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Intro  to  Fashion  Business  FA  2011                                

                    Fashion  Journal      

                                                   

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INDEX:    3:    Entry  1  4:    Entry  2  7:    Entry  3  9:    Entry  4  10:    Entry  5  11:    Entry  6  12:    Entry  7  13:    Entry  8  14:    Entry  9  17:    Entry  10  18:    Entry  11  20:    Entry  12  21:    Entry  13  26:    Entry  14                                                              

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Entry  1:        SUNDAY’S BEST SUNDAY RILEY'S BOTANICAL-INFUSED MAKEUP. By Christina Han October 2011 W

When eco-conscious skincare alchemist Sunday Riley (above) set out to create her new collection of perfectly pigmented cosmetics, she looked to such traditional American botanicals as aloe and orchid. “I wanted breathable formulas that give a luminous, polished look,” she explains. Makeup artist Diane Kendal, who first met Riley at Jason Wu’s fall 2011 show and has also masterminded runway beauty looks for Proenza Schouler and Thakoon, jumped at the opportunity to collaborate on the makeup line. The foundation, available this month in 12 shades (more are slated for the future), is loaded with pore-saving ingredients such as detoxifying green tea and hydrating cucumber seed extract. Riley’s Modern Classic Lipstick, meanwhile, comes in three different finishes—matte, shimmery, and sheer. Her favorite of the 25 shades is a yet-to-be-named raisin tone that Riley says complements any skin tone, including her own fair complexion. “It makes my cheeks look rosier and really alive,” she says. “And it just has that edgy, cool, city feel.” Available at Barneys New York. Read More http://www.wmagazine.com/beauty/2011/10/sunday-riley-botanical-infused-makeup#ixzz1g4JzrPso This  article  by  Christina  Han  highlights  the  new  collection  by  Sunday  Riley.    The  new  collection  uses  traditional  American  botanicals  in  order  to  create  makeup  with  a  light  and  classy  look.    Because  the  foundation,  which  comes  in  a  multitude  of  shades,  is  loaded  with  botanical  infused  ingredients  it  is  good  for  your  skin.        I  personally  feel  like  using  botanical  ingredients  is  more  appealing  than  using  lab  created  chemicals.    The  green  aspect  of  these  products  is  a  great  marketing  

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advantage  as  well,  the  market  for  eco  friendly  consumers  continues  to  grow  wider  and  wider.                      

Entry  2:      Starting a Business: The Romance vs. the Reality By ALEXANDRA LEVIT

SOME people who toil discontentedly in corporate cubicles regard entrepreneurship as the cure for all workplace ills. Only when they’ve experienced running a business personally do they find that the reality is much different Mike Cleary, for example, left his job as a sales and marketing executive to become an entrepreneur because he was tired of office politics. But after buying a franchise and an existing business about eight years ago, Mr. Cleary sparred with difficult vendors and suppliers. “It seemed very one-sided, with many commitments and obligations on my part, and much less required of the people I was buying from,” he says.

In an effort to establish trust, he says, he extended credit to a client of the previous owner. Unfortunately, he says, the client was not forthcoming with payment, costing him tens of thousands of dollars in lost revenue.

Finding loyal employees was no picnic, either. “It was a harsh wake-up call,” he says, “to find out how many employees are not truly committed to the business they’re working for.”

The recent recession was particularly hard on the revenue and cash flow of his small business. Eventually, he found himself too deeply in debt to continue, and he returned to working for an

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established organization.

Today, he is content in his role as senior vice president for strategic marketing and field operations at the National Wild Turkey Federation in Edgefield, S.C., where he feels that he is living his personal mission to help conserve natural habitats. “I love that I’m finally in a position to worry about the high-level strategy instead of the other stuff, which just sapped my energy,” he says. “It’s really freeing.”

Many prospective entrepreneurs fail to realize that office politics are everywhere, and that you can’t escape them when you strike out on your own. You may still have to contend with rude clients and partners, with many situations feeling eerily similar to those of your days by the water cooler. And you often learn the hard way that people tend to clash regardless of the environment.

