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!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
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.
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