June 2011 ~ Style Prophets

Tuesday, 28 June 2011

Another high street giant goes into administration

Tuesday, June 28, 2011 Jodie Weston No comments

Zolfo Cooper, has been appointed the main accountancy firm that will manage the sale of the 90 plus store chain, which was put up for sale by its banks last month after a month of turbulent sales following a period of poor performance.

Reports suggest the company may be open to a controversial sale via a controversial pre pack administration, a pre pack administration allows a company to be sold even if it has debts in excess of £140 million.

There are a number of buyers that may take interest if the situation develops including, Edinburgh mills and Debenhams.

Fashion retailers across the high streets have been hit hard the past few months as a downturn of the consumer economy combined with warm weather and bank holidays have hurt profits which in turn have made trade plummet.

According to figures made by the accountants BDO sales fell by 10.5 pc in the week ending May with that sales of clothes slumped to a disappointing 11.2 pc and footwear dropped by 5.0 pc.

Jane Norman was founded in 1952 in London. The chain used to be owned by Baugur, the Icelandic investor, and Kaupthing, the bank. Both institutions collapsed during the credit crisis and the chain is now majority-owned by a consortium of around 15 banks.

Diet Coke mixes fashion and social media on new ad campaign

Thursday, June 23, 2011 Melissa Bischoff No comments

Photo: the style PA

Diet Coke, who recently collaborated with Karl Lagerfeld to produce a stylish limited edition bottle design, is now expanding its influence fashion industry by launching a new fashion channel which will link with Yahoo UK, hosted under Lifestyle, this will further Yahoo’s goal of pursuing the fashion market and also the market of mothers like myself into drinking more coca cola.

The Channel which will be called "The style is light," presents a daily chronicle of fashion, style, fashion focused galleries, reviews, fashion advice, and an interactive content channel which also includes interactive content tailored to users personal interests and will help up and coming fashion designers and aspiring students to view work and make comments.
I’ve found the site itself to be very resourceful and a great replacement for many of the other gossip and news sites the only down side is that the site itself is plastered in images of diet coke and as many mothers know the mixtures of good gossip and the influence of coca cola will end in many a sleepless night.

The channel is part of a broader "Light It Live" campaign which was launched in late May to promote Diet Coke and Coca-Cola Light across the entire north-western Europe and the Nordic region
James Wildman, managing director and vice president of sales for the United Kingdom and Ireland on Yahoo, was quoted as saying, "We believe that branded content is the future of online advertising, and this type of exclusive and innovative site is a great way for brands to reach, engage and interact with consumers "

Coca-Cola Light TV campaign launched last month in the "love is the light" campaign that includes limited edition bottles designed by Karl Lagerfeld and outdoor advertising campaign photographed by the designer which I have found to be quite cleverly made and enticing to the eye.

Short shorts… Good news or bad?

Tuesday, June 14, 2011 Melissa Bischoff No comments

So the summer months are almost upon us and so far one thing is becoming abundantly clear – short shorts are going to be HUGE! Whether you’re rocking out at your favourite festival, chilling in the park with friends or jet setting on a well deserved holiday, there’s no escaping this summer’s biggest trend.

Now I’m no Agyness Deyn so the thought of showing off my legs filled me with dread I find difficult to express here. From being a teenager with those awkward and embarrassing PE lessons in school, I’ve never been quick to get me legs out on show for the world. (well not the world exactly, but you know what I mean!)

Having said that, every magazine from Elle to Closer and Heat show gorgeous girls confidently striding around in heels and shorts, telling us that these are the only things to be seen in this season. As a moderately lazy excerciser the past year, I do have gym membership which I’ll dust off every couple of weeks, and the focus will very much be lunges and squats for me!

Follow the blog over the next few weeks and I promise I’ll share all on my progress from short shy office girl to pin flaunting cutoff Queen in weeks!