Guess Who’s in New York!

[samanthainnewyork]

This past week we visited the Harry Potter store. I was honestly excited, I liked Harry Potter way to much as a kid. It was a really immersive experience, you could see how much they thought out the store.

The guy that showed us around was great! He knew so much, and seemed really excited to show us everything. The candy section was great, it had this giant chocolate frog that would ribbit and that made me giggle. They had a butterbeer section too, where you were able to sample. Something really cool was they had this little rinse station so that you could take the cups home. I thought it was a really nice feature that showed they thought of their guests

We got taken upstairs to a ticket only section, which was cool too! It was decorated like Kings Cross station and was part of an immersive, virtual reality experience, which they have two of. That was actually nice to learn about, because they seem like really interesting and new experiences.

[samanthainnewyork]

Last week the class visited a jewelry manufacturer based in the city. I was not able to attend because I was sick, so I’ll be describing another New York based jewelry manufacturer. CadCamNYC is a twenty year old manufacturer based in Midtown that has a focus in 3D printing.

CAD stands for computer-aided design, and CAM stands for computer-aided model, that being incorporated into their name really shows how important it is to their process. The 3D model of the ring increases the speed of jewelry production because it acts as the basis for the real piece of jewelry. CadCam has a special focus on custom pieces because of this. They’re able to create the mock-ups quickly and fiscally efficiently, so their custom pieces can be cheaper then buying a piece from a traditional retail store.

They have a great quality craftsmanship, which is what customers are charged for. They actually don’t charge markup for gems or metals, only for the labor their craftspeople provide. They have no minimum orders, so one-off pieces like engagement rings can be completely custom made. CadCam also encourages visits to their showroom to work with designers on a style, which allows customers to be hands-on throughout the entire process.

[samanthainnewyork]

This pas week we visited the MET! This was my second time there (besides that one time I went when I was like thirteen,) and I really loved it. The costume exhibit was quite beautiful, I liked the upstairs part the most because I felt like it really embodied Americana. It felt very Midwest with the quilting and sweaters and things like that. Downstairs there were outfits that corresponded to a word and we had a lot of fun deciding whether or not they represented that word well or not.

We then visited the Asian art galleries and those were, in my opinion, the most well themed galleries in the museum. There was this beautiful Japanese garden that we spent some time in. We looked at some of the Asian garments that they had up as well as just the other art in the galleries. They were probably the least populated of the galleries, which is a shame because they where very pretty, but it was quite calming.

[samanthainnewyork]

Last week we had a guest speaker from Nordstrom. She was great! She’s worked in so many different positions within the organization, telling us that they even encourage moving within to get a new perspective and perhaps find a job they enjoy more. She had started in the online space, being an imperative part of the brand’s transition into becoming a large player online. She talked about working with the Hautelook acquisition and how sometimes things were just kind of thrown at her and she had to figure out how to get them up on the site within a certain timeframe. It sounded like a lot, but like a good thing if you like a challenge and being able to do something different everyday.

She’s transitioned into a different position now, where she’s part of a bit of a smaller team. She told us about the challenges that she’s had when working from home like not getting to see people and having a bit of trouble with a work life balance. However, she also told us about the perks! If you can strike that right balance it’s great because you can better prioritize when to work and when not to. You could schedule doctors appointments and things like that, allowing you to have more time in the day to do things that are important besides work. I think it’s so interesting to hear how working has changed in these past couple years and how, she’s adjusted into a new working environment.

[samanthainnewyork]

Two weeks ago we visited Splendid, a company that was originally known for their t-shirts, that’s branched into basics with a twist. It was very exciting to hear that they’re currently getting ready to launch their new line, which is focused on comfortable loungewear. They showed us some design boards, which I liked because I always think it’s interesting how people get their inspiration. They had an interior design photo that they picked a majority of their colors from, including this super cool greenish, more chartreuse color.

There were actually quite a few companies in the building, so it was nice to hear how Splendid kind of interacted and meshed with those companies as well. Obviously, they’re all separate, but hearing how they knew people from previous jobs they worked and were able to reconnect in this area was so cool! It really shows how small the industry is and how connected it all is. I think that I’ll be reaching out to see about remote internships for the summer, and seeing if they have anything in childrens wear that might be a good fit for me.

[samanthainnewyork]

Last week we visited Artiza on Fifth Avenue.

They had these beautiful window displays with these blue birds, which I thought was eye-catching because Artiza, from what I already knew, was quite earth-toned based. They’re a Canadian-based company, which is interesting because I’m from around Detroit, so we have the bridge to Canada right by me. They apparently have very few physical stores in the U.S., but they are rapidly expanding.

