Rowena Doyle- Marketing Tips

Your Free Marketing Tool:

Windows often very under used?

Take this Window for example.

Before and After:

Taking something simple like Polaroid’s and taking images of the customers wearing the stock and using them to sell the clothing as well, this way you create more than just a nice window!!

The next Generation of visual merchandising is something all stores need to keep up. There are simple ways to create new concepts and also they can be done very cost effectively.

Ladies fashions is now moving into a new type of retail and mostly the Independent stores in Uk, Denmark and Germany are now making some new noise.

Windows are a free marketing tool and need careful consideration to make YOUR store Stand out.

Top Tip 1.

· Keep to three colours max!

1 day workshops are now taking place in Dublin, Wexford and Galway.

Check out the website for more information. www.visualsense.ie. Rowena J

Nickys Rag Tales

As the weeks run away I am reminded that last week slipped past without a post. As an agent some of my collections are being shipped back to their owners and others are continuing to sell so life slips into a different pattern at work. I discovered a whole garage room full of samples that need a home so have decided it’s time for a spring clean out. The result is a sample sale in the showroom planned for 13-15 th April. Luckily I have my assistant the lovely Selina on hand to help me out and keep me calm.

At this time of year there are several Press Days to keep me on my toes. Yesterday was the launch of the new Ant-Ageing Beauty Bible in Arnotts followed by the Kilkenny Design Spring Summer fashion show that I gate crashed with my friend, stylist extraordinaire Cathy O’Connor. Today it’s the turn of Cos followed by afternoon tea at the British Ambassadors residence where some of the Queen’s dresses will be on show (she won’t miss a few) and to top it off model Faye Dinsmore’s Fashion Awards are on tonight in Dublin’s Mansion House. The great thing about blogging is that you can be as busy or not as you choose to be. There’s no pressure to write or do anything in fact. For me though it’s added an exciting dimension to my life. I have decided recently to monetise my site and now have two advertisements going onto it shortly. I had to think long and hard about that but I think I’ve come up with a code of ethics that doesn’t compromise my impartiality in any way. I need a new camera (or at least I want one) so this is my way of paying for it!

Heidi Higgins Spring Summer

Heidi Higgins is proud to launch yet another brand new Spring Summer Collection in her Studio & Boutique in Portlaoise, where she celebrated her first Birthday last month. This season, her label is represented amidst Irish and International designers for the first time with a sizeable selection of garments in Arnott’s and again in the prestigious Design Centre in Powerscourt in Dublin and in the Boutique-Captital of Ennis, in the County Boutique.
This season’s photo shoot, executed in the most beautiful location of Ballyfin House Demesne in her home County Laois, shows delightfully how her signature style of pure simplicity, feminine elegance and the smart use of colour transcends time and trends, establishing an identifiable range of modern classics, statement pieces which will enhance the wardrobe of any discerning stylish lady.

Heidi Higgins, fast becoming a notable label within the Irish market place, has produced a more substantial Spring Summer collection, expanding on her successful basic wool crepe segment, introducing newly an additional variety of structured luxury fabrics in very feminine cuts and a new range of silk styles in up-lifting colour stories.

Heidi shows a confident young label that is sensitive to emerging trends - with canny detailing giving a sage nod to catwalk currents - but that's fearless in pursuit of its unique aesthetic. The look is timeless - and exudes both femininity and substance. These gorgeous garments enrobe the female figure like a dream, and such poise and simple style are bound by no fashion rules. Heidi stays true to her winning recipe. Working with basic shapes, introducing new elements of style, insuring shape and fit exude femininity along with adding a signature colour and transferring into luxurious fabrics.

Heidi’s timeless style reaches women of all ages and walks of life, offering a range of piece types from dress to coat to separates in rich silks, vibrant wool crepes and eclectic summer tweeds, thus catering for the upcoming formal event as much as a happy family occasion or just an important day in the office.
Since the label was launched Heidi has grown and developed as a designer and this can be seen in her latest collection. Also helping her to secure a place as a finalist for ‘Designer of the Year’ at the Irish Fashion Innovation Awards taking place this April.

Bridal 'Pop Up ' Shop visits Galway

Kadee Bride’s first pop up shop to feature in Galway Bay Hotel

For the budget conscious Galway bride there is no need to sacrifice style for your perfect wedding dress desires! Kadee “Pop Up” Bride are offering 80% discount off the retail price on leading designer sample gowns and an amazing prize to be won by one lucky lady, read on...! This is a fantastic opportunity to view Kadee’s exclusive 2011 bridal collection at their stylish pop up shop in Galway Bay Hotel on Sunday, April 10th.

