Blog Entry #10: A Collaboration of the Highest Anticipation: Alexander Wang x H&M

Thursday, November 6th, was the day that many of us have waited for.  Fashion lovers, Alexander Wang fans, and shopaholics alike packed out 250 H&M stores grabbing any piece they could get from the highly anticipated Alexander Wang x H&M collaboration.  I must admit, the collection truly embodied Wang’s aesthetic.

The race was on; shoppers camped out all night  for the 8:00 AM in store release.  Millions of shoppers, including myself, spent their morning constantly refreshing the H&M website from the minute of the 10:00 AM online release.  We were all determined to add as many pieces to our carts with the hopes that our items wouldn’t sell out in a matter of seconds.  Luckily, I was able to order one piece from the site, the Alexander Wang embossed bustier.

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I figured I’d try my luck and head to one of the stores, and I’m glad I did.  I was one of the first 420 people to participate in the shopping event at the H&M on 34th St and 7th Avenue in Manhattan.  I was only able to grab one item–a black t-shirt dress with grey mesh– but I’m totally okay with that!

 

For those who weren’t able to get a look at the collection, I have 3 words that perfectly depict it: Black, gray, and logo. Lots of logo.   The collection consisted of predominately black and grey items, each piece clearly displaying the “Wang” label.   The clothing items from both the women’s and men’s collections had prices ranging anywhere from $49 to $500.  There were pieces with geometric designs and boxy silhouettes; this collaboration was designed with the idea of "standing out" clearly in mind.  If the clothing itself wasn’t enough of a statement piece, don’t worry.  The huge black shopping bags finished it off!                                                

Blog Entry #9: New Show Formats

Believe it or not, there was a point in time in the fashion world where fashion shows were incredibly exclusive.  A lot of us were left with our imaginations trying to envision what the collections and shows were like.  Now, in this new age with advanced technology, anyone and everyone has complete access to all types of fashion shows right in the palm of our hands.  Social media platforms and fashion based websites give a complete run down of each season's fashion shows and every aspect of them.

Weren't able to gain access to any Fashion Week shows?  Not a problem.  Websites such as www.mbfashionweek.com and www.style.com provide live streaming of fashion shows right to your phone or computer.  Attend the show without physically attending the show, ha!

However, it goes without saying the actual experience of attending a show has no comparison to watching shows from your phone.

With these new fashion show formats coming about, a few questions comes into play.  Do fashion shows lose their value?  Are designers okay with their collections being showcased to the entire world before their actual debut?  With this new age of technology, one might say that the exclusivity, the VIP feeling, the beauty of fashion shows is diminishing.

Blog Entry #8: Digital Lookbooks

I find digital lookbooks to be very inspirational; they are a key necessity for establishing a theme for a designer's collection, and they provide customers with ideas of how certain clothing pieces can be worn or put together.

One brand's lookbooks that I love to
consistently keep up with is Nasty Gal.  Nasty Gal's digital lookbooks are eye-catching, they're fun, and they each portray a theme that perfectly correlates with the collection it is promoting.  Take a look at some of Nasty Gal's lookbooks for the current season!

Nasty Gal's You, Me and the Moon digital lookbook showcases electrifying pieces that glitter and shimmer.  

The Nasty Gal Temp Drop Shop digital lookbook showcases all the necessary clothing pieces you need for the cold weather; it consists of chunky knit sweaters, warm coats, heavy knit scarves and lots of fur!

Nasty Gal's Fall of the Wild digital lookbook showcases some very popular pieces and styles for the fall.  Expect to see lots of layers, leather, and popular prints of the season in this collection! 

Blog Entry #7: Trunk Shows

Oh, the beauty of trunk shows.  They provide the exclusive shopping opportunity where you can get your hands on new merchandise before it reaches the general audience. VIP much?

Although I have never attended a trunk show, I will make it my absolute business to get to one in the near future.  Take a look at some of the upcoming trunk shows that I thought sounded really intriguing.

Monique Lhullier's Bridal trunk show for Spring 2015 will be showcased at Carine's Bridal Altier in Washington DC from October 30th-November 1st. 

The late and great Oscar de la Renta's Spring 2015 Bridal trunk show will be showcased at Bergdorf Goodman in NYC from November 6th-November 8th. 

Vera Wang's Spring 2015 Bridal trunk show will be showcased at Mark Ingram Bridal Altier in NYC from November 6th-November 8th.

