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The Loft

           This week my study tour class did our last site visit which was speaking with the Technical Design and Sourcing teams from The Loft. In the beginning, Jessica Smith and Sondra Mastrelli spoke about their background experience and the role that they play working for The Loft. They spoke about the history of Ann Taylor and Loft and the growth both brands have seen over the last few decades since 1990. I didn’t know that in the early 2000’s they split Ann Taylor and The Loft into two separate brands that cater to similar yet different customers. Jessica Smith spoke about how she started in 2006 as an assistant in the sourcing department and it was her responsibility to find fabrics, and trims that completed the designer’s idea while also staying in a certain budget that The Loft is known for. For Sondra Mastrelli, she talked about majoring in fashion design and started off working as an assistant to the tech department at Ann Taylor and from then has worked for the brand for almost twenty years.

           I truly admire Ms. Mastrelli because she really loves what she does and the company she is working for to be with Ann Taylor for almost two decades. After the speaking about the brief history of the company they introduced the panel of professional tech designers and sourcing managers from The Loft and Ann Taylor. It was very interesting to hear about everyone’s background many of them graduating from F.I.T., Syracuse University, and Kent State University. Each person explained their role and how it affected the business as a whole. I learned that they work very hard creating tech packs and working with overseas vendors to make sure samples get here on time to meet deadlines. I saw how people from the sourcing department rely on technical designers to effectively communicate how the look needs to feel and what materials it is made from.

           I realized that even though you work on certain teams in certain departments to get tasks done what is even more important is the fact that cross-functional team meetings are crucial and allow everyone to be on the same page when it comes to producing clothing for the next season. James Mulholland spoke about how he and the sourcing team went on a company trip to Asia to visit vendors and get a hands-on experience working with them directly making changes to garments and finding new fabric vendors. I hope in my career I am able to get the chance to travel and experience new cultures while still working in fashion. Mr. Mulholland also talked about the importance of fit and how it plays a crucial role for a brand like The Loft. Fit should be consistent throughout clothing with a brand, and this has become as issue in recent years due to fast fashion companies using vanity sizing.

           Overall this visit was a great experience a key take away for me was that a successful team thrives because people on that team have a mutual respect for one another. I enjoyed speaking with Kent alumni and seeing how much the program has grown since 1994, 2011, and 2015.

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Final Recap

Coming in the first day of class this semester I thought I wanted to be a buyer or pursue a career in product development. I expressed interest in working in the luxury sector of fashion and wanted to work on the creative side of a corporate company. I felt that fashion was a huge industry and that there was a limited selection of roles to choose from.

           Over the course of this semester my mind has expanded so much to the opportunities that are available in the fashion industry. I think that there are more roles available that fit what people are already passionate about. From the many visits I realized just how small the fashion industry can be because people are constantly moving to different companies and changing roles all the time. Yet, what I learned is that it is about keeping a great connection with people that work in the industry because you never know if you may need them later. I liked meeting with the Kent State alumni at Atrium Staffing and Thrillist. As a class we were able to learn more about the roles of a social media coordinator and as a talent recruiter. It was interesting to hear how they scout talent and support people looking to make the transition into full time employment. I also realized that being a social media coordinator is not as easy as it looks working with freelance writers and creating digital content that is attractive and easily consumable by readers. Raj Overseas gave me more insight on what a career could be like designing in home goods creating beautifully designed rugs.

           After several visits, I would like to look into other positions such as a fashion forecaster or working in product development for home goods. I like the idea of being able to travel to different countries and take inspiration away from these different cultures and apply it to the fashion industry. I realized that I would not be interested in the role of being a designer or working as a sales advisor because designers put in so much time and work creating patterns, tech packs, and sewing garments together. As a sales advisor I like building relationships with people, but it is not a role that I am necessarily passionate about.

