fashion journal.      

                                                               

melissa kordecki / introduction to fashion business / april 16, 2012.    

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table of contents.

ENTRY #1. women’s wear daily………………………………………………………………3 ENTRY #2. the wall street journal…………………………………………………………..4 ENTRY #3. vogue…………………………………………………………………………………….6 ENTRY #4. fashion observation………………………………………………………………8 ENTRY #5. department store observation……………………………………………….9 ENTRY #6. department store observation…………………………………………….10 ENTRY #7. fabric swatches of current fabric & color trends………………….11  ENTRY #8. projection of three trends……………………………………………………12 ENTRY #9. visual displays…………………………………………………………………….13  ENTRY #10. new movie trend……………………………………………........................15  ENTRY #11. designer and favorite piece from collection…………………………16 ENTRY #12. responsibilities of positions…………………………………………………17 ENTRY #13. fashion don’ts……………………………………………………………………..18 ENTRY #14. possible career opportunities………………………………………………19  

                               

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ENTRY #1 – Women’s Wear Daily – April 3, 2012   April 3, 2012

Marc Jacobs Planning Makeup Line By JULIE NAUGHTON

IN LIVING COLOR: While Marc Jacobs continues to add to his fragrance empire, he has a new beauty project going as well: color cosmetics. Jacobs, who is working with Sephora to do the line, noted that, while it’s in its early days, he’s pleased to delve into the makeup world. “Anything to me that is part of the joy, the ritual, of getting dressed — things that women enjoy like bags, shoes, fragrance, clothes, makeup — that’s what fashion’s about for me,” said Jacobs, during an exclusive interview for his newest scent, Dot, which will be launched by Coty Prestige in July. “I love the opportunity, wherever there is one, to adorn, to decorate, to scent, to dress. That’s what fashion’s all about. It’s not necessary, it’s something you want — it’s a fancy and a whim.”

Jacobs said he had his first meeting for the color line last week. “I see makeup, fragrance — everything, really — as an opportunity. The idea of choosing a color for your lip, or an eyeliner — it’s just such a delight. The ritual of waking up and making those choices is something people really enjoy. We currently are working on defining what Marc Jacobs cosmetics will be, what they’ll say, what makes them distinctive. I think that will take some time, but the first meeting was good.” A target launch date has not yet been identified, Jacobs added. WWDCopyright © 2012 Fairchild Fashion Media. All rights reserved.

   Marc Jacobs will be adding yet another category to his fashion empire. He

will begin to sell color cosmetics. Marc Jacobs is currently working with Sephora to make this newest endeavor work for his customer. Marc had his first meeting for the color line at the end of March. “The idea of choosing a color for your lip, or an eyeliner – it’s just such a delight,” stated Marc in his interview with Women’s Wear Daily. The cosmetics line is currently still in the beginning stages and they are currently “[…] working on defining what Marc Jacobs cosmetics will be, what they’ll say, what makes them distinctive.” A target launch date has yet to be set, Jacobs said, but with Marc and his ways, I am sure it is bound to me somewhere in the near future.

I think this is a great move for the Marc Jacobs brand. When I think of brands that have a niche in the cosmetics market, as well as apparel, shoes, handbags, accessories, I automatically think of Chanel and Christian Dior – two huge names in fashion. Marc Jacobs is bound for only success with this new cosmetics line. I am sure the line will be fun, flirty and ultra-trendy, just like his Marc Jacobs and Marc by Marc Jacobs lines.  

   

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ENTRY #2 – The Wall Street Journal – April 10, 2012          

April 10, 2012

WASHINGTON -- Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff delivered the latest salvo in a global debate over currencies pitting the emerging economies against rich ones, telling President Barack Obama that an expansive U.S. monetary policy meant to drive growth at home is potentially harming Brazil and other developing countries.

The U.S. decision to leave benchmark lending rates near zero has created an overload of speculative money that floods into economies like Brazil, leading to overvalued local currencies and uncompetitive factories, "thus impairing growth. . .in emerging countries," Ms. Rousseff said on the first day of a two-day visit to the U.S.

Ms. Rousseff, in her second year in office, has made global currency imbalances in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis the centerpiece of her foreign policy agenda. Last month, Ms. Rousseff delivered a similar complaint about loose euro-zone monetary policy to Germany's Angela Merkel during a visit there.

Complaints by emerging-market leaders that weak U.S. and European monetary policies are having unwanted side effects in the developing world are taking on new urgency as big emerging-market economies such as Brazil are slowing -- dragged down in part by overly strong currencies. Brazil's economy grew 2.7% in 2011, compared with 7.5% in 2010.

