Backpack, Backpack

It's hard to find backpacks these days that fit all my needs. Style, lightweight, big enough (but not too big) and of course, not insanely expensive. As a high school student, my backpacks take a lot of wear and tear throughout the year, with the heavy books they carry and being dropped on the ground before every class. I scoured the web for bags that I think are both stylish and could actually fit real books, and here are the results.

Forever 21 Striped Canvas Backpack

$19.80

H: 16"

W: 15"

D: 5"

Forever 21 Faux Leather Backpack

$32.80

H: 15.25"

W: 13.25"

D: 6.25"

H&M Shopper Bag

$34.95

H: 11.75"

W: 15.75"

Jansport SuperBreak

$35

H: 16.7"

W: 13"

D: 8.5"

Topshop Krazy Kaleidoscope Backpack

$68.00

H: 42cm

W: 33cm

Topshop Cuzco Backpack 

$72.00

H- 44cm

W- 33cm

Topshop Grainy Faux-Leather Pocket Backpack

$68.00

H: 31cm

W: 26cm

Erickson Beamon x LeSportsac

$128/$148

H: 11"

W: 10"

D: 5"

This Erickson Beamon x LeSportsac collaboration hasn't dropped in stores yet and won't until sometime in October. This might be helpful if you're trying to hold on to that old backpack but you know it's not going to make it the whole year. Maybe put it on your Christmas list?

All these backpacks are fantastic in my opinion, and I tried to represent a lot of different styles to match up good backpack ideas for everyone. Hopefully, each of you found one you love (even if you have to wait a few months to get it!).

PSA: NO MORE LEGGINGS

You all might hate me for this post. The side of me that wants a blanket and pillow with her at all times already hates me. Let's be honest, this has to be done. You know it, I know it, we all know it. So here goes:

This is a public service announcement for all teenage girls. Now is the time to stop wearing leggings! Yes, now. Right now. Leggings have completely taken over the wardrobe of most teenage girls, and we understand that there is a reason for that. They are effortlessly comfortable and you can choose anything from basic black to crazy galaxy prints. Let me just inform you that there are other options. There is still hope. If you don't feel that jeans are comfortable enough, let me introduce you to two new types of pants in stores this season. First is the wide legged pant, which gives you room to move while being made out of a usually silky and soft material. It's versatile, but even I will admit that it doesn't work on all types of people. If it does work on you, please take the plunge for people like me who can't wear wide legged pant and rock them 24/7. Second, there is the option of the loose-fitting yet still insanely attractive jogging style pant. Tighter at the bottom of the legs and looser at the hips, with an elastic waistband and soft material, these pants look very nice while feeling extremely similar to sweatpants. Remember the next time you grab a pair of leggings that there are other options out there for you, and that we want to help. You can get past this, and move in to greener pastures (and better pants). 

Will you be branching out this season to other pairs of pants besides leggings? Which ones?

Emma

The Fashion Industry Is Our Hopes and Dreams

I need the fashion industry to live. Stores, clothing, trends, advertisements, photos, magazines… They are my lifeline, my saving grace. People mock the fashion industry as petty and superficial, but really, it’s not.

The goal of the fashion industry is to sell people a better, improved image of themselves. That fancy rolex? It represents that man’s dream to be a top broker on Wall Street in the next few years. That evening gown? It represents that woman’s desire to walk the red carpet for her dream role in a movie. That little pair of baby shoes? It represents that woman’s dream to raise a family and have a happy life. That trendy shirt? It represents that girl’s desire to fit in, even when everything else might be going wrong in her life. Fashion is a lifeline. It shows what people really feel, how they act, or how they want to be shown to the world. What you choose to wear, how you choose to express yourself, that is your decision. It’s your choice. In a world that’s very unpredictable, where anything can happen to you at any moment in time, knowing you have a choice of how to dress and how you want to look means everything. As the queen, Coco Chanel, once said, “Dress shabbily and they remember the dress. Dress impeccably and they remember the woman.”

