Net-a-Porter can teach us a thing or two
Monday, 17 November 2014
A
company that got it very right when it comes to the e-commerce territory is the
online fashion store heavy weight Net-a-Porter. For
brands that are entering the digital market, Net-a-Porter is one to take some
tips from. And no I’m not just referring to their branded same-day service vans
which can be spotted zipping around the streets of London and New York.
A. Service is Paramount
Consumers are now demanding that companies don’t
merely serve them, but do so in a personalized way. Having grown exponentially
over the last decade Net-a-Porter has not let this waver their excellent
service. I'm talking seamless online ordering and
processing, an easy returns policy, great customer care and perfectly packaged
garments that can make any girl swoon. The picture of the Net-a-Porter black box wrapped with a dainty black and white ribbon is the Hermès orange box standard of fame. It's no wonder that their net worth has
risen to the hefty heights of $3.4 billion.
B. Disrupting the Digital Landscape
In
today’s digital environment, the consumer appetite for a high-quality customer
experience is a given and, as a result, e-commerce is ripe for disruption
through innovative customer service and experience. Net-a-Porter’s
fusion of content and commerce is what led it to stand out from similar
retailers.
The fashion juggernaut saw the importance of incorporating human talents alongside
sending to print their own publication “Porter”- as a service to its beloved
customer. Last time I was writing away about Net-a-Porter
was because they were about to send Porter to the printers for the first time. As a side note I did purchase Porter for the first time
the other week and found it to have the soul of a Myer catalogue, but that's
another story.
C. Engage your target consumer
It's often said that today's customer is connected, empowered and impatient. This refers to the Net-a-Porter woman precisely. She is connected with the global fashion industry, actively uses Instagram and dreams of it all. Although the empowering of consumers has meant that companies are now in an arms race to build customer service and experience across a multitude of channels. Net-a-Porter has managed to create an organic, genuine and loyal following. Something that cannot be created with the click of the fingers. The customers are definitely both the backbone and driving force of Net-a-Porter, and it will strive to facilitate their every need. Net-a-Porter's constant creation of relevant content is what keeps it moving. They are industry leaders on both the instagram and twitter front's and their iPad "Notebook" app is a dream. Onwards and upwards.
“The most important thing, certainly today, is to follow the consumer. Technology and the consumer are changing so quickly.”
-Natalie Massenet
An Ode to Oscar de la Renta
Wednesday, 22 October 2014
The gracious and talented Oscar de la Renta, 1932-2014 R.I.P
Click through to view more photographs.
with love.
Made with love, please
Tuesday, 21 October 2014
Words by Holly
Fast fashion is bringing me
down.
Don’t get me wrong; I like a bargain as much as the next girl… but since
when did affordability translate to homogeneity?
I’m not enjoying the glut of
fraying hems and copycat designs on display in today’s department stores
(here’s looking at you, Zara), or the way most people look like they own the
same wardrobe. I want to buy clothes that I know has been made with love, not
the sweat and tears of an underpaid factory worker in Bangladesh. Vivienne
Westwood, the queen of punk, has issued us all the decree “Buy less, choose
well, make it last.” Hear ye, hear ye. Let’s start investing in pieces we’ll
still be wearing in ten years time.
Yes, fashion is about whimsy and fun, and
occasionally making regrettable online purchases late at night, but hey… let’s
slow it down a tad. A little love and personal style goes a long way.
Edita Vilkeviciute // Holiday Magazine
Saturday, 28 June 2014
Edita Vilkeviciute has got us dreaming of that Lithuanian Summer.
Posing in classic style's for Holiday Magazine's Spring/Summer issue, Edita is photographed by Mark Peckmezian.
What a timeless black & white spread.
with love.
Ellery Resort 2015
Monday, 16 June 2014
Kym's latest Resort 2015 collection embodied everything I love about Ellery, it's simplicity, luxe and absolute sophistication. Bell sleeves marked garments of crepe, satin and organza, alongside quintessentially Ellery-style structural tunics and v-necks.
We're talking timeless classics, or in other words- regret-less purchases.
Whilst the shapes contained typical hard lines, there was an understated fluidity to the collection, with wool being softened by its systematic draping. Pointed crepe hems were met with cropped as well as floor skirting pants, and the styling was impeccable as ever- with the models hands being dusted with the most delicate golden bangles and rings to match.
In particularly, I was in awe by her modest blue linen sleeveless shirt, which was said to be inspired by the colouring of suburban swimming pools. As far as inspirations go, linear stripes were drawn from the works of David Hockney, transformed into a bold brushstroke like print covering a selection of midi skirts and dresses.
Although true to her name, Kym Ellery allowed her simplest and most refined pieces to act as her strongest.
That cream-toned bonded crepe gets me every time.
with love.
Inspiration
Sunday, 15 June 2014
“There’s something beautiful about keeping certain aspects of your life hidden. Maybe people and clouds are beautiful because you can’t see everything.”
— Kamenashi Kazuya
with love.
Balenciaga Resort 2015
Friday, 6 June 2014
Truth be told, I liked this collection a lot more than I thought I would. There was a lot of nodding, 'oohing' and subsequent 'aahhing' going on as I browsed Alexander Wang's Resort 2015 Collection for the almighty house of Balenciaga.
