New York City 'Shopping Capital of the World'

When told to explore the retail experiences of New York it basically meant to my group for us to shop as much as possible then conclude how much we managed to buy. The city has a wide variety of shops and markets full to the brim with both new and old garments. My favourite shop found was Beacons Closet in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, a vintage emporium filled with good condition clothes for sale some dating back over 50 years. 

If vintage isn't your thing theres tons of mainstream stores on a large scale situated on 5th avenue and in the trendy SoHo district. 

Nike Town

Victorias Secret

Victorias Secret

Victorias Secret

Buffalo Exchange- Vintage

Buffalo Exchange- Vintage

Tiffanys

Dash

SoHo

Cardiff Street Style

Living in Cardiff for 18 years of my life I have blindly thought that it had no style whatsoever, going home over the Christmas period taught me that I was wrong. from mismatch of pattern to the skater look Cardiff has style hidden within the large city.

Retail Activity

Following on looking and evaluating brands in seminars, in groups we were given a task to go out around the streets of Nottingham again and look for examples of mens trainers, mens jeans and women's dress', critically evaluating an expensive, mid market and cheap item from each. We were also asked to investigate the 7p's and consumer for each shop and item that we found. In a group of 6 we split the items between us then, when presenting our findings to our seminar group, neatly placed them into a powerpoint presentation. I enjoyed looking at mens trainers with my partner in the group as it gave me a chance to once again get familiar with my surroundings and talk to new people but to also apply the marketing techniques that we have newly been taught to actual shops and items. 

Cheap- Duffer Trainers- JD

•Product

JD- trainers, menswear, womens wear, sportswear, casual

Duffer- Trainers, menswear, hats, belts,

Black, blue and white trainers- male colours, cheap version of more famous brands

•Price

£15 reduced to £10, offer in Sale

•Place

On a stand with other popular trainers placed around it on offer, highstreet store, up against other consumers such as foot asylum and footlocker located next door, online shop (Duffer and JD)

•Promotion

Duffer- brand promotion, no other ways of promoting themselves, not a hugely well known brand, words like ‘OFFER’ scattered around the trainers, consumer= men/teenagers/ young adults. 

JD- expectation of good shoes from a well known brand, 'chavy', TV adverts, billboards, sales items presented on a sale stand

•People

people on hand in the shoe section

franchise brands- Nike, Converse, Adidas, Fila, Puma

•Process

when sold given in a shoe box, try before you buy, a variety of sizes

•Physical Evidence

Good service, bright and inviting colours (not gender specific), shoe section at the back of store to complete outfit when walking around

Mid Market- New Balance- Foot Asylum

•Product

New Balance- trainers (indie, hipster) unisex, lots of different colours and styles cater for all needs, high in demand, all of a sudden urge for the brand

Foot Asylum- fairly new shop, popular, trainers,  menswear, streetwear

•Price

£69.99- value for money considering their popularity

•Place

Highstreet, websites (both new balance and Foot Asylum), Internationally known, shoes take up half of the store, right next to the entrance, goes around in a circle, bigger arrangement in shoes, expensive looking

•Promotion

Stylish interior to shop, placed on their own stand with the name clearly shown, ‘UK exclusive’ well known international brand draws in consumer, billboards, TV adverts 

•People

On hand friendly staff in shop on hand to help you choose the shoe you desire and find the right size, celebrity worn shoe

•Process

Can try before you buy, when bought comes in a box and in a plastic backpack bag, everyone wearing them (popular) makes you want that ‘look’

•Physical Evidence

Staff very friendly, know their facts about each type of trainer, less harsh lighting in store (luxurious), certain style of interior different to most shops.

Expensive- Nike Air Max Light- Size?

•Product

Nike- shoes, sportswear, women’s, men’s, accessories, sponsorships

Size?- street wear, accessories, all menswear, collectable trainers, special edition trainers

•Price

£100, expensive shoes all in store, some mid range though

•Place

Exclusive small shop (more personal), shop located in a more smaller exclusive part of town mixed with brands such as Fred Perry and Ted Baker. Trainers located in a glass case (importance), Nike globally known, size? Is internationally know, both have websites.

•Promotion

viral adverts, television adverts, Size? Mainly relies on word of mouth, A-board outside store, exclusivity, both have websites, Nike endorsements include the Olympics and many well know athletes

•People

Not much service on hand however as the shop is small you can see everything and if anything is needed they’re just an ask away, celebrity endorsements for Nike.

•Process

Air Max trainers almost vintage (brought back), when bought you get a box and a paper bag, dressed professionally.

•Physical Evidence

More of an in shop experience, try before you buy, edgy different shop, well laid out modern and stylish

'Cause We Got Style!'

Cause We Got Style! is a street style esq. book which depicts European Hip Hop styles from the 80's and early 90's. I purchased this book for the main reason to gain a wider insight into street style and street photography of a different era in order to help push my own thought process' and current work. I found the photographs inside extremely interesting primarily for the fact that most of the brands such as 'Fila', 'Nike' and 'Adidas' are still around within todays fashion industry. I also enjoyed looking at past styles from different countries such as Denmark, Switzerland and Germany, countries in which I thought had no style or style origins

I have always been a fan of old school hip hop but have never experienced a fandom which is so inspired as the photographs within. Artist such as Flava Flav prove within this book to be one of the main inspirations of the styling itself. I can also see further inspirations from other artists such as Grand Master Flash, Jeru the Damaja and Salt N Peppa. 

The book itself to me shows how brands can evolve and how style from a different era can inspire so many new modern street wear brands such as Supreme, Obey and Stussy.