December 25, 2011


Have a wonderful holiday!
Fashion for Philanthropy's regular blog posts will be on break until next semester!
If you have any stories you would like to share and post on our blog over the break, e-mail us!

Best,
    FFP

December 23, 2011

Couture for the College Girl: December Dazzlers

Noelle Tomulich is a sophomore at Fordham University where she majors in political science and psychology. This is the native New Jerseyan's second year working for the Fashion For Philanthropy blog and she is beyond excited to help her friends find stylish, catwalk-inspired steals at affordable, college-friendly prices. If only there was a financial aid application for a college girl's wardrobe! 

December 19, 2011

The Ram Runway: Rocker Chic


Delaney, one of the coolest girls on campus at Rose Hill, was the epitome of rocker chic this week. Personally, rocker-inspired style is my favorite, and I tend to incorporate these looks into my own style everyday. Tough leather jackers, crazy embellishments, edgy shoes, wild makeup, funky prints, eccentric hair styles and black, black, black! are just a few of the ways people can exhibit rocker looks. I love anything black, not only because it matches everything, but because it adds a sense of toughness.


To master the rocker chic look perfectly, take cues from Delaney. Not only did she put together an amazing outfit, but she presented it with such ease and personality that made the look completely unique. Her black and white printed leggings from H&M were subdued with all black accompaniments. Very biker black leather booties from Rainbow along with a to die for black tee with sheer draping in the back topped off the outfit. Keeping her warm, was a classic black leather jacket and black fringed bag, also both from H&M. A rosary chain necklace with a dangling cross from Aldo and stud shaped earrings from Sweden were just the right amount of shine to add to her outfit.


Her best accessory though; the most unique and daring hairstyle I have seen on campus all year. Not only is wearing an outfit like this fearless, crowning it off with a rare one-of-kind hair style such as this makes the whole ensemble even that more unique. I would love to see more of this fearlessness out and about on campus, as I feel it really makes individuals stand out among the crowd. Maybe that can be a New’s Year resolution: take more chances, in life and fashion, but always stay true to yourself. :)

Alex Casolaro is currently a sophomore at Fordham University and is a Communications and Media Studies major. Alex is completely enticed with the fashion world and living in New York City has only inspired her more to pursue a career in the fashion industry. She is greatly influenced by photographing and documenting street style and keeping tabs on the happenings of the fashion industry locally and globally. Check out some of her posts at fordhamffp.blogspot.com.

December 15, 2011

Couture for the College Girl: Holiday Wrapping


Sara Jansson is a junior at Fordham University, majoring in English. Originally from Princeton, New Jersey, Sara finds inspiration in the fashions and fast-paced lifestyle of New York City. She is a featured blogger for Fashion for Philanthropy.

December 14, 2011

The Ram Runway: Escaping that F**** E**** Stress

Be warned! In the following lines I will use the most disgusting, inappropriate, and disliked two words of all time. I am sorry in advance if I offend anyone…but it has to be talked about. That’s right. I am going to talk about FINAL EXAMS.

It’s that time of year where everyone is feeling down, stressed, and anxious. Studying takes up all of our time and leaves us little room in our busy schedules for relaxation. We switch from subject to subject, changing up the ways in how we study. We write two or more papers, and if we are lucky, we only have to suffer through one final paper. The research papers are the worst: ten pages of information you drag out of texts and online sources, all to be turned in the next day. Hey, didn’t the professor just assign that paper yesterday at the end of class?

I don’t know about you, but studying makes me hungry. Well, let’s face it, I live for food, but nothing compares to how much I binge during exams. And it’s not even a healthy binge! I crave University Pizza, Chevy’s, PF Changs, Cheesecake Factory, Cheeburger Cheeburger, Panera (Fordham please take notes) but it’s too cold outside to travel. So, I opt for my giant stock of M&M’s and little cases of microwavable rice that my mom sent me in a care package. I consider my healthy snack to be an over-sweetened strawberry milkshake from the Grill.

Stress causes emotional eating, and emotional eating makes us feel like we’re doing something and helps to get rid of the anxiety we feel about our upcoming tests. But there is a healthier alternative to emotional eating that relieves anxiety and stress even better.

