The new French Connection Look Book - yum.

So now to what my post was supposed to be about today - The S/S 10 French Connection Look Book. Now I picked up my copy in the Southampton store last week, and couldn't resist having a flick through whilst in store. And I can tell you that it actually made me quite excitable! The book is presented in a simply gorgeous way - very French Connection; simple, huge on images and small on writing (which works for me as all I need to know is the price to be honest. Anything else just distracts me)



Each double page spread features one page with just a picture of the model, and the page opposite then features S/S items - either displayed in several 'looks' or seperately with accessories. The information given includes the product name, price, colour ways and sizes available.



Each page featuring just the model has a slogan, which I found interesting to flick through and read, and made it different from every other ad campaign. As to whether it summed up the French Connection customer I am unsure, but I'm an FC customer and I liked it all the same.

The book was for both men and women - depending on which way round you started, I obviously started with the women section, and this is how it was displayed in store. But turn it round and flip it over and you have the mens section;



The female and male model are being used in all advertising campaigns; from the Look Book, to the website and videos available, to magazine ads. I have found myself liking this much more than say Topshop who, it seems to me, use a million different models each season. I feel using the same one or two gives it continuity, and when I see an advert I automatically relate it to the brand, and the other adverts I have seen for it.

So all in all, good job French Connection. Nice items inside the Look Book too!

Oh River Island, you've wasted all your hard work.

Morning (just) ladies and gents! Now I was going to publish a post on French Connection's beautiful Look Book now in store - but that will have to wait for a minute. I have just been on Facebook, as we all do every morning I'm sure, and River Island have posted their 'Favourite Just Arrived Pieces This Week' and they are HORRIBLE. I'm not just saying this as they do not suit my personal taste, I am pretty sure that it will be the general consensus that these new items are awful. And so 90s River Island. Please observe;



Is River Island back to being 'chavvy'? With these new items I certainly think so. It even hurts me to say new, as they look as if they've been lurking in the store cupboard of a cheap poundland-type-store for years on end. It's such a shame after last season - A/W 09 had some BEAUTIFUL pieces, and now they're offering this!

Neither the dress or skirt seem on trend, and I'm waiting to see chavtastic 14 year old girls with wet perms wearing them, they are not remotely appropriate for Spring/Summer. And I can't even begin to try and explain the shoes or think of the reason behind selling them at this 'brand'.

Even the comments posted on the River Island Facebook page following this post are not that great, with negative comments such as;

"I don't really like any of these, they're not original, definatly 'copy-cat'"
"Dont like any of it :("
"the shoes are awful !"

And these comments are coming from River Island's core customer base, those who have taken the time to sign up to their Facebook page.

Maybe time for a rethink if they want to try and compete with brands such as Topshop and All Saints?

New brand of focus...New all time bank balance low.

Now as this blog clearly displays, I am a MASSIVE French Connection fan. And my love for this brand has only increased after seeing their Spring/Summer 2010 collection - the items on offer are so, so, so much better than the last few seasons offerings.

In spite of this, we can all get a little bored of always visiting the same store and website, and so I have decided to slightly adjust my focus. For me, as a fashion student, there is only ever one other option for my brand of choice - Topshop. The student and fashionista favourite alike, that just seems to get better each and every season. And now I can't seem to keep myself off of their website. Along with receiving their 'Topshop Style Notes' emails, and visiting stores in my local Southampton, my home town of Bristol, and even the flagship store in Oxford Street (which for me is something of a big deal - if you come from the West Country you'll understand), I am well and truly addicted.

My last Topshop trip was to London Oxford Street, and I couldn't have found a better way to spend an afternoon. As daunting as it was due to the sheer bloody size of the place, I simply wondered around in amazement. My first impression of the store was excellent, and I particularly enjoyed the front of the store, which featured a virtual wall with the recent Topshop catwalk show from London Fashion Week playing;




Although the store was beautiful to look at, it was the clothes inside that excited me. My current 'Topshop Wish List' is approximately 11.64 miles long, with goodness knows how many items on there. Shortly this wish list will appear here...it'll just take quite a while to compile so please be patient.