A little Uni Room Inspiration...

My winter style inspiration

Planning our stand a Clothes Show Live 2014

Mood board planning for Clothes Show Live 2014

Nikon D80 and 105 mm Macro Lens Photography

Working with YMCA charity - Styling

Working with YMCA charity shop on a styling shoot.

On Monday, a very blustery and rainy day I might add all of our FMM group met at the YMCA shop on 34 Cornwall Street, Plymouth.

We were there to have an introduction to styling, through three different tasks; it was quite refreshing to get to do some physical styling. I still think it would have been fun to be able to have full roam of styling, but the tasks were quite fun to follow and it was great to split into different groups.

Our tasks included 3 ways to wear a men's suit jacket, tops as bottoms, bottoms as tops, and wearing non-clothing items.

These are some of our images from the morning we spent there:

Retail Report on Shoreditch, London

Shoreditch, London Retail Report

Shoreditch is in the East end of London, within the Borough of Hackney, and straight north of central London. Shoreditch is well known for its trendy and edgy style – that of both the buildings and the area and also of the inhabitants.

The contrast is outstanding of the two areas, between Shoreditch and central London Oxford Street there is a 20 minute tube journey. Oxford street is bursting with high street chain stores, donned by masses of shoppers each day of the 365 days we have each year, there is always a constant MASS of people traipsing up and down the iconic street. Whereas Shoreditch offers a more relaxed approach, compared to the holidaymakers who have come to visit London’s key features, Shoreditch seems to still have relaxed air about it.

In the span of 10 years Shoreditch has moved on from being a particularly cheap real estate area, which attracted throngs of poor artists, to becoming the centre of the art world. Although its success risks its becoming another Notting Hill, and full of wannabes - it still maintains a character of its own, full of hidden bars, galleries, squat parties that rarely get shut down, art, dissent, good food and a true international presence.

Shoreditch is home to literally thousands of creative individuals, from Fine Artists to musicians, designers and filmmakers and this is where it’s name for style comes from. Having some many talented and artistic individuals all in one places leaves people able to use fashion as an individual expression.

And so... @NikeLab 1948 LDN Shoreditch Shop Report

@NikeLab  #1948LDN

                                   

“This isn’t the place for purchasing your

  gym kit, but to buy fashion disguised

as sportswear”

Main target audience: Young to middle age men & women

What they sell: Sportswear & a variety of trainers

“Freshly kitted out with locally-sourced and recycled materials, the re-opened NikeLab is (literally) the only place to see the company's new products.”

The NikeLab in Shoreditch is now the 6^th to open around the world and has recently opened its doors to the public in June this year. Discreetly tucked away under the railway arches on Bateman Street, Shoreditch, it was formerly a 1948 Nike store. The stylish "stealth black" re-design of the classic modern football boot fuses sports science with style, but that's not the only reason to get on your running shoes and head down there at the earliest opportunity. After all, it's the coolest sports shop in Shoreditch.

SWOT analysis:

Strengths: High end Brand Well known Layout of the store was clean & modern Quality of products All staff were friendly and helpful Innovative	Weaknesses: Expensive brand/products in store Empty – no one was in there Security was intimidating Isolated location
Opportunities: Clearance store	Threats: Brands such as Adidas High street competition

Horst at the V&A review....

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The Images throughout the exhibition at the V&A, represent that Horst had a keen eye for detail, always taking into consideration the composition, light and also atmosphere of the image and also what the image created to the viewer. I discovered his career spread over a vast sixty years, and this was proven through the skill and the tenacity of involving emotion and also power in his work.

 He worked mainly in Paris and New York, both leading cities in the Fashion world and also generally in style. It was obvious from the work on show that he was a true artist that dabbled in many things such as drawing and prints as well as photography; Condé Nast holds an archive of this work also.

When looking at the work, I felt all of his images exuded power and sophistication, and beauty. In his fashion Images it is clear throughout that beauty was a key feature, which he took very seriously. Although some of the images are simple in structure the core of the image and what was held behind it  (which is hard to explain) was mesmerizing. Horsts work enables everyone to have a different opinion of a particular image.

The part of the exhibition I found most enticing was the 1939 Electric Beauty photo series. Women putting themselves through a kind of torture for the cause of beauty, it is still relevant today. It reminds me of a project I did last year, which focused on feminism and the female image. What do these women see when they look in the mirror? To us as viewers of Horsts photographs I find it shocking that they perceive themselves as ‘ugly’ for use of a better word.

And So...How do you make a successful blog?

So..how do you make a successful blog?

Do you have to be attached to your computer uploading photos and notings of everything of your daily life, put together with an Instagram filter and a few hashtags? Have you got to stalk all friends and family members to send and share your Instagram, Blog spot and Tumblr name?

