This semester, students in the public relations campaigns class were assigned to implement and execute a strategic plan for a client of their choice. Students Alexa Foster, Dana Melcher and Hannah Lilienthal decided to use Portobello Road as their client.

The Shop and Wrap event took place on Dec. 1 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the store on Welch Ave. Customers were able to buy presents for friends or family and then use the in-store wrapping paper for a completed present.

“We wanted to make it convenient for people to come get holiday shopping done, but also to just hang out.” Lilienthal said.

In November, the team launched an OOTD-outfit of the day-contest on Instagram where everyone was encouraged to post their favorite fall outfit and tag Portobello Road along with a #AMESOOTD. Everyone that did this was entered in a contest to win 40% off an item in the store.

“This was targeted at college women. We worked really closely with Talia [store owner] on who she was trying to bring into the store and the atmosphere and feel she wanted here,” Foster said.

Storeowner Talia Jensen has done many events in the past few years. The first year the store was open she worked with an event management class for a ‘Fashion Night Out’ and has continued to do that event each year. This summer she had a wine night at the store, usually doing two per year. Jensen has also worked with The Grove apartment complex and a few different local designers for fashion shows.

“They’re mostly for customers,” Jensen said. “Just to give people something fun to do.”

After their shopping experience on Dec. 1, customers were asked to complete a survey that will help the girls with their research for the class. Their main goal was raise awareness for Portobello Road.

“It’s a really personal experience for everyone that comes in,” Foster said. “Talia wants to know what you’re interested in and she gets a feel of your style.”

Having graduated from Iowa State with an apparel, merchandising and design major and entrepreneurship minor, Jensen knows what college is like and focuses on trendy, unique and price-conscious pieces.

“I have anything that you won’t see anywhere else in Ames,” Jensen said.