Client

When the style-savvy shoppers of London’s most exclusive residential enclaves are in need of some serious retail therapy, they go to Matches, a highly notable string of eleven boutique stores, scattered throughout Notting Hill, Wimbledon and Richmond.

Objective

Pod1 designed this website to bring the sought-after "Matches' experience" to the online world so that through usability and search optimisation, it could compete with the giant of internet designer retailing, Net-a-Porter. In addition, Pod1 was contracted to build a separate and distinct e-commerce site for Freda, Matches’ in-house high-end label.

Solution

The end result is a stunning, functional website, which mimics Matches’ offline brand personality with personal touches that include unique illustrations. The website is comprised of the Online Shop, The Look Book and The Catwalk. The Online Shop provides customers with the classic shopping approach, allowing people to browse by item or designer. The Look Book showcases every must have item each season and gives the user the option of browsing by category or designer with links which take you directly to the e-shop. It has become compulsory surfing for fashion fans since it previews Matches’ seasonal selections before they even arrive in the shops. The Catwalk section contains videos of all the latest fashion shows and collections and, like the Look Book, has the option to take you directly to the online shop which means customers can buy clothes straight from the catwalk through the website.
The stand-alone Freda Fashion site (www.fredafashion.com) features similar usability and has been critically lauded.

Result

The website has already over-delivered on Pod1’s promise with initial traffic and sales figures far exceeding expectation. Matches fashion has well and truly set a precedent for all luxury fashion sites to come.

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