Friday, May 31, 2013

9: I PRESENT ON MONDAY

I know the title of the post is in all caps so it seems as if I'm incredibly nervous, but I've gone through my entire presentation a couple of times now and it seems pretty decent. I am incredibly confident in all the research I've gathered up until this point. I'm really eager to just present now so that I can finally say I've legitimately survived iPoly. Sure, I still have product presentation to look forward to, but I'm not even remotely anxious about that because we've done so many presentations that have only helped lead us into the final presentation. I think the only reason I'm even remotely anxious about the 2-hour is because it's the longest presentation we've ever had to do.

Today, I saw Ryan's presentation (we both present for Ortega) and I was so proud of him because he was probably even more nervous than I claimed to be and he did even better than I'd expected him to do. He did really well and it was all because he knew his information and he seemed so passionate about what he did. I can only hope that I don't blank on the information I have to talk about and I hope Ortega and the rest of the class likes what I have to say.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

8: The Difference Between Designer and Non-Designer Dresses

I just realized while practicing my presentation is that my best answer had the shortest explanation. I'm not necessarily certain if that's a bad thing or not because if it's something that is really noticeable and Ortega doesn't like that, I CAN back up why it's the shortest answer, but I'd rather just avoid it. I feel I might have to just talk more about my best answer. I do have to avoid being repetitive, though. That's another worry of mine. I found that my longest explanation was for my third answer because for sewing and sketching, I'm going to show an example of one dress that is not a designer dress. Therefore, on this non-designer dress the seams will be noticeable. I will then go on to show an example of a designer dress and compare the two. Clearly, the designer dress has the prettier stitching because customers are PAYING for that. This explains why designer dresses/gowns are so much more expensive than dresses you see at Forever 21. 

My mentor always became so frustrated with me when I would show up to work wearing a cute top or dress from Forever 21 or H&M because she would always point out how lazily made they were. She'd continuously talk about how dresses I would pay $25 for from H&M would cost them no more than $5 to make. Especially because they buy so much because they stock up in great bundles. Also, their materials are considered pathetic and those in the design world scoff at stores like that. 

I've witnessed first hand a lot of the pricings for dresses/gowns that David Meister creates and they legitimately cost quite a lot to make. The dresses range from $50-$200 for fabric alone and then extra for labor. They then sell it to stores for anywhere between $300-$500 and then these huge stores like Nordstrom or Bloomingdale's will put it on the rack and sell it for $700-$1,000. It's hard to believe, but definitely true. This is something I want to talk about during my presentation because it was one of the first things that I'd ever learned from my mentor and it's really important for my third answer, which is sewing and sketching. 

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

7: Just a Quick Update

So senior presentations are great so far. I have yet to see a "bad" one and I hope it remains that way. In preparation for my own, I've completed most of my powerpoint and am buying all my materials for my activities tomorrow. Also, something I've seen that I've enjoyed about every presentation that I hope to incorporate into mine is that I hope to have my activities on point. Everyone has activities that coordinate perfectly with their answers and their EQ. Also, I think what would work best for me is if I save all my activities for the end. This makes sense because it allows for no interruptions and I could meet time and the rest of my activities will then flow smoothly. 

I am a little scared about foundation because it seems that a lot of people had completely different things to talk about when it came to their foundation. Hence, I'm not certain if my foundation is supposed to be about what the process was to finalize my topic and/or EQ (like I've seen for some) or if I'm supposed to talk about the general idea of my topic. (Also something I've seen in a few presentations thus far.) I'm going to have to ask for clarification on that so that I can get a better understanding and do well on that portion in my own presentation. 


Monday, May 27, 2013

6: 2-Hour Preparation

I'm currently preparing for my presentation, seeing as I go a week from today. June 3rd, to be more precise. I am very glad that I present the very beginning of the second week, simply because that gives me all of this week to watch what everyone else does and decipher the good and bad in each. I will then be able to use the good from every presentation I see and try and find ways to incorporate it into mine, while witnessing the bad in some and try and find ways I can stray away from that.

Something I realized that I haven't given much thought for my presentation is the set up of it all. I haven't decided what I'm going to do with the room (if I plan to do anything at all with it). I'm not necessarily certain what I can do to go above and beyond. Something else I also have on my to do list is that I have to split up the people in my presentation and put them into groups so that I can have each table with a couple of seniors (so that the juniors stay on task).

