Kick’n It Interviews: Jason Campbell of JC Report

Where does a trend come from? While many people just follow them, others wonder why all of the sudden everyone is wearing leg warmers. Aside from the hunch that everyone just happened to watch old episodes of Square Peg on the same day, it seems to come out of nowhere. But this is so not true, and to dive more into the world of fashion trend casting, I thought I would talk with trendcaster extraordinaire Jason Campbell, founder and head writer of JC Report (www.jcreport.com ).

I met Jason at Emilio’s Ballato on Houston and Mott to indulge in some amazing Italian food and fashion secrets. We talked a bit about city living, world travel (more him than me) and the weather. I find him so fun and interesting and could have talked with him for hours about simple things like the beauty of waking up early and getting a good night sleep. After our introductory chit chat, I got right into it and asked him to tell me all there is to know about international fashion trends:

Kick’n Kate: So Jason, when was the JC Report started and why?

Jason: JC Report started in 2002 and came out of a column I did for Magic online ( for those who may not know, MAGIC is the fashion industries leading trade show). Trend Cast was my column and it was targeted to vendors at the show to guide them and give them cues for their upcoming seasons. Eventually, Magic changed and I wanted to continue my voice so I decided to start JC Report. There was a need for this type of trend casting and I found that global information was the wave of the future and the internet was going to be a very useful tool for this type of reporting.

With the internet you are connecting cultures and there are no boundaries any longer. So I wanted to let people know what was going on in international regions such as Australia, Brazil, Berlin and so on and the internet has been a wonderful tool for this.

K: You must get to see so much great talent and design all over the world!

J: Yes so much! There’s talent abroad that is so amazing and fresh but people aren’t reaching for it; so not many people get exposed to such things.

K: In the newsletter and on the site, you report on the trends all over the globe which made me wonder are you doing all of this traveling or are their JC Report informants?

J: It was really important for me to go at first and get that initial information. I was able to go to those cities that I felt were emerging markets and I needed to go detect it myself. As the business grows it’s important to have a network worldwide to help. With all of my traveling, I developed this network by identifying people who can seek out that information and feed it back.

K:From all of your travels and research, can you tell us where trends start?

J:Trends are not scientific. You know, war can spawn particular trends in terms of how people want to dress. And the internet, that is like a behemoth of a thing that is going to spawn some trends. Then, there are more organic trends that are coming from the streets, and in that you have those individual trendsetters that really change things up and those kinds of people move trends forward. So, I say that trends really percolate from a variety of sources. Part of my work is that I try to detect very early on and forecast very early on when you see something what that may spawn. There are some formulas that you can use to detect, but also things just come out of nowhere.

K: Im sure you have seen some fabulous trends and some hideous trends. And I can only imagine how many designers you come in contact with through your travels. Can you tell me about some of your favorite designers?

J:I have many favorites and there are many brands around the globe that I continue to champion. One of them is the designer of this scarf I am wearing (I had scarf envy the minute he walked in- check it out on the photo of Jason) called Material By-Product(www.materialbyproduct.com) which is a design team out of Melbourne who are all professors at a University. I have been trumpeting their work locally in Australia, speaking with editors and trying to bring attention to their work. There is also there is another line out of Australia called Basek who makes amazing tee shirts that are really well done, very cool and extremely approachable. And I’m like why aren’t these people blowing up all over the world? And Isabella Capetto(www.isabelacapeto.com), who I really love- it’s a brand like that is not exposed expect for in Brazil. Same with Francesca Giobbi (www.francescagiobbi.com.br )who makes the most AMAZING shoes (she used to work at Prada) but can’t seem to break out worldwide and we ask ourselves “why are these designers not getting the exposure they definitely deserve?”

K: I am so glad you brought this up, because I wonder why it’s so hard for such talented smaller designers to break through the barrier. Why do you think it’s so hard for new designs to get recognition in the US?

J:Fashion is a club. The gates are only opened to those very sanctioned people and they have criteria’s for that. A lot also has to do with relationships and less on talent. As well, I find that a lot of editors don’t want to work so hard and go off script to find new stories and they don’t want to dig. And they don’t have to, they stay with the usually suspects and can do that.

K: Right, because things are placed in front of them like fashion weeks and showrooms, it’s much easier to work with what’s in front of them. That’s not to say this is the way it is with every editor, but for the ones who seem to have influence…

K:Can we expect a JC Report magazine?

J: I would love to do this, but not a monthly and I think it would be more special issues and curate issues for other entities. You know, JC Report is such a trusted voice that we are in a position to market any to curate different things for other properties and that really interests me. We can customize different content for different channels.

K:Thanks Jason so much and I look forward to the JC Report newsletter every month, because I sure dont have the time to follow trends, so I need someone like you to tell me!

