B Magalogue by Ashley Chan

102 PAGES

of fashion, culture & people

Spring into it!

WHAT TO BUY:

FIRST LOOK AT

SPRING

MOTHER

STYLIST

DESIGNER

RACHEL ZOE

HAUTE IN HOME

JONATHAN ADLER

THE

ULTIMATE

ACCESSORY

SPRING 2016

GREETINGS! We warmly welcome you to the first ever issue of the b magalogue—the official shoppable magazine catalogue for Bloomingdale’s. This is your portal to the latest in fashion, trends, events, and icons in the fashion industry. A long time ago, we realized that fashion is a lifestyle that extends far beyond a well thought out clothing ensemble. Thus we came to the conclusion to create a world for our readers to indulge in, where you can explore the best in fashion. Bloomingdale’s is an ever-growing establishment ready to deliver the latest fashion trends, home goods, and accessories. We want to invite you all to come along for the ride as our buyers sweep across the world looking for the best to bring to our customers. This magalogue goes beyond fashion as we look at interesting events and sights seen along our buyers’ journey. In this issue, our models are styled in an array of magnificent pieces from the spring 2016 collections and accessorized to a prim perfection. We’ll introduce some up-and-coming designers who have blown us away with their innovative techniques. You will also find exclusive interviews with renowned stylist turned designer Rachel Zoe and fashion guru Sarah Jessica Parker. Feel free to step into one of our many locations where we will greet you with open arms, exceptional service, and beautiful things. We wish you a most joyous read and please do be inspired to explore the world around you! Sincerely, Macy’s Inc.

CONTRIBUTORS

Here at Bloomingdaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, we strive for glam and perfection. We want to bring the best of everything that is happening around us to our customers in the form of a magazine-catalogue. Lots of time and dedication is put into creating something beautiful that people want to read and be a part of. Each issue of the b magalogue requires a significant number of talented individuals who are as passionate about fashion as we are. And we want to recognize them for all of their efforts on the following page. This couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have happened without them!

We asked our contributors...

What ADVICE would you give to your younger self? THE SHOPAHOLIC

Ashley Chan is a native from Chicago and the curator behind the entire production...live fast, but don’t die young

THE FOODIE

Martha Hoober is the one with the taste buds for the best edible delights...work hard, dream big, who’s counting calories anyway?

THE WRITER

Lauren Sennet is the thinker from the fast paced city of Los Angeles...to be inspired is great, to inspire is incredible

THE ARTIST

Pedro Vazquez is the creative visionaire and visual communicator with big dreams and even bigger endeavors...be patient, positive and persistent

THE TRAVELER

Cynthia Lu is the world traveler who doesn’t stop for anything or anyone... stop procrastinating

THE FASHIONISTA

Maria Hano is your go-to gal for any styling or shopping tips...the best is yet to come so keep on trooping

KEEPING UP WITH

SJP

Written by: Lauren Sennet

It’s about time that we catch up with Sarah Jessica Parker since it has been two years since the debut of her on-screen alter ego Carrie Bradshaw’s shoe line with us here at Nordstrom. Let’s get some shoe advice and find out what the fashionista has been up to: What is the go to shoe that you suggest other women must have? I feel like this whole idea of what’s right to wear and what’s the wrong thing is such a personal experience. Whatever makes you feel good and super confident and really capable has nothing to do with what I might think suits me. What makes a great shoe is what makes you feel good, and for some women, that’s a Converse high top. How do you find the perfect shoe for you? It takes a long time to have enough confidence. You feel confident and powerful when you dress in a way that tells me who you are rather than trying to dress like someone else who you think is confident and powerful. The shoe that makes you feel good is what makes a powerful shoe. There are a myriad of varieties to fill that definition. All shoe talk aside, what is the greatest inspiration in your life today? My children. They are so full of life and they bring so much joy. Living in New York is fast paced, and it keeps me running around town all day long. But coming home to my children is the most rewarding thing at the end of the day. They are not any less fast paced than the city though, to say the least. How do you make your marriage work especially with kids so young and you’re both actors with crazy schedules? Matthew and I come from a different time and place. When we were young people, all we ever wanted was to be good working actors. We didn’t think of fame or money because,

