Photo courtesy of Ellie Belcheff

Twenty fashion design students are presenting their senior collections June 4 at the Urban Outfitters headquarters at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. The students have been working on their senior collection since the fall quarter and will have the chance to present them on the runway.

Drexel’s fashion design program is nationally ranked within the top 10 fashion programs in the United States. Students in the program are taught different aspects of fashion design including womenswear, menswear, knitwear and swimwear to name a few. For their senior collection students have the opportunity to create their own unique theme — anything that they seek inspiration from qualifies. This year, collection themes and inspirations range from the reinvention of the classic white shirt to Bolivia’s landscape and textiles.

In addition to the beautiful collections, the show is also completely run and organized by design and merchandising seniors. The planning and production process for these seniors, led by Olivia Anton, began during the winter quarter. Every student on the team is in charge of a different aspect of the show. Responsibilities include promoting and publicizing the event, casting models, selling tickets and making sure all garments are organized.

There will be two shows June 4. The first show starts at 4:00 p.m. and the second at 8:00 p.m. which is followed by a wine and cheese reception.

Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased at Drexel University’s URBN Center  as well as online at www.facebook.com/drexelfashionshow. Tickets for the 4:00 p.m. show are $30 and the 8:00 p.m. show are $60.

The post Fashion ’16 to present at Navy Yard appeared first on The Triangle.

Photo courtesy Cameryn Richards

Every year, the fashion design department works with a graphic design major to create all the branding materials for the year’s fashion show. This year, junior Cameryn Richards was selected to create Fashion ’16’s logo after an interview with Roberta Gruber, head of the department of design. Lots of time and energy was spent perfecting the logo for the show. We had the chance to speak with Richards about the entire process of creating all branding material for Fashion ’16.

The Triangle: Tell us about how you got selected to create all branding materials for Fashion ’16?

Cameryn Richards: I am part of Graphics Group in Westphal. We’re a group of student graphic designers that take on outside work and are compensated for it. The professor that runs the Graphics Group, Joshua Gdovin, had worked with me before and heard about the opportunity from Roberta Gruber, the head of the fashion department. He was asked to select a group of students to interview with her and Catherine Byers for the job. I was selected along with one other junior and three seniors. The five of us all interviewed individually with Roberta and Catherine and they selected me out of the five to design for the fashion show this year.

TT: What was your initial reaction when you found out you were chosen?

CR: I was incredibly excited and surprised. I expected one of the senior designers to get the job. I knew it would be a fair amount of work, but I was honored to be the one designer selected.

TT: Tell us about the creation process of the logo with Roberta Gruber. Did she give you any specific instructions on what she wanted the logo to look like?

CR: Roberta gave me some initial direction from a sketch one of the other fashion professors had done, but I chose to really think outside the box and push it further. I did several initial sketches and met with Roberta consistently every week for four weeks. Each week I would present to her new material and changes we had discussed. The logo itself took about two weeks to really nail down but the process was smooth and successful overall.

TT: What sources of inspiration did you gather to create the logo?

CR: I gathered a lot of sources from textile books and old magazines. I wanted it to be very modern and androgynous, and speak to the direction that fashion is going in 2016. I was also inspired by modern art and architecture.

TT: Tell us about the design process – from the color palette to the typography.

CR: I started off by scanning the original sketch and making simple vector illustrations, and tried different iterations of silhouettes of a figure. I scanned in several sources of inspiration, from typography to illustration to textiles and played with combining them in various ways. Roberta and I had discussed that the color palette should be reminiscent of the spring season, so I chose colors like pinks, oranges and burgundies. Having a few focal points in the logo was definitely important to me, and determined the way I arranged the patterns within the figure. I chose to use the typeface Didot (bold) for the Fashion ’16 letters on the logo because I felt Didot was an elegant and sophisticated typeface with varied line weights. Didot was originally typecast in Paris and is evocative of Parisian culture and the enlightenment era, which I felt was reflected in the figure as well. Finally, I chose to break the type and figure up and shatter the silhouette just enough to create eye movement and guide the viewer’s eye around the logo.

TT: How long did the whole design process take you? How did it feel when you were done with designing the logo?

CR: The logo itself was settled after two weeks with some minor adjustments in the third week, so I felt it moved relatively quickly. I put a lot of time into developing the logo and I was proud of the end result. I developed another horizontal logo with knockout type to use across the other invitation pieces because I wanted the main logo to be used as sparingly as possible to give a dynamic effect. The entire system for the invitation, which includes the invitation itself, the large #11 envelope, the smaller A4 envelope and the take-home/directions card took about six weeks to finalize the designs for. In addition, I edited the Friends and Family letter and the ticket order forms. I also created several images to be used on Facebook and the Westphal website as well as the online ticket page. I also designed three T shirts, for sale and for the cast and crew, and a poster that has been hung around Drexel’s campus to advertise for the show, as well as the program that will be given out to audience members at each show.

