Bags & Shoes

I would of liked to have included bags and shoes in my range but ran out of time to do so. I really liked the look of 'book clutches' and perspex box clutches. I think that Miss Selfridge customer would be attracted to these unique designs.

Feedback Arrangements

Unfortunately the deputy manager in work, who I've spoke to previously in work about my range, is not available to give me feedback on my FMP due to working in another store for the next few weeks. I plan to show my FMP to supervisors and possibly my manager for feedback instead. I will also ask my mum for feedback as she has worked in the industry for 25+ years.

Financial Spreadsheet and WSSI

I used Microsoft Excel to create my financial spreadsheet and WSSI.

I firstly had to figure out my quantities,  how many garments per size I wanted to order. With Miss Selfridge ranging from size 4-16 I wanted to make sure I covered all sizes. I also decided that my range would just go into the 'top 8' stores, the flagship A grade stores.

I also calculated my shipping costs for each of dresses, tops, shorts, skirts and jackets.

I then calculated what my cost price would be using the formula: RRP - VAT (20%) divided by 2.5.

This information all went into my financial spreadsheet along with other information about COO, fabric  etc.

With my range going in two phases, the first on the 10th March 2014 and then 8 weeks later on the 12th May. I worked out my forecasted sales in my WSSI and specified when there would intake of stock, which will be on week 4 of 16 units (each store having 2 units per garment), halfway through the 8 weeks of selling time.

Range Plan - Photoshop

I used Photoshop to create my range plan. I used layers, placed images on the canvas, used the warp tool to make the effect of curled up paper on a notice board. I also created a shadow beneath images by using the gaussian blur filter. I filled CADS that I found on WGSN with colour and also patterns. I adjusted the image size of the CADS to copy and paste into my range plan. I created text boxes to display information about each garment.

When I began using Photoshop for my FMP I forgot how to do certain things on the program but after practicing and finding help online how to do certain things I got the hang of the software again.

I used this website after finding it on Google to make a shadow...

http://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/questions/5251/how-to-create-this-fading-shadow-effect-in-photoshop

Mood Board

To create my mood board I am going to see what pinning pictures to a notice board would look like, instead of a wall. This is so I get the cork background for creativity. 

Here is an example of what it might look like...

Directional Shop

For my directional shop I have chosen to look at Reiss, Ted Baker and Ralph Lauren. The reason I have chosen these brands is that when I researched The Saturdays, one of Mollies top 3 brands was Ralph Lauren and one of Frankie's was Reiss. I think that the Miss Selfridge customer can identify with these brands and the brands represent The Sats style. I also chose Ted Baker as I felt the styles and prints of some of the ranges can be similar to the Miss Selfridge ranges. 

I also considered Karen Millen for the directional shop but did not think that the brand was the right age range and style to the Miss S customer. 

Planning

Today I did trend research on WGSN and specified key shapes, colours and detailing within my project. 

I'm not up to date with where I said I would be on my action plan. I have set my to-do list in order to get up to date. 

Tonight: 

- Finish comp shop

- Directional Shop 

- Mood Board

Tomorrow I am going to start colouring my CADS on photoshop and start to create my range plan. 

Consultation

Today I had a consultation with Gillian, we spoke about ideas for my presentation of the project and how to present my mood board...

I like the look and idea of creating a mood board by sticking pictures on a wall in a creative way. Gillian suggested using masking tape to stick the pictures on and crumpling pictures up to look creative.  If I had access to a polaroid camera I would use this for effectiveness. Some examples I have seen used instagram filters to achieve creativity. 

Gillian also showed me an example of presenting my work in an ebook format on Issuu. This is something I am considering using to present my FMP. 

www.issuu.com

Fashion News

After a series of incidents in Bangladesh, garment workers wages are set to raise. This could mean that if Miss Selfridge use Bangladesh as a supplier, cost price could increase which would mean RRP would also increase. This could result in loss of sales for the company or buyers having too find a new supplier to keep the cost down. This may result in products being poorer quality. 

This is a feature on the Miss Selfridge website. I could include a similar concept within my FMP to show what each Saturday would wear.

The Saturdays Website

I visited The Saturdays website for research, this gave 3 fashion tips from each of the girls and also 3 of their favourite brands - I can use this information for my directional shop.

Photoshop

I have used Adobe Photoshop to create a collage of The Saturdays style. I used the magnetic tool to cut delete the background and then copied and pasted the images into one document. This is so that anyone who looks at my FMP can get a feel for what The Saturdays like to wear. 

Comp shops

I have began my comp shops, looking at the current Miss Selfridge Spring/Summer 13 range to ensure I do not include products that are too similar. I also looked at competitors Topshop and River Island.

Consultation Arrangement

I have arranged for one of my managers to look at my project and give me feedback for my evaluation.

WGSN

I have been using industry based, trend-forecasting site WGSN to research trends.

Consultation

Yesterday I spoke briefly with my manager in work. I asked her how did The Saturdays T-shirts sell, whether they were popular or not. She told me that they didn't do very well, due to them just being slogans on T-shirts. Her opinion was that they were not very good quality. She suggested that it would be best to do a more of a 'going out' range, mainly dresses etc. 

Therefore I have decided that I will focus on going out wear, rather than both casual and going out. 

Miss Selfridge TV

Miss Selfridge TV

Above is the link that takes you to the Miss Selfridge YouTube channel. Using YouTube for further research is a skill used towards my FMP.

Miss Selfridge SS 13

I've been researching more on the Miss Selfridge brand, I found YouTube videos on the SS 13 collection.

The Saturdays and Miss Selfridge T-shirt collaboration

I have chosen to do a celebrity range for Miss Selfridge as they have never done a celebrity range before. After thinking of what celebrity I could use, I came to the conclusion to use The Saturdays. I thought that each of the girls individual styles would suit the Miss Selfridge customer. 

After researching The Saturdays fashion styles and gaining more information on the band, I came across that they had already been involved with Miss Selfridge before...

In 2011, after the release of single "Notorious" the band released a clothing line with Miss Selfridge. The t-shirts featured lyrics from the band's song; "Notorious" and "Higher" with the lyrics on T-shirts saying; 'I'm Notorious' and 'Whatcha Doing Saturday Girl?’ The T-shirts were designed by the band and picked the lyrics out themselves. 

I am still going to go ahead with using The Saturdays for my project as I will just use this information to further the range. Stating that as the t-shirts were a huge hit, the company decided to use them again for a full fashion range.

Presentation Options

Today I was researching presentation ideas for my FMP. I looked at BLURB for printed presentation options, WIX for an online web builder, ISSUU for digital presentation and Survey Monkey if I want to create an online survey.