H&M Red Carpet Collection

Having been quietly making high-end waves since Michelle Williams stepped out on the red carpet at last year’s BAFTAs in a custom-made cream and black gown, the label is launching Conscious Exclusive: its eagerly-anticipated, Hollywood-inspired black tie collection.

The collection is made with sustainable materials for feel-good bonus points – something key to the collection’s integrity. Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M’s Head of Design: ‘For us at H&M, it’s natural to think about sustainability, and to have it at the heart of our work. I love how this collection has pure glamour and style, and is made from more sustainable materials.’

H&M is clearly upping its high fashion game, having shown its autumn/winter 2013 collection on the catwalk at Paris Fashion Week and dressed Helen Hunt for the Oscars. But, as the collection launches it proves that H&M  haven't lost sight of its consumer and know exactly what we want when it comes to fashion! 

H&M is so well known for its designer collaborations and the collection is a fantastic marketing opputunity to join Topshop into the brave leap onto the high fashion stage. Narrowing the chasm between high end and high street. 

This new transition from high street retailer to high end fashion  is incredibly interesting and something that would never been imaginable a few years ago. High street retailers are raising their profile and celebritites are choosing to buy H&M and Topshop over other high end designers.

I love how the collection is accessible for every women to feel hollywood glamour! The collection looks amazing and the sustantial material used throughout the collection adds even more bonus points! I can't wait for its launch  on 12th April this month!
 

(All photos Courtesy of Elle.co.uk)

Is Victoria's Secret Sexualising Children?

Lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret’s Bright Young Things collection (launched under its young Pink label's line) has stirred up a whirlwind of controversy since its initial public launch.

Victoria's Secret Bright Young Things
(Courtesy of: kiss925.com)

An online petition on Facebook is protesting the brand should withdraw it’s collections from stores and more than 1,500 parents are posting their anger on VS's Facebook page. The campaign has some parents accusing the popular brand of targeting (and sexualising) preteen and young teen girls. The brands underwear contains sexually suggestive messages like “wild”, “call me” and “feeling lucky”, which are angering parents and some people of the public. On Facebook Victoria’s Secret Company responded, "Victoria's Secret PINK is a brand for college-aged women."

Victoria's Secret Bright Young Things collection
(Courtesy of: examiner.com)

Despite recent rumors, we have no plans to introduce a collection for younger women. 'Bright Young Things' was a slogan used in conjunction with the college spring break tradition." The Victoria Secret store has recently opened in the London Oxford Street and has been hugley successful. 

However, the backlash on this collection underlines parents constant worry and battle in today's society to protect their children from the media and fashion industry that are trying to sexualise them. Big retailers such as Marks & Spencers been all been accused in the past of sexulising their children. But are the retailers really sexualising children or is just parents over reacting? If the parents didn't want  their children to wear the items they don't have to buy them. But the fact retailers are constantly bringing out similar items must been there is a demand for them.

Juicy Couture
(Courtesy of: lilsugar.com)

Perhaps if victoria secrets brand's advertisements and marketing campaigns displayed more of an effort in its focused on the “college aged” point, the controversy may have been avoided? Well-known luxury brand Juicy Couture sells their very own version of the "days of the week" underwear  This is geared towards a teenage demographic, but portrays a message of "fun and flirty," rather that "sexy and naughty".  So it could be down to how the brand market the items by using sexy model its intiates that sex appeal. I wonder how much this will effect retail sales, there is always a chance that the negative attention only increased consumer’s awareness of the collection, therefore it may even increase business retail sales for the popular lingerie brand. 

Vogue Paris Ad
(Courtesy of: fashion.telegraph.co.uk)

On the same token, Vogue Paris’ December 2010 issue featured a shoot with young girls reclining on tiger-skins and sprawled on beds in full-blown make-up and designer gowns, which sparked a negative light (especially considering how many wealthy retail shoppers who are mothers). So is the fashion industry really having an impact and sexulising children? I personally think that the main retailers have pushed the boundaries in the past offering young girls the chance to buy push up bras. But I dont think it is just the fashion industry sexulising the children, the media industry has a huge influnece with the likes of Rihanna who is known for her sexy bad girl personality.However i do believe the battle between parents and retailers will continue into the future, with many retailers mostly focused on profit and not what is right.  

Luxury Brand Campaigns for Spring/Summer 2013

I love to keep updated to the latest fashion campaigns and having an awareness of what buyers and consumers are looking for in fashion retail.

All the popular luxury brands’ campaigns create new and exciting campaigns each season that capture millions of people attention. Not only do the campaigns help drive sales, but also influence what retailers and use them as a way of staying on top of what consumers are looking at. Here are some of the best fashion and luxury brand campaigns for Spring/Summer 2013.

