NEW SITE!!!!

New From Fifi....

I have some exciting news...

I am in the researching process of starting a new blog under my own domain. This site would be based on IT girls of London...or at least girls that know the ins and outs of London city.

The aim: chronicling the day/night adventures of London's chic and sexy! 

I have quite a few girls from my facebook list that will would PERFECT for the weekly 'Girl about town' style column. 

Will see you round the corner!!!!

B2C COMMUNICATIONS: PINTEREST

New From Fifi....

B2C PR is the communication between businesses and their consumers. Business to consumer communication has changed through the years due to the introduction and continuous popularity of Social Media sites such as Facebook, twitter, blogging, myspace and now PINTEREST.COM

Pinterest first got my attention whilst reading 

Drew B's take on tech PR

I was initially resistant as if being a twitter and facebook user wasn't enough, now this. I was not enthusiastic at all! But after going through some of the "Pins" I started to see why The Guardian and Metro featured the new social network sensation on their newspapers. It is proven to be a great way for businesses to research market trends and interests. Check out the stats below.

Full breakdown of Pinterest found Here

I have signed up just waiting for my invitation in the meantime here are a few Pinterest users I like: 

Maia McDonald 

Ana Degenaar

Handmade Charlotte

Caglayan Ekinci

Trevor Ames

Caroline Quan

The making of Fifi La- Belle: the PR specialist

New From Fifi....

Its been a while since I have written due to the fact I was busy finishing my degree and planning wedding! woooo

(Yes I am now married)

But moving forward...I have now regained focus on where I want to be in in the near future...in Fashion PR!

FASHION PR 101:

I cant put this book down. It has opened my views on PR and the industry in general. If you wish to gain some insight on PR this is the book I recommend. It was brought to my attention whilst reading one of my favourite Pr blogs Here

I now know what to expect in a career in PR and also what salary I aim to gain through really really really hard work, the design industry is known for not paying as well as other jobs but involves a lot of after work hours. 

Aperlai Fall 2011: Shoe-boots

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Gu-Ra Lookbook

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Here is a sneak peak at the new Gu-Ra lookbook for A/W 2011 

Gu-Ra A/W 2011

Photographer: Vipan Grewal

Model: Charlotte Hepworth Bell

MUA: Sandra Hadi 

GU-RA: MODEL 101

MODEL 101 

Model: Charlotte Hepworth Bell

Designer: Fatima Bangura for Gu-Ra

Video Director/ Editor: Oliver Morris 

GU-RA 2-0-1 JACKET: the making part 3

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The finished body lining with inside pockets.

I used yellow as a defining brand sign for the collection. With the limited use of colour of just black/grey/white and yellow within the collection I wanted to approach the collection in a way that an emerging brand would. The yellow sections within the lining acts as a branding feature that will be in all the jackets within the collection. The aim for this collection was to be able to develop it further after graduating and eventually turning it into a brand.  

GU-RA 2-0-1 JACKET: the making part 2

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Lining of GU-RA 2-0-1 JACKET!!

In-seam pocket in yellow inside the lining as a branding feature. 

GU-RA 2-0-1 JACKET

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These are some images of GU-RA 2-0-1 Jacket in velvet/jersey and leather material. 

The front stitch detailing on the velvet emphasises the natural curves of the female shape. Giving the illusion of height and curves on the hips. 

GU-RA 2-0-1 JACKET: the making

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The making of Gu-Ra 2-0-1 Jacket 

GU-RA 1-0-1 JACKET

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GU-RA 4-0-1 JUMPSUIT

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GU-RA 4-0-1 JUMPSUIT WITH BODY SUIT 

GU-RA 3-0-1 DRESS (PART 2)

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GU-RA 3-0-1 DRESS

New From Fifi....

GU-RA 3-0-1 DRESS

Its been soo long...

New From Fifi....

Hey blogworld!...I've just been so busy getting my final collection together that it seems like its been forever since I blogged.

Well as you all know im in the process of producing my final collection to a high standard so I have been doing a lot of tweaking and re-drafting to get both the patterns and finished garments perfect. 

I have also been collecting images for my portfolio and searching for models and photographers, which has not been easy at all. But I have finally got to the stage where I am ready to do test shoots with the garments I do have done already.  

A little peak....

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This is a glimpse at the toile for 1st garment.

Final collection line up...

New From Fifi....

This is my final collection line up. I really thought about the silhouette of the collection as a whole and had to define a strong streamline shape. 

It was such an amazing process of putting together a collection that correlates as a whole and as individual outfits. What has changed in my thought process is the level in which sportswear would become SPORTS LUXE. I had to really research into fabric choices making sure their was a balance of sports influence materials and luxe fabric that were more suitable for the high end  market I am aiming for. Although my target woman is sporty she is still very much fashion-forward so the fabric choice had to match this. 

By replacing very light weight rain-proof material with silk velvet for my padded coats (images 3-7) I was able to introduce a more luxurious feel, with the jersey ribbing keeping with the sports element.

The colour palette is still the same- BLACK, GREY AND YELLOW!

I will need to experiment with my illustrations to add the colour and fabric choices into the line up. 

Its a very exciting process right now and its great sharing this with you all! 

More...GU-RA

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More illustrated developments!

Gu-Ra illustrative development

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Here are some illustrations of my design development. 

Introducing Gu-Ra

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Doing a joint degree of fashion with marketing has introduced me to a whole other side of design- branding and marketing.

For my last year collection I have really thought hard to bring my marketing knowledge to the fashion side. I have thought about branding and with this I have named my label. 

It is the last letters of my family name. I feel it fits in with my collection's edgy elements with contemporary aesthetics.