Boozy Bones Launch

On Tuesday evening, myself and blogger 'Abiwithani' went to the launch of Boozy Bones. Located in the heart of Hockley, this trendy restaurant serves American street food and cocktails (my absolute favourite combination!). I was amazed by the artwork in the bar and restaurant, colourful, vibrant and eye catching art created by one of Nottingham's very own graffiti artists. The art extends into the garden area, this is definitely a reason to pop down, it adds so much character to the place. When sitting in the restaurant, it was such a chilled and pleasant atmosphere and as it got later into the night, the DJ played old school music which made me want to stay as long as possible.

 The drinks menu had such a vast selection of cocktails! I had a Long Island Ice Tea and it was really refreshing and had a lovely flavour! Food... where do I begin!? I ordered 'Jamie went nuts!' which is a beef burger topped with pulled pork, smokey bacon and cheese and chips as my side. I cannot even explain how delicious this was - the pictures do not do it justice!! The  food was hot when it was served, the beef was cooked to perfection and the pulled pork complimented the smokey bacon really well. As a food lover, I was astounded that I couldn't finish the portion!! One tip for anyone visiting Boozy Bones - go with an empty stomach!!

Another factor that I really like about the restaurant is that it caters for you, whether visiting with friends, family, lovers, business partners or anyone, there is a selection of seating so you can pick how you want your night to be. High tables for a girls/boys night or a meeting, sofas for a chilled evening or booths for an intimate setting.

We were so impressed by the restaurant that we have to give our compliments to the owner - Prashant "PJ" Jaiswal. I would urge everybody to book a table and try out Boozy Bones ASAP because it is the place to be.

Boozy Bones is up and running for business, for more information please visit: http://www.boozybones.co.uk

Photo credit - Chloe and Abi

RUSH hair and beauty launch party

RUSH hair and beauty kindly invited me to attend their launch in Market Square last week. As i've never been to a hair salon launch, I didn't know what to expect - I was hugely impressed!!

As we entered, the store manager was extremely welcoming and gave us a tour of the new salon. I love going to the hairdressers but my only complaint would be that there is never enough space and it's not as personal as I would like. RUSH in Nottingham has solved this - there is an upstairs room which is very spacious and gives you the privacy you need (as you can see from below). The decor is very modern and sleek, the lighting is also perfect - not too bright like other salons.

 After the tour, we spoke to one of the hairdressers who gave us a 1 on 1 hair consultation. All members of staff were helpful and you could tell that they were fully trained as they were very informative about every product and service that the salon provided. Also, I found that they were being completely honest with their suggestions and thoughts which is what I think hairdressers should be like. So far, the salon's services include Brazilian Blowdrys, Consultations, Hair Treatments, Easilocks and Wedding Hair.

As I had such a lovely experience, I am now going to book to have a treatment here! Go and give RUSH a visit and see what it is like for yourself.

Visit or book online to receive your 50% off!

RUSH Hair and Beauty

20 Long Row 

Nottingham

NG1 2DH

https://www.rush.co.uk/salons/Nottingham

Photo Credit - Chloe Ferdinand

Exclusive insight into the future of technology and fashion!

Technology and fashion... my favourite combination! Yesterday as a member of The Creative Quarter, I got invited to attend Retail Assist's Nexpo experience with Karen Millen, an exclusive pop-up store event at Hoxton Arches in Shoreditch. Retail Assist technology has collaborated with retailer Karen Millen and pop-up event Nexpo (aiming to enhance the customer's journey).  The pop up store reflected a realistic store environment and before getting the chance to hear all about the exciting concepts, we had the opportunity to experiment with the different types of technology dotted around the mock up store. At a first glance, the thing that stood out to me was the delayed mirror! But i'll go on to explain a bit more about that later! All the technology included within the experience was provided by a number of retail IT companies including Adyen, Catalyst, DB Pixelhouse, Enactor, Inovretail, Vista and Vodat.

To kickstart the technology tour, we were given the "customers experience" and how the technology benefits them:

1- RFID Tags, do your own research

What does this stand for? RFID stands for radio frequency identification, which means the technology has automatic identification and can identify objects carrying tags when they get scanned. This is beneficial because if you like the look of an item and would like to see how it fits, you can scan this item and on a big screen you are able to see the catwalk video. This is especially useful for male shoppers who are looking for presents for their partners or female family members. With the RFID tags, you are also able to see additional information on the product that you are unlikely to get from normal instore experiences. This could offer you reviews from other customers, similar items and items that could be paired with your chosen garment.