The renowned, fashion forward bridal boutique has designed a “pop up shop” full of exquisite designer bridal gowns for Galway’s/all bridal fashionistas. All are invited to enjoy a champagne reception and check out the outstanding bridal designs with receive the very best style advise.

Kadee Bride is offering 10% discount on all orders placed on the day. Designers on view include; Suzanne Neville, Amanda Wakeley and many more….! All dresses are made to order so appointments are recommended and can be made in advance with Deirdre Kelly, proprietor of Kadee and style expert (090 649 8355) hourly from 12noon – 6pm.

All sample sale wedding gowns will be selling under €500 therefore this is the perfect opportunity to get your dream dress at a dream price! Also available at this limited bridal pop up shop will be veils and accessories. Brides will be happy to learn that Kadee will be offering discounts on accessories and veils for one day only.

And that’s not all..The stylish ladies who visit the Kadee Bride Pop up Shop will be entered into free draw to win 50% off any purchase on the day and accommodation for 2 in the luxurious Galway Bay Hotel (Bed & Breakfast midweek for 2) who prides itself on being one of the premier wedding venues in the West of Ireland. Over the past twelve years the Galway Bay Hotel has provided couples with a stunning waterside location, highly professional management and staff, charming personality and many happy memories to cherish for years to come.

Also, for all stylish guests and mothers of the bride/groom the full Linea Raffaelli occasion wear collection will be available on the day - perfect stylish and sophisticated designs which offer truly feminine occasion wear with a contemporary edge. Silks, taffeta, prints, organza, appliqués and corsages are brought together to give elegant outfits a unique quirky edge, suitable for that special occasion. Additional designer labels will include: Fenn Wright Manson, Tricot Chic, Oky Coky, Libelula, Occassions and head dresses from milliner Viven Sheriff.

Kadee Bride formerly Touch of Class, offers a bridal shopping experience second to none for service, intimacy, experience and style for the most fashionable bride. Visit www.kadee.ie and make your dreams come true.

Sample Sale at MacLeod Agencies

Studio 31, The Tower, Trinity Enterprise Centre, Pearse St, Dublin 2

Tel/Fax: +353 1 677 3104

Mob: +353 60430973

Email: gail@macleodagencies.com

Macleod Agencies Sample Sale

Macleod Agencies will be holding their bi-annual sample sale on Friday 1^st April 10am – 5pm and Saturday 2^nd April, in The Central Hotel, Exchequer Street, Dublin 2.

MacLeod Agencies will be selling our Autumn Winter 2011 samples for up to 90% off retail prices.

Brands on sale include Hoss Intropia, Gestuz, Turet Knuefermann, Northland, Bobi, Qi Cashmere & and NEW French brand Helena Sorel.

Become a friend on Facebook for all the latest updates

‘Macleod Agencies Sample Sale’ www.facebook.com or sign up to the mailing list on our website www.macleodagencies.com

* For further information please do not hesitate to contact Gail on 01-6773104 or gail@macleodagencies.com.

New Arrivals at Occasions Boutique, Galway

Occasions Boutique Middle St Galway www.occasionsboutique.ie

SS Collections at Coco Boutique

www.cocoboutique.ie

Coco Boutique has now introduced and is very excited about its Spring Summer collections for 2011 that intends to keep providing all its customers with amazing, exclusive pieces at the most affordable prices.

As well as some of our established labels we are very excited to introduce some new ranges to Coco Boutique this coming season;

Mimi Frou Frou

This beautiful label was introduced into Coco Boutique at the end of 2010 and has become hugely popular. Styles from this season's collection have already been seen on the red carpet circuit in Ireland this year.

Pink Soda

First launched 25 years ago, the designs were worn by the ‘it girls’ of the 80s and sold to the best fashion and department stores around the world. The label was at the cuttin

g edge of fashion and continues to delight the ‘it girls’ of today including Erin O'Connor, Sadie Frost and Kiera Knightley. Pink Soda is luxury; with unique hand-finished detailing, delicate embroidery and modern embellishments. The design-focused collection combines contemporary silhouettes with vintage styling.

LA Idol Jeans

Coco Boutique is always excited about the latest fashion coming from L

A and these amazing new jeans are no exception.

Hedonia

Established at the start of 2010 Hedonia is fast becoming one of the strongest

UK independent ladieswear brands and Coco Boutique is delighted to

introduce it into Dublin. Hedonia clothing makes its customer the envy of all their friends. Wear one of Hedonia's dresses and it's bound to raise a temperature or two!

