Personal Shopping, in or out?

The idea of a personal shopper to me is hiring a really good honest friend who is helping you pick out an outfit for a special event, or update/maintain your wardrobe. So many 'stylist/personal shoppers' on TV are quite dramatic and invasive, ripping clothing to shreds and tearing away at a personal favourite. I'm not sure about you, but I have an emotional attachment to most of my clothes. Good or bad clothing to me symbolises a time or a place, an occasion, a feeling. Parting is such sweet sorrow, however sometimes out with the old and in with the new, especially when you want to feel brand new is a great idea.

We live in a fashion conscience world, the 'latest and greatest trends' you may think are quite ghastly (especially the shoulder pads and leather gloves that remind you of thriller.. oh the good ol' days). Not everything that is NOW is a must. Seasonal trends come and go, what keeps one looking fashionable and trendy is a great shoe, a bold blazer, the perfect fitting jeans. A personal shopper should assist you with finding out what is good for you, what suits your lifestyle and what you feel most comfortable in whilst looking fabulous. Anyone that sells you fluoro with fluoro deserves a good old fashion stomp from me. And don't be afraid to explain to the shop assistant that no, you don't think the high wasted acid wash jeans are really for you.

Wedad x

Loving what you do.

Fashion is one of those things that you either understand, or you don't. It's not about knowing the latest and greatest trends, the up and coming designers or even attending every fashion show possible. It is about the essence of the word, dressing for a purpose and appreciating the art. Innately, if one understands fashion, that it is to be loved and shared by all, nothing can really stand in a designers way.

The expression can be appreciated by few, but nothing is fashionable until it is wearable, appreciated or inspirational. So creating fashion is a huge and arduous task for many designers, however sticking to what you love, which can only be unique to you, will always push you that much closer to what really is an expression of art through clothing. You can pick the designer immediately by viewing the garments. That's how you know the designer loves what they do, they know no other way.
Some of my favourite expressionists ;

Retail minding it's own business.

The retail world is a multi-billion dollar empire. The technological spheres that fashion businesses needs to embark in today’s global shopping mall are paramount to the success of sustainability in a competitive market. Designers, Fashion Houses, Boutiques are now competing on a world scale. A shopper can consider strolling to Paddington or Surry Hills to pick up a one-off piece by a local designer, or jumping online to shop the streets of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter with the click of a button. 'The Find', excitement, thrill of knowing you have purchased something unique is almost non-existent. But who found it first and wore it first has become the social high.

So how can such eager shoppers find you? Without physically having to visit your store how easy is it to find 'the right item at the right time'? Does your target market even know you exist? Do you need to be constantly in their face for recognition? The answer is- it’s all relative. Keeping up with the Jones’ in the fashion world relates to exposure, or lack thereof. Shoppers no longer want clothing, they want fashion. People want to wear an outfit that is both complementary and complimented by onlookers (mostly online). The traditional understanding of ‘know your customer’ is more important than ever. So, anything you put out there in internet land is opening a dialogue between you and your customer. It is either an introduction to who you are as a designer, what you stand for, who you represent, what design aesthetics please you and what inspiration you draw from. If you customers do not know this, they in turn do not know you. It is through your online personality that people will be drawn to you, just like real life. It is a popularity contest and often those leading the market can come crashing down due to a little thing we call ‘cockiness’. Stay humble, close to your friends; communicate with them on every level you see necessary. Don’t forget the people that follow you, so they in turn don’t forget you (out of sight, out of mind). Technology therefore is just another way to communicate to your customer. The ‘online’ world not working against retail in anyway, but like anything, opening a window can allow many a wanderer in… and more out. You should make it your business to stay on top of the game. In order to accept this premise, rolling behind the 8 ball is just not good enough. If you can’t mind your business, hire someone to do it for you. The Fashion world needs to catch up to consumer demands; we certainly don’t want our customers veering off due to frustration of delivery, understanding, commitment and knowledge share.
Net-A-Porter had an idea once upon a time, and soon after few followed. In Australia, we still have major design houses and department stores that cannot be communicated to online; the shopping experience is still confusing, complicated and boring. Full recognition of a downward spiral in profits has stirred a few in the right direction, but not enough. As stated before, get to know business today/tomorrow, foresight is a very powerful tool in a consumer driven market.
Wendy.

Christian Dior- A reflection on this mastermind.

 At a time when the world was thirsting for couture, after the dreadful World War II Christian Dior in1946 founded his fashion house in Paris, France. The master of creating shapes and beautiful silhouettes for women initially received backlash due to the use of 'so much fabrics for one dress'. Many had lost and forgotten the flamboyancy that is Fashion and Couture.. but Dior hadn't. As war shortages ended, people became used to the 'new look' as Christian Dior re-established Paris as the centre of the world’s fashion. See a collection of his original designs below;

 

Dissecting the Female Shoppers Brain

After so many women have jumped on the online bandwagon does Retail Therapy still exist? My answer is more than ever. Living in a technological age where we need things now now now it only makes sense that women jump online and make impulse purchases. Spoiled rotten eggs I fear. We’ve created monsters. The ramifications? 

