Fashion, Marketing & Promotion

Sunday

2011-01-10T19:31:00.013Z

Why I should love living in the country(ish).

I've been waiting for a sunny day to go out and use my DSLR at one of my favourite spots where I live. Well Sunday was a sunny day and I didn't care how ill I was, it wouldn't show in a photo, so I wrapped up warm(ish) and set out to be a budding, excited new photographer. The photos were taken at about 2pm, but the winter means that it seems more like 1600. Some photos have been edited (I like the new lomography that's becoming increasingly popular so thought I'd fake it with Photoshop CS5) but some are just on the right setting. As long as it's not on Auto I'll be happy with what I get.

TCM Actor Quotes

2011-01-03T22:26:00.005Z

TCM and a memorable face
What happens when you find some fonts, amazing photographs of faces from the past, and a Bank Holiday weekend watching TCM? I spend a day putting it all together. The series features Brigitte Bardot, Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn and Marlon Brando to name a few, with quotes on film. A very simple concept that I think I'll print off and plaster over my wall, if not format them to landscape and have them as desktop wallpapers. Get in touch if you'd like a copy.

London Bridge Photograpy

2010-12-29T12:25:00.003Z

HP: sharable widget visualises fight against counterfeit drugs

2010-12-27T15:32:00.000Z

Infographic project created at Bite Communications for their HP client

Photography

2010-12-13T20:51:00.002Z

Part birthday part Christmas present from family and myself, my new SLR camera is probably my favourite investment so far.
I decided to settle for the Canon 500D with 18-55mm IS lens, and I can work my way up with lenses later.

So here are my first few images. I've used SLR's before but not had a clue about settings, so I'm determined to add photography to my fortes.

LFW

2010-09-22T09:01:00.004+01:00

Standard or Limited Supply?

This week’s London fashion week has seen trends such as the 70s and fruity colours such as peach and plum emerge, but are people as excited as they were last season? Have we arrived at a stage where fashion is so easily available to us via live broadcasting of fashion shows such as Burberry and Vogue and Style.com posting catwalk photos and reports by the end of the day, that we’re no longer determined to find out what the latest styles are? As someone who’s studied and worked in fashion I feel compelled to find out who’s doing what this
season, but am I really in the mood to shout about it when someone could read a Bumpus report on Vogue.com instead? Why would they want to listen to the ramblings of a recent graduate over a well established magazine site or blogger? Although the price of fashion has kept many from feeling the need to watch the catwalk, having London fashion week so ubiquitous in the press and online means we can ignore it if we want.

After all, there will always be a next season and the current one will go out of fashion in no time, so should you really prioritise your time over something so fleeting? I always will as it still fascinates me how some designers always get it right and set every new trend (ahem Burberry...) and others will just create something that seems for the hell of it - did you see Giles Deacon SS 11? My apologies but having interesting models such as Abbey Clancy after her recent tabloid appearances and Kelly Brooke tells me you’re trying to distract from the clothing using make up that makes them look like drag queens...

Would having fashion less available to us like it was during war time 50s make it more covetable? Don’t we love biannual magazines and buy them every issue rather than buy the weekly one’s? Perhaps one designer should get rid of all these cruise and pre collections and create an all year collection... It may mean better quality lines and sustainable trends to say the least. Would we stock up for all year knowing there won’t be a collection for another 365 days rather than months? I think those who appreciate fashion appreciate short supply and limited edition, and designers might appreciate the break to stop and think.

Lois Jeans

2010-09-10T15:37:00.007+01:00

Hope of Love Revolution.
Lois Jeans grabs the number one position on Design Charts, the weekly top 40 website design chart, and it's clear why...

The injustice of man destroyed love...
It's ashes covered the world for centuries...
but there is still hope...

...Love...
...Lois.

The website's primary feature is a short story film directed by Humberto Vignali that resembles the Band of Brothers Bastogne scenes using snow (actually flour) in slow motion shots against a dark grey, gritty Russian winter background. Beautifully crafted despite for web, the film is set to the music Nessun Dorma by Pavarotti (which has now completely changed my mindset of it being for slow motion football adverts), the two lovers (Brisa and Vinicus) slow motion scream, fall to their knees, pull off masks and slap bum cheeks while wearing the collection.

It's a shame that the promotional images just aren't on par with the film. If anything it would have been more visually stunning if they'd used stills from the film rather than do a shoot. I wonder if the director of photography Alex Garcia even took part in the shoot? Perhaps their aim was a Call of Duty style, as the press pack images seem to look more like game covers without the blood splatter.

(No it's not the wrong way around, calm down)

Sky High Rankin

2010-08-17T18:33:00.003+01:00

Sky High Rankin
High profile photographer Rankin shoots a campaign for Sky Arts at his Annroy studio in North London. The photographs, commemorating all areas of the arts, will blanket Tottenham Court Road billboards...every one apparently. They will also exhibit in Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Liverpool.

An interesting take on advertising, but a little misunderstood. Although it's supposed to be an exhibition, it is still an advertising campaign for Sky Arts - it's not even as if it's an exhibition that's been sponsored by Sky, it's still advertising. It would have been nicer to have it in a more pure form. It'll be interesting to see how long the 'exhibition' lasts with the cost of advertising space in central London.

Wrangler Europe Site

2010-07-30T23:19:00.003+01:00

Wrangling it in.
The original Wrangler Blue Bell website was definitely something new when it came out about 6 months ago, but it wasn't something that other brands picked up on. Perhaps they weren't too keen on the idea of removing the clothing rather than trying to put it on customers. So Wrangler learned from their own, and created a new interactive flash website, with what seems to be more of a story.
Perhaps I'm enjoying this because I'm watching it late at night, and so the dark screen is really worth it (I'll have to take a look at it in the morning and see whether it has the same effect a second time round) but it just seems to be so effective that the clothes look better quality than even competitors such as Diesel and Lee.
You can download individual frames, publish them on your facebook or your twitter page, but this isn't exactly very useful - you're not getting anything out of posting a picture except a nice image of a rugged looking man for your friends to look at... like I said, not very useful.

Hermès J'aime mon carré

2010-07-23T16:46:00.003+01:00

How To Hermès.
Hermès has decided that it's not enough to have a renowned name for themselves - it's time to get new customers and promotion is the key. J'aime mon carré, or 'I love my scarf' to the non French speaking Brits, will be a new collection launched in September on their under construction website.

Hermès will also launch a fanzine and hold promotional events in order to gain loyalty from a younger market - and so the prints will be bold, colourful and not necessarily as classic as their other collections.

The label has recruited British photographer Matt Irwin and stylist Francesca Burns to create the fanzine project with four women wearing their favourite scarves in New York, Paris, London and Tokyo.

The brand is also going to offer a 'How To' section on their website, showing women how to tie knots and wear the scarves. What's interesting about this, is it was very privileged information that was only gifted once a Hermès had been purchased in the form of a tiny little book. Hermès is one of few brands that is currently standing out because they've pulled down their exclusive barriers and are welcoming a new type of customer. Remember Liberty's selling Hermès scarves? Instead of holding them on display behind closed doors, they encouraged the customers to hold the scarves, and offered workshops on how to tie them. Perhaps they realised that going digital and promoting their new innovative 'touch me try me' attitude would pay off.

Prada Film

2010-07-15T14:29:00.002+01:00

Prada Blues

The Fall/Winter 2010 advertising campaign can be viewed here on Prada.com. Music 'Fever' performed by Katey Judd and badly dubbed by the models of the campaign...

Elie Saab Couture

2010-07-08T14:38:00.004+01:00

History Repeating
Find me a woman who wouldn't feel like a goddess in Elie Saab Couture - it's not possible. Although every season of his couture has strong similarities to the last, you can't deny that Saab is just good at what he does - make enviable clothing that will forever be in fashion.

Elie Saab's Autumn Winter collections have always seemed to be more sophisticated to me than his Spring, mainly due to him constantly bringing in hundreds of brightly coloured dyes in his fabrics and never really having a theme like he does with his Fall collections. He seems to pick just 5 base colours and creates patterns through twists and miles of fabric, then embroider embellishments that weigh 10kgs all over.

The dress above is my personal favourite of this collection because if done by another designer could have looked like a dyed old vintage wedding dress, but Elie Saab makes it sexy beyond belief, despite it being a colour not best suited for every woman.

Burberry's Profits

2010-07-07T19:38:00.002+01:00

Bravo Burberry.
Angela Ahrendts, CEO of Burberry told Vogue.com, "The period 2009 - 2010 was a great year for Burberry - we delivered record profits in what was a challenging economic climate thanks to a truly gifted team. The success of Burberry is built not only on product and marketing excellence but on operational excellence too. Together these set us apart this year."

Burberry's innovative take on the digital world and clever marketing tactics could be the key factor in the British brand's recent success. Figures increased 7% from £1,202 million in 2009 to £1,280 million within the last year with revenue increasing by 19%.

Burberry's tactics both within the company through it's performance and between the brand and it's current and potential customers seem to be right on the money - and it seems to be down to humility. Their realisation of how a high quality brand should be functioning at this time rather than operating the way brands always have, has forwarded them above any British brand currently on the market - but it will be a while before all of the public catches on to the reinvented 'chavvy to savvy brand'.

Chanel Couture

2010-07-07T19:31:00.003+01:00

A Russian Roar
Karl Lagerfeld's Chanel Couture show took place once again in the Grand Palais in Paris, decorated by a majestic lion holding a pearl, out of which came fur trimmed or glittering Prussian beauties. The lion theme continued through to the end, with Lagerfeld's muse Baptiste Giabiconi wearing a lion head as the finale.

Vintage style

Couture Fashion Week

2010-07-05T22:11:00.004+01:00

Dior Floral Bouquet.
Christian Dior Couture designed by John Galliano was an upside down floral bouquet with what looked like plastic wrap as headdresses, and carnation style layers and prints.

As Couture fashion week kicks off there has been an increase in requests for the high quality products, especially from Russia, China and the Middle East. The demand increase has been a welcome sign of relief for many couture brands after the unfortunate collapse of Christian Lacroix who showed his last collection of Autumn Winter 2009/10.

Website

2010-07-02T14:56:00.005+01:00

Rebranded.

The website www.firuzefrench.com has been updated to suit my new branding. Take a look and let me know what you think.

I'll also post photos of my branding a little later.

Click here to view site

Update:
Photos of the send out to specific companies.

Underwear Gaultier

2010-06-30T11:09:00.004+01:00

Outerwear becomes underwear.
Jean Paul Gaultier has teamed up with La Perla to create an underwear collection for release in November this year.

The bra in this set reminds me of the outerwear Gaultier designed for Madonna, although a little more practical. By the way, what's wrong with her leg in the image above? Looks a little twisted.

It's surprising that Jean Paul Gaultier hasn't ventured out into the lingerie department before, considering his focus on underwear in all his womenswear. I guess when you're famous for making underwear to go on top, there's no need to dive in to the lingerie market, as you've already attracted the type of woman that wouldn't want to cover up.

Viktor & Rolf - La Roux

2010-06-25T19:23:00.003+01:00

Viktor & Rolf's La Roux Muse
Viktor & Rolf have found their muse in La Roux's Elly Jackson.

I just love this photo of La Roux at the Viktor and Rolf Spring Summer 11 Menswear show in Milan - she pretty much embodies the brand while pulling off the Buddy Holly look in a modern way. The star, Elly Jackson, performed In for the Kill and Bulletproof for the show while wearing pieces from the collection.

"Fashion and music have always gone hand-in-hand and this was an opportunity to do something different with the songs and in a completely different setting," Jackson told Vogue.com. "It was very intimate and very exposed. There was a real sense of two creative worlds coming together."

Out of all the celebrities Viktor & Rolf could have chosen as their muse, I believe they've got it perfect with La Roux's Elly Jackson, especially when she wears the designer's iconic thick framed glasses.

Burberry New Campaign Images

2010-06-24T18:17:00.005+01:00

Bring on Burberry.

The latest Burberry Autumn Winter 2010 campaign has arrived with an all British cast.

I also recommend the interactive versions of the campaign
Click the links below to find out more, or visit http://www.Burberry.com/ and use the right hand menu.
Use your mouse to move the models back and forth and the camera left and right. An interesting campaign and a forward thinking way of presenting their latest collection. Burberry just keeps on being ahead of the rest.
It would be nice for the images to be more interactive though, where you can select the items being worn by the models and buy them immediately.

Scene1
Scene2
Scene3
Scene4

The cast of the Burberry campaign consists of model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley with her English rose look, Gwilym Gold, lead vocalist of 'Golden Silvers', Nina Porter, actor Douglas Booth, Sam Rollinson, lead vocalist of The Cheek Rory Cottham, Charlotte Wiggins, the iconic blond from the Burberry shows Thomas Penfound, music producer Caspar Smyth, singer of Avius, Seb Brice and Samuel Fry, vocalist of Life on Film.

Alexander McQueen

2010-06-22T10:30:00.002+01:00

View the show here.