TT: What are you most proud of looking at your design?

CR: I am most proud of the logo and the system I created. I think the system works well together and has several diverse elements that could be used in various instances, as they were for the fashion show. I am so honored that my designs will represent the 2016 Drexel Fashion Show.

The post Behind the logo appeared first on The Triangle.

Photo by Gabriella Tam

Emily Weiss, founder of beauty website Into The Gloss, launched a makeup and skincare line named Glossier in October of 2014. As a former employee at Teen Vogue, Vogue and W magazine, Weiss quit the fashion editorial industry to launch her own website and beauty company. Since then, Glossier has created over ten products, ranging from skin tints to moisturizing face masks. The line is incredibly curated at its highest quality, and provides skincare and makeup products that create a healthy, glowy and dewy complexion. The line has also garnered lots of attention from magazines including Marie Claire, Allure and The Huffington Post and, in 2015, Weiss was also selected as part of Forbes magazine’s 30 under 30 list because of the huge impact both Into The Gloss and Glossier had on the beauty industry.

As an avid user of Glossier, I have found that this line completely transformed my skincare and beauty routine. It minimized and simplified my morning regimen with easy to use products with long-lasting effects. Here are my thoughts on all the Glossier products that I own:

Perfecting Skin Tint

Hands down the best foundation I have ever used. The skin tint comes super sheer. With just eight to ten drops, it can cover all of your skin’s redness and mini-blemishes without covering your beauty marks or freckles. It leaves your skin looking healthy, balanced and dewy. This skin tint has become part of my morning routine for the past few months and leaves my skin feeling fresh and smooth.

Priming Moisturizer

This product is usually the first thing I put on my face in the morning before any makeup product. It smooths out any dry patches I have on my face and creates an even texture. It’s the perfect canvas for your makeup! The priming moisturizer is also buildable, so you can put as much on your face as possible (depending on the weather). Now, I’ve tried many different types of primers in the past, from different brands including Bare Minerals, MAC cosmetics and Maybelline. Let me tell you; this product is the best, because it evens out my skin tone, takes out any redness on my face and leaves my skin feeling balanced!

Balm Dot Com

Many of my friends who use Glossier bought this product as their first purchase! On the brand’s website, it’s described as, “a hydrating, long-lasting, do-everything skin salve that’s packed with antioxidants and natural emollients to nourish and repair dry, irritated skin.” Although many may use this product solely on their lips (which leaves your lips feeling smooth for the whole day), I put this product on my lids as well to achieve that dewy and fresh look. It works!

Milky Jelly Cleanser

This product is fairly new, and is already sold out on Glossier’s website. Thankfully, I was able to purchase one bottle on the day this cleanser came out. This product can be used in two ways; as a facial cleanser to be used in the morning by mixing it with water and lathering it all over your skin. The second way of using this cleanser is as a gentle makeup remover used for the night, and can be easily incorporated into your nightly routine. The cleanser includes the same ingredient that you can find in contact lens solutions, so it doesn’t irritate your eye area when you’re removing your eye makeup.

Boy Brow

After this product sold out, it had a 10,000 person waiting list. Yes, you read that correct. Thankfully, Glossier restocked this product last month. This product comes in three different shades; blonde, brown and black, and can be used as an eyebrow filler or shaper. It brings life to your eyebrows by making them thicker and groomed in place.

Stretch Concealer

Glossier came out with their Phase 2 set last month, which included their boy brow, and two new products including their stretch concealer and four sets of lipstick (which we will review next!). This concealer is definitely very different from your standard concealer. According to Glossier’s website, they explain how their stretch concealer “is a new type of concealer with elastic micro waves that move with your face instead of caking on top of it, and nourishing oils that give a dewy, glowing finish.” From my personal experience with this concealer, it definitely covers my dark eye circles and occasional acne, but doesn’t dry and cake up.

Generation G Lipstick

As someone who wears lipstick everyday, I was so excited to hear that Glossier added four new shades of lipsticks to their collection. Every lipstick has a matte finish, and gives your lips a nice little stain. What’s special about these lipsticks is that the application of it feels like you’re applying lip balm since it’s very smooth. However, as soon as it sets in on your lips, it gives you a gorgeous, sheer matte look! I have two of the four lipsticks in Cake and Like. Cake is the lightest shade, and is their only nude lipstick. Like is the second lightest shade out of the four, and is a pretty soft pink–perfect for the spring season!

