Guest Speaker Knowledge: Cole Haan

A quick overview from the company's LinkedIn profile:

"Founded by Trafton Cole and Eddie Haan in 1928, Cole Haan is built on American craftsmanship and ingenuity. We combine traditional methods, timeless style and modern innovations to create footwear and accessories for optimists of all ages. This company was started to make good things for people who make good things happen; it still does. 

Cole Haan recently returned to its roots as an independently owned company and is growing rapidly in the US and abroad, as people rediscover the value of quality goods made without compromises. It's about time. 

We call New York City and Greenland, New Hampshire home, but you'll find us everywhere. 

The Cole Haan brand is all about modernizing Trafton and Eddie's legacy. The Cole Haan company is about enlisting like minded people who want to make good things happen."

Some More Quick Facts To Know:

- The Cole Haan brand specializes in Footwear, Handbags and Accessories.

- As mentioned in the overview above, the company was started in 1928 by Trafton Cole and Eddie Haan. The business consisted of only mens shoes until 1979 when they introduced bright colored designs for women.

- The company was acquired by Nike in 1988.

- The brand began with a focus on comfort since the creation of its first driving shoes, and is still important today with the inclusion of Nike Air soles in the women's shoes.

- The company began selling online in 2000 and greatly expanded business.

Read more about the company and its history here:

http://www.linkedin.com/company/cole-haan

http://www.shoemetro.com/t-history-of-cole-haan.aspx

And make sure to check out their social media accounts!!

http://www.colehaan.com/blog.html

https://www.facebook.com/colehaan

https://twitter.com/colehaan

http://instagram.com/colehaan

http://colehaan.tumblr.com

The Weekender: April 11th - April 13th, plus some bonus finds!

Well it looks like spring is finally here! We hope that you have an amazing break and take some time to relax, refresh, and have fun before finals!! Besides including some activities for this weekend, we also included some that will be happening next week for those of you who will be in the city!

April 8th-13th: Check out the Elizabeth and James sample sale at 260 5th Ave. for up to 75% off!!

Visit Central Park for a picnic with friends and enjoy the fabulous weather!! 

Browse the MET or MoMa for an artsy afternoon! If you go to the MET, stop at Laduree for some macarons!!! YUM. They make a great Easter treat. 

April 15th-20th: Check out the C Wonder sample sale at 260 5th Ave. for up to 75% off!

Visit: http://www.260samplesale.com/upcoming-sales.html for more sample sale information!!

April 20th (Easter): On Easter Sunday, (April 20, 2014) you have the opportunity to see Easter bonnets to the New York City extreme as "paraders" wander along Fifth Avenue from 49th to 57th Streets. The area around St. Patrick's Cathedral is the ideal place to see the parade. The Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Feel free to wear a bonnet or crazy hat and join the fun!

Visit: http://gonyc.about.com/cs/holidays/a/easter.htm

^ All FIT students should wear this for finals week...

WWD Wednesday: Remembering Roseland Ballroom

Lady Gaga closed out the Roseland Ballroom with her performance this Monday with her last of seven sold out shows. There has been so much history made at the location that started as a dance hall  and concert venue in 1919, turning into a hotspot for disco in the 70s, and then hosting popular bands of the 90s such as Nirvana. WWD is here to help us say our final goodbyes to the famous New York venue with a look-back at its maybe less recognized "performances" - the fashion shows:

Liz Claiborne for the venue's 69th Anniversary:

Tommy Hilfiger Fall 1999:

Versace Versus Spring 2000:

Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B. Spring 2006 show:

Baby Phat Fall 2007 Runway:

Catherine Malandrino Spring 2007:

And Fall 2007:

Kimora Lee Simmons Fall 2007:

Alexander Wang Fall 2009:

William Rast Spring 2009:

What is your favorite Roseland Ballroom memory?

All images from: http://www.wwd.com/eye/lifestyle/last-dance-roseland-ballroom-shutters-7630916

Tuesday Street Style: Spring Fling!

Can we please talk about the level of gorgeousness that is occurring outside?! It is AH-MAZZZINGGG (and it better stick around!!) This will be our last Street Style post until we get back from spring break (eek, can't wait!), and we hope you enjoy the much much much needed time off.

Anyway, it is time for us to shut up and for you to enjoy these lovely, springy, feminine, flirty outfits for the season!

We love the pops of pink!

