Tuesday 29 November 2011

Boots Treat Street announces deal with John Lewis

Boots Treat Street, an online shopping portal where customers can collect Advantage Card points when they shop online with top high street retailers, has announced a new deal with John Lewis which allows advantage card users to earn points for shopping at the much-loved department store.

The partnership works by offering Boots advantage card holders one Advantage Point for every £1 they spend at John Lewis. Users must first log-in to Treat Street and then click through to purchase their John Lewis items. Boots Treat Street automatically tracks each purchase and users can use their acquired Treat Street points to purchase items from Boots stores across the country.

John Lewis is the latest brand to join Boots Treat Street, which now offers discounts at over 90 retailers. This new addition adds a luxury high street brand to Boots Treat Street's repertoire. As one of the UK's leading department stores, John Lewis is an established name in men's and women's apparel as well as homeware.

Instead of searching for John Lewis discount codes, Treat Street users can make back the money they spend on clothing and homeware by collecting points to spend on essentials at Boots. This unique method of money-saving allows consumers to benefit from shopping for their favourite brands.

In response to the new partnership, Head of Partnership Marketing at Boots, David Robinson said: “We are excited to announce the launch of John Lewis on Boots Treat Street We know that Boots customers love the John Lewis brand, and with so many different fashion, homeware and cookware ranges, this addition to Treat Street will prove extremely popular in the run up to Christmas."

David Robinson added that Boots Treat Street is will continue to bring customers the best of the high street online, and said that the fashion industry is at the core of that expansion. He continued: "By shopping through Treat Street, Boots Advantage cardholders can collect points on everything they buy online with our fantastic partner retailers. Plus, by checking the site regularly, you’ll be able to see all the latest offers and discounts available from our top shops like John Lewis and New Look.”

FACTFILE:
Established in 2010, Boots Treat Street enables Advantage Card customers to collect Boots Advantage Card points with every purchase they make online through the website. Customers shopping through Boots Treat Street collect at least one point for every £1 spent with selected online shops. Participating retailers include My Wardrobe and Schuh, which use Boots Treat Street as an alternative to My Wardrobe discount codes and Schuh discount codes.

Monday 28 November 2011

Ernest Jones launches customer stories campaign

Ernest Jones, the jewellery and watch retailer, has launched an online campaign with luxury Swiss timepiece brand Gc watches to encourage customers to share stories of their greatest moments of joy and achievement.

The campaign supports the new Ernest Jones proposition of 'Love & Life' and continues the retailer's commitment to celebrating those moments that matter in life. Ernest Jones 'Love & Life' campaign also ties in perfectly with Swiss made Gc watches' new brand proposition - 'Gc Smart Luxury', an intelligent way to embody luxury.

In order to incentivise customers to share their stories, Ernest Jones has teamed up with Swiss made brand, Gc watches. Gc watches have launched a global campaign around their new 'Smart Luxury' brand proposition which signifies an intelligent way to embody luxury. Ernest Jones is proud to support this exclusive Gc campaign in the UK through their customer stories campaign which asks customers to share their 'Smart Luxury' moments of their greatest joy and achievement and will reward the teller of the best tale with a Swiss made Gc watch to remember those moments all over again. Two winners will be selected with each winner selecting a Gc watch of their choosing from the collection at Ernest Jones.

Ernest Jones customers are being directed to enter the customer stories competition from in-store marketing in the Ernest Jones stores across the UK that stock the Gc brand. Ernest Jones is also driving traffic and awareness of the campaign through tailored email communication and social media activity to engage customers as well as featuring prominently on the Ernest Jones website.

In addition the Ernest Jones customer stories campaign is being supported by leading woman's fashion and lifestyle magazine Marie Claire and online at marieclaire.co.uk. The campaign has been featured in the December issue and is also supported by a dedicated online advertisement on marieclaire.co.uk. Marie Claire readers can access the Ernest Jones customer stories campaign from Marie Claire online and can also browse and share their favourite watches from the Gc watch collections available at Ernest Jones.

Customers are invited to visit ernestjones.co.uk/gcstories to share their moments of their greatest joy and achievement by 23:59 GMT 16 December 2011 to be in with a chance of winning one of two Gc watches. As well as submitting their stories, customers can also add photo and video content, as well as recommending watches and jewellery from the Ernest Jones catalogue to complement their stories.