Mega Greens Galaxy Mask

Saving the best for last! As someone who has acne-prone sensitive skin, this mask does me wonders. Glossier describes this mask as “a juice cleanse for your face,” on their website, and I completely agree. It detoxes my skin completely, and leaves it feeling smooth, fresh and balanced afterwards. The mask includes spinach, parsley, white clay, avocado oil and acai to name a few ingredients. I use this product twice a week, and it never disappoints me.

Overall, Glossier has truly transformed my skincare and beauty routine by providing basic, high quality and modern staples. Their skincare products get rid of all the dirt and oils from my face, and create a glowy and healthy complexion for the long-run. In return, the makeup products they have are everyday essentials, and enhance my facial features instead of covering them up. Their products are also incredibly breathable, meaning you won’t feel like you have layers and layers of heavy makeup on your face. Glossier is perfect for any person who wants to achieve a natural, healthy and dewy complexion for their everyday life.

The post Beauty Guide: Glossier appeared first on The Triangle.

Photo courtesy of Disney ABC

Every year, the Academy Awards ceremony takes place at Los Angeles’s Dolby theater, where the film industry celebrates the best actors, actresses, films, directors and more. However, before the ceremony begins is the red carpet event, where the stars get to interact with the press, and pose for the cameras in their suits and gowns. This year, there were a number of stars who stood out from the crowd.

Rooney Mara stunned in a long-sleeve white laced Givenchy haute couture gown during the evening. It was no surprise that the nominee for best actress in a supporting role for her role in Carol wore Givenchy again, as Mara is a huge supporter of the French fashion house. Although the gown was long-sleeved, it included a diamond shaped cut-out in the stomach area and a center thigh slit, giving the whole look subtle sex appeal.

Margot Robbie dazzled on the red carpet wearing a long-sleeve gold Tom Ford gown. Similar to Mara’s gown, Robbie’s long-sleeve gown had a low-cut plunging V-neckline. The look was definitely one of the night’s standout pieces.

Olivia Munn kept it simple this year by wearing a muted orange one-sleeve Stella McCartney dress. In a pool of over-the-top embellished dresses, million dollar jewelry pieces and princess-style gowns, Munn exceptionally stood out on the red carpet with her uncomplicated dress, making her look very sophisticated and modern.

One of the best looks of the evening was Cate Blanchett, who wore an Armani Prive dress. The light blue dress was embellished with light teal and pink floral details, creating a 3-D feel to the whole look. Blanchett’s overall look was elaborate, elegant and refined. The actress was also voted as one of the best dressed actresses by American Vogue magazine.

Another actress who was voted as one of the best dressed in American Vogue magazine is Julianne Moore. The actress wore a black Chanel haute couture gown with embroidered detailing around the neckline and bust area. The couture gown was also recently worn by model Kendall Jenner down Chanel’s runway during the latest Paris haute couture week. However, Moore truly pulled the look off by pairing the dress with a pair of Chopard hoop earrings.

Saoirse Ronan, this year’s youngest nominee for best actress in a leading role, wore a very sexy and sophisticated dress. The deep green embellished Calvin Klein collection dress had thin shoulder straps and a plunging neckline. The dress also hugged Ronan’s body very well, complimenting her petite frame.

Charlize Theron was another red carpet standout of the evening, wearing a Christian Dior haute couture red gown. Theron is often voted on the best dressed list every year at the Academy Awards, and this year, Theron did it again. The actress’s gown was very simple, elegant and revealing with a deep plunging neckline. However, Theron paired the dramatic neckline with a long diamond Harry Winston necklace.

Perhaps the biggest standout of the night was Alicia Vikander who wore a custom Louis Vuitton yellow gown with embroidered details. As an ambassador for Louis Vuitton, it was no doubt that Vikander was going to wear a gown from the French fashion house. However, the color and the shape of the gown was a surprise. First, the color yellow isn’t often worn on the red carpet, and isn’t necessarily flattering. However, Vikander was able to pull off the look, and received lots of positive reviews on the gown. Some people even compared her to Disney’s Belle from Beauty and the Beast. The bubble cut of the dress was also a surprise, since this cut isn’t often seen on the red carpet. However, the complicated hemline of the dress didn’t detract from the overall look. Instead, it made the look a lot more interesting and tasteful.

Choosing the right gown to wear for the Academy Awards is one of the hardest decisions a celebrity may face, since it can make or break their public image. The celebrities mentioned above are sure to make red carpet history from the beautiful and elegant pieces they wore to this year’s Academy Awards.

