Joanna Hillman - Zara
Nicky Hilton
Alexa Chung
Rosie Huntington Whiteley
Kate Moss
Lily Cole
Trend: Animal Print Coat
Joanna Hillman - Zara
Nicky Hilton
Alexa Chung
Rosie Huntington Whiteley
Kate Moss
Lily Cole
1960's Fashion: From Pan Am to Jackie O
From Pan Am to Jackie O
The delightfulness of the colder seasons, not only brings Starbucks red cups, fur stoles and checked blankets. It is also offers a wondrous selection of television offerings. It is hard work, to tell you the truth, what with Gossip Girl, Boardwalk Empire, Frozen Planet, The Young Apprentice and Masterchef... and believe me the list most definitely goes on. My Sky+ planner is heaving under the strain of it all, plus it doesn't help that you can't record 4 shows at once.
I like BBC2, in particular the foodie shows and documentaries. They don't seem to get enough publicity though, so I was very excited for the season premiere of Pan Am. In a nutshell, it is a series based in 1960's America and focuses on the lives of the employees of Pan American World Airways. If you like Mad Men and Boardwalk Empire, you should immediately add this to the list. Also, if you're craving a bit of Mad Men induced fever, I promise you will enjoy this. It has a good plot, including work dramas, lust and good old espionage, but of course I'm going to talk about the fashion.
For 20th Century fashion, I tend to stick to the 20s, 40s and 50s as my decades of choice. But, the beginning of the 1960's still had many of the looks from the 50s and focused on a ladylike, elegant and glamourous mood, emphasised by Hollywood films. The late 60s gave rise to the mod movement in London, and designs catered for a younger generation that wanted to break free from their parents. Pan Am is set in the early 60s and this is reflected in the clothes, that are influenced by the femininity of the pieces in the 50s.
Pan Am primarily shows the glamorous cast including Christina Ricci, Kelli Garner and Margot Robbie, in their signature blue uniform. This uniform alone is gorgeous with the jaunty haunt, and perfectly fitted skirt suit. But, the fun really begins when they are off duty, which just so happens to be in in fabulous and often exotic locations. The flip hairstyle and the beehive are very prevalent, especially when worn with dresses with flared dresses, pencil skirts, elegant florals and stunning pearls. Ane Crabtree, the costume designer has done a great job in showcasing the glamour of travel and the jet age through the use of fashion.
The series also includes momentous changes in society and culture at the time, including the presidency of John F. Kennedy. His wife Jacqueline Kennedy or commonly known now as Jackie O, was a style icon at the time and for the first time fashion was a subject for debate in the presidential elections between the wives of the candidates. During her time as First Lady, she favoured pillbox hats, shift dresses, pea coats and round necklines. You can see her influence in the choices of the Pan Am character's wardrobes. Even after her time as First Lady, she still maintained icon status by her effortless ability to look polished and refined.
Quite often 1960s fashion is often remembered for Yves Saint Laurent's Mondrian dress, Mary Quant miniskirts and Biba. Prada's collection for Autumn/Winter 2011 also emphasised the drop waist, geometric dresses favoured at the time. Pan Am serves as a lovely reminder that youth and mod culture was not the only look to come out of decade, especially for those of us who crave a little American glamour from time to time.
Photos: Courtesy of ABC (Pan Am) & Harpers Bazaar (Jackie Kennedy)
Backstage @Victoria Secret Show 2011
Candice Swanepoel
Miranda Kerr
Adriana Lima
Doutzen Kroes
Ann Vyalitstina
Models Off Duty
Jourdan Dunn
Constance Jablonski
Kyleigh Kuhn
Trenchcoat: United Colors of Benetton
Shoes: Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony
Ginta Lapina
Ming Xi
Erjona Ala
Arizona Muse
Karlie Kloss
Natasha Poly
Valerija Sestic
Hilary Rhoda
Carlonie Brasch Nielsen & Frida Gustavsson
Thanks For Shopping
Not only is Black Friday the kickoff of the holiday shopping season, but as new initiatives, extended store hours, and promotions galore try to draw consumers into shops, the largest non-religious holiday here in the U.S. is continually threatened by retailers alike. What it comes down to is, we just don't shop like we used to. With the onset of new technology, irregular weather patterns and an even more unpredictable economy, retailers are changing how they approach their customers in everyway possible this upcoming holiday season.
Bodymetrics is a full 3D body scanner that allows consumers to save all their body information digitally online. The difference between this and previous renditions? Well not only is this body scanner less costly, but it can be installed in a mere couple of hours. It's expected to really revolutionize the online shopping experience so we'll keep an eye out for it to pop up in shops across the globe.
