2.8 Hours Later

Halloween came early this year! :) 

My friends and I volunteered as zombies! 

Spent my Saturday dressing up as a zombie and running around chasing people in a giant game of tag called 2.8 Hours Later. The game is based of the movies 28 Days Later and the sequel 28 Weeks Later! The aim of the game is to pass through zones and at the end of the run, you can celebrate at the zombie disco or survivor ball. Any more information can be found here. Tickets are still available now, so if you are up for a exercising and a scare, tickets should still be available on the website!

As for safety of the game, don't worry about it, it's completely safe! Zone managers in the game could help you out, and zombies won't actually eat your brains! Last night really got me psyched for Halloween! What's everyone dressing up as this year, leave it in the comments below!

My zone and zone managers!

MN

The Fashion Dialogue

Globalisation: Great for Business, bad for Fashion?

Hey guys, I know I haven't posted for I while, but I hope you're enjoying 'the new girl' Mel's posts. Today my post has mainly been inspired by my recent trip to Singapore a country I've always wanted to go to, and had an absolutely amazing time in and can't wait to go back to; and secondly the current project we are undertaking in Uni. 

A little back story to my thinking, when ever I go abroad, for holidays, academic trips, or short breaks, I am defiantly the member of the group who always wants to go shopping, and a lot of the time doesn't even buy anything. Having been brought up for 8 years in Dubai meant that whenever I wasn't doing something outside 9 time out of ten I was at the Mall, with friends, family etc. And now as a fashion marketing student I like to observe and look at consumption and shopping  from a different perspective. And frequently I see, hear and think myself "why do you want to go abroad and look around shops you find back at home." And that's why I'm going to look at why globalisation and its negative impacts on fashion. 

Deja Vu

Looking first at luxury brands we have to look at both sides of the coin in that, on one hand there must be a supply of international brands in every local market, to a tourist it might seem clinical, and almost clone like, but to a resident its their standard of living and supply of wants and finer goods. Go to Dubai and you'll find Malls with designer galore fashion avenue in Dubai Mall, Mall of The Emirates the list goes on, Singapore walk down Orchard road around 23 Malls, large standalone stores of designer shops, with lots of the same shop 2 minutes from each other - all within a 2.2Km road. Brazil shopping Malls specific for designer outlets with beautiful fountains and terrace gardens, and spotless marble floors. You find the Parisian classics of Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, you are spoilt for Italian Alta Moda - and all of this is wonderful and there is no place I feel more at home in a new place then surrounded by this amazing brands. My issues arises that you rarely see a well indirectly lit, plushly carpeted, perfectly polished, store of a local designer. Of course this is not in every case, picking up a mix of tourist pamphlets for lots of different places and looking up retail they all seem to be distinctly proud and loud that this mall, or that street has all the international stores you will want, and small little paragraph telling you if you want local fashion 'go here'. 

Asking a large and mixed group from China whether or not they think there is any local Chinese brands that are on the same level as for example Chanel the main response was a large 'No'. A few looked around and had a quick whisper to maybe think and check but their response was "the problem is that if a Chinese girl wants to spend lots of money and buy a nice handbag she wants a Chanel bag because its renowned and its a brand that everybody, not just Chinese knows and wants, she can say 'yes I have a Chanel bag' it doesn't need to have its logo everywhere which is what we used to buy but it still needs to be the brand".

I find that luxury has a large culture attached to it, if you spend that much money on a functional item, wether its fashion, or anything else your buying the prestige, history, and impact that comes with that brand. Newer designers whether in Europe or the far east struggle to compare and therefore struggle to get noticed and desired. 

What would you do if you were going to buy a designer item (handbag, suit, etc) if the choice was a local designer with a beautiful product or an established international known brand also with a beautiful product? 

The H&M and Zara sprawl

Fashion doesn't just live in the world of expense and luxury, high street fashion plays a large, and more negative part of this post. Where as I find that traditional luxury brands has its place in all countries, the vast sprawl of high street fashion which with lots of brands does not. H&M is a good example of where some talented people created a brand strong enough that it can take very simple products and sell it every where, my problem arises that this creates competition in all levels of the market and is almost straggling out uniqueness of international high street fashion. 

Walking into a Zara in Brazil and finding that certain popular products which were being worn around in both England and Brazil where culture, climate, style, are all completely different and yet the brand was 'similarising' the two. 

Again the argument of 'I want what everybody else wants' starts to take hold and alienating less globally accepted brands, and leading to local fashion being the underdog. 

