When visiting new places, you’ll never see me sleeping in. I woke myself up early so I could absorb everything New York had to offer!
First stop, The Fashion Institute of Technology.
Here I saw two exhibitions: Fashion and Technology and Ivy Style. I was armed with my sketchbook, losing myself with the inspiration compelling itself unto me. I was in my element. On reflection now, I can’t believe how lucky I am to have found a course that I completely love, that has offered me so many experiences and opportunities. But my course feels like the perfect conclusion to my A-levels, it incorporates all my subjects, Art, Photography, English, Politics and Psychology. I would not change it for the world.
The Fashion and Technology exhibition explored the dialog between technology and fashion. And actually, it’s nothing new, for example, the invention of the zipper and the sowing machine, were technological advancements.
I find it fascinating how technology inspires designers, for example, Jean Paul Gaultier created a gold, olive jumpsuit, that was inspired by the science fiction film MadMax, 1979 for this AW 1995 collection. He was visualizing and creating a cyber age 2nd skin.
The space race, it seemed, was a technological advancement that lifted the imagination of the fashion world. André Courrèges was inspired by the first man orbiting the earth so designed a collection based on women to wear in outer space.
Another thing that inspired me was the way designers incorporated typical hardware household objects within the design. For example this 1940′s telephone cord handbag.
I find it difficult to imagine a time in which fashion was not all over the internet, and infact was not so largely accessible as it is today. It was in this exhibition that I discovered that Helmut Lang was the first designer to not stage a traditional show for his AW 1998 collection, but rather he uploaded a video onto the internet. By doing this, he transformed the fashion landscape, making the show accessible to a larger and ore demographic and internationally diverse audience. And although this was 15 years ago, it was radical. As someone who has grown up very much in the advancement of such great technologies as the internet and smart phones, I found it fascinating to be reminded of a time when this did not exist.
I left this exhibition after watching a video of Diane Von Furstenberg and I found inspiration in her words. She said when she was young, she did not know what she wanted to do, but she knew the women she wanted to be. And I think in an age where there is immense pressure to know your career path and panic over the lack of job culture, I found great comfort in these words.
Leaving that exhibition on a high, I proceeded to the Ivy Style show. Upon my travels I stumbled across four American boys, who eagerly wanted a picture next to the Ivy Style Sign on the steps. I found myself offering to take the photo so they could all be in it together. This was the first time of many, when I thought to myself how friendly the Americans are. They seem so much more conversational and open than us Brits.
Nevertheless I finally made my way to the exhibition. I can’t help but love the preppy style that is the Ivy Style. Upon reading the introduction, I was reminded of one of my favorite authors, F.Scott Fitzgerald, and through his association of the Ivy Style. The Ivy style constitutes of the all male, elite American universities wear, such as Harvard,Yale and Princeton. It is considered to be a conservative way of dressing, borrowing from and old Englishmen’s Wardrobe, such as Shetland tweed, Oxford shirts. However, Princeton has the biggest role within the Ivy Style, due to the location, homogeneity of student population being 85% white, elite and wealthy families and politically conservative. And it was then I was introduced to Fitzgerald’s The Side of Paradise being a fictional account of his undergraduate time at Princeton.
When walking around the exhibition, I couldn’t help but think of my Dad, whom has a had a membership at Marylebone Cricket Club since he was 18. The striped blazers and sweaters I was observing stimulated images of the clothes you can buy if you’re a member of Marylebone Cricket Club. For example the orange and yellow striped tie or Blazers. And when I was younger I used to mock the design, but it got me thinking how silly I was to do so. It was much more than the visual appearance, but rather it actually represented tradition and the past.
And I think its these moments when you recognize how intrinsic everything seems, that are most incredible. And for a brief moment I felt like I finally understood.
I left the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology to then visit the Museum of Art and Design to see the Art of Scent display. I find it incredible how much a con perfume really is, and we all buy into it! Designers create a perfume that costs about £2 to produce and sell it for £50-£70 a bottle, no wonder they are minted. And all you really are paying for, is a bottle of smelly water. Although I too was a sucker for this on my last day in New York, but I will reveal all on in that post!
However, what is incredible about scent, is the creativity that fuels behind its production. I did not enjoy this exhibition as much as the ones at FIT, however I still recommend its worth a visit!
After what now seems a very busy morning, myself and my two peers decided to take a stroll around Central Park. During our travels we came across the ice rink, which in itself was magical. I also treated myself to a New York Pretzel.
Before we new it, we found ourselves on 59th Street, right near to the designer stores and of course nike. I picked myself up a new pair of shoes. These aren’t my usual style, however I find them pretty cool.
However, what was most incredible about New York, was their retail spaces. I have seen nothing like it before. In Louis Vuitton, the interiors embraces geometric shapes, such as lots of use of Squares and big circles. However, the shelfs would move along and up the squares, making retail more interactive and fun.
Other stores outer spaces were incredible, with lights shining all over the exteriors, offering much more than the UK. Here is an example of a diamante chain on one store.
After this, we walked to the ferry on 34th street, that would take us to Williamsburg, Brooklyn to see the ’I hate perfume‘ shop
I really could not believe how the curator was able to produce smells such as household smells, or food smells, or holiday smells and get them spot on. There were a range of smells such as the library, or rhubarb jelly, or burnt firewood, and they smelt exactly how you would imagine them to smell. It was incredible.
I felt particularly moved by the concepts and theories behind the creation of the perfumes, for example the Home collection, all the scents were designed to capture a very special sense of place or experience. Or the secret history series, which declares nothing sparks a memory as well as a scent does. I had never really considered the value, power or importance of scent until now.
Upon leaving the shop, myself and another peer decided to make our way to see the statue of liberty. We stopped off to get a chicken, lemon and coriander taco, then caught the subway to the very bottom of Manhattan Island. We popped into a starbucks to use their refreshments and since my arrival in New York, I had grown to really enjoy the coffee culture. So much so I wish to try continue this back in Nottingham. Although its not the same!
Anyway, we made our way to the ferry, and viewing the statue of liberty at night was incredible. I must say I really adore New York at night. Its beautiful.
So our last stop was the Conde Nast Building, the magazine empire and Times Square! I had made a mental note to visit the Conde Nast Building, just because I’m a fashion student and living in the UK, you hear about Anna Wintour, Grace Coddington and American Vogue, I wanted to check it out for myself.
Times Square on the other hand, WOW! So much light, I couldn’t begin to think where to look! The exterior of buildings were video cameras that were interactive with passers by, a great marketing tool as it was fun, engaging and interactive, seducing outsiders to step inside the store. Time Square was a delight, a perfect end to my first full day in the city.