Thanks to my roommate’s helpful motivation (she goes to the gym almost every day!), I started to go to the gym about three times a week. As professors continue to pile on work that adds more stress to the already stressful college student's life, all you need is a simple 30 minute work out on any machine (I chose the elliptical and treadmills) to lower your stress level! Not only does going to the gym make you feel great on the outside, but you get to feel empowered on the inside! The weight of tests and homework and papers was lifted with every step you pushed through at the gym.

Make going to the gym fun! Give going to the gym a purpose and show off cute workout clothes. Yes, trust me, they exist. Working out is easy to do in style since so many different brands are offered through shoes, clothing, and accessories. My personal favorites are Nike clothes. I am a runner, and they have so many fun shirts and shorts that are easy and cute to work out in. For shoes, I always stick with Aasics, since I have been running with their shoes since high school. These brands are easy to find at any department store. Sports Authority offers many different types of workout clothes. One of my favorites is a shirtdesigned with a fun or cool phrase. These phrases make me feel great and strong when heading off to the gym. Then, find a pair of bottoms to match!

It’s easy to mix and match and make going to the gym stylish and fun. Annalise Greco, a sophomore at Rose Hill, goes to the gym decked out in Under Armour spandex pants and a zip up jacket. Her black and white ensemble gives her a clean and put together work out look that is accentuated by her shoes. Though her shoes are black and white Nikes, the pink inner lining peeks through to add just the right about of color to her black and white palette. Greco is ready to take on the gym looking chic on the outside and feeling great within! Go get ‘em, girl!

Take a break from studying and stressing and put on something that inspires you. Take a more effective break time and go to the gym to show yourself off. With the weight off your shoulders, you’ve made more space to relax and actually focus on one thing at a time. You’ll feel better and more awake, along with being more motivated. You’ve made it this far already- push through this last week and look forward to that month long break waiting up ahead!



Briana Rotello is a sophomore at Fordham Campus, Rose Hill. She grew up in Rockville, Maryland and attended Wootton High School. She had always pictured herself living in New York City, and after she found Fordham University, she was able to put her dreams into action.
She picked Fordham University for both its academic integrity, strong focus on writing, and its location. She is planning on majoring in Communications. Briana aspires to be a fashion journalist after college and appreciates all the learning opportunities offered to her in the great city of New York. She is ecstatic to experience more of the fashion world, and to learn more about the art of writing.

December 12, 2011

The Ram Runway: Red Hot Leather




There comes times, when we need to break away from the norm and take a spontaneous chance at something. Whether it be something big like moving across the country, or as little as tasting a new food, trying new things and putting your own spin on life is a great thing to do. But, when it comes to fashion, it is a wonderful thing to do! There are so many classic styles of clothes out there: the tan trench, the LBD, the black pump, the blue jean, and the black leather jacket. Why stick to the classics all the time though? Experimenting with new styles and colors is the thing to do, considering there are so many options available to make a once “classic” style unique!

The perfect example. Daphne, a sophomore at Rose Hill, likes to put on her own personal twist when it comes to clothes. She knows she needs a great leather jacket in her wardrobe, but does she choose a typical black one? No. She goes on a limb and finds an amazing red one from Zara. Not only is it the most perfect deep blood-red shade, but the soft leather contrasting with the hard metal motorcycle style is stunning. And, the quilted arms and back just add to the uniqueness. This is how to do it. You may think a red leather jacket? What will I wear it with? Daphne does not find it hard to match her jacket with practically everything in her closet, everything that would also match a typical black one. And best of all, it makes a statement.

Along with her fabulous coat though, Daphne pairs all of her classic pieces. She wears a white-lace oversized cropped tank, blue Seven for All Mankindjeans and classic black Frye boots. An eye-catching gold-woven necklace from Anthropologie sits beautifully on her neck and her black Marc Jacobs bag ties everything together wonderfully.

Don’t ever be afraid to go beyond the ordinary and try something new, especially when it comes to fashion. It’s the only time you can make mistakes that will have no negative impact on you and you’d be surprised at how easily the unique “unclassic” pieces will work with what you already have!

