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Friday 21 January 2011

VFS designer's Selfridges windows

 LiLee

Kirsty Ward

Selfridges have won our hearts again with a true to reputation, awe-inspiring window collection! The lucky up and coming designers picked to dazzle the public with their work are taking part in Selfridges’s “BRIGHT young THiNGS” theme. Two designers are our very own at Vauxhall Fashion Scout; LiLee who is one of VFS SS11 Ones To Watch designers and Kirtsy Ward who is one of the new Ones To Watch deisgners.

Each window is an entirely different and exciting view into the world of the current collection of each young designer. They have chosen to accent their designs with their own stage deisgn with a backdrop, props and a divers range of mannequins. Each window is a new treasure trove to uncover, with some designers creating vast and extravagance theatres of excess to show off their wares and others choosing a uniform and humble approach that focuses on, and compliments the craftsmanship of the garments.

LiLee’s elegant tailoring and pleats are suspended in the air on gymnastic bodies that fly on trapezes across the window space. The fishing line structures remind me of giant Barbara Hepworth sculptures. This display is by far the most pure and relaxing of the window collection and the uniform lines within the garments and the staging are very satisfying to behold.

Kirtsy Ward’s combines her collections of jewelry and clothing in a scintillating fusion of mesh and metal. The soft sheer dresses with volumous silhouettes contrast daringly with sharp and architectural bijoux. The tranquil palette of mint, poppy, beige and black reminds me of 50’s sophistication, then the dramatic layering and boundary pushing silhouettes throw the garments into 2011 with a bang.


Charlotte Summers

Hilary Alexander talks about Prophetik for Livia Firth

Last week we let slip that Prophetik was designing a dress for Livia Firth for the Golden Globes... well here it is!    

The beautiful dress was perfectly at home on the red carpet and has left us tingling with excitement for his up-coming collection to be shown at Vauxhall Fashion Scout during London Fashion Week this season. And its not just us who are catching the Prophetik wave, Hilary Alexander has just featured Jeff, the man behind the label, in a feature length article on Telegraph.co.uk. With Jeff and Livia's shared enthusiasm for Eco Fashion, this was the perfect partnership.

Kenny Wang


Wednesday 19 January 2011

VFS Mentoring Event Review - PR and Media Relations





The New Year certainly has got off to a good start with Tuesday’s mentoring class (the first for 2011) perhaps being the most popular of the season. This may well have been due to our impressive panel of industry experts who joined us especially for our discussion on the topic of ‘Fashion PR and Media Relations’:

JESSICA BUMPUS: FASHION FEATURES EDITOR, VOGUE.COM

Jessica is the Fashion Features Editor for Vogue.com and is responsible for the writing and breaking daily news stories, designer interviews and Vogue Loves pages. She covers and features the shows during Fashion Week and is always on the look out for new designers.

CAROLINE ISSA : EXECUTIVE FASHION DIRECTOR OF TANK MAGAZINE

Caroline Issa is the Exclusive Fashion Director and Publisher of Tank magazine. Her publishing house, Tank Magazine Ltd, also publish "O:Magazine by Tank", the luxury fashion supplement for The Observer.Caroline is also editor-in-chief of online publication, Because Magazine.

Courtney Blackman: MD of Forward PR

Courtney Blackman is the founder of London’s Forward PR in 2004, she is serving as managing director. She also founded Fashion Business Club in 2006 and was appointed board member of the Ethical Fashion Forum in 2009, both working towards shaping the fashion industry. An Entrepreneur in all aspects of life Courtney works internationally including producing art and music festivals. She has also been featured in numerous publications and is a regular fashion commentator for NBC’s Today Show (New York).

Lauren Martin: Mainline Account Manager of Blow PR

Ivan Moya Denia: Mainline Account Manager of Blow PR


After following the steps advised in our previous mentoring classes that focused on the topics of ‘Production’, ‘Pricing & Brand Positioning’ and ‘Sponsorship’, you will hopefully now be beginning to build a professional and proficient brand, (which will no doubt be producing a sizable amount of attention within the world of fashion media!) So I bet now your thinking ‘what next?’
Well like with most things the best place to start is with a spot of research:

• Think where would you like to be featured. For example, do you see your pieces within the pages of Vogue or Grazia? Remember different magazines/ blogs/ webzines relate to different markets and therefore not all press will be suitable for your brand identity and consumer.

• Similarly, begin to think about whom would you like to be seen wearing your creations. (i.e. which celebrity/ model)

Contacting the press:

• If you are to get in touch with an editor/journalist/publisher make sure you contact the right person! (For example, if you are a clothing designer there isn’t much point contacting the jewellery editor!) If you are unsure then look at the masthead (usually found at the front of the magazine) to find the appropriate contact details, or alternatively ring their head office and they will happily point you in the right direction.

• It is polite to send an introductory email or letter first (you can always follow up with a phone call later.) Additional research may be needed to ensure your message is personal and tailored to the individual journalist/ editor/ publisher. For example; ‘Dear Jessica…’ ‘As fashion features editor of Vogue.com, you may be interested in…’

• This research isn’t something that should be done only once: you should always be looking into new publications/ blogs and follow what specific journalists/ editors/ publishers are up to. (Twitter is a useful tool to achieve this)

• Some press may also be interested to know what you’ve been up to and if you have any exciting new projects/ stockists/ collaborations/ events/ celeb fans…etc so don’t be too modest or shy to get in touch! It is also a good idea to use social media (Twitter, Facebook…etc) to your advantage to spread word about your brand and all your latest news.

