Visual Merchandising in Fashion

When following certain fashion bloggers and those into fashion, I've heard of fashion visual merchandising. I had no idea was visual merchandising was until I saw a few YouTube videos. This specific post is about visual merchandising in fashion. Now to educate my audience on visual merchandising in fashion to my readers, I want to bring this to light and showcase what I've learned about fashion visual merchandising. You can thank me if you like if I somehow get you into fashion visual merchandising. ;)

A special hello to any of you who are into or working within the realm of fashion visual merchandising! Maybe I can do you proud with my blog post to my readers. Welcome to "John's Blog Space!"

NOTE: Everything here is based on my own understanding of this topic.

About the Label: "Careers"

The "Careers" label is a look at certain careers. A real positive I look to draw from this is to maybe get some people interested in certain careers. Everything is all based either on what I've learned or what I believe about certain fields people may be interested in. Regardless, I am hopeful to perhaps get people interested in certain careers if they find my posts inspiring. I don't expect people to be interested into certain fields when they visit my blog, but it would be nice to know I at least inspire people in some way.

--- Fashion Visual Merchandising at a Glance ---

Let's begin with an example of visual merchandising. It was this video where I felt like I learned the most about visual merchandising. This is a long video at nearly eight and a half minutes long. If you have the time, please take a look at this video:



I'm sure you female readers have been to the mall or to department stores and became attracted to items you see in the window. You see a cute outfit or some foxy shoes. Maybe you guys out there seen a cool suit or a nice casual outfit. No matter what the store- Hollister, Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, Pacsun, Hot Topic, Torrid, Saks Fifth Avenue, or whatever fashion store(s) you like- part of the attraction of these fashions is in how stores are arranged. Visual merchandising is the first step in drawing in visitors. The finest of fashions all mean nothing if you don't arrange a store properly to make the shopping experience fun.

The best way to set a store up with fashion is to arrange everything in a special way based on the clothes being sold. I've been to various stores with clothes nicely arranged. The character of a certain retailer can also help in its appeal. For example, I remember going to a Hollister store once. Since Hollister is marketed towards the teen and young adult set while also having beach/surf-influenced style, you can afford to be very casual with the clothes while still offering that beachy experience. What works for a Hollister store, however, won't work for a place like Neiman Marcus or Saks Fifth Avenue. You don't want an upscale and classy retailer to have something better suited towards teenagers than those with money to burn or serious window shoppers (no disrespect to my younger audience).

Whether it is clothes, shoes, accessories, or whatever; it is very important to showcase everything in an appealing manner. It has to be appealing while also being completely marketable. So is the job of a visual merchandiser.

Fashion Visual Merchandising, as I Understand It.

To the best of my understanding, visual merchandising is an element of fashion involving properly showcasing clothing to the masses. In other words, this is like housekeeping. You are trying to market fashion to consumers by nicely decorating and arranging a clothing store properly. Fashion consumers likely are attracted to the fashions featured at a store. However, no one will want to visit any fashion store if you fail to arrange it properly.

Fashion Visual Merchandising Analogy.

Think about it for a moment. No one wants to go a store or certain section of a store for any special reason if you don't properly promote it. Think about when a holiday or any other special occasion is celebrated. As of this blog post, Mother's Day goods are offered at stores. How, as a merchandiser, do you promote your Mother's Day goods to your target audience? A well-arranged layout will make the shopping experience fun. A haphazardly set up store looks sloppy and uninspired, and no one person will want to shop at a store or a location that is arranged in a sloppy manner.


Therefore, visual merchandising is a VERY important element to those who are trying to sell and/or promote goods to others.

--- Fashion Visual Merchandising Blog Example ---

I usually feature multiple blogs whenever going around the blogosphere. However, I will feature the only blogger I best know as a visual merchandiser. This is a blogger named Christina, and her blog is called "Heart Made." She studied Visual Merchandising in college. I want to share with you two examples of her visual merchandising work. Here is your inspiration:

• Visual Merchandising Windows - Part 1 - Heart Made « fashion example
• Visual Merchandising Windows - Part 2 - Heart Made « non-fashion example

You now have a little insight from a blogger on visual merchandising. To see more of Christina's posts, visit Heart Made.