           My favorite site visit was with Depeche Mode and visiting their staff to learn more about the ins and outs of a private label brand. I enjoyed hearing Lee speak about his marketing background and how he used his skills to build Depeche Mode with his ex-co-founder. I liked how he talked about his value on experience and integrity when it comes to building leaders in fashion. He was very knowledgeable about the current fashion climate and the changes that are occurring because of technology. It was a great appointment and he gave us some very valuable information to consider. I feel that the meeting with Atrium Staffing made the biggest impression on me with personally and professionally. I never knew that there was a free service and resource like this around to help recent college graduates get a full-time job. I think this is super beneficial because many college graduates can have a hard time looking for a job and it can be very stressful at times, but if more graduates knew that there are people looking to be their cheerleader both career wise and personally that makes the transition that much easier. Overall, this semester has expanded my horizons allowed to see the endless opportunities and roles available in the fashion industry.

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           This week for our study tour class we visited Raj Overseas, an amazing company that designs and manufactures rugs overseas to be sold to wholesale home goods accounts such as West Elm and Urban Outfitters. I was able to hear Shelley Goldberg, Vice President of Design and Marketing speak about her fashion background and how her journey brought her here to Raj Overseas. I was very impressed to hear that she went to school to get a bachelor’s in art and painting and then went overseas to London to attend Central Saint Martins and obtain a master’s in fine arts and textiles. I asked her about her experience attending such a highly regarded fashion school, and she explained that most of the time it was independent work and that many professors were long-winded with many of the lectures they gave to students. It just goes to show how different it can be to get an education in the United States versus getting one in another country.

           Ms. Goldberg also touched upon how things were different back in the 1990’s when she was job hunting. During that time, LinkedIn was not around for you to showcase your talents and skills to employers, so what Ms. Goldberg did was look for job openings in the newspaper and in magazines such as Women’s Wear Daily. For me this demonstrates just how much technology has changed our lives and the way we conduct business. Shelley Goldberg started off working for a well known 90’s designer brand which she explained consisted of working almost 10 plus hour days everyday and creating new, fresh designs that she was never compensated for. She talked about the challenges of being there and then left to begin her career at Ann Taylor designing and working in a corporate setting which was a shift from working for a smaller designer company. Then, she began working at West Elms designing in fashion but realized that she wasn’t super passionate about what she was doing, and one day one of the directors at West Elm asked her, if she could get paid to do any job in the world what would it be and to that she responded working in home goods designing rugs.

           From that day forward, she worked for West Elm for five years designing rugs for their home goods category. After hearing this I never really thought about people working in fashion could transfer and look to create products of their own in the home goods category. This goes to show that the fashion industry encompasses many roles and products that can be created. After working for West Elm, Ms. Goldberg started her career at Raj Overseas being the face of the brand in the U.S. market looking to work with home good buyers from Target, West Elm, and Urban Outfitters. Raj Overseas factory is located just outside of New Delhi, India and employs several women and men paying them a living wage to feed their families. They are a socially responsible supplier and seek to produce the best rugs for their clients. I enjoyed this visit because now I see another aspect of fashion, home goods, that I could work for since it is such a growing industry.

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Depeche Mode

           This week for study tour class we visited Depeche Mode which is a private label brand in the garment district of New York. Speaking with the design on what it was like to work for a private label was very interesting. It’s amazing to me how fashion and the way things are run in fashion have changed. We talked about companies purchasing product from a private label and being responsible for the pricing, markdown cadence, and damaged or lost items. But 15 to 20 years ago brands would pay to have their collections featured in stores and take responsibility for any financial losses. Yet this method became a problem because smaller could not afford these heavy financial burdens and were beginning to lose money which is the last thing a business wants to happen.

           I was given the opportunity of seeing the spring collection for Loft for the 2019 season and its was incredible to see the process designers go through in order to get to an end product. The photos displayed the trend boards, fabric swatches, color palettes, mood boards, and notes on the why it fits. This is so important to learn from because it demonstrates how there is a purpose behind the process and that it must be well thought in order to get the desired response from customers in the stores. It was interesting to hear Alyson’s story about how she interned at Ann Loft as an associate designer and worked on several projects to help build her experience and work portfolio.  

           I feel that I received very down to earth and realistic advice from everyone we spoke to. I asked the question of whether it matters if a student seeks a job and has been to a top ranking school in a specific industry. To my surprise what matters is not so much the name or the alumni but the person’s work ethic and what they bring to the table to better the company as a whole. This is such a crucial concept to grasp that hard work and a positive attitude go hand in hand with each other. I feel that Mr. Lee gave the best advice so far to us about the industry. He was straight forward, transparent, and to the point about his views.

