New York

2011 is over. 2012 is beginning. For most of us in business the past few years have been a bit of a rollercoaster. 2008 heralded the advent of value! We’ve watched as the luxury markets have held true. Recessions seem to have come, gone and might be back again. New York was in the valley, now Europe seems to be following suit. So much of what has happened seems like it could have been averted—and I’d like to know why companies are allowed to short countries? The doomsday forecasters should probably have been heeded since we were all wondering when the real estate bubble would burst anyway (reminiscent of the dot com bust?). Anyway… As a small company we have definitely taken hits, but we are still going for it! So here are 5 simple thoughts for keeping all those balls in the air:

1. Less is more (consolidate resources, make what you do matter more)
2. Provide equal parts creativity and process (one without the other doesn’t provide rich content)
3. Find ways to “give back” (do good, feel better—giving creates flow)
4. Don’t overextend (spend that money on your staff not your furniture)
5. Promote quality of life (offer flex hours for stretched staff)

2012 may have a few bumps in store, but with a little shift in philosophy what could have been a hassle can provide an exciting ride!

Written about it before, will write about it again. The rigours of business travel. Sigh. Sitting in Premium Economy on Virgin Atlantic on my way from London to NY. Arrived 2 days ago from Sydney via Christchurch (NZ) and back in the saddle. Flew business class the last trip, a must for 30 hours travel each way, couldn't justify it for such a short hop across the pond. To travel right everyone says drink lots of water, no caffeine and/or alcohol. Me, I indulge in the vine AND drink lots of water. I can sleep just about anywhere, so that's helpful. But honestly, travel is not fun, at least not to me anymore. Especially after 25 trips this year, no matter what class you fly. Perhaps private makes the difference. Oh, to be rich. Well, it's commercial for this chick. Glass of champagne, bottle of water, a little vintage Roxy Music on the Bose. Trip 1 million begins.

Perhaps there are those of you who have secretly dreamed of living the ex pat life. I'm now stationed in London more than New York (my home for the past 20 years), though my business is all run through the States. Still, here I am, connected as if by  umbilical cord to NY but rooted in this new home of mine, the UK. It's quite the experience. Easier because I have a best friend to do it with. Easier because the two cities have a lot of the "tough" stuff in common — interesting weather, fast pace, expensive. I'm not in shock as I'm sure I would be if I was from a less intense city. Conversely, I'm not in awe as I would be if this was the first big city I called home. Some of the sense of glamour is removed when you've lived a fairly "large" life. But what's the point… On this Thanksgiving Day I am thinking of my "old" home fondly. London is too new a thing to miss NY that much, if at all. But I will say this, America has a pretty cool "can do" spirit. And that's a great thing in business, because you look at a problem and think, "you know what, I'll bet I can do this." I haven't tested London out for this yet, but whether it's here or not, it's one of the things I hope to bring to my new life here. You can say a lot of unpleasant (and true things) about us Americans, but you have to admit we're scrappy. Lol. 

I've recently relocated to London. I wasn't sure what to expect in the way of culture shock - so far so good. Living in New York City for 20 years can pretty much prepare you for any international move. I imagine relocating to somewhere a bit more exotic would pose a host of different challenges, but London/New York not so much - or at least not on the surface… Some of the more subtle differences include how to dress (warmly and maybe not as fashionably). Reason? It is always cold in London, and cabs are not as inexpensive as in New York, so good-bye heels. Service. What service? People are VERY polite in London but the concept of service is another matter altogether. The happy offshoot of this development is that you are forced to slow down, things will not go as fast as you would like. Period. London is greener than New York. For reasons I haven't discerned yet, London is more hectic (it's not just the traffic) than New York. And that green stuff, you need it. Green provides the "ah" factor. And social strata… There really isn't one in New York that isn't directly related to money. In London pedigree matters and you can't buy that for any money. Not really, anyway. Long and the short of it? Love London. Love New York. Love them for different reasons. And Love is all you need!

When I started in business the general assumption was that one would get a fair wage for a fair day's work. That day ended at 5PM. Period. Of course, I was entry level and living in Miami-which is not New York, meaning most people leave at a  "normal" hour. When I did move to NYC and I was in a new entry level job (one often needs a reinvention) my hours expanded, dramatically. This was a working town and if you weren't here to work, what the heck were you here for anyway?