Alex Casolaro is currently a sophomore at Fordham University and is a Communications and Media Studies major. Alex is completely enticed with the fashion world and living in New York City has only inspired her more to pursue a career in the fashion industry. She is greatly influenced by photographing and documenting street style and keeping tabs on the happenings of the fashion industry locally and globally. Check out some of her posts at fordhamffp.blogspot.com. 

December 9, 2011

Intern Diaries: The Photo Shoot

This past Wednesday I got the opportunity to sit in on a photo shoot! The garments that were shown in Company X’s Spring 2012 Fashion Week show, along with some other items, needed to be photographed for the website and for in-house purposes. The photographer’s camera was hooked up to my laptop, so every time he shot a picture it would appear on my screen. Needless to say my eyes were glued to my laptop through the entirety of the five-hour shoot. My job was to name all of the looks in the correct format. It was also my responsibility to keep track of all of the garments and accessories, and to document which ones had been photographed. I had to do this because Company X’s show room is always supposed to be perfectly organized; employees need to know where the garments are at all times in case a client comes in spur-of-the-moment to see the lines.

Throughout the day, other interns and myself were helping the model so that the day went smoothly. We had to make sure she had the correct garment and accessories on, and that her hair and makeup was in tact. We were working side-by-side with the main stylist to see how she wanted the clothing to be photographed for the website. Assisting in this photo shoot was an interesting experience because it gave me an inside look into the styling side of the fashion industry. I am a sales intern so it is always fun to see what is going on in other departments.

When the photo shoot ended I had to make sure that the photographer and model were fed. Ordering and unpacking lunch or picking up coffee orders is a standard intern responsibility at Company X. It is very important to make sure that the photographer and model are well fed and taken care of, because they are working for your company and you want to retain a good relationship with them for the future.

December 8, 2011

Couture for the College Girl: Choker Chic

Noelle Tomulich is a sophomore at Fordham University where she majors in political science and psychology. This is the native New Jerseyan's second year working for the Fashion For Philanthropy blog and she is beyond excited to help her friends find stylish, catwalk-inspired steals at affordable, college-friendly prices. If only there was a financial aid application for a college girl's wardrobe! 

December 7, 2011

The Ram Runway: I Dream of Fashion


Fashion is seen everywhere out on the streets. The day time allows for stylists to show their original outfits for work, school or touring (we do live in the Big Apple, of course), while the night time brings the sparkly dresses and tall heels that keep a girl going even after her feet are sore. But what about what we wear at home, when all we want to do is be snuggled up in our beds taking a break from homework and watching our favorite movies or our favorite books?

I love fashion, but there is nothing better than the feeling of slipping into comfortable attire after a long day of work at school or a long day of walking around the city. For me, PINK by Victoria’s Secret offers my favorite variety of sweats that are both comfortable and stylish to walk around the dorms in (and to make that impulsive trip to the grill). PINK offers styles from form fitting yoga pants to roomy boyfriend bottoms and most of these bottoms also come with jackets and sweaters to match! The sets come in all colors and all fabrics. PINK has added to their collection a velour sweat suit too, which comes in multiple colors and rhinestones.

These PINK sets, however, can be a bit pricey, depending on the styles you like. Comfort and style doesn’t always have to be found at such an expense. Macy’s offers many different options for comfort at low prices, and most of them come in sets that vary in the type of fabric used to create the product. If you are going for warmth, fleece is the best! The soft fabric not only makes it dreamy, but the thickness of the fabric will let you withstand the blistering cold New York winters.

If you are willing to spend the money, a splurge well spent would be on Juicy Couture. Known for the original velour track suits, they offer many styles of comfort that will be both fashionable and comfortable. My favorite style they offer are the velour suits (but only because I am obsessed with matching), but they also provide women with the option to buy non velour suits. From comfortable shorts to dresses to long pants, a fashionista has the ability to truly style it up until the sun rises.

Karen Hill, a student at Fordham University Rose Hill, relaxes comfortably in a matching set of pajamas and a Juicy Couture sweat jacket. Her purple army printed bottom matches her purple top. The top cutely reads “FATIGUED”, which I thought was perfect for college, especially with finals being just around the corner. She pairs the ensemble with a black jacket, since the top is a matching tank top. The jacket adds not only warmth, but additional fashion to her outfit. She also adds a pair of fuzzy white slippers. Having slippers is a great way to stroll the dorm halls with ease and comfort, along with keeping your feet nice and warm throughout the winter days and nights.