           Technology has truly changed the fashion industry and made companies adapt to the new ways business is done. We talked about how samples may be a thing of the past because AI and 3-D body scanning will have such accurate body measurements and fit that there will soon be no need for 2 or 3 samples and fittings. Also, we talked about buyers purchasing clothing virtually on animated figures. I admire how the team at Depeche Mode wear several hats whether that is being a designer or working as a product developer. I learned so much from this experience and I can’t wait to see what is in store next.

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WGSN

           This week for study our class was given the opportunity of meeting at WGSN, a trend forecasting company right in times square. It was interesting to see the office space and learn how they build a forecast for the future seasons. As a previous design major and even know I use WGSN a great deal when it comes to creating mood boards, creating my own forecast, and even utilizing the flats to demonstrate a clear example of how my collection of clothes should be built. I learned how they draw inspiration from almost anywhere and work with many other companies such as Disney on projects for the future. This was a bit shocking for me as I assumed that WGSN was mainly a subscription that was being utilized by fashion and beauty brands. Yet, the team there sits down and consult personally with any clients to provide a clearer road map for a brand to expand and move forward.

           I learned more about the people they seek to hire and bring on to their team. WGSN is searching for well driven individuals who have a talent for articulating their thoughts through writing, which is very interesting to me. The team is broken down into several departments such as social media, and design. The teams watch closely to see the global changes that are occurring and chooses to incorporate into the trends. Trend forecasts now have questions towards the front that viewers and clients need to think about when looking through the forecast. I learned how forecasting goes hand in hand with a brand that is seeking to be two steps ahead of the competition.

           As a fashion brand it is very important to invest time and money into discovering the future trends especially if your company is focused on carrying the latest on trend clothing. Another interesting point was the WGSN talking about how they focus solely on their work and don’t worry what other competitors such as Doneger are doing. We spoke about how sustainability is no longer a choice for brands to have it is now a must that is required from the consumer. People especially millennials and gen z are more likely to shop with a brand that have sustainable practices and may use eco-friendly fiber and material.  

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Champion

           This week for study tour I was pleasantly surprised to see the work that is going on at the Champions brand under the Hanes brand group. I enjoyed seeing the initiative their brand is taking to be a more sustainable company logistically and through their fabrics. The team spoke about how they experimented with making Champion hoodies out of coffee beans and other biodegradable material. It was amazing to feel the textures of the fabric and seeing how they were incorporated in the design process. The color forecasting, they do is so advanced, and they take the time to go to car shows, trade shows to get color inspiration which is different. I see that they us the same resources that we use such as Doneger and WGSN to streamline what the future trends and colors will be for future seasons. I asked if they used Pantone as the main way of identifying their colors, but they talked about how they used another company for their colors because they received better reactions and feedback to the color.

           The fabric assistant was able to explain to us how she tries to search for the best fabrics that will satisfy the design team will also catering to the merchants by staying in a specific budget. I think this can be a difficult role to play in as being the medium to satisfying two departments and meeting company goals also. I think the design of Champions has evolved along with the business aspect of the brand. I had the opportunity of seeing the mood boards, trend boards, color stories, and style sheets of current and future collections. The design process is very intensive and can be time consuming when you try to create innovative collections for different customers for other whole sale accounts such as Target. The design team explained the grouping of styles and how they design for their activewear line which is a style in the fashion industry that is quickly expanding.

           Target had someone from Lululemon take over the buyer role at their company and requested that Champion create less basic staple pieces and provide more fashion pieces with prints and interesting cuts. I think that they did a fantastic job tackling this new challenge and created some very interesting stripe, and floral prints. They demonstrated how clothes go from being designed to seeing the final product on the wall which is just amazing to observe. I was always taught not to worry so much about the end product but to learn more about the process of getting to that final product. This allowed me to get an insight into the world of product development and how creating new products assists in growing a brand and taking it to new heights.

     The Champion brand is an iconic brand that has been around for almost 100 years which is a rare gem in the fashion industry. The direction they are moving in is a positive one and I would love to see a collaboration between Champions and an influencer in Target stores. I will be looking more to check to see what the latest things Champions has in the works.

