Tag: Michigan Avenue

Coco Chanel would roll over in her grave

An iconic brand, Chanel is known for its timeless, elegant and to a degree, conservative fashion. The merchandise has remained distinctive and true to the vision of its chief architect, Coco Chanel, who passed away in 1971. Chanel was revered among the fashion designer elite. Fans and critics alike even today suggest there has never been a more influential person in the world of elegant design.

Now as for the window display on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue, in addition to the completely goofy looking air vent pipes, there is no symmetry, no strong design elements and plain old bad, crooked lines. The display does not highlight the clothes, but instead forces one to look at the mess that surrounds them.

This window display can be explained in one of only two ways in my opinion. Chanel sales among its traditional customers are dropping off and Chanel wants the Banana Republic crowd or Chanel’s store designer had a horrible December and completely lost his/her way in the land of Coco’s elite fashion that will always represent France’s premier fashion house: Chanel.

“Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory.” Coco Chanel

Photo Douglas Kirkland, Look Magazine, 1962.

coco-chanel-by-douglas-kirkland-1962-1

 

Hold on, you’re breaking up

Hold on, you're breaking up

Apple, the most overrated products in the world — and — how did we get suckered into thinking buying a new phone every 14 months was a necessity?

Hold on, you're breaking up

Apple, the most overrated products in the world — and — how did we get suckered into thinking buying a new phone every 14 months was a necessity?

People on the street

People on the street

I’ve walked by this man many times on my way to work. Today, I thought it might be nice to sit and chat a while. Wow. This guy’s like an onion. Lots of layers to peel back.

People on the street

I’ve walked by this man many times on my way to work. Today, I thought it might be nice to sit and chat a while. Wow. This guy’s like an onion. Lots of layers to peel back.

Rambler Sports Locker

In the next four photos you will see members of Loyola’s first ever regularly scheduled TV show. Loyola’s “Rambler Sports Locker.” I am incredibly proud of these students. In January of 2011, junior Garrison Carr approached me about starting a sports show. I told him I would consider being his faculty adviser if he could find 12 or so other students who would join him in helping produce the show. Of course I was completely skeptical it would ever happen. In less than two weeks, he came to my office and said he had more than enough students. We decided to meet on Thursday evenings. Most of the students had never picked up a camera before let alone produced news packages, worked in a studio or read broadcast copy from an anchor desk. Most of the students were from outside the School of Communication. What they had in common was a passion for sports. Within six weeks, the students produced their first show. It wasn’t the prettiest, but it was incredibly impressive to me. It has now been almost a year and they are producing a show of real quality. Another few months and I will stack this show up against any college sportscast. As a teacher, one of the truly great rewards is watching students grow and exceed your expectations. I have such respect for these students. Forever more, they can make the claim to have produced the first regularly scheduled TV show in Loyola’s history. Of course, I’m particularly tough on them. Two weeks ago, I made them go stand on Michigan Avenue to do their first standups. The more distractions, the better. Again, they excelled.

Standups on Michigan AvenueThe Round Table Discussion, Rambler Sports LockerThe Ramble Sports Locker Rank and File
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