The post Red carpet review: Oscars 2016 appeared first on The Triangle.

You can always count on the runways of fashion weeks around the world to deliver drool-worthy beauty in the form of clothes, shoes, accessories and more! As important as the garments are the absolutely stunning models who wear them. Models help bring the designer’s vision to life and make us stare in awe as they stride down the runway. However, as we watch them, it is hard to ignore one fact: models of color are seriously missing.

A great thing about models of color is that you don’t have to pay too much attention to notice them on a runway. Not just because of their skin color, but because of their demanding presence. They undoubtedly stand out as individuals since their natural features have challenged and defied the beauty standards, which were set by the industry over decades.

For spring 2016, Lineisy Montero, from the Dominican Republic, booked an impressive 68 shows—and the fashion world hasn’t stopped talking about her since. She debuted at Prada autumn/winter 15, and has since rocked her natural hair on every runway imaginable.  

Amilna Estevao is another newcomer people can’t stop talking about. At just 17 years old, she has walked an impressive 35 shows for the spring 2016 season and has also walked for Alexander Wang’s fall show. The Angolan-born beauty has enviable cheekbones and a smile that can light up any room.

Indian model Pooja Mor made her major-label debut walking for Louis Vuitton’s cruise 2015 show. She had always dreamed of becoming a model and took the risk of going against her parents’ wishes to follow that dream shortly after graduating with a degree in engineering. Having already made a name for herself modelling in Mumbai, she was discovered on Instagram, which led to her becoming one of the season’s breakout stars. Bhumika Arora, also from India, had a similar entry onto the runway. Spotted on Instagram by a photographer, she soon landed the cover of a local fashion magazine. Her parents were also against her modeling ambition) and instead encouraged her to finish school (she later dropped out of her MBA program to modeling). The risk for both women paid off and together they are opening the door for other South Asian models by walking for big name designers and exposing the world to their striking  beauty.

Hyun Ji Shin has walked for Prada, Elie Saab and Miu Miu — just to name a few. The winner of Korea’s Next Top Model season four has definitely lived up to her title. Although she entered the industry knowing very little about modeling, she has proved that she can become a pro in.

Lameka Fox and Alexis Primous both prove how social media, if used correctly, can be beneficial to your career and change your life. Lameka used her Instagram to attract the attention of modeling agency IMG who was scouting models at the time with the hashtag #WLYG, which stands for We Love Your Genes. A short 48 hours later, Fox flew to New York from her hometown in Marylandp and signed a contract with the agency. She has since walked for Marc Jacobs, been featured in ABC Family’s fashion week documentary titled “Baring It All: Inside New York Fashion Week” and is continuing to rise.

Primous was the winner of W Magazine’s Model Search on Instagram. She received an eight-page spread in the magazine, and then went on to walk the runways of designers like Derek Lam, Diane von Furstenberg and 3.1 Phillip Lim.

These are only a few of the models of color that are on their way to becoming familiar faces. Although there are very little known facts about these models at the moment, there is one thing that cannot be denied: their presence is important. They are part of a group of young women who are slowly changing the face of the modeling industry. As we enter this fashion month, here’s to hoping we see more of these beauties, along with other models of color on the runways in New York, London, Milan, Paris and beyond.

The post Models of color on the rise appeared first on The Triangle.

Photo by Media Photo

On the 2015 Billboard Music Awards red carpet, Olivier Rousteing, creative director of Balmain announced his collaboration with H&M. The 29-year-old designer posed alongside with his two model muses, Jourdan Dunn and Kendall Jenner, who both wearing pieces from the upcoming designer collaboration. Dunn wore a tight-fitted red wrap skit, a long-sleeved navy blue sheer top with rope detailing, black sheer tights, oversized silver metallic belt and black thigh-high boots. Meanwhile, Jenner wore an oversized navy blue velvet blazer with pearl detailing, black sheer tights and black thigh high boots.

It is no surprise that the Swedish fashion house appointed Rousteing as the latest designer for a collaboration collection. Since Rousteing’s appointment at Balmain in 2011, he has dressed Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift and many other celebrities for the red carpet. He has also recruited Rihanna, Kanye West, Gigi Hadid and Kylie Jenner to star in Balmain’s advertisements. In addition, he has also increased Balmain’s social media presence from receiving 1.7 million Instagram followers.

H&M shared their excitement about the upcoming collection in a press release, expressing Rousteing for producing “a unique identity for the house, at once respectful of its couture DNA and rooted in the moment, but with a showbiz flair.”

