Every study tour to New York is special and this year certainly didn't disappoint! With the help of photos and comments from this year's students and staff, I would like to share some of the highlights from the 2014 study tour with you.
The weather is always going to be an unpredictable factor when visiting New York in mid-January. We have been very lucky over the last 5 years and had very little snow on the study tour days. This year was a slightly different winter tale.
The Sunday and Monday were great; they where crisp and dry and gave everyone the opportunity to get out and about to explore city.
BUT... -14 degrees and a blizzard made the first study tour day a bit more of a challenge!We, like the native 'New Yorkers', wrapped up warm and headed out to face the day.
Everyone was brilliant at keeping together and staying vertical!
All but one of the businesses we had appointments with made it into New York that day, despite the freezing cold weather, and were happy to welcome us. Even if we did arrive at some appointments covered in snow and rather cold!
All was not lost however, the hot chocolate and dunkin' donuts at Allure Jewelry went down a treat on the Fashion and retail tour!
Going to New York has definitely made the UK feel warmer...
The Business group set off from our hotel first, after a short briefing from Barbara, our guide from Study New York.
The Study Tours:
The Business Group
So a great place to start, providing the students with lots of tips on where to go and what to do in NY.
The tour was followed by Madison Square Gardens, taking a look inside the newly refurbished iconic sports and concert venue and the home of the NewYork Knicks.
The Knicks v Nets basketball game on the Monday was a fantastic experience. We watched the game alongside Michael J Fox...ok, he was in the VIP area and we were right up in the top seats - but the view and atmosphere were amazing.
After a brief lunch, the Business Group had two more appointments. First, Carat, a leading media planning & buying specialist. Carat are the largest European media network owned by the holding company Aegis Group PLC. This was a super visit for our BA Advertising students.
Then it was on to Wallace Church, a strategic brand identity and packaging design company.
Day two for the group started with a CV review session at investment bank Cowen Group Inc. Some invaluable feedback was gained by everyone. Sterling Brands then took the group on a journey into the world of brand strategy, brand design and innovation. Carbone Smolan 'CSA', a boutique agency again in the brand and brand strategy area but with a very different client base, gave the group a different insight into this fascinating area of marketing.
The group's final visit of the day took them into the luxurious environment of The Ritz-Carlton hotel at Battery Park, with some great views out over the river. Unfortunately the hotel wasn't quite in our price bracket!
The Fashion and Retail group started the first study day with a briefing from Hope, our guide from Cover New York. We then set off for the metro to take a short ride to our first appointment at the Calvin Klein flagship store on Madison Avenue.
The flagship store's exclusive 'black label' merchandise is exquisite. The architecture of the ex bank fully complements the design aesthetics of the new collection, providing a true luxury lifestyle environment.
It is a different world...$45,000 for a four poster bed!
On then to Macy's and a very different store layout and atmosphere - a great illustration of how department stores mix national and private brand. No Calvin Klein Black label here... just the white label.
The use of visual merchandising techniques that encourage you to spend longer in store and that caters for the different needs of the male and female shopper were clear to see. As one student said, 'it's just what you have been saying in our merchandising lectures.' Yes, we saw 10 weeks of theory illustrated in a two hour visit and there was even time for a bit of shopping. I know I was not alone in making use of my macy's discount card!
Macy's was clearly getting ready for the Superbowl, the theme was carried through it exterior signage window displays and in store. We stopped for a spot of lunch in Macy's and then it was on to WGSN, the worldwide leader in fashion trend forecasting. We are certainly very lucky to have access to WGSN to support our courses and we all benefited from a guided tour of their online resources.
Then for something completely different...
After a very challenging journey through the blizzard conditions that hit the Meat Packing District, we all finally arrived at the 'Kingpins Show' - a small exclusive invitation-only trade show that focuses purely on denim. Vendors at the show this year were from Japan, China, India, Mexico, as well as Europe and the US. A fantastic industrial space was transformed for just 3 days, everything a denim designer would need all in one place.
We were all glad to get back to the hotel as the blizzard conditions had already deposited at least 8 inches of snow on the side walk and roads in the Meat Packing District which is poorly served by the metro and other public transport. Luckily, we managed to hail enough taxis to get us all back to base.
Day 2 and very icy conditions.
We were pleased that our first appointment could be accessed without going up to street level - Anthropology at the Rockefeller Centre. During the tour we did venture outside to look at the 'up up and away' themed window displays. The in house graphic design and merchandising teams had really had fun with the hot air balloons that came in all sizes and were made in house from all sorts of materials.
Anthropology's merchandising is a one-of-a-kind compelling shopping experience,with no two stores alike. The in-house teams develop a whole lifestyle store around there target consumer who would shop in their store. The store draws you though room like experiences that reflect there audiences lives, showcasing their private brand along with selected national brands such as Velvet and Joe's Jeans.
A quick photo call to get this year's Fashion and Retail group photo!
The Fashion and Retail Group
The Fashion and Retail group started the first study day with a briefing from Hope, our guide from Cover New York. We then set off for the metro to take a short ride to our first appointment at the Calvin Klein flagship store on Madison Avenue.
The flagship store's exclusive 'black label' merchandise is exquisite. The architecture of the ex bank fully complements the design aesthetics of the new collection, providing a true luxury lifestyle environment.
