0
2
62
Idea Overview:
BijouCREATES is a design company which aspires to pull from West African traditional craft & design techniques, alongside 21st British lifestyle aesthetic. To reimagine this into a contemporary design hybrid and fashion pieces. Currently we design and manufacture fashion accessories which are distributed worldwide online and through independent store. All our products are ethically made working with artisans based in Sierra Leone to support our manufacture.
The design ethos of BijouCREATES is to distil the essence of West African vibrance into easily wearable and compatible pieces and everyday useable products
Who might use it/where it might be used?:
BijouCREATES appeals to a diverse audience interested in fashion, culture, and ethical production. Individuals who appreciate a blend of West African traditional craftsmanship with modern British aesthetics would be drawn to BijouCREATES. These might include fashion enthusiasts who seek unique, culturally rich accessories, as well as consumers looking for ethical and sustainable fashion options. The brand’s pieces could be used in everyday wear or styled for special occasions, reflecting a fusion of heritage and contemporary trends.
Boutiques, independent fashion stores, and online platforms worldwide would also showcase BijouCREATES, especially those promoting artisan-made and ethically sourced products.
The Market (B2B, B2C or Both):
Both
Sector the idea belongs to:
Retail
Is there a similar idea to be found?:
In terms of other competitors in the UK there are many large and emerging brands in the space such as Grass fields, Chichia London and Osei- Duro, which are design houses focusing on west African print fabric. A strong differentiator between BijouCREATES and the current brands on the market is the focus towards accessories and traditional craft in comparison to apparel. These smaller pieces are often easier to intergrade into an existing wardrobe.
Why you think there is a demand for your idea?:
The primary market research I am able to gather is the customer profile information I collect from analysing my online traffic, via predominantly my etsy and website, and also the engagement I review from the various BijouCREATES social media platforms. From this the primary demographic that engages and purchases my items, is women aged 24-36 years in the UK. However, I definitely feel that more energy and time could be taken to explore this research, as when I carry out in person selling events such as markets, and pop-up shops, the variety of individuals purchasing items is much more varied.
Who would be the ideal customers?:
Currently we have a split of customers. Younger women and often women of colour purchasing the pieces online from third party sellers, e.g. 20- 32 approx. Maturer female shoppers purchasing our higher priced items in physical stores and pop-up. My ideal would be to encourage larger purchases online to ship directly to our customers from the website. and to grow our core 40-38 female target market but not to lose our maturer audience by retaining our staple styles.
What ideas do you have to reach these customers?:
I think I need to have a big drive on developing online content and storytelling in the brand and growing social media platforms. There is so much growth that can be done with an organic strategy before heavily relying on paid routes.
How far have you developed this idea?:
We are in the earl stages of manufacturer and distribution, but very much still testing and changing to find what works.
We manufacture in Sierra Leone, with my small tailor team and then collaborate on pieces small independent craft collectives, however we have some what long lead times, as i design all the pieces, i travel every year to teach the team how to make the pieces. also thes costs of shipping materials back and forth.
The products are sold on several platforms, online is good in terms of easy shipment of items, however I constantly need to do work to drive interest to sites. Retail in the independent shops is good, but can be with more overheads with the cost of paying for the period, and commission on each sale.
What – if any – feedback have you had for this idea so far?:
Mostly positive reviews from client history. I don't receive negative feed back on the physical product, typically more to do with the lead times in receiving items, especially if I'm sending a made to order piece in a busy period.
What supporting material – if any - would you like to add to your proposal?:
I will send an email with my pitch deck attached
2 comments to “Bijou CREATES”
You can leave a reply or Trackback this post.
Simon Krystman - September 13, 2024 at 5:25 am
What help do you need in terms of mentorship? Is there a specific area you need guidance on?
Bijou Harding - September 14, 2024 at 8:34 am
Hello Simon,
Thank you for your comment
i think in terms of guidance the key areas i’d really like support with are
Marketing and Branding: Expert advice on building a compelling brand narrative. Strategies to help boost viability
Financial Management: Guidance on managing cash flow, securing funding,
Business Development and Scaling: Guidance on how to expand the brand sustainably, balancing production capacity while maintaining ethical standards. Mentorship in global market expansion and distribution strategies would be valuable.