Winter in NY

2020 field study experience in New York

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Randa Accessories

Hey guys, how are you doing these days?

Today, I am going to come up with the accessories brand called Randa Accessories. 

Randa is one of the world’s largest accessories companies, spanning 11 countries, with a portfolio of 50 brands and over 100 years of experience. From sketch to scale, across four extraordinary product divisions, Randa produces exceptional products and services worldwide, delighting customers and making partners successful. 

As the brand has been from 110 years, it is considered as a historical brand in  accessories brands. So there are stores across the globe and there is one in China opened in 1988, but any in South Korea. I hope someday it opens in South Korea too.

Researching the brand(the most favorite part while researching), I found Randa’s Corporate and Social Responsibility. Looking at those sections, the customer can be a big fan of the brand, feeling the credibility of the brand, finally becoming the novel customer. There are 3 keys that Randa cares in this part. 

Randa gives back Sustainability Social compliance

Clicking ‘view more’ each part of those keys, I could find out more information. When you click Randa gives back, it says :

Randa is committed to continually giving back to the local and global community. From fashion to social to environmental causes, Randa contributes financially, in- kind and through volunteering.

and there are several brands’ icons.

Why not click others to know more about the brand?(Click Here FMI)

Looking closely at the products they sell, their products are divided into 5 sections. 

Neckwear and Jewelry Belts and Furnishings Wallets and Seasonal Accessories Luggage and Travel

They introduce their neckwear and jewelry that they have been considered with a heritage in neckwear, continuing to captivate the neckwear industry with ties, bowties and pocket squares. Alongside neckwear, they produce men’s jewelry categories including lapel pins, tie bars, cufflinks, bracelets, necklaces, pins, patches and more. In belts and furnishings, they explains that Randa is the world’s leader in the design, manufacturing, and delivery of men’s, women’s, and children’s belts and suspenders. For wallets and seasonal accessories, they continuously create new and improved carrying solutions for the ever-changing consumer. From traditional bi-folds to slim font pocket wallets and smart phone cases, function is always in fashion. They lead our industry in headwear, cold weather accessories, and seasonal footwear. In luggage and travel, reaching beyond accessories, they design and manufacture innovative travel goods including suitcases, carry-ons, casual bags, backpacks, business cases, and travel accessories. They provide fashionable solutions for consumers on the go.

This would be a end of the research of Randa, so why don’t we go and shop for fine accessories online/after this situation ends? Then see you again with another post! For then, Stay home, stay healthy!

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Chance to enjoy Met in Seoul

Hi, everyone. How are you doing?

Hope you guys doing well, quarantine, staying home safe :-)

I brought some gorgeous thing while we can having such boring time.

Let’s stay home, keep social distance and try this.

Have you heard of Met? 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York City, colloquially "the Met", is the largest art museum in the United States.

Since I was not able to go to Met, because of COVID-19, which made me go back to Seoul, Korea asap, I googled it. Surprisingly, they offered online Met. The Museum has temporarily closed its three locations, so they were trying to do some amazing things. I think this is the right time that we can go through Met even we are not in nyc! When you go to the website, you can see 360 degree video of the Museum and some pictures of sculptures/ paintings and others. I was so surprised that they were offering free audio guides too. 

This considerate things that Met is doing should be known by everyone. I hope other Museum to do these things to. Since Met is the largest museum in the US, it would be an great example, I guess!

These are what I’ve seen scrolling through the site. 

-360 degree video

- Descreption of the artworks

- Glimpse highlights of works

- Free audio guide services

Why not going through all of the arts? 

This is a great chance to enjoy Met in your home! 

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The Selects, The Best

Hello, This is Winter. Everything is changing because of the Covid-19 but as everyone knows, this darkness will one day be lifted. Whatever choice you made, whether it was right or not later, you had a hard time making hard decisions, so just believe yourself. To have a short talk about me, I also came to New York with a good opportunity as an exchange student, but I am sad to leave New York earlier than scheduled. But I don't think anyone knows if this is going to be another chance. Life is not always my way and I think this is why I can live my life. Good school, internship, amazing professors, friends and coworkers. I was happy for short, fabulous three months and I think it was three months that reminded me of many things.