2- Delayed Mirror

When shopping alone, I always like to have a second opinion before purchasing an item. This is when the delayed mirror becomes our saviour! This will be placed in the changing rooms and you are able to:

-Request a new size

By selecting your item on the screen, you are able to request the size that you would like. This request is then sent to one of the staff members via a watch. On their watch, they can then accept the request and you will receive a message to say help is on its way. The new item will then be brought to the changing room. How clever!?

- Pay from the changing room

If you are happy with your new size, you can purchase items from the changing room making your experience quick and easy.

-Make your own catwalk

The delayed mirror also enables you to take images/videos of yourself in the clothing which can then be sent to a friend/family member via email or social media. Now you're probably thinking, what happens to the images on the device? For privacy regulations, all images taken on the device are deleted in store.

3- Payments can be made anywhere

All staff have a tablet device with them at all times. This is the new till, all transactions can be made on this one tablet, there is a card machine slotted in the back and each member will have a mini handheld scanner. Customers are also able to get their purchases sent home free of charge. 

4- Quick and easy checkout

If you are a returning customer, the system will have all your details stored (address, dress size, transaction history, wish lists etc.) This makes your checkout experience stress free. 

Here is the "retailers journey" and why this makes the retail industry more efficient:

1 - Processing deliveries

All expected deliveries will be processed through the tablets. With the handheld scanners, you scan each of the boxes and this matches up to the tablet so you can see if you have received all your deliveries. 

2- Stock enquiry

With the tablet you are able to check the price history of an item (for example if it has been put in the sale). You can also check globally where the item is being stocked, this is especially helpful for international customers. 

3- Demographic profiling

Smart scan enables retailers to view analytics such as age and gender. The scanner detects all the customers and you are able to read the specifics of customers entering the store. 

4- Detectors

Window detectors detect the activity outside the store, the ratio of people entering the store against people waiting outside or looking at the visual merchandise. This allows retailers to know if their windows are gripping and if not, find out why. There are also detectors inside the store to see what part of the store has the most activity, what zones do people use most and what zones are people avoiding. 

I hope Retail Assist's future of technology has impressed you as much as it impressed me!! This is the future of retail and the way forward for both customers and retailers!

To find out more, visit: http://www.retail-assist.co.uk

Thanks to Retail Assist and Karen Millen for sharing their insights.

Photo Credit - Chloe Ferdinand

Katy Perry X Global Brands

When thinking about Katy Perry, I always associate her with fashion more than music. Her cartoonish, bold clothing is always what I look out for at events. Global Brands has recently collaborated with the singer to create a shoe collection which will be launched in Spring 2017. The range includes sandals, trainers, stilettos and pumps. Each shoe has been designed to reflect Katy’s daring, funky, unique and colourful personality and style. Here are a few sketches below:

Hmm, so... i'm not impressed with the designs so far, they aren't as unique as I thought they would be. Although Perry wants them to appeal to the majority of consumers, I feel like they don't make me think of Perry! Katy Perry as a brand is out going and fun, I can only see this in the blue pair of shoes. Hopefully the rest of the range is more flamboyant and exciting.

Sophia Webster's Success

Since working at Brides Magazine, i've been looking at the other magazines that Conde Nast publish. Browsing the Vogue website, I came across some amazing news for one of my favourite shoes designers! The British Fashion Council has partnered with Sophia Webster by creating a design for a tote bag that will be featured at London Fashion Week in September. 

Photo Credit - Sophia Webster

The tote was inspired by Sophia Webster's Spring/Summer 2017 collection. The design is beautiful, and Webster has used my favourite colours, they compliment each other perfectly. Compared to the previous tote bags for London Fashion Week, this is definitely the best that I have seen! 

Brides Magazine Internship

My aim for this summer was to find myself another internship in a different department to my previous placements. An opportunity came along for me to intern at Conde Nast working for Brides Magazine as a Fashion Assistant for 4 weeks. 

My job consists of assisting the fashion and lifestyle Directors with photoshoots, I have to look for items that can be used in upcoming photoshoots and request them from brands. Hopefully i'll be going on a photoshoot whilst i'm at the company aswell! I'm looking forward to my placement as hopefully i'll get a feel for how Conde Nast operates and if this is something I would like to do in the future.

Photo Credit - Google Images

Nature meets Illustration

Meredith Wing (or you may know her as MooMooi) is always popping up on my Instagram feed. I followed her a year ago and have been obsessed ever since! Her artwork is beautiful and although the idea is very simple - it is so effective. #SomeFlowerGirls illustrations are my favourite, they are stunning. These combine drawn illustrations with fresh flowers and other found objects such as shells and leaves. The fresh flowers in this collection have been used to create fashionable outfits moulded to the illustrations. 

