Zara

Zara

Zara is a Spanish clothing and accessories retailer based in Galicia, Spain. The company was founded in 1975 by Amancio Ortega and Rosalia Mera, it has become the main brand of the Inditex group (the worlds largest apparel retailer). Who also own brands like, Massimo Dutti, Pull and Bear and Zara Home. As of 2017 Zara managed up to 20 clothing collections a year.

Zara was originally named ‘Zorba’ after a film Zorba the Greek, but was then changed to Zara after learning there was a bar named the same thing that was very close by. The first store featured low-priced lookalike products of popular, high-end clothing lines. Additional stores where then opened throughout Spain and continued to grow. In 1988, the company started its international expansion through to Portugal. In 1989 it came to the United States and then France in 1990.

Zara stores have women’s and men’s clothing and well as Zara kids. Zara’s products are supplied, based on consumer trends. All of the clothing is processed through the distribution centre in Spain. Zara produces over 450 million items per year.

There are over 2,100 Zara stores located across 88 countries. Zara usually selects the best located and most expensive real estate locations in the word.

Zara have profiled themselves as a very high end brand, state their target market as people from a high class. “Zara is always striving to meet the needs of its customers at the same time as helping to inform their ideas, trends and tastes. The idea is to share responsible passion for passion across a broad spectrum of people, cultures and ages.”

Top 5 Picks

Oversized Text T-Shirt

Flower Printed Top

T-shirt with exposed shoulders

Skort with slits

Suede Effect Dress

Boots UK

Boots UK

Boots UK started out as a pharmacy chain in the United Kingdom and Ireland, with stores in most high streets, shopping centres and airports. The company operates over 2,500 stores across Great Britain ranging from local pharmacies to large health and beauty stores. Some people would say they are now known a lot better for selling beauty and hair products rather than medical. Boots have also branched out into opticians and hearing care services. It was founded in 1849, by John Boot but since then has had many different owners.

Boots really like to push that the business is very customer based with very open planned stores with staff from each department constantly offering help. ‘Customers and patient are at the heart of our business, and we are committed to providing exceptional care to them. We want to be the first choice for their health and beauty needs.’ To this day, Boots still believe in the philosophy of the brand, ‘employing experts in our shops worldwide to provide the very best advice to our customers.’

Something that has become very popular from Boots, is their Advantage Card which allows you to collect points every time you shop! You are able to use the advantage card online and in store. For every £1 you spend you get 4 points back on your card, and with one point equal to one penny you will be able to find something very quickly! By using this card, Boots are able to send personalised offers based on what you have recently been buying so they can learn more about you and what you like.

The company M.H Alshaya is a leading international franchise operator for over 55 of the world most popular store, including Boots. Alshaya Co. first introduced Boots in the Middle East in 2006, and now in 2017 they operate 90 Boots stores across its markets.

Top 5 Picks

These top 5 will look at some of Boots most popular brands and products!

NYX Professional Makeup Highlight & Contour Pro Palette

This is such a great dupe for the Anastasia Beverly Hill Contour Palette, and is such great quality considering the difference in price

Real Techniques Core Collection

The real techniques brushes are some of the best ones out there and are such great high street value!

Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation

I have been using this foundation since I began wearing makeup really so I am maybe a little bit biased, but I love it! I don't think I could change what I use now

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

This is a slightly more expensive product, but it is well worth it! Benefit are now one of the top brands out there and have really up'd there game!

Smashbox Be Ledgendary

This is one of my favourite colours of lipsticks, it really stands out and is a little bit different from the rest of my favourites!

Topshop

Topshop

Topshop is a British retailer of clothing, shoes, makeup and accessories. It was founded in Sheffield in 1964 by Peter Robinson who originally sold fashion by young and upcoming British designers. Topshop made a name for itself by selling it as, ‘high fashion for the young and different generation’.

Topshop has around 510 shops, which includes the stores that are franchised and the 300 stores that are located in the UK. It operates across 37 countries, including online and in a number of markets.

Topshop have had some of the biggest store openings in the UK and around the world. One of the more memorable was the opening in Oxford Circle, London. The store is five floors and is able to attract an average of 28,000 customers each day. Topshop opened on Fifth Avenue in New York in 2014, because of where the store is it attracts a lot of attention.

Topshop can get a lot of criticism because of the size of their models used to show the clothes and also how skinny the mannequins are in store. Now, other high-street stores are producing plus size lines to be able to meet their target market and to let their market expand. However, Topshop still do not do a plus size range, and has received very negative comments because of this.

This quote can be found on the Topshop website –

‘Topshop is an emporium of fashion, a design-led brand, and leader of trends. Breadth and diversity is demonstrated across covetable ranges which include Topshop Unique and Topshop Boutique. Housing over 400 new stylish must-have mainline clothing and accessories which launch weekly.’

‘Where other follow, Topman dares to take the lead. From emerging trends to menswear staples, we create innovative and distinctive men’s fashion that’s sold around the globe.’

