The components of Marketing

2015: New year, new me and all that.
I won't be too ambitious with my resolutions but one I'm determined to keep is to get back onboard with this blogging business. I use it as a platform to share anything that takes my fancy and today I've stumbled across this visually simplified Periodic Table of Content Marketing Effectively by Econsultancy - they've nailed this idea by condensing the process and highlighting the importance of strategy as crucial to success.

Original Source: Econsultancy

Spooky Ads

Halloween is almost upon us and confectionary brands would be fools to miss this golden advertising opportunity. Snickers latest spot takes their usual play on 'hangry' to a whole different level but the concept and visual effects are very fitting for season.

Snickers "Twisted"

Snickers "Halloween Grocery Store Lady" (2010)

Good Luck Gift

When possible I try to avoid buying cards from shops because they aren't too friendly with a student budget and also I believe handmade gifts show far more thought and love has gone into them.

One of my friends is currently revising for her first final towards her medicine degree and so I thought I'd make her a simple good luck gift which I could send in the post. Recently when I bought a pair of jeans in Jack Wills they slipped in a paper windmill kit to make at home. I thought this was really effective marketing because it was in keeping with their in-store theme and they also featured them as part of the window display because they  typify British summer - the lifestyle they are promoting with their summer collection. I assembled this kit and now have it in my uni room but realised it was a really simple idea to recreate. I found some inspiration on Pinterest then just used bits and pieces I had in my craft box to make my own windmill. It's not exactly your traditional good luck mascot but I tied a label onto it and at least it can be a constant reminder of the summer that lies in store once she gets these exams out the way.

Jack Wills window display
(image from google)

Pinterest inspiration

My good luck creation

Summer adventures

Firstly, a big apology and secondly, where has this year gone?! I realised the other day I hadn't blogged in forever and now I'm in the midst of my uni summer it's time to get back into it.

Going into my final year of Edinburgh in September I wanted to ensure that I made the most of these extended summers. So in my eyes that consists of a balance between: work, work experience and play. Well, so far I've prioritised the play and celebrated the end of exams with Radio 1's big weekend, followed by a trip to Barcelona, then Parklife and I've just returned from a family holiday to Croatia. And now back to reality. But here are a selection of photos from my gallivanting to leave you with until my next post (which won't be as long - I promise)!

Coldplay @ Big Weekend

Casa Battlo, Barcelona

Font Bar,  Manchester

Parklife

Hvar

Sunset in Lumbarda

                                       

New York Fashion Week: Alexander Wang

Alexander Wang is fully aware that if people want something enough, they'll go out of their way to get it. I really respect his 'controversial' decision to show the A/W 2014 Ready to Wear collection in a Naval Yard, in Brooklyn. He forced the fashion pack out of their comfort zone, admittedly they might not have loved it, but for fear of missing out they were determined to get to the warehouse (even when it was so remote that it doesn't even show up on Sat Nav). During fashion week there's a constant stream of catwalks and collections so designers are under pressure to make theirs the one to remember and Wang ensured his was, whether for the right or wrong reasons.

 "He dragged us all out to Brooklyn on a wintry Saturday night—it had damn well better be good" 

I don't massively love the collection, which I'd describe as practical and utilitarian - a refreshing change from a lot of fashion but the theme of extreme conditions and survival reminded me too much of Hunger Games. To me it seemed cold and lifeless; consisting of an excessive number of holster-style bags covered in zips and pouches, prepared for every gadget you could ever need. 

However the finale was enough to change my opinion. The final 12 looks entered the rotating catwalk in monolithic black but changed before viewers eyes as heat activated pigments revealed technicolour paisley patterns. The general consensus seems to be that this was the redeeming factor but I think Wang's innovation and risk-taking can be all too easily overlooked and he deserves credit for the successful fusion of technology with fashion and the setting played a pivotal role in consolidating the overall theme.

All images from style.com and video from Fashion Channel

Back to work...

It's been an embarrassingly long time since I last put up a post. So long in fact that fashion week's are practically upon us again, which gives me the perfect opportunity to share my opinions on the good and the ugly, the weird and the wonderful, that are inevitably going to grace our catwalks in the upcoming weeks.

But before I get started I thought I'd share images of the window display from Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge that is based upon the theme of 'Fashion School'. They've taken an entirely innovative approach compared to their usual slick displays, not to say I don't think that it is effective, as the mini doll like mannequins add a far more playful element. Each window illustrates a different lesson and incorporates humour to evoke a sense of nostalgia as viewers reminisce about their own school day memories. All the scenes incorporate seriously well dressed students wearing Christopher Kane and Alexander McQueen uniform but also successfully integrate accessories and cosmetics into the classroom environments.

Revealed just in time for fashion week this provided me with the inspiration required to get back to (blogging) work and now I'm all set for a lesson in NYFW style and ready to report back within the next few days.

All images from harveynichols.com 

Paris Fashion Week: Dior's Secret Garden

There have been some amazing sets for Paris Fashion Week (my next post will be on Chanel's Art runway) but I couldn't let Dior's Secret Garden for Spring Summer '14 go amiss without sharing it with you.

I think the environment of the show makes a huge impact on the collection and with so many simultaneously being debuted during fashion week it's in the designers best interest to make their show spectacularly memorable. Raf Simon's mastered this amazingly with the beautiful surroundings complementing the fresh, modern collection. Now what will he think of beat a garden within a garden for next time?