Shea fashion "is it hot or what"

2011-02-14T08:43:00.001-08:00

Ok so it's LFw and everybody is going fashion crazy ... i have to say this is one of the most stressful times for the fashion industry ... so many shows parties and all those freebies ...i can hardly cope !SUCH A HARD LIFE  ...Anyway just a few things the Shea team would like to let you know.
The Launch of the Fashion Protégé Magazine will be April 20th this will coincide with The second presentation at The Fashion Lounge... this is a great place for new designers to come and present pieces from their collection to media/ press and taste makers. it's not a fashion show but more of a exhibitions, very low key and is not open to public.
I really enjoy the Fashion show lounge because it gives the fashion influencer's a opportunity to get up close to the garments and actually ask designers questions about their collection.
if you would like more information about The Fashion Lounge contact Ali @ sheapr.co.uk

Blogging is the new PR

2011-01-31T01:44:00.001-08:00

Ask anyone in the business of selling a product and they’ll evangelise about the benefits of having their wares featured in a magazine. Not only does a feature in a magazine – be it in the “What’s new” section, part of an article or a specific feature drive traffic to your site, it’ll give your business much-welcomed kudos to be endorsed by a magazine title your customers look up to. It’s also a sneaky ego-boost.

But gaining PR in printed titles isn’t easy. Nor is it as cheap as it first seems… You either need to be on very good terms with the magazine editors, which takes time to foster, or you need to have an incredibly hard-working and focused PR company working on your behalf, which, let’s face it: ain’t cheap.

What many e-tailers seem to be overlooking is that the rise in the uber-bloggers provides just as precious PR as traditional printed literature channels. These blogs can provide just as much influence as the glossies and better still – these blogs often link direct to your website! I’m not just talking about you using your own blog to build relationships and generate awareness, I’m talking about you getting your products featured on top blogging sites just as you would an aspirational magazine.

So how do you get your products featured on an uber-blog? Ah, well that’s another story for another day! I’ll share my top tips on The Fashion Protege

2011-01-01T06:09:00.001-08:00

I don’t know what’s going in your Area, but in my city of London, it’s been a bittersweet and fascinating couple of years for brick and mortar stores. Long time local shops are closing their doors while exciting new ventures are popping up in tiny alleyways, catching major local buzz( Brixton Village). I want to say that I deeply admire and envy you shop-keepers, and I imagine that nothing beats the feeling of walking into the physical space of your business every day and making it your own. I also know from experience, however, that because you are in there, everyday, it can be hard to see the space with fresh eyes and give your displays the wow factor they need. Here are some tips I find helpful when working with designers on displays for shops big and small

Brainstorming:
Inspiration: You probably keep on top of finding inspiration that will drive your products or services, but look at those sources for your displays as well. Art books, awesome design blogs (um yeah THIS one!), and magazines are useful. But don’t rule out travel magazines, movies, cookbooks (good styling inspiration!), and stores (hardware stores are great – pick up some paint swatches and play with color stories). If you plan to include new merchandise in your display, gather a little family of products that create a cohesive narrative. Who owns these products and where do they live? What color unites my new line of products? What season are we celebrating? These are all great jumping off points for a display idea.

ou may run a business with a storefront where you wouldn’t consider putting display: hair/nail salons, restaurants, massage therapists, etc. But challenge yourself to look at your window as a customer would and think about what they see when they look in…is it compelling? Consider investing in a beautiful hand painted sign or sandwich board, or placing an unusual or amusing display in your window that relates to your services. There are two mom-and-pop stores in my neighborhood – a grocery store and a hardware store – that manage to thrive against their big box competitors – Safeway and Home Depot – which reside almost next door. I’m convinced it comes in no small part from the fact that they both have a rotating monochromatic display of mundane, everyday products that creates a strong graphic impact and charms the customer. Crowds gather to see these windows…at a grocery store! Don’t underestimate the power of visual impact on the average passer-by.

