November 2011: The Technology Issue by W27 Newspaper

VOLUME 44 | ISSUE 3 | NOVEMBER 2011

Loading image Rich_Tong–Tumblr.tif …

The Technology Issue. EVErYTHING Social Media TOP FASHION BLOGGERS

Steve Jobs #HAPPYTHANKSGIVING!

Masthead

W27

Letter from the Editor

Taisa Veras Editor-in-Chief Caroline Nelson Samantha Vance Deputy Editors

FIT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Sarah Dill Executive Editor

On the Block

Georgi Dwiggins Veronica Heras Nicole Tan Venus Wong Senior Editors

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Fernanda DeSouza Culture Editor

Faculty Spotlight: Albert Romano & Stacy Karesh What the Health? Log On, Lose Weight: A 3-Day Diet Diary Staff Picks: Fall Boots Social Media is Linking its Way to the Classroom Future Mode: Helene Verin Underneath it All: CEO of Calvin Klein Intimate Wear

Dear Industry

Keely-Shea Smith Managing Editor 8 8 9 10

Alyssa Kyle Copy Editor Megan Venere Treasurer

Sephora Sensorium: Fragrance for the Senses Zara Launches E-Commerce Ave Daniel Saynt: at Rebecca Minkoff & at Socialyte Beauty Buzz: Organic Nail Polish and: Breakthrough Beauty Apps

Technology Feature

Julie Daly Secretary 11 12 14 16 18 22 22

w27newspaper.com Mollie Yarsike Social Media Manager Advertising Lauren Sieber Advertising Manager

Think Different: Steve Jobs Influential Social Media Companies Tumblr Generation Technologically Speaking Top Fashion Bloggers Textbooks vs. E-books What Doesn’t the iPhone 4S Offer?

Haute Culture

art

This month, I had to Think Different. Not only I had a numerous amount of articles that couldn’t fit into our biggest issue of the year (32 pages!) but I also wanted to incorporate media innovation for this issue.

Kári Emil Helgason Art Director Alan Chao Deanna Paquette Senior Designers Sofia Clausse Stephanie Perez Maria Stankevitch Junior Designers Jason Silverman Media Design Club Guest Designer Ruodan Bai Diane Fernandes Siva-Jack Sernvongsat Emily Sherman Illustrators

When the president of the Media Design Club (MDC), Jason Silverman, approached me about collaborating for the Technology issue, I immediately jumped at the opportunity. Silverman came up with the idea of developing the “Technologically Speaking” timeline (pp. 16-17) that features some of the most influential technology innovations released in the past few decades. He collaborated with Senior Designer Alan Chao on making QR codes for the articles that didn’t fit in this issue.

is inspiring and that’s what I saw in Rich Tong, Fashion Director of Tumblr. When our staff interviewed him at the Tumblr office, Tong not only spoke about how he launched his own online start-up Weardrobe, and later sold it, but he also addressed how his current role at Tumblr involves working with some of the most prominent fashion influencers (pp. 14-15). Although I bow down to those who can create computer apps, build electric cars, create a new social media platform, or simply make a QR code, I must admit that technology can be overwhelming at times. Don’t forget to log off and unplug.

Picture This: Instagram

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Theater: You’ve Got Hate Mail Music: Catching up With Noelle Scaggs from Fitz and the Tantrums Film: The Revenge of the Electric Car Book Reviews: Twitter For Good: Change The World One Tweet At A Time and The Facebook Effect Ouchi—A Home for Japanese Artists Off-Broadway: Fuerza Bruta Concert: Metronomy Experimental Art & Innovation at the Creators Project Festival Outside Your Borough: Pumpkin Pickings Month in Review

FIT Speaks

By Elizabeth Cross bit.ly/u4UtpF

Cheers,

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Dear Tech: It’s Not You, It’s Me Moop and Mary Online Dating: Browse, Click, Date

Style on 27

The best part about technology though, is the fact that it proves how far the human intelligence can go. Intelligence

Jacquelyn Clifford Photographer contributors:

ON THE COVER:

CORRECTION: faculty:

Albert Romano Advertising Faculty Advisor

KOSHER DELICATESSEN RESTAURANT

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The article “The Style Shop: Celebrating its Sweet Sixteen” which appeared on p. 8 of the Oct. issue was mistakenly appropriated to Amira Okelly. The actual writer was Sarah Dill. We apologize for the mistake.

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♻

W27 Staffers had the opportunity to visit the Tumblr offices to speak to Rich Tong, the site’s Fashion Director. The Instagram-inspired photograph, taken by Jacquelyn Clifford, captures a moment when Tong was engaged in the staff’s interview. Because this issue is so stuffed with information, being the biggest issue of the year, it’s taking a while for the cover image to load.

@benskosherdeli

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USE IN DECEMBER

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Dianna Mazzone Marissa Mule Armane Robinson Kristen Uhrlass Alessandra Della Vecchia Megan Venere Caroline Whiteley Amanda Zyta

John Simone Editorial Faculty Advisor

F.I.T. for a King

Buy any sandwich or entrée at regular price & get a second sandwich or entrée of equal or lesser value for HALF PRICE.

MANHATTAN

209 W. 38th St. (West of 7th Ave.) Phone: (212) 398-BENS (2367) Fax: (212) 398-DELI (3354)

Jessica McClintock Advertising Associate

Amanda Alayan Rachelle Balagtas Megan Bates Francesca Beltran Raquel Rose Burger Ayana Bryant-Weekes Linda Como Elizabeth Cross Briana D’Andrea Gabriella Ferreira Rich Gilmartin Meaghan Hartland Asiah James Armah Jones Alyssa Kyle Camilla Mayer

NOVEMBER 2011

W27

On the Block

Faculty Spotlight

Albert Romano Professor Albert Romano is the Assistant Chairperson and Professor of Advertising and Marketing Communications, and the Advertising Faculty Advisor of W27. He is also a winner of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. His Spring 2009 Audiences and Media class was featured in the FIT Master Teaching Video Series on fitnyc.edu.

CN: What is your background in the industry? AR: I worked for various advertising agencies and media services on national, regional and local accounts for 25 years.

Caroline Nelson: What is your hometown? Albert Romano: Born in Francavilla, Sicily and grew up in Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York. CN: Where did you go to college and what did you major in?

What the Health?

CN: What new technology is changing the marketing and advertising field? AR: The various ways of using digital means to reach consumers and B2B customers.

By Caroline Nelson

AR: It has absolutely impacted the industry. It’s “real time” advertising/ marketing, highly targeted and relevant to those who opt in. CN: Do you see print and radio advertising continuing in relevance or declining further? AR: They will both be less relevant to the younger techie generation, but still relevant to the generations that grew up with them. Younger people do not feel the need to read a newspaper because they have other alternatives to news. Reading a hard copy of a magazine is different because magazines can be highly targeted and many want to read the ads that they will not find in the online versions. There are many people who still like to “feel” a

print page rather than reading it online. Radio for younger people is not relevant unless they listen to talk formats, which is unlikely. There are alternative ways to listen to music such as iPods and other gadgets. CN: What skills are employers looking for in new hires in terms of knowledge of technology? AR: Guess what? Many don’t care because they will train new hires themselves. However, they still want people to be able to communicate properly. Writing and analytical skills are the main traits they are looking for. CN: Do you give your students specific social network or blogging assignments suggestions in class? AR: Yes, they are included in my media courses where this is a must.

Caroline Nelson: What is your hometown?

a full-time Professor of Advertising & Marketing Communications at FIT while simultaneously expanding my knowledge and experience for my students by beginning my own Public Relations & Marketing Consulting Firm: Karesh Consulting.

Stacey Karesh: Greenville, South Carolina CN: Where did you go to college and what was your major? SK: University of South Carolina: Bachelor of Science in Communications & Fashion Merchandising Management. I’m also in the process of completing my Master’s Degree in Integrated Marketing & Communications at Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York. CN: What is your background in the industry? SK: I have over 15 years of experience as a Corporate Executive in Public Relations, Marketing, Advertising and Special Events Production, as a Director of Communications for Van Cleef & Arpels and a Public Relations Manager for both Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s. During this time, I also continued to pursue a position as adjunct faculty at FIT in the Advertising & Marketing Communications Department and the Department of Precollege Programs where I recently began writing courses for their curriculum. Approximately 2 years ago, I left my corporate executive position with Neiman Marcus to begin pursuing my dream of becoming

For years, dieting has been the sought out solution for those wanting to drop their excess weight or stay on track during the holiday season. With the introduction of technology, staying healthy is only a click away. Although I love the tangible product of print and of course our own W27 Newspaper, I’m a sucker for Weight Watchers latest gadget and the great new apps and features that come with it. Thanks to Weight Watchers Online program, I have lost 30 pounds, tracked my eating habits and started a 5k Prep plan. With these great cheat sheets and mobile apps to calculate points on my phone, I had my own support system at my fingertips. If $16 a month for Weight Watchers doesn’t fit into your budget, the Internet can still lead you down the right path. Log on to hungry-girl.com to gather recipes, fitness tips, and to ask your very own questions to the Hungry Girl herself. Jot down survival strategies for weekend pig outs and find out how to make your favorite calorie packed meal into something slimmed down, but still with the same flavor. Not a techie? Watch Hungry Girl’s show on the Food network every Sunday at 10am and be prepped with a pen and paper to take down these amazing recipes. After staying committed for the past year and a half to Weight Watchers, I thought I would document exactly what I ate and did, fitness and eating wise, in a health log for those wanting to keep these tips as Thanksgiving nears. What’s my secret? I pack my lunch with filling foods and stay active.

Stacey Karesh Professor Stacey Karesh is an Adjunct professor of the Advertising and Marketing Communications major at FIT. She was named one of WAG Magazine’s Best-Dressed Women in 2008.

CN: The Internet and social networking have really changed the shopping landscape. What would you say is the new direction of online shopping and why? SK: I genuinely think online shopping will continue to make its greatest impact on the retail holiday season. Consumers, particularly women, where the majority of my PR, marketing and sales experience derives from, continue to want to actually see, genuinely feel, try on, experience, smell and possibly taste the products that they intend to purchase. However, when giving gifts, the product isn’t as personal. Moreover, during the holiday season consumers are time deprived, inundated with invitations, entertainment choices, shopping lists and social responsibilities, so it can be much more pleasant to sit in their living room by the Christmas tree, or Hanukkah menorah, with their favorite holiday tunes, a cozy fire in the fireplace, a glass of Cabernet and a laptop, to check off those endless names on the infinite gift list! This also eradicates the tedious task of wrapping, gift boxing and then shipping to those who live in other zip codes!

CN: Twitter, Facebook, and blogs have really highlighted the importance of Public Relations. How does pitching to an influential blogger differ from pitching to a traditional magazine? SK: It’s critical that a PR professional can clearly, distinctively and compellingly articulate their product, service or personality differential in just a few words or lines. We live in a society of sound bites. Bloggers are only as good as the up-to-the-second information they can provide to their public that’s actually dissimilar from the numerous other news sources, bloggers, journalists and TV shows. CN: How has PR changed over the years and how do you envision it in the future? SK: In today’s society, as a public relations executive, you are expected to be an ambassador of any organization you choose to represent. With that, you must know a little bit about an endless list of topics! If you don’t know the answers to a question the media or a customer inquires about, you must know the means to obtain the answers to the question to be able to report honestly, accurately, intelligently and efficiently. With technology, there is no longer an excuse for not knowing, however, there is also no longer a tolerance for making an excuse for what you don’t know! CN: Do you give students specific social network or blogging assignments or suggestions in class?

NOVEMBER 2011

Log On, Lose Weight: A 3-Day Diet Diary

By Sarah Dill

CN: How has social networking improved advertising and marketing? Has it impacted the industry?

AR: Hunter College, BA in Communications, and Baruch College, MS in Marketing

FIT

SK: I teach a variety of classes from ac221 Publicity Workshop to ac171 Mass Communications and social networking and blogging are a common theme in all of my classes. Yes, I often give my students assignments directly related to social networking and blogging and more specifically, as citizen journalists or as purveyors of consumer generated media. As an educator in the Communications Department, it is critical to me that the students not only understand the role that social media and blogging play in their lives but that they also understand and embrace the role that they play in a society emerging out of citizen journalism. CN: Are you involved in any on-campus organizations or clubs? SK: I regret to say that I’m not currently involved in any on-campus organizations or clubs at this time, but I certainly hope to embrace such opportunities in the very near future. In the interim, when I’m not preparing for or teaching the 4 undergraduate classes I’m currently committed to in my schedule in Advertising & Marketing Communications, or preparing for, or teaching precollege courses, or running my public relations & marketing consulting firm managing clients such as the Brazilian Gems & Jewelry Trade Association and Westchester magazine, I’m an avid runner for over 25 years with 10 marathons to my resume, one marathon a year in a different state, physically and emotionally!

Day 1: Monday October 31st, 2011 7:15 am: Wake up to my alarm and grab my exercise gear to head down to the Kaufman Hall fitness center for a 35 minute workout. 8:15 am: After showering and getting dressed for the day, I grab a bowl to prep my Fage greek yogurt mix of a tablespoon of honey, cup of Kashi Go Lean Crunch and sliced banana. I grab a FiberOne bar to end my breakfast on a sweet note. 9:00 am: After running over to my laptop to log in my Weight Watcher points, I grab my packed lunch from the fridge and swing my backpack on my shoulders, ready to go off to my internship. 9:30 am: Hop off the E train and walk up the long flights of stairs rather then the escalator, to build up extra exercise points. 1:00 pm: Grab my lunch from the refrigerator at my internship and eat my prepped pumpkin butter and smart balance peanut butter sandwich with baby carrots, an apple, 100 calorie pack of almonds, and mini Babybel light cheese. 2:00 pm: Splurge on 2 pieces of chocolate.— I mean it is Halloween for God’s sake! 3:00 pm: Walk to the kitchen and prepare a small coffee with skim milk and 2 packets of splenda. 5:40 pm: Walk over to the E train and I stand rather then sit on the subway to keep from constantly sitting. As I approach the 34th St. stop, I walk up the stairs to the Penn station entrance and speed walk out the doors to the entrance of Kaufman Hall. 6:00 pm: Arrive back at my dorm and grab a Smart Ones frozen meal from the freezer to pop it in the microwave for a light and quick dinner.

7:00 pm: I end the meal on a sweet note with my favorite dessert, Skinny Cow Fudge Ice cream cones and then work on homework for most of the night. 9:00 pm: Late night snack time rears its ugly head, but I chew on a big Granny Smith apple to stay full and curve my hunger pangs. 10:30 pm: Brew myself a mug of chai tea and sit with a good book on my bed. Day 2: Tuesday November 1st, 2011 8:00 am: Wake up and get dressed while my coffee is brewing and then add a tablespoon of my sugar free French vanilla creamer with a packet of equal. 8:40 am: Eat my Greek yogurt with ¼ cup of Kashi Go Lean Crunch, 1 sliced banana, ground cinnamon and 1 packet of Equal. Then I grab a FiberOne bar and my packed lunch on my way out the door to class. 8:45 am: I start speed walking to class and listen to music to keep my pace quick and upbeat while sipping my morning brew. 9:00 am: I decide to take the stairs up to the 3rd floor rather then wait for the A building elevators. 12:30 pm: I open up my prepared lunch and eat my 100-calorie pack of almonds, Babybel light cheese, bag of baby carrots, apple, lean turkey and mustard sandwich, and bag of sour cream and onion Popchips. 1:00 pm: After class I run down the stairs to Starbucks to get my coffee fix of a tall Pumpkin Spice latte with skim milk. 2:00 pm: I speed walk down the A building stairs and through the C building to get to my next class. 5:00 pm: I head off to the cafeteria and stand by the grill to wait for a veggie quesadilla, but cooked dry without any oil. 6:00 pm: I eat an apple to cleanse my palate and keep me full during class until I leave at 9:00pm and go back to the dorms. 6:20 pm: I head up to the 7th floor of the B building and walk up every other staircase. 8:45 pm: I grab my backpack and speed walk back to the dorm, playing music to keep my pace quick and to help me pass the time. 9:30 pm: The late night snack is back to haunt me so I grab an individual 100 calorie pack of Jolly Time popcorn to fill me up quick. 10:30 pm: I turn on my microwave and heat up a mug of my vanilla chai tea to relax me as I study. Day 3: Wednesday November 2nd, 2011 7:15 am: Wake up for my morning workout for 35 minutes and jog down to the elevator. 8:15 am: I prep my greek yogurt bowl with cup of Kashi Go lean crunch, cup of canned organic pumpkin, a sprinkle of cinnamon and a FiberOne bar on the side. 9:00 am: I head out the door to my internship with my packed lunch in hand and walk over to Penn station to catch the E train. 9:30 am: After getting off the E train, I proceed to walk up the flights of stairs rather then the escalator and take each stride one at a time. 12:30 pm: I’m extra hungry today so I grab my packed lunch and eat my turkey and mustard sandwich, Babybel light cheese, baby carrots, apple, 100 calorie pack of almonds and sip on a small coffee with skim milk. 3:00 pm: My supervisor offers me a cupcake that has been sent to the offices, so I try to fight the urge but cave in and have to splurge on the cake. I shave off most of the frosting

and splurge on this decadent treat. 5:45 pm: I’m off to my dorm but since I feel guilty about my cupcake I then make sure to stand the whole way on the subway even if there are empty seats and I walk at my maximum speed as I approach the dorms. 6:30 pm: I cook a single serve steam fresh bag of mixed veggies, a half of acorn squash steamed in the microwave with a little brown sugar and margarine and then have a cooked chicken cutlet with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. 7:30 pm: Finally my favorite part of the meal: the dessert. I indulge in my skinny cow ice cream cone. 10:00 pm: Since I have already eaten a cupcake, I skip the late night snack and prepare a cup of vanilla chai tea to settle my stomach and keep me refreshed for the next day.

