Everything has Potential????????

Anytime someone bumps  into you in early morning rush hour in New York City, and  apologizes for it is a great sign.  A sign that the day has potential to be better and that New Yorkers might have some inkling of decorum. Usually I get really irritated when people bump into me on New York streets because it throws off your whole body placement and then you have to configure a new path to get around the daytime zombies.  Which are the people who emerge to the edge of the corners and scheme of ways to get around the masses because they are in such a rush.  It is the most comical thing to see and is actually a great start to the morning watching these dumbies go through the extreme to avoid the impossible in NYC (people).  It makes me giggle the whole walk to work until I reach the downstairs lobby where I begin to inhale and exhale as I press the elevator button to go to the 16th floor.  During this time I also say a prayer to get me through whats to come.  I take my last breath as my normal self as I step into the world of stares and side eyes!  But as the day went on and new faces arrived the morning tension always settles because people become more friendlier when they need your help.

What to do on a rainy day in new york...go to the movies!

The summer weather of the east coast is slowly but surely arriving, but spring showers are inevitable. So what do you do when it rains and you are stuck inside? Walk through it and go to the movies! So I walked to the theater in the rain and waited in line to get my ticket. You are probably thinking... oh she went to see The Great Gatsby, well you are wrong. I saw Scatted My Ashes at Bergdorf's! It was truly spectacular!

Throughout the movie different fashion designers and employees of Bergdorfs were interviewed, sharing personal stories and connections they have with the store. My favorites included hearing about Linda Fargo and watching how she finds new designers for the store. The best part about her interview was when she told the story of how she was mistaken for being Anna Wintour. She talked about how she is no where near like Anna Wintour, in that she is friendly, doesn't need a army of body guards, or needs to wear sunglasses inside. She sounds like a normal person! Other stories you hear are how Michael Kors was discovered, the importance as a designer of having your clothes at Bergdorfs (Isaac Mizrahi says that you aren't anything if your are not at Bergdorfs), and the evolution of a family who created a destination that people flock to!

The most important aspect of the movie for me was the evolution of how the holiday season windows get put together. The movie features the whole process from brainstorming ideas to the actual installation. Anyone who has ever seen a Bergdorf window knows that these windows are not just windows, they are ART. Seeing how much craft and detail that goes into the design and execution of these master pieces is amazing.

NOW GO SEE THE MOVIE!

Fun Tasks with Pop Shop

What a busy time for Pop Shop! The start up company has been acquiring online-only brands to sell products in boutique stores in Philadelphia. At the same time, Pop Shop is also getting boutique stores in Philadelphia to come on board and house a pop-up shop. Combining the perfect store and the perfect brand is difficult, because every company has it’s own market segment, and they want to make sure they are capturing it to maximize consumer awareness and profits.  One brand that we are very excited to be working with is Milk & Honey. They are a customizable shoe brand based in California which has received a lot of attention lately, being showcased on the 4^th hour of the Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda. I’ve created a mock-up display for a Milk & Honey pop up shop this summer. Their pop-up shop is going to be great to create the perfect summer wedge and sandal.

I have also been creating many display sign templates for Pop Shop to use universally at different pop-up shops in the future. Creating universal signage for multiple stores and having it be engaging is a difficult task. I’ve created more than 20 different options so far, and I am still editing them to create the best signage possible. I’m learning that I am a perfectionist more and more, because every option I make, I find that I’m not 100% happy with the final product. There is always room for improvement.

I’m looking forward to my new task with Pop Shop. I will be going to a boutique outside the city to look at the store set-up, and mapping out how I would display the pop-up shop. I will be taking dimensions, and mocking-up a display on photoshop. Many new endeavors for myself with Pop Shop!

Inspiration

Last Tuesday we had a company wide quarterly meeting. This is exactly what it sounds like—everyone in the company attends to review the previous quarter. We all gathered in the lobby of Building 25 where bleachers and benches were lined up for the occasion. First to speak was the president of the company, followed by several department heads. They shared with everyone how the last quarter was and how much growth we have had. After this, there was a fashion show with real FP girls (store stylists and a few real customers) wearing clothes they styled themselves and some of our best sellers. The whole meeting was a great experience. I loved hearing from some of the higher up people in the company talk about their views and ideas. It was a great way to make the company feel like a big family. The theme of the meeting was “What inspires you?” and the entire experience certainly was inspirational. At the end of the fashion show, balloons fell from the ceiling. We had all written what inspires us on a balloon the week before so it rained down with inspirational thoughts, literally. After the meeting the balloons were put on a wall to create an inspiration wall, which is pictured below.

