Once I return from lunch, I review my calendar and see there is a “clothing concept” presentation from one to four o’clock. This seasonal presentation has left an exceptional impression on me since I started working here and is something I look forward to quarterly. Allow me to explain what this meeting entails by starting from the beginning …

Spring and Fall tend to be the biggest of the four seasons in the fashion industry in terms of development and hype. Currently, we have wrapped up spring 2009 and have immersed our thinking in planning for fall 2009. Preparation for a season begins with members of different departments traveling to fashion districts and trade and runway shows in a number of countries including Berlin, London, Florence and Stockholm. The raw materials team will attend trim, fabric and lingerie trade shows in Milan to search for the latest textile innovation. Product development and design teams seek out the latest silhouettes and ensemble coordination on Rodeo Dr. in Los Angeles. The eyes of the fashion office are in Paris looking to see what the trendy prints are going to be in for the season. Will it be feminine floral motifs, erratic, colorful brushstrokes, or trompe-l’oeil textural prints? The “Clothing Concept” presentation is when the teams come together and invite their fellow associates to view the final output of their hard work.

When I walk in the large room at one o’clock, I am blown away by what I see. There are six distinct 20x20x20 foot boxed areas organized by theme. In each area, there are approximately 25 garments in addition to props that represent what that theme means. There are about 50 of us that walk through each of the six different themes while the vice president of product development and the vice president of design articulate what we are looking at. One of the boxed themes hosts a mannequin with tan riding pants complimented with an oversized antique pink colored short dolman sleeve sweater and mid calf dark brown boots. There are boyfriend jeans coupled with an off white, lacey, sheer silk chiffon top intentionally scrunched up on a vintage Louis Vuitton trunk prop. Inside another box, I see an all black sheath dress with inverted pleats at the top of the neck and panels extending from the shoulder that remind me of Judy Jetson. This is the new “little black dress” for this season I think to myself; structured and futuristic like Boccioni’s sculpture Unique Forms of Continuity in Space.

Another note worth mentioning: carrot pants and shoulder pads are all the rage for fall ’09. Get ready girls!

I think the reason I look forward to this presentation so much is because the visual stimulation of fashion brought to life. This is why I wanted to enter this world. So many people will tell you fashion isn’t glamorous and they are right. I work in Excel spreadsheets and answer emails most of the time! But, I read somewhere that you will know you have chosen the right career when you look at the clock for the first time since you hit the alarm that morning and cannot believe it is five and wish the day wasn’t over. That is certainly true in my case and I hope that you will not give up until you find your match.

Talk to you soon!