Fashion 101: Market Week and the Long Hours of the Fashion Industry

I find myself, yet again, in another season of the fashion industry's notorious long hours. But truth be told, I still am so blessed to be living my dream! The long hours of the fashion industry do not only exist the month before each fashion week, every sector of the industry seems to have their busy time. For the sales team this is Market Week for every season.

Source: refinery29.com via Dagny on Pinterest

So I am currently working on the sales team at a luxury brand that I have always admired. I have never worked in sales before so this is a great learning experience for me, as I build my professional portfolio. Market Week consists of selling all the looks you see walk the runways to buyers who in turn put them on the racks of their stores for YOU to buy!

When we work long hours it is because we are unpacking the samples (that just arrived from Milan, in my case). Categorizing them, pricing them, changing their hangers, and merchandising them so that what was once an empty space turns into a beautiful showroom for market week.

Source: hisugarplum.blogspot.com via Monica on Pinterest

After the showroom is set up we are creating the market week buy books, which is the bible of the products for that season. Buy books include styles, fabric codes and colors, corresponding swatches, notes from production on any changes, and pricing and availability. Basically the answers to any questions a buyer from say, Bloomingdale's, may have about their purchase for the Spring/Summer 2012 collection they are piecing together. This looks similar to the one I found below:

Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com via Kasia on Pinterest

Then the appointments begin and the orders start being processed. Of course that is a tale for another day, and other long hours of the fashion industry. But for now I'm enjoying teaching you about Market Week.

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What I'm Reading in Fashion News: The Louboutin YSL Case

Sure enough as Fall creeps in life is getting busier and busier. New York is bustling with everyone back from their Summer vacations and now in addition to juggling job searching and blogging, I'm trying to squeeze in mes amis as well. Here is the fashion news I've read lately that caught my eye out of the chaos. New York Magazine ran a piece on The Louboutin vs YSL Case which has been going back and forth for a while, for those of you not up to date allow me to brief you...

Any fashionista worth her salt can spot those coveted red soled Louboutin's from a mile away. In the past 10 years they have really taken on a life of their own, although Christian Louboutin has been cultivating this trademark since 1992. In their 2011 Cruise collection YSL {Yves Saint Laurent} included a pair of red soled pumps that started an battle of the soles between the two companies.

{merci rubysview.com}

It is the never ending battle of fashion, what can a designer own? The biggest problem designers face these days, is low end, fast production store chains like Forever 21 rip off their latest runway designs and distribute them to the mass market. But since they have been tweaked just enough, it cannot be fined as plagiarism, the designers have little to no protection over their art. Christian Louboutin filed for a trademark for his red sole in 2002 but was denied until 2008 when it finally cleared.

Source: statementshoes.tumblr.com via Olivia on Pinterest

But YSL has featured red soled shoes now and again in their collections since the 1970s. They argued that the survey conducted by Louboutin was misleading as 96% of people confused the YSL shoes with the Louboutin brand because they were only shown a picture of the outsole rather than the entire shoe. YSL conducted a survey showing a woman walking around in the shoe and <5% mistaken it for a Louboutin shoe.

Ultimately, Judge Marrero denied Christian Louboutin's appeal to stop YSL from producing their red sole shoes. YSL was of course pleased with the verdict as stated by YSL's Lawyer David Bernstein, "We're gratified that Judge Marrero has agreed with YSL that no designer should be allowed to monopolize a single color for an article of apparel. As Judge Marrero indicated, YSL designers are artists, and like other artists, they should have the right to use the full palette of colors."

Where do you land on the 

red sole debate mes cheris?

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Fashionspiration: TGIF

TGIF my dears!!! I don't know about you, but I feel un peu over worked lately...and just the thought of Friday feels good...even if it doesn't mean I'm off tomorrow. Here's a fun, flirty look for your to jump start your weekend. Try a wild print on a feminine dress paired with a super fitted power suit vest (love these). Pull it all together with sky high heels and kicka$$ jewelry and you have yourself a go-getter ensemble mes cheris!

