Spot on: Marc Jacobs

Personal Life

• Born on April 9th 1963 in New York City

• Non-observant Jewish

• Marc was seven when his father passed away

• According to Marc, his mother was mentally ill and could not take care of the kids

• In his teen age, he moved with his paternal grandmother on the Upper West Side of Manhattan

• He is openly gay and was in a four-year relationship with Jason Preston (salesman) and later with Lorenzo Martone (advertising executive) with whom he broke up with in 2010

Education

• Graduated from the High School of Art and Design in 1981

• He also studied at the Parsons School of Design, New York

• At Parsons, he won the Perry Ellis Gold Thimble Award, in 1984

• In the same year he was also awarded the Chester Weinberg Gold Thimble Award and the Design Student of the Year Award

Career

• American fashion designer

• Creative director of Louis Vuitton since 1997

• At age fifteen, he work as a stock-boy at Charivari an avant-garde clothing boutique in New York (the boutique does no longer exist)

• While still at Parsons, he designed and sold his first line of hand-knit sweaters and also a collection for Reuben Thomas Inc under the Sketchbook label

• He formed Jacob Duffy Designs Inc. with his creative and business collaborator Robert Duffy

• In 1986 Jacobs designed his first collection bearing the Marc JAcobs label

• In 1987, Marc was the youngest designer to have ever been awarded the fashion industry highest tribute for 'New Fashion Talent' by the Council of Fashion Designers of America's Perry Ellis Award

• In fall of 1993, Jacobs Duffy Designs In. launch their own licensing and design company: Marc Jacobs International Company, L.P

• In 1994, Jacobs produced his first full collection of menswear

• In 1997 when he was appointed Louis Vuitton's creative director, he created the company's first ready-to-wear clothing line

• Most of his collections make references to the fashion of past decades from the 40s to the 80s

привет ~ Mari Vanna

Whether you enter the kitchen, the bathroom or the living room you experience something. When you step into a known area a set of memories flash before your eyes, and when you enter somewhere new you create new ones. Sometimes what you see, feel, smell or hear meet your expectations, and other times it goes way beyond it. No matter what room, you always experience something; Something good or bad.

When I first entered Mari Vanna I was blown away. It was a warm welcome from the door. The waitresses were dressed in cute little dresses that reminded me of Russian dolls and they smiled and directed us to our table. The decor is amazingly beautiful and as it says above, it is a trip to Russian without the plane ticket. You feel so comfortable and so 'at home' that it instantally puts you in a good mood. So far I must admit that Mari Vanna is one of my favourite restaurant. I had no ideas what dishes Russian ate but I was helped by my dearest Moscow friend.  My favourite were the beef borscht soup (the red one on the picture). It is made of beetroot as the main ingredient and it tastes delicious. I also ordered a mixed beef and pork dumpling that also taste divine topped up with a traditional Vodka mixed with martini and cranberry.

If you ever come to New York City or if you live here I strongly encourage you to go and give it a go. 

And when you are done don't forget to say спасибо (pronounced spasiba, meaning 'thank you' in Russian)

Bisou-Bisous,

Mel

Museum Of Modern Art~ New York City

New York is home to artists, free minded people, who express themselves without boundaries. I like art, and I think it speaks much more than words.
Yesterday was a fabulous day, I finally got the chance to visit MoMA! I went with friends and later on we ended having dinner in an amazing Russian restaurant which I will share some pictures in my next post. MoMA is almost my next door neighbour and I still cannot believe I spent a year here in New York city without visiting a museum only until yesterday. MoMA is such a clean space, with remarkable pieces. Museums are definitely a great way to look for inspiration for anything. You would be surprised how open minded and creative you'd become after visiting a museum. I would definitely go back and spend more time and also visit more art galleries in the nearest future. For your information, MoMA is free on fridays from 4pm to 6pm for all visitors and depending on your school, you could even get free access any other time with your student ID.

