URBAN

This past Tuesday my professor brought the class to Urban Outfitters Headquarters in the Navy Yard, all the way south Philadelphia. This is the same location Drexel hosts the fashion show. I was never able to make it to the fashion shows the past few years so this was very exciting to me. In our industry we get the privilege of being able to work in amazing, unique, creative spaces. This is how I would describe UO headquarters. 

Class is beneficial and does teach us many things but nothing is better than physically being out in the field. 

The Urban Outfitters Headquarters basically looked like a giant version of their store. Their brand has such a clear sense of style that they portray through everything; clothing and even work offices. It is a space one can feel comfortable and I believe it provokes creativity. Not only was the building UO style, but every single person looked like they just walked out of an UO magazine. I know working on the field in retail it is important to wear the brand you are representing, but these people wear UO clothing like their professional models and their picture is going to be taken any moment. Being physically at the center of UO changed my view of the company. I have always loved them, but being intimidated by these models and meeting some of the employees I have decided I will absolutely not be working at UO. It seems like a dream job but being there and talking with the people, I knew this is not the company for me. And that is why I say nothing is better than physically being out in the field. Co-op and visiting corporations allow you to see behind the scenes, what the place truly is like, how the fellow employees personalities are, helping you learn what works for you and what doesn't.

You must sign in at the desk where they have iPads on yellow stands that take your name, take your picture (really fast, I didn't even realize it was taken) and prints your name card within second

Returning to the Mainland

I have just returned from Hawaii back to the mainland. The flight was extremely long and getting adjusted back to the six-hour time difference is defiantly a struggle. I was sad to leave Hawaii and my amazing job, however I am happy to return home to all of my family and friends.  I am lucky enough to be renting a beach house in Ocean City, New Jersey for the summer. Right when I got back from Hawaii I was picked up by my family from the airport and taken straight there.

I took a couple of days to relax and be with my family and friends and readjust until I started my next co-op. For the last three months I will be working as a Social Media and Sales Intern at Obvi Boutique in Conshohocken. I am excited to enter a new working environment and try something different. I learned a lot of sales and customer service skills when working at San Lorenzo and now I get to put them to work!

Obvi Boutique

Fall Deliveries

We began receiving fall deliveries about a month ago but just a few boxes here and there. Seeing the new fall merchandise is getting me so excited about the next season! I refuse to buy any more summer clothes because I am saving up for all of the amazing sweaters, jeans, and boots that I've been seeing come through our door.

One surprising yet fun shoe trend that I've been seeing and that we have received a few items of, is furry shoes. It sounds funny but high end brands are now placing real fur on shoes and it is looking super chic. We got in a few Tibi pairs that I am dying to try on. I've also been seeing a lot of plaid prints, not just on casual wear but on evening wear as well. The plaid print is so versatile and fits in perfectly for fall. High waisted pants are also making a comeback this fall with not only jeans but work pants and slacks are rocking the high waist cut as well. We also got in some heavy, oversized wool coats that are in plums and dusty grays.

I love that my job allows me to get a preview into what the buyers have chosen for the season. I can't wait for the colder weather to roll around so I can start wearing these outfits that I have planned out in my head!

Fall Winter 2015

Working in a small boutique is very different than working in a large retail store. In a small boutique, working with one designer, there are only two main deliveries that we deal with. We have a Spring/Summer shipment as well as a Fall/Winter shipment. Of course we reorder merchandise if need be. Because I have only been working since May, I have been working on the floor with the Spring Summer collection. This past month in July, we have had many changes in the store. Most stores in SoHo, like ours, already have their full fall collections on the floor and all Spring Summer clothing is discounted above 50% off or are sold out.

We have received our first order for the Fall/Winter collection as well. We have a small section of fall clothing on the floor and the rest of the store is the discounted spring and summer clothing and shoes. Most of our spring and summer merchandise is 50-70% off already. Although most stores do have their fall collections out already, I have found it difficult to sell knee high leather boots in 90 degree heat! As we are gradually selling out of our summer collection and moving into fall I have found that most people are drawn into the store when they see our fall clothing and shoes in the window. The fall collection is very eye-catching and unique. We have already almost sold out of all of our winter bags that we just got in last week. The designer uses very minimalist designs with outstanding fabrics and silhouettes. One item that everyone loves is a red taffeta skirt from our fall collection. The silhouette is a simple high waist hoop skirt, but the color and material makes it stand out.