It’s okay to slip out of your day time fashionista clothes and put on something that makes you feel comfortable and relaxed. Just know you can relax in style too! Having a great pair of comfortable clothes to wear is a great investment, and will let you feel great and comfy. The same goes for pajamas! You can be just as fashionable going to sleep as you are walking out of the dorm in the morning, or getting off the ram van in the afternoon. Like my mom always told me: wear cute pajamas to sleep, because you never know who you will meet in your dreams!

Briana Rotello is a sophomore at Fordham Campus, Rose Hill. She grew up in Rockville, Maryland and attended Wootton High School. She had always pictured herself living in New York City, and after she found Fordham University, she was able to put her dreams into action.
She picked Fordham University for both its academic integrity, strong focus on writing, and its location. She is planning on majoring in Communications. Briana aspires to be a fashion journalist after college and appreciates all the learning opportunities offered to her in the great city of New York. She is ecstatic to experience more of the fashion world, and to learn more about the art of writing.

December 5, 2011

The Ram Runway: Hats are Always a Hit



Hats come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns and are the kind of accessory that takes the right person to pull off. Sometimes hats aren’t meant for all, but it is not hard to find a style that is perfect for you. From fedoras and caps to knits and fur, there is bound to be a fit that looks good on anyone. Hats are great to have on hand for rainy or bad hair days, but are the best when used to top off a great outfit.

Leah, a sophomore at Rose Hill used her black studded bucket hat to do just that. A sleek dark colored ensemble was beautifully accessorized with a gold leaf necklace and an Urban Outfitters hat. Her jeans, in a dark green hue, were an awesome upgrade from basic black and a staple for the fall season, along with any colored jean. Her black knit sweater, although basic, was played up wonderfully by her fun accessories, and the matching gold in the necklace and hat studs was an unexpected touch. Finally, her suede BCBG black booties with a wooden wedge served as a great fall boot that could be worn with anything.

Hats can and do serve many functions, such as protection and warmth, but their most important function I believe, is that of crowning off a great look. Hats have become more and more wearable in everyday life due to the immense variety of styles available. Hats are seen on the runway, in the streets, and everywhere in between and are one accessory that can be worn by all!

Alex Casolaro is currently a sophomore at Fordham University and is a Communications and Media Studies major. Alex is completely enticed with the fashion world and living in New York City has only inspired her more to pursue a career in the fashion industry. She is greatly influenced by photographing and documenting street style and keeping tabs on the happenings of the fashion industry locally and globally. Check out some of her posts at fordhamffp.blogspot.com. 

December 2, 2011

Featured: Discounts & Disappointments - A Bad Black Friday

After enjoying the usual family Thanksgiving meal at my Godmother’s house in upstate New York, my sister pulled out a box full of Black Friday sales and specials. I reacted by asking her for the cleverly marketed blacked out Macy’s flyer. Ad after ad, I came to the conclusion that I would be foolish to not go Black Friday shopping for the first time. So my sister and I planned out where and when we would shop. We went back down to Long Island, and being the typical college night owls, we set out for Kohl’s at 11:30 P.M. There was a massive queue of people that I was not expecting to be there. Yes, I said queue. I say queue because everyone was standing in an orderly single file line across the front of the building. I was expecting a massive conglomeration of angry shoppers banging on the glass doors waiting for their blowout deals. Being the sly fox that I am, I slipped in as soon as the doors opened at midnight. I perused through the Men’s section and was terribly upset. When the only piece of clothing that I even slightly considered buying was from the Marc Anthony line, I quickly plugged my earphones back in and left Kohl’s with 8 pairs of black dress socks. That was not the outcome I had in mind.

