# data[].attributes.body
Week 1
I decided which garment I wanted to focus on, which was the blazer, once we did this we could then start our research on the garment and it’s history, I used secondary research such as websites/articles as these were of easy access to me.
We then put more research into globalisation and how it may effect the future of our garment.
After this I was then able to start making my timeline and adding any research onto Padlet

Week 2
On Monday we went to Nike town/Adidas to research any technology used, this helped us to find out anymore info on the future of our garment.
We then discussed about gender and how it is today in connection with fashion, and again how this would effect our chosen piece (blazer).

Week 3
For week 3 we first researched and learnt about the history of retail for example, the history of Selfridges and other stores like woolworths, and the innovators behind retail.
We then, as a class, went into celebrity culture, researching celebrities that have influenced culture today, and how it has impacted the world. once we finished these, we then were able to start planning and writing up our essay making sure we were up to date before our final week.i made sure to add any links to my bibliography as i went along just so its easier at the end, this works better for me.

Week 4
For the final week before submitting on the Tuesday we mainly just focused on perfecting our final piece and finishing the essay to the best ability.
We also looked at semiotics and learnt to look at the bigger picture when it comes to marketing and images, what they might really mean. i felt that I've been quite organised and haven't worried too much as I've utilised my time very well and got a lot done in class.

# data[].attributes.body
week 1
Today i looked at how i wanted my interior to be, i created a theme that suits to many different demographics, i used a range of different colours and textures. i made my mood board for the stores aesthetic and the concept board for the interior. this really helped my ideas come alive and picture what it may look like. i focused on looking into the brand and creating some initial ideas to grow this pop up, i wanted to collab with Nestify as i feel like its a good way to connect with brands in a different way and it will interact with customers in a new way.

# data[].attributes.body
A history of women’s tailoring

# data[].attributes.body
Women’s 1940s Victory Suits and Utility Suits

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The most iconic look of war-time was the 1940s women's two-piece suit. In the United States, it was patriotically called the victory suit. In Britain, it was the utility suit. The suit was practical and versatile, worn as often as dresses. The jacket and skirt could be mixed with other pieces, and a different blouse underneath could change up the look. The overall style did not change throughout the war so that women wouldn't have to keep up the expense of wearing the latest fashions.

The 1940s suit was popular for daywear and office workwear, and could even be dressed up with hats and jewelry for dinner or the theater. The suit was often a woman's nicest clothing item. Many women wore a suit as their wedding attire instead of an expensive dress. The look itself was carried over from women's suits that popped up in the '30s, but with some major differences to accommodate clothing restrictions.

The most commonly used fabrics for women's 1940s suits were wool-weight rayon, wool blends, and lightweight wool. Limitation order L-85 said that the fabric for skirts must be non-wool or wool of 9-ounce weight or less. After the war, factories were full of wool used to make men's uniforms, and the cost of wool suits decreased dramatically.

There wasn't a wide color range to choose from because of dye restrictions during the war years, and most suits were in practical colors like black, grey, navy blue, green, brown, and red. Plaids and checks were also very popular, as were pinstripes on black, navy, or grey. Most suits came in a matching set although mixing solid and print jackets and skirts was common practice.

Women's 1940s Suit Jackets

For jackets, the sleeve length was restricted to 30 inches, only single collars were allowed, and they had to be single-breasted. Jackets were generally short, falling between just below the waist and just above the hip up until 1942. Longer jackets, extending down to the upper thigh set the style for the rest of the decade.

Suit jackets could have anywhere from one to seven buttons, with the numbers in between being most popular. The sleeves could be full-length or short-sleeved, but a ¾ length was used often in spring and summer styles. Collars were pointed, usually small with thin lapels. Many jackets had no pockets, while others had two, one on both sides. Fabric for patch-style pockets was restricted, so they were small or were inside slit pockets.

The jacket was fitted, somewhat narrower at the waist, and smooth over the hips. It was often unlined, although it wasn't a requirement in the States. No jacket would be complete in the '40s without shoulder pads. They stuck out sharply, with square ends, giving a military feel to the look.

Jackets were worn buttoned up all the way, with either a collared blouse or nothing at all underneath. Lapels and collars gave them a masculine or tailored look. Some suit jackets were collarless but were worn with a collared blouse underneath with the collar and lapels worn over the jacket neckline.

Another popular option for the suit jacket was the bolero. It would be made from the same material as the skirt, just like the other jacket. However, the shape was somewhat different. The bolero jacket was waist-length or even a little bit shorter with long straight sleeves. The front opening had rounded edges. Many times there would be no collar on this jacket, but it could have a rounded one that extended into thin, rounded lapels. There were often no fastenings on the bolero, and it would be worn open. It could also have one or two buttons to close it and would be worn closed. A blouse would always be worn under this type of jacket.

A third jacket alternative was the peplum jacket, which usually matched the skirt. It was fitted in the bodice and flared out from the waist and was wider at the bottom of the jacket. The peplum could be anywhere from a few inches long to finishing at the hip. It usually had long sleeves and buttoned down the front. A blouse was worn underneath this jacket as well.

Some lighter weight jackets came with a matching self fabric belt in the mid to late '40s. The belt cinched in the waist slightly, giving the look a softer drape. At this point, the suit was merging back into the two piece tunic dress style of the 1930s.

Women's 1940s Suit Skirts

Skirts were more restricted by L-85 than jackets. They could have no more than a 78 inch sweep (although for suit skirts it was generally much less than that), could not be lined, could not have belts or belt loops, and could not have pleats, tucks, shirring, or gathers at the waist. This made for a straight, fitted skirt (but not tight by today's standards - it would be more of an A-line shape, not a pencil skirt).

In the United States, the skirt often had one or two pleats in the front and a kick-pleat in the back to allow for easier movement. For the first time, short was in! Skirts sat at the waistline, fell to just below the knee and had no pockets. They would fasten on the side with a metal zipper and button at the top. As metal grew scarce during the war, buttons were reverted back to as fasteners, also on the side. The skirt almost always matched the color of the jacket and could be worn separately with blouses or sweaters. If the skirt didn't match the jacket, a combination of a plaid jacket with a plain skirt could also be worn.

Late '40s skirts utilized a fuller fit at the hem. Box pleats and accordion pleats added some fullness even though the overall A-line shape remained. The opposite of the full skirt was also emerging around 1947. The straight skirt took the flare of the hem. Kick pleats were a must for walking in straight skirts. These were by no means body hugging pencil skirts.

A woman's suits were her uniform during the 1940s. Even after the war ended, the suit remained the most practical and durable piece of clothing a woman owned. Its versatility to mix and match with blouses and skirts rendered it a necessity for all women. It was both her everyday look and her 'nice' clothing when mixed with a fancy hat, gloves and heels. The suit was to continue into the 1950s and beyond, as the preferred work or business look. We have the dutiful women of the 1940s to thank for its beginnings.

1940s Style Suits for Sale

Vintage reproduction designs don't make many suits nor do modern suit makers design with the 40s styles in mind. That makes finding a new vintage inspired suit difficult to find. I usually keep an eye out for 80s does 40s suits that look close enough or use a separate skirt, blouse and jacket (not matching) to create a 40s look that is acceptable to wear to the office. The following are some of the best choices currently available:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Women's 1940s Victory Suits and Utility Suits

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The most iconic look of war-time was the 1940s women's two-piece suit. In the United States, it was patriotically called the victory suit. In Britain, it was the utility suit. The suit was practical and versatile, worn as often as dresses.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Women's 1950s suits. Pictures from 1950, 1951, 1952, and 1953. More to come, plus the history of women's vintage suits.