Think outside the box You may run a business with a storefront where you wouldn’t consider putting display: hair/nail salons, Photography studio , etc. But challenge yourself to look at your window as a customer would and think about what they see when they look in…is it compelling? Consider investing in a beautiful hand painted sign or sandwich board, or placing an unusual or amusing display in your window that relates to your services

Make Lists: Sometimes the ideas just don’t come, and that’s when I like to pull out some of my handy lists to help spark my imagination. Create lists of materials that you like to work with (or that you know are cheap!) and materials that work with your store’s identity. Is your aesthetic modern ? Vintage? Sophisticated? Whimsical? Write down materials that fit your aesthetic (canvas, light bulbs, ornate picture frames, etc.). Create another list of objects, themes, ideas that appeal to you and compliment your store vision If you feel stumped, try putting items from the list together and see what you get…Stay true to your store’s vision to maintain a unified feel; you don’t want customers to expect one thing from your display and enter to find something completely different.

Identify your viewer: The “viewer” in this case is the crowd that passes by your space and needs to be lured in. Is your shop on a busy street with lots of meandering walk-by traffic? Are you on a street with lots of cars passing bay? This will help determine what kind of displays you want. Drive-by customers need immediate impact; they won’t see a tiny bow in the hair of a mannequin . Bright color, high contrast, and something easy to see from a distance will make the most impact on drivers. Street customers can spend more time studying the displays up close, and marvel over vignettes and little details. If you have both types of viewers, employ both in your design. Also consider whether your space gets a lot of after-hours viewing; are there bars or restaurants on your street? If so, add light to your display or leave your window lights on at night to delight the night crowd and make your space stand out.

Composition: There are some simple rules to design that I use when planning a composition. Asymmetry (placing the focus off center) and the rule of odds (grouping objects in odd numbers) will usually make your display more interesting and dynamic (although symmetry can be beautiful in displays as well). The wikipedia page on composition in visual arts is actually quite a useful summary of visual elements. When it doubt, sketch it out!

These are just a few tip to get you started but the main thing is to have fun and please experiment ....

Mahogany Bridal show .. is a must - Fashion Industry Network

2010-12-02T11:23:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited checked my email today and guess what was there... yep that's right my annual reminder that the Mahogany Bridal show is on it's way ... I absolutely love this trade show .. it fills me with such joy and hopes of one day walking down the aisle ...errrrm Anyway..
Yes I love this show and if you have anything to do with the wedding industry and 'i'm not just talking about wedding wear'.. you do need to be apart of this event ...

Exhibitors need to move swiftly as i know that Sola and his team are inundated with brands, business, desigeners wanting to exhibit or feature in a Catwalk Show
contact sola@mahoganyinternational.com for more info
see you there
oh and if you haven't guessed already Mahogany Bridal Show is a Shea "HOT"

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Mahogany Bridal show .. is a must - Fashion Industry Network

Behance Make ideas happen

2010-12-01T08:25:00.000-08:00

This has got to be one of my favourite website, Behance has been a saviour to my self and clients. Working with a creative professionals for many years I have come to learn that when it comes to organisational skills a lot of creatives just don't hit the mark and personally i don't think they should have to. Having to tap into inspiration and produce beautiful visual art it's a 24 hour job..'i know this my clients never sleep constantly churning out new creations.

Behance is all about assisting Creative professionals and creating balance between creativity and managing and developing careers. The core product of Behance is Behance Network, the world's leading platform for creative professionals across all industries. Members create multi-media portfolios that showcase their work within the Network, and Behance partner sites such as 99% and other organizations. Tons of visitors — including top creative companies, recruiters, editors, and more — come to the Network to see the incredible work and find talent to hire.

Behance is instant and efficient for promoting work, and offers global access to a sea of top talent, and a constant stream of the amazing creative work from around the world — the Behance Network is a must for all creatives Shea PR loves it Making Behance
a .... SCORCHING RED HOT

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T

The wonders of Mikael Jansson

2010-11-29T14:21:00.000-08:00

Yes i love fashion ... fashion is my business, but the aspects of the industry i really love are the creative and business minds in the background of the designers and models foreground. We salute all the photographers, creative directors, PR guru's all the people that make this industry tick, so today we are going celebrate in the artistic achievements of Photographer
Mikael Jansson
anybody who can make me appreciate Rihanna as a work of art has to be a "HOT" in my book
thanks Mikael for making the fashion world even more appealing