Posted: May 27th, 2008 under Uncategorized.
Comments: 1

I can’t begin to express my adoration for Gen Art. Simply put, Gen Art is a platform for new talent; whether it is music, art, film or fashion Gen Art is there to push out into the world new and talented people. Being that I work in fashion, I tend to follow the fashion events such as Fresh Faces in Fashion, SHOP Gen Art and Styles. Last night was the 10th Anniversary of the International Design Awards and Runway Show (aka Styles).

In short, Styles works like this: designers from all over the

world submit designs to get accepted into the Styles show. There are six categories to be considered which are accessories, ready-to-wear, evening wear, menswear, Avant Garde and all over design. Five designers compete in each category showing two of their top pieces. So that’s thirty designers total that are entered into the program. It was announced last night by Lee Trimble, Fashion Director at Gen Art, that there were 850 applicants from 35 states and 30 countries. In addition to being known as a Gen Art winner, each winning designer recieves $5000 and one category recieves $10,000- ka ching!

So i went last night after work and waited in line for about 30 minutes to get in. I cant express how much i hate waiting in line, but I must get used to this because I am just Kate Sullivan of Kick PR- your average Jane. After getting my ticket, I went right up to my nose bleed section, sat down and waited for the show to start. No joke, nosebleed. It said on my ticket “Second Balcony” but it should have said “Bring Tissues, There Will Be Nosebleeds Where You Are Going” But I wasn’t alone and was so pleasantly surprised to see such a turnout for the support of emerging fashion! However, after people watching for about another 30 minutes, I decided some people were there to be seen, not to see. My only rational was that they thought someone was going to pluck them from their seats and ask them to walk the runway. Some people are delusional, am I gonna stop them?

So, the show begins and Robert Verde is the MC One word: Bomb. He did acknowledge that the person who was originally supposed to guide the night backed out, so they asked him two days before. He seemed a little bitter and perhaps wasn’t sure how to wow the crowd, so he just decided to be rude and take us for a walk down Insult Lane. I mean, there were moments where I cringed and I just wanted him to stop. But, no such luck.

First category was ready to wear and I wasn’t blown away. There was one designer, MINE from London that I just loved. Very flirty pieces with ribbon trim and pleats (which normally I am not a fan of). It was bold yet simple and that’s what I look for in designs; pieces that people comment on in regards to the fine design and detail. Sure, the models looked like they were on deaths doorstep, but this is fashion people, smiling and open eyes make you look fat. The last designer in this category, Yujin Song, presented two pieces that somehow went over very well with the audience, but only made me wonder if fashion all together was a joke. I don’t know how else to describe these dresses except that I think I saw them on an episode of Three’s Company or on my math tutors wall, showcasing her trip to Asia in the 80’s. Needless to say, I didn’t like these pieces, but everyone else did, including the judges because she won. And here is the winning design:

I won’t take you play by play through the whole show because it seemed long and it was a lot of skinny pants on men, big jackets with scarves, skimpy dresses but I will review Avant Garde and Evening Wear because I was drawn to a few of the designs. Avant Garde is eye candy and it just seems right to stare. Marie Potesta won this category, and I am in full agreement. Her flowy turquoise and yellow gowns were the perfect mix of elegant and funk. I could totally see Angelina Jolie wearing it to cover up her twin bump, but at the same time I would love to rock this dress out walking through NYC. It’s totally doable, and that makes a good design.

Evening wear was also worth sitting through Verde’s downfall, because it was a beautiful thing. Juliana Bass was my favorite for her unique take on the simple black dress. One of her dresses resembled an Audrey Hepburn look with the off the shoulders but revealing very little. The other strapless dress came high up in the front and dropped down drastically in the back, topped off with an extravagant black bow. It totally worked and her collection is so fun and vintage inspired, which is always a good combination in my book. But Julianna did not win, margaritasaplala did (its one word, I promise). This designer worked with the gradient color look, offering a delicate white knee length dress fading into purple along the bottom. I liked it, but no hearts from me.

It ended around 9 and the walls behind the runway opened up and it all turned into one big party. Music was low, so there was an effort to dance, but no one really committing. And of course, there were the gift bags. What is an event without the shwag? I did not get one of these, but I found a lonely, ripped, raped bag on the floor with contents removed and total lack of care for the little fella. This happens, I see it all too often: people get greedy, they get the bag, take out what they want and throw the rest on the floor. You would think people in fashion would be more civilized, but when you put together open bar, ego and lack of manners, this is what you get:

I am glad I went and I always feel so involved when I am able to see first hand the process of rising designers. Chances are, the participants and winners of this event will rise to another level of buzz worthiness, and hopefully continue to grow their brands. Sometimes, even with the name Gen Art or Project Runway behind them, the bills still can’t get paid. I wish all of them good luck and will actually be interviewing Julianna Bass next week, and ask her about her journey down this road. Until then…

Posted: May 20th, 2008 under Uncategorized.
Comments: none

When I leave a store $130 lighter, I usually have a little guilt. As a small business owner, I easily turn on myself and say “Well, isn’t that nice Kate. Buying clothes instead of office supplies. Way to go.” But interestingly enough, this time my inner self was actually patting me on the back.