Each design has its own story and I cannot wait to see what else Meredith has up her sleeve. 

If you're a fan of MooMooi, check out more - http://moomooi.com

Recycle, rewear, reuse!

& Other Stories is one of my favourite stores to visit when taking a trip to central London. Since 2013, the store has had a policy whereby customers can return empty beauty containers/packaging to any store and get a 10% off voucher in return. As the fashion world is becoming more aware of the consequences of being unsustainable, this is a brilliant idea and it should be something every brand encourages. The majority of customers throw away their packaging, so trading it in for 10% off is a bonus! 

"We want to reduce the environmental footprint in the fashion world, and believe recycling is a big part of that. Since our launch in 2013." (& Other Stories)

The in-store recycling program has been a success and the company decided to expand the scheme and introduce in-store textile recycling. This includes textiles from any brand. The textiles then get passed on to the nearest recycling station and you will receive a 10% recycling treat. The textiles are then sorted into 4 categories:

1- Recycling =Textiles that aren't sustainable and cannot produce new garments are then converted into recycled fibres

2- Rewear = Anything that is still wearable is given to charity shops and are sold as second hand clothing

3- Reuse = Some textiles may be turned into other products such as cleaning cloths/tea towels

   

4- Upcycling = If there is potential, the product will be improved or turned into a product of higher quality

Another brand that has introduced garment collecting is H&M. They encourage customers to drop off unwanted clothing and home textiles (any brand) so they can be recycled, passed on or reused - similar to & Other Stories.

"No true fashion lover likes seeing clothes go to waste." (H&M)

Hopefully brands will continue to adopt this concept and gradually we will start to reduce waste within the fashion industry.

Photo Credit - Google Images

Celebrating Nottingham!

Sheena Holland, the artist behind Nottingham Night Market kindly agreed to speak to me about this concept coming to the Lace Market. On 7th July, the majority of the Lace Market will be supporting independent artists, makers, food producers etc and will form one huge Night Market. This is the second time that the Night Market has been based in Nottingham, and I wanted to discover more!?

1. Tell us a bit about yourself and your background as an artist?

I was born in Camden, London and in my teens I worked for the fashion designer Katharine Hamnett in the late 1980's at Katharine's design studios as the design room assistant, working on sourcing and preparing fabrics for the catwalks. Katharine's designs and fabrics at the time were a statement both politically and creatively which influenced me. The fact that she used British made fabrics and British woollen designers plus natural non synthetic materials for her clothes greatly impacted my thinking and future designs. From 1990 until 2003, I went on to design large floral, wire and concrete sculptures in London. Whilst working for corporate florists she freelanced for private clients and one off events like The Queen Mother's 100th Birthday celebration, Elton John's 54th birthday at The Ritz, Michael Jacksons 'World' tour, Jeffrey Archers London and country homes, Films: The Mummy and Sense and Sensibility. Then, I started making one off Vintage feather and leather headbands in 2005 and was the first designer to create the feather 'side tiara'. I now creates headbands, bridal tiaras, jewellery and hats made from vintage materials using re-worked leather, antique, vintage jewellery and feathers combining fashion, shapes and colours from my training with Hamnetts and floristry. My designs have sold to many people, clients include singers Pink, Lily Allen and comedian Alan Carr.

2. Who/what are your biggest inspirations when it comes to your creative work?

 Fashion, nature, colour and watching people.

3. You've had some amazing celebrities wear your work - if you could pick one person to wear your designs who would it be?

Vivienne westwood, without a doubt!

4. Why did you start to introduce night markets?

I started because I had a shop on the cathedral quarter of Derby and the area had struggled with the new westfield being built over the other side of town, which meant that the old part of town had less footfall. I thought I would start a small market and as there was a courtyard outside my shop I decided to run it there. Once starting it, I realised lots of people loved markets and so I thought about a night market, and ran one in November in 2014 and 7,500 came to it with 52 stalls. I then decided another might be fun....and so on. This will be my 7^th night market.

5. What made you bring the night markets to Nottingham?

I had originally wanted my shop in Nottingham and what with applying for a shop on St. Mary’s Gate it never came about as the landlord stalled me for too long so I resorted to Derby, but I had always wanted to do work in the Lace Market but had never managed to achieve it.