D&G Menswear

2010-06-21T13:52:00.001+01:00

More Live Stream from D&G Menswear.
View the live stream on their site here

Prada Menswear SS2011

2010-06-21T11:44:00.002+01:00

Prada.

Watch the Prada Menswear Spring Summer 2011 show at www.prada.com

Burberry Menswear SS2011

2010-06-19T13:47:00.002+01:00

Burberry Live.
Burberry Prorsum will be showcasing their menswear Spring Summer 2011 at 2pm so quick,click here to view.

Outerwear and accessories will be available to order straight from the runway.

Topshop Blow Dry Bar

2010-06-18T18:11:00.002+01:00

Up for a quick blow job?
Hershesons Salon has set up shop within the Oxford Street branch of Topshop - and not a pair of scissors in sight. For £22 you can select a style, then get your hair washed and blow dried within 30 minutes. You might be wondering, when will such an occasion occur that I will be shopping and need to have my hair done? Well, it seems as though lately many shoppers are buying for the moment, buying in the day to wear something in the evening, and simply impulse buying. It wasn't exactly busy, but if you know it's there and want to get your hair done without going near a pair of scissors and you want it done by a professional salon, the blow dry bar seems like a good option.

Tamara Mellon

2010-06-15T20:31:00.003+01:00

The Choo Empire.
Tamara Mellon, stiletto mogul and a hit on the UK rich list, is soon to be commended by the Queen as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), and so a little dedication is in order.
As one of the It girls that became one of the most successful business women of the 21st century, Mellon has not only faced trials with her former husband Matthew Mellon (for email snooping of all things) as well as her own mother, former Chanel model Ann Yeardye, and had the paparazzi breathing down her neck during her affairs, and has had a very public admittance into rehab, but has also had to deal with the issues of the company she co-founded in 1996 - Jimmy Choo.

Accused of causing a backstabbing move by creative director Sandra Choi on her uncle (Jimmy Choo), and accusing her mother of stealing from the company has meant that her career hasn't exactly been clear sailing, but the woman just won't let down. Not only has she fought off suits throwing numbers in her face and threatening her position, forcing her to cut her holiday short to start a battle plan (which included the collaboration with high street brand H&M), she's somewhat brutally forced the buying and selling of the portions of her company in order to increase it's value, despite family and friends.
Tamara Mellon shot by Deborah Anderson

Powerful women such as Mellon are either loved or hated - with nothing in between. You're either jealous of her and admire her, or jealous of her and so hate her. Oh, and being on the arm of Christian Slater only makes us more jealous. Did I mention she was over 50? Jealous yet?

"At the end of the day, the person who has the money has the control."
- Tamara Mellon.

Fst Fshn

2010-06-14T14:10:00.006+01:00

Zara ahead.
Last week, its parent company Inditex posted a 63 per cent jump in quarterly net profit. Zara is now the world's biggest fashion brand in terms of revenue, worn by working women everywhere - as well as by the likes of Samantha Cameron, Tess Daly and Princess Letizia of Spain.
Source

Zara's amazing production routine means that you can buy trends from catwalks, the street or anywhere else within 2 weeks of it being seen by the Zara scouts. Having something that fast means that when you buy now, you're buying for the next season.
But is Zara turning their fast fashion into fast fashion? Is everything they're creating now more about profit than quality, resulting in throwaway fashion?
Zara has never been seen as one to follow what others on the high street are up to, and generally follow their own path, but recently, as Liz Jones has commented, their fabrics are not what they used to be, and neither are their prices. While some would argue that spending less on something in Zara than you used to is a good thing, it's really not when you consider the quality.

I've just been on a trip to New York, and I really don't believe the rumours that it's good shopping. Yes, you can pay £4,000 for designer at Saks, but why go to NYC when you can go to Selfridges - it's not exactly cheaper anymore with this recession.
I visited the Zara on 5th Avenue, and it had different products to the UK because Zara tends to be selective about their products and where it will sell, but they weren't anything special. Granted I was more interested in the clothing in Zara than Macy's, I still didn't buy anything. I had made a pact with myself not to buy anything jersey or anything that seemed to be a cheap, nasty fabric. Unfortunately, this meant a quick shop in Zara - even items I thought were cotton turned out to be manufactured fabrics. Since when did everything have to be a cheap fabric? I really didn't expect Zara to follow on the throwaway fashion bandwagon, but it seems they have for the sake of lowering their prices and increasing profits.

It seems the next step for high street brands is to step out of the cheap, nasty fabrics for a cheap nasty price, and stand out as something new, simply by offering natural fabrics for a price that's a little bit higher. I have a shirt from Zara that I'd bought maybe 5 or 6 years ago, made from cotton, and it's still intact. I probably couldn't say the same about the products they're offering now.

By the way, don't buy sandals by American brands, they make your feet look weird. Just to let you know.

Self

2010-06-04T19:38:00.002+01:00

New Website functional
(Minus the news page) full of portfolio imagery and cv data

View site here

Many thanks to Mr James Butler for his help. View his website here.

Rankin

2010-06-03T16:31:00.005+01:00

A Summer of Rankin
I think there's a sign that I should be concentrating on Rankin at the moment. Firstly, an email in my inbox about his new exhibition in Kentish Town:

We'd just like to tell you about Rankin's new exhibition, 'Portraits', which launches on 17th June at Annroy Gallery in Kentish Town. Celebrating the icons of our generation, from politicians to actors, monarchs to musicians, 'Portraits' unites some of Rankin's most recognisable portraiture with a collection of unseen works. Subjects include Lily Allen, Katy Perry, Kelis, Pete Doherty, Gordon Brown and Ricky Gervais amongst others - all details are attached.
Hope you can make it down!
From Annroy Gallery

'Portraits' is an exhibition I'm intent on seeing upon my return from NYC, mainly so that I can drool over the following image (which has now been set as my desktop background).
One thing I love about Rankin as a photographer is how he interacts not only with celebrities and magazines, but with the public and those just starting out. I had heard a rumour in November last year that Rankin would be at Graduate Fashion Week, and it has now been revealed that he has been busy photographing some of the new pieces about to go on show from Sunday 6th June.

"I really enjoyed this shoot. There was a stunning array of truly innovative and often outrageous designs and stylist Katie Shillingford did a great job choosing the top ten looks," explains Rankin. "It was incredibly easy to shoot the clothes - each piece was so beautiful and full of character. I'm sure among the 2010 graduates we will see a designer that will catch the fashion world's imagination."

Remember to catch the UCA show on Sunday 6th June at 8pm. Tickets are available from the GFW website.

GFW

2010-05-22T09:11:00.002+01:00

Fashion Refined goes to Graduate Fashion Week
Fashion Refined is a campaign that aims to create awareness of the issues surrounding throwaway fashion and reduce the purchase of cheap, low quality clothing that often results as landfill and cannot be recycled. A woman on a budget cannot afford to buy cheap clothes - Fashion Refined aims to encourage the purchase of quality clothing that can surpass fleeting trends and serve as a wardrobe investment.
The concept has been chosen as one to represent the University of the Creative Arts, Epsom at Graduate Fashion Week. The video below displays the guerrilla marketing tactics involved. The tag that is being placed around throwaway fashion has the Fashion Refined logo on branded ribbon, a safety pin, and a tag that says 'In a few weeks this will break. Here's a pin for when that happens.'

Gucci & Mark Ronson

2010-04-22T21:38:00.003+01:00

Sneaker in our midst.

The store has finally arrived in Covent Garden - Gucci's Icon Temporary store created in collaboration with music man Mark Ronson has opened it's doors to sell 18 exclusive pairs of sneakers, 2 for women, 15 for men and one special Gucci Ronson style.
After the release of their Gucci iPhone app (and it's success) and their Facebook page, Gucci's attempt at enticing a younger audience seems to be working, except that they're not necessarily buying the sneakers. Brands are trying to become a voice in a consumer's head, but are they going about it in the right way? When I think of sneakers, the first thing in my head would be Gucci because of this campaign and because I study fashion, but what about the next person? Would they think Nike?
Burberry for example created 'Art of the Trench', promoting their iconic trench coat - Hermes always promote their scarves. So how successful will Gucci be in promoting sneakers when they're better known for their leather and, more recently, that covetable white Panama hat? Not that I have anything against Mark Ronson, but he just seems like a bit of an odd choice to attach to Gucci, is that just me? It seems like Gucci is rebranding itself in a completely different direction, with the only common element being the green and red flashes of colour.

Dress Size Down

2010-04-19T15:13:00.002+01:00

Vanity Dress Sizing.
Have you ever tried on a dress in what you think is your size in one store, then when you went next door you find you're a size smaller? You could be a victim of 'vanity sizing', where stores design and make clothes that are a little larger than the actual size, making you feel better about buying from them. After all, how many of us like the size label when it's a little bit smaller?
M&S have been found guilty of tampering with their sizing from their online products - this would really annoy me if I'd just bought the wrong size each time and I should have gotten one smaller...
An M&S spokesman said: 'We are not sweetening the sizes or softening the blow for anyone but we tweaked the sizes on our website so they are based on an average body.'
However, the altered sizes have mainly occurred in shops that sell to a more mature audience, and so it could be argued that their reasoning is that a size 12 for a 20 year old is very different to an age 50 size 12.
Until not long ago, many stores were using the old 1950s sizing for their clothing - can you imagine how much our bodies have altered over 60 years? But changing the sizes to up to two inches bigger and calling it the next size down? It may make you feel better, but it's really not true. If you say you're a happy size 10 in M&S, but you're actually a size 12, are you going to decide to eat more unhealthily and become a 14? Well it's ok, you can still fit into a size 12...

Primark Padded Bikini

2010-04-15T16:12:00.003+01:00

Politics and Primark
David Cameron has commented on Primark's padded children's bikini's as 'disgraceful'.

'There is a classic example today where Primark are apparently pushing padded bras on seven-year-olds, which I think is completely disgraceful. The sort of country I want is one where it is not just the Government that feels outraged about the early commercialisation and sexualisation of our children, but companies should stop doing it, they should take some responsibility.'

Primark have since removed the bikinis from the shelves and have donated any profits to children's charities.

Gordon Brown has also commented, saying 'All of us as parents can recognise there's something wrong when companies are pushing our kids into acting like little grown-ups when they should be enjoying being children.'

Am I the only one that thinks it's not Primark's fault, but the women and children who buy the product? So they create padded bikinis, but having a kid wear a bikini anyway shows that kids want to look grown up. It's one thing selling the product, but surely these politicians should be worried about the women buying them for their kids...

Jean Charles de Castelbajac

2010-04-14T18:05:00.002+01:00

Close Encounter of the 5th Kind
Jean Charles de Castelbajac is set to take over 5 windows of Selfridges.

"I would like to dedicate my window's works to my dear friend Malcolm McLaren, who was an alien in the world of rock 'n' roll," Castelbajac told Vogue UK. "I am thrilled to prepare this beautiful installation event with Selfridges because I think it is the only department store in the world which seems to be curated like a contemporary art museum."
The 'exhibition' will take place between the 30th April and 30th June. One not to miss.

American Apparel

2010-04-02T23:05:00.003+01:00

Panic in the Streets of London.
The American Apparel Rummage sale causes riots and police as only 30 people are allowed in.

You may have heard about the event on facebook,which currently has 28,711 attending, where American Apparel decided to hold a rummage sale in Brick Lane market with up to 85% off and some items selling for just £1. Knowing the quality of AA and how all their garments are made in America, this was no Primark sale. I wasn't surprised by the amount of people that would have shown up, but it's interesting to see how it turned out. You almost would have expected women pulling each others hair like in Confessions of a Shopaholic, but this went beyond a tug of war. As only 30 people were let into the venue, queues meant restless people, in the cold and rain I might add, who just weren't happy.
The police shut down the event site and demanded everyone leave the Brick Lane premises for their own safety. American Apparel are attempting to re-open for the Easter weekend, and in the meantime have offered discount codes on the website.

There's no telling what this will do to the label. Although AA have managed rummage sales across the globe, the definitely didn't anticipate the British public as well as they could have. We are all rioters at heart, just look at the days and nights of the football.
In terms of the brand, it could go one of two ways. 1st, the public hate them for letting them stay out in the cold and rain and risk their safety. 2nd, and more likely after how much AA are trying to make this up to their facebook fans, is that they'll be even more covetable, and this will just be something to publicise them better. If anything, it might make people realise that they won't have a rummage sale in the UK ever again, and so they might as well find a store and buy the full priced one.
So that's really the question, is any publicity in the end good publicity?

P.S., discount codes are:

AALNDN10 gets you 15% off our UK webstore for the next 10 days! (redeem code at checkout).

Please Take 25% OFF anything in our UK site (use code LNDNRMG25) or print this for 25% off at our UK retail shops... (exp 1 wk, not valid w/ other offers)

FTBC

2010-03-29T15:20:00.006+01:00

Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign.
The FTBC, first established by Ralph Lauren in 1994, has their new breast cancer campaign featuring Sienna Miller, Claudia Schiffer and Kylie Minogue, a recent sufferer of breast cancer.

In order to boost the campaign, fashion retail stores such as River Island, Coast, M&S and Superdry have created a collection of items that will donate 30% to the FTBC.
You can view the collection here.