Bisou-Bisous,

Mel

Picture Diary: Spring Break

Jersey Garden Mall

Easthampton, Massachusetts

Ground Zero, New York

Ground Zero, New York

Subway, New York

Washington, DC 

Washington, DC

Washington, DC

Washington, DC

Washington, DC

Washington DC

Washington DC

Spring Break ~ Much More Like Winter

Spring this year in New York is colder than winter! Who would have thought? You know, back in January, me, myself and I, were imagining renting bikes and riding all around Central Park as soon as Spring show her little nose. I guess it was all an illusion or perhaps bright days are few days ahead and I shouldn't worry much. Anyway, as I had a week off school for Spring, I abandoned my responsibility to blog daily and I went on some personal adventure. First, I might admit this was more a hustle than a break. I literally had no rest however, I had so much fun. My aunt came to visit from Africa so, I showed her around; We visited New York City, New Jersey, Boston, Easthampton, Springfield and Washington DC. We were hitting the road every single day for an average of 4 hours a day. It was a fun road trip. We lived, laughed and captured the moments. I might have ended up with more than a thousand pictures so I am sharing few with you. Hope you enjoy. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Bisou-Bisous,

Mel.

H&M Conscious

My Closet -__-

 I like my money right where I can see it... hanging in my closet. -Carrie Bradshaw

I was extremely overwhelmed by my closet yesterday morning. As I woke up, stepped out of the shower, so fresh, so clean, singing some Rihanna out loud, thinking life was oh so perfect... I opened my wardrobe door. Bam, a slap on my face! So many clothes, nothing to wear. I just sat down, and had my sixty seconds of emotional breakdown, then I went into a deep phase of reflection. You know, some people eat at they lunch break, I go shopping; others, read a book in their spare time, I go shopping. And this is something I have to change. Maybe is it time for me to revamp my closet and style overall. Maybe few quality pieces would make the cut. But the real question was what to do with the huge amount of clothes I own. Especially those unnecessary pieces that I bought when I was in a bad mood. Because you know, shopping for me is a therapy. When I am upset or mad at someone or I find myself in a situation in that I have no control over, I go out binge shopping and I end up picking the most random pieces that I would probably never wear. What a pity! As if the internet was watching that day, I came across H&M garment recycling program initiative that allows customers to donate used clothing of any brands in any H&M store. For each bag of clothing donated, customers will receive a voucher for 15 percent off their next purchased item. I would definitely take part of it...

Would you?

Bisou-Bisous,

Mel.

Are You Tired of Louis Vuitton Logo?

When you think of Louis Vuitton, the first thing that comes in your mind may probably be the LV monogram or Damier logo as opposed to the Nomade, Suhali, Taiga, Epi, Mahina, Exotic or Antheia. Matter of fact you didn't even know all those designs existed. Well, today I came across a very interesting article that I would love to share. It is entitled "Has Logo Fatigue Reached a Tipping Point?" written by Suleman Anaya for the Business Of Fashion [Online]. The article stresses that Louis Vuitton, the world's largest luxury brand is trying to shift its focus away from the very trademarks on which its success has been built. This means moving beyond the monogram and enhancing more their craftsmanship.

It all started at Paris Fashion Week, Fall 2013 where the monogram was nowhere to be found. This decision was made by Bernard Arnault, chairman and CEO of LVMH, the house of Louis Vuitton. Why? Simply because customers are getting tired of the brand's damier. Thinking it is ubiquitous. Especially due to the changing luxury consumption habits in China -Asia, without Japan accounts of 28% of Louis Vuitton sales. Chinese consumers have now moved on from conspicuous logos to a much more global mindset of uniqueness, high-quality and understatement in luxury items

“Luxury in China is now about being ‘in the know’ versus being ‘in the show’,” said Bruno Lannes, a Bain partner in Greater China and lead author of the Chinese edition of the study. “Changes in what Chinese shoppers want are now a central issue for the global luxury sector’s largest brands.”

Apparently, logo fatigue is not a new phenomenon; in 2010, François-Henri Pinault, chairman and chief executive of PPR, which owns Gucci, told WWD "Our groups are moving toward fewer logos, more discreet luxury. It’s a question of adapting our ranges very rapidly to this new perception of luxury, a luxury which is more subtle, more sophisticated which is what we are doing.”

Personally I think this is a pretty good strategy for Louis Vuitton to move beyond its trademark logo because I feel like the monogram and the damier are over rated with a sea full of counterfeits. I think Louis Vuitton have such a strong brand equity that, focusing on communicating  what they know best aka their 'craftsmanship' would lead to people learn beyond the Logo LV and also make them appreciate more of the genuine leather rather than the letters or little squares.

If you like Branding, this article covers the topic of 'Developing a new brand strategy'. It is very insightful. 

Read the original article by clicking here

Bisou-Bisous,

Mel.

