CITY SERIES | NOTTINGHAM

Nottingham really is one of my favourite cities that I have visited yet in the UK.

 

One of my most favourite aspects of Nottingham is the diversity within the city. The Market Square, the Flying Horse Walk, the Lace Market and the Creative Quarter to mention a few of my favoured spots.

 

 

 

Market Square

 

 

Nottingham not only has the typical high street stores you'd find in most cities but also middle market, high end and independent vintage stores. These are most likely found past the Market Square and into the Lace Market, Hockley and Creative Quarter area.

The Exchange

 

Page 45 - the coolest comic book store!

 Cobden Chambers and Ideas on Paper in the Creative Quarter

 



Cow Vintage - my favourite vintage store in town!

 

There is a real mixture of characters in Nottingham amongst a lot of university students! So it is not similar in the sense to other cities such as Cambridge, that there is a certain type of individual you'll find wandering the city.

 

If you're a real foodie (like I am!), then you'll love Nottingham. Check out my 'Nottingham Eats' post for my favourite places on where to eat till your hearts content.

 

After reading this post I really hope you consider taking a trip to Nottingham as it is such a vibrant, and not to mention upcoming city.

 

There are still so many places I have yet to explore. I could not be happier that I've chosen to spend the next three years of my life in such a wonderful city.

 

- A



SUMMATIVE PROJECT #1 | VISUAL, HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL ANALYSIS

Now onto the second part of analysis for my report, visual, historical and cultural analysis.

The three aspects of creative context I have decided to focus upon are -

1. Art
2. Film
3. Music

In regards to Art, surprisingly the Red Lip features often. Upon carrying out research, the artists I've decided to look at are Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, all of whom have very different approaches to art itself, particularly Dali in comparison with Warhol and Lichtenstein.

Both pop artists, Warhol and Litchenstein apply the Red Lip to their art in a similar way, whilst Dali's approach is rather different.

The Red Lip has featured consistently throughout film as a 'time-honoured beauty tradition'. Here are a few of many moments in film that helped to 'propel the scarlet kiss to what it is today'.

Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

 

Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman (1992)

 

 

Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction (1994)

 

Zhang Ziyi in Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)

Helena Bonham-Carter in Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Just looking at the images above, it is clear that the red lip takes on the individuality of each character that dares to wear it.

Lastly, music. The first thing that comes to mind when pairing the Red Lip and music together, is the iconic Rolling Stones logo.

The forever synonymous logo was designed by a student in 1970, after the Stones became frustrated with their designs produced by their record label. The work first appeared on their album insert sleeve and on the actual record label of their 1971 album 'Sticky Fingers'.

I shall discuss in further depth about the history and meaning of this logo, among other examples of how the Red Lip has been incorporated into music in my final report.

The second part of this visual, historical and cultural analysis involves discussing the broader cultural contexts. To complete this task I must visually analyse my example against references such as historical, social and political.

Here are a few examples that I shall be using within my report.

 

Thankyou for reading another post about my progress towards my final report.

- A

Sources for Quotes -

 

http://www.vogue.com/13382142/iconic-red-lip-moments-film/

 

Sources for Images -

 

Salvador Dali - cavetocanvas.com

Andy Warhol - highgatedreams.tumblr.com

Roy Litchenstein - insp.tess-evans.com

Marilyn Monroe GPB - playbuzz.com

Michelle Pfeiffer CW - esty.com

Uma Therman PF - tarantinost.tumblr.com

Zhang Ziyi MOG - popyacollar.co.za

Helena Bonham-Carter AIW - alice-in-wonderland.net

Rolling Stones Logo - Google Images

Egyptian Woman - mac.h-cdn.co

Queen Elizabeth 1 - thegroundmag.com

Marilyn Monroe - beautylish.com

WORKING WITH CDC #1

I got a job!

 

Ok, a part time job.

 

I was lucky enough to receive an email from a family friend this Christmas break, asking whether I'd be able to help out within the marketing department at a firm in which he works with.

 

This firm is CDC. CDC is a business which sells hangers to big brands, such as Barbour and Paul Smith to name a few, and also to individual customers. CDC offer a vast range of hanger types, specialising particularly in wooden hangers. They have two sides to their business, one is the B2C range named The Hanger Store, whilst the other side B2B is named HangersUk online.

 

After a marketing consultant recently visited the company CDC have decided to increase their online presence through the use of social media. They currently only have Facebook and Twitter which are not in regular use.

 

My task whilst working at CDC is not only to update platforms such as Facebook and Twitter more regularly, but also to set up an Instagram and Pinterest page for them and consistently post on these also.

 

I will be helping out at CDC during holiday breaks, and whilst at university, and will be blogging about my experience within my new job role.

 

In the meantime check out both of CDC's websites below.

 

http://www.hangersuk.co.uk/

http://www.thehangerstore.co.uk/

 

I am so excited at the prospect of working with CDC managing their various social media platforms, as it really is a great opportunity to see what it is like to work within a real business, not to mention that it will give me great experience for the future.

Blog posts updating you upon working with CDC will be coming soon!

- A

CITY SERIES | BRIGHTON

Although Brighton is not officially a 'city', there is definitely somewhat of a city feel in this urban area and is one of my favourite places in the South. As a result, I have decided to include Brighton in my 'City Series' of blog posts.

