As of today,  blushmagfit.com is new and improved. With great new articles, videos, interviews and tutorials, Blush Magazines website has stepped up it's game. Thanks to a great team, a lot was accomplished and I thank them all.
I wanted to share the article I took on, which was contacting a friend and designer, Natalya Nyn. Here's my articles about Natalya, her company and some wonderful photos by Megan Madden.
Check out more amazing things from Blush Magazine's website by clicking on the link above!

Meet The Designer: Natalya Nyn of Toysyndrome

By Mikayla Madigan | Photography by Megan Madden

Natalya Nyn is a former FIT fashion design student from Russia. Toysyndrome is her completely original company, which focuses on the nostalgia, individuality, and fun of urban streetwear. Coming from a BFA program with a focus on evening wear and working at J. Mendal, Nyn felt like designing became too serious and she wanted to have fun with her work. Nyn created t-shirts, now sweatshirts and beanies as well, with small, plastic toy bugs, reptiles and aliens sewn on them. She also uses hand dyeing techniques to make colors and textures on some of her shirts.

These aren’t just randomly sewn on bugs; they organized and designed in a way that’s practical and artsy. The pieces are bold, fun and for someone with a young personality, such as Nyn herself. Since starting her own line she has made strides to make her company grow. She now works with a company to mass produce her orders and a freelance seamstress for custom orders. She’s had interviews with Refinery29 and Fashionista and been featured in Nylon. 

But the person who really helped her take off was Lena Dunham. Nyn’s story is that she saw the popular show Girls being filmed while she “casually ate her lunch nearby. Dunham noticed her shirt and Nyn ended up giving one to her, which Dunham then posted on Instagram. What really surprised Nyn was a message from the Fashionista editor with a link to the Season 3 trailer for Girls, which shows Dunham wearing a Toysyndrome shirt in an episode. Nyn calls it one her most exciting moments to date!

Nyn says that in the future, she’s thinking of creating a system for customers to customize their shirts online. And, she’s currently working on making little creatures of her own to find a home on one of her designs.

Nyn has become so successful since the first time we met only a year ago. From FIT to Lena Dunham’s Instagram and even a store in Dubai, Toysyndrome has expanded in a short period of time. It’s inspiring hearing success stories from former FIT students and knowing that there’s something out there for everyone. Her advice to current students is that throughout your career, you will get a lot of “no’s,” but with that will come one amazing “yes.” So never give up, have confidence, and believe in yourself. 

You can see more of Nyn’s collection at toysyndrome.com. Follow her on Instagram @toysyndrome and see her pieces in person at Patricia’s Boutique on Bowery Street.

Blush Magazine: Abercrombie Revolution

As many of you know, I'm web director for Blush Magazine at FIT. Besides working on the website, I also write for the print edition. Yesterday the Fall Issue was released to the stands on campus. Articles from makeup for glasses, fashion and technology and industry news. My article, entitled "Abercrombie Revolution," gives an overview on the issues and changes going on with the Abercrombie and Fitch company. Luckily I have my employee advantages and have seen a huge transition before my eyes. What is post has that the articles doesn't is three outfits, head to toe Hollister that shows a few new pieces. Enjoy the article and stop in stores to see more!

P.S This Friday @ 1pm on blushmagfit.com is the Blush Online Launch! Check it out and use #blushlaunch2K14 for a chance to win!

Abercrombie Revolution

By Mikayla Madigan | Photography by Megan Madden

“You’ve Changed, So We’ve Changed,” reads the new slogan hanging boldly across Aeropostle stores. Responding to a decrease in profits, Aero is just one of the many familiar fashion companies who are being forced to change their entire approach to reaching their target customers. Despite many stores’ willingness to recreate their image and regain consumer dedication, one company had been holding out on us. Abercrombie and Fitch, which had previously resisted change, has begun a brand evolution as of this year. Their style has gone from “SoCal” to ‘SoTrendy’, with new items that are bringing back the customer’s interest. 

Ten years ago, when many of us were in middle school, it was evident that the iconic moose or seagull was a symbol of status. Abercrombie and Hollister were the most frequented stores of “popular” tweens. Fast-forward to the present, and style preferences have pretty much done a 180. Now, teens and young adults have much more eclectic taste and these symbols no longer hold the key to the “in” crowd. 

So, what did journalists and marketers say Abercrombie had to do to stay relevant? Firstly, become more “on trend.” To determine what trends a company wants to produce, they send representatives across the globe in search of the latest trends. The problem with this method is that the trends Abercrombie had been catering to were already hanging in consumer’s closets. By the time Abercrombie got them on the floor, they were fading out. Secondly, ditch the logo. Customers no longer want a distracting moose stuck on their chest. It disrupts the overall look and is no longer the incentive to buy an item. And, lastly, lower those prices. Many shoppers feel that items like a Hollister or Abercrombie graphic tee are about double the price they would expect to pay. Taking note of these issues, the company is beginning to make changes in order to regain their profits and bring loyal customers back. 

Let’s take this summer at Abercrombie, in particular. Trends like palazzo pants, natural-waisted shorts, and shapely crop tops were introduced by the brand—and much earlier on in the season than in previous years. Black is also now one of the many colors they sell. Neither Hollister of Abercrombie ever sold black, and its inclusion is probably one of the biggest and most effective changes thus far. Abercrombie has also created the “Jean Lounge,” with their new “Best Fit Ever” jeans. They come in tons of styles and customers have the option to pick from washes that are destroyed, light, dark, and again, even black. 

The logo is now only on about 50% of the product. Its been left on certain graphic tees, mostly for men. Price wise, the stores always have a promotion going on, until new prices are decided on. For instance, jeans for $19.00! It’s an unheard of price for the Abercrombie of the past. Other recent changes include securing contracts with both Disney and Lucy Hale. Hollister in particular has Mickey, Minnie, and Star Wars tees and have released a SoCal and Lucy Hale collaboration. 

So, is there some hope for companies like Abercrombie and Fitch and Hollister, who were failing to hold consumer interest? It may be too soon to tell, but these huge changes may just be enough to save them. So, save your middle school moose tees—they may just become a vintage collector’s item.

Cropped Carpet Sweat

Black, High Rise Jeans

Cropped, Sleevless Tee

Boho Palazzo Pants

Long Sleeve, Crop Top

Natural Waisted Jeans