Generation Z.... changing the face and pace of fashion

December 28, 2017 Jolene Streiff

There's a lot to say about fashion these days. Where fashion is headed especially within today's burgeoning teenage market is one conversation lots of people are having.

Besides melding current cultural trends in art, music, movies, science and tech with contemporary social and political thought and a menagerie of images from the runways of Paris, Milan, London, Tokyo, New York and Los Angeles, a fashion savvy someone needs digital connectivity (the likes of Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest, Twitter, Snapchat) and to befriend a discerning 13 year old in order to feel the pulse of teen fashion. How designers design and retailers market for their fastest growing client base- today's Generation Z- is a journey with a smartphone and all new rules.

Generation Z(ers) - post Millennials, born mid-90's to mid-2000 - are emerging onto the fashion scene with smartphones in hand and a strong sense of who they are and where they're headed. This group's the most socially conscience, tech savvy generation ever. They're smart, sophisticated and phenomenally connected to the world - using social media as their most important means to get information, interact and communicate. They think on their own, have an entrepreneurial spirit, influence others (peers and people in high places- especially advertisers, fashion designers, policy makers) and favor a collaborative “we before me” mentality. For sure, they move at a pace and in directions that are causing the world to take notice.

By 2020, Generation Z will make up 40 percent of North American spending and 60 percent of these teens will buy brands that support causes that they believe in. Well over 80% don't care about designer labels, but search for fashions that sell and deliver what they want in innovative ways. With these strong stats behind them, no one can argue that this generation is a self-reliant force deserving of respect and recognition.

take a look at FEAR of GOD

February 22, 2017 Jolene Streiff

Fear of God is a unique clothing line that's offering younger customers some very cool fashion options. With only a few seasons behind him, Jerry Lorenzo has created a variety of separates and footwear that are flying out the door of better retailers- And, where preordering is often the only way to get an item.

Lorenzo's line fills a fashion void especially for people under 30. It's inspired clothing- created with purpose, meaning and is described as a high-end brand with street swagger... a cross between a 90's look, grunge, hip-hop, vintage, Americana, classic, athletic.

His designs are the pieces that you need and the pieces that work well with what you already have.

Fear of God finds a home in better retailers, usually in the guys' departments- but the line offers some great unisex pieces that women can feel comfortable wearing.

Waiting for the next collection- in the meantime checkout this short video featuring the innovative clothing from designer Jerry Lorenzo.

How Lorenzo sees his line

Fall Winter 2017 Fashion Week NYC

February 21, 2017 Jolene Streiff

Here are three videos from NY Fashion Week runway shows - some good looking pieces in each.

Victoria Beckham:

In the past, I've never been a fan of Victoria Beckham's clothing lines- I guess I still consider her a Spice Girl. But after a few years in the rag trade, she's designing some pieces I love. Her 2017 Fall/Winter line makes a strong feminine statement- using soft and dreamy wools, jersey knits, crepe silk chiffons in robust navy, burgundy, grey hues.

Marc Jacobs:

Marc Jacobs' runway show was loaded with outstanding outerwear. The coats were beautiful, mostly in rich browns and beige tones. Plaids, fur trim, pocket details were wonderfully added, as well as the accents of bobby style hats, big bags and earrings. Take a look.

Carolina Herrera:

Another crowd pleaser this Fall/ Winter season is Carolina Herrera's line. Most is a subdued silhouette with lots of crisp white shirts and delicate black bow ties. Solid blocks of color: black, white, royal blue, jewel tones. Some very pretty chiffons and tulle. Skirts with gracious movement and flow.

FAMILY MATTERS

February 7, 2017 Jolene Streiff

Under my Designing Yourself services, I usually don't post a comment unless it has to do with fashion, beauty, wardrobe....
But because Designing Yourself deals with you personally - it also includes the importance of balancing career, motherhood, family, etc- doing it all with finesse and serenity. If you scroll down the Designing Yourself page, you will find the sub-heading Family Matters, which highlights, through pictures, the importance of Family Life......
This video I decided to post involves family life. I thought it was worth passing on because it reminds me of the innocence of childhood, a child's way of expressing what's important to them, and an adult's ability to live life with a youthful mind & spirit, connect with our kids and see them as gifts.
Even though we sometimes loose our focus- we can begin again, now :-) because... It takes a long time to become young! Pablo Picasso

Why children's drawings matter from Delphine Burrus on Vimeo.