So, work I did. Along the way, I found out that I was pretty darned ambitious. A town like this will reward the diligent., try it and see, it works. Work, work, work. For goodness sake. And those who worked for me worked too. It was INTENSE. I'm in the communications business and like the town that never sleeps, pr never stops. Especially with crackberries. 

But lo! in the past 2 years I've begun to experience a sea of change. My staff isn't necessarily working less (the DEFINITELY don't think they are) but things are shifting. The urgency associated with our business still exists, but somehow it feels less urgent. One of the biggest signposts of change is my acceptance of "shorthand." Everyone from the client to the associate is "tightening" things up. Maybe because time is "tighter". Maybe because our lexicon has been reduced to letters and not words - lol. Honestly, I don't know what's going on, but I'm fascinated. So, I think I'll dedicate this blog over the next few months to reflect on "observations from the office." Unfortunately, my staff will be the guinea pigs, but things could be worse. They have a pretty kick butt summer schedule. Lol.

You can now own a legendary piece of Hollywood glam that nobody else will have. Film Biz Recycling opened PROPS to the public as a means of recycling TV, film and commercial props. PROPS is a not-for-profit boutique and the entire inventory is donated. Most of what you will find is brand new and has been worn or used by celebrities on set. Rare gems include a collection of mirrors, lamps, clothing, jewelry, etc.  VIP status is not needed to shop. Everything in the house of PROPS is negotiable, no price tags included. New pieces are donated and delivered twice a week. At this rate, you can decorate your home or apartment in half the time at half the price.

Location: 43-26 12th St, second floor, Long Island City, Queens.

Everybody knows, or at least should know, that a brand is only a brand when it replaces a thing. For instance, we generally say Xerox instead of copy. Or, we refer to tissue as Kleenex. So, when we think baseball I wonder if we all think Yankees? I tend to think that way, even though I am not necessarily a Yankee fan. After all, it’s a strange year when the Yankees don’t make it to the World Series (it gets boring always pulling for the obvious winner). Baseball used to be synonymous with America’s favorite pastime. I think football has usurped that role (if you ever read this blog you’ll know that my favorite pastime is golf).
 
As we get geared up for another World Series, with that ubiquitous team that managed to lose last night, I wonder if we really feel like it is worth bothering to root for one of America’s favorite brands. Well, I guess so, why not? I live in New York, so it probably makes sense for me to go with the home team.  A brand works that way sometimes. And after all, I think it’s safe to say the Yankees are the ultimate power brand. Go Yanks!
 

Source: yankeesblog.org

Let us begin with the email.

Date: Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Subject: ummmm

You get to hear about this before the masses do:

Diesel is throwing another one of their crazy parties at a secret location, with ONE of MY FAVORITE artists DJing. It's Tuesday, October 27th, but, you WILL NEED a wristband to get in! Go to the UNION SQUARE DIESEL STORE ASAP and ask for MR. BARON and he will give you a wristband. I'm totally serious. First come, first serve.

See you Tuesday. It's gonna be crazy!

Although this email seemed a bit too Gossip Girl for me, Fashionista had reported on this alleged party shortly after I received my email. And if you know me, when Fashionista tells me to do something, I generally listen. My friends and I met at the Diesel store where we scoped out the most friendly looking sales person to ask about the secret party. “Excuse me, Hi! Ummm, I know this sounds completely ridiculous, and I apologize for harassing you while you try to sell glow in the dark denim, but I was told to ask for a Mr. Baron? Do you know anything about this?,” I said.

Before I knew it I was following a trail of confetti down the stairs into a dark room, then through a door that led to THE room. Let me set this up for you: Blaring house music, black lights, posters, glow in the dark paint…and Mr. Baron.

“Welcome.  I am Mr. Baron and this is just a taste of what you will experience next week. There are clues here about the party, but call the number on your wristband on Tuesday to find out the secret location. Be sure to wear your best black light attire. Here is your wristband. Make sure you don’t lose it—it is the only way in,” said a very thin, blond man. 

Did I mention Mr. Baron* was sitting on a chair in the middle of this empty mini rave room? This was the best thing I had experienced in a while and I couldn’t stop laughing. I alerted all of my friends from back home** of the wildness that came with living in New York.