From Loewe’s customizing it’s floors with iphones to track stock to Footlocker’s changing taglines to Old Navy increasing the number of greeters on site as well as keeping trendy impulse items by checkouts, it’s really a game of trial and error to figure out what works best. However, what may work one day just may not the next.
photo via latimes
One of the hottest trends this season to come, introducing new ipad apps designed to make shopping easier and more entertaining by incorporating interactive media that enhances the overall shopping experience. It seems everyone from Anthropologie to Saks, J.Crew, and even Walmart is creating these digital multi-media catalogs. While research shows only a mere 8% of online shoppers own ipads, those that do, prefer shopping on their tablet versus using a computer or smartphone. The digital arena is growing and digital catalogs are sure to be the next approach sought after by retailers worldwide.
Another way retailers are adding some fun and freebies into the mix is with the free app shopkick. By simply "checking in" to a store customers have the opportunity to win giftcards, promotions, and special discounts. It's a simple, inexpensive way to get consumers involved and enthusiastic about their shopping experiences.
What if you could get deals from what you already own? Well, now with RNKD.com, you can. Created by Zappos founder, Nick Swinmurn, the site and mobile app allows consumers to get VIP discounts for things already sitting right in their closets! The more photos you upload, friends you refer, and "liking" you do, the more points you earn. It's also a great resource to get inspired and browse others' closets to explore different brands and labels.
photo via wwd.com
What if you could get deals from what you already own? Well, now with RNKD.com, you can. Created by Zappos founder, Nick Swinmurn, the site and mobile app allows consumers to get VIP discounts for things already sitting right in their closets! The more photos you upload, friends you refer, and "liking" you do, the more points you earn. It's also a great resource to get inspired and browse others' closets to explore different brands and labels.
photo via fashionunited,co
Bodymetrics is a full 3D body scanner that allows consumers to save all their body information digitally online. The difference between this and previous renditions? Well not only is this body scanner less costly, but it can be installed in a mere couple of hours. It's expected to really revolutionize the online shopping experience so we'll keep an eye out for it to pop up in shops across the globe.
photo via Chicago Tribune
So what we are really here to ask is are these new strategies challenging our traditional holiday? More and more retailers like Target, Macy's, Best Buy, and Kohl's plan to open their stores at midnight on the dot. Meanwhile, Walmart plans to open at 10pm on Thanksgiving! As these retailers push to open earlier and earlier what about the employees who have to give up their holiday to deal with the madness of Black Friday? Both J.C. Penney and Sears aren't giving in to all this anti-holiday spirit as they keep their doors closed until the usual 4am early bird special. Maybe one day when technology gets even more advanced, we will be able to entirely shop from home while simultaneously giving thanks. Until then, we think it’s safe to say we still much prefer an old fashioned holiday.
From all of us here at MBF Trend Consulting, Happy Thanksgiving and safe shopping!
From all of us here at MBF Trend Consulting, Happy Thanksgiving and safe shopping!
Fall outfit inspiration
combat boots + khaki coat
leather pants + rock&roll t-shirt
knit cardigan + red boots
black + print
statement coat/cape
wintery prints
layering
snakeprint
printed shirt + knitted sweater
different soft colors
all pictures from lookbook.nu
Knock It Off
With an industry grossing hundreds of billions of dollars annually from across the globe, counterfeiting not only severely damages the luxury market but the overall economy as well. From handbags to clothing to perfume, sunglasses, jewelry, and beyond, is anything authentic anymore? Today we would like to discuss the luxury market, the basics of spotting fakes, and the latest tricks of this underground trade.
Ambria Miscia, is the manager of the designer resale store, Second Time Around as well as one of the personalities behind Bravo’s hit reality show, “Fashion Hunters." From Louis Vuitton to Chanel to Balenciaga, Prada, Louboutin, Gucci galore, she encounters luxury designer goodies on a daily basis. Working with consignors from all over the city, uptown meets downtown as she works to stock the shelves with reasonably priced high-end designer merchandise. With a job like this, Ambria is not only exposed to the real deal but an occasional phony as well. While in some cases these so called “knock-offs” are easy to spot by the naked eye, many times you have to look a bit deeper “into the seams.”
MBF: What is your background in the industry?
A: I went to FIT in New York for college. On top of that, my mother was a clothing and shoe designer so growing up I was given a fundamental upbringing in fashion.
photo via videojug.com
MBF: Working at a consignment shop you see endless amounts of designer merchandise, what are the best ways to spot a fake designer bag from a real one?