 TGIF: Tactfully Gauging Inert Fabulousness

 TGIF: Totally Gracing Inner Fierceness 

TGIF: Turning Gambles Into Frenzies

Urban Outfitters dress

Express vest

Steve Madden platforms

Erickson Beamon necklace

The only thing to remember is master that wind in NYC! A flirty frock like this also warrants many opportunities for Marilyn Monroe moments. I'd rather leave that to The Seven Year Itch!

What is your TGIF?

Style Brief: Fashion for the Women's Briefcase

Allow me to brief you on the importance of the briefcase mes cheris. No longer the boring box that Mr.Cleaver brings home the bacon in, briefcases are chic and a must have for any working woman's uniform.

Style Brief: The art of the briefcase by fashiondiva304 featuring plaid handbags

Shoulder handbag
$1,274 - ralphlauren.com

Valentino handbag
$1,770 - stylebop.com

Louis Vuitton monogrammed bag
bagborroworsteal.com

Giorgio Fedon 1919 padded bag
$790 - forzieri.com

Piquadro leather bag
$549 - forzieri.com

Messenger bag
$398 - anthropologie.com

Strap bag
$195 - endless.com

KLING straw bag
$55 - modcloth.com

Plaid handbag
$55 - modcloth.com

Without any surprise, my favorite is of course the brown Valentino, the most expensive. But a briefcase is something you don't want to skimp with something cheap. This is the bag that is holding your professional career in your hands, not only do you want it to be sturdy enough to hold it, but to also look good enough to reflect the fabulous professional you are! Since this is an investment purchse, like your suits, be sure to pick something that is sleek and classic so that it will stand the test of fashion's time.

When shopping for a briefcase to serve you well, it should meet the following criteria:

1. Large enough for your laptop
        My laptop is wide screen which I love, but makes for a harder bag search.
2. Interior pocket dividers
       Don't let important papers crushed when pulling your laptop in and out.
3. Messenger strap option
       Not crucial but VERY convenient when commuting.
4. Organizational pockets for small accessories 
       You don't want to look like a tool man with a belt of gadgets, be sure there is a cell pocket, iPod pocket, business card slips, and pen holders at a minimum.
5. Sturdy stitching 
       This is a BIGGIE, make sure the seams look heavy duty because unless you own the Mac Air, your laptop is like carrying around a small child all day! You will need stitching to support this.

I Can Pack for That: Singapore! Special Edition

Mes cheris my absolute favorite thing about blogging is hearing from all of you! The blogging community is the most amazing around and I love it when I get to talk to each of you directly, so when I heard from Kate last week...I was thrilled to respond and help!

Kate has been a total fan of the latest I Can Pack for That series I started, to give helpful travel packing inspiration boards for different travel destinations. Kate emailed me with a dilemma because she has a business trip coming up...to SINGAPORE! Right now, Singapore is HOT and RAINY. What is a professional fashionista to do? Good question! So...let's see what magic we can make. **SPOILER ALERT** This is a two part Packing How To post!

Concern #1: WEATHER

1- Bring light layers you can mix and match.

2- Be prepared: rain gear, sunnies, adapter, bug spray

3- Maintain a staple color i.e. nude and black

I Can Pack for That: Singapore by fashiondiva304 featuring leather peep toe pumps

Concern #2: 30 HOUR FLIGHT!

1- E-READER for books, mags, & games

2- Laptop for movies and conference prep

3- Two Carry Ons: I ALWAYS use a large travel purse and a rolling laptop bag. 

I can fit as much as possible without breaking my back this way.

4- Be Comfy: Cardigan, blanket, mask, pillow, and an MP3 

5- Be Fresh: Hydrating Skincare, change of clothes, toothbrush, and makeup.

6- I always carry a journal to pen my travels!

I Can Pack for That: In Flight - 30 hours by fashiondiva304 featuring a wheeled luggage

Packing for travel can be daunting so if you feel you will be overwhelmed, start a few days early and slowly check things off your list. Be sure to pack by outfits so you know you have enough, and plan pieces that can change with each other to double your wardrobe. Singapore was definitely a special case with such extreme weather on top of a long flight, but you can always adjust where needed!

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