POWER FOR TEENS

If you didn't know, I'm in my last year of school, which means that next year I'll be a real adult. Basically, I'm just waiting for the day that the education system spits me out like an old piece of Hubba Bubba that lost it's flavour. That said, I'm not just hanging around having a laugh like most people think teenagers do, because if you've already passed your teenage years, you'll know it's hell and that doesn't happen. First of all, you're given all this false independence. Parents start trick you into thinking that just because you get a bit more pocket money and they've lifted a curfew that you can do what you like when you like, which is just so far from the truth. For instance, my parents, are totally cool with most stuff but then when it comes to the near future it's suddenly ok for them to step in and make all my life decisions. The most frequent attempt to keep me on a leash for the rest of my life is, when I'm prevented from leaving the house before I complete some sort of tedious housework. Don't get me wrong, I am thankful when people cook me dinner, but it's not like I asked them to do it for me. But, the second and the most horrid thing about being a teenager is the phrase 'young adult'. Those 2 dreaded words make me die a little inside every time I hear someone use them. I mean, what do you even mean when you say 'young adult'? Not to mention the fact that adults only use it when they feel it necessary to patronise a group people below the age of 20. I personally, find it particularly insulting when I get branded as a young adult, because I did not wait for over a decade to be a 'cool hip young adult', I was waiting for the day that I would suddenly be like my edgy teenage sister who always got to do cool teenage stuff, not for the moment where I was a mature young adult who was setting a good example for future generations. Anyway, here's some cool stuff that might help you be really teen in your teen years...

Teenager for life. B.x

THE BIRDCAGE - BRISTOL

With just one year under it's belt, The Birdcage has totally secured itself a position in my personal top ten list of best shops in Bristol. Well, I don't really know if you can call it a shop, because it literally does everything, from sandwiches to live music. Either way, it's a great venue and I was lucky enough to have a quick chat with the Head Of Retail, Emma, who gave me the down low on all things Birdcage.
 

 

When choosing stock for the birdcage, do you aim to please a certain group of people?

Well, I think when we first opened, we were aiming for people of 30+, but slowly we began to notice that we mostly attracted students who wanted to come in, have cup of tea, do their uni work and shop.  So now the age range we’re really looking at is between 16 and 35.

Do you usually try to stick to a trend when buying the stock for birdcage’s store?

Yeah, before we go on stock buys we get all the staff members to get involved as well. So, we’ll do mood boards where the staff pin whatever they like we try and look for similar things at the warehouses. We also go on sites like Trend Report and Topshop to see what’s in fashion which really helps.

Speaking of highstreet brands like Topshop, would you say that as an independent company, you are in competition with it?

I think that there is some competition. But it’s not bad because places like Topshop sell at a higher price, because well, they are Topshop, but you could buy similar garments cheaper. For example, I often put pictures up on tumblr or facebook showing dresses from Topshop and our dresses which are really similar but cost a few pounds less and I think that really works in our favor.

At the moment, you sell predominantly vintage clothes, would you ever consider having a fashion line sold in store?

That’s what we’re looking into at the moment because, vintage is great, but it’s that thing of having only one of each item.  We’re looking at basic item to sell like, polo necks, crop tops and leggings because you can constantly reorder and restock, however, when you haven’t restocked in a while with vintage clothes, it can sometimes look like there isn’t much in store.

I know that Birdcage is only a year old, but have you thought of expanding the store into its own place, separate from the café?

Not really, but we do have an Asos store as well, which is great, but we’re thinking of creating our own separate online store as well. The Asos store is doing really well but it’s not getting as much attention as it should be because of the way the marketplace is. If we were going to have our own online store I think it would be used to sell mostly more expensive and high-quality vintage.

What would be your tips for someone shopping at the Birdcage for the first time?

My only bit of advice is, when you go into a vintage shop; don’t be put off just because you don’t think something is your style. You have to be creative and know how to style it, always think outside the box.

Finally, If you could describe the retail section of Birdcage in one word (not vintage or retro), what would it be?

That’s a tricky one!... A place to find love …

Having been to the Birdcage on multiple occasions, I can safely say that all of what Emma said is true. I always get the impression when I'm in at The Birdcage that everyone is having a good time, the sofas are comfy, the food is good and there's always music on that we all know and love. Walking in, it kind of feels like a really cool shared house where you have to pay for a cup of tea, which you never mind because, when you meet the staff, they act like they really want you to be there, thus making it feel like your paying for not only the cup of tea but their lovely hospitality as well. To summarise, The Birdcage is great and you should go there, now. B.x

Hit them up on their website, facebook & twitter :

www.birdcagebristol.com

twitter.com/birdcagebristol

www.facebook.com/pages/The-Birdcage-Bristol