5/10/17

Happy Finals Week! I am happy to say that I have one last final between me and summer (although sad because I’m leaving NYC in 2 weeks ). I’ve had the most incredible semester in the city, and couldn’t be more blessed to have learned so much about myself. The city taught me that anything is possible if you put your mind too it and that dreams can become reality if you just kept pushing through barriers and limitations. My internship with Christian Siriano taught me the ins and outs of a designer house (from the good and the bad). I wouldn’t be where I am today without that experience. I love everything about New York and just hope that I will return again in the future!

This past weeks study tour was another top favorite. We had the opportunity to visit the headquarters of “Theory.” Our tour gave us insight on how to build the brand, where we heard from the president of the company about his experience in the industry. We also saw the production room, which was a really unique glance into the overall manufacturing of the brand. We saw model fittings for the upcoming line (which is amazing!!!) and we saw areas of technique design and pattern making. I love this study tour and it was a great last week visit.

-H.

5/30/17

Another Sunday in the city! Hope everyone is doing well, thanks again for checking my status. Things are going well for the most part- busy, busy, busy as always with finals coming up. I had the time to explore Brooklyn with some friends on Saturday and we went to the Smorgasbord. It is basically a huge food party (AKA- my favorite thing on this planet). I got a yummy mango stick with a dash of chili seasoning. So good! I highly recommend going if you in the city this summer. They also have one in Manhattan so if you have the time check it out- with an empty stomach!

This week’s study tour was located at the studio. We had a guest speaker, a husband and wife duo, who gave insight on creating a business from nothing. It was interesting to hear from them and they gave a lot of advice on how to start from scratch. They run there own jewelry business, and started in the garage on there house. They showed us there website, where they keep track on production, and who they sell to in order to make a profit. They also talked about working as husband and wife, and the difficulties that go with that. It seems like hard work, but with the right perspective and experience…anything is possible!

-H.

5/23/17

Happy Sunday! Hope everyone is having a lovely day, spent with family and friends (or dogs/cats). I had a busy weekend, full of spring shopping, online homework and just exploring the city! Spring has been an amazing match in New York City, the flowers are brighter and the people are happier. I love walking out of my apartment into my little neighborhood to see the sun shining and the city glowing. My classes have been going well, I have a big project due in Fashion Forecasting this coming Wednesday! I’ve come to the last few weeks of my internship, and I’m sad to see it go. I’ve gotten much more responsibilities and have seen myself grow in the company.

This past weeks study tour was to a really cool location- OshKosh B’Gosh. They sell high quality children and toddler clothing. We had the opportunity to visit there headquarters which was a really unique experience! The companies main men and women department leaders walked us through the overall process of making a collection for the company (separated between men/women children/toddler). It was neat to see how much thought and examination goes into the whole entire process from print direction to silhouette and color choice. I loved the whole trip and could see myself working for them in the future.

Great study tour!

That’s all for this week

-H.

 

 

4/19/17

Happy Wednesday! Another beautiful spring day in the city, after an eventful weekend home for Easter. I have about one month left here in New York before I head back home for the summer, and I am absolutely dreading it (not going home and spending time with my parents, but leaving this amazing city). Things have been very productive school-wise with end of the semester projects and note-taking classes. I am looking forward to exciting events in May such as a free comedy show, tickets to Late Night with Seth Myers, and the end of the school year luncheon.

This past week’s study tour was to a trip near my apartment in Chelsea. We visited a whole bunch of galleries in the area (about 8), and it was super inspiring! Art has always been a source of inspiration and motivation behind my choice of fashion, so going to these exhibitions opened my mind to new possibilities within that realm of expression. Here are some of my favorite pieces from the trip…

 

I recommend spending a few hours in the day visiting these galleries! It’s free and so much fun.

 

-H.

4/13/17

Happy Thursday! Hope everyone is having a fun and sunny day. We have been blessed with such beautiful weather, just in time for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Things have been pretty slow here in the city with me, as classes have been mostly note-taking and easygoing in preparation for finals coming up in the next few weeks. I did not have my internship this past Wednesday, so I took some time out of my day to explore coffee shops in the area. I found a really cool one called “Spreadhouse cafe” near Lexington Ave. I highly recommend coming here if you need to finish homework, chat with friends, or read a book. They have amazing coffee and food, with a hippy playlist and vibe to go along with it. The space is super open and welcoming, I cannot wait to go back soon!

This weeks study tour trip was to a homestyle furnishing store called “Ellery Homestyles”. They have both branded and private label home-fashion products from bedding, shower curtains, throws to really anything you can think of. One of my favorite things I saw during the tour was the inspiration/creative set-up room, where they give you an overview of what a typical room would look like, based on item they sell to customers. It was interesting to hear from the hard-set world of fashion, not just the soft-set (clothing). I learned that the home furnishing world contains many of the same processes that the fashion industry goes through, including understanding trends, picking out colors and fabrics, understanding the world of private and branded products, etc. After this trip, I could see myself working for a homestyle brand!

That’s all for this week

-H.

4/3/17

Happy April! Wow. I feel like it was just a week ago I was writing my first New York City post and now I only have two more months left here (sad). I had a nice spring break at home, with lots of resting and relaxing. I am so happy to be back in Manhattan and the craziness that I missed so much while home. I finally meet my perfect nephew at home, as my sister and her kids took some time off from Kentucky to visit. They are all coming up to the city this Wednesday so I am looking forward to that! We are planning on going to Central Park and the 9/11 museum.

I am also happy to be back at my internship. Its weird to be away from the fashion world for a little, and come back like everything has changed. It’s true when they say fashion never sleeps!