There are other reasons you may want to steer clear of the entrepreneurial path. First, there’s the sheer difficulty of finding a market niche for your product or service, as well as the proper resources to make a new business happen. Then there are the minutiae. As the founder, you will find that anything and everything is your responsibility. You will oversee production, distribution, marketing, sales and turning a profit. You’ll have to manage employees and vendors, and pesky details like accounting, taxes, insurance and licenses.

Would-be entrepreneurs who want to have a better work-life balance are in for a rude awakening. For at least the first few years, you may be on the job at all hours. If a customer has a problem in the middle of the night, you are the one who’s getting up to address it. And if the company goes under, you are solely accountable for that failure, sacrificing your financial livelihood in the process.

These days, the traditional business world gets a bad rap. But there are some highly valuable aspects of regular jobs that we don’t think about until they are gone. These are the three P’s:

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peace, prestige and perks.

When you are one employee out of 1,000 or 100,000, you have much more peace. It’s actually possible to leave your work woes at the office and turn off your BlackBerry without jeopardizing the company’s future. Life is simpler. You have a defined set of responsibilities, and if you carry them out well and get results, you can go about your business with the certainty that the rest of the company can take care of itself.

And if you are intelligent and personable, you can rise to a respectable place in an esteemed organization. Your friends and family won’t fidget nervously when you tell them about your job. Being able to put a known company on your résumé equals credibility and opens career doors.

Finally, don’t forget about the perks. At a large organization, your compensation package is just that: a package. Besides base salary, the money your employer contributes to your health insurance and retirement plans can be essential to surviving in today’s world. And don’t discount the value of possible benefits like cars, gym memberships, child care, on-the-job lunches and big discounts on company products.

THE corporate world also gives you the opportunity to be around lots of people all the time. And, inevitably, some will be executives in a position to help with your career. The ability to establish relationships with powerful people in the context of your daily work is the best kind of networking out there.

The entrepreneurial lifestyle isn’t for everyone. It wasn’t for Mr. Cleary, and it may not be for you. Before you decide to take the plunge, think long and hard about what you’ll be getting yourself into, and what you’ll be giving up.

     This  article  from  the  NY  Times  business  section  is  a  somewhat  sobering  look  at  the  world  of  being  a  small  business  owner.    The  author  admits  that  it  may  seem  

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tempting  to  get  out  of  the  daily  grind  of  a  job  at  an  established  corporation,  but  she  warns  that  sometimes  the  grass  is  greener  on  the  other  side  of  the  fence.    One  of  the  reasons  people  venture  out  on  their  own  and  start  a  business  is  because  they  are  exhausted  with  the  responsibilities  of  their  job  and  want  to  make  their  own  schedule.    However,  the  first  few  years  of  entrepreneurship  are  some  of  the  most  time  consuming  years  of  someone’s  life.    Every  minute  detail  is  the  responsibility  of  the  young  entrepreneur.    I  feel  like  this  article  makes  some  good  points  that  one  must  consider  before  starting  their  own  business.              Entry  3:  This  article  from  Vogue  discusses  a  trend  in  cosmetics  that  has  yet  to  fully  permeate  throughout  the  mainstream  market.    The  trend  is  bold,  primary  colors  strategically  applied,  in  a  minimalistic  manner,  to  the  eyes  or  lips  in  order  to  create  a  shocking  look.    In  this  article  the  make-­‐up  artist  Charlotte  Tilbury  has  created  an  aerodynamic,  sleek  look  that  evokes  some  punk  rock  dystopic  future.    This  look  isn’t  for  people  with  more  conservative  taste.    However,  it  is  perfect  for  any  fashion  forward  thinking  individual  who  wants  to  add  some  excitement  to  their  makeup.    Personally  I  don’t  feel  like  this  make  up  trend  has  much  of  a  shelf  life.    Because  it  is  so  ostentatious  I  can’t  see  it  taking  off  on  a  mass  scale.    That  being  said  I  do  think  that  it  is  a  cool  look.    

