Journal

Our study tour met in front of the Prada flagship store before venturing out to window shop the luxury market. As we walked through the area exploring the various displays, it was exciting to see the different aesthetics and creativity throughout. On our journey we stopped by Miu Miu which we would later find out is a branch off of Prada. It represents the fun feminine side that Mrs. Prada wanted to explore which is juxtaposed with the uniform aesthetic that Prada offers.

M & S Schmalberg at first glance does not look like your typical Garment District store. According to the owner and our tour guide whose family has run and made artificial flowers since 1916, the garment district used to operate a lot differently. Whole buildings were manufacturing or designing, allowing neat features like gas heating pad tabletops that were used to press and indent flowers to give them their intricate detail. The flowers themselves would be carted mainly around NY to other production houses to be used. Now, the business is one of the few fashion tenants in the building and gas has been removed completely. Instead, they have hydraulic presses and have retrofitted the molds to work with them.

Walking up to an unassuming room on the second floor of a building on Fifth Avenue, I didn’t know what to expect. However, as soon as I entered the room it was exactly as my professor likes to describe as “a kid in a candy store.” All around is filled with semiprecious stones, sterling silver, pearls, and so much beautiful jewelry.

Aritzia is surrounded by so many wonderful stores at hudson yards from high end brands like Dior, Fendi, and Coach to ready to wear brands like Zara, Levi’s, and Madewell. However, Aritzia’s unique combination of athleisure to business is what sets them apart. We were able to hear first hand how Aritzia treats their employees and a little more about the brands from a previous student of our professor.

On the sunny Monday morning of the 13th of September, our study tour class left the comfort of the KSU computer lab to romp around the garment district on a scavenger hunt.

For our first study tour in NYC we visited the magical store Mood Fabrics. Located on 37th street between 7th and 8th avenue, it is most famously known for being the fabric store that designers go to on the show Project Runway. Though I have been there multiple times, I always learn something new and see something new as well!

This wool jacket was made by me for my basics of apparel class. It is fully lined and the fashion fabric is a textured wool herringbone.  Previous Next