Debenhams to launch limited edition bridesmaid dress

Debenhams has announced  it will be retailing a limited edition version of Pippa Middleton's bridesmaid gown in stores later this year after being inundated by demands from customers.

So great is the anticipated demand it has has taken the unusual step of creating a 'lady-in-waiting list' to allow customers to reserve the departments store's homage to Pippa Middleton’s iconic figure-hugging bridesmaid gown.

And for fans of Pippa’s style the retailer will also be selling a version of the emerald green evening gown that Kate’s sister wore to the evening 'do'.

In addition a black lace sweetheart frock and a flower girl dress, all inspired by Kate Middleton and her breath-taking bridal party will go into stores later this year as well.

Russell Fish, Head of Occcassionwear Design at Debenhams commented: "Like everyone we were glued to our tellies for the wedding and have been huge Kate and Pippa fans ever since.

"We've taken the best of the dresses and added our designer twist. Now you can get the Middletons' look at High Street prices."

Debenhams' slender ivory gown is a slinky, cowl neck number with a button-back detail and elegant cap sleeves. 

An ivory flower girl dress will also launch in store to sit alongside the sleek adult gown. Featuring a delicate lace trim, puff sleeves and a pale gold sash tied in a sumptuous bow at the back, with retail prices varying depending on age.

An emerald green evening gown, with embellished neck detail and a full, floor length skirt perfect for dancing is the final gown which will hit Debenhams stores this autumn.

Debenhams is also launching a black mid-length evening gown, inspired by the dress worn by the Duchess of Cambridge on her wedding day. Featuring intricate lace detail and trim, the full-skirted prom dress is a classic take on this timeless style women everywhere want to emulate since the royal wedding.

Alain Mehada, Chief Personal Shopper, Debenhams Oxford Street added: "Both men and women everywhere were instantly talking about Pippa, so naturally brides-to-be will want to emulate her classic look, both for themselves or their bridesmaids.

"We have been inundated by customers asking if we have anything similar to the dresses worn by Kate, Pippa and the flower girls, but the ivory dress worn by Pippa is the most requested by far."

Sales boffins at the retailer predict that these dresses will follow in the footsteps of a Star by Julien Macdonald dress that sold out before even reaching stores after fashionistas heralded the design as the look of the season a couple of years ago.

To find out as soon as the Bridesmaid dresses are available, customers can send their details through to ladyinwaitinglist@debenhams.com.

Today is National Underwear Day. Celebrate it with M&S!

Join M&S, the UK’s biggest lingerie retailer, and celebrate all things underwear! Selling over 21 millions bras a year and 60 million pairs of knickers M&S are a knowledgeable underwear force!

The 5th of August 2011 is officially National Underwear Day-a day to really take a look at your underwear drawer and ask “Is my underwear really ‘working’ for me?”

Ask yourself “do I have the right shapewear for my figure and needs?”, “are those greying knickers ready for the bin?”, “Do I wear the right size bra?” women ask themselves these questions every day and what better way to get a grip on your undies than by celebrating NUD with M&S!

In anticipation of NUD M&S are appealing to all women to clear out their drawers and really think about their underwear purchases! On the 5th of August we want every woman from office worker to stay at home mums, to wear their best undies! Don’t save that beautiful silk set for those special occasions-wear them on the 5th with confidence.

Don’t get caught out thinking that just because other people can’t see your underwear, it doesn’t matter how it looks! NUD hopes to change this opinion with M&S’s help!

http://www.marksandspencer.com/Lingerie-Underwear-Womens/b/43233030

ghd goes pink

New limited edition ghd styler for Breakthrough Breast Cancer

Taking inspiration from the world’s style capitals, this year’s Pink Orchid Limited Edition from ghd takes cues from some of today’s hottest designers including Valentino, Balenciaga and Christopher Kane, who weaved magenta, rose and cerise shades through their sumptuous S/S collections. Working this season’s pink and black lace trend, this year’s eagerly anticipated ghd Pink limited edition features a sheer lace print layered over this seasons colour; hot orchid pink to create a super slick design.

