Theres much more to creating a colour palette than i initially thought..

Trust me to pick a difficult colour theme.. Metallics! They change in the light and whenever they move, which i love; but trying to reflect this onto matte based colour palette wasn't easy! I made myself familiar with the gradient tool in photoshop so i could try and reflect the way in which tones of colour change. For other cases i look at pictures from my Moodboard and if it was a garment for example i would look at all the tones and select a colour within that holographic bag that was most interesting to me. The top array of colour where what i amount from my mood board and then i ….

Lets Kill Tonight

Happy Halloween! Lets kill tonight with this Lookbook make up of some frightful favourite pieces of clothing tied together with a smokey eye, jet black lips and a few statements accessories - key for taking the halloween daytime look too seriously!  From head to toe:

Hat - Warehouse

Bodycon - Topshop

Mesh Skirt - Modaoperandi.com

Skeleton Socks - modcloth.com

Docs - Dr Marten

Last night was a fun one for me getting amongst the creepers of the night, our theme was skeletons so an exaggerated smokey eye & grey contour was my approach! 

With Love, DOAFSDO, x

Today is a Tartan Tuesday

Today I'm wearing this classic Fred Perry Polo tucked into high waisted vintage wash Levis from Braderie a cutie vintage store in Leamington that is worth checking out! My comfy Topshop cloated heels, a Dorothy Perkins oversized baby blue blazer and this tartan scarf from Primarni. Comfort was key for a productive day at Uni! Happy Tuesday!

With Love, DOAFSDO, x

Mary Mary quite Contemporary..

Just when you think Adidas have achieved a fair amount of successful collaborations for one decade they strike again. This time its print designer Mary Katrantzou who has made her mark. In March i posted about her tunics inspired by the Nike huarache Trainers, which makes me think maybe Addidas got a look of her pieces and thought something could be expanded and successful within their brand.

Either way, I'm a big fan of these oversized structured sport dresses with a version of her signature floral graphics imprinted all over; the trainers on the other hand I'm not sure id consider myself. But anything from a Mary Katranzou collection would be welcomed with open arms i suppose!

With Love, DOAFSDO, x

Sunday (not quite feeling my) Best

Today was a girly day of exploring Nottingham with Mummy Newton tied with girly attire. Charity Shop pastel pink blazer, Fuchsia Saffiano Satchel, Checks & cloated heels. Comfy Casuals are key for a Sunday after a few too many Cocktails the night before! 

These Topshop cloated heels are the comfiest find and my current most favourite thing. White may not be the most appropriate this time of year; but I'm just getting used to this student discount situation so for £22.50 they were an absolute steal! Platforms are key and discrete meaning i can get away with wearing heels casual everyday clobber. 

Treasure hunting around Notts

Exploring Nottingham to find quirky place to visit and go made for a fun day, various locations were pointed out on a treasure hunt map and we even wandered off route and found some treasures of our own! This top location was a Cafe called Hopkins, and in the back stalls made up collections of vintage clothes, toys, accessories and anything else vintage and intriguing you could think of!

Nottingham nightlife is also a must to explore! Neon lighting similar to the statement 'I feel love' at XOYO this underground club called 'Market Bar' is a hidden gem playing upbeat house music on Thursdays that takes you through to the sweet AM!

Don't get me wrong there are some absolute grubby places in Nottigham, but there re also so beautiful buildings that make up my Uni. I only recently became aware that the Arkwright building along with a few others were brought by Nottingham Trent from University of Nottingham to make up our city campus! Studying in such a pretty location sure makes the day a lot brighter and more inspiring!

With Love, DOAFSDO, x

DOLCE & SPENCER

Making a comparison of my own. Thinking of the ever so famous M&S high street campaigns that have featured the likes of Twiggy, Dame Helen Mirren, Ellie Goulding and Tracey Emin, it is interesting to compare this individual campaign to one of high end brand, Dolce & Gabbanas campaigns. 

Here are some lovely wise and beautiful words from the ladies that that featured in an M&S campaign, enjoy!

With Love, DOAFSDO, x

HIGH END vs HIGH STREET

Same story different market. Looking at and devouring into brands today that have connotations of similar heritage, historical context or general similarities in design and advertisement that we find particularly interesting. There are many forms in which Brands could have similarities, heritage and background, romantic ethereal and sentiment, tradition with a twist and eccentric tailoring. 

WHISTLES - CELINE 

Delicate feminine pastels. Tailor made nudes. Moody boy like stance.

JACK WILLS - TOMMY HILFIGER

British heritage. Smiling Oxford University students in structured and stripe attire.

AMERICAN APPAREL - MARC JACOBS

Raunchy and seductive against Clinical whites. Bedroom eyes. Draw her the attention. 

Here are a few campaigns comparing high street and high end that i found particular interesting; some images are ridiculously similar in context, pose, and styling which makes me wonder.. Who did it first? Copyright? Embarrassment? Some brands may think the consumer may not notice perhaps but its a very interesting comparison to be made. What are your thoughts?

With Love, DOAFSDO, x

London Fashion Week Favourites

Two newly discovered designers after London Fashion Weeks posts were flying here, there and everywhere; Ashish & Daizy Shely. Both collections just as pink, fluffy and sparkly as one another! 

