Retail Marketing at Missguided

I recently went to the Trafford Centre to scout for some new clothes, as I felt like revamping my style a little bit, and I wandered into selfridges totally forgetting that one of my favorite online shops now has a segment in there. It was Missguided! It was highly exposed in Selfridges therefore you were able to get a good view of the majority of clothes hanging there. As obviously due to the fact that the style of the clothes is what I normally go for it instantly caught my eye, making sure they had the top and most popular trends at the front on a variation of different height platforms. The bright colours and variation of different textures and materials of both clothing and the actual display itself caused me to be intrigued and therefore found myself wandering around the clothes. The three main pieces of clothing that were on display consisted of slightly different styles/lengths of the same pieces ie tops and skirts (as they were grouped together)  therefore it was appealing to everyone's slightly different style/taste. The display also contained several different textures which was pleasing to the eye which persuaded me to go and touch the garments. Suddenly you find yourself being pulled in by the sight of gorgeous tops or dresses. Additionally this display supported the rule of three, as three different items were exposed at different heights.
In conclusion  this display was very successful as it did actually persuade me to buy something from the cleverly placed garments with the different aspects gripping me and pulling me in to dig deeper through the various different rails.

My product

After I had completed my mock up I then had to create my product (which is still a bag) but this time including the pattern stripes. Therefore I still wanted to define the the two different sections that I had highlighted previously. Therefore I angled my stripes in two different directions, The top half which included the flap with fastening I did vertical stripes, with the actual body of the bag containing horizontal stripes. In order to create the stripes I used water colours as I wanted to define the stripes and express a vintage feel to it. I also created another Production chart to express the costs and retail price of this bag. In order for the stripes to work in the real product to sell in retail shops I would use different colour polyester strips to create the pattern of stripes. The size of the bag is the same as the mock up that I made in my previous post.

Your size doesn't define you!!

Does anyone else have that annoying problem that you find a gorgeous item of clothing that your instantly obsessed with, then scramble to quickly find your size, sigh in relief as you unhook your new love then try it on in the changing room, then look in the mirror and realise you look like a sack of potatoes or like your wearing your younger sisters clothing? yeah you feel me?! I share your annoyance with this! as all shops have slightly different sizing therefore you can never say you are constantly a certain size, this may provoke thoughts like "ooo maybe I shouldn't of had that chocolate bar" or "yahh should of denied those fish and chips". However most likely it won't actually be you but it will be the shops fault due to the specific measurements that have been completed during production. Therefore my advice is to always try on at least two different sizes of the same item of clothing to acknowledge which fits and hangs the best, as the chosen size you prefer may surprise you.
Therefore I documented the process I went through to find perfect fit and the size I bought depending on the shop.
Firstly I tried on these jeans from ZARA in a size 6, and I normally fit a size 6 but these jeans consisted of quite a loose and baggy waist. However I fell in love with them and they did fit nicely on the actual leg, so I decided to go for them and just buy a belt.

I also popped into Pink and I had to get one of their over sized jumpers (as I'm forever obsessed with baggy fit), however I tried small and medium and decided to go with the medium as the small didn't fit as it was shown, as it was too short and tight. I actually had a conversation with one of the workers there about sizing.

I then got a another top from ZARA that had a mesh front therefore your bra was exposed, I tried on two sizes an 8 and a 6, as I didn't want the neck and sleeves to be too tight, as I'm all for comfort haha. However the size 6 was a good size, even though I thought it would be quite tight due to me comparing it to other sizes in different shops and different styles of clothing in ZARA itself.

Pictures all mine feat my sisters room.
Therefore guys it's literally guess work, so I guess you just have to have an eye for what suits your body and style instead of going off the size on the hanger.

My Mockup bag

For this TeenvogueXparsons task I had to create my signature bag that supports my mood board that I produced earlier on in the course. The style of my bag is a mini square bag that has a flip over front that can be fastened with a magnetic button. This fastening allows it to be safe a secure. Also due to the bag me small compared to regular sizes, therefore it can contain essentials, I opted for a short handle. Additionally the colour scheme that I used linked to my mood board I created, as I opted for pastel and soft colours that are not too overwhelming and can go with every outfit. Also I decided to contrast to different colours that however complement each other. These colours consist of baby pink and light blue. I sectioned these colours of by using the pink polyester for the body of the bag and the blue for the handle and the flip over section. In order to calculate the cost of production for this bag I considered all the costs pulled out from all the materials involved in producing this. I also had to decide what I wanted my profit to be and the price in which I would sell it at retail price View My mood board to see where I got my inspiration from when designing this bag.

