Graduate Fashion Week London

Yesterday I visited Graduate Fashion Week at Earl's Court 2, London.

Birmingham City University had a stand at the exhibition which showcased all the final year work. My day involved discussing my work with students from other universities as well  as being able to take a look at the exhibition to see what other Universities stands were like. The theme for the stand was incubation, how as students we have evolved over the three years studying, hence the chicken coops.

Me with my work on a chicken coop.

My work zoomed in with business cards

From left to right my presentation box, dissertation and business cards.

The Fashion Retail Management class of 2011.

I enjoyed my day and loved the atmosphere, knowing that everyone was there purely for their love of fashion was great.

Companies that Graduate Fashion Week are associated with.

Free publications and graduate information for graduates who are interested in working for George at Asda.

One of the stands I particularly liked from the show came from the Arts University College Bournemouth. I loved the vintage them with the coloured bunting and caravan.

Summer in full Bloom

My Dad is a keen gardener and noticed yesterday the bright array of flowers in the garden. The bright colours instantly make me in a better mood so thought I'd share them.

Zumba Time

Today I went to Zumbathon at Cannock park. I attend a Zumba class every Wednesday and today my teacher Maggie was holding the event at the park to promote the exercise class so I went along to show my support.

Zumba is an exercise class which has a mix of all sorts of dancing from Salsa to Street dance. I have been going for a year now and keeps me fit as well as having fun at the same time. You can burn 500-1000 calories with just one hours exercise.

Many people turned up from other classes around the area and I really enjoyed the morning. If you interested in attending Zumba check out the official website http://www.zumba.com/ . Or for Local classes in the Wolverhampton area http://www.zumba-rellas.com/home.html.

Vintage Fair Time!

Today I went to Digbeth, Birmingham to the vintage fair which was cancelled a couple of weeks ago. It was held at the Custard Factory.

There were many different stalls there full of a range of different items from clothing to jewellery. My friend Sonya who I went with brought this cute bag with Egyptian detailing from the 1940's.

The front of the bag

Back of the bag

Inside

Also there to tempt us was a cupcake stand, we got a little carried away though and brought two boxes but they were well worth it. :) The cakes were made by a local company called The Boutique Baking Company. To find out more about the company check out their Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Boutique-Baking-Company/116616371684361?ref=ts&sk=wall

The yummy cupcakes we brought. I had the lilac one which was vanilla.

While at the Custard Factory we went into the new bulding - Zellig and had a look around as you can see below the building has a mix of modern and traditional architecture, I loved it. I went on a visit to the buliding before it was built last year as part of my Event Management module and I'm amazed to see how it has actually turned out.

Lanterns at the entrance of the building.

Statues suspended from the ceiling in the main walkway.

Just outside the building is this eye catching piece of art.

The main structure of the Zellig building has a mass of white poles entwined with each other. The walkways as seeen above are also disguised by the structure which looks like you are walking on air.

Overall a good day was had and to top it off the sun was shining - finally.



Graduate Exhibition

While I was reading Total Jobs magazine I noticed an exhibition on for Graduates this weekend at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham so I decided to enrol. I attended today. It was free to attend and proved very useful as I got to speak to companies such as T.K Maxx to find out what they want from a graduate.

Overall I found this very useful and became a member of a number of recruitment sites which will send me job vacancies on the sector of the industry I would like to enter.

Outside the N.EC, Birmingham where the exhibition took place.

Some of the information I collected from various companies.

Above: Grad Jobs Exhitibion guide and floor plan.

MIX Makeup - Final Project

My final year project was a concept called MIX Makeup which is a makeup range for women of colour. From initial research into the Makeup industry I noticed a gap in the market of makeup which is available for women of colour. Speaking to consumers through focus groups and questionnaires this was confimed, so I went about launching a brand.

My interest in makeup came from my placement at Ruby and Millie in London, I find makeup is a great accessory and can totally change an outfit or look.

Analysing the society today was crucial in understanding what consumers want, as a lot of people have less disposable income due to the recession the brand would be launched on the High Street in competition with brands such as Rimmel.

I found this project very enjoyable to do and have learnt alot of skills from it such as costings and what makeup ingredients are needed to suit Women of Colour well.

How MIX will look instore.

The logo inspired by a makeup Palette.

Packaging for the brand which will be recyclable.

The range of makeup specially selected to suit women of colour.

Promotion Example.

Shopping Time

On the way back from University yesterday I popped to Primark in Birmingham and Brought a bright pink top that will go perfectly with the colour blocking trend I want to try. I also brought an orange bracelet made from leather. It's bright and will go with alot of things to inject colour into the outfit. I love them both.

Both of the purchases are from Primark and cost £5 altogether - what a bargain.