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By Sandra Holtzman, October 6, 2012 9:04 am

Last week I discussed the Design Entrepreneurs NYC program just completed at FIT. This week I want to pass on feedback from two participants: one of the designers selected for a prize and one of the designers who showcased her products at the event.  Like all our participants, they put blood, sweat, and many sleepless nights of their lives into this program.

First up is Katerina Lankova, Founder and Designer at Stee-letas. She showcased her products at the DENYC closing event and told us: “Through the DENYC I have been able to explore the business of fashion beyond my comfort zone and formulate a clear picture about bringing the product– STEE-LETAS®– to the marketplace.  Seeing other designer’s work, and hearing the unique stories behind their creative process, was both inspiring, motivating and humbling. Ultimately, the most important benefit of the program was the sense of shared endeavor, the priceless connections, and the lasting friendships that resulted from it.  I am grateful for the opportunity that DENYC represents; I am already integrating the skills, insights and training that I obtained into my design aesthetic and my business practice.”

Katerina Lankova
www.stee-letas.com

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Jessica Wade, Founder and Designer at Jes Wade, and one of the three winners of the presentations to the panelists, has this to say about her experience: “The opportunity to think about the past and present of Jes Wade during the intensive DENYC program was a gift.  Finishing the course with a presentation that was supported by esteemed fashion industry heavy weights was confirming and an even bigger gift.  It was a NYCEDC program that focused on every aspect of the fashion design business with a rigorous “mini MBA” boot camp style.  The professors and mentors from FIT and the industry were both challenging and supportive and the entire experience a huge asset in confirming the future of my business.  I highly recommend this intensive program to all highly motivated design entrepreneurs.”

Jessica wrote her business plan with the help of the DENYC program.  The prize is in two parts – one is time with consultant Ari Bloom who Jessica will work with to develop innovative relationships.  The second, time with Charles Klein, will help her to negotiate new relationships (in addition to the attorney she already has a relationship with).

Jessica Wade
www.jeswade.com

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Best of luck to the two featured designers above and to all the great designers who participated in the DENYC program!!!

If you are interested in participating in the 2013 class of Design Entrepreneurs NYC, please note that the application process will launch in early 2013. For updates, please visit http://designentrepreneursnyc.com/.

For those of you interested in participating in the business of design, NYC Fashion Fellows is now taking applications.  NYC Fashion Fellows

Sandra Holtzman teaches CEO 035: Licensing.
She is the author of Lies Startups Tell Themselves to Avoid Marketing.

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By Paige Smith, September 16, 2012 11:46 am

Check out this article and video of Instructor Bridgett Artise talking about vintage fashion and doing a sample reconstruction! Her classes are CEO 031: Building a Vintage Business and  SUS 016: Clothing Reconstruction.

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By Paige Smith, August 27, 2012 8:31 am

Written by Chelsea Candelario, FIT Hot Topics Summer Intern.

While browsing through WGSN.com, I came across three collections of Fashion Forecast. I was completely drawn by the detailed clothing that matched the similarity of objects and themes. New Digital Aesthetic, Next Nature, and Neo-Geo all present a different side of something completely out of the ordinary and new for Spring/Summer ’14.

One of the collections I looked into was New Digital Aesthetic. They were inspired by the online culture of design. The digital ideas are put upon the construction and colors of the designs. Four themes that struck out with N.D.A are Preppy Pixel, Digital Fantasy, Cyber Strange, and Chemical Cartoon.

Preppy Pixel present designs that look like it could have been created on a computer. It brings on a ‘nerd quality’ giving colors that are simple such as black, white, blue, and grey.  Most of the attire consists of suits and layered women wear.

However, as I go through the slides, the theme shifts. It becomes more colorful. Blue, green, and red come together like I never seen before. The colors are either coming together or staying independent. The frequent show of blocks and pixel-like shapes still make their comeback to present the modern world of technology quality.

As I looked through Digital Fantasy, I stepped into a world unlike my own. The designs are out of this world. It starts off with bright neon colors and move to serene pastel colors. Fabrics such as wool and sheer become used for a two-piece assemble, over the knee dresses and complicated shirts. Characteristics of technology inspire the intricate details of these garments to bring out a unique feel of living in the digital 21^st century.

