Challenges in Apparel/Home Retailing

With the economy the way that it is right now, many people are just buying the minimum and essential items they need to get by. This can cause problems for many businesses, especially with the Apparel and home fashion retailing jobs. Since our economy is in a time of recession, financial issues are at an all time high. This is why people are cutting back on spending for their leisure items such as Apparel and fashion, and even making sure that their home is furnished with the newest trend. This time of the year is supposed to be the most profitable and busiest time for home retailing with the holidays coming up,but with people struggling to even pay their taxes and mortgages, the Real Estate in itself is even having problems. This means that if people are not buying houses, they sure are not buying accessories for them.

I have noticed just by doing my usual window shopping, seeing as I can't afford many luxury items right now, that clothing stores are having to do major mark downs and sales on items that would normally be sold for much higher. It has had a major effect on both designer items, because many people can't just go out and spend a few hundred dollars on a single item these days, but also for the less expensive items because people are more worried about just filling up their gas tank. I think that if we just give it a little bit of time, our economic recession will be over and no one will even think twice about buying that next pair of shoes or buying a new couch for their living room because everything in life has its ups and downs.

Guest Speaker

I really enjoyed the guest speaker today because I actually felt like I could relate to her. She was more our age than the last lecture which gave me a sense of where I may actually be as soon as I graduate. I like the fact that she touched on parts of her experience at UNCG, for example the New York trip and blogs and how anything can really open doors for you, you just have to be open.

A big thing for me is probably the Internship. As we have discussed in class, and she reiterated, that they are very good opportunities no matter what field that you will go into. This is because you get to meet new people and learn things that you did not already know, as well as apply some of the skills that you learned in the class room in a more hands on environment. I am a Sophomore and definitely know not to wait to do an internship, and that it is never too early to start. She mentioned that its really a sense of who you know, and sometimes it is the person that you least expect that will be able to help you with what you need. An example of this for me was at work the other week and another co worker and I had previously discussed my major and her mother apparently works for a big textile company, which I was unaware of at the time we were talking. Well, she came back to me and asked if I would be interested in doing an internship or just helping out for the holidays and maybe the summer, and I was like for what, and she said for her mother's company. I felt honored that she asked me, but still need to contact and get more information on it, but it really does go to show as we talked about today that you never know whats going to happen.

I also liked that she brought in actual items that she had designed and made herself such as the apron and handbag. It is really neat to see the final and end result of something that you have been waiting on for a while. I am definitely going to listen about her advice on getting started with the internship and really seeking out what I want to do with this industry and figure out what my specific field will be.

Sweatshops

In today's society, we do not usually think of how a product is made, before we make our decision of whether we are going to purchase it or not. We usually just go with whatever is the cheapest and cutest style out there. Well, if it meant saving lives of others would you be willing to spend an extra few dollars here and there to prevent the use of sweatshops? With our economy the way that it is, I know it can be hard to stretch a dollar, but if it means that we will be doing a fair and legal practice then I think that should be a major consideration. China is probably the first place that many of us think of when we here the term "sweatshop", however there are some here right in the United States. I think that if we can all stick together and buy items that are made locally as well as in the right manner, that it is one step in the right direction to helping man kind. People think that their one little decision will not make a difference, but if everyone stood up for what they think is right, in this case prevention of sweatshops, then it really can make a difference. Stop Sweatshops!

Fashion: Art or Usability?

The question is, is fashion art or should it be for usability. Most of today's society is always on the go, and just tend to throw any old thing on and go. However, there are some that actually take the time to plan their outfits according to the situation or even they are going to. According to the definition on dictionary.com, art is the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.

When you hear the word "art", automatically you may think of painting or sculpting something, or even an art exhibit or museum that you see these pieces in. However, according to the definition above, I find fashion an art. Some may not feel that fashion is an art because any art takes specific taste. I find certain paintings pretty, however I have a passion for fashion as some would say. In the society that we live in today, it is not always the most practical thing to buy the most high end products which is why if you buy usable items you can create your own specific style, which is a unique art in itself.

