What does it take to launch a fashion line these days? During New York’s Fashion Week, Nolcha’s Beyond the Runway competition has emerged as a solid platform and a reputable outlet for launching top-tier designers from around the globe

If you’re a marketer, you’ve probably thrown around those ubiquitous terms, push and pull marketing. The marketplace has seen a major paradigm shift from pushing products onto consumers, to pulling them in, inviting them to engage with the brand in novel and unique ways. At MSLK, we think this is especially important to consider when creating sophisticated branding campaigns in the beauty industry. How can you stop consumers dead in their tracks, invite an interaction or ignite a conversation? Burt’s Bees skincare installations do just that. In a series of three installations that have traveled to public spaces across Canada, the pieces educate women about the harmful effects of most allegedly natural skincare products on the market.

This fall during Fashion Week, MSLK will be judging the Nolcha Beyond the Runway competition to discover and support the industry’s next hot up-and-coming designer. During the competition, 50 independent designers from around the world will put on a traditional runway show featuring their personal collections. These shows will run over the course of three days during the traditional 7th on 6th tent shows. The focus of the event is to give these designers exposure to press, buyers, and industry figures in the New York fashion market.

Two direct mail promotions ended up in our mailbox. One a poster whose message revealed itself when opened, the other a had its concept on the outside. Both appeared similar at first glance, yet a closer look revealed two different techniques.

However, one seemed to be more effective.

Every week at staff meeting, each designer brings in something that inspires them. Recently I’ve found that I’m often showing the Anthropologie catalog as an example of truly inspirational art direction and sales strategy. Such is the case with their recent issue focusing on the printing heritage of the Hatch Show Print Shop.

Hatch Show Print Shop is the nation’s oldest wooden type printing press. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Hatch made its mark printing posters promoting country music stars. In fact, it is now maintained by the Country Music Hall of Fame.

The recession may not be over yet, but this weekend I literally saw and felt hope from New Yorkers. It came in the form of the opening of a new shop, Teich, run by our good friend Allison Teich.

Teich sells her own line of eco-friendly handbags as well as a curated collection of socially conscious goods all made right here in NYC. Perhaps inspired by the general goodwill that Teich brings into her products, in a very non-stereotypical New York fashion neighbors, shop owners, and long-time residents have been pouring in throughout the week to welcome Allison. Her new shop at 84 East 7th Street represents new life to the East Village, just as spring has come around to show us that the sun just might shine again.

We personally wish Allison the best of luck.  Her success thus far is certainly an inspiration. (photo: Matthew Polis)

In my humble opinion Anthropologie leads the way in retail design and retail display windows. I am always enamored by their mix of art, fashion, craft, and social causes. The end result is always witty, playful, engaging and inspiring, both from a distance and up-close in the most minute details. Who could ask for more?

Last weekend I stopped by the recently opened Green Depot on the Bowery. The products they sell are similar to those found in most environmentally friendly aisles, ranging from household cleaners to baby and pet products to books on being green. The most impressive part of the store is the way they’ve merchandised their products. They’ve placed a huge emphasis on education by creating stations that engage shoppers and encourage them to interact with the products for sale.

When it comes to selling environmentally-friendly products, the element of education is key. Essentially, the packaging and retail environment surrounding the product need to convince shoppers of the added value of buying green. This is especially challenging now that consumers are keeping a close eye on the bottom line.

Let’s be honest, the Japanese are geniuses with wacky innovations. I would be remiss if I didn’t share any of the crazy innovations Marc and I saw on our recent journey to Japan.

Let’s start with their innovations with the QR bar code. Designed to be  read quickly, these codes are now used everywhere from billboards to advertisements. You take a photo of one with your cell phone’s camera and then present that image at the store to be scanned as a coupon or as a ticket. Here’s a billboard in Tokyo that, when you take a photo, loads a special website on your phone.

I love this set of  “cordial invitations,” designed by Keetra Dean Dixon. The whimsical designs and messaging are helping to remedy my February blues. I would like to receive one of these cards, cordially inviting me to “Invest in the Fantastic,” “Make Luck,” or “Twist the Cynical Loop.” I love the delicate and playful quality in the typography – much of which appears to be created by combining geometric shapes and colors. See the individual cards after the jump.