We were able to speak to a couple of employees while there, who were honestly so exceptionally knowledgeable about the store. They had lots of information about the brand, where it’s going, and how they got started in the company. I do wish they hadn’t fluffed up the sustainability and, as one of them put it, how good they are to their workers. While I do believe they are good to the people in-store, and in the offices, and I think it’s great that they kept people on during the pandemic, they do use unethical labor practices in creating their clothes. Obviously, I don’t expect them to tell us as guests about that, but I wouldn’t have had the red flag go off if they weren’t so talkative about how good they are to their people. Regardless, I did learn more about the company, especially because I went in with little knowledge besides the leather pants.

This is another in-store display, and I will say they are successful in creating a cool environment to shop in.

[samanthainnewyork]

Last week we went to the flagship store for Diane Von Furstenberg. I was incredibly excited for this, because as a teenager my mom and I watched House of DVF, a competition reality show about working with Diane. The most recognizable piece was the staircase, a part that I remembered from the show, which is covered in newsprint, all of the headlines being about Diane, good and bad.

We visited the fourth floor and got to see designs and patterns for the next season. We also got to see their showroom, which was cool, and the main floor which had the art gallery and the main store. On the main floor they let us pick out things that we thought were the top sellers, I chose two, very seventies looking tops.

The gallery was filled with beautiful portraits of important women throughout history. They had a little contest to see who could name the most women, and Venice and I won! I was very excited about it because I’m one, very competitive, and two had really wanted to read her book which was the prize. I haven’t started it yet because I’m in the middle of another book, but I’m super excited to!

[samanthainnewyork]

This week we went to Dover Street Market, a designer retail shop, that sells multiple designers, but definitely specializes in Comme des Garcons. I’ve never been in a store like that before, designer stores usually make me feel quite uncomfortable. I definitely get that spotlight syndrome effect, where it feels like employees are constantly staring at me; however, I didn’t feel like that at Dover. The employees were incredibly nice, welcoming, and willing to help. When we finished the tour and went back upstairs, the people that had previously spoken to the class asked how we liked it, and started talking to us about New York.

The above pieces were my favorite! The flower jacket with the matching flower purse in front is adorable, and I loved the displays. They have lots of unique displays throughout, this one was displayed on a long, curvy, purple pole, and I thought it was a very eye-catching way to display one of their up-and-coming designers.

Above are two jackets from Comme des Garcons’ collection, and I didn’t even know that I liked his designs. These were gorgeous though! The neon colors against the black, with the huge, loud patterns, on an oversized jacket. I love how they’re presented as well, on these big, bell-shaped mannequins.

They did have children’s wear sections scattered throughout, which was interesting to me because I’m going to own my own children’s wear brand. I don’t believe that I’ll be selling at Dover, I don’t think that I will be able to meet their price point, which is quite funny to me. My clothes will be on the higher end because I plan on using fair labor, but I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to sell a child’s outfit for $300 like a couple of their brands were. With all that said, I can’t wait to go back and try on outfits, to feel like I’m super rich.

[samanthainnewyork]

This week we visited M and S Flower Factory, they’re a fabric flower manufacturer. This was honestly so cool, to be able to see really well made faux flowers was something I didn’t realize I had never seen. I’m used to seeing the ones in Michael’s or from the Dollar Tree, so it was so cool to realize that there’s a high-end side of it. They’re a family run business that’s always specialized in fabric flowers, and it’s great to see the legacy continue.

They’ve done lots of significant work, making the Sex and the City flower, they were currently working on an order for Vera Wang, and the one that stood out to me was that they did all the flowers for the Gilded Age. I called my mom as soon as I left to tell her because she loves that show!

They have ready-to-ship flowers, as well as custom flowers. The custom part of their business is so interesting because they will use any fabric you bring them. I just think it’s be so sweet to have a bouquet of flowers for your wedding day made from wedding gowns your family members have. He talked about doing stuff like that previously and it really strikes a cord with people.

They make the flowers by choosing a cutter, using a huge machine to press down and cut it out, then choosing a mold to press the flower into to give the flower details and shape. After that they glue the pieces together and hang to dry. Again, I had just never thought about the process that fabric flowers go through, and I don’t know how else they would make it, but I couldn’t believe that these ladies were just sitting at a table hand-glueing these pieces together. They fold pieces into a bulb and layer and layer, each flower having a unique construction, some more complicated than others.

[samanthainnewyork]

This week we visited the New York Embroidery Studio. We started by looking through previous samples that they’d made, this Juicy one being my favorite

It was made by a machine that stands thread on its head and then is shaved down to create a 3D, fuzzy texture. I want to use it, like if I can work it into a collection I absolutely will. I’m a children’s wear designer, and I think that’d just be amazing for a children’s wear application.

