EOC: Discussion Questions Ch.5

1. In what way is Vera Wang a great example of the ever-changing career path of an individual?

Vera has started from the bottom and worked her way up into a whole new genre than where she started from. She was a former Vogue editor and a merchandiser at Ralph Lauren and now she designs wedding dresses along with other clothing lines.

2. Go to www.verawang.com . What changes have occurred in the company since the writing of this chapter? Has the brand expanded in other products?

She has expanded in a whole new way than I would have guessed. With her bridal dresses she offers a bridal salon and events so you get the whole package and fewer headaches for the big day. She came out with eyewear, tabletop, shoes, mattresses, luggage, flowers, fine papers, candles and bedding. It’s crazy to see someone in all these different categories not thinking they go together but if you really take the time and think you can see they actually do fit together.

3. In your own words describe the Vera Wang brand. How does this brand differ from others, such as Ralph Lauren or Dolce & Gabbana?

Vera Wang brand to me is more demur classic calm. Nothing in your face that can cause controversy and her ideas don’t resemble to me how Ralph Lauren gets inspired. She has her own style of a calm, cool, classic feel that brings a heightened elegance you may not seem to find elsewhere.

EOC: Ch. 4 Excercise

In this chapter you discovered that Dolce & Gabbana are known for their unique advertising campaigns. How well can you read (or analyze) one of their ads or any other fashion ad? Find a fashion ad and share with your colleagues all the innuendos you find hidden in the ad. How does this ad reflect culture or history? Does this ad say anything about the particular brand? What is subliminally suggested? Back up your thoughts with reasons from history, culture, or contemporary ideas.




I feel that I can read between the advertising innuendos pretty well. I usually spot things out of the norm before just taking the ad at face value.

The ads I have chosen were for the Nordstrom Spring 2008 ad campaign. “Nordstrom has teamed up with artist Ruben Toledo who painted 20-by-30 foot walls to serve as a backdrop for the models which were shot by fashion photographer Ruven Afanador. Toledo even painted ON the models for the campaign. The result is an artistic and stylish eye-candy.” (http://www.retailmarketingblog.com/shopping-center-marketing/2008/03/19/fashion-meets-art-nordstrom-spring-08-ads/)

Linda Finn, executive vice president of marketing at Nordstrom said “It’s one thing to say that fashion and art go together and to show it by putting a model in an art gallery. We knew we didn’t want to do that and we knew Ruben’s artwork needed to be more than just a backdrop. Instead, what Ruben and Ruven came up with truly fused art and photography. The art became the environment–transcending the very idea of a backdrop. The result truly exceeded our expectations.” (http://www.retailmarketingblog.com/shopping-center-marketing/2008/03/19/fashion-meets-art-nordstrom-spring-08-ads/)

“Toledo painted the walls to create a series of fascinating black-and-white sets and continued with his illustrations on the models' faces and bodies while Afanador captured these inspiring images. The ad campaign set off in March issues of Elle, Vanity Fair, and Vogue.” (http://www.hautfashion.com/fashion-ads/nordstroms-surrealistic-ad-campaign)

“Making art for the images of the ad campaign was really an art happening for me--the walls I painted on were 20 feet tall by 30 feet long and each scene contained three walls plus the floor!” - Ruben Toledo (http://www.dailyfrontrow.com/the-fix/article/21750)

“Each painting was painted over by the next and when I work this fast, the energy for me comes from everyone around,” he added. “It has to truly be a collaboration with everyone involved and in fact that is what great fashion or art is really about for me.”- Ruben Toledo (http://www.dailyfrontrow.com/the-fix/article/21750)



Without even reading this article the ads spoke to me. I felt it was artwork rather than just another photograph for yet another ad. I have always admired fusing the two together; art and fashion. To me they go hand and hand.

This ad throws me back to retro-style homage to the 1980’s in a way. Using ideas from the past and putting a modern twist on it speaks to a numerous amount of consumers. Whether you like it or dislike it, it does grab your attention.

This ad campaign brings together all areas of art and fashion. It brings together people that ma not regularly associate with this section or art or fashion. I find it subtle yet a gorgeous displays to grab the attention of all consumers and art lovers.

EOC: Ch.4 Discussion Questions

1. Currently, how many divisions do Dolce & Gabbana have in their company? Has it grown since this chapter was written? If so, how?

Dolce & Gabbana group has 3 distinct brands: Dolce & Gabbana, D&G, and D&G Junior. The company has grown but not with different brands, just with more quality work produced to benefit their consumers.

2. Do you think Dolce & Gabbana cater to the fashionistas that the rest of the design world has rejected? Why do you think they have dressed women like Isabella Rossellini, Madonna, Kylie Minogue, and Brooke Shields? Do you think these women are risqué? Why or why not?

No I think they cater to all types of consumers. They want to make everyone feel great in their clothing. The dressed those women because they believe that a woman should be strong, self-confident, and know that others like her, too. They are and are not risqué but they portray them to be nonthreatening so they can feel comfortable with who they are and what they represent.

3. Do you think gay and lesbian consumers purchase different fashion brands than heterosexuals? Do you think it was smart for Dolce & Gabbana to target this market? Why or why not?

I believe from gathering information from my personal gay friends that they love to buy more luxury items. They feel they cater to their needs and fit their lifestyles to a “T”. I think whether you are gay or straight we are all going to shop differently. I think it was smart of them to target a consumer group many might fear, thinking they may not cater to them and then lose out on that consumer for good. Being that the founders are homosexuals I think they may have an advantage because they design clothes how they would want them to look, fit and feel so I think it was a great strategy on their part target the gay and lesbian consumers.