Cyber Strange lives up to its name. Sleeveless suits and open up heels have presented themselves on the slides.  At first, I was confused and wondering why would anyone want to wear that? Then I sat back, a smile on my face, and think ‘This is Fashion after all’. This theme breaks all the rules of understanding where and how it was made. It’s the art portrait you enjoy, but can’t quite understand.

Chemical Cartoon is the last theme to N.D.A. It’s like stepping on a bridge between imagination and reality. So many bright colors splattered on to fabrics. You can literally spot one of these garments from a mile away. All sorts of colors and prints put together to give in a fun child-like quality. The three-piece suit filled with bright summery colors followed by stripes endlessly parading the garment or the patches of colors mixed in with floral prints that remind me you of the picnic day in June.

As if the colors were going to stop, it gets even more bold and electrifying with different shades of pink and purple covering the clothes. Also introducing light pastel colors such as periwinkle, baby blue, green, and yellow. Sticking to the theme of Cartoons, a charming picture of Kermit is plastered on one of the sweaters.

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By Paige Smith, August 20, 2012 9:00 am

Written by Chelsea Candelario, FIT Hot Topics Summer Intern.

If  I can get my hands on a bunch of colorful blazers, I will have a closet just for them. The fact that these pastel-colored blazers are the trend of Spring/Summer ’13 makes me happy. I’m ready to ignore the grey blazer sadly hanging from my closet now.

The solid, light color blazers give a touch of feminine quality. It’s simple to slide on a blazer anytime of the day.  The Topshop peach blazer makes me desperately look in my wallet for some sort of prize money.

Sadly, it’s to the wishful shopping cart.

Although every blazer shares a similar square-shoulder, ability to cuff, and waist-length quality, they each hold something unique about them. The shape of the neckline, length of the sleeves, color, and much more sets them apart from one another.

I love the fact that you can wear it with anything. From a dress to jeans, blazers look great in anything you put on. I also love that it’s an anytime accessory. You can wear it when you’re heading off to class, off to a work interview, or even a small get together with friends.

For something that started out as something that only men wore, it has turned out as a style fit for everyone.

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By Paige Smith, August 13, 2012 12:06 pm

Nail Art Brings Out A Whole New Meaning

Written by Chelsea Candelario, FIT Hot Topics Summer Intern.

I look down on my freshly painted light green nails and feel I played it safe. Although the color is out of the ordinary, all I keep thinking is how it would look with a little bit of art. I had my share of stripes and letters, but now nail art has transformed to the next level. It has become sort of like a fashion trend and being surrounded by fashion for the last four years I should know.

Nail art has been around for centuries (try 5000 BC!) and yet it becomes brand new every time.  First, you start out with the simple elegant colors in the 60’s and you slowly make your way to the long fake nails of the 70’s. Jumping forward to the 90’s, you give the rebel side of you a chance while you put on your shade of black. But now well into the 21^st century, everything comes together giving you the choice to slap a coat of paint on your nails or brighten up your wardrobe with some stick-ons, something that became popular in 2007.

There is not a moment where I don’t see something different on someone’s nails. Nail art has become a part of how we present ourselves to the world. DIY Nail Art has become a well known hobby now. With all the social networks at our fingertips it’s simple to explore what’s out there and see what others are putting on their nails.

How are we feeling today? Are we feeling edgy? Then let’s put on some shatter nail polish. Are we feeling classy and youthful? Then let’s put on some nude coloring. There is a whole collection of options to put on your nails to make it your own. Something women were doing for centuries while the world was moving at a fast pace.

Artists have gone beyond just putting on a coat of nail polish and began designing constructed gear. Dzine, known for his Latino design culture, began creating the most amazing art through 24-karat-gold nails. I’m pretty sure if I try on any of his art, this blog post would be a challenge to type.

Nail art has become far more than complimenting your outfit. It’s become a part of our culture.

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By Dalia Strum, June 14, 2012 12:39 pm

WHAT’S TRENDING

Louis Vuitton has recently collaborated with Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama on a handbag collection and is raising awareness with a mobile application that uses augmented reality and photo sharing.