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Bishop Collective

        After visiting the Bishop Collective store and speaking with Professor Mai Vu, I learned that everyone’s situation is different and it all depends on different factors. Many people aspire to have their own fashion companies, but 90% of businesses fail within the first five years with half not making it past the first year of operation. Yet, professor Vu has been running her business for the past six years and continues to flourish expanding her product assortment and supporting up and coming designers. I did not know that the first five years of running a business the government gives small, local businesses generous tax breaks and after those five years if your brand is still failing the government rolls back on the big tax breaks.

           It truly amazes me to hear people talk about the evolution of fashion and how it is moving forward. According to professor Vu in the 1990’s and 2000’s it was taboo for a fashion company to reveal their supplier and now brands are giving transparency to consumers as to whom their supplier is. Many fashion brands look to partner up and do business with ethically sustainable suppliers who give workers a decent living wage, and provide them a safe working environment. Bishop Collective financially supports and partners with socially responsible suppliers that create eco-friendly clothing for clients.  

           Today, several fashion companies look to cater to millennial shoppers, but Bishop Collective seeks to target a different kind of customer. The Bishop Collective customer is woman forty years-old or older, has an established style, and is willing to pay a better price point for quality clothing that will last years. Many times wealthy house wives will stop in to purchase items and get styling tips.

           Professor Mai Vu really focused on how getting higher education like a semesters may not be necessary depending of the field of work you are looking to go into with fashion. She also expressed the importance of having a purpose for your business. I learned that a great deal of time goes into nurturing and building a business sometimes more than 60 plus hours a week. Also, cutting cost in certain areas of the business is so important and helps make room for other things such as purchasing another collection from a new designer. Professor Mai Vu and her business partner take out the trash, buy the products for the store, and even photograph models for their look books. They also only have one sales associate that comes in occasionally to help support the store and its business.

           I enjoyed listening to Professor Mai Vu’s advice and learning about the failures and successes of owning a business. I see how any mistakes are better to make with another company on their dime instead of with your own. It is vital to learn from your mistakes so that way they aren’t repeated later. Learning the beginning stages of a business is so important and helps when starting a business and then expanding further to other locations.  

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Barney’s

Barney Pressman founded Barney’s in 1923 by pawning his wife’s engagement ring and using the money towards opening a 500 square foot men’s discount clothing store on 7th avenue. During the 1930’s, Barney’s used creative marketing tactics such as radio and television to spread brand awareness. Men’s Designer came about from Barney’s son Fred who looked to transition from discount to luxury and did so by carrying men’s collections from Hubert de Givenchy and Pierre Cardin. In the 1970’s, Barney’s expands into the womens wear market and Fred Pressman has his two younger sons Gene and Bob, start to take over the business. Madonna and several other iconic fashion photographers shot many Barney advertisements which put the department store in front of a main stream audience. Barney’s then begins to rapidly expand across the country and in Japan in the 1990’s and early 2000’s. In 2011, Mark Lee was appointed CEO of Barneys and sought to take the company in a more innovative direction.

                       Barney’s seeks to target an older customer, someone who is established in their career and is making well above middle class income. It is more females than males shopping in Barney’s, and there is an abundance of designer label brands at many high price points. Many customers come in for personal shopping and look to enjoy a more one on one experience with the Barney’s associate. Over these last few years, Barney’s has looked to update its brand and begin to reach out to more millennial's by offering online podcasts to listen to and create more open store spaces for customers to interact with the products. They are also collaborating with designers and celebrities to create exclusive collections, curate space, and offer personalized experiences that can only be found at Barney’s. I think the mannequins, experience, and the space layout makes this specialty department so unique.

           Coming into the store I like how you are immediately greeted, and the associates there give you the time to take in and see all the products that they have to offer. I really enjoyed seeing the Moncler Genius layout and seeing the collection that Fendi was offering. I feel that the way the pieces were styled were so different and I would have never thought of dressing someone in a Florentine style with a luxury down jacket. I think they did a great job in getting the message across to customers and really finding a way to capture the customers eye. I think it was brilliant of them to put bright, logo branded products towards the front for presentation. While browsing through the stores, I discovered other brands such as Alia Paris and Derek Lam who I thought offered an interesting assortment. Derek Lam offers clothing that’s mixes masculine and femininity silhouettes in a chic way and Alia had a collection made from the most soft, luxurious European fabrics. The quality of the material is superior which is why the high price point matches well with the top of the line products being offered.