And for the first time ever, this year’s Pink limited edition features the ghd Gold Series Classic styler with a sleek twist – styling plates that have been transformed into a vibrant shade of hot orchid pink – a style note from accessories shown at the House of Holland S/S catwalk show, which featured intense pink tones.

The pink plated hair styler glides through locks effortlessly - allowing better, lighter handling for all types of styling, easily creating the sort of looks that made ghd famous. Curls, waves, flicks and the perfect straight can easily be achieved with the styler’s rounded barrel.

Accompanying the pink plated hair styler, this year’s limited edition includes the ultimate accessory to compliment any super-stylish summer wardrobe. Versatile and sassy, the ghd Pink Orchid Limited Edition heat-resistant styler case / clutch bag is this season’s must-have item. The glam set also includes two ghd sectioning clips to make styling any look even easier.

The Pink Orchid Limited Edition is set to be the most coverted styler yet, with £10 from every styler sold being donated to the amazing charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer. This will be the 8th year ghd and Break through Breast Cancer have collaborated and in that time over £4,250,000 has been raised by ghd to go towards crucial funding and research carried out by the charity.

£10 from each sale will be donated to Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Visit the ghd website for more details http://www.ghdhair.com

Follow updates on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ghd

Debenhams has revealed new research which suggests the female foot is getting bigger across the UK

With sales soaring, demand for size nine shoes has sparked a massive 80% increase in stocks at the department store.   

But despite the growing trend, 82% of size eight and nine customers say they are ashamed of their shoe size, ironically most blokes in the UK are a size nine.

Merchandisers at the department store thought something was afoot when it was revealed that 67% of all size nines sold, are bought online as opposed to in store.

Carie Barkhuizen, Debenhams Spokesperson, said: "Buying shoes online can be a tricky feat which is why we decided to ask women why they were shopping behind closed doors. We were surprised to learn a case of cold feet was behind it all.

"It's even more surprising when you consider the host of celebrity women like Michelle Obama and Nicole Kidman proudly stepping out on their larger paws."

When asked to identify what part of shopping for shoes in store they found particularly uncomfortable, 64% said it was asking the shop assistant for their size and 36% said they hated taking their shoes off in public.

The survey also revealed that 47% of women had lied to their partners and friends about their shoe size.

To help combat this embarrassment, Debenhams has instructed stores to put more size eight and nine stock out on the shop floor for women to help themselves to. 

Women needn't feel alone however, the average female shoe size has increased by one and a half sizes over the last 10 years; from four and a half in 1990 to a size six in 2011, and larger sizes are increasingly in demand.

The change is attributed to women's feet becoming broader rather than longer which experts believe may be due to an increase in average body weight as women grow taller.

Demand for size nines was highest in Dublin, followed by London, Birmingham, Glasgow and Newcastle.

Carie Barkhuizen continued: "If the current trend continues, then we will start stocking women's shoes in size ten and eleven too.

"Shoes with high heels, such as stilettos in larger sizes, have to be made much stronger with sturdier load bearing points, able to cope with greater levels of stress and wear.

"The materials and techniques now available means that the majority of shoes can made strong and comfortable enough in larger sizes which would have been unimaginable just ten years ago." 

Celebrity women with larger feet include; Nicole Kidman (size 9), Jerry Hall (8), Paris Hilton (9), Michelle Obama (9), Kate Winslet (9) and Geena Davis (9.5).

Hairtrade launches Buntastic products

Hairtrade has announced the launch of three new 'buntastic' seasonal I&K hair buns: the sleek bun, wedding bun and braided bun.

All of these hair buns are 'clip and go' hair bun styles and allow the wearer to get celebrity hair bun styles within seconds, ideal for wedding and party events.

The high bun hairstyle has emerged as a top spring summer hair trend. Celebrities like Billie Piper, Katie Cassidy, Jennifer Lopez, Kate Bosworth, Sarah Jessica Parker and Jessica Alba have all sported the high top bun at events this year, and there appears to be no plans of it stopping.