The exclusivity of trunk shows is evident by the invite-only policy that is popular among luxury brands!

Blog Entry #6- Jean Paul Gaultier's Spring 2015 Fashion Show, A Final Farewell

The fashion industry has witnessed yet another sorrowful "see you later".  Famous French designer Jean Paul Gaultier announced in early September that his Spring 2015 ready-to-wear show would be his last; he put an end to his ready-to-wear collections to focus on couture and other projects.  I'm sure that with this very unexpected news that a spectacular farewell fashion show was highly anticipated among many within the fashion world.  As expected, Jean Paul Gaultier did not disappoint.

What better way to send out a final goodbye than with a Miss Jean Paul Gaultier 2015 pageant show? 

Yes, I said a pageant show!  As the red curtains parted, 15 models, or should I say "pageant contestants", performed a synchronized dance on a set of glimmering silver steps to Prince's "1999".  The models divided leaving a passage way on the steps for the pageant show host, Alex Taylor, who opened the fascinating performance. 

The atmosphere was incredibly captivating.  The flashing strobe lights, the overhead awning, and the full theater-like stage gave the packed out audience and myself the illusion of really being at a pageant show.  The models strutted down the runway with elegance and overt confidence, displaying pieces that mark all of Jean Paul Gaultier's designs from years past.  

The 34 minute show was nothing less than breath-taking, entertaining, and beautifully crafted.  The clothing was displayed in a clear cut manner while still upholding the pageant show theme.  The show closed with the announcement of Miss Jean Paul Gaultier 2015 winner Coco Rocha. Glittery confetti showered the stage as Jean Paul Gaultier, donning a sash, graced the audience, basking in everlasting glory with endless applause and a show that would leave an eternal impact on the fashion world.

Blog Entry #5- Retail Windows Displaying Color Trends

As many of us know, window displays for retail stores are designed to create compelling, fascinating images that will entice the customer into buying.  One should always make note of the color being used in displays.  Color is vitally important in relation to attracting the customer, because it is the first thing that catches their eye, and it also creates a certain mood, and induces certain emotions within customers.

For the Fall 2014/15 season, there are some different color trends popping up within store displays around the world.  One major color trend that caught my eye was the use of monochromatic white, which was documented by the forecasting database FashionSnoops.  In my opinion, the use of monochrome is an excellent way to capture the eye; it is one dominant color displaying one consistent mood and feel.

 The color white is often associated with cleanliness, and that is type of aura that these following displays bring about.

The Nike Stadium in Berlin uses the use of monochromatic white in their displays to show the Lunar Force 1 sneaker.

    

COS (Swedish retailer) and Nendo (Japanese studio) collaborated to create a an amazingly intricate display showcasing the very plan and simple white collared shirt.  What better way to advertise this white clothing piece than with the monochromatic white trend? 

                         
                            

Blog Entry #4- Tom Ford at London Fashion Week Spring 2015

Tom Ford at London Fashion Week Spring 2015

In the eyes of many, including myself, Tom Ford's Spring 2015 line was spectacular, and awe-inspiring. The clothing was eye-catching, and the show was very exciting to watch. I loved his use of contrast; the clothing was pre-dominantly black, however there were some pieces that glittered and glimmered with metallic colors to complement.  I found his line to be edgy and intimate.  It was provocative yet classy and sophisticated, truly embodying the Tom Ford woman.

               

Silhouette/Design:

• Cropped square-off jackets
• Long sleeve t-shirts
• Platform clogs
• Bra tops
• Thigh-high dresses
• Mini-skirts
• Sheer tulle under slips
•  Evening skirts and trousers 
• Baby doll dresses
• Long white draped jersey goddess gown
• Flare pants    

Details: 

• Sequined long sleeve t-shirts
• Metallic jacquard mini skirts
• Leather thigh-high dresses
• Sheer bra top
• Trompe l'oeil bead encrusted pasties 
• The white draped jersey goddess gown was bristling with silver flowers
• Towering platform clogs
• Tuxedo or Lurex print flare
• Camouflage sparkle flares
• Trousers with suspenders

Color:

• Silver
• Camouflage 
• White
• Black

Fabric:

• Lurex print
• Suede
• Tuxedo print
• Jacquard                                                                                                      
• Leather
• Sheer tulle

Creative Jargon:

• "A startling sense of time travel to the past"
• "Glamzonian sex pots"
• "Night porter like"
• "Pop-rock vintage vibe"
• "Old fashioned"