Behind the Glass

Who’s to say that just because you’re on all fours means you can’t have rockin style?  Dogs are people, too, right? Well at least they think they are.  Dogs are our companions, our lifetime buddies, and they deserve to be just as stylish (if not more as their owners.

Dog apparel is all for the amusement of the owner, a.k.a, the person buying all the clothes! Fashion Forward women who own dogs care about their appearance just as they do their own, and in turn groom their dogs, keep them on good diets, and if your dog fits the type, you dress that little doggie up!

The pet industry is never down for these loving furry friends, which is why many brands today will even consider similar inspired clothes for dogs! If you go into a pet store  there’s so many options for leashes and collars as well. You have your basics, but many are including fashion items as well, knowing people will buy it.

According to the American Pets Product Association (APPA):

While most owners say they do not spoil their pets, they certainly don’t skimp on them either. In tough economic times, people will find a way to manage their expenses in effort to continue to provide for pets. Although some spend modestly on their pets, a large group of Americans are still willing to spend a little extra on trendy outfits, brand-name treats and organic foods because pets are considered important members of the family and they deserve the best! As we have “humanized” our pets in so many ways, it is important for us to reward them in meaningful human terms rather than just pet terms.

Who couldn’t find these trendy K9′s adorable?

Rover Cabin pea coat $90

Hand made bow tie from Etsy.com

What a handsome looking little man!

Like mother, like daughter!

Baby’s and Beast City Coat $145

American Apparel fleece dog hoodie $20

Mulberry Coat $190

Just look at the detail in that leash and collar set!

Puppia Solft dog harness $23

Michael Kors pet carrier $425

Louis Vuitton matching leash and collar!  ( Collar $315; Leash $400)

Juicy Couture Faux Fur Wrap

…… And lets not forget their Halloween costumes!

Our brand is in its final stages of production, and I’m getting so excited with the outcome!

The other day a guy came to talk to our class about motion picture, the concept of a brand, and how to make a GIF.  I thought that this was a really neat skill to be taught, and decided to try one out for our brand!

So here’s a little sneak peak of what Polished is all about!

Unfortunetely the GIF will not play on this blog, but please take a minute to check it out by clicking on the picture above.

Coming to a Dallas near you!

For our brand, Polished, the persona of our target market is a 29 year old Dallas, TX native.  Finding myself absorbed in this project, I couldn’t help myself from wanting to seek out this true Dallas girl.  Who is she, what does she do, where will I find her?  So I decided to look at street style blogs, and any other Dallas, TX blog or article to try to grasp the style and life of a girl in Dallas.  The following pictures I found convey a mood of who this girl might be, and who I see her being when she walks into our store.

When coming up with final project ideas for my teams brand, I was really inspired by OPI.  I’ve always loved their polish, and always thought of their brand as having good quality and a good selection.  What sets them apart from most other nail polish brands is their different collections and collaborations.  Seeing the polish separated into these different collections vs. just seeing an aisle of packed nail polish on shelves intrigues me and catches my attention.  seeing colors that go together and portray a mood is less overwhelming for a customer than having to pick one color out When coming up with final project ideas for my teams brand, I was really inspired by OPI. I’ve always loved their polish, and always thought of their brand as having good quality and a good selection. What sets them apart from most other nail polish brands is their different collections and collaborations. Seeing the polish separated into these different collections vs. just seeing an aisle of packed nail polish on shelves intrigues me and catches my attention. seeing colors that go together and portray a mood is less overwhelming for a customer than having to pick one color out of one-hundred different colors. It’s good marketing on OPI’s part. plus, I’m always waiting and wanting to see what they’ll come up with next. That’s why for our store, I thought it would be cool to have mini polish collections to go along with the season colors of our apparel brand. From personal experience, seeing complementary colors placed together excites me and influences me to pick a couple that look good together. OPI’s latest collection that really inspired me was their “Soft Shades” collection. It consists of solt pinks, creams, violets, roses, and whites. What I liked about this collection was the fact that I’m usually not pulled towards these colors, but the way OPI paired them together has me falling head over heels for this collection. I usually dont like the lighter colors,especially pinks and purples, but there are so many in this collection I can actually see myself, along with many other girls, wearing. You’d think these colors would give off a young, girly mood, but it’s not that case at all. Vibes of sophistication, romance, and chicness are given off from this collection. Some of my favorites from the collection are: Another fun thing about OPI is their names. They always come up with unique, quirky names that catch people’s attention. Whether people know it or not, the names are very strong for OPI’s marketing, influencing people’s final decision on which shade of color to buy. one-hundred different colors.  It’s good marketing on OPI’s part.  plus, I’m always waiting and wanting to see what they’ll come up with next.  That’s why for our store, I thought it would be cool to have mini polish collections to go along with the season colors of our apparel brand.  From personal experience, seeing complementary colors placed together excites me and influences me to pick a couple that look good together.