I also got my two hour lesson plan back from Ortega with some comments written on it and I'm really glad she seemed to like what I had to say on it. This will hopefully mean that when it comes to the information I have to talk about, I'm doing well. However, she did seem a bit confused on my sponge activity. So I'd assume I'll have to email her tonight/tomorrow and try and clarify it in simpler terms so that she may understand it. OR maybe it just won't work at all and I'll have to figure something else out.

So far, everything seems very doable. I hope to have all of my powerpoint and props finished by Wednesday (Thursday at the latest) so that I can spend three days just going over the whole thing. I'm really just excited to knock this thing out so that I can focus on product presentation.




Monday, May 20, 2013

5: Update (Again)

I just got my I-Search paper back this weekend and was very pleased with my grade! I received a P on it and I'm very proud of it because a lot of research went into it. Also, there is exactly two weeks until the day I present! I'm not nearly as prepared as I'd hoped I would be during this time because it seems like so much is going on right now. On top of figuring out everything for my 2 hour presentation, I also have to worry about core stuff. There's a lot due dates for all four teachers coming up very soon and it's all just coming together.

I hope to be able to complete all my core stuff and put most of my focus for next week on finishing up a few last things for my 2-hour presentation. It seems like I have so much time because the last time I really checked, I still had several weeks (months) before I had to worry about this, but it's fast approaching. I still have to figure out what my second activity is going to be for my presentation because as of right now, I only have one activity. The first one was "promising/good" according to Ortega (my 2 hour teacher), but that isn't going to cut it. Clearly, I need another one so that I can be sure to not only meet the time requirement, but also so that I can be able to thoroughly give examples and explanations of my answers.

My lesson plan was completed and written in great detail, too. Hence, I'm very proud of that. So within this week, that leaves me with several tasks to complete. I have to finish my Powerpoint and start running through it a couple of times within the next two weeks. Then, I have to make one poster to be a visual aid (I already have one from my 30 minute presentation. Finally, I'll have to gather together all my props for my presentation/activities.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Mentorship

Literal:


  • Mary Vilchis - 626-934-4141


Interpretive: 

The most important thing I gained from this experience as an intern with David Meister was that I learned to appreciate everything that people tend to overlook in the fashion industry. I witnessed how much time and effort is put into creating a piece. There are so many designs created and only a few get chosen in the end. I also came to the realization that not only do the fashion designers have a tough job, but so do the employees that work for them. It's a team effort, similar to iPoly, in the sense that, you're all in charge of an area and you all have a job to take care of. However, if someone slacks off, you pick up the job and help them because if one area suffers, so does everyone else. 

I for one, was asked to do multiple jobs. There were days where I would file stacks of designs to put in binders that would be recorded later. Whereas, other days I was asked to watch my mentor calculate the costs/money spent throughout the month and see what the calculations came out to and see how much we made/lost. There was also days I'd organize new and old fabrics that would later be used for a gown. No matter what I was asked to do, though, I was given instruction (not a lot, but some) so that I could pick things up and figure them out myself. My mentor basically threw me out to water and I chose to swim, rather than sink.

As an intern there, it was so critical to stay on top of everything because it's all trial and error and it’s first hand experience that I gained in the process. Interning helped me become exposed to all levels of the company and become familiar with the processes that are made to achieve creating a fashion line. I was fortunate enough to intern for not just anyone, but for David Meister. He has a group of wonderful people helping him create beautiful things. Completing a total of 60 mentorship hours wasn't difficult in the slightest because it wasn't even a job to me, but it was just doing something I love and am incredibly passionate about.


Applied:

I was asked to complete so many tasks, but through it all I got to see the importance of all my answers. My answers were as follows; interning, sewing/sketching, and knowing how the business works/working in retail. I got all three of my answers from my mentorship. An obvious one, interning was because that's exactly what I did. Interning is where all your connections with those in the fashion industry are made. I came to this conclusion because my mentor told me that David Meister was an intern prior to becoming a fashion designer. He also then went on to attend Fashion Week.  Interning was my first answer and my best answer. 

I also came to realize the importance of sewing/sketching through my mentorship because I had to opportunity to meet with seamstesses and sketch artists. I learned that sewing/sketching is part of the foundation to it all in the industry. It's important to sew/sketch in the beginning of your career because  Through my mentorship, I learned that sewing is important for a designer if they have a vision that no one else can see and if they need to show it, they can pick up the needle themselves and create what they are talking about. Then we have sketching. Sketching is like breathing to designers.Some people think they can get away with it if they become successful enough to have others work for them and make their clothes, but it is still critical that the designer knows how patterns and the pieces are put together so they can successfully communicate what they want done. 

