ADVERTISING: Needing no introduction.

The eve of Wednesday the 9th of November was pretty special. My best friend and I (Plus at least a 3rd of Liverpool) gathered in the Echo arena to witness the Arctic Monkeys Recklessly serenade us with a good helping of their new lyrically amazing album "Suck it and see".

 And they of course fantastically delivered with all the classics that they are known for also  A mind blowing 'Fluorescent Adolescent' had the crowd roaring and when they unfortunately finished after an amazing hour and a half set it was with an acoustic version of 'Mardy Bum' that was utterly sensational.

In the days leading up to the concert I had understandably been excited to see Alex Turner and the rest of the band, (well, just Alex but shhh.)
But what I was also was eagerly anticipating was the support act, in the form of the rather wonderous Vaccines. So much so that when I arrived I bought a Vaccines T-shirt as opposed to an Arctic Monkey's one. Proud of my decision I was especially after I'd saw them perform, as was Rebecca who then also joined me in spending twenty pound on a black tee emblazoned with their album cover.

But then, within seconds of Alex Turner simply being on stage I knew I'd made a huge mistake. We'd grumbled to each other about the Arctic Monkey's T-shirts being very simple and hinted that perharps, they were a bit of a waste of money compared to The Vaccines ones filled with images,  but by the time 'When the sun goes down' had finished I completely understood. The Arctic Monkeys didn't have to do a single thing to try and get people to buy their T-shirts. They didn't need a picture, or a quote, half of the T-shirts didn't even have tour dates on. But what did it matter?

A name was enough to connect to the T-shirt, it sold the experience. Where as, (and apologies to Rebecca who kept hers) The Vaccines T-shirts were a bit boring. Yes, they may have stereotypically looked better, but come on, just the "Arctic Monkeys" is enough. I'd decided in the last song that I would do everything in my power to swap my Vaccines T-shirt for an Arctic Monkey's one instead. I successfully persuaded the woman to let me exchange and I returned excitedly home with the last one that had to be taken down of the display.

Their second EP may have been entitled "Who the F*** are Arctic Monkeys?"  but these days they need no introduction. A simple plain T-shirt is enough to have thousands of fans dying to buy them. Me included.

ADVERTISING: What did you say?

Now something I’ve never particularly expanded on before is the concept of design beyond the realms of fashion. Yes indeed, I’ve touched on the art form that a classic Prada dress could be, but I’ve never physically explained to you all my love for lettering. This infatuation I possess with big, bold letters is one I think that stems into my addiction with printed T-shirts, although any colour will do there’s nothing more powerful than a stark black statement emblazoned across an otherwise freshly white canvas.

Now let’s transfer this into advertising. When flicking though a glossy magazine or a Sunday paper supplement, my eyes are drawn to the simple headings over swirly calligraphy instantly. The way the brand states there name is crucially important. With Chanel boldly yet somehow simply printed across a screen back dropped with Freja Beha Erichsen it demands a sort of attention and arrogance that only a company like Chanel could.

 Take for example also both Marc Jacob’s current and previous ads. Although smaller in size the name, the impact is still heavily there. This season we see prints of Helena Bonham Carter but we’ve also seen Dakota Fanning and Victoria Beckham feature. Regardless of the type of woman we’d expect to fulfil the perfect brand image, by the simple statement of the capital black letters we are totally and utterly assured that they are what Marc Jacobs deems to be his type of girl above and beyond our recognitions of her.

This is what I love, the simple play of graphics and imagery that comes into play to help transfer a product from the designers show or studio into a full fledge product we need. What ever way your sold an item, do not my friends underestimate the power of words, or even just the type of word. Sometimes, advertising speaks for itself.

ADVERTISING: "whoever said money doesn't buy happiness obviously didn't know where to shop"

I really try to not be defined by brands or labels, and believe me I'm all for supermarkets' own. Smart price Asda chocolate is fantastic, especially in a field on a warm summers day, (ahh, memories)

Though its amazing just what can make you want to buy an item. What really can make you covet something. I can honestly say I probably wouldn't have desired the Mulberry 'Alexa' half as much if it had have been say, the Mulberry 'Cheryl' or similar. I mean I think the bag is gorgeous whatever the name but I definitely like it more because of its name.

And confession... I wanted Princess by Vera Wang long before I'd even smelt it. It was actually everything but the smell of it that had drawn me too it. I loved the advertising, the big floaty dress and the crown. The luxury & lifestyle the advert portrayed. Even the simple heart bottle, the mini crown on the top has become part of one of my necklaces.

When it came to buying some shower gel to take away to camp, I was happy to stick to my normal, simple, nice smelling choice. But then I spotted a certain range and the description made me buy it, I mean don't even like the smell of ginger but a couple of words had me instantly!

I'm not a very positive person but this shower gel just makes me optimistic. I think everyday I'll read it and really believe the day has endless promise, even if it is a school day!

So buy something that makes you smile, something that makes you believe in yourself :)

ADVERTISING: Wild Child.

Go on, Just admit it. Your thanking Diesel for their "Be Stupid" ad Campaign.
It gives you an excuse to be a little reckless, pushes you on to be wild, and then, just a little bit wilder. I like how Diesel is selling clothes to go crazy in, One's that add to your personality rather then attempting to conceal it in patterns and textures that aren't well suited to who you are.

Yes, it makes you laugh at first but then you forget about the poster. Until you see it later that day on a billboard and several more times around the city. So when your hesitant to do something a little bit un like you, you go for it, because that's what clothes taught you. Who didn't want and outfit that made them feel pretty damm invincible? Go out and live a little, Go be stupid.

                                                                        Classic...