A: I immediately look at stitching and hardware. Those are the two dead giveaways. Louis Vuitton and Chanel have very specific looks, the bags sell for thousands of dollars and fake versions of them don't have the attention to detail in the stitching that real ones do. The hardware also has a certain way of looking and wearing, so once you see hundreds of real bags, you get to recognize a fake in an instant. Sometimes I have to dig deeper, look at the lining, the zippers, the way it sits... There are steps and I have written a manual for the company I work for about it.
MBF: How were you trained to recognize these differences?
A: I trained myself. Handbags are a passion of mine, so why not know as much as possible? And honestly, I hated the feeling of a consignor schooling me on why a bag was fake. It's just embarassing when someone comes into the store and looks at you as an authority but knows more than you. I'm competetive by nature and I hate feeling as if I'm not living up to my reputation as someone who works in re-sale and knows her stuff, which is how I should be percieved. So I just did extra studying.
MBF: How do you keep up with the market and where do you shop?
A: I keep up with the market by staying in the stores as much as possible. I don't have the ability to actually buy for myself at Bergdorf Goodman, but that doesn't keep me out of that store. I like to see what is selling, what's going on sale quickly, what is not selling and what people are wearing. I read indie fashion blogs and I pay attention to Canal Street. It's actually on my way home to the Lower East Side so I'll pass by and let the women try and sell me fake bags. They are really exceptional now, the way they are made. So I'll just take a look to see what their new defining characteristics are so I know what to look for in the new versions. I personally shop at Topshop, Free People and I definitely hit up Bloomingdales for shoes. And of course, Second Time Around.
MBF: Which designers are having the worst problems with knock-offs right now?
A: Tory Burch - handbags and ballet flats. What is so bad about the Tory fakes is that people aren't aware at all what a huge market it is. It's a huge epidemic. The black market has made tons of the gold metal logos and are cranking them out like mad. But the craftsmanship and materials are of course unparallelled with the real Tory Burch items (bags, shoes). Even Chloe has a problem with ready-to-wear. Their labels get knocked off and sewn into silks in China, and people buy them online.
photo via c2coffer.com
MBF: Not only is the luxury market losing profits, but also its branding is being severely damaged. What do you think is the best way labels can preserve their exclusivity and fight the further presence of counterfeit merchandise?
A: Being as detailed as possible in the construction of zippers, handles and hardware help. Special markings, like Chanel has with their white sticker that is always in the lining. And also, changing them up. Employees spill secrets, and that's the truth. If you want to stay on top of the black market, you have to stay on top of your own line. You can't just create it and lay back. You have to create new ways to authenticate the bags revolution and prevent duplication.
MBF: In what other markets do you see knock-offs appearing besides with handbags?
A: I could see Diane von Furstenberg wrap dresses being knocked off. Of course the materials, fit and prints will be totally off, but they are in such a high demand and have a textbook signature look I could see it happening.
photo via handbagstops.com
MBF: What is your “it” bag and are “it” bags still in fashion?
A: I'd say hands down right now, Balenciaga bags are still the coolest bag for everyone to have. They've been on the scene for years, but the bags are definitely keeping their popularity and the masses are now switching up their desire from Coach and Gucci to Balenciaga. They literally fly off the shelves. Lastly, I have to say that Louis Vuitton Speedy's, Chanel quilted jumbos and Chloe Paddingtons will probably never go out of "IT" bag status.
MBF: What do you recommend for someone who can’t necessarily afford a high-end luxury handbag, but still wants an “it” bag?
A: Well, re-sale of course! Second Time Around is an amazing place to find Givenchy, YSL, Hermes... and we have 5 locations in the city so wherever you are, chances are there is one within a mile radius of where you are. Also, the Outnet.com. They have really contemporary high end bags, it's basically luxury overstock, and they have amazing bags all the time.
MBF: What are some up and coming designers? Who do you predict is going to be knocked off next?
A: Alexander Wang backpacks could definitely be next. They were such a hit at the Spring show - the absolute 'to die' of fashion week. I also think Prada could start to have another round of knock-offs seeing as their new bags are a bit more simple to make. Since their nylon-satchel and nylon-backpack days, they really got away from producing handbags that were simple to knock off. They've been doing extremely luxurious leathers and switched up their logo to be a bit bigger and beefier so they haven't had the same amount of knock offs. But I was just at Prada the other day and looking at their new line the Saffiano Collection and thinking that those could be next.