As I have posted before, I like to have nice things, however, I like my style to be reflected different and my own. By creating my own look with my individual pieces it makes my fashion an art, as well as makes it very versatile and usable. Creativity is the key when dealing with any type of art whether it is painting, music, or in this case fashion. I would definitely say that fashion is both an art and usable if created in the right sense!

In comparison to all of the this, the Milan fashion week really seems to correlate. This fashion week is generally known for their art of fashion, verses actual usability and wearibility of the product. However, this year seems to be a different trend. Although the fashion is still vibrant and unique, it also still has a classic woman appeal to it as well, which never goes out of style. Each individual piece is really shown to show the versatility in the product and how you can mix and match it with other things and just have fun with your fashion. All of this goes along with everything I already mentioned because to me fashion is art as long as you can make it unique and interesting in your own way to show your personal taste, which is what you can do with the clothing from the Milan fashion week. I really enjoyed all of the collections that I was able to view on mystyle.com from this show.

Personal Designing

It may seem pretty obveious that I love fashion, as many of you do, because we are in the CARS department. However, I am absolutly terrible at the literal meaning of "designing" because I am drawing and art challanged. My version of "designing" is more a long the lines of picking out certain trends that I like and mixing and matching them in my own outfits to make them my personal own, as well as my "personal design". I have never been one to be matchy matchy with color; instead, i love to mix and match different colors, texture, patterns, and even designer names when picking out my personal styled outfits. Most of this just happens to be whatever I am in the mood for that particular day, because I love all different styles and I would not say that I had one particular style in any way. With all of this being said, I definataly feel that my clothing should be very versitle because I am always moving and constantly on the go.

My outfits are also picked for certain occasions and during the day can be transformed into another style and look, with the same basic items of clothing, by just switching up the accessories a bit. For example, by wearing a simple cotton dress along with flats to class, and then going out that night and changing the flats to heals and a sparkling long necklace or clutch bag to add some flair. As I mentioned earlier, I love mixing designers and types of clothing because I think its just a lot more fun, and I love to be different and make a statement as soon as I walk in the door. An example of this would be to wear a Banana Republic dress with a pair of Michael Kors flats, a Dooney and Bourke purse and throw on some David Yurman Jewelry and I'm out the door! My fashion has gotten to be a conversation starter at places like work and church and it is just fun for me to be able to tell them "who or what" I am wearing because it makes me feel special like I am actually on the red carpet! Fashion has always been the one thing that I have enjoyed and felt that I could make my own and when I get compliments on things I just enjoy doing it is just an extra insintive for the love of what I enjoy for a hobby and hopefully one day a career in Retailing or maybe even more upclose and personal with other designers.

Ethnic influences on Apparel Design

It seems pretty obveous to which we have many ethnic influences in today's society. Why, you ask? Well, with many designers in all areas of the world, as well as designers traveling, it seems to me that much of our apparel results from different ethnic cultures and background even when we do not recognize it, because we are so used to it in our everyday society.

Right now, one of the hottest trends out there is Animal print. This represents a sense of an African Safari, becuase it can be anything from zebra, leopard, tiger, crocodile, snakeskin, giraffe, and many more. I know for me that this is huge because I just think especially for the young society it has a sense of fun to it, but at the same time is made to look very chic and sophisticated. Also right now there are a lot of bold and bright colors which bring back different time eras, but also kind of like a British Invasion kind of thing, like in Austin Powers. Gold is also huge right now, which definately represents royalty. It also reminds me of a greek goddess in a sense. This is because flats are really in right now, and one that seems to be exploding are gold gladiator shoes to go along with big gold or other colored bangles.

Whether we realize from day to day or not, other ethnic culture really influences our fashion in the United States today. Much of what we are wearing now, represents styles of other tribes, or even everyday people in other countries. I am proud to wear these pieces because it is fun to see where certain fashion in the United States has originated from, but also to see how creative different parts of the world are with even their little resources.