We have also began our showroom downstairs, below our store of the Spring Summer 2016 collection for wholesale presentations. This is when buyers will come in to view the samples of the collection and purchase what they want for their store next spring. It is so exciting to see how everything works for a small designer and how much goes into the clothing and shoes so far in advance from when they are actually sold.




Some of the Fall/Winter Shoes and Accessories

Detail of Fall/ Winter Platform Boot






What are the trends for this fall at Uniqlo? Who are the collaborations with? Are their any new stars that are working with the company?

What are the trends for this fall at Uniqlo?  Who are the collaborations with?  Are their any new stars that are working with the company?

So of course our fall merch has already come in, and we have been displaying new items such as sweaters, smart pants and specialized UNIQLO jeans. The special twist to all of our fall items is th HEAT TECH technology. Before we had AIRISM to keep cool and we still do but now for the fall we are stocking up on HEAT TECH. We, as employees now get quizzed on the functions of heat tech (instead of airism) for when customers ask us about it. 

 

These are the special features of HEAT TECH technology in our new fall items

Heat Generation :	The fabric absorbs moisture from the body and generates heat.
Heat Retention:	Air pockets woven into the threads retain heat.
Absorb perspiration, Quick Dry :	Perspiration evaporates immediately to produce a feeling of dryness. (Men's only)
Stretchable :	Stretchable fabric offers a light, comfortable fit.
Anti-Static :	The fiber reduces discomfort from static electricity at the time of putting on and taking off.
Dimensional stability :	Unique knit prevents the fabric from wrinkling or losing its shape after washing.
Moisturizing :	A soft feel is achieved by blending whey containing natural amino acid into fibers. (Women's only) UPDATE !
Antimicrobial :	Special antimicrobial processing keeps potentially unpleasant odors in check.
Odor Control :	Specially processed fabric absorbs and neutralizes sweat and other odor fabrics to eliminate odor. (Men's only) NEW !

The other question concerning collaborations, is actually a great one.. because we are in the middle of our SPRZ NY collaboration, which is my personal favorite. This collaboration is such a cool one to me because it combines art and clothing. Uniqlo and MoMa (the renown museum of modern art) have joined for this collection, highlighted many artists such as as Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, Keith Haring, and Jean-Michel Basquiat,and more. SPRZ NY (“Surprise New York”) was designed around the concept of “A place where clothes and art meet.” The second floor of the UNIQLO Fifth Avenue store has been remodeled for the project. For the first time, Starbucks has opened an outlet at this location, creating a space to drink coffee and enjoy art.

The collection is really affordable and simple enough in design where it is not overbearing and pays respect to the artist, my personal favorite is the Basquiat crown pocket shirt.

Lastly, to answer the question of new stars, there aren't any new celebrities or anything like that. We have had an ongoing sponsorships with athletes from Australia to China. This helps introducing products to different markets.

Christmas in July pt 2

Today we finished our Christmas in July window. We decided to only do one section of our window as Christmas in July. My co-worker and I started planning out what the mannequin would wear and what we could place around the mannequin as well. I was the one that hoped into the window to set up the display. The window gets very hot once the sun hits the window. Needless to say, it's best to plan the window out first then try and set it up as quickly as possible. Here's the finish product:

Vacation!

Last week I was lucky enough to get a full week off for vacation. I went down to Cape May, New Jersey for most of the week. I finally turned 21 on Thursday as well! It was an amazing week. It was extremely hard to get up this morning to come back to work. I can't believe I only have about 7 more weeks left of co-op and I register for my senior year classes this Thursday. Time is flying!


Here's a picture of my dog and I on the beach in Cape May!

Thursday, the first day, in a while, that it wasn't unbearably hot out. The weather was beautiful with the hot sun and a slight breeze. My boyfriend, Joe, and I decided to venture to some of the pop-up gardens. Today we walked to Spruce Street Harbor and it was amazing. A great aspect I would like to highlight is the amount of food huts and drink/snack bars there were. I even got a little taste of Franklin Fountains delicious ice-cream from their food hut there. The actual beer garden area is a 'U' shaped dock, having a water garden in the middle. There were large multi-color Adirondack chairs and, my favorite part, nets above the water you could lay on. There were tons of little seating areas to gather and enjoy a drink. Parents even brought their children to play in the sand area. Being in such a beautiful setting I almost forgot I was in a city. It is so important to give yourself a break. Work and school are, of course, the top priority but make time for your own sanity. Having classes and work all week, relaxing near the water with a beautiful view, was exactly what I needed to clear my mind. I highly recommend going to the Spruce Street Harbor this summer, it is a beautiful atmosphere.

