American Apparel let you in their L.A. Factory

Well, they let you get an insight of what they do there. But it's a clever marketing technique. Click on the windows of our factory to see what goes on in that department: You too can be a part of our world.

As Seen On Screen

Since it's beginnings in 2000, ASOS.com has established itself as the UK's largest independent fashion and beauty retailers. 

Twelve in-house womenswear designers constantly create new lines, which are turned around within a maximum of 2 months. Up to 90,000 orders are shipped out of their Hertfordshire warehouse every week with Sunday evenings apparently being the most popular buying time (no doubt from customers needing something to cheer them up before going back to work the following day). 

Apparently clothes sell better when on certain models. ASOS employs 25 in-house models with every single item of clothing being photographed and filmed on the catwalk before becoming available on the site. But typically items sell best on long haired, good skinned and curvy models. An item doesn't sell quite as well as expected? It is re-shot on a different model and re-uploaded. 

Loeffler Randall

Loeffler Randall have shared this behind-the-scenes look at their photoshoot for Fall '09. Their new website, is lovely and reflects the design of their clothes, but when are they going to open stores?

Urban Outfitters Bike Shop

Design your very own bike with Urban Outfitters! (Unfortunately only in America).

"We assemble custom bicycles based on shared design. We offer component and color selection curated for quality, value and aesthetics. Pick, choose, swap and decide and we'll build it, box it, and ship it out. Built by us and you."

Woolies is back

After their disappearance from our high streets 6months ago, Woolworths have made a welcome return with their online store. The company has spent the last half-year finding out what customers really loved about the Woolies brand to optimise sales on their website. The feedback suggested they should focus on children's wear, toys and party gear, and that's exactly what Woolworths are doing. As well as their all-important pick'n'mix selection which can be delivered to your home. (I was so tempted to order my favourites.)
Christmas will tell if there is still a future for the 100 year old brand.

All Saints Spitalfields

The cult British fashion brand All Saints has some amazing clothes but the thing that I really love about them is their branding and shopfits. It completely compliments and reinforces the values of the product.

In some of their stores, (such as one of my local Glasgow stores above) hanging cruciforms are lit up acting as a rock'n'roll centerpiece reflecting the edgie, grunge fashion on their scaffolding fixtures. During the Summer I visited the flagship store in Spitalfields - round the corner from Spitalfields market in the now trendy part of East London. I instantly recognised the open-plan converted loft type space; exposed brickwork and aged wood flooring. But the displays were a lot more exciting and inventive than I had seen in Glasgow, with butcher meat hooks and industrial sized hanging items and mannequins from the ceiling as well as distressed 'vintage' style pieces spread out throughout the shop.

Although quite expensive (All Saints say their clothes are High Fashion at an affordable price), traditional artisan techniques are still used to make their unique clothes. At the moment I just admire but when I have a bit more money I shall be a regular shopper.

Another downside is that although their flash website is gorgeously designed to reflect the brand and its customers, it's not the best to navigate through. In doing this, I couldn't find any information about their ethics and history or any pictures of their stores on the site. They possibly need to work on getting this up to the same standard as their fashion and shop interiors.