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Kemal Forrester

For Timeless Style In A Trend Driven World

October 10, 2018

French Savoir Faire - What Is It?

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues, Fashion


Did you know that all of the terms used in English to describe something done passionately or with a unique quality are in French?

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TAGS: French Luxury Brands, Savoir Faire, luxury brands, luxury goods, customer service, craftsmanship, branding, Paris fashion, fashion business consultancy, marketing consultancy, fashion marketing, fashion branding services, fashion branding, fashion management


October 2, 2018

Why French Luxury Sets The Bar For High Fashion

by Kemal Forrester in Fashion, Designer Monologues


Why French Luxury-02.png
Why French Luxury-02.png

You haven’t really made it until your brand has broken ground in Paris. This is the consensus of the industry. Many global brands have struggled to break into the Paris luxury world, including the likes of Victoria’s Secret who, despite its popularity in the US and its highly received televised fashion show, remains somewhat excluded.

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TAGS: luxury brands, French, French Luxury Brands, Quality, Chanel, Laduree, Savoir Faire, fashion business consultancy, marketing consultancy, fashion marketing, fashion management


September 18, 2017

What Is “Slow Fashion”? How It's Transforming The Fashion Industry

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues, Fashion


What Is Slow-02.png
What Is Slow-02.png

I am sure you have heard the term “slow fashion” being thrown around quite a bit recently. Legendary designer, Vivienne Westwood has always been an advocate of "buy less, choose well, make it last".Over the past couple of years slow fashion has been a growing movement to get consumers to purchase practical apparel options for quality at a slightly higher price and to turn away from fast fashion brands like Zara’s & H&M. Let’s find out why:

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TAGS: slow fashion, fashion industry, fashion designer, Fashion Design, eco fashion


August 28, 2017

The Problem With Plus-Size Lines

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues, Fashion


Plus-Size Clothing Lines.jpg
Plus-Size Clothing Lines.jpg

There is a reason the plus-size industry struggles to be taken seriously in spite of the demand. It would appear that many designers for this market segment just tend to size up trendy styles rather than to create pieces that will complement women with curves. All silhouettes were not created equal. If you were to line up 10 women who were a size 16, some would be smaller than others. I have seen women of this size with a flat tummy and a small bust and others with ample busts and slim legs. Let's face it, from the pear shaped to slim figures, women need garments which will mask imperfections or minimize trouble areas if any, while emphasizing their best attributes. This is especially true for women size 16+. Now, let's tackle some of the key reasons these lines fall flat. 

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TAGS: Plus-Size, Plus Size Clothing, Clothing lines, fashion industry, fashion designer, plus size designer


July 31, 2017

Top 3 Reasons Most Fashion Start-Ups Fail

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues, Fashion


Top 3 Reasons Most-02.png
Top 3 Reasons Most-02.png

They say, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. This is indeed true for designers because a fashion brand is an expensive venture. You hear about labels going under and wonder, what the heck happened? Well, here are three reasons that most fashion startups

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TAGS: fashion industry, fashion business advice, fashion business, how to start a fashion business, fashion startup


July 10, 2017

Open Letter To My Fellow Designers

by Kemal Forrester in Designer Monologues, Fashion


OPENLETTER.jpg
OPENLETTER.jpg

When we first get into this industry, it is all about the craft, our talent. We enter the fashion world wide eyed and excited about the possibilities. I think for any fashion based creative, the goal is to launch our own lines or companies at some point. So, the question is, how big do you want your brand to be?

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TAGS: fashion designer, fashion industry, fashion business advice, fashion career, fashion jobs


April 10, 2017

Fashion Designers Who No Longer Own Their Brands

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues, Fashion


FASHION COLLAGE.jpg
FASHION COLLAGE.jpg

Many fashion designers aim for the big time. What they don't tell you is that going big can sometimes cost you everything, including the rights to your own name. I constantly stress to designers that there are drawbacks when striving to become the next Ralph Lauren. If you don't perform according to the expectations of shareholders, you can be forced out of your own company. Well, there are several big name designers who have fallen victim to this very scenario. Let's take a look at the list:

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TAGS: fashion industry, fashion designer, calvin klein, tommy hilfiger, john galliano, fashion career, house of margiela, Hervé léger, jil sander


March 20, 2017

The Future Of Fashion - Is It Promising?