Dorm Dish Recipe: Thanksgiving Save Parade Salad Already having nightmares of your post Thanksgiving gut and dreading the excessive leftovers? Lose the worry and use your leftovers for good! Minus the fatty foods such as mashed potatoes, stuffing, biscuits and other carb filled foods; most of the thanksgiving traditional dishes are actually very healthy. They’re easy to add to any plate and quickly jack up your protein intake. Rather than making a turkey sandwich on a leftover crescent roll or bread, ditch the carbs that leave you feeling like a balloon and load your plates with mixed greens. Gobble up your Thanksgiving green feast and be thankful for your newly purchased skinny jeans.

Illustrated for W27 by Diane Fernandes

Serves 1: 1/4 cup of sweet potatoes (not glazed, organic) 1/4 cup of canned string green beans 1/2 cup of shredded cooked turkey (white meat) 1 tablespoon of sliced almonds 1 tablespoon of dried cranberries 1 cups of mixed greens (spinach, romaine etc.) 2 tablespoons of Light Raspberry vinaigrette dressing Fill your plate with a bed of mixed greens. Slice the cooked turkey, if not already, and layer on top of the greens Add the sweet potatoes, string green beans, sliced almonds and dried cranberries in the salad. Drizzle the dressing and dig into your simple and healthy Thanksgiving salad. Store any other left overs in the fridge or prep the same salad for lunch for the next few days.

ON THE BLOCK

W27

Sukkot Hut at FIT

Staffs’ Picks:

By Alyssa Kyle

Fall Boots 3. Forestr by Steven Madden Fernanda DeSouza, Culture Editor “The classic combat boot with a little hidden surprise on the inside makes for a great and versatile boot!”

Social Media is Linking its Way to the Classroom By Raquel Rose Burger

The Fashion Institute of Technology’s campus will see big changes in the near feature. By rapidly introducing social media into FIT’s curriculum, students will be able to interact with their classmates and professors outside of the classroom effortlessly and learn new material using the tools they became well versed in.

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Jeff Riman, an assistant professor and coordinator at the Center for Excellence in Teaching at FIT, is encouraging faculty to go outside their comfort zone and step deeper into the technology pool, which some already have. Professor Jean Marc Rejaud, Assistant Professor of Advertising, Marketing and Communications, has his students watch videos on specific cases and stops at key points. He then asks the student to answer a question and once answered,

In the future, Riman envisions a 2 hour studying period turning into a 1 hour studying period and the rest spent watching an informative video. To aid learning outside of the classroom and create a less painful task, a mobile App for Angel is in the works as well. Additionally, the newly established website, Voicethread, allows students and

teachers to record their voices and discuss any given topic, making the learning process more interactive and fun. This website works especially well with group work assignments. Most professors agree that even with the invention of new advancements every day, FIT is much more advanced in this field then we think. Though blogs are popular among students, Advertising, Marketing and Communications Professor Lynda Johnson has a different view on them being incorporated into the classroom. “Only my journalism students do a news blog as a final project and it is worked on throughout the semester,” said Johnson. “I have mixed feelings about blogs because there are some that are very good and useful but then there are those that serve no real purpose at all.” Any chance Twitter will be used to announce

homework assignments? #VeryUnlikely. “Anything is possible but I’m not sure how you explain a homework assignment via a tweet with only 140 characters at your disposal,” added Johnson. Technology is making its way into the classroom by transforming learning into a more enjoyable, interactive, and less stressful experience. Don’t be surprised to see any of these tools used in your courses next semester and if not, don’t hesitate to speak up about these new outlets. Professors are now willing to learn to help accommodate their students and students are now trying out most of these tools on their own. With social media combining with classwork, who knows what amazing possibilities are set for the future of education.

By Marissa Mule

6. Fahrenheit Venus Wong, Senior Editor/Columnist “It is fashion common knowledge that leopard prints are always in for winter season. These Fahrenheit women’s wedge booties come with an interesting color and print combo, and give a lot of height to those of us who don’t want to sacrifice comfort.”

7. Utah Fringe Suede Boots by Sam Edelman Raquel Rose Burger, Contributing Writer “With endless fringe and a rich purple color, you can’t pass these by.”

The AMAzing Club

8. Ecote Stallion Leather Boot Samantha Vance, Deputy Editor “These boots have just the right heel and color for Fall. They will be able to be worn for many seasons to come!”

By Alyssa Kyle bit.ly/uImn5Y

9. Jane Tall Boot by Frye Georgi Dwiggins, Senior Editor “These Frye boots are an awesome Slate color and hit above the knee. They’re a little dressier than just a flat boot, but still casual and laid back.”

Helene Verin, Accessories design professor at FIT, is a notable figure in the fashion industry, from teaching to being an award-winning designer of home and fashion accessories and a published author. Verin’s work has appeared in countless books, publications, and television programs, such as her classic baseball shoe design for Keds, which has become extremely popular. Ms. Verin currently launched her book on Beth Levine, the all American fashion designer most known for her designs from the 1940s through the 1970s. Verin’s book is sure to inspire all upcoming artists and designers trying to pursue their dreams.

Picasso, and the other from Duchamp. I’m a very Fluxus designer.

Marissa Mule: What does your job entail?

HV: I wrote the book because of the students at FIT. I was always interested in mid-century designers, and unsung women designs. Students don’t know enough about the designers who actually live in New York. Beth Levine, who the book is based on, was a foot model with a perfect size four. However, she didn’t draw. She worked with pattern makers and material. She basically worked from the inside out.

Helene Verin: I’m a designer. When I was young, I came to New York and knew Andy Warhol. He was actually doing shoes, which is really funny. I became known quickly, and traveled a lot – it became scary. Then, I had a child and couldn’t really travel. I couldn’t even design my shoes. However, because I couldn’t do shoes, I designed wallpaper. I also did licensing for rugs and designed pillows too. When it became too expensive to design wallpaper, I collaborated with different companies doing freelance for shoes. It’s such an expertise. I am also an accessories design teacher for fine arts students. MM: Why did you choose to work in the shoe industry?

10. Franco Sarto Caroline Nelson, Deputy Editor “These tall brown leather riding boots by Franco Sarto are perfect for fall weather. They are so comfortable and look chic with a blazer and jeans or tights and a dress.”

the video continues. Rejaud also uses a website called brain-scope, that uses LearnSmart modules, essentially online flashcards that record your score each time you test yourself to cite improvement. Riman and Rejaud both agreed, “Looking ahead we will be ending up with the flipped classroom model where assignments and discussions are done in the classroom but the actual lecture will be listened to online, at home by the student.”

Future Mode {Helene Verin}

4. Aspelina Boot by Tretorn Taisa Veras, Editor-In-Chief “I’m all about Swedish brand Tretorn when it comes to comfortable shoes with great design aesthetic. I will be wearing these boots when snow falls.”

5. Grannie Booties by Steve Madden Sarah Dill, Executive Editor “I’m all about comfort and utility in the fall season, so with these beautiful victorian style lace up boots, you get the perfect mix of quality and autumn chic. I absolutely love the worn in leather look and easy to slip on style that can be paired perfectly with chunky knit socks or lace stockings.

NOVEMBER 2011

bit.ly/vEkuhQ

1. Desert Boots by TOM’s Keely-Shea Smith, Managing Editor “Great boot and great cause.”

2. Pebble Leather Chukka by Steven Alan Camilla Mayer, Contributing Writer “If you’re looking for quality shoes this winter, Steven Alan’s ‘The Pebble Leather Chukkas’ are going to be worth exploring. These shoes are not just pretty on the outside but are handcrafted in Wisconsin by menswear boot staple Thorogood. So what ever your urban adventure may be, the round toe, leather lining, padded insoles, and cork outsole will get you there.”

FIT

Photos taken from the respective brands’ websites.

HV: I always believed women designers were unsung heroes. That’s why I chose shoes. There were so many men back then designing. In art or designing there are two roads; one route stems from

MM: What are your inspirations? HV: I’m inspired by so many things. I am inspired by words and puns. I love puns. I love the color orange and the texture of wood. Even food inspires me. I’m inspired by my son, Ryder Ripps, who is also an artist. Some other artists and designers who inspire me are Bernard Rudofsky, Anni Albers, and Sheila Hicks. MM: Tell me a little about the book you wrote, Beth Levine Shoes.

MM: What advice would you give to the students here at FIT who are aspiring to become artists and designers? HV: I would tell them to know their computer skills. You have to know the whole Creative Suite. One of the problems we have as educators is to know about history. Everything always comes from something. The more you know, the better. Once you can design a shoe, you can really do anything. Also, never say you don’t like something. Be open to everything. Or, you can always invest in real estate, that’s where the real money is.

Underneath it All: CEO of Calvin Klein Intimate Wear By Dianna Mazzone Calvin Klein Underwear: the brand is edgy, sexy, cool, and…overseen by a man who serves on the Board of Directors for The Children’s Place? That’s right, Joe Gromek does it all. As President and CEO of the Warnaco Group, Inc., Joe Gromek and his team handle seven major accounts: Calvin Klein Underwear, Calvin Klein Swimwear, Calvin Klein Jeans, Olga, Chaps, Warner’s, and Speedo. Gromek detailed his work with each of these high profile clients during a recent lecture moderated by Dean Deborah Klesenski at FIT. From personal organization to employee motivation, Gromek shared the insight he has cultivated throughout his almost forty year career within the field of fashion. Gromek testified that “vacations are key” and also spoke about the value of practicing social and civic responsibility in the workplace. Gromek has certainly proved his advice to be worthy: In 2003, when he was appointed to his current position as President and CEO of Warnaco, the company was on the verge of bankruptcy. However, through business practices implemented by Gromek, Warnaco has not only avoided bankruptcy, but also has

Photo from the FIT website. flourished. Today, the name Warnaco is synonymous with quality, innovation, and fiscal success. Gromek attributes these accomplishments to emphasis on product along with well executed global branding. With plans to double the revenue of the various Calvin Klein lines over the course of the next five years, Gromek certainly has a lot on his plate. But armed with experience and effective management skills, no CEO could be more suitable for the job. If for some reason one remains unconvinced by Gromek’s ability to operate a multi-billion dollar corporation such as Warnaco, Inc., consider his response to a question regarding the hiring process, “I like to hire people who work harder and are smarter than I am… that’s why I hire a lot of women.” Now that’s a good business strategy!

W27

Dear Industry

@Rebecca Minkoff

Sephora Sensorium: Fragrance for the Senses By Amanda Alayan Every year, beauty lovers look forward to seeing how major brands of the world will captivate senses and empty pockets. This year, the answer is clear: technology. From the products themselves to the advertising campaigns, technology is going to be the driving force.

a dark room filled with eight closet-sized rooms, each padded with white crate walls. Inside each small closet was a set of headphones that played a two-minute audio clip featuring testimonials of individuals who have lost their sense of smell.

Sensorium: Lucid Dreams from the Sensory World, magic by Firmenrich, presented by Sephora, is the first technology infused fragrance exhibit. The Sensorium is a digital journey created to evoke your best memories through the sense of smell by using superior technology. Sephora consultant and project manager, Kerry O’Day says, “I really don’t think this could have been technologically possible 5 years ago. How they linked sound and smell is really impressive.”

The third part of the Sensorium was a journey through recognizable smells. Giant monitors that engaged attendees, played 4D video clips to accompany the scents that filled the room. “The visuals brought the smells to life,” said a visitor who attended the exhibit.

The journey began in a hallway filled with three-dimensional art, film, and interactive displays depicting the history of fragrance. The “deprivation room”,

By Caroline Whiteley Upon first seeing Daniel Saynt, one might be a little intimidated. Here is the man that started Fashion Indie, one of the 99 most influential fashion blogs, which hit 1.2 million readers per month before being sold to lookbook.nu. As of last January, Saynt is the now the Global Marketing Director at Rebecca Minkoff, where his job entails setting the direction for communicating with their customer.

Photo courtesy of ShoppingBlog.com.

The fourth dimension was the “lab of emotions” room, where four common characteristics associated with fragrance were displayed on small monitors. Each emotion had three Firmenich fragrances to smell, along with audio to compliment each respective feeling. The fifth installation, the “room of lucid dreams,” was the most astonishing and technologically advanced part of

the entire experience. O’Day attributed the technology capabilities to Apple by stating, “The entire Sensorium was created using Apple devices.” Visitors stand in front of four different screens and sniff through a nose-piece, and then breathing activates the video screen to depict a “lucid dream”. Lastly, the visitors weree able to smell six scents at the Sensorium fragrance bar. Scents were categorized in the following order: addictive, casual, playful and polished. Firmenich’s intention for creating the scent bar was to show that one may the scent of a fragrance without the influence of a brand name. The person could later ask the fragrance bar tender to reveal the name of the fragrances.

Q&A: Yuan Zhang of ShopNear.me By Taisa Veras http://bit.ly/tRLVq8

The Sensorium will be open until November 27th. Free admission with student ID.

Zara Launches E-Commerce By Rachelle Balagtas Hailing from Spain, Zara is the flagship store for Inditex, one of the world’s largest fashion retail groups. With clothing and accessories, Zara has easily made its mark across the globe with its trendiness. It first came to the US—New York City’s Lexington Avenue, to be precise— in 1989, and so far there are seven establishments in Manhattan. It produces undoubtedly fast, new designs are in store within two weeks’ time. Zara is known for bringing quality products to the masses at sensible prices, so of course it’s time for Zara to do so by implementing one of the easiest buying processes for the consumer: the internet.

Launched on September 7th, Zara’s online platform delivered to consumers a complete range of women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing, all of which are available in-store and still at the same prices. There are no tricks here; with free standard delivery to all 50 states of the US, purchasing clothes on Zara online is virtually—pun intended—the same as buying the products in-stores. There are also standard payment methods such as PayPal to all major credit cards, so there isn’t any worry for difficult payment procedures, and returning or exchanging clothes is as difficult as tying your shoelaces. One can easily buy things as

you would if you were in the store, with the exception of having to sort through racks for your size and waiting in line. Zara Online meets all the benefits of online shopping. The importance of Zara Online is actually a lot more significant than what one would normally think. Fast fashion is really what Zara is all about, so it has been a long wait for Zara to actually launch an online platform. In September 2010, Inditex launched the Zara shopping site for Spain, the UK, Germany, Italy, Portugal and France. “Zara’s move online in the US is overdue as it’s the largest online apparel market in the world,” said Sucharita Mulpuru of Forrester Research analyst for e-commerce shopping. Instead of expanding the brand’s real estate— there are nearly 50 Zara stores in the US as of July 2011—in order to compete with H&M’s 200-some shops in the US, the launch of an e-site is something different to beat the competition out with.

Zara also made online shopping more interactive with the release of Zara +Connect!, a free iPad application available through the iTunes App store. Inditex had an app released for Zara for over a year now, but with +Connect!, US iPad users now have the opportunity to shop online at Zara.com while simultaneously sharing their “shopping experiences” with their friends through video chat, audio, and text messaging. According to Zara’s Public Relations office in America, the free download is meant to help “users replicate the experience of shopping with friends in regular stores”. With the iPad, shoppers can invite two additional contacts to assist them in his or her online shopping trip. +Connect! allows consumers to combine the ease of online shopping with the desire to socialize together, something which usually comes packaged with in-store shopping.

Follow ZARA on Twitter at @ZARA_US Screenshot of the new Zara website.

FIT

Originally coming from a background in e-commerce, the Berkeley graduate worked with a number of start-ups similar to Groupon. “I grew up through the first tech bubble and really wanted to be involved with what’s happening in technology,” he said. Saynt launched Fashion Indie in 2005, a blog focusing on fashion trends and movements and connecting it to real-life experiences. Fashion Indie was one of the first blogs of this kind, and Saynt saw the rapid influence in blogs from the mid- to late 2000’s, where the fashion world’s perception of blogs was changing rapidly and therefore consulting for brands changed rapidly as well. “I remember when bloggers weren’t invited to shows and it was still this whole “dirty little four letter word” and Anna Wintour thought a blog was so disgusting that she wouldn’t even use it at Vogue. And look where we are now!” he said, smirking. During his time at Fashion Indie, Saynt consulted for Burberry, Mercedes-Benz, Harry Winston, H&M, Fashion Barn, and roughly a dozen more clients including Rebecca Minkoff, who asked him to come on board after Fashion Indie was sold. Initiating and strengthening relationships with Bloggers has been one of Saynt’s main focus at Rebecca Minkoff. By advertising mostly online and through blog posts instead of print campaigns, the brand not only saves on promotional expenses, but it also reaches out to the target audience of the company—young, aspirational consumers who appreciate Rebecca Minkoff products as a stylish, fashion-forward option. The Rebecca Minkoff brand has a huge online presence through its website and its blog “Minkette”. It is also famous for reaching out to other Bloggers and marking them “Brand Ambassadors”— bloggers who promote the brand by wearing their products. Famous Brand Ambassadors include Leandra Medine of “The Man Repeller” and Rumi Neely of “Fashion Toast” who represent the aesthetic of the brand and speak to the kind of customer the company wants to connect with. A win-win situation, in Saynt’s opinion. “A lot of times we find girls because they’re wearing our stuff and tag it onlookbook.nu and we reach out to them and say ‘thank you so much for being a fan’ and that fosters a relationship that we continue,” he said. It is not just female Bloggers that have acted as Brand Ambassadors for the brand. Since the launch of the Ben Minkoff label, which produces men’s accessories, Saynt has focused more around key influential street style

photographers like Scott Schuman (The Sartorialist) and Tommy Ton (Jak & Jil), focusing more on the men behind the camera. “We’re introducing them to our products so that they get excited about seeing a Rebecca Minkoff bag,” he said, “it all flows together very nicely.”

