Lily Roach

Happy last week of Study Tour - YAYYYY!! For our last class, we visited the Macy’s and Urban Outfitters near Herald Square. Macy’s had their annual Flower Show happening, which lasts for about two weeks in the spring. The Urban Outfitters across the street offered a different perspective compared to locations I’ve visited before. This location had three floors and a poke bowl spot inside, too!

First up, we went into the Macy’s. I didn’t even know that the Flower Show happened every year; I’ve only really heard about Macy’s extravagant Christmas displays. All around the store, there were floral fixtures and displays, which were so pretty and bright. I think that offering this experience is such a great way to welcome in the spring season while also inviting shoppers in to enjoy and leisurely browse.

My favorite part of Macy’s was the Valentino fragrance experience. There was a whole walk-through experience for Valentino’s Born in Roma perfumes. The campaign is centered around the core fragrance, Donna Born in Roma. Each room was color coordinated to its corresponding fragrance, and employees were also there to assist with the process and offer samples.

I’m not a huge fan of fragrance, and I find it hard to spend more than $50 on a perfume, but this Valentino experience convinced me otherwise! All of the scents were so different, which was impressive! Most were floral, but my favorite was the Green Stravaganza. The scent was clean and fresh. Besides fragrances, there was also plenty more to look at, including a candy shop, many floral Lego displays, and even a Starbucks inside the store!

After Macy’s, we went into the Urban Outfitters across the street. This location was a lot different compared to the ones I’ve been to. As I mentioned before, there are three floors! The main floor, when you enter the store, is women's clothing and the poke bowl spot, the top floor is menswear, and then in the basement, there is Reclectic, which offers discounted merchandise. Reclectic opened last year and was actually a store on my bucket list to visit! Unlike the other floors, Reclectic’s selection includes curated resale, pre-loved/rental clothing, at a great discounted price. This circular approach is sustainable and ethical, emphasizing that it eliminates new and full-priced inventory.

The main floor with the women's wear selection was carefully organized, and I enjoyed browsing all of the different areas. I admire how Urban carries its own in-house brands, such as BDG, Out From Under, and Kimchi Blue, to name a few. For example, BDG has denim and basics, Out From Under carries comfort and leisure pieces, and Kimchi Blue offers stylish and on-trend styles. There was also a huge selection of shoes with its own dedicated section, which I haven’t seen at any other location I’ve visited. Urban also recently partnered and began carrying Edikted’s clothing. Although it’s an online site, Urban is now showcasing Edikted’s clothing online and in select retail stores.

To finish up the semester, yesterday was certainly a fun and relaxed way to finish up Study Tour! This class has been so much fun, and I’ve loved being able to see different sites here in the city, while also learning new things. I’m sad that the semester has to come to an end, but I’m hoping to return to NYC soon! Happy finals week, and it’s almost summer, YAYYYYY!!

The semester is coming to an end, and yesterday was our second-to-last Study Tour! We visited the IHL Group, which specializes in women’s and children’s apparel. Arden, the head of HR, gave us the tour of the office space. We were taken to one of the showrooms, where I was surprised to see that IHL also carries homewear such as towels and bedwear. Arden mentioned how IHL has a large range of products, including sleepwear, activewear, hosiery, outerwear, socks, slippers, and much more. 

At first, I didn’t initially think that a company like this would be something that I’m interested in - but off-pricing companies are really interesting to me. Arden told us that the brand caters to many off-price retailers, such as TJ Maxx and Burlington. A few brands that IHL carries are Paris Hilton, Jason Wu, and Life is Good, to name a few. The IHL group is also looking to expand into larger companies, including Costco, BJ’s, and more.

Hi there! Happy week 12 of Study Tour, YAYYYYY!! For today’s class, we visited Majesty Brands on 45 W 36th St. Majesty Brands is a global leader in design, manufacturing, and distribution of socks, sleepwear, slippers, intimates, and the brand is also working to expand its range of apparel.

Dania, the Head of HR, gave us a tour of the workspace and showrooms. The office space was very open, and I really liked how all of the different departments had their own workspace. The floor we were on was more of their office/workspace, but we then moved down to the showroom area.

I really enjoyed seeing the showroom area, and it was also cool to see how many different brands Majesty works with. Some of the brands that stuck out to me were Sincerely Jules, PJ Salvage, and Splendid. Well…Dania explained to us how Majesty Brands are mainly sold in off-price stores. So that’s why those names were so familiar to me! The showroom we were in had a large assortment of socks, which are sold in stores like TJ Maxx, Burlington, and Ross. 90% of Majesty Brand products are licensed, which is something important to consider as well.

