Fashion JournalBy Audrey Sutherland

Table of Contents

Hair Makeup’s Latest: Hair Chalk………………3

Bloomingdale’s and Wardrobing……………..……4

Trend Spotting at British Vogue Festival…………..5

Fall 2012 vs. Fall 2013…………………………6

In Store Trends………………………………..7

WGSN Trend Reports…………………………..8

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Fabric and Color Trends…………………………9

Trends in Other Countries vs. U.S. Trends………..11

Visual Displays………………………………..12

Fashion Trends in Television and Movies…………..14

Zuhair Murad Fall 2013 Couture..………………15

Career Descriptions……………………………..1

6Fashion

Don’ts…………………………………17

3

Career Opportunities…………………………….1

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Entry #1 Woman’s Wear Daily – December 4, 2013

Hair Makeup’s Latest: Hairchalk

L’Oreal has designed a new product targeted at young women who are looking

for a quick change that will not be permanent. Hairchalk, said to be launched in March

2014, allows women to easily change their hair color “like nail polish.” The product is

applied as a liquid and changes to a powder, and washes out between two and ten washes.

Colors range from bronze to pink and blue. Hairchalk will be available at salons and at-

home for $33.65, which includes up to ten applications.

Hairchalk is going to be a hit for younger women, teenage girls especially. When

I was an early teen, I constantly felt the need to dye my hair wild colors. This product

will allow girls to do so without damaging and permanently dying their hair.

http://www.wwd.com.emils.lib.colum.edu/beauty-industry-news/hair/hairchalk-the-latest-

in-hair-makeup-7279162?module=Beauty-Hair-bullet

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Entry #2 Business Week – September 25, 2013

Bloomingdale’s and Wardrobing

The term “wardrobing” may be relatively new to many shoppers, but it isn’t an

expression you want to be associated with. Bloomingdale’s, a unit of the department store

Macy’s, caters to high-end shoppers and often sees wardrobing on a daily basis; buying

clothes, wearing them, then returning them afterwards is a crime that stores are trying to

dissolve completely. Bloomingdale’s has a new policy that once you remove the tags,

you are no longer able to return the item. This strategy is one that most stores should

follow up on, considering that it will stop wardrobing in its tracks. This wave is taking

away from the stores and is basically stealing.

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-09-18/bloomingdales-will-no-longer-lend-

you-a-party-dress

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Entry #3 Vogue – September 25, 2013

Trend-spotting at the British Vogue Festival

Many different, yet similar, fashion trends were spotted at London’s Vogue

festival in April 2013. Because of the “vicious wind coming off the river”, the attendees

were spotted wrapped up in layers upon layers. Despite being covered, the

alternative/punk trend was one that was seen throughout the festival; creeper shoes and

short plaid skirts were among the punk movement. One of the greatest throwbacks in

fashion is that to the 90s punk era; acid wash, over sized torn sweaters, and vintage band

tees are still rocked to this day. Five months after the fest, we are still seeing this trend in

many markets. Stores such as Forever21 promote modern plaids and acid washed denim

on their website’s home page.

http://www.vogue.com/vogue-daily/article/london-calling-trend-spotting-at-the-british-

vogue-fashion-festival/#1

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Entry #4 – December 4, 2013

Fall 2012 vs. Fall 2013

A fashion trend from Fall 2013 that resonated for me were statement jackets. The

runways featured outerwear that came in every color, shape, and volume imaginable,

some with astonishing embellishments. My observation was based off of runway shows

from Jason Wu and Marchesa. This trend was also seen in Fall 2012, but in a more subtle

way. Designers such as Balenciaga and Chloe featured oversized, away-from-the-body

jackets. Most of the jackets had a boxy feel to them, and didn’t feature as many

embellishments as this year.