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues, Fashion


The Future Of Fashion-02.png
The Future Of Fashion-02.png

Recently, it was announced that a few of the fast fashion brands that were poppin’ just a few years ago are going bankrupt. Yes, it’s true. For example, American Apparel will be closing all of its stores and Nasty gal has filed for bankruptcy. However, big global luxury brands are not immune. Ralph Lauren will be closing over 50 stores and a few months ago cut just over 3000 jobs. The good news is, fashion is going under a reconstruction...

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TAGS: Opinion Post, fashion, fashion industry, fashion business


January 18, 2017

Fashion Cover Story - Karl Lagerfeld

by Kemal Forrester in Designer Monologues, Fashion


I am positive that you have heard of this name even if you aren't able to put a face to it. So, who is Karl Lagerfeld? Well, right now he is the current Creative Director at Chanel with a lifetime contract! He is unapologetically blunt which, is a characteristic I must admit that I love about him.  Let's not forget his most recent bit of honesty towards Kim Kardashian caused her to "unfriend" him. You might find that strange, but I think being direct is a redeeming quality. Although it might not be pleasant, I commend those who stand in their truth because in today's world, it is tough to come by. This is probably why I get on with French people so well, if you don't know by now frank speech is a part of French culture. Hey! I say avoid the "fakeness", keep it 100! Now that we have a superficial overview of this fashion legend, lets go a bit deeper...

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TAGS: karl lagerfeld, fashion designer, fashion design, chanel, balmain, fendi, louis vuitton, biography


January 11, 2017

Print Of The Month - Black Watch

by Kemal Forrester in Designer Monologues, Fashion


Black Watch Swatch.jpg
Black Watch Swatch.jpg

I am sure you have seen this pattern before on button downs and even coats. Well, the black watch print is in fact a timeless wardrobe staple. It is a tartan fabric, which means that it has a pattern of vertical and horizontal bands that criss cross.

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TAGS: print, plaid, fabric, black watch, fashion terminology, fashion education


November 2, 2016

3 Tips To Develop A Successful Personal Brand

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues, fashion career advice, Fashion


PersonalBranding
PersonalBranding

I am pretty sure that you've heard this buzz term personal branding. So, what is it exactly? Well, it is defined as the practice of marketing yourself and career as a brand, according to Wikipedia. Let's talk a bit more about what it is and how you can build a successful personal brand.

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TAGS: personal brand, personal branding, fashion industry, fashion career, fashion jobs, career tips, how to break into fashion


July 5, 2016

How A Small Town Guy Became An Instagram Influencer

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues, Fashion, Guest Post


IMG_8228.jpeg
IMG_8228.jpeg

Fashion influencer Donovan Harris is a modern day story of how a guy from New Jersey with a simple idea became social media famous. This young up and coming designer is proof that with a bit of know-how and perseverance you can go from small town to global!

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TAGS: brianna corlette, instagram, Fashion Interview, influencer


March 8, 2016

The Various Divisions Of Fashion - Product Development

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues, fashion career advice, Fashion


Product Development, the happy medium between Design and production. The perfect position if you enjoy being creative, but don’t want to be a designer.

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TAGS: fashion industry, fashion jobs, fashion education, fashion students, fashion resources, product development


February 8, 2016

My Fashion Book Recommendation....

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues, Fashion


Image via BN.com

Image via BN.com

Image via BN.com

Image via BN.com

Fashion is more than clothing, it is a business rich with history. If you really want to know about the industry, you have to learn about it from the insiders. There are many books available, but this particular book changed my entire perspective on the fashion world

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TAGS: fashion education, fashion industry, fashion books, luxury brands, deluxe


February 1, 2016

Couture - The Most Misused Term In Fashion

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues, Fashion


J.Mendel RTW 2014.jpeg
J.Mendel RTW 2014.jpeg

Fashion Week is in full swing which, just wrapped its couture shows in Paris before landing here in New York.  Speaking of the couture, you do realize it is one of the most misused terms in fashion. It appears that many people don’t know exactly what it is and/or just use it to sound bourgeois. Well, in order to know what the correct definition is, we have to go back to the beginning:

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TAGS: fashion education, fashion terminology, fashion industry, fashion students, Fashion Design, couture, fashion week, fashion terms


January 26, 2016

Retail-Wholesale- Outlet What’s The Difference?

