this is it…

Tags

Chicago, chicago at night, chicago variety show, FOX TV, grupo niche, haunted chicago, haunted houses, hispanic programming, la india, late comedy, latino, latino comedy, MundoFox, salsa, variety show

Hello, my fellow readers. I am back and I have some exciting news.

After begin busy, tired and finally settled in a new pad, I have had the opportunity to visit my old friends at IMC! I have missed them dearly. I was presented with an opportunity to do something I love, to blog and make a few friends along the way.

I am working on a variety TV show that is being filmed  in Chicago. This variety show is catered to Hispanics and being televised on MundoFox station. I had the opportunity today to spend time behind the scenes and see some of these great hosts in action. I also spent time with the actual people who are the brains of this great show. I have seen some sneak-previews and the clips are intriguing and entertaining. I saw a preview about a haunting episode, now that was scary!!

The show is called “Le Entramos De Noche” translation “We Come In at Night”. The show is being hosted by 4 talented adults, 1 man and 3 women. They all have their unique talented that contributes to the dynamic of the show. The guy, Cesar, is on point if his comedic phrases that makes it hard not to laugh out loud. Paty, Betzaida and Coqui bring a feminine touch to the show and are ready for any challenge that comes their way. They truly shine when they are interviewing celebrities, they are star struck but keep their composure and the end result in a great interview. My favorite was a clip of La India, she’s dubbed La Princesa de la Salsa and can this princess sing!! They have interviewed Grupo Niche, covered the Salsa Conferece, and worked among other Chicago events.

The Variety show is new to Chicago and nothing like this has been done locally. They are shows that are based out in LA and NY but nothing like this here, in Chicago. I am excited to somewhat part of this project. Even if it is from a marketing/PR angle, the point is I am doing what I LOVE!!

G!

 

Hello, Again…

Tags

accessories, bags, Chicago Teen Expo, confused, confusion, fashion, Latino Fashion Week, looking for inspiration, men's bags, motivation

Hello, my fellow followers, new and existing.  I know I have been out of touch with my blog but now I am back and looking forward to share with you the many things up my sleeve.

First of, the Teen Expo was a success.  I even helped out with the fashion show production. I have discovered that production is not my forte, yet I helped and the rest of the interns got our kudos. The event was great, even with all the miscommunication with our partnered office. We just rolled with the punches and, well, that’s just the business world. Something that school doesn’t prepare you for. That’s over with and we have bigger plans for next year’s Teen Expo.

I made a promise this year in to get evolved more with my fellow designer friends and network. I’ve been having meetings with a couple of them who are trying to start an accessories line. We sat down talked about a business plan and looks like we are at full speed ahead. I am excited for this opportunity with these two, we three experienced New York together for the first time,  we have about the same artistic aesthetic and we love bags! (More on this topic as we develop our concept) cross your fingers!!

I am still with Imagen Marketing Consultants and have a full-time job, regular job, I have been juggling as well. I have been contemplating of what should be the next chapter in my life, career wise. The main question that I need to answer is: should I stay with IMC, even if I don’t get hired? I have many great ideas for Latino Fashion Week from a social media aspect. I can amplify their social presense and I can do it alone if I have too. Then again another question pop’s in my head: are you willing to do it for free? I’ve had many deep conversations about this topic with close friends and the feelings are divided. Some say it’s time to say goodbye, while others say “patience is a virtue”.  =/

Seriously, I have no clue on what to do. I know that I have taken commission work for the time being. I guess, my curiosity is me wanting to have full reigns on Latino Fashion Week’s social media. If I can’t get it, then my firms social media will be better than theirs.

Pictures from our backstage Teen Expo: Kohl’s Sponsored Fashion Show.

DAAYS Away!! AARGGHHH!!

Tags

Chiacgo, Chicago Teen Expo, educational pavilion, fashion, inspiration, motivation, Prom, society, spring 2013, stressed, teens, trendsetter, women's fashion, womens wear

Hello My Fellow People,

We are days away from our Teen Expo educational pavilion and stress levels are high!! I have been out of work due to an illness, not so good!!  Things seem to be going left than right for us and yet we are still marching ahead  with all our ammo blasting through. It has been tough but we promise a marvelous three-day event. I have never put an event like this together and this is stressful. And here I thought putting a surprise party was stressful! HA-HA!!