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Entry #5 – December 8, 2013

In-Store Trends

Walking into Macy’s, I was able to spot a trend right away once in the women’s

wear section: velvet. A majority of the clothing made of velvet were elegant party wear,

whether it was a simple dress or a dramatic skirt. I also saw this trend in the shoe section,

mostly on loafers and some heels. While I was searching for another look in the

kitchenware section of the store, I came across placemats that had a velvet feel. Although

there were only two types of velvet placemats, they were the ones being showcased on

the table display.

While in the kitchenware section of Macy’s, the next trend I came across were

plates and coffee mugs with artistic floral prints. This trend isn’t unfamiliar to me, as I

saw many floral printed blazers in the women’s section beforehand. Another area of the

store where I saw this trend was in the bedding section. There were multiple bedspreads

that featured bold or subtle artistic floral prints.

The final trend that I found was the use of forest greens. I first saw this trend

while in the women’s section, mostly featured on jackets and coats. I also noticed a use of

the color while in the shoe section, mostly in men’s boots and Oxford-style shoes. While

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walking out of Macy’s, I noticed a dominant color of forest greens in the handbags

section. Some bags featured an all over shade of forest green, while others had hints of it.

Entry #6 WGSN – December 8, 2013

WGSN Trend Reports

The artistic floral trend is everywhere. From blazers, to shoes, and even home

products, we can find this trend in various places. As I spotted in Macy’s, artistic floral

trends are making its way from clothing to household items. According to WGSN, this

print will impact “partywear for end of season deliveries.” As for forest greens, clothing,

shoes, and accessories seem to be the only items catching this trend. WGSN features

womenswear in which forest green loafers appear many times. A trend that is hitting

somewhere other than just clothing is velvet. Aside from being found dominantly in

women’s partywear, velvet was also seen being used on placemats. Even though WGSN

didn’t have anything to say about velvet being anywhere other than clothing, the look of

velvet placemats was different and appealing.

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Entry #7 WGSN – December 8, 2013

Fabric & Color Trends

A. Fabric Trends:

Vinyl. 100% polyurethane. China.

Fluffy Yarn Knits (Douceur et Soie et Amis). 70% Mohair, 30% Silk. Asia.

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Tartan. 60% Cotton, 40% Polyester. China.

Entry #7 (Continued) WGSN – December 8, 2013

Fabric & Color Trends

B. Color Trends:

Burgundy and wine shades. Lanvin 2013/2014.

Fuchsia and cerise. Joe Fresh NY

Shades of Grey. Lord & Taylor

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Entry #8 WGSN – December 8, 2013

Trends in Other Countries vs. U.S. Trends

Countries such as Italy and Denmark are both featuring the trend of wild cut outs

and bold clothing cuts. This trend is currently in the United States, as stores such as

Forever21 and Akira both sell t-shirts and leggings with bold cut outs. Cut outs allow

classic styles to be modernized, all while creating a flattering, chic look. On the other

hand, China’s current trends include military jackets, black tights and leggings, and high-

top sneakers. While America’s favorite street style trend at the moment is a military

jacket paired with gold jewelry, we have long thrown away the high-top basketball

sneaker trend. Other than the classic high-top converse, the U.S. doesn’t want to see

another trend that features girls in Air Jordan sneakers.

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Entry #9 – December 8, 2013

Visual Displays

The Polo Ralph Lauren displays in Macy’s caught my eye right away. Being a fan

of Ralph Lauren, I feel that the displays showcase their style and the feel of the brand. I

liked the use of the tree trunks and the vintage trunks to give off the “woodsy” feel that

the featured clothes represent.

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Entry #9 Continued – December 8, 2013

Visual Displays

Both of the window displays outside of Macy’s drew me in and made me want to look at

the rest of the collections inside the store. The displays felt fun and unique to me.

Displaying the lipsticks with the oversized lips gave off a surreal feeling but made the

display eye catching. In the other display, I liked the way that the display wrapped around

the corner and continued the theme. I liked the cartoon-feel of this display and I feel that

it portrayed the line it was showcasing.