Since Rousteing’s appointment at Balmain, he has transformed the Balmain look into highly crafted, couture detailed, army inspired and heavily embroidered pieces. Nicole Phelps, editor-in chief of Style.com, spoke with Rousteing about whether it would be a challenge to translate Balmain’s signature look into H&M. Rousteing expressed how “it was a big challenge and a good challenge.” He said, “I don’t want to lose the craftsmanship, and I don’t want to lose the richness and the glamour of the house. But I also want to talk to the people in the street, to different ages. I kept the glamour and richness, but we twisted it.” Rousteing also believes that “when you do a collaboration with H&M, it’s a big step in the fashion industry. It’s a big achievement, professionally and also personally,” he said.

H&M’s creative advisor, Ann-Sofie Johansson chose Rousteing to be the next designer for a collaboration. She said, “Olivier is true to the Balmain DNA, but at the same time is designing for the new generation, and that is a mix between something couture-like, very glamorous, with a bit of street wear attitude. We believed it was a really interesting mix. He wants to dress both women and men and make them look confident, glamorous and elegant, and we stand for that.”

The collection will include both women and menswear, and is set to be released Nov. 5 in over 250 international stores as well as online.

The post Balmain & H&M appeared first on The Triangle.

Photo courtesy of Nicholas Kramer

This year’s annual fashion show, Fashion ‘15 will take place June 6 at the Urban Outfitters Headquarters at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Twenty-nine Drexel University fashion design students will be presenting their senior collections down the runway, including womenswear, menswear, knitwear and childrenswear. With garments that have been worked on since September, these seniors view the fashion show as their graduation. The fashion show is also produced by a group of design and merchandising students, all partaking in a fashion show production class.

The production team began in the winter quarter and is led by student director Claire Rabinowitz, a senior majoring in design and merchandising. As the team director, Rabinowitz works closely with Catherine Byers, the program director for design and merchandising. Rabinowitz is also in charge of making sure every department within the team meets their scheduled deadlines and recruits volunteers to work at the show.

In order to spread the word, the public relations and marketing team must step in. Jaclyn Fleurant, a senior majoring in design and merchandising, and Courtney Carey, a junior double majoring in design and merchandising and psychology, are the public relation coordinators for the show. Their job was to create awareness and to promote the show using various techniques such as social media and a guerilla marketing strategy where they planned a pop up fashion show at the academic quad.

Fleurant said that when you are working behind the scenes, “You really appreciate it a lot more, how much preparation goes into the production and it’s pretty amazing that we get to work with Urban [Outfitters].”

Ana Prodanovich, a senior majoring in design and merchandising is this year’s model coordinator. Prodanovich is in charge of speaking with modeling agencies in the Philadelphia area in order to find out what models can be booked. The team saw over 80 models during casting and chose 20 to be sent down the runway.

Taylor Blair, a senior majoring in design and merchandising is this year’s co-ticket sales coordinator. In this vital position, Blair is “responsible for all online sales and in-person sales for tickets as well as organizing sales behind T-shirts.” Although it can be difficult to find people who are available to sell tickets during a specific time slot, Blair makes it happen.

One major challenge the production team has been facing is ticket sales. Rabinowitz expressed how, “the Westphal College definitely knows about [the show] but the rest of the campus doesn’t really know about it.” The public relations team’s solution to this challenge is through the use of social media. “We’ve been trying to think outside of the box, but there are so many restrictions. You can only do much,” Fleurant said.

This entire production is a learning experience for every member of the team. Blair believed this experience encouraged her to be “really on top of [her] email, [her] organization and to be detail oriented.” Carey agreed that “details are everything and creativity is so important.”

One of the 29 students who will be presenting their final collections this year is Calla Michaelides, a senior majoring in fashion design. Her collection focuses on women’s trans-seasonal sportswear, with pieces that you can mix and match. Michaelides described her senior collection as her full time job, and said, “I would not hesitate to say I have worked on it for 40 hours a week. It is safe to say that I really [did] eat, breathe and sleep senior collection.” On the process of creating her collection, Michaelides “wanted to bring excitement and substance … by experimenting with color, texture, full silhouettes and layering. I wanted to create clothing that has artistic qualities, but still be attainable and wearable.”

Michaelides also printed and painted her own textiles for her collection by layering scans and photographs in Photoshop. She explained how “within each print, there is some element of human form or intricate Eastern architecture to give my prints a subtle subject matter.” Michaelides will be presenting her final eight prints in her senior collection.

