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randa accessories

// may 2 2019 // 

This week we went to Randa Accessories for our site visit. Randa was started by two European immigrant brothers who were selling men’s neckwear out of a cart in the streets of New York City. The company has since grown and they now represent over 80 brands and have a presence in 12 countries. They specialize in men’s accessories such as belts, ties, luggage, leather goods, seasonal shoes, and other seasonal products.

The visit started with an informative presentation given by Seth, one of the marketing employees. He gave us an overview of the company and shared some of the recent projects and acquisitions they have been working towards. He then showed us a couple of the showrooms and gave us a tour of their office spaces. Seth was very helpful and knowledgeable. He’s been with the company for a few years and it was very obvious that he knew the industry well.

I enjoyed our visit to Randa. I had never heard of the company before but they are the major player in men’s belts and accessories. They own around 85% of the market. It was nice getting to learn more about a men's focused company for a change. I think there is a lot of opportunity for growth in the men's fashion market. 

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terra inde

// april 25 2019 // 

Today we went to Terra Inde, a luxurious Indian bridal dress store. Shilpa started Terra Inde in 2016 after having a successful clothing rental company. All of the dresses are beautifully adorned with beads, lace, feathers and other embellishments. The starting price point is about $600 but most are a couple thousand dollars.

Terra Inde is mostly appointment based, but they do have some “open house” hours on Saturdays. Since they are bridal dresses most of the gowns will be customized for each bride. Shilpa also sells jewelry from a local artisan based in New Jersey. I think the experience provided during an appointment is one of the major driving factors for clients to purchase their gowns. Shilpa told us that she has put in a lot of work to build up her clientele and she has invested a lot into her business in order to gain her network.

Shilpa was very insightful and informative. She has years of experience working in the fashion industry and studied at Parsons and at a design school in Milan. I thought she gave a lot of good advice on internships and following your passions. Shilpa said that she knew what she wanted and had the drive, so she spent a lot of time researching her niche and her market and that has been a crucial part of why she has been so successful. I was very impressed with all of the dresses as well as her story of success and her journey. It was inspiring talking with her today and learning about her experiences.

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nike

// april 18 2019 // 

This week our site visit was to Nike. Due to a last-minute conflict, I was not able to attend. However, I am very familiar with Nike and have been a customer for many years. Nike is an athletic brand that sells shoes, apparel, accessories, and athletic equipment.

Since I am familiar with the brand I wanted to research an aspect of the company that I was not as acquainted with. Recently Nike has been making efforts to become more sustainable. The Chief Sustainability Officer, Noel Kinder, has partnered with Iberdrola, a leader in the global clean energy economy. They are sourcing 100% renewable energy in Europe, this in addition to a partnership with Avangrid will enable Nike to reach 75% renewable energy across the globe.

Nike has also partnered with Global Fashion Agenda to help increase sustainability throughout the industry. Kinder understands that sustainability efforts are a marathon and not a sprint, proper preparation, research and work must be done for a successful outcome. It is not a quick or easy fix, it is something that will take time, but all preparations and actions work together for an end goal of a better, cleaner, and happier planet.

I think Nike’s approach to sustainability is an interesting one and I think it will continue to grow. This would be an area of the company that I would potentially be interested in working with. I like Nike products for their performance and aesthetic qualities and now I have a deeper appreciation for the brand and what they stand for and all of the things they are working to improve.

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natori

// april 11 2019 // 

This week our site visit was to the Natori showroom. Unfortunately, I was sick and was not able to attend. However, I did some research and learned quite a bit about the brand. Natori is a lingerie brand that also sells clothing, accessories and home goods. The brand was created by Josephina Almeda Cruz, who used a hand embroidered Filipino blouse as her inspiration for combining aesthetics of both the East and the West.

Josie moved from Manila to New York at the age of 17 to pursue an education in economics. She met her husband, Ken Natori, in 1976. Looking for a new adventure she decided to turn an embroidered blouse into a sleep shirt. The brand set off from there and has grown increasingly since. Today, the brand is involved with many different organizations to support women such as Visayan Forum which works to end human trafficking. They also work with “I Support the Girls” which is an international organization that distributes new and used bras, tampons, and pads to homeless women and girls.

I now feel a lot more informed about Natori as a brand and I have a greater appreciation for their products and what they stand for. Their products are beautiful and of good quality as well. I wish I could have visited the showroom, but I still feel like I learned a good amount about the brand and I am intrigued to continue to learn more.

