Project #1: Essential Research Project

The goal of this project is to choose and study a notable style icon selected from the Basic Fashion Design: Styling textbook on page 44 and thoroughly research his/her significance from a historical, social, economic and cultural perspective. Your findings will help to inspire a current-day look to be interpreted within a group setting and realized in Project #2 called The Pull: From Storyboard to Retail Floor, which will be planned and executed in Weeks 8 and 9. (The groups will be featured on Moodle). Primary and secondary research will be used to construct an investigative report memo (see example on Moodle) and complementing mood boards supporting the recommendations based on the research. Use the collections from Spring 2013; and if available, Fall 2013 from the recent international runway shows. A one-to-two minute synopsis of the content will be presented on February 26. The Investigative Report: Goal: To learn how to write an investigative report that supports your styling inspiration topic using at least 5 sources with in-text citations (MLA or APA). You may use information from the readings, along with your own research to help deconstruct your icon. A works cited or reference list should be included, depending on the citation style. Key concepts: Investigative reports are written in response to a request for information about a specific topic (s). Your supervisor might ask you to check the range of prices, compare two Web sites or document and find solutions to a particular company-related issue. They are usually prepared as memos within an organization and a letter outside of the company. How do you organize such a document? You start with an introduction of the information you are seeking or providing, any relevant background as to why the investigation was necessary and who requested it. Then, the body should include the extent of or method used for your investigation (case studies, statistics from primary sources, interviews of sources, etc.) Finally, you state your findings and provide recommendations on why and how this icon can be interpreted in a realworld context. When you are doing research for your investigative report memo, Lesikar's Business Communication book suggests keeping these thoughts in mind as you work with data: Report the facts as they are i.e. just the facts ma'am. Avoid overstating or embellishing the information to fit nicely into the document. Do not think that conclusions are always necessary. Try to summarize the findings and not worry about a conclusion if one cannot be constructed. Do not compare non-comparable data.

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When comparing data, make sure they are similar or complementary. Do not draw illogical cause-effect conclusions. The fact two sets of information affect each other does not mean they do. Use logic and discretion in your selections and analysis. Beware of unreliable and unrepresentative data. Strive to use primary sources versus secondary ones. Beware of the Internet Web sites that do not fully cite credible sources and evaluate data carefully. Do not oversimplify. Most business problems tend to be complex and require careful thoughts and consideration. Watering info down can cause ideas and data to be misinterpreted. Tailor the facts and make sure you are clear, concise and thorough. Make sure claims that are "well supported" by your evidence and when you are not sure, use words such as "may be," "could be," and "suggest." Maintain an objective attitude in your writing. Look at both sides of an issue without emotion or prejudice. Test your interpretations. Ask questions such as, "Does this appear reasonable in light of all I know and have experienced?" Then, play the devil's advocate to your ideas, thinking of counter arguments to what you've proposed with your data. Construct an outline to help you organize your information.

The Inspiration Boards Mood Board #1: The board should meet the following specifications: Black 15" x 20" (can be mat board or foam core, which can be the best if you plan to mount your board with heavy items. Do not like the edges on the foam core? You can use black masking tape by hide the foam on the side.) Use strong images based on your research: sketches and illustrations, found objects, textiles, etc. Think creatively how you assemble elements on the board: juxtapose, crossreference, collage, use a view-finder effect to focus on an element within the element, disassemble elements to show their inner beauty (the inside of a clam, the

Fashion Styling PrinciplesLenoir piece of a small accessory). Use good adhesives (Uhu stic, Scotch's permanent mounting (good for heavy objects), and glue dots.)

Mood Board #2: Color, Clothes and Hair/Makeup (Black: 11 x 16) Deconstruct your icon through the use of visual rhetorical tools: color, clothes and hair/makeup. Mood Board #3: Photography, Location and Model (Black: 11 x 16) Choose a fashion photographer and channel their aesthetic with your icon, selecting a Chicago location and a model from a modeling agency.

Evaluation of Essential Research Project An A project will excel in each of the following areas: Investigative Report The report demonstrates a strong understanding of the icons relevance within a social, political, economic, and cultural context. The report uses reputable sources such as museums, scholarly articles, fashion history resources, newspaper articles from papers of record such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, International Herald Tribune, London Times and Telegraph, and magazines such as Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Paper, Womens Wear Daily and W, New Yorker, etc. The more diverse the sources, the more reputable the report. The report synthesizes and analyzes the information to offer an informative and authoritative perspective through a stylists lens. The report uses organizational features such as subheads to help organize the information. The report draws and makes sound conclusions and recommendations on how this icon can be translated into a real-world context with color, clothes, hair/makeup, location, photography inspirations, and potential models. The report is smooth and well organized, both as a whole text and within paragraphs. The report is written effectively for a business audience, in terms of organization, language and style. The report is carefully edited and proofread, using MLA or APA style where appropriate and uses 12-point, Times New Roman or Arial font.

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Inspiration Boards The stylist arranged pictures and items in a creative way and labeled pictures with appropriate fonts to help characterize the icon being depicted. Here is a link on tips from the pros! The stylist incorporated materials other than magazine clippings and photocopies to the board. The stylist neatly and professionally cut out images or drew them. The stylist glues items on the board neatly and all corners of pictures are secure. The stylists labeling conventions are neat and complementary to the entire design. The stylist followed the assignment directions explicitly. The stylist followed the conventions of design and composition to engage the audience and send a visual message about the icon without the need for detailed explanations.