This brings us to the event itself on Tuesday, October 27, 2009.

A lovely rainy day in New York and the last thing I wanted to do was go to this party. There was no way out, I had committed and my friends had already ironed their glow in the dark leotards. I will spare you all the details and get to the point. The party was le terrible***. There was nothing crazy or fun about it. We waited in line in the rain to realize that this was a big fat waste of a $7 cab fare.

The dance floor was packed, but nobody was dancing. They publicized a guest DJ and I expected someone fabulous (MIA and N.E.R.D performed at the party last year). But apparently the recession affected their party budget this year. Spank Rock spun…who? There was only one bar for all 500 guests. People were carrying 6 drinks at a time to avoid facing that line again. They also publicized an open bar all night—I believe open bar means free, so why did they begin charging?

Overall, I believe Diesel got what they wanted to out of the stunt. They drove traffic into their store and created a ton of buzz surrounding their new line. But after a lame no-dance party, don’t expect to see these legs in Diesel jeans any time soon.

*Mr. Baron was a petite man with a platinum blonde bowl cut, leather jacket, wearing wayfarers indoors…in a dark room.
**Home is Ohio. Yes. Ohio. No, I did not grow up on a farm.
*** ‘Le ____’ is a common Lux  Team-ism used by Lux team members at BBC.
 

Now there's a new Web site that brings all the color (though done in film noir black and white, NY style) and verve that this crazy city offers to life: One in 8 Million.

This new online destination offers up snippets of people's lives, from the corner bodega to a taxidermist to a bridge cyclist. It's a pretty amazing place to spend time. Some of the people chronicled can be located in real life if you want, such as the musician that sets up shop in the subway. Mostly, it's an homage to what makes this city so special - it's special characters.

New York really is a melting pot, and though it can make you feel a little insane some days (after all, it's a grind, no matter how much money you have, although I imagine that makes it a bit easier to digest) there's no other city like it. This incredible site, so simple and yet really quite profound, is an excellent way to experience the city, whether you live here or not.

NYC: The ultimate brand experience. Come live it for yourself, just bring a healthy bit of nerve. And if you want to watch from afar, check out this site. LOL.

Source: tworque.blogspot.com
 

Like many people in the fashion industry, I was addicted to the first few seasons of “Project Runway” but certainly never took any of the contestants seriously in an Alexander McQueen sort of way. The contestants always seem to be cartoon characters who could sew…some of the time. (I remember running into Austin from Season 1 on the street and gasping, not in recognition, but in horror at the over application of neon pink rouge.)

But moving right along, I was literally stopped in my tracks when I saw Christian Siriano beside Narciso Rodriguez and Proenza Schouler in the window of Saks Fifth Avenue just before show week in New York. Firstly, a major retailer believes in his collection enough to invest in giving him floor space during one of the toughest times for retail ever. Secondly, they gave him the front window right next to the main entrance and placed him next to some of the most proven young design talents of our time. My interest was piqued.

Personally, I’ve always felt that Siriano’s designs leaned toward the world of beauty pageants, but as a former scribe I obviously decided to poll some experts. A friend who writes for the Financial Times and Vogue China (among others) stopped by the Untitled 11:11 presentation just before the Siriano show up at the tents. I was surprised she was going, but she assured me that he was something to watch. He can sew. Fine. His designs are somewhat interesting. Check. He merchandises his collection. Ok. But then I asked her if she thinks he would be where he is if not for “Project Runway.” She looked over her glasses and down her nose at me and said, “What do you think?”

Well, here’s what I think, if you care to know. I think that a lot of people love “Project Runway” because it offers a chance for the common man to walk off the street, to make a dress or two out of trash or recycled jeans, and to win the hearts of America. It harkens back to that favorite of all American mascots: The Underdog. And, I think that Christian Siriano is the first Underdog to graduate from “PR” who has a fighting chance to go up against the big boys and girls of fashion. The real beauty of the formula is that those same people who voted for Christian Siriano to win “Project Runway” are the same people who Saks and other retailers are hoping will buy his clothes.  This time around, it’s Melva from Houston who will decide if Siriano is in or if he’s “aut.”