Economists who support the rich-world approach say it is justified since the whole world -- Brazil included -- will benefit if growth in the U.S. and Europe clicks into a faster gear.

Though Ms. Rousseff used her first visit to the Obama White House to log a complaint, the broader tone of the first day of her visit illustrated desire for closer ties between the two nations. Relations had become strained over disputes over U.S. policy in the Middle East and in Central America under Ms. Rousseff's predecessor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

At a meeting in the White House Oval Office, the leaders discussed a range of issues, from global economics to regional security and the environment. Mr. Obama praised the "extraordinary progress" Brazil has made under Ms. Rousseff and touted the "record levels" of trade between the two countries.

Calling Brazil an "inspiring success story" and "responsible actor," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sought to show how the two countries share the same interests. The U.S. is opening new consulates in Brazil to speed visa applications in Brazil, whose tourists now outspend those of other nations such as Germany in key U.S. markets like New York City.

Once a regional poster child for economic instability, Brazil's economy has expanded steadily after a mid-1990s effort to stabilize the currency set the stage for the resource-rich country to take off after commodity prices began rising nearly a decade ago.

Increasingly, Brazil has sought to turn its growing economic weight -- the country surpassed the U.K. as the world's sixth-biggest economy recently -- into a bigger role in global affairs. It is seeking a bigger role in global forums such as the United Nations, and wants to be consulted by the U.S. on regional affairs.

For the U.S., Brazil is increasingly both a political and a business opportunity. Policy makers see the large democracy as a potential moderating force in a region that has become increasingly anti-American.

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U.S. businesses, meantime, are pouring investment into the country in hopes of profiting from its growth story. At a Chamber of Commerce event Monday, U.S. officials complained that Brazilian policies that require companies to use locally produced equipment, for example, could slow investment.

"What I've heard from businesses in the sector is that it's a concern, it's a barrier," Francisco Sanchez, U.S. Commerce undersecretary for international trade, told reporters on the sidelines.

Also at the event, Brazil's Trade Minister Fernando Pimentel said the policy was unlikely to change.

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Andrew Ackerman contributed to this article.

Credit: By John Lyons and Tom Barkley

(c) 2012 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. Reproduced with permission of copyright owner. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.

 

On a recent two-day visit to the United States, Brazilian President Ms. Dilma Rousseff has stated that the US monetary policy is potentially harming Brazil and other developing countries. “The U.S. decision to leave benchmark lending rates near zero has created an overload of speculative money that floods into economies like Brazil, leading to overvalued local currencies and uncompetitive factories,” stated the article. This apparently impairs growth in emerging countries. Ms. Roussef made similar accusations about the loose euro-zone monetary policy last month while visiting Germany. Ms. Rousseff did illustrate her desire for closer ties between Brazil and the United States, even though she came her with a big complaint to discuss. President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton did praise Ms. Rouseff’s efforts and her extraordinary progress made in Brazil under her rule. The U.S, as stated by Mrs. Clinton, will be opening new consulates in Brazil to “speed visa applications in Brazil, whose tourists now outspend those of other nations such as Germany in key U.S. markets like New York City,” stated the article.

Brazil’s economy has been expanding steadily since the mid 1990’s when an effort was made to stabilize the currency of the country. Brazil recently surpassed the U.K. as the world’s sixth-biggest economy, which boosted them into a bigger role in global affairs.

I do not believe with Ms. Rousseff’s “pointing of fingers” at the United States, blaming us for Brazil’s current impaired growth. I do believe, as a powerful country, we do have a lot of control on smaller nations and countries, but we cannot be blamed for everybody else’s problems. I am happy to read that Brazil and the United States are starting to become closer as two separate countries because in the future, I would love to easily travel to Brazil and know that as an American there, that I will be safe, unlike the safety of Americans there now.

     

 

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ENTRY #3 – Vogue – March 2012 issue

                                                     

 Blame it on Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Blake Lively for showing up at the

2010 Paris Couture week, wearing tiny, shiny black – Shorts! Shorts have now separated the Women from the Girls, letting the girl’s show off their cellulite-free thighs in sky-high shorts paired with sky-high platforms. Shorts have been seen everywhere on the street for spring. Still items under construction, but shorts

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have been popping up in a trillion eye-popping variations for spring. Shorts stalk the sidewalks of capitals, dance in clubs, hang around outside fashion shows and dress up and go to work. The original domains of shorts – sports and beachwear – have nothing to do with this recent trend of shorts and the way they are being worn. Shorts have now replaced trousers, jeans and leggings. The proportions have now changed all because of these lacy, frilly, shiny shorts – it’s now all top and no bottom. And some handbags are now larger than the shorts that don the legs of the prettiest, trendiest and most fabulous girls out there.