Thanks and I promise to do better

I hope you found this post engaging and please comment your opinions, thoughts; Do you agree with me is there too much of the same thing? Are global brands choking out local ones? 

RNW 

The Fashion Dialogue 

Orchard's Way, Southampton

Winter is coming! Hope everyone's keeping warm!!!

So, I spent this Wednesday chilling with my blogger friend Frances, doing what bloggers do best! We went around her place, and found this quaint little street and decided to have a mini photoshoot.

I'm wearing my new coat from River Island, jersey from AllSaints, jeans from American Eagle, Shoes from AllSaints and Bag from Celine!

And Frances is wearing her coat from Sandro, paired with her Chloe bag in her JBrand jeans with her Maje ankle boots!

I had so much fun with this mini photoshoot! Feel free to comment below for any recommendations on destination for more awesome and unique backgrounds! 

MN

The Fashion Dialogue

Internship at AllSaints

So I forgot to mention the other day that I interned for AllSaints this summer. I worked in their PR department, then moved to their merchandising department! I know it sounds ultra cliche saying it was an amazing experience and I've learnt a lot from it, but it's true. I mean when you work in the company for a set amount of time (other than the first week of really getting to know what you're job requires), you spend the rest of the time learning from other people. There will always be something new in the job, but what makes the job even more interesting is getting to know the people you're working with - people not necessarily in your department either. At the end of the internship, I really couldn't get the courage in me to leave... I actually went back a couple times during summer just to say 'hi' to everyone. But this is what I mean, if I didn't try to talk to people, there wouldn't be an environment where I'd feel remotely welcomed to visit. But yeah, that's AllSaints for you!

So how did I even come to think of telling you about my summer internship, you may ask... Well I'm having my hungover sunday morning, and just thinking about the watching You're The Worst - an American comedy series starring Aya Cash and Chris Geere. Sitting comfortably on the couch of Ryan's student housing, just about to start the series, then comes the opening credits, and the first thing I noticed was Aya Cash wearing an AllSaints dress. 

Aya Cash from You're The Worst

So the Lewis dress in black is no longer in stores, but you can get the new one with a beautiful floral pattern as shown below.

AllSaints - Lewis Flora Dress

She was wearing a dress... so what? Well, that got me thinking about AllSaints, and then begins my online shopping spree! Okay, so AllSaints is probably the only store I know where the hanger does not do the clothes justice, but the more reasons to pop in store and try it on! So the last time I went into AllSaints (just so you know, I do pop in a lot...). I took so many clothes off the rack, but ultimately couldn't buy much. All for different reasons, but mainly the price... All I can do now is daydream about it... so if anyone is reading this and wants to know what to get me, don't be shy when it comes to buying me the following...

AllSaints - Bayes Shearling Leather Jacket

AllSaints - Langer Sweater

So I realised that this wishlist of mine is not within a cheap budget and probably not very reasonable for students to buy for each other. I guess I'll just have to settle with my new AllSaints shoes!

AllSaints - Sarris Chelsea Boot

Just so you know, the other day when I was talking about good shoes being great investments. Yeah? These were the shoes I was thinking of. They were not cheap, and I swear my eyes got watery the minute I took my card out. But these bad boys are the best things ever! They go with everything! It's high heeled, and I kind of expected myself to get tired of walking in them at some point, but I could walk a mile in these shoes - not a problem!

Sunglasses: Brick Lane
Top: Brandy Melville
Jeans: American Eagle
Bag: Chloe
Shoes: AllSaints

MN

The Fashion Dialogue

Intro into The New Girl

Hi everyone! Just wanted to introduce myself to The Fashion Dialogue community! I'm not crazy over fashion... hah (bad joke) I'm kidding! I LOVE fashion, and most of all, I love shopping! I have those days where I buy nothing at all, and some days where I blow a lot of my allowance money, and obviously those days where I just need to buy the necessities (not going to lie though, a pair of shoes is definitely a necessity, and a good pair of shoes is always a good investment).

