The Ram Runway: Styling Up Classic Investment Pieces

All fashionistas know that investing in a few classic pieces will be beneficial and be of great use for years and years to come. Pieces like these can usually be worn with a variety of outfits and are made of durable, luxe fabrics but usually cost more than we want to (or can) spend. However, we invest in these pieces because we know they are worth it. We know the name, the history, and the legacy behind the brand and sometimes, the specific item. We know that we will have these pieces a long time, maybe even forever, and that we will actually wear them... a lot.

Some key investments that pop to my mind off the bat include trench coats, a classic boot, a structured handbag, a black blazer, a LBD or black pencil skirt, a white button-up shirt and a great pair of pumps. These are pieces that I think should be included in all wardrobes, not only because they are “classics,” but because they are guaranteed to be worn. Investing in items like these are worth the money spent, because they will last forever.

This week, I spotted a girl on campus who was playing up her “classics” with more trendy of-the-season fall pieces. Her amazing black Barbour jacket, which she told me "she wears to death," tied her entire ensemble together. Not only do you immediately notice the Barbour name on her breast pocket, but the jacket, with its deep hue and accenting gold buttons and zippers, is truly a coveted piece. Worn mostly in the fall and winter, this Barbour can be worn with practically anything, and the fun plaid interior is an unexpected touch.

Frye has become a brand that most people, especially Fordham students, recognize and know for the brand's sturdy and trendy, yet classic boots. This pair, a classic style and color, was made trendy with the embellished buckles around the ankle. A timeless pair of boots that will last forever, as well as keep you stylish and warm when trekking through the rain and snow on campus, is crucial.

Frye and Barbour offer a huge variety of jackets, boots and much more at steep but worthy prices, that truly are worth investing in. I love how these “classics” were played up with a neutral-toned knit sweater; a hugely popular item this fall both on and off the runway. This one was purchased at a small boutique, but if you are looking for a sweater to invest in, which I highly suggest, both DVF and Vince offer similar versions. Also, the beaded wrap bracelet, this one from Club Monaco, is a faux version of the ones made famous by Chan Luu.

College students are always on a tight budget, believe me I know, but starting to invest in classic closet staples now is a smart idea. Trust me, building up your collection of these timeless pieces will be beneficial and completely worth it over time.

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. 

Featured: Fordham Brings Blake Mycoskie, Founder of TOMS Shoes to Speak

In 2006, after diligently working at an online drivers education company and finally launching his own software, Blake Mycoskie needed a well deserved break from work, Los Angeles (where he lived), and the hustle and bustle of a consuming, tiring job. So, he packed up and went off to Argentina, a place where three years before, Blake and his sister competed on the show “The Amazing Race.” Blake fell in love with the country and wanted to return to actually have the opportunity to immerse himself in the culture.

One day on his trip, he met these women in a cafe who were doing a local shoe drive for kids in need of shoes to attend school. He tagged along with the women and the experience overwhelmed him with emotion and joy. He thought however, “Who is going to give them their next pair of shoes?” The next morning, Blake had an idea. He wanted to establish a for profit company that used business to address issues in places like Argentina and would provide a continuous supply of shoes to those in need of them. He would call it “One for One.” For every pair of shoes purchased, one pair of shoes would be given back to a person in need.

There were a few problems. Blake knew nothing about shoes. He had to return home to go to work, and now he had to face the harsh reality of starting a business. He did not know what to charge, where to produce the shoes, or who to contact. But, luckily he had met Jose; a shoemaker in Argentina whom Blake would first contact to have his first 250 pairs of shoes made. 

Sadly, after not hearing back from any of the people he contacted, Blake felt discouraged, but was relieved when American Rag in L.A. purchased 80 pairs of his shoes. Shortly after, Blake was featured on the cover of the LA Times, and that day sold more shoes than he actually had in stock. Now, in a state of panic, Blake quickly posted ads for much needed interns and returned to Argentina to get more shoes.

TOMS Red Canvas Women's Classics (www.toms.com)

In July of 2006, Anna Wintour, editor of American Vogue, called Blake to tell him she wanted to feature him in a Vogue article. This was a groundbreaking moment for Blake. From then on he began to receive calls from big name companies and most of the people he had contacted. Nordstrom, one of the most well known luxury department stores, wanted to place an order with Blake. Only problem was Blake had, once again, run out of shoes. But this was Nordstrom! He had to do something, and in a few weeks the store had received the shoes. Today, Nordstrom is TOMS largest customer.

