#10 - Choice

For my last entry, I have decided to reflect upon my experience creating and writing a blog over the past few months:

Writing was always a hobby of mine, however, blogging never seemed to interest me. When I first read our class syllabus, I was shocked that it was an assignment to create and maintain a blog. 

Writing a blog entry each week was never something I could see myself do, let along enjoy. However, I have proved my self wrong. I have enjoyed each and every step of the process. It has opened my eyes to see how influential the world of blogging can be. It is a great way to stay updated as well as a great way to network. 

Each blog entry assigned was so broad, that I was able to pick and choose a topic that interested me. This blog, along with my class, has taught me new vocabulary, websites, and researching tools. It has opened up a new faucet of fashion for me. 

#9 - New Show Formats

On November 10th 2010, Ralph Lauren and his team created an innovative piece combining art, fashion and technology. Noted as "The World's First 4-Deminsinal Experience," Lauren created a new format for fashion shows. The event was to honor and celebrate the tenth anniversary of their online shop. The spectacular show was projected on the outer wall of Ralph Lauren's store on Madison Avenue. 

I first saw this video in the Fall of 2010 during my Intro to Fashion Business pre college course at FIT. I was blown away watching this near ten minute presentation. I can not imagine all the thought and work that must have went into this project. The end result turned out to be completely mind blowing and memorable.

Check out the full presentation below to see for yourself!

#8 - Lookbooks

Lookbooks allow a designer to showcase their latest looks in photographs. It almost serves as a diary or portfolio for the designer since it shows how their designs and clothing evolve from season to season. 

On Marc Jacobs' website, there are multiple links to various past lookbooks. The most recent women's lookbook showcased the looks from Marc Jacobs' A/W 2012 RTW show. All the looks are photographs straight from the runway. The clothes and the show it self looked beautiful and interesting. Check out the entire lookbook below!

#7 - Trunk Shows

 

A trunk show is a special sale where vendors and designers are able to present and preview their merchandise directly to store personnel or select customers before it is made available to the public. Trunk Shows are particularly popular in the bridal industry. January through May is considered the "Bridal Trunk Show" season. Kleinfeld is a bridal shop famous for its seasonal trunk shows. The store has been widely popularized through the TLC program, "Say Yes to the Dress." It is the go-to shop for brides looking for their dream gown. 

Below is their calendar of trunk shows for dresses as well as accessories for the months of April, May and June. For more information click here.

#6 - Runway Visuals

All aboard! Marc Jacobs has truly out done himself this time. Before even knowing what beautiful garments and handbags were going to be showcased in less than fifteen minutes, the audience was captivated by a train. Thats right, a life size train that "choo-chooed" and everything! As Louis Vuitton's A/W 2012 show commenced, a gorgeous train swept right over the runway, leaving only a trail of fog behind.

Keeping with the time period and theme of the show, each model elegantly stepped off the train, escorted with their own porter to carry their bags and luggage. The Victorian inspired clothing fit right along and were all constructed magnificently. The train truly embodied the theme of the show and set the mood.

 Check out the video below to the the full runway show.

#5 - Blogger's Choice

Being in my first year at FIT has opened so many doors for me, big and small. I came across huge opportunities like volunteering at several fashions shows. However, I appreciate the little things I have access to at FIT. While doing research for a project, I stumbled across the library and learned about various fashion databases such as Style Sight, Fashion Snoops and WGSN. As I explored these sites and more, I came across an article from WGSN that I found truly Interesting. It describes how current music videos are influencing fashion trends. I was only aware of two of the videos but I was very aware of the trends they've unknowingly created. 

The first trend is noted as "Dapper Don." It is basically a monochromatic, classy, clean, tailored look. The trend has been revealed through videos by Eugene McGuiness and Willy Moon. Both these heavy stylized videos allows the artist to take on a new role through their clothing. This look could  very likely signal a new direction for modern menswear.

The second trend noticed from new music videos is defined by WGSN as "painterly." Gotye’s "Somebody That I Used To Know,"  showcases colorful backgrounds and prints/patterns that could easily be transformed into a print for a top, skirt, dress, tie, virtually anything!

Furthermore, WGSN looks to M.I.A.'s "Bad Girls" video for Middle Eastern influence, or how they put it, "Middle Eastern swagger." The video was shot in Ouarzazate, Morocco and is essentially a party in the desert. WGSN refers to the fashions in this video as an "achingly cool Hyper-culture mash-up."

The last trend WGSN spots comes not only from music videos, but also from the iPhone app, Instagram. The app allows you to transform your pictures into beutiful vintage looking pieces of art. New York-based band, A Place to Bury Strangers, made their newest music video entirely from Instagram photos. This could lead to more vintage and bohemian looks in the future.

Source: http://libproxy.fitsuny.edu:2269/content/report/Think_Tank/Youth_Think_Tank/2012/February/music_video_trendsaesthetic.html

#4 - Fashion Reporter's Language

In this industry, it is vital that you are up-to-date on all vocabulary and language. It can take your blog entries to another level, enabling the reader to visualize what you are talking about. A great blog about all things fashion is "On the Runway." Cathy Horyn in particular, uses her distinct language and honesty to describe to the reader what she likes and what she doesn't, showing both, the negative and positive aspects of fashion.

Blog entry by Cathy Horyn:

1. SILHOUETTE & DESIGN

-Long sleeveless coat dress

-Emphasized tailoring

-Cropped jackets 

-Mid-calf skirts 

-Belted coats

-Fitted


2. DETAILS

-Bandit eyes 
-Backs of coats

-Fronts of sleeveless jackets

-Cuffs of cropped trousers

-Embellished

-Bright, clownish platform

-Clusters of chunky beadwork 

3. COLOR

-Huge, richly colored carpet

-Solids

-Multiple hues

4. FABRIC

-Wool

-Jacquards 

-Silk prints

-Geometric pattern

-Overlapping squares

  
5. CREATIVE “JARGON” 

-"Strange creatures"

-"Otherworldly"

-"Fierce"

-"Jivey look of the late 1960s or early ’70s"

-"Normal kind of eccentric"