Johnson & Whales

 Today I listened to a representative from Johnson & Whales University give a presentation about the school and some of its courses. The school has four campuses spread throughout the United states. These campuses are located in Providence, North Miami, Denver, and Charlotte. Each campus is unique in that all of offer a completely different setting than the next. There is also 44 programs in 18 countries to study abroad from. During the lecture I learned not only about the university, but also gained useful knowledge that I can use to get into a comfortable college setting. For example, I learned some things to consider before choosing a college. Some of these things to consider are: urban or suburban, private or public? These things will narrow down the options to ones more specified to my liking and needs. This lecture has tough me things that I will use to navigate through college.

Source: (www.webometrics.com)

Design Vs Function

 This short documentary explored two skateboard companies and their approach to their work.  The two main components to prototyping are design and function. Interviewer Bolanile Mate approached the the manufacturers to find out their prototyping process. First she checked in with skate company Minka skateboards. These boards are embellished with striking and sophisticated patters made possible by laser technology. Minka skateboards puts design first, before function. Later, the interviewer stopped by Baise-en-ville. A South France based company who drew inspiration from France's beach towns. This company engineered a different structure than the normal skateboard. They designed it with a hole through the nose of the board. This allows for adaption and portability. Baise-en-ville prioritized function over design. I think it is important to focus both design and functionality when you are manufacturing because they go hand-in-hand. For example, every time a new model of the Apple iPhone is released, they usually thin out the casing for aesthetic and design purposes and embed new hardware for functionality.

Source: (www.apple.com)

Fast Fashion

 If you have ever purchased a garment from retailers such as H&M or Forever21, you may ask yourself how the company was able to manufacturer and sell its products for so cheap. Well, the truth is somewhere during the production, the clothing is being made for cheap and the workers being paid even less. Many mass producing brands strive to keep their prices low in order to maintain profits. In order to produce their garments low of cost, these retailers have factories in countries like India make it for them. This is the result of manufacturers competing and continuously lowering their rates for their work. These factories are ridden with unsafe working conditions. These environments are harmful to the people working there, 85% which are women. When one women tried to congregate a union for better wages, she was beaten. Executives from the big brands like to defend their position saying things like "sewing inst inherently dangerous." The future of fashion is unpredictable but hopefully we no longer continue to enable these mass producers to make clothing at the compromise of peoples livelihood.

Cyber Monday

 Cyber Monday is the equivalence of Black Friday for online retailers. The Friday after thanksgiving has marked the start of the shopping season since the 19th century. Traditionally, this would mark the start of the shopping season. Over the years with the popularity of the internet and online shopping, Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday was born from apparent statistics that indicated the day was the kick off of the online shopping season. The reason for this is because after people return from Thanksgiving with family and friends, they return to work and shop online for the bargains they missed on Black Friday. Cyber Monday is now a highly anticipated day for all online shoppers. The term "Cyber Monday" was first used by Ellen Davis, an employee at the National Retail Foundation. She used the term in a 2005 press release " Cyber Monday quickly becoming one of the biggest shopping days of the year." I think Cyber Monday is a great thing because it puts online retailers at even playing fields with other retailers during the shopping season.  

Source: (www.gridgit.com)

Black Friday

 Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving where stores host door buster sales to attract an abundance of costumers. It is also the unofficial start to the shopping season. Black Friday got its name because it is the day where most retailers report their highest profits. Businesses record their loses in red ink and their gains in black. Retailers like Macy's in New York and Eaton in Toronto, have been frequently participating in festivals after Thanksgiving throughout the 20th century. These parades would mark the start of the shopping season. I think Black Friday is a good thing because it give businesses an opportunity to have mass sales. I have only participated in Black Friday once.

Warren Lotas

 Warren Lotas is a Massachusetts based designer who quickly gained recognition for his expressive and poetic pieces.  His collections are embellished with DIY paintings that reference culture and his experience in the world. He paints on flannels, jeans, bombers, and hoodies. Although he decides to paint on worn out clothes, his paintings are rooted in the present. He began designing when he couldn't find anything he liked in the fashion industry, " The stuff what I wanted just wasn't around", says Warren. He first gained some recognition when well known model was photographed wearing his clothing. Lotas used social media to his advantage and distributed his clothing to other models who shared photographs wearing his garments on Instagram and Twitter. This opened many opportunities for the young designer including a chance to get his clothing onto A list rappers. His grungy aesthetic has gained him a costumer base. He now has established his own business and sells his collections on his online store.


