AD207

I have been introduced to my work placement module recently where I will have to complete 120 hours of work related learning. I have started to work as part of a small team to create our final years fashion show. On our first meeting we viewed Newcastle Colleges previous fashion show and picked out the key elements and what we think we can improve for this year’s show. There are 6 key elements to consider when organising such an event. These include;

·         Aims & Objectives

·         Budget

·         Audience

·         Venue

·         Theme

·         Accessories

We decided upon a WHITE theme for the show, we thought this would be very clean and fresh looking. White is modern, and very spring/summer which ties in well with the timing of our show. I noticed also when looking through vogue that white is a very common summer trend, for example in 2010 ‘Clean Energy’ was featured and 2011 ‘Seeing the light’ I thought about the idea of maybe coming up with a more unique title rather than just white. I think this would be more innovative and thoughtful. We want something the audience would instantly pick up on, as this will be visible on posters and advertising around college. We have no budget so everything has to be done for free, or borrowed! Due to no budget our show will be held at Newcastle College. We know that there is a pure white room in Blandford square which is also part of college; this would be perfect for the show. I think it is important to have the show in a venue close to college or part of college as this will promote our work and college to new students. I have so far found lots of white imagery and inspiration online.

Embellishments.......

Trend Bible.

We had a visitor from the industry today, she was called Alice who works for a company called Trend Bible. She presented to us what Trend Bible was and what the company is all about.I really enjoyed looking through the trend books she brought to explain things clearly. I was interested in how the company focuses on both interiors and fashion. So we got a feel of the sort of work they carry out and how we as up and coming designers could also predict upcoming trends. Trend Bible forecasts future trends and publishes books for home interiors and children’s trends and can then tell their customer what they want to hear.

We were told of how Trend Bible have recently worked very closely with Tesco, the trend books feature Tesco and this increased their profits by more than £5 billion.

There are over 30 trend agencies with different specialism’s which gain their knowledge through events, seminars, graduate shows, craft fairs, flea markets and exhibitions. The positive payback of this for Tesco is to gain more business, increase sales and press attention and to give staff confidence in the company.

The drawback of getting trends wrong is that customers will go elsewhere to shop, the ranges will look out of touch, they won’t get the press attention they were previously used to and the company will stand out for all the wrong reasons.

Catwalk trends, fashion blogs, travel, food, technology and fabric development, social and your instinct are all ways on how to trend forecast.

Many websites are available to help with this such as:

www.thesartorialist.com

www.hanneli.com

www.style.com

www.businessoffashion.com

www.stylebubble.co.uk

www.stylesalvage.blogspot.com

(Menswear)

www.trendbible.co.uk

Facebook/trend bible

Contact Alice - alice@trendbible.co.uk

Jenny Packham

Jenny Packham is either your cup of tea or she isn't. Kate Middleton is one girl who can't get enough of the London designer's oh-so-pretty eveningwear. There's a sense of decorum about Packham's dresses, even the ones that are shambolic in sequins and slit up to there.

People Into Enterprise

At college we have been introduced to Jane Shaw from People into enterprise. We have been having weekly sessions with her, and having her professional input regarding creating a business for our work placement module. People into Enterprise are a determined small organisation with a huge vision. They have a positive attitude and understanding towards what it means to be enterprising. They believe people can make wonderful things happen. Their programmes are very popular and we are very lucky to have worked closely with Jane in these few sessions where her help and enthusiasm have been most inspiring.

During the weekly sessions, our class was split into business groups according to everybody’s interests. My group decided upon creating a look book. We decided that the book would be for fashion focused females looking for up to date fashion and new ideas which aren’t seen as stereotypically fashionable but have captured a variety of styles from our high street. This would include high quality photo shoots with styled models.

The look book would give us a chance to promote ourselves and our own garments which would be a great achievement, which is something we could all look back on and be proud of!