The brands' mantra is that women should look and feel amazing every day not just at the weekend. Hedonia have created a range of clothing that caters for your whole lifestyle. From perfect cocktail dresses to easy to wear t-shirt dresses.

address: 40 clarendon street, dublin 2

phone: 01 899 4300

email: info@cocoboutique.ie

Mina

Market, London where it’s quirky prints and easy shapes instantly won the hearts of shoppers and celebrities alike. The demand for seasonal collections meant the production needed to expand and soon the label was big enough to showcase at one of Britain’s largest fashion exhibitions. Visitors flocked to the stand as word spread about this exciting new addition to the fashion world… and so began the explosive growth of Mina UK.

Mina UK S/Summer Collection

Leave behind Autumn hues and embrace the Summer with Mina UK’s S/S 11 Collection.The collection takes inspiration from key catwalk trends by introducing ditsy floral prints and striking graphics together with Mina’s signature style.

Bursts of vibrant colour, dominating prints and beautiful draping are present in the Tribal Graphic theme. Featuring lightweight and floaty fabrics, ideal for every day wear, the African inspired theme is bang on trend for the sizzling summer heat. The firm favourite is the Egypt dress available in yellow and blue so everyone can embrace the Cleopatra in them.

Another key theme present in the collection is Vintage Garden, which incorporates muted floral designs and cutesy tea dresses. Vintage Garden compliments Mina’s signature styling whilst adding a hint of girly magic to evoke the ultimate in vintage chic. The hero piece is the gorgeous Philly dress available in dusty blue and soft pink: set to be every fashionista’s must have buy this season.

Phone: + 353 1 866 5280

Fax: + 353 1 899 1645

Mobile: 086 2622538

Email: timsharpe@eircom.net

Email Sales: sales@paulgarveyagencies.ie

Web: www.paulgarveyagencies.ie

Distributor Details:

Paul Garvey Agencies

UNIT 285 Block G

Blanchardstown Corporate Park 2

Ballycoolin, Dublin 15

Motel

Motel has rapidly established itself as the go-to brand for their fashionista dresses, so naturally their audience is the conspicuous, quirky girl; Eliza Doolittle, Marina and the Diamonds, Little Boots and Lily Allen are all supporters of the brand. The fashion press also love Motel’s veritable concept that an independent brand can look great, fit fabulously, but does not cost the earth. Motel’s most recent achievement includes winning Brand of the Year at the Drapers Award for 2010. The collection offers samples.

For Spring 11, Motel are putting colour back into our lives using an optimistic colour palette including 90s fluorescents and eye catching bursts in Motel’s signature prints. Styles to include dresses, shirts, pleated skirts and halter necks, focusing on elegant silhouettes. Fabrics will include 70s chambray, liquid lycra and some seasonal knockouts.

Phone: + 353 1 866 5280

Fax: + 353 1 899 1645

Mobile: 086 2622538

Email: timsharpe@eircom.net

Email Sales: sales@paulgarveyagencies.ie

Web: www.paulgarveyagencies.ie

Distributor Details:

Paul Garvey Agencies

UNIT 285 Block G

Blanchardstown Corporate Park 2

Ballycoolin, Dublin 15

Nicky's Rag Tales

There are 74 Fashion Bloggers on the Irish Fashion Bloggers Facebook page and literally hundreds in the UK. When I started blogging a year and a half ago there was only a handful which just outlines the growth of the internet and the influence of the bloggers. If I was a boutique owner or a designer I would take the bloggers seriously and try to find ways of encouraging them to write pieces about their business. Competitions are one way of doing this, another is to remember to invite the bloggers to any in-store event or fashion show that you are involved in. Blogs remain on the web forever, print ends up in a dustbin, blogs engage with the readers and form relationships with potential customers, print does neither. Blogs can be on the internet within minutes of an event.

Today I was in Grafton Street at lunch time with my camera. A BT2 PR event took place and I had the photographs and a video on my blog less than an hour later. The press who were there with their heavy hitting cameras will have their pictures in the papers (if they are lucky) tomorrow. Take Blogging seriously and if you are brave enough consider starting your own. It really is easy but it does become addictive if you are any way like me!

Irish Model Faye Dinsmore has single handedly organised an Irish Fashion Awards Ceremony which is taking place in the Mansion House on 31^st March. With Karen Millen and Model agency IMG on board as well as The Irish Times perhaps this will be an Irish Fashion night to remember. Have a fashionable week ahead….

