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Behind the Scenes: The Making of SHEIN’s First South African Pop-Up Success

August 30, 2024
Jasmine Walters

Let’s talk about one of the most exciting fashion events to hit Johannesburg - SHEIN’s first-ever South African pop-up store, held at the iconic Mall of Africa! 

Who doesn’t love a great outfit? In a world where self-expression and fashion go hand in hand, repeating outfits can feel like a fashion faux pas. But let’s be honest - affording a wardrobe that allows for endless creativity isn’t always easy. That’s where SHEIN comes in, offering affordable, stylish fashion for all shapes and sizes, empowering individuals to express themselves without having to break the bank.

At People Have Influence, we had the honour of being the Influencer Marketing Agency behind this epic campaign, alongside two of the greatest PR (Dialogue) and Events Agencies (One Eyed Jack) and it was nothing short of magical. SHEIN has even chosen this campaign as a showcase project, making it one of only two selected globally. You know the saying, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ That couldn’t be more true here. Together, with the creative energy of 250 incredible influencers (yes you heard that right - 250!), everyone brought the SHEIN Pop-Up to life in ways that surpassed all expectations.

Our Role: Creating Buzz, Driving Crowds, and Leaving a Lasting Impact

Here’s where the magic happened. As the Influencer Marketing Agency behind this spectacular campaign, we had one goal: to make the SHEIN Pop-Up the most talked-about fashion  pop-up of the year. We built a strategy in order to build up hype pre-event, increase foot traffic during the event and ensure that all communication lives on post-event.  Here’s how we did it:

The Build-Up

The excitement didn’t just start on the opening day - it started weeks before. We worked closely with our network of influencers to tease the pop-up on social media, creating a buzz that had everyone counting down the days. By the time the big day arrived, the anticipation was off the charts, with shoppers lining up outside the Mall of Africa at 8 AM, hours before the doors even opened to the public at 2pm!

Media Opening

We kicked off the Pop-Up with an exclusive Media Opening, giving invited influencers and media the first peek inside the SHEIN store. This was their moment to capture content, share the experience with their followers, and set the tone for what was to come. The result? A flood of stunning photos, reels, and stories that spread like wildfire across social media, drawing even more fashion enthusiasts to the event.

The Big Day 

The energy was electric, and it wasn’t just because of the fabulous fashion. Our dynamic MC, Thembi Seete, brought her star power to the stage, captivating everyone with her magnetic presence. Thembi - South African actress, musician, multimedia personality, and model - didn’t just live up to her impressive titles; she owned them. With her infectious energy, she had everyone dancing, laughing, and trying on clothes; all whilst ensuring the vibes stayed high and everyone was having the absolute time of their lives.

Don’t just take our word for it though - let’s hear what some of our influencers had to say about this campaign and the pop-up itself.

Testimonials: Influencers Share Their Pop-Up Highlights

“This was a dream come true - We’ve all been looking forward to having SHEIN in South Africa [and] the Pop-Up Store was a chance to really experience the latest fashion trends up close” - @ntsako__n
“I really enjoyed the creativity and flexibility of the SHEIN Pop-Up campaign as it allowed me to express my unique style and connect with my audience in an authentic way. The diverse range of products made it easy to curate looks that resonated with my followers, and the support from the People have influence team was fantastic, making the collaboration smooth and enjoyable.” - @tmzamo
“[Being a part of this campaign] was such an honour, especially as a fashion content creator. I felt seen and acknowledged.” - @khulisokmahosi
“My experience with People Have Influence was exceptional; their clear communication, unwavering support, and professional coordination made the SHEIN Pop-Up Event campaign a seamless and enjoyable experience” - @_blackambitions

A Fashion Event for the Books

This campaign has made history at P.H.I., achieving the highest number of impressions we've ever achieved - more than eight times our original estimate. It’s now our second-largest campaign in terms of influencer participation, with 250 partnered influencers. The event and campaign were so impactful that influencers went above and beyond their deliverables, posting almost 400 additional pieces of content beyond what was initially scoped. That’s the kind of enthusiasm that happens when the energy of an event, brand and collaborative agencies resonates deeply with both the audience and the creators.

At P.H.I, we’re beyond proud of the part we played in the success of South Africa’s first ever SHEIN Pop-Up. Collaborating with One Eyed Jack and Dialogue was also incredibly rewarding, showcasing the power of teamwork in bringing this vision to life. 

As we reflect on this incredible campaign, one thing stands out: when talented teams come together, something truly special happens. Here’s to the lasting memories made at the SHEIN Pop-Up, and to more collaborations that push the boundaries of Influencer Marketing.

Get in Touch With Us 

For influencers who loved the SHEIN Pop-Up and want to be involved in future campaigns, sign up now!

For brand managers aiming to make your launch event the talk of the town, let’s chat! Don’t forget, it costs nothing to inquire. 😉

If you like this blog, you will like these as well:
What Brands Can Expect When Working With An Influencer Marketing Agency Like Us
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What a specialised influencer marketing agency (really) looks for in an influencer.
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Behind the Scenes: The Making of SHEIN’s First South African Pop-Up Success

August 30, 2024
Jasmine Walters

Let’s talk about one of the most exciting fashion events to hit Johannesburg - SHEIN’s first-ever South African pop-up store, held at the iconic Mall of Africa! 

