Tag Archives: Fashion Week

Fashion New Source Pt. 5

Since its inception in 1910, Women’s Wear Daily magazine has been a leading force in the apparel industry. As an informational staple, the magazine covers general topics such as: fashion, business, beauty, men’s, runway, and accessories. Each topic has several sub-topics. For example, a few that business is broken down into are: trade, HR, marketing, retail, and markets. From a business student’s perspective, WWD gives a really good big picture view in regards to long term strategies. This information can be vital for higher-ups and even for students like us. There are not many sources that have a section devoted solely towards mergers & acquisitions or markets. This is why I like Women’s Wear Daily, because it can give me information that is easy to access sources sometimes require a subscription for.

If you watched NYFW and wanted to look at the styles, WWD has a review of all different designers with an analysis on the lines and photos of the collection. Click here to see more

Volunteer at New York Fashion Week!

Hi there!

The fall semester is an exciting time for fashion students, because it means fashion week season! A lot of us want to volunteer but often don’t know how or don’t have the connections to do so, especially if you are a freshman. I was in the same boat when I started at FIT. Fortunately, FIT’s Student Life offers students the opportunity to volunteer through the school. Every fall there is a signup where you are randomly placed (based on your availability) to volunteer for a designer. Some are luckier than others, but it’s still a great experience to have. Below are the dates and time when the signups will take place this semester. I would highly recommend going there as early as possible, because the lines can get very long.

The SVCS Fashion Week signups are on Tuesday, August 29 from 12 to 5pm in the Haft Auditorium and on Thursday, August 31 (time TBA) in the Haft Theater.

Click the link for further information and events taking place at FIT: https://www.fitnyc.edu/student-life/department-of-student-life/week-of-welcome.php

xoxo

-Z

Fake it till you Make it. NYFW Edition

Hey Guys,

So as you were ALL well aware of New York Fashion week was held at Lincoln Center from September 4th-11th. Not only was that THE thing to do but it was the major theme for parties, events, magazines and obviously your news feed. I’m here to let you in on a little secret anyone can be someone (literally ANYONE, yeah I know you also know those people) at MBFW with a little help from the old quote: FAKE IT, till you MAKE IT. Really my friends, all it takes is some makeup, dressing up like your life depended on it (and here at FIT we have that pinned down to perfection) and standing for 15 mins outside of Lincoln Center. Instantly you become someone who people want to take pictures of and think they are striking gold. Don’t get me wrong this is very fun to do (read on and I’ll tell you about my experience) but the real action happens backstage, not out there with the fashionistas, bloggers and all sorts of wannabes (sorry, had to say it). The only way to get a glimpse of action is through FIT and then network your way up.

My 1st fashion week (February 2011): I had just moved into the dorms and I started school. Walking through the hallways I noticed a bulletin board (keep your eye on those) with a sign that said NYFW volunteers wanted. There was a set date and time where you would sign up for the shows you wanted according to your schedule. I signed up for Zang Toi, Ruffian, Daniel Vosovic and Risto as a dresser, and can honestly say my dreams were starting to come true. In less than a week I was already working inside the tents with recognized designers and got to fill up a second row seat that was empty because it would make the runway look bad (pure luck). Right now, I should warn you about how very intense and secretive these people are I had to legit sign a NDA just to be able to volunteer with them (crazy right?). During those opportunities I got as much Intel as I could and networked my buttocks (you know what I mean, haha) off. This way I got to be asked again to work during next fashion week, needless to say that and my work ethics got me in again.

My 2nd fashion week (September 2011): This time I worked with the events sponsored by PLITZ Fashion Marketing Group and United Colors of Fashion by supporting back- and front-of-the-house efforts and planning and executing silent auction, including assemblage of gift bags at their Annual Gala (sounds very resume material and that’s right, just copy pasted it from there). Other than that I did do dressing again and of course more networking. I could’ve signed up through FIT but my schedule was a bit tough to make it even though they do them during common hours (Tue&Thur no one has class between 1-2pm).

My 3rd fashion week (February 2013): I got invited to the David Tlale show a designer who I met volunteering for UCOF and was his first presentation in MBFW. Turns out networking really paid off!

My 4th fashion week (September 2013): Enough with the volunteering! By now, I was well aware that I deserved to see a show or at least enjoy having a gift bag instead of making one. Even if my previous experiences were valuable I wanted to experience the “glamour” of it. With my roommates almost forcing me to go I accepted to go with them and have my fame. Indeed, 15 minutes later I was starting in a video and people were asking to take my pictures. Mind you, I’m NO one in terms of fashion moguls, editors or buyers but yet it seemed like they couldn’t get enough of me. Shutters clicking everywhere and I knew it was my time to leave, I couldn’t keep pretending (haha those poor people) and wasting their time. So everyone knows it by: INVITATION ONLY, right? Well NOPE it’s not. Living proof here. I dressed all in black as volunteers are supposed to (plan B) and just walked through those doors with an all deserving attitude to find myself inside with less than a glance by security. Long story short, I got my hair done at the Tresemme Salon, free gift bags from Ebay and fashion magazines, free ice cream, pictures and drinks and more. I was about to get into a show but what the heck it was never going to be second row like the first time. Instead I went ahead and swam in all my free stuff.