NOVEMBER 2011

Daniel Saynt

For Saynt, Bloggers are stronger and more important in the fashion world as ever. “We see these girls as our new celebrities, our new models and they do become muses for the brand,” said Saynt. Rebecca Minkoff demonstrated this when she had Leandra Medine (“The Man Repeller”) walk the runway for her Spring/Summer 2012 collection. Medine filmed the experience on her iPhone and put it up on her blog for all her readers to see. In the fashion industry, blogging is almost comparable to reality TV. There was a time when models, celebrities and socialites were the only style influencers. In the 21st Century, bloggers have the possibility to become style influencers, some even celebrities. For example, Blogger Elin Kling has designed for H&M and was a cast member on the Swedish version of Dancing With The Stars and the party photography blog The Cobrasnake launched the international career of Mark Hunter. Saynt believes it won’t be long until Vogue will feature a Blogger on its cover. “Once that happens, we’re going to see what we always wanted—real girls in the fashion. That’s what the Internet has allowed and that’s what blogging allows. We’re just fortunate enough to be a little bit ahead of that.”

Socialyte @ By Caroline Nelson The world of fashion blogging can be a tough one to navigate. How do you start a blog, who’s your audience, and how do you receive compensation for your work? Socialyte.co/, a blog-centric website founded by Daniel Saynt, the global marketing director at Rebecca Minkoff, has the answers. “Being a blogger and doing it for so long and just realizing the struggles that come from being a blogger, we wanted a company out there that was helping bloggers and actually caring, rather than just trying to find out ways to make money off them,” said Saynt, founder of the pioneering site Fashion Indie. Socialyte’s tagline is “The Fashion and Beauty Blogger’s Blog,” and it connects influential fashion bloggers to brands. This simple concept can help bloggers who are getting major traffic and hits on their sites to use their skills to promote products and create sales for that brand While the site can help bloggers find jobs, it is not per say, a blogger agency. Saynt compared his site’s services to those provided by managers that guide talents in the media industry and stated, “We’re acting more as a manager for a blogger, really looking at it beyond just the deals that make us money, and more about the relationships that we can establish for them, that will help further their career.”

Portrait taken by Jacquelyn Clifford.

Socialyte makes sure its members are engaged with audiences through partnerships with Lookbook.nu, an outfit photo posting site, BlogLovin’, a blog following site that provides users with a list of updates from all the blogs they follow, and International Fashion Bloggers (IFB), a social network for fashion bloggers. Information and advice from IFB events and panels are regularly posted on the Socialyte blog. “Out of all the sites that are out there, those two provide the most traffic for bloggers, which is why we have such a strong relationship with them,” said Saynt. Brands and bloggers are brought together through customized promotions that are meant to drive sales and excite consumers. “When we get customized, we’re looking at how we apply what this blogger does to what your business is trying to accomplish. We’re looking at, here’s an individual who has X talent, how do we take that talent and make it into an exciting story that gets you press, and gets you attention, and then gets customers through your door?” explained Saynt. These promotions allow bloggers to take a featured product and demonstrate ways to use or wear it that appeal to their audience while making profit for themselves and for the brand they represent. However, not every blogger can have this opportunity. In order to be a member of Socialyte, one must register and wait for

approval. Bloggers that are approved by the site have a distinct audience, style, regular updates, and a big following. “You have to be focused, you have to speak to at least 10,000 people a month before we even allow you in and we have to be able to track that, ” said Saynt. Currently, the site has over 100 bloggers as members with over 500 pending memberships. This social media platform’s content will continue to develop over time but Saynt already has a vision of what he would like to feature on the site. “There will be more style posts, there will be more editorial features around the clothing. It’s going to feel a little bit more like a fashion magazine that’s kind of curated by this individual. At the same time, it will cater to the bloggers we speak to, with tips and advice,” he said. With the amount of success the site has experienced so far, it is looking to expand the opportunities for brand and blogger collaborations through the development of an iPhone app and an e-commerce platform that sells blogger-approved merchandise. “[Bloggers] are the new retailers. They’re reaching an audience; they’re selling to a customer,” said Saynt.

DEAR INDUSTRY

W27

BEAUTY BUZZ: Organic Nail Polish Raquel Rose Burger: How did you come up with the idea to create this nail polish line? Meilissa Huynh: Well, as a young girl I always loved nail polish. Having grown up in my mother’s nail salon owned by my stepfather (who was also a nail technician), had a life changing effect on me. My stepfather later died from leukemia. When I started Curtsy & Bow, my research on chemicals that went into a typical nail polish was shocking. I learned about toxic chemicals and how they were causes of infertility, cancer, and diseases such as leukemia. When I found that out, the drive to create an organic nail product was on high-gear. Ever since then, I’ve been a talking billboard for natural and organic driven beauty products.

Technology Feature Think Different.

By Raquel Rose Burger

Melissa Huynh, an FIT Senior, majoring in Production Management: Fashion & Related Industries, started to mix and play with nail polish colors at the age of six. Along side her mother, she learned about the beauty business starting with nails, and thereafter, skin care. “My whole family worked in this industry so I guess you can say that its in my blood,” said Huynh.

NOVEMBER 2011

By Fernanda DeSouza RRB: Curtsy & Bow is such a cute name, how did you come up with it? MH: Thanks! I’ve always had a love for bows and while deciding on a name that reflected everything the brand stands for, I started to Google all types of names including “Lady and Bows”(Lady is my dog’s name, she’s a 4.6 lb Morkie). The first thing that came up was a definition and history on curtsy and bow. It spoke about how up until the 17th century, this was a lady-like gesture that girls and women were required to do at fancy balls and royal parties to show class, respect, and lady-like mannerisms. The second definition was about ballet and theatre performers curtsying and bowing after a performance to show thanks and humble grace to the audience. This is the message that I’d like for young girls to remember.

I just loved how poised and polished the image of the definition brought to my mind as I started creating, and I guess the rest is history (well the present for us). I decided to incorporate “curtsy” (a lady-like gesture) and “bow” (a pretty looking gift). RRB: How long was your line in production process before it was actually launched? MH: Well we wanted to create a product that was as organic as one could get with nail polish, so after developing and testing, the right formula was finalized after about 6 months and then launched 4 months after that. So a total of 10 months. RB: How many products are available so far? MH: Our debut Yacht Club Collection features 5 lacquers and 2 deco top coats.

Breakthrough Beauty Apps By Briana D’Andrea

Sephora To Go

Hair Cast

Sephora lovers are in for a treat. One of Apple’s most downloaded apps, the Sephora To Go app, has tons of features that will excite any beauty obsesser. No need to go to a computer to look up customer reviews and ratings. Sephora To Go allows users to scan any product in any store location and instantly receive ratings and reviews. Searching for a Sephora store is also now an easy feature thanks to GPS capabilities. The app contains beauty advice and how-to videos from Sephora’s own Pro Team. Ipad 2 users can access the Virtual Mirror option that creates a split screen, utilizing the Ipad camera to show a picture of you alongside video tutorials. Even past purchases and beauty insider points are tracked and can be viewed. With the Sephora To Go app, users are updated with the newest products and Sephora obsessions. And the best thing is, it’s free!

Winter is fast approaching and with it comes dry and frizzy hair. Luckily, there is an app that will make every day a good hair day, regardless of weather. Hair Cast gives customized hairstyling tips based on the weather. Finally, frizzy hair can now be avoided! It even takes into consideration hair type when formulating its recommendations. The app is also extremely simple to use. Just enter in a zip code and hair type and voilà, quick styling options. No more bad hair days, anyone?

SPF Recently, skincare has become a major concern. Premature aging, wrinkles, and skin cancer stem from exposure to harmful UV rays from the sun. Sunscreen is more important than ever, especially when spending time outside. With the SPF app, sunburns can be avoided. The SPF Tracker uses GPS to calculate the UV index of a location. Then, based on skin type, users are advised on what kind of sunscreen best suits the conditions. The time span between reapplications is also suggested, taking into account activities such as hiking, swimming, and running.

RRB: What do you hope to include in your line in the future? MH: Planning ahead is always good, so it would make sense to use what I learned and produce it in that same sequence. Next is organic skin care, followed by apparel, but first more lacquer colors. Stay tuned! RRB: What have you learned at FIT that has helped you create this line? MH: I would definitely say that majoring in production management taught me everything I needed to get started in producing a cosmetic line. Its tedious structure, scientific, technical and just enough creative control. I love production management! For more information, visit CurtsyandBow.com. Special offer of $5 off on your next online purchase with the promo code CB9024 (online purchases only, cannot be combined with any other offers, expires 11/31/2011).

YouTube’s Beauty Community By Elizabeth Cross http://bit.ly/rx2zEl

Steve Jobs in a nutshell: A college dropout turned innovator extraordinaire that revolutionized the way humans and technology interact. The visionary whose company started inside a Los Altos, California garage led the creation of what would become a leading global company. Born in San Francisco in 1955, Jobs was adopted by Paul and Clara Jobs shortly before the family’s relocation to Los Altos. Jobs’ early interest in electronics came at the ripe age of twelve and his curiosity for tinkering with electronics landed him an internship at Hewlett-Packard where he met future Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak. The two teenagers decided to create and sell blue boxes, a device that allowed free international calling. Needless to say, this was illegal and discovering that their invention worked (after prank calling the Vatican), both Steves came to the realization that technology was more than a hobby. In 1972, Jobs enrolled at Reeds College, a prestigious liberal arts school in Oregon. “After six months, I couldn’t see the value in it,” stated Jobs in his famous 2005 Stanford University Commencement Address, “So I decided to drop out and trust that it would all work out okay. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. The minute I dropped out, I could stop taking the required courses that didn’t interest me and begin dropping in on the ones that looked far more interesting.” Everything did work out okay for Jobs. He began auditing classes that caused him to stumble upon a unique calligraphy course offered at Reeds. Jobs credited this class as the inspiration for the multiple typefaces and typography elements behind Apple’s first Macintosh. “If I had never dropped in that single course in college, the Mac would never have had the multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts [it has today]. And since Windows just copied the Mac, it’s likely that no personal computer would have them,” joked Jobs. Although he had very little exposure to the ordinary college life, Jobs significantly shifted the way technology plays in the education industry. Worldwide, campuses have continually added Apple products to their learning facilities. Apple products have contributed to the hands-on experience behind the roots of learning, a new perspective that integrates simplicity and—let’s be honest—style. Professor Nicole Ruimy, French professor here at FIT, couldn’t agree more. “Apple has shown students that it can be fun to study by using their different programs and apps. All of them involve more intuition rather than proficiency in order to use them,”she stated.

Apple will continue to entice students and teachers with the ample programs and apps provided by their products. In the past two years, Apple has invited education officials—all trip expenses paid—from Little Falls, Minnesotta to to their Silicon Valley headquarters to dine and discuss the educational value behind Apple’s products with top executives and engineers from the company. These “executive briefings” attract the officials that have the influence on deciding the way students learn every day. This has proven a key factor behind Apple’s intent and outlook on education. “What is wrong with education cannot be fixed by technology,” stated Jobs in Wired Magazine. However, the adoption rate of Apple products and services in educational institutions has increased over the years. An avid user of the iPad (both in and outside the classroom), Professor Ruimy added, “It is so much more practical because I don’t have to carry four different books with me! I have on my iPad the e-book with its vast specific website and its own management system, the same program students have on their computer. And more and more students are doing that because they are no longer obliged to buy the book on paper.” In fact, in Walter Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs, Isaacson writes that Jobs had desires

to shake up the textbook publishing market with his sleek tablet. “It is less expensive for the students and better for a sustainable society,” said Professor Ruimy. No matter the intent, Steve Jobs’ worldchanging contributions will linger long after his death as one of the most technologically-advanced techniques to play part in the ever-changing educational system.

Illustrated for W27 by Emily Sherman.

TECHNOLOGY FEATURE

W27

Influential Social Media Companies Whilst various social networking sites allow members to share digital images and ideas, Pinterest creates a virtual pinboard in which members can create their own inspiration boards and share their “pins” with other users. The site was launched in March 2010 and has recorded steady growth since that time. Individuals apply for an invitation to join the site, and once accepted, are able to create their own boards. According to the company’s community manager Enid Hwang, the company is invite-only since it helps manage growth, but “everyone who requests an invite to the site receives one…and users can send as many invites as they want to their friends.” Once accepted, users create boards which are groups of pins (an image added to the site) that typically express a particular mood or theme. Users can follow other users, or simply follow individual boards.

The Pinterest concept sprang from the idea of collecting ideas and images and sharing them in a similar manner to how other content is shared on the Internet. “Pinning can express not only what someone is interested in – such as graphic design or high fashion – but it also expresses someone’s personal taste, which you can’t get from a typical status message,” said Hwang. Rather than competing with other social networking platforms, the company embraces them. Indeed, the Pinterest philosophy is that the concept of the site stems organically from existing virtual networks. Hwang believes that Pinterest and blogs are symbiotic and states “a lot of bloggers use Pinterest to help organize images for blog content since our Pin It bookmark automatically saves the sourcelink for the image.”

Pinterest is a “social experience” that has benefited significantly from advances in other social networking sites. Interaction with established bloggers is important to the company’s growth. “Being recommended by bloggers really allowed Pinterest to grow organically by wordof-mouth,” said Hwang. The Facebook and Twitter revolution has also been crucial. Hwang believes that joining with Facebook or Twitter allows new “pinners” to find their friends who are already on Pinterest easily. Many users join based on invitations from friends, and it is this interaction between virtual and reality that is attractive to many users. Pinterest is a site that provides a resfreshing take on sharing ideas and inspirations with friends. “We really believe Pinterest is for everyone and any person should be able to go to Pinterest and instantly find things they love,” said Hwang.

NOVEMBER 2011

Designers Using Social Media By Caroline Nelson

By Elizabeth Cross

FIT

Designing and producing a fashion line is no easy task, but with Afingo. com designers can rise to the challenge. Deemed the “match.com of the fashion industry”, Afingo.com was re-launched in May of this year and is already helping 300 users find contractors, according to Jacueline Leng, the site’s Sales Director.

By Ayana Bryant-Weekes & Asiah James

By Gabriella Ferreira Inspired to become an entrepreneur at a young age, Ella T. Gorgla, combined our era of information and social media to create I-ELLA. If you aren’t already familiar with this site, I-ELLA facilitates any woman to sell, borrow, or trade their clothes at the click of a button.

bit.ly/s3H9Ln

“At first,” she said, “the site was private,” being only accessible to to certain celebrities, editors, stylists, and bloggers. These influential fashionistas were the first to let the cyber-world know about I-ELLA. Soon, this invitation-only site collected eager shoppers such as celebrities and bloggers from Whitney Port to The Man Repeller.

Afingo was founded by Liza Deyrmenjian, a consultant and former factory owner in 2010 and has since been remade into an online business-to-business (B2B) tool that “matches” designers to certain contractors who fit their production needs, at the same time providing fashion-consulting services. Designers must register, “create a project,” and then “create a style” to use the site’s services. “The idea is to standardize the approach so all our contractors are getting the same and exact information they need. We want the designers to think through what they want to make, and we want the contractors to receive standardized, easy to understand requests. This is about creating efficiency on both sides,” said Leng, explaining the reasons for these requirements.

With over 32,000 fans on Facebook and a Twitter, social interaction is key to this company. “Every time a beautiful piece lands on I-ELLA, we share it with our followers,” said Gorgla, “Word of mouth has been huge. After members list their first piece on I-ELLA and it sells, they begin telling their friends and spreading the word.”

Philanthropy is another factor that Gorgla has also integrated to her site, 10% of every item sold goes to charity. “I-ELLA combines my love of fashion, interest in business and technology, and my belief in philanthropy.” I-ELLA has been featured in renowned magazines all across the board, “We’ve been featured in Lucky, InStyle,” and her site was voted one of the “Top 10 Startups to Watch” by Time Inc. which was one of Gorgla’s proudest achievements. Although Gorgla has achieved a lot, she still has plans for the site to expand, “I would like I-ELLA to become a way of life; that every weekend, we go into our closets, chose pieces we no longer wear, photograph and list it,” she said. For more information, visit I-ELLA.com.