As of this point, Blake had sold 10,000 pairs of shoes out of his apartment. It was now time to go back to Argentina to give the shoes back. At the beginning of this whole journey, Blake was looking at it as a fun side project. However, it turned into a life changing, emotional and fulfilling experience.

Over the last few years, TOMS has grown from a small, out of an apartment, three intern “company,” into a 190+ employee, international establishment who has given back almost two million pairs of shoes. Blake has also launched a One for One eyewear line. He has hired employees from big name companies like Nike, and has been featured in magazines such as Time and People.

Although the success of TOMS has brought nothing but positive things to Blake’s life, he has not allowed the success to go to his head. TOMS employees work in a warehouse that doesn’t have air conditioning or heat. He believes a setting like this gives his employees more motivation, allowing them to realize that ultimately, it is just nice to be a part of something.

Blake made a point of emphasizing some major thoughts, as an auditorium of Fordham students were listening intently. One being, giving feels really good, and giving is also really good for business. It attracts amazing people who want to be a part of the giving you are doing. He also said that if you incorporate giving, people want to help you and get involved. Giving is the core, and it just feels really good. That really is the only reason to do it, because of the feeling it bestows back upon the giver.

Blake and his story were truly inspirational to hear, and the passion in his voice and the way he has changed and impacted so many lives is truly admirable. On September 6, 2011, the day Blake came to Fordham to speak, his book “Start Something That Matters,” was launched. It includes the stories of people who have ultimately done what Blake has done; started something that matters.

For more information on TOMS shoes, visit www.toms.com

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. 

Couture for the College Girl: Green With Envy

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.

The Ram Runway: Spring Into Fall

Springtime is the time of year where pink, blue, and yellow pastels appear on blooming flowers. It is the time when soft green sprouts from the branches of the trees. These colors are notoriously represented on clothing seen throughout the spring season. This year however, the notable fad is carrying itself through the fall season.

This year, pastel colors are "in" for fall and winter. But it’s not just pastels that have been added to fall fashion. White, that once a year, wear it while you can, crisp color has been introduced to fall and winter fashion this year too. Ignoring the "no wearing white after Labor Day" rule is a huge change for fall trendsetters. The new color is being called “winter white”, and has appeared on many coats, pants, and dresses. White offers an attention grabbing background to the changing leaves of fall and a clean cut look to match the fresh fallen snow of winter.

Adding pastels to the colors of fall make for more interesting twists on what used to be just the expected attire. Earth tones were always the most worn colors, as they warm up the feel of the season. With pastels thrown into the styles, a smoother transition into fall is initiated, and more creative outfit making options are available to streetwalkers.

Michelle Kalil, a sophomore at Rose Hill campus, takes full advantage of the trending pastel fall palette. The star of her outfit is her pastel pink corduroy pant. The pastel pink is a lighter version of a maroon color usually seen in the fall. She pairs her light colored pants with another light color on top, her denim button down. The white buttons on her top accentuate the light colors of her shirt/pants combo and also match the white watch on her wrist, which is just the right added accessorized touch. Finally, Kalil’s brown boots complete the outfit, providing both an essential fall piece and a subtle addition of grunge to a pretty and chic look for fall. 

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.

XOXO, The Editors: Friends, Food, & Fashion Trivia!

Hey all!
We hope that you have been having an excellent few days and enjoying the great posts so far! Thanks to everyone that came out for our Fashion for Philanthropy Members' Mixer! It was a lot of fun!

Here are some snapshots from the event:

For those of you that missed out, we held an exciting little game of Fashion Trivia and learned a lot of tidbits about the industry!

Here are the questions (and answers) if you want to freshen up your fashion knowledge!

