Monsoon Product Range using Illustrator

Fabric samples in shapes

The idea of using different shapes to put our samples in was to introduce us the the process of adding our fabrics into the colour pallet on Adobe Illustrator. I used the samples below because they reflect Monsoon and because they were patterns I wanted use, putting them in the shapes helped to show how they would look.

Dresses

Before starting on my own collection we were given a task to use Kaledo styles in Adobe Illustrator. The idea of this exercise was to get us used to changing the colours of the garments and mixing styles together to create a new design. I chose to concentrate on dresses and used a variety of colours to fill the garment outlines and also changed some of the dresses to make a new outfit. When I start my Monsoon collection I will have two to three dresses in my range.

Monsoon- Brand identity

Brand name is the most important aspect of a brand. it is the hook on which consumers will attatch their knowlage, experience and perception of the brand. In the case of monsoon consumers associate bold prints and bright coloured fabrics.

The brand name as a whole is recognised by shoppers on the high street by the distinctive plum coloured logo- This is also known as the brand colour of a business. When thinking of a new range for Monsoon this is something I will take into account and try incorporate into the new autumn/winter 2010 collection. By creating a collection that uses the signature colour of the business and also bold prints consumers wil be able to relate to the of the new range.

Job Role- Brand manger

For the project I was given the role of brand manager. Before starting my product range I researched monsoon and also a brand manager's role within a business.

Brand Managment- Brand Management starts with understanding what a 'brand' really means. This process is carried out by the leaders of the company who define the brand and its image. Brand management carries out to the full extent means starting and ending the management of a business through the brand itself.

Samples

When collecting samples for my Monsoon collection I wanted to find fabrics which related well to the brand image. The samples above incorporated bold Far East patterns and bright colours both of which are iconic of the Monsoon brand. For the Autumn/Winter 2010 collection I think I will use samples that have purple and orange in them to create my collection pieces.

Monsoon's Product Range

Monsoon has developed a strong brand with a highly distinctive identity, which is represented by the beauty and colour of the fabric and techniques which is iconic of Monsoon's original sourcing of their products from the Far East and to this day it still continues to be a strong influence. Today, it is Monsoon's talented designing work force that gathers inspiration from around the world to create this 'individual' look. The ranges are sourced from many different countries with producers being selected by reliability and quality guarantee.

(Information gathered from www.monsoon.co.uk)

History Of Monsoon

Monsoon was founded in 1973 by Peter Simon following a period of selling shaggy woollen coats on the Portobello Road and hand block printed clothing from Rajasthan to anyone who would buy them. The original focus was always clothes with an ethnic origin from faraway places, including unusual dresses from Afghanistan and other countries en route.

1973 saw the opening of the first Monsoon shop in Beauchamp Place in London, In 1984 Accesrize evolved as an exciting and strongly differenciated High Street concept for fashion accessories.

In May 1999 Monsoon home was launched and within in the store was a range which incorporated the Monsoon look and philosophy, creating an innovative and individual home accesories range.

Since it's first store opening back in 1973 Monsoon has gone from strength to strength and in more recent years they company has added Monsoon baby, Monsoon boy and Monsoon Men to it's ever growing brand name.

Monsoon has expanded rapidly from its London base and now has 400 stores in the United Kingdom and over 600 throughout the world.

(Information gathered from www.monsoon.co.uk)