For more information, visit Pinterest.com

By Elizabeth Cross

Whilst cash-strapped students are certainly not a new phenomenon, the growth of social networking has sparked a revolution of “deal” sites that claim to help alleviate the problem. Despite the preponderance of such sites currently available to the savvy consumer, The University Network (TUN) has successfully carved out a niche amongst its competitors, offering a wide variety of relevant and appealing savings specifically for college students. Launched in early 2010 by now CEO Peter Corrigan, TUN has grown rapidly and currently offers over 20,000 deals daily to college students all over the United States. According to Corrigan, the company’s aim is to help students “save as much money as they can on items they need or want from local shops around them.” This reflects the company’s unique locationcentric approach to deals, encouraging students to “connect to their local community,” according to sales consultant Scott Goryeb. Over 200 schools are now listed on the site and the number is rapidly expanding, up from 105 at the beginning of the summer. Each college location has a unique set of deals available to its students, as TUN deals directly with businesses to create the most relevant deals for their customers. “We encourage the merchants to create great deals for our students. If they are not willing to do so, they do not make it onto our site,” said Corrigan. The site also sets itself apart from its competitors such as Groupon.com by the relevance and timeliness of its deals. Goryeb stated, “TUN wants to save

students money on things they are already spending money on.” Furthermore, the deals are ongoing and generally available with the production of a college ID. Employee Shannon Eberly pointed out that offering deals “at all times, to all students…who don’t have to purchase them online” adds to the convenience of the site. The interactive approach employed by the company also allows students to flag deals that are no longer available, making the site significantly more reliable. Like many other start-ups, TUN has benefited significantly from integration with social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Eberly, who oversees the company’s Facebook page, recognizes how critical such platforms have become in getting a company out into the public domain. “Interns would tell their friends and they’d like us and then the whole thing sort of snowballed,” she explained. The company now has over 10,000 “likes” on its Facebook page, that includes a combination of humorous asides and additional deal information, and acts as the key social interaction element that is increasingly important in drawing in young consumers. Operating out of midtown Manhattan, the company has grown to become a team of six full-time employees. The work environment is vibrant and enthusiastic, with employees “really doing a mix of everything,” according to Eberly. Despite only launching recently, the company has a thriving internship program, taking in ten interns over the summer with plans to increase their intake next year. As Goryeb stated, “our interns are college students and we service college students, so it is invaluable to get their perspective on the product.” For more information, visit TUN.com.

create common travel funds that solve the problem of choosing a team leader. As part of the overall experience of goodwill that the site aims to create, customers are encouraged to donate any leftover funds to a number of eco-charities affiliated with myTab. By Elizabeth Cross While the ritual of scouring the Internet for the best deals on flights and accommodation exhausts many would-be travelers before they even set foot out the door, San Francisco based startup myTab aims to help streamline the process by setting up a one-stop shop in which travellers can, according to founder Heddi Cundle, “plan and book in one go.” According to Cundle, the online travel industry is a minefield of inefficiency, with people flitting from one online travel provider to the next to find the best price, only to change their mind at the last minute 85-90% of the time. Even though there is often little meaningful difference between prices, travelers are often so paralyzed by their fear of missing out on a better deal that they are unable to commit. For Cundle, this was a “no-brainer” of a problem and she was shocked that nobody had perceived it sooner. Her solution is the recently launched myTab: an e-commerce platform that allows travelers to build their own travel fund on the site, either by transferring money from their own bank account or by accepting monetary gifts from family and friends (via integration with Facebook and PayPal), that can then be redeemed on the site for flights, hotels and other travel related expenses. She compares it to a gift card as when the money is already in consumers’ pockets, it eliminates the fear of missing out on a better deal. The site also allows groups of travelers to

It took some time for consumers and technology to catch up to Cundle’s vision. She initially conceived the idea of myTab during an interview with a travel company in 2005, but had to wait for Facebook and PayPal to become mainstream before the company could launch successfully as both are integral to the company’s strategy. Nevertheless, since the recent re-design of the site that incorporates a bolder, brighter aesthetic, web traffic has spiked, according to Cundle. Capitalizing on the social networking element of the site, Cundle is particularly keen to create ongoing interaction between users of the site through YouTube integration and an interactive blogging component to the site. Also on the horizon is expansion into the US outbound and international market as well as the launch of geo-location technology that will allow travellers to coordinate their travel plans from different corners of the globe. Cundle’s fierce enthusiasm and ability to adapt to change almost instantaneously has been the cornerstone of her 18 year career in PR and marketing, and has set her in good position to achieve her lofty goals for the company For more information, visit myTab.co

In “Behind the Seams with Afingo’s CEO and Co-Founder, Liza Deyrmenjian,” an interview piece by The Daily Front Row’s Alexandra Ilyashov, Deyrmenjian explained that these designers answer a series of questions about their design history, the materials they work with, and their production and pricing strategies in order to be matched with the most relevant of the 400 worldwide factories Afingo partners with. Deyrmenjian also promotes networking and education through Afingo’s annual Fashion Forums and school outreach programs that included a June 2011 Global Fashion Business class for FIT students taught from Moscow State University. In addition to the August 23, 2011 Fashion Forum at MAGIC Trade Show in Las Vegas and The Soho House Forums on October 4 and November 14, 2011, another Soho House Fashion Forum is planned for January 10, 2012. These forums feature top design talent such as Aimee Cho of Gryphon, and Lisa Salzar of Lulu Frost. Sales Director Leng said the site is hoping to take the forums abroad to London and Berlin next year, in addition to hosting five in the United States. While these events are impressive for such a young site, the Afingo staff is working to improve the site’s reach by launching ShopToko.com, a B2B sales site that offers discounted wholesale merchandise from established and emerging designers to independent retailers and counts designer Cynthia Rowley as a member of the advisory board. In the future, Afingo could even help to inform fashion enthusiasts in the public. “We want to offer more access to the general audience by moving the content in front of the pay wall. There are also many other improvements, such as a more extensive video library in the works,” said Leng. For more about Afingo, visit Afingo.com.

By Caroline Nelson To average college students, Spring 2013 is a long way away, but to retailers and brands, the time to think about that season is now. That’s where Stylesight.com comes in. The site, founded in 2003 by Frank Bober, former fashion designer and Founder of CMT Enterprises, is a creative platform for many designers, retailers, beauty brands and even restaurants. Based in New York City with headquarters in London, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, the website provides trend forecasting services, along with extensive coverage of fashion weeks, trade shows, cultural events, street style, and design news to companies all over the world. All these features help provide clients with the tools to capitalize on the next big trends in fashion, color, beauty, and lifestyle. With so much to look at, it can be difficult to imagine the process the site’s staff goes through to select trends. “The editing process always starts with looking at and analyzing thousands of runway images each season, with an eye towards finding similar currents or what I call ‘pattern recognition,” said Sharon Graubard, Senior Vice President of Trend Analysis at Stylesight. The team then connects these patterns with the latest developments in music, movies, art, and social development. Trends aren’t necessarily culled from a myriad of factors, however. “A trend can start with a single image—a piece of art or a film still or a vintage photo, or even a mood on the street—and then the trend is built outward from there,” said Graubard. This work is done by a dedicated, timeconscious group of editors and forecasters; people who Graubard referred to as “self-starters” with “good communication skills, visual, written and verbal, because in the end, that is how content is presented—words and images.”

In addition to forward-looking trend forecasts, Stylesight’s team also creates runway reports that focus on specific aspects of the latest designer collections such as materials, accessories, color, and even trims through the use of meticulously organized, high-resolution photographs and videos. The site’s diverse clients, including Adidas, Michael Kors, and Walmart, have all these tools and more at their disposal. According to Graubard, clients are able to tailor their site subscriptions to their individual needs through home page customization and through the use of Stylesight’s consulting service, Stylesight Bespoke. The site identifies four key trends each season that it applies over a range of fashion and lifestyle categories. “For a trend to be really successful, it must resonate on all levels and for all (almost all) markets. Then it is up to the client, whether their product is a designer label or mass-market brand, to interpret it for their clientele,” said Graubard. These services are supplemented by the annual LIVE (Lifestyle, Inspiration, Vision, Expertise) event series that takes place in New York, Hong Kong, and Paris and feature Graubard and Isham Sardouk, Senior Vice President of Trend Forecasting as this year’s keynote speakers. While Stylesight was created for industry use, FIT students can take advantage of the site’s offerings by subscribing to Stylesight through the databases of the FIT Library, and through its public blog (blog.stylesight.com), Twitter (@ StyleSight), Facebook page (facebook.com/ stylesighters) and Tumblr blog (stylesight. tumblr.com). Additionally, iPhone and iPad users who are interested in trends on the go can use the Style Traveler Mobile App, or wait for the next Stylesight news app expected to debut later this year. For more information, visit Stylesight.com

TECHNOLOGY FEATURE

W27

Tumblr Generation

By Venus Wong By Rich Gilmartin

By Caroline Nelson just allow you to get a much more intimate look at who they are as a person, but also how they interact and engage within a community, especially online,” he said. Tong cited the ability to learn intimate details about people without ever speaking to them as a main attraction for site users. “I learn about the things that inspire this person, the things that they find are funny, the things that they are working on, their sort of daily routine. You can’t go anywhere on the web and actually learn that about an individual […] You can go to their Tumblr and actually learn these things,” he explained.

What sets Tumblr apart from other social media sites is its use as a platform for professional and creative endeavors. “Use your blog as a tool to do something, to achieve something, to find more people that find more creative individuals, to publish your own work,” said Tong. Various artists, photographers, illustrators, and designers from all fields use Tumblr to showcase their creations. Bloggers such as Erica Domesck of PS I Made This, and Erik Trinidad of FancyFastFood.com, have turned their successful sites into book deals and have been featured in numerous online and print publications including InStyle Magazine, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.

When Rich Tong Met Tumblr

Tumblr also helps brands connect to consumers if the company feels the community would be positively affected. “Depending on the project, the brands and what they’re looking to do and how it benefits our overall community, we then decide to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to working with the company,” said Tong. If accepted, the Tumblr team would then work with the brands to help them develop custom themes or content. In addition to magazines such as Vogue and T, clothing brands including Club Monaco and TopShop use Tumblr as an outlet to show off their inspirations, designs, and company culture.

Tumbling into the Professional World

By Fernanda DeSouza

By Camilla Mayer Everyday, large companies in news, entertainment, and fashion are joining the Tumblr conversation. Since the birth of this fouryear-old instant blogging platform, fashion has steadily become one of the largest community on Tumblr. Blogs have always been encouraged in the fashion realm for students, and in many ways is the new business card. But the choice of which platform to use has shifted towards Tumblr due to its accesibility to an easy, visually stimulating, and minimalist dashboard.

Rich Tong checking his iPhone; photographed by Jacquelyn Clifford. From an early age, Rich Tong, Fashion Director at Tumblr, aspired to become an architect. “I went to school for architecture because I thought I wanted to be an architect through and through, probably since I was fourteen.” But Tong realized one thing, “architects don’t make any money,” he said with a laugh. Leaving Cornell University with a degree in hand, Tong took a position at Coach as a corporate architect in store design. But Coach was not his calling.

with what he described as a “crash course on Internet, start-ups, technology and fashion, all wrapped in the span of two short years.”

“What I didn’t like about that job in particular was, I was 23, I felt like all I was learning was how to manage people and not, I’d say, skills or knowledge that I felt were applicable to my life at that time,” he said. After nine months, Tong and a friend from high school decided to quit their jobs on the same day and jump onto the Internet start-up bandwagon,which at the time seemed like it “was possibly the worst idea ever,” since neither knew much about start-ups.

Leaving Weardrobe behind, Tong began to freelance for multiple start-up sites doing front-end web design and web development for the nine months. Tong’s opportunity with Tumblr came when he met David Karp, Founder of Tumblr, over lunch. “I had known him [David Karp] from doing Weardrobe a while back and I started talking about a few things that he wanted to do and was working on,” he said. Tong had a vision for the fashion section of Tumblr—he believed that he could create a community dedicated solely to fashion. “ They hadn’t really paid attention to individual communities just yet, but fashion was rapidly growing and becoming one of the largest communities,” said Tong, “it kind of just made sense for me to join the team and head the fashion [department].”

Tong first embarked on his endeavor in social media platforms, when he cofounded Weardrobe, a fashion community where people post daily outfit photos. An idea reminiscent of Lookbook or Chictopia. Two years later, Weardrobe, was acquired by Like.com who was later acquired by Google. This chain of events left Tong

Keeping true to his words, Tumblr’s fashion society has grown rapidly in the past year. For the past two New York Fashion Week seasons, Tumblr has sent fashion bloggers to cover the shows and plan to cover international shows in the near future. It seems that Rich Tong has definitely found his calling.

NOVEMBER 2011 Reasons to start a Tumblr

Tumblr’s Second Coverage of New York Fashion Week

Tumblr the Influencer

Tumblr was launched in February of 2007 and is now host to about 33,023,776 blogs. According to audience measurement site Quatncast, Tumblr is now the 27th most popular website in the United States, with Facebook, ranked at #2 (founded in 2004), Twitter, ranked at #5 (founded in 2006). Though Tumblr is essentially a micro-blogging site, Rich Tong, the Fashion Director of Tumblr, stressed the importance of community in the Tumblr universe, identifying the site as an important social media platform. Tong explained how friends, colleagues, and employers can learn about people through their Tumblr blogs, “It does not

FIT

Clicking the archive button of a Tumblr allows a reader to catch a glimpse of previous posts from photographers Terry Richardson to Beauty Editor Eva Chen and Nick Wooster. Their official Tumblr pages gives you a more intimate and visual demonstration of their lifestyle than that of Facebook or Twitter.

This past September marked the 2nd time Tumblr has covered New York Fashion Week. Rich Tong, Fashion Director at Tumblr, along with his team spent weeks reviewing hundreds of submissions from hopeful bloggers who wished to cover the highly glamorous tent shows. In the end, they chose 20 of the most unique and creative fashion bloggers in the Tumblr community. For the Spring/Summer 2012 shows, the Tumblr team picked 16 new bloggers as well as 4 previous ones. Rich Tong expressed his excitement for the collaborations on his personal blog stating, “I’m extremely proud of the 16 amazing individuals which we chose, as they each contribute unique points of view on womenswear, menswear, beauty, models, personal style and photography. Joining them are four incredibly gifted people from last season, whose exceptional work speaks for itself.” Among the 20 bloggers,one was a student from FIT, Nicole Loher, who created the blog “The Style Student”. Other notable blogs included “WeTheUrban”, “How To Talk To Girls At Parties”, and “High Like Fashion”. They covered the majority of shows at NYFW including major shows, such as Oscar De La Renta. Due to the diversity of Tumblr, it is almost impossible to find redundancy on the social media platform. This was an element that the company aimed to focus on for their coverage of the Spring/ Summer 2012 shows. “Coverage was so much better” said Tong, “One of the things we really focused on this season as compared to the first season was coverage,

This visual demonstration is applicable to fashion students who are exploring different aesthetics and learning how to effectively brand themselves in order to land that job come graduation. “A blog can say a lot about a person, but mostly about the creativity skills they have (or don’t have). Someone who has a well-curated blog full of engaging and original content is instantly going to come across as more appealing for a job than someone who just re-blogs random posts & their content is scattered. We’re in the age of personal branding and the type of things that you publicly put on the Internet says a lot about you,” said Nate Poekert, a brand marketing strategist at PHD Media.

and not just coverage but the quality of coverage, and making sure we were covering the prospective angles.” Each blogger focused on specific areas which provided unique and more comprehensive coverage for viewers. Tong chose not to give any specific guideliens to the bloggers, believeing that the chosen candidates were intelligent enough to know the basis of what to do and not do. Each individual was responsible for fufilling their duties and representing Tumblr properly. Out of the 20 bloggers chosen, only eight were from the New York City area. The rest were flown in for the nine day event. They also received complimentary accommodations, as well as free meals and attended cocktail events with designers who showed during market week. In terms of improving the selection process for next season, Tumblr hopes to automate the process, but at the same time preserving the quality of content. This would save valuable time and relieve stress. The Tumblr recruits bloggers who are able to take a great photo, be aggressive, well- spoken, and be comfortable among other fashion industry professionals. They also look for bloggers with unique international backgrounds. The Social Media site also hopes to send their bloggers to international shows in upcoming seasons. A move to international coverage could position Tumblr to elevate their Fashion Week coverage.

The increasing popularity of Tumblr and its Fashion Week exposure are no doubt great accomplishments. But with overwhelming success, another issue comes to light. “Some people are now blogging just so they can have a shot to cover Fashion Week for Tumblr,” said Tong. “We’ve noticed a significant increase in this type of blogs after the first Tumblr New York Fashion Week season sponsorship.” With more and more establisehd bloggers on the horizon, one may think that it is relatively easy to make a name in the fashion industry by just having a Tumblr. These notions can’t be more wrong. A blog should be re-evaluated by its owner if it is launched only for the following reasons: Fame – With so many stories of bloggers who made it to the mainstream, many believe this can be easily emulated, but what they don’t see is the level of hard work and planning needed to run a blog that has achieved a certain level of fame. Networking – Although networking is regarded as a great activity to advance in the industry, having a blog just to put the domain on business card is in no way impressive. Free products – Receiving free products around the clock and partnering with brands may seem thrilling, but there is a great difference between being in demand among brands/sponsors, and free loading. Hits (and the subsequent ad dollars) – When traffic is valued over content so that ad space can be sold, the integrity of the blog can be compromised. Self Validation – Getting compliments from strangers on the Internet may seem like a peculiar incentive to run a blog, but the psychology behind having one’s ego stroked gives a sense of self validation, and plays an important role in some people’s motives to run a blog. Peer pressure – The pressure of having a blog to market oneself has always been projected upon people who would like to enter the fashion industry. In an environment like FIT, one may feel obliged to start a blog, just because everyone else has one or it’s a good title to have on the resume.

It is also important to keep in mind that through blogs, potential employers are now able to access and decipher one’s aesthetics through a blog’s content, design and layout in order to see if you are a fit for their brand. “I would encourage any aspiring designer or stylist to put their fashion blog on their resume if it reflects who they are creatively, their aesthetic, and especially taste level. It helps to see what inspires a person,” said Jordan Dennett, a women’s designer at J.Crew. Therefore, when blogging any content, keep in mind the purpose of each post and how it reflects one’s image. Will the post be noteworthy or will it just blend with the clutter of the already saturated World Wide Web?

The Tumblr Headquarters in the Midtown East; shot by Jacquelyn Clifford.

“What really impress me are people who start a Tumblr and use it to achieve certain goals in their lives,” said Tong,“Some of our best blogs are by students who share their work on Tumblr, and it is so compelling to be able to have an intimate look at their creative routine, and who they are as individuals.” Successful blogs don’t just come overnight—commitment, hard work and long hours are required to generate interesting content. The easiest way to find one’s voice is to really understand the subject, and be passionate about the blog’s main focus. The readership and exposure will come after.

