Happy Holidays: The Best & Worst of Holiday Windows

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

It is not Christmas without the windows, and by now I sure hope everyone has had the opportunity to walk the streets of NYC and view the holiday store windows! (That is what I did over the weekend anyway...)

HOWEVER, that does not mean everyone has windows worth viewing...
Let me break it down for you, the best and worst of this holiday season.

THE BEST:

Bergdorf Goodman

Ship me to sea please!

As usual Bergdorf's takes the thrown as king of holiday windows! Taking us on multiple fantasy adventures (including a safari, the wild west, and a ship to sea) Bergdorf's continues to be known for putting incredible detailing into their windows and creating an atmosphere where your imagination is free to run wild!

Barneys

I expect food samples. Please.

This holiday season Barneys invites us to have a foodie holiday, and goodness knows it is not the holidays without amazing food! The comical windows display some of our favorite cooks and their more entertaining sides. Martha Stewart, Paula Deen, Emeril, Wolfgang Puck, and many more are all seen together enjoying their company and staying warm in....snuggies?

THE WORST:

Bloomingdales

Fail.

There is nothing more disappointing this year than the windows at Bloomingdales. And I don't just mean the "Error" boxes that appear on some of the TV's from Microsoft Windows! 100 TV's display holiday symbols and messages instead of the usual props at Bloomies this year, unexciting and uninspiring. They could have at least gone with Apple. 

Macy's

What?

Yes I know this one is controversial. Though Macy's does feature some very lovely traditional holiday classics, including one featuring Miracle on 34th Street, they also had an animated display that left me.....simply put: annoyed. The animated display shows some nice holiday scenes with cartoon characters doing typical holiday things, POINTLESS. Not only did I think the Kleenex Commercial was about to play, I was just annoyed by the missed opportunity for Macy's to go into something more spectacular. I guess you can't have it all.

I SWEAR these are the same characters from the Kleenex commercials!

For an in-depth look at more holiday windows feel free to look at the posts for The Cut & Racked NY! 

’Tis the Season for Holiday Window Displays- The Cut

Holly Jolly Windows- Racked NY

Need To Know: Black Friday Results!

Did we read WWD this morning?! Well if not then here is a quick update to inform yourself on this need to know information for our industry!

P.S. you still have an hour of Cyber Monday to get great deals online!

You KNOW she got a good deal with that smile!

Thanksgiving weekend 2010 saw the return of shopping! Consumers this year spent an estimated $45 billion in-store and online over the 3 day period! There was also an increase in the number of people shopping, last year there was an estimated 195 million people out shopping, compared to this years estimated 212 million people, with an increase in male shoppers as well!

The really great news is that the average amount consumers are spending is also rising, up to $365.34 versus last year's $343.31! With 40% of the holiday shopping occurring between December 15th and December 25th there is still a lot of money to be spent.

The surprising news is that not only did the number of people who bought items increase, but so did the percentage of people buying for themselves, up to 33% from last years 26%.

It seems retailers did a great job promoting their events and consumers focused on buying certain classifications such as electronics, and finally a return to apparel including cold weather clothing and luxury items.

Overall numbers were very strong and seems to be a good sign for this year's holiday season. However, let's keep an eye out for Cyber Monday results tomorrow and see how much business e-commerce actually makes.

HAPPY SHOPPING!

No trampling seen...YET!

Strong Black Friday Fuels Upbeat Outlook - WWD.com

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Gobble gobble.

I truly hope you are all enjoying your time with your families. The Merchandising Society would like to wish you all a happy Thanksgiving. EAT UP! And check out one of my favorite editorials of all time!
ALSO: don't forget to check out our Black Friday Shopping Guide below for the deals around town tomorrow!


Festin! by Terry Richardson for Vogue Paris

You should see ME at the Thanksgiving dinner table!

The Official Black Friday M.S. Shopping Guide: SHOP TILL YOU DROP!

The M.S. shopping guide has arrived! Here are a few of the insider details about what our favorite stores will be doing, have a look and don't go too crazy on your credit cards!

Will you be camping out for $5 H&M? They are!

fashion:

• Bloomingdales: Take 20-40% off of your favorite brands! And don't forget to check out the beauty floor for amazing package deals on the best in cosmetics and fragrances!