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the met

// April 4 2019 //

This week we went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for our study tour. This was my first time at the museum. It was a bit overwhelming because there were so many exhibitions and so much to see. We decided to break it up by floors and then decide which sections we wanted to walk through on each floor.

I spent the most time looking through the Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas as well as Asian and Egyptian Art. I liked the Tale of Genji exhibition and the European sculptures section of the museum the most.

I am glad we went to the MET, I haven’t had much time to visit museums on my own here in the city since I have been so busy. It was nice being able to go for class. I definitely want to go back once the roof garden opens!

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sam edelman

// march 21 2019 // 

This week we went to Sam Edelman for a tour of the office and showroom and a lovely presentation. Sam Edelman is a luxury shoe company created by Sam and his wife, Libby, in 2004. Sam and Libby have worked together for over 30 years in the shoe industry. 

The office at Sam Edelman is transformed every season to coincide with that season’s trend. Currently, for Fall 2019 the theme is inspired by Iceland. The entire office was decorated with greenery, sheepskin rugs, and photographs that Libby had taken during her trip. One of the things I really liked about the office was its lending library. When Sam and Libby go on trips they always search for new books to bring back to the office. Anyone is able to read the books or take them home for a little to read and get inspiration as well. The company culture seems very well connected and tight-knit. Sam prides himself on knowing all of his employees and their stories of how they arrived at the brand. The office definitely has a very warm and welcoming atmosphere.

During our visit, Libby gave us a presentation on some history of the company and she told us where she looks for inspiration and what her responsibilities include. I really enjoyed learning about her experiences and how the company operates. They place a strong focus on marketing and making sure they are catering to their target customers. I think that is one of the reasons why they have been so successful, because they have a clear idea of the audience they are trying to reach, and they understand her desires and needs as a consumer.

We also heard from some of the marketing and merchandising employees. This was very informative, and I feel as though I got a better understanding of what their roles look like at the company. Sam Edelman does not do any paid endorsements; all of their celebrity and stylist publicity is organic. I believe this is a true testament to the quality of the shoes and the strength of the brand. I was surprised to learn that they do not pay for any ads and it is all done through making strong connections and relationships.

I really enjoyed this site visit! I learned a lot about Sam Edelman as a brand and I feel like a got a clear understanding of their mission and goals as a company. This is definitely a place I could see myself wanting to work for someday!

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f.i.t. museum

// march 14 2019 // 

This week we went to the F.I.T. Museum to tour their 50th-anniversary exhibition. The museum was first opened in 1969 and has presented over 200 fashion exhibits to date. This exhibit displayed pieces from 33 of their prior exhibitions.

The museum was split between two rooms in addition to a video that was being displayed in the lobby. The video had many fashion icons discussing the museum and how important and impactful it is for the school. Our guide was very knowledgeable and her passion for the museum was evident.

Our tour was informative and interesting. As a fashion student, I really loved being able to view so many incredible garments all in one place. It also gave me a better understanding of the history of the museum. After hearing our guide talk about how many exhibits they have and how little time they get to prepare I gained a deeper respect and appreciation for the museum.

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dover street market

// march 7 2019 // 

This week we went to Dover Street Market, a multi-brand retail store developed by Rei Kawakubo and her husband Adrian Joffe, president of COMME des GARÇONS. The store has 7 floors and a café. They sell designer and luxury brands including up and coming young designers. Each floor has a different theme and features different brands. The Dover Street Market has six locations worldwide. I have been to the one in London before, so it was interesting to see the one in New York and to be able to compare the two locations.

Dover Street Market sells a lot of exclusive collaborations and labels that aren’t offered anywhere else. Every Thursday Supreme releases new products in the store and you have to register in advance to shop. We were there the morning of one of the launches and saw the line outside and we got to see the products being released as well.

I really like Dover Street Market, I think it is a very cool concept and I love that they are constantly changing the layouts and displays to keep things fresh. Being able to see so many designer brands all in one place was inspiring. In addition, all of the sales associates were super helpful and knowledgeable. They were all more than willing to tell us about the designers on their floor and some history about the store. I think this has been my favorite visit so far, I really love that the store is so unique and creative.