The most incredible internship at “The Selects”

 First of all, the internship I work in is the showroom of Select Shop. It's not too much to say that it's the center of fashion in New York. I'm so excited at first that my job was across from Michael Kors, next to Rolex, that I remember explaining my job like this to my mother over the phone. The Selects showroom represents ten top emerging Korean designers and provides them with exposure to the US market. Acting as a liaison to bridge the gap between designer and retailer, the showroom in Soho, New York City is a collaborative environment. Handpicked by industry leaders and insiders, the ten designers, Bmuet(te), Beyond Closet, The Centaur, Heohwan Simulation, Hidden Forest Market, KYE, LIE, Nohant, SWBD and Wnderkammer represent the most promising talent evolving in the Korean fashion industry. While the promotion of these designers is the primary goal of The Selects, the initiative aims to reach beyond just fashion through creative events, pop-ups and artist exhibitions. The Selects envisions to build on the already influential impact that K-culture is currently having on audiences world-wide.

What I learned from The Selects

 In this incredible showroom, I've done things that are big to small. When I first joined the company, it was a very busy week due to New York Fashion Week, and it was the busiest, but pleased time. On the first day of work, the models were walking in the showroom and the casting staff, the busy bosses were all so cool and I was so excited that they wanted me to do something that would help them. As with all interns do, it was physical but I was even so happy about it. Although it was a simple task like unpacking the clothes of the samples and steaming them on the hanger, I was so happy and proud to do. I worked with four other interns, and I'm proud to say that they were really nice, worked hard. Everyone worked so hard to finish the New York Fashion Week and we also have watched their runways. 

In our showroom, we also had held a party collaborating with Concept Korea which is also Korean Fashion Company and had a great time with our showroom people. We had fun eating buffet and dancing together with some celebrities in Korea and many influencers from New York and lots of other countries.

Business trip to Paris  Finally, I'm going to talk about my first business trip to Paris. At first, only two bosses was going on a business trip to Paris for a trade show in Lourve, which is similar to Coutrie trade show which we had been in New York. However, like what I mentioned before, the chance had come and I got it. Jeehee, who is one of my boss, texted in our group chat someone to come to Paris because of some problems happened, and I told my parents about it and they agreed, so I finally had free Paris business trip. After having solved problem, I helped them doing trade show successfully and enjoyed Paris, even having parties with new French friends. I felt different that I first visited Paris as traveling with my family. As an intern in The Selects, I feel something responsible about it so I acted carefully as I can.

Though I shorten my internship story, I had a really wonderful time in internship besides this, and I think this is the result of my efforts and my luck combined. I cannot explain how sad to end this amazing internship, but I definitely know that we are going to keep in touch and finally meet someday. Love yall🙏😭💕

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Experience in 5th Avenue Women

 Today We went to the 5th Avenue Women which is a Thai Jewelry brand. 

 Sophia, the owner of the brand told us that she is handling all of the jems such as pearl, emerald, ruby, and even diamond. There were thousands of different types of accessories. She told us that all of the products are sold in a lot of company such as JCPenny’s, Macys, Saks and so on. She allowed us to touch the temperature of the jewelry, which can calm down our body temperature when we feel nervous.

 She was also doing retail things, so that we could buy so many things in reasonable price. I chose my bracelet and ring with a pearl for my grandmother. It was really nice accessory and she told me to come in the week before mother’s day because she will open the sample sale then. I am really looking forward to it!

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Experience in Centric

 Centric is a company as one of the world’s leading lifestyle brand collectives they design, produce, and build brands of distinction. With remarkably targeted sales and marketing strategies, they provide category expertise ensuring comprehensive product excellence. Their headquarter, the actual showroom is in Empire State Building. 

 As we can see in the logo, the three “C”s are for 

Brand Centric

Business Centric

Customer Centric

In these three Cs, they manage about 100+ licensed & controlled brands. In they have  BCBG, Bufflao, Herve Leger, Hudson, Joe’s etc in Men’s and Women’s and All saints, Calvin Klein, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Zac Posan etc for accessories, and Disney, Marvel, Universal Studio etc in Entertainment Brand.