Finally, with my mentorship, I learned that knowing how the business works/working in retail is important because I spent a lot of my time watching my mentor Mary check and make sure they were not losing money and there was a decent amount of math involved. Most of it is basic math skills, but nonetheless, it was critical to understand. She had me see these softwares that keep track of their data. It was emphasized that one of the greatest things people choose to ignore about being in the fashion industry is that the money involved plays a huge factor in deciding a lot of your work. Think about it. You need to pay people to work for you, as well as models, fabrics, locations to have fashion shows, and places to advertise for you. That is a lot of money to consider. If you do not know the business side of things, your company/clothing line will fail because you can lose money and in some cases, you will not even realize it.

Thus, I had my three answers.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

4: Update

Here's just an update with how things are currently going for me. My exit interview was this past Friday and I did alright. I did not use specific examples, hence Purther said I should consider using specific answers for why my best answer is the better answer for my 2-hour presentation.  As for Pittman, she didn't suggest anything and for the most part, I'd assume she'd enjoyed what I had to say. It was nerve-wracking, but because it's something that I've been researching for months now, it also flowed really well. 

Also, my mentorship hours were completed Friday, as well. I completed a total of exactly 50 hours with my mentor, Mary Vilchis. As far as I know, I'm going to continue going and doing hours with her until summer begins, simply because I love it there and if they need the help, then I'm certainly available. I hope this is a good sign and that they invite me to go from time to time. I also have high hopes for myself and hope that eventually they even hire me.

As for my actual 2-hour presentation, I just recently started working on the powerpoint because that is currently the only thing I have to be worried about. Now my exit interview is over, my I-Search paper was turned in, my research count has been finalized (for quite some time now) and I've found out who/what to prepare for. Now all I have left to really prepare for is my 2-hour itself and my product presentation. I would definitely say that I'm nervous, but I'm also just glad to finally be getting it over with. By getting it over with, I don't mean I had a terrible time doing all of this, but I am anxious about several things. I'm afraid of not making time and not having enough people interested in what I have to say. I hope I find the right words and do really well. Overall, I am very happy with how far I've gotten. 

Thursday, May 16, 2013

3: A Very Important Source (Also referred to as my bible)

Although my mentorship has been one of my best sources, I can say that my bible has come in a very close second. The Teen Vogue Handbook: An Insider's Guide to Careers in Fashion is one of the greatest books I've ever picked up and I'm not just saying that because I feel like I have to. This book has given me insight on a world that I thought I knew and could have sworn I was familiar , but really didn't know a lot about. This book is a resource for those trying to break into the industry, but have no idea where to get started. It talks about how to be a fashion designer, stylist, model, photographer, etc. It was unlike a lot of my other research because it was enjoyable. Researching isn't always the most entertaining thing to do, but I actually looked forward to cracking this book open. One of the greatest things it taught me was that one does not attend a specific school or follow a certain study, because the possibilities on how to make it big in fashion are pretty much endless. One does not just emerge just ready to be employed. There are common threads of advice and this book serves as a road map for younger people such as myself. The book is a practical reference guide that teaches things like; how to build a portfolio, how to dress for an interview, and how to land the internship of your, uh, dreams. Well, not necessarily the internship of your dreams, but cut the book some slack, it isn't a miracle worker. You have to start somewhere! Referring now to my title, this book was my bible. I thank my parents for having given this to me for Christmas because I don't know where I would have gotten a great majority of my research without it. This is why this book is now my bible. I praise this book for having all the answers I've needed and more.


Sunday, May 12, 2013

Exit Interview Questions


1) What is your essential question?  What is the best answer to your question and why?

What is the best way for a fashion designer to achieve a spot in LA Fashion Week?