On another note, we have amazing celebrities that have been booked and putting the final touches on the seminars, btw are looking great! I just wish something like this was available when I was in high school. It sure would have been easier to narrow down a field of my liking.

We are busy this week pulling looks from local designer boutiques and well known department stores. It sounds like fun, but we were exhausted. The positive thing about this experience is that the three of us (interns) had our own teams, each with their own creative personal style. They question every decision I made and asked I had to answer and defend my choosing. It was a growing experience and once they saw my vision, team work totally paid off!

But anyway, we are stressing, having fun pulling looks, doing model castings. Its all fun but a vacation is long overdue!

 Teen Expo Flyer

 

See you soon

G!

Visually awaken!

Tags

Chicago, Dalia Chih, fashion week, Fashion's Night Out, inspiration, music, new york city, society, teens, trendsetter, visual merchandise, women's fashion

Good evening, guys and gals! It is evening here in Chicago. Today was a wonderful sunny day! The many inches of snow that fell on Tuesday are slowing melting away!! I love me some winter weather, but I am in need of some summer heat!! I hate hot-humid-sticky days, but I am a bit tired of wearing my ACG boots!!

So, my days have been busy, getting the social media aspect for our Chicago Teen Expo up and running. We have been finalizing all the seminars and programs, this will be a great hit! The response from sponsors, vendors and from the institutions have been great. Just like us, they also want to empower today’s Chicago Youth. This event is for the whole Chicagoland region, not only metro area. Which makes the event even more meaningful. So, entertainment wise, we have an excellent fashion show and a singing contest that should bring the roof down!! We have booked a young girl from Arabs Got Talent. Her name is Dalia Chih and she can belt out some tunes!! She has been booked to sing, further details to come,but enjoy this YouTube video below:

Youtube

So, I do not remember if I mentioned about a New York visual window I was doing for my school as an alum. Well, this window is to promote the New York-Fashion Week trip our merchandisers and fashion design students take. And as a side note: I am deeply sadden that Fashion’s Night Out has been canceled!! What a sad day in Fashion. I, honestly, did not want to do the window. I finally came on board because of one my dear friends really wanted to do it and I was supposed to play a supporting role. In life, not everything goes as plan. I initially took reigns on the project and helped came up with the concept. Although, I was seven (7) weeks late in making the change. I was really impressed with the outcome. A big shout out to my Friend Daniel, who with his help, the window will not get done. And as in the design world, what matters is not who does it, but who comes up with the design. It’s a harsh world, you guys!! BUT I thanked him a billion times and I meant it every time.

The concept was New York shopping experience. Showcasing New York designers and boutique staples. I had fun going into these high-end stores and asking for their shopping bags. Although, I got shot-down but many of the well-known, others were nice and gave me more than enough bags! The dress (if you can zoom in) was made by my friend Maribel Castañeda, a recent graduate as well, this is her couture piece and was showcased at Imagine, IADT’s annual fashion show. I am glad that she lent it to me, her dress fits in with our theme. I am fighting with Daniel over the Brooklyn bridge giant poster! It will look fabulous in my room!

Window!

Dress by Maribel Castañeda
Enjoy!!

Until Next Time!
G!

Greetings from the Bat-Cave…

Tags

chill mode, me times alone time, relaxing, stressed, vacation, work is stressful

Greetings my fellow followers,

Just checking in and taking a break from my busy PR & Social Media Marketing life. IMC, Imagen Marketing Consultants, is working hard on our up coming event titled Chicago’s Teen Expo. Surely, our press conference was about month ago and the official event wont happen until April 5th to the 7th weekend at the McCormick Center in Chicago, but we are working around the clock!!

I have been pressing my fingers down on to the phone’s key pad and making those cold calls. We are looking for vendors and we are in need now. I guess this all part of the job. We shall be successful and we shall book all that will want to be apart of this event.

It is really hard to try and keep oneself organized and do things on a daily basis. I sometimes feel that there’s not enough hours in the day to get everything that needs to get done. I just need to stop trying to fill up my plate, I don’t need to keep refilling it. I need to learn to pass things up and take a breather. What I really need is a vacation!!