1. Who is the editor in chief of Vogue Magazine?
   Anna Wintour 
2. Who is the director at Chanel?
   Karl Lagerfeld 
3. What museum hosts an annual gala that features designers and celebrates high fashion?
   The MET
4. What designer is known for the infamous red sole?
   Christian Louboutin 
5. Where is the fashion house Dior based?
   France
6. What American sportswear pioneer’s logo is a pony?
   Ralph Lauren 
7. What celebrity was famous for popularizing tie wearing for girls in the 2000’s?
   Avril Lavigne 
8. Who is the creative director of Vogue Magazine?
   Grace Coddington 
9. What is the name of the documentary on Vogue Magazine?
   The September Issue 
10. Name 3 Condé Nast published fashion magazines?
    Allure, Vanity Fair, GQ, Teen Vogue, Vogue, Lucky, WWD, Glamour, W. 
11. Where is New York fashion week held?
    Lincoln Center 
12. Name 3 prominent fashion bloggers.
    Sea of Shoes, Tavi, Bryan Boy, Hanelli....
13. Who launched the most recent cheap chic Target collection?
    Missoni 
14. Which designer's shoes are shaped like armadillo feet?
    Alexander McQueen 
15. Name the three fashion icons that serve as judges on Project Runway.
    Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, Nina Garcia. 
16. Who is the CFDA President?
    Diane Von Furstenburg
17. What do the initials BCBG stand for?
    Bon Chic Bon Genre 
18. What fashion line is known for ducks on their purses?
    Dooney and Bourke 
19. What designer is responsible for creating the LBD Audrey Hepburn wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s?
    Givenchy 
20. What designer designed Kate Middleton’s wedding dress?
    Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen 
21. What does pret-a-porter stand for?
    Ready to Wear 
22. Name 3 people who have starred in Marc Jacobs ads.
    Helena Bonham Carter, Victoria Beckham, Dakota Fanning
23. Who’s Spring 2011 collection included lots of Bananas?
    Prada
24. Who was the first designer to popularize the LBD?
    Chanel
25. What was Louis Vuitton’s original product?
    Monogram trunks
26. What is the next H&M designer collaboration collection?
    Versace
27. What school offers a fashion law program to protect the intellectual property of designers?
    Fordham Law
28. What are the four main fashion capitals of the world?
    Paris, New York, Milan, London 
29. What does a haberdashery sell?
    Small articles for sewing 
30. What fashion industry trade-journal is considered "the bible of fashion"?
    WWD 
31. Which designers PR girl is know for leading fashion to the twitterverse (twitter universe)?
    DKNY 
32. What is the actual name of the Burberry check pattern introduced in 1924?
    Nova Check 
33. Where did denim originate?
    Nimes, France (De Nimes) 
34. What designer is responsible for “The New Look”?
    Christian Dior 

The Ram Runway: The Statement Piece

For all fashionistas alike, statement pieces are essential in order to draw the eye to an outfit and make it stand out. Statement pieces are usually the items that fashionistas use to update what may be considered a “boring” outfit. These pieces usually are luxe items that fashionistas covet in their wardrobes. They can be expressive bags, brightly colored accessories, silky scarves, funky glasses, eye-popping shoes and of course amazing jewelry; though these are just a few examples of items that can make an outfit complete.

This week’s fashionista chose to make a statement with her wonderful and unique oversized bag. I spotted it from a distance, as I recognized the Edgar Degas ballet picture plastered on the side. When I stopped this fashionista, I immediately pointed out her bag, but then realized she also had a great fall outfit to accompany it. Her leather tan boots, worn with a bare leg, are not only fashionable but also daring in the fall. I liked how she stepped away from the norm and wore her fall boots with a stretchy navy skirt, instead of the typical jeans or leggings. Her silky patterned top, untucked from her skirt, gave the outfit a relaxed vibe. While the light tan leather coat pulled the entire ensemble together.

Her bag, which she found at the Metropolitan Opera House gift shop, not only serves as an eye-catching fashionable statement bag, but also is big enough to use for class and serve as carryall tote. Statement pieces like this fashionista’s are a great way to express your individual style and give your outfits a punch that will be hard to ignore. This week’s fashionista did a great job in doing just that. I was so glad her statement bag caught my eye.

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. 

Intern Diaries: Some Advice

Hey guys! My name is Christina Corrado and I am currently a Corporate Sales Intern. I cannot reveal where I intern but for the purposes of this column I will refer to it as Company X.   

I don’t have class on Wednesdays, so every-other week I intern from 9 AM – 5PM. This is not the first time I have worked at Company X; I interned there two summers ago for a month while I was still in high school. Recently, tons of people have asked me how I got my internship at this well known company. Honestly, in the fashion industry, who you know is KEY! I have learned that networking and making connections with people who work anywhere in the fashion industry is extremely beneficial. This is how I obtained my internship; I found out that the CEO of the company lived in my town and got to work! Basically, I stalked her (not literally though) and somehow managed to get her email address (LinkedIn is a perfect tool for this). The next day, I composed a professional email to her. In the email, I introduced myself, told her how I found out about her, and presented her with my resume. She simply forwarded my email to someone in the sales department who, later, asked me in for an interview!