It is a different world...$45,000 for a four poster bed!
On then to Macy's and a very different store layout and atmosphere - a great illustration of how department stores mix national and private brand. No Calvin Klein Black label here... just the white label.
The use of visual merchandising techniques that encourage you to spend longer in store and that caters for the different needs of the male and female shopper were clear to see. As one student said, 'it's just what you have been saying in our merchandising lectures.' Yes, we saw 10 weeks of theory illustrated in a two hour visit and there was even time for a bit of shopping. I know I was not alone in making use of my macy's discount card!
Macy's was clearly getting ready for the Superbowl, the theme was carried through it exterior signage window displays and in store. We stopped for a spot of lunch in Macy's and then it was on to WGSN, the worldwide leader in fashion trend forecasting. We are certainly very lucky to have access to WGSN to support our courses and we all benefited from a guided tour of their online resources.
Then for something completely different...
After a very challenging journey through the blizzard conditions that hit the Meat Packing District, we all finally arrived at the 'Kingpins Show' - a small exclusive invitation-only trade show that focuses purely on denim. Vendors at the show this year were from Japan, China, India, Mexico, as well as Europe and the US. A fantastic industrial space was transformed for just 3 days, everything a denim designer would need all in one place.
We were all glad to get back to the hotel as the blizzard conditions had already deposited at least 8 inches of snow on the side walk and roads in the Meat Packing District which is poorly served by the metro and other public transport. Luckily, we managed to hail enough taxis to get us all back to base.
Day 2 and very icy conditions.
We were pleased that our first appointment could be accessed without going up to street level - Anthropology at the Rockefeller Centre. During the tour we did venture outside to look at the 'up up and away' themed window displays. The in house graphic design and merchandising teams had really had fun with the hot air balloons that came in all sizes and were made in house from all sorts of materials.
Anthropology's merchandising is a one-of-a-kind compelling shopping experience,with no two stores alike. The in-house teams develop a whole lifestyle store around there target consumer who would shop in their store. The store draws you though room like experiences that reflect there audiences lives, showcasing their private brand along with selected national brands such as Velvet and Joe's Jeans.
A quick photo call to get this year's Fashion and Retail group photo!
Our next stop was at Allure Jewelry, a new addition to our study tour list of companies I have visited in New York as part of the annual University study tour. This was a real hands on experience as the jewellery is manufactured in the same location as the studio. I would have loved to have sat down and made a bespoke piece there and then.... I will just have to make time to get out all my jewellery making stuff now I am home, although my raw materials are rather more limited, and if I am honest, so are my equipment and skills!
Our final visit was a real surprise, a last minute stand in for Li & Fung a company, who's staff and owners had been unable to get into New York from New Jersey because of the snow.
M & S Schmalberg did not feel like a substitute however. It is the last of the manufacturers of custom made fabric flower pins. based in the fashion district in NYC. The company was founded back in 1916 and has many original casts from when the flowers were cut by hand.
We were treated to a tour of the factory and shown how the flowers are cut, moulded, and finally put together to make some fabulous blooms of all sizes and colours. It really was a delight to see.
Every one left with a flower of their choice, the men in the party even came away with a very up-to-the minute flower button hole.
For any Sex in the City fans out there, this company made the flower on Carrie's dress.
The following quotes are taken from the feedback questionnaire distributed at the end of the trip. The study tour received an overall satisfaction score of 8.9 out of 10.
Our final visit was a real surprise, a last minute stand in for Li & Fung a company, who's staff and owners had been unable to get into New York from New Jersey because of the snow.
M & S Schmalberg did not feel like a substitute however. It is the last of the manufacturers of custom made fabric flower pins. based in the fashion district in NYC. The company was founded back in 1916 and has many original casts from when the flowers were cut by hand.
We were treated to a tour of the factory and shown how the flowers are cut, moulded, and finally put together to make some fabulous blooms of all sizes and colours. It really was a delight to see.
Every one left with a flower of their choice, the men in the party even came away with a very up-to-the minute flower button hole.
For any Sex in the City fans out there, this company made the flower on Carrie's dress.
So, what did the students have to say?
The following quotes are taken from the feedback questionnaire distributed at the end of the trip. The study tour received an overall satisfaction score of 8.9 out of 10.
“We love NYC”
“I had a really good time and didn't want to come home.”
“The trip was excellent”
“Had an amazing time. The accommodation
is in an excellent location.”
“It as everything I imagined and
more. Want to come next year.”
“Amazing experience, first time
coming to America so enjoyed culture and tourist areas.”
“Loved every minute of it!”
“Although the snow made it
really cold the trip has been amazing!
The tours are much more interesting
than I would first have thought.”
“Great to see the city and meet new people. Also gained more knowledge of the industry.”
“This trip has been invaluable to starting my career!”
determined to get a good job as
listening to other people talk
about their experiences helped me.’
“Perfect amount of free time
and study time.” “Loved it!”
“I will never forget this trip.”
“Excellent experience.”
“Amazing central hotel”
“I’ve done and seen so much in NY. Loved the tours too. Just enjoyed everything and learnt a lot too.”
“A truly unique experience.”
“Getting to go to various
businesses helped me a lot
with my future ambitions
and what I would like to do.”
“Great fun, thanks for the opportunity. Would recommend.”
“An overall amazing experience! Thank you :-)”
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