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[nycsummerstudytour]

Tusk

Attending the Tusk showroom today was such a unique experience in the fact that it was our first/last accessories based company and I was familiar with the brand prior to attending the tour! I have known about the brand Tusk for about 4 years now and I was originally introduced to the brand through. mutual friend who had a few of their items. Hearing from the CEO/creator of the company was so insightful to me to not only hear about his experiences in the industry and the partners he has worked with; but also to learn abut his opinions on certain hot topic issues in the industry today. I found his answers to our questions of sustainability and marketing to be rather funny just because we were almost acting as their marketing pool for ways to elevate their company.

We discusses issues ranging from sustainability in the industry, to vegan leathers, to what makes something sustainable and our own shaping habits/beliefs on the topics of sustainability. His answers were quite interesting to hear just from person knowledge since they own their own factories unlike most brands and I think we all really learned a lot more abut what it means for a brand to be truly sustainable in their practices. I felt super comfortable opening up to him about my own beliefs about being a consumer and the issue of sustainability in my shopping habits and it was just an overall very informative and relaxed environment. Everyone from Tusk was more than welcoming and we even got a change to get up close and personal with the products. We were able to touch/hold any accessory we wanted and were able to ask questions regarding product sourcing and more. The whole experience was so insightful for me as a fashion student and I am so grateful I was able to see a brand I had admired for so long in person in NYC! 

[nycsummerstudytour]

Preface NYC

It was such a cool and different experience being able to tour the Preface showroom and I found the whole tour to be rather insightful for me. Before coming to the showroom, I really had no idea how different fabric vendors sold their products to mainstream companies, but after todays tour I now have a much better understanding of the industry as a whole. I was really able to relate and understand how the different vendors used their innovative fabric techniques to sell them to mass-market brands or even their own clothing line.

I found it so awesome as well that the showroom also supported vintage brands and companies that really believed in sustainability in the industry. Being able to tour, touch and get a feel for the pieces in the vintage collection really inspired me to think about sustainability in the industry in a whole new way. I found the information/tour of each fabric vendor to be extremely interesting and I liked hearing directly from the vendors themselves to hear exactly what their missions were and how they were accomplishing them. 

The overall space was very compelling and felt like a whole community. It never felt like each vendor was competing over each other; it was a very informative and positive space where each company was able to share their recent fabric innovations with their fellow industry professionals and the whole time was just very uplifting. It gave not only the vendors, but the consumers an inside look into each vendors techniques and we were able to gain knowledge on how their innovative fabrics were created and made. I found it fun and refreshing to see other companies sporting one another instead of trying to out-sell/compete with one another. 

My time at Preface NYC was truly so special to me and I will forever remember it! Everything from the fabrics, to the various construction methods; it was all so informative and I really did learn a lot about the industry as a whole but more particularly how fabric innovation occurs. Onto the next place! 

[nycsummerstudytour]

The MET

Seeing The Met gala coverage on the news and social media is always a favorite time of year for fashion lovers and I had the amazing opportunity to visit the Camp exhibit that showcased this year's Met Gala theme. The Camp exhibit gave us a unique look at the outrageous, over the top, expressive outfits that popular design houses feel represent the theme of Camp. Camp was defined as being exaggerative and loud; speaking your viewpoint and unapologetically believing in it. Most of the designs that were featured in the exhibit showcased intricate use of laces, feathers, exotic materials and crazy silhouettes. The garments ranged from Gucci, to Balenciaga and each designer offered a drastically different viewpoint of what Camp meant to them.

The main room featured Muti-colored display windows with various designer items in them and the exhibit brought you into an alsmot fairytale like atmosphere. The designs were on full display and some featured turn-style platforms to really show off the master craftsmanship of the garments. I found it so thrilling and exciting to see my favorite celebrity dresses on display and I was immediately able to tell which dress was worn by what celebrity. The museum as a whole was quite overwhelming with just the amount of history and knowledge was available there and I had such an amazing time exploring the other exhibits as well. 

The rooftop lounge was one of my favorite parts of the visit just because you were able to get a 360 degree look at the beautiful city skyline and it offered a different view of the city. Everything from the art to the sweeping views were incredibly stunning and I was just in shock that I was actually able to experience all of this.

One of my favorite looks from the exhibit was this Gucci display that showcased rather tame and minimal looks compared to the rest of the exhibit and I loved the way that Gucci explained why these looks fit into the Camp category. I think that tasteful design and an intricate eye for detail does make garments Camp and I think that most people find it hard to pinpoint exactly what Camp means to them. The exhibit was really all about brand expression and a celebration of creativity in the industry.

