Comments (0)

By Paige Smith, December 4, 2012 1:16 pm

Thanks to our SXR 010 instructor, Neal Leavitt, for sending this to share with you!
Happy Shopping!

Comments (0)

By Peggy & Arthur Winters, November 29, 2012 8:24 am

As businesses and consumer groups grapple with the effects of global marketing, we are observing how various fashion designers adjust their marketing strategies to suit this uncertain new world. Some fashion designers are re-thinking creative design as a foundation for marketing. They are concentrating on how to bring a sense of personal involvement in self-styling for the consumer as a fundamental marketing strategy. When the world gets more confusing, either we pull in the reins and go to our strengths — or we go all out and cast a wider net.

Designers are focused less on “The Look,” in their seasonal collections. They are busy researching and creating a line that can satisfy more than one demo/psycho-graphic market. While staying true to their core target audience, they are also reaching beyond that to a broader range of ages and body shapes with a wider selection of fabrics, colors, styles, …. Looking to connect to “What is their world,” the new wave of fashion designer wants to create a brand story that will stimulate or revive consumer emotions and aspirations. More than ever, it is important that a style and the brand have relevance to the consumer.

A good example could be the current repercussions of the world’s poor economies. What kind of choices will be made with this in mind? When so many things look bleak for so many people, how can one’s personal styling make the consumer more optimistic? A designer may think back and design forward to create different styles that reactivate pleasurable emotions. It may be time to extend beyond the security of the “I can wear it anywhere” black dress, exploring the brighter, fun colors, patterns, and styles, offered at more reasonable, affordable prices.

What we are saying here is largely attributed to singular Lanvin designer, Alber Elbaz. Elbaz fashions are being created to resurrect one’s own “golden age,” and also to make one aware of their fashion self-actualization.

An example of “fashion self-actualization” could be one interpretation of “tomboy” style in a woman’s wardrobe. It may be a woman’s answer to not being obviously sexy. The tomboy may want to demonstrate that she has no present desire to arouse a man’s sex drive. It may signal her desire for freedom from flirting, as well as freedom from high heels, classic dresses and full-on makeup. Or it could be a desire to be trendy, yet casually elegant?

Note the following possible interpretations of the “Tomboy” fashion style. Let’s see how you react to the possibilities, as we need to find comfort in our currently uncomfortable world…

http://tomboystyle.blogspot.com/

Photo on the right is of one of Ann Mashburn’s famous mood boards — by F.E. Castleberry of Unabashedly Prep.

 As we stated above: designers look back to design forward…

The mood, the lifestyle, the “fashion self-actualization” of “The Tomboy”

Drawing by Arthur A. Winters

The designer who thinks “What is their world now?” —

is more likely to attract more customers.

Arthur & Peggy Winters co-teach SXB 200 Brand Marketing Communications for Image & Meaning and SXR 050 Intro to Branding: The Art of Customer Bonding.

Comments (0)

By Paige Smith, November 14, 2012 12:05 pm

Lectures and Book Signings

	Five Years of Unisex ~ Rad Hourani Thursday, November 15, 6 pm Katie Murphy Amphitheatre Fred P. Pomerantz Center, first floor Join Rad Hourani for a lively presentation of his unisex fashion creations. Since 2007, he has been designing clothing he describes as “gender-agnostic,” working mostly in black and white to create a true unisex look. Mr. Hourani’s photographs have been shown at the Galerie Joyce on the Palais Royal in Paris, and are collected in a book he published in collaboration with Mykromag.
	The Color Revolution ~ Regina Lee Blaszczyk Tuesday, November 20, 6 pm Katie Murphy Amphitheatre Fred P. Pomerantz Center, first floor Join historian Regina Lee Blaszczyk for a fascinating look at her book The Color Revolution, which explores the often unrecognized role of the color profession in consumer culture. Ms. Blaszczyk will explain color forecasting and show how “color engineers” help corporations utilize color psychology. A book signing will follow the lecture.
	M: The Civilized Years, 1983-1989 ~ John Tinseth Thursday, November 29, 6 pm Katie Murphy Amphitheatre Fred P. Pomerantz Center, first floor John Tinseth is an ex-deputy sheriff, ex-paratrooper, ex-park ranger, and author of the men’s style blog The Trad. Join him for a presentation of his book, M: The Civilized Years, 1983-1989, which collects the best of M magazine. M featured fashion and styling advice for men from Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Perry Ellis, Alexander Julian, and many others. It also documented New York’s urbane, upper-class lifestyle, covered the best restaurants and the wildest bars, and featured articles about how to find the perfect tailor, as well as the perfect wife.

For more info, visit The Museum at FIT.

Comments (8)

By Paige Smith, October 16, 2012 12:00 pm

50 Shades of Prep: Lifestyle, Designers and Retailers Talk and Tour with Cliff Hoppus, featuring G. Bruce Boyer

Cliff Hoppus

When it comes to U.S. influence on men’s dressing throughout the world, Preppy is number one. If you are in men’s image, styling, design or merchandising, take advantage of this action-packed day featuring prep, preppy, Ivy League, and American classics. Find out what these terms mean, what the look is, who wears it, makes it and sells it. Join in a conversation with menswear authorities on the many shades of prep from “genuine” to “authentic”, “old school”, evolved, high, urban and Euro. Participate in a Q and A during a working lunch followed by a tour of FIT’s current exhibit, “Ivy Style”. Program culminates with actual store visits to the best NYC purveyors of preppy goods, such as J. Press, Paul Stuart, and the new Brooks Brothers concept store. Box lunch and tour bus included.

G Bruce Boyer
photo by Rose Callahan

Seminar leader: Cliff Hoppus, celebrity stylist with G. Bruce Boyer, menswear journalist and consultant Ivy Style exhibition.

Saturday, November 3rd from 9:30am-5:00pm
RESCHEDULED: Saturday, December 1st from 9:30am-5:00pm

Register now for this ONE TIME ONLY Master Class in Prep (class SXN 520) at http://fitnyc.edu/noncreditregister.

Want to take this class for free??

FIT Goes Preppy Pinterest Contest

Create a Pinterest board that epitomizes “The Preppy Lifestyle”. One lucky pinner will attend class SXN 520 (50 Shades of Prep: Lifestyle, Designers, and Retailers Talk and Tour) for free! One lucky winner will be enrolled in SXN 520 at no cost. Winner will be responsible for any travel and related expenses. Winner shall contact FIT within 2 days of notification of award; no course substitutions are permitted. Winner must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

How to enter:
1. Follow FIT’s Hot Topics on Pinterest, http://pinterest.com/hottopics/.

2. Create a board and title it “Preppy Look = Preppy Life“.

3. Fill the board with 25 or more pins that epitomize “The Preppy Lifestyle”, be creative. You must include at least two pins from the FIT website (fitnyc.edu) the rest can be from Pinterest or other websites. View our board as an example: http://pinterest.com/hottopics/preppy-look-preppy-life/

4. Submit your board by commenting your URL link to this Preppy Class & Contest blog post by October 28, 2012.

The chosen board will be announced by October 31, 2012! Class is Saturday, November 3rd from 9:30am-5:00pm.

Happy pinning!

LEFT: Our very own Joan Volpe and friend in their preppy looks, circa 1966.
RIGHT: Joan and Charles Volpe in their current preppy garb for the FIT Museum’s opening of “Ivy Style” photo by Owen Hoffman.

Comments (0)

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

–

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

–

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.

Comments (0)

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.

Comments (1)

By Paige Smith, September 6, 2012 10:35 am

What will you be doing tonight??

Comments (0)

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.

Comments (1)

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.

Comments (4)

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.