In recent news, Lane Bryant attempted to air a commercial with their lingerie line but their commercial was banned from Fox and ABC. Their reason was that they tried to work with the commercial and asked Lane Bryant to edit it because it was too racy for their family hour at 8:00p.m. I think the real reason is because they feel the world is not ready to see plus size women in lingerie. Why not? If they are taking about family hour, 9:00pm is when the news is shown when families continue to watch, yet they allow Victoria Secret commercials to be aired? Juicy women are just as gorgeous as skinny girls, why can't they BOTH have the right to feel sexy and desired? Watch this video as the Riley show discusses further about the commercial. They do show the commercial in this video as well. Keep in mind, VS and Lane Bryant are owned from the same company, how ironic.
I don't know why I never wrote on here to tell you, I went to visit The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising- LA over spring break! If you don't know, FIDM is where Project Runway was/is filmed, how exciting.
I met with Bryann Hill who is an Admission's Adviser there. She said my personality tells her I will be a good fashion designer, that's kinda funny but I am glad she can see it. If you are visiting LA anytime soon, I highly suggest you set up a tour with the school cause it is phenomenal! The campus is gorgeous and very inspirational. I have to say, they have a hell of a computer lab, there is a foot pool that you can dip your feet in while you are doing your homework. They even included beach beds with a swinging desk so you can lay while your on your laptop. I seriously couldn't believe it!
Security is pretty tight with the school. You have to always have your badge or visiting badge with you or else they won't let you in. It's kinda crazy. Because there are about 90% females on their campus, security is extra tight at night. They lock their campus up and they even provide a shuttle to drop you off at your apt-1 block away... that's funny too!
But on a serious note, if you are looking to pursue fashion, you should look into FIDM. A lot of famous designers actually graduated from FIDM such as Ralph Lauren, Estee Lauder (founder of it), founders of Juicy Couture, FIDM winners from various seasons, and so many more people I don't know about.
If you put a lot of effort into finding a job post graduation, you are 90% likely to find a job in the industry you are pursuing... just thinking about it, that is where my heart is... FIDM, here I come!
I love the LOFT! I noticed that their look has changed since I last worked there. It is a lot younger and their target market has changed; I am not sure if that is a good thing or not since their target segment was pretty large, 25-80 years old. I don't think an eight year old would wear what they currently are selling, but I do have to say I love the colors! I have been waiting for years for the LOFT to use the blue hues for their MAY look and finally it's here.
A lot of females are hesitant to shop there because they think it is a more older/mature store then they think, but really if you separate the pieces they showcase and pair it with jeans or a skirt, you can pull it off. I have a weakness for dresses and I have to say they have some great dresses right now.
On the other note, I stopped by the other looking for a dress and I have to say they have changed a bit. The old/new store manager doesn't work there any more, so much for trying to making to make the store a million dollar store... please go back to Calvin because you ain't got nothing on the LOFT! I met the new store manager and she is cute and cheery, but she needs to work on her sales associate. Not once did they welcomed me or asked if I needed help. Greeting clients with in their first minute, FAIL!!!
It's kinda hard not to critique the LOFT since I used to work there, but I always catch these small things. I almost bought a jacket for $30, but they didn't deserve my money so I left; there goes their conversion. I find it kinda bitchy to do that, but I just can't help it. Next time, maybe.
Aside from all that negativity, I love how visually appealing the store looks. They painted one of the walls a deep blue which makes the wall and the merchandise look more appealing. I can definitely feel the beachy look which is quite relaxing. Will the color change each season/month? If you are looking for inspiration for a new wardrobe, definitely stop by there...
Check their site out: http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/category.jsp?N=1200007&pCategoryId=3359&categoryId=211&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_211&loc=TN&gridSize=sm&showAll=true
This week is MN's Spring Fashion week with lots of great shows going on!
Spotlight Feature: PFT Couture She is such a talented designer specializing in wedding dresses and gowns. I personally have worked with her in the Origins Fashion Show and loved every second of it. One of her most recent pieces I dearly love which was scene in shows such as Fresh Traditions, Envision, and maybe this upcoming weekend's Voltage Fashion Show is her black and white striped dress.
Here she is with the dress
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If you are in town and looking for a great show to attend, I suggest looking up the Voltage Fashion Show on 1st Ave. here http://www.first-avenue.com/event/4713/voltage-fashion-amplified
Here are a few pieces of her work over time that I LOVE!