Alberta Ferretti S/S 13

Varsace S/S 13

Mulberry S/S 13

Proenza Schouler S/S 13

Stella McCartney S/S 13

Buberry S/S 13

Bottega Veneta S/S 13

(All photos courtesy of: elleuk.com)

LK Bennett for Younger Women

I work for LK Bennett in the Selfridges concession and as an employee I get to really appreciate the quality and the brands efforts to reflect its modern British heritage in each collection. LK Bennett has established itself as a leading British brand, offering collections of shoes, clothing, handbags and accessories.

Linda Bennett set up the first L.K.Bennett shop in Wimbledon Village, with a goal to produce "something in-between the designer footwear you find in Bond Street and those on the high street”. Because of her equal emphasis on comfort and glamour, Bennett earned the nickname “Queen of the Kitten Heel”

Over the years the shoes have been worn by any celebrities and 

Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, is frequently seen wearing the clothes and shoes increasing the sales of the brand further.

The company are expading rapidly and are introducing different ranges and collections to stores in hopes to appeal to the younger market. LK Bennett in the future want to be the destination for most young professionals, however at the moment have a slightly older consumer. 

This seasons collection are bright youthful and fun!!

An exciting collaboration with London-based style icon Caroline Issa; an exclusive capsule collection of shoes and bags. The collection was inspired by Caroline’s trips to Thailand, Hot, neon Thai inspired embroidery, captivating colours, oriental flowers and pom-poms show the way to breezy, easy summer-time glamour. The collection is very elegant and sophiscated with a splash of fun with the bright colours and pom poms. The shoes were only avaiable in London however the Selfridges concession in Birmingham were lucky enough to receive the collection and they truly were amazingly!

I believe that over the years if LK Bennett do more collaborations with designers to raise their profile even more and the constant interest in the brand from celebrities, the businesses goals to appeal to the younger market will defiantly succeed and I look forward to seeing what they have to offer in the next collection!!

Milan’s Dark-Tones light the Runway

It is the expectation AND the hope for Italians that the worst of their economical crisis has passed. Therefore, during Milan’s fashion week designers displayed bold collections in the hopes of inspiring Italian shoppers to start hitting fashion retail stores again. Fashion houses included at the show were PPR’s Gucci, Giorgio Armani and Prada all displaying their Autumn-Winter 2013-14 collections. It was very impressive looks that graced the runway this year.

(Courtesy of businessoffasshion.com)

The wardrobes delivered this year featured dark palettes and even masculine styles as a reflection of the bleak political and economic landscape in Italy. Gucci, Giorgio Armani and Roberto Cavalli were among the dark-colored collections on the catwalk said to evoke the anxiety of grim expectations forfashion retail sales in Italy. 

These specific looks have and kind of poetry expressed in their designs in the way it reflects concerns over European economic health. Luxury retail sales have held up rather well in comparison to other industries during recession in Southern Europe mostly due to the fashion demand from wealthy travelers from the Middle East, Asia and Russia. Although global retail sales of Italian fashion are expected to fall by 3.5 % this year, after already having dropped 5.4 % last year.

Giorgio Armani(Courtesy of: vogue.it)

These particular collections at Milan’s fashion week express a very honest and masterful dark side of the fashion world, truly painting a meaningful picture as well as presenting desirable fashiontrends for fall. Sleek designs by Muiccia Prada presented on a post-industrial setting displayed her look for a “modern women hemmed-in by the grim realities of life” since the economic downturn began in 2008. 

Prada said post-show, “It seems to me that in the contemporary world you cannot let yourself go completely.” Giorgio Armani re-defined the more masculine style with a collection that involved suspenders and black velvet jumpsuits along with black berets as an additional accessory. Even though being described as a re-worked style of “masculine” he still made his feminine-featured elements thrive. He even has stated, “we must create clothes that women wear.”

Prada(Courtesy of fashionista.com)

Versace(Courtesy of: fashion.telegraph.co.uk)

Salvatore Ferragamo impressed with looks displaying sexy-snakeskin, croc and leather pieces and lace-up peep-toe knee high boots.The boldest ideas were reserved for accessories since during the recession sales have risen due to their more affordable prices (not to mention the fact that they can be worn all season).

Versace(Courtesy of: fashion.telegraph.co.uk)

Versace displayed studded boots and silver spikes on chain necklaces, whereas Roberto Cavalli showed roses and snake-shaped necklaces and large ear-enveloping earrings. Drawing inspiration from Byzantine mosaics, Dolce & Gabbana showed shoes with inlaid sculpted heels and models draping in jewels and wearing golden crowns. The crowns were just the right touch to add to the look. The Cut/New York Magazine called the look, “Byzantine beauties in bejeweled crowns and gold and turquoise mosaics.”