As far as charities go, the FTBC is one I'm close to not only due to it using fashion to create their campaign, but because I'm a supporter of any charity that donates to improving the lives of those with cancer.

(From the About Us page on www.fashiontargetsbreastcancer.org)

Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC) was established in 1994 by Ralph Lauren, after his friend Nina Hyde, Fashion Editor of the Washington Post, died of breast cancer.

In 1996, FTBC was launched in the UK by Breakthrough Breast Cancer. FTBC now celebrates its 14th year; our iconic t-shirt graces most women’s wardrobes and it’s been heralded as the most fashionable charity campaign in the UK.

The campaign is fortunate enough to have received support from some of the world’s most famous fashion icons. Photographers Mario Testino, David Bailey and Ellen Von Unwerth together with stars including Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Gisele, Jerry Hall, Helena Christensen and Lily Cole have all very generously supported the campaign.

To date the campaign has raised over £10.5m in the UK alone through the sale of the famous target t-shirts and other merchandise, sold for us by our loyal and much-loved high street retailers. In the UK, M&S, River Island, Warehouse, Topshop, Coast, Laura Ashley, Superdry, My-wardrobe.com and Whistles all help FTBC raise vital funds for Breakthrough Breast Cancer and we are extremely grateful for their help and support.

Breakthrough Breast Cancer would like to thank all our fashion icons, high street partners and FTBC customers for their continued support over the last 14 years. We look forward to another hugely successful campaign for 2010.

Topshop Auction

2010-03-16T09:06:00.004Z

Celebrity Bid
Here it comes, a chance to bid for celebrity clothing donated to high street chain Topshop. You may remember a few months ago the dresses were up for hire from the Oxford Street store, and now they're on auction in aid of Age Concern and Help the Aged.
Dresses in aid of a charity have always been known to sell for more (or so I'm told) than the original selling price, but the attendees of the auction will be interesting. Although the dresses have been worn by celebrities, will celebrities come and buy them? Perhaps in aid of charity, but I think the public will be the ones bidding for these golden dresses. Either way the intention for Topshop is the publicity, the intention of the bidders are the dresses, and the charity is just a bonus!

In other news, John Galliano has replaced Donatella Versace as the chairperson of Fashion Fringe Covent Garden, stating that he is looking for someone with their own handwriting that's a bit of a rebel. Like Donatella, Galliano will be holding the position for two years.

Asda 100 day guarantee

2010-03-13T09:16:00.002Z

Buy it, wear it, take it back
Asda has taken an initiative to curb the 'Primark effect' of throwaway fashion by giving their clothes from George a 100 day quality guarantee.
Asda is confident enough in the quality of their clothing that they don't think the new plan will be taken advantage of, but they don't really mention the fashion side. Although fast trends aren't as quick as 100 days, what's stopping a woman buying a dress, wearing it, then taking it back? Although some would prefer it wasn't clothes from Asda, there are still some women who would do this. It's almost a rental service as well. If you've bought George clothing and you're a little strapped for cash, return that impulse buy from last month as it's a no quibble guarantee. It'll be interesting to see how successful this will be.

Louis Vuitton Autumn Winter 2010/11

2010-03-10T19:44:00.004Z

Le Classique Vuitton

Bringing back a classical element of style, Louis Vuitton envisioned Grace Kelly travelling the big cities of Europe, beginning with Rome and ending in Paris. Beautifully placed around a fountain in the city of Paris, hemlines dropped, bows were put on shoes, handbags were hand-bags and hair was tied back into a simple pony tail. Now either the shoes were hard to walk in, or the only off putting thing about the show was the girls galloping and strutting like horses instead of gracefully dancing. I'm going to have to try and find myself a black velvet belt with gold buckle though.

"I'd rather embrace it than fight it" - Marc Jacobs on the digital takeover.
Marc Jacobs doesn't use twitter, facebook or any such sites personally, and when he talks about live streaming it seems as though it's not his idea. It's the same from last season really - it's a marketing ploy made by the company and Jacobs has seemed to have just said "I'm designing the clothes, I don't want it streamed, but I don't have a say, so do it so I can keep designing the clothes." I think Marc Jacob's own brand is going to be the only one that won't be live streaming his collection next season.

Ungaro Fall 2011

2010-03-09T17:26:00.003Z

Lindsay falls farther from Ungaro

Lindsay Lohan has been confirmed to have not taken part whatsoever in the creation of the Ungaro Fall 2011 Womenswear collection that showcased in Paris fashion week, instead leaving the creations to Estrella Archs.
The brand's owner Asim Abdullah told Women's Wear Daily backstage: "She's not involved in this collection."

Emanuel Ungaro Autumn Winter 2010/11
Although there were harsh criticisms on Lohan's designs last season, the collection did sell well. However, as they've shown from this year, publicity is still publicity. Despite not attending the show and attending Dior's instead, there was still talk about the Ungaro label. It will be interesting to see how the sales compare to last year without the aid of the Mean Girl.

Diane Von Furstenberg for Claridges

2010-03-04T19:14:00.005Z

The Hotel Fashionista
Claridges in London has just announced a collaboration with designer Diane Von Furstenburg to redesign the interior of some of the hotel's suites using her iconic block colours and prints.
"One of my fondest memories was when I was in London as a young, independent businesswoman and stayed at Claridge's. I knew I had made it. To me, Claridge's is the most glamourous hotel in the world; I regard it as my home away from home. I am honoured to become part of the hotel's legacy and rich design history."
Vogue.co.uk

Although fashion is given a lot of stick, it's amazing how the art of fashion can branch across other industries and can be incorporated into anything. When you consider fashion in this way, it's more about style and class rather than the fast paced clothing industry.

3D

2010-03-03T10:48:00.001Z

Photograph by Miles Aldridge.

Milan Fashion Week

2010-03-03T10:01:00.005Z

Milan Closing

I know I'm writing more about Dolce & Gabbana, but quite frankly other collections were simply boring. They all had the same plain wear just different colours. However Christopher Kane gets a mention for the Versus collection: thank God someone decided to add bright colour for Autumn Winter 2010/11 - I was dreading a dull Winter this year.

Anyway, back to Dolce & Gabbana -

First watch this video

Then watch this one

I've had a look around and it seems as though Dolce & Gabbana is the first to live stream their show from the iPhone. Not only is the fashion show becoming more accessible to everyone via the Internet, but now it's available while out and about. However, how convenient is it? I guess those with an iPhone can take up to an hour out of their working day for lunch/coffee and instead of chatting with anyone pull out their iPhone like a fashion obsessed hermit and watch the show, but seriously, if you've got the time to do that you've got the time to eat lunch infront of a large screen computer and watch it at dolceandgabbana.com, don't you? This just seems to me to be advancing for the sake of advancing. Stefano and Domenico want to be a step ahead, even if that step ahead isn't really useful to them. Don't get me wrong, if I had an iPhone I'd be watching it on that as well as on my laptop because I'm that much of a fashion hermit, but in terms of watching I'd prefer a larger screen.
This is how Burberry got it right, through going bigger, not smaller, by broadcasting their Winter 2011 show in 3D in cinemas around the world.

But anyway, back to the show. Although there were beautiful pieces throughout, what interested me was the parade of suits that came down the catwalk at the end. The film noir of the making of at the beginning hinted at the skill in tailoring that Dolce & Gabbana use to embody their Sicilian woman, but there is irony in their working.

When you see this parade of powerful women in subtly different jackets wearing either silk pants or lace shorts and simple court shoes, you think wow, that's who I want to be, part of the pack of beautiful, strong women. I mean, give them red lipstick and it's the Robert Palmer video. The irony, however, is that this parade of powerful, beautiful women are in fact wearing suit jackets - clothing originally designed for men. Is this how feminism comes about in the 21st century? Through wearing men's clothing and pulling it off better? I hope so.

D&G

2010-02-26T18:14:00.002Z

Snow Day
If there's one thing I love about D&G as well as Dolce & Gabbana, it's how Stefano and Domenico grab one thing, be it lace, a print, denim or in the case of the AW 10/11 snowflake and reindeer knitwear and apply it to about 60 outfits in themed colours. They stick with it and create a huge choice of clothing that although it all looks the same, it'll suit everyone.

London Fashion Week

2010-02-26T17:49:00.005Z

LFW AW10
If there's one thing I loved about LFW this season it's the psychedelic prints that came about. I've always said that if you have a print on a garment, the pattern should be plain, and luckily Basso and Brooke kept this in mind, pairing prints with fur and simple shaped clothing. However, if you have very structured pieces the fabric should be plain to best show it off. Otherwise you're just going to Alexander McQueen wear which can really only be worn on the likes of Lady Gaga in Bad Romance or Naomi Campbell at the Fashion Relief for Haiti show. Richard Nicoll gave an understated but beautifully crafted collection, creating a certain style you can't really put your finger on, but you love all of it put together. Iris Van Herpen joined together elements of McQueen and Pugh as well as Kane to produce a costume style suitable for a Luc Besson film.

Basso & Brooke AW 10/11

Richard Nicoll AW10/11

Iris Van Herpen AW10/11
Images from style.com and fashion156.com

Burberry Prorsum Autumn Winter 2010

2010-02-25T10:00:00.002Z

Burberry Beautiful
Before I get to updating my blog with the wonders of London Fashion Week, I first wanted to pride my page with the likes of the Burberry show as it deserves a special mention, and I can't wait until I've posted my LFW report to put it up.
The show was both live streamed across the world and shown in capitals in 3D in cinemas, and so it was hard to miss out on such an event. After the popularity of the previous collection it made sense for Burberry to continue showing their collection in London to relate to it's heritage.
The clothing itself was beautiful, and pretty much the Menswear of AW10 shaped for a woman, so I'm very pleased with that. I'll have to save up some money to afford the navy military jacket or the 1940s style pilot jacket with sheepskin lining.
But did the hype bring the clothes out more? Looking at the comments that were posted throughout the duration of the show, it seems this was the first online fashion show for many people, who then said 'I love Burberry'. Well, if you love Burberry, why didn't you see the previous online show?
This was apparently the only show that Anna Wintour, editor of American Vogue, flew out for, and so immediately becomes a covetable show to watch. It makes you think how creative marketing can really make a brand stand out, even if the clothes aren't everyone's cup of tea. All Burberry need to watch out for is having everyone love them so much that they won't want to anymore.

NY Fashion Week

2010-02-20T23:06:00.005Z

Highlight of my day

Marc Jacobs delivered a very understated collection, seemingly inspired by the grey dress worn by Maria in The Sound of Music when she meets the children. Very straight forward cuts and shapes with curved hems and texture added using fur. Adding to the trend set by Burberry, grey socks were worn under heels, and accessories included leather and fur trimmed bags. Surprising for Marc Jacobs, but perhaps I’m too used to his Marc by Marc Jacobs collection of bright colours and boyish shapes.

Autumn Winter 2010/11 from Marc by Marc Jacobs had some beautiful bags, almost Gucci style with the tri band straps and patent leather with a gold plague. These bags are the first to really tempt me since the Gucci Autumn Winter 2008/9 bags.Michael Kors delivered more classic style with his 1940s pilot style, but unfortunately it seemed a little too close to Burberry's menswear collection as well as being similar to collections in 2006/7 with the leather belts. Although gorgeous, it's been seen before, and you might find something similar lurking in the back of your wardrobe (or you could piece it together by only adding a few more items to your collection).

By far my favourite, as per usual during New York Fashion Week, has to be Marchesa. Creating perfection yet again with lace, beading, transparent fabrics and silk, Georgina Chapman said she was inspired by Lola Montez, performer and courtesan in the 1800s. With Moulin Rouge style combined with flashes of bright coloured fitted dresses with running corsages around the frame, Marchesa has provided it's usual glamour and goddess beauty.

Images from style.com

New York New York

2010-02-19T21:17:00.002Z

Back Soon
I'm currently in upstate New York and have been since Monday, and so the blog has been neglected while I get my head up in the clouds. When I return I'll be doing a round up of NY fashion week and London fashion week, so see you then xx

RIP Alexander McQueen

2010-02-11T17:36:00.003Z

Alexander McQueen March 17, 1969 - February 11, 2010

On behalf of Lee McQueen's family, Alexander McQueen today announces the tragic news that Lee McQueen, the founder and designer of the Alexander McQueen brand has been found dead at his home. At this stage it is inappropriate to comment on this tragic news beyond saying that we are devastated and are sharing a sense of shock and grief with Lee's family.

Lee's family has asked for privacy in order to come to terms with this terrible news and we hope the media will respect this.

(From Alexander McQueen.com)

Although I'm not a great believer in suicide, McQueen' death is heartbreaking. He was gradually changing the fashion world, and had so many dreams and goals to change the future of fashion, that it feels as though today, the fashion world has come to a pause to remember a great designer.

Burberry in 3D

2010-02-08T19:27:00.003Z

Burberry in 3D

With 3D becoming the next form of technology to dominate the entertainment industry, fashion is now no longer a stranger to imitation front row. Burberry will be live streaming their Autumn Winter 2010/11 show at selected private events in New York, Paris, Dubai, Tokyo and Los Angeles, allowing a global audience to feel that they have a front row seat.