As Dania answered questions and spoke to the class, there was one thing she said that really stuck out to me, which was, " You’re the only person who will look after yourself.” This line resonated with me because I think it’s easy for me to compare and get caught up in what other people are doing, whether it's in school or any other accomplishment. Especially at Kent, when everyone is always achieving amazing things and being so creative. 

On another note, out of all the study tours we’ve been on, I think this workspace was the nicest. Sometimes, the office spaces overwhelm me or feel too confined. But at Majesty, the workspace was very well lit, and each department had its own area.

Welcome back for Week #11 of Study Tour - YAY!! For today’s class, we visited the Museum of Modern Art located on 11 W 53rd St. This was my first visit to this museum, and it was really great to see all of the different artworks!

I have visited one of the MoMA locations before, and I love how the museum also has a strong focus on its merchandise and retail assortment. In the store, I’ve noticed that there are lots of things to look at. From hats and accessories to homeware, and even silly keepsakes. The storefront targets a very niche audience, and I think that the overall vibe of the retail space is quirky and unique, while also being fun and inviting.

As for the museum experience, I’m certainly glad that I had the opportunity to visit today, but I was very overwhelmed by the large crowds! There are 5 floors with a large assortment, ranging from modern to contemporary. Personally, I’ve never been a huge art-lover - but I definitely aspire to immerse myself more. I enjoyed seeing notable artists, but I also learned about some new ones.

As I said, I’m not a huge art-fan…I go to museums, and I’m not sure why, but I just have a tough time enjoying them. I admire how people can find a sense of calm and relaxation when viewing art. I did see lots of cool pieces - but I don’t want to overcomplicate this post, so I will just end things here! Until next week!

Hi there! I can’t believe I’m saying this - It’s week TEN of Study Tour!! Oh my goodness, I can’t believe it! As spring is perking up, I’m very excited about the upcoming weeks here in the city and being able to do more activities outside! Today was more of an indoor activity, and we visited the Aritzia location at Hudson Yards.

Dating back to the 1980s, Aritzia has evidently become a closet staple for women, men, and androgynous shoppers alike. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Aritizia made its way to the United States around 2007. Fast forward to now, the company has gone global and even has 3 flagship stores located in New York City.

As a huge fan, shopper, and admirer of Aritizia, one thing I love about the store is how it offers so many in-house designers that aren’t offered elsewhere. The employees even explained to us how across Vancouver, you can only find some of these brands at their own storefronts. Bringing all of these brands together creates a perfect distinction and offers organization for shoppers. For example, Sunday Best is catered towards the younger audience and teens, whereas Babaton has professional pieces, such as blazers and knitwear. TNA offers fun and sporty styles, and Golden has activewear. I could go on and on listing all of these in-house names!

Aritzia has largely spanned across the United States in the past 5-10 years, and I think that’s because the brand offers such a unique shopping experience. The store is well organized, has great customer service, and an overall inviting atmosphere. I began shopping on Aritzia’s website (since there aren’t too many locations near me), and as I’ve visited more locations, I’ve seen how different each store can be. 

I was also very happy to hear from B, who showed us around. I found it very interesting how she explained that they often transfer products to other locations depending on popularity, sales, etc. She mentioned how at Hudson Yards, they sell lots of businesswear, like pants and blazers from Babaton. Especially because there are many offices nearby! Whereas the Long Island location pushes out more of the athleisure from Golden. 

Aritzia is always keeping an eye out for trends, and the brand always stays up to date. I think that’s what makes it so popular! As for offering many different categories as well. Not only can you go and buy a matching workout set, but maybe grab a midi dress for an upcoming dinner date! Overall, I’m such a huge Aritzia fan, and it’s one of my favorite brands!

Hi there! Welcome back for Week 9 of Study Tour! This semester has been truly wonderful - but I can’t believe we’re so close to being done. For today’s study tour, we visited Printtemps, which I have already been to. The department store located on Wall Street is approaching its first anniversary, and it’s also the only one of its kind in the United States.

What I didn’t realize before this visit is that the building is an old bank. Our tour guide, Claire, explained to us that the designer even curated dressing rooms, which still included the bank vaults. The designer from Spain, Laura Gonzalez, is the mastermind behind the interior design at Printtemps. From tiled floors to hand-painted murals, and detailed carpets - there is so much to see all around this location. 

I really enjoyed seeing all of the different elements and added aspects. Even if it was something small, it’s really cool to see the span of things, no matter how extravagant. Upon entering downstairs, there’s a cafe which is fun and inspired by a circus, which gives it such a whimsy feeling! The shopping section on the first-floor is more trendy and contemporary, showcasing clothing, handbags, and a unique shoe room. 

