New York, New York.... where do I start? You're loud, you're dirty, you're smelly, and somehow you're still AMAZING.
DISCLAIMER: I took all of these on my phone, sorry for the poor quality!
This past week I had the opportunity to visit New York City with 20 other students from the Fashion Merchandising and Apparel Design major at GSU. Not only were we able to attend different meetings and museums that I wouldn't normally do in NYC, but we had SO much "free time" to do as we please. Work & play. We even stayed a few blocks down from Time Square, right in the heart & soul of the city.
The MET: We took a class trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see the current fashion exhibits. The ManusxMachina exhibit is one of their current exhibits and it is incredible.... all the pieces on display somehow incorporated modern day technology into them. There were even garments made from a 3D printer! I don't know how thats possible but man, oh man, were they stunning.
The Museum at FIT: The Fashion Institute of Technology is a well-known public school in the center of NYC. We were able to meet to the museum curator and see vintage pieces dating back to the 1900's. Vintage Channel, Vintage Calvin Klein, Vintage Oscar De La Renta... some of their first garments that really changed the fashion world for women into what it is today.
Broadway: GUYS! I finally saw the famous Wicked show! And it did not disappoint. I am a huge fan of musicals and comedies and this show had it all. I don't want to give anything away so i'll just leave you with this.... if you ever have the chance to see it, you won't regret it! Brings back all those childhood memories from The Wizard of OZ.
Company Meetings:
Fossil- We were able to have a meeting with the Fossil company and BOY was it cool. I had no idea Fossil owned the rights to make all watches for Micheal Kors, Karl Lagerfeld, Diesel, Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, and about 7 other huge brands! So when your buying your new Micheal Kors watch, it's really a Fossil watch. Be on the lookout for Fossils new technology infused watches coming out to the public! We got a first hand look at these suckers and I can't wait to get my hands on one of my own!
Echo- So this was actually one of the brands that were set up in the Amy J. Hill showroom I interned for at the Atlanta Mart about a month ago! I even was able to meet up with the representative I had met in the Atlanta showroom! Small world. We met some of these designers behind the products who actually hand paint some of the prints on the merchandise themselves. They showed us the original paintings on paper and then showed us the painting printed onto a scarf that Echo sells today!
Nili Lotan- This was the only showroom we visited that was under a designers name. Unfortunately, Nili Lotan was not there when we visited, but we were still able to see all the work behind the brand. This showroom creates their samples in house. It was amazing to see inside this showroom and see the designers work area where all the genius ideas are formed.
Lola Phonpadith- So she is actually not a fashion designer like the others. She is a creative specialist who helps to put on huge events like fashion shows or festivals. She is a one-man team and somehow still plans huge events flawlessly.
I wish I had more pictures to show off but I was busy shopping and eating my life away. My recommendations for visiting NYC would be 1) shop at the vintage/thrift/discount stores! Buffalo Exchange & Century 21 are your new best friends! You'll get a lot more out of your money. 2) Street vendor food is actually delicious (I know it seems sketchy but it taste like a greasy heaven)... also its cheap! 3) NY PIZZA. Don't go to eat at somewhere you can get back at home, boooooring. visit those restaurants and diners you have never heard of before (that goes for all food, not just pizza). The big signs that just say PIZZA and look kinda weird are where you'll get that real New York Pizza everyone talks about. Best food we ate there by far.
xoxo
Cassidy Alexandra Dean