[From top: Michael Kors, Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler, image via TEEN VOGUE]
FPD got the opportunity to attend TEEN VOGUE’s Fashion University, the exclusive weekend-long event (October 21-23) which was designed for the fashion-focused leaders of tomorrow. What a great opportunity to take part in — how many people get to sit in on personal seminars with Michael Kors, Alexander Wang, and Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler? Here’s a recap of the event’s curriculum, broken into classes, or panels, that we attended, courtesy of TEEN VOGUE.
MICHAEL KORS: THE AMERICAN ICON
“I was incredibly, insanely fashion obsessed!” Michael began. Impatient to get going, Kors did what he could to see it all, read it all. He literally consumed the industry in the way it consumed him, joking about his valiant efforts at getting Italian Vogue delivered to New York City.
As a young student, Kors held on to the aesthetic he felt so strongly about; a chic woman semi-undone. Still, he felt ready – ready to enter the world and figure out the puzzle of getting dressed for so many. Finally came his big break: while working at a local store, the owners asked if he would re-design last season’s jeans. In fashion terms, they were out. But, what was in? It was evident Kors knew what women wanted – (“I love women,” he told the audience earlier) – and the store owners took advantage of that. Soon enough, it became his “thing” as he would do it all himself; he designed, worked, and made window displays… and it all paid off. Bergdorf Goodman’s Fashion Director approached Kors after seeing his window display. That very night he sketched out his collection to bring to them. They loved it, and the rest is history.
For Kors, the key to his success
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