All posts by Joan Volpe

Classes, Hot Topics, Students

Michele Savoia

The Center for Professional Studies mourns the loss of our instructor, colleague, friend and FIT grad, Michele Savoia. Savoia was in the very first Menswear Design class at FIT and after graduating went on to a wonderful career as a custom tailor and costume designer.He had a very high profile clientele and truly was a walking encyclopedia on all things important in the Men’s business.His sense of fit, image and styling was unparalleled.You could not stump him and his advice was spot on in terms of what to wear when. His own avant garde appearance, complete with numerous tattoos only added to his appeal and our adult students, many professionals in the industry, loved him. While the press quickly labeled him a “fashion designer” the fact is he was called “The Tailor” carrying on a family tradition from his grandfather and father.

Here is a picture of Savoia taken in his very last class on Wednesday evening 2/12. It is quintessentially him and captures his vitality. His accidental death is such a loss for all who knew him. Let us all remember him just this way. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

Michele Savoia teaching. Photo by Larry Byrd

 

The Biz Buzz

Fashion Week: Fall 2014

By Jove: The Biz Buzz
Aha weekly tidbits for the HT Insider


What starts in the middle and is nine days long?

Fashion week is here and typical of this business we all love – it didn’t start on a Monday and it will go for nine days and nights but to us it is “Fashion Week.”  Of course, the big debate is always about  what is more exciting, the clothes on the runway or the ones on the attendees entering the venues.  And in case you did not know, sadly after the continuity that Bryant Park added with a fairly tight geographic dimension, this season the shows are uptown, downtown, East, West and even in Brooklyn.  Given the weather and the ice and snow in the city, the stiletto crowd is really being challenged. Actually as some of the pictures show there appeared to be more sensible footwear this time than in recent seasons. Of course these shots were from day 1 so we should stay tuned.  The heels may go higher after all, and the getting around to all the shows is going to be very difficult. That to me is unfortunate. A big name designer knows that people will make the effort not to miss no matter where the venue is. Alexander Wang is feeling very Brooklyn these days and has chosen to show there.  But how many lesser known designer shows will get cheated or missed while press and retailers waste valuable time   sprinting from one show to the next? Guess this is our answer to the Olympics!!

For a look at the attendees on the first day check this link out:
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/492382-what-they-are-wearing-on-the-first-day-of-new-york-fashion-week/#?photo=1&_suid=139179748308409928465622853598

On a serious note the following WSJ article is a superbly informative piece on the process of putting together a collection, featuring designer Thakoon Panichgul (Thakoon 2/9– 545W 22St/Chelsea) from the point of inspiration to production of the samples which did not start until January 30 because of delays with fabric delivery. Experience what the creative process is and share in the designer’s stress.

 http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303496804579365231653157974?KEYWORDS=Thakoon&mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702303496804579365231653157974.html%3FKEYWORDS%3DThakoon#eos

 

The Biz Buzz

Super Bowl Sunday Fashion

By Jove: The Biz Buzz
Aha weekly tidbits for the HT Insider

Who says that football and Fashion don’t mix?  Isn’t fashion behavioral?  Fashion is defined as what is accepted by the majority at any given time.  So this weekend represents the official “unofficial” National Holiday- Super Bowl Sunday and it is the fashion to get involved, for sure.  Whether you are into the game, into the food, watch for the ads or put up with the play just to get to the half time show, join your fellow Americans and celebrate what has become a great tradition.

A few fashionista pointers:

Even if you don’t have any appreciation for the sport, the Broncos will be in orange, a really hot color this year.  That’s a good reason to root for them.

On the other hand, the Seahawks wear good old classic navy, a classic is always a winner. Right?

Peyton Manning says he’ll be wearing a Zegna suit on Sunday at some point, before? Or after?

WWD actually sent 2 reporters to the press conference held by the NFL and they almost did not get in, as the NFL was not familiar with WWD. Pretty funny?

Do you really care whose Super Bowl is it, N.J. or N.Y. as long as the temperature stays above 30 degrees and it doesn’t snow?

Be sure to hear Renee Fleming doing the National Anthem and don’t miss Bruno Mars at the half time.

And in between -sit back and enjoy the game!

Be sure to check out the 48 Designer-created helmets featured in Bloomingdale’s windows and you can vote for your favorite.  Fashion and football.  Why not?

http://media.bloomingdales.com/fashion-touchdown/index.aspx

NFL fashion helmets