The Concrete Jungle [FB 10]

 

I've always enjoyed watching Bill Cunningham's short clips in The New York

Times, so for my final I thought why not pretend to be Bill Cunningham

for a day. I was out and about on the streets of New York looking for

women of all ages sporting the animal print trend. Animal prints are

timeless patterns that can work for any season! I came to learn that the

leopard print is the most worn print during this season. In my video I

spoke about my findings in the city, why I thought this trend was

interesting, and the importance of this trend. I had a lot of fun

creating this project, below is the clip to my video, enjoy!

Uniqlo Innovation [FB 9]

Today, the world is consumed with vast amounts of technology. In order to keep up with this day and age and with their competitors, retailers must find ways to keep their customers engaged  through their shopping experiences. Uniqlo is almost perfect at doing this. Uniqlo's technical innovation is even found in its architectural structure. They want their customers to enjoy their shopping experience even if they don't buy anything because just being able to engage with them in a positive way guarantees they will be coming back. One cool thing I've notice at Uniqlo is that they have this huge camera mirror where you, for instance, try on a coat and then stand in front of the mirror and from there it will show you all the colors it comes in without you having to take the coat off. People no longer just want to shop and pick out clothes from piles, they want to have fun doing it. Here's a look at Uniqlo's shopping experience on 5th Ave:

Lookbook Feed Back for Marc by Marc Jacobs Menswear [FB 8]

Still searching for the all American bad boy? Well he can be spotted in Marc Jacobs' look book for his menswear collection for Marc By Marc Jacobs. This digital look book captured the look and feel of Marc's brand. Tight skinnies, acid washed jean jackets, muscle tees, and charcoal colored combat boots gave that edgy vibe we're so used to seeing Marc Jacobs project. I enjoyed the fact that this look book was also a behind the scenes photo shoot because it gives a more authentic feel to see the brand in the making. And it doesn't get any more authentic then it being filmed in New York City!

Eddie Borgo's Jewelry Trunk Show at Nordstrom [FB 7]

I couldn't agree anymore with Eddie Borgo when he says fashion should make women feel good.  Fashion is all about embracing empowerment and confidence. Trunk shows give women the ability to find this confidence by previewing and trying on certain products that appeal to them.

Eddie Borgo's jewelry trunk show was a great way to connect with customers on a personal level. It's also a great way to introduce the brand to those who might not be familiar with it. Connecting with shoppers intimately creates brand loyalty with results in repeated purchases. I loved the fact how Eddie's inspiration comes from two different time periods, the medieval times and the 80s, all while making the looks blend effortlessly with one another. I definitely recall having a cone bracelet of my own in 2011! Although this trunk show is a little outdated I believe it shows the relevancy of hosting and attending trunk shows. It's a great way to meet people, try on fashions, and connect with a brand.

Balenciaga Spring 2015 Ready-to-Wear [FB 6]

Balenciaga's fashion show sparked interest right from the start. It was not just regularly dimmed lights that illuminated the room, but rather a glass grid-work runway that filled with smoke during the entire show. The models' catwalks were filled with quick sharp stride movements. The Ready-to-Wear collection was a blend of sportswear and street. The silhouette of the clothing was form fitting to the body, dresses clung like a glove. For the most part the colors were very clean and basic with some neutrals and a few pastels thrown in to add some flavor. When I saw the models wearing sunglasses that made me feel like I was in the matrix I knew right away that it was the creative director, Alexander Wang, own personal touch. Overall, the show was aesthically pleasing and I believe Wang has so much more in store for Balenciaga.

Visual Displays [FB 5]

It's so hard to walk down New York City's Fifth Avenue and not notice the attention grasping window displays done by an amazing visual team. Visual displays are what drive sales, store traffic, and trends. Not only do colors catch a customer's attention but so do visuals.

 

Ann Taylor kept it classic with a clean cut by incorporating the colors black and white into their garments for their display. Black and white are colors that are used throughout the spring and fall seasons and never seem to go out of style because the colors are so versatile. Ann Taylor decided to base their visuals on the floral trend that is being spotted this spring season.

 

 These images are from the Doneger Creative Services. Doneger displays pictures of floral patterned garments as a trend for the Spring 2015 season. Floral patterns really bring out that "springy" vibe and remind us warmer weather is approaching.

 

 

  

Saks Fifth Avenue is completely different from Ann Taylor in regards to their visual displays. Saks' window display definitely shows that of vitality, ambition, passion, and love, especially since they are using the Chinese New Year as their theme. They too, incorporate floral, as well as, abstract prints on the mannequin's garments. Saks Fifth Avenue's visual is much warmer than Ann Taylor's. I really enjoyed some of the analogous characteristics of the props.

The Language of Fashion [FB 4]

 

 Image by Yana Paskova via The New York Times

As New York Fashion Week comes to a close we can reminisce on what a wonderful week it has been. From New York's savvy street style to Rodarte's rich and sleek designs fashion week has given us an appreciation for designers' inspirations because they help aspire us to be what we want to be. It's fashion reviewers for The New York Times like Vanessa Friedman who make fashion week much more memorable with the language they utilize to describe the garments featured on the runway. Her amazing post on the fashion shows of Alexander Wang, Victoria Beckham, and Altuzarra can be found here: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/16/fashion/at-alexander-wang-leather-studs-and-combat-boots.html?ref=fashion&_r=0.

 

Image by Hiroko Masuike via The New York Times

1.    SILHOUETTE & DESIGN

- Intarsia leggings and sweatshirts

- Sharply tailored culottes

- Bias-cut skirts

- Nubby coats

- Half-belts

- Skinny flannel trousers

2.    DETAILS

- Studded fisherman’s sweater

- Trimmed in gleaming ball bearings

- Big buttons
- Threaded with gold and silver embroidery

3.    COLOR

- Diagonal black-and-white stripes

- Toned brown and navy

- Lavish pastel

- Rust and turquoise

4.    FABRIC

- Sheer chain-mail skirts

- Quilted miniskirts

- Leather T-shirts

- Giant fox-fur collars

- Silk-satin pajama suits

- Shearling bathrobe coats

CREATIVE “JARGON” 

-"Haute-ish grunge ethos"

-"Delineating curves"

-"Stringy hairstyling"

-"Head-stomper combat boots"