Weekend at Brick Lane London

Brick Lane is popular for its markets. Various events run in Brick Lane month after month - some of these are the London Accessory Sale, Sunday Upmarket, Pop Up Arts and Crafts Market, CHili Crab Festival, Designer Sample Sale, Secret Sample Sale and many more.

Apart from the special events, Sunday is the liveliest amongst the days of the week. Huge Market halls offer a wide range of bargain fashion items sold by up and coming designers. The street vendors in Brick Lane are one of the popular ones because they are not like any other street vendors in other cities of the world. Most of them are young fashionistas raising cash through the sale of their unwanted fashion items. They sit along the pavements dressed in their fashionable outfits and accessories plus hairstyle!

Walking through Brick Lane is like in another world. From Osborn Street, one Indian Restaurant after another and then once you have reached the Truman Brewery... things change... London's finest and bravest fashionistas all over the place. Amazing hair styles and the London look that makes you "wow". No wonder many smart American tourists visit Brick Lane on a Sunday and bring back stories about London Fashion back in America.

On the downside, some are just too OTT (Over The Top) - as in too brave to wear funny things. Some do it because they want to start a fad but some are just simply weird. Anyways, the good ones still rule and count for the majority.

So to those who want a good peek of London Fashion, visit Brick Lane on a Sunday!

COCO avant CHANEL

Coco avant Chanel was finally screened in London from Friday. I watched it at the Barbican Theatre and it really moved me. Apart from her very inspiring determination, I didn't realise she had a very difficult and heartbreaking early life that I can almost relate to, although I can still say I am still luckier in my childhood days.

Gabrielle is considered to be one of the bravest women during her time, not just in fashion but in dealing with her whole life. She changed women's style dramatically in the 1900s and upto now, her style still cuts above the rest despite it's simplicity. Indeed, less is more!

I noticed though that it is quite common amongst designers or innovators to rise when their creation is worn by a celebrity, unless otherwise they are loaded and can spend a fortune on PR and Marketing. But then again, creativity is also important.

I guess Coco was lucky to have lived in the earlier era when there weren't a lot of competition as compared now. To be able to survive these days, there are so many things to remember and think about especially in Marketing, apart from being mega creative!

I can say though that Word of Mouth is still the most powerful Marketing tool that's been proven throughout generations. Remember, during Coco Chanel's time, there was no Facebook and Twitter! No such thing as Guerilla and Viral Marketing - lol! So, Word of mouth it was and it is still.

I don't remember buying any Chanel item other than cosmetics and fragrance because they were too expensive for me. But now I think I wouldn't mind owning something that was started by an icon, by a woman I truly admire.... Shall I get a wallet, clutch or necklace?