Off Days Activities: Hiking

On my rare days off from my two jobs I spent a lot of time hiking different trails throughout the island. I had never really been hiking before I went to Hawaii but I loved it when I was there. One of my favorite trails was Manoa Falls. It’s about a mile trail up a mountain to a scenic waterfall. Many major movies and TV shows have been filmed at this location such as, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, and Lost. While on the hike we saw an entire crew filming scenes for an unknown movie.

We picked a perfect day because it is usually raining all the time on that trail, but it did not rain when we went. It was like hiking through a tropical rainforest, a bit muddy and difficult at times but once you reach the top the view of the waterfall was worth it. I also hiked the cliffs around the west side of the island as well mountains overlooking enclosed reefs. It was amazing being able to travel around the island finding hidden spots.

New York Fashion Week, Men's 2016

As the Advertising Intern here at Nautica I mostly handle all photoshoots for the company including all of the pre and post production. I have attended many photoshoots and been able to see everything that goes into each one. Being in the Marketing department I also work alongside the PR team. We all work under the direction of the Marketing department but are split into our own sections (ex: Advertising, Public Relations etc.). I love being able to see the other projects that the other teams on my floor are working on as well. It is good to see what goes into their projects and be able to offer help wherever I am needed.

 

This past week I was able to assist the PR team at Men’s 2016 New York Fashion Week. I was granted backstage access and was there to help wherever I was needed. Most of the time I was checking in guests at the entrance of the show. I was able to meet many bloggers and magazine editors which was very cool. I also was able to attend the presentation and was able to see the 2016 Spring Summer Men’s collection. This was such a good experience because not everyone from the company was able to attend so I was so grateful to be able to be there and help out. It is always good to offer your help to others in your office when you can. It goes a long way and shows that you are a good worker and really want to help. It also sets you apart from other interns because you are showing that you care and want to do well and learn as much as you can, from as many different people as you can!

Uniqlo’s merchandising strategy

Uniqlo’s merchandising strategy and how they merchandise the store- by gender, by color, by category  

So Uniqlo as some may or may not know UNIQLO used to be a unisex casual clothing company under the name "Unique Clothing Warehouse". The contraction of "unique clothing" is what created the name Uniqlo. Now of course, the clothing is not so much unisex as there are complete lines for men, women and kids. Our Philadelphia store is comprised of four floors for men, women, kids and our main floor combining our new items for men and women and the exciting, special SPRZ NY collection, which is a new collaboration with MoMa.

As far as merchandising strategy, Uniqlo's brand is known as being all inclusive. The main tagline is MADE FOR ALL, that is why they emphasize on basics. Most of the clothing garments are able to reach all ages, genders, styles, social settings. And the brand is more than just clothing, they are referred to as life wear. The brand touches on different areas of life in general, as previously mention in another post there are apps that UNIQLO offers in the app store that aid in everyday life.

Color ordering is a another major strategy that UNIQLO leverages in their merchandising. We are taught a certain color order when displaying clothing (typically light to dark). As this adds major visual appeal. Below you can see how we display certain items, in a particular color order.

As far as category, we separate clothing by styles and operation. So for our women’s floor which is the floor I work on, we have zones and each zone is for a different clothing purpose. We are fortunate to have a very large space to work with so our store definitely differs from others. We have our main campaign clothing usually whatever is new or being pushed at the moment. That is always the first thing you see when you get to women’s floor, next is our business wear and contemporary clothing. Then you have denim and then innerwear and lastly our loungewear.

Skirt Rittenhouse

It was recently announced that Skirt will be opening its third location in Rittenhouse! The first location is in Bryn Mawr, the second in Stone Harbor, NJ and the Rittenhouse store is set to open in mid August. I honestly think this location is the perfect for our target market. Our merchandise is aimed towards working, successful women who follow trends and are constantly looking for unique pieces to add to their wardrobe. Rittenhouse is full of working women who are willing to spend money on quality clothing. Also, the surrounding stores price points are complimentary with ours which puts Skirt right into the competition. We have been featured in a lot of local news articles including Philly.com and the Philadelphia Inquirer. People are really excited about the new location because Skirt really offers quality services to our customers. As a stylist at Skirt, we all have client books that we keep and we use the books to keep track of customer purchases. For instance, if a customer comes in looking for denim and ends up purchasing 4 pairs of a certain style, or a certain brand, then I will copy their receipt and put it in my book along with notes about the customer. Then, in a few weeks, I will go back into my book and call or text the customer letting her know that we received a new shipment of the denim that she likes, or that we got in some tops that would look great with her recently purchased jeans. This type of personal service really makes the customer feel special and has been the signature at Skirt and the reason behind its success. I can't wait to see the store when it opens and its success!