They were handling a variety of brands and I was really in it because I am now interning at the showroom, the selects shop called The Selects. The way they are working was similar to what I was learning in current internship. I hope they  sponsor the visa. Sophie, the manager told that they are hiring the design internship for Summer Internship Program, so I am going to apply for it. It was very excited for me to have a field trip in Centric, not only because I am interning in the showroom but also how they work. 

They work in team sorted by brand like Team 1: All saints Team 2: Michael Kors, because I know that it is hard to merchandise several brands at once. But the manager told me that in the section of accessories, they are handling several (about 3 brands) because accessories part has quite similar process through all brand. Through this trip, I realized I can do visual merchandise thing not in just fashion area, but also in entertainment part or beauty. I hope they can sponsor my visa!

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Experience in M&Schmalberg

History of M&S

Over 103 years ago, M&S Schmalberg opened its doors in New York City’s Garment District. From street level storefronts and multi-story factory operations, custom fabric flowers by M&S Schmalberg have been hand-made in New York City for apparel, bridal, accessory, millinery and home furnishing products since 1916.

The business was first started by brothers, Morris and Sam Schmalberg. Their nephew, Harold Brand began working at the factory at the age of 17. Harold survived WWII, when his American relatives helped him move to New York. In time, Harold learned the family business and eventually inherited M&S Schmalberg—which has always been a Garment District business.

Warren Brand, current President of M&S Schmalberg has been making flowers for over 40 years.  His sister Debra Brand joined the business shortly after.  As Harold got older and eventually passed away, the two of them took on more and more responsibility.  In 2008, Warren’s son Adam joined the company, making it a 4th generation family business.   Sadly in July of 2019 Debra passed away after a long battle with Lupus.  

When Morris and Sam Schmalberg started the business in 1916, the Garment District was a neighborhood that produced 75% of all women’s and children’s apparel in the United States. In the 1940s there were dozens of “flower guys”. Through the years that number went down to 10 and today, M&S Schmalberg is the last of its kind in America.

With much of American manufacturing moving overseas, M&S Schmalberg’s business has drastically changed over the past 10 years. Focusing on specialty work, custom and large production orders, M&S Schmalberg continues to sustain its fabric flowers business, in hopes for the next generation and beyond.

Located at 242 West 36th Street, the Garment District is still made up of fashion blocks. From M&S Schmalberg, artisanal silk flower makers, fabric stores to leather makers, and top designers in New York City, like Carolina Herrera and Ralph Lauren. Making custom artificial flowers in New York City’s Garment District is truly special, as each flower is still hand-made with a tried and true quality that cannot be matched.  

Experience in M & S Schmalberg

Today, I went to M&S which was nearby my home for my class tour. First that I could see when I opened the door was logo of the brand, made with variety of colors and sizes of flowers, frames with pictures that seems to be their works, and a dress with a mannequin which was also made up with pink flowers. The whole part of interior make me think the company fully focused on the flowers.

Adam, who seems to be the top manager in the factory told the company’s history, which he said that the company has the history of 4 generations. In addition, he showed us the works that he collaborated with the high-end company like Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Buberry, Dolce & Gabbana and many other celebrities. The photo I uploaded above is the dress they custom-made, ordered by Marc Jacobs. I was shocked that they had not been paid much by Marc Jacobs, and Adam explained that because the dress were not for sale, just for the show. I asked him about How other company make contacts with them and Can anyone order custom-made flower here. He answered that because of the history, people know and contact from others who previously had works with the factory, and in terms of the customer, he told that he welcomes not only the high-end brands, but also for individual customer, which made the factory steady till today. After the short talk and some questions, he showed us the factory’s real back environment. I really loved and inspired by the flowers and the process that the artists working with flowers. Especially because back in Korea, I had been to Chanel Lesage pop up which is a small factory that Chanel own for their accessories and I really loved there. And M&S was quite similar to them and I am planning to do something similar with my graduation fashion show. 

 Today, I was so impressed by this factory that I bought small black leather camellia for my blazer or sneakers. They put pins for me and I think I can put that mini Chanel like flowers on anywhere. Thank you for my professor Piazza, who helped me to choose an amazing leather goods! 

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Experience in COTERIE Trade show

About COTERIE 

Uniting four distinct shows, COTERIE, FAME, SOLE COMMERCE and MODA —The COTERIE Marketplace brings together all categories of women’s fashion under one roof, in the heart of Hudson Yards.