Dolce & Gabbana(Courtesy of: fashionista.com)

Most of the trends noted during Milan’s show included pleated skirts, zips and a return of padded shoulders. the tremendous influence luxury brands and high-fashion designers have in the world of retail sales and business and these are sure to be key looks next season. 

Feud Fuel in Fashion

There are many theories in the business of fashion as to WHAT sells or WHO makes headlines and they do say "no publicity is bad publicity". There are many instances in the fashion industry where “controversy” does contribute to fashion marketing and even sometimes retail sales.

(Courtesy of: timesofmalta.com)

Seen the outcome of a less-than-forbearing press. Of course this is usually NOT a favorable thing. For example  the successfully established brand Nike with their numerously press-bashed spokesman like Oscar Pistorius, Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods, etc which often has lead to profit loss. This shows that with reason often BAD is just BAD NEWS in the public eye.

Not to mention what this does for fashion retail sales! ESPECIALLY in the fashion business, it is finely sharpened to “represent,” and image alone is extremely reputable in its effects for overall success. 

A few notable moments in the fashion world that left waves of embroilment in its wake. One example that is less deemed “controversial” and more of a “head-scratching disappointment” is the showing of Saint Laurent A/W 2013 line on the runway. In recent news Hedi Slimane’s grunge-inspired women’s wear outing for Saint Laurent in Paris, France, left a bitter whirlpool of criticism towards the unique collection, which made me  wonder…..Will this reflect on where the fashion house may be headed?

Saint Laurent A/W 2013(Courtesy of: avenueswank.com)

It was reported that many guests simply left in a state that ranged from amusing confusion to offended disbelief. Some top editors were even left questioning whether or not it was a prank or not. After puzzled and tempered guests left, New York Times reporter Eric Wilson, in his review later stated the event a “conflict,” addressing the bewildering divisive nature of the collection.

After witnessing the collection, WWD reported wondering “is playing a cutesy, disaffected-youth hand enough to propel the house of Saint Laurent into today’s luxury stratosphere — especially if the targeted air space is that in which Chanel and Dior reside? That, too, remains a question.”

Saint Laurent A/W 2013
(Courtesy of buisnessoffashion.com)

This is not the first time Yves Saint Laurent’s sparked a not-so-bright light. A Nazi-inspired show in 1971 was once labeled simply “a tour de force of bad taste” at that time but in light of recent events, it has led to thoughts of a deliberate attempt by the complicated designer to provoke negative reactions.

Perhaps this is the designer of the luxury brand’s attempt to prove that he “refuses to be influenced by such expectations”.  Whatever the reason may be, faux pas is faux pas ...no matter how you spin it.

Other not-as-recent fashion business bloopers that stirred up less-than-positive scrutiny ….
Harvey Nichols infuriated shoppers who received flyers in the mail publicising their 2012 summer sale. These advertisements featured a woman with her clothes soaked around the groin next to the slogan: "The Harvey Nichols Sale... Try To Contain Your Excitement!” Perplexed? 

Harvey Nichols
(Courtesy of: fashion.telegraph.co.uk)

Needless to say such off-putting marketing did little for shopper’s patience though it was claimed to have been meant “lighthearted”.

Vogue Italia
(Courtesy of: fashion.telegraph.co.uk)

Then there is the Vogue Italia's fashion website which once altered a trend titled "Slave earrings" from its website amid claims of racism. The feature based on large, gold-hooped earrings faced a sting of worldwide criticism, the strongest of which claimed Vogue Italia was guilty of a "disgraceful" attempt to "glamorize slavery". The editor later retracted the title claiming “bad translation” and was later amended to title "Ethnicity earrings".

Topshop Ad
(Courtesy of: fashion.telegraph.co.uk)

Topshop not too long ago removed an image of model Codie Young from their website after complaints that she looked too thin replacing it with a different image of the model where she looked a “healthier weight”, refusing to remove all of her pictures maintaining she was a very healthy size 8…. (Seriously???)

Beyoncé’s African-inspired photo shoot for L'Officiel’s 90^th anniversary edition had intentions of honoring Africa's influence in fashion, but rather left readers offended by the pop-singers heavily blacked-up face for the shoot.

L'Officiel Ad
(Courtesy of: fashion.telegraph.co.uk)

This shows the importance of marketing in the fashion industry and how it is so important the brands get it right in order to retain customer loyalty. There’s a difference between throwing caution to the wind and being brave enough to design something imaginative yet different. And many fashion brands over the years have had to learn the hard way!