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The Apartment

           This week for our study tour class we visited The Apartment. This brand creates an environment that reminds us of home and seeks to make clients feel relaxed and comfortable when shopping for curated items. Allee explained to us how they partner up with up and coming brands, featuring them in the store. I enjoyed how the store was like a hidden gem you had to go out and find because it wasn’t lined up with the other shops down in the Soho district. Word of mouth is useful is spreading brand awareness and many customers that find this place discover it from other people telling them about their experiences there.

            I have a better understanding of how stores carry curated item. In the beginning I didn’t really get what the difference was between a department store and curated store. Yet, I see that department stores carry a variety of established designer brands at different price points, while a curated store carries more a brands favorite, staple products around similar price points. The products are streamlined and cater to the specific client that comes in to shop at The Apartment. I learned how a brand grows from being a small business with few people doing several jobs to being a more established brand with more stores, and employees to take on different tasks. Allee spoke to us about her career starting in retail and then eventually working as a free lance stylist. This was very interesting to me because I would like to learn where a stylist can start to build their portfolio and branch off to creating their own clientele.

                 I see how the fashion industry is not a one tracked career. People can become designers, buyers, stylists and so much more in the industry. I thought it was very smart of them to let clients know that whatever they see in the store is also what they can get online. I like how many of the products have the price tag removed because the stylist want clients to focus more on the fit and how the clothes make them feel. I enjoyed how the space was setup like an actual apartment and incorporated a bed, tub, kitchen, and everything. I noticed that even the music put you in the mood of relaxation. I see how diverse the fashion landscape is and I’m excited to what more there is to come.

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Atrium Staffing

I learned so much this past week going to Atrium Staffing. I was able to learn about what the agency in does in terms of assisting people in with their job search. I didn’t realize that many of the services that they offer are for free and that Atrium Staffing has several offices located throughout the United States. I feel that many students don’t know that they can use these agencies as a resource to help them secure that ideal full time position. Jenna and the team explained to us how they help people secure temporary to permanent jobs, and permanent jobs.  I was surprised to discover that many candidates who are hired for a temporary job often get offered a permanent position in the end.  This service can definitely help recent college graduate students who are having some difficulties securing a job.

           I enjoyed how the panel spoke about having a clear vision or strategy when it comes to accomplishing your career goals. They asked us to think about specific questions such as what we were looking to gain from at the end of the internship and asking employers to do more at the internship. I never really thought about it that way because usually the only thing students seek to gain from an internship is knowledge and experience. These questions are important ask when looking for internships and then finally securing one. I like how each person on the panel are like cheerleaders for their clients but also help in giving realistic goals and options for them to achieve.

      It’s interesting to learn more about negotiating contracts and ensuring that clients are able to be well compensated for their work. I think teaching more negotiating skills and providing clients with the knowledge on average industry salary is crucial when entering the workforce. As, a young college graduate these skills will help in growing career wise and financially. Jenna spoke about her time at Kent State and what her internship was like at Buckle working for the visual merchandising team. Nicole was also a graduate of Kent State University and spoke about the importance of school connections since Jenna assisted Nicole in getting the role at Atrium Staffing. It seems that many people pick up their things and come to New York to chase their dreams. Another panelist spoke passionately about her time working for Kenneth Cole. I admired how she identified her own personal values with the brands core values. This led her to work for Kenneth Cole for ten years in buying and planning and then shifting to different roles throughout the company.

           It was intriguing to see how so many of the panelist in their early jobs were interviewing candidates for entry level positions, and that this later led them to want to become a recruiter. LinkedIn is a great tool to use to reach out to recruiters, but also when it comes to recruiting the recruiter is working just as hard to sell the brand as you are to sell yourself as the ideal candidate. This experience truly opened my eyes and I look forward to the next visit.

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Thrillist!

This week our study tour class went to Thrillist and it was such an interesting meeting. In the beginning, each of the girls talked about their college experience majoring in communications and writing which is totally different from their roles as social media coordinators and ambassadors. Thrillist and other media networks such as The DoDo are all owned by the The Nine West Group, which is fact that I just discovered. Our first presenter explained how she ran the social media accounts for Sports Illustrated and assisted in it gaining a following on several digital media platforms. Maddie was one the girls that I was super interested in as she was a Kent State alumnus.