Source: (www.warrenlotas.com)

Sustainability in Fashion

  Although, fashion is always evolving, it still falls behind in sustainability when compared to other major industries. I think the fashion world is lacking in sustainability because consumers aren't ready for it. Many people do not see the effect in buying sustainably manufactured garments. For example, people understand the benefit of spending a few more cents on a organic fruit opposed to a non organic one, but the message isn't so clear to many when talking about sustainable fashion. Fast fashion also greatly effects how garments are made. The consumers want what they see on social media and they want it as cheap as possible. This means manufacturers are pumping out garments made out of cheap unsustainable fabrics. Some designers even feel a pressure from factories not to go the eco friendly route.

Adele's new Vanity Fair cover shoot

 Vanity Fair, just release the striking new images of Adele for the December 2016 cover. I'm so obsessed!  These photos allow us to see Adele in a way we have never seen her before. In one picture, we see her sitting on a swing under a tree with a gorgeous red gown billowing in the wind. In another, we see her reclining on a pale cushion wearing an embellished tulle dress. These looks would look amazing on the singer for the up and coming Grammys. In an interview following the shoot, adele speaks about everything from her son to her work ethic. But, on recurring theme was how women inspire and play a big role in her life. She speaks about how when she was older, she felt as if women were competitors. Now she sees them as individuals who have walked similar paths in life, and she says "the more women in my life, the better."  

Source: (www.whowhatwear.com)

Christopher Kane

 Christopher Kane is a Scottish fashion designer who now working in London. He is also part of the apparel company Kering. He studied at the prestigious art school, Central Saint Martins in 2006. He quickly gained the attention of icon, Donatella versace after he had won the Lancome Colour award. This landed him work in the Versace atelier. He also made small jewelry collections for swarovski. Although, Kane is somewhat of a new name in the fashion world, he is quickly establishing himself and making himself a brand. His aesthetic with each collection shifts. He always surprises his audience with new ideas. His work is sold at some of the best retailers around including Barneys NY, Browns, and NET-A-PORTER.COM

Source: (www,wallpapers.com)

Levels of Quality

   Quality is the level of excellence of a product when compared to other products of similar kind. When it comes to garments, quality can usually be identified by the attention of detail in the construction. Quality is also reflected in the choice of material, the durability and the level of design ethic. Apparel quality is generally described as high, medium, or low. Price is usually, but not always indicative of clothing quality. High quality garments have a high attention to detail, good design, the best materials, and are durable. Medium quality garments are well made and durable and constructed from quality material. Low quality apparel is constricted poorly with non durable material. Although, high quality clothing is of the highest standard, it isn't always the best to purchase. For example, it would be smart to buy a high quality garment that will be worn for multiple seasons. To the contrary, it would be ideal to purchase a garment that is low quality if you know it will go out od style or will only be worn a few times.

Source: (www.americancraftsmanproject.com)

Halloween Fashion

 When the fall season comes around, people from all over transform themselves by dressing up on a highly anticipated evening, Halloween. The holiday originated in Britain as a pagan holiday until it evolved into what we know it as today. Originally it was a day to celebrate and remember the departed. Many people do put immense effort into making and planning their costume. To the contrary, I usually don't stress too much about dressing up, but I do like to partake in the festivities.  Every year there is a ton of parties where me along with an abundance of teenagers spend their night.   I think that people now have more flexibility to express themselves during this holiday. The day is reserved to enable an individual to transform into a completely different person. The day also allows for one to show another side of themselves. The world is evolving and becoming more liberal towards the current perception of the "norm."

Source: (www.Guff.com)

Sewing to Survive

      

 Factories around the take advantage of people's desperation to exploit them for their labor. The garment industry, even though they deny it, is a  massive contributor to sweatshops and child labor. Basements with children as young as 7 years old are forced to hunch over a sewing machine and work just in order to survive. They work for as little as a dollar an hour where they construct garments for some instantly recognizable fashion labels. One particular region with a child labor epidemic is in Turkey where there has been a recent migration of Syrian refugees. Many of the undocumented children coming into the county are main targets for these illegal operations. Investigations into these factories are extremely challenging to Turkey's strict laws pertaining to secret filming. Among the Syrian refugees, an estimated 400,000 children are working in sweatshops and factories. A way to combat this dilemma is to give the children education. This will help them learn the language and become part of their new society. It will also give them strong foundational skills that will be sought out by real employers. Another way to challenge this issue is to research and find out what brands are using child labor to manufacture, and then boycotting the company.