My audience, Talking about you guys!

Due to another assignment that I'm currently completing for Teen vogue and Parsons programme I have to analyse the audience that my social media and blog generate, and how I can use this to inspire a larger group of you guys.
Therefore I started to look and analyse the audience that I generate on my blog. Firstly I acknowledged where my main audience was based, I concluded that the heavier views came from the United States, as they held 596 of the total views on my blog since I started it. Then second it was United Kingdom who contributed 519 views to my blog. I also have other countries who take an interest in my blog such as Russia, Germany, France and Poland. Therefore I will subtly adapt the content in my blog so it can possibly appeal to a more international audience.
I then looked at the most popular operating system so I could see whether my posts should be more accessible for mobile devices or more suitable for devices such as laptops. The most common was on the software windows with iphone following them at the second most popular device as a mobile one. In view of this I will make my posts as easy as possible to access and interact.
I then looked at the most popular post that you guys found the most interesting, this was the post "Bold Brights". The format of this post was me describing the trends in for that season and then I picked my favorite items from the high street so the trend was affordable and wearable for my readers.
I then moved onto acknowledging the audience I attract on my tumbler. There were particular posts that attracted more attention, these consisted of makeup themes or posts that had previously been very popular with different audiences, such as the tumblr images we often see regularly. Due to the posts and pictures that I choose to express my personal style, what I like and things I find interesting, I have gained 6 followers. I have to be totally honest I have never actually looked at how many followers I had on here, as I literally just do it for the aesthetic and use it to build up a sort of moodboard that displays my inspiration.
The last social media that I closely looked into was Instagram. I have recently started an Instagram for my blog, where I share with you guys what I am currently liking and what I am up to. However I have had my personal private Instagram for many years, but decided to set up a public one so I could interact with you guys. I use the hashtag #fashionblogger, therefore I often receive likes from fashion bloggers. As on social media fashion bloggers often support each other. The posts that I receive the most likes on are the ones where I expose what I get up to such as holiday pictures or meals out.

Therefore I am going to subtly adjust my posts so they appeal more to the audience that takes the majority of interests. Also I will post more of my own photos that give a slight insight of my life.

Check my tumblr out to see what's inspiring me
Check my Instagram out to see what I'm getting up to.

Teenvogue X Parsons course

Hi guys, I just wanted to start off by explaining what I've been up to. So basically I am currently doing the Teenvogue and Parsons program, which allows you to complete a number of courses that make you research and complete a variation of tasks that are associated with particular jobs within the fashion industry. Therefore for example one of the tasks consists of having to design a blouse in the style of a previous moodboard I created (as we are trying to define our personal brand). I then had to make this garment.
The latest coursework I have had to complete is calculating the production cost for some earrings that I had to design using a previous inspiration explosion (I'd never heard of this before). Basically this is where you literally run around your house and pick up any item that you like the look of, being totally random, and then laying it all out in a pretty pile. Yesss, now I have an excuse for running round the house haha!!!!. Therefore I thought I would share with you what I have learnt.
In order to work out the production cost I had to define how much the materials I used cost. To create the earrings I used silver, metal wire that was easy to mould into shape, I also used earring hooks so you are able to wear them comfortably. I then had to work out the cost per hour of wages I would need to distribute to the staff. Obviously I had to then add all my costs up, so I was able to process the 20% profit I wanted to make. I then worked this out by completing some multiplications (ooohh does that word remind me of mental maths test urrghh). I then had to complete the same process but basing it on "manufacturer's suggested retail price" therefore this mean't I had to try and lower the cost of materials by finding the cheapest online. Therefore in order to do this I bought the earring hooks in bulk as this mean't the price was lower, and for the wire I searched for the cheapest one I could find online, still making sure it was of good quality. This was because I needed to reduce my costs to half price or less. This mean't I was still able to make profit.

The aspects that I learn't from this task, is what a "manufacturers suggested retail price" actually is and how you have to alter your costs to make sure you still make profit from selling your  product. I also learn't how to research different ways of reducing the cost, whether that is buying in bulk or just opting for the cheapest one online.

I have to say I am really enjoying this course and will definitely let you guys know how it's going at different stages.
Here are my earrings that I designed and created, but please bear in mind these are only a rough copy and a sort of mock up hehe! The design consists of a large circle that contains a square and within this is an eye, these are all made of wire. Are any of you guys participating in this programme?