TECHNOLOGY FEATURE

W27

Technologically Speaking

As a generation we are constantly bombarded with new gadgets, websites and applications. Therefore, we don’t even realize the forward movement in technology- we learn to adapt to the new device or software and move on to the next thing. Trying to imagine the past without Google, DVRs or the clickable mouse is difficult because they are now

By Samantha Vance

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so integral to our daily life. While we no longer think about the camcorder, Nintendo Gameboy, or Friendster as potent influences, they were major players in the shaping of our fluid, tech-drenched world. Our generation--so technology driven, is connected at all times, syncing each device and website with one another like a well-organized ecosystem.

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Adaptation is second nature and comes naturally to our eager, twitching fingers. There’s no doubt that we will be shaping the future’s technology to come but before we even had our first MySpace profiles, great minds before us were changing the industry and the world. Take a trip back in time and discover what devices changed the game for us all.

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Airbus A380 Commodore 64

Voyager 2 reaches Uranus

Satellite Radio Windup Radio DVD

symbolics.com

Twitter Gmail Talkboy Quantum Object GameCube

TCP/IP Android OS HoTMaiL IBM PC

World Wide Web

Xbox Napster

Skype

$100 laptop

Apple IIGS

Siri MS Office

Wii

.com Introduced

Sony PlayStation

USB flash drive

Avatar

Laptop, 1982

Mac OS, 1984

Nintendo Gameboy, 1989

Google, 1996

Blackberry, 1999

iBook, 1999

Friendster, 2002

iPhone, 2007

The earliest portable computers were designed for only the buffest and richest men in town. The Osborne 1, released in 1981, often claims to be the first laptop, but it looked more like a sewing machine than today’s sleek machines, and weighed in at nearly 22lbs. Introduced a year later, the GriD Compass 1100, designed by Brit Bill Moggridge, is a more likely contender. It was the first laptop to sport the now standard “clamshell” case and its lightweight build (8–10lbs) made it a hit with NASA and the US government. However, this snazzy gadget was priced between $8,000 and $10,000—nearly 5 times more expensive than today’s 17-inch MacBook Pro.

Today, we are so conditioned to using a mouse and commanding operations by clicking onscreen or using drag-and-drop, that we can hardly remember text-based interface. This operating system, first introduced as Macintosh System Software, was one of the driving forces in the success of Apple’s Macintosh line. Steve Jobs and the rest of the original Apple team drew an incredible amount of inspiration from the work that Xerox PARC’s team was doing with graphical interfaces. In fact, stock options were actually offered up, in return for a peak into the software’s development. The outcome completely redefined the way we interface with computers—it was the beginning of the end of the text-based operating system.

In the late 1980s, the Game Boy was surely the most sought after toy on the playground. Despite many other superior handheld gamingconsoles introduced during its lifetime, the Game Boy was a tremendous success. The Game Boy and Game Boy Color combined have sold 118.69 million units worldwide. Upon its release in the U.S, it sold its entire shipment of one million units within weeks. Other gaming companies would try to better it but none could top the Game Boy, and its popular games, including Tetris and Super Mario Land, as the best-selling gaming system of all time. In 2009, the Game Boy was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame, 20 years after its introduction.

“Just Google it” has become this generation’s generic term for Internet search. But Google, a public company started in 1996 by Larry Page and Sergey Brinthe, the “Google Guys,” has grown to be so much more than a search engine. It paved the way for other search engine companies like, dogpile, bing and several more. Now, Google brings e-mail, document mangement, App Market Place, translator, and most recently, its own social network Google+ to the table. It is a phenomenon that has been used as a business model in classrooms all over the world. It consistently gives the most tailored, relevant search results and has become the gold standard in Internet searching.

The average office worker will tell you that Blackberry is a boon and a curse. Developed by Research in Motion, and released in 1999, the gadget has provided employees with constant access to email and the Internet. Unfortunately it has also allowed tons of eager bosses to keep employees digitally chained to their cubicles. The device starting making headway in 2003 with the addition of push-emails, Internet browsing and eventually BBM—the messaging service only Blackberry users know and understand. The addictive nature of the device led to the nickname, “Crackberry.”

Most remember this fruity colored laptop series from Legally Blonde, when Elle Woods buys a Tangerine iBook in a bunny costume. The iBook was a line of laptop computers from Apple introduced in 1999. The line boasted lower specifications and prices than the PowerBook that made it appealing to the consumer market. It was a noteworthy departure from previous portable computer designs due to its shape, bright colors, addition of a handle into the casing, and built-in wireless connection. Soon after its introduction, Apple aborted the oyster shape for the more conventional rectangle design, but the innovative structure and fruitinspired color theme raised the bar for other tech companies.

Before any of us were “poking” our friends, or writing on virtual walls, people connected through Friendster. Friendster.com went live in 2002 and was quickly adopted by three million users in just a few months. Friendster’s rapid success inspired a generation of social networking websites including Dogster and Elfster which also used the technique of networking individuals in cyber communities. It was considered the top online social network until 2004 when it was overtaken by Myspace, according to Nielsen/NetRatings. Myspace,it’s sucessor, quickly became popular and was then swallowed by Facebook—which most of us now use excessively.

The crowds of people that lined up outside Apple retailers are a telltale sign of the hold the company’s game changing device has on society. The iPhone was the phone that changed it all. Apple’s first cell phone wasn’t the first smartphone, but it is the one that set the bar for every phone thereafter. Apple brought its clean, easy-to-use interface to a space that was once overly complicated. The iPhone gave mobile users multi-touch control on a dazzling screen and a new way of web browsing. The following year, Apple completely reinvented the device, with the launch of its App Store, a vast marketplace for third party programs that redefined mobile software and coined the term, “there’s an app for that.”

Camcorder, 1983

SMS, 1992

Motorola StarTAC, 1996

TiVo, 1999

iPod, 2001

Kindle, 2007

iPad 2009

We are all very well accustomed to quickly whipping out our smart phones to catch a friend’s graduation or funny impression on video. However, it wasn’t that long ago that capturing moving images required a camera crew, yards of film, and a massive camera. These days, anyone can be a filmmaker. Sony was the first to produce a consumer camcorder with the release of its Betamovie in 1983. A cumbersome device that rested on your shoulder, it was able to record up to 3 hours of footage. The appropriately named Handycam came two years later.

More than Facebook, Twitter, email and phone calls, we text. The accidental triumph that took everyone in the mobile business by surprise, SMS was the success of the consumer. Every generation needs a technology that it can adopt as its own to communicate with—and our generation took up SMS. The Short Message Service (SMS) has developed a generation of communicators, and allowed us to devise our own shorthand text talk to stay in touch and make it easier send messages. The British engineer Neil Papworth sent the first text 15 years ago. It read: “MERRY CHRISTMAS.” The popularity of texts sky-rocketed in the late 90s and now in the US, we send millions every day.

Do you remember the scene from My Best Friends Wedding with Julia Roberts chasing the groom? Wen she whips out that abnormally large flip phone that covers nearly 75% of her face? That, my friends, was the cutting edge Motorola StarTAC. The Motorola StarTAC was unveiled in North America on January 3, 1996. According to PCMAG, before the StarTAC, cell phones were bricks and Motorola wowed the industry with this 3.1 ounce marvel. It’s remembered today as being the first clamshell phone—a characteristic that set the design standard for years to come. The StarTAC sold around 60 million units over the course of its long life. The phone also gets points for introducing the vibrating ring, and featuring SMS texting.

Thanks to the introduction of TiVo in 1999 we now enjoy our favorite shows without being sold baby diapers, much to the dismay of those overworked advertisers. The popularity of the device made the term Tivo become slang for DVR recording, and since it came on the scene in the 90s, DVR capability is almost standard with cable subscription. Though the device was copied by several other carriers, it paved the way for our commercial-free, non-scheduled television enjoyment.

What is a Zune? What is an MP3 Player? We simply know it as the now universal piece of sleek plastic and steel—the iPod. The iPod burst into the gadget scene and helped revolutionize the music industry. Today, almost everyone can be spotted with a pair of classic white earphones plugged in. The iPod, the largest of which can store more than 150GB of music is now offered with touch screen, wifi, Nike fitness tracker, videos and apps with estimated sales of over 2,000 iPods an hour. Along with the genius invention came the almost monopoly-like music buying application iTunes.

Amazon released the Kindle First Generation on November 19, 2007, for US$399. It sold out in five and a half hours. “It was an Alpenhorn blast of post-Gutenbergian revalorization,” according to The New Yorker. “It’s a machine that marks a cultural revolution,” said Jacob Weisber, Editor-in-Chief of Slate Group, “printed books, some of the most important artifacts of human civilization, will soon join newspapers and magazines on the road to obsolescence.” Although Kindle was not the first E-reader in existence it was the one that offered the most books, at the best price, with the most efficient and simple way of reading—and it’s still a top seller with a new edition, the Kindle Fire, to be introduced shortly.

Apple’s first tablet computer was the Newton MessagePAD 100 introduced in 1993, and it was far from the sleek, light weight tablet we’re accustomed to now. Critics reported that the iPad was way before its time and that it was “a heartbreak waiting to happen.” Oops! Apple is on course to sell 46-million tablet devices this year, four times more than its main competitors. The iPad is the fastest selling technological hardware device in history with 15 million sold in 11 months, and it will continue to impact our media consumption habits both online and offline. Competitors are creeping in with other tablets in various sizes and specs. Experts say to grab one now, because they will be the business device in coming years.

TECHNOLOGY FEATURE

W27

FIT

Top Fashion Bloggers

NOVEMBER 2011

Jessie Cohen of ClosetCollage.tumblr.com @closetcollage

Claire Geist of DeluneBlog.com

By Taisa Veras

@ClaireGeist

bit.ly/rFK19B

By Megan Venere How did you start your blog? How long have you been blogging?

What is your opinion on bloggers being spokesmodels for various brands?

I started my blog when I was 16 and confused about what I wanted for my future in high school, but I was only really noodling around with it for about a year. It wasn’t until I was 17 that things started to get serious when my viewership started to really climb. I guess you could say my “big break” was when I was asked to attend the Weardrobe Bloggers’ Conference in NYC along with 17 other bloggers such as Kelly Framel of The Glamourai and Tavi from Style Rookie. After the conference, I realized that blogging had brought me so many opportunities and friends, and that it should steer my future in school. Since then, I’ve been taking my blogging seriously for about a year and a half.

There is definitely a lot to be said about it. For most of us bloggers, we started our sites just as a hobby or personal project, we never thought in a million years that our blogs would have the power to propel careers! Now that a lot of us are getting the chance to work with brands that we admire so much, it’s been a really great thing for everyone involved. I think having bloggers as spokesmodels is a great thing because bloggers have a certain passion for the industry as a whole, and when you are working with individuals that worship a brand or already have a ton of backknowledge on a certain product, it reflects really well in a way that is genuine and, more importantly: relatable to a reader or consumer.

Brittany Law of StyleRepublicMagazine.com

What inspires your photo shoots?

What are your plans for the future?

@StyleRepublic

Depends on the day! I try to capture my day-to-day situations and how they reflect on the choices I make in my ensembles. In that way, I’m trying to capture what fashion is all about; the moment in time, the cultural pulls on style and how everything, in a way, has a stake in what we choose to wear in order to express ourselves.

I’m still in school right now, I’m in my Sophomore year at Parsons here in NYC creating my own major in Fashion History & Theory so that I can better learn about how bloggers are impacting the industry. After graduation I would love to continue writing, maybe for a publication (digital or print) or doing some creative work. Whatever happens, I’m taking my blog with me!

Rebecca Lay and Renee Ogaki of Styleluste.com

Laura Kudia of LauraKudia.tumblr.com @LauraKudia

By Meaghan Hartland Why did you choose Tumblr as a blogging platform?

By Meaghan Hartland Style Republic is not a typical fashion or lifestyle blog, it is much more of a news source than personal blogs. Was that your original concept? The original idea really was to make Style Republic an “online magazine” and not a blog. I loved the idea of being able to see everything there was to see in a print magazine, online. Of course, iPad and various other tablets have taken that concept to another level. I love that now, we can grow our original idea in a variety of formats. What is your favorite thing about being the Editor-in-Chief of Style Republic?

@StylusteSays By Megan Venere How did you start your blog? How long have you been blogging? We started the blog a little over a year ago. Rebecca was working at Erin Fetherston and was working with some of the top bloggers in the industry. She saw the importance of the blogosphere and started thinking about starting a blog. At the same time, Renee was interning at Conde Nast on Fashion’s Night Out, and was getting very interested in social media. We started discussing starting a blog over dinner at The Smith…and we’ve been working on STYLUSTE ever since!

I love the traveling,, and I absolutely love that I get to meet and work with new people every day. A designer I’ve admired for years and years recently told me that she reads Style Republic on a weekly basis. Hearing those words from someone you look up to is an amazing feeling.

Style Republic has a section that features favorite bloggers, what do you look for in fashion that puts it on the next level? “We Love Bloggers” is one of my favorite features. When choosing bloggers for this segment, it’s always a matter of, “can I see this guy or gal’s personality and overall style just by looking at their website?” and “can our readers relate to them?” Make no mistake; blogging is a profession. And like any employer looking to hire, I want the best. That said, just because a blogger isn’t “noted” or “known” doesn’t mean they don’t have something. The goal of this feature is to discover and introduce fresh, fabulous talent to designers, brands, and of course, to our readers. How important do you think it is for bloggers to use a variety of social media platforms? I think it is important, but not mandatory. It is however absolutely necessary that bloggers be on at least one platform; multiple can be a bit time consuming. That said, if you pick one, stick to it! For example, Twitter is my weapon of choice.

What other bloggers do you follow and which bloggers inspire you? Rebecca is obsessed with Design Love Fest, and Renee constantly reads Garance Dore and The Coveteur. We also met a lot of amazing bloggers from our trips to WWDMAGIC whom we love, including Natalie Off Duty, Color Me Nana, Style Republic, and Amahzing. In your opinion, what is the best thing about being a blogger? The networking! We love growing relationships with other bloggers and brands. We’ve met a lot of amazing people we may not have without the blog. What are your plans for the future?

“I’m trying to capture what fashion is all about; the moment in time, the cultural pulls on style and how everything, in a way, has a stake in what we choose to wear in order to express ourselves.”

—Claire Geist

We plan to continue to grow our readership and cultivate relationships with other brands. We also hope to attend MAGIC again in February.

All photos courtesy of the bloggers’ respective blogs.

The platform itself is simple to use and I like how easy it is to customize the features on your blog. Tumblr also creates a lot of support for its fashion community, so it’s no wonder a lot of brands and fashion influencers choose Tumblr. Blogging is not your full-time job—how do you balance working at ELLE as a photo editor and blogging on the side? I don’t think there’s much of a balancing act to be had. I blog on my free time, or whenever a good idea strikes me. What inspires you? People in this city inspire me. Whether it’s my co-workers or someone new I meet who doesn’t even work in fashion, everyone has a unique perspective and I’m always interested in learning what makes different people tick. What are some of your favorite fall trends? I’m a big fan of the cozy cover-up trend happening this season. I’m seeing so many oversized knits on the shelves and streets this season and I love pairing it with color accents (bold scarves, patterned tights, etc).

TECHNOLOGY FEATURE

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FIT

“Having a blog that’s not so fashion-focused absolutely helped along the way- it’s just so easy to find a fashion blog nowadays. What’s harder to find is a person who actually blogs and writes about the beauty in life that moves that person.”

Why did you choose Tumblr as your blogging platform?

person eventually did shape my blog into something about more than just fashion.

by Venus Wong

I started my personal blog hoping to become more involved in the media, and to me, Tumblr is the best way to do it, with its simplicity of sharing photos, videos, quotes, and all sorts of media. In my opinion, Tumblr is the number one blogging platform in the world right now. It offers me the ease of immersing myself into my own taste and other people’s creativity. I can follow blogs that catch my interest and build a community with people whom I can relate to; whereas for other platforms, you are sort of on your own and doing your own thing, and have to wait for other people to stumble upon it.

What makes your blog unique and garner such overwhelming support from readers?

What were some of the signs that indicated your blog’s increasing popularity and do you think having a blog that’s not solely focused on fashion has helped? I noticed the building up of my readership when I started receiving dozens of private messages from people every day. These messages, anonymous or not, often asked for advice on their personal lives or telling me how my work has motivated them. That was when I became serious about blogging. Having a blog that’s not so fashion-focused absolutely helped along the way- it’s just so easy to find a fashion blog nowadays. What’s harder to find is a person who actually blogs and writes about the beauty in life that moves that person. My desire to be that

I believe that it’s my positive mindset that sets my blog apart. I approach things differently than most people. I definitely try to stay positive and help out anybody whenever I can. Authenticity is another aspect that I strive hard to keep, I rarely re-blog anything, so the majority of my posts are original. The writings that I post and the artwork I draw are directly from my heart, and I think readers really do sense the sincerity. I am so grateful for the love I have received, just being the 18-yearold college kid that I am. In what ways do moving to New York City and going to school at FIT change the creative content of your blog? Attending FIT and living in New York is actually the first step in getting close to my dreams. With this new and exciting change, my blog will gravitate towards me growing up, flourishing in life, and chasing my big dreams in the city. Now that I am here, the sky is the limit. There can be so much more to present on my blog as I am onto bigger and better things. Being in NYC allows me to absorb creativity from practically anywhere, and the diversity and culture just inspire me to work towards a better self.

me to do before. I probably learned to be a little less awkward around professionals and learned to market myself.

I started my blog because I wanted a place to showcase what I could do as a fashion design high school student. Somehow between graduating from high school a year early to starting my educational career as an FMM student, it became more about dressing myself and blogging about my life.

