And what shops they were...
Our lecturers organised a trip to London, to complete our market research and also have a gander around 'The Vulgar' exhibition at The Barbican. The exhibition was great, it was full of interesting fashion designs which many might consider unconventional or inappropriate (I can imagine my Nan would have a lot to say about certain pieces within the collection (the dress with pencils on it or "oh my gosh, that's barely a top")). I can't say I full understood the idea that the collection was 'vulgar' but nether the less there were some gorgeous work by some influential designers! With it being an exhibition, we weren't allowed to take any photos, so here's a picture of the stunning installation in the entrance to The Barbican!
As for the market research, we headed to Regent's Street! After a cheeky Nandos we headed off for a nosey around!
The first shop we visited was one recommended to us by our lecturer- ZARA Home. I visit Zara all the time (there's a fab one in Derby), but had never seen their home wear department. The smell as you walked in was gorge, and the beautiful Christmas displays, along with the Crimbo lights outside got us in a properly festive mood! The items on offer were beautifully organised, with neutral sections contrasting with bright pops if colour! I have to say, they had the most beautiful woven throw collection I've ever seen! And I had never thought they would be such a demand for hair rugs- checked, dyed, metallic foiled- you name it they'd got it! But my favourite part was the collection of slippers! I mean who wouldn't want a pair of silver metallic loafer-style slippers?
When I was younger I remember watching Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium (it was my fav...) and thinking 'why isn't there a toy shop like that by my house?' Now I'm older, its less about a toy shop, but the second shop we visited is basically the real life interior version. Well, that's how I felt anyway.
ANTHROPLOGY. Can't say I'd ever heard of it before, but what I can say now, is that I'll be visiting again as soon as I can! The Christmas themed window display drew us in, but inside the Christmas decoration was very dignified. I suppose it was the standard and quality of the shop, but there was no tacky tinsel or 'glittery tat' as my Dad would say... In fact their Christmassy displays were totally different to products (not too overbearing!). The organisation of the products within the shop was great! The shop itself is a bit of a trades, with the clothing being at the front, and the interior products split over the many other floors in the store. To be honest, I felt like I was in a bit of an art gallery, and that was just the interior décor of the shop itself! And I have to say... this shop smelt fab as well!
After popping into some of the other shops such as H&M and a random pub for a wee, we visited LIBERTY London.
I don't know what I was expecting from this one, but I can definitely say it wasn't what I saw! I was completely overwhelmed by the interior of the store! What a stunning shop?!
My favourite part of the shop, as a design student, was of course the haberdashery! Liberty stock a beautiful array of fabrics, in the beautiful array of prints! I was in owe, it was literally heaven!
Finally, we took a trip to Selfridges. I've been to the one in Birmingham multiple times, but there's nothing like an original! As this was the last shop we visited, we were all a little tired, and to be honest the only thing I really photographed was the Christmassy stuff!
So overall, a fab day of Market Researching!
Bethan Rose x
(PS- as you can tell, I'm not very good at regularly updating my blog... oops! But I do update my Instagram all the time- bethanperrytextiles )