Visiting the Camp exhibit was truly a dream come true for me and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. I was so excited to see the different approaches each designer took the theme and I found it extremely informative as well. The exhibit taught me so much more about the industry as a whole and what it meant to have a point of view. I was so happy I was able to experience this exhibit and I look forward to our next tour!! 

[nycsummerstudytour]

Stoll Knitting NYC

Stoll Knitting is known in the industry for being at the forefront of all knitting technologies and having the exclusive chance to check out their facilities was such an honor. Based off of the presentation, the 145 year old company is committed to brining the finest craftsmanship an technologies to the knitting industry and have innovative ideas that keep them ahead of all of the competition. 

I found it so interesting that the the Still space was as large as it was to house the knitting machines and I really had no knowledge prior to the tour anything about the knitting industry. It was so unique to get to hear about the industry and their company through the eyes of an actual industry professional. It blew my mind that they were able to create all the different weaves, finishes and innovative new ideas into their creations and the company overall had me very impressed with everything from their company motto to their core values. I believe that companies like Stoll are essential in propelling the industry into the next generation and  it truly was eye opening being able to visit a place like this.

I really was interested in the fact that Stoll works closely with fashion seniors and visionaries to bring their highly skilled and intricate designs to life. I thought the whole process of knitting was very simple and I learned that the process is very difficult and time consuming. I now have a deeper found respect for every aspect of the industry, including sewing/knitting. The whole tour was truly so special and I can now take my knowledge that I learned and apply it towards my future career! Onto the next place! 

[nycsummerstudytour]

Mood Fabrics

Growing up watching Project Runway I would always see the designers talk about/go to the this store called Mood and I always thought about how cool it would be to visit; and thankfully I was able to see if for myself! I decided the first weekend I moved into my apartment in NYC I would make the trip to see the resources behind the NYC designers visions. 

When I walked into the store I couldn't help but notice all the fabrics, embellishments and trimming details surrounding the store. It was like I was in fabric heaven! Everything imaginable to construct a garment was at this store and the sheer amount of choices was incredibly overwhelming to take in. As I was walking down up and down the aisles of fabric, I couldn't help but see all the different fabric names and it brought my back to my first fabrics class freshman year. I found myself often goin down an aisle and just feeling the fabrics and trying to guess what their constructions were without looking at the fair titles. I found the trip to be a surprisingly good refresher on my fabric knowledge and I truly felt so inspired in the space. Visiting a store that was so active/busy with the local designers of today truly was an eye opening experience to the world of design and It was refreshing to see a different side of the industry. I was so used to being exposed to the merchandising/buying side of the industry it was a nice change of pace to see where the NYC designers playground was! 

One of the most exciting things I was looking forward to was being able to see the infamous dog names Swatch at the store! He has been the unofficial mascot of the store for years and I was so incredibly happy I was able to see him when I went to visit! He was the cutest dog ever and it honestly felt like a dream come tru being able to see him. Everybody in the store seemed to know who the dog was and I found it hilarious the amount of people would ask questions but about Swatch! 

My trip to Mood was so incredibly special and memorable to me and I am so happy I was able to see the iconic store that I grew up dreaming about! 

[nycsummerstudytour]

Cotton Inc.

Before coming to Cotton Inc. I really had no idea how the company conducted business or their research but after hearing from their forecaster I now know just how much goes into it. It was so fascinating to hear about all the trips and research that goes into their company as well as all their manufacturing plants in the south. I had no idea what the companies purpose was before the presentation, but I now understand all the intricate details and planning that is involved with forecasting and running their business. I thought it was crazy that they were predicting trends 18-24 months in advance of the season and I really couldn't even grasp that concept until the preceptor explained the process. After hearing about all the travels and countries the forecasters were able to visit, it has inspired me to think about a forecasting role. I know that the role is not easy to get into, but hearing about the experiences that the job brings it really motivated me to get there.

I liked that they had their real Swatch packets that they would show clients in front of us so we were able to see exactly what a company like Nike or Adidas would see. The presentation that went along with the forecast was also something that was extremely interesting for me to see due to the fact that we have been doing similar projects in school and I never saw/understood the real-life implications of it so that was super cool to see. I found it incredible that only 12 employees were able to facilitate all the projects the company had going on and the whole trip was just so inspiring. I am so excited to see what the next tour has to offer!