Christmas in New York

February 7, 2017 Jolene Streiff

Christmas in New York… The magic of 5th Avenue windows - inspires and energizes New Yorkers and out-of-towners every single year. Here's a sample of what I loved - especially the visual excitement of Bergdorf Goodman's Christmas window displays.....

Also- I'm sure many of you saw the H&M Christmas video! It's wonderful- you'll want to watch this over and over and over again-even during the summer! Check it out.
P.S. better late.... than never to post great stuff! 🎁

Come Together – a film directed by Wes Anderson starring Adrien Brody – H&M from Search Party on Vimeo.

Tonal Dressing: The Chic New Way to Wear Color This Spring

October 14, 2016 Jolene Streiff

Dressing in blocks of tonal colors is one of Spring 2016's biggest trends. It's all about selecting and wearing a variety of pieces in the same color but with slight variations. Whether you work it via shades of gray, beige, or more saturated colors, you're sure to find that this subtle, elegant way of dressing makes a big impact.

H&M's latest look: Hijab-wearing Muslim model stirs debate

October 14, 2016 Jolene Streiff

Mariah Idrissi in a scene from the video.

(CNN)This is the first time H&M, the world's second largest retailer, has featured a Muslim model wearing a hijab in a video designed to encourage consumers to recycle their clothes. And it's opened up the debate on Muslims in fashion.

As expected, the video, released earlier this month and entitled "Close the Loop", is a slick production by the Swedish brand. Urban scenes, stylish attire and models of various nationalities, genders and sizes.

In fact, it was the Muslim woman's debut modeling performance too.

Born and raised in London to a Pakistani mother and Moroccan father, Mariah Idrissi, 23, got her photo submitted to H&M by her casting director friend.

"It was just a one-off, I didn't plan on it getting this big," she tells CNN, laughing. And it seems the giant fashion house had done their research too.

"I was surprised, they actually really knew exactly how I should be dressed. They understood it had to be very loose fitting, not figure hugging, not anything revealing. They gave a range of different outfits. I kind of hinted what I liked and all of them were respectable," she says.

Some people say modeling conflicts with traditional Islamic beliefs. Idrissi disagrees.

Bill Cunningham Looked for Subjects. And They Looked for Him.

June 27, 2016 Jolene Streiff

Steven Lane, a New York Times reader, took a photo of Bill Cunningham on the streets of New York City. “He was able to eschew the snobbery and nonsense, and distill fashion down to the essence of true personal style for all of us,” Mr. Lane wrote. … — Steven Lane, a New York Times reader, took a photo of Bill Cunningham on the streets of New York City. “He was able to eschew the snobbery and nonsense, and distill fashion down to the essence of true personal style for all of us,” Mr. Lane wrote. Photo: Steven Lane

Bill Cunningham worked as discreetly as he could. “My whole thing is to be invisible,” he wrote in 2002. “You get more natural pictures that way, too.” But while he looked for subjects, his subjects also looked for him. After his death on Saturday at age 87, we asked New York Times readers to share their sightings — and personal photos — of Mr. Cunningham on the streets of New York City and beyond. The responses have been edited for clarity and length.

For a model on the runway, he was always on the right side of the runway. For a model doing go-sees, he was on Seventh Avenue after the shows to catch us girls in groups, and the society women.

We all knew that he liked it best if you didn’t look at him and the camera, and we would all give him his shot. And then we would always break down and call out to him, “Hi, Bill!” and he would answer back, “Hi, kids.” My heart has held him from the very first time we smiled at each other through the lens of a camera. He was our muse as much as we were his.

Bill Cunningham, Legendary Times Fashion Photographer, Dies at 87

June 27, 2016 Jolene Streiff

Bill Cunningham, the street-style photographer whose photo essays for The New York Times memorialized trends including fanny packs, Birkin bags, gingham shirts and fluorescent biker shorts, died on Saturday in New York. He was 87.

Bill Cunningham, who turned fashion photography into his own branch of cultural anthropology on the streets of New York, chronicling an era’s ever-changing social scene for The New York Times by training his busily observant lens on what people wore — stylishly, flamboyantly or just plain sensibly — died on Saturday in Manhattan. He was 87.

