Eoc Week 8: Exercise

The product that I picked to do is a new dress shirt for women. A shirt that is just not one sized. It would have an upper body size and a lower one. With breast sizes naturally and artificially getting bigger in America and the waist getting smaller why are there not clothes that come made to wear that fill those needs? I have been asking my self this question for many years now. The coco cola body shape is praised but there is not market that takes an advantage of it. I have found a very select few that take action on this market but it is not in the United States. I would first launch a dress shirt since the professional women uses them often and then expand on to other items. I would have the sizes numbered just have the upper size then lower and make it easy to figure out. The brand that I did find had a hard to read chart that you had to refer to which I found to be a hassle. Having the two sizes will eliminate the need to have to see a tailor or wear a different shirt under and not button it up all the way. Since the shirt is a lot more labor intensive and specific it would be of a higher price but I feel people would not mind the higher price. It would make shopping a lot easier and you would not have to pay extra tailor cost so it would about even out. I would call my brand DBC that stands for Designs By Coral. I would have the logo be simple black and white with some of the letters overlapping each other similar to that of Louis Vuitton. This would also help add the elegance to the brand and help add to the use of the higher price point. I would like to featured in high-end department stores and maybe have a hand full of boutiques. I think that the current sizing charts are not up to date for the people of today and that they should be updated to fit our needs for now.

Eoc Week 8: Discussion Questions

1.) Why do consumers feel such a close attachment to their bags?

Consumers feel such an attachment to their bags, because it is an expression of their personal style. It is a way to show others our status and personal style.

2.) What is our favorite brand of bag, briefcase, or backpack, and why? How does this brand reflect your personality? Do you think you will ever switch to a different brand?

My favorite brand for bags is Louis Vuitton. I feel that it represents my personality, because I feel some of the things I wear can be classic but I like to bring attention to myself with flashiness. I don’t feel that I will switch brands I love the brand and they are of great quality. I think that they will always be the first brand if bag that I will think to go to. If I were to buy other brands I would not use them as much I would my Louis Vuitton.


3.) Now that you have read the chapter go to www.dantbeatrix.com and explain how the company has evolved. What is the latest news? How do you think the line reflects current fashion?

The company has evolved in to children’s lunch boxes as well. The brand is a favorite for celebrity children. Also the company has expanded in to green products as well. The website does not feature the dog carriers, but can still be purchased on other sites.

I feel that the brand reflects current fashion with the graphics and the bright colors that they use.

4.) Why do you think Dante Beatrix is so successful with the company’s ideas to pursue graphic design instead of just focusing on bag design? Is branding the key element that drives you to purchase a bag, briefcase, or backpack? Look at a bag you have now. Is it designer? What is the brand? What features really make it special, or is it really just the name that makes it unique? Describe your answers in detail.

I think that the company is so successful in using graphics, because the market that they appeal to children, new moms, and pet owners. People want t stand to more then ever and graphics are a great way to do so. Branding for me is a big reason to buy a bag the one I have right now is a designer bag. It is my everyday Louis Vuitton bag. The features that I like about it the most are how strong they are. Using the bag almost everyday for a couple of years old and still showing little to no wear. You can tell it s worn, because the leather is darkened, but that just adds to the bag if you ask me.

EOC Week 7: Discussion Questions

11.) What is viral fashion branding? How did this form of branding make Johnny Cupcakes well-known product line in the youth market?

Viral fashion branding is branding that is done through self-promotion, word of mouth, and electronic methods such as email and or the Internet. His branding strategy worked well with Jonny cupcakes, because his target market the youth is able to relate more to him and his brand. His blog features a lot of personal things such as his retune family members, and more. This helps the consumer have a bigger bond with the brand. Since his clients are a younger base things such as word of mouth and the Internet worked better, because that is what that age group does the most talk about exercises and goes online.

2.) Why is viral fashion branding a good method for promoting product? Can you think of other brands that are currently using the process?

Viral fashion branding is a very good way to promote a product, because it is free and you do not have to hire an expensive firm. Also word of mouth is a lot more powerful then an ad telling you how something works. Having a person that used the product and can tell you even more is way more persuasive. Another brand that uses viral branding that comes to mind is the slider truck that comes out side of our school. All of their followers heard of them from online or word of mouth. The brand reminds me of the Jonny Cupcakes brand a lot, because they are unique and the art that is featured on the truck as well.

3.) How does Johnny Cupcakes allow customers to feel like they are special? Is this important and why?

One of the biggest ways that Johnny makes his customers feel special is through his blog. His blog allows him to connect with his customers on his personal believes on certain topics. Also they are able to see what a typical day consists of for Johnny. This gives the customer a lot more personal attachment to the brand owner. They are able to interact with him and in turn the brand, which makes a lot more loyal customer, because a relationship is born with them.

4.) Do you think the Johnny Cupcakes brand relates to older customers like the baby-boomers and generation Xers? Why or why not? How does his use of nostalgia and popular culture influence his ability to reach different audiences?

I think that baby-boomers could relate to the brand since he uses a lot of all American nostalgia in his designs. This makes it easier for a more diverse audience to relate to the brand. The older generations may relate something to something in their childhood and purchase it. Also the baby-boomers seem to want to stay young and why not with the Johnny Cupcake brand?

5.) In you opinion, is Johnny Cupcakes a unique brand? What other items would you include in his product line?