On Friday, I went with my roommate to Barneys for the Rogan for Target pre-sale. Up until this partnership between Rogan and Target, a small percentage of people knew of Rogan. And for those who were fans of the line, it was still hard to shell out $300 for a pair of jeans.

When I first heard that Rogan was partnering up with Target for their Go International collection, I wasn’t very excited. The previous designers for the GO collection left me wanting much more, and also made me realize that I am very bad in grey and ruffles (Erin Fetherston). The clothes just don’t fit right and all of the design I love in their normal collections, goes out the window. So again, you can see why I wasn’t gnawing at the bit to see the Rogan line.

However, my roommate sent me an email announcing the beforehand sale that Barneys was holding for the Rogan for Target line and I thought perhaps, if it’s a big hit with Barneys, maybe I should check it out! Barneys was sectioning off one part of their co op floor (7th floor) and selling the collection before it was rolled out in stores.

Friday morning on the bright (9am) we headed into the city from Brooklyn and arrived right when the sale started. I was secretly hoping it would be a mad house; that I could push people and pull things because I had a tough week and I had a bit of aggression. But no such luck, this was quite a tame event.

I loved the collection and felt that Rogan really did design for all. Wonderfully soft and 100% organic cotton tees were the first in my bag, followed by a gorgeous flowy silk blouse and a jumpsuit. Yes, I bought a jumpsuit. Never in a million years would I imagine that I would buy a jump suit, but I kind of fell for it and I confirmed with my roommate that I didn’t look like a sanitation worker. She confidently stated, “Kate, you pair it with a belt and flats and you are good to go!”

So here’s to you Rogan Gregory. I like it. I might even go as far to say as I love it! So on Sunday, May 18th when the collection rolls out in stores, treat yourself to a little shopping and head over to Target ( or online) and take a look-see for yourself!

Posted: May 16th, 2008 under Uncategorized.
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Sometimes living in New York City is like living in a constant state of Christmas. There are little gifts and surprises at any turn. For someone like myself who eats, sleeps and breathes fashion (I own a fashion PR company, Kick PR), the fashion surprises are what I love most. One of my favorite little gifts are sample sales. Many of them are publicly posted through newspapers or online websites like Daily Candy or Top Button, but not all are revealed and some samples sales show up at the most unexpected places like in a random warehouse on Broadway or in someone’s apartment!

Samples sales are the sales that keep my bank account in the black. They offer high-end pieces for sometimes 75%- 80% off! It’s so fantastic! So every Spring I get my radar out for new duds, because it’s imperative that a NYC girl have at least 2 new dresses, 3 pairs of shoes, 2 new handbags and a dog (not sold at sample sales!) Anybody else ready for the Sex and the City movie?

Most recently I went to the Abeate sample sale ( www.abaete.com). I showed up right at the start so I was able to walk around and browse. I wasn’t really finding anything until my foot inadvertently kicked this little basket on the floor with crumpled up garments in it and a sign on the basket that read: “$40”. So, I weeded through the basket and came across a simple white and black mod dress that was wrinkled and bunched up on the bottom (I’m assuming the dress had seen better days). I pulled it out, and at this time many more people were in the room but it was like I had found this little hidden treasure in the bottom of this basket that no one else seemed to care about it.

I went behind a rack and did my thing to try on the dress. I asked a few girls what they thought and they responded, “Um, not sure” and “I guess so…” But there was something about it that wouldn’t let me put it back. I stared at it for what felt like forever and decided to go for it; I knew I would love this dress. This dress and I had chemistry.

I went to the sales girl, paid my $40 (plus a few other things I bought…) and continued on my way to work. I immediately went online to find out the original price of the dress which ended up being $340!! I bought it for $40 dollars ladies, $40!! What an investment piece.

I had the dress dry cleaned and pressed, and have worn it several times this spring with some cute black flats and simple accessories (to see “the dress” watch: ThrasherTV: What is an ETF?-Check Whats and ETF?) I get comments on it all of the time and it makes me just smile until no end that no one even bothered to look in the basket where I found my most prized possession right now.

Tomorrow I am heading out to the Rogan for Target (ticker: TGT) sale at Barneys where they will be selling the items before they even hit Target. What else could a girl ask for?

Posted: May 9th, 2008 under Uncategorized.
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