My best answer is interning because that's where connections are made. It's important to know in the fashion industry that it isn't always what you know, but rather, who you know. If you intern, you're being given the chance to meet others that work in the industry and sometimes if you're fortunate, you'll even meet other designers. Experience as an intern can teach someone things that cannot be learned in design school. It is so critical because it’s all trial and error and it’s first hand experience that someone gains in the process. Interning could help someone become exposed to all levels of the company and become familiar with the processes that are made to achieve creating a fashion line. If you are fortunate enough to intern for anyone, it’s a once in a lifetime experience to be able to work for a designer, even if it means fetching the fashion designer’s cup of coffee in the morning and running around the office making copies of the fitting schedule for this month. In the long run, it pays off. They’ll be quick to remember you and the things you do for them and if they're content with the things you do, they'll move you up gradually.


(2) What process did you take to arrive at this answer?
I spent lots of hours with my research and my mentorship. I came to the realization from the very beginning that interning was one of the more obvious answers to my EQ. However, just because it was an easy/apparent answer, didn't mean that I couldn't go about it in a smart way. I kept searching for answers through research, but after talking to Pittman about it for a bit, she told me it was okay to state interning as my answer. Little by little, I found more research that helped to back my first and best answer up. 

(3) What problems did you face?  How did you resolve them?

One of the biggest obstacles I’ve had to overcome was finding time to see my mentor because she works the same hours I attend school. It was difficult for me in the very beginning, and even now, to find days where I’m available. However, though difficult, it is not impossible! It has especially been hard having to keep my mentorship there. A lot of people would give anything to have my job. Therefore, I could easily be replaced. I’m also the youngest intern/worker there. I wouldn’t say it was necessarily harder on me, because I would like to think that I’m just as strong-willed and motivated as everyone else in that building, but at times, it has proven difficult to be taken seriously. However, I clearly am working well! I've proven to them that I have strong desire to work in that industry and I have dedication above all else.

Also, it took me a long time to get approved by the offices/company to even work there because of my age and lack of experience. So I was actually told to lie and say that my mentor, Mary Vilchis and I were related and that I would only be there a couple of times. Eventually we'd let it slip that she indeed wasn't my mom and fortunately by that point, they'd already learned my work ethics and decided to keep me there. 


(4) What are the two most significant sources you used to answer your essential question and why?

The Teen Vogue Handbook: An Insider's Guide to Fashion is my first significant source and it was my 30th piece of research. This was the book where I got my three answers. My three answers included; interning, sewing/sketching, and knowing how business works/working in retail. In the book, it states that interning was important because it's the best way to ensure success. It also told me the best place to intern is with a smaller label, because you'll become exposed to several levels of the company. You become familiar with the customers, the inspiration behind the designs, and other background of the business. I know of this because this is what I've done so far and what I've achieved with my mentorship. My second significant source was my mentor, Mary Vilchis. She is David Meister's assistant. David Meister is a well-known American fashion designer that is best recognized for his gowns/dresses. My mentor said that when interning, you can learn to view the trends and the industry from the perspective of high-end designers. So using myself as an example,wWorking as an intern, I'm always around clothes. I touch them, see them, try them on, and see others try them on. I pick things up by osmosis. If I'm fortunate enough, they'll keep me around. I start from the bottom of the chain and as time progress, I make my way to the top.


(5) What is your product and why?

My product is what I made for my first independent component. I learned how to sew. So for product presentation, I have something to physically show. I created several articles of clothing. There's a correlation between the component and my essential question because sewing was a part of one of my answers. Although it was a tedious task to sit there for hours and work with my hands, it was a satisfying feeling at the end because of what I had to show for it.  Whereas, before I started this project, I had never picked up a sewing needle. I have this new appreciation for seamstresses that are hired by fashion designers and designers who make their own clothes. With my product, I can go on and say I'm more experienced than a number of other people my age that want to one day enter the fashion industry. 

Friday, May 10, 2013

2: A Day At The Office

The last time I'd gone to do mentorship house, I was asked to "bag dresses", meaning I just had to put dresses in these fancy bags that would later be picked up and shipped out to stores. Believe me, it isn't as easy as it sounds. I bagged a total of 200 dresses/gowns and it took me a total of three and a half hours to do just that. So you can just imagine how tedious the task is. At the time, it didn't seem like a great task to do, but since I'm only allowed to do so much at the office, I wasn't going to complain. I'm not even going to lie, my arms were killing me the rest of the day and the day that followed. However, I was told just today by my mentor that these dresses were some of the ones I'd bagged. My fingers made contact with dresses/gowns worth more than my closet. Of course I was incredibly careful and I already knew that these weren't cheap, but these were expensive. Since they're from the signature collection, they're worth quite a pretty penny.



