It is probably in poor taste that I’m writing this, because I have a Net-a-Porter banner (it‚Äôs not the money spinning machine you all think it is but a dip-dab experimentation with a wee bit of advertising….) to the side but when I received the spring summer 2008 Net a Porter look book in the post, I had to chuckle a little at the concept and layout of the thing. An A-Z guide to all the designers that NAP will be stocking for the new season with catwalk images and some handy space to write ‚ÄòNotes‚Äô next to the collections. I very well believe that there are a privileged few who will flick through this lookbook circling dozens of things rapidly and writing things out in manner of an errands or grocery shopping list.
Notes next to Christian Louboutin and Christian Lacroix might read like… ‚ÄòMust decide whether to get four dresses or just the three. Dilemma!‚Äô ‚ÄòMust ask whether Net a Porter why they have such a small selection of Louboutins.‚Äô
That I received the lookbook when me buying anything on Net-a-Porter involves a heavy amount of consideration and manic clicking on that one item’s singular link and perhaps even holding out until the sales come around, is even funnier. I can’t even imagine the heights of being able to flick through a lookbook like this and circling things in a casual fashion and placing a bulk personal order. I probably wouldn’t want to reach those heights as the hunt, the challenge and the time it consumes to build my wardrobe is all too much of a pleasure to give up.
On a up note, I am intrigued to see what pieces Net a Porter stocks from Aminaka Wilmont’s Fashion Fringe winning collection and also what comes of Alldressedup, the Singaporean label’s collection as I was intrigued by their collaboration with Francesca Versace.
I used to work for N-A-P in another incarnation. We were always dying of jealousy over the Saudi Princesses who would rack up ¬£20,000 worth of items on one shopping session! Ouch! 😛
xox Girl and the City
http://girlandthecity.wordpress.com
Hi Susie – have you ever actually bought anything from NAP? I came soooo close to buying the red patent Marni platforms with the wooden heel in the sale last year…but then talked myself out of it long enough for my size to sell out. But I must admit I’m a regular visitor to the site if only to read their online magazine and see the latest they have to offer. Still, it’s ridiculously tempting what with all the pretty pictures and the easy online payment malarky. Click + click => ¬£5,000 dress?!
I also have this book from Net-A-Porter and I have ticked by Wish List, but the reality is it will stay on my WISH LIST boo hoo…
All dressed up looks very much like the stuff they sell in Public Demand on Brick Lane.
http://redcarpetfashionawards.blogspot.com
I did indeed purchase a Lara Bohinc wallet (only to lose it a year later…) and also some Marc Jacobs flats… but my biggest NAP haul was probably from their warehouse sale which I don‚Äôt even think exists anymore… other than that, I haven‚Äôt got the biggest NAP experience… with my limited funds, I‚Äôd rather buy things in person in London than buy it online, so that I can be sure it is absolutely perfect…
Hey, I usually get one of these and I don’t have it yet! The Bubble is priviledged! Anyhow circle the things you want and leave it open on the coffee table….
wow. this looks VERY useful!
I want that book too!
ooh maybe you can cut it up for scraps to post on your inspiration board? oh dear, i’m so nerdy, i have one.
stay hopeful, one day susie, one day.
Even a low-level shopping “spree” on NAP would cause me to go broke. But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t do it if I had several grand lying around collecting dust.