Is Talbots the new Mama JCrew? (a design perspective)

Is Talbots the new Mama JCrew? (a design perspective)

For those who have been following this amazing turnaround for Talbots in the past two years, might have noticed some changes to the brand, for those who do not know the brand, it is a brand targeted to 50 year old women and originally began like most American brands as a catalogue brand. Recently, they have been going through some major changes with the recruitment of a brand new design team and new concepts and well I thought I would go have a look at these changes.

Interestingly enough, it appears that Talbots has adopted the hugely successful JCrew model - and very much looks like Mama JCrew - in the way they have merchandised their catalogues, to the colour pallettes used, at first glance I thought the new Talbots catalogue was JCrew, but after some closer inspection I realised they are Mama JCrew - with that term I mean, a mature version of JCrew.

Talbots has clearly positioned themselves as a fast follower and it can be observed that design wise, this is definitely the case, however, though the similarities are apparent, the way Talbots has transformed their collections and looks, still is very true to the Talbots woman. It seems even though they are following, they are maintaining their true core values and have very much their core customer in mind.

Below you will find images taken from Talbots and JCrew, their websites and catalogues, and it is quite apparent that while design direction is similar, Talbots have differentiated themselves for the mature market in a very clear and distinct way.

Hope you enjoy! Comments Welcome!

Talbots main website

Fun, regal and flirtatiously fabulous for the modern 50 year old woman.












JCrew main website

The colour pallettes are similar, but I do commend Talbots for making theirs appear more mature.

JCrew Swim

Young Silhouettes in bold colours with paisley prints.

Talbots Swim

The design concept is similar, with mature silhouettes, but still with paisley print and deeper colours.

J Crew Shoes

Cute rose details on their flip flops, for a younger casual look.


Talbots Shoes

Same concept of rose details but upgraded by using black to be made to look dressier and more serious.


All in all - it seems Talbots and their design turnaround is doing well, really appreciate that they have behaved as a fast follower however without directly imitating someone elses image - but rather yet making it their own.

I look most forward to what else Talbots comes up with in the coming months, it is definitely a most exciting corporate turnaround!!

*all images courtesy of JCrew.com, Talbots.com

xxx
Sheeana

ASOS.com released Curves line today

I have always been a fan of ASOS.com - shopping religiously on the website, so I was quite delighted to see that they launched a curve line...

However, and I am a curvy one too - though not size 20,

I was disappointed by how unflattering the curve line is, and the model looks positively lifeless, really - it looks like maternity wear and not fashionable at all - for curvy women to look good they need tailoring and shape - not draping cloth everywhere! I question if the person who styled this even understands what its like to have curves,

Further choice of materials seem bizzarre, to hide things you dont like, blends like cotton rayon nylon tend to be a better choice, and also - this is the market that would love sweater knits the most as opposed to jersey for figure loving shapes and non frumpy looks.

You want to elongate the body - stripes across the body do nothing for a curvy woman! it only makes them look fatter - I am curious as to the research put into this.

Regardless, nice to see a brand move into the curvy market - but please for next season bring out some flattering tailoring!!!

xxxx

Sheeana

dearfoams - Virally and Buzzedly Delightful!

So.. have you heard of dearfoams?

Well I hadn't either before, but they have been advertising everywhere, and after being bombarded with their internet ads, I decided to take a looksie!

and I was quite delighted when I reached their website, clean in look, clear in msg - they are all about slippers and obviously so! with 3 little tasks to take your fancy I played with all of them!

The first was a mini quiz to work out just which slipper are you really? and within the questions there is light humour and reinforcement of slippers - Target marketers would be proud!

Which slipper are you? quiz

Then in the second option, you can register to get into the draw for a slipper a day giveaway - what a great way to use your product in gathering email addresses for potential email marketing, and in a permission marketing form, while not a new concept, I just feel the site presents it ever so eloquently.