Source: (www.media_cache_ec0.pinmg.com)

Vulgar Fashion

 While looking at the photo gallery in the article I got the sense of the vulgarity in the designs. Designs like these will be exhibited in the Barbican Centre in London. The garments featured are all avant garde masterpieces that challenge the current aesthetics, ideas, and perceptions we have in fashion today. This exhibit, featuring designers from all over the world cover over 500 years of history! Works from couturiers like John Galliano, Riccardo Tusci, Gareth Pugh, and Maison Margiela will all be in the shown. The gallery is composed of manuscripts, photography, film, and of course vulgar fashion ranging from couture to ready-to-wear. To be vulgar means to lack sophistication, that means that the current pieces in the exhibit go against what the majority of society considers acceptable and the "norm." Vulgarity also comes from the clothes excessive and extravagant nature that can sometimes be very costly. Critics will say that exhibiting fashion in an art gallery is nonsense. But like CoCo Chanel said, taste is in the eye of the beholder.



Source: (www.brankopopovic.blogspot.com) Source: (www.highsnobiety.com)

Peter Popps

 Peter popps is a self taught shoe designer who emerged from Amsterdam, Netherlands. He is known  for his experimental pieces and extravagant novelties. His career sprouted from working as a sales associate for a small shoe company. While working he began to study product design and architecture. In the years following, Popps stayed in Italy where he was able to work closely with small factory samples in a hands on environment.  This is where he was able to discipline his craft and develop his unique aesthetic. He has always been fascinated with experimentation opposing cultural norms. His inspirations include Gareth Pugh, Paco Rabanne, Iris Van Herpen, and of course Alexander Mcqueen.  In 2003, he opened his own design studio with the goal of developing exclusive collections for companies that appreciated his work ethic. With over 24 years of experience, Peter continues to create stunning avant garde pieces that juxtapose the mainstream and intensify the feminine ideal.

Sorce: (www.peterpopps.com)

Supreme X Vans

 This Thursday, Supreme's highly anticipated collaboration with Vans will be released to the public. This project will be part of Supremes FW16 installment. Supreme has left us with a preview of the designs and colorways of the shoes. They will come in three colors which are black, red, and blue. The printed pattern will be joined with the Vans classic checkerboard Sk8-hi pro and authentic low. The pattern is a combination of Supreme's signature typography and the Vans checkerboard design. The shoes are the Vans that we all learned to love with the exception of a few extra features for maximized comfort. They shoes are constructed with premium suede and canvas along with leather lining and a vulcanized outsole. The project will be available in-stores in LA, London, Paris, New York and online on October 20th. The project will be available in Japan on October 22.
  
Source: (www.supremenewyork.com)

Teamwork

 Teamwork is an essential component in the 21st century work world. In order to have order in a fast paced environment everybody has to be toing their jobs simultaneously with efficiency. In order to do this people have to communicate which involves listing.  This exchange will create a smooth flow in the workspace. Teamwork is what makes productivity manifest in any environment. Last year I studied film and video production. That class was entirely communication and teamwork based. In order for anything to work in that class, we all had to work together towards our common goal. That class conditioned me to work in fast paced environments and to follow directions efficiently. I now know that teamwork is what builds the foundation of a productive efficient environment.                      
Source: (Fastweb)

Cover Girl's first male ambassador

 This week Cover Girl just announced their first male ambassador, James Charles. James describes himself as an aspiring makeup artist living in New York. His disciplined artistry has racked him up over 70,000 subscribers on Youtube and over 400,000 followers on Instagram. This is an extreme accomplishment when you consider he is only 17 years old! His success as a male beauty vlogger is a continuing trend. Others like Manny MUA, Jeffree Star, and Frank B., have all collaborated with major cosmetic manufacturers. In his interview he speaks about his family questioning whether or not he was transgender because of his passion for makeup. People were believing he was trying to emulate a woman because of wearing cosmetics. His goal with this campaign is to break the gender normality in the world of make up and to show that the art is for all genders. A direct quote from James states, "It took a lot of thorough conversations to explain that it's an art form for me. I'm still confident as a boy and I will always be a boy. I can be confident with bare skin and with a full face."
    