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Entry  4:    One  fashion  trend  that  rose  to  prominence  during  the  past  year  for  women’s  clothing  was  sheer  clothing.    Sheer  clothing  is  daring  and  risqué  but  it  was  used  in  innovative  and  fun  ways  over  the  last  year.    Sheer  clothing  was  often  used  as  an  accent  rather  than  used  to  shock  or  make  waves.    My  observation  for  this  trend  came  about  after  reading  several  articles  on  trends  in  the  fashion  industry.    I’ve  also  noticed  several  of  my  female  friends  wearing  sheer  clothing  over  the  past  year.    The  trend  is  noticeable  because  sheer  clothing  will  always  attract  attention,  even  when  it’s  being  used  as  an  accent.                                                                                  

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Entry  5:    The  department  store  that  I  shopped  in  order  to  look  at  trends  that  cross  pollinated  through  out  the  store  was  Sears.    One  trend  that  was  prevalent  throughout  almost  every  department  was  an  emphasis  on  sleek  design.    From  women’s  handbags,  to  men’s  dress  pants  and  television  sets.    Almost  everything  these  days  seem  to  be  designed  with  a  sleek  edge  to  it.    This  trend  is  indebted  to  the  technological  times  that  we  live  in.    Slim,  small  and  sleek  evokes  status  and  efficiency.    Another  trend  that  I  noticed  was  retro  geometric  patterns  that  crossed  over  from  women’s  blouses  to  men’s  neckties.    Fashion  has  drawn  from  past  decades  a  great  deal  recently.    There  seems  to  be  an  emergence  as  of  late  of  sharp  geometric  patterns  that  are  indebted  to  the  art  deco  sensibilities  of  the  early  1920’s.        Monochromatic  colors  were  another  trend  that  seemed  to  dominate  the  electronics  department  as  well  as  men  and  women’s  winter  coats  and  active  wear.    In  the  electronics  black  or  silver  were  dominant.    For  men’s  and  women’s  active  wear  the  solid  colors  were  a  little  more  varied.    Black  still  dominated  the  men’s  active  wear  with  splotches  of  beige  and  grey  throughout  the  displays.      The  women’s  were  slightly  more  varied  with  dark  purples,  blues  and  reds  dominating  the  displays.    Men’s  watches  seemed  to  go  against  the  trend  of  sleeker  design.    Many  of  the  watches  were  larger  and  more  ostentatious  than  watches  of  the  past.    However  the  watches  continue  with  the  trend  of  monochromatic  tones  that  relate  to  trends  in  the  other  departments.                                              

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Entry  6:    The  trend  report  on  footwear  and  accessories  supports  the  trend  of  retro  flourishes  in  modern  design.    The  retro  vibe  continues  to  exist  throughout  the  fashion  industry  and  can  be  seen  in  new  lines  of  clothing  and  accessories.    Here  are  two  quotes  from  the  trend  report  that  supports  my  observation  of  retro  design  and  patterns  found  in  modern  clothing:            “The season's vintage inspirations were also important. For Twenties-themed collections there were boaters and cloche hats, fur wraps, while the dressy jeweled collars played into the eveningwear-as-daywear vibe central to our 50s-inspired Cinematic macro trend, as do the retro head wraps - our top story for scarves next season.” Ladylike looks are the other big story for next season and here we highlight formal handbags and cat's-eye optical as key items - both of which have that vintage 50s appeal. Clutch bags remain a runway favorite - dictating four individual directions. Structured shape is a key message for summer 2012, with casual bags such as shoppers, totes and hobos taking a backseat. Watch also for the return of the bowling bag as a key item for commercial markets.