6. What does the future hold for the night markets, do you plan to move to other cities?

Well, having brought the night market to Nottingham, I am now applying to other cities and towns with the recent possibility of it being accepted in a town in Derbyshire. 

7. Have you got any other creative plans up your sleeve?

 I am planning on doing a gallery exhibition of my past and present work, sculptures and fashion and headwear....but I’ve been saying that for 12 months now....hoping I’ll get the time and chance.

So, in or around Nottingham on the 7th July?? Pop down to the Lace Market and see what the Night Market has to offer! (The images from previous years in Derby look pretty impressive!)

To find out more about Sheena's creative work, visit: http://www.sheenaholland.com/index.htm

Photo Credit - Sheena Holland (all photos from Derby Night Market)

Annie the Illustrator

My next victim was Annie Dornan-Smith or shall I say Annie the Illustrator! She creates such simple, charming and beautiful designs that are fit for students and being a stationary freak, I was impressed by this and wanted to find out what was the inspiration behind her ideas?  

Photo Credit - Annie Dornan-Smith

So Annie, when did you first find out you had a passion for illustration?

I have blogged about this a lot, so I won't make the story too long, but it began at the end of my 1^st year, and into my 2nd year of University. I had chosen to take Graphic Design (I actively sought out courses that were ‘just’ graphic design and notIllustration!) because I felt like I couldn’t draw, so I wanted to do something creative that didn’t involve drawing. It wasn’t until I discovered what Illustration could be – it didn’t have to be realistic or lifelike, it could be squiggly and wibbly and weird and wonderful – I fell in love with the idea of making fun, beautiful things. I realised I was way more into making pretty lovely things, rather than agonising over typefaces or target markets.

What are the biggest inspirations behind your work?
I have a few Illustrators who I really admire – Anna Bond of Rifle Paper Co, Tuesday Bassen and Emma Block. There are tons of illustrators out there in the big wide pinterest-y world who do amazing things with shapes, colours, textures, etc, and it would honestly be easy to get sucked into comparing ourselves to them. I admire these illustrators because of the way they have built their ‘brand’ – not only do they make amazing work, they have created things ‘bigger than themselves’, which is something I really aspire to. As far as physical inspirations, I am very inspired by nature – I am a serious plant-lover and I love to draw them, but I also find nature’s colour palette to be super inspiring – the green and burgundys of certain leaves, or the soft pinks and orangey-ochres of blossom trees.

What made you decide that you wanted to focus on stationary and homeware?
I started my shop with the intention of selling prints of my work, and didn’t think much else beyond it. But once I sort of ‘entered that world’, I started discovering all these amazing illustrator-y people who were taking their designs beyond just a print, and onto an almost limitless amount of ‘stuff’. Once I realised that you could source someone to print anything you could imagine if you looked hard enough, it was really just a case of imagining the possibilities! That’s the direction I’ve taken my shop, Annie Dornan-Smith Design, but as far as I go as an illustrator, I’m also really excited to see where my degree will take me in terms of more traditional illustration subjects. 

Photo Credit - Annie Dornan-Smith (Illustrated Affirmations range)

What advice would you give to people entering their third year at university?
It is going to be hard. And it’s going to be stressful. It will feel like you are never going to be able to do it. But you can and you will – because you can’t not, really, can you? You’ll find yourself re-starting a project with two weeks to go until hand-in, but it will all happen. Trust me. I walked around the previous year’s Degree Show wondering how the hell we were all going to be ‘good enough’ to meet that standard in just 9 months, but we did, and our show looked great, and I’m really proud of myself and all of us.

What do you plan to do now that university is over?

Luckily, I was chosen to exhibit at New Designers, so in a week or so I’ll be taking this years’ projects down to London to hopefully schmooze some industry creatives. I’d love to be a freelance illustrator, and spend some more time growing my shop. I’m launching a kickstarter in a very short time, to hopefully publish one of my uni projects, House Jungle - an illustrated guide to indoor gardening, so if you’re interested in hearing more about that, you can join my newsletter!

What is next for your brand?

I just launched two new lines – Confetti’d and Illustrated Affirmations in my shop, so at the moment I’m working on bigging those up! But like I said, I’m working on a super exciting new Kickstarter, and I have an additional product in the works to add to my Confetti’d range. I’ll be sharing everything on social media and with my newsletter so do check it out if you’re interested!

Photo Credit - Annie Dornan-Smith (Confetti’d range)

To browse more of Annie's work, visit: http://www.anniedornansmith.co.uk

Instagram: @anniedornansmith