Monday, July 30, 2012

We've Moved!

Please visit us at our new blog and update your bookmarks: http://www.ae.com/blog.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Listen to Milo Greene's Self-Titled Album


Milo Greene

It's Official "Milo Greene" by Milo Greene is now available in CD, vinyl and digital forms. If you are into harmonies, this album is definitely for you. 

Check out their site for purchases.If you'd like more of a taste, streamthe album, or check out their music video for "1957".

Tour Dates:

July
21 - Atlanta, GA @ The Drunken Unicorn
22 - Nashville, TN @ 3rd & Lindsley
24 - Washington, DC @ DC9
26 - New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge (early show)
28 - Boston, MA @Middle East (upstairs)
29 - Montreal, QC @ Divian Orange
31 - Toronto, ON @The Horseshoe Tavern

August
1 - Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place
3 - Chicago, IL @ Schubas w/The War On Drugs
4 - Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza (PlayStation stage)
7 - Madison, WI @ The Frequency
8 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry
10 - Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive
11 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
25 - Seattle, WA @The End 107.7 Presents Summer Camp '12

September
8 - Portland, OR @ MFNW

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Employee Profiles: AE.com Creative Director, Brandon A.

Brandon A., Creative Director for AE, manages all of the teams who work on creative assets for AE.com. We sat down with him to talk about his path from intern to Creative Director, what he's most excited about for Back to School and more.
 
Brandon A., AE.com Creative Director

What is your background?
I went to school for graphic design & communications at LaRoche, it’s a small private school in the North Hills.

How did you get your start at AE?
I knew an intern here and he got me an internship. I was hired full time right when I graduated as a graphic designer in 2004 and I’ve been here ever since. I was a graphic designer, than senior designer, then art director, then senior art director and now creative director.

Right now I manage all of the teams that own all the creative for the website for both AE and Aerie – basically, I’m hanging out, shooting a nerf gun, riding a scooter, having fun.

What are your favorite projects that you have worked on at AE?
The launch of the Times Square billboard was pretty cool. There’s so many, it’s like a blur.

The AE Billboard in Times Square


What are your favorite parts of your job?
That I can show up every day in jeans and a t-shirt and work with cool people and do what I like.

What would you tell yourself at age 18 to help get into a creative role?
I would tell him that he needs to be passionate about what he does and be honest. It needs to be a little piece of you that you can’t turn off. It’s not 9-5. Every little piece of you needs to be about design.

Where do you find your inspiration?

Everywhere.

What are you most excited for with the BTS campaign?
We did this casting page that has bios of every kid. I’m pretty pumped about that. I’m also excited about the contest letting the customers take over our brand.

Do you have any special interests or hobbies?
I like to cook. Everything is better when it is cooked on an open flame.

What are your favorite places in Pittsburgh?
PNC Park, there’s a little shaved ice shop called Yia Yia’s Ice on the North Side (you get shaved ice for a quarter), and the Strip District.

Brandon and his family at Yia Yia's

You’re a new dad. Tell us about your daughter.
She’s radical. She’s the coolest little person ever. She makes everything better. Everything that used to be a priority is not, in a good way. And she laughs when she farts.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Hot Chip Debut New Video


Hot Chip

Hot Chip premiered their video for “Look At Where We Are”, the new single from the band’s much lauded fifth album, In Our Heads (Domino). The video is directed by Danny Perez and produced by The Creators Project, Intel and VICE’s global arts and technology initiative dedicated to supporting creativity.


The UK’s leading radio tastemaker, Zane Lowe, premiered a brand new Major Lazer remix of “Look At Where We Are” on his BBC Radio1 show last night.  Stream the track HERE.

The remix will be available on a black label 7” limited to 500 copies pressed at the Hit Bound pressing plant in Brooklyn, NY renowned for reggae & dub vinyl pressings. The digital bundle is available now and the 7” will be available in stores on August 13th.

The Creators Project, a VICE and Intel initiative, collaborated with Hot Chip to produce the music video for “Look At Where We Are.” The video is the latest in a series of video premieres including Passion Pit’s “Take A Walk,” Battles’ “My Machines,” Neon Indian’s “Polish Girl” and more.

Hot Chip are in the midst of their US tour. With the last minute addition of Jim Orso of Holy Ghost! on drums, the band have garnered excited reviews from the first few stops on the tour.
Fans around the worlds can listen to a live stream of the Brooklyn show on NPR Music tomorrow evening HERE.

Hot Chip Tour In Full:
FRI 27 JULY - DORSET, CAMP BESTIVAL
TUE 11 SEP – OAKLAND, CA, FOX THEATER
MON 8 OCT – NORWICH, UK – NORWICH U.E.A
TUE 9 OCT – LEEDS, ENGLAND – O2 ACADEMY LEEDS
THU 11 OCT – BIRMINGHAM, UK – O2 ACADEMY BIRMINGHAM
FRI 12 OCT – GLASGOW, UK – O2 ACADEMY
SAT 13 OCT – MANCHESTER, UK – MANCHESTER ACADEMY
MON 15 OCT – BRISTOL, UK – O2 ACADEMY BRISTOL
TUE 16 OCT – SOUTHAMPTON, UK – GUILDHALL
THU18 OCT – LONDON, UK – O2 BRIXTON ACADEMY
FRI 19 OCT – LONDON, UK – O2 BRIXTON ACADEMY
SUN 28 OCT – AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MELKWEG
MON 29 OCT – COLOGNE, GERMANY – LIVE MUSIC HALL
TUE 30 OCT – FRANKFURT, GERMANY – COCOON
THU1 NOV – BERLIN, GERMANY – COLUMBIAHALLE
FRI 2 NOV – HAMBURG, GERMANY – GROSSE FREIHEIT
SAT 3 NOV – BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – ANCIENNE BELGIQUE
MON 5 NOV – PARIS, FRANCE – CASINO DE PARIS
TUE 6 NOV – LILLE, FRANCE – FESTIVAL GROUND ZERO @AERONEF
SUN 30 DEC – LORNE, AUSTRALIA – THE FALLS, LORNE VICTORIA
MON 31 DEC – MARION BAY, AUSTRALIA – THE FALLS FESTIVAL, MARION BAY TASMANIA
FRI 4 JAN – BUSSELTON, AUSTRALIA – SOUTHBOUND FESTIVAL, BUSSELTON