Top 5 Pick’s

MOTO Elbow Rip Oversized Jacket

This jacket really stood out to me for a casual summer look. With it being oversized it is so easy to use if you want to dress an outfit down.

Tokyo Tiger T-Shirt

I love a casual T-Shirt with a small slogan or image, it is so easy to just pair with jeans and a pair of trainers or maybe even a denim skirt.

MOTO Rip Stud Denim Skirt

A denim skirt is something that you are able to keep in your wardrobe all year round. You could wear this with tights on the cold days or without on the rare sunny days!

Jersey Boyfriend Blazer

This jackets would be great if you are looking for one of those casual/dressy looks. You can instantly make your outfit look better by just putting this on top of a plain top.

NATIONAL Studded Showboots

I love clothes/items that you can wear with more than one thing! These would defiantly look great with the skirt shown above and also a pair of jeans.

Look out for next weeks post were I will be looking at the makeup section in Boots!

MAC - Make-up Art Cosmetics

MAC

It is amazing to look at how MAC as a company has developed over the years, starting as a small business in America and grew into a worldwide known name. MAC is the world’s leading professional makeup authority, because of the amount of detail they put into all their products. MAC is known for celebrating diversity and individuality by creating loads of different products to suit so many skin types, for people of all ages and sexes.


So many people look to MAC for all the new trends as soon as they release new products as their customers know they keep up to date with the latest styles and fashion. They have been known to collaborate with leading talents from fashion, art and popular culture.


MAC stores have some of the best makeup artists working for them, which gives them a chance to develop their own skills and learn more about their own style and what their abilities are.


Makeup Art Cosmetics (MAC) started life in Toronto, Canada. Makeup artist and photographer Frank Toskan and a hairdresser owner Frank Angelo become frustrated by the lack of makeup that photographed well, so they decided to create their own. At first, they made the cosmetics in their kitchen and sold them straight from the salon to fellow makeup artists, as well as models and photographers. Soon, stylists and fashion editors got in on the action. As the magazine credits racked up and word-of-mouth popularity grew, the duo launched MAC in March 1984 from a counter in a Toronto department store. While other major makeup brands at the time were predominantly skincare companies, MAC chose instead to establish itself as the ultimate colour authority.


In 1994, MAC ran a campaign called The MAC Aids Fund, which involved every time a Viva Glam lipstick was sold money was put towards the fund. This campaign is still running to this day and 100% of sales from the lipstick goes into the MAC Aids Fund. This campaign was announced by drag icon RuPaul, who was wearing the lipstick, and said “I am the MAC Girl” which really made a statement.

My Top 5 Picks

  Prep + Prime Fix

This is such an easy way to prime your face before putting on your makeup, and it sets it all at the same time!

  




Mineralize Skinfinish

What girl doesn’t love a bit of highlight, and you know, you can never have enough.

  



Nude Lipstick + Lip Pencil Kit

The most popular lipstick that MAC sell ‘Velvet Teddy’ with a matching pencil – you can’t go wrong!

Amber Times Nine

MAC’s eyeshadows are amazing in themselves so why not get nine!

Oil Control Lotion

For someone that has oily skin, this is great to keep it under control.

Look out for my next post about Topshop!

River Island

River Island

River Island is a shop that I have only recently began enjoying to shop at. It stands out for its modern and up to date styles, along with their casual day to day casual wear. They can always be relied on for a great going out look, including your shoes, bag and jewellery to go along with it! They pride themselves in being a store that you can just pick up everything you need for a new look in one place.

Almost all of River Island’s products are designed in house, which gives an extra personalised feel to customers and the customers know they can trust this brand. River Island are proud that they can deliver new fashion in-store and online every single week! With over 350 stores over the UK, Ireland and international, and over 60 years of retail experience it is now one of the most loved brands on the high street.

‘River Island’ actually began as a small department store selling fruit and veg, as well as some household goods, under the title of Lewis Separate. The store continued to grow and branched out into fashion, music and more popular culture. After two of the owners left, the brand changed and teamed up with ‘Chelsea Girl’ to become one retail brand, which was River Island.

"At River Island we are renowned for out stylish, affordable fashion. The unique touches we bring to our collections help us standout from the rest of the High Street. Our customers can always rely on us for great going-out looks and occasion wear, amazing denim and fabulous bags and shoes. We pride ourselves on being the perfect store to pick up everything you need for a brand new head-to-toes look."

My Top 5 Picks

Black Rose Print lace detail bodycon dress

As the weather starts to get better as we move into spring, this is a great dress to wear during the day as something casual. Even just pairing it with a leather jacket and some converse would look great.

Black Shirring Smock Top

I’ve been looking for a blouse style top for a while that I can wear for any occasion and think this fits perfectly. The long sleeves are able to keep this top casual and something that can be worn with jeans and boots for a day to day look.

Mid blue ripped mom jeans

It can be difficult to find the right style of jeans that suit you, and mom jeans is s style that has only recently come back into style. They are able to make you stand out in a sea of skinny jeans, while walking through town.