Here are some links to articles that were written about Skirt Rittenhouse:

http://www.phillymag.com/shoppist/2015/06/17/stop-what-youre-doing-skirt-boutique-is-coming-to-rittenhouse/

http://articles.philly.com/2015-06-25/business/63787701_1_rittenhouse-square-stylists-main-line

This is an image from our Bryn Mawr location which the Rittenhouse location will be using to follow the same aesthetic. 

Christmas in July pt. 1

It's Christmas in July!!! I love the holidays so much. I love Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's the best time of the year. I especially love being in retail during the holidays. I really love giving people gifts so I love helping people pick out the perfect gift for someone special in their life. Last week I spent one morning working on a display to showcase all our ornaments. I got so excited thinking about Christmas. We are patiently waiting for our arrival of an ugly christmas that is suppose to come in tomorrow. Last year we sold out of our Christmas sweaters right away. Once we get the Christmas sweaters in we are going to redo one of our windows to do a whole Christmas in July window. Happy Holidays! (6 months early!)

Buying, Buying, Buying

Today at work we spent all day buying apparel for August, September, and October. It was an all day event of staring at buying sheets, coming up with new graphics, and trying to come up with how much we should buy.

These are photos of the RAZ report we look off to see how much we have on hand, on order, and how much was sold. We write down how much of a piece we have to buy which can range from 12 pieces all the way up to 295 pieces of the same shirt just in different colors and graphics. Once we know how many pieces we need to order we then break down how much of each size we should order. This takes a lot of mental math, which is something I'm brushing up on. I love days of buying. It combines both math and creativity. This is the perfect combination for me. 

Business Casual

Transitioning from college classes to a professional job requires some wardrobe tweaking. With morning classes (and by morning I mean 10am) I would just roll out of bed and go to class in whatever clothes I grabbed off the ground. It was a huge awakening when I had to wake up at 6am to get ready for work at 8am. I started co-op last summer and I found myself so lost as to what was appropriate to wear. My denim shorts, crop tops, and strapless maxi dresses were definitely not appropriate. I immediately hit the stores to see what professional outfits I could wear in the dreaded heat. Here are two of my favorite job appropriate outfits for some inspiration if you need to shop for your co-op!

This look is from the store New York & Company. A perfect deep blue fit and flare summer dress. The main reason this is appropriate enough for work is because the length hits right before the knee and the straps cover the shoulders. Since it is such a basic dress a statement necklace is a perfect accent. The colors of it, peach and white, add a more summery feel.

This is for when I'm feeling fun! I found this outfit to be my perfect Friday look because it's flashy enough to go for drinks with colleagues at happy hour after closing. The dress is by Free People from the department store Lord & Taylor. Because the dress has skinny straps I needed to add a throw-over to cover my shoulders. The throw-over is an amazing find at Nordstrom Rack for just $12! It is 100% polyester so it is extremely light. I just love how different the two pieces are yet they work together so well with the black and white patterns on the dress, and the mix of black and white pattern with bright florals on the throw.

New Store Location

The San Lorenzo brand has been rapidly expanding in the past year. But recently, the owner announced that there would be a fifth location coming to Oahu. The location will be on the west side of the island and in a popular mall called Pearl Ridge. The new store will be located in between MAC and Sephora; it couldn’t be a more perfect location. Although my internship would be over before the new store opened I still got to help with as much as possible.

Since my boss is the district manager she was basically in charge of opening the store herself. Right away we posted hiring adds on Craigslist and on our career website. Once the applications starting flowing in my boss and I began calling and doing mini phone interviews and also scheduling in person interviews. It was a great experience to be able to be on the other side of an interview for once. I will use this experience to improve my interviewing skills.

Not only did we do the interviewing but we also visited the space many times. I helped her order all the electronics for the store and pick out the model canvas pictures that would be hanging around the store. It was awesome to be able to talk to my boss about what brands she was going to carry in the store, what styles, sizes, etc. I really got to see the beginnings of opening a major retail store.