Margaret Heil, a senior majoring in fashion design will also be presenting her collection at this year’s fashion show. Heil’s collection focuses on childrenswear for girls between the ages of five to 10-years-old. Heil described her collection as “whimsical, fun and playful,” and said it is inspired by paintings of artist Claire Desjardins that are “loose, geometric and graphically strong.” Heil also manipulated 95 percent of her fabrics through dying, block printing, quilting, appliques, embroidery, laser cutting and knitting. Heil is also the only childrenswear designer this year.

Taylor Dunn, a senior majoring in fashion design will be presenting her surf-culture-inspired womenswear collection this year. Dunn’s pieces can be worn for surfing, swimming, biking, hiking and running and were constructed “the way a wetsuit is, meaning it is made of neoprene, glued rather than sewn together and topstitched with a zigzag switch.” In addition, Dunn also created her own surf booties from her fabrics. In terms of the color palette in Dunn’s collection, she said, “The inspiration came from the brushstroke sailboat painting by an unknown artist that I found via Pinterest. The color combinations are what really caught my eye, leading to the color palette used for my collection.” Dunn has spent over 50 hours each week working on her senior collection.

Photo courtesy of Ken Yanoviak

Brianna Snowden, a senior majoring in fashion design with a marketing and retail minor will be presenting her knitwear collection this year. Snowden’s inspiration came from images of “crumbling plaster and exposed brick revealing rich shades of bone and rust.” Her process of creating her collection included “just playing with different techniques of knitting, and seeing how different shapes of knitted fabric pieces relate together.” Snowden then “combined machine knit elements with smooth sheer fabrics to imitate the jagged edges of plaster and the grid-like patterns found within bricks.” Snowden has spent around 50-60 hours a week on this collection, and is excited to present her pieces on the runway.

Maura Feingold, a senior majoring in fashion design with a minor in fine art will be presenting her sportswear collection this year. Her love for painting, screen-printing and creating textiles inspired her designs. Feingold’s collection consists of primarily bulky knitted oversized pieces, denim and basic knit jersey fabrics. She explains her designing process as “using various printmaking techniques including silkscreen, foiling, stenciling and spray painting on each individual piece of clothing.” Foiling in particular was one of Feingold’s initial experiments when she first started exploring ideas for her concept. The process includes “applying metal onto surfaces with glue,” and Feingold believes this technique truly “enhanced my inspiration, allowing my designs to look rusted, aged and decayed while keeping the comfort and integrity of the fabric.” In total, Feingold has spent over 80 hours a week on creating her collection. Feingold said, “It’s a commitment and I’m doing whatever I can to make sure my vision is conveyed.”

Lisa Hayes and Renee Chase are the fashion design professors who teach and guide the seniors every year with their final collections. Both Hayes and Chase meet with the students twice a week for three hours, and offer one class that is devoted to answering their technical, conceptual and sourcing questions. The other class is devoted to fittings, where a live model comes to the classroom every week for the students to learn how to make adjustments three dimensionally.

Prior to her career at Drexel in 1981, Chase worked as a sportswear designer for 10 years and worked in the fashion journalism industry. As a professor who works with the seniors from September until the night of the show, Chase helps the seniors to create a focus and a concept for their collections through evaluating their strengths and weaknesses, finding inspiration by looking at images, trying to figure what colors or fabrics to use, who they’re designing for and what they ultimately want to do. From a professor’s point of view throughout this whole process, Chase said, “Psychologically, it takes a lot to help them commit to something that they’re going to work on for a whole year.” Chase also said, “It’s our job as faculty to really help skip over potential problems and lead them into a direction that will yield success.”

Photo courtesy of Ken Yanoviak

Hayes has been a professor at Drexel for 10 years, and has worked in the fashion industry for 20 years as a designer. Hayes is thrilled with this year’s diverse group of designers. “We have some really beautiful knit, childrenswear, lingerie inspired, sportswear, womenswear and menswear collections,” she said.

Both Chase and Hayes are excited for their students to present their final collections at this year’s fashion show. “We are working with different personalities and different skill sets that we have to bring the best out of. It’s a wonderful challenge and the reward is wonderful,” Chase said.

Tickets for the show can be purchased both in-person at the URBN center and online through www.facebook.com/DrexelFashionShow.

The post Fashion ’15 to present at Navy Yard appeared first on The Triangle.

Photo courtesy Her Wearabouts

Jaclyn Fleurant, senior, design and merchandising, co- public relations and marketing coordinator

The Triangle: Tell me more about your role for the fashion show.

Jaclyn Fleurant: Being in charge of social media, spreading the word around campus and planning our guerilla marketing strategy plan where we organized a pop up fashion show at the academic quad. The pop-up fashion show was planned to raise awareness for the day and have people selling tickets.

TT: Tell me about your past fashion internship experiences.

