Courtesy of the Union Square Business Improvement District here is the link to the entire list of fashion events going on in San Francisco on September 6th from 6pm to …well, whenever you are done networking, shopping and enjoying the evening. Hope to see you there.
By Gillian Armour
It did bother me for the longest time – seeing the geeks running ’round my neighborhood South of Market. I lived in the tech center of the known universe and saw these tribes of guys (and sometimes the odd girl in there) every lunch hour on their way to the uber trendy trucks de food. They dressed alike, every last one of them. T-shirts, hoodies, jeans and sneakers. Once I saw a pack of them in MATCHING hoodies with YELP logo’d down the chest – I almost yelped! I admit it still bothers me to see the laid back look pervading the streets of my town but lately I have noticed a chorus of writers writing about the phemomenon as well. I am not alone in my botheration! I have also written a book to help these poorly fashion educated young men and women – YOUR IMAGE TALKS. Yes, that is what I titled my book!
You see I am an image consultant. It’s my job to help people look better and feel better. Naturally all these men and women are potential clients for me and I pay attention to what they don’t wear. The book is a life line for them and offers not just advice but understanding about the situation they are in. I mean, after all, if you were in the pursuit of the next big thing and worked in a darkened cubicle in a traffic swamped area with exhaust fumes permeating your little corner of the world and the coffee maker is on empty most of the time – why, oh why, would you care about looking decent? I understand. I get it. And I am here to tell you that there is one thing that can make you feel better all the time – your looks. If you look good then it’s a law of nature that you have to feel good (think peacocks and lions)! Anyway, this is my way of saying – read the book, learn how to present yourself to the world and start to feel better instantly. Hoodies will not do that for you – they have hoods for a reason!
How to Win the Pitch, Presentation or Interview
A recent student essay by Ellen Marlow, in her own words.
My love affair for fashion design began at an early age, never missing an episode of “Style with Elsa Klensch,” which aired from 1980-2000 on CNN. Learning about the foundations of fashion design and watching the elegant runway models gracefully glide across the catwalk every Saturday morning on “Style,” I quickly developed an affinity for all of the sub-specialties that comprise image consulting. Much to my dismay, my hometown of Nashville did not offer many shopping choices for young women at that time. Little variety and even fewer options for petite sizes were available at retail stores in Nashville; therefore, over the past 10 years, I have traveled to Atlanta and New York City frequently to complete my wardrobe.
Tennessee recently appeared on the fashion map with the arrival of the first Nordstrom store, September 2011, in Nashville. Nordstrom is the first department store offering haute couture in Tennessee. Subsequently, Oscar de la Renta debuted his Fall 2012 collection in Nashville along with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra in January 2012. Combining the beauty of Oscar de la Renta’s collection along with the auditory elegance of classical music was a brilliant display of visual and performance art.
Nashville Music City, USA has long been regarded as “Music City, USA” and is home to many singers, songwriters, and various celebrities because of the southern charm. Many country music fans arrive at Nashville International Airport wearing Wrangler jeans, cowboy hats and boots, mistakenly assuming all Nashvillians wear country western attire on a daily basis! Therefore, Nashville is not NYC or L.A., and typically not listed as a “fashion capital.” It is my hope that Nashville will continue to be discovered by fashion designers to a city that is “a diamond in the rough.” It is rugged and dirty at times, but underneath the surface lies a gem. . . one of a kind, multi-faceted, beautiful group of people who make Nashville an amazing place to live.
A recent student essay by Michelle Landis, in her own words.
What is Fashion Design?
When I was first asked what fashion design meant to me I went straight to the obvious answer of creating clothing using various fabrics consisting of lines, colors, patterns and silhouettes. However, the more I thought about the concept, I realized fashion design went much deeper than what I had thought originally. We all know fashion design can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Ask one person and they may see it as an art form and a way to express who they are as an individual. Ask someone else and they may see fashion design as a purely functional concept that provides coverage for the body. I personally see fashion design as an important factor for making women and men feel better about themselves.
The ability of fashion design is a concept that should be explored with an open mind. I find it incredible how a particular article of clothing can change the way a person feels about himself/herself on the inside and what is displayed on the outside. I will take myself for an example. To this day, I still have an extremely difficult time wearing sneakers with jeans unless I am doing a physical activity (and even then is pushing it) because of the way it makes me feel mentally. The combination totally changes the way I carry myself while wearing the outfit. Sneakers paired with jeans make me feel like a child who should be running outside on the playground, plus it does not help that I stand at only five feet two inches. The entire concept just makes a chain reaction of various undesirable thoughts swirling around my mind that definitely puts me in a foul mood.
On the other hand, fashion design can give me the greatest feeling of confidence. My favorite go-to outfit is a killer pair of high heels, fantastic fitting dark blue jeans paired with a white t-shirt and black blazer. Add a colorful bag and neutral makeup and I feel like I am ready to take on whatever difficulties may cross my path that day. Feeling wonderful on the outside really improves my mental capability. I believe when a person feels good about himself/herself and portrays confidence, it can be life changing. The way others view that individual and the treatment they receive can all come from what is perceived by looking at the exterior. We know that it only takes a few seconds for others to begin judging who we are and forming opinions in today’s society.
I am well aware of the superficiality I may portray with my fashion design meaning, but I believe personal satisfaction and overall happiness is an important part of our mental health and well being. Taking the time to put on appropriate fitting clothes everyday is an important task that only takes a few minutes. Regardless of your personal feelings toward the concept of fashion design, there is no denying that it certainly is a part of our culture that has stood the test of time and will continue to be a part of our future.
By Wilhelmina van Royen
If you take a jaunt through Union Square, you will be treated to some interesting artwork in the window displays of various stores.
This is one of the installations for Louis Vuitton that was made with contributions from the Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama.
The eyes decorate the walls behind several windows in a floor-to-ceiling display. The vibrant colors, polka dots, and surrealist images are signature of Kusama’s style.
Made by Yayoi Kusama. Union Square, San Francisco, CA
Macy’s has its own creative display promoting new women’s wear for a variety of designers. Some exclamation marks are pasted in neat rows against the wall, while others create swarms and hang in lines as if they are butterflies or birds.
BCBG Maxi Dress
The mannequins are positioned at odd angles, some even flying. The legs only mannequins aren’t even touching the ground! The whole thing is whimsical and fun, entertaining and eye-catching. You won’t get better window shopping anywhere else.
Adriano Goldschmied Printed Slim Pant
Disembodied legs taking a stroll above their full-bodied peers.
Exclamation marks hanging from the ceiling catch a slight breeze from the airconditioner and look like butterflies dancing around the mannequins
Not only is it fun to look at, but it is a unique way to entice people to check out the rest of the store.