I enjoyed my summer so much at Company X that I reached out to my contacts again last summer for another internship. Unfortunately, after my interview, the company informed me that I did not get the internship. Right away, I followed up with a “thank you” note, but also asked them what I could work on in the future/what advice they had for me so that, next time around, I would obtain the internship. Much to my surprise, the woman who interviewed me told me that she was very impressed by my follow-up and she saw that I had clear commitment to the company and obtaining the internship. By sending this simple email back to her after I was denied the internship, I was offered an internship once a week during the upcoming school year while I was at Fordham (because she knew Fordham was close to New York City). This leads to another piece of advice I have for you all…

Email, email, email! Don’t overdo it but, for example, if you send your resume to someone in the company and they don’t respond to you, keep sending it! It can’t hurt at all; it can only make you seem more dedicated. It is not hard for someone to accidentally just delete your email or throw out your resume, but make sure they know you want the job or internship! By following up after my Company X interview, they saw how dedicated I was, so now I am lucky enough to intern there!

Once again, always take advantage of contacts that you make and the people you meet. No matter where you meet someone, they can most likely be beneficial to you! For example, say you are out in New York City at a restaurant and meet a publishing associate for Vogue and you simply find out their name – use it to your advantage! Do a little research on them (again, LinkedIn), find out their email address, and email them as soon as you can! Make sure you include something like, “….It was a pleasure meeting you last night at …” and make sure to reintroduce yourself so that they remember you.

Hope you all find this advice helpful! It certainly has worked for me!

Keep reading to find out more about my internship this semester!

Couture for the College Girl: Financially Fabulous

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!

The Ram Runway: Rain, Rain, Please Stay!

What’s the most wanted rainy day accessory, you ask? Rain boots, of course! A variety of bright patterns and colors add some fun to these gloomy days; two designers in particular seem to have captivated the feet of fashionistas everywhere.

                 

Steve Madden is a legendary shoe designer-let’s face it, we all own about a million pairs of his shoes- and has created a chic rain boot that allows street walkers to splash fashionably through the puddles. His rain boot, called the Tsunami comes in four different colors. But aside from the conventional all-around rubber material, he's incorporated a fun zipper on the very back that travels from the top of the boot to the back of the ankle. The zipper gives this rain boot the edge needed to shake off the overcast weather.

                 

Though Madden truly has an eye for design, the most popular rain boot seen on campus is that of the Hunter design. The Hunter boot logo shines through the rain with its bold black print on a white background, bordered in a thick red. These boots come in so many colors, a wide array of which can be seen on the style-conscious students on campus. Not only are they offered in the standard rainbow colors, but they even venture off the bow, mixing two colors together and making a lighter version or a darker version. Hunter boots are even available in metallic silver, a color that allows for a fashionista to sparkle even if the sun is not.

Rachel Roseneck, a freshman at Rose Hill, stays cozy and safe from the rain in a pair of black leggings and a black zip-up rain coat. Her Hunter rain boots add a splash of unique color to her ensemble. The boots she's wearing are a mix of coral pink and brown, which is a new warm color, notable for fall. This color stays within the preset color palette of fall fashion; it incorporates the new trend of pastels as well as bright colors, to give style finders the best of both worlds. Rachel ensemble is a perfect example of how to dress up when you feel like dressing down. Dressing up doesn’t always have to mean putting on your best. Sometimes, it may just mean adding to an outfit specific piece that brightens the clouds on a rainy day.

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.

The Maroon Man: Looking Cool, Keeping Warm

Walking along the paths of Fordham, one sees students scrambling to class, professors holding conversations, black squirrels, and many different styles. Walking along the Freeman side of Eddies I spotted a young man with killer style. He is this week’s Maroon Man. 

Nicos, from San Francisco, California, nailed a preppy and laid back look with a soft blue button down, stone khakis, and the symbol of all things prep, Sperry’s. Socks with Sperry’s, to many, are a cardinal sin no matter the time of year. So as we quickly approach the bitter cold of a New York winter how can we keep this laid back look for the changing season? It’s simple. Layer.

Layering is the key to keeping symbols of summer fashionable even in the colder months. This can be achieved with sweaters, coats, and cords, which can simply be added to the look and are appropriate for winter. For Nicos, there is no need to change out of this great button down. Just roll down the sleeves and throw a cashmere or wool V-neck sweater. If it’s really cold, a shawl collar cardigan could also work. Polo Ralph Lauren has some great options. A cardigan would work best only because it doesn’t entirely cover the shirt, but either are a great option when it comes to bundling up.

