Discuss: Can make-up represent a clothing brand?

Today I want to get discussion going about something that is popular in Japan.
I will be featuring one of my favourite Japanese brands, Murua, to help explain.

In Japan, clothing brands spend a lot of time representing themselves and their staff.
The presentation of the staff reflects on the store and brand, which makes a lot of sense.
This is done through not only their clothing and accessories, but make-up and hair too.

So with every new season some of the brands and stores send their shop staff (usually the store manager) off to a special meeting. Here, they are taught the key make-up and hair looks for that season, for the brand. The looks compliment that season’s collection, and make the brand and staff stand out. The manager then goes back and passes on this information to the shop staff, who are then expected to use these key looks in their everyday make-up & hair routine, whilst at work.

The shop staff are not forced to re-create the looks step-by-step and are allowed to add their own personal flair.
This means that they can retain their own personal style within the brand, much like those who work for clothing stores are expected to wear clothing from that store, or make-up counter staff are expected to wear make-up from that brand.

I personally would love to see something similar in stores like Topshop that have their own make-up line. I know a lot of clothing and department stores have rules on what kind of make-up to wear (subtle etc) in the UK, and are asked to be on-trend, but it’s not usually like this. I think it would inspire the customer more and help represent the brand too, whilst adding a little something extra. I do fear that it restricts people’s personal tastes a bit, but I think there’s always room to be inventive. However I think this works so well in Japan because of customer loyalty, so I’m not sure if it would catch on.
What do you think of this idea?
Do you think it would work in the UK, or Europe?

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Current Inspiration

Please excuse the mess that is me piling a bunch of photos together.
I just wanted to visualise some of my current inspirations, which are:
Girly mixed with boyish, patterned tights, flowers, bright colours, gradients, feminine lingerie,
monochrome, black on black, gold, pearls and studs, polka dots, orange & white,
stiletto nails, comfy t-shirts, petals, purple, brightly coloured food and pastels.
As you can see my inspirations don’t just come from fashion or beauty. Of course when I say inspiration it doesn’t necessarily mean fashion-wise. I love surrounding myself with things that inspire me, and I think that does ultimately translate into my personal style, but it doesn’t mean that I don’t take inspiration for other aspects of my life.
These images are not mine, and were taken from my Tumblr, Style Saint & Pinterest.
Feel free to add me on any or all.

Murua S/S Collection 2012

 Murua Spring/Summer Collection 2012 – Flower Girl

Murua have been one of my favourite Japanese brands since their debut.
This season doesn’t see my love faltering at all, in fact I think it may have grown a little. Whereas I don’t exactly see the ‘Flower Girl’ concept (lost in translation, maybe?) throughout the entire collection, I do like what they’ve come out with for S/S 2012. 
I love how a lot of the pieces can be dressed up or down, which will no doubt appeal to girls who want to spend on their favourite brand but don’t have money to throw about. The use of monochrome, as always, reigns supreme in Murua, although this season we also see the use of pastels…and a lone pair of neon wedges. Murua also jump on the bandwagon with their variation of the always popular creepers, offering a wedge version, which I must have.
The pastel chinos, crop top, washed out denim shirt and 90s style dress are easily found overseas for those who don’t have access to the brand. Topshop and Urban Outfitters being my recommendation.

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Momoko Premium Vol.2

Pictures, not scans, of my favourite pages from the book/magazineMook
Click ‘read more’ for the full post.

Top to bottom; Coquettish girls, Twiggy-style code sketches, Celebrities in Murua, Shop-staff codes, Momoko’s – story, favourite pieces, home, make-up, hair & codes.

Where to buy: CD Japan

Trend Alert; Pleats Please!

Cecil McBee

Laguna Moon


Emoda 


Murua

Topshop


Forever 21


Anyone and everyone, from Western fashion to Gal, is working the pleats. 
Skirts; worn high-waisted or on the hip, ankle-skimming or knee-baring are the biggest hit, with pleated trousers coming a close second.
Seen on the runway but found on the high-street, this is one trend you do not want to miss out on this season.
Source; 1, 2, 3

MURUA トップス ♥

I’m loving Murua’s top collection right now, and how they place a coordinate pic of each one (see +code) on the webstore – makes it a bit more inspirational and seeing a good code of an item I like always seals the deal for me. Casual ~ Chic designs 

They also help international customers buy from the webstore – makes it that much sweeter

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Inspiration; Momoko Ogihara ♥

A few people have asked me lately to make some inspirations posts, which I was excited about because I love seeing other peoples~
荻原桃子
For my first inspiration post, I’m going to feature Momoko Ogihara as I have a big girl crush on her because I’m really feeling Murua and her personal style right now
Gotta get me one of those Murua iPhone covers

I have been loving wavy hair for a couple of months and Momoko carrys it off so well…and if you want to know how she does it, check out the beast of a hair iron she uses in my latest tweet

Also love her simple up-dos & make-up

 
Great use of accessories & love her nails

If there’s one thing that I have been inspired by since I first began following her blog, it has to be her make-up

It’s dramatic without being too ott. I like a look that can carry from day into night and I think she usually does this pretty well. She also wears some of the best contacts out there right now, I always find myself envious of them & wanting to know which ones she’s wearing. Anyone else agree?

And of course I adore her fashion sense. I always look forward to an update on her blog with new coordinates. She always makes her outfits look so effortlessly chic/on trend. My favourites right now have to be: her use of the Murua pearl collar & what I see as her version of ‘blogger’

I know that a lot of people aren’t into Mode (in gal), which is fair enough. I personally like it as it fits my personality and lifestyle a bit more than other styles right now…and Momoko is really representin