My Christmas Window at Hoopers

It may seem miles away - people act in disbelief when I mention the words, but Christmas is here! It is hitting the stores - and has been a focus in Hoopers (where I work) for the past 2/3 weeks. Already we have the Christmas shop all set up, we have gifts, cards, toys, decorations and all you need to get in the xmas spirit....well everything but Father Christmas.

Anyway though, our latest focus (that of the VM team) is to get the christmas windows in order and ready for the big unveiling next weekend - and I promise you it will be worth visiting if you can. The main fashion run is being kept hidden until midday on saturday 6th November, however the gifts windows have just been finished and are free for you to see. And the kid's window is the one I merchandised, it was rather enjoyable building all the toys, from dollshouses, pirate ships, farms, tea sets to fire engines, planes and musical instruments - the window is filled with them! The window generated a great deal of interest as I was putting it together over the two days, children and adults a like stopped to admire all the beatufil toys and products in the window - especially the dollshouse, rocking horse and pirate ship. See some pics below:

Stella McCartney: Week One

So this week I started my VM placement at Stella McCartney, which I have been very excited about, as well as my colleagues at work! After a long (2.5 hour!) commute (with some unnecessary turns thanks to a lorry getting stuck under a bridge), I reached their head office in London, which is a lovely building near the Notting Hill area. I thankfully after getting lost and severley delayed made it bang on 10am to the office, I was then introduced to the people I will be working with and given a tour of the place. There were many designers on the top floor, in the middle floor where I am are design and creative people, and on the bottom floor is where the finance is taken care of along with production.
Next I was shown the window designs for the kidswear launch taking place next week (I shall be helping install the window in the london store early next week), along with the accompaning shop fits to go in-store. I typed up instructions for installing the windows and packaged the props to be sent to the stores launching the new range, which are: London, Paris, Milan, Tokyo, New York and LA.
As well I was shown where past window props, previous season clothes etc are kept, and I did the usual intern work such as: tidying out cupboards and running out to John Lewis - which was a nightmare on oxford street in half term! - And to top it off my shoes were killing my feet! Over all though I had a fantastic start to my placement, unfortunately I just missed Stella by a matter of days! - but I am hoping she shall be popping back into the office soon. Next week I shall be helping install the new window in the London store, check out my next post on my placement for pictures on this.

Thrift Finds 3

Yesterday I fancied having a rumage through the second-hand stores in Uckfield, I have never seen a town have so many! And there were some great items hidden away at bargain prices - the annoying thing is I keep finding beautiful tweed jackets which are always too big for me! Unlike dresses and skirts, they cannot be altered to fit. Clothes wise it was a bit of a disappointment, I did see a gorgeous feathered hat that I wanted, but alas it was on the pricey side - you could have got it brand new on the highstreet for the price they were charging! Anyway I did not come away empty handed, I have recently developed a love of vintage shoes, as they are great quality, comfortable and somehow make my enormous feet look a little more elegant! I was once a hater of small heels, it use to be either flat or 5 inch heels with me, but I am starting to fall for the more practical smaller heel - they don't make them like these anymore, see the shoes I purchased below (each £5!):

VM at Hoopers

Here is my latest vm display project at Hoopers, its the first of many christmas hotspots within the store. This table is in the designer casuals area, the fashion products in this section aim to a younger consumer, with brands such as: French Connection, Darling, Hugo Boss Orange and Marc O'Polo. Therefore the gift products on the table had to appeal to this younger audience, a collegue and I went for funky, colourful and humourous gifts. Ranging from cupcake bathbombs, smelly soaps, ice cream lip balms, pooch make-up bags and compact mirrors to the disceiving flannels which appear to look like very delicious cakes! Have a gander at the photos I took of it below:

Tunbridge Wells Shop Watch

More window displays from Tunbridge Wells Kent, this time Jigsaw and Hoopers - both of which I think are truely inspiring, playing with textures, pattern and colour.










All own photos

Recent Purchases

I can't believe how long its been since I last updated you on my latest buys! Now I have started working full time I keep buying things, even though havent got my first pay cheque yet! - Not wise, but it makes for a more interesting blog post! hehe. Purchases have included: brown leather loafers from Topshop, animal print tapered trousers from Topshop again, a grey wool hat from New Look (absolutely love it!), grey chunky wool scarf and purple leather gloves from M&S. As well the most comfortabe wedge shoes from New Look, an Abercrombie & Fitch hoodie to keep me warm over the winter and a gorgeous stripe top from Next - a Stella McCartney knock off. Which will be ideal for when I start my placement there next week, eek! Watch this space for my Stella McCartney placement diary entries.

*Oh as well apologies for the poor quality photos - I took them late at night in my room when there was no natural light - they have all come out rose tinted!

VM at Hoopers

Here are some photos of the visual merchandising I have done instore this week at Hoopers:
Firstly my table display in the young fashions area - incorporating fashions with home and accessory pieces:














Next a fixture area in young fashions, and another table display: