Wednesday, 24 November 2010

B Store..what are you playing at?

Why does everyone seem to be loving the b store, not only the shop but also the brand? Let’s explore shall we…
They are a name that gets around, in March this year they joined forces with The Shop at Bluebird and created a pop up store that lasted for one month. It was designed by the newly created architectural and interior design company, Post-Office and it aim was to create maximum impact on the visiting customers. It was a space that incorporated clever shelving and lighting that worked hard to sell sell sell. This was a clever move, Bluebird is a shop with a huge reputation. B Store basically used this recognition to get some of their own. Pop up stores are always a great idea, not just to create more money, but also to create brand awareness. I think people are aware of the store but may not be as aware that they have their own successful menswear and footwear lines. They may have reached out to customers that might never visit their Savile Row store.
Up coming collaborations for spring/summer 2011 include a mens capsule collection with Liberty and a jacket collaboration with heritage brand, Baracuta. They are very selective as a brand who they create these collaborations with, they want to choose brands that represent them in a new light, but in keeping with their overall look. Again this is a good way of exposing their brand to a different band of customers. Especially somewhere like Liberty that has a huge customer base ranging from very wealthy to the not so wealthy. Their first women’s collection was designed by NEWGEN winner Natascha Stolle and a presentation during London fashion week was held in the shop which created not only an interest in this new line but also the shop itself.  
B Store has a huge interest in art and music as well as fashion. The window displays are usually art or video instillations based on their collections. These things are passions shared by both co founders and so obviously they combined this in to their shop aesthetic, but this also draws in people who are fans of modern art and the underground music scene. 
They use all these different aspects combined to create something that is not narrow minded but expands out and reaches a whole variety of people. All the different collaborations. pop up stores, and self promotion (through their own magazine) have helped make the brand and the store so successful. (Giovanna)

Liberty: collaborations and events!

Liberty is a shop famous for their partnerships with a huge range of fashion industry professionals, but what is it that makes it so successful?
Some recent collaborations in 2009 include Nike, APC and Hermes to name a few and in 2010 they have teamed up with Nicholas Kirkwood, created a makeup collection with MAC and a collection with 10 Corso Como, a Milan concept boutique.These collaborations bring in lots of money and recently as a store they have been struggling through the recession. However there are rumours that a Liberty London brand could be on the horizon which means lots of media attention and lots of sales!
I asked a few customers the question, why do you shop here? Some answers included
- ‘I like the choice on offer. I can basically get everything I need in this one shop.’
-‘I like to get lost on all the floors, you feel like you are in another world when you are in here. I think its because the building has so much charm.’
-‘It does not feel like a department store, it feels like a huge boutique.’
Lots of customers were saying they liked the huge variety of choice and price ranges.
Liberty is a hub of activity, there is always something going on. As a shop they work extremely hard to generate interest so that lots of people will be swayed in to coming to visit, and may even part with some cash!
Some recent events:
- This Thursday - Sunday - Shoe Weekend which Nicholas Kirkwood will be attending.
-Launch of a Dinny Hall (jewellery) limited edition range - only 10 pieces of each item available.
-Anna Sui will be in store signing copies of her new book and showcasing her SS11 Capsule collection designed with LIberty prints.
-In February next year they will be holding their 3rd Open Call. This gives new designers the chance to have their products sold at Liberty. It is not just limited to clothes, they want to see, hats to handbags, crafts to cushions and everything in between. In the past, some of their best selling products have come from these designers.
-25th November Espa are holding a Christmas event in their Heritage Suite with facials and champagne
…and lots more!!
Liberty basically knows how to attract attention and bring in the customers, and these events are all starting to become part of the Liberty shopping experience. (Giovanna)

Tuesday, 23 November 2010

Shop List

Tiffany: TopShop, Urban Outfitters
Matilda: Start, Hoxton Boutique
Giovanna: Liberty, B Store
Sheneka: Acne, Selfridge
Danielle: Convenience Store, Browns & Browns Focus
Preeti: Matches, Oxfam
Sasha: Dover Street Market
Nadine: Liberty

Thursday, 18 November 2010

Topshop Customer

I interviewed some Topshop customers & asked them how they would describe their style, where there favourite shops were, why they shopped at Topshop & what they liked about it.


 
  Name: Elle
  Age: Early Twenties
  Style: Elle described her style as "high street & vintage"
  Favourite shops: Vivienne Westwood, Topshop, American appeal &  The Broadway Market
"I adore Topshop! There clothes are so diverse as there's some really laid back normal stuff then you find quirky things you'd find no where else. Topshop is always up to date with the latest fashion trends and everyone even celebs love it."


  Name: Danielle & Natalie  

  Age: Early Twenties
  Style: Danielle & Natalie described their style as "being retro & punky vintage alternative"    
  Favourite shops: Topshop, Vivienne Westwood & Vintage shops
 " Topshop is the place to shop for fashionable pieces.good quality stylish and OK priced." 
  "Topshop is a great shop for younger people, with lots of variety and fashionable clothes. Plus   they do a student discount."

(Sheneka)

A quick diversion



shopping trip to House of Fraser on our travels to the fashion shops; snap shot in the lift.  (Preeti, Jade & Me)



Dover Street Market Customers


 
  Name: Ming-lee & Zuki 
Age: Mid twenties 
Style: Casual vintage wear 
Favourite shops: Prada & Dover street market  

"The Dover Street market is place to spot fashion people as it is a must see place everyone visits frequently. For the average consumer it can be a bit overwhelming experience as it is so indifferent from a normal shop. But still I think everyone should go and see the place!"

The Disney Store


The Disney Store

 Although this wasn't on the list i found the window displays very interesting & was drawn into the shop from across the road by its brightly coloured animation inside & out of the shop. They were playing Disney Christmas carol songs and had big T.V's showing Disney films all around the shop, this kind of atmosphere made me instantly feel like a kid again & wanted to touch & play with things, i also felt as if i couldn't leave the shop without buying something so i brought a really big Eeyore teddy bear which can be seen below.








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(Sheneka)