Scroll on for a brief history of various women's suit styles.

The Bar Suit

Christian Dior's most iconic outfit from his first collection was the Bar Suit. It consisted of a jacket and skirt, like all suits, but all done in the New Look shape that was to sweep the globe.

Some jackets were made with smaller peplums and rounded or Peter Pan collars. The jacket could have two front flap pockets. They had long sleeves, occasionally puffed a little bit at the shoulder. Jackets could be cuffed at the wrists, or have none.

They were often worn buttoned up all the way without anything else, but were also often worn with a coordinating blouse underneath and the top button left undone.

The skirt was full - either pleated, accordion or knife pleated like Dior's first (very small pleats), or a circle skirt. It needed to have petticoats underneath to hold its shape. The skirt came to mid-calf. Some suits were made with a slimmer pencil skirt instead, especially in the second half of the decade, although a fuller skirt remained more popular.

Fabrics used for Bar Suits included wool, tweed, rayon, polyester, and silk shantung. Navy and camel were popular, as well as bright red and green. Pastels became popular colors for just about everything in the '50s too. Plaid was used often in suits. The jacket and skirt often matched, but could also be in two coordinating colors - Dior's first bar suit had a pale yellow jacket with a navy skirt.

The Chanel Suit

Gabrielle Chanel had closed her design house in 1939 due to the war. The fashion house remained closed after the war, but made a stunning comeback in 1954. Chanel absolutely hated the New Look. It was rigid, uncomfortable, and hard to move in. She fought back with a look that has become a classic - a slim suit consisting of a straight skirt and short, boxy jacket. It was tailored and the picture of simplicity. This was an updated version of her cardigan suit that was popular in the '20s.

The jacket was cut straight with soft shoulders. It fell to the hip, had no collar, and sometimes had cuffs. It was decorated with gold or covered buttons, bows, and braid along the edges in contrasting colors. Jackets often had two small patch pockets on the front too. On some jackets, a very little pointed or Peter Pan collar was added. Jackets were lined in satin or silk. The blouses worn with the jacket often matched the lining.

The skirt fell from the waist to just below the knee, and was cut straight down, sometimes flaring slightly at the bottom. It wasn't decorated like the jacket, but was made and lined in the same fabrics.

Tweed was Chanel's fabric of choice for her suits, and they came in a range of colors including the ever-popular black/white and red.

These suits were shown with large, gaudy costume jewelry and boxy, quilted leather handbags - two more Chanel trademarks that are still seen from the fashion house today.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Women's 1950s suits. Pictures from 1950, 1951, 1952, and 1953. More to come, plus the history of women's vintage suits. Scroll on for a brief history of various women's suit styles. Christian Dior's most iconic outfit from his first collection was the Bar Suit.

# data[].attributes.body
Sarah Jessica Parker
1980s
oversized blazer paired with jeans and white tee

# data[].attributes.body
Viktoria Modesta
Age- 32
-She felt held back by a birth defect in her left leg, so she made the decision to have the leg amputated.
-When she was 20, she was finally able to find a doctor to amputate it.
-Viktoria has appeared in i-D, The Times, PRS Magazine, Notion, LOOK, Wonderland, and Grazia UK and Italia.
-she’s become known for her bold, avant-garde prosthetic legs, such as a leg covered entirely in Swarovski crystals, or a pointed black cone-shaped prosthesis

# data[].attributes.body
hugo boss created the uniform for nazis.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The German fashion firm Hugo Boss has apologised for its maltreatment of forced workers during World War II when it supplied the Nazis with uniforms.

It issued the apology to coincide with the publication of a new history of the company during the Hitler years, which it commissioned itself.

Its factory used 140 Polish and 40 French forced workers.

The book concludes that company founder Hugo Boss, whose past is already well documented, was a loyal Nazi.

"It is clear that Hugo F Boss did not only join the party because it led to contracts for uniform production, but also because he was a follower of National Socialism," wrote the author, Roman Koester, an economic historian at the Bundeswehr (English: Federal Defence Force) University in Munich.

Both Mr Koester and the company insist that it had no influence over the contents of the book, although it provided the funding.

Brown shirts

Under the tile Hugo Boss, 1924-1945, the book recounts the history of the man who founded a clothes factory in Metzingen, Baden-Wuerttemberg in 1924.

One of his first big contracts was to supply brown shirts to the early Nazi party.

After the war Boss, who died in 1948, sought to argue that he had joined the party in order to save his company.

"That may have been the case, but one may not interpret Hugo F Boss' remarks to mean that he was personally far from National Socialism," said Mr Koester, his words quoted by The Local Germany news website.

"That was certainly not the case."

By 1938, the firm was producing army uniforms, and eventually it manufactured for the Waffen SS too - though it did not, apparently, design the SS uniform.

From April 1940, Hugo Boss was using forced labourers, mostly women.

A camp was built in the area of the factory to house the workers and, according to the abridged English version of Mr Koester's report, "hygiene levels and food supplies were extremely uncertain at times".

Mr Koester notes that Boss tried to improve conditions in 1944, a year before the war ended, by asking to house his workers himself, and attempting to improve their food situation.

"We can only repeat that the behaviour towards the forced labourers was at times harsh and involved coercion, but that concern for their welfare was also displayed, rendering simplistic characterisations impossible," he writes.

The company said on its website it wished to "express its profound regret to those who suffered harm or hardship at the factory run by Hugo Ferdinand Boss under National Socialist rule".

After the war Boss was tried and fined for his involvement in Nazi structures.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Hugo Boss apology for Nazi past as book is published

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The German fashion firm Hugo Boss apologises for its maltreatment of forced workers during World War II when it supplied the Nazi regime with uniforms.

# data[].attributes.body
blazers made from 99% waste material.
Compared to standard producers, every blazer they create saves:
-25 Kgs of CO2 out of the environment
-16 liters of water (zero water wasted)
-61 kWh of energy
-50% of our factories’ power is provided by the sun

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Reqlaim is taking sustainability to a whole new level by creating well-tailored, good-looking clothing made from 99% waste products.

WE ARE REQLAIM, AND THIS IS THE ECO BLAZER. We've engineered the lowest-environmental-impact fabric anywhere*. It's breathable and super-durable, yet it feels like soft cotton. Each blazer is made out of plastic bottles (51%), worn-out T-shirts (47%), and a retired wooden shoe from Holland (1%), so just 1% as non-recycled materials.

Compared to standard producers, every blazer we create saves:
25 Kgs of CO2 out of the environment
16 liters of water (zero water wasted)
61 kWh of energy
50% of our factories' power is provided by the sun

We love fashion but have become overwhelmingly concerned about the industry's position as the second-largest industrial polluter in the world. We decided it was time for a different kind of fashion company - one that's fundamentally committed to tackling current environmental problems to build a sustainable future for our planet.

What sets us apart is that no other company makes clothing from almost 100% waste, and we developed the lowest-impact yarns in the global market and generously outperform virgin equivalent yarns across all sustainability metrics (according to the HIGG MSI). Every product has a unique story and is made in a small eco-friendly and family-owned factory in Western Europe.