Nicky's Rag Tales

An honest appraisal of where we are all at is most important as we review the selling and how things are ticking along in the showroom. To say that the past few weeks have been challenging is a bit of an understatement as election fever and depression gripped the nation and buyers who had nerves shattered either froze or ducked for cover. The fact that I sell lots of different collections was a huge factor in bringing the buyers in and writing orders. Falke, Jaeger and Yummie Tummie were selling well and the surprise new collection is Solsani which is from Germany and designed by the original Nicowa designers. It has really sold well and for a collection having its first outing in Ireland I’m very hopeful for it. One thing I have noticed that many of the buyers are telling me and that is that they want quality products which offer good value for money, nothing cheap and nasty!

The Futura fair was on in the RDS and was squashed into a small space because a certain election count was also taking place in the same venue! It was by all accounts a miserable affair. Just read a blow by blow account on the Lady Umbrella.com website for a true and honest diary of their experience of the show and it doesn’t make for happy endings. I’m so happy to be in cosy showroom in Dublin working away and hoping that a new government can at least give people hope and encouragement. For the future of the Independent retailer in Ireland who are working harder than ever depends upon it.

I was interrupted yesterday by a call from Ryan Tubridy about Galliano and his spectacular fall from grace. You can hear the podcast by clicking on the link on my website but let’s just say I think it was ‘robust’ in nature!

Have a fashionable week ahead………

http://www.nickysragtales.com

twitter.com/nickysragtales

Irish Designer Flying the Flag for Ireland in Norway

IRISH FASHION DESIGNER GUEST JUDGE ON NORWAYS TOP MODEL!

ONE of the country’s top fashion designers is to be featured as a judge on Norway’s Top Model TV Programme, providing a great showcase for the best of Irish design.
Jennifer Rothwell was chosen to judge a heat of the TV reality show which was held in Dublin last July and which will be broadcast in Norway to an audience of 220,000 on March 7th. Thousands more will see the programme online at http://www.tv3play.no/ under Top Model as soon as it has been broadcasted.
The programme follows the same format as the extremely popular America’s Next Top Model. When the crew was in Dublin, the ten models performed on the catwalk in front of Jennifer Rothwell, wearing her designs. Jennifer then choose the winner and the loser of the competition. The winner got to keep a Jennifer Rothwell dress.
According to Jennifer, the broadcasting of the programme on Norway’s TV3 to such a huge audience is a great opportunity to bring her designs to another market. “It’s also a great opportunity to showcase Ireland as an urban fashion hub.” she said.
A Crafts Council of Ireland (CCoI) peer mentor, Jennifer said it was fitting that the programme is being broadcast this year given that 2011 has been designated Year of Craft celebrating the 40th anniversary of the CCoI.
Failte Ireland, in conjunction with Tourism Ireland, pitched against several other European cities to have the episode filmed in Dublin. “It was a huge coup for Dublin and Ireland to have won this pitch” said Jennifer.
Born in New York and raised in Dublin, Jennifer Rothwell graduated with honours from the National College of Art and Design in 1995. After graduation Jennifer went to New York where she got huge experience in the fashion industry working for high profile companies as Calvin Klein, Norma Kamali, Katayone Adeli and Yigal Azrouel at director level.

Jennifer returned to Ireland in 2005 and later launched her own label, Jennifer Rothwell. Just seven months after the launch the Jennifer Rothwell label won the "Brown Thomas Designer Mentor Programme Award” at Dublin Fashion Week in 2007. In January 2010 Jennifer won a highly commended New Product Award at the Showcase Expo and she showcased at the Irish Pavilion at Shanghai World Expo last year.

She was appointed a peer mentor for the Crafts Council of Ireland in June 2010 and plans to expane her brand into Scandanavia, the US and Asia.

www.jrothwell.net
For more information / images / interviews contact:
Jennifer Rothwell
info@jrothwell.net/ 085 721 0702

Elvis Jesus Clothing

Established in London in 1997, Elvis Jesus Clothing has a distinct and edgy style that sets it above and beyond the rest of the clothing bombarding the fashion market nowadays. Whereas every other brand seems to be creating exactly the same designs repeatedly, Elvis Jesus is making one of a kind looks that jump out from the group.

Worn by Florence and the Machine, Laura Whitmore and our very own Kathryn Thomas, it's not at all for timid people who want to wear the basics. Elvis Jesus has roots in beautiful, individual and challenging clothes for men and women.

192West is the exclusive distributor of Elvis Jesus in Ireland & Northern Ireland.

Show Dates: The AW11 Collection is currently showing until 8th of March 2011

For appointments and look books please contact 192West:

20B Fashion City

Ballymount

Dublin 24

Ireland

Phone: + 353 1 6870905

Email: sales@192west.com