--- Want to Get Started in Fashion Visual Merchandising? ---

Want to get started with visual merchandising? As I like to do in my blog, I want my readers to get the full experience. Let me offer you these resources so you can get started considering getting into visual merchandising. All resources listed below are primarily for my United States audience, and maybe even Canada too. If it is a non-American or non-Canadian resource, I will make note of it. So have a look around:

America and Canada.

• Merchandise Marketing - FIDM « FIDM = Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
• The Art Institutes' Schools "fashion visual merchandising" search results « based on search results.
• Visual Merchandising - Career Profile - fashionschools.org
• LIM College
• Fashion Visual Merchandising Jobs - Job is Job « Fashion Visual Merchandising Jobs in Canada

International.

• Visual Merchandising - Fashion - Central Saint Martins (United Kingdom)
• Visual Merchandiser - Creative Way (United Kingdom)
• Master in Fashion Styling & Visual Merchandising - Domus Academy (Italy)
• Fashion Visual Merchandising training course in Milan (Italy)
• Professional course in fashion visual merchandising - Accademia del Lusso (Italy)
• Visual Inspirations Australia (Australia)
• Fashion Retailing, Marketing & Merchandising Part Time course - AIFD « AIFD = Australian Institute of Fashion Design (Australia)

Online/Other.

• Fashion Visual Merchandising | Fashion - acadenia.com


I hope I could spur your interest here. As always, more links could be added depending on if I can find some more resources for you all. Feel free to contact me with any more links if you can further assist my audience.





If any of you in fashion visual merchandising can offer any extra advice that may interest my readers, please be sure to contact me. I will update this post with more information in case this blog post becomes popular and useful. Thank you for reading!

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Bring Back AstroWorld?

Six Flags AstroWorld used to be Houston's premier theme park for over 37 years. There was Six Flags Astroworld and the adjacent Waterworld amusement park for those who wanted to enjoy some watery fun. It was permanently closed down in 2005, much to the dismay of those who loved Six Flags Astroworld here in Houston. These days, the nearest Six Flags in the Houston/Galveston where you can go to is Six Flags Fiesta Texas in Arlington, TX, USA. You can go to Schlitterbahn or Splashtown here in the area if you prefer going to a local watery theme park. While AstroWorld is perhaps best known for the Texas Cyclone, you can nowadays enjoy a roller coaster experience in Kemah by riding the Boardwalk Bullet.

You see where I'm going with this? I am basically sharing that as AstroWorld is no longer with us, you can enjoy the theme park experience in the Houston/Galveston area today... only that you have to go to multiple sites. This blog post is somewhat a look at AstroWorld as well as thoughts on if you would want to see Six Flags AstroWorld return. Or, I'll ask if you think maybe some other theme park should return to the Houston area, or if you think it should be called something besides AstroWorld.

--- AstroWorld Today ---

So what does the area look like now? Well... what used to be Six Flags Astroworld is now this:


^ from: (my Facebook profile) - Uploaded September 1, 2010; this grassy lot used to be Houston's premier theme park.

Would you want Six Flags Astroworld back? Even if under a new name? Even if you have to pay taxes or something for it to return? Or, maybe... is Houston better off without Six Flags Astroworld or some other theme park?

--- Thoughts on AstroWorld ---

I have never been on any rides or anything at Six Flags AstroWorld. Honestly- my ONLY experience at AstroWorld was simply being in a parking lot with my mom waiting to pick up my brother. I have never been inside Six Flags AstroWorld for anything.

While I haven't been to AstroWorld, I have known a handful of people whom HAVE enjoyed the Six Flags AstroWorld between its lifespan (opened June 1, 1968; closed October 30, 2005). One thing about Houston is so much about being a world-class city while not being overly glamourous. AstroWorld was one representation of that. You could enjoy a theme park experience in a great location in a vastly underrated city. You don't have to go to Orlando to Disneyland- you can come down to Houston in the shadow of the great Astrodome and enjoy the rides at AstroWorld. Or if you want to beat the Texas heat, try visiting the WaterWorld part of AstroWorld. AstroWorld's biggest attraction was the Texas Cyclone. There were also fun attractions such as Fright Fest at AstroWorld during Halloween time.

