The Fashion Retail Academy |
The Fashion Retail Academy gives Mockshop top marks Students returning this autumn to London's prestigious Fashion Retail Academy will now have the opportunity to use Mockshop software, the fashion industry's leading visual merchandising technology, as part of their final year studies. Provided free of charge by the software's UK-based authors vrSoftware, Mockshop will enable all seventy-five level four students taking Visual Merchandising or Buying and Merchandising diplomas, to produce 'virtual' fully merchandised 3D stores that will be incorporated into their course work. "Mockshop will be a very beneficial tool for our students and they're all extremely excited about learning how to use it," says Tony Morgan, Head of Visual Merchandising at The Fashion Retail Academy and author of the book Visual Merchandising: Window and In Store Displays for Retail. "Not only will they get hands-on experience with software that is extensively used by the retail industry, they will be able to produce their own detailed store layouts and planograms/store directives which can be incorporated into their major final project." Morgan is particularly pleased that Mockshop's compatibility with software packages such as Photoshop and Illustrator will enable his students to import their own design work, and use the collections they originally created as part of the course's buying unit. "Producing a 3D floor plan with Mockshop will give students a sense of scale and perspective that other programmes do not offer," Morgan explains. "Having the chance to design their own 'virtual' store is critical when demonstrating their creativity. Just as importantly, seeing how their collections can be displayed in those stores will allow them to consider the commercial aspects of their designs too. It will help them to deliver great work and produce it to a high industry standard." Mockshop is already used by over two hundred of the world's leading fashion brands and retailers, including Macy's, Dillard's, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein and Adidas and it is the software's proven commerciality which Morgan believes will deliver added benefits for each student, particularly during their post-graduation search for employment. "vrSoftware kindly gives each student access to Mockshop for six months post graduation," says Morgan. "That's brilliant because many students will take a portfolio of work with them to interviews, and the addition of any work they have produced using Mockshop software will undoubtedly prove their commerciality, skill and talent. It will definitely help their search for employment." Mockshop software was installed at The Fashion Retail Academy in September by approved vrSoftware UK Solution Provider, VR Intelligence. Morgan describes the work of the Banbury-based team as amazing. He was particularly impressed by their excellent training and their attention to detail in tailoring it to the Academy's specific needs. "Mockshop software is available free-of charge to all UK universities, colleges and schools running fashion retail courses," states Danny Duggan, Director at VR Intelligence. "London's Fashion Retail Academy joins a growing number of educational establishments, including America's Laboratory Institute of Merchandising and PoliModa in Florence, who h now incorporate Mockshop into their course curriculum." |
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VR Intelligence |