• It takes time to build up a brand and gain recognition so don’t be offended if you don’t receive a response straight away. If you’re concerned then follow up with a friendly email/phone call a few days later.

• Once you have contacted/ established a relationship with a member of the press be sure to maintain it!

• If a printed publication features your clothing/ shoes/ accessories you should contact them to request tear sheets/ a copy of the issue for your press cuttings/ website/ portfolio.

Press Requests:

If the press contact you it is essential you are as prepared as possible to maintain a high standard of professionalism:

• You should have a set of images of your pieces/collection (either styled on a model or as individual product images or even better, both!)

• You should have two sets of these images: one in high resolution (generally 300 DPI) for print use and another in low resolution (72 DPI) for web.

• Each image should be labelled clearly (for example: yourname_outfit1) so there is no confusion amongst the press who receive your images.

• You will also need a professionally written press release. If you don’t feel comfortable writing this yourself then get a friend or even better a fashion communication/journalism student to do it for you (they usually won’t charge for their services and they will appreciate the experience.)

• Your press release should include a short biography about yourself (where you studied, your previous experience before setting up your label… etc), an outline of the inspiration behind your latest collection, a list of your current stockists (if you are at that stage yet) and your contact details (your registered company address, website URL, telephone number and email plus any social network profiles you have such as Twitter.)

• It is also really important that by this stage you have created a full brand identity (i.e. brand name and logo.) This could also be included on your press release.

Celebrity Requests:

• At the beginning of your career it might seem exciting when a celebrity requests to wear your clothes/shoes/accessories, however be selective; don’t just say “yes” to any so called ‘celebrity’

• Think to yourself ‘does this celeb typically reflect my style and brand identity?’

• Lending samples to celebrities and press that are below standard of your target market may actually do your brand more damage than good!

• If a reputable celebrity is seen wearing your pieces make sure you request pictures for your press cuttings/ website/ portfolio.
 
PR Agencies:

As your brand continues to grow and become evermore popular, you may decide to employ a PR to assist you with your publicity and press requests.

• Again, the first step is research. Look at various PR companies’ websites to find out what section of the market they fit into and what other labels they represent; are their current clients similar to you?

• Arrange some appointments to meet a few PRs and their show rooms: it is advised you visit as many PR agencies as you can before settling on the one that’s right for you.

• As like when meeting with a buyer (discussed previously in ‘Pricing & Brand Positioning’) you should be fully prepared before your meeting and take along with you a well presented look book/look books of your current and previous collections, a short written bio on yourself as a designer and a press release outlining details of your latest collection.

• If you decide to sign with a PR agency make sure you have a contract in place. Agency fees can range from a couple of hundred pounds a month to thousands so only commit if you are certain you have the funds to support it. (Remember to include this in your costings for the season’s budget: for more details on this please look back at the ‘Pricing & Brand Positioning’ notes) Additional fees for press days, couriers, mail outs, shows and events may also be added onto your final monthly fee.

• The best time of year to join a PR company is usually just after fashion week/ the selling season so your PR will have more time on their hands to ensure you’re ‘settled in’ and your collection will be present in their showroom during those all important ‘press days’.

• The worst time to leave your PR company is (unsurprisingly) a couple of weeks before your Fashion week presentation/show!

• Building a relationship with your PR is important so constant communication between you both is essential. If you are unhappy with the service you are receiving from your PR then don’t just ignore the situation or disappear, arrange a meeting and discuss your issues with them.

In-house PRs / PR interns:

• If you do not have the funds to sign with a PR agency or employ your own PR but still require assistance it may be a good idea to take on an intern to fill this position. It is advised to consider a Fashion Promotion or PR student/graduate or someone who you feel you can trust. However one of the most important things to remember is that this person will be representing you as a designer so it is essential that they understand you and your brand identity.

• Whether you employ an experienced PR or take on an intern its essential that you don’t just ‘leave them to it’ so to speak but manage and over see all that they do: Find out what press they have contacted, what stylists/editors they have sent samples out to, which magazines have featured/ wrote about you...etc and constantly ask for feedback. The same applies if you are signed to a PR agency.

Remember to sign up for the next VFS mentoring class on the topic of ‘Sales,’ taking place 3rd February at the Hospital Club.



Sarah Barlow

Monday 17 January 2011

Interview with VFS Ones To Watch - Tze Goh



How are you feeling of winning the Ones to Watch from Vauxhall Fashion Scout?

I am thrilled to be participating in Vauxhall fashion scout’s ones to watch and am honoured to have the opportunity to show my collection among my peers.

What did you do to celebrate?

After the madness is over I am planning to celebrate with close friends and family that supported me along the way.

What was your experience in the fashion industry before forming your own brand?

I was working for various brands in Paris and also studied at Parson’s in New York before completing the MA course at Central Saint Martins.

Who is your favourtie designer and why?

I admire different designers such as Jil Sander and Roi Kawalwto for the minimalism and simplicity aesthetic incorporated in their designs.

If you were not a fashion designer, what would you do?

I would like to be a professional astronomer.

What music do you listen to when you design?

I prefer to design without any music.

What's your inspiration for last season's collection?

Bright summer colours and the transformation of a T-shirt into a cape

Where would you like to see your brand in a few years?

I see it growing into a profitable business and my collections being sold internationally in various boutiques and department stores.

Have you been to any of our mentors? What are your thoughts of it? Has it helped?

I find the mentoring events very helpful and insightful as they provide information that allows me to better run my business and prepare for events such as fashion week.

Are you looking forward to your show in London Fashion Week? What do you expect from it?

I am extremely excited for my collection to be showcased at London Fashion Week and I hope there will be a good turnout at the show!

 
Kenny Wang