After 60 years of working with many prestigious brands, Ernest Jones brings customers watch brands including, Gc, Breitling, Cartier, Omega, Rolex and Tag Heuer. Ernest Jones also has a wide selection of diamond jewellery including The Leo Diamond, Tolkowsky and Le Vian, and fashion brands including bead and charm giant Chamilia, DKNY and Ted Baker. The jeweller has also collaborated with London-based bridal wear and fashion designer Amanda Wakeley, through designs created exclusively for Ernest Jones to offer its customers luxury fashion jewellery and watches in store and online.

FACTFILE:
The new collection from Gc has been specially created to reflect the essence of the brand, 'Smart Luxury': prestige materials, Swiss made quality and striking European design. Gc offers substance, value and fine craftsmanship to fulfil dreams of self-expression and success reflecting personal achievement.

About Ernest Jones:
Ernest Jones has around 200 stores and a retail website. Ernest Jones offers a wide range of leading brand watches and high quality jewellery. Ernest Jones also has a stunning selection of gifts for all occasions. Ernest Jones is part of Signet Jewellers Limited, the world's largest speciality retail jeweller.

www.ernestjones.co.uk

Saturday 26 November 2011

That's Books: Fashions In Eyeglasses By Richard Corson

That's Books: Fashions In Eyeglasses By Richard Corson: Fashions In Eyeglasses is the most comprehensive history of eyewear ever to be published in English, now reissued in an enlarged, updated e...

Monday 21 November 2011

Burton celebrates 150 years of the tuxedo

Burton, leading British menswear retailer, has revealed several different ways in which the classic tuxedo can be worn. As the Christmas party season approaches, the tux, which is due to celebrate its 150th birthday, can be a key item to own. The tux is best known as a special occasion suit, traditionally worn with a bowtie; however, Burton has found that it's more versatile than one might initially think.

According to Burton, the tux has become a cool, contemporary piece of clothing, and can be worn and styled in a multitude of different ways. For example, the menswear brand has declared that there's no reason why one couldn't wear a tux jacket with a casual t-shirt and a pair of jeans or chinos to form a more relaxed party outfit. Equally, a pair of belted Tux trousers can look just as sharp paired only with a smart shirt, tucked in and buttoned up to the collar. It's important to add well polished formal shoes to any tux or tailored outfit, as scruffy shoes will devalue an otherwise well put together look.

For Burton, the double-breasted silhouette is big news, as it's a new twist on the typically single-breasted tux jacket. Burton's Navy Birdseye Tux is an option for those looking for an easy alternative to black, without stepping too far away from that smart, versatile colour which lends itself to suiting so well.

The dinner suit is often considered an investment that every man should make, as it's the kind of classic suit that can be worn year-in and year-out. Though a mens tuxedo may seem like an extravagant garment, its innate versatility can make it a worthy investment. The dinner suit uses a variety of design details such as peak, shawl and notch lapels, enabling a range of unique tailoring options. Dinner suits also come in a mixture of fabrics, cuts and a grown-up colour palette of navy, slate, grey, charcoal and black. Pocket squares, bow ties and dress shirts with placket details and double cuffs can finish the look with style.

Some of the most unique pieces of tailoring that Burton has revealed are the velvet blazers, which breach the gap between casual and smart dressing, as they're easily dressed up and down. The velvet blazer is something a bit different and can form the basis of a 'desk-to-disco' look.

With any tailored fit suit, especially the tux, accessories are important in creating a unique personal style. People can choose cufflinks, ties and bow ties based on their fashion point of view. It is up to the individual to decide whether to buy accessories as fashion pieces or as investment items. For those favouring bolder, on-trend, statement pieces, specs, braces and pocket squares are very fashion-forward accessories.

Thursday 17 November 2011

MeeMee.me wants you, you, you! New models required

MeeMee.me is on the hunt for new models to show off its unique ‘Style Me’ service, where you can shop for clothes that are designed to suit your individual shape.

It’s running a competition on Facebook to find three young women of different shapes, between a size 8 and a size 18, to be the featured faces of MeeMee.me. Winners will be styled by celebrity stylist Zoe Lem and photographed for the site, as well as winning clothes worth £500.

If you know your own style and think you’ve got what it takes to be the face of MeeMee.me, upload your picture at.