• Club Monaco: Take an additional 20% off sale merchandise and DON'T FORGET your student discount of 20% on regular priced items!

• Forever 21: Spend over $40 and receive a locket with lip gloss inside. Select items will be priced from $3 to $12. Plus, the store will be hosting special buy one get one free promotions on sale items. (PLUS: Head to the Times Square location and the first 400 customers receive gift cards of up to $200!)

• Gap: Up to 50% off EVERYTHING for morning shoppers, and get an extra discount when you check in on Facebook or Foursquare!

• H&M: Get clothes from $5!!! That is correct, fashionable items starting at $5! Plus expect to see discounts ranging from 30-70% throughout the store! Opening at 6AM. (Check in on Facebook or Foursquare for an extra 20% off!)

• JCPenny: DOORBUSTERS DOORBUSTERS DOORBUSTERS! Extreme discounts on just about everything and if you check in via Facebook or Foursquare get an extra $10-$15 off, on top of already big coupons! Nice job on the social networking JCPenny!

• J Crew: GOING ON NOW: Get 25% off your online order of $150 or more, use code TURKEY. And Friday select merchandise will up on sale as well!

• Juicy Couture: Spend $175 or more and get a free tote bag, plus the velour collection will be 30% off!

• Macys: Once again: DOORBUSTERS DOORBUSTERS DOORBUSTERS! High discounts will be taken from the moment stores open at 4AM!

• Saks Fifth Avenue: Up to 40% off for morning shoppers and get $25 off your cosmetic purchase of $100 or more with coupon! 

• Topshop: Opening at 8AM Topshop will be having merchandise such as dresses, denim, pants, and ALL SHOES AT 20% OFF! (DON'T FORGET YOUR 10% STUDENT DISCOUNT ON TOP OF THAT!) Arrive early to get free breakfast, English style of course, and receive a free scarf with a purchase of $100 or more (it's actually really cute!). ALSO: enter for a chance to win EVERYTHING IN THEIR HOLIDAY WINDOW! Someone will be a happy girl this coming weekend!

• Topman: Topman has $20 off a purchase of $100 or more! Come in and shop with their styling teams and enjoy the free breakfast upstairs! 

everything else:

• APPLE: Yes Apple will be having another Black Friday sale! It is currently top secret but if it's anything like the past expect to get your favorite Apple products at up to 30% off! TIME TO ASK FOR AN iPAD!

• Best Buy: There is a reason BB has a line EVERY year. TV's, DVDs, Cameras, ANYTHING electronic you would want to get on sale you will on Friday. I need a new camera for my study abroad to Europe! I WILL BE THERE! 

• Target: Spend over $100 before 10AM and get a $10 gift card! PLUS: check out this video and how could you NOT want to get up at 4AM for the opening!  I know I will be there!

• Toys R Us: I include Toys R Us because every year I find THE BEST deals there on electronics, movies, and games! Get movies from $4 (new releases too!) and board games from $5! Opening at 5AM. (Check in on Facebook or Foursquare for an extra 15% off!)

• Walmart: Basically walk in and expect to come out with something cheap, whether you need it or not deals are always so good you just always end up buying something, admit it! (Check out the website for free shipping though!)

I apologize for leaving some stores out, it means they were too hard to get in contact with, or we just don't shop there.

Best of luck from the Merchandising Society!

I am doing the same thing for my new camera!

Beautify: Thanksgiving Inspiration

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! By now I'm sure most of us have left our concrete jungle for the warm suburban comforts of home. What are you wearing on your lovely strolls through the forest this Thanksgiving?

Who actually wears pants in late November anyway?

Take a look at Daria in the new L'Officiel for some beautiful, yet comfortable, inspirational looks for our strolls in the country.

She looks warm!

Love always, M.S.

Daria Zhemkova by Trent McGinn for L’Officiel

Need To Know: Kate Middleton

IT'S OFFICIAL! The Princess Di of our generation has arrived! Now many of you have been asking, who is Kate Middleton? While the UK gossip may not have been so hot until her recent engagement to Prince William, Kate Middleton is a woman to know, and will become a name in our everyday lives!

