Tag: Chanel

The Cost of Producing a Fashion Show

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New York Fashion Week is almost here and everyone is very busy getting all those last-minute details together to make for a perfect show. And, you know that old Murphy’s Law– what can go wrong will go wrong.

So, I was thinking to myself, just how much does it cost to put on an amazing show? Well, of course it depends on if you are keeping it basic or doing something over the top like Chanel. But let’s get to the bottom line. It’s business and designers are selling clothes and an image. So how much does it really cost?

Well, here’s a list of a few possible costs;

Production and Equipment; 50K to 300K+

Videographer: 3K to 5K per hour

Stylists: 5K to 20K per day

Hair and Makeup Team: 5K to 100K+ per show

Models: unpaid to 200K+ 

Venue: 10K to 50K+

According to the New York Times, the Marc Jacobs show cost $1 million in 2011, or $1750 per second. The breakdown on that; 500 guests, 63 outfits, 45 second model appearance, 22-inch human hair extensions for each model at $180/head, 50 hair stylists, 35 makeup artists and 70 dressers. The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show rang in at about $12 million last year, says Business Insider.

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Last year’s Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2013 Paris show directed by Marc Jacobs featuring models descending from escalators in the Louvre. Burberry literally made it rain/snow at their Fall 2012 London show.

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The smaller fashion brands have done presentations instead of runway shows, spotted their own venues, casted their own models and utilizing the help of volunteers and interns to cut costs. So, given what brands shell out in terms of money, we can all understand why it’s so important who is at your fashion show and where they are sitting.

I can’t wait to see who takes the cake this year in over-the-top fabulousness.

Yours Truly,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

Spring forward with new designer arrivals at NORDSTROM.

Michelle, Sasha and Malia Obama’s Inauguration Day Fashion

So are we all not excited to see what Michelle Obama, most powerful woman in fashion, will be wearing this weekend?

She recently changed her hairstyle and I love it. And I think we all just can’t wait to see the fashion this weekend!

PicMonkey CollageIn 2009, Michelle Obama wore a lemongrass yellow Isabel Toledo shift dress for the day, and a gorgeous white off-the-shoulder chiffon gown by Jason Wu for the ball. WWD says that more than 20 designers have sent in dress sketches in hopes to be chosen to dress her for the momentous occasion.

I can’t wait to see the looks for her and Sasha and Malia, who are quickly becoming style icons too. Check out a few of the fashion sketches from Chanel, Nanette Lepore, L’Wren Scott, and Monique Lhuillier for Michelle, Sasha and Malia for Inaugural Day below.

 Michelle Obama, Inauguration Dress

Yours,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

Columbia Business School and Parsons Students Pitch Strategic Plans to Luxury Product CEOs

LEFCBSPARSONSPRESENTATIONLast week I attended Columbia Business School and Parsons Students’ Final Presentations which featured their fall 2012 case studies from the CBS class Design and Marketing of Luxury Products. There in attendance were CEOs and top representatives from Chanel, HermèsLoro PianaPomellato and Van Cleef & Arpels, with whom the students had worked all semester.


The class is taught by Professor Ketty Pucci-Sisti Maisonrouge from CBS, who also runs several luxury consulting companies, and Professor Jessica Corr, a high-end hospitality designer/consultant who teaches at Parsons.  The class is through the Luxury Education Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on educational programs for undergraduate and graduate students in Design and Business related to the creation and marketing of luxury goods.

Photo Credit: Lexie Moreland
Hermès Student Presentation: Photo by Lexie Moreland

What struck me about the presentations was that most of the companies were looking for ways to integrate their online presence with the actual experience of a customer in-store. Some ideas included placing physical touch-screen computers in the fitting room, a “My Chanel” virtual closet to upload photos of yourself in your new Chanel wear, or my favorite “Share Your Love Story” cards for Van Cleef & Arpel’s bridal business.

Van Cleef & Arpels Presentation Share Your Love Story Cards: Photo by Lexie Moreland
Van Cleef & Arpels Presentation Share Your Love Story Cards: Photo by Lexie Moreland

It was a very exciting class, I might say! And it ended with a celebration and networking along with a gracious champagne donation from Moët Hennessy USA.

Yours Truly,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

Do These Sequined Numbers for the Holidays

So, it’s that time of the year again. Happy Holidays everyone! As you shape up  your plans and outfits, check out a few of these bedazzling numbers to get you glowing at your next holiday event!

Love these black shorts Halston Heritage sequined black shorts (on sale for $98).

 

Do it with a cardigan, a sweater, a jacket or a really nice blouse like this Chanel look with black sequined shorts from 2007 and Beyoncé from the Grammy Awards last year.

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m also in love with these wintery white sequined Herve Leger dresses. They are absolutely gorgeous, and not to mention the Pink Sequined Bandage Dress is 50% off! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finish it off with sparkly nails… I love Metallic 4 Life from the Nicki Minaj OPI Collection. It’s on my toes and I adore them. Also, try Snooki’s new Party’s Here, seen here.

Enjoy!

Yours,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles