Photoshoot Part 3

And the last part of the photoshoot are actually the shots we did earliest in the day.  I just happen to be showing them last.  We changed make-up on Paget from one designer to the next and I think the difference is most drastic her in Tim’s shots.

Tim’s label, Zig Moth, is very tailored and beautifully structured.  He was inspired by the human skeleton, in particular the spine, as you can see on these pieces.  His coat, the only one in the entire Study Hall collection, is incredible and was immediately tried on by Virginia at International Playground when we showed them the samples.  It fit her perfectly too!

Photoshoot Part 2

Here’s the second part of the photoshoot, showing clothes by Karolina Johansson. Her label, Redesign by KJ, already exists in Sweden. Her brand ethos is to make garments using recycled textiles and vintage clothing. She emailed me earlier this year asking if she could come to NY and intern for me for the Summer. Her 3-pc collection was inspired by the streets of New York City.

Because Karolina arrived a month after the other interns started their mini collections, I limited her to 3 pieces instead of 4 so she could focus on them more closely. Had I known the full scope of her abilities, I would have let her do all four. She hand painted the tops herself using a non-toxic spray paint, and I love the effect.

Enjoy!

Photoshoot part 1

I’m going to post some of the photos from the Study Hall shoot. Jena Cumbo did an amazing job on these shots.  These are not the retouched pics as those were too big to post, and I’m just too excited to wait for them!

This first group is from FIT student Julianne Margiotta, her label is Juewls Amelia.  Her draped pants were the reason Study Hall started in the first place.  And Johnny & Virginia’s reaction to them was equally enthusiastic.  In case you’re wondering, the pants are made of a hemp silk blend that I love!

Julianne’s inspiration for this collection was her recent move to a tiny apt in Brooklyn where she soon discovered she had much less closet space and needed more versatile clothing.  And the circle pant-jacket was born.  Yes it’s convertible, and no I had nothing to do with that!  That was all her idea.

Enjoy the pics!

Study Hall was finally taken out into the real world today.

My amazingly talented interns presented their collections to Johnny and Virginia of International Playground for feedback, guidance and – yes – orders!  At first my sales reps extraordinaire asked questions about the process, how the interns enjoyed the program, what they found difficult about their work, etc… and then the presentations started.  Each collection was shown by its designer with details about their inspiration, their fabric choices and even costing.  By this point the meeting turned from student – teacher relationship to designer – buyer, and things got a little more serious.  In a good IP way, of course!  Johnny & Virginia gave their honest feedback, commented on pricing and how they felt about the styles. Each designer had about 20 minutes to show their collections, which is a lot of time considering they only had 4 styles a piece.

They are huge supporters of Study and love this project. I couldn’t have offered the kind of feedback or advice they gave to the interns today.  They offered a sales rep / store owner perspective which I find invaluable to my own work, so I can only imagine what the group must have thought.  At first I expected them to take the clothes for their own stores – IP in NY and LA – but as the meeting progressed today we started discussing other options.  Would the lines do well at D&A in September?  Who would love to see this collection and hear the back story?  We came up with a few options, I won’t say who just yet.

The whole process was very enlightening for me, more so because I was finally able to step back and see a sales meeting from a third party point of view, and listen to the constructive criticism with a less invested ear – because I’ve been trying to disconnect myself from the collections and see them with a more unbiased eye.

(One prevailing comment that did come up time and again throughout the meetings was the quality of the tailoring, for which we have Michelle to thank.  So a huge THANK YOU to Michelle, who will be getting flowers and chocolates very soon.)

This week’s highlighted store is Juno & Jove, which has two locations in Sarasota, Florida.  Some info on the store from their site:

In keeping with our commitment to social responsibility and sustainable business practices, a close eye was kept on the design and construction standards of our store. The majority of construction materials, fixturing, and finishes were sourced locally, here in Sarasota County, or within the United States. Where possible, salvaged fixtures, discontinued remnants, and recycled materials were selected. Local artisans and craftsmen were commissioned to minimize unnecessary travel. All paints and stains were selected for their low or no VOC (volatile organic compound) formulas; wood flooring and finish millwork were FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified. Lighting controls were installed to maximize energy efficiency during varied natural light conditions and calendar seasons. Our objective was to provide a flattering backdrop for our merchandise; one, which is equivalent to the high standards we expect from our designers and vendors themselves.

Quality craftsmanship with a sophisticated, comfortable and warm aesthetic reminiscent of home was our goal. The completed store exceeded our expectations, and we think it will exceed yours as well. We look forward to your visit.

This week they will be shipped the pleated hoodie, reversible scarf (perfect for early Fall), the hand-woven skirt, and pleated organic shirt dress, all pictured below.  So head over there soon to pick up these items before they disappear!