Photo credits were taken from the designer's profile.I am not taking any credit for these photos.
If you love wardrobing/styling, here is an opportunity for you!
Operation Glass Slipper is an event that girls who can't afford prom dresses can sign up and get a free dress. They are looking for volunteers to help on the day of. If you want to help girls look beautiful for prom, you should check it out...
Here is their mission: ✴To provide full prom wear and accessories at no cost to girls in financially restrictive circumstances, who otherwise could not attend this memorable and joyous capstone of high school life
✴✴To unlock the beauty and confidence within girls of every shape and size and from every background and walk of life by enabling them to feel good about themselves
✴✴To help break the cycle of hardship by instilling a sense of opportunity and empowerment for them to change their lives
Check them out here: http://www.operationglassslipper.org/
You got it, maternity tops, your next best secret. The next time you go to Target, I suggest you stop by the Maternity section cause they have some cute ass tops for all sizes! Their tops are longer so that it can fit their cute baby bumps, but you, can take advantage of that extra room and length; with some tights, that maternity top turns into your very own shirt dress.
To all my juicy ladies, this goes out to you. Don't worry, if you don't have extra juice, you can still pull off the look, trust me.
Here's a few tops I got, wear it any way you'd like. Wear it with confidence and you'll own it.
Oh gosh, I apologize for not writing. School has been crazy crazy. I can finally breath. Well good news from the last time and I am super excited for some good news.... DRUM ROLL... I have decided and it is also a new year's resolution/goal of mine; if I can finish a line by the end of this year, I am going to pursue the fashion industry! ahhh I know. I looked into the best schools and I concluded that I want to go to Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in LA, yes LA! I am super excited and even contacted the school for information. I will be heading to LA this coming Spring Break to check out the school and tour the area. My friend Yer graduated from there which I am excited for as well.
Anyways, I guess I am changing this blog spot a little bit. I guess I wont just be analyzing my shopping experience, but posting in general about fashion. It was hard to limit myself when there was so much to say. More good news, I finished my first product, a dress. It took a long time, but well worth it. I would have to say that my sewing skills aren't that great and that was what took the most time as well. It was a good learning experience and good practice. I wore the dress to HMSA's winter dance and everyone loved it. It felt good, but by the end of the night, the train was all dirty. Well this is it for now.
I went shopping all over town yesterday and it was fashionably fun. I had two reasons to go 1. ) exchange the brown knee high boots my sister got me for Christmas and 2.) grab a black sweater from Target that I have been dying to get.
I had to run to Albertville to exchange the boots at Nine West and it was a failure. I don't think I will be going back there anytime soon.
Store #1: Nine West, epic failure. 1. There were 2 older ladies (I mean 50ish year old) working who seem like they did not want to be there. How welcoming.
2. The store was boring? Where is the motivation at huh? I thought Nine West was suppose to be fashionable and appealing, FAIL. There was nothing there that differentiated itself from payless, wait, payless looked even better visually. (disclaimer: I still love payless, nothing against them... just comparing the reason why one is suppose to be higher end then the other).
3. With in the 20 minutes that I was there, they didn't even bother to help me. I wasn't looking for help, but taking the initiative to do so gives you brownie points. Plus, if you want sales, you better start working.
I ended up not returning the boots although I should of, it would of reduce their sales per hour, but no I walked about gracefully. JK, I made a comment about going to a more expensive store with better shoes to choose from as I left... sadden that I didn't get the boots I wanted, I treaded off to Charlotte Russe.
p.s Even their purses didn't look too appealing... they looked cheap for the price you are paying.
Store #2: Charlotte Russe, Pass, well sorta!
1. The store looked AWESOME and it made me feel like buying the whole store up. Visually it was real appealing. The layout looked good, it was organized, and I shopped peacefully. Kudos to them. I don't know why, but I always shop to the left first? Do you know why?