         At first, she explained how didn’t really know what she wanted in college and changed her major 3 or 4 times and then finally stuck with a major in writing. From there she went on to get her master’s degree in public relations. I asked her how her master’s degree benefited her when it came to her job search. She spoke about how some of the companies she interviewed for started her at a higher salary because she attained her master’s degree and said it all depends on the profession you want to go in. I found this to be very valuable insight because sometimes it can tricky deciding whether a master’s degree will be beneficial and will help you to make more income in the long run. Maddie also explained how she obtained scholarships that put her through graduate school for free.

           I found this to be very important advice because I am considering taking a year off to save and then go to graduate school to get my MBA. I want to learn just how beneficial a master’s degree is and is it worth getting one. I learned that as a social media coordinator all these women wear different hats working with several free lance writers. Thrillist will write articles on the best restaurants and clubs to go to in New York. So free lance writers will go to these locations and write about the atmosphere and experience there. Afterwards, the social media coordinators review them, and it is then published onto to the Thrillist website.

           Abby explained how she used LinkedIn as a tool to connect with job recruiters. She would reach out to them through LinkedIn in-mail asking them to coffee or seeking any advice they could offer. I think it was super important to learn that LinkedIn can be such a helpful tool when used properly. It’s imperative to build your profile on LinkedIn and market yourself to recruiters.

           From this meeting, I learned that the jobs in social media for a company will continue to grow over the next several years. I saw how these roles came about from the development of Facebook and Instagram. More companies are looking towards social media to connect with customers and build brand awareness. Social media coordinators will begin to play a crucial role in the business model for several companies in the years to come.

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CHAPS Tour

       I enjoyed and learned so much from the study tour trip we had at CHAPS. I was able to hear from someone in product development, design, merchandising, and from the vice president of design. The girls in design both alumni of Kent State University explained how important it was to build connections in the industry because it turns out that the fashion world is a small one where someone always knows someone else. It is vital to utilize our connections from Kent State alum to help get your foot in the door in the industry. From the design perspective, I learned how important it is to tailor your portfolio and present work that is similar to a brand’s DNA. Designers should go to portfolio showcases where hundreds of employers look over their designs and samples. When it comes down to the title you can still get the job you desire weather you have a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelors of Fine Arts degree. I realized how both ladies were hungry coming to New York and wanting to work for a fashion brand, they both came and stayed with friends and took buses to New York for interviews until they secured the right opportunity.

          The Merchandising field is usually broken up into specific segments such as a buyer, planner, or visual merchandiser and each position does a certain job. I was pleasantly surprised to her that the Merchandisers at CHAPS work through a collection life cycle, from the beginning of design to the end when the merchandise arrives at the stores. The merchandise team coordinates with design to see the developed stages of a collection and give data on what styles sold well and which styles did poorly. We were given the opportunity of going into one the design rooms were they layout different inspirations collages, prints, and fabric for each month of the upcoming season. I realized in the merchandising field it is important to use excel as this program assists in calculating 6 month plans and assortment sheets.

           It was interesting to hear about the duties of the product developer. She explained how easy it was to work for a high-end company and source fabrics and trims since there was a larger budget that was utilized.  CHAPS is a bit different their clothing is positioned at a specific price point because the brand caters to a certain target market. It is her job to satisfy the designers bringing their visions to life but also staying within in the brands budget which can be a bit challenging.

What resonated with me was the panel speaking about what they look for in candidates seeking to join CHAPS. Potential candidates should be hardworking, passionate, and be willing to constantly learn. This was such as amazing experience to see the environment all these wonderful women work in and getting the opportunity to see the showroom with some of the latest fashions CHAPS has to offer buyers. From this I learned how all these operations go hand in hand with each other and each person works tirelessly in making CHAPS a successful brand

