So instead of challenging myself to put together a blog post that would require me to determine a theme, collect images and write captivating copy, I’ve decided to exercise my creativity, styling and design sensibility and give you a lovely, bicyclette inspired outfit. Polyvore, je t’aime.

I believe this outfit was subconsciously inspired by a little online shopping/social networking experience I had. I recently found my ideal brown wedges online here, courtesy of Farylrobin, only to discover that they didn’t ship to Canada. Of course. So I tried a little Twitter shout out:

This, ladies and gents, is a perfect of example of how social media can benefit both the customer and the business, and an example of exceptional customer service. I was honestly blown away. We’re still figuring out the details of the transaction, but it looks like I may get my wedges after all.

Now I just need the perfect cream lace dress and I’m ready to bring my outfit to life.

]]> http://bicyclette.to/2010/04/wedged-ambition/feed/ 5 http://bicyclette.to/2009/10/a-web-of-my-own/ http://bicyclette.to/2009/10/a-web-of-my-own/#comments Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:26:42 +0000 paige http://bicyclette.to/?p=150 As I mentioned in my very first post, one of the reasons why this blog came into being was as part of my final year thesis/independent study. Beyond just using this year to research and construct a store concept and business plan, I’m looking into how I can use social networking and create an online community to spark dialogue, share ideas, and find out what potential future customers want from my store.

Aside from academic research, I’ll be exploring this idea creatively, focusing on different facets of the process and different mediums. Which is why I’ve decided to share my first project, which was a creative proposal for my idea.

What I wanted to do was illustrate the idea of creating a dialogue about the store concept and generating thoughts, ideas and questions. So I built a 3D model to demonstrate, complete with Barbie paper doll clothes, ribbons, clothes pins and cartoons. Don’t laugh.

It essentially turned out as a web, which is what I was going for. Kind of a play on words, web… internet… get it? And though it had a handcrafted look, it suited my idea perfectly, because this is about the process, not the finished product. The pieces of clothing represent the fact that I’m essentially building the concept for a clothing store, and each piece stands for an individual within my network. The pieces are connected with various colours of ribbon, representing different connections that occur. On some of the connections there are little icons representing dialogue, thoughts, and ideas, which it is my goal to inspire and moniter.

It’s proving to be be somewhat difficult to direct people here and get them talking, which I know will take time, but is essential to my idea. I would love to hear what everyone has to say, and how I can get them interested and involved.

I’m also using Twitter and Facebook as tools, so if anyone has any secrets about using them for promotion and whatnot, that would be great as well. That’s going to be one of my areas of research, but unfortunately I haven’t had the time to delve into that yet, due to the craziness that is my life at the moment.

‘Til tomorrow!