"We are very excited to announce that we are hosting the first ever truly global fashion show. This unprecedented event will enable people to experience the energy and atmosphere of this event from around the world." Christopher Bailey, Creative Officer at Burberry.

I had contemplated this a few times - whether an online fashion show can be 3D - but it seems to have been done a little half-assed for the consumer. Who will be invited to the private 3D showings? The people who would normally be invited to the show but they live abroad and so can't go. So ok, they're using technology, but it's not really benefiting possible clients is it? Will they continue to live stream the show online?

I have a feeling the technology involved is going to have the same success as Alexander McQueen's show - malfunction.

To celebrate the 3D launch, Burberry will be retailing key pieces from the spring/summer 2010 collection on BURBERRY.COM - including the gold sequinned dress first worn by Burberry muse Emma Watson in the front row of the show - as a limited edition collection. The black plaited leather belt and platform knotted sandals she wore with the dress will also be available.

The show, which will take place on February 23 at The Chelsea College of Art in London, will be beamed to custom-built screening spaces designed by Bailey in association with Sky TV.

(Vogue.com)

LFW Digital Schedule

2010-02-03T10:45:00.003Z

Online Fashion Week
Just when I was worried that I'd be in New York during London Fashion Week, the BFC announce that they will have a list of shows from Somerset House streaming live online.
'The Digital Schedule will launch Friday 19th February at London Fashion Week. This new initiative will bring together live streamed fashion shows and a selection of digitally presented fashion films created by some of London’s most innovative designers.'

It will be interesting to see how many New York Fashion Week shows will be live streamed so that when I'm in London I'll live stream NY and when in NY I'll live stream London!

You can catch it all here.

A Single Man

2010-02-02T12:46:00.003Z

Tom Ford's Premiere

Tom Ford made his directorial debue in London last night at the premiere of his new film 'A Single Man', starring Colin Firth, Julianne Moore and Nicholas Holt.
Ford financed the film himself and had designed the costumes, with some suits made by Saville Row tailors.
I am interested to see this film, mainly due to Ford being a creative director that I think it will be visually stunning to perfection, but there's a trend with the 60s at present, especially with the new popularity of Mad Men. Perhaps this will be the new high street trend after the 90s style dies out, especially since the Victorian, Sherlock Holmes trend only kicked off with menswear.

Bearing All

2010-02-01T15:56:00.004Z

Love of 8
8 alternative covers of Love Magazine Issue 3

"For this issue of LOVE, we took eight women who are generally acknowledged as the most beautiful in the world, got them to show off their bodies - widely regarded as the most perfect in the world - and photographed them all in exactly the same position for the cover. We did this to show how much they differed physically from one another, which is why we also printed their measurements. The point is that 'perfection' is not fixed, timeless or transcendent. It varies, as the measurements of our cover girls show." LOVE's editor-in-chief Katie Grand - VOGUE.COM.

Photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot
Monday 8th February - £5.

People Tree meets Emma Watson

2010-02-01T12:31:00.003Z

Ethically Correct
Emma Watson is set to design for ethical clothing company People Tree, but will it catch on?
Emma Watson has recently shined in the fashion world due to her new relationship with Burberry, and so she's using the opportunity to prove she's aware of the earth. People Tree are one of many clothing companies that ensure they follow Fair Trade standards set by the World Fair Trade Organisation, and so having a celebrity like Miss Watson backing their campaign and designing for them should be enough to really get Fair Trade rolling. Although Fair Trade clothing is available, it won't have fully kicked off until other high street stores refuse to sell anything but. Unfortunately, there are apparently too many advantages to slave labour and chemical dyes.
Personally, I'm a little ignorant. When I think of saving the world I think a little closer to home; the landfills that are building up and the way the economy is going. The idea of throw away fashion is how, I think, best to approach the public. People need to know how their actions affect them, not other people, because generally, many people are selfish. Those who aren't buying Fair Trade are selfish. So how do you attack selfish people? Tell them they can't have something because it's not good for them, and they'll suffer later.
So basically, I'm all for buying something sustainable, that will last forever, still be in fashion, and won't end up as landfill... ever.

Elie Saab

2010-01-28T09:27:00.003Z

Man after my own Heart
Couturier Elie Saab has long been my favourite (about 7 years now) and one day I hope I will be privileged enough to own one of his gowns. Peach and skin tones are popular for Spring Summer 2010, and no one creates anything as beautiful to the figure than Elie Saab. Every item in the collection is not only wearable, but an investment into the real beauty of Couture - jewels, lace, beads and corsets - and a way of looking like an absolute goddess. Although here they don't look as fabulous as they would in real life, the Elie Saab collections do every body justice, and are definitely worth the £10,000 price tag.

Givenchy Couture

2010-01-27T12:12:00.005Z

Hat's Off to You

Parisian grayscale women meets 60s furniture, the hat's of Givenchy Couture could be said to be quite risqué .

Riccardo Tisci, creative designer for Givenchy for 5 years now, has brought about the new style of hats that resemble Hussein Chalayan's style of construction, but also seem to resemble 1960s lampshades. I'm all for Couture being exaggerated fashion, and I realise it's not something that will realistically be worn outside of a red carpet or debutant ball, but would this really catch on? We never really assume for all weird styles to come up in Ready to Wear and high street, but is it really just a way of standing out? Personally, the clothes are gorgous, hypnotic and seem to be two different styles of collection in one, but I'm not sure about these hats. They seem to be a way of saying "I have something wild, wacky and crazy in my collection that's inspired by art, don't look at the clothes." Alexander McQueen for example had his latest high heeled shoes to accompany his Spring Summer 2010 ready to wear collection, but the clothing and styling was equally as weird. If you take these lampshade hats away from Givenchy couture, the collection wouldn't have the same affect; it would be a generally ordinary collection compared to other couture collections. It's difficult to stand out, especially against such designers like Dior, but as said in the previous post, although it's all extravagant and over the top, it's not dissimilar to previous collections. At this time when designers like Lacroix are struggling, they need to find a way to stand out from the rest. McQueen would be one that if he did a couture collection he would stand out just for being weird, out of the ordinary, and simply bringing something new to the table. Even his ready to wear collections stand out more than couture. It makes you wonder why designers who create couture, a seemly dying collection that is only sold to the elite, don't use their collections to create something more than just wearable. Perhaps this is why all of a sudden we have lampshade hats.

Couture Dior

2010-01-26T01:56:00.006Z

Spring Summer 2010 Couture

According to Galliano, the Christian Dior collection has been inspired by Charles James, a designer who founded the New Look of 1947 that at first was difficult to introduce after the second World War.

"I was reading that, actually, it was Charles James who influenced Monsieur Dior to come up with the New Look, and then I was looking at a photo of Charles James doing a fitting—and on the wall behind him was a picture of women riding sidesaddle. And that was it!" - Galliano

So much is expected of Dior that it almost seems as though it's no longer fantastic, due to always being fantastic. The designs now seem to merge together, and while being aesthetically perfect and constructed beautifully, they always are, and so only seem special when compared to other designers. Compared to Dior, all is the same.
The shoes are a beautiful touch, and the vivid colours involved are a new form of sweet, contradicting the feminine pastels that also featured, but construction wise, although seemingly origami with invisible strings, it is similar to the previous collections. Don't get me wrong, I adore it all, it just seemed as though Galliano has conditioned Dior to set the same standard, and appeal to it's usual fans compared to creating new, out of Dior's ordinary looks. Perhaps I have been treated with new changes so often that when a brand does something the same it no longer impresses me. I guess I'm hard to please sometimes.

Burberry Prorsum Menswear 2010

2010-01-17T09:36:00.002Z

Just a few screen grabs of the stream website
I'm waiting for Miles to send me images

Prada Menswear AW10

2010-01-16T09:47:00.006Z

Prada Menswear Online

Another show to be broadcast live, is this the new fashion show?

With Burberry Prorsum broadcasting their show today at http://live.burberry.com/ it's no wonder other brands have felt the need to catch up. Prada will be streaming their live show on Prada.com, a full flash website, so it will be interesting to find out if it will have the same problem as McQueen. All shows are 1hr behind the stated time:

Emporio Armani

http://live.emporioarmani.com/
Live show to be streamed at 4:30pm (3:30pm GMT), Saturday 16th January 2010
(by the way I actually HATE the design of the live website, who really thought a pukey yellow and blue would go together on a dark marsh background? I don't really want to visit this site)

Burberry

http://live.burberry.com/
Live show to be streamed at 6pm (5pm GMT), Saturday 16th January 2010

Prada

http://www.prada.com/
Live show to be streamed at 6pm (5pmGMT), Sunday 17th January 2010.

Notice that Emporio Armani and Burberry are on the same day, hours apart, and remember what happened with both Alexander McQueen and Burberry's Spring Summer 2010 RTW collections... as all fashion shows do, they started late.

What works about the online show is that you wouldn't have to choose one or the other, you would be able to just switch websites rather than have to take public transport or a taxi in Milan to the next location. Perhaps it would be easier for the press?
I read about Roland Mouret broadcasting his SS10 collection online, but instead he'd allowed multiple webcam views, so it seemed more like watching security cameras, but you could choose your own view of the show. It will be interesting to see if any of the AW10 Menswear shows will do more than just play a tape they will later put up on ftv.
Gareth Pugh has been the only one thus far to completely replace his show with technology when he created a video with Ruth Hogben and SHOWstudio for his Autumn Winter 2009 collection, and simply pressed play instead of having models running down a catwalk. If I was press attending that show, I'd be very pissed off if what I'd seen was exactly the same as what someone at home could have seen in their pjs with a cup of tea.

So is this the future of the fashion show? Is it something that is going to carry on with designer brands because they feel they have to do it in order to catch up with everyone else, or will it eventually fade? If it became commonplace for every brand showing at fashion week to put their show online, would it be as interesting? What happens if by 2012 collections it's compulsory; will there be no more press turning up to the show because they'll all watching online? In fairness, the audience of the fashion show could completely shift backwards to how it was in the 1950s; intended for consumers. Press could, and I mean could here, be shunned from shows and only people who buy the collections will be present, and they can order straight away, with the number of guests deducing the popularity of the designer, not the hype created by the press. Brands are going to have to find a new way of promoting the online show than just sending emails and telling Vogue about it.

Burberry Prorsum Menswear

2010-01-13T19:41:00.004Z

Burberry Prorsum Menswear to Live Stream
Burberry's Christopher Bailey introduces the show using YouTube while in Milan:

Another show live streamed? This is the first one I've heard about from the menswear shows this season, but then I haven't really been investigating (sorry about that, dissertation deadline is on the horizon). Live streaming has become extremely popular for the fashion world mainly because of the publicity it offers. It is a direct connection with the brand as it takes them directly to the website (which is why I believe Louis Vuitton on Facebook wasn't the best idea) and they can immediately comment to the world about it using Twitter or Facebook saying they watched it and loved it. I'm curious as to how many men will watch the show online as opposed to those who are intending to buy from Burberry Prorsum.
You can watch the show on the 16th January at 5pm (6pm Milan time) here.

Burberry Prorsum Pre Collection - the collection is the pre-cursor to the season and reflects the mood of the upcoming show.

Vogue Blogs

2010-01-08T18:37:00.004Z

Henry Holland joins the blog fun.
Designer Henry Holland of The House of Holland has been confirmed as the latest blogger for Vogue.co.uk. But why?
I've read blogs by Vogue and Marie Claire, and it has never been the same as blogs created on Blogger and Wordpress. The question is, which do you prefer? The online magazine websites have information you'd usually find within the news pages of the magazine, with their blogs as something a little extra, an insight into someone else's point of view. But it's never quite as honest or broad as the public point of view on fashion lifestyle. I find random little blogs the best ones to read, mainly because they're honest on their opinions, and it's a completely new switch from original journalism who, let's face it, know and do everything.

So why have Vogue enlisted Henry Holland? A while back Vogue magazine included an article describing his step by step timetable for a day. So this is basically an extra long twitter post...by a celebrity who happens to be famous for fashion. I'm sure there are plenty who would read it, and Holland is probably being paid a bomb to do it, but is it the new form of blog?

You can catch the blog here, and make up your own mind on it.

Burberry Spring Summer 2010

2010-01-06T13:23:00.006Z

Elementary My Dear Watson.

I've always liked the Burberry campaigns, they've always had an air of class to them. However I'm quite disappointed by the Spring Summer shoot. I love the collection, but it seems Mario Testino has lost the idea of heritage. Firstly, the background might as well have been a set, there's nothing really 'London' about it. Secondly, how young are Burberry aiming for? Perhaps, through being on Facebook, they're completely shifting themselves to a younger audience, as these campaign images show. The clothing when seen on the catwalk was decidedly sophisticated and suited for any age while being on a young trend, but they seem to be more like Topshop and Topman adverts for luxury. The shoot includes Harry Potter actress Emma Watson, her brother Alex, Max Hurd, Matt Gilmour and musician George Craig.
Images courtesy of Burberry on Facebook.