With so many fashion blogs out there, what do you believe makes your blog stand out amongst the others?

The Tumblr x NYFW experience was incredible. I didn’t get to do as much as the other bloggers because I still went to all my classes and filled in my free time with shows and events… But from the events I attended, I met a lot of really great people. I’ve done all of the things they sent

Brandon Li Oda of DreamOnGood.tumblr.com @brandonoda

What was your inspiration behind starting The Style Student?

TUMBLR sent you, along with nineteen other fashion blog favorites to New York Fashion Week. What did you take away from the experience, and how do you feel as though you grew from it?

—Brandon Li Oda

Sara Zucker of SaraZucker.com

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I refuse to take bullshit from anyone. I let people into my personal life on a level that most other bloggers don’t; my readers know about my family and what I’m doing from day to day. I don’t really think of myself as “better” than anyone and I refuse to rank myself or say I “stand out.” I don’t really even think of myself as a blogger—that term is too loosely used. What’s your ultimate goal, in terms of your career? Ultimate goal? I’d like to be a fashion forecaster or a creative director for a brand. I can’t stand the thought of sitting in an office and doing paperwork 9-5 everyday. I need a challenge. I need change every week. Everyday, even. I want a job I can take home with me. I believe if you’re going to attempt anything, you should attempt the best—so live your career, don’t leave it at the office.

Nichole Loher of NicoleLoher.tumblr.com

@SBZ @NicoleALoher By Taisa Veras By Megan Bates What inspired you to start blogging and when did you launch your own blog? It was 2008, I was in grad school, bored, living with my parents, and a friend suggested I join Tumblr because it was easy to use and had an awesome socialnetworking feature. I’d had a Xanga in college, but this felt different; I was right.

“I believe if you’re going to attempt anything, you should attempt the best—so live your career, don’t leave it at the office.” —Nicole Loher

You were named one of the bloggers that covered Tumblr x NYFW, this is your second time doing it, what were your expectations for this time around?

Jennifer Margolin of RedSoleDiary.com

I didn’t really have any expectations. Though I have attended NYFW for many seasons, Tumblr never fails at pulling out all of the stops and perpetually surprising me by showing how much they care about my (and the other bloggers’) wants. Never could I have imagined meeting Nina Garcia or Simon Doonan, shooting with Waris Ahluwalia or having brunch with Coco Rocha. Never in my life. I also couldn’t possibly have had access to as many shows as I’ve had; to be so close to the creations of my favorite designers has been a dream come true.

@RedSoleDiary

By Taisa Veras

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a blog now in the middle of an overpopulated blogsphere? Be consistent and be honest. Never try to create a voice that isn’t you because your readers will know. Never keep secrets; if you got it for free, say you got it for free. And always say “thank you.” Thank everyone for everything and especially thank your readers for reading. Without them, you would be equivalent to someone talking to themselves in an empty room.

How has your blog evolved for the past few years through social media?

How has blogging helped further your career as a stylist?

Social media has drastically changed over the past few years since I first started my blog. Writing a blog post is such a small part of being active online nowadays. My site is for showcasing trends, fabulous events I attend and featuring a luxury lifestyle I love.

Blogging has been a great way for me to expand beyond just my local area. It has allowed me to reach out to a new client base that otherwise would not know me if not living in the same area. My blog is my resume allowing me to showcase my expertise and skills.

As a stylist and blogger from the west coast, how have you created your own niche of clients and networks?

You are launching your own product called Style In A Box™. How does it work?

Luxury has always been where I have gravitated towards. My styling philosophy is based on investing in a great basic wardrobe of pieces that you will have for many seasons, and then incorporating more reasonable trend specific items each season. I am a firm believer that true luxury is something you invest in for quality and something that should last a lifetime.

Describe your personal style. I’d say my personal style is a mix of Bob Dylan, Kate Lanphear and ‘Little House on the Prairie.’ I’d like to think that it works…

All photos courtesy of the bloggers’ respective blogs.

In the simplest terms, it’s a personalized styling service created for you and delivered to your doorstep. It’s an innovative approach to personal styling. Style In A Box™ is specially designed for those with discerning taste who would like to enjoy more control over their styling process and budget. This service is ideal for anyone who is looking to update his or her wardrobe or even wanting to experience a personal stylist without the commitment.

TECHNOLOGY FEATURE

Textbooks vs. E-books

The students’ wariness stems from their unwillingness to give up time-honored study practices, such as highlighting and taking notes on paper. Though the current generation of students isn’t too keen on abandoning the study habits they’ve relied on in the past, the possibility of a future filled with strictly e-books rather than traditional textbooks isn’t hard for students to imagine.

By Linda Como

students are on the go, a whole slew of books and magazines can be downloaded onto their tablets or e-readers and taken with them. Lauren Sieber, a student at FIT said, “I read books on my Kindle, iPad and iPhone and they all sync, so if I’m reading a book on my iPad at school I can pick up on the same page on my Kindle when I get home…I don’t have to worry about losing my place.”

When it comes to purchasing e-books, as opposed to regular textbooks, the students at FIT aren’t as quick to ditch paperbound books as much you might think. While the convenience of carrying one tablet or e-reader far outweighs carrying multiple books, students are having a hard time letting go of their standard textbooks—even if they are less glamorous and attention-grabbing in class.

are quicker to opt for e-books, as normal textbooks prove to be more of an added annoyance during their commute and less of a help in class. Seiber said, “I’m taking seven classes and I commute from East Harlem so I purchased all 9 of my textbooks on my iPad.” Other commuters have resorted to the same measures, but they said they prefer physical copies of textbooks.

The inability to easily navigate back to previous chapters and highlight has stood out as a major disadvantage among e-reader and tablet capabilities and remains a key reason why e-books aren’t preferred over tangible textbooks. Yelda Gurkan, a student at FIT, said “I’ve seen people in my classes using e-books, but it doesn’t make a lot of sense to me since —Profs Rejaud & Riman--- you can’t really take notes.”

“Assignments and discussions are done in the classroom while the lecture is online, creating a flipped classroom model.”

Overall, students have embraced the innovation and convenience offered to them through the creation of the iPad and e-readers, especially in the realm of reading. FIT student, Jessica Bilodeau, said, “I still buy hard copies of books, but if I’m running around I bring my e-reader. I can pick and choose what books I want to read at a particular moment. It’s like carrying a bunch of books around in one little device.” There is no longer the pressure to chose only as many books as you can carry or have room for in your bag. Now, when

As of now e-books are preferred among students for leisurely reading as opposed to physical books—the opposite can be said for textbooks—but results from a 2010 Harris Interactive Poll also show that e-reader owners actually both read and buy more books overall. Students seem to agree that the growing prevalence of e-readers is a surefire sign future students will be willing to make the switch Digital textbooks haven’t received as much to e-books more readily, as prices of e-readers and tablets decline and attention from students thus far, due to students adapt their study habits to the their inability to conform to their study new technology. habits, but some students are opting to use them anyway. Commuters in particular E-books allows users to harmonize their numerous devices, allowing for a book to be read on users’ computers, phones, e-readers or tablets and remain on the correct page they left off on, no matter what device they were using previously. To some students, the ability to have a book at your fingertips at every foreseeable moment is essential.

What Doesn’t the iPhone 4S Offer? The iPhone 4S has been a huge success for Apple. As stated by Forbes, the 4S became Apple’s fastest selling product with over 4 million sold. Before the iPhone 4S even debuted, over a million were pre-ordered throughout the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, France, and Germany. Now Verizon, AT&T and Sprint customers have the iPhone available to them. Numbers are bound to grow as the 4S makes its first appearance in China and South Korea. On October 14th, people all over the world anxiously waited outside Apple stores to be one of the first to buy the iPhone 4S. In Los Gatos, California, Steve Wozniak, a co-founder of Apple, spent 20 hours in line with many other dedicated customers to buy the iPhone 4S. What makes consumers go weak at the knees for the latest iPhone? Well let’s just say there are a sufficient amount of reasons.

A5 Chip Too start, there is the Dual-Core A5 chip. This is the first iPhone with this technology. According to the Apple Website, the A5 chip provides the new iPhone with enhanced graphics and quicker processing. In addition to having the highest-resolution phone screen on the market, the A5 chip makes graphics about seven times faster so gaming, surfing the web, and anything else can be done quicker. The A5 chip’s power also extends the 4S’s battery life. According to tests done by Consumer Reports, the 4S’s battery life is “very well.” However, on November

2nd, Apple announced that there were bugs in the 4S affecting its battery life. In response to this problem, Apple will be introducing software updates by the end of this month.

Camera The camera on the 4S also has many improvements. The 8-megapixel camera on the 4S has all new optics to improve the quality of the pictures. Compared to the iPhone 4, the new camera has additional pixels that help collect light and generate more detail in pictures. The infrared filters also keep out bad light so harmonized colors stand out. This helps when a picture is taken outdoors, therefore sunlight can only help boost the image as opposed to distorting it. The new camera also gives you the capability to touch the screen where focus is necessary. The iPhone 4 focuses the whole image rather than a specific area. The new face detection can also differentiate between a group picture and a portrait. Now taking a steady picture is done with much more ease. All around the new camera is made to develop clearer, better quality images than the cameras on previous iPhones. The camera function can also be accessed differently on the 4S. As an iPhone user, have you ever tried to take a picture using the volume button? Now on the 4S, pictures can be taken by clicking the up volume button. For quick access to your camera, the app can now be found in your lock screen by double clicking the home button. And once the pictures have

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been taken, editing can be done directly on the phone. The edit feature gives you the ability to crop, rotate, enhance, and remove red eye from pictures.

iCloud On top of the whole camera experience, your photos can automatically be transferred from your phone to your other devices by using iCloud. iCloud is similar to an external hard drive except everything is done wirelessly. Via Wi-Fi, this program backs up your apps, music, contacts, emails, photos, documents, and just about everything else from your iPhone onto your other devices. Thanks to iCloud, your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and iPad touch will remain up-to-date every day. The iCloud software makes life easier when anything happens to your phone. Some aspects of the 4S are linked only with the iOS 5.0 update. Those who have dated iPhones can update their iTunes software to 10.5 and then update their iPhone with some of the basic features of the 4S. For instance, the new camera formatting and iCloud can be accessed by simply updating your phone, not necessarily buying the 4S.

Find My Friend & Find My Phone “Find My Friend” and “Find My iPhone” are two apps new to iOS 5.0. “Find my friend” would be helpful on a trip in Disney World or Busch Gardens. With your permission, this app allows others to access your location on a map using

By Alyssa Kyle

the GPS. “Find My iPhone” is a similar idea but is accessed differently. When an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac goes missing, “Find My iPhone” uses iCloud to locate your device from any other device. This app also allows you to display a message on its screen or remove all of your information from the device.

Siri Siri is one of the main features that brought attention to the 4S. Apple calls it “the intelligent assistant.” Siri is a voice-controlled function that can find local destinations, answer text messages, set reminders, and even follow stocks. Siri is programmed to answer almost any question without having to touch the phone. Since the release of the Siri program, it has created quite a buzz. ShitSiriSays.com is a website where users can post humorous questions and responses from Siri. Siri is not only recognized as an intelligent and resourceful software, but the intangible element also carries human characteristics. “She’s magical, funny, and sassy,” stated the website’s homepage. With the 4S, Apple has introduced innovative ways to interact with your phone. One can only imagine what the iPhone 5 will have to offer.

Haute Culture

You’ve Got Hate Mail A Theater Review by Kristen Uhrlass

As one enters the tiny Triad Theater on the Upper West Side, it’s quite obvious that the show about to start is not by any means a big budget, elaborate production. The front of the stage was lined with five desks, five laptops, and welcomed a cast of five actors, who entered the stage and took their positions on this minimally set arrangement. Richard, Stephanie, Peg, George and Wanda are the names of the colorful characters relaying the hateful and vile emails written back and forth making for an interesting script.

The show was written by Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore, based on emails sent and received by Milmore and her ex-husband during their divorce, as depicted in this show. The two wanted to create a show that presented using only technology and email. This idea was inspired by A.R. Gurney’s, Love Letters, which was told with a script of only notes written back and forth between two lovers. Van Zandt and Milmore both perform in the show playing the lead couple, Richard and Stephanie, with multiple marital problems.

The performance attended for this review unfortunately did not have Van Zandt and Milmore, because the cast alternates each week, but it did feature the rest of the main cast that usually plays alongside the two. Jeff Babey did an amazing job as an understudy for Van Zandt’s character Richard, remainint enthusiastic and hilarious the entire show. Milmore’s replacement for her character Stephanie, Khrystyne Haje, was great, but as a new member she seemed to feel a little uncomfortable on the stage. Glenn Jones, the actor playing George delivered laugh after laugh and shined amongst the cast. The relationship between each cast member seemed very real, and the actors had little trouble grabbing the attention of the audience. The subdued set design was something to be appreciated, since it allowed the actors, and the exchange of emails, to be the

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1.5 people like this. stars of the show without any distraction in the background. The adult humor and language were quite explicit, which made 2 people like this. the show entertaining and definitely a must-see. You’ve Got Hatemail is at the 2.5 people like this. Triad Theater until December 30, 2011.

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NS: Right now, we’re on tour now and we have an opener called Walk The Moon, they’re amazing, these guys are young and they’re doing it, well seasoned in their craft, they’re really great guys. I mean if we were going to go on tour with a big band, I would love to go on tour with Radiohead or Foo Fighters, that would be amazing, we’ve played with them before. U2 would be another one that we would want to do.

Catching Up with Noelle Scaggs from Fitz and the Tantrums By Fernanda DeSouza and Caroline Nelson This past October, Noelle Scaggs of the LA-based six member band Fitz and the Tantrums guest DJed at American Rag’s launch of Ragged Magazine at the Jane Hotel. Scaggs reveals the band’s inspirations, style secrets, and explains how social media plays a prominent part in connecting with their fans. Has it been a challenge to play without certain instruments such as a guitar? NS: I mean not at all. We started really early playing together so it just kind of solidified our sound and what we do as we musicians and individuals in a band. All of the musicians in this band are just so talented and just so worth their salt in their craft and we feel it, you know, every time we play together. It really gels together. It’s rare for you to find that. So I think the hardest thing is to actually find a band that’s on the same page. Any number of these guys can play with anybody if they wanted to. It just really works out, since the first show, the first rehearsal and everything.

What was your inspiration for your debut album? What were the sounds you immersed yourself in while recording and who were you influenced by? NS: When Fitz wrote the first song “Breaking the Chains of Love,” it kind of took on its own form from the 60s kind of Motown. We all grew up with the 80s sound. So like, British Invasion and you’re thinking Talking Heads and that period of pop music. That was something that we really grew from, but at the same time we wanted to create our own style out of it. We’re not like a lot of other bands out there that are doing that same period of music but adding their feel to it but exactly what you would have heard back in the day. This has a familiarity to it but not exactly the way that the songs were built.

What role does fashion play in your band image? NS: A big one. From day one, it was all about, you know, in the beginning, the guys wearing suits because that was kind of like the style that we drew from. If you look at any of those old videos back in the day, everybody was dressed super dapper. I was always wearing dresses and as we’ve come to grow as a band, my style has changed significantly. I still dress really, really well but you know, last year I started wearing pants more often during festival season. I really wanted to try to do the skinny pants and the tailored jackets. I had a suit made for me by John Varvatos and they don’t do that for women. It took six months for them to tailor the suit for me, one, because of my schedule and two, because they wanted to get it perfect. I ended up wearing that for ACL. Style is as important as the music is, you want to look good when you go out there. It’s about the show, it’s about the energy.

Has the band been using social medial to communicate with a wider audience? NS: Yes! That has been our number one thing. Myself and Fitz actually really run our Twitter and Facebook accounts, and the guys pitch in whenever they can with photos and everything. Our Twitter handle is @fitzandtantrums and mine is @noellescaggs. It’s been a big thing I think for most independent bands because it’s the easiest way to connect with your fanbase. So, we’re always talking to people; they will comment on our pages and we read them, we respond to them, it’s not some intern doing it for us. You know, it’s a catch-22 because it does take time out of your day to do that, it’s something you’re doing on your phone, the iPhone has made it possible to do this. I mean even after every show, we go to our merch table and shake people’s hands, we take pictures until everybody is gone. It’s something that we’ve always done and will continue to do.

Photo courtesy of PiperFerguson.com

The Revenge of the Electric Car A Film Review by Fernanda DeSouza

Although it is not quite 2015 yet, big names (and one little name) in the automobile industry are joining the race to minimize global warming in The Revenge of the Electric Car. In this film, viewers are shown a visual a timeline of the birth, death, and “the renaissance” of the electric car through the lenses of Director Chris Paine. Watching what felt like an episode of “How It’s Made,” Paine dissects the assembly line procedure and intricately recreates these close-ups into a ballet of machinery-making. Paine highlights the problematic politics behind the oil industry and presents three major companies that are pursuing the reinvention of automobiles that are run by gas to innovative, sleek, affordable, eco-friendly vehicles. The competitors: Mr. Detroit, Bob Lutz, Vice Chairman of Product Development at General Motors, Carlos Ghosn, The Warrior, CEO of Nissan, and Elon Musk, co-founder of PayPal and CEO of Tesla Motors race to create their own version of the electric car. In the film, each man is shown in their private lives as well as interacting with each other.

But it’s not only the car moguls of the world tackling the task at hand. “The Outsiders” (as Paine dubs a Los Angeles couple), who have a knack for making cars from scratch are shown building electric cars by hand, they also take a part in the pursuit. Paine focuses closely on the process that each company faces throughout production: economic hardships, production issues, and deadlines. In what appears to be a dog eat dog industry, only one thing that stands out above anything else is each company’s quest to create the same product that can affect generations to come. A witty, fast moving documentary with a great message that will leave New Yorkers wanting to get their licenses just to own a “car of the future.”