We are reading the Great Gatsby in school right now, and I've always admired Gatsby for reasons that not many people do. *spoiler alert* He dreams up this whole idyllic future for himself, one where he has Daisy again, one where he can live happily in his mansion with the love of his life and have no cares in the world. He doesn't just sit on that dream and wait for it to come true though, he acts on it. Jay Gatz reinvents himself as Jay Gatsby, first by his look and personal image, by his speech, and then he builds himself a whole new world based off of those first building blocks.

It sounds crazy, but I can see fashion doing that for people. You can go into any store and you see faces lighting up when someone tries on the perfect dress for their date that night, or their power suit for their first day at a new job. Clothes, new or old, offer someone a chance to take up a new personality, or change their lifestyle. Every time you try on a piece of clothing it's offering up thousands of memories you might make wearing it. 

I might be romanticizing the whole idea of fashion, but to me that's how it works. Looking through my closet I remember so many special times and people that I don't remember on a daily basis. I guess that's another thing that fashion does, it serves as an existing reminder of the past- that what's done is done, and that there is a whole trove of times waiting to be experienced in these clothes in the future. 

Setting Yourself Up For a Future In Fashion: It It Really That Hard?

There isn’t any definite way to set up a solid future in fashion, but it can’t hurt to try! Through my experiences, I am sharing my “To Do” list to make my future as definite as it can be.

1    Make a list of connections.

It may sound like a trivial task, but by talking about your desire to work in fashion with everyone you can dig up some good connections in the industry. The fact of the matter is, when you need to get your first internship or job, these connections are going to help you a lot. When you find out that your cousin’s friend is the CEO of some brand or company, write it down. Seriously, write it down immediately. Asking that cousin to ask their friend if they would meet with you might be an intimidating experience, but without that connection, would you have the chance to talk to that person at all? Probably not.

I have a document on my Google Drive that is shared with both my parents, so if anyone of us learns of a connection, we can write it down and all the references are compiled in one place. I would suggest writing down whom you know personally, what their relationship is with the contact and the contact’s name and job. For example:

Connections:

-Joe Smith (cousin) friend is Gloria Smith- CEO of MadeUp Brand

2    Talk To Everyone

Whenever you get the chance, talk to people. This is the key to Item 1 above:meeting new people and making contacts. If you are able to go to an event at Fashion Week, or a conference, or any place where there are people who work in fashion, you have to talk. Introduce yourself, make conversation, and give them a reason to remember you. Personally, I know that it can be scary, especially as a teenager, trying to talk to adults and get them to talk to you as a professional, not as a child.

Important: Try to have a brief ‘speech’ prepped about the one thing about you that will help people remember you. For me, it’s my blog and the experiences I have gotten from having a blog, like going to Fashion Week. Once you figure yours out, it makes starting and holding a conversation a lot easier.

3    Take Advantage of Opportunities

Adults always tell teenagers to take advantage of the opportunities given to them. In all honesty, it’s good advice, although it pains me to admit that.

If you get the opportunity to listen to a speaker from the fashion industry, make sure you introduce yourself. If you can’t introduce yourself after they speak, try to get their contact information to thank them for speaking and let them know that you learned something from them.

If you take classes about fashion, whether it’s at a university or at your high school, keep in touch with your professors. They have a lot of knowledge and possible industry contacts that may come in handy for getting that first job.

There are so many possible opportunities that may come your way, but let me just say this: be prepared so that if you end up in an elevator with Anna Wintour, don’t let her leave without knowing who you are and having your contact information.

4    Write your Resume

Even if you  have job/internship experience, making a resume can be a daunting task. First, your resume should have a simple, organized design. Don’t pull an Elle Woods with pink scented paper; it won’t actually work to get you that internship (and most are submitted by email now anyway).

Second, all resumes should have your basic contact information, which would be a phone number, email address and home address.  Most resumes have different sections to categorize the information being given. Mine, for example, has Education, Experience, Activities and Skills.