Heading up to the second floor, you will see there’s a large hand-painted imported mural spanning across the top wall. There’s an assortment of categories across this floor, spanning from home decor, accessories, clothing, makeup, skincare, etc. The fitting rooms, designed by Gonzalez, are a fan-favorite, and many people enjoy taking photos there. Nearby the makeup selection, there was this really cool countertop of a bar that was very beachy and just very unique. All of the small details come together visually and that’s something that makes Printtemps different from the rest, while also being warm and inviting.

I also loved the emphasis on being able to shop leisurely while having a drink. Claire mentioned how Printtemps often holds private events or parties, which takes shopping to the next level. As a broke college student, the price point for Printtemps is out of budget for me. But looking towards the future, this is somewhere I most certainly aspire to shop and browse.

Printtemps offers such a unique and modern shopping experience compared to other department stores, with so many contemporary brands and styles. Especially with Saks going under recently, this brings Printtemps more room to shine and bring in more customers. To conclude, this storefront is so beautifully unique, and I’m looking forward to returning soon!

For this week's study tour, we visited Create a Marker, a company that has been running in the Garment District for 30 years. The company’s president, Paul Cavazza, showed us around the space and explained various software applications. 

Create-A-Marker works with many name brands such as Calvin Klein, Rag &  Bone, Coach, and many others. In addition, the company has many employees, and I think that’s something that certainly contributes to its success. Something I’ve learned from seeing these in-house labels is how many moving parts the industry has. There are so many people doing different jobs there, whether it’s viewing a mockup of a garment on a computer or planning/sketching outlines on paper.

Paul explained to us that the grading process usually takes about 2-3 days, but there’s one project in particular where he’s been stumped for about three weeks. The piece was a leotard, and he even mentioned how that company needed to send him a leotard from another brand in order to compare sizing so that he could grade it.

Hello! Happy March! Today’s Study Tour was really cool. Our class visited Dover Street Market. Opening in 2013, Dover Street Market showcases luxury goods and has seven floors with many designers. New launches are often brought in, and I think that there’s such a large assortment to shop from, so the options are endless!

Each display was so different and unique, it was so interesting to see how things changed from floor to floor. A few of my favorite brands that I saw include Prada, Miu Miu, and Loewe. Amongst all of the luxury goods, there were also displays with sneakers from brands such as Nike and Adidas. This shows how Dover Street has a large variety to shop from!

The inclusion of so many different brands demonstrates accessible shopping. On the bottom floor, there were Adidas sneakers for $90 and a new launch from Nike & Skims (Skims price point is usually reasonable, which is why I mention it.) But then heading up to the higher floors, the pieces range in higher price. Dover Street also carries many exclusive launches, which is really great too. I believe the worker at the top floor explained how people line up WEEKLY for the newest Supreme launches - which is so crazy!

I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself, but I think today was one of my FAVORITE study tours! It was such a fun experience to navigate the Coterie and check out the vendors. Ranging from apparel, to shoes and accessories, and even apres ski, there was so much to look at!

We started at 7 For All Mankind, and they had a great product assortment. Many buyers come to them for boutique pieces, since the brand offers edgy, upscale clothing. I enjoyed hearing about the brand’s background and how it began. The representative also explained to us how their denim is a popular choice for equestrians, since the jeans are flared and can fit over boots. Their most recent collection has many studded pieces that offer an edgy western feel. Studs have been very popular lately, so I think that makes a great addition to their offering.

After that, I had the opportunity to explore the Coterie and all of the different vendors. I saw fur coats, designer purses, and colorful dresses - just to name a few things!

My favorite vendor and one that I was especially excited to see is Steve Madden. At their shoe showroom, the employees were very friendly and attentive. My friends and I were given a free tote and makeup pouch, too! I had the opportunity to speak with two of them, one of whom is the Vice President of Sales - which is so cool! I’m glad to have had the chance to speak with him because it’s a great way to put my foot in the door, and I’m beyond excited that I got to make a connection with such an established brand! Thinking towards the future, Steve Madden is a company that I can certainly envision myself working for, so I’m very happy to have visited the Coterie!

There was also an area that was highlighting designs from FIT Students, called The Future of Fashion. I wish that I had spent more time in this area because all of these creations were so gorgeous and unique. Alright, that's it for Week 6! See you next week!

Hello! Welcome to week 5 of Study Tour! For today’s class, we visited Fifth Avenue Jeweler. Owner, Sophia Seoul, has over 30 years of experience in the jewelry industry. 