Or is it the opportune way of getting yourself out their in the industry, in a world where social media is fast taking over? A great way to make contacts, meet some amazing people and also build your career?

Building followers from what I read is like building friends, just keeping in contact by having a good internet connection and to post often on things that really inspire you or interest you, and which you think others will want to read about! A lot of bloggers are nowing moving onto Youtube as soon as they reach the right point in their confidence and also the right amount of followers that will support them! People who like the same things as you will be easy to find and will follow what you have to say – its those who don’t particularly like everything like you do, you have to reach those people!

These bloggers/vloggers below are people I follow and inspire me to write my blog – by finding others who inspire you, you can get ideas and work on what you write to make it more enjoyable for your followers!

Claire Marshall (HeyClaire)

LA based Makeup Artist turned Beauty & Lifestyle Vlogger with a cat named Bruce Lee, rather known as just Bruce.

I came across Claire on Youtube a few years ago and have actually only come across her blog more recently. Although many of the channels I watch on Youtube are quite similar in featuring videos such as makeup tutorials/hair tutorials and styling outfits etc, I feel that I can relate more with Claire. Her style is more grunge/urban which is more to my taste than vloggers like Zoella or Becca Rose.

Through her videos and blog you are met by a tattoo covered, fashion and also cat loving genius who’s style is to die for and also whos advice on makeup and hair is expert – trust me I have tried and tested many of her methods.

Unlike other vloggers/bloggers Claire hasn’t let it take over her life, she keeps a lid on her personal life and although sometimes she does give us viewers an update, I like the way she still keeps everything on the low and doesn’t make a fuss.

Zoe Sugg (Zoella)

A legend in the blogging/vlogging world - 6,409,751 subcribes adore her and support her through every anxiety attack (which plays quite a big part in her life) and also with her career building. The sheer amount of fans is what has got this young lady where she is today.

Zoe or mostly known as Zoella is a 24 year old writer/ vlogger/cosmetic collection owner/model and blogger of all things "Beauty, Fashion & Life" related.

“In February 2009, after indulging in various other Beauty Blogs as a way to read up on the latest goings on in the Beauty world, I decided to join in on one very boring evening, and "Zoella" was born.”

She started small with things such as makeup tutorials and hair tutorials and began to build her fan base over time this grew to a million and now as she hit over the 6 million mark, while bringing out her own cosmetic bath collection for Superdrug and also writing a book “Girl Online” which is sold out even before its out in stores at the end of this month.

Helen Anderson (Melonlady)

Helen Anderson, or mainly known as Melon Lady or just Melon, studied film and moving image at university, which prompted her to fall into the world of blogging. “Starting with an interest in hair tutorials and styling videos as a hobby, my youtube career expanded and now is my life.” She is pretty iconic though her bright pinky purple hair, tattoos, and also the fact she promotes that being a slightly curvier girl is a great thing!

“I like to focus on alternative fashion and personal style, more so the latter as I like to express individuality and creativity. My influences include the 80s and 90s, rock n roll, vintage and trashy hollywood glamour.”

 Helen promotes positivity and body confidence, and offers support and her opinion on the way many young girls now feel pressured under the current stigma about weight and their body image. She does divuldge in modeling, and brings her wacky style along with her. She has worked with a number of brands, photographers and causes. 

  

She give us an insight into her life, whether it be living and playing with her band called Box of Light, taking Lola her adorable sausage dog for walks, or meeting her boyfriend Matty for dinner. It feels real and she is always very honest in both her blogs and vlogs, and many girls can relate to her as much as I can.

“I have a lust for life and along with fashion, beauty and my music, I love to document my life through daily vlogs to show the world my outlook of it. I am extremely inquisitive and strive to learn, I want to experience the world and take my viewers with me.”

Sammi Maria (Beautycrush)

Sammi is a 25 year old Fashion styling graduate from London. Her blog and Youtube channel ‘Beautycrush’ was started while studying at uni, while she thought she had only started this as part of her course and for a bit of fun, since then she has become sucked into the amazing world of blogging, fashion, beauty and personal style.

Quote from Sammi about her blog and You tube “I dabble in a few different areas with what I talk about, be it my outfit of the day, a little review of a much loved product, where I went for lunch today or a personal heart-to-heart.”

What is made clear through her blogging/vlogging and youtube tutorials and videos is that she is an ‘honest blogger’ and she uses her knowledge in fashion and everything else to encourage and help her viewers, whether it be how to achieve the perfect smokey eye or after a very controversial admission through her youtube channel about domestic abuse, to help her viewers seek guidance and help from others through life. She encourages her viewers to be strong and beautiful and love themselves as they are. Personally I love watching and reading her styling, tattoo and also her food posts.

Hope you enjoyed reading this

P x