Marc Anthony Dress Socks - Kohls
Next we were off to the Roosevelt Field Mall. Expecting no parking spots, my sister almost parked at our cousins’ house, which is a 10 minute walk away. That distance is something we would like to avoid if we had our hands full of Black Friday deals. Everyone was going to Macy’s. My sister decided not to bring the Macy’s coupons or our mom’s Macy’s card. That is when the lessons of the business school came to my mind. I realized if I went to Macy’s, I would spend amounts that I would regret. So we didn’t go to Macy’s and walked through the mall separately finding our favorite stores and looking for those great deals. I went to Express and was immediately suffering from claustrophobia. I left empty handed, because I was not about to spend about $200 on another suit. I ended up in H&M, where I was sweating more than I do when I go to the sauna and steam room after my gym workouts. I threw some elbows to get out of there and went to Guess. Guess had this sophisticated gray pea coat, something I’ve wanted for a while. It had the most awkward hood ever, and it was probably just me making the coat look great. I glanced at amazing watches there too, and glanced at their even more amazing prices before walking out. I walked in front of the high end designer name stores and thought to myself, “Nah, I rather eat on Arthur Avenue all week.” I found myself in the food court when I had the most outrageous craving for some chicken, and decided to go to Ranch 1 for the second time in my life. I waited on line for 5 minutes and waited 10 minutes for my order. That was the second and last purchase of my Black Friday shopping experience.

Nothing is trendier then chicken accessorized with bacon.
I’m not sure whether I am too much like Mr. Krabs or if I’m just not a good Black Friday shopper. I usually gravitate towards the clearance section anyways, and you won’t find me shopping without my coupons. I hear they have great prices on Fordham Road too. I got home at 3:00 A.M. and tweeted “What a fail! All i bought were socks... #Black Friday” It was the best I could think of being so mentally, physically, and financially distraught.

My sister bought a few things, but said she would do better the next morning because the sales go on until noon. We both slept until 11:00 and awoke to our dad screaming at us “WAKE UP!” upwards of a dozen times. We threw in the towel. We studied the advertisements for a few hours and failed. Reminds me of midterms....

--Robert Abballe (GSB '14)

Featured: All Hung Up



Melissa Luster is currently a freshman at Fordham University at Rose Hill, and has recently expressed her interest in drawing and sketching fashionable clothing. Most of her sketches are simple, and include trendy shirts and dresses found on their hangers. She finds most of her inspiration from Tumblr; collecting a variety of images that captivate her interest and provide her with new drawing ideas. 

December 1, 2011

Couture for the College Girl: Not So Basic Black

Sara Jansson is a junior at Fordham University, majoring in English. Originally from Princeton, New Jersey, Sara finds inspiration in the fashions and fast-paced lifestyle of New York City. She is a featured blogger for Fashion for Philanthropy.

November 30, 2011

The Ram Runway: The Other Way to Host a Tea Party



If you know me, you know I am not the most colorful or totally girly person when it comes to clothing. I stick to neutral and earth tones, and I like sharp edges and clutter when it comes to adding accessories to match. I am a scarf freak (I refuse to let the scarf holder in my room reach its limit) and obsessed with shoes and purses. I hardly layer (which gives reason to my love of warm sweater dresses), and I wear almost every dress with a belt. My hair is just brown and almost always down and curly, except for the “special” days when I decide to straighten it. The biggest leap I’ve ever wanted to make with my hair was to lighten it and add red highlights, but I am too nervous to change.

What I first spotted about this fashionista, Caitlin Van Horn who attends Fordham University - Rose Hill, was her fiery red hair, which I personally think is the best accessory she could add to any outfit she wears. Hairstyles, as big of a surprise as it may be, can actually be what makes or breaks an outfit. This season, they have become so diverse and personal that it adds more than just an addition to the outfit. It adds style. Hair can be smooth or fun, crazy or laid back. Trendsetters set the mood with their hair, enabling a sense originality to exert from anyone. No longer do stylists pick the beautifully and perfectly curled locks to match their ensembles. Today, they cut, color, shave, and gel to get their desired looks that both add a spark to their outfits and define their personalities. As Lady Gaga once said, “I’m as free as my hair.”

I love and envy Van Horn’s outfit and hair. She works a floral printed cardigan perfectly into her outfit, matching it with a solid olive green dress that flares at the waist. The slight v-neck cut of the dress adds a feminine and delicate touch to add to the floral print and the pastel colors it brings into the outfit. Yet breaking the delicacy and taking the outfit to the next level, Van Horn adds knee high pastel socks with a tan heeled boot. The socks add girlish fun to the outfit, and the shoes toughen it up with their bulky heel and combat boot like laces. The combination of these pieces allow Van Horn to ditch the expected polite and proper norms of a Tea Party and embrace the vitality and fast moving pace of life. Van Horn completes the outfit with smaller accessories of a thin necklace and a pale pink headband that glows against the color of her hair. Styled just right, her wavy hair and bangs with the headband allow for a less dramatic statement, perfectly letting the red color shine without being too much at all. The thin necklace too acts as a small addition, leaving focus to lie on the rest of the outfit.