To transition this look into the much colder months, try swapping khakis for a pair of cords. Since khakis are made of cotton, they are very light and airy. They’re perfect for summer, but not too practical for winter. Corduroys are made for cold weather because the thicker stitching lets less air in, so you stay toasty and warm. Try looking for a fun color other than brown or gray to spice up your look. These Henna cords by Rockin’ Sartorial are a great option.

With these tips, Nicos can stay comfortable when November rolls around. He can still sport  his key summer pieces and not lose the essence of this stylish look.

Joe Coscia is a sophomore at Fordham College Rose Hill studying Communications and minoring in Business Administration.  He is originally from Pennsylvania and is thrilled for his second year with Fashion For Philanthropy.  He also can't wait to help Fordham's guys stay stylish with budget friendly finds and splurges.  Dress Well, Live Smart Fordham!

The Ram Runway: The Bold Use of Accessories

For this weeks Ram Runway, the spotlight was on a fashionista who loved to accent her ensemble. She used accessories to turn a rather simple outfit, into something interesting and unique. The use of accessories is truly what makes or breaks an outfit. Through there use,  fashionistas are able to put their own personal spin on basic items. Accessories include any type of jewelry, hats, scarves, bags, shoes, watches, sunglasses, hair pieces and anything else that enhances an outfit. I personally love accent pieces, because utilizing them is a prime way to truly reveal a fashion personality. Anybody can put together a cute outfit, but personalizing the look with accessories is what really shows the true colors of a fashionista.

This week's fashionista used accessories to complement her basic, yet chic look. With black skinny jeans, an oversized white tee with pockets and an Urban Outfitters dark blue navy jacket, this fashionista proved that stand out pieces are needed to really make an outfit stand out. This fashionista found these amazing tan suede booties at Urban Outfitters and told me they were going to be her go-to shoe this fall. A neutral colored, suede, tie-up bootie is a shoe that can virtually go with anything and should be a closet staple this fall. Neutrals go with everything and are an updated, brighter basic than dark black. Do not get me wrong, black will always be the basis of my closet, but I like how this fashionista complemented her black jeans with neutral heels to make them pop.

Also, the gold pendent necklace, which this fashionista wears everyday, is a simple yet spunky way to jazz up a basic neckline and simple tee. Her tortoise shell Michael Kors watch was my favorite accessory she displayed; I am obsessed with oversized mens-inspired watches. The watch really stood out on her plain wrist, making it a wonderful statement piece. In the fall and especially winter, hats are a must have. Not only are they useful in keeping us warm, they act as lifesavers when we wake up and know it's going to be one of those days. You can hide behind them and camouflage bad hair, or like this Fashionista did, use them as a cute accessory. Last but not least, the blue army jacket was the piece that really tied together this whole ensemble. The pockets and buttons acted almost as accessories on their own.

This fashionista did an amazing job at turning a basic outfit into a fashionable fall ensemble just by using fun and personalized accent pieces. She proved that accessorizing is the best way to standout and display your own unique spin on an outfit. 

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.

XOXO, The Editors

Hey Everyone,

It’s your Editors, Patricia and Andrea, here! We just wanted to say hello, and welcome to the blog. As you will all start to see, there are going to be a lot of new and exciting things happening this year in respect to the Fashion for Philanthropy blog. First of all, as you can probably see, we have changed the design (doesn’t it look great?) - Next are all of the new columns that we have added! This means lots of new student bloggers, so please check in with the blog weekly to support your peers.

Our new columns will consist of men’s and women’s fashion around campus - ‘The Maroon Man’ and ‘The Ram Runway.’ Then there will be the ‘Intern Diaries’ column, which will focus on the experience that a current student is having at their internship. Next is ‘Featured Articles;’ this section is filled with various opinions and experiences that members of the club have had with fashion and philanthropic activities. The ‘Opportunities’ column is where we will post internship, job and volunteer opportunities that we hear about (please e-mail us if you know of any and would like to share with others). The last two columns are ‘XOXO,’ which will consist of letters and updates from the Editors, and ‘Couture for the College Girl’ which focuses on finding expensive designer pieces for a college student’s budget.

Along with new additions to the blog, Fashion for Philanthropy is extremely excited for all of the activities that we have planned for this year. Please be sure to come to our weekly meetings on Thursdays in Dealy 201 at 5:30 PM. (Note: This upcoming Thursday 10/20 is our Members’ Mixer. Even if you have not attended a meeting yet you are still welcome to join!)

Feel free to e-mail us at fashionforphilanthropy@gmail.com or fordhamffpblog@gmail.com if you ever have a comment or question.