The town of Brighton is one of various places in England I love to visit. Brighton is a unique and unconventional seaside town, filled with quirky shops along 'The Laines'. From vintage Mod shops to the traditional English sweet shop to your conventional Topshop high street store. Brighton truly has it all, catering for consumers of all ages and tastes.
 

 

A cool example of visual merchandising, incorporating neons and perspex, certainly eye-catching to entice consumers into their stores for the sale period.

 

 

This area in the South East is also well known for it's history regarding Mods and Rockers made popular by films such as Quadrophenia. This particular alleyway features in a taboo scene within the film.

 

 

One of the many things I particularly love about Brighton is the randomly placed graffiti you'll find splattered across several sides of buildings and houses through the town.

 

 

 Here are a few last photos by the beach I took before we travelled home.

 

 

 

 

If you enjoy visiting places such as Camden and Shoreditch, then you'll sure love Brighton.

 

Thankyou for reading another post in this 'City Series'.

 

- A

THE SHAGGY FAUX FUR COAT

It's been a while since my last outfit post.

 

Ever since Christmas day I've been itching to wear and share one of my favourite gifts with you all.

 

This gift comes in the form of this AMAZING faux fur coat which I was lucky enough to receive from my boyfriend as a Christmas gift.

 

Coat - ASOS | Jeans - Jack Wills | Choker - Market Stall | Sunglasses - Urban Outfitters | Boots - Topshop

 

Over the years I have begun to accumulate a number of faux fur coats, yet this coat is the most unique of the bunch yet. The shaggy texture, rinsed baby pink shade and distinctive spotted pattern creates a coat that does not look new at all in my opinion, but rather a coat you'd find in at a vintage stall or even a charity shop.

 

This coat will look awesome with a roll neck and platform boots, a

look I can't wait to style and show upcoming posts.

 

- A

MY INTENTIONS FOR THE YEAR OF 2016

With a new year, comes new ambitions.

 

I am not usually one for making 'new years resolutions' but I thought that this year, I'd make a list of 'aspirations' for the year which I can share on this blog and look back upon at the end of the year.

 

1. TRAVEL

 

This year I want to take a leap and conquer my fear of flying, in preparation for next year's Berlin trip with my fellow FCP course mates. So far an Amsterdam trip is looking to be most likely this summer.

 

2. SECURE AN INTERNSHIP OVER THE SUMMER

 

Over the summer I really hope to find an internship opportunity within the industry, to not only fill my spare time and keep me on my toes, but to allow me to receive invaluable experience that will potentially allow me to increase my employment opportunities in the future.

 

3. DANCE

 

Just before the end of last term I auditioned for FFC, a dance society at Nottingham Trent University and I was so pleased when I was placed in the 1st team, having not trained for years! So this year I really hope to throw myself not only into training each week but to take part in the competitions that will be happening over the next term, with FFC and NTU Dance.

 

4. BUY FEWER CLOTHES

 

Now this may seem a slightly strange intention for a fashion student, however it is something I really must work upon. I now am in possession of two wardrobes (both at university and home) which are BRIMMING with clothes. I really have not understood the concept of a capsule wardrobe as of yet! 2016 will be my year for this!

 

5. BALANCE

 

As an A-Level student last year I often found it difficult to balance my study time with my free time, and this is something I hope to achieve this year. I aim to achieve at least a 2:1 at the end of this year, however to do this I must learn the concept of balancing my hobbies and free time with the hard work I must do in order to achieve such a grade.

 

I hope to look back this time next year and say that I have achieved every one of these goals.

 

Until next time,

 

- A



SUMMATIVE PROJECT #1 | BRAND AND RETAIL PROMOTION VISUAL ANALYSIS

Our summative project that I begun to talk about in a previous blog post, is a total of 2,500 words which is divided into three sections of analysis.

The first being a brand and retail promotion visual analysis. This analysis is split into two parts.

We must first create a double page spread visually analysing two adverts from two different market levels that feature our chosen example, mine being The Red Lip. This will involve discussing semiotic visual codes and messages of visuals, looking at key themes, comparing what is denoted and connoted and summarizing how the two brands overlap or differ in their narrative.

The advertisements I have chosen are from the market levels of designer and high street, are Chanel and Rimmel.

 

Both campaigns advertise a similar product, and have proved to be rather alike when I begun to denote both images. For example, both images focus upon a high profile female figures, Chanel being Kiera Knightley and Rimmel featuring Kate Moss. However after I had being to look further into these images and discover the connotations, they also prove to be rather different in some aspects, of which I will discuss within my final report.

 

The second element of the brand and retail promotion visual analysis involves us selecting two images of visual merchandise that feature our example.

 

I have chosen examples of visual merchandise from Pucci and an unknown source.

 

 

 

 Although I am unaware of which brand is responsible for creating visual merchandise for one of these images, I get that both are brands from a luxury designer market level. Both are fairly high scale, elaborate and detailed examples of visual merchandise, of which you would expect from a designer brand.

 

I looking forward to continuing this analysis of these images in my final report and sharing my creative process on this blog.

 

Until next time,

 

- A

 

Sources for Images -

 

Rouge Coco Advertisement - Chanel

Rimmel Kate Moss Advertisement - Rimmel

Emilio Pucci VM - windowswear.com

Unknown VM - Pinterest