So, the moral of the story is to not be afraid of change. In fact, totally embrace change, and along the way, break some rules. In a personal way, you can find out more about yourself, but getting back to talking fashion, you can open new doors to options and styles you never knew were meant for you.

Briana Rotello is a sophomore at Fordham Campus, Rose Hill. She grew up in Rockville, Maryland and attended Wootton High School. She had always pictured herself living in New York City, and after she found Fordham University, she was able to put her dreams into action.
She picked Fordham University for both its academic integrity, strong focus on writing, and its location. She is planning on majoring in Communications. Briana aspires to be a fashion journalist after college and appreciates all the learning opportunities offered to her in the great city of New York. She is ecstatic to experience more of the fashion world, and to learn more about the art of writing.

November 28, 2011

The Ram Runway: Mixing It Up


The trend of mixing prints together can turn into one of two things; a unique twist of unlikely pieces paired together, or a total disaster. In this case, it was outcome number one. Mixing items together in a single outfit that are an unlikely pairs, is becoming a very hot trend. It is a tough trend to articulate and succeed in, but if done correctly, the outfit becomes an extraordinary, surprising outcome. People have always been a bit weary to mix prints even as simple as polka-dots and stripes, but it has been proven that if done with similar patterns, colors and fabrics, the end result is genius.

This week, I was immediately captured by Andora, a sophomore at Rose Hill. Her fabulous and fun outfit consisted of many on-trend components. For one, her pairing of a skirt and tank in different patterns was a successful and edgy way of mixing prints. Andora stuck to the rules, but still had fun by pairing together the tight geometric skirt in purples and blues with a flowing white tank with geometric patterns in the same color schemes. Although the two patters were completely different, since the colors were similar and the tank stayed untucked, the pairing was impeccable. This is the right way to do it. Both pieces are great if worn alone, but together create an unexpected and innovative look.

Along with her mixing up, was a great tan Urban Outfitters jacket and lace-up boots from Aldo. I gave Andora props for braving the first really cold day of the year, all for fashion.  I admired her fearlessness in uniting unexpected pieces from her wardrobe into one amazing ensemble. She gave her whole look a relaxed vibe, with her wavy hair worn down and amazing turquoise earrings, which she said were a gift from a friend. Her long unzipped jacket showed off the outfit, while the sturdy biker boots gave the outfit some structure.

Mixing prints is not a trend that works for everyone. It is a bit risky and takes a person who is willing to take a chance. Careful planning, numerous try-on’s and advice from a friend are the way to go when prepping an outfit with mixed prints. Make sure the colors and designs don’t clash and make you look like you are heading to the circus. Stick with similar color schemes, patters and materials and you should be in the clear!

Alex Casolaro is currently a sophomore at Fordham University and is a Communications and Media Studies major. Alex is completely enticed with the fashion world and living in New York City has only inspired her more to pursue a career in the fashion industry. She is greatly influenced by photographing and documenting street style and keeping tabs on the happenings of the fashion industry locally and globally. Check out some of her posts at fordhamffp.blogspot.com. 

November 25, 2011

Featured: A Private Shopping Party with Cynthia Rowley

If you haven’t heard of designer Cynthia Rowley, you are truly missing out! Known for her vibrantly colored dresses and beautifully delicate tops, this Illinois-native designer certainly made a name for herself in the fashion world. Cynthia Rowley has been featured as a judge on America’s Next Top Model, Project Runway, and Design Star, giving wise advice to aspiring young designers.

Last week, we had an amazing opportunity to meet Ms. Rowley at her Greenwich Village store! I snagged this incredible treat of an evening through none other than Fashion for Philanthropy’s annual fashion show. Cynthia Rowley generously donated the chance to have a shopping party to our raffle and somehow the fashion-gods granted me the luck of a winning ticket.


