PROJECT New York

PROJECT NY is the world’s preeminent contemporary fashion trade event.  The trade show features the most directional brands and is designed to drive commerce, creativity and connectivity.

January 16-18th marked the launch date of PROJECT New York, the first of the two bi-annual trade shows. Overall, the show was an absolute success.

President of PROJECT NY, Andrew Pollard took great lengths to ensure the event was purposefully in an area that stimulates creativity and inspires retailers.

So, what makes PROJECT NY stand out amongst other fashion trade shows?  According to Brett Fahlgren of  Style Ledger, “It’s not a trade show. When I think of trade shows, I think of the big ones where you see automobiles and cars. This is much more like a gallery.”

Many of the vendors described PROJECT NY as a show with unparalleled aesthetics, cool brands and good buyers.  Brands have presented themselves in a completely different way, creating an atmosphere that is conducive to the retailers desires and needs.

“It was really something kind of unique,” designer Todd Snyder claimed.  “I really liked the idea of breaking kind of the rules of designers showing at a trade show, and for me it was really kind of getting out there and selling my stuff to real people and real buyers.  PROJECT really brings in the best buyers and the best audience for what we’re doing.”

Other designers enjoyed the brands on displayed.  There was something new on every corner.

“I think what’s cool about PROJECT is that it keeps expanding its demographic.  There’s the more established brands, and then there’s the indie designers and there’s a lot of cool locally sourced talent from New York and Brooklyn,” stated Kristian Laliberte , senior editor of Refinery29.

PROJECT NY was more than just a showcase where people could display their products in their most creative way, attendees felt as though it was the sort of place where you could just sit down and hang out for a while.  Countless comments about the dynamics of the show.  The buyers added a certain ambience to the show as well.

“The vibe’s great, and very, very helpful staff.  We’ve had a lot of motivated guys helping us out.  The buyers here are taking their time, no one’s in such a rush.  We’ve been having a good time with the buyers,” remarked Ben Schubert of Consortium Distributions.

“I feel like we’ve done what we’ve set out to do which is to create a different kind of market place,” Andrew Pollard concluded.  “A place where you bring technology with great craftsmanship, with interesting ideas, with different ways of presenting products, and at the end of the day a place where people can communicate and start to discuss and talk about the industry.”

Congratulations to the PROJECT NY team for an outstanding show.  To learn more about PROJECT, NY, you can check out this video of highlights, or take a peek at their YouTube channel.  You can do a LIKE on their Facebook Fanpage, and follow them on Twitter.

The next event is PROJECT Las Vegas which takes place February 13th-15th 2012.

The CW Gets “Remodeled”

If you know your models then you know the name Paul Fisher.  Fisher is well-known for launching the careers of various models including Naomi Campbell, Carol Alt, Carrie Otis, Kimora Lee, Nicky Hilton, Brooke Burke and many more.  Fisher has created more stars than any other agent in the history of the modeling industry.  Over the past quarter-century, Fisher’s clients have appeared on thousands of magazine covers, headlined fashion shows around the world and some have even gone above and beyond.  One of Fisher’s clients has been nominated for an Academy Award, and another serves as the First Lady of a European country.

Now Fisher is making sure agents in small towns don’t get taken advantage of and he is also encouraging models to take control of their careers and have healthier lives.  This mission lead Fisher to create a new series called “Remodeled.”

Airing on Wednesdays at 9pm on the CW, “Remodeled” brings together hundreds of small agencies around the world into a group called The Network.  Fisher came to realize that small agencies were finding talent and then quickly losing it to bigger agencies.  His goal, with The Network, is to create the largest agency in the world.

The Network uses “the average-size woman” for their models, promoting the ideal that extreme thinness is no longer a trend in the fashion world.  The goal of The Network is to transform the perception of beauty and how it is marketed worldwide.

“Remodeled” just started airing on the CW in mid-January.  Be sure to catch up on the latest episodes and learn more at the official website.  You can also LIKE the Facebook Fanpage and follow the official Twitter for the CW.

JC Penney’s New Look for 2012

With the new year in full-swing, isn’t it time for one of America’s favorite department stores to start something new?  The J.C. Penney Company has announced a new business plan and a new look for its brand for the year 2012.

Ron Johnson, CEO of J.C. Penney plans to transform the store’s shopping experience by implementing new changes.  Johnson made a statement at the company’s launch event on January 25th announcing that J.C. Penney will begin these changes starting February 1st.  These changes include a new logo, a new pricing strategy called Fair and Square pricing, and a constant flow of new merchandise on a monthly basis.

According to the blueprints, the entire process to change every single shop in the nation will take until the end of 2015.

With several celebrities in attendance the launch event provided guests a look at the evolution of the company along with previews of what’s to come.  J.C. Penney design partners Cindy Crawford, Olsen twins, Martha Stewart and Nanette Lepore were in attendance.  J.C. Penney also announced TV host Ellen DeGeneres as their newest design partner.

So if you haven’t shopped at J.C. Penney for a while it might be a good time to check out their new look.    You can also do a LIKE on the J.C. Penney Facebook Fanpage and follow them on Twitter.

Be sure to stop by the J.C. Penney website and learn more about their big sale starting on February first.

Here are some photos of the event…

jcpenney CEO Ron Johnson and President Michael Francis announce the new jcpenney strategy in NYC on Wednesday, January 25th (Photo from WireImage)

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen attend the jcpenney launch event in NYC on Wednesday, January 25th (Photo from WireImage)

Cindy Crawford attends the jcpenney launch event in NYC on Wednesday, January 25th (Photo from WireImage)

Exotic Accessories by Johanna Konanz

Johanna Konanz has several years of international work experience under her belt.  She has studied footwear, pattern making and accessories design in Italy where she also spent many years working at Salvatore Ferragamo in Florence.   With this experience she has gone on to create her own self-named brand.   The brand features a collection of accessories, but not just any accessories.   Johanna has designed a series of luxury exotic skin purses and accessories made from the best crocodile, python and ostrich skins.  Inspired by classic icons such as Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy, Johanna strives to uphold a brand of premium quality and defined design.

All of Johanna’s products are part of a sustainable use program that benefit people and wildlife, contributing to breed another animal into the wildlife of the caiman species under the supervision of the Colombian Ministry of Natural Resources and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Take a look at her exotic accessories and if you like what you see take a minute to LIKE her Facebook page at  http://www.facebook.com/JKHandbags?sk=info

You can also view more products at Johanna’s website at http://www.johannakonanz.com/.

Generation Klean

I’m all for beauty products that are pure and enhance your mind, body and soul.  Thanks to Generation Klean, you can purchase pure products made from unique formulations and the finest pharmaceutical-grade ingredients.  Though Generation Klean offers products for all target areas, one of their most popular products is a hair mascara called Gray Disappear.

Gray Disappear is a paraben, sulfate and pg free hair mascara that’s used to cover up gray hairs.  Did you know that parabens and other ingredients found in hair dyes could potentially result in harmful effects on the body?  Generation Klean is determined to keep it as pure as possible.  Available in the four natural shades of hair color (black, brown, red and blonde), the product and Generation Klean are rapidly growing and setting new and healthier standards for beauty maintenance.

To order Generation Klean products or to learn more about the company, visit www.generationklean.com. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.