Mercyhurst University Fashion NewsletterFa

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Skirts for GUYS?Time for the guys to out-

shine with these sleek looks!

Student SpotlightWhich fashion students are bringing their A-game?

MUST HAVESWardrobe

HOLIDAY TRENDS&PARIS

NEW YORKWhere are MU fashion

students traveling now?

Alumni FeatureWhat are the graduates up to?

1.

Contributors Co-editor:Rosaly Pagan

Editor:Sara Chuzie

Amanda MichalakFreshman“Holiday Trends”

Maggie McGouldrickFreshman “Top 3 Must Haves For Your Wardrobe This Sea-son”

Sarah DennisJunior“NYC Trip”

Jenna SmaldinoSenior“Italian Fashions”

Renee Pilato

Nam NguyenSophomore “Skirts for Guys?”

Shelby KirklandJunior“Rent the Runaway at MU”

Junior“Cover Girl”“Alumni Feature”

Lauren Smith Junior“Movie Review”

Sophomore“Student Spotlight”“Layering 101”“Fashionista”

Junior“Parisian Dreaming”

Advisor: Jen Craven

The first ever Fashionista conference gave insightful advice on how to succeed in this com-petitve industry. The event took place on a beau-tiful Friday at the Dream Hotel in NYC. The key-note speaker was the one and only designer Zac Posen, who was a pleasure to listen to so early in the morning. Other speakers included contem-porary designer, Rebecca Minkoff (who I actually met later in the summer, she’s amazing!!) and blogger Leandra Medine. There were also panel-ists from companies such as The Row and Lucky magazine who talked according to topics such as right ways of networking to alternative careers in the industry. Additionally, you could have personally spoken with specific mentors that Fashionista in-vited from different companies in order to ask one on one, personal questions. This was my first personal conference and I absolutely enjoyed it. I highly recommend this event for those who are willing to go next year. Make sure to follow Fashionista on Twitter, Insta-gram, Pinterest, and subscribe to their website.

From all the great tips the panelists shared, here are the ones I felt were most important:

1. Be emotionally trained.2. Be persistent but not annoying.3. During an interview, instead of

directly telling them what you are good at, try to reinstate your points by saying:“This is how I can benefit your com-pany…” “How can I help you excel?!” You have to picture yourself in the company and help strengthen their weak-nesses

4. DON’T EVER GIVE UP. Don’t be discouraged by rejection because everyone has to go through it.

By: Rosaly Pagan

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Skirts for GUYS? BY NAM NGUYEN PHOTOGRAPHED BY TRANG NGUYEN

Cool tips for fashion-savvy guys to stand out and make a fashion state-ment. It’s time for GUYS to out-shine others with these sleek looks.

#1: Handkerchief Hem Skirt Not a real skirt actually (not to give you guys a heart-attack!) This mock-skirt will make your whole outfit much more interesting and edgy. But what is the skirt?It is actually a button-down, long-sleeve shirt.

Before putting on your sweatshirt/tee, wrap the but-ton down around your upper body. Next, tie a knot with the sleeves (that’s why the shirt has to be long sleeves). And then put on your sweat-shirt/tee, make sure it covers the wrapping and the knot.

Choose a lightweight “skirt” that has matching colors with the sweatshirt and the bottom. My suggestion is a light-denim or chambray “skirt;” it works well with many colors. Wear the “skirt” with jeans, chinos... but don’t wear it with shorts, it would mess-up the playful proportion that we are creating. Do NOT wear this with a school sweatshirt or athletic sweatshirt; fashion police would arrest you. Choose a piece with interesting patterns or colors.

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This time, after you tie the knot, button the shirt so that it won’t be flopping around freely.With this one, try wearing it with a tank top to make your look less “boxy”.

#2: A-line skirt (Kind-of!)

Close those buttons!

Extra tip: ACCESSORIZE!

John Lennon style moon-shape sun-glasses are IN! The only set back is that if your face is too round, it will emphasize it.

Result #1

Result #2 4.

Students deserve to be recognized at their most fashionable moments!