We launch our products exclusively on Kickstarter because it gives us the freedom to run our business exactly how we want―we're not beholden to growth goals, revenue targets, or product timelines imposed by other people―and it allows us to keep a sustainable business model. At Reqlaim we believe that sustainability is more than just using the cleanest factories in the world and using reusable and renewable resources to make our products―it also means only producing what our customers order, so there's no waste, no loss, no excess.

Meindert's Story

I'm from the Netherlands where land is considered a valuable, limited resource. This belief means the Dutch take recycling very seriously―my parents sort their trash into seven different bins in an effort to preserve the land for their grandchildren and future generations.

Contrast this with where I currently live: the Rocky Mountains where land feels plentiful and limitless, and where many communities do not offer residents opportunities to recycle.

Because what individuals can do to help the earth is often limited, more companies need to do their part to help our planet―they need to do more than just say that they're helping or "greenwashing" their latest ad campaign. The fashion industry is the second-largest industrial polluter in the world, and after importing European fashion brands to the United States and visiting factories around the world, I decided it was time for a different kind of fashion company. A fashion company that makes high-quality clothes from reusable and renewable resources in the world's cleanest factories, producing only what customers order. A company that really does have a minimal carbon footprint.

Thanks for your support,
Meindert ("Mine-Dirt") Kooistra - Founder @Reqlaim

Footprint

So, what's the big deal? Well, the more carbon that's in the atmosphere, the faster our planet warms. A warmer planet and a changing climate mean melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events followed by droughts and wildfires. Our home is changing, and not for the better. The Reqlaim product quality is sky-high - but our impact on the environment is on the down-low. No waste, just joy.

Environment
At Reqlaim, we believe the environmental crisis has reached a critical tipping point: soon Earth's ability to repair itself will be destroyed. We are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, defending clean water and air, and divesting from dirty technologies.

Factory
The fabrics and blazers are made in small factories in western Europe by people who are passionate about the planet and passionate about working with Reqlaim. We are committed to paying people fairly and providing safe-working conditions.

Recycled Materials Only
Because extracting and processing virgin materials takes a toll on land, water, and air, we've embraced a way to make our products with reusable and renewable resources. By using fibers made from post-consumer waste, we are limiting our dependence on raw materials and reducing carbon emissions.

*Based on the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI).
The MSI enables brands and manufacturers to measure and score the environmental impact of materials used in creating textile products, compare their products to the rest of the industry and make better decisions about material use.

Click here for the Reqlaim Kickstarter >>

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Reqlaim takes sustainability to new level with eco blazer

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Reqlaim is taking sustainability to a whole new level by creating well-tailored, good-looking clothing made from 99% waste products. WE ARE REQLAIM, AND THIS IS THE ECO BLAZER. We've engineered the lowest-environmental-impact fabric anywhere*. It's breathable and super-durable, yet it feels like soft cotton.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Pay later with Klarna | Learn More

Free Shipping Over £70 | DETAILS

Your browser does not support the video tag.

The Earth Polo

An icon of today, made for a better tomorrow

Our goal is to use 170 million recycled plastic bottles in our products and packaging by 2025

Each Earth Polo is made using an average of 12 recycled plastic bottles

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Designed with Mother Nature in mind

High-quality craftsmanship and a soft touch feel

Colours of the Earth

A spectrum of new hues inspired by nature and dyed using a completely waterless process. We're committed to reducing water usage by 20 percent across our business by 2025

THE POLO SHIRT

With a Purpose

Select Ralph Lauren Polo shirts support causes ranging from climate change to cancer research, human rights, and more

From discarded bottle to timeless style-explore the making of The Earth Polo

Imagine it. A desolate beach, waves crashing in the distance. On the shore washes up a most unseaworthy vessel, a sight not properly found in nature: a plastic bottle, briefly home to a carbonated beverage, used once and then thoughtlessly discarded, only to reappear in Haiti, or in Taiwan, or some other spot far from where the bottle originated. Across the world, more than 1 million plastic bottles are purchased every minute worldwide, and it's virtually impossible for recycling efforts to keep pace. The end result is a swirl of plastic in the ocean, with mountains of wasted bottles piling up on beaches far and wide.

In this bleak scenario, Ian Rosenberger saw an opportunity to help. He was in Haiti, assisting cleanup efforts after the earthquake of 2010. Well-intended organisations had donated bottled water for those affected by the disaster, but that had the unintended consequence of a vast increase in plastic waste, which overwhelmed the island nation's sanitation services. Heaps of trash wound up on Haiti's beaches. "If Haiti could turn trash into money, that = good," Rosenberger wrote in his journal at the time, and he immediately went about making that thought a reality. His concept? Employ local people to collect the waste, and then turn that waste into something useful-like fabric.

He called his organisation First Mile, which has diverted 4,702,550 pounds of plastic since its launch. This isn't just good for the planet, it puts resources into the local economy as well. And it's this company that Polo has turned to for its groundbreaking Earth Polo shirt, first released last year and now available in 19 colourways for men, seven colours for women, and nine for kids, not to mention print options.

The shirt began with a deceptively simple concept: Remake the iconic Polo shirt with as little environmental impact as possible, while preserving the quality and feel that made it an icon in the first place.

The First Mile initiative refers to the so-called first mile of the supply chain-essentially where fabrics are sourced. Even companies that use recycled fabrics might not disclose who is collecting the materials, which tends to be a dangerous job-and one done by the most impoverished members of a society. As First Mile's director of partnerships explains, this focus was an obvious opportunity. "Within business case studies, a lot of attention is paid to the last mile-getting products to the consumer," says Kelsey Halling. "And in fashion, a lot of attention is paid to cut-and-sew facilities [where products are made]. As you get further down the supply chain, there are so many steps, it gets removed from the brand's level-even in recycling, if you know where the material is coming from, you wouldn't know how it was collected. So that's where we invest our time and energy: running impact programming to ensure a social safety net for people who are working with us."

Specifically, First Mile commits to total transparency as to where and how materials are sourced (and by whom)-with The Earth Polo, Polo could even, in theory, tell you the individual who collected the bottles. First Mile also offers workers a living wage, and even offers loans to partner companies to ensure they have the financial stability to succeed. Through its business, it can also create demand where previously there was none-again, using Haiti as an example, what once was a problem (excess plastic trash) becomes an enterprise opportunity (selling that plastic to companies that will convert it into something useful). For better and for worse, it's a source that promises to be around for awhile. "People often ask us, 'What happens when you run out of plastic?'" says Halling. "I just don't think that will happen in my lifetime." In the case of The Earth Polo, First Mile sourced plastic from its partners in Taiwan. This plastic was turned into a soft mesh

good enough to surpass Polo's exacting standards for quality. (Indeed, some members of the Polo team were unable to determine which fabric was which in a side-by-side comparison.) Each shirt is made from on average 12 plastic bottles, and even the labels and hangtags are made from recycled materials. It's also made to be fully recyclable if and when you're ready to part with it. Adding to its eco-friendliness, the shirt is dyed using a unique carbon dyeing process that uses no water in the application of the dye. And while it might seem daunting to take on an icon like the Polo shirt, the team at First Mile felt like it was an obvious winner.

"Typically you don't want to innovate with something that already works,"says Halling.