Last weeks study tour was to Dover Street Market. Its located on Lexington Ave, and a great spot to visit in NY! This was my first time, and it absolutely held up to everyone reviews. I loved it! (To be honest- any fashion person will fall in love) The market is curated to 7 levels of high end designers. Super unique displays and an amazing source of inspiration.

Here are some shots I got during my time exploring…

That’s all for this week.

-H

3/20/17

Happy Monday! It’s a beautiful day in the city, and the perfect start to a great week. I recently read an article about how optimism can influence your everyday life, and just saying “it’s going to be a great week” can really make a difference in the way you go about your day. I’ve been learning to simply go with the flow and brush aside the negatively in my life, and the outcome has been amazing! I’ve never been more happy and outgoing. With that being said, I’ve got a busy schedule ahead of me this week with midterms and projects all due before spring break (next week)!!! I have a big exam on Tuesday in Planning and Buying as well as a Fashion Forecasting project due on Thursday involving trend forecasting. My internship has been going well, busy and crazy just like the fashion industry is. This past weekend was spend back home, as my cousin had his wedding on Saturday (Congrats Meg &Greg)!! It was a beautiful ceremony and a lovely reception. My mom and I saw “Beauty and the Beast” Sunday morning and it blew away my expectations. Emma Watson played a perfect Belle, and has always been someone I look up to as a feminist. My mom is coming back up to the city this weekend to spend some time exploring with me before we both head back home for my spring break which will be spent doing some much needed reading and sleeping.

This week in Study Tour, we had a really awesome guest who had an 18 year experience in the industry before starting her own private brand which will hopefully soon be sold with Amazon. She is a designer, so she gave advice on the career paths that may be smart for those majoring in design. She told us her favorite parts of the job (having her own schedule) and some of the drawbacks (doing almost everything herself- tech pacs, branding, fabric sourcing, etc). She gave us advice when searching for jobs in the corporate as well as private label world. She showed us everything that went into creating her brand (mostly jeans, but also shirts, dresses, etc) and where she hopes to be in the future. I loved her presentation!

That’s all for the week.. Have a good one!!

 

-H.

 

3/14/17

Happy Snow day! Blizzard Stella has made her mark on the city late last night into this morning, with more sleet and ice than snow. Studio classes have been cancelled and I will be spending the rest of my day in PJ’s. I hope everyone stays nice and warm today on (hopefully) the last winter storm of the season. With that being said, happy Tuesday! This past weekend was a busy one for me with a lot of travel from trains to cars and buses. I am happy to be back in the city for a short week of interning and classes before I head back home for my cousins wedding on Saturday!

Things have been super busy for me with midterms and endless projects coming up before Spring Break. I have a really interesting project coming up for my fashion forecasting class, where I have to follow trends, colors, and fabrics for a certain future season and visit stores to actually see how the stores showcase these trends for the season I pick. I will be taking pictures of the stores visual merchandise and putting a long powerpoint together of what I discovered. I am excited to visit all the stores in the city and see what I can come up with.

That’s all for the week..

-H.

2/5/17

Happy Sunday! I hope everyone is having a nice, relaxing and warm weekend! It is back to the winter blues here in the big apple, with temperatures below freezing again. Cold weather and I do not mix well, so going out and doing things that require contact with the cold winds is not ideal (AKA- I spent most of my weekend indoors). Saturday was actually spent taking a long subway ride to a new cafe in Brooklyn called “Cocoa Grinder.” Super easy going environment with a huge menu. I highly recommend making a trip here if you get the chance, and try there classic french toast with strawberries and bananas. I’m drooling just thinking about it. Another Sunday of church and homework… a good mix for me!

This past weeks study tour spot was my favorite so far. We had the opportunity to visit Talbots creative office. It was so great! First, we had a tour of the whole facility, which I was blown away with! So full of space and open, making the environment more friendly and flowing. We saw the production offices, president and CEO offices, lunch room, design rooms, vintage closet, etc. After the tour we had a great presentation by some of the well-known and influential developers of the brand. First the public relations manager talked to us about how social media and bloggers have influenced the brand. She also talked about what magazines she works with now-a-days verse back when the company was starting out. After her speech we heard from several others such as head of design, print designer, and production developer. I learned so much about the company, and it really opened my eyes as a post grad option. Seems like the perfect brand to start out in and really grow as a worker in the field. Also a charitable brand which is something I have been on the lookout for, so A plus for them!!

That is all for this week..Till next time.

 

-H.

 

2/26/17

Happy Sunday! Hope everyone had a lovely weekend. Mine was super relaxed and filled with lots of binge-watching Netflix (aka- Gilmore Girls) and working on some school work for the week. I also did some much needed solo window shopping in Soho, and let me tell you, if you ever visit NYC this is the place to go shopping. Soho is known for its cobble stoned streets, lined with plenty of stores to browse from Madewell to & Other Stories, the list could go on forever. I love it there! I also had an amazing experience this morning at HillSong NYC. It is a Christian Church that my roommates and I discovered in the city. I’ve been on the lookout for a church during my time in the city, and this one seriously exceeded my expectations. Even if you aren’t Christian, I would highly recommend taking time to go to one of the 4 services on Sunday (get their early, the line was down the block when I arrived a half hour early!!) The service was 2 hours of absolute bliss. I had an amazing first visit, and am looking forward to going back next Sunday.

This weeks class trip was a visit to Material ConneXion. This place is basically a resource for those in the fashion and art industry to discover new materials from polymers to wood and glass. It was really neat to see all of the materials and how they are made/can be used in a product.

I thought this material could be used as the outside layer of a raincoat. It is super lightweight, flexible, and waterproof.

Have a great week!

-H.