Meghan Kelley Joseph Tadiello Stephanie Weatherlow

Can you describe your style?MK: Classic with prep. I like to wear very simple pieces and add accessories to make it cute and personalized. JT: I feel like I have a relaxed style. I look for comfort but also trendy and fashion for-ward clothing. I like to be different and if I see something that I like that not many people wear, I’ll wear it as long as it suits my body type.SW: I view style as everyone’s unique way of walking down the runway of the world. My style could be labeled as urban with a touch of ‘girl next door’

Who is your fashion icon?MK: Kate Middleton. She always looks pol-ished and put together. She never is over-the-top.

JT: I don’t really have one, I just look for clothes that catch my eye and are unique. SW:I do not idolize anyone. I base fashion off of what I like, not what’s the next hot thing.

What do you want to do in fashion?MK: Marketing and brand management for a company like J.Crew or Nordstrom.JT: Having a finance background, I’d really like to start as a buyer for a small buisness (rather than a corporate one like Macy’s) and then branch out and one day start my own clothing store. SW: I want to create my own store, but also have an organization be apart of it. I want to help the poor and less fortunate in any way.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

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By: Rosaly Pagan

Top 3 Must Haves For Your Wardrobe This Season by: Maggie McGouldrick

Leather:Leather isn’t always for the rockstars or bikers like many of us may think. This season we are plunging into gothic glamour and elegance by obsesssing over these latest looks. The runways this year have made it even more fun by includ-ing more than just the all-time black. That’s right! Colored leather has been seen all over the runways this year ranging from the deep-est to the most electric tones of red, orange, and green. Your closet will be dying for a piece of this collection! Worried that you can’t afford the glamour that has been seen on New York Fash-ion Week? Don’t! A classic black leather jacket is the perfect statement piece at an affordable price. For ladies, Delia’s carries a perfect Moto jacket for your budget in-store and online. For gentlemen, try the nearest H&M and find one suitable for you.

Scarves:No matter what the season, accessories are al-ways your friends. Transition your summer look of bangels and bracelets to a warmer approach of scarves and hats. A scarf is a perfect way to add color to your wardrobe! For colder days,

pair your look with a cashmere or chunky scarf. These statement accessories will be sure to add instant glamour to a basic outfit. Not sure how to layer your look? Try pairing your scarf with an oversized t-shirt, jacket, and other outerwear. American Eagle, American Apparel, and Target are great stores to get the look you want this season.

Combat Boots:Combat boots have become extremely popular over the last year and it does not look like they are going away anytime soon. The boots have taken over the fashion world by storm! They are versatile, tough, and strangely stylish, making it a perfect edition to your wardrobe this season. Although they may seem a bit masculine, a lot of women pair them with skirts, dresses, and skinny jeans. Celebrties such as Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and Paris Hilton, have all been seen rocking combat boots in their day-to-day life. In a hurry to classes and not sure what to wear?! As it gets colder, throw on your favorite sweater, leggings, and boots to get a chic comfy look. Urban Outfitters has a great selection for both men and women that will suit any outfit!

Freshman Amanda Michalak gets ready for classes by layering her look with a leather jacket. 2.1.

Freshman Natalie Smith pairs her black combat boots with a plain tank, (chic & comfortable)

A scarf to perfect your outfit! 3. 6.

By: Rosaly Pagan

Layering 101:Man Repeller’s Leandra Medine is a hilarious blogger and fashion ex-pert. Instead of telling you how to layer, she shows you. This lesson in layering is a perfect way to not only look totally fabulous in the

winter but comfortable and warm!

By: Rosaly Pagan

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Navigating the holidays can be tricky for anyone, including fashion icons Alexa Chung and Lady Gaga. Everyone already knows that orange is suitable for Thanksgiving and that any-thing red and glittery screams “Christmas” but who says shopping for the perfect holiday-party outfit should be so black and white? With these quick tips you’ll go from being ready for a cheesy, typical Christmas card to the holiday fashionista you’ve dreamt of being.

Ditch the “Blair Waldorf” bow headband from last year and pick up a wool beret instead. (Sorry, B!)

Say goodbye to all-leather outfits and channel your inner Kate Middle-ton by embracing classic lines and prints. If only we all looked as good as Anne Hathaway in full-body leather!