[nycsummerstudytour]

Hudson Yards

Even though I missed out on going to this study tour trip, I have been to Hudson Yards before a week or so ago and I was incredibly blown away. Just the sheer amount of space the place has is not only breathtaking, it also can be a little overwhelming. Hudson Yards is the most expensive development in U.S history costing over $25 billion. It serves as not only a reminder to the sheer talent/tenacity of the human spirit; but also the dedication to creating new/innovative neighborhoods that bring cities into the next generation. Just the sheer amount of man-power it must’ve taken to construct the neighborhood was breathtaking and from the very moment I walked into the complex it felt like I was exiting the old world and walking into the future.

Just the sheer amount of retail space in the development is truly mind-blowing in itself. With all of this space for retailers though I couldn’t help but to question how well stores would do in this new mega-complex with the recent decline of brick-and-mortar shopping and the online shopping era. It will be interesting to see how these retailers fair in this new retail format and I look forward to checking back in to see what stores have opened/closed. Although online shopping has increased in popularity I believe that Hudson Yards has something else going for it that will help combat the retail apocalypse and that is the fact that it really is a destination spot for a lot of people. A lot of people are interested in checking out the complex to see what it is all about which will ultimately lead to more foot traffic and sales. I believe that although brick and mortar retailers are suffering, Hudson Yards should has the advantage of offering not only stores but restaurants and residential buildings as well to help create the sense of community. Hudson Yards goes way beyond just another mall, it marks a pivotal change and a fundamental reworking of neighborhoods and what it means to be in a community. It challenges the traditional thinking of shopping and brings in a level of luxury and experience that shoppers and people alike will be attracted to.

Not only does the development make you want to explore around and shop, it makes you want to spend time in the neighborhood exploring its art instillation called “The Vessel” and other sights as well that really help to draw you in. This is what gives Hudson Yards its big advantage over other large malls; it acts as a destination place for several different groups of individuals. It pushes the boundaries of what a traditional neighborhood can be and that’ll ultimately be the factor that keeps people coming back time and time again.

It was definitely an amazing opportunity to go check out this mega-development and see exactly what the most expensive development in the U.S has to offer and I look forward to continually visiting it to keep on experiencing the Hudson Yards magic!

[nycsummerstudytour]

Terra Inde

Being able to explore the Terra Inde showroom was truly a dream come true. Not only was this my first time going to an Indian based designer house, it was great that the owner was so informative and open with all of us about her business. Her story behind Terra Inde really did inspire me because not only did she come to this country alone to pursue her dreams, she had no back up. She believed in her company and her products enough to be confident in them and had the determination to make her dreams a reality with opening a store in NYC.

Her brand was all about exuding Indian culture as well as featuring a mix of up and coming designers with established brands. It was fascinating to here her story about how when she started Terrr Inde she didn't have any brands or clients and in just the two (almost 3) years her brand has been open she now has an online presence and carry multiple brands and products. What I found interesting about this tour was how heavily she relied on using social media as an important marketing tool when it comes to getting her brand out there. It really does go to show you that utilizing social platforms not only helps expand business, it gives customers a platform to share the brands identity and offers free marketing by customers in a way.

The showroom was just spacious enough and featured dresses on racks on both sides of the room. In the middle there was a small seating area for friends/family as well as a dressing room. Jewelry displays were featured above the dresses as options for customers to accessorize the garments with and there was even a table with plush dolls for children/gifts. Each garment seen could be customized to be a different color/texture depending on the silhouette and it was so cool to see all the different Indian designers takes on classic dress silhouettes.

It was such an honor to gain some knowledge from an international entrepreneur and after hearing her story and journey to where she was today, it gave me hope for my future and my goals. Opening a brand is something that I have always dreamed about and gaining the inside knowledge and tips from her was so incredibly helpful and informative. I definitely will not forget this tour and I can't wait to see what's in store!

[nycsummerstudytour]

F.I.T

This week, we got the chance to hear from one of the directors of the F.I.T Study collection to hear about fashion throughout the decades. Not only was this presentation given at one of the top Fashion schools in the country, we were able touch real-life pieces from the decades  and gained first hand knowledge about them. 

Being able to learn this valuable information through a professional     that specializes in fashion through the decades was such a great experience because I never really learned much about the fashion decades other than a class that briefly talked about it my Freshman year. Hearing this lecture gave me the knowledge to be a better fashion insider and has opened my eyes on a lot of modern day designers fashion history references. Before knowing much about fashion decades, I really was not able to look at a particular ensemble and be able to tell you what decade it was referencing, but after this session I now know the basic elements to look for when talking about fashion decades. I also gained a greater understanding of the events going on during those times that led to garments looking/functioning the way they did. This session gave me ample real-life scenarios that easily allow me to remember the significant events during the time that led to each decades overall aesthetic. 