The mix of casual and dressy is perfect! So chic!!

This mint green is gorg!

Florals and prints are major this season!

A perfect look for a tropical vacation!

We LOVE the orange heel with the jeans and crisp white shirt!

Beautiful!!

whowhatwear.com

The Weekender: April 4th-6th

Good morning!

We hope that April has been treating you well so far!! Here are a few suggestions for starting your weekend!

Visit The Grey Dog for breakfast or brunch! Pancakes? Check. Eggs? Check. Fruit and yogurt? Check that too. So get your group of friends and have the relaxing morning you deserve! Visit: http://www.thegreydog.com/ for locations.

 After brunch, it is time to hit up the Macy's Flower Show! If you didn't attend with us yesterday, now is the perfect time because the show ends April 6th. Visit the website posted below for instructions on how to receive the 10% off pass, and shop the day away while looking at gorgeous flowers. Visit: http://social.macys.com/flowershow/#/city/newyorkcity 

Last but not least, visit the Rent the Runway sample sale at 260 5th Avenue for merch up to 95% off!! Visit: http://www.260samplesale.com/upcoming-sales.html

yelp.com

WWD Wednesday: Supreme Shutdown

Sorry for the wait, but WWD Wednesday is here just a day late!

This week let's talk about the report covering the new release of the Supreme x Nike Air Foamposite collaboration. There were so many fashion fans lining up on the street outside of the Lafayette Street Supreme Boutique (over 800!) - that the NYPD had to shut it down!

Here are the shoes everyone was waiting for:

Supreme issued a statement via its instagram that the police involvement was a result of a concern for public safety and the shoes will now be sold online rather than in-store. 

Comments on the incident seemed to make it out to be a positive thing! Citing that it only shows the popularity of today's sneaker market and the related resell market associated with it. 

What do you think of the great sneaker shutdown?

Read the full article on WWD here: http://www.wwd.com/footwear-news/retail/nike-sneaker-release-shut-down-7629418

Tuesday Street Style: April Showers...

Happy Tuesday!

As they say, April showers bring May flowers! Although the rain is a pain, here is some style inspiration and shopping info for this month. Feel free to comment on your favorite style!

ca.hunter-boot.com

londonoa.com

diary-of-mia.blogspot.com

zappos.com

zappos.com

zappos.com

zappos.com

annesage.com

WWD Wednesday: LVMH Young Fashion Designer Finalists

One of these 12 finalists will be awarded, in just two days, with the LVMH Young Fashion Designer Price. The winner will receive a cash prize of over $400,000 and a year of coaching from the prestigious LVMH group.

Simon Porte Jacquemus for Jacquemus

"The label is the story of a man who wanted to become a designer and made it happen despite the odds."

Simone Rocha

"One of London Fashion Week's youngest talents, the designer has become a seemingly unstoppable force since she unveiled her first collection."

Gabriele Colangelo

"Architectural, clean shapes combined with experimental, high-end fabrics are the trademark of the designer's collections."

Shayne Oliver for Hood by Air

"The designer eschews the constraints of high fashion sensibilities while pushing the boundaries of streetwear."

Thomas Tait

"The designer, who at 24 was the youngest student to complete the Central Saint Martins women's wear master's degree program, is evolving in myriad ways."

Tina and Nikita Sutradhar for Miuniku

"It's been a short road from total obscurity in Mumbai, where the sisters are based, to the innermost sanctum of Paris fashion last month for the semifinals."

Max Osterweis and Erin Beatty for Suno

"The label has evolved from a quirky, print-heavy collection dedicated to supporting artisans in Kenya to a design-driven darling of the fashion community."

Vika Gazinskaya

"The designer's namesake collection made its debut at Paris Fashion Week in September 2011."

Tim Coppens

"The designer already had a solid pedigree before branching out on his own three years ago."

Julien Dossena for Atto

"After four years as senior designer of Balenciaga's ready-to-wear collections, Dossena in 2013 set up his own label, naming it after his father."

Chris Gelinas for CG

"Two seasons into his line, the designer is getting noticed for some seriously impressive textile manipulation."

Tillmann Lauterbach

"His collections combine the savoir faire of some of Europe's finest artisans with the sartorial needs of a modern-day man who seeks functionality and fun."

Read full interviews with all of the finalists here:

http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-features/lvmh-competition-eye-on-the-prize-7616793