Introduction to new brief...

As part of my new assignment I have been given a theme for the end of the year fashion show Equality and Diversity. I understand it is important to understand the meaning of Equality and Diversity before I can look into the subjects related to the topic...

Define Equality: Equality is all about creating a fairer society where everyone can participate and has the opportunity to fill there potential. An equalities approach understands that our social identity – in terms of gender, race, disability, age, social class, sexuality and religion – will impact on our life experiences.

Define Diversity: Diversity literally means difference. When it is used as a contrast or addition to equality, it is about recognising individual as well as group differences, treating people as individuals, and placing positive value on diversity in the community and in the workforce.

Once i had looked into the meaning of Equality and Diversity I selected a range of different subjects that i can link into my theme...

- Mental health

-Size

-Gender man/woman equal rights

-Social class

-Sexual Orientation

-Faith and belief/religion

-Age discrimination

-Race

Packaging inspirations

For my Communication throughh Art and Design Unit I was given a checked bra i had to think of my potential client I could market my product at, what sort of lifestyle is the consumer living? and how would help me develop my brand identity. As part of the brief we had a range of options to advertise visually by using Photo Shop etc or to create packaging for our product. I chose to do packaging and found various inspirations whilst researching...

My initial thoughts on my product were not very positive as the bra was very plain and boring. But sticking to the brief I had to develop ways of packaging my product to make it look better than it actually is I suppose that's what sells every product we buy today... Many of my final inspirations came from my research i came across Japanese Sweet Lolita the colours of the bra were very similar but gave me a bundle of ideas to create packaging from... What is Lolita?

One of the major Japanese fashion movements is the Lolita movement. It's not a movement about a sexual style. In point of fact, there is less skin showing in this fashion style than in most others worn by young people.

The young men and women dress in a fashion related to the Victorian era, in a style that the dolls of the time were dressed in. There are a number of categories of the fashion, but frills, lace, petticoats and half-dresses are common elements.

This is related to the concept of Kawaii or cuteness which can be related to a desire to return to a more innocent past time, a sort of reaction against the psychological pressures of present-day life that the young people have to contend with. When one thinks of the Victorian era one thinks about politeness, courtesy, grace and a refined approach to other people, all traits that are sadly lacking in today's world. the overall thought of this 'cute' 'harmless fashions' Sweet Lolita conveys the message i want to put across with my final packaging design.

The Japanese girls are wearing frills with checks this conveys a overall innocent sweet look.

There are many different fabrics used in these designs netting's, lace, checks bows etc. This gave me the idea to create my packaging out of fabric rather than cardboard or paper.

Shower caps as fashion? oh please think i'll keep that for the shower...

The Sarah Burton look upon fashion. But first who is Sarah Burton?

- Sarah Burton is the british fashion designer who took over as creative director for Alexander McQueen after his suicide. Sarah has put together recent collections including a shower cap?. Sarah baptized her collection in lightness rather than sticking with the darkness of Alexander McQueens work. Sarah's work has influenced many designers Prada and Victoria Beckham's collections its all about the shower caps !!

The Prada runway there all doing it... Fuzzy shower caps aside,of course.

John Galliano whiped from the face of fashion..

- John Gallino has been the face of Dior for a number of years creating fantastic innovite designs throughout his collections he has been one of the most influenctal fashion designers of all time. His collecetions were renound for the romatic dresses that added a romantic mood/theme om the fashion runways.

SACKED?
This is massive news for the fashion industry one of the most well known designer brands has had their had designer eledicly making racist comments..

This is the final straw for the fashion house Dior after rumours John Gallinao declaired his love for Hitler. Christian Dior has sacked John Galliano for "odious behaviour" after he was accused of making antisemitic and racist insults in a drunken rant. The flamboyant Briton, who has been the Haute Couture house's creative director for 15 years, is under police investigation. This is shocking news for the fashion industry as there brand is a part of the Couture market with alot of cultural influences and forigen buyers this could result in the fashion houses name being dismissed by a number of Couture buyers.

Dior has said ' Zero tolerance' towards racism. In my personal opinion he was a great designer and I have been inspired by a number of his dresses His 2010 fall collection stood out to me the most with the french looking dresses and romantic theme. However the fact the designer has flew around racists comments I think Dior have made the right decision on sacking him from the fashion industry. Fashion should be about cultural influences no matter what race/religion you are and for a chief Dior fashion designer to turn round and throw racists comments i,m sure will have effect on the number of Dior's sales.

Different marketing techniques

As part of my Fashion and marketing unit we were asked to look at ranges of brands and look at how they advertise there various products. From reaching into each individual brand weather its a food item or a pair of designer sunglasses each brand has a way that sells there product. The consumer wants to feel confident buying into the brand.

Paul's Boutique?
The brands advertising techniques are fantastic !! This brand name stood out to me the most by the very particular things Paul's Boutique does to make you feel part of the brand name. The website in particular was very smart very different to anything I have seen before. Paul's Boutique creates stand out one off pieces with a different badge every time you buy a bag the clever fact that no one else in the world has the same badge creates the feeling of buying a one of Couture piece.

Each bag has a name for example ' Olivia ' with a series of a similar style bag but with different colours or different patterns I found this was a very clever way into to separating products into categories so its clear to consumer.

Even the clothing range Paul's Boutique
is put into categories and colour coordinated.
The bold colours and cute designs
are very popular with the current teen market
in the fashion industry. The famous "PB" sign
its almost a instant reaction to Paul's Boutique.