VICTORIA SECRET: MEADOWHALL, SHEFFIELD - LAUNCH NIGHT

I had the opportunity  to go to the launch night of the new Victoria Secret store in Meadowhall, Sheffield (12/08.2013). It was a family and friends night with invite only and luckily for me, my friend works there so I got to go along. Being a woman and (like all women) being a huge fan of great underwear, I loved the night.



Taking up over two units of space, the store has used its space wisely and to its great advantage. Showing all their new collections, best sellers and also having another section for its younger targeted brand PINK; the store looks fabulous. Down to its signature wings, to vintage styled glass handled draws, to showing cute brass badges showing a different range of sizes hidden within the draws; the layout of the store is beautiful.

Currently focusing on a Visual Merchandising project, I was in oar of the stores layout and decoration. The use of colour and the class of the store all fit in perfect. The panties (that's what they have to call them which I found quite amusing) and bras where laid out wonderfully and was visible to every customer that passed. Collections where put together well and a theme ran through all of the lingire being shown.
The only thing I didn't like about most of the items, is like most expensive shops, the price wasn't shown on the tag provided. Which (if you're picky like me) I don't like, I like to see the price be visible on the item I  am buying and not just on a fancy billboard of sign. But, that's probably just me being picky.

Victoria Secret is well known for its fabulous underwear and amazing models BUT also for their price. Yes, their underwear is expensive, but doesn't every woman want to break the bank for a some gorgeous underwear? With 3 pairs of panties for £27 and the cheapest bra ranging from around £26, I personally think that is a bargain for great quality.  The PINK side of the store also offered the same (body lotions, perfume's etc) at a lower price. But, as well as their underwear, they also offered a clothing line which consisted mainly of sports wear or lounge wear. Other items included; headphones, phone cases, bags, ipad cases, water bottles etc. Design to the younger the market, they also seemed to sell well through the evening.
They also had a an offer of 5 panties for £20 at just as good quality. At the back of the store, they also have a wide selection of their own body lotions, perfumes, make-up bags and other essentials.


Over all I was impressed with the store and their products. Lets just say I can't wait till pay day!

Victoria Secret
Meadowall
Sheffield
Junction 34

VISUAL MERCHANDISING: WINDOW DISPLAYS

I am about to enter my 3rd Year of University at Birmingham City University going into Retail Management. One of my starting briefs is a Visual Merchandising topic, looking at window displays and re-designing it on Google Sketch Up. This is something I am very new to and am excited to start putting my ideas into production.

Over the Summer I have been going around different city's (Leeds, Birmingham, Sheffield and Doncaster) and my local town trying to find a suitable and interesting window display that I can re-design. Being very interested in Visual Merchandising and layout work I have found this a great opportunity for me and its made me see what is emerging in displays to boost sales and/or promote a new line of clothing.

Every store window will have a theme that will run throughout the collection or items that are being sold. They will create a story or a setting, this can be a multiple of different items or a selection of the same item evolving around the same theme. I have seen an emerging trend recently within store displays. One of those trends is using raised plat forms or perspex boxes to show case different merchandise; whether it be an item of expense or to give and item a more valuable image. I took a few picture of some examples but thought this one image from H&M really showcased that well.

H&M Store, Sheffield City Centre

As well as using raised platforms/stands/etc. to promote new stock; another trend that is proving very popular is the position and styling of mannequins. A lot of companies now are creating mannequins that are unique; ranging to body forms, mannequins and torsos that are incredibly stunning, inspirational, modern and efficiently practical. From the abstract mannequins to the naturally life like ones, companies are producing them to still be visually powerful whilst maintaining the perfect body fit for today's fast moving fashion industry.

The positioning and styling of the mannequins is what's selling the merchandising these days. The most popular pose to be put onto window displays at the moment is the 'arched back' pose; showing in stores such as H&M, TopShop, River Island & Coast. The pose gives a more natural and comfortable pose for the garment to be shown in a more relaxed way, therefore enticing the customer into buying the item. I personally think this pose is a good way to promote the merchandise, it shows the mannequin relaxed and not so formal (which can sometimes be rather off putting and sometimes intimidating).

 Coast, Trinity Centre, Leeds

FCUK, Bullring, Birmingham 

I am looking forward to seeing what the high street stores, boutiques and department stores can offer us with their window displays for Autumn/Winter 2013. Although so far this year the displays have been inspirational and even though people have been short on money; it has still made us want to buy the shown item in display. With the 'arched back' pose and effective displays which create a story for us and rumoured trends that are coming out in stores such as Urban Outfitters, Topshop & River Island, I think they can only get better with the holiday season coming!

NEW TO BLOGSPOT

I am new to all this Blogspot business and am looking forward to start blogging about new and exciting images/trends that excite me. I will mainly be blogging about fashion but hope to finally write about any exhibitions or trips that I have been on that I found exciting and inspiring.


I am going to start my first blog entrance by writing about what I have worn through the week (which will mostly contain of BLACK & WHITE and maybe the odd dash of COLOUR). I will explain within the blogpost how I wore the items, what I paired them up with and what occasion I wore it for. Also answering any questions on where I got the items.



LETS START BLOGGING!