OPI’s latest collection that really inspired me was their “Soft Shades” collection.  It consists of solt pinks, creams, violets, roses, and whites.  What I liked about this collection was the fact that I’m usually not pulled towards these colors, but the way OPI paired them together has me falling head over heels for this collection.  I usually dont like the lighter colors,especially pinks and purples, but there are so many in this collection I can actually see myself, along with many other girls, wearing.  You’d think these colors would give off a young, girly mood, but it’s not that case at all.  Vibes of sophistication, romance, and chicness are given off from this collection.

Some of my favorites from the collection are:

Another fun thing about OPI is their names.  They always come up with unique, quirky names that catch people’s attention.  Whether people know it or not, the names are very strong for OPI’s marketing, influencing people’s final decision on which shade of color to buy.

OPI also just launched the brand’s first international short film:

OPI Instinct of Color

The colors featured in the video are Pink-ing of You, Red My Fortune Cookie, Need Sunglasses?, and No Room for the Blues.

“I always say that nail lacquer can change your look — and your outlook. Today, nail color can convey feelings and emotions, expressing on the outside what the wearer is feeling on the inside. In this short film, four women communicate through dance and color. With a trained Thoroughbred who could replicate the dancers’ moves with very little digital enhancement, we were able to capture the unique, energetic, and creative culture that epitomizes the OPI brand.”

-  Suzi Weiss-Fischmann (OPI executive VP and artistic director_

When you wake up and get dressed in the morning, you usually try to mix up your outfits.  Maybe today you’ll wear statement earrings, and tomorrow you’ll skip the earrings and go for a bold necklace.  Maybe today you’re feeling jeans, but tomorrow, you’ll veto the pants and rock a sundress.  You’re day to day looks are constantly changing, but there’s one thing you wouldn’t go a day without.  Any guesses?  Well I’ll give you a hint, it’s probably the last thing you throw on before you run out the door… Your shoes! No outfit would be complete without shoes!  Your shoe choice can have a huge impact over the final impact of any outfit.  That’s why in movies such as “The Devil Wears Prada” and ” Sex and the City,” two movies commonly known for their high fashion wardrobes, the scene often starts at the feet and works the camera up to the character’s faces.  This way the shoes are never missed and the complete outfit is always seen.

The latest Spring/ Summer 2013 runway shows were full of exciting new shoes!

Fendi

Emilio Pucci

John Richmond

The detail in the heels on these shoes are just amazing.

Ermanno Scervino

Dior

Temperley London

Issa                                             Jonathan Sauders

Another thing I am excited to see roll over into spring is snakeskin.  The print is so exciting, yet the way it plays off as a neutral is very versatile in any wardrobe.

Roksanda Illincic

Narciso Rodriguez

These chunky heels by Rodarte are by far my favorite shoes I’ve seen down the runway.  The angles and shapes played out on the heel add so much in such a minimalistic way.  There are so many outfits I can already see myself pairing these with, I’m so excited to see these in the future!!!

This strappy boot by Alexander Wang is another of my favorites.  If only these were available now, I’d be wearing them over colored tights all winter long!

The shoes we’ll be seeing in the Spring are nothing short of a statement piece.  With elaborate heels, designs, colors, prints and more, these shoes will definitely add a wow factor to any outfit.

Some might say the crazier the shoes the better…. but then again… let’s not get carried away….

Scary Beautiful

(Watch link above)

What is branding? Why do businesses need it? Branding is more than just picking a logo for your company.  It’s about establishing who you are as a company and what you represent.  The big thing about branding is Differentiation.  What makes you different from your competition?

Some popular branding many people recognize and associate with right off the bat:

This simplicity, futuristic, and chicness of this design is known world white.  Some qualities people associate with Apple is its user friendly programing, simple design, and on-growing popularity.  Almost everyone today has something from Apple.  All of these characteristics of apple are very well shown through just their logo alone.  But then you go into an Apple store, and theres all these well qualified people to help you find exactly what you need; if you’re having problems, they know how to fix it.    So know people associate Apple with their smart, experienced support team.  It’s an overall experience you want to get through to your target customer.

A lot of companies associate themselves with a particular color.  When people see this color, they automatically think of this company, whether you want to or not.

“Chinese red”

“Tiffany Blue”

Many people see these colors and may not even realize it but immediately think of the following companies:

What surprises me most about logo’s is the power they have over people.  Something that appears so simple has so much thought put behind it.

Some branding is so powerful, they don’t even need the name.  The design is so strong that it can stand on it’s own and still have the same effect.

We can all thank Andre Leon Talley for taking seventy-three of every girls favorite wardrobe essential, the little black dress, and putting them all in one breath taking exhibit.  The exhibit was full of little black dresses (LBD) from Chanel and Balenciaga back in the 1950-60′s all the way to 2012-13 with Zac Posen, Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, and more.  Not to mention there was a beautiful silk LBD from Mariano Fortuny dating all the way back to 1907!  There was so much talent and history all in one lively room.  Being able to see these dresses up close and in person is every girls dream.