Vacation! Vacation! Vacation! Where to go?!

Lets us Color our wardrobe!

Tags

accessories, Alexander McQueen, blue, burberry, fall/winter 2013, fashion, fashion week, men's fashion, men's shoes, mens style, menswear, prints, rick owens, trend forecast, trendsetter, wide leg, yellow

Hello, My Followers.

I have been busy with IMC, we are creating amazing things and collaborating on multiple projects. Its been fun. I’ve been waiting to post something, but it had to be fashion related and what else is there but Men’s Fashion Week. Surely, it has been over for about two weeks, maybe three, but going through the majority of the collections take time. I have tried following it on a daily basis, but that takes more than dedication.

I am always looking forward to seeing Fall/Winter collections because those are my favorite seasons. I love a chunky scarf, to snug up in a sweater and so on. When viewing these collections, I have noticed that I am looking for patterns from one collection to another. It is a habit I picked up from my Trend Analysis course. Nonetheless, I still love going through all the pictures and looking at detail shots. Lets Break down what I think will be trending from the Fall/Winter 2013 Collections.

Yellow Bright!

Yellow has been all over the runways. It is an interesting color for Fall. Many designers love using dark colors for this particular season. I do not like color, especially Yellow, but I am liking the way it was used. Yellow was used in a darker shade and at times in a bright way. It was used in on tops, bottoms and even on coats. I personally think, yellow looks amazing as a coat color, Andrea Pompilio had some amazing ones! It is an accent color, that men must use.

Feeling Blue?

Blue, as well, has been used this season. It was used in many shades and on different apparel pieces. I really liked the way Miuccia Prada used the blue in her collection. It was so Prada, the simplicity, the minimalist of it but at the same time it felt fresh and new. It was a collection for every man. That blue sports coat is amazing. Gucci, used the blue in a pastel way, my favorite piece was the opening number.

Burgundy is not just for Wine!

I have been convinced on this color and I will get something in this color for the next Fall season. I enjoyed the way it was used. Lanvin went a bit bright but that sports coat looks incredible. I love how at Alexander McQueen it was used on velvet, that took that look to a whole other level. It felt like a million bucks!! Speaking of velvet it was used a lot through out this season. It has been a staple for menswear in the last few years. We saw Eddie Redmayne wore a chocolate-brown velvet suit by Black by Hugo Boss at SAG Awards. Velvet, ombrè, leather and corduroy also in the mix at fashion week.

Let’s go Wide!

I happen to love the wide trouser for men, I, in the other hand cannot wear it I will look to boxy. I was surprised that French designers were sending men in wide leg trousers. In Milan it was straight tapered and fitting. Both Ann Demuelemeester and Dries Van Noten nailed the look completely. It was grunge but more preppy and clean. It still gave the model a form and that is key when wearing a wide leg trouser.

Show some Print!

Prints came alive during fashion week. Men are more accepting of it and the designers delivered. I love the houndstooth print at Paul Smith, his collection was nicely done. It had color, like expected but used the prints to take his aesthetic more forward. Rick Owens used lines and he usually does in all of his designs but this one seemed a bit fresh and more likely to trend. Christopher Bailey of Burberry showed a lot of prints in his <3 Classic collection. Showed leopard, zebra and hearts on sweaters, shoes and bags it was adorable. Dolce & Gabbana embroidered most of their collection.

After reviewing these collections, I have to say that John Varvatos has been on my radar for a few seasons now. In the beginning he seemed to get the trends a little too late. Maybe his collaboration for Converse has helped him get in tune and reach a target market he couldn’t before. Nonetheless, this season he provided his customer options: motorcycle waistcoats, vests, boot cut suits, a cape and amazing brogues. His collection went from grey to blue, the accessories were cool looking, I want the cape and those boots!

One thing before ending this is my take on the coat of the season. I had always admired the coats that are always shown at all the Burberry Prorsum fashion shows. It is a company that has made many impeccable outterwear for a century and more. When I was watching the Burberry Mens Fall Fashion Show, I was really impressed with their interpretation of their classic trench coat in PVC-rubbery-Vinyl fabric. As soon as it turned the corner I was intrigued as it walked down the runway I was in love with it! It is simple yet, very chic and fresh. It reminded me of those plastic coats Prada a few seasons ago, then again so did Burberry for their womenswear.