AstroWorld's Demise.

This is according to a YouTube comment I read: AstroWorld closed down because the CEO of Six Flags AstroWorld noted AstroWorld wasn't performing very well- costing more to maintain rather than gaining sufficient revenue. The plan to demolish the land to help make some good money off of it ultimately didn't work. So in the end, AstroWorld got the deathblow, and many Houstonians and those looking to visit Houston could no longer can enjoy going to AstroWorld.

It's a great shame to be honest. Here used to be a great theme park to enjoy getting on rides and going to shows at. Really sad this great theme park is no longer with us.

Facts and Figures on AstroWorld.

When Six Flags AstroWorld closed down, here are a few figures on this old theme park:

• 1968 opening, 2005 closing
• 57 acres
• 119 permanent jobs lost
• attracted 1500 seasonal workers per year

So it's [still] sad to see this institution no longer with us and the impact its demolition has left.

The Area Today.

That big heap of grass is what used to be Six Flags AstroWorld and the adjacent WaterWorld. The only remaining element of AstroWorld still standing is the pedestrian bridge linking from what is now Reliant Park to AstroWorld. The only really active part of the area is Reliant Stadium. Reliant Stadium is, of course, home of the Houston Texans of the National Football League as well as home to various sporting events, such as Monster Jam, AMA Supercross, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. It even plays host to the Texas Bowl in college football.

Besides this, Reliant Center hosts many conventions. I've been to Reliant Center a number of times to attend the Houston Auto Show. I've even been to my first Houston Boat Show at Reliant Center, and I even been to Reliant Center in 2003 to attend Hot Import Nights. Reliant Arena was home to the defunct Houston Comets of the WNBA. And what about the Astrodome- which has been the home of the Houston Astros and the Houston Oilers (now the Tennessee Titans)? Many people have thought of things such as demolishing the Astrodome and replacing it with something else, or some other things to do with the Astrodome.

--- Should/Could AstroWorld Return? ---

I have a number of thoughts on if this theme park should return. There are still a lot of people who wonder what should be done with the Astrodome, let alone bringing back AstroWorld. The big heap of grass that used to be Six Flags AstroWorld would be better off... as Six Flags AstroWorld. Even if people had to pay more taxes or whatever just to pump money into the city and to that specific part of Houston just to bring back AstroWorld, so be it.

There are still more ways to enjoy some fun around Houston besides AstroWorld. For example, you can go to Discovery Green in downtown Houston for some fun on a warm Houston day. I don't think that Six Flags AstroWorld's absence makes Houston a less entertaining city. There is plenty to do here to enjoy Houston. While AstroWorld's demise hurts, it wouldn't hurt to bring back such an institution. The only reasons why I think AstroWorld may no longer return is either if there is no real interest bringing it back or any sort of economic issues.

I still think Houston is a world-class city with lots of culture and character even if it lacks the appeal of other world-class American cities. One of the many things to show Houston IS a world-class city is with Houston's own theme park- AstroWorld. Maybe the quality to show that the area can still generate some great money is how the Texans are doing, especially with their 2011 AFC South-winning campaign along with their first playoff win. I would think seeing a theme park return to the area would be great to make the area interesting and fun outside of Reliant Park. I don't even care if you call it Reliant AstroWorld- it would be great to see a high-quality theme park return to that heap of grass that used to be AstroWorld. I read there was supposed to be a theme park north of Houston called EarthQuest (or something). That did NOT materialize due to EarthQuest facing bankruptcy. Anything to help make Houston any more attractive and worth visiting is fine with me- including bringing back AstroWorld (or some other high-quality theme park).

At least... these are MY thoughts. How about yours?

--- Video Memories of AstroWorld ---

Here are some YouTube videos to help showcase what AstroWorld has meant to Houston, Houstonians, and visitors. If you can't view the videos, then text links will be supplemented below each video so you can view the videos privately.


^ "Six Flags Astroworld Timeline"


^ "Six Flags AstroWorld - Texas Tornado"


^ "This used to be Astroworld."


^ "Six Flags Astroworld Fright Fest Front gate"


Astroworld/Waterworld Commercial, 1983


And finally (sadly)...

