By: Arabel Alva Rosales
Co-Executive Producer, Latino Fashion Week
www.LatinoFashion.com
On Thursday, June 8 a historic event took place in Chicago. McDonald’s joined forces with Akira Chicago to present “Drinkcessorize,” an experience of fashion and some of McDonald’s unique, and I must admit both flavorful and delicious, drinks. The event took place at the 50th Anniversary McDonald’s in Chicago. Currently, McDonald’s has over 45 beverages, but the featured drinks included the Frozen Strawberry Swirl and Real Fruit Smoothies that come in wild berry and strawberry banana (which I found out include yogurt!) and looked fantastic with Akira’s clothing. What a great way to welcome the summer. The line-up included both women’s and men’s wear, highlighting Akira’s official summer collection, Mia shoes for women and Sebago for men.
The runway showed a lot of white, one of the best “colors” of the summer, and also lots of hues to brighten up anyone’s day. Guests included VIPs from McDonald’s, lots of media, and of course, Fashionistas. The appetizers were made-up of McDonald’s French fries, burgers, etc., and a variety of drinks, including those mentioned and also featuring Frappe’s, that were introduced last year. McDonald’s has been making an incredible impact into the coffee market with affordable prices and delicious coffee drinks. The Frappe’s include caramel or mocha in an expresso based drink made from Arabica Beans that come from South and Central America… Mmm, I can almost smell and taste that now.
“Drinkcessorize” is a completely different concept that matches up two well known, well respected brands and we wondered how the union came about. Jon Cotay, Co-owner of Akira Chicago, and a marketing guru, explained that McDonald’s actually approached them. Akira currently has 14 locations in the Chicagoland area, including a website, making it a major influence in the Chicagoland area. With over 200 brands, McDonald’s felt it was a natural partner for their unique “Drinkcessorize” concept. Tanya Lawrence, an owner of seven McDonald’s located in the Chicagoland area, and a part of McDonald’s Owner Operators of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana (MOCNI), which include over 500 restaurants, explained that McDonald’s is always looking for new quality products and new ways to reach their target audience. With “Drinkcessorize” they hope to expand their reach and attract the fashion consumer. Lawrence explained that McDonald’s saw this as an opportunity for two major brands to come together. The combination seemed to work. The cameras clicked away and the color of the beverages somehow made certain fashion looks pop.
I must admit that at first I found it hard to think of a drink as an accessory, but then I thought of all the social media that takes place (All those pictures that are constantly being taken of us) or the fact that a true fashionista understands that accessories can help or hinder. Maybe next time you’re at the beach, on a hot day, wearing just the right look is very important, but keeping cool with the right drink, that happens to match, might also be something to consider. When that picture is taken of you, by your friends, in this day of social media, and your drink keeps you refreshed and also accessorizes, well it just might be the type of “Drinkcessorize” we want this summer. Maybe McDonald’s is on to something?