honestly, money was never part of the dream. I never saw the trappings; nobody talked about being a celebrity. So when our marriage came up in conversation, it wouldn’t occur to us that we were obligated to respond to allegations or gossip. You have to be a bit circumspect, but you also have to take up a position, and you have to stick to it. I love Matthew Broderick. Call me crazy, but I love him. We can only be in the marriage we are. We’re very devoted to our family and our lives. I love our life. I love that he’s the father of my children, and it’s because of him that there’s this whole other world that I love. What are your plans for the future? My new show on HBO called Into the Fire is about a woman, a beloved talk-show host out of Minneapolis, whose husband is a cook. He sort of put his career on hold while she had this big success, and ultimately they move to New York to give his career a chance. But they’re floundering. He’s a hothead and he can’t really keep a job. Deeply lovable. Sarah Jessica Parker doesn’t stop going. She’s as bubbly and alive as we all know her to be. Turns out, the real SJP shares more in common with the fictional Carrie Bradshaw than we knew!

TREND SPOTLIGHT

THE NEW

ONESIE Written by: Ashley Chan

Due to the overwhelming 70’s trend revival, a trend loved and beheld by many has returned. The iconic jumpsuit. It

is a trend that has swept the fashion scene by storm and it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere due to its immense

popularity. So sit tight and add one to your closet too. Net-a-Porter now has an entire “jumpsuits” category on its drop-down menu, so it is time for us to recognize the

power of the onesie. The jumpsuit has been reinvented into a variety of silhouettes that include the culotte, wideleg, and rompers made in a variety of prints, patterns, and

THE TAILORED JUMPSUIT 1 by O’2nd $375

fabrics. Very soon, the jumpsuit is going to be as common as pants and leggings and there literally is a shape for everyone and every occasion.

Since 2011, Fashion Week has seen a different rendition

of the jumpsuit sashay down the catwalks of almost every single designer. Most of this is due to consumer demand as Wanelo reports that it has seen a steady increase of

people searching jumpsuits on their mobile application. Fashion has taken a simpler turn as people welcome the

trend with open arms due to its easy-to-wear capabilities. It can be easily dressed up with some sexy heels and

accessories or dressed down with laid-back sneakers. It really is the piece that can seamlessly transform a look

from day to night. This fashion trend is proven to not be

only applicable to ready-to-wear designers as Zuhair Murad, a designer known for red carpet and special even

gowns, hops on the bandwagon too. He designed a onepiece for Jennifer Lopez’s “On the Floor” video and other

celebrities followed suit on the trend. So has the jumpsuit become the new dress? The question has evolved to

become, “is the jumpsuit here to stay for good and which one is right for you?”

THE STRAPLESS JUMPSUIT Milly $450

THE SILK JUMPSUIT

THE CULOTTE JUMPSUIT

THE PRINTED JUMPSUIT

THE DRESS JUMPSUIT

Ramy Brook $395

Vintage Havana $68

Tracy Reese $348

Whistles $420

NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE AND IN-STORES. VINCE PRE-SPRING 2016

COLOR WATCH

BLOOD ORANGE

Tom Ford ‘Linda’ Sunglasses, $380

Valentino Rockstud Mid-heel Pump, $995

Written by: Maria Hano

Orange is the new black for spring. It turned many heads when the color appeared on the runway at some of the most prestigious designers, such as Salvatore Ferragamo and Altuzarra. The brilliant hue is a refreshing take on orange and red for the spring season. What makes it even better is it’s a great autumn hue as well, which means that it’s a good investment color. Blood orange is also a great accent or pop color so don’t be afraid to try out this trend for yourself!