^ "AstroWorld Closing - KHOU"


Sad memories... eh, fellow Houstonians?

--- AstroWorld Resources ---

A few resources on AstroWorld can be visited at these links:

• AstroWorld Facebook Fan Page « fan page?
• (a Facebook petition to bring back AstroWorld)
• Six Flags AstroWorld Wikipedia page
• SixFlagsHouston.com - an AstroWorld Tribute Site
• SixflagsHouston on YouTube « a fan site
• Astroworld Employee's Tribute Site

(More links may be added in future edits.)

--- Cross-Promotion/Other Reading ---

I hope you enjoyed my blog post. Here are some more readings in case you want to look at some more material of mine:

Houston: Underrated and Underappreciated
^ Houston is one of the most underrated and least-appreciated cities in the United States. I show my reasons why this city is better than what most people make it out to be by looking at this blog post.

(all Houston/Galveston posts)
^ Click on this link to see all of the latest posts in the "Houston/Galveston" category. These are posts dedicated to people from and living in the Houston/Galveston area. I can't leave behind my fellow Houstonians in my blog. This is an international blog, but I can NOT forget my fellow hometown people.


I do these cross-promotion sections because I love that you visited my blog. I want to interest you in other posts of mine. I want you to see more of my work if you've enjoyed your time here. So please, look around. There's MUCH more I've posted here that's worth your time! :)





So do you think AstroWorld (or some other theme park) should return to the Houston area? Are there certain deterrents and obstacles that could prevent such a theme park returning to Houston? Can today's Houston sustain a new theme park? Feel free to comment away. Thank you for reading!

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The Bill Cunningham Show

The Bill Cunningham Show is a daytime talk show that first hit the airwaves in September 2011. It joins a number of other different daytime talk shows trying to win your respect. Various topics ranging from sex and cheating to family crises are discussed on The Bill Cunningham Show.

--- The Bill Cunningham Show ---

Bill Cunningham himself has served as a lawyer for a long time. He is also a parent. He hails from Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; and is a graduate of Xavier University as well as the University of Toledo Law School. Bill Cunningham brings his expertise and experience to help out guests on his show. So when it comes to some of the various issues covered on the show, it is pretty understandable about his takes with the various guests. Many of the topics involve some of the usual issues- sex, cheating, family crises, and things like that. The show is taped in New York City and produced by Tribune Entertainment and ITV Studios America.

This show, to me, is sort of a throwback to traditional '90s style daytime talk shows. It has the drama of Maury with the raunchy nature of Jerry Springer, but is all covered as casually as Ricki Lake or Jenny Jones. He'll use terminology like BFF (Best Friend Forever) and lots of other casual terms. It is a very casual and loose daytime talk show that still is about action. The action, however, doesn't get OVERLY dramatic to where it becomes something too raunchy for TV. It is a pretty entertaining show.

The show has a few segments devoted to helping out the guests. What follows at about the 40-minute mark is "Talk Back With Bill," where the microphones are dropped as audience members ask questions to featured guests. Towards the 50-minute mark of episodes, an expert offers opinions based on what he/she has heard and seen from guests featured on the show. The final segment features the "Bottom Line," Which is similar to Jerry Springer's "Final Thoughts."

Brief Review.

I think this show has a little of everything and makes for great TV. Maybe my biggest let down of the show is that I don't usually see any sort of resolution or progress on the show. Like when I watch Maury or Jeremy Kyle, I usually sense a sense of resolution with most guests on the set. I don't really see that on The Bill Cunningham Show. Otherwise, this is an entertaining show.

Video Preview.

Here is a brief preview of what The Bill Cunningham Show is about:


And that will conclude this blog post on The Bill Cunningham Show.





To learn more about The Bill Cunningham Show or get social with The Bill Cunningham Show, I invite you to visit the following:
• www.thebillcunninghamshow.com (Official)
• The Bill Cunningham Show - Facebook Fan Page
• Follow the Bill Cunningham Show on Twitter (@BillCunninghamS)!
• The Bill Cunningham Show on YouTube

• The Bill Cunningham Show - Wikipedia
• Bill Cunningham - Wikipedia


For now, thank you for reading! Take care and have a great day!

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