"That was a very cool decision on the part of the brand. One reason sustainability gets tripped up is that it gets put into niche products or small capsule collections. It's not like this is a new weird hippie sustainable product; it's an iconic one." The next challenge: Deciding which other Polo products should get the Earth Polo treatment. The brand has committed to saving at least 170 million bottles from polluting our planet by 2025, in addition to converting the use of all virgin poly-fiber to recycled poly-fiber and achieving at least a 20 percent reduction in total water use across its key operations and value chain by that same date. "Plastic waste is a major issue threatening the environment

-we want to be part of the solution and utilize an innovative approach to create something valuable," said David Lauren, Ralph Lauren's chief innovation officer. Our sources are tight-lipped on what might come next, but judging by the standard set by The Earth Polo, it will be worth the wait.

PAUL L. UNDERWOOD is a former editor at Ralph Lauren. He is based in Austin, Texas, where he lives with his wife and two children.

Images courtesy of Ralph Lauren Corporation and First Mile.

*The Earth Polo shirt's innovative fabric is made entirely from recycled plastic bottles.

Our products have always been created with a sense of timelessness. They are meant to be worn, loved, and passed on to the next generation, and it is with this spirit that we approach sustainability at Ralph Lauren. The Earth Polo is one example of how this commitment is coming to life in our products, and is part of our broader commitment to reducing our environmental impact and enriching the lives of the people and communities we touch across our entire value chain.
To learn about Citizenship & Sustainability at Ralph Lauren, click here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Pay later with Klarna | Learn More Free Shipping Over £70 | DETAILS Your browser does not support the video tag. Our goal is to use 170 million recycled plastic bottles in our products and packaging by 2025 Each Earth Polo is made using an average of 12 recycled plastic bottles Your browser does not support the video tag.

# data[].attributes.body
PRADAS GOAL

“I’m very excited to announce the launch of the Prada Re-Nylon collection. Our ultimate goal will be to convert all Prada virgin nylon into Re-Nylon by the end of 2021. This project highlights our continued efforts towards promoting a responsible business. This collection will allow us to make our contribution and create products without using new resources.”

They aim to have;
85% recycled + certified paper
100% renewable electricity
-723 tons of co2 emissions

# data[].attributes.body
This is my granny in the 1980s attending a wedding in a dog tooth print black and white blazer

# data[].attributes.body
During lock down online fashion businesses doubled in sales, meaning companies had to cater for many more consumers. This led to them not being able to turn over as quick, longer delivery times, lots of products out of stock and a complete change in what people were wanting to buy (loungewear)

// Online retail sales growth skyrocketed by 33.9% in June, surpassing growth in May

// June’s growth is also the highest annual result since March 2008

// The results showed little impact from the re-opening of the high street

# data[].attributes.body
INDEPENDENT, 02 July 2020

Coronavirus: More than 12,000 jobs to be lost from high-street retailers and aviation companies hit by pandemic.

In retail, the John Lewis Partnership warned of store closures and job cuts, while luxury department store Harrods was reportedly set to lose about 700 staff members.

# data[].attributes.body
Coco Chanel defines the notion of staples that would last a life time, the little black dress, the tweed jacket and the cocktail necklace.
She was one of the first fashion designers to create boxy, shorter and easy to move in pieces.

# data[].attributes.body
COVID:

Fashion weeks will certainly look different. That became immediately obvious when travel restrictions were put in place, with no one, however important they might be, exempt from travel bans and nationwide lockdowns. (One thing in fashion over which Anna Wintour remains powerless.) The pre-collections in May were immediately affected – those who follow the autumn/winter shows hosted in February and March, typically lavish travelling spectacles in which luxury brands fly guests to far-flung locations. Prada was set to host its Resort 2021 show in Japan, Gucci in New York, Chanel in Capri and Max Mara in Saint Petersburg. What happened to those is indicative of the one certainty about the future of fashion shows and, in fact, the fashion industry in general: there is ‘no one size fits all’ model. All change here.

# data[].attributes.body
Timberland have a collection of boots made from old recycled tyres.
Timberland aim to be fully circular 2030

EARTHKEEPERS

“Back in 2007, we developed the Original Earthkeepers® boot with a goal of creating the most responsible product we’d ever made. Today, we apply all we’ve learned about responsible material usage and production practices to everything we make. With this in mind, we bring you the Earthkeepers® collection of stylish footwear for men, women and kids, and quality ethical clothing for men. Each piece in this collection is made from sustainably sourced materials wherever possible – like recycled rubber, eco-conscious leather and organic cotton – so you can feel good about what you wear, and look great too.”

# data[].attributes.body
Fast:
‘Inexpensive clothing produces rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends’

Slow:
‘An awareness and approach to fashion which considers processes and resources required to make it. Focusing on sustainability’

Circular fashion:
‘Provided with the intention to be used and circulate responsibly and effectively in society for as long as possible’

# data[].attributes.body
I researched hair, makeup, and outfits. for this i found that Pinterest was the best to find images as they also had links to websites as well.

I found that it was easier to find older rave photos from the 80s and 90s on Pinterest.

I wasn’t able to find many iconic famous racers so discovered it was easier to find iconic pictures instead.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Edm Outfit in 2020 | Music festival outfits, Festival outfits rave, Boho festival outfit

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Jan 21, 2020 - This Pin was discovered by Chloe 🤩. Discover (and save!) your own Pins on Pinterest

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Illegal raves represent some of the most thrilling, debauched parties in dance music history. From chaotic disused warehouse bashes to otherworldly trips into the depths of forests, partying enthusiasts have searched high and low for prime dancing locations over the years - and they never let a silly old thing like the law get in the way.

At times, these parties also represent more than just a good time. They can be defiant, political acts, that channel the raging energy of oppressed youth.

See the gallery of images below for some of our favourite illegal rave shots.

Ravers get down and dirty in Bagley's warehouse, King's Cross, June 1985 [Credit: Dave Swindells]

Paul "Trouble" Anderson on deck at a Zoom warehouse night in Covent Garden, September 1985 [Credit: Dave Swindells]

A former paratrooper captures hoards descending on Brighton for debauchery [Credit for this image and article header: Stuart Griffiths]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Illegal raves represent some of the most thrilling, debauched parties in dance music history. From chaotic disused warehouse bashes to otherworldly trips into the depths of forests, partying enthusiasts have searched high and low for prime dancing locations over the years - and they never let a silly old thing like the law get in the way.

# data[].attributes.body
- personal evaluation
strengths and weakness
skills etc

# data[].attributes.body
this week i wanted my ideas to come together a bit more just so i could vision it more and have way more ideas to add to them. i focused on my customer profile and continued researching into my given brand, i learnt a lot about Wayfair that i didn't know before and i feel i'm ready for the challenge of having furniture instead of clothing and feel its something different for me to try as i have done things like this in my level 3 course but not so much about furniture. i enjoy creating customer profiles and demographics as i feel that i've done this a lot before so feel confident with what i would need to include.

# data[].attributes.body
week 1
In week one, we just became familiar with project 2 was all about, we made sure we read and understood it before we went forward with any project work.
we then looked at different types of retailers to familiarise ourselves with the brand we may choose.
after thought i chose Mulberry, purely because i knew i wanted to choose a luxury retailer, so i looked into what brands may be suffering recently, there was quite a lot online about Mulberry's loss in sales so i thought this would be an interesting one. We were able to go and visit our chosen stores which helped give more of a visual to what we were doing. we then looked at creating a swot for our chosen brand, i found this quite familiar as I've don't swots many times, doing a swot for my brand just helped to lay out the issues clearly.

Week 2
Here we looked at future proofing our brands, the Maslows effect with consumer motivation, looking at the hierarchy of human needs.
We also looked at VALS typology, this allowed us to build a picture of who our consumer is. To do this we also used ACORN to section housing areas. I found this helpful as acorn is a great way to see your target audience in one picture. this really helped with my research.

