When WWD sat down with a group of 15 area teenagers last week to chat about fashion, celebrities and what influences them, it was clear they know their stuff.
Citing stores like Bloomingdale’s, Intermix and Goliath — “where all the cool kids uptown go for sneakers” — as a few of their favorites, these teens evidently know where to shop for the latest fashions.
Some said labels are secondary to the overall look. “It’s better to have great style than great brands,” said Nicole Safir, a 16-year-old from Rye Brook, N.Y.
Others thought differently about the power of brands. “If someone is wearing a zip-up and it isn’t Juicy, everyone knows,” said Erica Dayan, a 16-year-old also from Rye Brook. “It’s not something they can get away with.”
Ivan Leon, a 16-year-old Harlem resident, agreed that teens in his neighborhood pay close attention to labels. “If you aren’t wearing a cool brand, you can go home crying,” he said. “Wearing the right thing is serious where I’m from.”
Overall, these teens are outspoken and know exactly what they are looking for when they shop. They will wear whatever Rachel Bilson has on “The O.C.,” they like Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (Ashley more than Mary-Kate) and they think H&M is too messy to shop, Old Navy’s product looks better in the ads than it does in person and stores like J.C. Penney and Sears are just too mass.
“Because they are department stores, you can’t be an individual if you shop there,” said Casey Winston, a 15-year-old from Holmdel, N.J., who said she shops at Urban Outfitters and other stores in downtown Manhattan. “I don’t like those stores that appeal to the masses. I want things that are different and unique.”
Here, a closer look at what these teens like and loathe.
Name: Sara Nicolia
Age: 15
Hometown: East Meadow, N.Y.
What she wants for the holidays: Chanel bag.
Name: Jill Berkowitz
Age: 15
Hometown: East Meadow, N.Y.
What she wants for the holidays: Coach boots. “I really want the rainbow logo ones.”
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FAVORITE MUSICIANS
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Ciara
The Fray
Beyoncé
John Legend
Green Day
Panic! At the Disco
Pharrell Williams
All American Rejects
Kanye West
Goo Goo Dolls
Jessica Simpson “But I don’t like that she let go of Nick [Lachey],” said Sara Nicolia.
The Killers
Black Eyed Peas
John Mayer
Mariah Carey
NOT PHOTOGRAPHED:
Name: Shanay Ellis
Age: 16
Hometown: Queens, N.Y.
What she wants for the holidays: Digital camera.
Name: Chryssy Abdool
Age: 15
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
What she wants for the holidays: Mercedes.
Name: Ivan Leon
Age: 16
Hometown: New York, N.Y.
What he wants for the holidays: Nike Dunks.
Name: Mario Kravchenko
Age: 16
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
What he wants for the holidays: iPod video.
Name: Tina Tsang
Age: 16
Hometown: Elmhurst, N.Y.
What she wants for the holidays: A new house.
Name: Mariam Sheileh
Age: 16
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
What she wants for the holidays: Nike Dunks.
Name: Giselle Sanchez
Age: 16
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
What she wants for the holidays: T-Mobile Sidekick.
FAVORITE BRANDS
Guess “You can always find something there that looks good, whether it’s just to hang out or get dressed up,” Sara Nicolia said.
Juicy Couture
True Religion
Luxe (available exclusively at Urban Outfitters)
Free People
Lacoste
Enyce
Red Monkey
J Brand
Paige Premium Denim “They have the best-fitting jeans ever,” said Nicole Safir.
Tracy Reese
Black Halo
INFLUENTIAL CELEBRITIES
Rachel Bilson “You know that dress that she wore to the prom on the show?” asked Erica Dayan. “I had the same dress for the prom. I have a lot of stuff she’s worn on the show. She has amazing style.”
Sienna Miller
Mischa Barton “I saw a dress Mischa was wearing in a magazine that also showed five more of her favorite dresses,” said Rachel Scheer. “I tore that out and kept it because I want all of those dresses.”
Ciara “For me, I like to look at the whole lifestyle — where they shop, where they hang out, what they wear, drive, stuff like that,” said Shanay Ellis. “It’s the full package we want to see.”
Name: Erica Dayan
Age: 16
Hometown: Rye Brook, N.Y.
What she wants for the holidays: Flat boots. “It doesn’t matter what brand, as long as they are hot.”
Name: Rachel Weiner
Age: 16
Hometown: Rye Brook, N.Y.
What she wants for the holidays: Gucci bag. “Not the same color that Nicole wants.”
Name: Nicole Safir
Age: 16
Hometown: Rye Brook, N.Y.
What she wants for the holidays: Gucci bag.
Name: Casey Winston
Age: 15
Hometown: Holmdel, N.J.
What she wants for the holidays: Sewing machine.
FAVORITE TV SHOWS
“Project Runway” (Bravo)
“Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)
“Nip/Tuck” (FX)
“Dr. 90210” (E!)
“The Flavor of Love” (VH1)
“America’s Next Top Model” (CW)
“Desperate Housewives” (ABC)
“Laguna Beach” (MTV)
“Girlfriends” (CW)
“My Super Sweet Sixteen” (MTV)
STORES THEY DON’T LIKE
Gap “I don’t like stores that are big and dull like J.C. Penney or Gap,” said Shanay Ellis.
H&M “It’s just too messy; you can’t find anything in there,” Erica Dayan said.
Rainbow
G&G
Rave
Old Navy “I hate the way everything there fits,” Ivan Leon said. “It always looks good in the ads, then you go to see it in the store and it’s just ugly.”
Name: Rachel Scheer
Age: 16
Hometown: Bedford, N.Y.
What she wants for the holidays: Dolce & Gabbana dress.
Name: Katie Queen
Age: 17
Hometown: Bedford, N.Y.
What she wants for the holidays: Apple computer.
FAVORITE STORES
Urban Outfitters
Bloomingdale’s
Intermix
Goliath
Neiman Marcus
LF “They have really great things,” said Nicole Safir, who works there.
All Dressed Up “I work there on Sundays,” said Erica Dayan, who is the daughter of the owner.
Abercrombie & Fitch “They are good for the basics. I just don’t like when people wear the logo on their shirts,” Nicole Safir said.
Forever 21
A|X Armani Exchange “It has a great, youthful energy and the styling is right on,” said Mario Kravchenko.
Loehmann’s “You can get really good Juicy and True Religion there,” said Rachel Weiner.