"For the new campaign we wanted this kind of very eclectic but cool crowd of people," Christopher Bailey revealed to Vogue.co.uk. "The energy of the images and the dynamic cast reflect the different attitudes and expressions of the Burberry guy and girl. We've worked again with Emma Watson who has a classic, effortless beauty and is incredibly talented."

The Noughties

2009-12-31T14:14:00.005Z

Final day of the decade
So during every decade there's a certain specified style that has come about, which everyone has pretty much stuck to. Not so true, however, for the 00's.

Trends have been very wish-washy, and there have been so many of them that not everyone had adopted them. There have also been many trend revivals, with boho 70s and shoulder pad 80s. Are there any defining styles to the noughties? Or have we just had so many that we have to define the decade as trendfully trendless?

There have been so many fleeting fashion trends it's difficult to realise, at this point anyway, which ones could possibly define our decade. I personally believe it's just a decade of "wear the fuck what you want, if you're young you can pull it off, if you're old you just shouldn't, and if you're in the middle, you'd better think about whether you can or not..."
Think about thigh high boots for example, some attempted, some succeeded, others just steered clear.
Then the whole skinny jeans look. It took me a while to get out of bootcut jeans and finally try on a pair, then it took a month before I actually started buying them.
But huge sunglasses (thanks to the likes of Nicole Richie) are gradually being replaced by Ray Bans thanks to their appearance in Hollywood.Are celebrities to blame? Fashion junkies like Rihanna, Lady Gaga and even to some extent Cheryl Cole have made the world that little bit more aware of fashion and designers. With the rise of ASOS and their "as seen on" items, are we really only influenced by celebrities? Can even Michelle Obama be considered a celebrity in this way? Bloggers and their style pages are one example of how it's not all about celebrities, and the popularity of magazines such as Look and Grazia among the general public over high end luxury magazines are showing that people are more interested in buying and wearing fashion than just learning about it from magazines or celebrities.
We've all been encouraged to create our own style, but the way we find it is still not as independent as it could be; we're still under influence.

Topshop Collaborations

2009-12-30T10:22:00.003Z

On the Contrary
Here's a snippet from the Telegraph by Olivia Bergin:

Topshop designer collaborations for 2010

Can't face battling it out for a designer bargain on Boxing Day? Then wait for the mini-collections from London Fashion Week designers to drop in the new year

Left: Slashed jersey-dress by Ann-Sofie Back, £70. Centre: Jersey studded jacket and gold wedges, both £150, by Ashish. Right: Denim pencil skirt, £50 and cropped top, £40, by Jonathan Saunders

The turkey and stuffing might not quite be digested by the time bargain-hungry shoppers prepare to raid the sale rails this Boxing Day, but while the idea of a designer must-have selling at a knocked-down price sounds great in theory, the treacherous and busy road to sales glory is less appealing.

A clever way of buying into designer territory, though, is to hold firmly on to that stash of Christmas cash and to wait patiently for the next instalment of Topshop’s London Fashion Week designer collaborations.

Read the full article here.

What interests me is how she comments saying "while the idea of a designer must-have selling at a knocked-down price sounds great in theory..." Is the only thing bad about something like that the fact that everyone wants it so there's a queue? What about shopping online? Doesn't that make things easier?

She is intentionally attempting to persuade shoppers to not buy designer, even at a low price, and instead buy, pretty much, fake designer. It's been designed by a high end designer like Jonathan Saunders, then reproduced by a different manufacturer. The only difference is the permission. As far as I'm concerned, if you can save your money from the sales to save up for one of the Topshop designer collaboration pieces, you might as well keep saving for the real thing; the quality would last you longer.

Daft Fashion

2009-12-29T00:06:00.002Z

Boxing Day Brit Billions
The Daily Star has published an article claiming that the British public are set to 'waste' £4 billion in the sales, but how is it such a waste? Apparently bargain hunters will spend up to £85 (but how much are they saving) each, but have 10% of their clothes in their wardrobes with the tags still on. Are we really so careless with our buying?

Psychologist Dr Cecilia d’Felice said: “Everyone loves a bargain, but how much do they really cost us? “Our purchases are soon discarded as it is not the items that fulfil us, it is the more complex ‘chase and kill’ that gives us the emotional adrenaline rush and endorphin high that we crave.”

The article by Gemma Wheatley has also stated that this year's sales are more popular than last year, despite the recession.

What interests me is the '10% of clothes still having tags'. Well, either I don't have many clothes or mine is more like 1%. I supposed I'm not one to waste clothes - I buy quite sensibly and only buy something I'm sure to wear.
The 'chase and kill' theory is pretty spot on with women and bargains. I'm not too sure about men, but it's definitely true with women. We want to think we've got the best deal and spent the least money and got more, regardless of how much we're still paying and regardless of the item itself. I always think to myself, if it were full price would I buy it? If the only issue about it is the full price, then I'll get it. I'm pretty tame when it comes to buying clothes, but then I don't want my wardrobe filled with clothes I'll just throw away.

Fur Away

2009-12-27T16:07:00.002Z

The Shame Awards
Amelia Hill of The Guardian has published an article here on the roll call of celebrities hand picked by the Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) for wearing the most fur. The awards are intended to name and shame celebrities who wear too much animal skin. Catherine Zeta Jones "looks more like a serial killer than a star" according to Dan Mathews, vice-president of Peta. Naomi Campbell, who in the 90s declared she would rather go naked than wear fur, is now the face of furrier Dennis Basso.
The fur trend has really picked up recently from the catwalks and the weather, but faux fur is more common on the high street. I myself own some furs handed down from my great auntie, one of which is a controversial lamb's fur because it comes from an unborn lamb. But I wouldn't wear it because it doesn't fit and no one would believe it's real.
Origin Assured is a newly set up company that makes sure the origins of the fur in a garment are from ethical companies (if you think killing an animal for fur is ethical) but also ones that don't waste the animal. For example in France they have a minx factory that uses the carcass for animal food and the fat for biofuel. Before, fur was sorted through colour, not origin. Now however, with the protests against the forms of culling in places like China, OA has found a way of keeping the PETA off their backs. Read more here.

Sales

2009-12-24T14:43:00.002Z

Bargain? Really?
The Daily Mail has published an A-Z list of Christmas Fashion Sales (Read Here) and it's made me wonder, do we really care about the price, or just the bargain?
Glitzy jacket, was £945; now £661.50, Sonia Rykiel at net-aporter.com.
Most of the items on the list are designer, and down from £1,000 to £500. Is that really a bargain to get a jacket for £500? Just because of the designer, it doesn't mean we're not able to buy a jacket for £100 instead. I'm not putting off buying designer, if I had the money I most definitely would buy all these items, but should consumers really be saying price is an issue when they're still willing to pay for much for a product, just because it's a bargain? My mum would always buy designer clothing in the sales and say to my dad, "I saved you £400 today." However, he did end up losing £500 from her purchases. So if we really want a bargain, is it just from buying cheap clothes? Or is it from getting something for less than it should be?

Selfridges

2009-12-21T22:08:00.004Z

Drop a Plus Size
Selfridges is now under fire from the plus size women of the public after dropping label Marina Rinaldi from their stores. The plus size collection created clothing from size 14 to 26, and it was claimed they did so to make room for other collections that only went up to size 16. There have also been claims that Selfridges has decided to remove all size 18s from the rails.
So why have Selfridges made this move? They say that they attempt to rotate their brands and bring in new ones all the time, but how have they chosen to remove this brand? Perhaps because it wasn't selling as well as other collections. All that's caused the uproar is the products the brand sells.
Don't get me wrong, I understand the need to have plus size clothing, but is it really such a big deal that they are no longer available in Selfridges? As far as I'm concerned a size 26 is unhealthy, the same as a size zero. If people are so against size zero, why is it only health organisations and the NHS that are against a size 26? Both are equally unhealthy. If you are a size 26, perhaps it would be healthy for you to lose weight so that you can buy new clothes n a size 16. Just as well, if you are a size zero (UK size 4) and you're annoyed a size 6 doesn't fit you, then perhaps you should make sure you're eating 3 meals a day so that you can fill out your clothes? Just a suggestion. However, with Selfridges now reducing their number of customers by limiting to sizes 4-16, they are either catering to the people who actually buy in Selfridges, or are sizing up a new demographic of what size they think women should be. Is it really a problem to rule out size 26 women? According to health concerns from the government, no.

Fashion Stylists

2009-12-19T23:57:00.005Z

When I grow up, I want to be a...

“My gut feeling is that fashion has stopped being so elitist. People have learnt that fashion can be a multimillion-pound business, and with that you have to have a certain approachability. That ivory tower of the designer in Paris definitely seems to have dissipated.” Katie Grand
Stylist Katie Grand
Gemma Soames's article for The Times Online talks about how the next female ambition is to be a fashion stylist. From wanting to be an air hostess, to a model, to a businesswoman, the next step is apparently being Rachel Zoe. So why is this the new goal profession based around the fashion industry? Are we suddenly so obsessed with our own fashion that we're determined to have an affect on everyone elses?
Stylist Rachel Zoe

Read the article here

Applications for styling courses have doubled, and it seems the emergence of 'TV stylists' like Gok Wan have made those little girls watching either think "I want to do that" or "I can do better". In my opinion, if you think the former, you really don't know what it entails, and if you think the latter, you're either delusional or you'll actually make it, but those already in the industry will be the ones to decide.

The emergence of online sites that let you style your own wardrobe and , and the Nintendo DS 'Style Boutique' have created a very fashion led Britain who are much more aware of what they look like and what others look like, and aren't afraid to comment on it.

Fashion Revolution

2009-12-17T16:46:00.004Z

SHOWstudio's studio

http://www.showstudio.com/project/fashionrevolution/live/
SHOWstudio's latest live project is 100 portraits by Nick Knight. Yesterday he was photographing Kate Moss, and today he was snapping away at the likes of Hussein Chalayan, menswear designer James Long, and next up as I type is Susie Bubble. They have been shooting since 11am, and the line up is as follows:

Nick Knight shoots 100 Portraits for i-D magazine. Todays sitters include Aitor Throup, Anna Trevelyan and Kez Glozier, Bella Freud, Bishi, Cerith Wyn Evans, Fergus Henderson, Georgia Jagger, Hanna Hanra, Hussein Chalayan, James Long, Lara Stone, Pam Hogg, Patrick Wolf, Sadie Coles, Simon Foxton, Susie Bubble, Val Garland

I should probably be shot for not knowing who some of these people are, so I'm going to find out

Aitor Throup - Menswear designer & Illustrator
Anna Trevelyan - blogger: annatrevelyan.blogspot.com/
Kez Glozier - Illustrator
Bella Freud - Fashion designer
Bishi -singer & DJ
Cerith Wyn Evans - Conceptual artist, sculptor and film-maker
Fergus Henderson - Chef
Georgia Jagger - Model
Hanna Hanra - DJ & writer
Hussein Chalayan - Designer
James Long - Menswear designer
Lara Stone - Model
Pam Hogg - Designer
Patrick Wolf - Musician
Sadie Coles - Founder: Sadie Coles Art Gallery
Simon Foxton - Stylist
Susie Bubble - Blogger: stylebubble.typepad.com/
Val Garland - Make-up artist

------------
So the shoot is for i-D magazine, and it will be interesting to see which issue they'd be in, probably March issue, but what's more interesting is my sudden interpretation of Nick Knight. I've always loved his work, his end results, and how he's constantly working and getting involved, but for some reason I expected more from him when watching him as a photographer during the shoots. It's interesting showing him working live, because you really do get a sense of what he does, and it seems quite uninspired to be honest. His direction is a little slow to come about, as it takes a while for him to realise what he wants. Perhaps this is because he doesn't even have time to plan shoots anymore. However when he does get into it, he becomes such a perfectionist saying "move your left arm a fraction of an inch to higher, with your elbow towards me, shift your chin 2cm down and flick your hair" etc. It's incredible!

Yves Saint Laurent

2009-12-16T17:19:00.002Z

On the Cutting Room Floor
Yves Saint Laurent will be presenting New Vintage II, where he creates classic silhouettes using fabrics that have been left in the fashion house as cutaways or unused pieces. It's a new way of being more environmental and sustainable, without doing the typical 'use less energy and don't pollute water.' It's a little bit extra than simply following rules and regulations set by the government, and instead lets the brand earn a bit of profit at the same time. It's an ingenious idea, and everyone seems to benefit.
Valerie Hermann, CEO of Yves Saint Laurent and Julie Gilhart, Barneys New York Fashion Director attend the Yves Saint Laurent Present 'New Vintage' Collection at Barneys New York on June 8, 2009 in New York City.