I feel the Johnny Cupcake brand is that of a unique one. I feel that the brand should expand it’s children’s wear a lot more. The online store does not feature a diverse selection for children. Also they do not have any infant clothing only older children’s clothing. What they do feature says that it recently restocked so it seems as if it has been selling well. Oddly the children’s line is not bright and is very basic. With the customers that the brand has already I would imagine that many of them have children or will soon. If they wear and like the brand they would be more opt to put their child in it. On top of the children’s market is a great and very fast expanding market that they should take advantage of.

EOC Week 7: Exercise

If I was promoting a new line and had to use viral marketing Johnny Cupcakes is a great brand to make a plan to follow. Making a blog and having some way for the consumer to attach to the brand can make them a return customer. Advertising on blogs that are similar to the brand that I am promoting would also be something that I would do. Also I would give celebrities that our target market watch and have them try to use or wear the product. Creating social network pages would also be something that I would do if it were a big part of my target markets day to day life. I would also send samples to Youtube gurus that my target market subscribes to. Many of their followers want the products that their favorite person on Youtube wears. People love free things and love to talk about the product if they like the product. I would try to create as much buzz on other blogs and websites that many people go to already. Trying to be featured in stories as well. Also I would be sending samples to magazines and try to be in contact with the editor in trying to be featured in their magazine. I would also try to be featured in gift bags at events that are similar to the product that I am promoting. The internet is a great marvel of the modern world, and can be used to promote many new products and businesses. This can make it easier to promote new things but in turn harder, because it is a lot easier to find similar products. If viral promoting is done the right way at the right time with the right time it can be very successful in expanding a brand, and Johnny Cupcakes is a great example of it.

EOC Week 6: Exercise

The store that I went to was Louis Vuitton, which is one of my favorite brands. Louis Vuitton always has interesting window displays, and a simple floor set up. A lot of the bags that are sold are not out in the open. This helps make the brand feel more exclusive, and also makes customer service very high. The displays feature a lot of wood and glass that add on to the high-end feel of the brand and of its stores. Since tings are laid out and not cramped you know that you are in a high-end store. Unlike those discount stores that are packed to the brim with little to no customer service. Also the sales associates wear all black and look very sleek. You can also tell that the store puts a lot of attention to detail in the displays. Doing little things like making sure that the bags that are out are perfectly lined up at all times. They take a lot pride then lower end stores and we expect them to since their products are high end. Also we expect that the associates have more knowledge about the products that they feature. All though the store is very nice sometimes it can be a little intimidating to walk in to the store. You feel the associates making judgments if you are able to afford to shop or if you are just window-shopping. They are able to spot who is serious and who is not a lot easier then other stores. I have also had the problem of not getting a lot of customer service when asking to look at certain products. Due to this there are certain stores I will not go in since they have not helped me when thinking of what I want to save up for.

EOC Week 6: Discussion Questions

1.) Does A&F reinvent its brand strategy every year through its product assortment? Is it successful? Why or why not?

A & F offers the same things every year and only makes minor changes to its products. It is successful for them, because their sales are great and are a big competitor in the retail industry. I think that they do so well with this, because their consumers know exactly what to expect when going in to one of their stores. The product does not change, but they are content with it and expect it.

2.) How does A&F brand its products? Do you think its brand practices are successful?

A & F does many things to brand it’s products. First thing is the mouse logo. Also the half nude models that grace the shopping bags, in store pictures, and much more. Their branding is very successful it is very easy to point out an A & F shirt, jeans, shopping bag, and all of their other products.

3.) How do retail store atmospherics such as music, fragrance, lighting, store props, and retail brand associates strengthen a brand message? How do they weaken it?

It helps to add a mood when shopping and makes it more of an experience. On the other hand the store is very dark, the cologne is very strong, and it is hard to hear from the music. I personally never shopped there for these reasons, and know many others that feel the same way. Doing this they possibly turn away a great number of customers.

4.) What feelings or emotions do you experience when you enter an A&F store? Do you think A&F tries to intimidate its customer by using extremely attractive models?

When I step in to an A & F store I want to turn right back around. The smell is way to strong the music is to loud it is dark and the tables block walk paths. I feel that the store has to much of a sensory overload. I think that they try to be intimate with the models with the poses that they have them in. Also most of the time the models are faceless so you can imagine whom ever you want with that body.

EOC Week 5: Exercise

My plan for the future is to be a buyer for a high-end department store. I would love to work for Barneys, because they have a buyer for each store. It would be like working for a big boutique, but would have the big business stability. I like how there is a buyer for each store because it would be a lot easier to know you customers then if you where regional buying. I see this taking about ten years or even longer. I know that it takes time to climb up the business latter. Also with it Barneys and being high end it might take even longer then that. I know that you have to work you way up and be an assistant buyer first, and work at other companies first. I try not have an exact idea of what I expect to do after receiving my degree, because I do not want to feel disappointed if tings do not work out how I expect. Things never seem to turn out exactly how you think they will especially when talking about the future. I would like to move out of Las Vegas since I have been here for a long great amount of my life. Moving to a bigger city such as Los Angles or New York or even Paris if I learn more French. I would love a change of pace and even living over seas. The reason why I would like being a buyer so much is, because they travel so much. I love being on the move and can get bored easy so traveling often would keep me interested and not stir crazy. I like how much control that they buyer has and in a sense they get to go off and do their own thing.