As we got started on the tour, the man showing us around was great! Apologies for forgetting his name, but he would pull out samples for us, encourage us to take pictures, and describe each individual machine. They had this wall of sewing machine that each did a specific type of braiding, ruffling, and all different types of trims and fabric manipulations. They have an insane amount of embroidery machines that everyone was working on as well.

He told us about all the grommets and and embellishments they had as well. I didn’t know that each shape needed a different machine to put them in, apparently they would shatter if placed under the wrong machine. Here’s a selection of just a few of the embellishments they had. 

This was a really useful place to know about, and very interesting place to visit. I learned about machines I didn’t even know about, and techniques I didn’t know were possible.

[samanthainnewyork]

This week I was able to help behind the scenes at the Tanner Fletcher show! It was a really exciting experience, I emailed about 50 PR teams (not exaggerating) to see if they had any space available and luckily they got back to me. This was my first Fashion Week show, and I could not have asked for a better experience.

This was actually a presentation, as opposed to a show, so there were three different living room vignettes set up in the hotel that it took place at. The models would sit/stand around while everyone was able to view the clothes, drink, and talk to designers. The space was amazing, matched the 70s vibe of the collection perfectly. One side was the backstage area, the middle was where the set was set up, and the other end was a bar. It lent itself well to mingling and the crowd could walk down toward the bar and view more and more outfits.

I was originally supposed to be a floater, answering questions any guests might have while the other members of the team scanned tickets. However, one of the dressers did not show, so I was repositioned to dress models and to grab them throughout the show so they could change into second outfits. I liked this way better; I was able to touch all the clothes, see how the mechanics of a show worked, and make connections with some more people.

Overall, it was absolutely amazing. The team was supportive and had a good energy, the designers were super sweet, and I was able to make some new friends. It was great to see young designers who seemed like genuinely good people be supported by their community. Both of their parents were there, they had lots of friends supporting, and even the PR team talked about how much they wanted them to succeed. It’s a place that I could picture myself being in one day.

[samanthainnewyork]

Last week we went on a scavenger hunt around New York, starting with the New York Public Library.

We then continued behind the library to Bryant Park, which was still partially decorated for Christmas

Next, we continued to the giant button sculpture, who’s five holes create an F for fashion.

We then all walk downtown until we’re able to find Mood that fabric store.

Turning around slightly, we find All-In-One, a supplier that I will definitely be pricing my eventual purchase of a children’s dressform at.

We find the world’s largest store next, Macy’s.

This Macy’s is close to the Harold Sq. as well, which is marked with large, cement barriers that say the name on them.

We then headed to H&M.

Next to M and J trimming, where I found myself again on Saturday because I had to explore.

Up next, was City Papery, which was full of cool and random stuff

Next, we passed Muji, a brand I had not previously heard of.

And finally, we came to FIT, who’s currently showing Fashion in the 90s. (Sadly I have hit Tumblr’s image limit and cannot include a photo of it)

This was pretty fun! We all decided to go together and that did help me bond with my classmates more. Sometimes that walls felt a little long, but I think that I’m still getting used to all the walking.

[samanthainnewyork]

Mood Trip

Thursday was my first time being able to explore Mood, and I had just the absolute best time. I believe his name was George who we met downstairs, and he was just so unbelievably knowledgeable. I can’t see myself being in the leather section anytime soon (I’m vegetarian,) but it was really informative hearing from him. I can definitely appreciate the vastness of the collection they have and the craft that goes into that process. I wasn’t aware that all the fabrics that Mood had were close-outs from designers simply because they needed space. That’s a great and sustainable way to repurpose fabric and allow others to use it. He also made me much more comfortable approaching the employees because he seemed so willing to help us with questions.

While there’s I collected one swatch for a project that I’m working on for junior studio. I actually had to go back there on Tuesday for more swatches, and having an understanding of the store layout was helpful. Also, just knowing how to get up to Mood helped me out. I would have never been able to figure out the elevator on my own, so being able to get that information as well was helpful because I’m sure I would have been wandering around the home store, wondering where the linen was. It was nice to see the home section as well because there where some interesting, and I’m sure useful, fabrics in there too.

I’ve become kind of set on not using Mood for actual fabrics however. While walking there, we passed fabric store, after fabric store, after trim store, and I want to explore as many of those as possible. I think Mood will be great for getting swatches, and to use for its larger inventory; if I’m unable to find what I’m looking for, I can likely be assured that they’ll have it, just from the two times I’ve looked around there. But, there’s an all linen store across the street, and an all knits store next to that and it’ll be so exciting to go into stores like that. In fact, we got out a little early, so Venice and I went to a trim store a little ways down from Mood and explored there.

It’s helped me see how much of a leg-up, simply material wise, that fashion in NYC has on Kent. The access and abundance of materials is astounding. While here, I’m confident I won’t have to compromise my design in the slightest, which is a cool change of pace.