(Look! This is my invitation! Not to rub it in anyone’s face…but this IS pretty legit.)

The experience was incredible. The staff was so nice and helpful, the discounts (of 20% off everything) were a great plus, and the clothes, of course, were B-E-A-UTIFUL. Five bottles of champagne later, just about all of my guests couldn’t resist in indulging in pieces of Cynthia Rowley’s collection.


CR even stopped in during her busy schedule to greet us and offer some style advice! She said great things about FFP’s efforts to make money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation!

Us w/ Cynthia Rowley!
I recommend visiting her store and checking out her stuff. Her designs are unique in their detailed structure and splendid fabrics. I think there is something in her store for everyone from clothing, shoes, and accessories, to bedding and men’s wear! I’m so grateful to have won this through FFP. (All the more reason to come to the next fashion show and win fabulous prizes such as this!)

It was a pleasure to meet her & I hope I get a chance to do this again!

Here are a few photos from the event:



XO,
Andrea

To learn more about Cynthia Rowley, click here.

November 24, 2011

Featured: Black Friday Survival Tips


1. Wear comfortable clothing! You'll want to be able to maneuver with ease around crowds and racks. It's also a plus when you need to try things on and don't want to waste time waiting for a dressing room.

2. Do your homework. Research the best deals beforehand and the various prices at each store. Print out any extra in-store coupons and plan your day (like which stores should you hit first). Try using www.bfads.net to help plan accordingly. It posts all the ongoing deals from a variety of stores.

3. Be reasonable. Consider whether or not you really need to purchase something. Avoid impulse buys just because it's on sale. (Unless you know you'll regret not buying it. Carry it around with you and decide later if you need it or not.)

4. Fill your online carts now for Black Friday or Cyber Monday so that all you have to do is apply coupon codes and check-out. It makes the process as simple and painless as possible.

5. Be green and efficient! If you plan to buy a lot, bring your own shopping totes that can double as a tool to make the grabbing process less chaotic. It will also save shopping bags at checkout!

‎6. Have fun! Make sure to go with friends to make this experience less stressful!

Good luck!

Couture for the College Girl: Leather Loving

Noelle Tomulich is a sophomore at Fordham University where she majors in political science and psychology. This is the native New Jerseyan's second year working for the Fashion For Philanthropy blog and she is beyond excited to help her friends find stylish, catwalk-inspired steals at affordable, college-friendly prices. If only there was a financial aid application for a college girl's wardrobe! 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Drawing via Etsy
And Happy Black Friday Shopping! :)

November 23, 2011

The Ram Runway: The Versatility of the Maxi Dresses…Wait, What?


A dress is a dress and a skirt is a skirt. That is how all clothing is made to be, right? (Well, minus the ever-fun reversible jacket that offers two different patterns in one!) But what would happen if style hunters started to cheat the system?

Maxi dresses and maxi skirts alike will usually have elastic bands within their fabrics, or be originally made of a stretchy fabric. Forever 21 offers many flowy maxi skirts that are made of stretchable material or have an elastic within them. My favorite maxi skirt that I have seen has been Nordstrom’s Lily White Maxi Skirt (juniors). This skirt offers a more form fitting top as it gradually flares towards the bottom for a more flirty shape.

Caitlin Carr, a sophomore at Fordham University Rose Hill, is a wanted criminal, but she is too sneaky to catch! Perfectly using the style of what used to be only a maxi dress, she adjusts it to become her new favorite maxi skirt. The shape of the dress from top to bottom allows it to successfully disguise itself into an effortlessly flowy skirt that looks just right. Carr creates a folded effect with the rouched strapless top of the dress that adds further to the free movement of the bottom. Pairing the olive green color with a simple back v-neck tee and black flats is the right move to make to accentuate the effect of the skirt. Looking even more like a Greek goddess with her natural curls, Carr is ready to embrace the day.

To make this transition work, first be sure that the maxi dress is strapless and has an elastic top! Then it will be easier to make it into a long skirt. You can either fold the elastic, like Carr did, or even scrunch it to create a frill look. For a maxi skirt turned maxi dress, also make sure the fabric is stretchy, but definitely make sure it isn’t see-through! You may also try pulling it over a long sleeve, (use a different color shirt underneath; for example, with the rust color of the Nordstrom skirt, it can be paired nicely with a cream colored long sleeve shirt) and add a vest or cardigan for a more boho/grunge look. Don’t be afraid to try out new and different things! In the end, experimenting and creating new ideas is what style is all about.

