RSS
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
The Alive wrote
Can Columbus become a Midwestern fashion capital?
Thursday, October 2, 2008
By Brittany Kress
Take a look at the street corners, the sidewalks, the grocery stores. It’s a sea of people in sweatshirts and sneakers, and that casual, Midwest lifestyle is stifling Columbus designers’ best intentions.
Well, so are the makeshift studios they’re working from in bedrooms and living rooms across the city.
But it’s not just quality craftsmanship, training and education, sweatshop-style long nights and promotional efforts that’ll put the city’s designers on the map. Simply put, if Columbus wants to become a fashion capital – and plenty are pushing for it – we’re going to have to start looking more like New York. Or at least shopping a little more local, and with a little more style. Because designers can’t get respect coming from a city of sweatpants.
Alive’s Featured Fashion Designers:
- Columbus Style: Akira Burgess
- Columbus Style: Working from home
- Columbus Style: Brad Osting and Justin Hemm
- Alive & Unedited: Project Runway’s Terri Stevens
- Columbus Style: Shannon Mingus
And I know this is a little backwards to what i was saying before with Supplies but honestly if you are willing to do it you can get anything and sell nearly everything on the Internet so why does location matter that much? On my etsy I have sold to NYC, AR, UK, Canada.
Most of my friends from School are in NYC and you know what? they are NOT doing what they thought they would and most of them aren’t even happy half the time because of it.
One of my former clients came here from NYC she is a top designer for Abercrombie. She used to be with several large fashion houses in NYC right out of school and although the pay was not commensurate with her time she knew it was necessary to “pay the piper” to advance her career to the level she is today. She loves the experience and pay she receives from Abercrombie and feels she can be creative within guidelines just like any other designer would have parameters. If you have your own line or do your own thing (which she does) that is where the creative freedom remains.
Saks harshers, stop already…..whatever you see on the website or catalog, they will get for you!!! Imgaine how sad you would be if we did not have Nordstrom or Saks? I do not care for Nordstrom. What I remember coming here during City Center high times…Jacobsen’s–LOVED THAT STORE and Bendel’s…..
The boutique shops I love are Tigertree and Ivy Hill (even though I am sure she has closed up shop and moved already), Leal, Undone and Lululemon Athletica :wink: . What I find is I cannot relax and shop in SN because I worry about getting a ticket. Shopping at places that offer free parking makes a difference….you stay longer, spend more money, etc.
We would drive up to City Center and shop because the tenant mix was so great and the parking I think was a $1 or free.
I also think exposure to fashion and wardrobing would be helpful to some people who live and die for stretchy matching outfits. Classes, fashion shows, etc. Some people do not get how to put an outfit together because they have not had a lesson or adequate exposure to a retail fashion environment. I wanted to have a lunch and learn at my company and have a fashion friend and make up artist come in and give some tips. Guys: some guys will not budge on the fashion thing because of the same reason…they do not realize how hot they might look in something other than the dockers and golf shirts or the Tony Soprano look.
In what is considered a “town coup” Columbus has netted one of the foremost fashion consultants to rocket the city into the designer capital of the Midwest
“I think High street is as fashionable as Pa-ree”; said Minnie, modeling her new hat.
Once again, nice try, but this woman is at least wearing a hat, has done her hair, and is wearing a semi-formal dress. Go for more sweatpants, less offensive and outdated stereotypes about “hillbillies”. The picture you showed, by the way, is a postmodern character created by “hillbillies” to mock themselves. So you were scooped on that front about 30 years ago.
By the way, a country person is not necessarily unfashionable. But I haven’t seen many country dwellers while living in Columbus. Unless you count the rare Amish person– whose severe dress looks alarmingly similar to Tilda Swinton’s last Oscar gown.
+1000
I understand the “paying the piper” bit but for me that was not ever my goal when I went into fashion design in College. I knew from the get go I always wanted to either work for a independent smaller designer or be one myself. I tried the big company interviews and just was not happy. It’s a struggle for sure but I would much rather the struggle and be happy then to struggle on someone else’s behalf and test my sanity levels or compromise.
I can do ready to wear but I prefer to do more Couture garments which is extremely niche in Columbus. I personally like to think of fashion a mix between personality and art form of how it all comes together or key pieces that scream your individuality. I think this comes from my mixed sculpture background also.
I also miss City center’s wide variety and It is too bad it couldn’t hold out because it had some remarkable higher level department stores.
As for fashion stylist I always wondered if there is even a market for someone like that in Columbus? I LOVE MAKEOVERS! “How do I Look” is probably one of my favorites. I know that some individual stores have stylists but I find it hard to completely dress from just one store alone. Maybe an outfit or two but not when you are re-doing your wardrobe.
And Lastly do you think OSU might have an impact on why we see such hideous combinations daily? People who went to OSU and just merged into Columbus when they graduated but never really got out of the College mindset off the clock? I mean my boyfriend works at the BRT in the mass spec lab and he coughs/gags sometimes when some of the students walk in wearing mismatched plaids with corduroys!
Store owners and chains from across the world go to The Mart, see samples and buy 5,000 ‘jenny jumper’ outfits.
So sure the headquarters may be here.