Every February and September, The COTERIE Marketplace anchors the New York market and kicks off the global sales calendar for the new season.

This February, CHILDREN'S CLUB—Elevated Lifestyle Collections for Children, is colocated with COTERIE, FAME, SOLE COMMERCE and MODA at the Jacob Javits Center, NYC.

Experience in Coterie’s Trade Show

 Today, we toured the trade show at the Javits Center for Coterie. Acting as if I were a buyer, I looked at the displayed clothes here and there, and got bags and coffee for free. Unfortunately, I had to wait for lunch at noon because we get there right after the free breakfast time, but I couldn't make it. 

 The most memorable booth was “SCOTCH & SODA”. I have never heard of this brand before, but it was found to be three brands in New York. The reason I chose this brand as the best brand was merchandising strategies at this store. As a student who wants to be a visual merchandiser, I came here and saw the most carefully how clothes were merchandised. The show will be presented to buyers for about three days, so I expected them to have done well, but I was kind of disappointed. There were much more untidy shops. But among them, Scotch & Soda made there booth a black frame and glass-like look in a given space as if it were a retail shop. Moreover, when I went inside, the clothes were well displayed by color. This was the rack I like the most.

It was the first time for the trade show, and it was an opportunity to know how buyers and brands communicate. The next time I go to the trade show, I hope I can go as a buyer or a member of the brand.

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Experience in M.M.LaFLeur

M.M.LaFleur

M.M.LaFleur is built on a core belief: When women succeed in the workplace, the world becomes a better place. Founder & CEO Sarah LaFleur was once your typical woman in finance whose closet was packed with blah-feeling pantsuits. Back then, she dreamed of a more practical, inspired wardrobe for herself and all professional women.

She teamed up with Co-founders Narie Foster and Miyako Nakamura, and they launched M.M.LaFleur in 2011. Their goal: to help women harness the power of self-presentation, and to rethink the shopping process altogether. Not only do we design our own collection, but we integrate personal styling into the MM experience. We know you have #BetterThingsToDo than worry about what to wear, so our mission is to take the work out of dressing for work.

At MM, You Can Shop Multiple Ways

We can browse the collection or book an appointment at a Showroom or Pop-up: Fill out a brief online survey and arrive to a dressing room curated based on your fit and style preferences. Work one-on-one with a personal stylist, while enjoying coffee and prosecco. During your complimentary hour-long stylist session, our goal is to treat you to the most productive, personalized, and stress-free shopping experience of your life. (We’re nothing if not ambitious.)

About the M.M.LaFleur Collection

Our collection is designed by Co-Founder and Creative Director Miyako Nakamura, the former head designer of Zac Posen. Informed by her high-fashion background, Miyako’s goal is to help today’s professional woman build a tightly curated wardrobe of versatile pieces that reflect both her personal style (sophisticated silhouettes, inventive design details) and her dynamic lifestyle (machine-washable, travel-friendly). Originally just seven dresses, our collection has evolved to include separates, knits, suiting, accessories, and shoes. In May of 2017, we extended our size range, and we now carry sizes 0-22W.  

Experience in M.M.

 Members of M.M. introduced it as a company that exists to remove clothing concerns from the busy daily lives of female office workers. It was morning when we arrived at the office of M.M., and the amazing thing was that the employees were eating cereal in the kitchen. There were cute phrases written all over the office and there was a family atmosphere. To borrow from the professor, it was a futuristic office. I thought that if I work for a company, I want to work in this environment. During the meeting, I thought that the atmosphere between the employees was very good and that they could communicate well with each.  The lecture was conducted by three employees, and it was good to have a conversation without making a separate ppt. By touching samples of the products they were pushing, and listening to the explanations, I could feel the strength that M.M. is pursuing; convenience of the female office workers, such as Machine-Washable Fabrics, Adjustable Hems, And Roomy Pockets.  I’ve heard that one of the employees was originally in hotel management and moved to the company, but when I heard that she had put in an application and transferred to the desired department, she thought that there was a way.  I have never been to a company on Wall Street, and it was a good experience and I thought that I would like to work here. Seeing the employees talking each other made me think that I would be happy not to be stressed out by working in a small company but working in a good environment.