Drop that lime green sweater and pick up the emerald one instead. Not only are you leaving your sum-mer neons behind, but you’re also on trend with the color of the year.

Last but not least, put the LBD away until spring and go for a nude or snow-white. And as usual, don’t forget the sparkle; after all, diamonds are a girl’s best friend! (except for chocolate, of course)

“ NOW YOU’RE READY TO GET UNDER THAT MISTLETOE AND HAVE NO FEAR OF WHAT TO WEAR. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!”

Holiday Trends by: Amanda Michalak

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COVERGIRL

What is you personal style?My personal style consists of a mixture: classic, femi-nine, and romantic. I love everything from colorful and printed pants to classic button down shirts with peter pan collars. Style is very important to have be-cause people identify you with the clothes you wear.

Style Icons:Audrey Hepburn by far is my idol. Rachel Zoe, Jane Fonda, and Jackie Kennedy also rank high on my list. Each of these women bring something different to the table, which I feel is very similar to my personal style and wardrobe.

Favorite Designers:Diane Von Furstenberg, Calvin Klein, Stella McCart-ney, Celine, and Oscar de la Renta

Dream Job:I am a hands-on creative person. One of my favorite things to do is put together different collections of collages and decorate my room with them, so I feel I would love working in a style department of a maga-zine or designer. Styling can create a window of op-portunities as well, and I am very interested in that. I’m also interested in film, so costume design has always

been in the back of my mind.

Internship:This summer I had the pleasure of working for a start-up company called The Factory 2.0, in Cleveland! This company is essentially responsible for helping to de-velop a sustainable business model for various design-ers. The company works with various new designers, as well as the boss having her own personal line (which I was primarily involved with this past summer). I had the opportunity to make tons of style boards, line sheets, and work on professional photo shoots! I worked in the marketing department as well, and found myself constantly checking social media

Who: Isabella (Bella) CardinaYear: SeniorHometown: Akron, OH

for information on what people were looking for in a designer. I definitely learned a lot this summer, and am

so thankful for this opportunity!

Second Semester in NYC:The second semester of my senior year will be spent in New York City. The program I am working through is at Kent State University. KSU has a studio school located in the garmet district. This studio school has been opened up to students of different universities, al-lowing students to live in the city and study there for a semester. I will be studying as a visiting student, taking various fashion courses as well as an internship. I am looking forward to getting time in New York before I graduate and have to face the real world. This truly is a dream come true!

10.

Bree Nicolia and myself took some time off from Erie, PA and spent the month of June in Florence, Italy. As everyone says when he or she goes to Europe “it was a once in a lifetime experi-ence.” I can now vouch for that and agree that this truly was. Not only did I get to study my love of fashion while visiting this beautiful city of Florence, I also got to visit eight surrounding areas in Tuscany. Some of these cities included Pisa, Cinque Terre, and Venice. During my studies in the fashion marketing course I got to visit Roberto Cavalli’s factory. Here we got to witness his screen-printing being done fi rst hand, and also shop at his outlet store! I of

course could not walk away with-out an accessory or two for myself. Cavalli was fi rst to patent prints on leather and denim and is still creat-ing creative prints to this day for the runway. During my time I also had the opportunity to visit Angela Caputi’s home store and workshop located in Florence. Caputi creates high-end costume jewelry, all hand-made by her highly skilled employ-ees and are made of 100% plastic. Caputi has designed jewelry for many American movie stars such as Jennifer Aniston and Beyonce, just to name a few. My last and most memorable fashion excursion was to the Pitti Uomo Spring 2014 trade show. It was home to thousands of companies/designers for the men’s

2014 Spring collections. Here I got to experience the importance of buying and brand image through trade shows. The thousands of vendors were all there for the same purpose: to market their clothing to be bought. The overall atmosphere and experience is one I will carry with me throughout my career in the fashion industry. All in all this experience is truly one I will never forget. The people, places, and opportunities were all amazing. Studying abroad is something everyone should chal-lenge themselves to do. It opens pathways to fi nding yourself and your future. Somone once said, “The key to traveling is exploring yourself.”

Italian FashionsStudy Abroad Adventure By: Jenna Smaldino

<My fashion market-ing class at the Pitta Uomo trade show!