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues, Fashion, fashion career advice


Wholesaleretailoutlet.jpg
Wholesaleretailoutlet.jpg

So, I am sure that you know that...

RETAIL IS

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TAGS: fashion education, fashion terminology, fashion industry, fashion students, fashion resources, fashion career, fashion jobs, retail, wholesale, outlet


January 22, 2016

Fashion Term Of The Week - Parka

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues, Fashion


AmericanEagleOutfittersParka.jpg
AmericanEagleOutfittersParka.jpg

With the cold weather finally upon us along with the threat of a blizzard in the North East, it seemed organic to reference a term related to winter wear.

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TAGS: fashion education, fashion students, Fashion Design, fashion terms, fashion terminology, parka, ski parka, military parka, coats


January 15, 2016

Signature Handbags Vs Collection - What's The Difference

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues, Fashion


Signature Vs Collection.png
Signature Vs Collection.png

When you work in fashion, things tend to become second nature after a while. You become very perceptive, but at the same time become indifferent to things because you have seen so much of it. That is how I became with handbags. Now I can spot a Louis or a Celine a mile away without hesitation. 

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TAGS: fashion education, fashion industry, fashion students, handbags


January 14, 2016

Color Theory

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues, Fashion


COLOR THEORY.png
COLOR THEORY.png

The color wheel goes as far back as Pre-K and afternoon naps. Back then, you learned about them with fun little songs and exercises to describe people, places and things. However, in fashion, color is more than fun descriptions, it is life. Therefore,  understanding color theory is like breathing air.

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TAGS: fashion education, fashion industry, fashion jobs, fashion career, fashion students, color


January 11, 2016

Why You Should Think Twice About Buying Fake Designer Goods

by Kemal Forrester in The Designer Monologues, Fashion


fake-bags-.jpg
fake-bags-.jpg

The world of luxury for many of us seems like a magical experience that can somehow be captured by purchasing high-end fashion items. Whether it is a Louis Vuitton wallet, a Cartier watch or the most sought after Celine bag. I know, I know, it's just calling your name, but it's not in the budget. Somehow you begin to think, I will just buy a fake Gucci bag. No one will know, unless they're an expert and I sure as heck not going to tell them! It's just like buying the real thing without paying the real price. Besides, those brands are making a fortune off of this stuff anyway so, why the heck should I care?! What you don't know is that buying that counterfeit bag is a bad idea for many reasons.

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TAGS: fashion education, fashion industry, fashion students


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@KemalForrester On instagram
The work ethic is worth more than the money. If you work hard enough & show passion, the money will find its way to you. #fridayvibe #fridaymotivation
Transparency is the name of the game. It’s important to know that craftsmanship & quality is apart of your process. These are some of the things that justify a higher price point. #savoirfaire #luxuryproducts
There is something to be said for the feeling a woman gets when she has found the perfect dress or pair of shoes. The man who has found the suit that will help him look to part to seal the deal. I could go on & on about how fashion & beauty can affect, even transform lives. There is honor in what you do, remember that. #businessmotivation #fashionbiz
Work mode vibes #thankgoditsmonday #moneymakingmonday
Sundays are often a day of relaxation & reflection. As a result, our minds can become flooded with thoughts of the past week&/or the week ahead. The good news is, we don’t have to focus on the negative or believe any of the negative thoughts that may come to mind. Remember, we are usually our toughest critics. #sundayinspiration #sundayvibes✨
Looking forward to the moment when Spring has sprung to wear a little number like this from @aym.studio #springstyleinspo #stylevibes
Sometimes as a designer, there is a tendency to over design, but the key is often restraint. #quoteoftheday✏️ #nicholasburroughs
Which diamond 💍 is your favorite? #tbt #cartierjewelry
The fortune is in the follow through & the follow-up #businessadvice #businesstip

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