Shea fashion "is it hot or what": Oooh Nooo to Jordan on heels

2010-11-28T05:52:00.000-08:00

Shea fashion "is it hot or what": Oooh Nooo to Jordan on heels

Sense of Fashion - The Marketplace for Fashion - Shop, share & sell designer items, vintage, boutiques, street fashion

2010-11-27T01:50:00.000-08:00

Sense of Fashion - The Marketplace for Fashion - Shop, share & sell designer items, vintage, boutiques, street fashion

Oooh Nooo to Jordan on heels

2010-11-25T06:40:00.004-08:00

Ok i'm all for taking an old idea and adding a new twist to it, but these Jordans on heels are just not right, I'm sorry they just ain't doing it for me, in fact I have never seen such a ridiculous pair of shoes in my whole existence on the planet earth.
Why would anyone in their right mind take a perfectly good pair of Basketball boots and turn them into hooker type wears. I'm sure Michael has no idea what is going on here .... I'm not having it Shea PR and Management has officially stamped the heeled Jordan with a big fat "NOT HOT, GOT TO GO"

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Bunmi KoKo Mania

2010-11-22T02:18:00.000-08:00

East London Nigerian Fashion designers are hot property in the fashion world at the moment, they have even caught the eye of America's first lady, Michelle Obama and pretigous UK retail giant Harrods, i personally book my seats weeks in advance for the labels 2010 London Fashion Week debut.
The genius minds behind the label are Bunmi Olaye and Francis Udom, the pair have worked extremely hard to achieve recent success and proven that hard work,skill and raw determination are still attribute that matter in the fashion world.

Well done Bunmi KOKO for keeping it real, Shea PR and Management thinks you are too hot to handle.

www.sheapr.co.uk

Sou Brette, Earthly inspiration

2010-11-08T14:41:00.002-08:00

Words fail me so let the images speak for themselves
Shea PR votes Sou Brette's new collection "Unkownwaters"
"To hot to handle"

2010-11-07T06:39:00.000-08:00

14 November 2010 will be the last of our vintage fairs this year! So come along for another wonderful shopping experience at Cecil Sharp House. As we are now more or less into winter, you will find a large selection of the most stylish coats and jackets, ranging from tweed, camel, real fur, faux fur, certainly something to suit all tastes and price ranges.

This seasons fashion includes ranges of designer knitwear copied from 50’s style. At the fair, you can find originals of these knits at a fraction of high street prices.
Christmas parties are looming, so an ideal time to look for that very special outfit. Remember all vintage buys are one offs, so the beautiful lacy sparkly dress you find will be totally exclusive to you!

Don’t forget to look for Christmas presents – maybe a pretty piece of affordable jewellery or some other vintage treasure.....

The perfect way to spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon, the fair offers wearable vintage pieces at affordable prices, and for those looking for something extra, there is always a selection of designer labels. Previous finds include Chanel, Biba, Ossie Clarke, Yves St Laurent.

Take a break in between shopping and relax in a The Nice Green Cafe. You will find delicious homemade food all with natural ingredients at a very fair price.
Entrance to the fair is a snip at £3. Please visit vintagefashionlondon.co.uk for the chance to apply for complimentary tickets.

Open to the public from 11am -5pm
Address: Cecil Sharpe House, 2 Regents Park Road, London NW1 7AY
For further details please email fair@vintagefashionlondon.co.uk

Fashion Night In ... Brilliant

2010-11-06T10:48:00.000-07:00

An initiated by vogue ‘Fashion Night In’ began as ‘Fashion Night Out’ with vogue’s successful store-based event encouraging shoppers in to the stores during the recession by offering special promotions and putting on events.
The online event follows the same structure as the fashion night out, encouraging online retailers to take part in the evening by offering customers even more reason to shop on line between 5pm- 12am
Many site were promoted by Vogue but to be honest not many made much of a effort ... However My wardrobe Made a fantastic appeal transforming the site with video clips of stylish women’s wardrobes and a click to buy fashion shows a great live style surgery on facebook and twitter allowed users to post question .. it was great, wonderful concept by vogue, well done to My wardrobe for making the best effort.