He put a ring on it...

In the past we've seen how the Princesses of England have affected the fashion industry and Kate has already been deemed a fashion icon and "designer's dream" by the likes of Karl Lagerfeld and Valentino!

Kate is a girl's dream come true. From a traditional English family she met Prince William while at The University of St. Andrews, and after 9 years of dating the couple is set to wed on April 29th. The day is sure to go down in history and we'll have to pay attention to how the wedding affects the bridal market. Her Sapphire style of engagement ring has already sold out at many fine jewelry stores and has arrived on QVC to purchase at a price of $39.54! I may just have to purchase one for myself...

Watch out for hats on the runway this coming season, just saying!

Expect this woman to appear everywhere for the next year, I know I will be curious to see how she affects our fashion industry, and how the world accepts this new iconic woman for the British Royal Family. 

For now let's just bask in her glory shall we?

Gorgeous.

Karl Lagerfeld and Valentino Share Their Thoughts on Kate Middleton

American Magazine Editors Will Have to ‘Play Especially Nice’ for Their Kate Middleton Covers

Model of the Moment: Eniko Mihalik

Russh #37 highlights Eniko Mihalik with an editorial that is guaranteed to make a mark in the modeling industry, and with designers on the constant lookout for fresh faces, do expect to see this beauty on the runway for the Fall 2011 collections! She shines with a lengthy editorial featuring many different looks in all of our favorite designer collections.

Here are a couple images and a link to the full editorial from the issue below.

Eniko Mihalik for Russh #37

What do you think? Comment Below!

At The Moment: Lanvin (Heart) H&M Fashion Show

I. Die.

Pictures are out! And let me say the collection has SOLD OUT across all the stores in NYC, though do not fear my shoppers, returns will be coming in throughout the week with a possibility of a reshipment next week!

For everyone who was able to get their hands on the collection, congratulations! Now let's see you in those fabulous clothes post some pictures to our facebook!

Check out the full Style.com report on the incredible "Haute Couture" style fashion show insider scoop & runway images!

Hotel Amour-Style.com on Lanvin (Heart) H&M

Need to Know: Boutiques.com

The NY Times had a fantastic article on Google's new launch into apparel e-commerce, using their website Boutiques.com, after I logged onto the website I realized just how exciting Google's entrance into apparel actually is!

Shop my favorite blogger? Yes please! 

Boutiques.com is like no other shopping experience I have had, the new technology platform Google has created allows their website to adapt to your shopping habits, including taste in shapes, colors, styles, and even brands.

The website allows you to see merchandise from boutiques all over the world by searching, or you can even shop the "boutique" of your favorite celebrity, a few starlets including Nicole Richie, and bloggers such as Bryan Boy have already created their pages of preferences in looks. Boutiques.com also allows you to create your own "boutique" of items and have people around the world follow you and shop within your boutique.

Finally a website where when you search "navy striped shirt," you will get navy striped shirts! Leaving out all the extra that could come with is such as shorts, shoes, and accessories.

Boutiques.com, welcome to your new best friend!

Have good taste? Let the world shop your boutique!

Google Fashion Shopping Site Makes Debut-NY Times

Quote Of The Day

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” 

- Coco Chanel

Goddess.

M.S. Loves: Lanvin for H&M!

Now I know we are all dying for the Lanvin (Heart) H&M collaboration to be launched on SATURDAY (grab your plastic girls & boys) and tonight is the fashion show! Alber Elbaz will be showing tonight at the Pierre Hotel in Manhattan! He has personally selected 20 looks and transformed pieces from the collection into originals. I know I will be looking out for the pictures tomorrow. Here is a quote from Alber on the collection, and the original WWD article linked below:

"I don’t think you’re getting an expensive H&M [piece]; you’re getting a bargain of Lanvin.” - Alber Elbaz

I KNOW I'LL BE IN LINE! M.S. circle to keep each other warm? Comment below!

A screenshot from the H&M website on the collection, I LOVE LANVIN!

M.S. <3 Lanvin


Alber Elbaz Shows at the Pierre Hotel

M.S. Loves: TOM FORD!

