Follow@78cobar2019/1/6/style-studio">Style Studio

I had a call from good friend and client Vincent B who wanted a wardrobe re-fresh. The style studio took place mid December, so post Christmas I sat down with Vincent to reflect on our session and how he felt about the clothes and himself more importantly.

So Vinny,

What did you want to achieve with this styling session?

I wanted a complete overhaul of my wardrobe. I had clothes from years ago and really wanted to restart the base collection and then build on this. And also to get a bit of confidence. There was a lot I wanted to get rid of but in order to this I needed to have enough clothes to replace them with. This would involve a lot of time and research which I wouldn’t be able to do. I also wanted to try to be a little more daring and gain more confidence in what I wear. I appreciate when things look good on people but wouldn’t always be brave enough to do it myself. I was hoping the styling session would make me see that I would too look good in these outfits.

Were you clear in the overall look you wanted to achieve or for me to go a little left field?

A bit of both really. I knew for example that I wanted a couple of new coats, Cory then went and researched lots and sent them to me and I selected the ones I liked and this gave Cory enough to get something like this that sat within my budget. I also asked Cory to suggest something other than Jeans... I only every where jeans. Cory then brought a vast variety of different style pants to the styling session

If so what were the biggest No’s for you?

I only really asked Cory to avoid making it obvious that I’d literally replaced my wardrobe in one day to something completely different. Therefore I didn’t want everything hugely different from what I’d wear before, I wanted to try say a new pair of pants with an existing top to see how they were received rather than a complete new outfit that would look like I was just wearing someone else’s clothes. Cory helped to use some of my existing wardrobe with the new items so I could test the waters with a particular piece whilst improving my confidence.

Were you happy with the service and kept upto date?

Cory was phenomenal, frequent updates (in fact it was me often apologising for not replying promptly). It was clear how much research he was putting In and I was frequently being sent emails with more images and pieces for me to say yes or no to which would help him with the vision. I was genuinely overwhelmed by how much time he put in for me, it really made me feel special and that I was a main priority. Cory came all the way to my house to carry out the styling session which really helped as I have a newborn. He managed to fit in a time and date that was convenient for me.

How did you feel during the style studio?

At first I was a little awkward as it’s not something I’m used to but Cory was very professional and put my mind at ease very quickly. Watching him work his magic putting pieces together and then putting them on and looking in the mirror. He was constantly asking what I thought and giving his opinion. After I’d tried on a few outfits I felt my confidence and body language improving.

Did I listen to you and your concerns or ideas?

100%. There were some of my current items I wanted upgrading (better quality), this was done. I wanted two coats (one more formal, one very warm), this was done. I cannot believe how he managed to get everything so right with the little information I gave him. I don’t usually shop online as I like to try things on so I was expecting lots of things not to fit, this was not the case, one shirt didn’t fit and he had another size which did.

My only real concern I had was with shorter length of trousers, I’ve never been comfortable with them but I did ask him to get a few pairs. When I put them on with the others pieces to complete the outfit he asked what I thought and gave his opinion. His explanations on how to make each piece of an outfit compliment another, layering all to make you look in proportion was something I’d never thought about. I’m a tall man, with very long legs so I’ve always just purchased the longest pants possible but Cory showed me how this could be achieved in other ways like by having a longer top.

Did you set a budget and was this met?

Yes. Cory asked initially what my budget was. As I wanted a lot of clothes I understood that I’d need to spend a fair amount. I gave a lower budget and top budget and it came considerably under the top budget (which I was very surprised at when I saw how many items there were). It was clear that he’d shopped around for the best prices and really tried to make my budget go as far as I could.

Would you tell us about the process?