The first New Vintage was in high demand, and exclusive to Barney's in New York, yet the New Vintage II will be available in flagship stores in Paris, London and New York from mid-December 2009.
New Vintage I, Barney's New York

Barbie Obsession

2009-12-15T13:17:00.006Z

Barbie - The Obsession
Am I the only one noticing how Barbie is suddenly in the news a lot more these past few months than it used to be? First with black Barbie, then Louboutin Barbie, and now Burka Barbie. It seems the famous doll can't help to be more famous, but it's mainly because she's changing.
Christian Louboutin Barbie
Christian Louboutin's Barbie which has sold out on Net-a-porter.com had her ankles slimmed down in order to fit the shoes and make them seem more appealing. Interestingly, this hasn't caused as much abuse as you might think, perhaps because those who are into fashion and so would buy this Barbie, can appreciate that you need slim ankles to wear Louboutin, rather than protest about it.

Someone I knew presented me with this image of fat Barbie that her lecturer once showed to her, and needless to say it's quite disturbing. She's an interesting conception, and probably quite an accurate one, of the types of women there are today. I believe the purpose of it is to present the ideology of beauty, and how, once turned on it's head, is perceived as unhealthy, lonely and quite sad.
When Black Barbie was first introduced, she was just white Barbie painted black. Instead this new version has wider hips and bum, as well as more full lips and permed hair. Again, by changing the perception of Barbie it has become more successful. Perhaps it was just overdue for a change.
The Burka Barbie was intended to be a new role model for Muslims, who don't necessarily want their daughters looking at a tall blond bimbo wearing short shorts and a bikini top. A human Barbie would be about 7ft tall with an 18in waist, and her tiny feet would mean that she wouldn't be able to even stand. Interesting that they wish to cover this up, despite the fact that Muslim women are covered up so that men can't see them, not little girls.

So how does this affect Barbie as a business? Mattell Inc must have realised, after 50 years, that their image of beauty is not the same as what others find beautiful, or even fair. Changing the image of Barbie has occurred very slowly over the past fifty years, but suddenly new models are being made, and although some are jokes, others are for religion, it's an alteration to a new beauty. Perhaps being politically correct is the best way forward for dolls, but it's still something to be argued within the fashion industry.

Young Consumer Spending

2009-12-14T17:04:00.005Z

Rumour Has It
I heard today on the radio, and my usual news search, that young shoppers are going to spend more this Christmas. One girl commented on how she thinks everyone's had a bad 2009, and so it should make the end of a bad year. I really has been a black year for everyone. I personally want to buy all of my friends little gifts for how great they really are, regardless of my lack of Christmas spirit.
ASOS.com email snippet showing possible gifts to buy for girls. I wonder how online spending will factor with the youth.
The habit I'm really digging at is that young spenders are the ones who are planning on spending more. Is it because they have the money, or do they really just want to spend their money on someone else now? Have they even been spending money up until this point? And then now they have a reason to spend they'll be going all out. Consumer habits in spending is very important to my project especially when considering younger consumers who will become the next middle-aged consumers, and the ones that will have to bring us fully out of the recession if they get jobs. If their habits of spending include spending on others as an excuse, perhaps they really will be shopaholics in the future. Will they ever change their spending habits? Will they ever buy ethically and sensibly? Only time will tell, and you can bet the economy will have an affect.

Make do & Mend Christmas

2009-12-13T15:57:00.004Z

A Recessive Christmas
It seems that regardless of people believing we're heading out of the recession and average christmas gift shopping is at £358 according to a recent report, the items being bought show that people are still making and mending.
Tesco sewing machine for £68.27.
Tesco's sale of sewing machines is at an all time high, so they're either being bought to make presents or be given as presents for the new hobbies that are coming about. I've always thought it was nicer to make people presents as it seemed like it came from the heart more. Even sales of shoulder pads has risen, with John Lewis selling out of their £1.35 for a pair packs. Jo Hooper, head of womenswear buying, says, ‘Women stack multiple pairs in anything from cashmere sweaters to jackets. Extreme shoulders can take up to four pads each side.’ Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-1232401/Fashion-life-Make-pretend-Balmain.html#ixzz0ZaMcVucP

Could this be the new way of following trends? Perhaps so, but what about the cheap shoulder padded dresses you can buy on the high street? Are people finally looking for something more versatile, that they can now alter themselves when a new trend comes along? It's not everyday that trends roll off each other rather than opposing each other, but sewing in shoulder pads then taking them out when they're out of fashion is the cheapest way of following trends by altering one garment.

Brands on Facebook

2009-12-12T15:20:00.003Z

Are you a fan?

Brand Republic have recently done a few street interviews on how brands put up pages on Facebook for social networkers to become fans. Here are their results:

So Facebook fan pages aren't really key for many members, unless it's maybe music. Knowing that this is only a select few people and so cannot be completely definitive, it's interesting to think that brands believe the next step is to get involved with social networking sites, but are there really people interested? It could be said that being a fan of something on Facebook doesn't necessarily get you anything. All it does is say to your friends what drink you like to have, what brand you like but don't even necessarily own. Are people beginning to get fed up with all the extra applications on Facebook? I for one get annoyed when I see all these silly farm, blackjack and aquarium things that, really, mean nothing in life except "I have too much free time on my hands."

Lara Stone

2009-12-11T12:53:00.005Z

Did You Hear?

Lara stone is fast becoming a well known name in the fashion industry, and how now replaced Madonna as the face of Louis Vuitton. It's always a nightmare to be replaced by someone younger, especially since Madonna attempts to uphold her young facade. But Lara Stone, I believe, is the new answer to the size zero debate. He weight is not a health issue, and that's why she's so popular. She's not the average size, but she is healthy. Hopefully she won't do a Sophie Dahl and become a size 6 soon.
Whenever designers try to tackle the size zero debate, they do a Jean Paul Gaultier and put a size 20 on the catwalk, almost to make a mockery of what people are actually protesting about. Then there's Mark Fast, who's Canadian stylist walked out from being unable to cope with normal sized women. He, obviously, found it a mockery. And then Lara Stone comes along. Not size zero, not size 20, but instead a healthy size 8-10. She even has a very averaged sized gap tooth. She's been loved by Vogue and Prada, and Marc Jacobs, friend of Madonna, has hand picked her for the latest Spring Summer 2010 campaign.

Christopher Bailey Designer of the Year

2009-12-10T16:52:00.005Z

The year of Bailey
Did you ever think that the designer of Burberry would be designer of the year about a year ago? Not while it was being made fake and worn by chavs. But you really have to respect Christopher Bailey for turning Burberry completely on it's head.
The Chief Creative Officer has even managed to turn Burberry into the winner of Brand of the Year at the British Fashion Awards. He is responsible for so much with the brand, the design of all Burberry collections and products, as well as all advertising, corporate art direction, architectural design, multi-media content and overall brand image for Burberry. I think it's incredible what he's done, and he's definitely deserving of the award! However can we really expect any more from him? After all he's done is there anything left that he can do? He saved what could be considered a previously dying brand, is there anything he can't do? He even has an MBE now!

Luxury

2009-12-10T16:15:00.003Z

Why are you looking at me like that?

So I have now proposed my concept, and I was a little disappointed with the result. Those who presented before me gave long lists on what they have researched, and it was all conceptual and beautiful, whereas I'd cut all that out and I was only adding what was relevant to my project in my research. But was I conceptual enough? I haven't really been inspired yet, but until I'd systematically created a brief for myself I'd found there wasn't much point yet. Maybe that's just the way I work, all business like then get creative in the process. I'm excited about getting my project off to a start, but I won't really be inspired artistically until I get started. I thought this was a research project anyway!

BFC Power 25

2009-12-09T10:54:00.006Z

Power to the Unknown
Yesterday the British Fashion Council decided on fashion's most powerful figures today, and some results are predictable in relation to the BFC Awards, but the fact that there are many unknown names demonstrates British fashion today. Being famous for fashion is not what get's you to be the most powerful. Many names on the list were people who are powerful behind the scenes, making other designers famous and getting designs on pop stars. Lulu Kennedy, director of Fashion East, appears on the list not due to being someone who is creating powerful fashion, but because she has the power to give opportunity to fashion, managing to make Henry Holland's t-shirt a mainstream trend.
What's great about this list is it really does show who's powerful, and how just because they're not in the spotlight it doesn't mean they don't affect fashion. If this list were made in Paris it would be as predictable as if the public chose it, whereas the British understand how it takes everyone to create powerful fashion, not just a head held high.

Alexander McQueen – designer

Anna Whiting & Sam Gainsbury – fashion show and shoot producers

Anya Hindmarch – designer

Christopher Bailey – chief creative officer, Burberry

Dame Vivienne Westwood – designer

David Bailey – photographer

Erin O'Connor – model and industry figurehead

Guido Palau – hairdresser

Harold Tillman – BFC chairman

Hilary Riva – ex CEO and BFC member

Hussein Chalayan – designer

Joan Burstein – owner of Browns boutique

John Galliano – designer

Kate Moss – model and Topshop designer

Louise Wilson – head of MA fashion at Central Saint Martins

Lulu Kennedy – director of Fashion East

Mandi Lennard – PR

Naomi Campbell – model

Nick Knight – photographer

Pat McGrath – makeup artist

Russell Marsh – casting director

Sir Paul Smith – designer

Sir Philip Green – owner, Arcadia

Sir Stuart Rose – executive chairman, Marks & Spencer

Stephen Jones – milliner

The Online Fashion Agency

2009-12-08T13:58:00.005Z

Web Experts

Find new places to shop, learn ways to save money, see where celebrities shop and go behind the scenes of online fashion stores.
"The Online Fashion Agency is the UK’s expert resource on fashion websites, founded by online fashion retail consultant Leon Bailey-Green. We provide industry news and consumer shopping tips, alongside consultancy services to businesses operating in online fashion. Our launch partners are Amethyst Group (providers of warehousing, logistics and e-fulfilment to fashion companies) and specialists in media and retail law, Olswang. We’re also supported by Fashshot.com, the UK’s largest fashion e-commerce photography company."
The reason why this online agency seems a little different is due to it having business information as well as consumer information. The Shopper's Counsel section seems to be very similar to something a lifestyle magazine would put on their website, with tips on how to save money, places to shop, celebrity shopping habits and behind the scenes looks. It then also has pages dedicated to the fashion talented, with interviews made by the founder Leon Bailey-Green. It then takes a page out of Draper's site and has industry news and information for businesses. Are they stretching themselves too thin attempting to have a site appealing to so many? I think not. They believe in equals, and so it doesn't matter who you are or how high up in the chain you are, you can come to this website for information. It seems they have only begun in November 2009, yet they have enough information free flowing, and it will be interesting to see how often they update. I wonder what their customer demographic is like? It seems their news stories are similar to mine and similar to http://www.leonbaileygreen.com

Beta Burlesque

2009-12-07T18:59:00.003Z

Better Beta
Garry Lace, an advertising executive, teamed up on 1 May with Robert Campbell, a co-founder of WPP-owned RKCR/Y&R. Together they have created the ad agency (Beta).
Yesterday they brought out some Christmas cheer by locking up three burlesque dancers, two women one man, in glass boxes above Carnaby Street. I've walked past these boxes before, and have always thought they were unique and needed something to Jazz them up, and Beta's Burlesque was that thing. The dancers were accompanied by a brass band and the public were served minced pies. Watch the video below and you'll see how many stopped to watch the sexy dancers!

Beta Christmas Burlesque from Malcolm Green on Vimeo.

Apparently the entire streetcame to a halt to watch the dancers, so it's a great publicity stunt, my only concern is the reasons behind it. I had to try and search what (Beta) was after finding out about it, and it was a bit harder than it should be. Although I understand that they are new, beta is a very common word that means a lot, so you basically had to be there to know about the brand. Perhaps this agency should have put something online at the same time, their website hasn't even been set up yet. This means that those who watched the Burlesque show, who wanted to continue contact with the brand, couldn't.

Starbucks & Facebook - World Takeover

2009-12-06T10:22:00.006Z

Christmas Sing Along
From tomorrow Facebook members in 16 countries including the UK and US will be served ads for a Starbucks (RED) charity singalong of The Beatles 'All You Need Is Love' when they log in. Read the article on Brand Republic.

To celebrate the Starbucks partnership with (RED), the charity fighting Aids in Africa, they will create the largest global ad campaign on Facebook to date. The intention is to raise awareness, but you couldn't be blamed for buying one of those new Christmas coffees they will be selling after seeing the Starbucks logo.
Musicians from all over the world will perform the song simultaneously, which will be streamed to the website. They could have taken a page out of Louis Vuitton's book and live streamed a performance onto the Facebook site, rather than individual filming, but then I assume it's hard to get so many musicians together in the same room for charity unless it's for Live Aid...
They are still attempting to get the audience involved, which at this time is a must have for any campaign, by allowing anyone with access to the site and a video camera, which is pretty much everyone in this day and age, to contribute their own version of the song. How many will be willing? Many students and wannabe singers I'm sure, it's not very easy for people to be embarrassed these days, and if you think they should be, they're probably joking.
At the end of the campaign, Starbucks will make a donation to the Global Fund.
Starbucks (RED) website.

