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Cotton Inc.

Hello everyone <3

Regrettably, I was unable to attend this study tour. However, I conducted some research on Cotton Inc, a non-profit organization that provides fashion companies with valuable resources to develop innovative uses for cotton products. Their resources provide support for sustainable cotton practices, denim recycling initiatives, fiber economic analysis, fabric development, and much more. Although headquartered in New York, the company primarily concentrates on marketing and advertising, as opposed to direct production.

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Coach and Kate Spade

During our study tour, we had the opportunity to visit the Coach and Kate Spade's store located in Hudson Yards. Before I dive into the study tour aspect, I just want to show y'all how beautifully decorated Hudson Yards was.

The stud tour was a great chance for me to learn more about both brands and their most popular products. As I don't usually visit these stores, it was fascinating to see the wide range of merchandise they offer. I was particularly impressed by Coach, who provided a service to embroider or stamp a logo onto one of your bag tags.

During the tour, I visited Kate Spade's store for the first time and got to learn about the brand. I was impressed by the merchandise and loved the way they used fun fabrics with tailored silhouette. I wish I had taken a picture of the taxi shoes they had on display, which were inspired by New York.

Overall, the learning adventure was great. I enjoyed interacting with the actual store while being informed about the brand.

Until next time,

xoxo

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Harry Potter Study Tour <3

Hello everyone!

During one of our study tour experiences, we visited the Harry Potter store, which is now one of my favorite study spots. Although I'm not a Harry Potter fan, the store made me want to watch all the movies.

It was exciting to see how detailed the store was compared to the exterior. Harry Potter fans would enjoy the experience of finding unique characteristics planted around the store, like an egg hunt. I also appreciated that they displayed actual items from the movie and organized the garments by each class.

Overall, I had an amazing time visiting this store. I'm certain that if it weren't for the study tour, I probably wouldn't have had the opportunity to visit. I learned so much about Harry Potter, and I've become more interested in the movie as a result.

Until next time,

xoxo

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Create a Marker

Hello,

For last week's study tour, we visited Create a Marker. In this particular study tour, I learned a lot about the grading of patterns and how important the fit is for a mass-produced garment. As a designer, we've only touched bases on grading every so often near the end of some projects. It would be nice to have a full course about grading patterns and how to make sure the fit of the pattern is accurate to the actual garment. It sounds easy, but it's actually more technical than communicated.

Here are a few pictures that I got from the study tour:

A lot of math goes into the process of making patterns and the fabric choice also has to be considered as well. Personally, I never thought of how the use of different fabrics could affect the fit of a garment if I were to use the same pattern. I also was not familiar with the most up-to-date grading rule in regard to sizing up and down. Thankfully, we were given some of these tips during the tour. In the future, I would actually love to attempt grading patterns of my own.

Until next time,

xoxo

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Sophies Showroom

Hello everyone!

For last week's study tour, I visited Fifth Ave Women's, a jewelry showroom. This tour has by far been one of my favorites out of all. I enjoyed learning from the owner Sophie about the products she sells and how passionate she was about the quality they each held. It's such an inspiring feeling as a young designer to see someone very passionate in what they do, and often you can see that throughout their work.

Here are a few photos of the showroom and the jewelry displayed:

Everything was so eye-catching and beautiful. As soon as I walked into the room I wanted to buy something. I was immediately drawn to the necklace in the picture above.

What's so amazing about Sophie's jewelry is that each piece is authentic, has meaning, and the stones vary. If I was a buyer I would definitely be looking her way! She was informative about the quality of making and aging within her pieces, and the tour was very interactive.

I am personally a huge jewelry collector, which was heavily influenced by my grandma. So this study tour was definitely up my alley and has also inspired me to try jewelry making. I'm not sure when or how I would attempt it, but the thought has definitely crossed my mind during the tour.

Here are some pieces that I did end up buying, which consist of a 20 year+ aged Jade pendant and a real pearl necklace.

I hope to visit Sophie soon and collect a few more of her pieces!

As always, until the next tour!

xoxo

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M&S Flowers Visit

Hello everyone!