Anyway, I wanted to keep my little introduction here short and sweet, and to let you readers know that whilst Ryan will be writing about movies we may watch, or what's on the fashion runway. I want to write about things happening around me; new shop displays or new shops or even new products. I do have a love for shoes, so it may well be a post about my beautiful collection at home! You'll soon find out that Ryan and I are jet setters, and hence we will probably be anywhere but the UK at some point... But keep reading and I'll definitely keep posting! Also, don't forget to comment, I would love to hear from my readers (even if it's just a little "Hi! :)")

Also, don't forget to follow me on Twitter @melanie_ng11
and Instagram @melanie_ng1012

MN

The Fashion Dialogue

Coco Chanel - 2008 Movie

So I decided to fill up a bowl full of a mixture of different flavoured Ben & Jerry's, and snuggle in a pile of pillows and a blanket and watch the 2008 film 'Coco Chanel'. Similar to 'Coco Before Chanel' another film night favourite of mine, its a film of course about the life and rise of 'Gabrielle Chanel'.  A relatively long film just over 2 hours, where I first watched back at school when I tried to find 'Coco Before Chanel' - at the end of the 2 hours you'll find yourself holding back the tears, and contemplating a really deep seated, intense tweet about friendship, perseverance, and most importantly

strength.

The film starts with crowds of people lined outside a Chanel store waiting to get inside for the first show after 15years out the game, however the viewers quickly get bored and uninspired and walk out - an extremely powerful message, a complete slap in the face. This represents a beginning of a fall from grace, is Chanel losing her respect, her place in fashion? We then begin the journey through Chanel's started with the death of her mother and the desertion of her father, we begin to create an emotional link to the film character of Chanel. We see the beginning of the rise of Coco, after a lucky break of a relationship between Chanel and the very wealthy Balsan, where she begins her true pursuit of developing her own shop, starting with hats - I found that costumes where well created and true to the period - and the contrast between the beliefs of Gabrielle and the rest of society, 'male' mostly, was worlds apart. 

Then we see it all crumble when Chanel needs to thrusts herself into the world with no support after sacrificing her job to be with Balsan, and we see her begin to rebuild. Again the use of costume and props were crucial as we see the how Chanel must sacrifice all she had created, even a fur shawl from Argentina bartered for a fraction of its true worth. Again we begin to build a further link with the character, our own personal feelings begin to sympathise with events of the movie. We see her pay blood and soul to create what she is truly passionate about. 

I have to say the finale seen, when the story is over where we've cried a little, we've cheered, and we've held our breath - the catwalk show took the spot for me. The costume for the show at the end was FANTASTIC. I found myself even wondering had they used real Chanel clothing, it was the true embodiment of Chanel style, they weren't trying to soft focus, reduce the time we saw each outfit - it was very well done. I found that they stayed true to the fact this was a true story about a fashion icon who truly left a massive chic footprint on the word of fashion and on the ideals of society. The last few seconds of the film we see Chanel standing and looking at her life long friend who had always been there, through heartbreak, through risk, through war, through everything life could throw, and holding hands with a business partner who nearly gave up on her then realised the true power & spirit of Chanel. I do suggest if you haven't seen the movie to see it, and I hope that you enjoyed the post and feel free to comment on your opinions on the film. 

RNW

The Fashion Dialogue 

Dolce & Gabbana Summer 2014 - (Ready-To-Wear)

So this post will be a quick look at Dolce & Gabbana's Summer collection, I hope everyone had a great halloween, and that you either looked terrifying or eerily glamourous. So sitting down today after a few days off was like trying to restart a car without any fuel in, so I must apologise for the likely shorter post. 

So I found that this collection will be a strong feature this summer it took traditional summer themes and added very cultural inspirations, and the designer edge we all are drawn to when we walk past a shop window. The pieces had very strong Roman links I felt, linking to a famous empire of the past creating a regal, powerful impression. Another cultural influence I felt looking at the clothes was the more discrete feel of oriental impression, again a culture with a rich history and a very relevant to todays society economically. The combination of the two  created created a strong impact with prints, colours, embellishments, and accessories. The was a range of fit and style that I found created a good balance and I felt reflected the need for variety. 

   

I feel that similar that this collection will quickly have high street shops such as Topshop, New Look, and River Island all producing a range similar to this each taking an element to trying and push to their consumer - like strong prints from Topshop, floaty material from River Island, and an attempt of a replica from New Look. The show ended with a very dramatic march of all the models walking on to the catwalk together, all wearing a variety of golden outfits, this was a nice end to the show and gave us a chance to again see the verity of material use - seeing more metallic colours and materials. 

I would suggest if you haven't seen the show and like the pieces you've seen to watch it - its not too long and is quite drawing to the viewer and you'll find yourself considering each piece and what and how it was inspired. I must thank Dolce & Gabbana for the images provided. And thank you for reading, feel free to comment your opinions on the collection, the show, or even any crazy Halloween costumes you've snapped on that faithful night. 

RNW

The Fashion Dialogue