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m&s schmalberg

// february 28 2019 // 

Today we visited Custom Fabric Flowers by M & S Schmalberg. The company has been making fabric flowers since 1916. They create hand-made flowers in New York city for apparel, bridal, accessories, millinery, and home furnishing products. They are the only hand-made fabric floral manufacturer in New York City. Since most of the other manufacturing companies have moved overseas M&S Schmalberg has had to adapt and update their business model as well. Now they place a huge focus on creating custom orders. They have a wide range of clients, working with big designers such as Ralph Lauren as well as individuals who come asking for customized bouquets or pieces for weddings or events.

During our visit, we received a little tour of the factory. We were able to observe how the fabrics are treated so that they will hold their shape, we saw the fabrics being pressed and stamped by the machines and we even saw the flowers and petals being combined together to create the finished product. It is an interesting process, and everything is done in house. Although some of the technology has evolved and been updated over the past 100 years, it is the same technique that they originally used.

There are hundreds and hundreds of different flowers hung on the walls throughout the factory. The possibilities are pretty much endless since there are so many different combinations you can create using different petals, fabrics, and techniques. I enjoyed walking through and looking at the flowers they have made already and some of the pieces they have created for celebrities, events, and companies.

I enjoyed our visit to M&S Schmalberg and it was cool to learn about their process and the way they have evolved throughout the years. We were each given a little flower clip to take home with us as well which was very generous of them.

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stoll

// february 21 2019 //

This week we went to Stoll, a German-based knitwear manufacturing company. Stoll helps to bridge the link between sophisticated manufacturing technology and fashion. They help to inspire development, production, sourcing and trading companies.

During our visit, we were able to observe multiple different knitting processes. Each process is used to create different types of garments with varying weights and gauges. Some people volunteered to help knit or link a few lines on the machines. Linked garments are higher in quality and craftsmanship than items that are sewn together. Linking is a skill as well as learning how to code the massive machines. Both people we spoke to have been knitting for over 25 years.

Stoll creates knitted wear, not fully fashioned garments. They typically add neck trims and things. Their garments come off the machine as one piece. This is a lot more sustainable than cut and sew practices because less fabric is being wasted.

She showed us some of the trend garments for this season. It was a lot of activewear pieces. Some of the fabrications had reflective yarns knitted throughout so that they would provide safety and be reflective in the dark. They also create footwear uppers made entirely of knitted fabric.

One thing I found very helpful was that each garment and piece of fabric had a tag on it with information about the fabric and the number which you could look up on their website and learn additional information about. She allowed us to touch and look at all of the different fabric samples. It was impressive observing how many different fabrics can be created depending on the fibers used, construction method and design functions.

This was a very informative visit! Everyone we spoke to was friendly and open for questions. At the end, we received a couple trend books as well. I hadn’t previously thought about going into knitwear or anything but I have a much deeper appreciation for all of my sweaters and knitted garments now because I know the skill and time required to create them.

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abc carpet & home

// february 14 2019 // 

This week we visited ABC Carpet & Home. ABC Carpet & Home is a company that sells a wide range of product including; home goods, tableware, bedding, furniture, flowers, jewelry, crystals, clothing, skincare and beauty products, carpets and much more. The store sources all of its products from sustainable and ethical places. They have created a marketplace that focuses on artistry, quality, and integrity. Their goal is to “captivate and cultivate a healthy home and a healthy planet for all.” 

Our visit started with a short informative tour of the store. Our guide told us that a lot of the wooden furniture in the store came from trees that they refurbished and restored. He explained to us that the ABC Carpet & Home customer has confidence that the company will provide ethical and sustainable products. The store sells over 95 different brands.

I was intrigued by the way the store merchandised its products. Everything was set up to create mini stories. The tables were intricately set as if they came straight from someone’s home. There was a flower stand selling pre-made arrangements and you could also customize a boutique. The bedding downstairs was set up again as if it was someone’s actual bedroom. This gave the store a very comfortable and welcoming feeling as you shopped. Most of the jewelry, crystals, skincare, and clothing were merchandised together by groups.

I really enjoyed this visit! I have passed by ABC Carpet & Home before, but I had never stopped in. I had no idea they sold such a wide assortment of products. I shopped a bit after the visit and there were multiple items I was tempted to buy. This is a company that I could see myself working for because a lot of their values and principles are in alignment with mine.

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cotton inc.

// February 7 2019 // 

This week we went to Cotton Inc. and talked to Aubrey who is a trend forecaster for the denim division. Cotton Inc. is a not-for-profit company that provides resources and research about cotton to companies. They develop and market cotton products while focusing on every area of the cotton lifestyle.