Week 3
we looked at our comp shop
- looked at our 2 chosen career routes and found job examples and made a cover letter for them both
i didn't manage to finish both job roles and cover letters so i made sure i planned to add that in at a later date.

Week 4
This week we looked at different retail sectors, buying was the first thing to look into. we learnt the basics of the job and what consists of a day in the life. we then started on our marketing strategy, we were doing this all online due to Covid, which i found trickier than doing it in class as its harder to communicate and learn things. i came up with my idea but was hard to make it an actual plan as at first i struggled to understand what was actually being asked of me. After understanding what we actually had to do and what i needed to include, i managed to get on with it ready to submit it in time. I found this week the most complicated as it was jam packed with a lot of information which was quite a lot to take in, but i eventually did it. i think that i could've done better on this task if i had understood it more, i would've allowed myself to focus on what i need to do than things that weren't a priority.

week 5
we were back in college now after isolating for 2 weeks, i much prefer doing work in class especially if its things that we are being taught. i have also made sure to finish all of my personal portfolio on wix as this was not finalised. I added my second chosen job with any extra information that i needed. i find it hard to juggle more than one thing at a time so if i were to do it again i would make sure to get things done before i start something else, as i find it hard to go back to something that I've already started, its tricky to start something back up again. i managed it though and made sure it looked the best it could before carrying on with my powerpoint presentation.

week 6
For the final week, all we needed to do was get everything ready for submission on the Tuesday, i made sure to keep looking at my check list and keep going back to my previous slides making sure i was padding everything out that i needed. i found that i got a lot done on the monday as i feel that i work well under pressure knowing the deadline was coming up. I had to pad out my competitive shop, add to my bibliography, and add more to my introduction to my chosen brand, i found that it was so much easier to add things when i knew what i needed to do, by making my own checklist i feel this made me so much more organised.

# data[].attributes.body
department store
supermarket
online
app
pop up shop
highstreet shop
concession
markets
shopping centre
boutique

People nowadays, because of COVID-19, are shopping much more online. markets are struggling a lot more at the moment.

# data[].attributes.body
Mulberry said it made a pre-tax loss of £9.9 million in the 26 weeks  to 28 September. This compares to a first half loss of £8.8 million last year.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Mulberry said it made a pre-tax loss of £9.9 million in the 26 weeks to 28 September. This compares to a first half loss of £8.8 million last year.

In a trading update, the company said revenue rose slightly to £68.9 million from a previous £68.3 million as international sales increased by 12%. However, UK sales fell by 4% in the period as Mulberry struggled against lower footfall in its stores and difficult trading conditions.

Meanwhile, global online sales climbed by 23%.

Mulberry also gave an update on current trading which it said is following a similar pattern to the first half with international sales rising and UK sales remaining challenging.

Thierry Andretta, Mulberry chief executive, added: "We are seeing the benefit of recent initiatives in Asia which remains a significant growth opportunity. This will support our ambition for international to become a greater proportion of group revenue.

"Looking forward, we will continue to build Mulberry as a global luxury brand with a strong focus on sustainability and innovative product, appealing to both our existing customers and new audiences."

Email this article to a friend

You need to be logged in to use this feature.

Please log in here

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Mulberry's losses widen as UK sales decline

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Mulberry said it made a pre-tax loss of £9.9 million in the 26 weeks to 28 September. This compares to a first half loss of £8.8 million last year. In a trading update, the company said revenue rose slightly to £68.9 million from a previous £68.3 million as international sales increased by 12%.

# data[].attributes.body
Bond street.
The store was very quiet, when entering the store we were not greeted or approached at any point to ask if we needed any help. I feel that this is basic customer service that most stores should endorse let alone a luxury retailer. I find that this changes your whole outlook on the brand by going to one store visit, from this i feel that i have an outlook on what their brand morals are, and i feel that customer service and Mulberry's employees need to be focused on as this is a huge way of differentiating to high street stores and making them better from their competitors.

# data[].attributes.body
a brand is a
- a product of range being made by a specific company
- is the perception of the company in the eyes of the world

what is brand identity?

what the brand says, what their values are, who they want to interact and how they want people to see.

# data[].attributes.body
their most recent stories from the last 24 hours is about there Alexa bag, which at the moment is their main focus. they've added some arty shots to their story which adds interest as its not just a plain picture of the bag, there also some that have been shown on models.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose this instagram influencer to support my marketing strategy,
@stylemecurvy
She is a blogger from the UK, a curve model and diversity in fashion advocate. She promotes everything that Mulberry needs to be showing. If she promoted one of their handbags or items of clothing, all of her followers would then be intrigued as to what brand she's wearing, as she influences her audience so much. She has a positive outlook on many things and believes in making the world more diverse which i think every brand needs to adhere to.

# data[].attributes.body
Price- mark down policy, price emphasises margins
Promotion- pr advertising
Place- location, operating hours, spcae
Product- service level, categories, assortment brands
Presentation- merchandising, uniforms, fleet
Personnel- internal marketing, service support, selling

# data[].attributes.body
the format of a retailer id its overall appearance/overview that it presents to its customers, its look and layout, the ranges and the approach taken to pricing.

Luxury retail format
product
-expensive
-exclusive
-couture
volume
-small volume
-"one offs"
-coutiriers
location
-global
-wealthy locations
consumer
-wealthy/upper class
-money is no object

# data[].attributes.body
Mulberry doesn't keep up to new trends as such, they are known for their timeless pieces. The way that they keep up to date with the trend is with their models, they picture their items with on trend outfits and shoes to then show that their 'timeless' items are still on trend.https://images.mulberry.com/i/mulberrygroup/G_HH6640_736J911_6?w=1000&img404=404&v

# data[].attributes.body
Market Penetration
-To increase market share
-By selling more existing products to the same target audience
-Get existing customers to buy more
-Widen the range of existing products

product development
- plays to the strengths of an establishment business
- being first to market is really important
-strong emphasis on effective market

market development
- new geographical markets (eg exporting to emerging markets)
-new distribution channels (eg using e-commerce and mail order)
-different pricing policies

diversification
-growth strategy that involves entering into a new market or industry that your business does not currently operate in or creating new products or services, which your business does not currently offer.

# data[].attributes.body
refers to the dividing up of a target market into manageable and meaningful chunks

meaningful chunks of people with similar characteristics

VALS typology

innovators
|
thinkers                  high resources
|                        high innovation
acheiver
|
experiencers

makers
|
survivors                 low resources
|                         low innovation
believers
|
strivers

# data[].attributes.body
We are ensuring that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in our supply chain or our own business

'At Mulberry we are proud of our diverse workforce and believe fair and equal reward is vital to our success as an international luxury fashion business.'

my updated version
"at mulberry we are proud to have a diverse workforce and believe everyone should have equal rewards. We aim to reduce the use of leather and find a vegan alternative thats even better, happy earth gives everyone a happy heart"

# data[].attributes.body
Dolce&Gabbana's Mission

"The Group's mission is to design, produce and distribute high-end clothing, leather goods, footwear and accessories under the Dolce&Gabbana brand, as well as manage, through its licensees, the production and distribution of the fragrances, make-up, eyewear, timepieces and jewels lines."

