Blog #10: Gifts That Give Back

Christmas is my most favorite time of year. Reason being that I LOVE giving gifts. I actually love giving gifts more than I like receiving them, believe it or not. I also love finding ways to give back and Christmas time is a perfect time to find ways to do so. One of my favorite gifts to give over the holidays are gifts that are not only super cute, but that actually give back to the world and communities. Here are a few of my favorite things :)

Tom's Shoes

It's my yearly tradition to buy at least one pair of these for someone I love. Not only are they adorable and comfortable, but for ever pair you buy; they give a pair to a child in the world who doesn't have shoes. Love it.

SAME SKY

SAME SKY is a trade-not-aid initiative that employs HIV+ women in developing countries.  Trained as artisans, SAME SKY women earn 15 to 20 times the average Sub Saharan wage to hand crochet beautiful glass bead jewelry. 100% of net proceeds are reinvested to train and employ more women in need.

SAME SKY jewelry acts as a ribbon to our artisans –each piece of jewelry promotes the stability and prosperity within the artisan’s community. With the purchase of SAME SKY you become a part of our powerful movement, empowering women a world away. I love this idea and knowing that by purchasing this bracelet, you're making such a difference in some women's lives. 

Strong Island T-Shirt

This is a new gift that gives back this year, something that is near and dear to my heart. My beloved hometown was battered by Sandy and there is a shop on Etsy devoted to selling t-shirts where 100% of the proceeds go to Hurricane Sandy victims. ::Thumbs up::

Warby Parker Sunglasses

Just Like Tom's, Warby Parker gives a pair of glasses to a person in need for every pair of classes sold. These stylish and unisex pair are only $95 so they make a perfect gift.

This holiday season try to make it a point to find gifts like these that give back. We live in a material country that has just about everything, so I think it's time for us to try to help those in need.

Happy Holidays!

ABOU

Blog #9: New Fashion Show Formats

One of the most innovative and intriguing new fashion show formats is the use of holograms. By using holograms to present a show, the designer and producers can put every element in how they want the show to go, pre-record it, and edit it while still capturing the essence of a live fashion show. It's genius, in my opinion, because they don't have to worry about the cost and stress that comes along with setting up a normal fashion show.

Here's a great video I found of the first complete holographic fashion show held by Stefan Eckert in 2011. It's really cool and artistic-- and I like how they go behind the scenes a little bit. How do you guys feel about holograms being used more and more in fashion?

Blog # 8: A look inside a Lookbook

I personally prefer to check out a designer's lookbook when they are launching a new collection. I mean, I love the action of a fashion show as much as the next girl but I have a bit of ADD and can never really concentrate or process everything that is flying at me during a show. A lookbook gives me the chance to sit down and analyze my favorite styles and designs. It's driving me crazy that my Mac keeps autocorrecting lookbook to cookbook right now.

Here's some images you would see in a typical seasonal cookbook! I MEAN LOOKBOOK.

 Alexander McQueen Menswear Fall 2012:

And Clover Canyon Spring 2013:

As well as Wildfox Spring 2013:

xoxo Melissa

Blog #7: Trunk Shows

A good Trunk Show is one of my favorite parts about being consumed by the fashion world! It is a unique and intimate way for designers and brands to show off new collections and exclusive styles to the public. Some trunk shows even feature exclusive sales and deals, others just showcase the best styles and designs from the next season. Either way, it is a fun an almost VIP-esque way to view a designers work. And sometimes there are even cocktails ;)

This week, Saks Fifth Avenue is featuring a trunk show, inviting guest to preview the Spring 2013 collection. Sounds like fun! Well, as long as the weather permits. Check out the link and head over there if the storm sweeps past us.

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/stores/event.jsp?storeNumber=001&eventId=42e8c3af-1fa5-4a8c-86c5-2bdc3ac559a8


xoxo Melissa

Blog #6: Fashion Show Video

One of my favorite parts about fashion week is being able to attend almost any show--well as long as you're on the internet! Seriously, you can live stream almost any show and most designers provide previously recorded shows on their websites. This is the future people! Here is my favorite show that I caught online from Rebecca Minkoff :)

http://youtu.be/87aMfSx_HqE

Blog #5: Fall Windows! Bergdorf Goodman!

In our industry, visual merchandising is HUGE. It's an element that turns window shoppers to customers--and is a way to bring new and old customers into your stores. I took a class on visual merchandising so I now see it from a totally different angle and have grown a love for the workmanship  and the art behind it. So this week's task led me to none other than Bergdorf Goodman. :)

I decided to devote my Fall windows blog to Bergdorf because the windows literally stopped me in my tracks--and it just so happens to be Bergdorf's big 111th birthday. These babies took 6 months to create and you can tell by the details that even that amount of time seems too little. Each window captures the essence of Bergdorf and the details exemplify how special this NYC luxury retailer really is. They also feature some of the hottest fall trends. Check it out :)

Loving the purple! 

xoxo Melissa

The Art of Fashion Journalism: New York Times Edition

Though fashion is my first love, literature is a close second. Lucky for me, The New York Times provides readers like me with beautifully articulated words to describe a mostly visual world. 

With Paris fashion week in full swing, I often find myself referring to the NY Times above any other source to catch the scoop on what's going on.

One of my favorite designers is Phoebe Philo for Celine so I was THRILLED to see that Cathy Horyn did the honors of reviewing the Paris fashion week show. I really wanted to see what she had to say after seeing the debut of Celine's "furry" line of shoes. Yikes. As a fashion journalist, Horyn and others of the field have their own language when reporting; and without even looking at the images readers can visualize the essence of the show. And the furry shoes.

Here's a link to the review: Céline Keeps the Paris Winners Coming

I, on the other hand, personally did the honors of picking apart Cathy's report and came up with some examples of her fashion reporter language use:

1. Silhouette/ Design

-Minimalism

-Lean

-"Full of slouch"

-Sleeveless

-Down Low

-Across bust

-Cropped

-Fold over

-Above the ankles

-Rolled collar

-Fluted skirt

-Semi fitted

-Corseted

-Pant-suit

2. Details

-Metal

-Frayed

-Furry

-Twisted

-Cookie cutter

-Piled

-Pressed

-Stitched

-Crushed

-Zippered

-Polka dotted

3. Color

-Creamy white

-Chick-yellow

-Noir

-Rough Navy

-Play-doh pink

-Pale gold

-Silver-gray

-Commando Khaki

4. Fabric

-Crepe

-Sateen

-Leather

-Linen

-Mink

-Satin

-Felt

-Denim

-Nylon

-Mesh

-Tweed

-Chiffon

5. Creative Jargon

-Chunky

-Droopy

-Burlap rough

-Squashy

-Slouchy

-Clean

-Fluid

-Funky

-Audacious

-Enameled

-Kooky

-Parachute soft

-Sweet

-Commando

-Broken-down

-Rowdy

-Wintry

-Lethargic

….and the list goes on. Seriously! Cathy, among other fashion journalists, have mastered the art of word and portrayal of visual elements with the use of their very own language. Love it!

xoxo Melissa