During our visit, Aubrey told us about the company and what her role as a trend forecaster involves. The forecasting team develops 5 seasonal forecasts a year. Most of the trends are lifestyle based and can be incorporated into multiple aspects of their consumers' lives. The lifestyle trends are translated to color, fabric, and silhouette. 

Aubrey has been all over the world to conduct research and present her findings to companies. Trend forecasters are responsible for sample shopping garments with high cotton contents. They cut pieces of the garments and then send the findings to a laboratory to be analyzed and used as inspiration for future seasons. The swatches are presented to companies that Cotton Inc. works with to demonstrate how these innovations can be used in their fabrics and garments. They are currently researching trends for Fall 2021.

The entire experience at Cotton Inc. was really great. Aubrey was super informative and helpful throughout our entire session and she answered all of our questions. She gave us a presentation of the Spring Summer trends from 2018 and she even showed us some of their sample garments from past seasons. I really enjoyed learning more about what a trend forecaster does and about Cotton Inc. as a company.

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fox unlimited

// January 31 2019 // 

This week we visited Fox Unlimited, a leather and fur supplier in New York City. They are involved with every aspect from inspiration to sourcing and production. Fox Unlimited does a lot of work for designers such as Elizabeth and James, Ralph Lauren and Alexander Wang, but they also have their own label, Tasha Tarno. The company also works with individual clients creating beautiful custom-made garments.

We spoke to Brittany and Jack during our visit and they told us all about the company and gave us a great opportunity to touch the garments and try them on. Being able to feel the coats and pieces gave a more comprehensive idea of the quality and how real fur differentiates from faux fur. Brittany is a designer and she showed us a couple of pieces from her collection, including a few faux fur coats. She explained how she wanted to appeal to a younger audience as well and make some of the pieces more affordable. Jack and Brittany addressed the issues that the company faces associated with PETA and sustainability. They explained that from an environmental perspective real fur is much better for the environment than synthetic faux fur which is made of plastic and requires a lot of chemicals to create. In addition, faux fur requires more units to be produced whereas a single coat can be made with a certain type of fur and less fabric is being wasted. Because of this, all of their garments are extremely luxurious and valuable. Ultimately, Fox Unlimited is a fashion company and they will follow the fashion trends to accommodate their customers, therefore they do have some faux fur pieces.

I found this visit to be very informative and I really enjoyed their informal presentation. I didn’t realize how many different types of fur there is and all of the ways it can be produced to make different fabrics. They showed us the difference from silver fox and blue fox as well as letting us inspect a knitted garment made from rex rabbit fur. The designs ranged from classic to very creative and trendy. They can accomplish this through different construction methods, dyes and types of fur used. I learned a lot from Jack and Brittany and I appreciate them taking the time to host us, give a presentation and let us shop afterward if we wanted!

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hautelook & nordstrom rack

// January 24 2019 // 

This week we went to visit the building that Nordstrom Hautelook and Nordstrom Rack operate out of in the city.  The informational session included three representatives who all shared a bit about their experience working for Nordstrom and what their current responsibilities include. Each had different levels and years of experience in the industry, but it was obvious that they all really enjoyed working at Nordstrom. I spent a bit of time as a sales associate for Nordstrom one summer and got a better idea of the company’s history, but during my research prior to our site visit, I learned that there are over 380 brick and mortar stores throughout the USA and Canada. Originally Nordstrom was founded in 1901 by Carl Wallin and John Nordstrom as a shoe store named “Wallin and Nordstrom”. The company was passed down to John’s three sons and Wallin eventually sold his shares and the company became known as Nordstrom’s Best and then finally Nordstrom. The company experienced incredible success and in 1998 they launched their online retail site. Hautelook was developed in 2007 as a member only website offering flash sales and limited time discounts on designer brands. It has headquarters in Los Angles. During the presentation, I learned more about Hautelook and Nordstrom Rack and how they work together in relation to Nordstrom. Our speakers told us about all of the planning and prep work required for events and maintenance of the website. They talked about market and trend forecasting a little as well. I enjoyed the presentation and learning more about each person’s career path with Nordstrom. They all agreed that the people and the company culture were a huge factor in why they enjoyed working at Nordstrom, as well as all of the internal promotion opportunities. I am thankful for the opportunity to listen and ask questions and I feel that I gained a deeper understanding of the company as a whole.