G!

Career, Get-Set-Go?!

Tags

college, fashion, glee, inspiration, Kerry Washington, motivation, Public Relations, Scandal, social media marketing, society, television show

Hello My Fellow Followers, 

I know it has been awhile since my last post. I’ve had a tense 10 week  school term, that has been over for about 2 weeks and I am still trying to recuperate. Towards the end of the term I was ready to throw in the towel. I was drained emotionally, physically and creatively. Alas, I pulled through and managed to deliver a great portfolio, if I do say so myself. I was counting down the weeks for the term to be over.To be free from lectures, homework assignments and final projects. And now that that is over, school time has been replaced with more work hours (the non-luxury one)  but I am once again watching some television. I finally caught up with Glee and Scandal!! Oh my god, you guys, Poor President Fitzgerald Grant!!! 

As my followers know, I was doing a PR Internship with Latino Fashion Week. After that was over, I was doing more PR work for its’ parent company Imagen Marketing Consultants. I was working one on one with my mentor researching perspective clients and researching a bunch of other things. Towards the end of school term, I got offered a part-time position with IMC and I took it. I’ve been working the social media sites and looking into other things that will make me more knowledgeable in Social Media Marketing, that I can use to my advantage in exposing IMC to a market that was never attainable. 

I was given my first project right before the school term was over. If this works out, this project can be turned to my first client. I have been excited since day one and together we have made some first great impressions in the film industry. More details on that to come. 

My second project was given to me today. Today was the first time that IMC sat down as a group with a client. Bouncing out ideas and hearing each other was a great experience. We all had different perspectives of how the Expo should turn out but the overall goal is that we want the expo to be a success. We are gearing towards that and we shall achieve that goal. I will be in charge in building a social media campaign for our expo. Some details are being finalized before I can release any more information. 

So, on my way home after this meeting, I just sat there and started to think. Thinking about my education at IADT. That all the hard work, all those late nights and money invested on final projects was all worth it, no matter how much I complained. Then I remembered an email that Cesar, my internship mentor turned boss, sent me after the portfolio showcase. He told me how impressed he was with my portfolio and the way I branded myself. He praised me, something that still feels weird to me. But he is right, I see things that he doesn’t and that is why he won’t let me go. And I see myself doing a lot of great things with IMC. I never saw myself in a PR & Social Media Marketing field and I am loving every minute of it. 

G!

Senioritis!!

Tags

art history, evening gowns, fashion, Paris, rococo, school, stressed, the palace of versailles, Versailles, women's fashion, womens wear

I am about finished with week three out of a ten week term. This is my last one!! No more books to carry home, which I hardly did. No more sleepless nights finishing final projects or just finishing homework. I have a huge procrastination problem, you guys! Although, I always pulled through and got all my assignments and projects turned in on time, I am for some strange reason creatively drained. Is that even possible?! I think so!

As I am writing this as I take a break from doing my portfolio class assignment: producing creative business cards. I really like the creativeness of this class but at this point I just want to be in bed, sleeping. Maybe I’m just being a big baby about this; Hey, it’s the perks of being an only child! I am trying to get out of this funk, I even went as far as to challenge myself on an Art History assignment. Something that should’ve been easy, non-important turned into an all night-er but I really enjoyed the outcome of it. It was creating something inspired by certain paintings and buildings created during the Baroque, Rococo and Realism art movements. I choose the Palace of Versailles. (Oh, and a big shout out to my bff Armando! He totally helped me out with this assignment!!)

I guess I took a lot on my plate this last term. It was something that I was trying avoid but avoiding them would have been the wrong thing to do. I guess I am too busy and just want to put my feet up and relax. I am constantly on the go, but I have made school a priority. It is too late in the game to just give up, not quitting, but to actually pull through fully intact. I am trying to manage work, school, internship, being President of Behind the Scenes and a social life. If it’s not one thing it’s another. I am not complaining, I’m just venting. This is how I can get some frustration out. A deep tissue massage can help too, but I can’t afford that luxury just yet.