Tory Burch ‘Issy’ Scarf, $175

Bobbi Brown Cateye Sunglasses, $149 Kate Spade ‘Cedar Street Hayden’ Satchel, $298

ON THE STREETS

The

ULTIMATE Accessory MICHELE WATCHES

The Michele brand is rooted in quality and refinement

MICHELE Serein Diamond Watch Head & Bracelet

and aims to deliver the most prestigious watches for women around the world. A Michele watch is the perfect accessory to clean up anyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s look no matter if it is worn to work or on the weekends. It is a worthwhile investment for many different types of ladies. Michele watches are recognized for their seasonal and classic luxury straps in nearly endless combinations due to

MICHELE Serein 16 Diamond Dial Watch Head & Powder Pink Leather Strap

an easily changeable characteristic. Besides offering the convenience and fun of versatility, Michele is also at the forefront of adaptability. The world of Michele is truly an enchanting array of contemporary fashion that is able to adapt to changing trend and fashion, cutting edge design and luxurious materials that fuses together in perfect artistic harmony.

MICHELE Deco II Two Tone Diamond Dial Watch Head & Two Tone Bracelet Strap

Two-tone Diamond Dial with Metallic Rose Saffiano Leather, $1,075

NAILED IT... Christian Louboutinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story began with a bottle of red nail polish. Today, he is giving back to beauty what he had taken from it. The colors come in three different collections and of course, the signature rouge. THE NOIRS: Bianca, Daffodile, Farida, Kheops, Khol, Lady Page, Lady Twist, Sevillana, Very Prive, Zermadame THE NUDES: Alta Perla, Just Nothing, La Favorita, Madame Est Nue, Me Nude, Simple Nude, Sweet Charity, Tres Decollete, Tutelle, Zoulou THE POPS: Batignolles, Bengali, Escatin, Lova, Miss Loubi, Mula Lisa, Ni Toi Ni Moi, Pluminette, Popi, Wherever

DESIGNER HIGHLIGHT Rachel Zoe seems like she is well on her way to running the world. With three books under her belt, a super successful career, and the perfect family. She’s just a tad shy from becoming the first woman President of the United States ever. For all her success, Zoe has also endured unending criticism—not by colleagues or clients but by outspoken members of the media, film executives, and the public at large, who disliked the attention she garnered through celebrity tabloids. Who disapproved of the starlets she dressed while rocketing to fame. Who think she’s too thin. Who assume fame and fortune landed in her lap wrapped in a glittering bow. As Zoe’s lifestyle empire grows, it’s easy to forget that the woman who peeled back the curtain on image making, from the

Mother, stylist, fashion designer, author, reality TV star

All-over superstar

By: Ashley Chan Photography by: Justin Coit Interview by: Tracey Neithercott

dressing room to the red carpet, worked damn hard to get there. Zoe started off in the fashion industry just like most of us. The Big Apple became her home after graduation, where she took a low-level fashion assistant job at the now-defunct YM magazine. At first, she scraped by on nearly nothing—including a lack of sleep and lackluster personal life. She didn’t become a household name until the early 2000s, when she started dressing Hollywood’s wild child clan—Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Richie, and Mischa Barton numbered in the ranks— landing in Us Weekly as often as the young celebs she styled. “I think it’s just persistence. I worked literally every day until I had my son,” she says. “But when you love it, it doesn’t feel like a job. The truth is, I love what I do.” Perhaps. the next thing on Rachel Zoe’s to-do list is teach everyone how to be like her. I most certainly will be first in line for that.

with

Anna of

Q: What kind of music are you drawn to? A: I ’ve always appreciated a wide variety of musical genres; I love soul, rock and roll, Motown, alternative, rap, and even reggae if the mood so hits. The only type of music I really can’t get down with is contemporary country. By: Pedro Vazquez