< Roberto Cavalli screen-printing factory

Angela Caputi >    

   

11.

Jessica Hall (2012) LOFT Assistant Merchandiser: Accessories, Handbags, Legwear, Shoes New York, New York

1. What are your daily responsibilites?I work closely with my team to assort our line each season. As a part of the merchant team, I am a point person for all other departments and work with design, production, planning, visual, and marketing from the begining stages of forecasting styles to how it actu-ally looks in stores. Every day is different for me! Merchants touch every part of the business, so my daily activities change depending on the calendar and

include product assorting, business analysis, purchase orders, working with vendors, and reporting.2. What do you like most about your job?Seeing women around NYC wearing LOFT! We begin working with a style about eight months before it hits stores, and even the smallest accessory can take many hours of work. It’s so fulfi lling to see someone wear-ing that style and knowing that I helped make her feel confi dent in her outfi t and herself!3. How do you think Mercyhurst prepared you for your career?The curriculum is well rounded which has really ben-efi ted me in my position. There are pieces from every class that I have used, or have given me a better under-standing of other parts of the business I may not work with directly. The class sizes have also enabled me to really succeed and work closely with others, just like I do daily with my team at LOFT. Also, the partnership with FIT really took my experience to the next level. My internship at LOFT directly led to my job!

ALUMNIfeature

EMMY’S BEST DRESSED

Lena Headey wearing Alessandra Rich and Julianne Hough wearing Jenny Packham

Sofi a Vergara and Kaley Cuoco both wearing Vera Wang

If you ask any fashionista what’s their favorite part of any award show, they would proudly answer: “Red Carpet!” Th is year’s Emmy Awards had many fabulous red carpet moments. Th ere were two trends

in particular that caught my eye. Sheer bottoms, like Lena Headey and Julianne Hough, were a big hit. Not only did they produce a beautifully romantic look, but the revealing parts added a bit of neurotic touch; I

like to call it classy risque. Also, there were many dresses by the same designers. You would think that would be a problem, but each dress was so diff erent no one would’ve made the connection! Kerry Washington,

Malin Akerman, and Alyson Hannigan all wore Marchesa while Sofi a Vergara and Kaley Cuoco wore Vera Wang. Th e red carpet of this year’s Emmy Awards was a success. BY: ROSALY PAGAN

12.

When I think Paris I think of when Lauren Conrad turned down the opportunity to go to Paris Fashion Week for her current boyfriend. The thought of neglecting an opportunity such as that for a boy (they are currently not together by the way) struck me in a way I couldn’t believe. When I think of Paris I think of haute couture, the birth of ready-to-wear and Coco Chanel. Paris, a fashion capital of the world, is where all fashionistas hope to visit one day. It’s hard to believe that at the end of this coming May I will be visiting the beautiful city. The fashion department will be taking at nine day trip to Paris packed with several tourist attractions including the Palace of Versailles, fashion appointments, and ample free time to explore. My list of things to do and places to see are endless. My friend Isabella and I joked of how we need to fi nd Coco Chanel before we leave the city. Although that is impossible, I hope Karl Lagerfeld is somewhere to be found. As a little girl I used to dream of Chanel bags and tweed jackets, praying that one day I would be the lucky owner of one. Unfortunately the investment in just one is about the rent I pay for my house this year; however luckily drooling outside of a Chanel store in Paris is priceless. Haute couture is to Paris as Bergdorf Goodman is to New York; it’s a gem that just can’t be copied. I am beyond ecstatic to be surrounded by all of the huge haute couture and couture houses such as LVHM, Yves Saint Laurent, Lanvin, Christian Dior and Celine. A couture gown may not be in the cards for me during this trip, but I am dying to visit the store Maje which is a clothing store based on Parisian fashion. Aside from fashion, I have always dreamed of

going to the Louvre. Being an art fanatic my whole life, seeing this laudable art museum is something I have always been drawn to. I have visited several art museums such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Getty in Los Angeles and the MOMA in New York City. However, I am positive the Louvre will demolish any competition. I plan on doing all the touristy things too, such as going to the Eiffel Tower, the Palace of Versailles, getting a picture in front of the Arc de Triomphe and visiting the Notre Dame de Paris. I could spend months in Paris, however this short trip will just be motivation to not waste anytime. Words cannot de-scribe how excited I am for this trip, with the hope that it will alter my perspective and love for fashion in such a positive way.