His death was confirmed by The Times. He had been hospitalized recently after having a stroke.

Mr. Cunningham was such a singular presence in the city that, in 2009, he was designated a living landmark. And he was an easy one to spot, riding his bicycle through Midtown, where he did most of his field work: his bony-thin frame draped in his utilitarian blue French worker’s jacket, khaki pants and black sneakers (he himself was no one’s idea of a fashion plate), with his 35-millimeter camera slung around his neck, ever at the ready for the next fashion statement to come around the corner.

To READ more see this article in the NY Times.

THe definition of haute couture

January 24, 2016 Jolene Streiff

A true art form... breathtaking and exquisite. Enjoy the video and let me know what you think.

School never looked so good

September 14, 2014 Jolene Streiff

Last week I had a great time working with a young woman who needed to update her wardrobe and refresh her image before staring school. Tired of her long straight hair and rushing out every morning without makeup, Grace made a plan to meet with me and have a full make-over.

Once finished with talking about what would work well on her lean lanky figure, I got together with my fabulous makeup and hair stylist, Elena, sharing my vision of what hairstyles and makeup look would work well on Grace, considering her age, budget, and needs and the practicality of Grace being able to replicate the looks once on her own.

After all the discussing ended, I pulled together some great outfits and decided on awesome hair & makeup styles that I think would work well for Grace. But Grace had the final word, since she had to feel completely at ease with her updated look.

What emerged with paring new clothing with great hair and make-up looks, was one lovely woman who was ecstatic with her transformation(s). The super versatile pieces I used to create and re-create great looks worked for her. She felt comfortable and said that the clothing picks were things she'd wear forever and with lots of other things in her closet.... .. success!

I felt it was super important to select pieces that mixed and matched with the things Grace had hanging in her closet. I worked with a few terrific pieces from J. Crew- always a favorite place to start for the must have/ classic essentials- and got some strong foundational pieces incorporated into our expandable wardrobe: classic stripe button down, classic skinny jeans, classic black jeans, classic navy and black blazers- all in classic colors that never go out of style .

Even though I used these great quality separates, J. Crew was at the high end of Grace's budget. I shared my thoughts about purchasing a few quality, versatile, classic pierces that would last... and continually add a finished look.

Wardrobe finds we could fudge on- spend less but still get a great look with decent quality- we did, finding lots of cute things at TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Forever 21, Pier 1, Francessca's for next to nothing.

During the wardrobe changes, I talked to Grace about sharpening her fashion sense by perusing the lines of top designers at better stores and checking out the current Fashion Week videos from Paris, Milan, and New York.

I promised her that if she did her fashion homework, she would develop a strong sense of fashion knowing: what seasonal must haves she should buy, what trends are classic and have a longer fashion life, and forecast what looks will be in next season.

Check out what Grace is wearing and where she got it:

BCBG leather varsity bomber jacket -$79, coupled with a great faux leather skirt - $14 both found at Marshalls. (similar leather skirt at J.Crew for $595)
Grey tweed flared Skirt- $14, Red Plaid blouse- $14 , socks -$5: all from Marshalls
Black jeans, skinny jeans that fit her height and size 0 frame: - $98, $115 respectively. J. Crew
White button down- $49 Theory- TJ Maxx
Russet tweed Ralph Lauren Navy label- $149 TJ Maxx
Ankle socks- $5 Marshalls
Black Platform tie shoes: - $39 Forever 21
Leopard scarf – $24, Juicy Couture. Black leggings $19- Marshalls
Black tie tuxedo shoe- $98, Kate Spade TJ Maxx
At the end of the day, it was all a huge success, with beautiful results, and one happy client.
Approximate cost for Grace's mix & match wardrobe: $1,300
Consult for clothes, hair, makeup, and personal shopping: $350 value
Makeup /hairdo styling- on the house, gratis for Grace contributing to the blog.

Huge credit goes to Grace - a lovely, agreeable, easy to work with client who was brave enough to ask Designing Life for wardrobe/ beauty/ styling help.

And a huge thank you to my creative team: my makeup & hair stylist guru, Elena, and Elizabeth, my super talented photographer, who worked all day without taking a five-minute break. Thanks team for contributing to something beautiful. You rock!