Q: What is on your summer playlist? A: I n the summertime, I usually like to throw it back to the classics: Bob Dylan, Fleetwood Mac, The Band, Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, Marvin Gaye, maybe even some Bob Marley sprinkled in. Q: When do you listen to music? A: A t a constant rate-in the shower, getting ready in the mornings, on the way to work, traveling, and even while I’m at work. Music is such a powerful force and can instantly lift your mood. Q: What are some up and coming artists we should know about? A: T ove Styrke ‘Borderline’ and Banks ‘Beggin for Thread’ are a few of my current jams on repeat. Always also love Kopecky Family Band-I know them personally and they are definitely ones to watch. Q: Do you have a favorite song, and why? A: O h gosh, that’s impossible to narrow down. I just got a record player for Valentine’s Day, and listening The Beatles on vinyl reminded me how much I’ve always loved the song ‘Eleanor Rigby’. I get hooked on a song and play it over and over.

AMAZING PLACES TO SEE IN

2 SPREADS

Written by: Cynthia Lu 28

1. Stairway to Heaven in Oahu, Hawaii

With some 3,922 steps, this steep hiking trail is one of the most popular forbidden paths in Hawaii and it leads up to the stunning Puu Keahiakahoe summit. This might just be one of the closest places you can get if you want to witness heaven on earth. Some of the hike’s scariest moments are early on, so after that, it is worth commending. The hike offers a little bit of everything, especially if you’re a thrill seeker: views, adrenaline, secrecy and tranquility.

Tunnel in Tokyo, 2. Wisteria Japan

Kawachi Fuji Gardens in Kitakyushu, Japan is only 5 hours away from Tokyo if you take the speed train and it is where you will find this pastel-colored fairytale tunnel. The gardens are home to about 150 Wisteria flowering plants spanning 20 different species. The best time to visit is from late April to mid May. If you go at the right time, it’s like walking through a fairyland. Otherwise, it is just a lifeless mass of twisted branches.

Marble Cathedral in 3. The Patagonia, Chile

This might possibly be the most breathtaking cave network in the world. An azure temple created by nature, the walls of this network of water-filled marble caverns show just how magnificent the precious geography of our planet can be. This magnificent series was formed by waves over the last 6,000 years or so and can be accessed by taking a small kayak to the destination. This is a must- see that I highly recommend.

Terre in Riomaggiore, 4. Cinque Italy

A stretch of five towns along the Italian Riviera located in northern Italy between Pisa and Genoa, and it’s the lowbrow, underappreciated alternative to the French Riviera. There’s not a museum in sight, just sun, sea, sand, wine, swimming, hiking, and pure, unadulterated Italy. To preserve the Cinque Terre’s natural wonders, Italy has declared the region a park and cars aren’t allowed into this beautiful area. You must walk (gasp!)

Bromo in East Java, 5. Moraine Lake in Alberta, Canada 6. Mount Indonesia Moraine Lake is only half the size of its nearby

Mount Bromo offers another dangerous, thrill-seeking

neighbor Lake Louise, but perhaps way more scenic.

hiking opportunity for all you adventurers. It beckons

It’s a glacier-fed lake situated in the beautiful Valley

majestically despite having the entire top blown

Of The Ten Peaks in Banff National Park. The highest

off and with a crater inside that keeps spewing off

point of the mountain ranges remain frozen into the

white sulphurous smoke. Mount Bromo is still one of

month of June and does not reach its crest until mid

the most active volcanoes in the world and there

to late June. Once the glacier water starts to run

are areas that are blocked off from tourists due to

it brings with it rock flour or silt. This is what the light

its imminent danger. Myth has it that Mount Bromo is

reflects off to give the lake its stunning deep blue

significant to the Tengger people who believe that

colour. So if you’re into this kind of thing combined

the site is where their brave prince sacrificed his life

with cold weather, you’ll totally appreciate this.

for his family.