So, what inspires me? The meeting got me thinking. What I wrote on my balloon was, “family, friends, and nice weather.” All of those do inspire me to be positive, and move forward in life. All three things remind me that happiness is important and therefore inspire me to achieve happiness through whatever I am doing. In addition to these things, this job has been very inspirational. On a fashion front, I love seeing everyone in the office get creative with styling. I’m constantly noting cool things that I’d love to try pairing together with pieces in my own closet. Looking past inspirational fashion, everyone in the office seems to love their job and what they are doing. Every single person I’ve met has been positive in attitude and supportive in working as a team. This is truly inspirational. 

NYC Recommendations

This past Saturday my friend and I decided to spend the afternoon shopping in Soho. I hadn't been there in a while so I decided that it was essential that I make my way down there. We took the NQR train to Prince St. which was a quick and easy trip.

We spent the afternoon exploring small boutiques and occasionally making our way into the crowded tourist infested chain stores. While Soho is a very nice area full of unique shops and one of a kind restaurants, it is best that locals avoid the main streets. I walked right out after seeing the checkout lines in a few of the stores.

After shopping we made our way back to my apartment to get ready for dinner. After a great deal of searching on my part I ended up choosing a restaurant that I had been to before, Penelope's. Penelope's is a cute little restaurant located in Midtown that reminds me a lot of Sabrina's at Drexel. Penelope's has a rustic vibe with amazing food. If you're looking for a tasty reasonably priced meal in NYC Penelope's is a great choice!

An afternoon at the Met

This past weekend I went to the Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art) to see the two fashion exhibits: Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity and Punk: Chaos to Couture. Both installations were practically next to each other so I decided to start off with Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity. This exhibit features numerous Impressionist paintings and the actual garment that was featured in the painting. When you really think about it, the concept is amazing! You are seeing a dress, first hand, that a women was wearing when posing for artists like Renoir, Manet, Morisot, etc. Then putting in perspective of the craft of these dresses, hats, corsets, and other accessories was truly a sight to see. I must say it was extremely distracting when groups of older women (sorry to offend, but that was who it was) were literally screaming and being extremely disrespectful to all those who were trying to enjoy the exhibit. Yes I know I was in a museum and not a library, but for some reason I just wanted everyone to be silent, no noise, just you and all the beautiful works of art and fashion you were surrounded by. Beside the loud women, the exhibit was truly spectacular. But I knew that the Punk: Chaos to Couture exhibit was going to be more up my alley.

And indeed it was!
You walked in and there was punk music blasting and two mannequins in Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood. I myself have never been a punk music lover, but I must say I did enjoy the music, the atmosphere, the culture, and history of the punk movement and its relations to fashion. The whole "I don't give a shit what you think" attitude was in full force. There were garments (GOWNS!) made completely out of trash bags, graffiti inspired clothes, bottle caps, safety pins, it was so awesome. The funny thing about the exhibit were listening to people's reactions. Most people came to see this exhibit and knew what they were getting into. Some of the older crowd ventured from the Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity exhibit to see what they Punk stuff was all about, and they were in for a real treat. I was standing and admiring a huge lace black Dolce & Gabbana gown and an older woman was standing next to me looking so confused and almost frightened. Out of no where she says, " wow it's actually quite beautiful!". Seemed liked she was glad she came over to see what the big deal was. Another reaction by two girls probably my age or maybe a little older opened my eyes to how narrow minded my generation is. One of the girls said, "This is like Lady Gaga". Yes this girl was comparing punk to Gaga, wow. Maybe she thought that when she saw the vintage Gianni Versace dress that Lady Gaga wore...as seen in this photo. But I highly doubt that's what she meant by her comment. Plus most of the clothes shown (if this girl had been reading anything) were pre Lady Gaga...way pre Gaga. But no matter any ones reactions, this exhibit was AMAZING and worth the trip to NYC to see it.

Ava, Alice, + Olivia- "I am... mama intern"

I am.... mama intern.

This week Alice + Olivia received about 10+ interns in its various departments.  Arriving here in April- I had come at an off-time for hiring- so, as a result I didn't start with a group of other newbies, or get a group tour, or orientation.  But, because of that- I was forced to start my experience running- rather then walking.  Now that all these new interns started here together- all confused and disoriented- I am walking them through there initial time here.  I am warning them against mistakes I have made in the past, advising some tricks of the trade to make life easier, help them become familiar with the names and faces around here, and feel open to asking me any questions they may have about my experience, and the company in general.  Just call me mama!

It is interesting to play 'leader' in an environment when I am always a follower.  I'm glad to be guiding new interns, but I have to admit that I am proud to have found my way on my own with very little help.  It reminds me of my passion to strive in any environment.  I always felt that was a really important quality to have- I have to try my best to hold fast to it.