 Today, we also got some new fabric samples in. There weren't many, but I felt like a child opening up gifts on Christmas morning. Although it was just a box of scraps of fabrics, these were new possible fabrics that would be used for the next collection they would be working on. As much as I would love to post some of the example fabrics, I can't because they're "in the works" and I'm very limited on what I can and cannot post.

We also watched an ad for something for the website and me along with everyone else in the office spent more than fifteen minutes trying to guess whether or not "slenderizing" was a word. Indeed, it is a real word. After I confirmed that it was a real word, I was offered a donut. I was incredibly excited about that donut (and the cool cow print napkin they sat it on), so I posted a picture of it. 

All in all, today was a rather eventful day and I was incredibly proud of myself because I spent a great deal of it communicating 
with those in the office and I'm not typically one to speak. I was even 
congratulated for my work ethics today because I was socializing 
and I finished double the amount of work I typically do in less time.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

2014 Interview

1.  Who did you interview and what house are they in?
Lizzeth Acuna, East House

2.  What ideas do you have for your senior project and why?

"For my senior project I'm planning on doing it on either karate or cake decorating. The reason why I want to do it on karate because I'm a black belt and I'm pretty sure I'm knowledgeable enough to even be able to pull off the project. I also have a mentor for this already. I'm also considering on doing my project on cake decorating/ baking because I'm not too terrible at it and I know a few people that could mentor me." 

This immediately got me thinking that she could/should go see Rene's presentation and/or JD's. Rene's because he's doing Karate and JD because he's doing Pastry Arts and both of those express similarities/are identical to what she has in mind for her own project. 
3.  What do you plan to do for your summer 10 hour mentorship experience?


"For my summer mentorship hours I'm planning on going to my karate class and simply teaching the class. I've already spoken with the teacher and he's okay with it. Also, worst case scenario, I can just go assist a cake decorating instructor while they're teaching class. "


4.  What do you hope to see or expect to see in watching the 2013 2-hour presentations?

"Well, I just hope to get some ideas for my senior project because to be perfectly honest I really haven't given it much thought yet. Also, I'm just hoping to see what type of things I could do for my own senior presentation." 

5.  What questions do you have that I can answer about senior year or senior project?


"Well, one question I've always had about senior year is how hard is it to survive it? Also, are there any pointers on how to survive because I'm really worried because there come times when my middle name is procrastination." 

To which I responded with, "Senior year was one of the toughest years for me simply because senior year is all on you. You may have help from teachers and mentors, but besides that, it's a one man show. By that I mean, you pretty much set aside major group projects (which is weird and something we're clearly not used to here at iPoly.) However, just meet the deadlines and you'll be fine. Unfortunately, I myself am a huge procrastinator and that's a majority of the reason I spent so much of this year stressing out. If I could give any tips, I'd say just make sure whatever you end up choosing as your topic, make sure you love it and you're passionate about it. Keep up with research and don't be afraid to talk to your mentor because they're there to help and everything should come pretty naturally and easily. Hope that helps!"

Thursday, May 2, 2013

1: Mentorship

As of right now, I have a total of 34 hours completed (not including the ten hours I did this summer) and my mentorship/internship with David Meister will soon be ending. I'm incredibly happy with what I've completed so far. I've had the opportunity to work with plenty of incredible people that I wouldn't have known otherwise and for that, I am grateful. Although this experience is in a sense, supposed to be seen as work, I consider this just doing something I love. It seems with every time I go in, I'm trusted more and more. Who else would trust an eighteen-year-old high school student with gowns that costs more than my closet individually?




Anyway, here's a really recent photo of some of the newest gowns added to the David Meister collection. These are dresses that are going to be used for celebrities for upcoming events. This is also the same rack that once held dresses that were worn to the Oscars just a few months ago. At this current moment, I'm not sure where these dresses are going to be worn to, but I'm certain I'll be told soon.

Now this photo is just about 1/4 of the binders that hold designs. This is typically my "usual". The task I'm asked to do most often is look through, file, and just organize these binders in a specific order. These binders contain cost sheets. Cost sheets are sheets in which show the design and how much the design is worth and how much it'll cost to put together. Cost sheets are important because when someone needs to look back at a design/sketch or details that went into making it, they look at the cost sheets. They're put in alphabetical and numerical order.Whenever one cost sheet is out of place, I'm typically to blame.