Merchandising Degree? MINE!

The comfort of Manila was left behind five years ago now to rejoin family, pursue FIT and try for a career in the industry that makes me hyper excited. For awhile I thought I'd never get to study fashion merchandising.  I got the official diploma last December so the excitement from capping this thing off has pretty much worn off. Attending commencement exercises felt a bit silly and not having a job yet made it seem like a mockery. My family would have none of it so we went. Thank goodness for that! I would have regretted it if I hadn't gone. How often does one get the chance to graduate from famed Radio City Music Hall with the degree that feels right???

Watch the following speeches.

Marie Claire Fashion Director, Project Runway judge, FIT alumna and author, Nina Garcia.

Norma Kamali, '64 alumna and creator of the sleeping bag coat which has been reincarnated by many, many brands. Can you imagine winters without puffer coats???!?!

Allen Hasselfeld of Hasbro Industries, toy industry leader and maker of Mr. Potato Head. 

I'm bullet pointing my takeaways: 

• All you need to know is who you are
• Words matter, civility matters 
• Be citizens of the world
• Compassionate imagination
• Sensitive awareness
• Rebel in you, be your own rebel
• Hone it the right way
• Be your boldest
• Make some noise
• No doubts
• Create something new for the world
• Harness technology
• Wish of the love of what you do
• Never stop playing no matter the age

Many, many thanks to friends who were with me via live streaming and for encouraging me to be patient, proud and to simply own it. It took me some time to go ahead with this goal. Now it feels amazing to finally look back, I have done it all on my own!!!

Now, on to the next thing.... Picking the job and being good at it. I can't wait!!!!

FIT 2010 Commencement Live Streaming

It really is mine tomorrow!!

Textbook Rentals

The listed prices of textbooks are no joke. I had two semesters and I easily dropped around $450 per semester on them! Take note that I bought USED copies from the corner bookstore on campus and online! Some whose pages were distracting to read because of the highlighting and notes written by previous students. At the end of the semester, you try to get some of your money back by selling them to the bookstore you bought from or to incoming students for a much lower price. You also hope that the edition you own will still be used the following semester. Otherwise, you're kind of stuck with it. Coffee table book then? Library donation? =) 

Anyways, I remember being a wee bit annoyed at how expensive materials were. These are textbooks for education!!!! Fashion books don't even come close to the amount of money you have to pay for technical, engineering, science, finance, design textbooks!! I pined for international newsprint editions that are less than 20% of their hard bound color copy counterparts here. My Raymond Chang Chemistry textbook back in the Philippines was Php 700 ($16 as of today's rates) ten years ago. A copy on Amazon sells for $150+!!! Yeah the fonts were a little hard to read, the pictures looked like blobs of ink but you can still study off them. Then again, $16 on a textbook back in the Philippines isn't cheap either! That's more than a day's minimum wage! 

Anyways, I get this email today. I think it's helpful!! Why only now when I'm done??

In a perfect world, education will be accessible to anyone who wants it, tuition/materials and all. *sigh*

Twiddling My Thumbs

That fashion merchandising degree is mine! What to do now? I should be packing for that nearing trip but I'm still not in pack mode. My mom's started to drop reminders. I'll cram next week. Such a hassle picking out two seasons of clothing to last me a couple of weeks. Putting it off will force me to be brutally decisive when I edit. Why did they cut the allowance to two - 50 pound luggage again?!?! Roar! Must NOT bring 8 pairs of shoes! Less is more. Be creative. Neutrals. Solids. Hang well together. Mix, Match. I can do this.

The sudden slow down has left me twiddling my thumbs. I'm relieved but kind of missing a bit of the toxicity I underwent the past 1.5 months? Already. Okay, the last day was just yesterday. Cutting myself some slack. Not complaining, just saying.

Our first major snow storm/blizzard of the season rolled in just in time for the official start of Winter. Everything will be blanketed white by tomorrow morning. It's always serene the first day. I almost always end up sitting in bed just staring out my window spacing out, sighing.

I hope everyone's Christmas gifts list's getting ticked off. Christmas in six days!!!! Manila in seven!!! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Winding Down With Alicia Keys

It's T minus 1 project/presentation, 1 final and 1 self-marketing plan/paper. O EM GEE.

Anyways, I like this version with just Alicia Keys better. The piano and her? Enough said.

Cliche for the Nth time. I NY!!!

Final Stretch

I rocked three critical projects Thanksgiving week.

Now it's down to T minus 2 projects, 2 papers and 4 finals.

