Fashionable Friday: Melange tradeshow in downtown LA

I have been at the Mélange tradeshow for the past two days where I was invited to speak as an expert on a panel about social media and the connected generation of consumers.  While I was there I got to meet many interesting people in fashion and technology and I will have some exciting interviews on the blog soon! I also got to listen to many panelists talk about the upcoming trends in the fashion and technology marketplace and where they think the direction of wearable tech is going. We heard from many industry experts and innovators. Check out the categories below for all the latest updates from each area.
Apps
Melange held a "Best of the Beach" contest (Silicone Beach) for new apps and these were the three finalists.
Livit
Founded by Adam Blazer this app is all about sharing and connecting  travel and lifestyle stories from real people.
Donde
Donde is my personal favorite from this list. Donde is a fashion app where anyone can search for their next outfit with just a few taps. Donde uses new image recognition software to find images from thousands of brands on the web that fit your search criteria. You can make purchases or mark items so that the app will notify you when they go on sale so you never have to leave the app! I am so excited to see how this app will change the way people shop online. I think there are so many practical applications for Donde. You can download it now on the app store!
Fashiontapapp
The fashiontapapp was founded by Amy Roiland of A Fashion Nerd. A fashion tap is for fashion bloggers and other users to tag their outfits and beauty items so everyone can see who they are wearing. It includes a buy button so that users can easily purchase the items they like straight from the app.
Social Media
We heard from many social media experts at Melange this week including, the director of social media for Toms shoes, the SVP of Shoedazzle, fashion bloggers, the VP of BCBG Max Azria, and myself.
Sarah Tabbush the director of Social Media for Toms shoes shared that she felt that some of their bigger social media channels were straying away from the brand image that they wanted to represent and so they decided to open a Snapchat account in order to stay young and fresh as well as connect with their fans. She said that she believed that content should be organic and that followers are not interested in seeing very posed and perfect images for marketing. Ann Lawrence co founder of the site Pink51.com shared that she also believes it is a important to create a community feeling through social media. We also heard from Alon Caidor the CEO of TV page and Eric from Invodo that video will be the next big thing in internet advertising. They believe that video will increase the attention span of the online consumer which is about 8.5 seconds right now to up to 30 seconds. We saw a transformation of the web from 1999 to 2015 with pictures and videos increasing dramatically on all the websites. We also heard from several omnichannel marketing experts on how to use social media to engage your followers. They recommended that brands focus on using social media to gain awareness and create a brand image but not for sales. Several marketing experts at the show, including a representative form Li & Fung Associates Business Intelligence, cited studies showing that brick and mortar was still the most successful sales rate. Using social media to entice customers to come into the store can be more beneficial to a brand then trying to sell on social networking sites. We heard from Amy Roiland and Jordynn Schafer that many people are moving away from Instagram and going towards live video feed social networking sites such as Periscope. I've also included a video of my panel covering how millennials and centennials use social media as consumers. There were many interesting marketing trends explored at Mélange this year.
Wearable tech
Misfit
We heard from two experts in the wearable tech industry at Melange. First we heard from Tommy Chang VP of ecommerce at misfit. You may have heard of misfit the wearable tech health accessory. It can track your daily activity and sleep patterns. Tommy Chang talked to us about the direction of misfit and their new developments. He believes the new direction for wearable tech is to focus on things that are fashionable and functional. They are developing new items that will be made form durable materials such as metal. They are also focusing on technology that won't need charging. They want to develop accessories that will have durable batteries that can be taken anywhere and changed out around every 3 months. They are also working on a really exciting project with their partner Swarovski. It will be a wearable fitness accessory made out of a Swarovski crystal that has solar charging capabilities. It is still in the developmental stages but they believe it will only need a few minutes of sun exposure to stay charged all day. I am very excited to see the new things misfit has in store!
The next speaker we had was Kristine Upseleja a professor of Textile science at FIDM. She is considered an expert in the field of innovative textiles. Her presentation included companies that were working on things like growing textiles form bacteria, creating textiles connected to the internet, hearables, and 3D printed clothes. She believes that the future of wearable tech is actually going towards hearables such as the German brand Bragi. Basically earbuds that don't need to be connected to a phone or ipod. Bragi is mainly focused on fitness and health right now. They can tell you calories burned, pace, etc and they are even waterproof so you can play music while swimming! She also showed photos of a designer who printed her entire collection on a 3D printer in her own home. The 3D printer is definitely in the future for wearable tech. She also showed a presentation of a company who is working on textiles that can be connected to the internet such as the Twitter dress that Katy Perry wore in the iTunes music festival. Check it out here. The new innovations in this field are very exciting!
Experiential marketing
Another important trend in the fashion marketing and advertising world is experiential marketing. Many industry experts believe this is the way of the future for fashion marketing. There are many new companies popping up in this industry with different ideas on how to approach experiential marketing and engage the consumer.
Blippar
Blippar is a software for smartphones that allows users to "blip" things by waving the smartphone over an item. The item then appears in 3D on the smartphone and customers can even try on the item. So far they have worked with brands like L'Oreal and Vogue. Check out the video to see how it works here.
Holograms
We heard from Ashley Crowder CEO and founder of Vntana a holographic systems company that provides interactive holograms for brands in stores. I loved the Vntana idea and I think it will definitely bring customers back into stores. Another holographic system was Zugara. They are a system of holographic mirrors that can be installed in stores to allow you to try on clothing in different colors that might not be available in the store. Seeing yourself in the mirror is really fun. You can check them out in person at the Rebecca Minkoff store on Melrose Avenue right here in LA.
Beacon Marketing
Beacon marketing is a new idea of location based marketing where users can download different apps that will let them know about sales and other things happening at the stores around them. Marie Driscoll of Li & Fung believes that this will become a big trend for 2016.