Burberry
“Our vision is to establish Burberry's position firmly in luxury fashion. By sharpening our positioning in the most rewarding and enduring segment of the market, we will drive sustainable growth and higher margins over time, while continuing to deliver attractive returns.”

# data[].attributes.body
Colgate a company which manufactures toothpaste and toothbrush applied a great and creative guerrilla marketing tactic. They made Popsicle sticks that resemble a toothbrush inside chocolate and cake to remind whoever eats the cake to brush after enjoying an ice cream bar to eliminate cavities manifestation.

# data[].attributes.body
Direct marketing
Land Rover, used a novel way to invite customers to the opening of their new Liverpool showroom. Balloons were put inside boxes and sent to 100 customers. Tags were attached to the balloon strings, which delivered the company’s marketing message together with an invite to the event.

# data[].attributes.body
Their instagram is similar, however they've added a lot of what goes on behind the scenes of their fashion shows etc, which i thinks a really great way of getting their followers involved

# data[].attributes.body
I feel that Mulberry's existing app is very similar to their website, and could be more advanced and have more features than their website, its an opportunity to improve the way people shop, which i don't think they've really thought through. it looks as though they've literally got someone to copy and paste their website into an app and it could be so much more advanced nowadays with the technology that people have on their smart phones.

# data[].attributes.body
Louis Vuitton has a great website, i feel that it fits in the same theme as their website but its completely different, they've actually adapted it into an app and added features that really work to help make shopping easier and more enjoyable. they've got a product finder section where it scans any picture to then find similar products from their website, i think this is such a great idea that all brand need to hop on to because if someone likes an item then they can find any alternative with their brand.

# data[].attributes.body
In lots of places you can now try on an item using your phone, its perfect timing due to covid for brands to adapt their apps/websites to be able to do this.

# data[].attributes.body
here are some articles, looking into the new idea.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In the 1995 movie Clueless, the main character Cher starts her day by using a program to virtually try on clothes in an online fitting room.

When this film came out, this was just a niche idea to mock how rich this fictional character was.

But now products like Cher's online pixelated version of herself trying on clothes are about to become more mainstream.

For the past couple of years, the stores on high streets across Europe have been increasingly threatened because of high rents and online shopping - a problem made worse by the pandemic.

In the summer of 2019, footfall in UK stores fell by 3.1 percent compared with the same period in 2018.

And in July of this year, footfall fell by 42.1 percent compared with the same month in 2019, according to the BRC, a trade association for retail businesses in the UK.

In the wake of this change, companies have started to look for more appealing ways to attract customers online.

Style.me is one of the companies that has benefited from this increase in interest.

It creates a plugin for websites that allows customers to create online avatars to try on clothes for them, similarly to Cher in Clueless.

All customers have to do is go to a website that already has the feature available, type in their height, weight, proportions, and bra size if applicable and then they can see what their clothes would look like on a body similar to their own.

Style.me was founded in 2015, long before the pandemic, but now this ability to virtually try on clothes is more appealing to companies.

"With the lockdown, everything went into kind of a crisis mode for a few weeks," said Rufus Parkinson, the CEO of Style.me

"And obviously retailers were thinking through how they would survive. Then what happened is within that two or three weeks' time, we started to see a real surge in demand, especially from mid- and smaller-sized independent retailers, who were realizing e-commerce was really the only game in town," he added.

According to Parkinson, one of the draws of this avatar is that clients who use it spend two-and-a-half times longer on a website looking at clothes than they would otherwise, and they "try on" four to five pieces of clothing on average.

Style.me is not the only company trying to do this.

Zeekit, a start-up in Israel, clams it is are about to launch the world's largest online fitting room, where customers can try hundreds of thousands of clothes on virtual images of themselves.

Amazon is also trying to do something similar.

One of the things that all these companies are trying to improve is the attraction of online shopping.

"Some people find e-commerce boring," Dan O'Connell, one of the co-founders of BrandLab Fashion in Cardiff, told CGTN Europe.

"And, as such, many top e-commerce companies and retailers are trying to find all sorts of different ways, like holograms or augmented reality and all sorts of gimmicks, to make it more interesting."

BrandLab Fashion creates virtual conference halls for the wholesale fashion industry.

But in the next couple of months, it is planning to launch virtual counterparts of actual high street stores.

"When I'm shopping online, I'm always doing it while I'm doing something else. It is always in the background or I'm doing it on my phone," Jennifer Drury, the other co-founder of BrandLab Fashion, said.

"I can't tell you the amount of times I had a basket full of items that completely disappear because I haven't gone back."

She added that this virtual store will be "more immersive and it's more enjoyable" than traditional online shopping.

"It will be something to be more focused on than just leaving in the cart for weeks and weeks until [a customer] gets back to that order."

In these online stores, customers will be able to browse a virtual version of an actual store, talk to employees, or even share the experience with friends via video chat.

But with the closure of high street stores comes other consequences, such as the loss of jobs that may never come back.

Because of the pandemic, UK Arcadia, the company that owns fast-fashion brand Topshop, said it will cut 500 head office jobs.

And luxury brand Harrods said it will cut around 700 jobs, or around 14 percent of its workforce.

But Parkinson claimed that these "gimmicks" to attract people online won't be the end of the high street, despite the falling numbers of bricks-and-mortar shops.

"I think there's always a role for retail," he said. "Some people still want to touch and feel that clothing ... So, I see that it's going to benefit, it's going to complement, but retail will still be there."

Regardless of any predictions, virtual shopping is coming soon. And for some it is already here.

BrandLab Fashion said it is in talks with some high-street brands to launch a virtual counterpart of their stores in the next couple of months. And Style.me is already available on some websites.

Video editing and animation: James Sandifer.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Virtual shopping: Here's how you can try on clothes without visiting a store

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In the 1995 movie Clueless, the main character Cher starts her day by using a program to virtually try on clothes in an online fitting room. When this film came out, this was just a niche idea to mock how rich this fictional character was.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
(Eliana Rodgers/For The Washington Post)

The coronavirus pandemic is reshaping the way Americans shop. Stores are reopening but being reoriented to avoid interaction: Fitting rooms are taped off, sample counters are closed and product testers have been put away.

That's set off a scramble to re-create an integral part of the shopping experience, allowing people to virtually "try on" clothing, shoes, cosmetics, eyeglasses, even a new haircut or eyebrow shape, on their smartphones and computers. If consumers are presented with an authentic representation of themselves, analysts say, they are more likely to buy and less likely to make a return. But privacy experts warn the technology could also form a pipeline to valuable personal and biometric information.

Major retailers have dabbled in augmented reality for years, quietly testing novelty apps and in-store mirrors designed to replicate fitting rooms and sample counters. Those efforts intensified after the novel coronavirus led to stay-at-home orders and the temporary closures of hundreds of thousands of stores, catapulting the nation into recession. The industry's decades-long slide added to the urgency, with as many as 25,000 stores projected to close for good this year. A number of major chains, including J.C. Penney, J. Crew and Neiman Marcus, have already filed for bankruptcy during the pandemic, as shoppers put the brakes on discretionary purchases.

Pandemic bankruptcies: A running list of retailers that have filed for Chapter 11

Jewelry brand Kendra Scott adapted to pandemic-era shopping - and the temporary closure of its 108 stores - by allowing shoppers to "try on" earrings using their iPhone browsers. Etsy, the online marketplace, has a new augmented reality feature on its app that shows customers how paintings, photographs and other decor would look on their walls. And Zeekit, which supplies augmented reality technology to brands such as Adidas and Tommy Hilfiger, is preparing to launch the world's largest virtual fitting room, with hundreds of thousands of pants, tops and coats that shoppers can drag onto photos of themselves.