Being able to have all of these garments present throughout the decades really helped to solidify each decade and allowed me to feel, inspect and acknowledge each piece to appropriately identify the decade. This method of learning really is the most beneficial to me because I am a visual learner and having all the garments in front of us really helped to make me absorb all the information that was being thrown our way. This sessions was truly so unique in the sense that it was all fashion-minded people in the same room learning and expressing their passions to one another and it was just so cool to see it all happening in front of me. Fashion through the decades was always a subject that I was never particularly strong in, but after this session mixed with my outside research I am now able identify the decades and explain why the clothing the way it was during the time. This session with F.I.T was truly once in a lifetime and I feel so blessed and honored to have been able to experience this. 

[nycsummerstudytour]

M&S Schmalberg

We had the amazing opportunity to visit and tour M&S Schmalberg artificial flowers led by Adam Brand. Before Adam even began to give us the background history and heritage of their company, you couldn't help but to admire and grace around the room to admire all of their beautiful work. The interior of their office was incredibly ornate with intricate flowers throughout the entire room that also featured sample garments with infinites amount of possibilities. Their office acted as an almost viewing space for all of their work and featured a wall with celebrities who have been spotted wearing the brands delicate designs. Everyone from Rihanna to Alexander Wang have used/worn their masterful flower skills. 

Adam was redundant in the fact that their company was not trying to make artificial flowers that looked real; their mission was to create beautiful silhouettes of flowers with fabric. The aim is to create something that is beautifully executed and completely customizable for the exact need of the customer. Prior to visiting, I had no idea that there was such a market and need for these types of companies, but Adam explained that there used to be over 40 in Manhattan but they're the only ones left now. This was surprisingly shocking since M&S has worked with so many well known designers, but he said that technological advances has put many companies like his out of business. 

All of the flowers that were out were able to be completely customizable all the way down to the color of the stem; the level of customization on these arrangements is mind blowing and requires immense skill to execute. As the tour continued, I really started to understand just how masterfully skilled the workers had to be in order to create an infinite amount of designs and the overall patience that goes into the process. Adam filled us in that there were purchase as is units available that he sells online on retailers like Amazon, but that is only a small portion of the options available. Everything from the petal shape, color, fabric, size and more is able to changed to the customers liking to give them a 100% unique arrangement which is an aspect of the company I found to be particularly interesting. I also found it interesting that designers like Alexander Wang still ask to business with M&S for orders like over 200,000 tiny individual petals. I would've thought that the design houses were in charge of all of those elements of their collections but I think it really is amazing that they're able to collaborate and help each other out when it comes to embellishments and such. I find that in fashion, the aspect of supporting each other in the business is very uncommon,  but hearing that big designers like Alexander Wang still appreciate the craftsmanship like companies like M&S still offer. 

At the end of the tour we were able to observe the workers putting together some arrangements for an upcoming event they have with a fashion brand and it was incredible to see the attention to detail and the sheer amount of craftsmanship the tedious work takes. Being able to tour smaller companies like this really does make me proud to be in the industry I’m in because all of these laborers and owners make up something so special in the industry and it was such an honor to visit. This tour really opened my eyes to a part of the industry I was very unfamiliar about and gave me a new found appreciation for the skill/jobs that they do! 

[nycsummerstudytour]

Hautelook/Nordstrom NYC

When I found out we were going to have the chance to tour the Nordstrom NYC office space I was immediately so excited because this is a brand that I have dreamed about working for for years now. Working at Nordstroms is like a dream and it is something that after this tour, I feel is increasingly likely/possible to happen. Nordstrom has made a name for themselves in the industry for a long time due to their focus on the customer experience. When we arrived on the 15th floor, I was shocked at how spacious and new the space felt and I saw the gorgeous city views that greeted me in the floor-to-ceiling windows. The space just felt so fresh and inviting and I was thrilled for the presentation. I was inspired by all the chic outfits I saw in the workplace and it made me start to think about the opportunities that are out there for and my career. Since I will be graduating in December, I am explaining all of my options and the moment I stepped off the evaluator I just felt like I belonged there.

