Categories
Fashion

My Online Shopping Experience

In the New Normal I started a new behavior pattern. I finally caught up with a trend that exploded years ago. I have been shopping online. Buying clothing via screen. I resisted this because physical store shopping is more fun. Going to a location, trying on clothes, talking to sales people then getting tips were all part of the experience. 

Screen time bargaining hunting is a full time chore. Continually checking websites before Christmas, stores mark down items all the time. But, this year because of Covid, lockdowns and customers cutting back, the discounts are fast and furious.

The same question rolling around in my mind looking at pieces, “Will it fit?” Seeing a coat on a 13 inch screen is very different from wearing it the first time. It’s the same as watching adult films, a sort of visual deception. Using certain camera angles to entice viewers, objects appear bigger than they are in reality.

My first try at buying online was ok. I got a nice sweater and pants from a Milan based brand I know. I decided to roll the dice a second time by ordering a coat and jacket from two high labels. This did not work out so well. The coat fit in the shoulders and arms, but the body hung in an awkward way. What happened? The coat looked great on the model. The puffer jacket was too small. I thought medium, it should have been a large.

Hassle Free?

Now let’s make it a bit more complicated, the “hassle free” return. Checking retail stats, 40% of online purchases are returned compared to 10% for in-store purchases. I reboxed the coat, filled out the form. I walked to not one, not two, but three carrier drop offs. The first could not take it because the destination was out of the country. The second was the same. The third drop off point, well the return account is free, however, via express. The Spatkauf could not take the package cause of the account category. I would have to walk 2 blocks to the official post office. Lesson learned. Returning boxes requires planning.

Will I shop online again? The jury is out.

Categories
Fashion

Fashion Week Dakar

France 24 goes to Dakar, Senegal to get the lowdown on Fashion Week.

Categories
Fashion Feature

Sales Can Help

After Christmas, the sales season starts. This year many local stores and independent fashion brand/designers face challenges. Please show them your support with your purchases.

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Feature

Wishing You Happiness

2020 has been an extraordinary year. Christmas feels like Groundhog Day meets Black Mirror.

Stay Healthy. Stay Safe.

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Feature

KADEWE Part 2

Shopping at the KaDeWe two days before Christmas.

Categories
Fashion

At The KaDeWe 2020

Berlin’s luxury department store felt a bit strange this season. Every year I visit the seven floor Kudamm fashion temple during Chrstimas for a glass of Champagne. Then I grab a few gifts and items. Happily the food floor was open. But, due to the recent strict lockdown the shopping floors have been mothballed and bars were closed.

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Feature

A Surreal KU on a Sunday

I went to Berlin’s main shopping street KuDamm yesterday on Sunday before Christmas to take in the surreal scene.

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Feature

Empty on Christmas

Normally, the last weekend before Christmas stores bustle. During this season retailers earn as much as 50% of their yearly income. Not this year, all is closed because of the latest lock down. I visited a neighborhood mall. Three more stores have permanently closed. Brick and mortar retail will have fewer and fewer locales after this season.

Categories
Fashion

Chic Attention

Saint Laaurent Creative Anthony Vaccarello took the brand off the Paris Fashion Week schedule in April 2020, announcing it would create its own calendar. Two days ago the brand unveiled the Spring/Summer 21 collection. What can I say? Yes. I really loved the looks.

A throwback to the fun days of going out. A celebration of just being wonderful and fabulous without guilt. The attention getting halter neck and sleeveless silhouettes are for a woman not afraid of chic attention. 

Vaccarello designed sixty six looks for going out to Studio 54 to meet Liza and Marisa Berenson.

Biker or exercise shorts styles were not my favourites, Chic Cheap.

Saint Laurent does not need my review. But, I had to give credit where credit is due. It is good to see a fashion megabrand still rooted it its historical sophistication.

Categories
Feature

Anna Wintour-A Survivor

Boy, did I get this wrong. Anna Wintour is the Great Survivor. The ultimate editor in chief had a hard 2020. Not only are magazine sales plummeting, Black Lives Matter has placed a spot light on company policies. By her own admittance, Vogue was not a friendly work place for people of color with a lack of diversity. Then came the remarks from ex bff Andre Talley. Speculation was rife, those sunglasses would be packing up, leaving the New York Conde Nast headquarters at the right time. 

The past few weeks have major exits of international Vogue editors. Chinese founding head Angelica Cheung departed in November. It was last week, when I got a sudden message, German Vogue chief Christian Arp would leave her position at Conde Nast in December citing personal reasons after 17 years at the magazine. Business of Fashion reported Arp was pushed out. Vogue Spain editor Eugenia de la Torriente resigned last month. What is going on at the publishing house?

Vogue head Anna Wintour
Talk About Being WRONG!! Wintour from Vogue

Not All On One Card

Conde Nast honcho Roger Lynch has decided to streamline operations as well as have one voice over all 30 titles. Ms. Wintour’s new titles are Chief Content Officer and Global Editorial Director of Vogue. Thankfully, I do not think she needs to worry about putting all that on a business card. Lynch states, “Anna’s appointment represents a pivotal moment for Condé Nast as her ability to stay ahead in connecting with new audiences.” An interesting comment given the realities of the past year.

The Statement

The more interesting variable is the rise of Vogue UK chief Edward Einnful. His approach has made the title relevant. Mr. Einnful will oversee France, Germany, Spain and Italy Vogue editions.

It is no secret magazines have struggled over the past years. Vogue and Conde Nast have not kept up with the times. Ad budgets have spread across different platforms. Print sales have declined. Titles have closed. Staff layoffs. How does this new deck chair arrangement change the present landscape for Conde Nast? Instagram and Tik Tok have become the place for instant fashion influence and inspiration. I see cost savings in this revamp, but no fresh ideas. That could be a continuing problem for the Vogue team.