Patisseries by City

These are the best patisseries I've found and now I'm sharing them with you! Don't feel like you have to read it all at once, just use it as a guide if you are headed to any of the following destinations.

1. Paris, France- In the city where they originated, and they line the streets, how is a foreigner supposed to choose a patisserie when every window looks so delicious! I've got you covered. Hidden in a little corner off the hip Boulevard St. Germaine it's not quite Laudrees but it's definitely got that Parisian charm! Filled with locals getting their afternoon espresso and sitting under the green awnings that read Un Dimanche a Paris this hidden gem is my favorite patisserie in Paris! The windows are lined with brightly colored treats of every kind and the friendly staff is always willing to help you decide between chocolate and caramel.
2. Aix-en-Provence- Surprisingly enough my favorite patisserie in this beautiful provincial town is actually in the local grocery store, the Casino. (I know what your thinking but no, you still have to drive to Monaco to gamble. Despite it's name this store only sells food.) with an array of beautiful desserts made fresh daily this store was the easiest and most convenient patisserie I found! They also sell cookies and biscuits by the box if your taking a road trip to the local beach not far from Aix. And of course they have Swiss chocolate for your cravings!
3. Milan Italy- As you step into the gilded restaurant past the shining letters that read gold, you know your in the capital of Italian fashion. since Milan is known for its high fashion its only fitting that this slot go to Dolce & Gabana restaurant Gold. Whether your eating in or picking up a to go order in a golden box from the golden pastry counter at the back of the restaurant there are plenty of delicious choices to choose from. One of my personal favorites is the cherry trio, a trio of three different desserts with different kinds of cherry flavoring on each one. This melt in your mouth treat is best for dining in as it includes ice cream cherry sauce and much more! If you're interested in a more expensive taste the golden chocolate bar is for you. This chocolate treat is covered in edible 24kt gold embossed with the name of the restaurant Gold on top. This treat can be taken to go in a matching shiny gold box and lasts through the jostle of the subways (I tried it) -gold intact.
4. Florence Italy- Florence in the summer is hot, and I mean hot, and its also humid which means that travelers can expect to be hot and sticky all day long. But the good news is that because Florence is so hot it also means there is an abundance of gelatto stores on every corner! Which is exactly what I recommend if you're visiting in the summer. Any gelatto shop is fine- they all have delicious Italian flavors like stracciatella and limon and trust me you won't even be looking at the name of the place when you're sticking your head on the ice cream coolers to cool off.
5. Los Angeles CA-Just down the street from FIDM in downtown Los Angeles super chic Bottega Louie's always has a line out the door. Just like real trees, the exquisite macaron trees lining the spacious windows of LA's modern version of the classical patisserie, change color with the seasons. The pink Louie's boxes wrapped with a ribbon can be seen all over downtown as downtown's most fashionable satisfy their sweet tooth with one of the delicious pastries that taste like they're right out of France. The modern white loft space gives off a distinctly LA vibe offsetting the bright colors of the Macaron trees that are placed throughout the restaurant.
6. New York NY- New York City- the city that never sleeps is full of delicious food from every country how can you possibly pick one patisserie. Well after exploring I found that New York's desert specialty lies in the art of cupcake making. the re are so many delicious looking cupcake shops to choose from but my absolute favorite is a little shop in the Columbus circle neighborhood called Melissa's cupcakes. Their specialty is in mini cupcake about the size of a strawberry and the tiny corner shop matches the miniature theme. But despite their small size these cupcakes have Big flavor. Creative flavors ranging from mint chocolate chip to cookies and cream line the wall behind he counter. If your feeling extra adventurous you can try the Rainbow flavor with secret ingredients. these mini cupcakes come in packs of 3 or more with a cute note from Melissa in the box and you can tae them anywhere in the bustling city.
7. London England- London home to the queen of England herself I can just picture her sitting down to a nice English afternoon tea with the Duchess and now cute baby Prince George! the English are famous for their tradition of afternoon tea which is why its no surprise that the best pastries in London can be found at high tea! As you walk to the Berkley hotel in one of London's most fashionable neighborhoods the first thing you'll see is the giant flower display hats freshly placed every morning. High tea in the caramel room at the Berkley can make you feel like the queen of England with every flavor of tea ranging from mint chocolate chip to berry flower you'll want to try them all. But the best part is the fashion high tea a special tea you can book with delicious pastries inspired by the seasons latest trends. From an Yves Saint Laurent parfait to a Sonia Rykiel stiletto cookie this is one tea every fashionista will die for.