 Once the presentation started I was a bit skeptical of how much information I didn’t already know about the company but WOW did I learn a lot! I had no idea even how Hautelook and Nordstrom were related but it was incredible to hear about all this information from a former student. It was really inspiring for me as someone who was in her shoes a few years ago graduating from college and now she is working at Nordstroms corporate; it was a great opportunity. I really learned also about digital merchandising which I totally forgot was an actual job that plays an intrigue part in the company, I was fascinated by her knowledge and talking skills throughout the presentation and it got me even more excited about possible job opportunities and career paths. The best piece of advice I got from the whole presentation was not limit myself to any one career path. She said that a lot of companies now (especially Nordstrom) is big on being multi-faceted and being a jack of all trades versus an expert in one path. This advice seems to be pretty common because when I toured DSW corporate in Columbus last steamer, the buyer for Women’s shoes said the same thing. She said that being flexible and keeping and open mind is the key to success in the industry and I really am thankful that they shared this with us. I find too often people that say they only want to do this one thing within the industry but I believe that the process is a journey and evolving and trying different things in terms of your career is often times beneficial. Being able to diversify your work is really something that wills et you apart from the competition as well as opening up your mind to a whole new perspective. 

This was my favorite visit thus far with a company because it is a company I respect and admire and hopefully will work for one day. I learned so much about where all their different buying, merchandising, creative and analytics teams are all stationed and I gained so much knowledge about the growth of the company. This opportunity is an experience that I will never forget and I am incredibly grateful I was given the chance to learn about one of my favorite retailers. 

[nycsummerstudytour]

MM. LaFleur

On Tuesday, we had the amazing chance and opportunity to learn about the brand MM.LaFleur. This company is so inspiring to be because I knew of their story before we toured, so I knew how amazing and powerful these women were who started the company. It was an incredible opportunity to hear about this empowering women's brand that is changing the game when it comes to womenswear in the workplace. They are reinventing what it means to dress for workwear, and they do it in a seamless way that is all about the customer. It was amazing to hear about their incredible start in 2013 all the way to where they are today. They went from an original 7 dress collection to an over $70 million dollar company. 

Not only was the presentation given to us by some of the companies original employees, the overall space environment was so incredible tasteful and inspiring. It really exuded the overall style and envirmoment their target customers would like. The space was inviting, well designed and had a touch of sophistication to it.  The designer for the MM.LaFleur is a former Zac Posen designer, so the whole collection exudes these same traits. I find it inspiring to see a company that came from so little that believed in their core values succeed in the industry.

One other really unique thing that stuck out to me during my time here was just the sheet amount of knowledge and data present in the office. Everywhere I turned there were employees sophisticatedly well-dressed typing away on their laptops or discussing product in the various rooms; nobody seemed to be still and quiet. This aspect of the company really showed just how dedicated and excited they are about what they’re doing. They’re inspiring women to feel confident in their clothes so that THEY they can take that confidence and make a positive difference. Wether that was going into a court room or and CEO executive, this company is inspiring the women's workforce in a way that no other brand is able to match.I am so grateful for all the inside knowledge that we were presented with and I’m hopeful that this knowledge will lead me to some great opportunities in the near future! 

[nycsummerstudytour]

For our first tour we attended the FFANY (Fashion Footwear Association of New York) Market Week which is a shoe showroom event that hosts todays most popular shoe brands. The goal of FFANY is to continue to grow and serve the global footwear market which is every-evolving and changing during this increasingly digital time. FFANY is dedicated to uniting the industry as well as propelling it forward, driving innovation to streamline the buying and selling process, creating an easy and accessible space for buyers and sellers to do business in NYC and much more. This first tour was incredibly insightful and we gained a lot of knowledge from the various showroom sales associates. The FFANY executive director John Heron gave us a brief tour of the showroom as well as the history behind it and how it became the popular showroom it is today. It was incredible interesting to learn about how these different shoe vendors partner with these showroom companies like FFANY to attract various buyers from stores to sell their shoes in. Each shoe brand’s associate would take the time to explain what makes their shoes unique and also answered questions about sourcing, popular styles and so on. I had no idea before coming to this showroom how these different shoe stores ended up in some of the most popular retailers like Nordstrom, DSW, Saks Fifth Avenue and others. John did a great job at answering any/all of our questions regarding the process and was incredibly insightful. These shoe vendors acted as a critical component in securing their shoes with these speciality retailers and it was very exciting to learn more about the shoe business.

Once John’s personal tour was over, we headed down the block to a hotel building that hosted other members of the FFANY Market Week. We were greeted to this massive wall of all the different shoe brands and designers that were in attendance and were able to roam freely from vendor to vendor, asking questions and picking the brains of the designers behind the collections. This experience was very informative and I was fascinated with the sales associates/designers stories that each of  them told had about their journeys to where they were today. There were so many up and coming shoe vendors and each of them had a story that made them stand out. I learned about several different production techniques that the shoes went through as well as key elements to their brands that made them stand out from the rest. Overall, this visit was very insightful and gave me a deeper look at the shoe industry and was something that I will never forget!