Briana Rotello is a sophomore at Fordham Campus, Rose Hill. She grew up in Rockville, Maryland and attended Wootton High School. She had always pictured herself living in New York City, and after she found Fordham University, she was able to put her dreams into action.
She picked Fordham University for both its academic integrity, strong focus on writing, and its location. She is planning on majoring in Communications. Briana aspires to be a fashion journalist after college and appreciates all the learning opportunities offered to her in the great city of New York. She is ecstatic to experience more of the fashion world, and to learn more about the art of writing.

November 21, 2011

The Ram Runway: Fun, Funky Fur




Fur pieces and accessories have always been symbols of luxury and give off a fabulous sense of grandeur. Fur has always looked magnificent especially when worn as full-length coats, vests, and warm winter accessories. These pieces are fabulous ways to ante up any ensemble, making them look much more exorbitant than they are. Lately, vests have become the most common way to wear this material. Whether real or fake, fur vests are a stunning alternative to other forms of outerwear, and if chosen in simple solid colors, they can be worn over anything. These fur pieces make it to the front of our closets once the temperature begins to drop, and are worn when we are ready to make a statement...and stay warm!

Kendyl, a sophomore at Rose Hill, based her entire outfit on of her striking black fur Lafayette 148 vest. Thrown over a gorgeous indigo bird-printed shirt, by Rebecca Taylor, the vest not only acted as her jacket, but made a statement that I am sure nobody missed! The black J Brand jeggings, her “obsession,” led the way down to her amazing leather Frye boots, which toughened up the soft fur of the vest. Louis Vuitton accompanied her, lugging around her books, and her gold Michael Kors watch shined brightly on her wrist. Her entire ensemble meshed perfectly and not only was she the trendiest girl on campus, but most likely the warmest and comfiest too.

I myself own a few (faux) fur vests and accessories that I love to wear when I am feeling daring and expressive. They keep me cozy but also jazz up my wardrobe and stand out as some of my most favorite pieces I own. As most of us can probably not afford real fur, these styles can be found in faux versions at most stores, especially during this time of year. The fur vest, has taken over the world of outerwear as a more fun and funky way to spice up the dull season of winter. 

Alex Casolaro is currently a sophomore at Fordham University and is a Communications and Media Studies major. Alex is completely enticed with the fashion world and living in New York City has only inspired her more to pursue a career in the fashion industry. She is greatly influenced by photographing and documenting street style and keeping tabs on the happenings of the fashion industry locally and globally. Check out some of her posts at fordhamffp.blogspot.com. 

November 18, 2011

Intern Diaries: Market Week

Just a recently, Company X was right in the middle of the busiest week, Market Week. Market Week is the week right after Fashion Week. The buyers from major department stores and retail stores all over the world came to Company X to meet with sales executives, my bosses, to view the line and to make purchases. To prepare for these meetings, other interns and I had to make sure that the Show Room was in perfect shape. We had to organize the racks so that they are in “line sheet order,” meaning the garments were all hanging in the correct orders, put all of the garments on “nice” hangers instead of plastic ones, check for any garment damages and make sure that the models were present and in their assigned dressing rooms with the appropriate garments. For each individual appointment, it is the interns’ responsibility to make sure that all of the garments are laid out for the buyers, everyone in the meeting has their own line sheet or book and that beverages are placed on every table. When these meetings run smoothly it makes Company X look professional and helps them maintain their relationships with the buyers. If an intern fails to distribute line sheets to all of the buyers at the meeting, they will get very frustrated and valuable time will be wasted. Market week is, by far, the busiest week at Company X so interns have to always be on their feet and proactive! (Definitely a week to choose flats over heels!)

November 17, 2011

Couture for the College Girl: Lace Shorts




Sara Jansson is a junior at Fordham University, majoring in English. Originally from Princeton, New Jersey, Sara finds inspiration in the fashions and fast-paced lifestyle of New York City. She is a featured blogger for Fashion for Philanthropy.