For last week's study tour, we visited M&S Flowers. This study tour was very interactive and informative. I was so glad to learn more about M&S Flowers, the founders, and how the business is currently operating. It was beautiful to see how mock-ups of flowers can be created and molded into different shapes and sizes.

Our tour guide, Adam shared some information on how flowers were created through molds. At first, they were put into these molds that sat on top of heat to form into it's structure. With new technology, these molds are pressed and the heating process is much faster. Here is a view of some of the molds!

Until next time,

xoxo!

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BROADWAY BROADWAY BROADWAY

Hello all!

For last week's study tour, we got to visit the Broadway Museum. I was so excited to participate in this adventure because I do not have the most knowledge of Broadway and musicals. So this was a pretty interesting experience, and since then I've been convinced to see a show very soon. The show that I am thinking about seeing is Chicago. My grandma is very familiar with that show and musical in general, and she suggested that I should see that one first.

What I loved most about the museum was being able to see all the costumes from plays on display. There were even parts of the tour that showed patterns that made some costumes. There was also a book that you could look through in the dressing room set up, that showed outfits and their fabric swatches. It was all so beautiful and mesmerizing!

Overall, the tour was memorable and fun! I really enjoyed this trip to the museum because I know that with all my homework I wouldn't have been able to do this alone.

Until next time,

xoxo!

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A trip to Ross!

Hello everyone!

For this week's study tour, we took a trip to Ross's HQ to learn more about the company, specifically the business side of fashion retail. What I enjoyed most about this company and learning how passionate they are about their stores AND workers. It's always amazing to hear how companies like to engage with their staff and create a positive work environment. From what I've heard a lot of staff members have been working with Ross's HQ for a long time, which is another plus for this company.

During our introduction meeting, we were informed about the positions that Ross provided for fashion interns. The positions were assistant buyer or planner. Before walking into this meeting I had no idea what either of those positions were. There's a lot that goes into buying more than I thought, which I am happy that we were informed about due to my area of fashion not really focusing on business.

The overall presentation informed us about each stage of the positions, along with how it could promote us to leveled positions. I am contemplating on applying for this internship due to my curiosity about the business side of fashion. I'm actually very interested in learning more and attempting an experience working with the company.

Until Next time!

xoxo

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The View LIVE

Hello everyone!

For this week's study tour, we got an in-person experience of The View talk show!

Right off the bat, I was excited to not only see Whoopi Goldberg but being able to sit in the same room as her didn't feel real. To be completely honest I never pictured myself watching a live show in person. I'm glad to have been a part of something like this because the experience alone gave me a sense of aspiration that I can be in rooms like these. The environment was incredible, and it was also surprising to see how many designers were in the audience along with us. I didn't expect to get some fashion experience from the show, but I surprisingly got it from individuals in the audience!

I did not get many pictures of the show due to security. However, I did get a picture of the Back to the Future car that was on set before the show! What's amazing about being in the audience of the show is how interactive everyone on set is. There really wasn't a dull moment that I could remember my entire time being there. Everything was in the moment for me. I would love to do something like this again but I'm not sure what show I would like to see live. Overall, for a first time experience I rate it a 10/10.

Until next time,

xoxo

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Coterie Show

Hello everyone! :)

For this past week's study tour, our class visited the New York Coterie Show. To be completely honest, before this visit, I did not know that events like this existed! One thing I can say is that I've been learning so much from our study tour visits. This visit, plus the study tour before this, have given me two different points of view on the business aspect of fashion. I've been given the opportunity to see what goes into making specialized garments and how clothing lines are stocked for a season underneath a department.

During this study tour, I was able to interact and visit many brands that were seeking buyers for their products. Unfortunately, I did not take pictures of the garments due to some businesses not allowing photos. However, I did receive a couple of complementaries from individual business owners!

What I enjoyed most about this tour were the few incidents where business owners ushered me over, not asking if I was a buyer or not, just simply wanting to inform me about their backgrounds and brands! I was drawn to these brands because the garments were beautiful, and the owner was interested in engaging with all visitors.