Gorge Waterfall in 7. Baatara Tannourine, Lebanon

8. Yuanyang County in Yunan, China

This unexpected waterfall drops 837 feet into the

The town of Old Yuanyang is a Hani minority

chasmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s depths past 160-million-year-old limestone

settlement atop a ridge of the Ailao mountain range

from the Jurassic period and falls behind three

at an elevation of around 1570 metres. It is a popular

natural bridges, which raise one above the other

destination with photographers due to the vast areas

and overhang the rocks descending into Mount

of nearby mountains which have been cultivated

Lebanon. The water emerges from underground at a

into terraced rice paddies for at least the past 1300

spring in the nearby town of Mgharet al-Ghaouaghir.

years by the Hani people. Despite the overwhelming

It can only be seen during the months of March and

scenic beauty of its landscape and colourful local

April, when the snows are melting. However, just

minorities, mass tourism has not developed in this

look at the view, it definitely makes for a beautiful

region. For those of you who arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t willing to make

Instagram photo as long as you go at the right time.

the trek out to this discreet area, it will be your loss. 31

shhh...

SECRET SUPPER CLUBS Written by: Martha Hoober

JOIN THE CLUB

A Lightbulb Oven, Dallas, TX How It Works: Most of these dinners prepared by professionally trained Texan natives are hosted in friends’ houses with large kitchens and even larger dining rooms. What’s on the Menu: Roasted cauliflower soup with brown butter pumpernickel croutons, pork confit with corn cakes, and blueberry gastrique followed by a trio of homemade ice creams. How to Score a Seat: Sign up on the website or on their new Facebook page.

Sunday Dinner Chicago How It Works: Dinners occur several times per month and typically have three to five courses shared with about 20 diners. What’s On the Menu: Cassoulet with duck confit, leg of lamb, garlic sausages, hickory smoked bacon, with white beans and grainy mustard. The pièce de résistance: chocolate mousse and mint cookie tart. How to Score a Seat: Invites are sent via a mailing list, but the mailing list is cultivated by referral only.

The Four Coursemen, Athens, GA How It Works: The six chefs, all best buddies, prepare five

courses paired with wine (or craft beers) for 26 guests twice per month. Dinners are held inside a “shotgunstyle” house. Think: Civil War–era Southern digs. What’s on the Menu: All ingredients are local and sustainable whenever possible, and meals are never repeated. Ever eaten whelk also known as sea snails? Other recent dishes include an unusual chocolate torte with candied tomato peel. How to Score a Seat: Sign up for the email list.

A Razor, A Shiny Knife, Brooklyn, NY

How It Works: Though most events take place in Brooklyn, New York, their epicurean offerings have been held all over the world in non-traditional venues: an uncompleted apartment building in Brooklyn, a wild boar farm, and inside a swanky art gallery. What’s on the Menu: The folks who run the place like to treat their kitchen more like a laboratory. Mesmerizing meals are produced using molecular equipment: lasers, infizzilators, vacuum confections and liquid nitrogen. What you read on the menu may not be exactly what you eat. How to Score a Seat: Sign up for the email list or via Facebook. By: Kiri Tannenbaum

MENSWEAR SPOTLIGHT

Written by: Pedro Vazquez

Daniel DuGoff’s new menswear label, DDUGOFF, is performing a tricky balancing act. Not too sporty, not too formal. Not plain, but definitely not too loud. Basic, but not, as the saying goes, basic. It’s a tough set of criteria to satisfy, but rather than stake out a safe, often boring space between all those buzzwords, DuGoff is exploring their contradictions. A knit cotton t-shirt feels synthetic but breathes like organic fiber, the nylon on a windbreaker comes so light that it feels like tissue paper, and a polyester parka is treated to feel like hardy twill cotton. “People our age,” he says, “if they’re gonna spend this kind of money on something, want something that feels special.” And his clothes literally do. “But,” he adds, “you also want something that you can wear like three days a week without your friends calling you out on always wearing that one ridiculous thing.” Less than a year old, DuGoff’s brand is a one-man operation run out of a basement studio in NoHo. But he’s got work experience at Patrik Ervell, Derek Lam, and Marc by Marc Jacobs—plus plenty of friends from those places to help him out if he ever gets stuck. “I realized,” he tells us on a visit to his showroom, “that I sort of had this unique placement. I saw how a small office was run and I saw how a big corporation was run, and I was still young enough that I could risk this.” It’s a tension, between the uniform and the unique, that you can see in his designs, and it’s one that’s worth watching play out. By: Zack Etheart

