Nearly There

Deadline is on friday, but I feel confident that I have everything done. Finished printing today which was quite a task as it would not print the way I wanted it to and the  printer would keep jamming. The way I wanted it printed was so the no white showed but this just did not work so I had to put up with the white showing.
I also managed to sort my folder out so that it looks neat and is easy to know what is what by putting in sections.
Tomorrow I just need to recheck my work again and then take the report to get bound.

Vintage Bridal Couture

 I especially like this image because of the techniques used on the dresses, the fabrics have been manipulate which creates the interesting textures.

 The layers give a weird and extraordinary twist on this dress, where the feathers give the 'big white dress' appeal.

The dress is simple with added elegance of a crystal bodice, the bottom being slightly ruched gives a floatly appearance.

http://styleredux.blogspot.com/2009/09/vintage-bridal-couture.html

Vintage Beaded

This beaded edging trim would be perfect for a vintage wedding gown, I felt that the cream gives the offwhite old fabric you would associate with vintage.
I'm in love with this.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Beaded-Edging-Trim-Bead-Trimming-TEAR-DROP-8-Colours-/120656845236?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=420017141307

Updates on logo

I have done some more logo designs as I felt I want to see how they turned out by using the font IM FELL ENGLISH SC, which i used for the blog title, I prefer these to the other ones and feel the bottom one is the most finished and accomplished.

Head Piece

I found this head piece is vintage inspired and is quite eye-catching.

http://fasionandjewelrycelebritiespics.blogspot.com/

1920's Vintage Ideas

I found this on http://www.littlemisswedding.co.uk/dresses/1920s-vintage-wedding-shoot/

I love these images of Lindsay Fleming’s designs, they fit in with my vintage idea and help me gain ideas on where to take my designs.
It shows the slinky show off the body outfits that the 1920's were known but i want a bit more movement and colour.

Rosie-Lee Team Project

To help us with the entrepreneurial unit, we were given a task to set up a group business. We came up with Rosie-Lee which is a girls aged 0-4years clothing company with the idea of being completely british and based around William Morris and Liberty prints, we were each given departments which suited us best. I was given the sourcing as I am forever sourcing out fabrics and always collecting samples so it suited me well.
I have shown below my part of the presentation, I have also given a link in case it doesnt work.




https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=ddbkrmmw_72gfc9zcc8

Tutorial

Had a tutorial with Tony to see how we are doing, I feel really confident with the amount of work I have produced, I have managed to complete all tasks and have a positive idea of how to the business. The thing I worry about is how I explain my ideas in my reports as I do tend to confuse things when writing. I have undertaken alot of  research but did not want to print out lots of paper to show it, so instead I have given links to show what I have looked into and used as help.

Window Displays

If I want to set up my own bridal business window displays are very important, they are what entices a customer to walk in. I feel i have to make sure that the displays are not too overpowering or crowded as this can put customers off and ends up looking tacky.
Searching through the internet I had these interesting and wonderful ways of window displays



http://www.theswellelife.com/swelle_life/2009/02/window-gazing-in-paris.html





http://coveiter.blogspot.com/2008/12/wonderland-windows-part-one.html



http://bustlebatonrouge.blogspot.com/2009/11/in-our-window-11-05-2009.html



http://www.heartfish.com/2009/10/23/paper-dress/



http://couturewindowfashions.wordpress.com/2010/01/30/inspiration-from-a-window/

Ok so one of them is overcrowed but it is done in a tasteful way, and also fits in with my inspiration of vintage.
I looked at these images as they all have unique ways of showing the garments, I found the paper dress very interesting and it will make people look and stare. I can gather many ideas from these window displays.

Fabric Fabric Everywhere

Yay more of my fabric samples came today, I ordered some from whaleys to see what the fabric quality and prices are like there. I have some beautiful samples from them, I just have to think what they will be like when used on a dress.

Shop Layout

I decided to have a go at drawing a mock shop layout of where I'd have everything. I know in a premise that there are certain amounts of space and are all different sizes. But i decided to replicate it on a rectangular two floor building.

Vogue Couture

While researching vintage gowns, I came across this page from Vogue Italy. I love how the dress is layered and flares out. The back is interesting having the curves. This dress is inspiring.

Helpful Web Link

http://www.ehow.com/how_4796203_start-up-wedding-dress-business.html

Here i found a helpful link to help me with my Business Plan

Calico Laine Fabrics

I requested samples from http://www.calicolaine.co.uk/Bridal-Fabrics-Silk-c645_651.html however I feel they do not fit in with my business, the fabrics look cheap and not the high quality I am looking for, I have shown these fabrics in my folder of supporting evidence alongside some other samples I felt do not fit with the business.

Vintage Lace Dress

 Layered lace sleeves, the layers help to give volume.

And High collars to look into, also when photoshopping look for lace umbrellas.

http://bridalcouturegirls.blogspot.com/2010/09/bcg-fabulous-fall-2010-collection-photo.html

Costing

For costings such as how much the business will earn I thought that if I worked on an average between £700-£1000 (which was the highest bracket in my survey) I thought £850 would be a good number to base income around, an as it can rise or fall, if it rises it can mostly go over £1000 so I thought the best way to calculate if this happens is by estimating a sell of two dresses at £850 a week, although this is unlikely to sell this many dresses in a week in the first year it just takes into account of the highest prices.

There are some days that will not be of working days so I had to take into account bank holidays etc. which businesses would not usually work. But I think that both days of the weekend should be used as this is most likely the time when brides look for dresses rather that in the week.

Business Plan

I started writing my business plan, I found it easy to think of what to put in there but hard how write it down so feel that it can sound a bit jumbled. However I did find that working in a bridal shop has helped me alot though I do feel that I am missing some information, but I have done the best I could on it. I even looked at some help pages such as:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4814233_start-bridal-boutique-business.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_4924121_start-bridal-dress-business.html
http://www.tutor2u.net/business/strategy/business-plan-introduction.html
To see if I was on the right track of what I was writing.

Work overload

Ok so by the 25th November I need to make sure that my 500 word abstract is up to date, Market Research Report and Comparative Research Report are both done, A draft of the business Plan and for this Study Journal to be up to date.

Is it just me or is that a lot of work?

Vintage theme board

Survey

On Thursday, to help with my market research I decided to make a survey online, because my target is specifically for brides I decided to go to bridal forums and ask the brides to fill in my questionnaire for me.
I am so glad I did this as I ended up getting 155 responses which is amazing, however I can only view the first 100 responses because I only have a basic account but that is still valuable data.
This data will definitely help me know what brides are looking and whether they think my ideas are good or not.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PYQFVWB