Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Art & Fashion
Many Artists express their emotions through their art. Whatever the end result, the mission at hand for the artist is to express him/her self through their work and to generate an emotional response from the viewer. These concepts are very similar to those of a fashion designer. Designers create collections to express their artistic capabilities and to meet the needs of their consumers.
I recently began working for Flora Ferrari Galleria. My new job has been such an eye opener. It's amazing how many designers find inspiration through famous painters.
Andy Warhol & Philip Treacy
Philip Treacy is a well known hat designer. Treacy is known for his fashion forward hat collections. Some of his work includes the infamous peacock hat that Sarah Jessica Parker wore to the London Premier of Sex and the City. Treacy teamed up with Andy Warhol in 2003 to design a unique collection of hats.
Pablo Picasso
Picasso, a Spanish painter, who has become known as one of the world's most famous artist of the 20th century.
Here are some Picasso Inspired Designers:
Diane Von Furtenberg
L.A.M.B.
Marni
See by Chloe
Tufi Duek
3 Questions to ask yourself before buying Art or Designer Fashions:
Things an art buyer might consider before buying are very similar to that of a person shopping for a new designer handbag or dress. The number one question, Do I love it? Secondly, Are you buying it for the art or the artist, the design or the designer? Lastly, Should you purchase your are because of your furniture or to go with an outfit you already own?
Sources:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
15 Tips to Exploring the Fashion District
LA’s Downtown Fashion District is full of so many hidden treasures. I had the opportunity to live at the Chapman Loft’s on the corner of 8th and Broadway. From my LA Loft it was just a brisk walk into the discount bargain shopping capital of California. The Fashion District is made up of 90 blocks, 4,500 apparel and accessory lines, and more than 1,000 stores. Other names for Downtown LA’s shopping area include: Santee Alley, the Garment District, and The Alley. To become a successful Downtown LA shopper here are a few things you should know:
Tip #1: Browse before you buy. I advise that you go around and check out all of the shops before you commit to buying from the first store you walked into. Nine time out of ten, you’ll find the exact same thing for half the price just down the street. But don’t think about it too long, new merchandise circulates through these stores every day. Chances are it won’t be there tomorrow.
Tip #2: Cash is king. Most stores only accept cash. Very few accept Debit and Credit cards. Most ATM’s have a $100 limit. So make sure to stop at the bank!
Tip #3: DON’T dress to impress. You will be doing a lot of walking so make sure you wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Being a Power Shopper isn’t easy. Also, don’t wear anything that screams “I’m not from here!”
Tip #4: Beware of signs. Some stores are not open to the general public. If a store is only wholesale it may have a sign posted in front that’s says “Solo Mayreo.”
Tip #5: Bring your Papers. If you have a resale license/ Sellers Permit bring a copy. You can set up accounts with merchants to buy at wholesale costs. Some stores don't have minimums.
Tip #6: Business Hours. General business hours run from 10am to 5pm. When the shops close it’s like a ghost town, so don’t plan to hang around after hours.
Tip #7: Wheel & Deal: In these areas, no one pays full price. I advise you to do a little bargaining. If you speak Spanish, that's a plus!
Tip #8: Take business cards. If you come across a little store you like, and plan to go back, take a business card. Chances of finding the store after you’ve been walking all day, are highly unlikely.
Tip #9: Lack of Dressing rooms. FYI, there are no formal dressing rooms. I usually wear tight fitting tank tops and leggings when I shop; this makes it easy to slip clothes over what I'm wearing. Since you can't return it, you better make sure it fits!
Tip #10: Final Sales. Most sales are final. So make sure you check garments carefully for damages.
Tip #11: Plan. It is important to plan and be prepared. If you plan to do a lot of shopping it might be a good idea to use a shopping stroller. Don’t forget bottled water, it gets hot out there in the summer.
Tip #12: Restrooms. There are limited restrooms. I usually use the restroom at the California Market Center. It seems to be the best place, if you have to go.
Tip #13: Parking. Find a parking lot! It will cost anywhere from $5 to $25 to park all day. To avoid tickets, try not to park on the streets. Because of its location, I like to park in the lot right next to the Geary Building.
Tip # 14: Restaurants. Remember the Fashion district is for shopping not eating! There are a few fast food joints in the area, McDonalds, Subway and El Polo Loco. If all else fails, you can always find your way to the cafeteria in the California Market Center. I like to start my shopping day at Starbucks on the corner of 9th and Santee. There are also several little hotdog stands, if you stop at one, make sure you try the mango and watermelon covered in lime juice and pico de gallo. It’s perfect in the summer!
Tip #15: Get a Map. Be sure to pick up a free copy of the LA Fashion District map guide, or check one out online. http://www.fashiondistrict.org/page.aspx?id=125
Must Know Terms:
- Close Outs: The item will no longer be made or sold.
- Overrun: Extra merchandise available after retailers have filled their orders. Are often sold at discounted prices to the general public.
- Retail: Refers to the business of selling goods to consumers of the general public.
- Sample: Product that is made to be shown as the example to wholesale buyers and retailers before product is ordered and large quantities are produced. Women's apparel samples are generally size 4 or 6.
- Seconds: Items with some type of flaw that affects the overall quality or look.
- Solo Mayoreo: Wholesale only. Store is not open to the general public and retail shoppers.
- Wholesale: Refers to the business of selling large quantities of goods, typically to be sold in retail stores.
- Keystone: a markup that generally means double the wholesale price.
- Minimums: a minimum order amount, may refer to quantity or dollar amount.
Links to check out:
I hope these tips were helpful! Enjoy your adventures in the Downtown LA Fashion District!
L.A. Fashion Week Circus Act
IMG’s departure from the LA Fashion Week scene has left a vacancy for the new reign as LA Fashion Week’s official host and venue. Many players have come up to bat, at the attempt to be the next big thing. When you Google “LA Fashion Week” it’s overwhelming. Search results include Downtown L.A. Fashion Week, L.A. Fashion Weekend, City of L.A. Fashion Week, Rock Fashion Week, Fashion on Broadway, and BOX eight Fashion Week. There are so many players, it has become quite the circus.
Let’s get back to basics. LA Fashion week takes place twice a year in March and October. It was created so designers, new and old to the game, can showcase their upcoming collections to BUYERS and PRESS. Designers and Fashion show producers spend a great deal of time and money to accurately coordinate these elaborate Fashion Shows. Everything from invites, sponsors, casting, entertainment, food, and rentals, to list a few, must be considered. Everything is planed and rehearsed meticulously to ensure a smooth runway show performance.
The whole point of LA Fashion Week, for a designer, is to put together a grand show to impress their buyers and encourage press to photograph and share their new collections. Recently, it feels as if LA Fashion Week has turned into more of a circus. Celebrity driven events have made it difficult for buyers to get into these shows. Some Fashion Shows are even charge tickets at the door to the general public. LA Fashion Week has evolved from elegant fashion shows to a circus act. Fashion shows are scheduled at locations all over LA it is driving buyers crazy, and I mean this literally. Shows are scattered all over LA it is so hard for buyers to jet set from one location to another.
It is time for someone to take charge. LA Fashion Week should be in the heart of the Fashion District, Downtown LA. Designers and Fashion Week Producers must be on the same page. Sales are hurting, and have greatly affected business for designers. Designers must consider, when booking their spots in upcoming Fashion Shows, what will they be gaining in return. All we can do is sit back, and wait. Good Luck Designers!
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