But
Designed in New York, made in China / South America, distributed in Chicago.
no.
p.s. just to expound on my “no” answer a bit…
no, and you don’t have even close to a clue what you’re talking about.
Get it? It’s a joke, it’s funny!
Calling everybody in Columbus a bunch of hicks isn’t a “dissenting opinion,” it’s just acting like a prick.
Spot on.
Tenzo, the issue is not with your opinion. It’s with your delivery. If you can’t state how you feel about an issue with out broadly insulting the people you’re arguing with, well… you’re doing it wrong.
no, and you don’t have even close to a clue what you’re talking about.
Yeah… I’m far from being an insider, but I’ve seen enough to know that he’s waaay off.
I also miss City center’s wide variety and It is too bad it couldn’t hold out because it had some remarkable higher level department stores.
As for fashion stylist I always wondered if there is even a market for someone like that in Columbus? I LOVE MAKEOVERS! “How do I Look” is probably one of my favorites. I know that some individual stores have stylists but I find it hard to completely dress from just one store alone. Maybe an outfit or two but not when you are re-doing your wardrobe.
And Lastly do you think OSU might have an impact on why we see such hideous combinations daily? People who went to OSU and just merged into Columbus when they graduated but never really got out of the College mindset off the clock? I mean my boyfriend works at the BRT in the mass spec lab and he coughs/gags sometimes when some of the students walk in wearing mismatched plaids with corduroys!
Yes, to what you write…soo cool you are doing Couture…I LOVE IT.
I have gone spent days with girlfriends going to multiple shops helping them put things together. I do not think the “Store Stylist” is helpful. I think a stylist that can gather things from TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Steinmart, resale shops, full price shops, hair and make up, etc.
Did everyone check out Torn’s portfolio…..stunning!!! She is going to be famous. WOW!!!!!!!!! I am a texture/detail freak. She could do the Escada bell sleeve sweater in her sleep!!!
Why the effffff haven’t you introduced me to these women? Whenever I see you, you just bring your dog. Bugsy rules, certainly, but I am not attracted to him in that way.
Please bring out a model who:
- Looks like Anne Hathaway
- Enjoys community service and outdoor adventures
- Drinks beer over mixed drinks
- Believes in God
- Has well-formed cans
Get on it, son!
Why the effffff haven’t you introduced me to these women? Whenever I see you, you just bring your dog. Bugsy rules, certainly, but I am not attracted to him in that way.
Please bring out a model who:
- Looks like Anne Hathaway
- Enjoys community service and outdoor adventures
- Drinks beer over mixed drinks
- Believes in God
- Has well-formed cans
Get on it, son!
Cruising the fashion thread for quality trim? Smooth.
Why the effffff haven’t you introduced me to these women? Whenever I see you, you just bring your dog. Bugsy rules, certainly, but I am not attracted to him in that way.
Please bring out a model who:
- Looks like Anne Hathaway
- Enjoys community service and outdoor adventures
- Drinks beer over mixed drinks
- Believes in God
- Has well-formed cans
Get on it, son!
Seriously Core, I’ve never even seen you talk to a girl, let alone, bring hot models around. I’m available for shoots coming up, should you need a manly 30 year old stud.
Core can your models work for free for a cause…maybe we can do a Fashion on a budget show at Bristol one day/night??? Then you can introduce them to Mr. Ross. :roll:
They’re working for free at Highball, but I don’t do fashion shows in bars.
Maybe I can ask the Vault??? OMG that would be a fantastic place for fashion…they could walk down the stairs!!!!!! This excites me.
Is Alberto’s girlfriend one of your models? I think she is absolutely beautiful, healthy, glowing and does not look all cracked out and crazy skinny. I suppose people have different opinions on what an attractive model would be….I see sooooooooo many that look great in clothes but they are not so pretty in the face. I suppose with fashion it is the body that is most important?
Is Alberto’s girlfriend one of your models? I think she is absolutely beautiful, healthy, glowing and does not look all cracked out and crazy skinny. I suppose people have different opinions on what an attractive model would be….I see sooooooooo many that look great in clothes but they are not so pretty in the face. I suppose with fashion it is the body that is most important?
How’s the balloon festival progressing?
Is Alberto’s girlfriend one of your models? I think she is absolutely beautiful, healthy, glowing and does not look all cracked out and crazy skinny. I suppose people have different opinions on what an attractive model would be….I see sooooooooo many that look great in clothes but they are not so pretty in the face. I suppose with fashion it is the body that is most important?
How’s the balloon festival progressing?
I talked with the gentleman Kevin and he is very excited to add some other activities and we are going to meet up once his schedule slows down toward the end of the month.
Having a standard model size is great but I LOVE to dress all different Sizes. I was considering for the highball to find someone full figure or pregnant and then an older lady past 50′s but with the short amount of time I have between day job and friend’s costumes I never got around to get anyone seriously involved.
I hope that in Columbus Fashion shows we can feature the bodies of Columbus because a very small % is model sized and certainly less of the people who have money to burn. I think it would be a good way for us to stick out also by showing how realistic bodies can be just as good as the NYC/Chicago/Milan bodies.
I do stuff for myself all the time and I’m 4’10 size 2-4 but I have done custom orders for 5’10 size 16-18.
(_¤_)