I love this shorts trend, as I have been wearing shorts to clubs, shorts to work (with tights, of course) and with my highest pair of heels since I can remember. Like the article says, it’s a way to separate the girls from the women. I may be a woman, but when I want to show my fun, flirty and the hard work I’ve put in at the gym, I just throw on a pair of shorts and become a girl.

                                                 

 

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ENTRY #4 – Fashion Observation – Printed Denim  

        When I observed Women’s denim for the current Spring 2012 season, I noticed one large category – Printed Denim. Mostly printed with floral prints and animal prints, these multi-colored and very loud pieces are speaking to the masses of women out there. I compared this new denim trend to the previous spring trend of pastel colored denim. Pastel colored denim is still sticking around, but it seems as if the print denim is taking over. J Brand and Seven for All Mankind are two popular women’s denim brands that have started marketing printed denim. Last spring, flares/bell bottoms were quite a trend in the women’s denim collections. They did come in pastel colors, as well as the typical denim washes. I did notice with these printed denim pants that they are all skinny silhouettes. You don’t see any straight leg; boot cut or even flared denim in a print. I am sure it is because it would be way too loud and be very unflattering for any woman that tried to wear them.    

 

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ENTRY #5 – Department Store Observation – Nordstrom

While walking thru Nordstrom at Woodfield Mall, the 5 trends that I spotted were streamlined color blocking, graphic prints, athletic wear, neutrals and preppy. Streamlined color blocking has sleek lines, sculptural shapes and bold color blocks. This trend was found in dresses, shoes, jewelry, nail polish, handbags, tops, pants and shorts. Graphic prints are everything from psychedelic swirls to floral explosions. These graphic prints were found in handbags, denim, shoes, dresses and sunglasses. Athletic wear is just that – wear inspired by athletes and the sports they play. This trend was found in pants, dresses, shoes and tanks. Neutrals take a cue from Mother Nature, as well as inspiration from the neutral terrain of the Southwest desert, the rich Santa Fe turquoise and the classicalness of artisan weaving. Neutrals were found in knits, jewelry, shoes, nail polish and handbags. The Preppy trend has been given a feminine twist on boyish basics. This trend was found in blazers, skirts, jackets, shorts and shoes.                                            

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ENTRY #6 – Department Store Observation – WGSN

When observing WGSN’s database, I went directly to the photo filed titled “New York Womenswear; April 2012,” which shows photos of merchandise drops in stores around New York. I found the streamlined color-blocking trend immediately in the form of a skirt. The skirt was found at Kate Spade. Graphic prints were found at Lily Pulitzer on a pair of brightly colored floral shorts.                              

I also took a look at the merchandise drops in New York for the month of March 2012. I found, again, the graphic prints – this time shown at Express. Express also featured floral prints, too. Ann Taylor was showing lots of brights and neons in collared shirts and slacks, which automatically brought the preppy theme to my mind.                      

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ENTRY #7 – Fabric Swatches of Current Fabric & Color Trends      

             

**I  was  unable  to  find  the  fabric  name,  fiber  content  and  country  of    origin  since  this  was  all  done  strictly  online.    

                                         

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Entry #9 – Visual Displays  

In the online visual display of Bergdorf Goodman, I liked the dramatic, eye catching piece on the opening page of the website. It really grabbed your attention and made you want to see more. The other visual display that I liked was the spring collections/trend feature that was accessible through the homepage. This gave you a snapshot of the trends of the season, as well as access directly to those trends throughout the website.

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On the Saks.com website, I really liked the Prada Spring 2012 visual display. This visual display offered four separate pages to feature their spring footwear collection. Each page was vastly different in color and style, but they all had one thing in common: they were all Prada. The visual display let the product do the talking by showing the product on a sleek white background and no other details were shown other than the shoes themselves.

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Entry #10 – New Movie Trend

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A fashion trend from a new movie that I believe will emerge is Katniss Everdeen’s Side Braided Ponytail in “The Hunger Games.” It may not be an item of clothing, a denim trend, a new shoe style or even an overall look such as the gothic look, but hairstyles are still a fashion statement, as well as a trend in today’s society. People are always changing their hairstyle, color and cut to match the current trends as often as they are changing their shoe choice. Katniss Everdeen wears a side-braided ponytail throughout most of the movie, “The Hunger Games.” Already I have seen many young girls, as well as adult women, wearing this easy, but still very put together ponytail look. It’s an easy hairstyle to pull off if you are running weekend errands, just jumped out of the shower or are running late to work.