Register for a slipper a day giveawayBut my favourite part of the site - was this little slipper fairy! Where you can upload your friends photo or yourself, I used Sheeana's face here, kinf of in an Elf yourself form, where you can pick your wardrobe and which shoe you'd like to be delivered to your friend as a gift! It shows great initiative in linking the real world with the virtual one, and has been executed in a easy to use fun tool.

You should go and have a play with it! Great fun and very effective! Visit: dearfoams

xxx

Sheeana

Could we use any more photoshop???!!

The new Spring Summer advert is out for Dior, and while it looks ever so artistic, could they not hang back on the soft lens brush a little bit? No one's skin looks like that! and its so clearly photoshopped in a way that we are supposed to think its natural but infact its over done! It doesn't look realistic at all...

Calling all designers! Macys looking for a star!

How interesting, I was flipping through a news letter and this advert caught my eye,

Seems Macy's are looking to stock new designers - wonder why that is? Could it be that their inhouse brands are somewhat left to be desired? What's your take?

Regardless - everyone with a collection should most definitely give this a shot! good luck all! The exposure would be crazy! but just make sure you are their target market!

xxxx

Sheeana

New Layout

Hey all!

So just decided on this new layout courtesy of Blogger Styles, I think it's less busy and gives a much better aesthetic, what do you think? :)

xxx
Sheeana

What's happend to branding in fashion?

I was recently flippling through a Harpers Bazzar and I was taking note of the Spring 10 advert campaigns from the designer labels, and as I am flipping through, I am seeing page after page of adverts that resemble photo shoots - this lead me to question, what happened to branding in fashion?

Every designer used to have their own unique style, their own unique trigger to what makes their brand, a brand name connotated to a certain lifestyle and expectation.. but these past few seasons, it seems campaigns are mere plugs for the "it" item and does not much to reinforce brand image or build recognition and understanding of the brand.

Take a look at these below,

Prada - known for its classic tailoring and elegance, all black, now represents a look much like that of Marc Jacobs - cool, edgy and slick - not a bad thing - but not what we know as Prada - or perhaps I am outdated,

DKNY - who came up with this layout? it used to be about the inner New Yorker, about street wear, about being urban and this print ad looks like a catalogue collection - how is that supposed to attract shoppers to the brand? how is that reinforcing DKNY as a brand?

Gucci - a brand which I believe has long lost its direction - ranging from high end to trailer trash, what is this ad supposed to represent? the boots are very cool - but what does it mean for me as a consumer if I buy them?

Dolce and Gabanna - I think I must have really been out of the loop - what happened to the young trendy out there looks? what is this supposed to reinforce about the brand? I do not understand what they are trying to communicate in the slightest - why bother with ad space, why not just do an editorial?

Bottega Venetta - How is this image BV in the slightest? Had I not seen the brand, I would have assumed this was for Ralph Lauren, or Bally even.

Sorry - but this is how I feel - having grown up with brands I feel like they no longer represent the lifestyles and the status they once had, designer labels are special because they are aspiration brands, they are supposed to represent beauty, luxury and uniqueness - a lifestyle that you aspire to - perhaps I am idealistic, but feel that these print ads do not communicate any of that anymore.

xxxx

Sheeana

Megan Fox for Emporio Armani Underwear and Armani Jeans

Ooh la laaaa - Armani delights us with Megan fox for their underwear and Armani Jeans campaign - talk about sexy and Ronaldo will take Beckhams place next, hot! hot! hot! They will keep the black and white shots - making it oh so sexy - can't wait for the billboards!



I think shes perfect for the look and apparently exclusive photos will be released to the EA facebook page, however - when you go to look for it, its hard to tell which one is the official page - note to Armani - sort it out!

xxx
Sheeana

images courtesy of WWD and Stylist Blog

Remember Baby G?

Baby G - was the iconic must have watch that we all wanted when we were 14, numerous counterfeits of said watch came to market due to the popularity, and what once was marketed as the must have item, it seems they are re-emerging again in the teen markets and internationally. How nostalgic!

The new campaign in Nylon magazine sports a surfer being a slave to fashion, but the watch seems to have changed from its old design slightly - but yay for the return of Baby G!

xx Sheeana