The BATC Fashion Merchandising program went on their annual trip to New York City, June 8-13. Every year this trip provides a great opportunity for students who are interested in pursuing fashion further, to visit the fashion capital of the United States and all it has to offer in areas of education, history, architecture and even entertainment. This year was no different. Students covered the city from top to bottom, literally walking the soles of their shoes off, on the streets of the city to become familiar with the subway system, between each stop on the itinerary.
Not only did the students take in general “tourist” sights of the city such as Time Square, Rockefeller Center, 5th Avenue, Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, etc., but they also were able to participate in some very special fashion oriented stops along the way. One of our first fashion appointments of the trip was to M&S Schmalberg, a company that has been making custom fabric flowers in New York City for over 100 years. The girls got a first-hand, behind-the-scenes look at how the fabrics are cut, starched, embossed, and fit together petal-by-petal to form beautiful floral creations for headbands, lapel pins, dresses, hats etc. They were also given the opportunity to design and witness construction of their own custom “hippie headbands” right in front of them using the entire inventory of flowers. They also took part in a workshop with a Hat Shop/Storeowner in the SOHO District, participated in a meeting with the Corporate Buyers and Planning Committee for Ross, attended the “China: Through the Looking Glass” exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and saw the “Global Fashion Capitals” exhibit at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Although the weather was humid and extremely hot at points, the girls trooped on. They took full advantage while walking an average of 13 miles a day, including the entire Brooklyn Bridge. They took in spectacular views of Manhattan and Brooklyn as well as the Statue of Liberty. Students were also able to treat their eyes to the master craftsmanship, beauty, and detail of several cathedrals, churches, and city buildings all over New York City. A special moment of the trip was attending the 9/11 memorial site at the World Trade Center. From the memorial pools to the rebuilt towers and museum, there were overwhelming feelings of sadness, joy, strength, hope, patriotism, and gratitude.
Aside from all of the history, architecture, and workshops, it wouldn’t be a trip to New York City without some entertainment as well. The students were able to attend a few Broadway shows such as, “Aladdin”, “Gigi”, and the favorite show of the trip, “Matilda”! Among the Broadway shows, shopping all the greatest stores that fashion has to offer, and of course, plenty of great food, there wasn’t a dull moment. It truly was a wonderful trip that all of the girls will remember for a lifetime!