Where Has Your AE Been? - Illes des Saintes

Bridget F., from Napa, California, spent last March sailing with a friend through the Caribbean on a tall mast sailing ship.  They visited seven different islands in the Southern Caribbean, including Barbados and Illes des Saintes, where they spent their days riding scooters and enjoying delicious French cuisine.  Before she left for her great adventure, Bridget stopped by American Eagle to purchase a few necessities— flip flops, jewelry, shorts and other summer essentials.  Although her trip has ended, Bridget didn’t reserve her AE clothing just for the sea—she still receives compliments regularly on her blue AE shorts!

Bridget relaxing in her AE shorts, tank, and earrings while anchored on a sailboat in the bay of Illes des Saintes
Where has your AE been? Submit your photos to social@ae.com and you could be featured on our blog.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Employee Profiles: Laurie Z., Senior PR Manager

Senior Public Relations Manager Laurie Z. works with her team to form relationships with fashion editors, celebrities, and other influencers to help build awareness for AE. We chatted with Laurie to find out more about her, her job at AE and how you can get your foot in the door in the PR industry. 


Laurie Z., Senior Public Relations Manager

What was your first job in PR like?
My first job in PR was at GUESS Inc. and was an incredible learning experience. It was with a very small team so I was lucky enough to be involved with all aspects of the department. I formed many relationships with fashion and accessory editors that I still maintain today. It was definitely challenging since everything was so new to me but it was all so very exciting. I didn’t really have anyone to hold my hand and guide me through the day to day projects so I had to just jump right in and give it my all.

How did you get your start in PR at AE?
I happened to see a job opening listed online for a PR position at AE and jumped on it instantly. I had been a big fan of the brand and knew it would be the perfect fit for me. I sent my resume, interviewed with the team and the rest is history.

What tips do you have for someone who wants to break into the PR industry?

You have to enjoy a fast paced environment, be great at multi-tasking and enjoy working with people. Fashion industry relationships and connections are very important in PR, but so are relationships in the worlds of art, music, beauty and celebrity, so I would definitely recommend getting out there and networking. You never know who you might meet and where it might take you, so don’t be shy. Internships are a great way to break into the field; they really help you get an idea for the business and the strategies behind the day to day decisions. I would also recommend looking for a position within a company that you truly believe in and are excited about. Passion and enthusiasm go a very long way.

What are your favorite things about working in PR?
I love working with the editors and forming new relationships, I love seeing the results of my work appear on the pages of magazines (it’s very rewarding) and I love working with everyone on the AE PR team!

Gwyneth Paltrow wearing AE Jeans in Vogue, August 2010

What has been your favorite part of the Live Your Life campaign?
I truly enjoyed one of the most recent stages of the campaign which was sending out the national press release and officially announcing the campaign and contest to the world. It was so exciting to be able to finally announce what we have all been working so hard to accomplish. It was such a huge team effort, everyone from all departments rallied together to make so many components align and it was just a great feeling to be able to share it with the public.

Have you traveled anywhere cool with your job?
I would have to say the most interesting place I traveled to for AE was Cancun, Mexico for Spring Break. I thought my spring break days were over after college until I had to bring the AE experience to the beaches of Mexico. It was quite an interesting experience, I must say.

What is a typical day like for you?
I’m not sure I can say that I have a typical day because when it comes to the press, anything can happen. You just never know when the next fashion emergency might happen! However, the fundamentals of my job that take place pretty much every day involve corresponding with editors and press, pitching trend pieces for upcoming fashion features and stories, holding market appointments in our PR showroom, analyzing coverage/clips, brainstorming events and partnerships and developing strategies for new ways to generate brand exposure.

How would you describe your personal style?
I would describe my style as boy meets girl or tomboy chic. I enjoy wearing feminine girly girl styles and mixing it up by adding some rugged elements. I love dainty details but I’m a tomboy at heart.

Laurie and her sister, blogger NYCPretty.

What is your favorite fit of AE jeans?
I live in AE denim! I have two favorite AE denim fits: Boyfit and Skinny. I wear them all the time. In the summer I sport my AE Shorties.

Do you have any fun interests or hobbies?
Running! After work and on the weekends you can usually catch me running in Central Park. My favorite spot is at the Reservoir. On a clear, crisp evening with the NYC skyline in the background and the sun setting – it’s the perfect place to be! I also love traveling with my husband. I’m a beach lover so my favorite destinations are usually tropical of some sort. Some of my recent trips include Costa Rica and Jamaica, but the place I love visiting most, and have a slight obsession with is Hawaii. I think I might have been Hawaiian in my past life.

Laurie in Hawaii

Do you have any cool summer plans?
Sun and Fun in Jamaica and Montauk!