Well there aren't any, at first. The guilt sets in once the credit card has processed, but the feeling of a transaction is almost non-existent, it’s just a click of a button I promise. Until the bank statement arrives, the momentary high of anticipation floats in the air like a decent smell ;) With many online shopping sites these days they make it so easy to purchase, the fix can be almost instantaneous with delivery sitting at three hours- (The Iconic you have me stunned). Goodluck if you over promise and under deliver online stores, you promised, how could you. We’ve all turned into off Charlieand the Chocolate Factory Veruca Salt I’m certain of it. Open your ears online stores, if the goods aren’t wrapped so delectably with a bow, we don’t want them (well we do but it’s no longer a present, dammit Net-A-Porter). Accessible at any time (even at work oo) any day, any way.

What I wonder however is the volume of return per sale ratio. Do we receive the gift and then return it I wonder? Most likely not, it was bought for us from us (oh the self-fulfilling prophecy). I’ll wear it one day I guarantee it, until I buy something tomorrow that supersedes this. Women have become such smart shoppers they can practically pick whether something will 'work' at a mere glimpse.

Have we over-educated our buyers then, many would claim the argument that women do still visit shops, try on clothes, jump online to ensure they're not getting the short end of the stick, and proceed with the sale either way. 

So we’re now smarter shoppers I assume. Retail therapy exists in two dimensions, online and in-store. I'm wondering what will be next satisfying this uber craving of wanting something fabulous, give us the third dimension, NOW!

Australian Designer- Steven Khalil

I could tell you a little story about this designer, actually many, but I won't. I'll be a friend and tell you only about his story. Steven Khalil was born a designer. It was as if the heavens had opened and gave this little boy a pencil to sketch. And so he did, wherever he could. Not necessarily on paper either. Dreaming of beautiful dresses he knew his calling, and followed his heart. Studying Fashion and Bridal design Steven went on to work for some of Australia's best bridal designers. But it wasn't enough.

There was a drive, a force that Steven could no longer ignore. 2003 came and it was time to open his own boutique in Sydney's Fashion District, Paddington. Working away Steven designed many wedding and evening dresses. His call to fame was gradual. Steven continued designing, and people began to notice gushing brides in gorgeous couture. Steven has dressed many Australian celebrities, Kate Ritchie, Sonia Kruger, and Melissa Doyle to name a few.

Speaking from personal experience, there is nothing like having a gown made just for you, for one of the most special days in your life. The excitement and anticipation in a brides face when she comes to collect her very own Steven Khalil couture is enchanting.

After visiting Steven Khalil's boutique many many times over the years I have to come learn the passion and fire for design is present, burning stronger than ever. I often say to Steven, how do you design, find the time to meet with all your customers, oversee every detail in the workroom (I do not exaggerate) and maintain such composure through it all. Steven's response every time is the dresses are not going to make themselves, I would never leave my workroom in the hands of another. More than anything Steven believes in supporting the Australian textile industry, 'for as long as I can keep it here, i will'.

To see a dear friend grow, flourish and be recognised for his designs is truly remarkable. He is Australia's Elie Saab. Not many people are offered the opportunity to work in the Australian Fashion Industry, Steven Khalil earned his place. I look forward to seeing Steven's dresses on the red carpet at International Award Ceremonies, a deserving place for these beautiful gowns.

Designer Fantasy

When you meet a designer for the first time, you are aware you've entered a new realm. The fantasy that exists between their ears surfaces at any time. It is like a never ending stream. You wonder what is formulating in this dream. If you were to pick a designer to meet who would it be? I would say hands down it would be Karl Lagerfeld. I would perhaps prepare my outfit for months on end. Then wear something completely different that day. I doubt he would insult me, rather I believe we would get along. He appreciates beauty and so do I.

The other top contender's would have to be Elie Saab, (which isn't too far fetched, I am Lebanese and so is he, I know i could convince him we're related). Lanvin, Giambattista Valli, Oscar De La Renta, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga,  Alexander McQueen (we share a birthday), Ms Coco Chanel herself and Mary Katrantzou. Questions I would ask would be rather ordinary, I perhaps may go down the path of offering them my soul but I doubt they would accept. Lanvin might, he likes a good soul ;)

I kind of wish we didn't know these designer's so well, Social Media and the explosion of Fashion Fervour has watered down the fantasy, ok maybe just a little. But it still counts. So, when you're in the company of a designer you usually only have a moment to make an impact. If you don't have anything interesting to say it is normally a 'next' situation. Which is fair, you have to compete with the wonders in their head. So I would say something rather strange, you remind me of a tree in outback Australia, it was perched up high, alone, beautiful, had to fend for itself and continued rising despite the harsh conditions it faced, especially those cactuses that don't eat much. Prickly b*tches. Good enough? I hope so. I'll let you know if I ever get to put it to the test :)