Fashion and Beauty Insight Summit

Wednesday 14 March 2012
Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL)

Image courtesy Charlotte Summers

The first Fashion and Beauty Insight Summit took place on Wednesday 14 March with nine key speakers willing to share their expertise on strategic communications, whilst the audience were eager to soak up all this knowledge.


At registration goody bags were handed out including a programme outlining the day and two Oriflame products: Ecobeauty smoothing eye cream and day cream. And for the men: North for Men hand cream and Architect EDT.


The Summit began with presentations from Wahanda, Marie Claire and We Are Folk sharing the importance on gaining the consumer’s trust; on identifying your consumer’s lifestyle profile and on the way to use the four latest social platforms for success.


After a short tea and coffee break A Suit That Fits demonstrated how to improve communication strategy by thinking like your customer and I Spy Marketing showed how Facebook could be used successfully with examples of case studies.


Following a long leisurely lunch break, Mumsnet, Zulu Beauty and Global Radio enlightened us on how we need to respect and listen to what our customer has to say, and how both videos used on social media channels and radio can be powerful communication tools.


The day ended with a one hour Speed Networking session allowing us all to mingle, make new contacts and discuss ideas.

Image courtesy Charlotte Summers 

What did the attendees think of the day’s events? Here are a few comments:


Camilla Ollier, Director of Hearson Communications:
I have found today's Fashion and Beauty Insight Summit a useful exercise in learning more about social media in the fashion and beauty industry. I look forward to implementing some of the ideas in my own social media strategy as well as advising clients on the latest trends. 


Irina Bragin, Founder of Made of Carpet:
Very informative with a lot of ideas I had never considered using before such as videos and Mumset’s tips.


Cyndy Lessing, Director of Sosensational:
The whole day was informative and extremely thought provoking. First class knowledgeable speakers who were able to transmit a considerable amount of information in a short period of time. My only wish would have been for a ‘How to..’ session at the beginning on Facebook and twitter.


Joanne Jarvis, Rachel Bonny and Katie Daniels all from CCD PR say:
It was good value for the money. We found Paul from Folk’s talk really useful and wish he could have had more time. The best speeches were those with more of a work shop angle such as I Spy – not all of us are digital marketing experts – who knew that your Facebook page could be at risk because of the way you posted a competition? However a few of the talks did feel as though we were being pitched to.


Claire Marshall, Account Executive from Slam PR comments on both the Summit and Speed Networking:
Everything went really well. Found the social media speeches with the case studies particularly insightful. The Speed Networking was a nice way to meet different people in the same industry. The bell is a good idea as it makes you move around and make the effort to network, rather than staying with the same group of people. It was a good way to finish off the day.


Click here to read testimonials, feedback and comments

www.FashionBeautySummit.co.uk

By Karen Grace
Personal Shopper & Image Consultant for Frumpy to Funky http://www.frumpytofunky.com



Image Credit: Charlotte Summers
www.charlottesummers.co.uk

The Health Quarter

The Health Quarter opened its doors last month and promises to be a health store with a difference – more of a health boutique combining natural health with some luxury and glamour.

Firstly this bijou store manages to look both fresh and serene with its white fixtures and fittings, pale green decor, potted plants and soft lighting (don’t worry there is plenty of daylight coming through the large windows). There is also a French feel to the place with a few free standing glass fronted cupboards and a small cafe style table and chairs in the corner – tres chic.

The store has opted to sell only brands with high quality nutritional supplements which may be a little bit more expensive but are free of any unnecessary ingredients such as artificial additives, preservatives, flavours, colours etc. They also have a selection of skincare products which are natural and organic, plus an organic cosmetic range so you can look after your body inside and out.




But the main uniqueness to the store is that they have two resident nutritionists, Rosie and Claire, who offer one-to-one consultations on site to help you on the road to a better nutritional way of life.


Before the consultation, they will give you a health questionnaire and a three day food diary to complete which you then return to them at least 24hrs before the session. The consultation usually takes an hour and Rosie or Claire will discuss the findings of the questionnaire and diary and then work out a nutrition programme for you to follow.

Having experienced a little taster of a consultation, I can see how the full hour would be of great benefit. Both Claire and Rosie have a friendly and gentle approach which instantly puts you at ease and you’ll be telling them your life history in no time! Luckily for them my consultation was only 15 minutes.


The initial consultation costs £85 and any follow ups (45mins) cost £70. For privacy, these sessions are conducted before or after opening times.


The Health Quarter
3 Egerton Terrace
Knightsbridge
London
SW3 2BX 


www.healthquartersw3.com

By Karen Grace
Personal Shopper & Image Consultant for Frumpy to Funky http://www.frumpytofunky.com 

Marni at H&M

Last autumn it was Versace at H&M, now it’s the turn of another great designer label to collaborate with H&M – Marni.

Marni’s founder and creative director, Consuelo Castiglioni, has created a spring capsule collection especially for the collaboration which captures the essence of Marni.

The Marni label conjures up images of quirky designs with a mix of textures, bold patterns and colour blocking, and this collection focuses on these signature features.

For the women

The collection is a mix of sporty and ladylike pieces: sporty zip up blousons, parkas and stripy leggings to the neat jacket and skirt ensembles and coats. Other pieces include loose silk dresses, shirts and trousers, brocade pants, tulip skirts and silk front knitted cardigans.

Colour palette is the classic black, grey, navy and khaki teamed with the brighter orange, gold and rust.

The bold prints are of oversized dots, tribal motifs and graphic designs. Fabrics a mix of crisp cotton, smooth silks, gold lame, patent leather and jacquard.

 

Accessories include: separate sequined shirt collars, sculptural jewellery of plastic, resin and rhinestones, printed fabric, leather and shiny plastic bags and wooden platform shoes.

Men

The men's collection has a nautical flavour and is a relaxed take on menswear staples with soft colours and fabrics. Pieces include parkas, suits with either long trousers or Bermuda shorts and knitwear.

The use of print and bright colour is more subtle here, often as just the lining or as a small contrast detail for shirts.

 

Colour palette is black, deep blue and khaki accented with a pop of electric blue, orange and crimson red.

Fabrics include cotton varying in different weights and luxurious cashmere for the knitwear.

Accessories: sandals, plimsolls, straw hats, socks, explorer caps and an oversized tote.

Both men and women have t-shirts with the Marni naive child appliqué on the front.

The collection will be available from Thursday 8th March in selected H&M stores worldwide and online, so make sure you set your alarm for an early morning call that day as the pieces are sure to be flying off the rails.

By Karen Grace
Personal Shopper & Image Consultant for Frumpy to Funky http://www.frumpytofunky.com