2. I found a winner... a cropped sequenced blazer that I have been looking for for the past 3 years... I saw the jacket online a few years ago but it was $300.... worth it? yes! got the money for it? No. Its just not any sequence blazer that everyone else who shops at forever 21 has, but it is THE blazer I have been wanting... and it was only 12$, so I bought it... love steals
3. There were accessories everywhere... You look up and its there, to the right, left, on the counter, dressing room, a whole wall, EVERY WHERE... gosh my weakness... it almost made me melt.... (sigh...)accessories
4. I don't know about you, but I have NEVER I mean NEVER seen anyone who asks a customer this question. WHAT?!@#@$Q$# you want a room, rolls her eyes while chewing gum and continues talking to her co worker about going on break before she looks at me again before she opens the door. FAIL! Luckily I had a whole arm full of tops, I am sure you know what happens after trying them on.
As I was walking to the counter, BAM! There they were and a pair of funky dramatic eye lashes, I just had to stop and look. .99$, that's the price of a McChicken! And just like, I bought them. I am going to an eyelash party in a few weeks and I can wear them to it. They are so dramatic, but that is the fun part! hmmm now that I think about it, I can wear the blazer to the party. YAY!
That concluded Albertville
I stopped by Marshalls in Maple Grove to exchange a sweater and I found myself another WINNER! By the way, the Marshalls there is way different then the ones you will see in St. Paul, unless there was a sudden upgrade over a week that I have not notice, but I highly doubt that. I highly suggest making the drive out there. Anyways... standing there beautifully, black, tall, and good looking... My boots... the ones I have been looking for... Chinese Laundry, size 7, and it fitted perfectly... I am in LOVE... (your lost Nine West) I slipped them on and walked around to test its comfort... PERFECT. I couldn't help it but commented to the boots about its perfectness, silly me. Have you ever felt so much love for a pair of boots...I have, I always do...but its different when you have been looking for months... I mean months for the perfect one.. For a good price, I bought them. It goes perfectly well with a dress, tights, accessories, I mean lots of it, and a cute hair style. Anyone can pull them off, just don't wear them with jeans!
After all that excitement, I couldn't help but finish browsing the aisle I was on. I must have been in heaven (if it exists) cause just five pair of shoes away were a pair of deep red pumps! I wanted those too! All this excitement made me a little embarrased of myself...breathe... breathe.. breathe... I am not too fond of round toes, but it had an edge to them... just 2 seconds I told myself. I couldn't help but fall in love with the large sized bow on the side buckle, the straps cross in the front, so basic but yet it talks to me. I didn't have enough money for both of them so I broke up with my 2 second lover and put it on hold. Sorry.
The last stop, Target, to grab the black sweater I have dying to get and miracously was able to find a top which reminds me, I have the next topic to my next blog, the secret of maternity tops. Any who, five hours and I am not quite drained but hungery. Ended my day with some bomb ass pizza.
p.s Target and Marshalls are larger stores where they aren't quite focus on sales, but being available to answer any questions guests ask, so I didn't think to anaylze them too harshly. Plus I was too excited from all the shopping.
Are you tired yet? Keep up... until next time, get your fash-on... XOXO
So this is the first time in a year since I have last blogged, sad to say but I love blogging. I have been meaning to start up a new blog but couldn't get to it until a friend of mine inspired me to do it, kudos to Hilal (cool ass prof.) and El-bites so check them out....
I wanted to start up this blog for a few reasons, but the main thing is that it is about FASHION. So here is the story of how it started. I wanted to start a project and it could take... mmm who knows how long, but how ever long it takes for me to conclude it, I will continue blogging. This experiment is the insight of a fashion addict. I will record every store I shopped at, analyze the experience I had (customer service, wardrobing, and did I make a final purchase?), is the store visually appealing? did they satisfy me as a consumer, etc... that kind of stuff... this experiment will help analyze a consumer's insight straight from the consumer and not what the research team "think" is the consumer's insight is. If you are interested in adding your own experience, please share your experience with me... thank you!
That is the main thing, but who knows what else I will throw in there... unil next time...
It's miss Ashalicious and here is a little info about me.
I am a self taught amateur inspiring designer who loves fashion and any sort of creative designing. My style is bold, dramatic, and glamorous, ten minutes with you and I can figure the right cocktail design made just for you.
I am going into school for Advertising, but soon after, I would love to pursue fashion school at FDIM and then New York City here I come. I am hoping to design for JUICY girls who wants to look fabulous but can't find anything affordable in their size. I am still learning, but if you are interested, shoot my way....
p.s I love styling, wardrobing, and shopping so if you need advice... holla!
