How Has Fashion Design & Creativity Change You?

Since I have started back school, last summer I have been inspired to do more in my field. I currently am a Fashion Retail Management student at the Art Institute of Las Vegas where I am Studying to become a buyer, in Men’s Wear. Fashion trend forecasting resources help predict trends in the fashion industry. Fashion & trend forecasting is the prediction of mood, behavior and buying habits of the consumer at particular time of season. It is no longer a question of finding your markets or consumers by age, geography or income, but looking into how and what they buy, based on their culture, mood, beliefs, occasion & geographic locations, it is also dependent on fashion cycle and plays a major role in introductory phase of recurring fashion cycles. (http://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/9/836/pink-is-out-but-blue-is-in-understanding-fashion-trend-forecasting1.asp) I have changed my way of thinking when it comes to my knowledge, and do not think because I have been managing for the last 7 years that I know it all. I love how I have opened my mind to social media unlike before; I would not want to or take the time to learn what is trending in the industry. I have a lot to learn but I am happy to say that I have a lot of experience that helps me get the new knowledge and master it. I am so excited that I took the time to wait and go come back to school and study a field that I love and that has my attention. The Fashion Retail Management Program has taught me that you really need to network and stay focused. You always have to be aware of the new brands what’s trending and why. I learned not to be afraid to ask a lot of questions we are here to learn and do not know it all that is why we are in school. My confidence level has changed dramatically with public speaking and product knowledge as well time management when it comes to delivering projects. I found this quote online: And choosing the right degree is just as important as having relevant work experience and skills, says Marie Zimenoff, a career management, job search strategist, and certified résumé writer at A Strategic Advantage, a career coaching company. "The competition [will be] stiff," says Zimenoff. "So be ready to show innovation and initiative in your résumé, at an interview, and on the job to be successful." (http://education.yahoo.net/articles/hot_degrees_in_2014.htm)

Networking in America

In this episode of How to make it in America, Ben and Cam networked right from the start of the episode with a game of basketball with some guys that could help launch their denim line. As they were leaving the game the guys saw a guy that Ben use to know from back in the day. Cam ran up to Ben old friend and started networking to him and started to try to get a meeting with him. The guy was leaving in just a few hours and Cam forced the guy to have a short coffee meeting. The guy was able to use his name to recommend the guys to go meet with a Korean buyer that is in town looking at fresh talent that only comes into town every six months. As they was leaving the guy admired Ben’s shirt that he made years earlier he was shocked when the Buyer asked him could he make 300 more in a week, I like that Cam said yes because it was like Ben was going to let this opportunity pass them up. I look at it like this, once you make one item and the buyer is pleased with it that will open up other doors with him and/or his connects. I feel bad that Ben was so excited about his denim and once he got them from the factory they was not what he expected. But with this new opportunity he can make more money to make another cut of denim and be prepared to show the buyer them in 6 months when he is back in town. I hope he has the shirts ready on time so he can keep getting ahead in his career. This can go either one of two ways great or not so great I think it will be good to go into a different direction at times because when you focus on one talent and forget about another it sometimes need to be brought out by a stranger.

More in America

In this episode of made in America the guys did very good going around to all the other businesses and networking. The only issue is they should not have went out and network if they was not 100% ready too. Meaning they should of known what they was getting into before looking for someone to invest in there Brand. I feel like they could of listen better to the advice the people in the industry was trying to give them as far as how about getting there business started. They should have made sure that they had a business plan before they went out trying to get their brand started. On page 62 in the book it tells us “ A brand may reposition to target a new audience or to change its market altogether- such as shifting from an up market position to a lower one. Also it says it’s not just about logo it is about the first six months. A lot of corporate identity projects fail because they are not set up properly. On page 49 it states “A full understanding of the brand and its direction is needed to determine how far the identity should change. The designer is often fully involved in the process”. It is very important for new and up coming developers to know and understand that they can take advice to others in the business and use it to the better themselves. I think it was a very bad comment that the one guy to made in the elevator that they do not need to listen to the guy that was trying to give them some very important information. I feel like the one guy that said not to listen needs to really learn how to take criticism better so they and be successful.

My Voice

My name is Latora Anderson, I am a Fashion student at the Art Institute of Las Vegas. Currently studying Fashion Retail Management to become a Buyer in Men's Wear. I have worked in retail management for the last 7 years. I enjoy learning new skills, and ideas. I also love working with new people and meeting customers. I am determined to be the best person I know how to be. I love going to school and learning new knowledge about new trends in the Fashion world. I am currently a Manager for a company called Paper Source, It is a craft store a lot different in merchandise compared to apparel. I also have a part-time job at Victoria Secrets as a cashier to stay current in the fashion world. My schedule is very busy but I would not change it for anything in the world, I love the challenge it brings and how it constantly changing. I have been at the Art Institute of Las Vegas now for a year and am doing very well in my classes. My goal is to work in high in retail during and after I graduate. Customer service is something I love to give and receive so I always go above and beyond to make sure my guests are very happy at all times. I like to lead by example that way there are no misunderstandings on how our customer service is being up held. I pride my self in being a great Student, Mother, and Manager.