Parisian Dreaming By: Renee Pilato

Designer showrooms, Broadway, and a fash-ion exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art...what better way could a fashionista spend her week in New York City? This past May, the fashion department fac-ulty and a group of students traveled to New York City with a list of appointments and sites to see all in four short days. The first day began with a delicious Italian group dinner at Trattorio Trecolori and ended with shopping in Times Square. The next day the group had a private appointment at Kleinfelds! We got an exclusive tour of the bridal shop and host of TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress” from our own alumni Lindsey Groginski, who now works for the company. Our second stop was to meet Susan Woo, an up-and-coming professional woman’s wear designer. Her studio was small but she takes on all of the steps of the product development for her designers. Our final stop for the day was a tour at FIT. This was exciting for students who aspire to attend the school. Later that evening, we met with ‘Hurst fashion alumni at Stitch Bar to see where they are now and the exciting jobs they have in the big apple. Day three was full of back-to-back appoint-ments. Starting at Amanda + Chelsea/Atelier Luxe showroom, the fun-loving businessman and his busi-ness partner named their line after their daughters. Next we got a look inside the DL1961’s showroom and discussed the denim jean line’s avant-garde tech-nology with the creative director. We all got a gift, which was a sample bag the company makes with unused fabric scraps. Next, we visited the NYC Kent State stu-dio. Here, they explained their program which is a semester long option for our students to attend rather than FIT. Following this we visited Susan Bonomo’s showroom. She holds accessories and apparel from multiple lines that are unique and modern with a con-temporary/bridge price point. Susan had a super sweet and down to earth personality even offering herself as a connection anytime and an Aldomartin recycle bag to take. We then traveled uptown to the Metropolitan

Museum to see the Punk: Chaos to Couture exhibit. The exhibit examined the punk movement and its in-fluence on haute couture. Garments were embellished with hardware and graffiti. To end the trip, we enjoyed a Broadway show. Students could choose between Wicked, Mama Mia, or Cinderella! Overall, the trip was a perfect balance of educational experiences, and fun sightseeing (and shopping!) in the city. The department takes a trip to NYC every other spring, so maybe next time, you’ll join us!

the City MU in

By: Sarah Dennis

13.

Fashion Students enjoying a night out in the city that never sleeps

Susan Woo

RENT THE RUNWAY AT MU

by: Shelby Kirkland

“Think of us as your best friend...but with a much bigger closet!” Who doesn’t love a designer dress at a great price with absolutely no strings attached?! If you have heard of Rent the Runway, then you know ex-actly how this works. But, what is even better is that the hassle of fi nding the perfect dress for any event, on a college budget, is now a thing of the past. Mercyhurst is fl attered to be part of the RTR on Campus program, meaning that YOU have exclusive access to designer fashions at a fraction of the cost. How does it work? Search through the hun-dreds of dresses and accessories on the Rent the Runway website, fi nd something you love, and rent it! Designer rentals are as low as $40 and totally risk free! If you do not like your choice or it does not fi t right, not a problem—return it within 24 hours for a full mer-chandise credit. But, that’s not all! Take a look around campus for our mystery code fl yers or come to one of our events and receive a monthly discount on any rental of your choice! You can fi nd a dress for any and every oc-casion from formals, date night, girls night out, wed-dings, bridal showers, casual days, and anything else

in between! What designers you might ask? How does Calvin Klein to Missoni sound? Or what about Vivienne Westwood to Lily Pulitzer? Dolce and Gabbana to Rebecca Minkoff.? Milly to Versace…and the list goes on! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @RTRMer-cyhurst and like our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/RTRMercyhurst for weekly updates as well as giveways! Also, mark your calendars for our fi rst event of the year on October 23 at 7:30 p.m. which will be a trunk show showcasing a load of designer dresses for your viewing and even fi tting pleasure! Come get an idea of what Rent the Runway has to offer!