Under the Education section, I listed my high school, graduating year and current GPA, as well as all the precollege classes I have taken at FIT.

Under the Experience section, I listed my internship and what I did for the company I worked for, the shows I have covered at New York Fashion Week, my blog and the tasks required in the production of my blog.

Under the Activities section, I wrote down the clubs and sports teams I am a part of, and how long I have been involved in each. Tip: If you don’t have a lot of job experience, focus on this section. Group sports and clubs can show dedication, teamwork and other important skills that employers look for in the workplace.

Under the Skills section, I listed the different computer software  I am proficient in (Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign…), and the character traits I have that I feel will be most translatable into the workplace.

Basically…

            I wanted to share this with all of you, because as teenagers, it can be really hard trying to get internships or get noticed. Hopefully these tips will help you out in some way! Let me know if there is anything else you have done to set yourself up for a future in fashion.

xx,

Emma

Fall/Winter 2013 Trends

Fall/Winter 2013 Trends by emmathedesigner on polyvore.com

These are my trend forecasts for Fall and Winter of this year.

Tops

For Fall and Winter, long sleeves are clearly in order, in addition to sweatshirts, sweaters, and flannels. (Cold, anyone?)

The fuzzier, cozier and warmer these are, the better they are. The fantastic thing about this season, is that oversized tops are in. In my personal experience, this makes waking up and going to school at 7am so much easier.

All personal opinions aside, the patterns and graphics on the tops this season are words or logos or cool designs. Of course, there is still the typical plaids, stripes and fair isle prints.

Dresses

The dresses this season are super varied, and it's not easy to find any one or two distinct trends. My suggestion for this season in terms of color would be to go towards the jewel tones or basic blacks. Look out for cute graphic prints, patterns and textures. 

Outerwear

From anorak jackets to furs to leather to oversized dress coats, this season in jackets gives a wide variety of options.

For dressier jackets, the more oversized and boxy they are, the better. An androgynous look makes the coats universal, and the oversized effect makes layering during the cold winter a lot easier.

Anorak jackets (the green semi-puffy coat with the furry hood) are one of my favorite things being sold this season. I have a weakness for nice, dressier jackets, and every winter I find myself at a loss for what kind of casual jacket to get. The combination of the material, warmth and the fur on the hood makes it the perfect warm casual jacket for winter.

Finally, leather and fur, as per winter usual, are in this season. Personally, I would suggest faux fur if you don't want to be targeted by PETA. I kid, I kid. 

Jewelry

Midi rings are my savior. I say this because, as a member of the fat finger clan, they don't give me the same finger muffin top that normal rings do. As the newest type of jewelry to go big in today's market, there are many styles and colors already being sold.

In addition, stackable bracelets, statement necklaces, and stud earrings are big.

Colors

Neutrals and jewel tones. Neutrals and jewel tones. Neutrals and jewel tones.

It's my new mantra every time I walk into a store lately, to make sure that I purchase items that will last me the season, rather than hiding in color shame in the back of my closet. The best thing about the colors for this fall, is that they are in almost every fall and winter, which makes any investment piece bought in these colors (almost) guaranteed for lifetime use.

Giulietta Internship

   Everyone should do internships. There are no losses in doing one, only gains; you gain connections and experience. In the beginning of fashion week this September, I had the wonderful opportunity to do a week-long internship at the fashion brand Giulietta. 
   For those of you who might be curious, I wrote up my resume and cover letters and I sent them to either the human resources center, career center, internship center or just the main office of many different brands (see: over 200). If you need experience in the industry, fashion week is the best time to get it. Most brands need extra help, and they will usually take people without previous job or internship experience. *This is just based off of what I've noticed, I'm not an expert.*

   Since I interned for a week, I got to witness all the preparations for the show, from castings to fittings, making the model boards, choosing hair and makeup, deciding on nails and selecting trade.
   My first day in the office, I started out by undoing the model boards from the previous season so the cardboard could be used again for this season's model boards. After the cardboard was re-covered with new paper, I was sent out on a mission uptown to retrieve a new shoe pattern and a new pants pattern. I brought them back to the office, and was surprised to learn that I would be re-stitching sequins on a jacket from the Fall 2013 collection. That one. Underneath this. All the little black things are said sequins. Needless to say, the project took a while, but I have honestly never been prouder than when I finished that jacket and everyone in the office said it looked great.