JF: I worked at Marc Jacobs, so I split my time between working with the design team and in the sample room. What I liked about Marc Jacobs was how international it was. I was the only American intern!

TT: What do you want to do after graduation?

JF: I’m really opened minded. You never know what you’re going to end up with. It just depends on the right fit.

TT: What are you taking out of this experience?

JF: That personalization is one of the ways to get people engaged.

Photo courtesy Claire Rabinowitz

Claire Rabinowitz, senior, design and merchandising major and marketing minor, student director

The Triangle: Tell me more about your role for the fashion show.

Claire Rabinowitz: As the student director, I work very closely with Catherine Byers, the program director of design and merchandising and faculty producer of the fashion show. It is my responsibility to oversee, motivate and coordinate the team members in all areas of the show. I ensure that deadlines are met, including confirming 400 friends and family letters were sent, and that all fashion designers submitted their logos and collection descriptions. I also recruit and organize 54 volunteers for the fashion show, which are often underclassmen that dress the models. In this role, I am regularly multi-tasking and communicating professionally between faculty, designers and fellow design and merchandising students producing the show.

TT: Tell me about your past fashion internship experiences.

CR: My co-op was for Anthropologie at their corporate office. I worked specifically in the curating department, a four-person team focused on promoting and championing the artisanal values that the brand was founded on. After my co-op, I stayed on part-time with Anthropologie on the furniture buying team. When I came back from studying abroad, I returned for a part-time internship with the jewelry buying team.

TT: What has been your favorite part of this experience so far?

CR: Thus far, my favorite part has been watching the designers’ collections come to life. When I was appointed student director, I took it upon myself to spend as much free time as possible in the fashion design labs talking to the designers. I feel it’s important that they know who I am and understand that I am an available resource to them during this process. I have witnessed many of their ideas turn into sketches, sketches into muslins and muslins into completed garments. Having just finished model fittings, I can wholeheartedly say that this year’s show is going to be amazing!

Photo courtesy Julia Pacitti

Julia Pacitti, senior, design and merchandising, garment coordinator

The Triangle:  Tell me more about your role for the fashion show.

Julia Pacitti: Courtney Cohen and I are responsible for keeping track of all of the garments in the show, who designed them, who will be modeling them and when it will be on the runway. There are over 200 looks, they are all assigned a number and things are always changing so it can get a little crazy! It’s an exciting job because we get to know all of the designers and collections really well.

TT: Tell me about your past fashion internship experiences.

JP: For one of my co-ops, I worked with Mary K. Dougherty & Associates / Nicole Miller Philadelphia. I worked with marketing, event planning and creative services. The fast-paced environment has definitely helped me to be on my toes at all the events leading up to the fashion show, and I’m sure it will come in handy backstage.

TT: What have you learned about producing a fashion show after this experience?

JP: It takes a village (and a lot of coffee!)

TT: What has been your favorite part of this experience so far?

JP: My favorite part of the fashion show is the clothes of course! Even though the designers have been working on their collections all year, we get to see their work come together in the month leading up to the show.

Photo courtesy Ana Prodanovich

Ana Prodanovich, senior, design and merchandising, model coordinator

The Triangle: Tell me more about your role for the fashion show.

Ana Prodanovich: I’m in charge of talking to all the modeling agencies, getting in contact with them, letting them know we are having the event and seeing what models they can send us. After we cast the models, we have to book the models. From then on, I’m making sure that the models are not late, not somewhere sleeping on the side or taking photos in the dressing room when they should be on the runway.

TT: What challenges have you faced throughout this whole process?

AP: Just making sure everyone is on the same page and lots of emailing!

TT: What did you learn from working for the fashion show?

AP: Having a team, being able to delegate and being able to learn how to build relationships with your team.

The post Fashion ’15: Meet the team appeared first on The Triangle.

Photo by Gabriella Tam

To promote this year’s fashion show, Fashion’15, the production team, mainly comprised of Drexel University design and merchandising students hosted a pop up fashion show May 13. The show was a guerilla marketing strategy planned by the team’s co-public relations and marketing coordinators, Jaclyn Fleurant, a senior majoring in design and merchandising, and Courtney Carey, a junior double majoring in design and merchandising and psychology.

The show was carefully scheduled to take place during two class time transitions, where most students were walking around campus. During the show, 10 models walked from Gerri C. Lebow Hall, through Perelman Plaza, and Chestnut Street to Mario the Dragon statue and back to Gerri C. Lebow Hall. All models wore a Fashion’15 T-shirt, while wearing over the top bottoms including tutus and colored leggings. In addition, the models accessorized with feathered masks, headdresses, beaded necklaces and sunglasses. While walking through campus, the models held balloons, Instagram frames and signs with information about the fashion show.

