Give Your Customer Free Advice Online and In Print

If you have a beauty or fashion range, one of the best ways to create traffic or interest is to offer advice. Whether it is instore or online or in the form of an e-book, if you can write and have some pictures, you can easily offer this as a value added service to your customers. It just takes a little time.

Some examples are:

Benefit Cosmetics has a lovely "How To..." section on their website...

Absolutely Gorgeous also has a Blog with loads of information about natural skincare and beauty.

 

Mood Board Inspiration

A collection of my thoughts and inspiration for the day, as I put together proposals and concepts for clients. I need to take time out sometimes to collate my thoughts, inspire myself and get going.

Many people think designers can pull ideas out of the air, which, in a sense we do, but without input there is no output (a little like a recipe - no ingredients, no meal). I find if I immerse myself in gorgeous things, then everything I design reflects those things. That's why my environment, clothing, style is all related to what I do for a living. It's about living with authenticity and integrating all aspects of my life together, so that the design I create is a true reflection of my taste, passions and style. Luckily clients seem to like it!

I was researching images for flowers for a logo design, very gorgeous and here are some references I've used as a starting point...

 

 

Wedding Invitation Inspiration

I love old fashioned things, as it is probably evident. I really love letterpress because it is so far removed from technology and the largish digital print runs I normally do.

I found these on Etsy by Golden Rectangle Press, just delightful. Beautiful typography, single colour simplicity.

Coco Cocoon - Lily Allen

No self-respecting style or design blog would be complete without a mention of this simply tres chic campaign by Chanel. Lily Allen, in my opinion is perfectly suited to a modern day Holly Golightly, albeit a slightly more street-smart version. Truman Capote would approve.

Lily Allen is the face of Chanel’s “Coco Cocoon” Line: the stylish British singer has been chosen by Chanel to head the campaign with bags from their new line of cushioned bags.

Styles in this new range include a shopping bag, bowling bag, suit bag and a trolley bag, in fabrications of nylon or lambskin and colour options of black, beige, chocolate, burgundy, taupe, grey, gold and red!

Available now in CHANEL boutiques. 

Marie Antoinette Inspiration

 

Despite the knowledge of the gruesome events that took place or the inequality in the streets of Paris and the massive social change that took place, I love these laces, shapes, colours, girliness. I would have hated to live then but the "look" ofthe time in Versailles is so beautiful and opulent.

Quote of The Day

"Create your own visual style... let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others.” 

Orson Welles

Friday Inspiration...

Being such a competitive market, the candle industry has a huge variety of gorgeous point of sale and packaging designs. Years ago I worked on the Illuminate Candle packaging, which was simple and chic in the 90's style, but these days the designs are more elaborate and fanciful.

Seda France Japanese Quince Candle

Jonathan Adler South Hampton Candle

 

 Abahna Frangipani and Orange Blossom Candle

Sohum Cosmetics

 Thymes.com

Vintage Advertising

I often draw from the past when I am developing concepts, there are some gems to be found in old magazines and newspapers. While search for retro gems, I came across these, which I don't think I'll be drawing from...

 

 

You've come along way baby...

Beautiful Interiors for Inspiration

I often look to interior design to trigger the creative process and have included some snippets below that might inspire

From Knight Carr and Co. - Interior Direction

From Charles Faudree

 

Imagine sitting at this gorgeous little dresser every morning!

Wall Stickers using flourishes  way to tie in elements around the room, as are flourishes in web and print design. Love this colour combination show from Easy Living Magazine.

French Vintage and Parisienne - Kate Moss on Trend

Kate Moss is generally on trend and in the thick of things, so it comes as no surprise that she is adding to her portfolio a new fragrance called Vintage.

Beautifully classical, I hope "Vintage" fragrance lives up to the styling and name.

Also being promoted by Kate Moss, Yves Saint Laurent Parisienne.

Champagne - The Colour Trend

It's spring racing season and the bubbles are flowing, and not just into glasses. Champagne in all it's muted glory, is everywhere. Black has been banished off to winter and fair skinned beauties are celebrating soft and fair skin, and champagne coloured tresses.