But privacy experts say there are inherent risks: Testing a lipstick by webcam leaves a trail of personal and biometric data, valuable real-time insights into consumers' wants and lifestyles.

"This is data that companies are obviously very interested in," said Patrick Van Eecke, co-chair of the Global Data Protection, Privacy and Security Practice at the law firm DLA Piper. "You think they're taking your image and measuring your size, but the data being collected could be used for many different purposes. Once measured, once stored, it doesn't easily fade away."

How the pandemic is changing shopping

Retailers can use that information for targeted marketing, both online and by mail, as they look for new and more effective ways to reach consumers, he said.

Shoppers, he and other privacy experts said, need to check whether apps are recording their reflections as they try on clothing or scanning their surroundings for clues on how - and what - to market to them. Even a 30-second video session to sample eye shadow could give away geolocation tags that, combined with shopping and browsing histories, can give retailers an intimate window onto a shopper's lifestyle and habits.

"The question that's always circling is: Does the app collect information about your body or your surroundings in order to better sell products to you?" said Yang Feng, an assistant professor at San Diego State University whose work focuses on how brands use augmented reality and machine learning. "But at the same time, online try-on makes a lot of sense during the pandemic: People are afraid of going to physical stores, so they're choosing the virtual."

Some retailers are looking beyond apps and browsers to bring "contactless" fittings into stores. Brookfield Properties, one of the nation's largest mall operators, recently said it will add 3-D body scanners that can direct consumers to the clothing brands and sizes that will fit them best. The technology, analysts said, is just the latest effort by clothes sellers and shopping malls to boost traffic to their stores.

The iconic brands that could disappear because of coronavirus

"Demand for all kinds of technology in retail has exploded," said Deborah Weinswig, chief executive of Coresight Research. "We are seeing years of innovation in a matter of months."

MAC Cosmetics has installed virtual try-on mirrors at 120 stores and counting. It also is investing heavily in technology that allows shoppers to try on lipstick, eye shadow and foundation by webcam. Executives say demand for virtual try-ons has tripled since the coronavirus pandemic took hold.

"Even before the pandemic, we were seeing increased interest, but the last couple of months have added new urgency," said Adam Gam, chief marketing officer for Perfect Corp, which provides augmented reality technology to beauty brands including MAC. "We're in a period of social distancing where everybody wants to go contactless and touchless."

Virtual samplings have increased 32 percent since the pandemic took hold in the United States in March, Gam said. Shoppers who try a product online - a shade of hair dye, say, or a pair of false eyelashes - are nearly three times as likely to buy the item. They spend 10 percent more, and are less likely to return products, he said.

But marketing experts say the usefulness of such apps varies wildly, depending on the product. Makeup or jewelry, which tend to be more visual purchases, are more likely to be successful in online fitting rooms than functional and fitted items like jeans or shoes, said Aradhna Krishna, a marketing professor at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business.

"Maybe an app shows you what a shoe looks like on your foot in all sorts of different colors, but that doesn't tell you anything about how the shoe feels when you walk," she said. "It isn't always enough to just see how something looks."

Before she came up with the world's largest virtual fitting room, Yael Vizel was a captain in the Israeli air force, using telecommunications software to map the Earth's topographies. Somewhere along the way, she had what she calls her "Eureka moment."

"We realized that the human body is like a topography, with mountains and valleys," she said. "You can add on any clothing item as though it's an intelligence map, and you've got a holy grail of online fashion."

Vizel co-founded Zeekit, which means "chameleon" in Hebrew, five years ago and has expanded to include department store chain Macy's and British fast-fashion brand Asos among its clients. Demand, she says, has grown so fast during the pandemic that she's expanded her staff by nearly 50 percent, from 27 to 40, to keep up.

Shoppers who use the company's artificial intelligence to virtually try on clothing are five times more likely to purchase the item, she said. They also are more likely to keep what they buy: Return rates, Vizel said, drop from 38 percent to about 2 percent. By comparison, overall return rates for clothing and shoes bought online are about 40 percent, compared with less than 10 percent for in-store purchases.

Her next act, launching in October, will be a virtual fitting room that will allow shoppers to upload a full-body photo of themselves, then try on millions of outfits, including swimwear and bridal gowns, from some of the country's largest retailers.

5 ways the pandemic is changing fashion and beauty trends

Retailers, she said, will pay about $45 per article of clothing to be included on the site. The process itself is fairly low-tech: Brands submit two-dimensional photos of each item of clothing - say, from a catalogue - and enter in metadata information such as fabric and dimensions to create accurate renderings that show, for example, how a cotton dress would drape differently than silk on a customer's body.

"Coronavirus has created a mind-set shift," Vizel said. "We're not running into stores. We're more open to shopping online but we also want to be confident in our purchases."

Vizel says users must opt in to the company's privacy terms and conditions when they upload their photos. Shoppers' photos will be saved onto Zeekit's servers, she said, but will not be shared with other companies. "The most important part of getting into a fitting room is feeling safe," she said.

Suitsupply, a clothing brand with 140 stores worldwide, started offering a "co-browsing" online service in April in which employees guide shoppers through the brand's website. The service was meant to fill in for shopping appointments while stores were closed. But executives decided to retain the program long term. Even though stores are reopening, shoppers still want to spend as little time in them as possible, executives said, which means they're increasingly relying on video calls to pick out what they want before they arrive.

"This is something we're going to keep doing even after the pandemic," said Fokke de Jong, the company's chief executive. "It creates a more efficient shopping experience, helps regulate occupancy and means people end up buying more because they've already pre-screened everything in their fitting room."

When the pandemic forced Kendra Scott to temporarily close all of its stores in mid-March, executives fast-tracked their plans to allow customers to virtually sample nearly 600 pairs of earrings on their iPhone browsers. They introduced the technology in April and are planning to expand into necklaces, rings and bracelets. Like many of their peers, they also are looking for ways to incorporate the technology in stores, where customers are required to wear masks and use hand sanitizer before handling jewelry.

"We wanted our customers to feel just as confident in their purchases when they're shopping online as they do when they're shopping in our stores," said Tom Nolan, president of Kendra Scott. "With this new tool you can preview exactly what the style is going to look like on you before you commit to buying."

Malls are reopening, with masks, social distancing and hand sanitizer-spritzing doormen

Retailers are finding other uses for technology, too. Some, including David's Bridal and Lululemon, are connecting shoppers with virtual stylists to help them browse merchandise online. Others, such as Asos, are using augmented reality software to outfit website models during the pandemic.

"It's become an arms race: Companies want to have every product available in 3-D and augmented reality because they want customers to have a reliable and strong shopping experience," said Vince Cacace, chief executive of Vertebrae. His company, which works with retailers like Crate & Barrel and Herschel Supply Co., recently shifted its focus to e-commerce after years of making augmented reality software for Hollywood studios.

Demand has doubled in recent months, he said, as retailers realize they need to make new investments in their websites and apps.

Online orders could save retailers, but workers say they are risking their safety to fill purchases few need

The company uses detailed 3-D models of each item - a hat, say, or a pair of sunglasses - and whittles them down into simpler images that can be manipulated in real time. The entire process can take eight to 15 hours per product, he said, though detailed items like handbags, shoes and luxury goods typically take longer.

