February 2023

February introduced the start of Stage 2, a project that I was very intrigued and excited for. To introduce this stage of my course, seminars on the topic of scenario planning and idea generation were held in order for us to develop ideas about what scenario route we wanted to take as well as to enable us to start generating ideas in an innovative way. Due to succeeding in creating a three-year marketing strategy in Second Year for Aspinal of London, this motivated me and encouraged me in the foundations of this assignment as I felt positively about my creative thinking skills and knew that with my new methods of studying, I would be able to contribute 100% of my effort and passion into it. Dips Patel conducted a lecture on the subject on Innovation and permitted me to delve deeper into the meaning of the word Innovation, giving an inspiring speech on what it takes to be innovative in our product development. Due to my attendance being significantly low in first term my goal was to try as much as possible to go into University and found that by slowly easing back into it I have become more enthusiastic and keen to go to lectures. One of my first appearances back was the Innovation lecture by Dips Patel and I found myself leaving it more motivated and positive about my journey in fashion marketing and branding and left me profoundly moved about my future to come.

By continuing to develop my Stage 2 concept, I realised I wanted to take the route of Scenario 1 the Business Plan as it is the option that intrigued me the most and also made me feel the most confident in the work I could produce. Refining my idea caused me to have to make a decision between two plans that I had created, which was slightly challenging for me as I enjoyed both routes and wanted to weigh up both potential outcomes before solidifying my conclusion. I opted with the route that felt most authentic to myself as a brand and I knew would hold more meaning and passion to me overall. I feel that this was the correct choice as I know that I would put my all into designing and marketing this brand due to my love for the Gym and Sportswear sector of the fashion world. The Stage 2 brief did cause some unease for me due to the need for the Size of the Prize aspect, but I managed to destigmatise it by attending lectures and seminars which explained it in detail with step-by-step justifications of the workload. In conclusion, the Stage 1 assignment has motivated me to try my hardest in the new Stage 2 Plan and has shown me the constructive criticisms I need to take on board in order to achieve the best possible outcome I can for this Business Plan. This will allow for me to produce work that I am proud to have created whilst also being honoured in my self-achievements and journey within the Fashion Marketing and Branding course.