NYC Day 2 - Teen Vogue Fashion U

Conde Nast Building:

While I waited inside the Hudson Theatre Lobby during registration, I was surrounded by hundreds of Blair Waldorf wannabes. Literally every teeny bopper girl was dressed in a blazer, extravagant bow or flower headband, a high waisted skirt and flats. While I certainly like this look, it was overdone. Blair’s outfits are only fun and chic because it is a television show, they are supposed to be exaggerated. In real life, if tons of girls walk down the street in collegiate style couture from head to toe it’s a bit much. Half the fun of this event was people watching. There were definitely unique styles that inspired me. I fell in love with some tissue layered skirts, silk dresses, patterned tanks tucked into high waisted skirts, double buckle belts, patent leather pumps and mary janes.

This was my schedule:
10-11:15: Session 1- Nanette Lepore, Teen Vogue Showroom
11:15-12:15: Session 2 - Cynthia Rowley, “Living a Fun, Fashionable Life”, Teen Vogue Catwalk
12:15-1: Lunch – Millennium Broadway Hotel
1-2: Session 3 – Peter Som, Distinctive Design, The Hudson Theatre
2-3:15: Session 4 – Tracy Reese, Teen Vogue Showroom
3:30-4:30 – Lisi Harrison (author of The Clique) & Mandi Line (Costume Designer) The Hudson Theatre
4:30-6: Premiere of The Clique (not released to the public yet), The Hudson Theatre

The Designer Details: Nanette Lepore
I was extremly excited to hear Nanette Lepore talk about how she became the fashion designer she is today. I have always loved her clothes, even before they hit the big department stores. I’ve been to her shops in Soho, Newbury Street & LA because I’ve had an obsession with her cute, feminine styles. When she announced collaboration with Keds, I jumped on this trend. I practically stalked Nordstorms to get a pair of her flats the day they arrived. I’ve read all about her new digital device in her Washington D.C. store and she has been a fashion role model to me. Sitting in the showroom along with about 30 other young girls who all looked up to her, I was slightly disappointed with Nanette’s attitude. While she has certainly worked hard for her success and has come a long way, she knows she’s accomplished and showed this. She was engaged in the program, but was not that friendly when other students and I came up to her afterwards. Yet, her story is still inspiring…

Alana Newton, the Senior Market Editor of Teen Vogue, interviewed Nanette and then opened it up for a question & answer session. I was intrigued by her story. Nanette didn’t realize she wanted to get into fashion until college. She received a degree in business from a school in Ohio. New York and fashion were never part of her world. However, she came from a creative family and finally decided to try something more visually oriented. Her first job was sketching and she got fired after three weeks. Then she moved to Tric Track, a knitwear company. Nanette eventually moved to a boutique and designed for a private line. Nanette learned fashion from a small perspective, which enabled her to get her foot in the door. She started her own company mainly because she couldn’t get a job anywhere and was stuck in debt. Now she has over 140 employees and 7 boutiques. She has plans in the works to open up 2 more boutiques in Bal Harbor & Madison Avenue. Her company is based off her desire to create eligance and beauty for women. She produces enchanting items that can be either ready to wear and polished or mixed with vintage pieces. In describing her latest collection, Nanette said its “romantic, flowery and pretty.” She also explained of her support for saving the garment district. (Nanette gave out pencils with ribbon & buttons that advocated this effort, as well as umbrellas with her logo). She is saddened by the possibility that the Garment District might be disappearing.

What is the future of Nanette Lepore? Well she is shoe obsessed and wants to create a shoe empire. Her work with Keds and her own line of pumps, heels and flats have paved the way towards this dream. She also wants to create the perfect pair of jeans. Her fragrance has been one of her biggest successes and she has a new scent coming out soon. There will be an international ad campaign so stay tuned.