MeeMee.me is a radical new way to shop online. It’s all about edited fashion: its team of stylists create looks to suit your style and shape. On the Style Me section of the site, input your measurements, and the MeeMee.me style team will recommend the best clothes to suit you.

Want to see what clothes will suit you before you buy? MeeMee.me has an outfit builder in an online fitting room that means you can see what different outfits will look like together, on an avatar that you can customise by hair and skin colour. It’s really simple to do – just click an item of clothing in the fitting room and it shows on the avatar, so you can build your outfit, from top to toe.

If you’re not sure what to buy, and need a friend to help you decide, just save clothes into your private wardrobe.Then you can share them with friends, either on the site or on Facebook, to get a second opinion before you buy.

MeeMee.me has with five boutiques – Casual, Essentials, Daywear, Party and Holiday.

Christmas Party Outfit Inspiration

Baroque From Pure Collection
Parties at this time of year require a suitable glitzy outfit, but that doesn’t mean it has to be gaudy. This season, Pure Collection has your ultimate Christmas outfit ready with the sophisticated black palette and on-trend textures from its Baroque style guide.

Our complete outfit from their collection features some of this season’s latest trends, including sequins, lace and reptile print; perfect for a cocktail party for a grown up look that’s a little bit rock and roll.

The Sequin Stripe Chiffon Top, £129, is an ideal base for this outfit, with its sequinned stripe detail and loose fit. In 100% silk, this is a luxurious garment that also looks fabulous dressed down with jeans.

Add to this the Lace Pencil Skirt, £109: a classic shape reinvented in an on-trend fabric. This floral lace skirt also has a scalloped hem giving an added feminine detail. Tuck in the Sequin Stripe Chiffon Top for a sleek, hourglass shape.

Animal print is one of the hottest trends for this season, so cinch your waist with the Mock Reptile Leather Belt, £59. This versatile skinny leather belt is a great way to inject some of the animal print trend into your wardrobe without overdoing it and still looking stylish.

Layer up with further textures to give your outfit an edge with this Mongolian Lamb Fur Gilet, £299, in pure, soft lamb fur. Long hair furs were all over the Autumn Winter catwalks, and this gilet is a practical yet on-trend way to invest in the trend.

The final touch is a pair of Plain Wristwarmers, £35, in black. A simple, classic design in luxurious 100% cashmere gives these traditional gloves a modern twist, adding another texture and a bit of rock and roll to this cool Christmas outfit.

The latest Pure Collection Autumn Winter items are now online, keeping you on trend and party-ready throughout the season.

Monday 14 November 2011

New survey shows that women think curvier celebs are the sexiest

OneStopPlus, the online plus-size store have published a survey showing that women think curvier celebrities are sexier and have the best fashion sense. (EDITOR: I have an idea that most men would agree with thisresult...) The survey polled 10,000 women asking fashion and body-image questions about shapes and sizes.

It was seen that 36% of women indicated their belief that Marilyn Monroe was the sexiest celebrity and wished they had her body. Marilyn was followed closely by Beyonce Knowles, Sofia Vergara and Kim Kardashian.

Survey results – sexiest celebrity:

Marilyn Monroe: 36%
Beyonce Knowles: 24%
Sofia Vergara: 20%
Kim Kardashian: 11%
Gwyneth Paltrow: 6%
Katie Holmes: 5%
Christina Hendricks: 4%
Blake Lively: 2%

When asked who has the best fashion sense, the results were slightly more even spread, however it still skewed towards the curvier side. The majority of women voted for Kim Kardashian, followed by Beyonce Knowles and Marilyn Monroe.

Survey results – best fashion sense:

Marilyn Monroe: 18%
Beyonce Knowles: 19%
Sofia Vergara: 11%
Kim Kardashian: 20%
Gwyneth Paltrow: 18%
Katie Holmes: 14%
Christina Hendricks: 3%
Blake Lively: 4%

Plus size model Katie Green, who has been campaigning against size zero models, speaks out about the results '' How refreshing to find a survey that actually shows that curvier women are more desirable. Marilyn Monroe set the standard all the way back in the 50's, and I'm glad that peoples perception’s haven't changed! Well done OneStopPlus on highlighting this, as I feel this sort of public information will make a significant contribution to women's health.''

The President of OneStopPlus, Stephanie Sobel, said: “We are excited about this survey as it endorses the beauty of all women and confirms that beautiful and fashionable women come in all sizes.”