I was having dinner with my friend last night, someone I haven’t seen in about three months. We talked, laughed, had a few drinks. We are kind of on the same boat. She is off doing her own thing at Columbia, she wants to be a music producer or a tour manager. My friend and I agreed that we are finally ”growing up”. Getting focused and in gear to make a career for ourselves. This the reason why we came to school. It is the reason why we STAYED in school. It is the motivation we need. Well, it is the motivation I needed. I have eight more weeks to go, she has about twenty more to go.

G!

*****

Here is the Illustration I created, with the help of Armando. I had a vision of doing a wedding gown inspired by the Palace of Versailles, but I love evening wear, so we went that route.    

When will I sleep?!?!?!

Tags

Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, internship, Logan Lerman, movie, teens, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Tilda Swinton

This week was suppose to be my week. MY WEEK!! A week just dedicated to me lounging around my house eating a bowl of cereal and watching daytime television. Instead I am interning, which has been great so far, working more hours than I want at the Deli and running errands for my Papa! I just needed this week for me. It was all I looked forward too when my term was about to be over.

My internship is going great. Latino Fashion Week kicked off last night and the turnout was amazing. I saw many local Chicago Hispanic personalities and some press people who I have admired. Although, I was lost I did manage to find my way to my mentor. I was public enemy number one, to many of the other interns. I had privileges that not many had. I was honored but felt awkward too. I guess I am feeling a bit sad because I had something personal come up today. Today of all days!! Today was the big event at Macy’s on State Street, due to personal reasons I could not make it. I know it is a BIG NO NO as an intern.  I just got off the phone with my mentor. Let’s just say that the conversation was one-sided. As much as I wanted to answer back, I knew that I F*cked up and stood quite. I mean he had a point on everything he said and at the end of this internship and in the long run it affects me, my future/career. Plus, I would have had two UPSET women if I were to be dropped as an intern.

I just wanted a week with no school related functions or anything that required thinking, as in anything more than common sense! LOL!! I wanted the creative part of my brain to relax as well. I wanted it to be fresh for Portfolio. I have seen many of my peers go crazy and stressing over this class. To me it should be about creativity and how well you can merchandise yourself on paper. I can’t say that I haven’t been thinking about ideas for this class since last term. I guess, I am starting to organize myself. I am looking forward to this class.

Besides waking up early each day, doing my internship events. I did have a few minutes to stop at the library and pick up a book. Hey, I need some sort of relaxation. I am currently reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower written by Stephen Chbosky. So far, it has gotten my attention but I get sleepy and force myself to put it down. It is a short and easy read but the lack of sleep makes me loose concentration for the book. The book has been turned into a movie with Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller (I LOVE that name Ezra) as the main characters. The movie has been out as a limited release but this week it will be released on a national level. Anyway, Logan Lerman starred in Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief back in 2010. I remember seeing Logan in a small short-lived series on the WB called Jack & Bobby, based on the young lives of the Kennedy brothers. I liked the show, too bad it got canceled. I was intrigued about this Perks movie because of Emma Watson. Coming off of Harry Potterstardom as Hermione Granger, I loved her in that. She had a small part in last years My Week with Marilyn, if you have not seen that movie go and see it now. As the British say, its brilliant! As for Ezra Miller, he has done some independent films my favorite has been We Need To Talk About Kevin with Tilda Swinton, based on the book by Lionel Shriver. This movie is absolutely amazing. Tilda Swinton is superb in all her movies, she’s a favorite of mine, but Ezra can hold his own. Besides the tragic plot, I was really impressed by the two children in this movie.  They show Kevin in three stages of his life and the discipline that the two kids showed on this film was mind-blowing. They were spot on and believable as evil children. You Must Check This Film OUT!! I always recommend it!! So watch it!!

I guess I am done blabbering for a day. My eye lids are getting heavy. Like always, like, comment and share this post. And thank you for reading this post without a purpose.

G!

Movie Poster

Movie Poster

Official Book Cover

Tilda, Ezra, Rock Duer (Kevin- Toddler) and Jasper Newell (Kevin 6-8 years old)

 

 

 

Coming to an End…

Tags

ABC 7, fashion, fashion week, inspiration, Latino Fashion Week, men's fashion, NIck Verreos, Nina Chantele, society, spring 2013, Vanidades, women's fashion

I have been blogging for about twenty weeks and I am loving it. Although, I completely forget about it, I still think about my bow-tie!! The main purpose of this blog was that it coincided with my trend forecasting class (feel free to read all my posts!) I prefer this type of writing than I prefer English Papers and Research Papers, to many guidelines and rules for me. I like to just type and not think about who I am misquoting or where to put the citation at.