I thought to extend interning at Bendel for a week or two. I'm well over my hours there. Let's see how this week plays out. I haven't started packing for my upcoming trip and have resorted to e-commerce shopping for pabilis and pasalubongs and such as I'm holed up in front of my mac. I am loving the convenience and anticipation that comes with online shopping though. Sheesh!! I this industry - brick and mortar form or not.

I'm tired BUT THRILLED. Know what I mean? T-H-R-I-L-L-E-D. Some dude told me once that there was no such thing as good stress - stress as a word is negative in itself. Well he thought wrong! This semester's been nothing but stress of the good, great, awesome kind.

Looking forward to finishing (and miss being in) fashion school. Last two weeks of it.

Today's Kababawan

No more slipping and sliding when I'm upside down and twisting around. My Jade Yoga Mat is here!!! In sedona RED!!! I can't wait to use it at Saturday's practice. A tree is planted for every mat sold. Oh goodie! I have done a few asanas on it in the five minutes I've had it in my possession and yay!! No slippage whatsoever.

Of course, my daily dose of WWD. It's usually a day late so I was pleasantly surprised that Monday's issue came on a Monday. With the S/S 2010 top collections recap too. This will be absorbed during tomorrow's commute. I'm in dire need for forecast information in my product development term project.

I have two other things in the mail on their way!! These purchases are guiltless too. A protective sleeve so I can properly schlep my mac to school in the coming days and a book as pasalubong. See... NEEDS.

And And And. I BOUGHT TICKETS TO U2's 360 TOUR!!!!! Yowza!!!! It's exactly 252 days away from today. Yes. I counted. July 19, 2010. Ticketmaster was an ordeal when the presale started. I was toggling jewelry orders and the refresh button. Nastress ako. Success came after about 8 tries. Lucky 8!! Oh Joy!!!


It has been and will be a stressful couple of weeks. Six term projects/papers due one on top of the other in the last six weeks of the semester. Online shopping just gives me a shot of one of my favorite words. Anticipation. Just because it's always good to look forward to something no matter what or how shallow it is.

Good mood na ako! Project time!!!

I Bow To All Saints

Read about this UK contemporary brand on WWD early October. Checked the line out last Tuesday at Bloomies for product development silhouette ideas. I want to worship All Saints Spitalfields and make it my latest religion. (Blasphemy!! ). My partner wasn't with me so I had to sneak photos of some knitwear ideas for her to see in the fitting room.

You can loosen the ties and make it longer past your hips, a belt to cinch your waist works too. I took this saint home with the intention of showing my partner and returning it. I couldn't let go. We picked this merino wool ruched cardigan as one of our fashion items.

The details on this sweater dress won me over. Neckline, asymmetric & ribbed hem, invisible pockets.

Cowl neck twisted.

Cowl neck untwisted. I like it better this way for some reason although it's not meant to be styled this way.

Deconstructed hem knit vest. My first thought was, layer!! layer!!

This looked better on the hanger. Not for petite gals like moi. Penguin back would work better for taller women in my humble opinion. It was so comfy on though. The material was sooooft.

Raw edges gave it oomph.

The silhouette of this body skimming dress was basic but the pleating was spot on.

The micro pleats were sooo slimming and hugged your body in all the right places.

I like how easy it is to just throw on their knitwear and look hmmm.... street. Layering would be easier too due to the lightweight knits. It took me eons to go through my pile. I small talked with my namesake salesperson and got selling history. It is flying out the shop in shop at Bloomies @ Lexington Ave. Good information to defend our choice of silhouette and brand. The assortment just works in a lived in, vintage, comfortable yet edgy, street way. Must scrutinize dresses more next. Flagship on Broadway and Spring St in Soho opens next Spring.

Wow. I now love doing homework. Blasphemy forgiven.

Three For One

I'm tired. The word tired is tired. I need a new word for tired. Can you see I'm really tired? Yes, I'm obviously tired. Iwasthisclose to having a meltdown today just from being tired. Midterms are here. Assignments that seem like term projects are in process. Final projects have been given out. Tests and quizzes to deal with. Papers to write. I was never a strong writer. Hello, a bachelor's in engineering. It just takes me f-o-r-e-v-e-r to gather my 888 thoughts together and put them in sentences. Sometimes I blog in between writing to reboot the thought process. One thing about studying here, you can hardly BS your way to get a good grade. Professors mean business.

My one fortune cookie from tonight's chinese takeout had three things to say to me. The picture's readable right?

1.) Tell me about it. Ha!