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Experience in Cotton Incorporated

Cotton Incorporated is a not-for-profit company providing the resources and research needed to help companies develop and market superior, innovative, and profitable cotton products. The company’s efforts are focused across every area of the cotton life cycle from fiber through finished product.

Each year, Cotton Incorporated sponsors more than 400 research projects with universities, USDA and private cooperators across the United States. The majority of these projects are aimed at improving production efficiency and profitability.

The Corporate Strategy and Program Metrics division identify and analyze major trends that affect cotton markets in the United States and globally. They utilize market data to understand cotton’s competitive position and positive perception in the global supply chain.

Current Market Data News and Reports are published online and available to textile–decision makers worldwide. Cotton Supply Chain Infographics report exclusive analysis of global data collected from a range of ongoing research.

Trip to Cotton Inc

I went Cotton Incorporated for my second field trip experience for class. Before entering the entrance of the building, I got a pass ticket from the reception desk and entered the office. As soon as I entered, there was an employee who looked very nice. She answered our questions well, and she allowed us to touch and take pictures of the samples on the hanger. And as soon as I came to my desk, I could see color sample of fabric and a notebook that she prepared for us. 

She has been working for the company for about two years after interning here  and has also introduced two people who are currently working as interns. With the help of professor Piazza, I could see that the company was looking for a summer intern. (Thank you for always asking us helpful questions!) And she told me about what she does, and she usually travels around the country to buy samples of denim, cotton, and so on. I was even surprised to hear that she had flown 11 times a month last year. She said she had been around Asia a lot, and while I was looking at samples, I saw denim jeans that has a tag written ‘Seoul’, and asked her a separate question after the lecture. 

After I briefly introduced myself from Seoul, I asked her where she got denim, and she said she bought it from SJYP. SJYP is a well-known brand in Korea for its denim. She said she liked the springes under these jeans. I gave her my email address in order to let her know where she should go when she comes to Korea again. While listening to the lecture, I first knew that there is a job to travel around the world and see fabric around the world, and I thought it would be hard to travel and work, but would be fun! I think it was a very rewarding field trip to find out that there was a job like this and a company like this. I am looking forward to the third tour!

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Experience in NORDSTROM buying office

It began in 1901 with John Nordstrom (John W. Nordstrom) and Karl F. Wallin opening a shoe store. The head office is in Seattle, Washington. In 1901, Swedish American John Nordstrom and former shoe repair shop owner Wallin & Nordstrom opened a shoe store in Seattle. It later opened its second store in Seattle in 1923 and changed its name to Nordstrom when it opened Second Avenue in 1930. It opened eight stores in two U.S. states by 1958, and began selling clothes together as well as shoes in 1963. The number of stores has been increased due to the variety of shoe size ranges, good quality products and excellent customer service. Nodestrom’s main selling products include shoes and clothing, accessories and bags, and some stores sell wedding products, small furniture and interior accessories and run restaurants and cafes. It operates a total of 329 stores and online stores in 39 states in Canada and the United States. It currently competes with Bloomingdale's, Lord & Taylor, Neiman Marcus and Sacks Fifth Avenue in the U.S. As of 2015, the company had about $14.4 billion in sales and about $7.6 billion in total assets, with a total of 72,500 employees. In a 2016 Marketforce survey, Americans were chosen as the most favored clothing retailer, and have recently been strengthening the online market.

On January 23, I went to hear a lecture at the nordstrom buying office. A staff member of a digital merchandising part named Jamie prepared a lecture. She introduced herself and told me about the achievements of Digital Merchandising at Nordstrom, what she does, and what her department does. In the middle, she kindly accepted the students' questions, and I asked her directly because I had a limit in finding out whether the company's visual design department and digital merchandising were separated after investigating the node-strom beforehand. She replied that there is a separate visual advertising department in Los Angeles and there is a separate department in New York. Also, there were several useful and great questions that other students asked. At the end, it seemed to be a very informative time, such as how to manage the view and contact through Linkedin. However it was a first field trip experience for me in this class, I am proud to have such a meaningful time in NY with Kent State students and professer Piazza.

I'm really looking forward to next field trip!