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Entry 7: For this entry I pulled three different fabrics with three different prints. The first was an animal Zebra print made from cotton knit fabric. Animal prints have been a trend for the fall and the color scheme for the zebra print is a classic black and white. Animal prints have always been popular in fashion but have experienced resurgence in recent years. The second fabric I pulled was a plaid fabric that was a wool/cotton blend. The brown and pink are a fresh update for a classic pattern, which plaid is. It gives this fabric a fun and feminine feel. It’s good for outerwear with a softer edge. My third choice was the gold sequins that were made from a synthetic, polyester. This piece is perfect for trendy holiday clothing. It’s festive and celebratory. Gold is a classic neutral color that has some pizazz. It can be used as an accent or as a whole and looks good on almost everybody.

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Entry 8: Two predictions I have for the next two seasons is for an increase in hats with more of a grand design and a move toward darker hues used in office wear.. Hats are a trendy accessory that can easily bring a sense of nostalgia to an outfit. It looks like hats will be a little larger and more eye catching as well. I also feel that royal hues will become more and more en vogue based off of the fashion trends in India for office wear. Many pieces of office clothing in India are being designed with a gracefulness and a concentration on deep colors that connate a regal elegance.

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Entry 9:

I liked this display at Khols because it offers the shopper several different looks with the mannequins lined up as if they are on a catwalk. This is a playful display that catches the eye and compliments the clothing. The first outfit is a fun, night on the town blouse, jacket and pink skirt. The next outfit is a little more formal and the last outfit is fun and casual without being too relaxed.

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This is the second display from Khols. This display is similar to the previous by arranging the mannequins as if they are on a catwalk. I also like the color palate that this display is working with. Theirs a motif of purple and grey that works really well for fall.

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This display at Hazel isn’t quite as playful as the displays at Khols. However it does get the job done. I like that each outfits are very similar despite certain little touches. The colors are closer to darker earth tones, which are appropriate for fall clothing. The long necklaces are a cool accessory.

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Entry 10: One new television show that I think may have an effect on future fashion trends would have to be AMC’s “Hell on Wheels”. I believe that certain the restrained, grubby style of hats will eventually become more popular in the American mainstream. With the steampunk trend in it’s nascent stages and the current grandiosity of current hats I think that people will eventually begin to desire quieter head wear. I think that clothing that recalls the gilded age will become more and more prevalent which will naturally extend to hats and other accessories. This past year we saw a trend of Native American tribal patterns in blouses and accessories. So there is already some desire to reach back and borrow from this time period.

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Entry 11:

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This design comes from Alex Perry Spring/ Summer 2012 collection. Alex Perry is a noted fashion designer from Australia, he is best known for his work in women’s wear. The type of retailer that would include this designer would tend to be more high-end stores. What I really like about this particular design is the color palate that Perry is working with. The robin’s egg blue with the splash of yellow around over the shoulders and around the neck give this piece a blue and gold macaw look that reminds me of the exotic locations with beaches and tropical forests. The fluidity of the skirt gives the dress a graceful elegance and the sequined midriff adds some levity to an already fun outfit.

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Entry 12: A  buyer  is  essentially  responsible  for  the  types  of  clothing  and  products  that  a  company  is  going  to  offer  their  consumers.    They  oversee  the  production  of  the  clothing.    Buyers  have  to  keep  a  steady  line  of  communication  going  with  the  company’s  management  and  stakeholders.    Because  they  are  responsible  for  the  products  the  store  sells  they  need  to  be  constantly  cognizant  of  their  brand  and  the  price  ranges  that  their  consumers  will  find  acceptable.        A  Product  Development  Manager  specializes  in  the  creation  and  growth  of  the  types  of  things  a  retailer  is  going  to  sell.    They  also  work  on  ways  to  effectively  market  the  products  to  the  consumers.    A  good  product  development  manager  will  have  to  have  a  strong  understanding  of  marketing,  sales  forecasting  and  promotional  planning.      A  fashion  designer  is  responsible  for  the  look  and  feel  of  each  product.      They  are  literally  designing  what  the  retailer  is  going  to  sell.    They  may  be  influenced  by  the  status  of  the  store  they  work  for,  what  their  customers  expect  and  what  the  shareholders  of  the  company  expect.    That  makes  being  a  fashion  designer  a  vocation  that  requires  responsibility.    They  must  honor  the  wishes  and  desires  of  many  people  before  they  begin  to  design  clothing.                                                    

