Juggling FMP and LIFE

Its starting to kick in how much I  have to do and my hand in date looks so far away! I work part time at New Look and have my own business on the side 'Twinkletoes' where I customize and crystalize converse trainers. Its going really well, I hope to one day have my own shop or online business... but first I need to get through this Final Major Project!

Check out Twinkletoes!

www.twinkletoesuk.co.uk
Follow us on twitter: @twinkletoes_uk_

Research week

Okay so im back at FRA tomorrow. Final term at the academy! Scary. I'm dedicating my first week back to researching. I need to research into different areas as I can't go on and start developing my project until I find out and gain more knowledge about different subjects relating back to my overal idea. Im going to make a little list below that I can relate back to throughout the next week:

Research notes:

-company figures etc
-verdict information for SWOT
-trends for ss13
-other plus size products/ranges
-body shapes. Complimenting clothing
-river island sourcing countries
-river island margin factor

I also need to start setting up my research file. I'm sure there's a million things I'm going to add to my list, but this will do for now!

Getting started

I've just got back from a week in Spain. Sad - but all I could think about is my FMP, as I have my statment of intent presentation next Wednesday. SCARY STUFF.

Since I've been home, I have started my introduction pages - I've tried to get them out of the way so I dont have to worry about these when I return to FRA next week. I want to get straight into producing my range - after researching. This is what I've done so far...

Mission Statement

Introduction to RiverIsland as a brand

RiverIsland customer profile

RiverIsland Plus customer profile

RiverIsland market map

RiverIsland Plus market map

Im back at FRA on Monday, that is where the hard work begins. Wish me luck - I'll keep you posted!

Range name

Ahh coming up with a name for my plus size RiverIsland range is hard. I want it to be simple and catchy, yet different and unique compared to other plus size ranges on the highstreet. I have researched and looked at some of the names the highstreet retailers have used for their sub-brands:

• Asos Curve
• New Look Inspire
• H&M BiB
• Next plus size (available online only)

There are also plus size retailers that I have had a look at:

• Evans
• Wallis (up to size 22)
• Dorothy perkins (up to size 22)
• Simply be
• Yours clothing

They are all different and unique however I want somthing that is catchy and rolls of the tounge. Im swaying towards RiverIsland Plus / RiverIsland Body / RiverIsland Shape. I like these because they are easy to say and are straight forward to the customer. In theory I would like a strong word - which makes the customer feel good about themselves and their body, and want to wear the RiverIsland plus size range, but im really swaying towards RiverIsland plus as I could use a '+' sign on the graphics which could work really well!

RiverIsland +

I really like this name as its simple, catchy and gets straight to the point that its a plus size range. RiverIsland Plus / River Island + it is.

FMP concept

So the idea has come together... Finally. I have decided to create a plus size range for high street retailer RiverIsland for my final major project. I have been thinking long and hard about my concept and where there is a strong gap in the retail market. Two main gaps in the market for womenswear are; clothing for the older woman and on trend plus size clothing on the high street.

After alot of thought and deliberation I decided I was going to create a plus size range focussing on strong trends for the larger woman. When you think of plus size clothing on the high street you initially think, Evans and wallis - which aren't the most trend driven brands. "Just because they're larger women doesn't mean they don't have an interest in fashion and trends" - which is so true. ALSO the average size woman in the UK today is a size 14-16, so I feel that there definetly is a gap in the market for a strong plus size range - which is why I have chosen RiverIslans. They as of yet dont have plus size collection and their trends are so strong and unique, I believe this is the best retailer on the highstreet for this concept.

That was the easy part, now the hard work begins...

Previous assignment

This is a previous assignment of mine - SS12 range plan for New Look retailers.

Garden party dresses range - Main drop 1

Garden party dresses range (Add on's) - Main drop 1

Garden party dresses range - Main drop 2

Garden party dresses range (Add on's) - Main drop 2

These are the ranges I created for a previous range building assignment. The range was for New Look SS12 and the trend was based around the trend 'Garden Party' - soft and romantic floral prints. The main drop 1 range was designed to hit the stores end of January, begining of February and the main drop 2 range was to hit the stores at end of March, begining of April.

I was really happy with these ranges as i used my Adobe Illustrator skills to draw all of the CAD's and minipulate them to make the designs my own, HOWEVER I hope to make my ranges for my FMP even better. I want to do atleast 4 drops for my FMP... I say this now, but when it comes to it I know I'm going to think "Why the hell did I say that!". Im still indecisive on what I want to base my FMP on and am stuck between two ideas - but as soon as I know I will keep you posted!