We started with an initial consultation over the phone where I told Cory what I was after, he asked a bit about my current wardrobe and we discussed budget, sizes etc. This was very much just like a normal conversation but I was amazed at how much he could extract from the conversation. Over the next week or so Cory sent me a number of emails with a lot of styles, looks and single pieces. I simply returned the emails with things I like circled and this would help him see through my eyes I guess. The next thing was to arrange a date and location. Cory had ordered all of the clothes and arranged them to re sent to my house. On the day of the styling session Cory arrived when he said he was going to and seemed to have as much time as I needed. The actual session took around 3 hours but this time flew by for me and it seemed he was enjoying it also which really did help. Someone actually doing all of this to make me look better and more confident whilst enjoying it and showing a sense of pride is honourable. It didn’t feel like he was here to work it felt like he was here to create and inspire... Which he ultimately did.

Are you happy with your wardrobe pieces and would you use a service like this again?

There were only two items that I didn’t take and this was down to size, everything that was picked I kept. Cory took care of the returns so it really was a specialist service. It’s not if it’s when, I am already giving some thought as to what I would like to do next with my wardrobe and I know who I will call first

Why?

It is rare these days to get a sense of happiness from someone who is working. Cory is clearly proud of what he does and the magic he creates

Was there a favourite piece?

I really liked the grey overcoat. I told Cory that I had one like this years ago that I loved and he managed to get one similar that was of much better quality

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• Arket

• Dover st Market

• Zara

For more information on any of the clothes or services click here

New Creative Leaders_ →

Creativity is my new energy!

Seeing, hearing, feeling something, anything that can just make your mind explode is better than any drug. It feels like we are in the time of the creative. With all the negative press and state of the economy and our New World Leaders and then we can all unite and stand together as creatives - for now is our time. Not everyone has the budget of the LVMH’s and Off-white but you can still create.

Go create, go inspire and don’t be afraid to put something out there.

Creatively Being Confident!!!

W E T H E C U R I O U S 

Follow@78cobar2018/6/12/london-fashion-week1">The Business of Fashion Week Part_1

As Men’s Fashion week (london) came to a close we share our observations on this and the digital world via 2 platforms.

First the digital world.

Technology is going through a bit of a love hate relationship within fashion and retail currently. It adds so much which reaches a global audience within seconds. It assists designers with innovative creativity. Retailers have been able to service consumers so much quicker and consumers able to access goods through digital channels at the touch of a couple of buttons. As we see the closure of so many retailers, a lot of blame has been apportioned to the fast acting digital shopper, mobile sales and brexit of course. 

The majority of this is true, but I would also say in some cases, if not most, poor management from the top are not acting quicker to bring themselves in line with current fashion in retail business trends.

Stagnant business models, archaic strategies and potential arrogance has led to some of the world’s much loved brands to fall so far behind the competition that they are forced to close stores. With the high loss of staff jobs the high streets across the country feel like the land that time forgot.

• Why have boardrooms let such disasters happen?
• Why are they not in touch with their customer?
• Why have we seen so much failure on the British high street, following on from such disasters in the US, with well know brands suffering the same fate?

It’s not paying external teams millions to come up with a new brand vision, ad campaigns etc, it’s not rolling out more stores than you can handle and it’s not discounting or creating an online presence that is already out of date and hoping for the best.

So what is the answer???

Sorry, you’ll have to get in touch and I’ll have to charge you for that insider knowledge.

Of course, I’m joking (but seriously get in contact).

I believe it’s putting your trust in a creative team that’s passionate, motivated, determined and driven, who can deliver great messaging, great products and can create a desire to succeed. We still desire, dream and wish we were something, somewhere or someone else. Where has the fun gone in fashion. Well, the fun is still there, its retail process and core business where the fun gets lost. Boards, Chairpersons or CEOs you have to believe in your creative team, work together to build strategies based on short term, mid term and long term plans. Change doesn’t just happen overnight. We all know that, so why don’t we truly understand it. I know what your thinking, shareholders!!! Well we have to be clear to them too from the outset.

Creativity is different all over the world and it’s what sets us all apart whether it’s traditionally or digitally. We need to embrace the creative again to help restore much needed fun back into retail. There are a number of brands doing this so well. All working together for a common goal - to create an experience for the consumer, to create that desire, that need, that reason to purchase. To share their hard earned currency, euro, dollar, bitcoin whatever it maybe. Give them a reason to be part of the experience not just offer a discount.

We’ve done that already!!!