Questions? Ask anyone of our Reps here at Mercyhurst:Shelby Kirkland: skirk75@lakers.mecyhurst.eduEmily Isbell: eisbell51@lakers.mercyhurst.eduLauren Smith: lsmith78@lakers.mercyhurst.edu Allyson Gass: agass49@lakers.mercyhurst.eduAllie Coco: acoco80@lakers.mercyhurst.edu

14.

Susan Woo

RENT THE RUNWAY AT MU

by: Shelby Kirkland

“Think of us as your best friend...but with a much bigger closet!” Who doesn’t love a designer dress at a great price with absolutely no strings attached?! If you have heard of Rent the Runway, then you know ex-actly how this works. But, what is even better is that the hassle of fi nding the perfect dress for any event, on a college budget, is now a thing of the past. Mercyhurst is fl attered to be part of the RTR on Campus program, meaning that YOU have exclusive access to designer fashions at a fraction of the cost. How does it work? Search through the hun-dreds of dresses and accessories on the Rent the Runway website, fi nd something you love, and rent it! Designer rentals are as low as $40 and totally risk free! If you do not like your choice or it does not fi t right, not a problem—return it within 24 hours for a full mer-chandise credit. But, that’s not all! Take a look around campus for our mystery code fl yers or come to one of our events and receive a monthly discount on any rental of your choice! You can fi nd a dress for any and every oc-casion from formals, date night, girls night out, wed-dings, bridal showers, casual days, and anything else

in between! What designers you might ask? How does Calvin Klein to Missoni sound? Or what about Vivienne Westwood to Lily Pulitzer? Dolce and Gabbana to Rebecca Minkoff.? Milly to Versace…and the list goes on! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @RTRMer-cyhurst and like our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/RTRMercyhurst for weekly updates as well as giveways! Also, mark your calendars for our fi rst event of the year on October 23 at 7:30 p.m. which will be a trunk show showcasing a load of designer dresses for your viewing and even fi tting pleasure! Come get an idea of what Rent the Runway has to offer!

Questions? Ask anyone of our Reps here at Mercyhurst:Shelby Kirkland: skirk75@lakers.mecyhurst.eduEmily Isbell: eisbell51@lakers.mercyhurst.eduLauren Smith: lsmith78@lakers.mercyhurst.edu Allyson Gass: agass49@lakers.mercyhurst.eduAllie Coco: acoco80@lakers.mercyhurst.edu

15.

While walking into the movie theater, I had no idea what to expect. I kept thinking how iconic the store was, but I did not truly know about anything behind the name. Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s perfectly symbolized what I look forward to when working in the industry. The designers, the history, the absolute love and passion for the clothing: how awe-inspiring is that? The movie opened my eyes to the importance of the fashion industry in every single person’s life and how Bergdorf’s has single-handedly changed the global perspective on fashion. Designers strive to be in Bergdorf’s. Customers long to shop at Bergdorf’s. Heck, I want to work at Bergdorf’s. One segment of the fi lm I found extremely interesting was the development of the window displays. Frankly, I had no idea how immaculate and extravagent their windows came to be. The amount of precision and knowledge it takes to form such representations of the industry is fascinating. If I had not already had a passion for this industry, Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s solidifi ed my certainty in working for this illustrative and luxurious industry.

Movie Review: Scatter My Ashes At Bergdorf ’sBy: Lauren Smith

Mercyhurst fashion students are very familiar with the array of fashion magazines that fi ll the shelf in the Loft, but many don’t realize that fashion columns and sections are becoming more and more common for other publications as well, including many main-stream newspapers. Students who have an interest in writing will be happy to hear that the fashion department will be offering a new course called Fashion Journalism start-ing in the spring of 2014. Taught by Jen Craven, the course will cover topics such as the difference between newspaper and magazine writing, different types of articles and publications, how to effectively write and layout different stories, as well as jobs in the fi eld of journalism. So if you like to read fashion magazines, and especially if you have a passion for writing, Fashion Journalism is a course that you won’t want to miss.

New Course: Journalism

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Sponsored by the MU fashion department, the Erie area was treated to a one-night exclusive viewing of Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s. Amy Weaver-Kaulis, fashion merchandising department chair, was instru-mental in securing the fi lm for the Erie Area. Many hope this fi lm will spark a continuation of fashion-related events for the area.

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