   The next day I traveled to the dry cleaners to pick up a jumpsuit and a skirt that were supposed to be ready. The skirt still had stains, so I just took the jumpsuit to bring to the PR company. After handing it off there, one of the interns chased after me, handed me the jumpsuit back, pointed out the missing bow, and suggested that I find it very quickly. To say that I was freaking out would be an understatement. Luckily, I was able to go back to the cleaners, and get my hands on the mysterious bow (which was at a different location about 15 minutes away) to bring it back to the PR company. 

    After that we had castings, so I dressed and undressed the models, take and print the pictures of the looks, and helped the models choose trade as their payment. The next few days was a blur of fittings and models and planning for the show.

   The day of the show, I got to the Highline Hotel at 11am to help prep. First, we put together gift baskets for the attendees, containing a list of the looks in the show, some nail polish, mascara, lipstick, and hair gel. Then I went on model duty, making sure those getting their hair or makeup done had enough food and water. When the show started, I was changing one of the models into her second look. It was really successful, and I absolutely loved the collection. You can see the whole thing here.

   Also, follow @giuliettanewyork on Instagram and like them on Facebook! #shamelesspromotion

Yours in Internships,

E

Amanda DiLauro Interview

During my class at FIT in the Spring (Fashion Journalism), I had the chance to listen to guest speaker Amanda DiLauro talk about her career. It was nice to hear about other aspects of the magazine business, besides the journalism, and many pieces of advice she gave stuck in my mind. After waiting the appropriate few hours, I emailed Ms. DiLauro to see if I could interview her for Teen Fashion From Suburbia. Being the generous person she is, she gave me some of her time for an interview. I learned so much about an industry which I had no previous knowledge of, and hopefully you will learn something as well.

Ms DiLauro is an Integrated Marketing Manager at SELF Magazine. SELF is a women's health and lifestyle magazine, owned by publishing powerhouse, Conde Nast. Being an integrated marketing manager means that you come up with ideas to give advertisers "added value" to go with what they are paying for the ad. This "added value" may be in the form of a sponsored event, a mention in another part of the magazine, and just about anything else the Integrated Marketing Managers come up with. Basically, they help promote the brand so it is worth it for that brand to pay money for the advertisement plus the "added value".

Conde Nast is known for being very choosy, and I asked Ms DiLauro if that is true, and if so, how hard is it to get a job at one of the Conde Nast entities. As she so eloquently responded, "Conde Nast can afford to be selective because it is considered the Harvard of magazine publishing. This is because of it's high-end brands such as Vogue and Conde Nast Traveler, who set the precedent for other similar brand from other publishers." Later, Ms DiLauro added on, saying "At Conde, the only job they will put you in starting out is an assistant role." However, Ms DiLauro assured me that there is no competition between individual brands owned by Conde Nast because they all occupy their own niche in terms of topic matter.

As a high school student, I was very interested to hear Ms DiLauro's perspective on the argument of a liberal arts college vs fashion college for a future in fashion marketing. She gave me the best advice anyone has given me about college, which was to "Pursue your passion, let that inform you." It spoke volumes about finding what you love to do and holding on to that dream. Ms DiLauro did warn against going to a (strictly) fashion college if you are having doubts or are worried you might lose interest.  

When asked about internships, Ms DiLauro told me: "In this industry [magazines/fashion] they look more at your experience than your GPA. You learn from having internships what you need to know in a work setting."

