Being able to travel with your job is an incredible opportunity and I was so excited when my manager promoted me and told me about a summit I would be going to in NYC. As a current Brand Ambassador for the SFAMC, I was beyond ecstatic to learn about our upcoming fall collection, because to be honest, my store did particularly well last fall, so I was excited to see what we'd be getting in...and hopefully be selling out of. The summit was jam packed with presentations covering cashmere sweaters, merino wool sweaters, our loro piana suits, shoes, accessories, and two brand new sister lines entitled 212 and 611 launching in early November. Throughout the summit I made great friends and was really able to network. I met my incredible brand team in NY including the buyers, brand managers, VP, and product managers and also met other fellow BA's from around the country including Florida, Virginia, Texas, Ohio, and Las Vegas. I've gained so much knowledge during my work stay in NYC, I was so motivated at the end of it that I wanted to go home and start to develop a product knowledge meeting with my entire store!
Our NY team definitely hosted a spectacular summit with incredible breakfasts, lunches, and dinners (including an all you can drink end of the night every night we worked). One particular moment that I will never forget was meeting the Vice President and Mens Fashion Director for Saks Fifth Avenue, Eric Jennings. I've read a few interviews of his and reviewed his guest editorials with GQ and Details, so it was amazing meeting him in person and really picking his brain. We talked a lot about blogging and the evolution of mens fashion...I cannot wait till January when I get to go back to the concrete jungle to learn about our Spring 2012 collection. Here's to an exciting fall season!
Eric Jennings, VP and Mens Fashion Director for Saks Fifth Avenue & I.
The highly anticipated album by Jay Z & Kanye, Watch The Throne was released early in order to avoid any leaks and good thing, because my whole newsfeed on FB had WTT all over it. The album is infectious from beginning to end. Some of my favorite tracks include: Why I Love You (ft. Mr. Hudson), Murder to Excellence, Niggas in Paris, and No Church In The Wild. I definitely recommend giving the album a listen. I'm still thinking about purchasing a hard copy of the album just for the Ricardo Tisci designed cover.
Not everyone knows that famed stylist, Monica Rose, is the one behind the style of the Kardashian sisters which has catapulted them into pop culture today, easily making them fashion influences for many. Monica, herself has her own blog in which she documents almost every event she styles the sisters for as well as other content that influences and inspires her styling. I've been following her blog for a few years now, so when I saw her debut on The Coveteur, I definitely knew I was in for a treat. I usually see the stylista in a lot of black and surprisingly, she has a good amount of color in her wardrobe.
I'm sure by now we've all seen Khloe's shoe collection, but I'm sure Monica's is just as drool worthy with shoes like those studded Louboutins. I almost always see her stowing either a Balenciaga or PS1, so I'm sure she's got plenty of more where those came from. She mentioned to The Coveteur that the vintage Hermes bag was a gift and that she cried when she got it...umm I would have too. Those vintage CHANEL bags were passed down to her from her mother and she mentioned how she would pass them onto her daughter one day; she could pass them on to me if she'd like. super jells, especially because her boyfriend Sal is supa cuteee too.
Never realized just how similar Dioone Bromfield's voice was compared to her god mother and recently deceased artist, Amy Winehouse were. Dioone, who is amazingly only 15 years old, has an incredible voice despite how eerily similar it is to Amy's. I can't wait for this youngster to come out with a new album and to watch her grow and evolve into what was and could have been Amy's future. According to the young starlet, Amy "was an amazing singer. She was not only my godmother, but she was my mentor and my boss as well." Definitely get the chills when I listen to Dioone. What do you guys think?
I was lucky enough to tag along side my friend Brian over at Nylon Magazine and The Daily Front Row to attend Karl Lagerfeld's preview event for his Impulse Only collection for Macy's this past week. It was so much fun to attend such an event, because we literally got to see the clothes first hand before everyone else. Let me just say that the pieces are incredibly well-tailored and definitely carried the essence of Karl. The collection was made up of leathers, tweeds, and sheers in both hot and rose pinks, black, greys, blushes, and floral prints. I really loved the dresses that were on the four standing models, which were alongside photos of Coco Rocha rocking the same ensemble. Overall the collection is one to surely not miss, especially for all those ladies who love the Chanel mastermind. At the event, I even got to meet one of my sister and I's favorite blogger, Wendy Lam of Nitrolicious, which was amazing! She's so sweet in person! I hope to run into her again soon!
Vogue Nippon takes my girl Karlie Kloss out on the streets of New York City for an editorial for their August Issue and surprisingly, she's posing at some locations I've personally been to on numerous of occasions. For instance, in the last photo KK struts her stuff in front of 50th and Park Ave at the amazing Urs Fischer Teddy Bear sculpture, which is part of Christie's Post War and Contemporary Art auction. As I browsed upon this editorial I thought it was great, because I was personally in NYC and I had stumbled upon these sites that KK had shot at, which were mainly on Park. Took this photo one night after coming home from midtown's Serendipity. (which BTW has amazing desserts and so-so food).
After coming back from my Saks FIfth Avenue Mens Collection Summit, I was so inspired to buy more accessories and suits for men. While in New York, I hit up Top Shop for ties and pocket squares, while hitting up Uniqlo for basics in button ups. I never really liked dressing up in a suit, but I've now figured out how fun it can be with minor details like a fun patterned sock, textured pocket square or a funky tie bar. Now that I'm the mens fashion industry, it's definitely time to step up my game with my suits and "bleisure" business casual. This lookbook Noah Mills and Brad Kroenig did for Mango HE really inspires me for fall with all the layering and pocket square detailing.
OMG. Las Vegas was incredibly fun despite some drama, but I will definitely never forget this trip. I've learned that Vegas is not a vacation destination for me... well at least for a long time. I cannot stand the smell from smoking in the casinos, crowds, constant drinking/partying, and the heat. I enjoyed myself with some of my favorite family and friends by attending pool parties VIP at WET and Encore Beach. Tao was also fun, but I guess any place is fun given the right amount of alcohol in your system...