One of the individuals I spoke with was Jasmene Bowdry. Jasmenes brand is currently an online boutique called Shift StyleHouse. She gave me incredible advice on starting a brand, a brief summary of how she became involved in the fashion industry, and the background behind her brand which is based in Atlanta! It was wonderful to speak and engage with someone who I could connect with and feel inspired. I didn't see many black-owned businesses at the show, so it was amazing to stumble upon Jasmenes' brand. Learning from her and just having a brief conversation with her set such an incredible tone for me. It was inspirational to see her stand in a room that I could be in one day!

I definitely rate my first Coterie Show experience a 10/10! I really would love to engage in more activities like this because not only is it a learning experience, it's mesmerizing to see how each brand forecasted their seasonal/seasonless designs.

Until next time!

xoxo >:)

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NY Embroidery Studio

Hello everyone! >:)

During this past week's study tour, we got the chance to visit the New York embroidery studio! I was amazed by how colorful everything was, and the inside was very decorative. The first thing that caught my eye was the timeless sewing machines. I was surprised to hear that the sewing machines weren't just being displayed; no matter how old they are the machines are still being put to use.

I was also very excited to tour the studio and take a look at all the machines that were beyond the sewing machines displayed. Also, I got the chance to look at some of the techniques each machines used to create embroidery. We were not allowed to take pictures due to the collaboration with the studio and some brands so I don't have many pictures of the actual embroidery in process. However, I was able to get some pictures of the threading in some machines!

Overall, the tour was great and very detailed. I am grateful to have learned so much about what goes on behind the detailing of embroidery because it isn't something you know or come across every day. I enjoy tours like these because it gives you a chance to see what goes on behind making the detailing of garments. Hopefully, in the future, I can pick up a thing or two on how to work one of those machines! LOL

UNTIL NEXT TIME!!

xoxo

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Day at the MET

Hello again!

The study tour for this week required us to attend The Met. This was my second time being there, and still, I have yet to explore every inch of it. Although I only got the chance to explore a few of the galleries, all of the art pieces were still quite mesmerizing. During this trip, I got the chance to focus on a lot of the detailing within the art. I focused on the detailing within the folding of fabric on statues, the carvings within the ceilings and arches, and the illustrations made of stainless glass.

I also did not know that there was a rooftop :). I am so happy to have discovered a spot to view the city and observe art all at once. It's cheesy to admit, but I couldn't help but think of how I was surrounded by so much beauty all in one setting! The rooftop is definitely one of the best parts of the Met (and also the best place to take pictures!!)

It was a great trip to the museum, and I plan on visiting again before it gets too cold. Overall I had a great time when I was there. I can't wait for you all to hear about my next adventure!

xoxo

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Here's a link to a Spotify playlist made only for this journey! I hope it brings everyone nostalgia when you visit this page.

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Scavenger Hunt

Hello everyone, welcome to my first post! So this week I participated in a scavenger hunt around midtown. What I enjoyed about this adventure was the sightseeing, architecture, and atmosphere that each place had. The first stop was the New York Public Library. Although I didn't get the chance to go inside, I was able to admire the architecture outside of the building. Which was very beautiful!

The next stop wasn't too far from the first. Bryant Park was by far the most beautiful stop.

After that, we went over to the Books of Kinokuniya. We also got the chance to stop near the giant button statue! I really enjoy art, especially statues of art so I was happy to be able to admire some of these pieces along the way. Personally, I genuinely feel like there should be more art statues in Midtown.

Shortly after, we made our way to some supply stores. I also really enjoyed this part of the adventure, mainly because I am trying to get familiar with all the supply stores. It's always a fun visit to Mood Fabric, and also bad for me because I could spend hours there admiring the fabrics! All-in-One Trimmings was unfortunately closed but I'm hoping to make it in the store a day when they are open. Similarly, I did get the chance to stop at M&J Trimmings which is another supply store.

Lastly, we stopped at a couple of familiar boutiques such as H&M, Macys, and Muji. It was my first time being in Muji, and I was instantly drawn to the aromatherapy diffusers. What I love most about these stores is the levels that they all have. Most stores where I'm from probably have one to two levels, two being really rare. I've noticed that in NY most of the shops have at least two to four levels. Which I find pretty amazing.

The scavenger hunt was an amazing way to start off the study tour class. I'm looking forward to our next adventure!

, xoxo