Inspire, be inspired, create, be creative, be you!

London Fashion Week has given us some incredible moments of creativity that really show what London in particular has always been know for we just hope these new designers are given the platform to grow and are not suffocated by business and the forced to grow to quickly. Creativity and Business must work together in the same way the digital physical retail space must.

I call this retailibrium!

For part_2 London Fashion Week Men’s and brief overview click on the link below.

Thecuriousboysclub.com

Follow@78cobar2018/4/17/sn-t9fkl">Sneaker Dream.

It’s 12:15am Sunday morning, I can’t sleep for trolling the net still pissed that I haven’t copped anything from this Saturday’s drop. If you are not sure what I’m talking about, stay with me.

Saturday 14th April 2018 witnessed a heavyweight retail battle like none before. (Nike vs adidas) Virgil and Kanye sparring off who’s got the better colab -  OFF-WHITE vs YEEZY a family now divided (formerly Kanye's Creative Director). A community brought together to see who can (try) and cop the hype sneakers. This is basically a behemoth in modern culture bringing street, art, music, fashion all colliding to bring you a sneaker. This still blows my mind. Even with everything going on in the world, the atrocities in Syria, Trump commonwealth games yet #OFFWHITE and #YEEZY were the top trending tweets people are talking about. 

It’s now 12:37am and I’m queuing up to get into an online store! How does this even work? I am shopping on FOOTPATROL website and because of the millions of people trying to shop you are placed in a waiting room while the traffic is marshalled and given time to shop. 

Wait!!! Online is supposed to be the speedy, uncomplicated killer to the physical retail experience, taking out the stress, time and sometimes obnoxious sales associate. Now we have online waiting rooms. This is not a new thing and has been used in other platforms before mainly ticket resale - think Glastonbury and V-festival etc. I was very dubious and thought about getting my precious sleep before the children wake me up. I have to continue now, I’ve gone this far and who knows I might be in with a chance of copping a hype sneaker to add to my collection. You see I had already invested so much time, insta following, tweeting, subscribing and waiting to see if I can possibly be in with a chance. 

My alarm set and phone charged ready for the game. You see it’s a game now. It’s a hustle, a grind to be in with a chance of owning the latest release. (I will do another feature on the real sneaker game soon, this piece is about the "retail experience)". So my strategy is set. Go to the adidas website for the YEEZY 500. So I’m in the queue and then jump to the SNEAKRS app to enter the draw for the VaporMax Flyknit x OFF-WHITE and then switch back to adidas. It’s important to have a strategy so you can shop efficiently. Maybe it’s me but that’s how I have generally shopped. I know where I want to shop, and most of the time what I want to buy. 

Oh no major curve ball!!!! My ticket hasn’t been entered!! On the SNEAKRS app you have 30 minutes to enter the draw and then you are (supposedly) picked at random. I quickly try and refresh the screen check on Twitter the holy grail of knowledge to see if anyone else has trouble. Quick back to adidas join the queue check SNEAKRS app, still problems tweet @NikeUK and complain that the service I am receiving is not acceptable - it’s software, come on! 

After about 24 minutes of this frantic back and forth I’m in!! My entry is in to purchase them with 2 seconds to spare, back to adidas and, of course sizes are selling out quick. Again, placed in a virtual holding pen waiting for time in the sneaker pit. Ok, by now I’ve sneaked away to check all the other boutiques in my contact lists no joy, most have these virtual waiting areas...

NO!!

Your entry is not selected for the VaporMax Flyknit x OFF-WHITE. Not a surprise, L is probably the most used letter in isolation on Twitter. Who copped an L? 

Millions reply distraught and frustrated, wait, wait I’m in. I’ve got the OFF-WHITES in my cart check out quick. Come on! 

That’s exactly what I received - blank space and air time. The cart has frozen. I’m so close I can see my usual delivery driver handing them to me on a cardboard platter whilst I think how can I sneak these past the wife. You see she doesn’t understand my obsession and it has become that. It’s like a drug and can give you incredible highs but also devastating Ls. 