To also aid the fund, Starbucks will be selling new products branded with the (RED) campaign, but their contribution is very much like a stingy global company.
The Starbucks (RED) range:
(STARBUCKS) RED Blend Coffee by Starbucks Coffee, $11.95, $1 donated to (RED)
(STARBUCKS) RED Double Walled Stainless Steel Water Bottle by Starbucks Coffee, $19.95, $1 donated to (RED)
(STARBUCKS) RED Soft Touch Tumbler by Starbucks Coffee, $15.95, $1 donated to (RED).

I wonder how many people buy these products, and whether the price has been put up just to add a donation. For the price of the products, which you could buy for less than $5 elsewhere, really aren't donating much at all. Let's hope their final donation to the Global Fund will be significantly larger than the profits they would make from selling the above products.

They do have a little deal on their loyalty card, where every time you spend using your card, a 5¢ US contribution will be made until the end of December next year. Over time, I believe this is where they will gain their largest contribution, and so they should, if they really have the intentions of the charity behind this publicity, promote the loyalty card to Facebook fans.

It's interesting to see how they promote themselves for a charity, and how they are using the same applications becoming more commonly used with the younger public, for example Facebook and something similar to YouTube.

Chanel Pre Fall Collection

2009-12-05T19:15:00.005Z

Paris Shanghai, A Fantasy

Chanel's Pre-fall 2010 collection was a joining of East and West, held on a barge in Shanghai. A beautiful collection, and finally something in the news about fashion again. As a prelude to the show, Karl Lagerfeld produced a short, 20 minute film called Paris Shanghai, A Fantasy. It seems to take on the issues of Coco Chanel with Shanghai, showing a sweet little drama about creating a collection in Shanghai. The first part of the video is below, from YouTube.com:

Part 2

Part 3

The idea of creating a little film is very typical of a luxury brand. The last high street brand I saw creating a video was for a television advert. Creating such a long film, with no particular purpose except to raise awareness, is Chanel's new form of advertising, and it's a pretentious one at that, even though brilliant. Chanel has been creating little promotional movies for a while now, like Lady Dior starring Marion Cottillard, but they have been their own unique form of advertising aimed at the customers, and admirers. But would it be enough to interest people in the brand at this time? It seems to be projecting exclusivity again, rejecting any forms of having the public communicate back unless it's put on YouTube.

Christopher Kane on Blogs

2009-12-04T14:51:00.003Z

I think it will die down

“It’s a bit mad, isn’t it? It feels like it’s happened all of a sudden and at some shows this season the front row was just all bloggers. I think it will die down though, and people know what they are doing. No one who wants to read a serious review of a show is going to look at what a 14-year-old thinks. But it has become more critical; people can say what they want about anyone on a blog without consequences and that’s quite scary. There are real repercussions for a designer if a photo of something is leaked by a blog; it can be copied in a fortnight and that can really harm a business. You have to be much more careful now.”
Speaking to Vogue.com, Lauren Milligan

If bloggers could hear this, they would definitely be very angry at Mr. Kane. The popularity of blogs may die down if something else comes along, but right now it's still something that's fresh and a new form of communicating fashion. Yes, there are consequences for having designer products on a blog, but most of them either take the picture and put it up or use a current internet photo. If they're not putting it on their blog, copy cats will find it elsewhere. Just because it's more available doesn't mean getting rid of blogs will stop it happening. I think Kane's main worries are how bloggers are very free minded, and so if their opinions are becoming much more valued (which they actually are) he risks the chance of having everything he's worked for being slated on a blog. The public no longer has to rely on what editors say about fashion, they can have their own opinions and tell the world about it.

Loewe Quotes

2009-12-03T23:31:00.003Z

Loewe Launches Online

Quotes from Stuart Vevers on Vogue.com

"When I joined Loewe my aim was to take the best from the 163 years of the heritage and skills and to make it relevant for today.That's still my focus and an online Loewe experience is consistent with that message. Online shopping is a great way to give another service to our customers and I hope to introduce ourselves to new ones."
"We plan to make the experience exciting and create a prestigious online atmosphere and it will be a great way to present limited editions and special collaborations and projects."

"We will be able to tell the stories of our signatures and icons as part of the project. I hope it will encourage people to investigate the house and we present all the latest collections, advertising images and the history of Loewe alongside the store."

Internet or Store?

2009-12-03T22:22:00.004Z

Are we Embarrassed?

Interesting question, (with feedback much appreciated):

Are we embarrassed to go into designer stores?

I was having a conversation with a fashion journalist student asking her whether she owns anything designer, and asked her which would she prefer; to buy online or in store when buying designer. He first answer was, it depends on how much I'd be saving, then I realised something: the UK is so different from the rest of the world.

The latest 'designer' item i'd bought was online at koodos.com, and it was a juicy couture top. It had me thinking, surely I would prefer to go into Juicy Couture in Selfridges and buy it myself in person? But it's not the case anymore. I think it's reached a point where people are embarrassed when they can't afford anything. Unless you really buy into the lifestyle, you are treated as the one who can't afford 90% of the store's products and you're only in a designer store for your graduation present. It's a strange attitude you get when you're in a store where you can't afford anything. You get some really confident people who don't care what other people (who know they can't afford) think, because they can't do anything about it. Then you get people like me who will pick up something they really like, look at the price, then just chuck it down like it's suddenly the worst thing in my hand, and then those that are too shy to bother going somewhere they know has things they can't afford. They either walk in, see the assistants and think, no, I don't belong, or you get those who think, there's really no point in me wasting my time. Are there any other attitudes from those who can't afford?

Image of Rome's Gucci store interior from EclecticAvenue

Rome: Prada store & Gucci store - I was trying on everything, with no money to buy, and loved everything. I wore a pink t-shirt and ripped shorts, aged 14 I think.

Venice: Wearing, again, ripped shorts and almost see-through top, walked straight into Gucci with my mum and tried on more shoes. No intention to buy, I was 19 I think.

London: David and Victoria Beckham are in Chanel, so the security guards are out. Have a little gander, walk away.

And this is why I buy online: I can look at the price without having to fish for the label and pretend to still be interested for 10 more seconds to make it seem like it wasn't the price that put me off. I can actually sort it to show price ascending so I can look at what's realistically in my price range, and I can actually buy something without having to worry about the fact that it's the cheapest thing available and that's why I'm buying it, and no one will ever know.

But is it only our generation?
Are we so stuck in keeping ourselves behind a keyboard and computer screen that it's a preference? Do we really want to keep ourselves hidden away in a place where we can control what other people are seeing about ourselves, to avoid real life disappointment and shame?

I would also like to point out the amazingly ignorant, arrogance that designer labels have whenever you try and talk to them. If only I spoke fluent French I could ask the France offices, who I'm sure would be more willing.

Vogue Newsletter

2009-12-02T17:31:00.005Z

Lacroix Goes Under

Christian Lacroix has finally gone under due to not being able to find a buyer. It's such a shame that they will not be able to create Haute Couture next season, and also the loss of more than 100 jobs. It's the current attitude towards designer that's letting such highly stated, prominent companies become dust in the wind. It's a shame that fashion is all down to money these days, rather than an expression. Lacroix is now unable to fulfill his life's work, and it's heartbreaking knowing it's ended.

Roland's Rainbow

Roland Mouret has also created RM Rainbow for Net-A-Porter.com, as well as his collection mentioned in an earlier post for 5 main London shops including Harrods and Selfridges. The dresses in the collection each come in two colours, but are at a retail price of £850 - £1700 and are only for sale at Net-A-Porter.com. Although cheaper than some, it's a high price for a high designer, so it's not an attempt to reach more customers, only an attempt to get more sales from his current consumers.

Target At Liberty

Target is the second largest discount retailer behind Walmart, and a little unknown in the UK. Despite this, they will create a collection using London based Liberty prints and designer Zac Posen. An interesting concept to attempt to merge intercontinental companies, hopefully making Liberty prints more popular in the US and Target more popular here, with the collection being available to buy on Target.com as well as in Liberty following the launch in March.

Louboutin Song

"Jennifer told me about the song back in January, and I was extremely flattered. I know the song by heart now," confesses the designer. "Because the brilliant part of the single is that it's not about me. It's about a girl and her shoe. When something is so in mass culture and you have almost nothing to do with it, it's kind of cool. It's weird but not disagreeable. But it got me thinking: I've been around for a while!"

A really great song for my current situation, but also perfect for some free publicity for Christian Louboutin and his fabulous shoes.

Deck The Dior Halls

"Claridge's and Christian Dior celebrated the unveiling of their John Galliano-designed Christmas tree to an exhibition of vintage Dior outfits and a chorus of carol singers last night"

"Paul Smith, Lulu Guinness, Stephen Jones, Henry Holland, Ben Grimes and Bianca Jagger were among those that gathered around the John Galliano-designed tree in the ornate surrounds of the Art Deco hotel."

Although promotional, it's still set to the guests of Claridges and high public figures, and so can still be seen as a form of making the public jealous of what they can't really see, but get them interested in wanting to see it.

Mini Market

Dover Street Market has set up a mini shop at St Martins Lane hotel open until January 7th. Selected pieces include the Dover Street Market Label and PLAY, as well as Comme des Garcons' perfume and a selection of jewellery. It's an interesting concept, but not quite enough to fully grab attention. It is interesting how some fashion brands are using the hotel industry for publicity, perhaps for tourists and the new shoppers arriving from abroad to take advantage of our current economy.
Dover Street Market Xtra Small at St Martins Lane is open daily from 12pm to 8pm.

Twitter

2009-12-01T13:09:00.004Z

Word of the year: TWITTER

The word of the year has been voted, according to the Marie Claire article published today. Texas-based algorithms company the Global Language Monitor (GLM) crowned Twitter the winner, with Barack Obama coming second and H1N1 coming third, the chemical formula for Swine Flu.
"Paul JJ Payack, president of the firm, said that it shows ‘how big Twitter is globally'. The site has been at the centre of several debates in the past year, including acting as a rallying point for protests against the Iranian election results and the controversial Daily Mail article by Jan Moir.  "
Marie Claire.com

So how has it become so popular? I rarely use it because I don't follow many people, but there are plenty of news stories about celebrities using it and even the President having an account. The result is surprising considering the death of Michael Jackson and the popularity of Twilight & True Blood putting Vampire at 5th. I have to say I really didn't think it would become more popular than Facebook considering it is only a status update to the fb world. Perhaps Facebook is too much hassle for the Twitterers? At least I'm not the only one surprised.

Yoox

2009-12-01T11:26:00.003Z

Ever heard of Yoox?

Yoox is based in Bolonga and is an online retail site selling designer clothing worldwide. I'd noticed it a few times when I used Shopstyle.co.uk but I've never really bought from them. Forbes.com has published an article on the price of public shares, stating that they have risen today for the first time since the economic downturn. This shows that online sites dedicated to designer fashion are becoming more popular during the new Christmas period, despite the continuing popularity of sites such as ASOS.com.

Yoox.com

Perhaps it's the retail therapy during this time of year. There are plenty of reasons to justify buying at this time, for example when a relationship ends and you want to get back on your feet again, when it's so cold you have to buy that cashmere jumper or merino wool cardigan, or you just want to treat yourself to your own Christmas present. Whatever the reason, buying online is catching on, even for designer. Could it be that buying designer online feels better since you can be anyone and wear anything while doing it? Is the hospitality of those designer store shopping assistants so patronising and depressing, people just want to skip it now and buy designer?

Hooray Mouret

2009-11-30T13:59:00.005Z

Underpinning

Roland Mouret's Galaxy dress pioneered in 2005 as the ultimate wear for femininity. Now you can have all that perfect shape under your favourite LBD or Christmas dress with the Power Mesh Dress, available in one colour, powder, and for sale at £270.

Read the full article here.

An interesting idea from Mouret and Browns. Rather than advertising their dresses, they are trying to get people to update their wardrobe instead using the power mesh dress. So why are they? Perhaps they are realising that people who would wear the galaxy dress are less concerned with buying something new, and would prefer to have the shape applied to something they already own. It's fair to say you can't buy a Mouret dress for £270, so it is pretty much the next best thing to it, but you could also buy a Karen Millen dress that would hold the same shape and, perhaps, suit you better. But it's not for definite, there are some who would buy into this who don't want to give up their favourite dress, just want to make it something new. I'm surprised Marks & Spencers haven't done one yet.

Selfridges TV

2009-11-29T18:32:00.004Z

What's On

After going to Selfridges today and trying to find out more about 3rd Central (the new location for Contemporary Womenswear and the largest wall of denim in Europe), I'd found that on Selfridges.com they had Selfridges TV, a chance to see interviews and videos on all the latest news from the store. It has an interesting interview with Christopher Bailey as well as some information on 3rd Central.

I don't know why, but I seem to prefer this little video feed compared to a blog like Browns do. It seems a little bit more well thought out and less like it's been trying to copy a blog, trying to be up with the times.

High Street Concessions

2009-11-28T18:10:00.005Z

Concessions, Concessions, Concessions.

Sonia Rykiel's lingerie collection for H&M has been gathering press recently after the success of Jimmy Choo for H&M, but will it match up?

