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Splendid

This week was the final study tour trip to close out the semester. Alongside my classmates, I attended a presentation for Splendid from two employees at the Delta Galil headquarters here in NYC.

Similarly to Majesty Brands, Splendid is another wholesale company that works with many brands we know and love, Converse and Florence by Mills are just a few of many. However, they also have their own brand that they sell under. Initially the company started as a small brand looking to create the perfect fitting tee, but once bought by Delta Galil, their clothing range became much larger.

It was really interesting to hear our presenters discuss how they trend forecast in preparation for new collections. There is a whole process of selecting colors, textiles, and silhouettes that will fit the upcoming seasons. In the fall they capitalize on thick knits and sweaters, whereas the spring is focused on woven materials.

It was a really great experience to have, as I was able to get a sense of how the company runs and their wide range of business. There were even a few other employees that came to say hello, some who had recently been hired and another who was a Kent State alum.

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Majesty Brands

This week I attended a short lecture at Majesty Brands, a sock and loungewear wholesaler based in New York. The company makes and sells its own products, pitching to companies like TJMax and Marshalls. They have also acquired the licensing for many companies, which essentially means that they collaborate with other businesses to make socks under that brand's name. It is a very interesting process because as a wholesaler, they pitch directly to other businesses instead of owning their own retail stores.

Aside from just learning about the company itself, the presentation was given by Majesty's HR and Marketing representatives, so we had the opportunity to ask questions about what they look for in young employees. It was nice to learn from them because they had so much advice and guidance to give us.

We also got to take a walk through the office, meeting some of the design team and product development team along the way. There were so many different showrooms hosting hundreds of different sock designs and styles, made for different companies like Frye, Splendid, and Born. It was a really nice experience overall, and I feel like I learned a lot about another side of the fashion industry that wasn't super familiar to me before.

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Kleinfeld

Today I went with my class to Kleinfeld Bridal for a tour of their famous space (featured in Say Yes to the Dress) down town. The two executive assistants, Carlos & Caitlyn walked us around each of the departments within the store.

In most cases at Kleinfeld Bridal, brides come in and buy dresses up to a year before their wedding so that the alterations and fitting teams can work their magic. As we saw in the alterations studio, they have around 1000 dresses for upcoming brides that are set up to be altered at any given time.

We also got to see the backroom with all of the stocked wedding dresses that each of the consultants pull out at will for individual clients. It was so full inside that I can't even imagine grabbing multiple at a time and simultaneously waking through the aisles.

What stood out to me was the special room that they have for religious brides. It is much more protected and there is one main consultant that works one on one with these women. Although I am not religious myself, it is amazing to see inclusivity in the bridal space.

Overall, it was a very interesting experience. The way Kleinfeld sets up their space and work with clients make it a one stop shopping experience for all brides. As someone who is not as familiar with the bridal fashion, it was cool to be shown a different side of the industry.

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Urban Outfitters

This week, we went to explore an Urban Outfitters store location here in NYC. Urban was a popular clothing chain among my peers from early teens and even now in the present day. The brand does a really amazing job of playing into a sense of youthful, relaxed and fun attitudes. They do this by playing into changing fashion trends, giving consumers the feeling of individuality and expression.

Urban Outfitters caters to a wide age demographic with their various store displays. In some areas, there are more flowy boho-chic dresses and skirts, versus other displays featuring streetwear clothes and even lingerie/underwear. Everyone can find something there that speaks to them, whether you are 13 or 25.

Within the past few years, the brand leaned into the wants of style-conscious shoppers to open "Reclectic," a concept store within the main Urban Outfitters chains that focuses on secondhand, lightly damaged, or discounted items. It is really cool to see that Urban is trying to make some changes, especially because their business model (focused on evolving trends) taps into many fast fashion practices that go against what many Gen Z people are rooting for these days.

As part of this visit, we were tasked with creating a look of our choice, styled head to toe with 5 items from the Urban Outfitters collection. I had fun putting this little outfit together because I wanted to make an outfit that I could wear for the summer coming up. I wanted to mix in pops of color from the plaid skirt and I think using all primary colors balanced out the outfit quite nicely. Of course, I had to top off the outfit with a NY Yankees baseball cap because I am in New York City after all.

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The Met

This week, my class and I went to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Although I have been before, the museum is so large that you could spend days in there without getting bored. Our ticket included a special visit to a special exhibition on chinoiserie, so that was the first stop before exploring on my own around the museum.

The chinoiserie exhibit was absolutely stunning, boasting artifacts from the late 17th century and on. Art museums are always so fascinating because it is really unbelievable that we get to see all of these old-timey antique pieces up close.

After walking through the first exhibit, I veered off with two of my classmates and we stumbled upon a section of the museum displaying different types of armor and swords. Many of these artifacts were from the 17th-19th centuries. I especially payed attention to the armor because every piece was so detailed with decorative etchings in the metal or had other alloys added in. As a jewelry minor, I find myself drawn to pieces that show special craftsmanship with metal.

Overall, I think my visit to the Met was very successful. I definitely intend to go back soon to continue exploring around the museum. The vast collection in the Met make it very enticing and inspiring.