This fashion week I stayed home and avoided everything altogether (seems kind of weird, doesn’t it?) I did post for my website InfoModaRD about the Dominican Models that were spotted on the Runway this time. Though, my new take on fashion week is exactly what Suzy Menkes describes in The Circus of Fashion, “something has been lost in a world where the survival of the gaudiest is a new kind of dress parade.” I did see people lining up and camping out to get into the volunteer signups at FIT. My recommendation to you is do it once because it is a learning experience, of course if you can. If you are uncertain just check out the designers and opportunities before you make that line. Anyways just remember, whether you fake it till you make it or go flaunt your stuff all over Lincoln Center be wise before you answer any questions. Or you might just end up looking like this:

Carpe Diem,

Sadie

Welcome or Welcome Back

Hi Everyone,

So yes, I admit it.. I have been absent for a while (but for good reason). I’m proud to tell you that I finally launched my project. InfoModa RD is the first digital Dominican Fashion Encyclopedia based on informational interviews of professionals in the fashion industry within the Dominican Republic. The website is meant to provide deeper knowledge of this industry (for me of course and everyone else) and support and promote Dominican talent. For now the website is just in Spanish but sooner rather than later we will have the English version. Feel free to check it out and follow us on instagram, twitter, Facebook and/or YouTube (yup I just promoted myself through this blog, I mean after all my knowledge comes from FIT). As I usually say “Lo bueno se comparte” which means you share the good stuff, so go ahead help me, help you learn more about one of the most attractive and fashionable countries in the Caribbean.

On the other hand, I’m happy to report that starting this Friday I’m the new ATS & ATF Sourcing Intern – Accessories (footwear, bags, & belts) at Ann Taylor(spoiler alert) I got it! Remember that list I gave you for phone interviews? Well this is the final result so if I were you I would follow every word on it (haha). And kid you not, today LinkedIn put this on my right hand column and I thought to myself CHECK (damn right I see myself there). So it’s safe to say I’m back on campus on track with my crazy life and by this I mean incredibly productive. This semester I am:

Taking 6 classes
Work at Admissions Office as student tour guide and Blogger
Today became a language tutor at the amazing and (FREE for students) tutoring center (yep, I get paid).
Intern two days a week
Fashion Informant for InfoModa RD
and a million other things like visiting Tod’s HQ, getting free massages, participating in Fashion week, interviewing next week to work at a Hanky Panky sample sale, and skype interviewing for Save the Children DR.

So good to be back and can’t wait to not have enough time to breathe (of course I’m an overachiever) because literally everything I do, I do it with passion.

Carpe Diem (because this is my last FIT semester),

Sadie

PS: By the way, just discovered you can download your resume from LinkedIn check it out here.

Notes From The 6 Train: My First Fashion Week

This past weekend was jam packed with interesting experiences this weekend. I attended the Mother Tongue Monologues at the Brooklyn Museum. I also volunteered at a fashion show at Fashion Week. Honestly, I was pleasantly superseded at how nice the experience was. I helped backstage at the David Tlale (an up & coming South African designer) show it was pretty fun, and most exciting of all, they were no bad attitudes! Everyone was so friendly and courteous. I have worked at several other shows and none have been as pleasant as this one. Firstly, the clothes were easy to put on & remove. a mundane detail, but when undressing & re-dressing models in 2.5 seconds you thanks the fashion gods that there are no sharp edges, corsets or birdcage hats. (Remember the Alexander McQueen hats at Paris fashion week a few years back? Yikes.) You don’t want to be the girl who put the shirt on backwards on the model (though I’ve heard this happened in another show & critics loved that particular outfit).

From the interns to the fashion show directors, everyone seemed happy to be there. I’ve dealt with some models who are less than courteous. These models, however, were particularly kind. One of the girls I dressed just wanted to take selfies backstage before the show started. She was certainly my favorite model. ( Below is a photo of us.) There were also some models from television, one girl from America’s Next Top Model & Devyn, the winner of The Face.

For my first New York Fashion Week, I had a pretty good experience. I made some connections, and learned to cut back on the judgments. Fashion is not just backstabbing one another with six inch stilettos. Real connections can be made, at fittings and shows and backstage. If we are in the fashion world that means we share at at one thing in common, our love of fashion. Certainly, this is not a call for us all to rally together and hold hands around a fire of last season’s fashion mistakes, but simply a small reminder. It is very possible to make friends, (or at least not make enemies,) and when working in such a competitive industry, having allies is appealing. If the option is presented, you should definitely volunteer at Fashion Week at least once.

All things Color, Love & Fashion,

Ayanna L.