Manish Malhotra is one of India’s most successful fashion designers. Malhotra has designed for many celebrities and leading actresses in bollywood. He is known in the Indian film industry for his different style and his ability to imagine a look for the character.

He is known for designing the costumes for actresses who all famous in bollywood they have worn his designs.

Although he usually designs for women, he designed for actors.He was also asked to design clothes for  the famous dancer Michael Jackson when he visited India for one bollywood show.

His designs have been seen in films such as Raja Hindustani, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,etc.

Well! I am very much inspired by the innovative collections of Archana Kochchar and that made me to speak about her. We all might think she is actually from fashion background because most of the designers in this industry are from fashion background but absolutely not, she is an MBA graduate. At first she started designing for friends and family as a passion towards fashion. But, later she gave a serious thought about it and she launched her own label “Archana Kochchar”.

She gives us the best collections by mismashing the fashion of today with our tradition. Mostly, her inspiration is from history and culture from all over the world. She knows what women of today needs exactly and designs according to that.

“ONE PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS”- very true when it comes to Visual Merchandising.

The art of visual presentation of the products or merchandise. The VM is the visual treat to the customers. It is one of the critical elements in retailing. Everything which meets the eyes of the customer about the store is the part of visual merchandising. A good VM will make the customers stop at the door step and pull them inside the store.

When we speak about VM everything includes like arrangement of merchandise in store, store layout, window display, signage, lightings, use of mannequins and props, etc… The foremost thing is window display because it is the first thing which attracts the customers. Merchandisers should be very careful in doing window display because choose of right theme is very important. Store may have exclusive collection of apparels but right VM only will attract the customers and strengthen the brand/identity.

EXTERIOR PRESENTATION

The presentation that is done outside or in front of the store.

• Marquees – To display store name
• Banners – For promotion purpose can be used
• Landscaping – Simple landscaping with flower boxes, plants can be used.
• Window Display – Too much merchandise will spoil the display. Proper Lighting should be used. Based on theme can be done. Proper usage of mannequins, dress forms and props.

INTERIOR PRESENTATION

The interior presentation should be based on

• Target customers to be attracted.
•  Merchandise going to be displayed.
• The location of the display.
•  Reason for displaying the particular merchandise

For displaying the merchandise, the principles of design are followed:

1.  Balance – Equilibrium between two sides of display. It can be formal or informal balance.
2.  Emphasis – From which point eye movements flow. The eye movement can be from centre, left to right or based on size and texture.
3.  Proportion – Relationship between parts on the display in terms of distance, size, etc…
4. Rhythm – Measurement of organized movement of whole display from larger presentation to smaller one.
5.  Harmony – All parts which are displayed should be related to each other i.e., consistency of the theme.

COLOR & LIGHTING

Color is the most significant factor because it can transform the customer perception about the store. Color combinations used in the store for floor, ceilings, walls, etc…Should give overall fine outer shell to the store. It can be of two types warm and cool colors. Warm colors (red, yellow, orange based hues) for stimulating and energizing feel. Cool colors (blue, purple, green) for pleasing, refreshing and relaxing feel.

Next to color, lighting is also important. It gives attention to display area. Appropriate lighting should be used considering the theme.