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Harry Potter Store NYC

This week I had the pleasure of meeting my classmates downtown to check out the Harry Potter flagship store here in New York. I was always fascinated by Harry Potter as a kid, as it is a fantastical world of magic that I got to immerse myself in.

Upon entering the store, it was clear that the displays targeted different themes represented throughout the fictional series. There were sections about the house sorting, magic wands, Honeyduke's candy shop, and even special effects studios for kids and adults alike to experience a ride on a broomstick. This visual merchandising makes the store seem like a museum. Within the store, there are also some of the authentic props that circulate between the 3 Flagship locations: NYC, London, and Tokyo.

On our walk through tour, I found out that many of their items are specific to the NYC store and cannot be found at the London or Japan studio locations. Thousands of fans come from all over the world to obtain the exclusive wand or special collector pins. The NYC flagship store is also the only location in the United States that can sell authentic butterbeer, as seen in the movies.

Overall this study tour session at the Harry Potter store was very fun and immersive, fulfilling a part of my childhood. We were even lucky enough to get a taste of butterbeer ice cream, which was as sweet as the whole experience. Hopefully I will get to go back before the semester ends.

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Cotton Inc.

Today I was able to attend an informational lecture at Cotton Incorporated in Midtown. This presentation was about trend forecasting and how the Cotton Inc. team does their research to display to other companies. Fashion forecasting is a huge part of the industry, as it helps companies identify what is next; it welcomes the beginning of a new season.

We were introduced to a woman named Aubrey, who works on the trend forecasting team. She walked us through some of the brand's history as well as a few of her experiences working at Cotton Inc. The Non-Profit company started in 1970. They have multiple offices from New York to Shanghai, but their main headquarters is in Cary, North Carolina.

At Cotton Inc., forecasting happens 18-24 months in advance; it is pretty sensational to think about what the world will be wearing 2 years from now. And, in order to uncover these future trends, the fashion forecasting team gets to travel the world as a part of their research. These trips help the team get a better sense of color, pattern, and mood for potential trend reports.

A big part of the investigative process is getting a sense of the current world market. Each trip has a budget, where the traveling forecaster can shop and acquire different textiles that supports their analysis.

This career path is definitely an interesting one and it was very cool to learn about it from an industry professional. There are so many career paths in fashion and presentations like these are really helpful not only for knowledge, but for narrowing down what my future path could look like.

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Nordstrom's Talk with Jamie

This week I was lucky enough to be part of a talk with Jamie, a representative of the Project Management Office (PMO) at Nordstrom's. She walked us through her experience, boasting over 10 years of dedication to the company.

Jamie explained the benefits of staying in a corporate company like Nordstrom's, the main one being that she works remotely. Though not all companies do this, she is lucky enough to work from almost anywhere in the world. In fact, as a fully remote worker, Jamie has never met her manager in person (or most of her PMO team for that matter), despite having worked in her position for the last four years.

When asked about her job title and workload, she explained that as a Project Management Employee she has the opportunity to work with other teams in the company. This position allows her to be exposed to many areas of the business and get a better understanding of Nordstrom's network and values. By fully grasping the ways of the company, Jamie and the rest of her team can help improve ways of working for themselves and other teams, in turn improving the company overall.

As a student, I am unsure of the direction I want to go after I graduate, whether that is a handmade, small business setting or a corporate one like Jamie. Having this talk with her was really helpful in getting a better sense of corporate life. Hopefully with her words of wisdom and maybe some field experience, I can decide what direction is most fitting for me.

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The Coterie Fashion Tradeshow

This past Tuesday I was able to attend the Coterie Fashion Tradeshow at the Javits Center here in New York. As my first tradeshow experience, I wasn't sure what to expect going in. Upon entering there were hundreds of different brands with booths of their inventory. The space was absolutely massive and definitely daunting at first.

I walked around and allowed myself to find an aisle to walk down, gravitating to certain booths that appealed to me. One company that was alluring was called Ledome, a Seoul based company hosting a variety of minimalistic silhouettes with fine details and high quality. The display of the booth was very clean and displayed multiple collection pieces as well as a physical portfolio book for buyers (and us students) to flip through.

I also walked by one of my most favorite stores: Desigual. When I stumbled upon their booth, I had very positive reaction and the salespeople were immediately interested in talking me through the latest collection as well as some of the brand's history. Based out of Barcelona, Desigual has been an active company for over 40 years. They have a focus on funky patterns and mixing textures in their clothing. I grew up stealing different Desigual pieces from my moms closet, so it definitely felt like a full-circle moment.

Overall, going to this tradeshow was a very positive experience. I feel like I learned a lot about various companies and was able to make deeper connections with brands that I already knew.

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NYES

Alongside my study tour classmates, I was given the opportunity to visit the New York Embroidery Studio today. At first glance, I noticed that the machinery in their studio is expansive, ranging from old fashioned embroidery machines to Hot-Fix machines. We were shown a plethora of sample work that they created; there were so many options, my favorite being the new 3D printing techniques on fabric.