Anywhere you go in the fashion industry, you hear whispers that access to a job comes from your connections. Is it really all about who you know? While Ms DiLauro acknowledges the power of connections, she thinks that "connections can't get you a jobs if you don't have the skills for it." Use your contacts for the highly-regarded first hand referrals on your resume and use what you can do to actually land the job or internship. But what if you don't have any family or friends that work in the industry? If you go to industry events and network, you can meet new people who might eventually be able to help you get an interview for a job.

But what traits and skills will help you land that job at that magazine that you're dying to get? Since the magazine environment is very fast-paced, you have to be able to work in that environment and also be able to handle a high-stress job. Especially while starting out as an intern or an assistant, you have to be detailed oriented and have expert level time management skills so you can get all aspects of your job done. Ms. DiLauro made sure to emphasize the importance of being cheerful and not letting it show if things get you upset. A she said to me, "Don't bring other problems to work."

Job interviews can be scary, but before you even walk in the office and sit down, you should know everything about the place you are interviewing at and the person or people you were interviewing with. Google is a powerful tool in the respect. By acknowledging recent activity within the company, you are showing that you are truly interested in what they do, and that you put in that extra effort. Ms. DiLauro believes that confidence and conversation skills are also key, because all an interview really is is a conversation about yourself.

Most importantly, I asked Ms. DiLauro about her in-office attire and what stores she likes to shop at. "At Conde Nast," she mentions, "it depends on work appropriateness. You can wear jeans, but it depends on how you wear them and what you wear them with." Ms. DiLauro shops at H&M and Forever 21, because honestly, they aren't pricey, but she knows that you have to pair it up well so that it doesn't look like your outfit is cheap. And if she had to pick one favorite designer? Instead of one, I got 6, ranging from Alexander McQueen to Naeem Kahn to Alexander Wang. For shoes, Christian Louboutin tops the list, like always.

As I said goodbye to Ms. DiLauro on the phone, my brain was buzzing with all these different hints and tips and pieces of advice that she gave me. It was so helpful, and I can honestly say that I was honored to be permitted to interview her.

Interview with Gina DiDomenico

This past week, I had the opportunity to interview Gina DiDomenico, a Junior Account Executive at Paul Wilmot Communications. PWC is a PR firm that represents many brands, from DKNY to Reem Acra. Read the interview to learn more about her career and how she got into the PR world.

On Her Career:

1.     What college did you go to and what did you major in?
Bucknell University; International Relations and English Major (Concentration in Creative Writing)

2.     Did you always want to work in PR, or did you want to do something else? 
I never knew exactly what I wanted to do professionally!  Through internships, I figured out what I definitely don’t want to do.  I am so thrilled to be working in PR.  Like with any job, there are both good and bad days, but overall it has been a really positive, fun experience.

3.     If you wanted to do something else, what was it? 
 If I didn’t work in fashion, I think I’d like to pursue a job in foreign relations.  Politics and international affairs have always interested me.  Other cultures and governments really are fascinating to me…

4.     What does it mean to be a Junior Account Executive?
Titles vary depending on the PR agency, but working as a Jr. AE at PWC allows me to be involved in both editorial product placement, as well as bigger picture stories.

5.     How did you end up at Paul Wilmot Communications? 
I actually went to Bucknell with another PWC employee.  She ironically was my “g-mom” in my sorority.  When a position opened up at the company, she passed along my resume, and the rest is history!

6.     What brands and designers does Paul Wilmot Communications represent? 
PWC represents a huge range of clients, from beauty and fashion brands to artists and even a personal trainer.  (You can check out paulwilmot.com for a complete client roster…).  I personally work on Parmigiani Fleurier, Carolee, and Charlotte Olympia.

7.     What other jobs did you have before your current one? 
I actually started working at PWC as an intern and been here ever since. I guess technically this has been my only job, but my role at the company has changed a great deal over time. 