Source: (www.fashionista.com)

Jobs in the Fashion Industry

 The fashion industry is the 3rd biggest industry in the world. The industry itself is worth 3 trillion dollars! With this perspective it is easy to see that the fashion industry is massive and has a huge variety of jobs. Three kinds of examples would be a visual merchandiser, social media assistant, and a brand representative. Visual merchandisers create those beautiful window displays we see on the store fronts. This job requires knowledge of design, mixed media art experience, and a grasp on color theory. There is travel involved in this job because they usually get hired by different companies. Social media assistants are those who run the social media accounts for the company. Employers for this job look for younger individuals who are passionate about social media and know how to get reblogs and attention. Travel is not involved in this job because social media accounts can be accessed anywhere in the world. Brand representatives pitch products to the press and boutiques and track samples. Travel is required for this job because you have to preview collection and talk to buyers from all over.

Source: (www.complex.com)



                                       

Chanel Spring2017

 The 2017 Chanel runway show in Paris was a masterful and elegant event. Mr. Lagerfeld yet again transformed the Grand Palais into a stunning set to display this season's collections. The set was a technological landscape fitted with aisles of supercomputers and bight colored wires. It was very clean and futuristic. The theme for this season was refined modernism. Many of the pieces in the collection were composed of vibrant colors made out of the classic Chanel tweed. The models in the show were wearing sideways baseball caps. The silhouettes of the garments were contemporary and modern. This seasons aesthetic appeared to appeal to a more younger generation than most of Chanel's extravagant shows.  Although the 2017 Spring show brought on a never before seen theme in Chanel history, Karl Lagerfeld once again executed this season and continues so bring new ideas to the fashion world.
  
Source: (www.instylelook.com)

Comme des Garcons

 The show started with the audience sitting in a minimalist room equip with a blank white runway, plain black fold up chairs, and a washed out grey background draped in ominous yet seductive lighting. As the first model stepped onto the runway, an operatic soundtrack began play, filling the room and inducing a dream like quality. The model was wearing a large puffy coat made out of neoprene, stark white lace up boots, and a elegant headpiece that resembled a cross between crystal formations and crinkled plastic. The first minute of the show really set a mood and tone that followed through the entire collection and fashion show. The aesthetic was very abstract and minimal. The models in the show walked at a consistent slow pace and appeared almost lifeless with a vacant look in their eyes adding to the ominous tone and theatrics of the show. Almost every design was black with a little splash of grey and white. All of the pieces in the show were excessively over sized which enabled the designer to create new shapes and silhouettes that altered the human form. The textures of the collection was mostly smooth with the occasional garment sewn with ruffles. This show was very avant garde and unconventional. The entire show felt very dreamlike and had an emotional power that almost felt ritualistic.

Source: (www.businessofffashion.com)

What are hems? How can they affect a garment's appearance?

 A hem is the edge of a piece of cloth that has been folded, pressed, and sewn. This is to give a neat finish to the edge of the fabric and also prevent the fabric from fraying or unraveling. Hems may be sewn with an invisible stitch called the "blind stitch", or sewn with a sewing machine. Decorative embroidery is sometimes called hem-stitch design. Other methods of  securing a hem call for no any sewing at all but instead using clips, netting, iron on materials, and other kinds of fasteners. These kinds of thread-less hems are not very common, and are used mostly for temporary use. The hem's seam allowance effects the way the fabric on the finished fabric will drape. Heavier fabrics require more of a shorted hem. A "dressmakers hem" can also be used when working with heavier fabrics; an extra line of loose running stitch is added in the middle of the hem, so that all the weight of the cloth does not hang from one line of stitching. Modern sewing machines designated for home use come equip with decorative and functional stitches that make the number of possible hem treatments large.

Source: (www.wikihow.com)          

Listening

 Listening is the ability to receive and comprehend the information given, it is a crucial part in the communication process. Without the ability to listen, it become easy to misconstrue the information exchanged from the sender. This is why the ability to listen is skill that employers look for. A good listener is more likely to be a more productive worker, and is less likely to run into problems. Good listeners also have the ability to lead to better costumer service.                                              

FENTY Rihanna X Puma Fall 2016

 While watching pop superstar Rihanna's and active sportswear brand Puma's collaborative fashion show, I couldn't help but notice her unique aesthetic of refined athleticism. The show began with a model emerging from thick white smoke fitted in thigh high white latex boots and an oversized black hoodie with elongated selves. Black and white were the main color palate throughout the show with subtle splashes of gray appearing in some of the designs. The color story expressed an untamed elegance that bold and daring. Japanese fashion was a big inspiration in the show which is evident in many of the graphics and silhouettes, the line even consisted of a kimono. The rest of the line had an abundance of skirts, bandannas , head wear, and tops that showed a lot of skin.  
Source: (www.hawtselebs.com)                Source: (www.sophisticatedrelations.com)           Source: (www.hawtcelebs.com)