Alright how many of you have actually gotten to see images of the long-awaited women's collection from Tom Ford? Basically none of us right! UNTIL NOW!
Vogue was given the privilege of shooting Tom Ford's first namesake womenswear collection, and it is an eye-catcher! Here is one image from Vogue.com and the link to the slideshow with the first images and interview with Tom Ford on the collection.

“I do not understand everyone’s need to see everything online the day after a show,” he says. “I don’t think it ultimately serves the customer, which is the whole point of my business — not to serve journalists or the fashion system. To put something out that’s going to be in a store in six months, and to see it on a starlet, ranked in US magazine next week? My customer doesn’t want to wear the same thing she saw on a starlet!"

Interesting position no?

VOGUE.COM-Tom Ford Returns

M.S. Loves you!

Guest Speaker: Apar Kothari CEO of MyNines.com!

This week we heard from Apar Kothari, CEO of MyNines.com

Apar had a fantastic presentation on her company and what MyNines.com is bringing to the flash-sale market. The concept is simple, are you ready to hear it?

ALL SAMPLE SALES. ALL IN ONE PLACE.

 We LOVE that idea! Now I'm sure we've all used websites like Rue La La, Gilt Groupe, and the countless others. But wouldn't it be nice to have them all in one website? Like when you use Orbitz.com to compare airfare? Apar sure thought so and her website is the first one to be an aggregator for these flash-sale sites.

Thank you to Apar and Deepen Parikh (her Marketing Analyst) and thank you to MyNines.com

If you have any questions on internships please ask any of the MS Executives for further details. Applications are due December 1st so ACT NOW!

Thank you Apar! Everyone be sure to check out MyNines.com!

MyNines.com Founders Apar Kothari (right) and Gil Moran (left)

M.S. Loves: Stacy Igel & Boy Meets Girl!

I'm sure we all remember when Stacy Igel of Boy Meets Girl came to visit us at MS. Well we'd like to support her in her race to be on Oprah! She open's the NY Times article, "Who Will Be Oprah’s Last Star?," and we'd like to wish her luck! Thank you Stacy for the opportunities you offer Merchandising Society and don't forget to check out the article linked below along with the Behind the Seams series that just launched on ratemyprofessor.com! 

M.S. Loves you!

Who Will Be Oprah's Last Star?- GO STACY!

Behind The Seams-Ratemyprofessor.com 

Alumni Meet & Greet 11/10/2010

Last Wednesday was a great night for the Merchandising Society. It was our Fall semester Alumni Meet & Greet! Although this is known as a smaller event compared to the Spring Alumni Event, Laura, Corinne, and Arianna (the Alumni Affairs team) put together a FANTASTIC evening! 

The night began with some mingling as our alumni arrived and there we began with a quick bingo ice breaker. It was a fantastic way to introduce ourselves to new members and the alumni. Finally we began a round of "Speed Networking" with the Alumni to which we had a great round of Q&A with them, and heard their advice for us as MS members.

The Alumni included:

• Nan Lung, working at Macy's working in planning for precious gems.
• Kristyn Corino, working at Macy's as a product developer for a private label.
• Chanel Griffiths, working at Macy's as a Merchant Assistant.
• Lindsey Stumpf, working at Toys R Us corporate as a planner for their apparel.

Alumni: Nan Lung, Kristyn Corino, Chanel Griffiths, and Lindsey Stumpf

M.S. members & alumni at the M&G!

Taylor, Tyler, Briana, & Rony enjoying the Meet and Greet!

Thank you all for coming and the fantastic night, here are a couple pictures from the event and we hope to see you all participating soon!

Welcome to The Society!

Hello everyone!

Though this blog is mainly for the use of the Fashion Institute of Technology's Merchandising Society members, it is available for all the alumni, staff, and general public to stay informed as to what is going on in the Merchandising Society and keep up with all our favorite things.

With this blog we hope you are able to stay updated on:

• Guest Speakers
• Trips
• Breaking News
• Pictures
• Summaries of Events
• Our Favorite Things
• Corporate Partners
• And plenty of other things to contribute to your FIT experience! 

So let's begin, and welcome to The Society!

The Merchandising Society at our yearbook photo!