BRAND SPOTLIGHT

Shwood is an innovative brand that stems from very creative minds, born and bred from the very products of nature. The mission behind the brand is to create products that encompass the individuality and uniqueness found in our natural surroundings. Through different experimentation with design, materials, and aesthetics, they are able to come up with products that innovative and surpass all creativity. Shwood’s in-house manufacturing process merges precision technology with classic skilled craftsmanship to create a timeless art form. Every step from veneering and precision lens cutting, to shaping and finishing is conducted in our own Portland-based workshop to promise an entirely handcrafted piece of wooden eyewear. Wood manipulation is kept to a minimum in order to showcase the medium’s natural and unique splendor. Bloomingdale’s is proud to represent a brand as unique as Shwood. Their finely crafted products are simple and elegant. ‘Canby’ 54mm, $149

diptyque paris

‘Eugene’ 54mm, $179

EXPLORING SOUTHEAST ASIA with Shwood ambassador Jesse Morrow

Cambodia Luke and I set out from Seattle a few days ago. We enjoyed our time in Phnom Penh and the island of Koh Rong Sanloem but now it’s time to hit the ancient highlights of Cambodia. Our morning is early and I’m realizing I forgot any sort of breakfast (including coffee) as we get on our bus. It’s a 7 hour ride to our next destination, Siem Reap. The road is bumpy but the landscape is new and unusual. Although we’re only a week into our journey we’ve experienced so much already. Our travel continues along with this seemingly unending ride. Siem Reap is home to the famous Angkor Wat along with tons of other temples scattered across the area. As with many tourists, Angkor is our first stop on what what will be a long day of exploring. We picked up our lunch and dove into styrofoam containers of chicken, rice, and frog legs. And of course there is a bounty of Angkor beer. Some of the food is a bit mysterious but I’m not hesitating to fill up after a long time riding.

Walking through the temples and ruins it’s hard to not be overwhelmed with the thought of what these structures looked like new. Or what it would have been like to traverse this land in the 13th century on an elephant. For now, Luke and I will stick with our tuk tuk and trusty driver named So. Our host, Chris, along with the tuk tuk driver, So, organized a trip for us out to a waterfall in the mountains. It’s no challenge for Khmer people to pile 3 or even 6 people on a scooter so three vehicles between the 7 people in our crew is practically a joy ride. Luke and I are having fun taking turns on the scooter feeling free as we weave around on the nicely paved roads passing trailers carrying all types of animals. About halfway into our four hour journey we get into a little trickier maneuvering as the nicely paved road turns into more of a dirt path with large potholes. Hard rains battle the bright sun on and off during our ride leaving us with wet clothes and a slick road.

Thailand Flying to Chiang Mai we quickly found a hostel in the ‘old city’ based on a friends recommendation. This part of the city seems to have a relaxed beach town feel mixed with european influences as the small streets loosely flowed to no grid. Although it’s only been a few days since my scooter crash, I have a strong urge to get back on a bike and tackle the 90 mile road to the town of Pai complete with its 762 curves. For good reason, most tourists travel one-way to Pei and spend the new few days in the small town before the return trip. Us on the other hand, because of our short timeline, decided to make a day trip out of it. Starting off I’m a little shaky, the thought of crashing again causes me to be extremely cautious and hesitant when going around curves. The road winds back and forth again and again. I’m also thrown off by the fact that in Thailand driving is done on the ‘opposite’ side of the road than in America. We pass through thick forest and cliffs overlooking hundreds of miles of land.