Spot on: Ralph Lauren

LIFE

• American fashion designer and business executive

• Born Ralph Lipschitz in the Bronx, New York, October 14, 1939

• Jewish family

• Attended MTA school (now known as the Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy)

• In MTA Lauren was known by his classmates for selling ties to his fellow students

• At the age of 16, Ralph’s brother Jerry changed their last name to Lauren to avoid the obscenity reference Lipshitz has in English (although Ralph’s brother Lenny retained the name)

• Apparently Ralph was teased about it in school

“My given name has the word shit in it,” he told Oprah Winfrey. “When I was a kid, the other kids would make a lot of fun of me. It was a tough name. That’s why I decided to change it. Then people said, “Did you change your name because you don’t want to be Jewish?” I said, “Absolutely not. That’s not what it’s about. My cousins who lived in California had changed their last name to Lawrence. So I just thought, “I’m going to pick a nice last name”—it wasn’t particularly connected to anything or anyone. 

 • He later attended Baruch College where he studied business, although he dropped out after two years

• From 1962 to 1964 he served in the United States Army

• He did NOT attend fashion school, but worked for Brooks Brothers as a salesman

• In 1967, with the financial backing of Manhattan clothing manufacturer Norman Hilton, Lauren opened a necktie store where he also sold ties of his own design, under the label “Polo

• He later received the rights to use the trademark Polo from Brooks Brothers.

Burberry Cape

See by chloe Tan Candy Floss Shoulder Bag

I had little love for capes until my mum decided to send me this little gift. Probably a collection from few years back but oh gosh how cozy, warm and comfy this piece is. So, tippy toe, yesterday I was trotting the streets of New York making a statement: a huge one. Trust me, it takes a lot of guts to wear a piece of garment with the designer's print all over it.  The amount of attention you get is just ridiculous. Plus you don't know if there are positive as if people are loving it or if they are simply not feeling it. Anyway, all I knew was that I was so in love  with it. It felt like carrying my blanket along with me. The only thing I regret is the bag! Why on earth didn't I carry a black one? and why on earth didn't I wear all black as opposed to the blue sweater. 

What do you think?

Bisou-Bisous,

Mel.

Marc Loves Diet Coke

Don't we all love a little bit of Marc? Well, for Diet's Coke 30th anniversary, you, me and all others who are concerned would have the opportunity to see and enjoy a lot of mister Jacobs. So far, so impressed! I love the cans designs and the video ad is simply amazing!

As stated on Coca Cola Website, Marc Jacobs will "bring his unique vision to the brand, by creating a limited edition collection of must-have bottles and cans, uniting the stylish and light-hearted personalities of both icons. Inspired by the three decades, the chic designs capture the rise of female empowerment through the ‘80s, ‘90s, ‘00s, with a whimsical twist - true to Jacobs’ signature style."

Hopefully I can get a hand on few cans.

Bisou-Bisous,

Mel. 

Fashion, Lights,Camera, Action!

After that tragic moment you've realised that you are now sleeping one hour less because of the clock moving forward, the only thing left to do is to find something that cheers you up. At least something that put a smile on your face or even something that makes you laugh out loud. Luckily enough, there are amazing and distinctive directors and producers around the globe that deliver genius and creative Fashion Videos; and there are so great, so smooth and so likeable that the only thing you could do is share it with your entourage. Now, what a great way to start the day on a Sunday? Full screen, relaxed posture, a cup of tea at hand. From Alexander Wang to Lanvin, Prada, Kenzo and Barneys New York, there is nothing else I could add. Enjoy and Happy Sunday... 

Bisou-Bisous, 
Mel.

Happy International Women's Day

Those that are, and those that are growing up to be. 

The daughters. The mothers. The sisters. The fribblings- friends like siblings. The wives. 

The girlfriends. The aunts. The nieces. The grand-somethings. The young-uns. The teens.

The women in your life. Who love, lose, cry. Laugh, heal, thrive. Nurture. Create. You. Are. Amazing. As. You. Are. Stronger than you know. More beautiful than you think. Worthier than you believe. More loved than you can ever imagine. Passionate about making a difference. Fiery when protecting those you love. Learning. Growing. Not alone. Warm. Giving. Generous. Quirky. Sexy. Funny. Smart. Flawed. Whole. Scared. Brave. And so, so, so much. more. Be strong. Be Confident. Be You.

~ Tia Sparkles Singh, 2011