New York Fashion Week: Marc Jacobs and Oscar de la Renta

Watching the Fashion Week videos in class has been very fun and exciting to see the new and upcoming trends. All have been very unique and insightful to see what the different designers have come up with. It always amazes me to see the creativity that they come up with each season, and the effort it must take throughout the process. I always love to see collections from the top designers because I know their pieces will be interesting, but it is always nice to watch other designers that I do not know as well in order to gain perspective on their since of style.

I was excited to see Marc Jacobs since his name is so well known, and I was right, his collection was very vibrant. He had different colors and patterns that were all mixed together to show the versatility amongst his collection, and that you can mix and match practically everything in it. I love all of the items, but I don't feel that I personally would ever wear a lot of his collection.

My absolute favorite collection that I have been able to see has been Oscar de la Renta! From the minute I saw his first model walk out, I immediately fell in love with his collection. I am all about really sophisticated and classy elegance in my dress, which his collection really seemed to nail in all the right ways. It was like the original classy, such as Audrey Hepburn. I could instantly see myself wearing a lot of actual outfits as a whole which is nice. When I watch shows like that I like to see the full picture and not just some abstract version of what I could wear, however that can be entertaining and fun to watch as well. The dresses in the collection were very tailored and polished with a clean cut which is very flattering for any woman, especially with curves like me! I also liked it because it was very versatile with age variety because I could see a classy young woman as myself wearing it, as well as an older woman that just naturally grew up with that style.

Overall, I have learned so much about many different designers, but of what I have actually seen, Marc Jacobs and Oscar de la Renta are who really captured my eye and my attention!!

*videos from mystyle.com

Organic and Environmental friendly clothing!

In today's society everyone is always on the go and are always looking for the quickest solutions to our everyday needs. This however, can become a problem and hazard for our environment if we do not take proper precautions with anything that we can do to help! Just recently the term, "Go Green" has become popular with many celebrities and other environmentalists. It is important to realize that celebrities do tend to create an image most want to follow, and with fashion is a good way to start!

Textile producers as well as other apparel manufacturers are now trying to show how cautious and responsible they are by trying to include ways of helping this process. They now are including organic and even recycled materials, which are in turn less toxic materials. These include low-impact dyes. These manufacturers are also using less water in their production which really helps out in the end. Also, the cotton industry has produced more "environmentally cleaner" processes which include naturally colored cotton, organic cotton, reduced water use, and even "cleaner" dyeing methods. One company that is known for their organic clothing is EDUN. All of these examples and more can be found in our textbook on pages 128-132.

Hopefully this has given you insight on fabrics and materials used so that you can be more aware and cautious of what to look for when your out shopping!

Favorite Designer

I have been interested in fashion for as long as I can remember! I have developed such a passion for it over the years, and follow all the latest trends because it has such a fun quality to it. Taking the time to make sure I look and feel good about myself really helps me get through the day because I feel more accomplished, as well as confident as soon as I walk through the door. It is one thing to be interested in specific designers because it is the "popular/trendy" thing to do, but it is another if you genuinely love it because you realize what all went into making the product. Don't get me wrong, I love to say that I am wearing a specific designer because it does make me feel good, however the confidence you bring to an outfit, no matter who makes it, says it all and shows that it doesn't have to be name brand in order for it to look good.

With all of this being said, I would have to say my favorite designer is Michael Kors. This may sound contradicting to my before statements because he is so well known and he is very popular right now. However, he has shown his tremendous range as a designer over the past few years which I admire. I love all parts of fashion, but no great outfit is complete without the proper accessories, most importantly the handbag! My first designer bag that I purchased completely on my own was by Michael Kors, and as a teenager I of course didn't have tons of money! I knew right away that the purchase would be worth it because of the design, detail, structure, color choice, and durability which I know he stands for. I picked his bag, amongst many others out there because I knew the quality was there, and frankly he knows what hes doing when it comes to fashion! My style is a little bit of trend, but mainly chic and classy which are what his designs seem to focus on. His personality also comes out in his designs because even though they are classy, he still adds a few crazy choices sometimes in his line that shows he does have fun with what he does! I enjoyed that first bag by Michael Kors so much, that over the past few years since buying it, I have purchased several more, including shoes!