good thing because their inspiration of the line was Cirque de Soleil. This is definitely a unique store worth stopping by, very innovative and fun.
Chaser, Rebel Yell, Unif Clothing, Patterson J. Kincaid Originals, Capture by Hollywood Made, Religion, and House of the Gods - These brands were all very similar and 100% my type of style. They had that rocker edge, vintage feel, and purposeful destruction that I love so much. These are the types of brands that I could only dream to fill my closet with someday, but then probably regret it when 35 and should be dressing my age ;)
Chaser
Rebel Yell
Unif
Patterson J. Kincaid
Religion
House of the Gods - Easily a unisex brand!
Monrow - When it came to basic t-shirts, I thought it was blasphemous to go anywhere BUT American Apparel, then I saw Monrow. A lot of great basic t-shirts that were super soft and light weight, and came in a plethora of different colors.
Willow and Clay - Another great flowy, boho, looking brand that was new to me that day! Fun and feminine, but not too girly. A good combination of girly and tom-boy. Needless to say, I fell in love and definitely will be searching for this brand in the near future.
Custo Barcelona - Fun, colorful, boho. Never looked into this brand before, but I'm glad I gave it shot. They had this amazing vest that I described to my roommate as: "If I myself was a garment, I would be that vest. That vest is the essence of who I am."
Free People - A well known brand to me that never fails. With inspirations from nature and vintage looks from the 60s and 70s, it's a brand that I often flock to for an everyday look.
All hail the wonderful fabric that is denim! I wasn't lying when I said I was a bit of a denim freak earlier. It's amazing all the innovative things designers have been doing with the fabric. It's not just your everyday jean, its everything and I couldn't get enough of it! Here are some of my top pick brands and looks for denim!
One of my favorite denim brands, Big Star. Super comfy, a lot of different styles, cuts, fits, etc. These jeans have a lot of great details, but most of the details are found in the seaming. Definitely something different that sticks out among the hardwares of the jean world.
Rock Revival jeans look hot on anyone. A lot of great hardwear, metal work, leather work, and other details go into these jeans. And all the fits range from low rise, mid rise, high rise, slim fit and even relaxed fit so everyone can look like a rock star!
Release your inner punk rocker with this amazing Blue Pearl by Allen Schwartz denim jacket. Who said bedazzlers and studs weren't cool? Because they're definitely on a lot of great pieces for the upcoming seasons.
Destruction, gold, studs, and saftey pins with Met.
Other great denim brands that never fail: Levi's, Cult of Individuality, 7 for all Mankind, True Religion, Joe's Jeans, and Citizens of Humanity.
Overall, it was a fun, great, unique experience that I'm glad I was able to go to. I easily could have spent all day, or all three days there, but unfortunately I could not. However, I'm glad I got to see what I was able to see. Being surrounded by all the different styles, looks, trends, colors, etc. it's an inspirational dream. While being at Coterie, my mind was running through different ideas at 1,000 mph. Everytime I encounter all these wonderful places it makes me realize why I am in the industry that I am in.
Monday, September 12, 2011
"It's all about pretty."
Even though I am not lucky enough to attend a NYFW runway show, does not mean I am incapable of following religiously on blogs, YouTube, and of course, WWD - thank you age of technology.
From what I have seen thus far for fashion week Zac Posen has taken my breathe away. Classic lines, jewel tones, gowns, and true elegance. I feel as though Posen brought back an old school era of fashion back to the runways for his S/S 2012 line. Looking through his line, I couldn't help but think of vintage Dior circa the 1950's, but kept it fresh I noticed Posen's use of the mermaid cut on certain gowns, which I believe accentuates the body and is quite flattering on almost any body type. Posen captured the true beauty and elegance of a woman with his line; I wasn't just looking at the clothes, but I was looking at the model as a whole. Everything from the hair, to the make up, to the runway itself; it was simplistic and elegant. Sometimes I feel runway shows now are a battle to see who can be the "edgiest" or who can take avant-garde to the next level, so it is nice to see fashion brought back to the basics of beauty and elegance.
Here are some of my favorite pieces:
From what I have seen thus far for fashion week Zac Posen has taken my breathe away. Classic lines, jewel tones, gowns, and true elegance. I feel as though Posen brought back an old school era of fashion back to the runways for his S/S 2012 line. Looking through his line, I couldn't help but think of vintage Dior circa the 1950's, but kept it fresh I noticed Posen's use of the mermaid cut on certain gowns, which I believe accentuates the body and is quite flattering on almost any body type. Posen captured the true beauty and elegance of a woman with his line; I wasn't just looking at the clothes, but I was looking at the model as a whole. Everything from the hair, to the make up, to the runway itself; it was simplistic and elegant. Sometimes I feel runway shows now are a battle to see who can be the "edgiest" or who can take avant-garde to the next level, so it is nice to see fashion brought back to the basics of beauty and elegance.
Here are some of my favorite pieces:
On another note, Jason Wu's collection also caught my eye. The hot shorts, the sheer fabrics, and the hoops skirts instantly got me hooked. But then when I took a closer look at his collection I realized it was much more than that. Wu mixed chic sport and retro glam, with a dash of Pop. The use of color was just right; nothing too bright and over the top, and it was perfectly mixed with neutrals to give it a slight explosion of color. The subtle use of jewels around the neckline also gave the garments that extra something that make the pieces something special and out of the ordinary. The use of print throughout the collection was kept to a minimum, which contrary to what some may say, I really enjoyed. It made the collection easier to follow and made it more cohesive. The thing that stood out to me about Wu's collection was I could see myself wearing the pieces straight off the runway and could easily mix and match all of the pieces. I just wish I could see the movements of the garments in person, I could only imagine they moved beautifully.
Here are some of my favorite pieces:
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