NEED TO GET MY SKATES ON!

So last week I actually started printing so I could show my work during tutorials - and it felt good! I now have some things that I can properly tick off my list and won't need to come back to them!
This week I started garment tech at last, and almost finished my sourcing. Most of the buying side of things are almost complete, apart from my introduction, plangrams and layouts, and the trend boards that I STILL haven't done - must do them!
I must also remember to do online promotions.
So my aim this week is to FINISH by Friday (wish me luck) because next week college is only open for 3 days due to the Queens Jubilee. And these final 3 days need to be left for binding. So this week is gonna be a long and stressful one!
My tasks for the next few days are: -

• Finish sourcing for good
• Finish garment tech for wednesday so I can show Rachel and get some feedback in case I need to add anything
• Get Angie to check my merchandising on Monday
• Trend boards
• SWOT
• Online Promo

WISH ME LUCK!

MOODBOARDS

TICK TOCK

Times ticking real fast now, so I really need to get my skates on. So over the past few days I have tried to do loads of photoshop tasks, including my customer profile, competitors and brand values all of which are now complete. I did my two main pricing architectures this morning which is also good, and began laying out my sourcing assignment onto photoshop. But I still feel like things are moving really slow... All I seem to do is work and my list is still endless...? Help?
I must keep going I guess, can't stop now! And I'm hoping it'll all come together real quick.
So by the end of the week I need to: -

• Complete Trend Boards (URGENT)
• Talk to Rachel Garment Tech and choose item so I can start that!
• Check my sourcing strategy is okay with Rachel Sourcing
• Finish CP, Open Costing and Line Detail

Not long left, and majorly starting to panic!

Panic Mode

Monday morning, 2 and a half weeks left, although I'm aiming for 2 weeks! So when I looked at my FMP checklist, I hardly have anything checked off = PANIC. So today is all about finishing my half completed tasks.

• Complete customer profile
• Complete introduction
• Concept/idea

If I'm feeling spontaneous, now that I've finished my range I can do my pricing architecture as well by the end of today. Wish me luck!

3 WEEKS TO GO...

So haven't updated you in a while due to illness.. but nevertheless I'm trying my best to power on through and get everything completed in time.
I can say I've almost completed my moodboards (yay) but still need to complete trend boards (boo). However the good news is I've FINISHED my range which is fab because now I can complete some more elements of sourcing; my unit plan, line detail and begin thinking about my garment tech.

I will upload pictures of my progress. Bye for now!

90s Tomboy - TREND INSPIRATION

My 2nd trend has been inspired from 90s youth style, consisting of a heap load of denim and jersey tees. The trend appears to be re-emerging which is why I'm excited to include it in my range for SS13. Check out some inspirational pics for the trend.

THE RAGGED PRIEST

Check out the Ragged Priest Blog for some of their latest collection - Love it

http://theraggedpriest.blogspot.co.uk/

BOY

Bohemian Rave - TREND INSPIRATION

I have decided on one of my trends - a casual trend consisting of LOTS of fun and colour. The trend was inspired from festivals and 90s warehouse raves.

FESTIVAL STREET STYLE

QUICK UPDATE

Just a quick one...
So far I have looked at: -

• Idea Finalised
• Inspiration
• Location
• Comp Shop

I still need to look at: -

• Customer Profile
• Trend Research
• Finalise Trends for Range
• Pop-up shop name and Logo!!

Off to get some more inspiration..

COMP SHOP

I carried out a comp shop along Oxford Street, looking at what Topshop could potentially do that other retailers are doing. I chose to visit Miss Selfridge and River Island as Topshop's main competitors, as well as an online comp shop for ASOS. I looked at what garments the retailers are producing in terms of colours, patterns, price, fabrics and COO. I am to use these results as a guide to my sourcing strategy.

VISITING E1

So having decided to base my FMP idea on 2 inpsirations - The Secret Store pop-up shop and the Topman General Store - I have developed this by merging the two to create a Topshop pop-up shop in Shoreditch! Woooo
So I have my idea, now I need to get a feel for the area, and perhaps find a location for my store.
I braved the pouring rain and dragged myself to Shoreditch to have a wander and see what potential competitors are in and around the area. Check out some of my pics from the visit.

THE GENERAL STORE

 I would like to create a similar contrast for my pop-up shop, creating a range in a location that you would not expect to find a Topshop. Almost so that once the customer has walked into the store, they are pleasantly surprised when they look down at the swing tags to find its actually a Topshop store.

Source: (http://www.drapersonline.com/independents/topman-general-store-shoreditch/5030028.article)

So I loved to have experienced the Secret Store last year, but I felt it would be too soon to locate another pop-up shop in 214, which is why I chose Shoreditch instead. The idea of Shoreditch came from Topshop's younger brother Topman, who opened a General Store down busy Commercial Street, and recently in Covent Garden as well. The idea of the store was to create a minialistic concept store with minimal branding. It does not look or feel like a normal Topman you find on the high-street, but more like a 1940's vintage store with bare brick walls and wooden floors. It is so different to the Topman store we are all used to, that its easy to miss the Topman sign and walk straight past it! Check out some images of Topman's General Store.

THE SECRET STORE

Source: (http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG8539371/A-secret-store-launch-for-Topshop.html)

Source: (http://insideout.topshop.com/blog/2011/05/secret-store-spoils-.html)

Source: (http://ftape.com/media/?p=22852)

Source: (http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/news/fashion/526658/topshop-s-secret-store.html)

Source: (http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogNavigationSearchResultCmd?catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&langId=-1&viewAllFlag=false&categoryId=289495&interstitial=true)

The inpsiration behind my FMP idea, was first based on a pop-up shop called 'Secret Store' that was in Topshop's flagship last year. As I was working here at the time, I remember it being really cool and customers had a great interest for it. Check out some images I found of the 'Secret Store'.

IT ALL STARTS HERE

Welcome to my very first Blog, this being its very first post. I'm in week 2 of Term 3 and its all eyes on FMP. I decided to create a blog to help me keep note of all my research and development. Week 2 means 5 weeks to go until FINAL hand-in and the end of the year! Crazy how time flies!
So far I have decided on my FMP idea, and have begun research on upcoming SS13 trends. I have chosen to create a Festival range for a Topshop pop-up shop based in East London's Shoreditch. The aim is to try to create something new for Topshop, and reach out to a new and exciting market. I chose to create the range for a pop-up store because it will work well with the seasonablity of the festival period, and to enable Topshop to trial the area to see how people react.
My aim this week to complete all my research in order to begin creating my range next week. Research will include:

• Looking at upcoming SS13 Trends
• Street Style
• Comp Shop
• Finialising my space and number of options

Last week, I looked at a few inspirations and visited Shoreditch to try and get a feel for the area. I am going to post these topics on my blog - in order of relevance.

This week, I have begun my searching through fashion sites available at college, including WGSN, Mudpie and Fashion Snoops. But I still feel like I have a long way to go....


SO I'm off to RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH!!!!!!!!!!