SuitSupply, a clothing brand with 140 stores worldwide, started offering a "co-browsing" online service in April in which employees guide shoppers through the brand's website. The service was meant to fill in for shopping appointments while stores were closed. But executives decided to retain the program long term. Even though stores are reopening, shoppers still want to spend as little time in them as possible, executives said, which means they're increasingly relying on video calls to pick out what they want before they arrive.

"This is something we're going to keep doing even after the pandemic," said Fokke de Jong, the company's chief executive. "It creates a more efficient shopping experience, helps regulate occupancy and means people end up buying more because they've already pre-screened everything in their fitting room."

He is also planning to add virtual try-on options - both online and in stores, so shoppers can use augmented reality mirrors to customize suits.

"We've considered it before but it never really took off," de Jong said. "But as with all of these things, when you're in this pandemic everybody is willing to try all sorts of new stuff. People are sitting at home and they're saying, 'Hey, let me give this a chance.' There's a new urgency now."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Virtual try-ons are replacing fitting rooms during the pandemic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Retailers are trying to re-create the in-store experience while avoiding interaction, but privacy experts warn the technology could also expose valuable personal and biometric data.

# data[].attributes.headline
Mango to launch their first homeware collection 

# data[].attributes.subject
Mango to launch their first homeware collection 

# data[].attributes.body
Mango has announced it will branch into homeware, with its first collection set to launch in April.

The Spanish fashion retailer said the collection will draw inspiration from Mediterranean lifestyle and culture, and will include bed linen, duvet covers, cushions, blankets, towels, bathrobes, candles and mikados.

The debut collection will focus on textile products for the bedroom, living room and bathroom, while products for the kitchen and dining room will be added from the autumn/winter 2021 season.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Mango has announced it will branch into homeware, with its first collection set to launch in April.

The Spanish fashion retailer said the collection will draw inspiration from Mediterranean lifestyle and culture, and will include bed linen, duvet covers, cushions, blankets, towels, bathrobes, candles and mikados.

The debut collection will focus on textile products for the bedroom, living room and bathroom, while products for the kitchen and dining room will be added from the autumn/winter 2021 season.

"The entire line of textile products will be sustainable," Mango said, adding that 80 percent of the items will be produced locally.

Mango CEO Toni Ruiz said the decision to launch homeware came following demand from customers. "They want the same comfort and style they look for in clothes to decorate the rooms of their homes," he said in a statement. "This is an ambitious project we are excited to be developing and which has involved many of the professionals that form part of Mango."
Photo credit: Mango

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Mango to launch first homeware collection in April

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Mango has announced it will branch into homeware, with its first collection set to launch in April. The Spanish fashion retailer said the collection will draw inspiration from Mediterranean lifestyle and culture, and will include bed linen, duvet covers, cushions, blankets, towels, bathrobes, candles and mikados.

# data[].attributes.body
i feel that this is very fitting with what is going on at the moment, due to the pandemic, brands have had to massively switch up what they are selling. brands are selling so much more loungewear and homeware, because we are all sat in our homes at the moment, no-one needs to buy clothes for going out or holidays, so they are spending money on items that they can enjoy at the moment. this is a great idea for mango to do as their competitors like H&M and ZARA both have home sections.

# data[].attributes.headline
Alexander McQueen expanding store network 

# data[].attributes.subject
Alexander McQueen expanding store network 

# data[].attributes.body
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and global lockdowns, brick-and-mortar became the last point of focus for more retailers. Not only did some stores temporarily close, but others closed permanently as companies unloaded stores that were low performing even before the pandemic and broke leases on others with costly rent.

Then there’s Alexander McQueen, who opened new stores in 20 cities and regions in the last two years, and has plans to double its retail network to 130 units. The company is also planning on opening a bigger store at its current Rue Saint-Honoré location and has a retail project planned for Los Angeles. The news was reported by WWD.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and global lockdowns, brick-and-mortar became the last point of focus for more retailers. Not only did some stores temporarily close, but others closed permanently as companies unloaded stores that were low performing even before the pandemic and broke leases on others with costly rent.

Then there's Alexander McQueen, who opened new stores in 20 cities and regions in the last two years, and has plans to double its retail network to 130 units. The company is also planning on opening a bigger store at its current Rue Saint-Honoré location and has a retail project planned for Los Angeles. The news was reported by WWD.

The stores were designed by Alexander McQueen's creative director Sarah Burton in collaboration with architect Smiljan Radic. The catalyst for their retail rollout was the opening of a new concept store on Bond Street in London at the end of 2018. The new stores that have opened include locations across Asia, Europe, and North America.

The Bond Street store became the template for other stores including the new Miami Design District store, the Art Mall store in Hong Jong, and a Shanghai location. The rollout of stores last year was done in response to where each city and country was at with lockdown.

While the brand couldn't take the traditional store launch event approach of big opening parties, instead they found ways to connect with customers digitally through a project called #McQueenCreators to foster creativity at home. The Alexander McQueen design team would give people instructions for creative projects via social media and people would share photos of their projects done at home. Some of the team's favorite ones ended up published on billboards and advertisements.

Alexander McQueen has also integrated its own web platform for a more omnichannel approach. While many other brands are focused heavily on e-commerce, McQueen is still focusing on an in-store experience where customers will be put front and center.

photo: courtesy of Alexander McQueen

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and global lockdowns, brick-and-mortar became the last point of focus for more retailers. Not only did some stores

# data[].attributes.body
This is very opposite to how a lot of other brands, many companies are struggling to keep a float and then theres Alexander McQueen, expanding their brand in many ways. it just shows that they have thrived in an environment like this and that they have done very well considering the circumstances.

# data[].attributes.body
Wayfair sell a wide range of furniture and home ware, with loads of small subcategories, selling some other brands too.
They are an online brand and do not have any physical stores.
Wayfair is a fast fashion brand.

Founders: Niraj Shah, Steve Conine.
Founded in 2002

Wayfair Inc. is an American e-commerce company that sells furniture and home-goods. Formerly known as CSN Stores, the company was founded in 2002. Their digital platform offers 14 million items from more than 11,000 global suppliers.

Wayfair is one of the best known furniture retailers in the United States and beyond. They sell their furniture all over the world and are well known for the quality of their products and the choice that there is available. Even people who have never ordered anything from Wayfair are still aware of them.

# data[].attributes.body
ACORN

# data[].attributes.body
This is my style board i've created, the colours included mainly purple, with lots of white, the website is very basic and the font is also very simple meaning that it fits for everyone and everything is easily set out and easy to look around and find items quickly. the packaging is also a very basic brown box with their logo on.

# data[].attributes.body
Monday- i managed to get caught up with things that i was yet to complete, this helped me have a clearer picture of what i needed to finish, i also had the time to carry on with outgoing work, such as my comp shop as this is quite a lengthy task. today was aa helpful start to the week to get up to date with everything that i needed to, this really helped me to not get so overwhelmed as there is a lot to do in this project and i have a habit of getting overwhelmed.i am starting to find studying from home a lot harder now and needing to try and push myself a lot more so this is definitely something I've been struggling with recently as i feel i work a lot better in a work space.

# data[].attributes.body
A Consul (ESFJ) is a person with the Extraverted, Observant, Feeling, and Judging personality traits. They are attentive and people-focused, and they enjoy taking part in their social community.

I believe this to an extent as i do feel like when I'm happy i can be extremely extroverted and i find that i am very good at judging a character and thats something i feel helps me so much in my day to day life.