Firstly, there was enough tough outerwear that makes my soul sing. Wang also blended apparent maritime influences so well with dollops of French chic that well... one would hardly compare the collection to any blue and white stripe clad navy. The tones of navy and black worked wonders, paired with muted tones and stark whites. Wang's genius was again seen in the black leather pieces which were perfectly tailored and turned up at the corners to reveal a snippet of deep blue.
The black netting which imprinted onto jacket and skirt combo was mighty impressive, matching the bags made entirely out of netting. If we're talking influence's, there is no doubt that those black boots were taken from Wang's nautical reference- yet somehow they look incredibly chic and edgy.
I can't help but draw comparisons with Wang's asymmetric cut to that of Raf's for Dior (Resort 2014) Collection, as well as those strapless numbers. None the less, the asymmetric cuts of this Balenciaga collection were dream-like, working heavenly with their trailing hems and undisputed sophistication. They brought a sort of fluidity and airy softness to the tough, sailor ensembles. This may sound strange, but I have found this collection relatively easier to digest in comparison to some of Wang's work in the past. Most likely due to it residing more in my comfort zone with the plethora of leather, black and neutrals.
How delightful.
Inspiration
Saturday, 31 May 2014
George Plimpton: “How does one become Diana Vreeland?”
Diana Vreeland: “The first thing to do, my love, is to arrange to be born in Paris.”
with love.
Fix My Skin (Please)
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
I feel like this is the era of skincare for me. I have always been one to spend no more than the bare minimum on skincare, I am now on the quest to find the best potions and lotions for my temperamental skin type.
a. Perricone MD "Blue Plasma"
b. Perricone MD "Nourishing Mousturiser"
c. Mario Badescu "Special Cleansing Lotion O"
d. Mario Badescu "AHA Botanical Body Soap"
Click through to read what I think of the products…
Edit
Wednesday, 9 April 2014
a. ACNE "tram trashed denim jacket"
b. Helmut Lang "open-knit linen top"
d. Rag & Bone "enfield shoulder bag"
with love.
Mid Week Slump, And Other News...
Needless to say, we've both been quite busy the past few weeks. Utterly consumed by the mundane working life and never ending uni assignments.
And here comes that dreaded mid-week slump, oh the perils of cramming all of ones classes into one dreaded Wednesday. Not to mention the rain and typically Melbourne bipolar weather.
In other news...
The whirlwind which was vamff just passed and mbfw is currently unfolding, (sorry for the crazy lingo but thats Melbourne and Sydney fashion weeks for our global readers.)
We have also witnessed the opening of h&m in Melbourne's historic GPO building (yes, we sadly waved goodbye to our beloved ACNE). In the spirit of new stores, also make sure to check out the glorious A.P.C store in Melbourne's QV. And typically, the first thing we did was put our names on the waiting list for that godsend of a half-moon bag.
Our favourite gem of a Mexican restaurant- Fonda has also just opened up a mammoth ester restaurant in Flinders Lane. We presume that this one will be without the soul crushing 30 min wait of its Windsor counterpart. Do stop by for some delicioso pork quesadilla's and chicken burrito's, and don't skip on the tequila!
Also keep your eyes peeled for a very exciting collaborations in the coming weeks!
Featuring...
First Image: Pressed Juice, Aesop hand cream, country road homewares candle
Second Image: T by Alexander Wang "Viscose Blend Waffle Seedstitch Crewneck Pullover in Heather Grey" & "Robust French Terry Sweatshirt with Mesh in White", both purchased from Incu
Third Image: Bassike, ACNE and Zara mules.
with love, Natalie.
Louise Parker & Daiane Conterato
Monday, 24 March 2014
Meshing athleticism with sleek silhouettes (yes we have boycotted the phrase "luxe sportswear"), comes a gorgeous editorial for Flair Magazine's March 2014 issue. Hints of cult Nike sportswear can be seen hidden amongst layers of DKNY and Alexander Wang.
Lensed by English born Anthony Maule, both Louise Parker and Daiane Conterato are pictured donning new headwear/hair.
What a beautiful editorial.
with love.
When All Else Fails
Tuesday, 20 August 2013
...reach for a black shopper
We're talking about the grandiose hybrid tote/shopper/structured handbag or whatever you choose to call it, and it has never looked quite as good. Nothing beats a good black leather shopper with golden hardware.
Note: it also has a certain ode to anonymity about it, escaping much of the it-bag-syndrome.
Apart from just making significant modifications to the name of the Saint Laurent house, Hedi Slimane made some changes to their range of classic bags. Firstly, as you can see within the last two bags (the bottom which is of the old style, and the slightly higher one which is of the new), Hedi replaced the regal, bold "Y" with the simple golden brand name of simply "Saint Laurent" of course.
Likewise, Victoria Beckham has also done the black-shopper thing very well with her self titled "Victoria" bags (oh can't you just smell the vanity), and this one as pictured above is actually matte as welll, do double kudos to her design team.
a. Fendi "2 Jours medium tectured-leather shopper"
b. Givenchy "lucrezia medium tote"
c. Victoria Beckham "the victoria matte-leather tote"
d. Saint Laurent "classic duffle 6 leather bag"
e. Saint Laurent "cebas chyc medium leather shopper"
with love.