Another failed attempt, trying to cop sneakers. The traffic to hundreds of platforms are just insane. Billions of people across the world vying to cop these kicks. Whilst the brands and retailers celebrate at letting us ramp up the hype to fever pitch and drive traffic to their own sites and add currency to their virtual accounts (I know I can’t believe it myself) and I love it. The only other way to describe this online shopping experience is to compare it to the famous next January sales or Macy’s Black Friday sales. Thousands of people sleeping over from the previous night, hours, sometimes days before the store opens in the hope they can grab the bargain of the century. I used to laugh at those people saying I will never do that yet I’ve just done exactly the same from the passenger seat of the car whilst my wife drives obliviously unknowing of the stress I’m going through trying to buy a pair or two of sneakers. L O L

I give up all hope of trying to purchase now. There is a relatively small window when you can cop and my window had closed firmly shut or so I thought...

12:57am now and I’m still queuing, my mind wondering, thinking I should just go to sleep, my eyes are getting heavy, but the indication bar is almost complete. I must keep going now. After all my pal has just copped the same pair 45 minutes before me. Keep going - come on!! By 1:01am I’ve spent about 2 mins of actual shopping. I found the coveted YEEZY 500 Desert Rat, added my details, checked out, received the confirmation, happy with my purchase and off to bed I go. 

What a crazy day of shopping! The highs and lows are unreal and would appear to resemble an addict. My name is Cory Barrett and I’m a sneaker head!!! 

I chat with my boys at the club and they have had the same dramas, frustrations and Ls . Everyone jokes at having to have some retail therapy to take your mind of the stresses of life but now retail is the cause and not the answer to a problem we are giving the brands and the marketeers exactly what they want and that’s increased traffic, followers, likes, retweets and money at the end of the day. 

Online shopping (in particular mobile, which has accounted for nearly 60% of Ecommerce sales) has given so much to the retail experience and shouldn’t be seen as destroying the physical retail experience but seen it as enhancing the entire experience. Now more than ever experiences are what sets you apart. Most companies will have access to the same tech but what is hard to re-create is that human, instinctive, tactile emotional connection we can have with people, clothes, sneakers and each other. 

If you ask Siri what she thinks of these sneakers? - (try it)

She says “It’s your opinion that counts Cory”

We thank FOOTPATROL for at least giving us a level shopping field. And I cannot wait to receive my parcel. 

BREAKING NEWS! 

As I write this article - ping email notification from FOOTPATROL

Unfortunately you order was unable to be fulfilled 

Delivering me the biggest 

L

The One that Got Away

RAF SIMONS sample sale in Antwerp. Are you kidding me. 

I must go, the flights are ridiculously expensive and the kids need picking up from school. Sorry kids but I must see Raf and buy some archive pieces that I can't afford. I can't remember when my fascination started but I think it was around 2001, when I moved to London with my then girlfriend, the bright lights and the big city drawer was too much, the designer clothes, luxury events. It was a fashion boys dream!!! and we really lived the dream. 

My first Raf Simons purchase was sweatshirt, it was an accessible price point and just beautiful, I still keep it safe and wear on the odd occasion to this day. It was a charcoal grey with graphic patches of the same grey, giving you the mix of texture, tone and statement! classic Raf as I've come to learn. my collection came to grow from suits, shirts, tees, sneakers, coats and The Book - RAF SIMONS REDUX

The classic aesthetic always with a twist an edge, these were not just items of clothes but pieces of art and I LOVE the attention to detail on the elaborate pieces to the cleaner pieces. Everything has a purpose, a meaning, a quality that no-one will replicate.

Nothing would stop me going to the sale but alas reality kicks in, the expensive flights, accommodation, and medical appointments scheduled on the day I wanted to travel  not forgetting my responsibilty as a parent. I couldn't go, I needed (I thought) to go to this appointment with the NHS you never know when you might get another one. so it was a choice between health and RAF.

Sadly Health won!

Devastated is an understatement so I get out my Raf clothes and wear them proudly/sadly knowing that I missed a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Antwerp will have to wait, but my love for RAF SIMONS continues.