2.) I didn't get a word. I got a conversation. I had a question about our final term project on buying. Before answering, my professor had words for me about the swimwear buy project I submitted yesterday which she had already checked. My reaction to her reaction? I was floored. It was exactly what I needed to hear. I will not forget that 8 minute sprint from her office to the museum at FIT.

3.) Who needs great honor? The job that feels right next year will be more than enough.

Maybe I do know what the bejeezus I'm doing. Today's one of them days when I will choose to SEE signs. Even if it's something as stupid as a fortune cookie.

I will not run on caffeine for the rest of the week.

I will not run on caffeine for the rest of the week.

I will not run on caffeine for the rest of the week.

Okay, back to that informational interview paper.

Color Vocabulary

Aurora Borealis. Rose. Topaz. Coral. Hematite. Gun Metal. Jet. Pewter. Graphite. Crystal. Smoke. Lapis. Champagne. Olive. Lilac. Charcoal. Ivory. Slate. Lawn. Saffron. Vermeil. Sea Foam. Taupe. Peony. Rouge. Bordeaux. Chalk. Celadon. Mauve. Mulberry. Peacock. Praline. Noir. Oat. Opal. Sage. Iris. Tulip. Periwinkle. Vanilla. Iris. Cobalt. Orchid. Scarlet. Sorbet. Toffee. Tourmaline. Aqua. Metal. Melon. Cerulean. Berry.

I just had to get these out of my head. I'm particularly obsessing on those in bold. My color vocabulary must be growing from looking at a whole lot of jewelry orders and samples at my internship. yada yada yada

Sheer Torture

Yep! It can feel that way. Try being a full time student, gain more insight about the fashion industry, become aware of more yummy brands, intern with third party jewelry buying and not have a source of income to shopify and apply. It can be such an inner battle when I come across such lovely things. Why did I do this again? KKkkkKkkkk It's for the love dude, for the love. Sooner rather than later!!

*sigh*buntong hininga* I need a cupcake.

(photo credit: Quintanaroo on flickr)

Happy 4th! + End of Summer Internship

And so it's 4th of July yet again. So much change has happened since last year. Wrapped up my internship at LVMH-Celine last Thursday and am now an absolute bum. I have been on the go since January in this one year "vacation" and it's been pure fun in spite of the fatigue. This must be what good/healthy stress is all about.

It was really good to hang out and catch up with childhood friends from Manila and Toronto the past week. Now I need to recharge.

Happy 4th of July!!!!

Michelle The Intern

It was my first day today and I enjoyed it a whole lot. I saw and sent samples for F/W 09 to fashion magazines, introduced myself to the Celine Madison Ave. boutique staff, was sent on a research mission and did sell through reports.

The mission was to scope out stores for markdown signages, discount percentages and foot traffic and report what I observed to the buyer. I walked a total of 5miles up and down Madison and 5th Avenue. It's only now that I feel the pain in my legs. When you're so into what you're seeing, you don't give a damn. I was asked by some store staff members what I was doing with my note taking. I told them I was a student yada yada yada and was just observing and applying what I'm learning. They were pretty helpful. Of course I didn't mention I was a Celine intern and was really looking at competition. It's fascinating how luxury brands try their bestest to be discreet about having sales to uphold and protect brand image. The signs were microscopic and the merchandise were not even labeled with the markdown prices. To me, this is done so that the customer gets curious, asks about pricing and therefore engages with the sales associate. Sales pitch time. Since Madison Ave is more for the locals versus touristy 5th Avenue, there were definitely more sale signages on 5th. Specialty Department Stores Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys skipped visible signs on their windows and opted for sale racks. By the way, footwear's on sale! A few women were going bananas.

Will markdowns continue? for now YES! Will they be as deep as last season? Sorry but NO! It seems like consumers will have to be re-trained to shop full price. Everyone's just waiting for markdowns these days regardless of brand level. It's a changing fashion world out there. As Kenneth Cole said on WWD last week, “these are not only the toughest times, but they are also the best, because it’s only in tough times that people look for creative alternatives,” “If one is inclined to truly make a difference and make an impact, there is more of an appetite today maybe than ever before,” Cole added. “There is more that’s broken; there’s more that needs to be fixed. There is more of an opportunity to significantly impact a very sustainable and transformative voice. It’s a great challenge and a great opportunity, and we are all very excited about it.” Exciting times I must say. I'm glad I'm in!