Community Service

 While my peers and I were setting up for the event, we got to practice many skills that are crucial in the 21st century work space. These skills include critical thinking, communication, creativity, focus, and collaboration. During the field trip I was assigned as the photographer to document the experience. Although my job was a solo task, I still had to work collaboratively with the rest of the students. I had to think of an efficient way record and photograph in a secret way that didn't disturb the work flow of the other students. I also collaborated with students to stage some shots that would look good in the final video. The whole experience was like a production, we all had our separate tasks that worked towards an end product and we accomplished that. It was satisfying to see my peers and I work had and succeed at our goal.

Fashion meets Technology

 Dutch designer Iris van Herpen has been fashions leading figure in showing how technology can impact the world and art of fashion. She had created several futuristic pieces using modern innovative techniques such as 3D printing and laser technology. Her first shot into merging fashion and technology was in 2009 where she printed her first garment. It took over a week of constant printing to complete to dress, but she has been able to refine the technique into a more efficient timescale. Her work is far from limited to technology, she owns an atelier where she practices more traditional techniques like draping. The end results of her work are stunning pieces that reflect her craftsmanship and capture her biotechnological aesthetic.


Source: (www.3ders.org)                                    Source: (www.dezeen.com)                                Source: (www.irisvanherpen.com)

Hogwards Haute Couture

 Films are designed to immerse the viewer into the narrative. Filmmakers immerse their audience many different ways, for example you may be transported into a different world when there is stunning set design, or feel tense and uneasy when suspenseful music builds in the background. Another way filmmakers immerse their audience is to make believable characters. Characters with different backstories and unique personalities. One way to do this is to dress characters in clothing that reflects their individuality. A great example of this is in the film Harry Potter, where designers crafted some stunning garments. One of my favorites was Hermione's Yull Ball dress.

Source: (Pinterest)

Emmy's Fashion

 This years Emmys consisted of a lot of bold colors on the runway. The reoccurring colors this year were a lot of pinks, reds, yellows and golds, blacks, and whites.  I also noticed that a lot of the actresses were wearing either very low cut dresses or dresses up to the neck. There was also several dresses that had cut outs on the side and many others that had layers and ruffles. I think the worst dressed were Natasha Lyonne from "Orange is the New Black", Gabby Hoffman from "Transparent", and Sarah Hyland from "Modern Family." I think the best dressed on the red carpet was Laverne Cox from "Orange is the New Black", Kerry Washington from "Conformation."

Source: (eonline.com)                               Source: (www.nydailynews.com)                  Source: (www.usmagazine.com)

Why have T-Shirts been popular styles with teens for a very long time? Do you think this will change anytime soon?

        T shirts were originally designed to be worn under the U.S Navy's deep v neck shirts. Since then, the T shirt has evolved and has become a staple in almost everybody's wardrobe. During the 1960's, Walt Disney saw a marketing opportunity with the blank shirts. He saw the tees as a blank canvas for simple letters and designs for souvenirs. This idea along with the advancements of printing and dying lead to people to put graphic designs onto tee shirts. Soon bands, tv shows, movies, and other groups with a following began to manufacture t shirts with their own designs and logos on them. I think t shirts are popular among teens because they are affordable and meet the needs of esteem. Teens tend to gravitate towards conformity to try and fit in, which usually results in dressing similar to others. I also think teens wear tee shirts because it gives them an opportunity to express themselves and their interest.

Source: (en.wikipedia.com)

What is avant-garde fashion? Why do you think many celebrities dress in avant-garde fashions" What celebrity behaviors support your thinking?

 Avant garde fashion is unconventional, experimental, and unorthodox fashion that is characterized by its aesthetic innovation and unacceptability. Avant garde is not limited to fashion and extends to film, music, theater, performance, literature, art, and more. It refers to artist who go against the mainstreams current aesthetics and perception of the norm. The theory behind avant garde is that it arose in society in order to defend aesthetics standards from the decline of taste and style in consumer society. Celebrities wear avant garde fashions in order to be innovative and stand out. Celebrity behaviors that reference avant garde is when Lady Gaga showed up to the red carpet inside of a vessel, or when Alexander McQueen exhibited his runway shows.    

Source: (www.pinterest.com)                            Source: (www.freshwetpaint.com)                      Source: (en.vogue.fr)