I am finishing my fall term at IADT-Chicago. It has been a fun term filled with amazing classmates and open minded discussions. Political Science was an amazing course. We pushed and challenged each others ideas, thoughts and opinions without getting offended. The advanced topics class New York trip will always be the highlight of my life, of this year and even the best part of the last three years at IADT. I still have ONE more term to go but I guess I am in the process of starting to say good-bye to IADT. Saying good-bye to the school, the  instructors that I love, to the friends I have made along the way. The friends that I bonded and became close with will be in my life one way or another, but not as much as I would like them to be. We are starting to get those jobs we have craved and/or the internships that will lead us to that dream job.

As for myself, I was a bit hard-headed on getting this one specific internship. I love the creativity of Threadless tees and their sister website Society 6. Both are artistically brilliant, interning for them would have been like winning the lottery. I saw on their website that they were looking for interns but after repeatedly sending them my cover letter and resume, no luck!! I was then looking around for something in menswear, but nothing in a retail environment. I have done customer service and hard lines retail for about 10 years and I have had enough. I was guiding myself for something behind the scenes, but as a fashion merchandiser where do I start looking?

I knew that being a buyer was out of the question and many of my instructors agreed with me. It is not that I don not like it, trust me I can be a buyer but I need something that is creative and ever changing daily. I guess daily routines are boring to me. Besides Trend forecasting and Product development, which is also something that I would want to do, I also enjoyed my courses of Public Relations and Fashion Journalism. The funny thing is that I had the same instructor for PR, Fashion Journalism for my English 102 course, which is a 14 page research paper. I remember Catie pulling me to the side and telling me that my PR and Journalism work were better than my English paper. HAHA!! To be honest I had a good topic, it was Hitler’s influence on White Supremacy. I worked hard on that paper but towards the end of it I was overwhelmed and I just put stuff together. I passed, nonetheless not with the grade I wanted but it is what it is.

Feeling the pressure from my program chair and the beloved Susan, I was desperate for an internship! At this point, somewhere and anywhere!! When I was cornered by Dr. A and Susan (not really but I was dropping something off to Susan) I was given information about Cesar. He needed help with PR and Social Media, he needed the help NOW!! To be quite honest, I felt I was given this because of this blog, don’t get me wrong I want to be the Hispanic version of Andre Leon Talley but in my mind I wanted to gain it some other way.

I finally emailed my cover letter and resume to the corresponding person. It has been a full day without hearing anything. Saturday I was at school working on stuff and all I could think of was ” I should forward my email to Cesar about the internship.” I heard in the background the voice of Dr. A we talked and she suggested I did. Remember clock is ticking and I am running out of time! I composed something quick and with in minutes I got a reply back. I was on the phone with him a few seconds after that. Just like that I got an internship, I was excited that something came trough.

Meeting with him was great. I had doubts about my skills but he made me feel comfortable. His passion for what he does is inspiring and it sucked me in. I may not believe in a lot of things, I am a though, a big believer in karma and things-happen-for-a-reason kind of way. I now believe I was meant to get this internship. Many good things can come out of this. As I type this blog and I mentioned Catie above, I also remember her telling me to pursue something in PR or Journalism. I told her I would think about it, but I never did. It wasn’t what I wanted to do. Then again as I was entering my senior school status and internships were being drilled into our heads. I ran into her in the hallway at school and asked for any leads on PR.

My task as a PR Intern is to reach as many local media: print, radio and television and remind the media of our up and coming event: Latino Fashion Week. I would also reach national and international media about this event. This event is held in Chicago and it is a big production. Many Latino celebrities have been confirmed.  Latino Fashion Week is in October from the 9th to the 13th. Many things are scheduled and it will be a busy time for me.

I will try and blog as much as I can and reveal as much as I can too. This is real life, no more classroom lectures or pretend finals! This is the real deal!

G!