8.     Did you have internships in college/high school?
Yes, I interned during summers throughout college and recommend that every college student do the same.  Interning is a truly invaluable experience.  At the time I would have preferred laying on the beach over summer vacation, but in retrospect I wouldn’t have done it any other way.  Of course I spent some days shredding paper and making copies, but I learned at the bottom of the proverbial totem pole that my work would one day pay off.  My internships helped me become the person, the employee I am today.  I learned a lot about who I am and who I want to be, what makes me happy (and what doesn’t).  If nothing else, interning can at least help pinpoint those career paths that aren’t a good fit.

9.     If you did, do you think they are very important for pursuing a career in PR?
Yes, absolutely!  As I mentioned, I started working as an intern at PWC.  My internship is the reason I was hired.  It gave me the opportunity to prove myself in a work environment.

10. What suggestions would you give to teens in high school for the future (i.e. college, internships, jobs, etc.)?
Work hard, intern, and meet as many people as possible.  Relationships are so critical in the business world.  More often than not, who you know is more important than what you know.

On Fashion:

1.     Do you have a favorite store or brand?
In terms of stores, I love shopping at Intermix.  It’s more intimate than a department store but carries a nice variety of (incredible) brands, including Helmut Lang, which is one of my favorite RTW brands.  I am lucky enough to work on one of my favorite accessories brands, Charlotte Olympia.  Working on the account, getting to know the people behind the brand, and appreciating the product day in and day out has only made me more obsessed.

2.     Is there any current trend that you really love? 
I love the Lucite trend.  I’m also really into black & white and graphic prints.

 3.     How do you personally dress professional for work while still looking stylish? Any tips? 
PWC is relatively laid back in terms of dress code.  While we can’t wear jeans every day, suits are not required or encouraged :)  I love wearing wedges to work.  They are way more comfortable than (most) heels, and they give the illusion of heels—If I have that height, I immediately feel more put together.

4.     Do you have any tips for dressing for interviews? 
Wear something you feel confident and comfortable in.  Confidence is so important in interviews!  If you’re unsure of yourself, a potential employer might sense that doubt.  Don’t give them a reason to question your capabilities. 

2013 Resolutions

1. Live in the Moment

I have always been a "serial planner", the type of person who cannot go a day without having a plan of where she is going to be in 20 years and what they will have done by then. This year (and the next), I want to really try to enjoy being a kid while I still don't have too many responsibilities.

2. Clean up more.

This one is pretty straightforward, I just want to try to keep my stuff more organized and my room cleaner.

3. Blog Everyday (Except Sundays and Major Holidays)

This year, I plan to blog every single day except for Sundays and major holidays. I love having this blog, and the more I write the happier I am.

4. High Honor Roll

I'm trying for High Honor Roll for the whole year... Can't promise anything, but I am planning on working my butt off. 

So, what are your New Year Resolutions? Discuss in the comments, I want to know!

Yours in Fashion,

E

Goals for Life

     In my mind, there are 3 types of goals: academic goals, social goals and future goals. Academic goals are things like acing that hard honors class, or actually studying for every test or not procrastinating on long-term assignments. Social goals are things like seeing friends every week, going to that movie you really want to see or having a party for a holiday. Future goals are the ones I think are the most important. Future goals are what you want to do after school, what college you want to go to, what career you aspire towards and what you want to get done in your life.
      Recently I have been thinking about my personal goals in each section, and I realized that I need to start taking three things more seriously in my life. One is my school grades, because I want A's in every class this year. Second is this blog, because I have learned to love writing and I love having a creative outlet for my love of fashion and I want to be taken seriously. Third is my future. I want to be a fashion designer at this point in my life, but I never go and sew or design and I need to start doing that.
       While I'm sure most of you don't really care about my goals, I hope you see how helpful this is. I am a strong believer in the fact that anything is attainable if you really work for it, and I think making goal lists make the goals more solid and more real. I encourage everyone to try this and I hope it works for everyone as well as it works for me!
Yours in Fashion,
E