Wedding Show QR Reader Poster

Have you ever noticed the little square of black dots that are appearing everywhere on brochures, business cards, posters and newspaper articles? I have to admit that when I saw them first I thought they were some sort of optical illusion or cryptic puzzle.What they are in fact are QR codes which stands for Quick Response. The codes when scanned grant the user instant access to online information with no need to type in URLs or search words. A little group of dots can contain a link to the most relevant and pertinent information.The potential for the use of QR codes in the retail enviornment is only starting to be realised now.Product information can be obtained by scanning the item’s barcode with a mobile device such as a smart phone.The information that can be retrieved from the QR code is far more detailed and informative than even what the best trained salesperson can offer.

Dermot showing a customer in the shop the QR Reader

The scanning process can take the consumer to pages of important information that describe the product and anything about it that the consumer may be interested in.Of course the data provided by the retailer can be filtered and what is most relevant to the consumer may be chosen.Some people may prefer to watch a video whilst others might scan the text and read the product information.I recently came across the use of Qr codes in a zoo where there were links to videos of the animals in their natural habitats which provides a more interactive and deeper experience for the visitors.Obviously similar experiences can be created by retailers of physical products.

As usual at Tom Murphy Menswear we have been quick to adopt new forms of technological innovation to improve the retail experience of our customers.We have created QR codes for about 20 percent of the overall product offering and the plan is to have up to half our products QR coded by 2014.
This means that a wealth of product information can be accessed immediately by our customers. The origin of the brand, the material it is made from and the instructions are already on the label but the QR code can take you to a place where you can see a whole lot more. For example the QR code on all the suits in the store will take you to a page which shows the other colours it is availble in,how it looks on a model and the recommended shirts it can be worn with.We even provide videos on some codes showing a particular brands headquarters and how they make a garment.In other words a whole new retail experience can be opened up for the comsumer. In fact the consumer can be helped with the decision making process by ; a)-gaining more information,   b)-saving the information onto their phone and making a less pressurised,more informative desicion later on in the comfort of their office or home.

Customers often come to browse and having seen a product go home to think about it. When a products QR code has been scanned it saves automatically onto the users phone,thus ensuring a permanence that is invaluable to the retailer.The lads in our wedding suit department are finding the whole process very helpful as this is an area of the business where customers rarely make up their minds on the spot.In the recession a tool such as this is invaluable for retailers and should be embraced wholeheartedly so our advice is to get out the smartphones and get  scanning folks!

Glossy,silky contemporary tuxedo

When choosing a tuxedo for your wedding there are a number of things worth considering.First of all you need to understand the classical definition of a tuxedo.A tuxedo is basically a black suit with lapels made from satin and it also has satin covered buttons on the front and sleeves of the coat.The cut of the jacket is no different to any other style and there is very little else in the way of discerning features that would mark it out from a lounge suit or day suit.Of course some tuxedo trousers will have a satin braid or pipe down the side of the garment but this is a feature that is not always present.

I would however stronly advise against adopting this restrictive view of what a tuxedo is.There are lots of contemporary style suits that could be called a tuxedo if you are prepared to move away from the traditional meaning.I would encourage people to think of a tuxedo as a formal suit that is worn for very important occassions and that has some more elaborate features and styling than your everyday suit. The texture of the fabric is is something that really sets a cermonial suit apart from the more ordinary versions.Silky,glossy,shiny suits tend to be that bit more glitzy than a woolly style. Other features that can set apart a groom’s tuxedo can be ornamental buttons or indented feature pockets or a slightly longer jacket shape.

A synthesis of the classic and conntemporary is always a winning formula and this can be achieved with a tux that uses the traditional satin detailing in an imaginative way.For example there are plenty of brands offering suits with a little satin edging on the lapel and slightly trimming on the pockets.These outfits look really sharp and make an ideal wedding suit.

Germanicos Tailors

The year was 1964 and the streets of London were alive to a new beat.From Carnaby street to Saville Row a sharp,flamboyant style was emerging with explosive effects,an era defined by individual expression and a vibrant music scene.So goes the phrase that would encapsulate the energy of the Mod scene and one that finds its way onto the branding labels on the new range of  mens clothing from Gibson London.

They do say that fashion has a habit of recycling itself and that the present always borrows from the past.In the case of the re-emergence of this famous British heritage brand one can see a true example of this.

The Mod look that was dominant in the 60s has returned to dominate the tailoring trends of 2012/2013.The Gibson brand does not have to dig very far into its archives to reveal a colourful past and history that can be drawn upon to inspire its current crop of designers and brand directors.

This season’s collection continues the trend towards innovation and experimentation with fabric,fit and cut.There are a number of showstopping pieces including a fuschia coloured wool mix suit and a vibrant purple Prince of Wales check.For those with less adventurous taste in tailored suits,the good news is that the core stock service range will be expanded.The resounding success of last season was the three principle colours in Charcoal,Silver and Cobalt Blue which are all  available in Mix and Match and come with an optional waistcoat.

There has been a huge emphasis in house on creating a unique “Gibson” fit that offers a cut that is superior to everything else on the market.The Gibson cut has been perfected and is one of the main contributing factors that have helped establish it as the premier brand for style savy shoppers.There is no doubt that 2013 will see more and more growth for one of the most retro brands of  the current era.

Benetti is the brand every fashion retailer is talking about. It is a brand that has changed the Irish menswear scene.

Despite the glossy sounding Italian name the brand actually hails from Longford and is the brainchild of Barry Conlon.

The reason that the Benetti brand is selling so well seems to be down to the pure commercialism of the brand. The prices are very keen and are about 20% – 50% less than its competitors prices. Normally this would lead to a loss in quality or general appeal. However the products are presented and branded very well and the quality is not comprimised.

The range is performing equally well in the formal and casual sectors .With the upsurge in demand for formal suiting and tailoring Benetti has found a niche in the young fashion concious suiting market.They are one of the very few brands that can put a sharp,tailored and stylish suit on the shop floor for under 200 Euro.Its main competitors in the home grown suit market are Magee and Remus and these labels are finding it difficult to compete as their prices tend to a good bit above that level.

The formal shirt collection is probably the area where you see the most obvious differences in prices on the shop floor.Many of the shirts in the range are available for under 40 Euro and this again offers a significant saving on the other brands.The formal shirt market has been dominated by the German superbrands like Olymp and Eterna for years but their popularity are waning a little due to unyielding prices.

Their casual range is also extremly sharp and surprise,surprise the prices are really good.Watch out this Autumn/Winter for some lovely shirt/knitwear combinations that are really impressive.Again the quality of materials/fabrics is really good and the choice is superb.

Style by Benetti