Although black dresses have been around for quite some time in history, they always had this taboo tied with them… Black was for morning.  It wasn’t until 1926 when Coco Chanel changed this black dress into the  ”Little Black Dress” we all know and have grown to love.  Girls today wouldn’t be caught dead without at least one LBD in there closet, but let’s be honest, you can never really have too many LBDs.  The LBD is such an elegant, classic, versatile look,  which can be a life saver for just about any event.  It should be a dress you feel good, comfortable, and confident in;  Just slip on that LBD and you’re ready to go!

This was the first LBD sketch Chanel had done, which was featured in Vogue on October 1st, 1926.

Some of my favorites, just to name a few, from the exhibite were:

This was Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel.  Made out of silk, lace, and cotton organza, this LDB went down the  runway for Chanel’s  S/S haute couture in 1986.

Prada: Spring 2012

Being in love with the peplum style, this dress stopped me in my tracks.  The elegance and simplicity of the whole look was just unbelievable. I also love the gloves, and how they stop right at the line of the peplum, making the overal silhouette even more intriguing.

Linda Evangelista wore this look to the Costume Institute gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

This Tom Ford dress with the cape was just stunning.  From the asymmetry created by the cape and the one exposed shoulder to the long, lean silhouette overall fit, this dress was just flawless.  This dress was just recently shown in Tom Ford’s fall/winter 2012 show.

Gwyneth Paltrow was actually seen in his design at the 84th Academy Awards, 2012.

Some other dresses shown were:

Ralph Lauren Fall 2011

Stella McCartney Winter 2011 – Worn by Rihanna to Costume Institute gala

Mariano Fortuny  ”Delphos Dress” 1907

Michael Kors – Pre-fall 2011

The exhibit was an amazing experience.  Seeing all these different LBDs throughout fashion history was really an eye opener.  There were so many different designers and aesthetics; it was interesting to see the evolution of styles and taste all originating from Chanel’s original vision of the LBD.  If you havent seen the exhibit yet, it’s absolutely something worth seeing!

History is never truly “history.”  It’s always coming back and inspiring artists, designers, and innovators.  We’re always seeing ideas and concepts from the past popping up and reappearing in modern, creative ways. Just off the top of my head, one popular trend seen today is neons.  But when did the neon trend start?  We start seeing this combining of multiple neons back in the 80′s.  Let’s face it, the 80′s was the epitome of bright colors:  Hot pinks, neon greens, bright blues, etc.   Today, we see these colors spring up again in bold neon statement jewelry, belts, pants, purses, and more.  The concept from the past is the same, however the designs are different.

1987 Harpars Bazaar to todays fashions

Another influencial style icon was Jackie Kennedy.  Her original Oleg Casini designs helped her create a style all her own, one that would show through in the influence of other designers to come.  Take a look at Calvin Klein’s Fall 2012 collection.  From the dresses to the jackets, they all have that modernized  ”Jackie O” look.

Fine arts and fashion design depend on one another like a pair of Christian Louboutin’s depend on that red sole.  Without one to influence the other, the arts might not have taken the paths that lead us to the present.  Fashion is wearable art to coincide with popular art movements at the time, but who’s to say fashion can’t pull up a thing of the past and redirect the art playing field?  Because that’s exactly what Gucci did in Spring 2012, and  what Alexander McQueen did the following year with his Spring 2013 resort wear collection.  Reinterpreting  the Art Deco movement, started in Paris back in he 20′s, both Gucci and McQueen’s designs resemble and glorify the bold and electrifying art and design work of the time in a fashion forward collection today.

Gucci Spring 2012

Alexander McQueen Resort 2013

A classic design, the peplum dress/top, is another mid 20th century coming back in full swing, seen all over runways today.  This, being one of my favorite styles, is a classic, timeless look.  Throw this top over a pencil skirt and you’re ready to go!

One of my favorite designers sporting this looking is Dior, who’s peplum dress/tops ruled fashion back in the mid 20th century.

The same look was also seen at the time with designers such as Lachasse

Today we see the same effortless cut with Giambattista Valli and Elie Saab

This painting by Van Gogh has always been an inspiration to me. When I look at it, all I can focus on is the simplicity, yet the elegance that runs though the streets of France.  I feel like a majority of the styles I find compelling could and should be worn in this type of atmosphere; somewhere classy and sophisticated, yet cozy and relaxing.  If I could, a cute little cafe in France is where I would spend all my nights! It would be the perfect place to think, ponder, get inspired, and get away to unwind after a long hard day.

Movement is something found in anything from nature to appliances we use in our everyday life.  So why shouldn’t fashion also have movement?  We live our lives in the fashions we wear, so I’m always interested and inspired by different silhouettes, shapes, and movements for designs we wear.

Dior:  

Dior’s style inspires me through their effortless and timeless looks.  The way the silhouettes work and Dior’s ability to always combines the perfect amounts of classic feminine touches laced with a sexy twist.

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