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By Joan Volpe, December 19, 2012 12:57 pm

50 Shades of Prep
Postponed due to Sandy, the program was held on December 1. The morning interview and discussion featuring G. Bruce Boyer, acclaimed menswear journalist and Celebrity Stylist, Cliff Hoppus was a treasure trove of information and having Bruce take the group through the Ivy Style exhibition really added insight into the show,  as well as this style of dress that has been America’s gift to the world  of dressing starting in the 1920’s , particularly in menswear.

The winner from the Preppy Pinterest contest was announced during the lunch break. It was hard to choose a winner, but in the end, Gerardo Giannetti won! See his Preppy Lifestyle board below.

The afternoon trips included the new Brooks Bros. concept store “Flatiron” where the manager  Anne Alcocer  gave a welcome and talked about the Brooks strategy to attract a younger customer in addition to their loyal following in their traditional stores.  The store at 19th and Broadway is a treat to visit. The next stop was the iconic flagship Brooks Bros. Store at 44th and Madison for an insightful comparison.  Ronald Ferguson, concierge gave an escorted tour of several floors and made sure that we also got a look at both the women’s and children’s  clothing – all just beautiful.

The next stop was Paul Stuart where Mona Reilly  greeted our group and gave the background info on this still privately owned  civilized  and warm luxury store.  One of the highlights of the day was provided by Ralph Auriemma, designer for Paul Stuart and specifically for their upscale Phineas Cole line. Ralph was on hand to talk to us about the designer aspects of the business and how he got started and works today.  After a quick run through J. Press up the street,  the program wrapped up with a personal tour by  Douglas Geller at Gant on 5th Ave with a great assortment of men’s women’s and kid’s, once again underscoring the morning message that prep is really a lifestyle.

Our attendees thought the program was amazing  and were thrilled that we spent so much time on men’s and we promised to cover the men’s business more fully in the future.  We thank all the retailers who welcomed us, in spite of the fact that Christmas business was going on.

Don’t forget to check out the exhibit before it closes!!

EXHIBITION: IVY STYLE

Through January 5

Special Exhibitions Gallery, The Museum at FIT
The evolution of Ivy League fashion is featured in this exhibition, focusing on three important time periods: the interwar years of the 1920s and 1930s, the post-war era to the end of the 1960s, and the style’s revival from the 1980s to the present. Looks created by companies such as J. Press and Brooks Brothers as well as contemporary interpretations of the style from Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger are on view.

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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, 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 Barbara Arlen, January 25, 2012 10:54 am

THE COLOR CORNER

Damien Hirst’s Twenty –five of Color Field Spot Paintings and Graphics at Gagosian Galleries Worldwide – Color is alive and well in each aspect of our lives.  This is about the way that you perceive color and use it daily in each global setting. Some of this theory is based on Josef Albers and other colorists. The scale, composition, hue, value, background color and juxtapositions make a successful painting.

I was always a colorist, I’ve always had a phenomenal love of color… I mean, I just move color around on its own. So that’s where the spot paintings came from—to create that structure to do those colors, and do nothing. I suddenly got what I wanted. It was just a way of pinning down the joy of color. —Damien Hirst

3 Galleries in NYC

1 in Los Angeles

2 in London

1 in Rome

1 in Athens

1 in Geneva

1 in Paris and 1 in Hong Kong
Barbara Arlen is a color and product consultant living in light-filled Santa Fe, NM and works globally.

Color Specialist Certificate Program – Fashion Products
Color Specialist Certificate Program – Image & Styling

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By Paige Smith, January 22, 2012 7:56 am

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/all-that-glitters-the-history-of-shiny-things/

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By Joan Volpe, January 6, 2012 6:23 am

Best Overall Holiday Spirit

Lord & Taylor

Best Overall Retail Presentation

#1  Fendi

#2  Barneys

#3 Saks Fifth Avenue

Best Windows that Reflect Store POV

#1 Bergdorf Goodman

#2 Tiffany & Co.

#3 Henri Bendel

#4 Macy’s

The Grinch of 2011

Bloomingdales

Best Tree

Rockefeller Center

Thanks to Jackie, our FAB student aide, for taking photos!!

What did you think of all the store windows??