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Entry #10 – October 1, 2013

Fashion Trends in Television or Movies

Ever since Jennifer Lawrence hit the big screen as Katniss Everdeen in The

Hunger Games, the Katniss look has been one of the favorites amongst teenage girls.

Even if someone isn’t thoroughly obsessed with the movie, they can’t help but resist the

color theme throughout the film. CoverGirl went as far as creating a make up line

inspired by the color theme of Catching Fire, in theaters November 22, including nail

polishes and lip glosses. The color trends of this movie, including emerald and fiery

orange, will definitely carry over to fall fashions.

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Entry #11 Style.com – December 8, 2013

Zuhair Murad Fall 2013 Couture

Zuhair Murad’s Fall 2013 couture collection features goth-glam gowns with high

necklines and his signature tattoo-style embroidery. The main themes of his collection

were pleated lamé and the overtly gothic, Victorian feel. Retailers that might include

Murad’s ready to wear, but not couture designs in their stores include Saks Fifth or

Barney’s. What I like most about this particular gown is the use of embroidery, as well as

the color. Murad’s signature hand-beaded gowns are always mind blowing, and

incorporating the color of the year into his designs was a smart move on his part. This

gown gives off a feeling of dark sensuality, which is what most of Murad’s Fall 2013

Couture collection features.

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Entry #12 – December 8, 2013

Career Descriptions

A fashion designer’s main career objective is to develop and create various pieces

of apparel. Whether it’s shoes, accessories, or clothing, fashion designers are in charge of

all of the steps of the design process from the initial concept to the final marketing plan.

Designers also have to analyze and keep up with fashion trends in order to keep up with

consumer preferences.

A fashion buyers ultimately decide which styles of clothing will be featured in

stores each season. Their responsibilities include researching trends and negotiating with

retail suppliers. Staying on top of current trends will allow the buyer to know what the

public is looking for. Buyers view garment samples, negotiate costs, and arrange

deliveries, communicating between the retailer and the manufacturer.

A product development manager generally conceptualizes and builds a line of

apparel within a team, as well as creating a brand concept. The product development

manager works with merchants on ideas of fabrics, colors, print choices, and style details.

They must monitor seasonal trends in order to appeal to the target customer, as well as

learning the customer’s likes and dislikes to create key styles.

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Entry #13 – December 8, 2013

Fashion Don’ts

Sandals on guys are bad enough, but pairing

white socks with strappy sandals shouldn’t

even be a thought.

Sporty sunglasses are only acceptable if you’re actually

in a sport, other than that they should not be worn to

“look cool”.

If guys can categorize their bottoms as capris,

they should not be worn.

Button ups on men are a classic look, just not ones that

have glittery embellishments.

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Entry #14 – December 8, 2013

Career Opportunities

A career opportunity that I would be interested in would be visual

merchandising. Creating the feel for the store through window and in store

displays would be ideal. This job would be an good fit for me because I am able

to find inspiration and creative ideas in unexpected places, which goes along with

creating the setting for a store. I am able to stay organized and I have good

communication skills, which would enable me to work good with a team of

people or individually.

Another job opportunity that would be a good fit for me would be a web

stylist, which entails working alongside the web photographer, web merchandiser,

and buying teams in order to style web photo shoots in a way that keeps web

image consistency. Web stylists must have previous knowledge on the brand’s

current trends, as well as being aware of future trends so that the brand will be

able to foresee growth in the further. This job would be a good fit for me because

I am very interested in the production of styling, although I have had little

experience with it. Being in a fast paced environment and keeping your cool is

something that applies to me, and is what the job entails.

A final job that I would be interested in having would be being a buyer for

a store, which includes taking care of vendor relationships, and buying new

merchandise. Being a buyer entails having a business and creatively set mind as

well as having a strong comfort level with taking risks, which I feel like fits me. I

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would have to have a good record of negotiating skills, as well as having a good

sales record, which I would have to work on.

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