Something that I really enjoyed about this visit was that Sophia was knowledgeable about the industry, while also offering life advice. One thing she mentioned that will most definitely stick with me is to never give up. I know that’s incredibly cliche, but I’m really happy that’s something she mentioned because it’s always a great reminder, helps me to regroup my thoughts, and allows me to realize what I’m here for. She also said it's important to travel, which I'm aspiring to do more of. Sophia was incredibly wise, and her kind-hearted spirit and warmth made the experience amazing!

Originally, Seoul studied computer science. In 1985, Fifth Avenue Woman was founded, and she chose to follow her dream. Now, she offers hundreds of thousands of different pieces of jewelry and still successfully runs the private label. The variety of jewelry products ranged from ivory (which is now extinct and illegal to sell), rose quartz, jade, and many more. On top of the large variety of jewelry, Fifth Avenue is also a major jewelry supplier and sells to department stores. Sophia even explained to us how she sells her showroom items at a lower price, while department store prices are higher to maximize profit.

From high-end pieces to the lower end, Fifth Avenue Jeweler truly has it all! Broaches, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, you name it! I’m half-tempted to go back for one of the jade bracelets since the price was such a steal, so I will most likely go back!

Today’s Study Tour was one I’ve been extra excited about! Our class visited the Museum of Broadway, located at 145 West 45th Street. Similar to the Harry Potter franchise, Broadway musicals didn’t take up much of my childhood. Though I’ve always been fascinated with Broadway shows, it’s something so spectacular! I listened to some songs from Wicked on Broadway when I was little, and I knew about other shows too, yet I haven’t fully immersed or seen a Broadway show.

Upon entering the museum, there’s a gift shop area, which is perfect for Broadway fanatics! Once we entered the museum, there was a 3-story staircase that led us to where the tour began. The staircase was something I found unique because it was made to resemble backstage. After the introduction, we were led to the first exhibit area, which showcased the early days of Broadway. The next room was dedicated to the 1945 musical, Ziegfeld Follies. This room is one of my favorites because the displays were ultra-feminine, pink, and glamorous. The costumes were very extravagant and over the top, so I really enjoyed seeing those.

Continuing, another room was based on the 1943 musical, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma exhibit brought the musical to life, with a sunset and farm painted on the walls, and the large cornstalks filling the room. This musical is certainly an iconic one that’s been passed down through generations. Afterwards, there was a 1950s-themed space inspired by the 1950s, which showcased items from West Side Story. 

For the 1960s, there was a room focused on the musical Cabaret. The costumes were fun to see, and there was also a photo wall with chairs and hats, which gives you an idea of the nightlife within the play. The 70s room was bright, colorful, and hippy-inspired. For the 80s, there were displays for The Wiz and Annie. The tour guide also explained how The Wiz was so unique, being that it was a new take on the Wizard of Oz with an African American Cast. Through word of mouth, more and more theatre-goers began seeing the Wiz, no matter their race. One thing about theatre is that it unites people, those who enjoy seeing it and hearing a story. The film, Annie, from 1982, was also one of my favorites growing up. So I was happy to see that it was included and didn’t realize it was a Broadway show.

Moving onto the 80s, the costumes were bright, fun, and eccentric. There’s also a room for AIDS awareness. There was a quote on the wall, which I will attach below, but it’s just crazy to think that this condition affected so many people. I found this room to be a beautiful tribute, with a display of long dangling red ribbon for AIDS awareness and a large quilt hanging on another wall relating to Broadway shows.

The 90s and the 2000s are what I was most interested in seeing. From the 90s, there were costumes from Rent. There were displays for Wicked in the 2000s. Finishing up the tour, there was a large wall with a timeline of Broadway productions.

It’s amazing to see how huge Broadway has become, and even to learn more about how it began. Broadway is a safe space and a community. For audiences, for actors, allowing people to come together creatively. This museum was such a fun experience, and I really enjoyed how there were so many visual elements incorporated into these displays. These visuals are engaging and eye-catching, which is what keeps the experience exciting. In the opening video, it mentioned how Broadway is one of the main reasons why people come to New York. Now, I can definitely say that I understand that!

Happy February! For the first Study Tour experience of the month, our class visited the New York Embroidery Studio. Founded by Michelle Feinberg, NYES has been producing in Brooklyn and the Garment District for over two decades. 