After the show, the models interacted with passersby to inform them about the fashion show. In addition, ticket sales and merchandise were also held at Lebow Hall for those who were interested in purchasing.

Since the purpose of the pop up fashion show was to raise awareness for this year’s fashion show, both Carey and Fluerant believed their guerilla marketing strategy was successful. According to Carey, “We spoke to many people who hadn’t known that we present a show each year. We wanted to peak people’s interest just enough to visit the website and buy tickets.” However, the show wouldn’t have been as successful if it weren’t for the models and promoters. Carey said the models, “really generated excitement and awareness. They succeeded in doing what we hoped to do, [which was to] spread word of the show and get people interested.”

Carey said the only weak point of the show was the team having high expectations for a short amount of time. “It’s tough to engage students who are in a rush to get to class,” Carey explained. However, Carey believed this could be resolved. “[The team will] be setting up a ticket table in the coming weeks, so everyone can purchase tickets and get all the information they need,” Carey said.

Fashion’15 will be hosted at the Urban Outfitters headquarters at the Philadelphia Navy Yard June 6. Tickets can be purchased online through their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DrexelFashionShow.com.

The post Pop-up fashion show appeared first on The Triangle.

Photo by Gabriella Tam

When people think about the hottest shoe trends, some may think of the Isabel Marant sneakers, the Chanel brogues, or the Chloe gladiator sandals. However, no one would ever believe that a pair of Adidas Stan Smith sneakers would ever make the cut. With a price at $75 dollars, the pair of sneakers are essentially affordable compared to other it-shoes, which can range anywhere from $500 to $1,000 dollars.

The classic sneaker was officially named after the tennis player, Stan Smith during the 1970’s, and had sold over 22 million pairs during the 1980’s. However, the sneaker made its place in the fashion world when Phoebe Philo, creative director of Céline took her bow at the French label’s Spring 2011 show. The designer wore her Adidas Stan Smiths with a pair of navy blue tailored pants, and a loose grey turtleneck. Many would argue that Philo had officially endorsed the classic sneaker, and made it into one of fashion’s most popular and affordable trends today.

The sneaker itself is designed with a white leather upper and base, has white laces, and does not have the traditional Adidas three stripes. Instead, the Stan Smith design replaced the three strips with three rows of perforations on both sides of the sneaker. The tongue of the shoe also includes an image of Stan Smith himself. Lastly, on the back of the shoe, there is green foam padding with the Adidas logo, and the words Stan Smith. Over the past few years, the foam padding has included different colors including red, blue, and black, but the design of the sneaker has remained the same.

After Philo’s finale bow at the Céline show, many fashion editors, bloggers, models, and designers began following her sartorial footsteps. The sneaker became part of every fashion figure’s closet, and is worn in many individualistic and unique ways. According to Alice Pfeiffer, fashion writer at l’Espress Styles magazine, the Stan Smith sneakers “feel, almost look and can be styled like regular flat lace-ups. So while sneakers are back in trend, it’s a little harder to wear crazy [Nike] Air Max in elegant Paris than the casual Stan Smith.” According to Simon Atkins, Adidas America’s head of Sport Style, “no matter what your style is, the Stan Smith just works. Every sneakerhead and influencer has a pair, no matter what their brand preference is.”

The sneakers were immediately sold out worldwide after its release. During New York fashion week, almost every show attendee would stop by the Adidas store between shows to pick up a pair. Danielle Prescod, Elle.com’s Fashion Editor bought a pair during fashion week, and has been wearing them everyday since then. Prescod shares how when she stepped inside the brand’s flagship store, “everyone was there- stylist Kate Foley, the Who What Wear fashion team,” and how, “the next day, [blogger of the Man Repeller] Leandra Medine came up to me and was like, ‘I really want to get those sneakers!’ Then Rebecca Minkoff told me she’s been looking for the sneakers too!”

The success and influence of the Stan Smith sneakers have become so enormous, that other designers have been taking cues for their own collections. French designer Isabel Marant copied the classic style for her Pre-Fall collection, and Saint Laurent included a leather white sneaker similar to Adidas’s design that retailed at $575 dollars. According to Atkins, he says, “it’s no surprise that other brands take inspiration out of it.”

Although Adidas is currently low on stock with their Stan Smith sneakers, the company has announced that they will be shortly restocking due to a high demand. In addition, Jeffrey Kalinsky, VP and Fashion Director for Nordstrom says, “A great variety of versions with different materials and colors will be introduced over the year.”

The post Sneaker Season appeared first on The Triangle.