The Louis Vuitton Kusama Studio iPhone app allows users take photos of images around them and apply an effect called visions to transform them into Ms. Kusama’s artwork.  Users can share them on a public gallery as well as social media platforms.

Yayoi Kusama began as an avant-garde painter in Tokyo in the 1950s. She became a figure in New York’s contemporary art scene in the 1960s. Her style is a cross between pop art, surrealism and minimalism.

This strategy is a combination of simplicity meets innovation, which augments and transform photos into Kusama’s lens.

The app lets users imagine a person or object covered with dots or reinterpreted as abstract waves, as inspired through Ms. Kasama’s artwork. It is available for free in Apple’s App Store.

Dalia Strum teaches SXF 120: Blogging Smarts for Business and SXF 130: The Social Media-Social Commerce Revolution: What You Need to Know to Keep Up.

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By Paige Smith, June 11, 2012 12:30 pm

ESL/Fashion Business Program
SXN 358 55A: Track 5 Fashion Trend Forecasting Elite/ Accelerated Level

This advanced track enhances careers in marketing, branding, fashion journalism, and product development. Experience exactly how trends are tracked from identifying consumer behavior to lifestyle impact levels to new product possibilities. Work with professional trend experts on color forecast and product predictions in fashion, accessories and home. Create your own mini fashion forecast/trend report based on market and street trend hunting exercises. This track is Facilitated by Marguerite LaCorte.

MARGUERITE LA CORTE is a Global Trend Tracker™ and Product Anthropologist. Strong on both the Marketing and R&D side, she travels the world for 30-45 day periods working for clients to help them identify emerging consumer insights, novel ingredients, and unique consumer rituals and products, offering meaningful end benefits in the form of proprietary research reports and creative presentations 60 days after her return Stateside.

Register for all ESL programs here: http://www.fitnyc.edu/noncreditregister and select ESL Programs.

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By Paige Smith, May 16, 2012 1:22 pm

Vogue Daily posted this yummy and colorful fashion slideshow that is making me hungry! Click the photo below to view the slideshow.

Have Your Cake and Wear It, Too: Confections Inspired by Spring’s Runways

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By Paige Smith, May 14, 2012 11:44 am

Come to the Barbie exhibit located in the D lobby at FIT. The exhibit was created entirely by FIT students from all different majors, using their imagination to display Barbie in many different ways. If you can’t make it, this is what you’re missing out on!

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By Carol Davidson, May 10, 2012 12:56 pm

Here is a snippet of my recent blog post from my website. To read the rest, go to http://www.yourstyleworks.com/blog/

“Just like men…sometimes we love a color that is simply not a good match for us. For instance, I’m crazy for the “solar power” yellow that’s in stores this season, but it doesn’t love me back. (It makes me look a little “unwell” in fact!) While admittedly there’s a potpourri of colors to choose from this season, sometimes we just can’t break the attraction to the colors we know are not well suited for us. (Sound familiar?) How can we wear the colors that are not necessarily ‘our best’ and still look fabulous? Read on for some helpful hints.

Tangerines/Oranges are everywhere this spring season. If you love the color, but it overwhelms your features or leaves you looking tired, here are some suggestions:

1. Pair orange with your favorite neutral. Let’s say navy looks great on you (and it does on many people.) Pair your favorite navy blouse with tangerine jeans! This is a great way to brighten your outfit and to be right in step with the bold pant trend. The trick is to keep the orange hue away from your face.

2. Accessorize in orange. If adding an orange top or bottom seems like a bit too much of a good thing, look for an orange accessory! An orange skinny belt can add a pop of color to your outfit. Tuck a white blouse into a high-waist tan pencil skirt and add a skinny orange belt to your waistline or just wear it with your favorite jeans to spice things up.

3. Think outside the box. Make orange your go-to color and enjoy it many times a day by using orange-colored zipper bags to help you organize the contents of your handbag.”

Read the rest at http://www.yourstyleworks.com/blog/

Carol Davidson teaches SXF 810: Color for Wardrobe Planning, SXI 100: Introduction to Image Consulting, SXI 110: Image Consulting Confidential.