Who doesn’t love a great outfit? In a world where self-expression and fashion go hand in hand, repeating outfits can feel like a fashion faux pas. But let’s be honest - affording a wardrobe that allows for endless creativity isn’t always easy. That’s where SHEIN comes in, offering affordable, stylish fashion for all shapes and sizes, empowering individuals to express themselves without having to break the bank.

At People Have Influence, we had the honour of being the Influencer Marketing Agency behind this epic campaign, alongside two of the greatest PR (Dialogue) and Events Agencies (One Eyed Jack) and it was nothing short of magical. SHEIN has even chosen this campaign as a showcase project, making it one of only two selected globally. You know the saying, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ That couldn’t be more true here. Together, with the creative energy of 250 incredible influencers (yes you heard that right - 250!), everyone brought the SHEIN Pop-Up to life in ways that surpassed all expectations.

Our Role: Creating Buzz, Driving Crowds, and Leaving a Lasting Impact

Here’s where the magic happened. As the Influencer Marketing Agency behind this spectacular campaign, we had one goal: to make the SHEIN Pop-Up the most talked-about fashion  pop-up of the year. We built a strategy in order to build up hype pre-event, increase foot traffic during the event and ensure that all communication lives on post-event.  Here’s how we did it:

The Build-Up

The excitement didn’t just start on the opening day - it started weeks before. We worked closely with our network of influencers to tease the pop-up on social media, creating a buzz that had everyone counting down the days. By the time the big day arrived, the anticipation was off the charts, with shoppers lining up outside the Mall of Africa at 8 AM, hours before the doors even opened to the public at 2pm!

Media Opening

We kicked off the Pop-Up with an exclusive Media Opening, giving invited influencers and media the first peek inside the SHEIN store. This was their moment to capture content, share the experience with their followers, and set the tone for what was to come. The result? A flood of stunning photos, reels, and stories that spread like wildfire across social media, drawing even more fashion enthusiasts to the event.

The Big Day 

The energy was electric, and it wasn’t just because of the fabulous fashion. Our dynamic MC, Thembi Seete, brought her star power to the stage, captivating everyone with her magnetic presence. Thembi - South African actress, musician, multimedia personality, and model - didn’t just live up to her impressive titles; she owned them. With her infectious energy, she had everyone dancing, laughing, and trying on clothes; all whilst ensuring the vibes stayed high and everyone was having the absolute time of their lives.

Don’t just take our word for it though - let’s hear what some of our influencers had to say about this campaign and the pop-up itself.

Testimonials: Influencers Share Their Pop-Up Highlights

“This was a dream come true - We’ve all been looking forward to having SHEIN in South Africa [and] the Pop-Up Store was a chance to really experience the latest fashion trends up close” - @ntsako__n
“I really enjoyed the creativity and flexibility of the SHEIN Pop-Up campaign as it allowed me to express my unique style and connect with my audience in an authentic way. The diverse range of products made it easy to curate looks that resonated with my followers, and the support from the People have influence team was fantastic, making the collaboration smooth and enjoyable.” - @tmzamo
“[Being a part of this campaign] was such an honour, especially as a fashion content creator. I felt seen and acknowledged.” - @khulisokmahosi
“My experience with People Have Influence was exceptional; their clear communication, unwavering support, and professional coordination made the SHEIN Pop-Up Event campaign a seamless and enjoyable experience” - @_blackambitions

A Fashion Event for the Books

This campaign has made history at P.H.I., achieving the highest number of impressions we've ever achieved - more than eight times our original estimate. It’s now our second-largest campaign in terms of influencer participation, with 250 partnered influencers. The event and campaign were so impactful that influencers went above and beyond their deliverables, posting almost 400 additional pieces of content beyond what was initially scoped. That’s the kind of enthusiasm that happens when the energy of an event, brand and collaborative agencies resonates deeply with both the audience and the creators.

At P.H.I, we’re beyond proud of the part we played in the success of South Africa’s first ever SHEIN Pop-Up. Collaborating with One Eyed Jack and Dialogue was also incredibly rewarding, showcasing the power of teamwork in bringing this vision to life. 

As we reflect on this incredible campaign, one thing stands out: when talented teams come together, something truly special happens. Here’s to the lasting memories made at the SHEIN Pop-Up, and to more collaborations that push the boundaries of Influencer Marketing.

Get in Touch With Us 

For influencers who loved the SHEIN Pop-Up and want to be involved in future campaigns, sign up now!

For brand managers aiming to make your launch event the talk of the town, let’s chat! Don’t forget, it costs nothing to inquire. 😉

If you like this blog, you will like these as well:
What Brands Can Expect When Working With An Influencer Marketing Agency Like Us
What Brands Can Expect When Working With An Influencer Marketing Agency Like Us
Introducing the 11 Influencers Who Crushed It For The “TS by Totalsports” Launch
Introducing the 11 Influencers Who Crushed It For The “TS by Totalsports” Launch
What a specialized influencer marketing agency (really) looks for in an influencer.
What a specialised influencer marketing agency (really) looks for in an influencer.
P.H.I. & Vuse Hit the Slopes at Tomorrowland Winter
P.H.I. & Vuse Hit the Slopes at Tomorrowland Winter