It all seemed to start in 2010. Brick and mortar retail storefronts began to close down en masse, due to bankruptcies, increasing rents, poor same day sales, etc. Some thought (or hoped) that things would get better, but here we are nine going on ten years of a steady decline and disappearing storefronts of major retail brands.
(Major retailers started closing stores since 2017)
The Elegant Classy Gentleman has recently reported on Barney’s New York Chapter 11 Bankruptcy filing back in August, as well as Forever 21 filing for the same during the same month, and the future for retail is looking bleak. All this is evident by simply walking down East Midtown Manhattan. According to the Comptroller Scott Stringer’s report, citywide commercial vacancy space rate increased to 45% from 2007 to 2017, from 4% to 5.8% which amounts to 5.2 million square-feet of vacant retail space.
Citing business experts and industry leaders, this will get worse if nothing is done to stem sky high rents and the growing online retail competition. Chain stores and the shrinking mom-and-pop shops are taking such a big hit in profits from the rapidly growing e-commerce sites, to such a degree that they are amassing massive debt, in addition to taxes and overhead costs.
Citywide retail rents climbed from $42 per square foot to $51 within a decade, with Manhattan in areas like East midtown and the Upper East Side now asking over $100 per square footage, as per the report.
Major retail chains like Kmart & Macy’s have closed store location in a huge scale back to combat rising costs and slower traffic by shoppers. While some experts try to sound optimistic for a turnaround, the declining footprint of major chains tell a different narrative. Is the future of retail uncertain, or are we fooling ourselves refusing to accept the writing on the wall?
As I walked in I was greeted by the owner/designer of Femme Progressive, Marima Conde while I searched through the racks to find at least two more designs to style my female companion (I just can’t help myself) in out of habit.
(Jean Germain)
When I asked her “what exactly is Femme Progressive” She said that “she is a archetype of the modern woman”. “All women can see themselves in each other, and can relate and honor that through fashion. Rock Star by day and a Lady at night. I’m a fashion designer that makes women’s wear custom to their choices of fabric, colors, prints, to their measurements. I like to make women’s fashion vision come true, and bring it to life. I went to business school for a year, then left for F.I.T. which was a good fit for me.”
(“My Original Line was a T-Shirt Line”)
Femme Progressive also sells costume jewelry & accessories to pair with her custom designs.
I could not help but fall in love with the designs of Femme Progressive, simply because, she is that good, and if you don’t find anything you like on the racks, (which is next to impossible) she will sit down with you and create a one of a kind dress that will be the envy of your friends.
Femme Progressive is located at 2166 Fredrick Douglas Blvd in Harlem NYC. So stop in and be prepared be amazed. Also check her out on social media: Instagram: @femme_progressive.
After the amazing success of SBFW’s show in February we found this one lacking in scope and depth and a bit less entertaining. We hope they return to the Fashion Mansion in February 2020 and regain the prestige and glamour they had at their former fashion week show.
Amanda then joined us in VIP 2 to watch the amazing designers show off there 2020 collections in STYLE of course, and watch the performances of other artist’s from the other side of the catwalk.
Designer: KAWAII collection was the most enjoyable! With their fusion of Street/Punk Rock/BDSM inspired collection was a sight to behold as the energetic models took to the catwalk and did justice to the concept of modern street wear!
Another notable designer: Sweet Talk also presented a Sexy collection which was quite enjoyable.
Once again Amanda Holley kicked off fashion week day 1 with her spectacular opening performance with songs from her new album.
Amanda is in fact a tough act to follow, but you know what they say……the show must go on!
The first designer collection following Amanda’s amazing set was Chicago Playground! The Varsity Collection.
(Jean Germain, Mike Strange)
After Amanda finished her wonderful performance, we were summoned backstage by Amanda’s manager Ralph Cooper II for some private time with Amanda before the other Media and Press.
(Mike Strange, Ralph Cooper II)
(Amanda Holley)
(Mike Strange, Amanda Holley, Jean Germain)
(Mike Strange and Filmmaker/Videographer Roderick Giles)
We also worked the crowd outside full of models, fashionista’s, and guests to round off a brilliant day 1 of NYFW Style X fashion week.
Stay tuned for Day 2 of NYFW: STYLE X Fashion Week coverage.
Jean made the reservations for us two weeks later, and told me that our table was set for 4:00 pm. A little late for brunch I thought to myself but there was no turning back now. Jean was stuck in midtown on the train and decided to take an Uber the rest of the way. I walked in and the place was crowded, filled with weekend revelers and a DJ spinning tunes that make you want to dance. Jean arrives and we head to our table, we decided to take a table outside on the enormous patio overlooking the Hudson River.
It seemed like almost every table was celebrating something, engagements, birthday’s, new addition to the family or just life in general. The party vibe was infectious as Latin music blared from the DJ booth inside.
Jean and I sat back and took it all in as we waited for our food. The brunch menu is a pre fixe of Latin brunch dishes (after all the name of the restaurant is Sofrito) and Luis extended us the bottomless mimosa’s. With all of this pleasant sensory stimulus, I forgot that it’s was after 5pm.
The décor inside the restaurant is bright and colorful which puts one at ease. Despite the fact that it was so busy, Luis told me that this is a light crowd for Sunday, while I was worried that the Fire Department would bust in at any moment to shut down this mega brunch party.
For appetizers I ordered the Ham and Cheese Croquettes which is made with black forest ham, aged cheddar with mango aioli sauce. Jean had the Carne Frita (crispy marinated pork chunks).
Our waitress was very attentive and friendly, in (fact she treated us like Jean and I were her own boys the way she dotted on us), and made sure that we had everything we needed when we needed it.
While the crowd was mostly Latino, it was fairly mixed and everyone was friendly and very festive towards one another (including us) and you got the sense of being at a huge family party where everyone is dancing and laughing.
(Shasha dropped by to hang for a bit)
The Elegant Classy Gentleman Magazine 