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Heavenly Bodies Met

        I was truly amazed at the craftsmanship and design that went into creating the different garments featured in the “Heavenly Bodies” exhibit. The headpieces were so extravagant and the fabrics that were used exemplified luxury at its finest. Several of the designers displayed the cross in the designs of their garments or with jewelry that complimented the ensemble. The atmosphere the Met created was unbelievable, to see the golden gates, hanging angels in the foyer, and the pit with the choir singing hymns. A lot of thought and effort went into creating the perfect space that correctly represented the Catholic church. Designers such as the Fontana Sisters created a sleek black dress with red buttons and a golden cross necklace to convey the look of the Catholic woman. Much attention was given to detail on many of the looks displayed weather it was intricate beading or designs displayed through the threading of the fabric. In the Catholic church the Mitre is a headpiece that is worn by prominent priests and bishops that have a great deal of power. The Mitre was featured in the exhibit with embellished, encrusted stones. Many designers took inspiration from Cities such as Florence and Paris where the Vatican City and the Notre Dame are historical landmarks for the Catholic church. I think that designers such as Dior and Yves Saint Laurent were interested in different aspects of the catholic church and interpreted and presented that message in unique ways.  Valentino created a red dress with a deep, plunging scoop neckline and a train that was long enough to fit someone of royalty.          Dior created a breath taking white tulle gown for the exhibition. The mannequin had beautiful white curly hair which stood out to me because so many other mannequins had either a long straight back hairstyle or pinned up in a bun. The dress had a light brown fabric underneath with the sheer white tulle covering it. The embroidery on the gown was so detailed and contrasted so well against the light airy fabric. The butterfly wings and the gold crown on top portrays a delicate, yet angelic woman. It was refreshing to see how Dior utilized white for the catholic theme since many other designers used black, gold, and red as their color of choice. Dior is a fashion house that is innovative and is known for creating styles and silhouettes that can stand the test of time. Dior’s creative director, Maria Grazia Chiuri designed a statement piece for the exhibition from the crown all the way to the train of the gown.         Rihanna graced the Met Gala with an outstanding look dressing similar to the Bishops of the Catholic church. Maison Margiela created this stunning outfit using a Mitre as a headpiece and a waist-length cape. John Galliano embroidered the whole dress, cape, and headpiece in beads and jewels using a crème and black color. Rihanna aimed high and did not disappoint when it came to the theme of the Met Gala.

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A Fashionable Hunt

The first impressions that come to mind when you hear the words “the garment district” are interns running up and down the long blocks of New York City carrying bolts of fabric for the next season. I envisioned many sewing factories where workers are putting in 10 plus hours to create amazing collections for designer labels. I can see some of the many Project Runway contestants running through Mood grabbing different fabrics to use for the current challenge. This is a fashion paradise for many interns and industry professionals because many brands plant their flagships and stores here and the area is solely dedicated to providing materials such as fabric, trims, and buttons. After the scavenger hunt, I was pleasantly surprised to see how different my assumptions were from what the reality is.

           It was a shock to see how many small fabric stores there are within the garment district. Walking one block east of the school you see 3 or 4 small fabric stores on each side of the street, and stores that strictly sell a vast array of buttons, threads, and trims. I imagined the garment district to be a small and tighter knit area but I was mistaken, the district is huge stretching a 20 or 30 blocks. There are so many opportunities to take advantage of the sample sales and wholesale vendors in the district. Walking by some of the stores, I was able to pass by a few factories and see the workers sectioned off in several areas working on cutting, sewing, and pressing garments.

I had the opportunity of going into Mood Fabrics store and it was an eye opening experience. There are three floors of fabrics with different types of textures and design, and I was able to swatch a few samples to keep. I watched Project Runaway all the time, and on the show they have a dog named swatch at the Mood store, I was able to pet swatch when I came in. I was in awe to see the unused fabrics that Versace or Tom Ford gave away to Mood to sell.  Additionally, I was able to visit Lord  & Taylor for the first time ever. I like the setup of the department store it reminds me a lot of Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue. I heard about the department store for several years but never saw the inside of a Lord & Taylor. After visiting Lord & Taylor, my group and I stopped into Paper Presentations and searched around to see what products the store had to offer. The store had so many unique greeting cards, journals, and agendas. It was also nice to the large button and needle a few blocks down from the school where brands such as Ross have their headquarters one block over.

I enjoyed taking the time to explore my surroundings and see the endless services provided to fashion industry professionals. I want to engage more in the fashion community here in New York City and build connections starting in the garment district.