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The Facebook Effect

Ouchi–A Home for Japanese Artists

A Book Review by Alessandra Della Vecchia

A Gallery Review by Fernanda DeSouza

“Do you have a Facebook?” This, hands down, is the number one question students get asked upon entering college. It shouldn’t really come as any surprise though, seeing as most college students have one and those who don’t definitely know someone who does. What’s amazing to me is that less than ten years ago, Thefacebook.com (as it was originally called) was merely a small, extracurricular project of a very ambitious college student-turned-dropout named Mark Zuckerberg. Fast-forward to present day and Facebook.com is the second most visited website on the Internet (Google is the first). David Kirkpatrick’s The Facebook Effect tells the story of the journey between these two extremes and explains the overall impact Facebook has had and continues to have on society.

Ouchi, a Brooklyn-based contemporary art gallery inside a 100-year-old shoe factory, featured works by contemporary Japanese artist Hiroki Yamashita this past month. Born in Shizuoka-shi, Japan in 1951, Mr. Yamashita spent most of his childhood creating comic flip books of falling characters and drawing cartoons on the concrete floor of his nursery school. Art maintained a significant hobby in his life as Mr. Yamashita went on to study mathematics at the university of Shizuoka.

The book begins with the story of Oscar Morales, a Columbian civil engineer whose frustration towards the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (otherwise known, by its Spanish initials, as FARC) caused him to create a group on Facebook (Un Million de Voces Contra Las FARC) that eventually led to the release of numerous hostages who had been held captive by FARC for over six years. This brief account of one man’s triumph sets the tone for the rest of the book. The reader realizes immediately just how powerful of a tool Facebook really is.

CLAIRE DIAZ-ORTIZ’S

TWITTER FOR GOOD: CHANGE THE WORLD ONE TWEET AT A TIME

However, Facebook would not be the dynamic force it is today without its members. According to Kirkpatrick, Facebook has more than 600 million active users and is growing by about 5 percent a month. It operates in seventyfive languages and approximately 75% of its users are outside of the United States. These statistics are proof that Facebook is, as Kirkpatrick says, “profoundly, centrally about people”. He goes on to describe Facebook as a “platform for people to get more out of their lives…[A place where] everyone can be an editor, a content creator, a producer and a distributor” and deems it, “a new form of communication”. All in all, The Facebook Effect does an excellent job of providing the reader with a deep understanding of how Facebook came to be the phenomenon that it is today. Kirkpatrick is extremely thorough in his explanation of the events that make up the company’s history and is equally detailed in his description of the company’s founders, especially Zuckerberg. The book touches on a number of relevant issues and gives insight into the company’s corporate culture. The The Facebook Effect was both fascinating and enlightening. A mustread to all who are interested in learning more about the world’s largest “directory of people” and the mastermind behind it.

A Book Review by Amanda Zyta

By now, most people are aware of Twitter even if they don’t have an account, but many underestimate the opportunities linked to having one. Students are constantly reminded about the significance of social media and how essential it is to have knowledge of it, especially if you are graduating. Twitter for Good by Claire Diaz-Ortiz is a mustread for anyone who wants to learn how to utilize Twitter, especially for a job or internship. A framework using the acronym TWEET is the basis for the book and it teaches skills that are effective in building a successful Twitter page. What makes Twitter stand out is its realtime information feed that is available to anyone, anywhere. The book outlines a 5-step model called TWEET that takes you through the process of building

a successful account. The first step is “target”; which recommends stepping back and examining what the focus is. Next is to “write”; this step is all about tweeting relevant content to the chosen target. Examples ranging from Kanye West to UNICEF are provided to show how to effectively do this while avoiding common mistakes.The third letter stands for ‘engage’; suggestions about how often to tweet, when to retweet (RT) and use hashtags (#), among other features. The fourth is to “explore”; this step is all about finding new information, new followers, and new influencers on Twitter. It’s important to already have content before trying to add new followers. Last step is the “track”; that incorporates measuring and evaluating progress and ways to improve.

FIT

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The book gives inspiring examples of how one can make a change in society and generate awareness at a mass scale. The main of the like book stresses 1.5point people this. that Twitter is what you make it. There are endless possibilities and whether it is used as a personal outlet to express and brand oneself or as a platform for social 2 people like this. change, it’s something you’re going to want to be apart of. According to DiazOrtiz, “It’s a mistake to think you need a lot of followers to implement ideas, 2.5 like this. of it’s about thepeople quality and engagement followers.”

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Twitter Cheat Sheet: # Hashtag Way to add further context to Tweets using a keyword, topic or trend Trend If a hashtag is used in multiple tweets then it becomes a trending topic Promoted Tweets or Trends Paid for by advertisers @ Used to tag another user’s handle in your tweet Geolocation Provides the location you are sending your tweet out from

During his first US exhibition, Mr. Yamashita brought much of his mathematical background into his abstract-minimalist show called “sway.” The paintings combined the elements of simplicity and sporadic correlation to form images where lines met unidentifiable masses of colors. Mr. Yamashita said he was influenced the

most by Jackson Pollock. He stated, “I also love Jean-Michel Basquiat. Graffiti is very flexible to any environment. Graffiti on walls, it’s dirty work, but it’s no longer graffiti when it’s in a museum.” The paradox of using organization and chaos was very apparent in “sway” and gave the show personality and tone. With his limited English, kind smile, and patience, Mr. Yamashita led a workshop and during the opening of his exhibit. Using a minimal compilation of tools that included water, paper, and Mont Blanc ink. A technique derived from ancient times, the artist harnessed the simplicity of wetting a blank piece of paper and dabbing the black ink on the surface to create a fusion of colors hidden behind the dominant black ink. Spurts of red and blue suddenly began to appear and spread throughout the paper like amoebas. The delicate process for each piece left many

Fuerza Bruta

NOVEMBER 2011

present and asking—”how can something so plain and simple become such powerful art?” Art director Arisa Itami explained the meaning behind Ouchi Gallery and what it stood for. “In Japanese, ouchi means home. The disaster this past March is a very sensitive topic with the artists we show. We want the artists to feel like they’re in their own home because they are so far away from their true home or have lost their home.” Deciding to open Ouchi links back to Ms. Itami’s past when an artist friend of hers had difficulty gaining exposure. “Ouchi tries to make the art affordable and part of a lifestyle. Art is for everyone.” Ouchi Gallery is located at 170 Tillary Street, Suite 507 in Brooklyn

Photos by Fernanda DeSouza.

New show openings every Tuesday.

METRONOMY A Concert Review by Francesca Beltran

On October 20th the English-based band took over the Music Hall of Williamsburg to delight the audience with their highpitched, electro-pop tunes in a completely sold out concert. An Off-Broadway Show Review by Fernanda DeSouza The performance given by the cast and crew of Fuerza Bruta is nothing short of amazing. Upon entering Union Square’s Daryl Roth Theatre, one realizes that there are no seats. Audience members stand and move along with the props for all seventy minutes of the show. Scratch that. Audience members jump, dance, cheer, and get very wet with the overly talented and jubilant cast of the Argentinean show. Set in a dream-like world, Fuerza Bruta is split into detached fragments, beginning with the Runner, a man who is running on a treadmill and suddenly gets shot on the chest. He then wakes from his dream and starts running again but this time others join him on the treadmill. Breaking through walls of boxes, dodging plastic tables and chairs, and walking past other cast members who join him on stage. Following this segment, the actors break into rhythmic contemporary dance to a mix of house and Argentinean music and engage the audience with them. From actors smashing Styrofoam squares infused with glitter and confetti onto audience members to the occasional spritz of water from the DJ booth up above, the show is interactive and fun. But the most compelling and enchanting part of the show is performed by the water nymphs. A thick sheet of what feels like cellophane, drops down above the

Photo by Olga Domoradova.

1 people like this. audience’s head as water begins to surge

onto the plastic. Performers suddenly threw themselves onto the surface, contorting their bodies, slithering across, 1.5and people this.manner. pounding dancinglike in a tribal The sequence was breathtakingly surreal and chaotic. Fuerza2Bruta celebrates fourth year people likeitsthis. anniversary in New York on October 15th. The show has charmed thousands of people worldwide, and some of the performers, including like Daniel Case, John 2.5 people this. Hartzell, and Gwyneth Larsen have accompanied the show all four years. Mesmerizing and jaw dropping, you will 3 people like this. leave Fuerza Bruta begging to come back for more. Fuerza Bruta is showing at Drayl Roth 3.5 people like this. Theatre.

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With their impeccable sound, charismatic performance and those engaging presynced chest lights, the quartet captivated the audience for slightly more than an hour with their best songs and some choreographed moves. Even though the concert’s success can be mostly attributed to the music itself, one cannot help but comment on the peculiar dance moves from Oscar Cash (saxophone, back vocals and keyboards) and Gbenga Adelekan (bass guitar and vocals) that had a big impact on the band’s overall charming mood. The flawless setlist ranged from wellknown hits such as “The Bay,” “The Look,” and “Heartbreaker,” to long instrumental-only pieces. The band ended the evening with the recently released single “Everything Goes My Way” that features the glam female-drummer Anna Prior as the singer. This was Metronomy’s first sold out concert in New York and Joseph Mount (composer, lead vocals, keyboards and guitar) did not miss the chance to thank the audience and show his excitement. The band, described by the British magazine New Musical Express (better known as NME) as “one of the most expansive and visionary pop bands in England” has always been praised for their fairly unique sound and experimental techniques. Part of the

peoplesuccess like this. band’s 1 new-found needs to be accredited to their greatly applauded third studio album, The English Riviera, that was released in April of this year. Songs from this were definitely the most 1.5album people like this. celebrated by the audience. The mood and energy of the packed venue, accompanied by a band whose 2 people like this. music is as good live as it is on record, resulted in a very enjoyable night. The show was worth the 20 bucks spent.

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Experimental Art & Innovation at the Creators Project Festival On October 15th and 16th, the streets of Dumbo, Brooklyn were invaded by art, music and creativity. The multiple installations were scattered around the neighborhood and two different stages were installed for the musical performances. After picking up my wristband at 2 pm, I immediately headed to the film panel located at the corner of Main and Water Street. Arcade Fire and Spike Jonze’s film, Scenes From The Suburbs, was about to begin and I did not want to miss it. The thirty-minute short film was inspired by the band’s Grammy-winning album The Suburbs and showed the melancholic story of a group of teenagers whose perfect summer is ruined by the arrival of the army. Even though the film got stuck and we were not able to see the very end, it was without a doubt the best way to start the day. I left the film panel and headed towards 56 Water Street to see A Physical Manifestation of Ladies and Gentleman We Are Floating in Space by Jonathan Glazer and J. Spaceman. The installation consisted of a dark spacious room with a cathedral-like setting, illuminated by pools of light streaming in through windows in the ceiling where people could sit, or lay down (as many did) on a vibrating floor, all while listening to a rework of Spiritualized’s most famous song “Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space” The impact of the speakers located on

the floor throughout the room, together with the light beams, gave a truly sublime musical experience. When I asked people what they though of it, the words “otherworldly”, “unique experience” and “could’ve stayed there forever” were among the answers. After leaving the scene, I reluctantly headed towards the Tobacco Warehouse. There, the Canadian based artist Teen Daze was playing his experimental music that includes dream-pop hazy synths and relaxing summer tones. In the middle of the patio was an installation titled Origin, created by UK’s United Visual Artists who are best described as “architects of light and sound.” Origin is currently the largest responsive LED sculpture and it consists of a 10x10 meter cubic structure composed of 125 cubic spaces constructed with linear LED strips that emit light patterns in all directions. It also has a network of speakers that generate realtime ominous sound. I then headed to see David Bowie’s edited video, Life On Mars Revisited at 10 Jay Street on the 9th floor. It was a long walk to get there and even a longer wait in line to get in, but boy, it was worth it! The installation, created by film director Barney Clay and photographer Mick Rock, consisted of a dark square room with tall white screens on all sides. Once inside, all 20 people were asked to lay down on the floor and “enjoy the ‘trippy’ ride.” After the door was closed and the lights went off, the five-minute audio-visual “ride” began. Featuring a remixed raw footage that showed scenes of Bowie’s Life On Mars video, it has been called “the freakiest show on Earth” and I could hardly disagree. Color images of Bowie in a turquoise suit and wearing make up alternated with black and white shots, all enhanced with complex visual effects and experimental flair.

NOVEMBER 2011

OUTSIDE YOUR BOROUGH: PUMPKIN PICKINGS

By Francesca Beltran

Creators Project is the result of a partnership between Intel and Vice Magazine. Its main purpose is to help upcoming artists around the world to create their visions and to help them disseminate their work. After a recent world tour, Creators Project returned to New York for the second time since its debut in 2010, with a two-day music and arts festival.

FIT

After the mind-blowing experience, I headed to 81 Front Street where I saw Strata #4 by Quayola; a video installation that showed transformation and deconstruction of classical art and architecture through custom software. Jumbletron was a live-mixed video experience created by artist Black Dice and accompanied by a new score from the psychedelic band, Animal Collective. Finally, Minha Yang’s Meditation consisted of three red, reactive projections that generated circling light patterns that moved in response to passersby which was amazing. The day was coming to an end, so I headed quickly to see the last installations on Washington Street. Soil was a reactive aluminum floor installation created by Cantoni + Crescenti, which consisted of 50 panels that undulated as you walked over them. It gave me the sensation that I was walking on water. Last but not least, Diskinect by Team Diskinect was a four-foot human-form figure suspended in air by strings that mirrored people’s movements. After a day full of art and innovation, the crowd gathered to see the Grammynominated band Florence + The Machine play at the Archway Stage under the Manhattan Bridge. At 7:55 pm the show began with Only If For A Night, and continued with an excellent performance, great sound, and a fantastic setlist that covered Florence’s best-known singles such as Dog Days Are Over. Although I was exhausted, I still managed to go back to the Tobacco Warehouse, and see Justice’s DJ Set. Origin’s was particularly stunning at night, when the LEDs displayed their full resplendence; this time I was able to sit inside the cube and end my day enjoying the show of lights and sound. What I thought would be mainly a music festival turned out to be a truly artistic,

inspiring and unique day that left me feeling completely satisfied. Having followed the Creators Project since it was founded in 2010, I was pleased to see how the project keeps on growing and evolving. For more about the Creator’s Project, check out thecreatorsproject.com Photo courtesy of The Creator’s Project website

Tuning In: Spotify Revealed By Georgeanna Dwiggins bit.ly/vLqLT2

Brooklyn

Bronx

By Samantha Vance

By Armane Robinson

Naidre’s Café 384 7th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11215 718.965.7585

Conti’s Pastry Shoppe 786 Morris Park Avenue Bronx, NY 10462 718.239.9339

Naidre’s is tucked into a quaint block in the ever adorable Park Slope. This neighborhood favorite has been operating for over 11 years and proudly advertises that all food is made from scratch on the premises—an impressive feat when you see how petite the kitchen is. The dining area-also miniature, offers little to no sitting room so it is hard to find a place to sit and enjoy your tasty treat. However, if you can snag a spot it is quite the place to relax and read a book. They had a few pumpkin flavored options to choose from including pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, and mini-pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. To no surprise, I quickly chose the tiny cupcake along with their homemade mac-andcheese. The cupcake was bite-size and fluffy with just the right amount of icing decorating the top. The pumpkin flavor wasn’t overwhelming, it was sweet and offered a hint of cinnamon and ginger, all of which blended together nicely with the cream cheese frosting. It was rather dreary outside and this little treat was the perfect pick-me-up. My only suggestion is that they make them in a larger size!

As a bakery known for its delicious delights, Conti’s Pastry Shoppe is prepared for the month of November. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, what better place than Conti’s to get your favorite fall desserts and goodies to complete your Thanksgiving feast? From pumpkin pie to pumpkin cheesecake, you’ll be hungry for more. This small Italian bakery located in the Italian-American neighborhood is nestled between Van Nest and Morris Park in the Bronx. The bakery had a warm and welcoming environment from the divine treats that surround you, to the great customer service. Customers seem to have a great experience at Conti’s and enjoy the variety of pastries it has to offer; former customers include celebrities such as Regis Philbin, and Kelly Ripa. Founded in 1921, Conti’s is well known for their cannoli, French pastries, cookies, wedding cakes and pies. For the month of November, Conti’s will be celebrating their 90th year in business. The pumpkin pies, like all the pies made at Conti’s, are prepared by hand and pressed with a machine, made with all natural ingredients, and baked from scratch. The pumpkin cheesecake, another heavenly dessert, looked like any other delicious cheesecake but had a hint of pumpkin in it, giving it an irresistible taste. All of the bakery’s cheesecakes are made with real cream cheese, sour cream, and a special secret ingredient. Conti’s Pastry Shoppe is a year-round place to visit and to enjoy delicious sweets. So why not head over to Conti’s this Thanksgiving to try this month’s specials?