OneStopPlus.co.uk caters for sizes 14-36 providing a variety of styles and fashion at great value, and is at the forefront of plus-size fashion and innovation, giving women who are plus-size the experience of the most advanced high-fashion lifestyle.

To view the full range visit http://www.onestopplus.co.uk

Tuesday 8 November 2011

Simple Set To Raise £100,000 For Macmillan Cancer Support - Limited Edition Simple Kind To Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes Are Back!


Celebrity fans swear by Simple Kind To Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes, the UK’s best-selling facial skincare product. Now Simple, the UK’s No. 1 Facial Skincare brand, is pledging a further £75,000 to Macmillan Cancer Support from the sale of limited edition packs, available exclusively at Boots.

Following an initial donation earlier in the year, the combined £100,000 would enable the Macmillan team to continue providing essential information, expert medical care, emotional support and financial help to even more people affected by cancer. For example, it could fund a Macmillan information and support centre for an entire year or even fund a new palliative care family suite in a community hospital.

Some interesting facts about Simple Kind To Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes:

• 15-times award winner since 2008
• Over 9 million packs sold in the last year – more packs than any other skincare product on the market
• Loved by 30 celebrities already including Strictly Come Dancing star Holly Valance, Spice Girl Emma Bunton, actress Martine McCutcheon, The Only Way Is Essex stars Lauren Goodger and Lauren Pope, pop star Kimberly Walsh and models Amber Le Bon, Jerry Hall, Georgia May Jagger, Lily Donaldson and Erin O’Connor

The Limited Edition Simple Kind To Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes are available exclusively in Boots stores from 2 November 2011. Each pack sold donates 10p to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Simple Kind To Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes are quick and effective to use, removing even waterproof mascara, whilst being gentle to skin. With no perfume, no colour and no harsh chemicals, they are perfect for all skin types, even the most sensitive. Formulated with no alcohol so they won’t dry out the skin, and they are 100% oil free so leave no greasy residue.

Sunday 6 November 2011

Saturday 5 November 2011

Debenhams reveals formula for perfect pair of 'drop-a-dress size' shoes


Debenhams has announced its formula for how to drop a dress size in seconds. According to the retailer, if chosen carefully, a mere pair of shoes can have a dramatic slimming effect on the wearer - creating the illusion of having dropped a dress size.

The slimming effect is so apparent that, when asked to guess the dress size of the same woman in two images, people shown the image of her wearing the slimming shoes gave an average of one dress size smaller than those shown a picture of her without the magic shoes on.

Debenhams technologists created the formula when they noticed an onslaught of celebrity women, including Kate Middleton, Victoria Beckham and most recently Ed Miliband's wife Justine wearing similar nude high heels.

The formula for the perfect pair of slimming shoes is as follows: (colour + platform + height + heel width) - ankle strap = slimming, or as it is written in short-hand: (C + P + H + HW) - AS = S.

For those wanting to look slimmer in their dresses, they must first choose a nude coloured shoe which matches their skin tone. This works as an extension of the leg. Platforms should be concealed and should have at least a centimetre in depth to ensure maximum lengthening.

Heel height is critical and it is advised that women choose three-inch or higher heels. This provides added height and instantly gives a slimming effect. Heel width should also be considered. Thick heels draw the eye and break the illusion, so stiletto heels are recommended.

The final aspect of the formula is ankle straps. According to the formula, ankle straps should be avoided at all costs as they cut the leg short, making them look shorter and wider.

The formula combines a combination of tricks that give the impression of lengthened legs and tighter thighs while encouraging the torso to be pushed out, in turn flattening the stomach.

In response to the slimming formula, Natelle Baddeley, head of accessories for Debenhams, said: "It seems that performing magic tricks is no longer reserved for the likes of Dynamo and David Blaine.

“If followed to the letter, this formula gives women the chance to walk in the shoes of the famous tricksters of our time - creating a slimmer silhouette in an instant."

Natelle Baddeley continued: "This is a diet in a shoe. Once you have found the perfect pair all you need to do is slip on your shoes to instantly transform your silhouette. It's the perfect party cheat."

High profilers who currently benefit from this sneaky cheat are A-listers such as Beyonce Knowles, Victoria Beckham, Alesha Dixon, Jessie J and Sarah Jessica Parker.