Shea PR verdict Hot Hot Hot

Alicia

Lyande is a Jewel

2010-07-21T10:36:00.000-07:00

– Lyande Kaikai is one of the most talented new designers i know, Completely self taught Lyande has an amazing eye for what really is good for the feminine female

loving you Lyande

Ali

www.sheapr.co.uk
info@sheapr.co.uk

H&M 24/7

2010-07-11T12:45:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite place to shop will now be availble to me 24/7 ... yes H&M with be launching their online store in the UK Septemebr 16th 2010 and trust me this will be the perfect pace to buy new collections

there will be a wide range of womens wear ( as we would expect )
mens and childrens wear ( yes we expect that too),however totally new to the UK will be H&M Home which is a home textile concept and will feature bedlinen, ready made curtains and lovley fluffy towels

those of you who subscribe to the H&M newsletter will be able to shop exclusivley online from September 9th

Get those credit cards out... HM.COM

Alicia

info@sheapr.co.uk
www.sheapr.co.uk

2010-07-04T14:01:00.000-07:00

According to Spring /Summer collections red is the new black

i could work with that "little red dress has a nice ring to it" i think i will be
rocking alluring red this summer, after all i heard that strong sexy bold women wear red from head to toe

Shea PR say's red is definitely Red Hot

peace out
Ali

www.sheapr.co.UK
twitter: sheapr
facebook:sheaPRagency
info@sheapr.co.uk

PRINTED HAREM PANTS FRIEND OR FOE

2010-07-01T00:16:00.000-07:00

OK.. I was out with some friends the other day and a young lady walked past us wearing printed harem pants...two of my friends stop eating their rainforest creation rotis and gazed at the young lady in disbelieve.. "WHAT THE HELL IS SHE WEARING" hollered Mimi ( thats one of my friends ...keep up) "What" i replied "she looks good" "OH NO SHE DON'T " (Mimi again)

"SHE LOOKS LIKE A BLOODY CLOWN" shrieked Mimi ( and i do mean shrieked )

ANYWAY... the topic of the young ladies printed harem pants lasted most of the day and concluded with... now get pen and paper to take notes, an this is really Mimi's conclusion .... i

1. if over 30 don't wear printed harem pants ...

2.if over 200lb don't wear printed Harem pants

3. if you are a man don't wear printed harem pants

personally i think Printed harem pants are very cool and i own a few pairs my self and yes i am over 30 and no i'm not a man and last time i checked i was alittle under 200lb...

but whats your verdict are printed harem pants HOT or NOT ... check out the pictures to help make your mind up

shea PR voted HOT

Alicia

http://www.sheapr.co.uk/

info@sheapr.co.uk

WWW.SELFRIDGES.COM mmm not sure

2010-04-05T17:41:00.000-07:00

OK the first thing that caught my eye when I landed onthe home page of Selfridges much awaited transactional website was the quirky animation and the lack of model shots and products. There was nothing there to lure me in, no enticing goodies for me to want to rummage around for more information, instead selfridges chose a selection of boxes to direct users to certain areas on the site. the boxes where placed in a scattered fashion, with boxes upside down or sideways making it quite hard to read the text

The website as a whole in my opinion is aimed at the younger market which i think is not quite right for selfridegs varied audiance. The sideways scroll of the website is also quite limiting

yes it gives the viewer a good look at items becuase of the larger image shots however it limits the number of product shown on one page and doesn't not have a show all option

My verdict is " not, not hot but could do with turning up the flame"

Alicia

http://www.sheapr.co.uk/

info@sheapr.co.uk

HMV's Fashion Venture

2010-04-05T15:12:00.000-07:00

HMV will be launching a dedicated fashion area in it's stores called "The Studio". The studio will debut in HMVs leeds store at the end of April , this will lead the way for The studio to feature in 40 of it's biggest stores and studio lite range will launch in the rest of HMVs 280 stores by the end of summer.

Verdict is still out for me and the rest of the Shea team on this one can't see my self running to HMV's for a slinky dress for a saturday night out can you, i know music and fashion go hand in hand but maybe not in this case sorry this is looking like a " Not Hot " from the Shea team

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info@sheapr.co.uk

Alicia

Sketchbook 3weeks of fashion

2010-04-05T14:11:00.000-07:00

Calling all Creative beings to Sketchbook Pop-up-shop for career advice with an edge.