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ENTRY #11 – Designer and Favorite Piece from Collection  

   

This is a runway look from Prabal Gurung’s F/W 2012 Show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York City.

This designer and look would most likely be seen at Barney’s or Bergdorf Goodman.

I really like this design because number one – I absolutely love the color. I like the mixture of the blue and black in the print on the fabric. I also like this particular design because there is something about a women’s confidence when she can pull off a bold, yet sexy pant suit. It really says a lot about a woman when they can wear a pantsuit to an event or to work, rather than the stereotypical dress or skirt. It shows she has power, confidence and feels great in her skin.

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ENTRY #12 – Responsibilities of Positions

A fashion designer is responsible for creating the designs that will be produced to be sold in department stores, boutiques, e-commerce sites, etc. Their tools range from pencil to sketchpad to computer programs. Designers design everything – fashions, furnishings, housewares and office equipment. A buyer is mainly responsible for selecting merchandise that maximizes sales and profit for the company at hand. They are responsible for the selection of products, quantity and the end sales and profit from the products selected. A buyer also needs to make sure that the products bought for sale are appropriate for the target market. A product development manager is responsible for overseeing the conceptualization, design, construction, selling and distribution of a manufacturer or designer’s products. These managers usually only oversee a specific product or product line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ENTRY #13 – Fashion Don’ts

1. A fashion don’t for women is the “muffin top”. This look is very unflattering for even the thinnest woman. This look can only mean one thing: your pants are a size or two too small.

2. A fashion don’t for both men and women is socks with sandals. Sandals are to be worn without socks, in

warm weather, hence the reason that sandals are open toed. If someone is spotted wearing socks with sandals,

they are usually stereotyped immediately. It’s a terrible look no matter who you are.  

3. The third fashion don’t for women is the romper/jumpsuit. This look is considered a fashion don’t because it’s very unflattering and causing the worst fashion faux pas in women: camel toe. This style of “outfit” also makes a woman look heavier because of the billowing in the stomach area. No woman ever wants to look heavier than she feels or is.

4. A fashion don’t for men would have to be skinny jeans. A lot of women should not even be wearing skinny jeans, but they do. This doesn’t mean men should be wearing them. If toothpick thin women’s legs don’t look good in them, why would a muscular men leg look ok in them? And that little, tiny zipper fly was not made for anything larger than what women are wearing underneath their skinny jeans.

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ENTRY #14 – Possible Career Opportunities

� Fashion Public Relations Assistant – A fashion public relations assistant pitches targeted media outlets in broadcasting, print and new media. They executive communication plans that includes producer trafficking, media contact and products placement. They maintain the tone and feel of each brand’s distinct positioning. They manage daily account activities such as agendas, recaps, activity reports, media monitoring and coordination of all necessary materials for client accounts. A fashion PR assistant also assists at fashion shows and press open houses.

o I think I would be a good fit for a position like this because I am very outgoing with good verbal, written and interpersonal skills. I am energetic and organized, and have an overall love of fashion. I am focused on success and stay current on all the trend in fashion, art, beauty and music, so something like this sounds like a perfect fit for me in the future.

� Deputy Editor at Who What Wear – The deputy editor oversees the editorial department and drive daily content for WhoWhatWear.com and WWW Beauty. The deputy editor will top edit all written daily content for both the fashion site and the beauty site. They will write daily content when necessary, including advertorials, celebrity fashion stories and expert interviews. A small team of editors across the editorial department will need to be managed by the deputy editor. The deputy editor will also work with the Fashion Director on editorial calendar, themes and stories.

o I believe I would be a good fit for this position because I have a comprehensive knowledge of fashion, from its history to current trends and designers, plus I am creative, innovative and have strong sensibilities. Not in my favor, though is that the fact that I don’t currently have 6-10 years experience as a senior level editor in print or digital, nor do I have extremely strong relationships within the fashion and beauty industry.

� Visual Merchandiser – A visual merchandiser conceptualizes and creates visually appealing displays inside and outside of a store based on current trends. These displays need to draw in customers and promote the store’s merchandise. The displays also showcase and introduce new items, as well as create a positive store image and increase revenue. A lot of manual labor goes into this career. A visual merchandiser physically builds attractive displays, hangs sign from ceilings and sets up dramatic lighting.

o I think I would be a good fit for this career because I am visually very creative and can put together any look to enhance any certain item. I like physical activity and would have no problem running around, setting things up and tearing things down. I would also love this position because it allows you to work with the latest and most popular designs, trends and looks, which I love.