Ashish collection was magically made up of sequins and sparkle. Accessorised to the nines, with the models wearing coloured and glittered extensions in their hair. Strutted down a plain white runway the models were glistening! 

Structured dresses and coordinate pieces made up Daizy Shelys collection at Paris Fashion Details of finely stitched holographic sequins tied with feathered skirt detailing making the pieces sophisticated but still exciting for the braver glamorous ladies out there!

All so magical, i want a piece! With Love, DOAFSDO, x

dreamy daze

Today the weather is grey & I want to be transported some place where I can wear these pretty pink things. Lookbook for a sunny day. Could have got away with this outfit a week ago as the sunshine in Nottingham was beaming but I'm now realising winter has landed and is here to stay..

Featuring this Electric skirt from Coast, Ted Baker bag, Michael Kors watch, New Look jumper, Jeffery Campbell cloated heels and some crazily priced necklace from Dolce! We can but dream..

With love, DOAFSDO, x

What makes a Brand?

Todays question is- What is a brand, and what makes a brand?

Looking at how a brand connects with a consumer successfully in order to create desire and engage the consumers attention through marketing and advertising. Brands aim to build respect from the consumer which leads to purchases and commitment within the well recognised brand. 

Brands are recognised by their logo, name and product; a trademark may be embellished on the packing of the product or the product itself. During point of sale it is also important that the brand gives excellent service, usually in a retail environment, giving the consumer a memorable positive experience and also keep the promise that a good quality product has been produced from the brand. Life after the sale is also a very important factor in order to gain respect and recognition from the consumer, cause lets face it no one wants a product that will fall apart within a week of purchasing!

Creating a brand ethos is one of the most important things. Nike is an American Sport brand that is recognised worldwide by a simple symbol. Telling a story or having an aspect of the brand that the consumer can confine in is particular important; Nike use motivational terms within branding and advertising as a feel good factor for the costumer, reassuring them they are worthy of the product, and more so the lifestyle reenforced by the brand- in this case Nike.

''A brand is the sum of the tangible and intangible benefits provided by a product or service and encompasses the entire customer experience.'' - Balfour Consulting

There are many aspects to consider when defining a brand. The tangible aspects, printed material used, quality of the product, trademark, visual aspects, people in relation to brand for example the employees in store and face of the brand.  Also considering logistics and senses used in a way that triggers a visual and memorable experience. Also considering the essence behind the intangible aspects. Values of the brand, emotions attached to a brand, ethos, attitudes and brands beliefs; usually through the idea of story telling within the brand. 

''Products are made in the factory, but brands are created in the mind. – Walter Landor''

Now thinking over a few of my favourite brands and considering how the logistics of these particular brand have steered me to respecting these brand so much? Thought of the day…

With Love, DOAFSDO, x

Fast Moving Consumer Goods Reflection

                                 

Nail varnish along with many other 'Health and Beauty' products falls under the FMCG category; fast moving consumer goods. These are products that as consumers we may necessarily buy more of over the changing seasons than clothes. (Possibly) 

Investigating in stores today we looked at the 'Four Ps' in order to understand what differentiates these similar products from within different brands and classification of product. Price. Product. Place. Promotion. How does a product differs from a value brand to a high end brand? What steers consumers to make a descion in order to purchase a particular product? 

Looking at brand design, packing and colours palettes used in displaying a product, messages and words used and also imagery within stores; we can categorise nail varnish into four sectors; value, mass, middle and high end. Value brands tent to have alot more type embossed on the bottled design, whereas High end brands such as MAC and Chanel have minimal text. These brands can afford beauty campaigns in order to sell and advertise beauty products so may not necessarily need these added sale features, whereas cheaper brand will not have a feature campaign for their products. 

Street Style picks in Nottingham

           

           

                  ''Anyone can get dressed up and be glamorous, its how people dress on their days off that are most intriguing'' - Alexander Wang

             

Nottingham is a fun and vibrant city full of interesting and expressive characters. Being one of the major Cities up North walking around the centre of Nottingham we were sure to find some interesting Street Style pieces from all ages expressing personality through clothing; wether this being a classic look or something a little more elaborate.  Being new to Nottingham i have recognised quirky styles that i would personally associate with various other places in the UK; the Harrington Bomber in Brighton, Punk Skinheads in Camden.

                                      

This i is a middle-aged woman we spotted in Topshop. I really liked her casual but sophisticated look, Nottingham's take on Carrie. Within fashion this Lady is a prime target as a retail consumer. Over students, the middle-aged woman will have more money to spend on clothes and products to make you feel better! 

A slim fit jean tied with a long blazer and scarf, we gathered that we believe this lady would be inclined to shop in places such as Ralph Lauren, Monsoon, Jaeger and Wallis. Whereas the younger girls on the left have taken a look at the old school nineties and i image would shop in vintage markets such Brick Lane, shops such as 'COW' in Nottingham and find the odd piece amongst the Topshop sale.

Working within fashion it is important to understand the relationship between the consumer and the retailers objective in fashion promotion; as well as being extremely careful at this age not getting sucked in too deep being a young consumer of fashion myself!

With Love, DOAFSDO, x