Ken Downing

Miami, FL – January 23, 2014 – It was fashion galore at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden on Thursday afternoon as the lush garden became the backdrop for an exclusive Neiman Marcus The Art of Fashion runway show presented by Ken Downing, Neiman Marcus Executive Vice President/Fashion Director and Neiman Marcus Coral Gables. The Art of Fashion highlighted the hottest styles for the new Spring 2014 collections. Local 10 news anchor Laurie Jennings emceed the soiree with over 350 of Miami’s most fashion-forward in attendance.

Co-chaired by Swanee DiMare and Frances Sevilla-Sacasa, the 3rd Annual Splendor in the Garden fundraiser was to honor Stephanie Sayfie Aagaard, Ana Codina Barlick, Trish Bell, Nora Bulnes, Pamelia W. Cole, Margaret Eidson, Barbara Hevia, Phillis Oeters and Sue Steinberg. Following the glamorously eye-catching show, guests were treated to a delicious lunch catered by Le Basque where attendees mingled and chatted about their favorite looks. Splendor in the Garden’s sponsors included Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables & Cutler Bay, Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne and Piaget Luxury Watches & Jewelry. All proceeds from the soiree benefitted Fairchild’s education, conservation science, and horticulture programs.

Pacesetter and fashion guru himself, Ken Downing, candidly spoke with us, touching on everything from how he initially jumped into the fashion world to how that led to his eventual rise into one of the Fashion industries leading positions. Downing gives us an inside look into what it’s like to be one of the top contributors in the world of style and glam as well as what we trends we plan to see hit Neiman Marcus stores for the upcoming seasons.

Authenticity is what I believe to be an important factor in the world of fashion. You have to walk the walk if you are going to talk the talk.

Ken Downing

 

Rebekah Keida, Courtney Johnson, & Ken Downing

When did you know you were destined for a career in the Fashion industry?

I realized I was destine for a fashion career when I was far more interested at a very early age in the way people dressed and how they decorated their homes than I was with my toys. My mother tells stories of me putting outfits together at the age of 6 on her bed complete with shoes, jewelry and a handbag. Although my interest in fashion and style was probably from the time I could first pronounce “Vogue magazine.”

Ken Downing

What role does Neiman Marcus play in the fashion world?

Neiman Marcus is the premier luxury retailer in the United States with a global presence recognized around the world. I have recently visited China and Australia bringing the style of Neiman Marcus to customers and fashion influencers abroad. We travel the globe in search of the special, the superlative and the chicest items that a customer will love as much as we do when we discover them. Neiman Marcus is about the emotional, the passion of beautiful things that enrich your life.

Marla Weaver

Alexandra Dickinson & Marla Weaver

Courtney Jonshon, Rebekah Keida, & Kiki

Ken Downing

What sets Neiman Marcus apart from other high-end department stores?

The customer experience on-line and in store is certainly one of the many differentiators that makes Neiman Marcus a very special place to shop.  We love our customers!  The customers are what makes us great and makes us want to be the best  retailer we can be.  Neiman Marcus is a heritage company that enjoys generations of customers who shop with us year after year.  Great Grandmothers, Grandmothers, Mothers, Daughters, Grandchildren all tell stories of their first time coming to Neiman Marcus, it is very special that we are part of so many families history making memories.

 

Selecting trends each season is part science and part gut instinct.

Ken Downing

 

What are all the aspects of your position as Fashion Director?

The role of Fashion Director is very multi faceted. I lead the buying teams to the trends, styles and ideas that we as a company will embrace each season. As the global ambassador, I am the fashion and style face and voice of Neiman Marcus. I interface with fashion designers, scour the market for new and emerging talent, help in developing new fashion talent, interface with magazine editors and social media, and on may occasions appear on television. In fact, you can see me along side of Anna Wintour of Vogue and Diane von Furstenberg on the new TV series on the Ovation network chronicling the CFDA/Vogue fashion Fund that I am a judge. You can also read my writings in the Neiman Marcus The BOOK  where I discuss fashion trends as well as interview the fashion talents that we represent at Neiman Marcus, as well as monthly email blasts on style and trends.  if I knew I was going to be a full time writer I would have paid more attention in English and Creative writing classes in school. And that just what I do before noon on most days!

Ken Downing

How do you go about choosing trends for any given season?

Selecting trends each season is part science and part gut instinct. Certainly the runways of the world inform my ideas, I am also tuned into what is happening on the streets, in Hollywood on the Red Carpet, in the world of music, interior design, food, art, the world of design is very democratic in this modern world. Everything inspires everything!

 

I love all the worlds of fashion and design because they all rely on one another to keep them exciting.

Ken Downing

 

What are some of the newest trends we are going to see for the Spring & Summer 2014?

Trends I am obsessing about currently for the coming Spring 2014 season include: Pink in every  shade from Blush to shocking. White! and white with black backpacks are back and super cool. Summer booties, stacks of cuffs on the wrist, and total denim wardrobes. Wearing denim head to toe looks cool. Mixing dark, faded, distressed all at the same time is what makes the modern denim wardrobe.

As a trendsetter, where do you see Neiman Marcus in the next 5 years, long term?

As a trendsetter, Neiman Marcus will continue to lead with great style and trends that are relevant to the way people live their lives. Relevancy is everything to keeping ahead. Authenticity is what I believe to be an important factor in the world of fashion. You have to walk the walk if you are going to talk the talk.

We know being Fashion Director include many different departments, which is your favorite to work with and why?

I have the job of my dreams, asking me to pick my favorite department is like asking a mother to pick her favorite child. I love all the worlds of fashion and design because they all rely on one another to keep them exciting.

Which fashion house never fails to impress you?

I have many fashion house I love and many of their Creative Directors are my friends, although I never let my love of the person get in the way of me looking at a collection with an keen eye for what a customer will love. Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen, Jack and Laz of Proenza Schouler, Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel, Victoria Beckham, Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy, Phoebe Philo of Celine, Hedi Slimane at the house of Saint Laurent, Peter Pilotto, Erdem, Christopher Kane, Joseph Altuzarra, Tom Ford…..please don’t get me in trouble because I will forget a collection I love and I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.

Ken Downing

Carl E. Lewis & Laurie Jennings

Stephanie Sayfie Aagaard

GALLERY SLIDER