Manhattan

New Jersey

By Venus Wong

By Raquel Rose Burger

Alice’s Tea Cup Chapter III 220 East 81st Street Manhattan, NY 10075 212.734.4832

Wicked Twist 2321 Old Bridge-Matawan Roadd Old Bridge, NJ 08857 732.952.3453

Alice’s Tea Cup is an absolute delight for pumpkin fans all around Manhattan. With three locations (or “Chapters”) scattered among the Upper East and West Side, the tea room franchise has long enjoyed accolades from the likes of The New Yorker and Time Out New York. Its Alice In Wonderland-inspired decor is not the only attraction that explains the average 45-minute wait to be seated; the cafe’s pumpkin flavored delicacies, served on beautiful china, are what keep the fans coming for more. One would definitely not want to miss the pumpkin scone, which is hailed as one of the densest and most delicious scones in Manhattan, and makes for a perfect combo with English Tea. Another great Fall option for brunch is the pumpkin pancake (available only on the East Side locations). Rich in real pumpkin stuffing and drenched in pumpkin spice, the pancakes manage to deliver a strong flavor while using vegetarian ingredients. There are also pumpkin muffins that can be ordered to go, the ideal buttery treats to bring for a stroll along the scenic views of nearby Central Park.

One spoonful of this creamy, pale orange, pumpkin frozen yogurt will set your taste buds on an adventure they will never forget. One of the few in the places in the area carrying this unique seasonal flavor, Wicked Twist, is the town favorite. Adorable couches and stools surround televisions displaying the season’s game or premieres of new television shows so you can enjoy your treat with friends without missing your favorite program. This charming shop offers ten flavors that are switched daily, but that’s not all; after selecting your flavor, head over to the topping station where you can choose from over 30 toppings to finish off your amazing treat. Whether it’s for an afternoon snack, dessert with the family, or even a light lunch, Wicked Twist will be sure to satisfy your cravings.

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FIT

Month in Review

No Computers for the Kids of Pioneers in the Digital World The Waldorf School doesn’t use computers. Instead, the Silicon Valley based school uses teaching tools such as pens and paper, knitting needles, and even, mud. Computers and screens are banned in the classroom and the use of such devices at home is frowned upon. Technological gadgets are only endorsed slightly once the child reaches eighth grade. It comes as a surprise, then, that the parents of the students attending these schools include the chief technology officer of eBay as well as other employees of Silicon Valley corporations such as Google, Apple, Yahoo and Hewlett-Packard.

By Nicole Tan

#OccupyWallStreet (#OWS): The 5 W’s and Many G’s Muammar el-Qaddafi Who: The 99%, also known as the protesters, come from middleclass families and are mostly from the younger generation. In a recent poll done by CBS, 27% of Americans said they disagreed with the movement, while 43% agreed with it and 30% were unsure. It is said that young and left-leaning Americans are more likely to agree with the movement than their older and more conservative counterparts. The demographics state that supporters of the movement include half of all Americans ages 18-29, and have at least some college education. Organizations who are involved and support the movement include Canadian anti-consumerist magazine Adbusters, hacktivist group Anonymous and the Transport Workers Union of America. What: Occupy Wall Street is a people-powered, leaderless movement that began in Liberty Square, formerly known as Zuccotti Park, in Manhattan’s Financial District. It has since spread to over 100 cities in the United States and over 1,500 cities globally. Through the use of social media as a communications tool, a tactic used by the revolutionary Arab Spring, the 99% have been conducting nonviolent protests. Although the agenda of Occupy Wall Street is still unclear, the general consensus of the supporters of this movement is that wealth is not distributed as equitably as it should be in the United States. When: Ongoing. The movement began on Saturday, September 17, 2011. On certain days, protesters are called upon to act against different issues which they believe should be changed. On October 26th, they took on of the Health Insurance Industry. Where: Wall Street, nationally (primarily in the East Coast), and globally. Protests have since spread across the country with various cities gaining media attention including Occupy Seattle, where a list of demands have been sent to the mayor for a written approval of long-term occupancy. In Washington, D.C., six people were arrested for demonstrating inside a Senate office building and 125 protesters were arrested in Boston after they had ignored warnings to move from a downtown green space. Protesters have also been seen sitting outside of major bank outlets, multi-national corporation offices and homes of various millionaires and bank owners. Why: Occupy Wallstreet, also know as #OWS was intitated to empower real people to create change from the bottom up. Protesters of this movement believe themselves to be the 99% that have come together, regardless of color, gender and political persuasions, in order to disband the greed and corruption of the 1%, also know as the “people at the top.”

Their Goals: Richard Trumka’s Goal: Head of The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), Trumka’s goal is to make Wall Street invest in creating jobs for Americans, stop foreclosures and write down problem mortgages. Paying for government programs would come from a “very tiny” tax on speculation. Bank Transfer Day: A movement started on October 15, 2011 calling for a voluntary switch from commercial banks to not-forprofit credit unions by November 5, 2011. This effort has drawn more than 54,900 supporters. Occupy Wall Street participants support the effort, though the events are not related. This has also gained influence in the college community, where college students are called upon to make the voluntary switch as well as urge their colleges and universities to invest their money in responsible financial instituitions that empower local communities. On Health Insurance Industry: OWS targets WellCare, the for-profit company that administers Medicaid and Medicare Advantage programs in New York and other states. WellCare is currently being investigated for illegally siphoning $400-$600 million from such programs. The march will end at St. Vincent’s Hospital in the West Village which closed earlier this year due to bankruptcy, and is seen as a casualty of profit-driven insurers. Occupy the Boardroom: This called on supporters of Occupy Wall Street to send letters to the top directors of financial institutions. On the website, one could choose from a list of bank directors such as Citigroup and JP Morgan to become “pen pals,” or “BFFS” with. They could send driect messages to the bankers or try to contact them in person, and the messages would be posted on the movement’s blog. This act was criticised by many in the media, who viewed it as childish behaviour. Occupy the Highway: A group of OWS-ers embarked on a twoweek march from Liberty Plaza to the White House. They hope to voice their opinions to the Congressional Deficit Reduction Super-Committee in relation to the debate on whether Obama’s extention to the Bush tax-cuts should be kept or not. Information taken from occupywallstreet.org and cbsnews.com

Who are the occupiers? Results taken from analyst Harrison Schultz and professor Hector R. CorderoGuzman from the School of Public Affairs at Baruch College based on analysing 5006 completed surveys at occupywallst.org

60% 44.5% 61% 81.2%

have attended college

are 25–4 4

male

white

NOVEMBER 2011

Dead: the Morality of Vengeance

Information from nytimes.com

Colonel Muammar el-Qaddafi, the provocative dictator who ruled Libya for 42 years, was pronounced dead on October 20, 2011. He was violently killed by the hands of the Libyan forces that drove him from power. Colonel Qaddafi was 69. Colonel Qaddafi was a financier of many terrorist attacks around the world. According to Western Intelligence, Qaddafi funded many of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the mid-80s through a culture of corruption in the Libyan market of oil companies, telecommunications firms and contractors. Most recently, Qaddafi was featured in the news over the violent crackdowns he had imposed when rebellion erupted in Libya as part of the Arab Spring movement. In an attempt to retake several of the eastern oil cities seized by the rebels, Qaddafi forces reacted violently, calling an international military intervention where the United Nations Security Council authorized the use of force to protect civilians. “Free Libya” was followed by 10 weeks of NATO bombings, rebel advances, and demands by Western leaders for Qaddafi to quit. The International Criminal Court in The Hague issued arrest warrants for both Colonel Qaddafi and his son, Seif alIslam as well as his chief of intelligence, Abdullah Senussi on charges of crimes against humanity. After six months of civil war, Qadaffi and his son, Mo’tassim were found dead inside a small tunnel. A rebel claimed to have shot Qadaffi in the head and chest. For four days, the decomposing bodies of the dictator and his son were publicly displayed in a Misrata meat locker. With Qadaffi dead, the National Transitional Council (NTC) is currently deciding on the next step to Libya’s progression of liberalization. Although the death meant the end of a ruthless dictatorship, Western backers are uneasy about Libya’s prospects for a stable government and respect for the rule of law due to the amount of violence and bloodshed that came of Qaddafi’s death.

While the education and academic world goes on a surge of incorporating computers and tablets to their curriculum, the epicenter of the tech community chooses to adhere to the traditional way of teaching, stating their point that computers and school do not mix. Waldorf School of the Peninsula is one of about 160 Waldorf schools in the country. Its teaching philosophy focuses on a tactile approach, teaching through creative, hands-on tasks and physical activity. It is believed by the school and its endorsers believe that computers inhibit creative thinking, movement, human interaction and attention spans. Seventy-five percent of the students’ parents have a strong high-tech connection. Alan Eagle, a communications executive at Google, and a Dartmouth graduate with a computer science degree and is one such example. According to Eagle, his daughter, a fifth grader, “doesn’t know how to use Google”, and his son is just learning. A typical class at the Waldorf School incorporates the use of blackboards, cutting up fruits into fractions, and repetition of phrases whilst playing catch with beanbags—an exercise aimed to synchronize the body and brain.

Regarding the schools’ effectiveness, the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America points to research by an affiliated group showing that 94% of their students who graduate attended college at prestigious institutions like Oberlin, Berkeley and Vassar. The attendees of Waldorf schools come from a higher social demographic, where families value education to seek out a selective private school and most likely have the means to pay for it. As there is no clear evidence of the school’s effectiveness, its teaching philosophy compared to other schools that use technology comes down to parental choices and subjectivity towards the definition of “engagement.” Advocates for technology in schools say that computers can in fact hold students’ attention, and believe that many tune out when technology was not involved. The parents of Waldorf students, who also happen to be the people behind our innovations in technology, think otherwise. “Engagement is about human contact, the contact with the teacher, the contact with their peers,” said Pierre Laurent, a parent of three students at Waldorf who works at a high-tech start-up and was a former employee at Intel and Microsoft. To counteract the notion that children need computer time to compete in the modern world, the Waldorf supporters propose the question: What’s the rush? “At Google and all these places, we make technology as brain-dead easy to use as possible. There’s no reason why kids can’t figure it out when they get older,” said Mr. Eagle.

FIT Speaks Dear Tech: It’s Not You, It’s Me By Samantha Vance

I have a smartphone, blog, Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, and LinkedIn accounts. I use my smartphone to check emails and Facebook, but mostly for making phone calls and texting. On occasion, I will tweet something when I remember I have a Twitter account. I stopped using Foursquare for some reason and it’s been ages since my last blog post. With the endless introduction of new tech platforms and the overwhelmingly constant reminders to “market “ ourselves on them, I find myself shying away from what used to be a fun hobby. In other words, I am severely teched-out! My relationship with technology has become a love-hate one. Like food, it is essential to my survival because without my emails I wouldn’t be able to send files or check back with sources, and without Facebook I wouldn’t be able to talk to family and friends from South Carolina as often. On the other hand, I hate its control over me and the way it has turned our private life into a public one is sickening. It seems like we have become products on an assembly line to be marketed to companies, such as Coca-cola or Cap’n Crunch. I’m not a brand and I don’t think I should become one just to find employment. Hard work and dedication used to result in a job, now it’s about how many followers you have on a website. I’m working, interning, and taking a full course load, so why should I have to be on the job all the time, making sure I am following some sort of “Brand Samantha” rulebook? I’ve done enough things to entice potential employers. Don’t get me wrong, I still get incredibly excited when I see new technology. I marvel at innovations such as iCloud, and its special Universal Access features for hearing and vision

…being connected 24/7 makes me very anxious, because I always have to make sure I’m not misrepresenting myself. impaired customers. Technology advancements have a huge and positive impact on our lives, especially for those less fortunate. But in other ways, it makes life harder. For instance, being connected 24/7 makes me very anxious, because I always have to make sure I’m not misrepresenting myself. I don’t like having to ask myself “If I don’t tweet today, how much will it effect my chances of getting a job?” or “If I never check my LinkedIn or update it, will I be losing potential employers?” All I can worry about is my school, job, and internship. So, let’s try this remedy together—if, like me, you’re also feeling this sweeping helplessness amongst the wave of social networking and smartphones—just take a break from it! No one needs to be connected all the time or constantly feeling anxious about clicks, likes, and followers—it’s a recipe for headaches and fatigue. Try very hard to unplug after a certain point in the evenings, enjoy a cup of cocoa and relax. Students at our school have a reputation for being very focused and overworked by choice. We are dedicated guys and gals, and we certainly deserve a night off! Don’t worry, your 23 notifications, 10 emails, and 14 new followers will still be there in the morning.

Google vs. Facebook: The Verdict By Megan Venere

bit.ly/vNmVBk

FIT SPEAKS

NOVEMBER 2011

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STYLE ON 27 Yazmin Lopez | Production Management Favorite Fashion Publication? Vogue What Apple product do you own? iPhone, MacBook Pro, iMac Why Apple? Ease of use and technologically advanced tools that are very helpful. Beautifully designed products

Joshua Martin | International Trade and Marketing Favorite Fashion Publication? V-Man, Dazed and Confused What Apple product do you own? iPad, MacBook, iPhone Why Apple? Made the switch from Sony Vaio to MacBook and got hooked. The service is top-notch and I like the Apple care service

Photography by Armah Jones. FIT students rely on technology to manage their busy lives. While they need the best products to stay connected, they don’t hesitate to add a little techie style to their fall looks with the latest Apple products. Whether they prefer trenches or sweaters, heels or flats, hoodies or henleys, it’s clear that a shiny Apple iPhone or MacBook is the season’s best accessory.

Amy Gianforcaro | Fashion Design Favorite Fashion Publication? Nylon What Apple product do you own? iPod, iPhone, MacBook Pro Why Apple? Easy to use, good products, minimalist aesthetic

Lisa Adoo | FMM Favorite Fashion Publication? WWD What Apple product do you own? MacBook Air, iPod touch Why Apple? Easy to use, quality, fits in my purse

Tara Hall | FMM Favorite Fashion Publication? Vogue What Apple product do you own? iPhone, iPod, MacBook Pro Why Apple? Because it’s the best. It’s reliable and fast

Theodore Lu | AMC Favorite Fashion Publication? WWD What Apple product do you own? iPhone, iMac Why Apple? Mom needed new phone so I gave her my Android and upgraded to the iPhone instead

Steve Ayala | Animation, 7th Floor Game Room Manager Favorite Fashion Publication? V-Mag What Apple product do you own? Every iMac since Steve Jobs’ return to Apple Why Apple? Always fascinated by the aesthetic of the design

Jully-Alma Taveras | FMM Favorite Fashion Publication? Vogue What Apple product do you own? MacBook Pro, iPhone Why Apple? I love the aesthetics of the design. I love the quality and durability of Apple products

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Online Dating: Browse, Click, Date By Rich Gilmartin It’s Friday night, the lights are drawn down low, candles are lit, and you have a nice romantic meal set on the dinner table. But once again, you find yourself alone. Let me just start off by saying that it’s not you, it’s the city (well, it might just be you). A little over half of the population in Manhattan lives alone, it’s a complete shame if you ask me. However, there’s no need to panic, the Internet is here to save us. Free online dating websites such as OkCupid.com and DateMySchool. com have targeted the college age market and have completely revolutionized the image of online dating sites from questionable to fun. Like any person new to the world of online dating, I was hesitant to test out this new form of contacting people. Sure, I have 7,000 friends on Facebook, but that doesn’t mean I talk to all of them. Let’s admit it, we all have a fear of being rejected. Luckily, the computer screen eases the pain a bit. I first decided to try out the popular, and free, dating website OkCupid.com. My first impression was that the website resembled Facebook and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Winklevoss twins filed a law suit soon. While the basic setup of the standard profile and the messaging system remained the same, there are minor tweaks on the site that create a romantic vibe. The “poke” button has been replaced with a “wink” button and a list is given to you of people who are shown to be most compatible with you, based on a survey of random questions. You should be careful of how you choose to answer these questions though—one wrong answer and you could end up like me, with a list of strung out hipsters from Williamsburg who are too original to actually write anything original in their profile. You are

also notified every time someone looks at your profile, which takes a bit of time to get used to. After answering all the questions to try and discover your “quiver” matches, the time came to message people. This can be a bit tricky because a profile on an online dating website typically does not honestly portray how the person is because they are trying to show the best image possible. According to the article “5 DatingProfile Clichés and What They Really Mean” on the Shine! Network, if someone writes that they are very sarcastic, they are usually the complete opposite and almost never have a sense of humor. I wish someone had told me this before I went on a spree of witty banters in several personal messages I sent out to some of the girls on OkCupid.com. The second website I chose to visit was DateMySchool. com, which allows you to network with others in your school as well as surrounding schools. Upon signing up for the site there was a banner on the top right of the screen that said, “Sign up to get: Free drinks, a free movie, a green card”. How comforting I thought. The setup of DateMySchool.com, which is still in Beta form, basically follows the same formula as OkCupid.com, but without the “wink” button. Their key strategy is to allow the customer to choose exactly who can and who cannot see their profile, depending on which school they go to. This is the web site that the stereotypical boyfriendhungry FIT girls came searching for a match. These girls are much more forward than females on OkCupid. com and are not afraid to make the first move and send a message. The exclusivity of the site makes you feel more comfortable in your technological search to find the perfect companion.

To conclude, even if someone appears to be “the one” according to his or her profile and answers, you never truly know if you are compatible until you meet in person. It could take weeks of communicating with someone before you finally decide to meet in person, and when you do meet but no sparks happen, then it was all just a big waste of time. Choosing the right online dating website can be vital in helping you find the perfect mate, so here’s a comparison chart:

OKCupid 2 people like this.

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Greater network of people to choose from Uses survey to give you compatible matches Notifies you every time someone visits your profile Offers a variety of tests for entertaining purposes

DateMySchool 4 people like this.

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Provides a more exclusive network of people Surveys are given, but compatible matches are not generated from answers Notifies you every time someone visits your profile Environment makes it much easier to talk to potential dates

THE TECHNOLOGY ISSUE

Don’t Let Winter SLip AWAy

EARN 3 CREDITS IN JUST 3 WEEKS Winter Session: January 3-24, 2012.

Dozens of classes meet Monday-Thursday and online, too.

WINTER SESSION Register now at fitnyc.edu/winter

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