Grey Faux Suede Bucket Bag

A new bag is my favourite thing to buy from River Island, they can always be trusted to sell you a bag that can suit any occasion. All my bags that’s I have bought from here always last for as long as I need them to and stay intact.

Black floral embroidered heels

Embroidery has found itself on nearly everything lately, tops, jumpers, bags and shoes! It is able to make a simple black heal stand out from the crowd with a simple design, but keeps it simple all at the same time.

Look out for the next post where I will be taking about MAC.

New Look

If I had to choose, New Look would always be my first choice to get new clothes from or if I need an outfit for the weekend. They are able to keep up with the latest trends and offer a variety of different styles including, casual, going out, denim, sportswear and plus size, which are just a few. The New Look brand prides themselves in putting the customer first, they feel that it helps them understand their customers more when searching for what they want and ultimately want them to feel great while wearing their clothes. It is their goal to take the latest trends and put their own spin on it, too make it recognisable. 

New Look have grown to create their own style and it has become so recognisable throughout the years. Each time you visit the store or visit the website New Look will provide a new range of clothes for you to choose from. The name ‘New Look’ was decided as they believed that it is what they offer, in 1969 when the first store opened they wanted to bring a different look to what was already out there.

“We’re passionate about what we do and most importantly, we have fun doing it. Sharing this positivity with our customers is important to us. By weaving our brand through everything we do, from our people and store environments, to marketing and social media, we make sure our customers not only look good but feel great too.” – This statement from New Look sums up their vision well, and is so relatable to the customers they have.

Sometimes I leave my house feeling like I am almost a walking advertisement for New Look, because so much of my clothes are from there! My favourite thing to buy from New Look is jeans, they always have such a wide variety of styles and cater to everybody’s shapes and size. Out of most high street shops, they offer the most affordable clothes, which stands out to a student (like me).

My Top 5 picks

Strappy Culotte Jumpsuit

This outfit really suits this time of year, as we go from winter into spring. You are able to dress it up or dress it down depending on the occasion you are wearing it to.

Navy Ripped Knee Skinny Jeans

It doesn’t look like the ripped jean is ever going out of style, and still looks great for a day-to-day outfit. 

 Love Embroidered Oversized Hoodie

For those chill out days where you just want to put your comfy clothes on! A baggy jumper is almost essential in my wardrobe and is always a great buy.

 Cream Net Lace Floral Applique T-Shirt

Again this is another item that can be dressed up or dressed down. I would wear this for a last minute night out or if I just want to keep it simple!

Grey Velvet Block Heel Ankle Boots

A great way to add a different feel to your normal look with these velvet boots. New Look shoes are always great quality and get praised a lot for the way they are designed.

I hope you have enjoyed reading my thoughts about New Look! Watch out for my next post about River Island😊.

Just the Beginning

Hello, welcome to Rebecca's Shopping Secrets!

This is just a little introduction into what's to come in the next few weeks and what you can expect. I wanted to write a blog on something that I had an interest in myself, and like most women, I love to shop! I will be looking at my top six high-street shops, picking out my current favourite clothing items and beauty products from these different stores. As well as looking at the store as a whole, including their brand image and public perception of the shop.

 To start with, a little bit of background information will be given on each high street shop that will be featured in each blog.

 

Post One – New Look

A store that started out in only the UK, is now an established into a ‘leading fast-fashion brand’ with nearly 800 stores worldwide. New Look began with only woman’s clothes, targeting themselves at 16 – 24 year old mainly. They have now branched out into men’s wear, a kids clothing line ‘915 teens’ as well as the maternity range, plus size and petite range. Look out for the first blog post to see some of my favourite clothes and more about the store!

Post Two – River Island

River Island is always able to bring you the newest and most original fashion on the high street, right from the beginning 60 years ago! River Island are able to continuously keep their ideas fresh and always stand out from the other high street stores while keeping up to date with the latest trends. They provide their customers with everything from going-out wear, a great denim range and a great selection of bags and accessories.

Post Three – MAC

While it is one of the higher priced makeup shops on the high street, it is still a favourite. MAC is the world’s leading professional makeup authority, as it provides their customers with well taught, experienced professionals. They pride themselves in offering diversity, by saying ‘we are for All Ages, All Races, and All Sexes.’

 
Post Four – Topshop

Topshop is a British multinational fashion store. Their mission when they first started was ‘high fashion for the young and different generation’, which they have managed to carry throughout developing the brand. As well as their own brand of clothing, Topshop also offer clothes from brands like Ivy Park, Adidas and Calvin Klein.

Post Five – Boots (makeup)

Boots started out as a pharmaceuticals company which then branched out into beauty products which is what this blog post will focus on. Boots pride themselves in being able to offer something for everyone, with its wide collection of drugstore makeup to choose from.

 

Post Six – Zara

Zara is one of the largest international fashion companies, it offers modern, stylish clothes that keep up with all the current trends. Zara offers both men’s and woman’s clothing, as well as their kids range.

I am really excited to get this blog going, and to hopefully learn a little more about my own style and what I like throughout the process. If you are a fan of any of these stores too look out for the post and see what you think!!