new name & branding - whachyathink?

[HotHolly]

we are working on a new/ updated name for our bridal shop. Belle's is getting confused with Beal's and then a chicken house opened with the name Belle's not to long ago, which caused more issues. anyway, i wanted to keep the name, but make it more distinct.

can you all give me some feedback on the NAME?



the logo will be something like this - i just slapped that together quick. the fonts are pretty much set, but the scrolling thingie may be altered. anyway, it was a mock up just to give an idea.

the other REALLY important thing - especially if you are a woman - can you please tell me what you think we sell? Any other impressions?

[texkam]

Interesting symbol. Can you tell me more other than it's a scrolling thingie?

[zebulus]

New York?

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by zebulus

New York?

branding. style, fashion = new york. *mike* & hotholly are from NY. i should call it little new york and give them a canoli w/ every purchase. i used to try to lessen my accent, but those who meet me from TPF know thats a waste of time. so we play it up.

HotHolly added 3 Minutes and 5 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by texkam

Interesting symbol. Can you tell me more other than it's a scrolling thingie?

im not sure what the logo is going to be at this point. it may not have any scrolling. we'll tackle that later.

the part in question now is mainly the 2nd line - bridal and dresses. what would you think we sell? its not a trick question.

eg, if you have a date and need a dress, would you think we had something for you?

if you were a mom going to a wedding, would you think we had something for you?

if you were a prom girl and needed a prom dress, would you think we had something for you?

what does the name make you think we sell specifically?

[DeannaD]

I think changing the name to "Hot Holly's" might draw a larger crowd (just maybe not the crowd you're going for).

The squiggle draws my eye away from the text as my brain tries to make it into something, so not sure if that's good for business. I think "bridals and dresses" is pretty clear.

[venchka]

Sue the chicken joint.

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by venchka

Sue the chicken joint.

cant. different types businesses can use the same name. the idea is supposed to be that they are not confusable. problem is i keep getting calls for chicken b/c we are both commonly referred to as Belle's. add to that Beal's sounds like Belle's and no one knows exactly where they are talking about.

[J Eddington]

ok first look and I thought fish. Then I read the text and went hummmm. What??? I am responding poorly to the design. Maybe it has too many barbs on it. I don't get classy dresses out of it. Maybe I am just more weird today, than usual.

[sldi]

I used to work for a company called Trans-Craft, it was a trucking company and the Owners name was Craft. We were sued by a trailer mfg named Transcraft. Of course there could have been in some confusion since we were both in the trucking industry, one a transportation company the other mfg for transportation.

In Texas I know that names have to be registered in the county of operation, if they saw no confusion, I would some all was well and no possibility of a lawsuit?

[toverman]

Like Janice, I see a fish hook as your symbol.

I know your total business is high-end and posh, but does the "of New York" make it too hoity toity? I don't know; that's for you to answer.

Maybe you need to give away a bucket of chicken for every gown you sell. Tack on the extra tailoring that will go into making it fit after a few buckets.

[HotHolly]

K. IGNORE THE SYMBOL! i cant strip it off right now.

does the bridal & dresses part of the name feel ghetto to you?

[S-Man]

The word "Dresses" seems a little...unsophisticated to me. Isn't there a different word you can use that make people go "Ooohh, Ahhh..."
Bridal Fashion and Boutique?

It's a thinker, that's for sure...

What do I know though?

[Cajungaltx]

Yes - it does (feel ghetto). It's not high class enough to go with the 'Belle's of New York'

I like the name though - but not the 'bridal & dresses' - you need something more upscale than that.

Have you considered having two sites?

Belle's of New York, Bridal or - Belle's of New York, Brides - almost like a 'class' of people... like 'I'm with 'Belle's of New York" - I've seen your studio stuff - you can definitely pull it off.

Belle's of New York, Apparel

The word after the "," would let you know - and you could just be 'Belle's of New York" - on your business card - Bridal Couture and Apparel.

Just throwing the ideas out there as they come to me - hope it makes sense.

[kenw]

I'm thinking it should be "Bridal & Formal Attire" or just "Bridal and Formal". To me that picks up the Prom crowd better than "Dresses". To me, both IMPLY dresses anyway.

(i'm ignoring the symbol)

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by S-Man

The word "Dresses" seems a little...unsophisticated to me.

yep, it is. at the same time i cant think of a word that encompasses party dresses, dressy dresses, church dresses, prom dresses, and date dresses. mike thought maybe it should say BRIDAL & FINE DRESSES. ???

i was going with Dons train of thought here in naming it plainly what it is. just making sure its communicating what i want. i can ask a bunch of bridal shops, but their feedback isnt the same as you alls. yankee almost said yaw'll.

HotHolly added 1 Minutes and 41 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by kenw

(i'm ignoring the symbol)

thank you! ken rocks!

so formal - wouldnt that exclude church dresses and date dresses for the most part? i may be speaking greek today. im at home sick.