I missed the H&M underwear collections when they went away from my local store. Apparently they weren't selling enough due to an Ann Summers opening up. Who made that decision? I barely see anyone in Ann Summers anymore, and H&M was cheap lingerie. It was also a style and fit that would fit anyone, you just needed to pick a style, and it was better quality than the Primark lingerie that breaks in the wash.

Jimmy Choo for H&M kept the same quality by using their Europe factory as the creator to retain the quality of their usual collections. So how on earth did they keep the price down? I've asked them, and I'm waiting for their reply, but it seems as though Jimmy Choo has decided to spend money to make money. And boy did they make it. Tamara Mellon is my idol, I absolutely love her. I want to be her and look like her and have her boyfriend (Christian Slater). She was recently faced with a boardroom of businessmen who wanted to get rid of her, so she came up with a game plan and has completely changed the business around for the better. But where have the Sonia Rykiel lingerie pieces been created? With their usual factory or using H&M's?
Topshop has their Kate Moss creations made in the same factory in Monaco as the rest of Topshop's items, so how does it account to be more expensive? The quality is no better, it's just designed by a model, not even a designer. So why are so many sucked into her collections? Her first collection was a let down, yes, but her recent ones have been better. Has she created a lingerie collection to compete with Sonia Rykiel for H&M?
We all know why high street concessions are so popular; because for a little extra money we can get a little hint of designer style. But apparently, we're willing to sacrifice quality to get that style. This is true with Primark for example, you really do get what you pay for in quality, even if you're getting more for your money in style. Perhaps this is why Jimmy Choo was so popular; because they kept the quality and sold it for cheap. Maybe this is why people buy designer and know designer, but they're put off by something else.

Perfume Shoppers

2009-11-27T15:57:00.004Z

For that price, Might as well...

Superdrug is clever, pretty darn clever. They've decided to have a 20% off sale before Christmas. I needed to pick out a new perfume, so went into Superdrug and unfortunately they'd changed the whole set up. You used to be able to swift your way around the fragrances and test them all like you can in Boots and, sometimes, House of Fraser. Instead they are all set behind a desk like cigarettes and alcohol. This is not why Superdrug are clever, as it just makes everything seem unavailable. However, there was one woman who was taken in by the 20% off.
Two fragrances were on sale at the counter. Calvin Klein Escape for women and another equivalent for men.
Calvin Klein Escape
Now this woman picked up the Calvin Klein Escape for women for one reason alone. It had been reduced from £56.00 to £17.99. She kept sniffing and sniffing it and saying "hmmm, errr, yeah, it's growing on me now." So that was in the bag. She didn't even particularly like the smell, but bought it for the over £36 saving. This wasn't even part of the 20% off deal, it just seemed like they were trying to get rid of it on people like her. Then she picked up the mens. "Ooo, that's strong, pwoar, no way...hang on, it smells nicer now." It was for her son. Then she turned to me and asked me if I liked it. I smelt it (it was God awful) and said to be honest, no. In reality, it would put me off a guy if he were wearing it. "It's not even for me and it's nice," she said, "he likes those sweet smells." The sweet smells smelt more like dirt. "Oh go on then I'll get it, for that price, might as well." I couldn't believe it! She was taking a chance on a fragrance not knowing whether her son would like it or not! All because of the price! It's incredible how women shop; if it's a bargain, they have to have it, whether they'd ordinarily buy it anyway.
Juicy Couture Cami
Take me for example: I had an email in my inbox telling me that Koodos.com is having free delivery all weekend. Whenever I get an email like this, I go straight to the sale. However, the top I'd bought was £31.50. Granted it was originally £125 and I was saving a bomb, I could have spent that money on probably two tops in H&M that I'd really liked. However, I said to myself, it is Juicy Couture and you need to own something remotely designer. (This after I'd persuaded my parents to buy me a Marc by Marc Jacobs bracelet for my birthday). I still, to this moment, cannot believe I've bought that top. It's supposed to be Christmas and I'm buying for myself! Why can't women turn down such bargains? It's some deep psychological thing that the more we're saving the more we have to have it. It's not a crime that I just spent £32, I saved £93! Surely men don't shop like this?

Journal

2009-11-27T12:06:00.005Z

Next stop, Selfridges & Co.
So after all the research I've done, primary and secondary, qualitative and quantitative, I need to actually observe those shopping designer. What better way in this cold weather than to do it in one place under one roof: Selfridges.
From my research I've found that most shoppers of designer are not under 25. Those who do shop designer are over this age with money to spare, but is that anyone at this stage of the recession? High street stores are becoming more popular due to gaining more customers who need to spend less on clothing but still want to shop and have a full wardrobe, while designer stores suffer by having barely any customers left due to high prices. Two things I need to find out in Selfridges:
1. Who's buying?
I will look at the upper level designer stores and lower level high street brands to see what sort of customers shop where, what age, profession, style, who they're with and who's buying (be it themselves, husband or mother).
2. Does designer rank over price?
Which is more popular? The designer brands or the high street brands? Why are those buying designer buying designer? Quality? Style? Label?

I will be visiting Selfridges & Co. London on Sunday the 29th of November and I'm hoping it will be busy for my research, and not busy so I can talk to individuals (and shop in peace!). Hopefully this trip will help finalise my research and support my findings for my final project.

Drapers Online

2009-11-26T16:22:00.004Z

Drapers becomes Exclusive
Drapers online have just announced that from the 27th November they will only allow paying subscribers to view their online articles. This means that many will miss out on the actual beauty of Drapers, free information. I haven't looked at Drapers for a while, and haven't bought the magazine for even longer because I always knew it was online if I ever needed it.

"We believe the valuable content of Drapersonline.com should be exclusively for the benefit of our paying subscribers."
But is it just a way of getting more money? Do they not think that there will be those that would just find their information elsewhere? Surely Drapers isn't the only location for business news, even though it is popular, it now has a disadvantage against other publications.
So why would they decide to make Drapersonline.com exclusive when so many other brands are trying to get as many people interested as possible? Perhaps magazine sales are down due to so many finding their information online, and so all the work they do is becoming free. Surely they should have realised it before they set up an online site. What about Vogue.com? They have most of the information from their magazine online, but the aesthetics of the real life magazine keeps it's appeal and so they will never have to choose between online and the magazine. It seems that online isn't making print obsolete, much to the disappointment of some people who thought it might.

Topshop

2009-11-25T14:57:00.003Z

Dress me up, Buttercup
Topshop has created Dress Me Up, where you can borrow donated dresses from stars and designers for £40, then the dresses will be auctioned for charity.
Jayson Brundsen dress donated by Dita Von Teese

"The brand's new initiative, Dress Me Up, will allow shoppers to hire dresses owned by stars including Kate Moss, Freida Pinto, Scarlett Johansson, Olivia Palermo, Jourdan Dunn, Erin O'Connor, Naomi Campbell, Sophie Dahl, Nicola Roberts and Dita Von Teese - as well as designers including Richard Nicoll, Zandra Rhodes, Meadham Kirchoff, Clements Ribeiro, Marios Schwab, Danielle Scutt, Jonathan Saunders, Christopher Kane and Emma Cook - for one day only. The dresses will then be auctioned, giving you the chance to own your favourite dress forever with all proceeds from hire fee and the auction going to Topshop's chosen charities Age Concern and Help the Aged." Lauren Milligan.
Read on Vogue.com

Nicola Roberts contributed one of her bespoke Girls Aloud stage costumes.
This is actually fantastic of Topshop. They will allow many high street customers experience of the designer brands without the label. But will it be enough to get them buying into designer? They will experience it for a day for a cheap price tag but won't go back until designer is cheap again, like when Topshop has boutique collections by Kane etc. and H&M create collections designed by Jimmy Choo.
But that's not the point, the collection and initiative is intended to raise money for charity and increase the popularity of Topshop. A great idea, with little cost to the company as the dresses have been donated, but fundamentally a new concept that no other high street brand would be able to make possible.

Internet Fashion

2009-11-25T09:24:00.004Z

How it all began

The Telegraph online has just published a story about how the Fashion industry first took on the Internet. It all began with photograpers of the shows having to sign a declaration preventing them from putting their photos on the Internet that could be viewed by copycats in Asia. First View was the first to break the rules. Read the Article Here

firstVIEW.com

But it's interesting how they assumed the Internet will never catch on for fashion. The reporter Marion Hume points out that "The word “exclusive” really translates as “we’re still sorting out the website”."
So how did it become so popular? Why did the fashion industry suddenly give in to allow all the copycats in the world access their images and create fakes? Personally I believe that one brand did it, and no one else wanted to be left behind. It was seen as the future, and no brand wanted the image of being stuck in the past who can't 'get with the times,' especially seeing as those brands who did have websites didn't actually change fundamentally.
Nowadays, brands are going online to access more people than before. It's proving more successful in terms of advertising than print ever was due to the number of people you could really access.
Designer brands are currently suffering as their loyal customers are, forgive me, dying out. In France, mothers would tell their girls to save up for a Chanel bag, whereas in the UK, mother's are saying, "there's a recession, go get a fake remake in Primark."
Without using the Internet to contact the new generation that's not aware of designer, many high end fashion brands and especially lower luxury brands will be lost in dust.

Apple Advertising

2009-11-24T12:47:00.003Z

Apple is set to enforce advertising on the iPhone

Brand Republic has announced that there are talks to go ahead with forcing Apple iPhone users to view unavoidable ads. Some will even ask the users questions to make sure they are paying attention. Read the article here.
This is not a good move by the brand. Although advertising is everywhere and it's difficult to avoid, it shouldn't be forced onto a little screen. when you get an ad on your computer, you can look at something else while it's playing, the same with the tv, but by putting it on the tiny iPhone they're not allowing any other choice. They are forcing the advertising on to them and they're not going to like being forced into anything. You shouldn't have to pay for a leisure of not watching adverts.

ASOS

2009-11-24T12:13:00.004Z

As Seen On Screen

ASOS has been labeled as one of the most successful online shopping sites, but what exactly makes them so successful?
Recent Changes
ASOS had recently decided to allow those on the mailing list to have free delivery if they shopped within a 2 hour period on a certain day. The sales must have risen as even I bought something I didn't need, just because it was free delivery. It didn't matter to me that I didn't try it on, I just wanted to take advantage of the opportunity. So ASOS realised that delivery prices were a problem, so here's what they introduced:

Super Saver Delivery:
£1.95 to receive the item within 6 days

Nominated Day Delivery
£5.95 to choose the day you want your item to be delivered so you can be home/at work.

Same Day Delivery
£9.95 and you can get your item that evening.

But what else? ASOS have launched ASOS Life, a forum area for everyone to have their say. They have an ideas section that allows for customers to present ideas to ASOS to make it better.
They also now have ASOS Premier, which, for £24.95 per year you could have free next day and nominated day delivery and pick up returns. It's a good bargain, and they've hit on one of the main downsides to buying online: the delivery costs.

British Wedding Buyers

2009-11-23T11:25:00.005Z

Have just come home from a weekend wedding and thought to myself, I just spent all that money on clothes I'll probably never wear again, but it was all worth it.
The wedding dress is quite a strange concept as well; it's something you can spend hundreds, even thousands on but will only wear once. Even if you re-marry, you'll probably buy another dress because you don't want the wedding to be the same as before. So why spend so much? Are weddings really the only time you can lavish out on spending and not worry about it? The actual cost of a wedding is huge, even a small one. The best way to keep the price down is to elope!
Take my outfits for example. I had to wear something for the night before dinner and the wedding day. Bearing in mind it would be a cold winter wedding, it was hard to choose the outfits. For the first night I'd planned to wear a black dress I'd worn for my 21st as no one from the wedding had seen me in it before. so why is it that when I went shopping for a cardigan to wear with the dress, I'd bought another dress from H&M to wear instead? I only wanted to spend about £15 on the cardigan, and ended up buying a £30, with £3 earrings and an £8 cardigan, even though I'd already had my outfit sorted.
So why did I buy it? Because I looked good in it and it was Vivienne Westwood-like. But who would have known I'd looked better in this dress than my previous LBD? It didn't even fit properly, my bum was too big so it kept riding up and there was no way I'd be able to eat anything in order to fit into it. So why buy it? I'm usually so level headed with buying! Perhaps it was to seek compliments, and I'd felt I'd get more from this dress than the former. Funnily enough the only comment I'd had was from my boyfriend with a simple, you look nice.
And what about the day dress? I'd bought it about 4 months after they got engaged for goodness sake. It was the one thing to look forward to and it wasn't even my wedding. Seeing as it was a winter wedding, I wanted to be warm (which I wasn't in the end) but there were two colours to steer clear from: Black, because it's not a funeral and White, because it's the bride's colour choice not the guest's. You can imagine how disappointed I was to find people wearing these two colours. I asked one woman why she wore white, she said it's an old dress she liked, (I don't think she was very close to the happy couple) and the women wearing black said they were cold and it's smart.
It was interesting asking people what they were wearing and why. Those close to the bride and groom bought outfits especially, planned for months in advance, whereas those not so close were either borrowing clothes or wearing something old. Does that mean that shopping for clothes is meant for one reason alone; to have people you know compliment you? Possibly.