The Allotment

The online store I have been interning at has recently had a face change, it is now known as The Allotment. These are some advertising images I have made for the store's website.

HIGH above the STREET Opening.

Some images from the opening night of the pop-up store.

Our Legacy and Levi's

1ina100, bStore and SWEAR

Milk From a Thistle, Wood Wood and Preen Line

Nanamica and Nigel Cabourn

The 'street wear' section of the store

HIGH above the STREET Pop-Up Store.

The most exciting about my on-going internship at HIGH above the STREET is the pop-up store element of the business. Steve Banks (the owner of HatS) had the idea to do something which would be more innovative than the traditional clothes store. The idea was to convert the top floor of Munro House into a store. Unlike a normal store it would be more laid-back and less formal. There would be areas to relax and socialise. The store is planned to be opened for just three days each month, starting on Thursday and running through to Saturday.

Steve gave me the opportunity to help with the design, concept and lay-out of the pop-up store. To say that I am only there for work experience he has invested a fantastic amount of trust in me, I have been actively involved the putting together of the event. Other things I helped with included sourcing materials, press and PR, budgeting and creating trial designs.

I created mood boards for ideas of how the garments we going to be displayed. Because Steve didn't want the area to be the same as a traditional shop a wider range of creativity was allowed. An idea we had was to use branches cut from a tree to hang the garments from the ceiling, with tree stumps used to display footwear and various other accessories. This made the room far more relaxed, and was a nice juxtaposition against the warehouse backdrop.

I also worked closely with Steve to plan the layout of the event. One of the most interesting parts was that we had a 'store within a store' for 'B Store' and 'Swear of London' - these are two brands which I was already a big fan of, so it was great to meet the guys from there. This is great for me because with our PPD work experience coming up in April I now have a direct link to these companies, rather than just sending them an email which will be forever unopened.

 

HIGH above the STREET Photoshoot.

Recently I helped out with photographing some new products for the eshop. I helped out with positioning the products and making sure that each particular aspect of a product was clearly shown - this is obviously of vital importance because a customer expects to be shown everything if they cannot access the product/garment in a tangible way. 

The shoot was far more time consuming than I would have ever thought something like this would be. During the shoot we had various dresses and other garments to be photographed, as well as a huge range of accessories. One of the most difficult aspects for the photographer was to make sure that products from a similar range are all lined up in the same way when photographed - without doing this the website would appear amateurish which could have the potential to put off future customers.

My now famous hands.

HIGH above the STREET.

For the past weeks I have been doing an internship for an online boutique based in Leeds called 'HIGH above the STREET'. The store was formerly based in Leeds city center under the name 'Paper Scissor Stone'.

When that store was still there I went in and asked if they required any help over the summer. What I wasn't aware of was that the store was in the process of closing - the location wasn't the best so it was difficult to get the customers. The online sales were continuing to do well though, so the owner, Steve Banks, decided to set up the company as online only.

The office for the new 'store' is in Munro House, a building which is beginning to become a real center for creatives in Leeds. In the building are various graphic design studios, furniture design studios and a band rehearsal area. There is also a furniture shop in development on the bottom floor.

Because the company is based solely online, not many staff are needed for the day to day running of the business, this is very good for me as it means I get more involved than if I were to join a massive company where you'd almost be forgotten about. The various tasks I help out with are very broad in their scope. I help Steve package the orders as they come through, but also get involved in some actual decision making. Steve has been very trusting with me and actual asks for my opinion on things rather just just ordering me around! Recently I helped choose from a brands lookbook which items to stock for the upcoming spring/summer 2012 season.

Also because the company is fairly young in it's history I'm learning first hand what it takes to get up and running. There are a thousand things which need to be done which, until you've seen them, you'd never even think of.