The overall setup of the studio was similar to that of M&S Schmalberg, where employees completed their designated tasks and produced fabrics. I found it interesting that this company uses a blend of modern technology and machinery dating back to the 1800s-1900s. NYES provides retailers and clients with an unlimited range of options, specializing in embroidery, pleating, and novelty stitching, to name a few. 

At the beginning of the tour, we were shown a basket-weave skirt from the brand CoCo Shop. In another area, there was a large darkened tent with a few people working on stitching and embellishing Levi's jeans. We were told they receive thousands of pairs of jeans to work on. Other notable brands that they’re in business with include Ralph Lauren, J. Crew, and DKNY (a lot of those DKNY items are sold in Macy's and Bloomingdale's). NYES is also well known for medical-grade clothing, producing isolation gowns, lab coats, shoe covers, and much more. Alongside the many ongoing projects, our tour guide, Alexis, noted that this time of year is especially busy with Fashion Week approaching.

As mentioned, NYES utilizes modern technology and machinery dating back to the 1800s, but the company still emphasizes the importance of its artisans and employees. I think that this is an amazing initiative that NYES is putting into place, especially because it’s so straightforward to use AI or other tools to generate anything these days. 

The studio is organized by its different departments, those being the embroidery department, swatch wall, printing department, and hardware department. The hardware department was especially captivating to me because there were hundreds of containers filled with beads, sequins, and other embellishments. The printing department was also interesting because there were many different options, such as hot fix and vinyl. 

For this week’s Study-Tour experience, we visited the Harry Potter Shop located in the Flatiron District. The store was very well-organized, with a great assortment of products, engaging displays, and interactive experiences. This flagship location has been open for four years and sees booming foot traffic daily.

Growing up, I wasn’t a huge fan of the Harry Potter series, but I know that it’s significant to a large fan base. This store is something super cool and special for the fans, which I think is amazing. There are also many props from the films on display. Our tour guide even mentioned how these strategic details attract fans. In the basement, a large snake figure was going through the ceiling. In this area, there were also green tiles imported from Italy, which gave it a dark and mysterious vibe. Another detail was the book corner, which is meant to honor the series. This area had a tunnel that was stacked with books, and I thought that was intriguing. 

The store is even organized by sections, making shopping easy and accessible. For example, there’s a wand section, and there’s also categorized merchandise for each house type. The number of products is endless, and this store is certainly a dream come true for Harry Potter fans.

The organization, attention to detail, and large fanbase certainly play a part in the experience. Another aspect that I noticed was their marketing strategies. Daisy, our tour guide, pointed out how the front of the store is where they display seasonal or clearance items. There was also another section with items from a fall collection that were on discount. Despite being on sale, I think that store does a lovely job of displaying the merchandise and keeping things orderly. Pictured on the top , these trunks happened to be on promotion. Many items are able to be customized as well. As seen below, there is a large variety of wands to choose from.

To conclude, this tour was a great experience, and I can see why this franchise means so much to its fanbase. After finishing up the tour, we also got to try out some Butter Beer ice cream. Which was DELICIOUS!!

Today, for our first Study-Tour experience, we visited M&S Schmalberg. This company has produced handmade fabric flowers for over 100 years and is America’s last standing fabric flower factory. I found the whole history of the company to be valuable, which our tour guide and owner, Adam Brand, explained to us. The company has survived the Great Depression, World War II, and Globalization, which is bizarre to think about. Fast-forward to 2026, and Adam is now the company’s fourth-generation leader. Being a family-oriented company that has been passed down for generations is something that I admire. Adam even explained that those who are a part of the company are still family and that they all work very closely.

Throughout the years, during the decline of the garment industry and the rise of social media, M&S has remained successful and stuck to its roots. Adam explained that when he started 15 years ago, Facebook had just been getting started. His father mentioned expanding to Instagram, but Adam thought that just one platform was enough. Eventually, he created an Instagram, which now has close to 200k followers. In addition to its social media accounts, M&S also sells flowers on Etsy. Adam mentioned how the company went from selling one flower a month to now selling hundreds to thousands of them

The brand has also gained popularity and traction from various celebrities, TV shows, and was even featured on Business Insider in 2023. Celebrities who have worn flowers from M&S include Beyoncé, Anne Hathaway, Sarah Jessica Parker, and many more. Bridgerton and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel have also showcased the fabric flowers.

Observing the production process closely made me appreciate the detail that goes into creating each flower. From prepping and dying the fabric to cutting and heat-pressing the petals, the process is direct. It was insightful to see how M&S combines traditional methods with modern machinery to keep up with demand, while staying true to its original craft. Experiencing M&S and seeing the production process firsthand shows how staying true to craftsmanship has helped the company to maintain its longevity.