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   Entry  13:    1. Lady in White: So much is wrong here. I believe that the intention behind this toga-inspired napkin dress is to be sexy and the result is the exact opposite. Revealing too much skin with an unstructured and ill fitting garment is a fashion nightmare. The hemline is impossible and the peekaboo belly is atrocious. Not to mention the bulging bust line. Is this a swimsuit or a tablecloth that was caught in a tornado? I can only guess this is made of spandex or some sort of stretchy synthetic in white which accentuates all the wrong places. This outfit succeeds in making this woman look shorter, heavier and crazier than she could ever imagine. A fitted, crisp white suit or classic silhouette dress would serve her much better.

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2. Baby on Board: Wow, nothing says "I'm a Mom" like designing all your clothes to feature your child's head. This is truly one of the scariest outfits I have ever seen, it's like something out of a science fiction movie about a post apocalyptic world that must procreate to survive. The baby's head looks trapped and the mother looks extremely uncomfortable, thought they are trying to hide behind pained smiles. Blue fleece on a blue shirt plus the outline of the baby distorts this woman's body so it looks like the diseased thorax of a Praying Mantis. If the concept behind the fashion is to be "hands free," I am against such freedom. This mom's effort to be utilitarian needs to stop at her Mom Jeans.  

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       3. Pink Pouf: This young woman apparently found a fancy pink rug and decided to wear it as a dress. Everything about this looks homemade and childish right down to the polka dot tights and high side ponytail. The black fabric scrunched up across the center of the dress is even more mysterious. Hot pink fur in the shape of a rectangle with sleeves does not flatter anyone's figure. The dress, which looks more like a shirt, is oversized, not to scale and needs to be edited. This young lady looks like she got caught in the cotton candy machine both literally and figuratively. All of that insanity and sunglasses at night? No way, sister.

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4. Bad Cat Sweater: If you're using your sweater to make a sweeping statement about the loneliness in your life, please don't also ask to take a headshot posed against a tree. Nothing is sadder. Many women make the mistake of wearing tacky cat-inspired apparel or holiday gear as a way to show their whimsy. Overly childish, cartoonish or Disney-style clothing and accessories are inappropriate for adults. The fit, color, design and idea of this sweater are all working against this woman appearing to be an intelligent, approachable person. Leave the cats at home and opt for something less themed and more current.

 

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Entry  14:    The  first  and  most  obvious  career  opportunity  for  me  would  have  to  be  that  of  an  editor.    I  feel  that  I  could  use  this  skill  in  fashion  by  filming  and  editing  important  shows  for  certain  designers.    Having  a  well-­‐produced  video  package  is  a  great  way  to  represent  your  product  and  to  expose  it  to  the  public.    I  could  also  create  animation  and  designs  for  a  designers  website.        The  second  career  opportunity  within  the  world  of  fashion  that  interest  me  would  be  to  be  a  buyer.    I  think  that  I  would  be  able  to  execute  the  responsibilities  that  a  buyer  is  burdened  with  and  still  enjoy  the  job.    I  think  I  would  really  enjoy  trying  to  predict  what  trend  is  around  the  corner  and  figure  out  the  new  clothing  that  my  customers  will  want.    It’s  a  demanding  yet  fun  job.    A  buyer  essentially  helps  to  influence  where  the  tides  in  the  fashion  industry  change  and  flow.    The  final  job  opportunity  that  interest  me  would  to  own  a  boutique  or  store  that  sells  clothes.    I  have  a  modest  dream  of  one  day  owning  a  small  store  and  if  I  was  going  to  work  in  the  fashion  industry  I  would  prefer  to  have  my  own  store.    I  think  that  being  a  retailer  would  be  a  good  fit  for  me  because  I  would  be  able  to  shape  my  store  to  reflect  my  own  unique  fashion  sensibilities.    I  would  also  just  enjoy  having  my  own  store.