8. Boston MA-  home to the Boston tea party and many other historical events from American history Boston is filled with culture and patriotism. However the freedom trail is not filled with bakeries. So what does that mean for those of us who have an addiction to sweets? Well we'll have to venture farther past Paul Revere's colonial house into North Boston's Little Italy to find a really good pastry. Mikes Pastries in Little Italy is always crowded with lines out the door and offers a wide selection of homemade Italian deserts-the best in Boston. My favorite is the chocolate chip cannoli made with flaky delicious pastry bread and a little extra sweet inside!
9. Manhattan Beach CA- After riding your bike down the strand past the beautiful California beaches you might be ready for a treat! The best place to get your fix is on Manhattan Beach Boulevard right across from the pier. The Manhattan Beach Creamery is always busy no matter what time of year because its always summer in California! The classic ice cream shop with white iron patio furniture and the pink and white tissue paper flowers hanging from the ceiling create a carefree California beach vibe where you can't help feeling relaxed. Whether you're looking for an ice cream cone to take as you walk along the pier or a delicious pastry treat, the Manhattan Beach Creamery has it all. I'm sure you can guess what my favorite flavor is - that's right Cherry Manhattan is my number 1 pick but I also recommend trying the French macaroon flavor in a custom  ice cream sandwich.  
10. Monterey, CA- In a quaint seaside town overlooking the beautiful Monterey Bay sits a bright little ice cream shop with a homey atmosphere.  The brightly painted interior invites you in to taste a variety of ice cream flavors.  This is a stop you can't miss while exploring the area and don't forget to take your ice cream down to the beach and look for sea glass- you never know what you might find!
11. Monte Carlo, Monaco- walking around Casino square at night watching the Ferraris and Porsche pull up to front door of the grand ornate casino you might want a little treat to eat while you people watch. The gelatto store on the corner is the perfect place to stop. With many delicious French and Italian flavors it reflects the cultural fusion of Monaco.
12. Lake Champlain, VT- If you're visiting Vermont in the summer time Lake Champlain is a must see. The beautiful lakeside town once a summer vacation spot for the wealthy colonists of Vermont is something right out of a story book. Right across from the shimmering waters is the delicious Lake Champlain Chocolate Factory is a must see for anyone who loves old fashioned candy. With every flavor of chocolate imaginable you can't go wrong. You can also take a to go bag and fill it with all your favorite old fashion treats including orange slices, saltwater taffy, Necco wafers and more! This is my favorite sweet shop in Vermont. 
13. Las Vegas, NV- You can't skip out on sinfully sweet pastries in sin city but with so many restaurants in all the hotels how are you supposed to find the right pasty shop? Well this answer is rather obvious- go to the Paris hotel! The best pastries originated in Paris, so go to the Paris hotel in Vegas. As your walking down the fake cobblestone streets in the casino you'll pass the creperie where you can find homemade breakfast and dessert crepes, the gelatteria where you can find delicious gelato and late at night you might just get the chocolate Eiffel tower decoration and the patisserie where you can find fruit tarts, chocolate bread and more delicious pastries that are almost as good as the  real thing---almost. Or you can choose to eat your pastries with a view in the Eiffel tower restaurant on the third floor of the Eiffel tower replica at the Paris. They have the best crème brulee in Vegas.   
14. Southhampton, NY- After hopping off the Hampton Jitney and wandering down Main Street you may be looking for a place to get a little something sweet. Well in this classic Hampton restaurant you'll find any delicious dessert choices! Watch out you might just spot a Kardashian in Sant Ambroeus which is right down the street from their new pop up store, Dash.
15. Grand Junction, CO-Enstrom's toffee. This hidden treasure is known worldwide for its delicious homemade toffee.  It was showcased on the cooking channel at Easter, giving an in depth look at how they make chocolate bunnies.  Besides the amazing toffee, you can buy the largest candy cane I've ever seen - a great Christmas present for someone who loves peppermint. 
16. Santa Barbara, CA- If you're craving something sweet in the misty seaside town of Santa Barbara all you need to do is head downtown to Renauds French Bakery. With a line out the door every morning with locals and tourists alike youll never be unsatisfied at this charming French Patisserie. I recommend the homemade hot chocolate with  a pastry of your choice.
17. Kennebunkeport, Maine- Mornings in Paris is the cutest little frecnh coffee shop and bakery located on the main boulevard in Kennebunkeport. It is always buzzing in the morning wth tourists and locals alike coming to get their caffeine fix. I tried the berry pie, a delicious mini pie filled with cream and topped with fresh local berries for the perfect mix between french pastries and local flavor! You can also try one of their many macaroon flavors if you are craving a sweet treat to go! 

Think there's something I missed? Let me know in the comments below!