A little strung out we finally arrive in Pai after about four hours. Given the time it will take to get back to Chiang Mai we only have time to eat a burger and get back on the road. Backtracking the way we had just come, I ultimately fell in a groove and the comfort of riding came back. On and off the gas, leaning in and out of each curve the rhythm of the road set a beat and the two of us followed. I saw so many iconic photos online before leaving. I wanted to see those moments for myself and take as many photos as possible. Eating dinner surrounded by new friends, some who didn’t even speak any English, I feel relaxed. The urge to go take pictures is overwhelmed by the feeling of staying put in the small booth at the top of this makeshift restaurant. I feel like I’m in the right element, and this experience is better than any lantern photo could be. Slowly but surely, I’m learning to enjoy the moment I’m in, even if it may not seem like the one I imagined.

LIVING IN THE

COLORFUL WORLD OF ADLER

Written by: Lauren Sennet

What’s HAUTE in home?

According to Jonathan Adler, world famous designer of colorful home furnishings, there is a shift in the home furnishings world towards a more eclectic, bohemian style.

JA: The new generation has developed a very strong work ethic over the years and they feel it is time to return to their more humble roots. It’s time to reap the benefits of working so hard, so there’s a shift towards a more boho, carefree style. But of course, with a touch of decadence to it so brass and gold coated furnishings are trending. It’s modern and sleek, but still home-y. Brass adds an instant touch of glam and my design team and I just can’t get enough it. Anything you can imagine in terms of home furnishings,

we’ve got brass as an option. The conventional wisdom is that a man should dress grayer and drabber with every passing year. It’s the opposite. We’re lucky to live in an era that is essentially a creative freefor-all. It’s a great time for dude to connect with his inner peacock. We live in an “anything goes” society, and I see everyone becoming a little more glamorous and eccentric. It’s why I’m focusing on a lot more “hard glamour” these days. There are some very nifty and glamorous things en route. This theory applies to your home too. Don’t be afraid to experience with color and other delights.

I’ve been traveling everywhere lately on sourcing trips. I just got back from the Philippines and found the most incredible levels of craftsmanship there. I started my own career as a craftsperson, so I value people with idiosyncratic and extraordinary skills. And this fascination with the gypsy lifestyle is definitely surfacing in everyone’s busy lifestyle. We all preach about having to slow down and enjoy the beautiful things around us. Coming from a small, I know how to slow down and let my surroundings sink in. Plus, the gems you find in exotic places around the world make a chic statement in any home. It lets people know what you have seen and learned. It goes beyond the four walls of a room.

I get things made all over the world, so

Meet the Genius: Jonathan Adler

What is the mission behind your designs? I want to bring style, craft, and joy to people’s lives. How? By creating a foundation of timelessly chic furniture and accessorizing with abandon. I come from a small farm town and it all started from basics: clay. I was fortunate enough to start at Barneys, and now I’m in people’s homes! Describe what the efforts are behind your work? It takes a lot of mud, sweat and tears to make happy-looking stuff.

What was your first collection like? Has your aesthetic changed? It was very stripey and nifty, and zippy and mod-looking. Bright colors. And it was good! And you can just guess how my aesthetic has evolved. What do you think about wearing white after Labor Day? That’s a do! I don’t understand that [rule]. White jeans are my everyday attire, and it’s one less decision I have to make in the morning. What’s your number 1 advice for other aspiring designers? Follow your heart. Ignore any rules. Wear white after Labor Day. Have an “F-it” attitude.

For almost 20 years, Bloomingdale’s employees have supported, encouraged, tutored and befriended young children in our communities through the Help USA mentoring program. In New York City for example, Bloomingdale’s volunteers have mentored elementary school children at P.S. 59 since 1998. Staff members spend one hour each week with their mentees, helping change his or her life for the better. In addition, Bloomingdale’s has hosted numerous events and highlighting the organization in store windows. Mentoring USA is a New York City based nonprofit that

forges powerful, transformative connections for young people through the advocacy and involvement of mentors. Using a one-to-one sitebased model, trained mentors inspire by example and model positive life choices. Bloomingdale’s prides itself on its philanthropic efforts and we feel a strong sense of commitment to provide for the community. We believe that we have the ability and luxury to pay it forward so we do.