The Pop-up show the brainchild of the faboulous Sketchbook fashion magazine will be popping up at 10 Newburgh Street for a 3 week foray into the world of fashion design, art and Journalism, part of the celebration of carnaby's street 50 years of fashion and music. This is a opportunity to listen to those in the know teach and pull from the creative ether, join in educational, workshops, hear lectures and take part in discussions

From 31st March to 19th April, visitors to this delightful shop will be able to meet the Sketchbook team and mingle with the cream of the contemporay fashion and arts industry

week one : blogger Susie Bubble with her panel will discuss and debate the pros and cons of print vs Online.

Week 2 sees Rashi Khouri founder of Dia Boutique pass her online store know how, and discussion on the all important Bs blogs and brands will round things up neatly and nicely

i have missed out so much but it is actually on e of those " you have to be there to appreciate it" scenarios.

The Pop-Up Shop will be at 10 Newburgh street from 31st March -19th April

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/celebrity/fashion/

2010-01-09T16:39:00.001-08:00

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/celebrity/fashion/

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Shea to hit the radio

2010-01-03T15:38:00.000-08:00

Shea is pleased to announce that we will be launching our own talk show on Urban jazz radio Hosted by Alicia "Neferre"Walters and JoJo. The show will be a fun filled rollercoster of music and fashion and everything in between, no stone will be left unturned.

We will be looking at the latest trends, what's hot and whats not, who's wearing what and how they rockin it, we will also be talking music music and even more music.

There's MORE!

Shea PR and Management will be going LIVE, !That's right!,

Shea will be launching a live music / open mic night, in February alongside Urban Jazz Radio station, so all you song birds and lovers of reeeeeeeeeel music make space in your diaries on Sunday nights

don't worry for those that can't make it the night will be broadcast live on the Internet

please check out links for more info or email

http://www.urbanjazz.org/home.htm

http://www.sheapr.co.uk/ launching Jan 11th 2010

info@sheapr.co.uk

Alicia "Neferre" Walters

Operational Director of Shea PR and Management

Salute to Erykah

2009-12-12T23:43:00.000-08:00

This Months Music and Fashion Salute is to Erykah Badu

Erykah is one of music most creative geniuses both musically and visually

she is known for her role in the Neo Soul movement and her eccentric clever musical styling and sense of fashion. She is known as the lady of neo soul, even though that was a title she really didn't understand.

In the seed years of her career Erykah was most recognised for her colourful headwraps and for her musical sensitivity,she has often been compared to the great jazz singer Billy Holiday. She is not bouned by rules or regulation of fashion or music which make her a very exciting artist indeed.

so this month the Shea team award Erykah with outstanding contribution to music and fashion

thank you Erykah and keep it coming

Alicia Walters

Operational Manager of Shea PR and Management

info@sheapr.co.uk

http://www.sheapr.co.uk/

2009-12-11T12:38:00.000-08:00

Stoned Cherri are one of the most creative designer i have had the pleasure of working with, they offer a Afro urban chic flavour to their design. Coming from South Africa their vision is to become a African brand pioneering a Cultural Revolution in Africa, and in my opinion they are well on their way to achieving their goal. Their brand truly represents the diversity of South Africa with it's root securely in the soil of African culture

i look forward to seeing more from Stone Cherri in the near future

keep it up guys

Alicia Walters

Operational Director of Shea PR and Management

info@sheapr.co.uk

http://www.sheapr.co.uk/

3 Cheers for Warehouse

2009-12-10T15:19:00.000-08:00

i'm totally impressed with the staff at Warehouse fashion in Oxford street, for more than one reason, firstly out of all the fashion retail stores on Oxford street only Warehouse offered one of my best friends the perfect dress she needed to impress her work colleagues at her Christmas party Secondly they put up with her indsiciveness for about 2 hours only then to choose a dress that was not available in her size, she had not only one patient sales assistant but 3 running around calling every fliping warehouse on the face of the planet looking for a size 6 sequined black dress, unfortunatly they only place that stocked that size still was sweden. Thank you Warehouse for you care and attention and sorry A i’m sure you’ll find the right dress in time for next Christmas.

Alicia Walters

Operationals Director at Shea PR & Management

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