Celine has just tapped ex Chloe designer genius Phoebe Philo. There's quite a buzz about her first collection and I can't wait to be in the middle of the transition period. Aaaah!!!! I'm a mere intern but I choose to learn!! I choose to learn!!!! Grabe, kadaldalan na to. Excited lang talaga. Market week in June will be something to talk about again. Daldal!!! Daldal!!!

Spring Heat + Busy. Busy. Busy

Friday felt like Spring, the weekend felt like summer sneaked in on us. Where did Spring go?!?!?! My dad and brother's family drove up to Vermont today for work/pleasure and will be back on Tuesday. They're going to ice cream heaven. The Ben & Jerry's plant. My dad wanted me to go and was convincing me to cut class tomorrow. My, my the tables sure have turned. You know you're older when your father encourages you to miss school for a road trip. But being the nerd that I am, I passed. I have a paper/presentation I need to nail down by Thursday which still needs a lot of work. Bait noh? Paying for your own way is a huge factor too. Rain or shine, in sickness and in health, I am there. Last March, a snowstorm hit us in effect cancelling classes, I remember feeling disappointed. Finals are in two weeks time and I am sooo ready to attack them. I just need to get through the projects first. Tests are simpler, you study, take them and it's a done deal. Projects on the flipside seem to never end. There's always, always a way to make it better. I've also accepted an offer to intern at LVMH-Celine's showroom this summer. That should be interesting. Hopefully, my plan works out and I can do two internships.

My shoti and I had lunch today at trusty Baumgart's Cafe at Edgewater. (Nets, this was where I took you). They serve Chinese/American food diner style. There's a branch in our city but we opted to take the short drive because I wanted to sit out in the sun. As the name suggests, it is by the water with an ok view of Manhattan. After stuffing our faces with spicy tuna/salmon salad, chunky lobster and chicken sandwich, waffles, cheese omelettes and lemonades, I drove ourselves home. I dozed off on my brother's bed soon after and napped for four hours. I think I've been tired since school started in January, just throwing my focus on what should be done, the heat today forced me to s-l-o-w down.

Hopefully, the trains don't smell tomorrow from the sudden rise in temperature. The swine flu outbreak is a little freaky as well. Anyways, I have to work on that designer paper/presentation now. Just warming up with a blog.

Have a great week everyone!

Swamped!!!

I can't believe half the semester's gone. I am up to my eyeballs with exams, homework and projects. In a span of 1.5 weeks, I have to deal with 6 exams!!! One down, five to go!!! Spring break's around the corner but it won't feel like much of a "break" as I have to work on projects due the following weeks. The material's not at all hard but there's just soooo much to read, research and write. Engineering did not train me for this!!! I am not used to it!!! bwahaha kkkkk. Add actively looking for internships to that. I've got two interviews lined up. Wish me luck!!! I'll most likely be MIA for a bit. I WILL SURVIVE!!!!! FIGHTO!!! AJA!!!!

My Subway Armor

I'm a recent commuter but have had my own share of subway stories from random trips to the City. My friend May recently wrote about her share. I have a new one from last Friday. I made a run for the C train and barely made it. I was out of breath as I took a seat towards the back of the train. Come next stop, this old Asian lady took the seat next to me and by golly wow did she smell like vegetables. Now, don't ask me what vegetables smell like but boy she sure smelled like vegetables. One whiff and I was up and away from her. I had to whip out the trusty bottle of white flower oil, put a little bit on my nostrils to get rid of the veggie smell. I had a quiz and really didn't want to risk getting dizzy over bad smells. Nausea and quizzes just don't work for me.




I am such a white flower oil kid. I grew up sniffing and rubbing on the stuff. I remember my grandma had it. My mom, aunts and uncles, and a few cousins are just as dependent on it. So it figures that I would still carry a bottle of it to this day. Must be the partly Chinese upbringing too. Some kids use blankies, stuffed toys, I had a bottle of this amazing Chinese concoction for 'security' in my school uniform's pocket. I use it for every pain there is. Sometimes the scent is just, I don't know, comforting. A Dominican coworker uses it (who discovered it in Hong Kong on a biz trip) and thought I was crazy when I instantly recognize the smell on her one day. She said only old people used/liked oils and ointment. How on earth would I know it. Anyway, I don't think it's a habit I'll ever break. It'll be my armor when the trains stink come summer.

Okay I'm tying this random blog post up by a story from my mom. One time, the train she got on stank of poop. You know why? A homeless guy was taking a poop right there and then. TRULY HORRIFYING. That story will stay number 1 in my books for a long time.

Of course she got off immediately and whipped out her white flower oil.