As we went on our tour, we were given a rundown of all of the different machines that allow for a range of stitch types. Each section of the studio was set up for specific types of bespoke work; one section was solely for laser cutting, another for embossing, and even fabric/metal engraving. It was all fascinating to see in person, as many of these machines are very expensive and uncommon.

My favorite thing about the company though, is the open minded attitude that they have in terms of clientele. As with many specialty factory services in New York, NYES provides services to huge brands that we all know and love but they also encourage young and upcoming designers to work with them. I think this is an amazing approach to business and love the fact that at any point in the near future I could easily reach out and work with them.

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The Museum of Broadway

Today I had the absolute pleasure of experiencing the Museum of Broadway. Though I never directed my interests on theatre growing up, this exhibit was very interesting nonetheless. There were so many musicals that I was introduced to that I had never heard of, including Ziegfeld Follies, Hair, and Company.

Right off the bat, you could just tell the decades of history and grandeur through each room's design. Many musicals that had made great impact on the industry throughout time were given their own rooms, displaying various notes, posters, and even original costumes. The design of all of the displays helped immerse me into the world of each show all while incorporating authentic stage props; West Side Story was my favorite set as I was sent back to the 1950s while an upbeat jazz score played in the background.

In many cases, people think of Broadway and immediately associate it with the actors and actresses that play their favorite characters. Though valid, there is a whole other side of musical theatre that many audiences don't get to see: behind the scenes. The museum had multiple amazing displays, detailing the audio and visual processes, as well as stage lighting, and even set design. It was truly incredible to visualize exactly what the AV people see when manipulating technology directed at the stage.

Unsurprisingly, people come from all over the world to visit Broadway and experience musicals live. It is so popular that in many cases, there are waiting lists for upcoming shows. And, after wandering through the museum, I not only have a newfound appreciation for live theatre but I hope to see a show on Broadway at some point before I leave New York.

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M&S Schmalberg

Today I had the pleasure of visiting M&S Schmalberg alongside my class. For those who don't know of this company, they make gorgeous flowers out of fabrics in any shape, color, or textile. They are a 4th generation family owned business that was created in 1916, located in the heart of the garment district.

Before we start it is imperative that you get a brief history lesson as it directly contributes to the companies creation; the dress of the late 1800's moving into the next century was characterized by billowing fabric and decorative ornamentation. Along with this was the addition of feathers and decorative florals that women could use to dress up their fashion. When M&S Schmalberg started in the early 20th century, there were over 400 feather and flower manufacturers in the United States. However, seeing as times have changed greatly, they are one of the last floral studios of their kind. This is what makes them so special.

Though many people may not know them by name, they have most likely seen their floral creations on celebrities, at the Met Gala, and in NYFW shows. They have even made contributions to shows like Bridgerton and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Despite this high level of success in fashion and cinema, the factory has remained a quaint and comfortable space for many employees, some of which have been proud to work there for over 40 years.

The process of creating these flowers is simpler than you may think, especially with the help of machinery and technology. It starts off with a textile that is cut into panels and soaked in starch. The material is then stretched on wooden frames to dry. Later on, the material is folded numerous times to speed up the cutting process. Using a press and a flower shaped cutter (picture a Christmas cookie cutter), flat petals are created through a series of stamping movements. These flat petals are transferred into molds and compacted with the help of a hydraulic press to become more three dimensional. Lastly, the finished petals are stacked and fluffed in many different ways with infinite combinations to make any flower that is desired.

Attending this factory visit was very inspiring in many ways. As a design student myself, I was able to glance into the world of hands-on creativity and exploration. The company is rich in history and family values that help keep it alive, as well as a passion for the arts that will never die.

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Dover Street Market

Today I had the opportunity to tour a special clothing market here in NYC known as the Dover Street Market. Nestled on the corner of 30th and Lexington, the building's facade did not give any indication of what I would experience inside.

As I walked in, I was quickly hit with many incredible visuals; branded displays hosting a wide variety of clothing silhouettes and colors. Along with my class, I made my way up to the top floor to start walking through the space. On each floor I visited, there was a sales associate there to explain the contents of each floor. Every brand/independent designer had displays specifically designed to help the consumer understand the brand's vision and create an alluring presence.

Throughout my tour, I noticed that this market is catering to a very specific demographic. Every brand or independent designer in the market was selling at a luxury price point. But, it wasn't just that aspect that caught my eye; though on the luxury side of fashion, some of the designers were names I had never heard of like Jiyong Kim and Chopova Lowena. Clearly the buyers for this company were aiming to please highly unique customers with an eye for fashion and quality. In addition to the lesser known designers, bigger luxury brands such as Alaia, Jaquemus, Prada, and Comme des Garcons had a large presence.

My favorite floor however, was actually underground in the basement. I gravitated toward the bottom level, as there were so many unique and colorful pairs of shoes. The visual layout was grand and enticed me to walk closer to further inspect the merchandise.

Overall, its clear that the Dover Street Market is an amazing resource for design students like myself, as I can take inspiration from silhouettes and interact with sales associates, but also better understand store layout and enticing visual displays.