Kevin Kou, Managing Director of Hairtrade said: "The high bun hairstyle emerged as a top spring summer hair trend for 2010 and this has continued into 2011. We launched hair buns to help people create celebrities’ hair bun styles in seconds. These styles are perfect for wedding and parties."

The launch of the new seasonal hair buns follows work by the company to meet the growing needs of its customer base, by supplying a wide variety of beauty products and hair electrical items on its site in addition to its hair extension and hair care range. Customers can find a range of shampoos, hair dryers, hair straighteners and curling irons as well as face and body care products including fake tan, nail care products and accessories and eye care products, including colour contact lenses, eye lash/eye brow perming kits and semi-permanent eye lash kits.

FACTFILE:

Hair Trade was established in 2005 and is now one of the leading online hair care, hair extensions and beauty products distributor and retailer across the UK and Europe. Hairtrade provides a wide range of hair extensions products, beauty, hair care and hair electrical brands.

Hairtrade provide a wide range of 100% human hair extensions mainly, human hair weaves, clip in hair extensions and pre-bonded hair which includes Remy hair and European hair extensions. We also provide synthetic hair extensions, wigs, hairpieces, hair extensions accessories and tools. As well as an extensive range of hair care products from brands such as Tigi, Loreal, Schwarzkopf, Goldwell, Matix, Fudge, Keune, Sexy Hair and many more.

Hairtrade also offer a wide range of nail care products and face & body products for both men and women.

www.hairtrade.com

Twenty One Healthy & Happy Years at Ragdale Hall

The Owners of award winning health spa Ragdale Hall, Michael Isaacs & Penny Nesbitt celebrated twenty one years of their involvement on 15th June.

Since Ragdale Hall was opened as a health farm in 1973 by Slimming Magazine, this is by far the longest and most stable period of ownership.

Michael Isaacs and Gary Nesbitt (Penny’s late husband) creators of the Our Price record shop chain, brought Ragdale in 1990 and during the last two decades have invested extensively in new facilities and building up a fine reputation as one of the top spas in the UK.

In November 2007 the multi million pound Thermal Spa opened featuring an indoor/outdoor waterfall pool, unique Candle Pool and a series of heat and water experiences.

Employing 460 staff, Ragdale has won many accolades including the Best Spa in Europe 2007 and more recently Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Spa Awards 2010 Favourite UK Spa Retreat and also Sunday Times Travel Magazine’s Readers’ Awards – Favourite UK Spa 2010.

Michael Isaacs commented “Ragdale Hall is a very special place and Penny and I are very proud to have been it’s custodians for the last 21 years. We have an incredible band of very loyal staff, many who have been with us from day one. We are also very grateful for the support of so many loyal guests who come back time and time again”.

As part of the 21st anniversary celebrations the history book, ‘Ragdale Hall – The Life and Times of an English Country House’ has been updated and reprinted, telling the story of the Hall through the last 225 years, including it’s most recent history!

Available by mail order from the Boutique or online shop for £12.95, it is a fascinating historical insight.

For more information please visit www.ragdalehall.co.uk

Debenhams launches 'Boob Job in a Bra'

Debenhams has announced the launch of what it describes as the ultimate cleavage bra, aiming to boost women's assets and give the biggest cleavage boost on the high street.

Women will be rushing to get their hands on the new Triple Boost Bra which is a short-cut to a bigger, better cleavage. Available in a range of colours, Debenhams is predicting the bra will be an instant hit following its launch in store.

Sharon Webb, Debenhams Head of Lingerie Buying and Design commented: "More and more women are searching for a quick fix, low cost way to boost their assets and change their shape.

"We are constantly seeing a demand for new and innovative solutions lingerie, and the market has shown that people are wanting to enhance their bust, but without the weight, cost or pain of surgery."

The technology behind the bra is as simple as three steps to the perfect cleavage, and has taken two years to perfect.

The push up bra works using clever cleavage technology. Three separate foam pads in varying densities are pushed in different directions, resulting in a maximum impact cleavage and shape. There are three different sections in the cup to create the effect: a soft foam cushioned pad enhances the shape of the bust; a medium foam cushioned pad lifts the bust and finally, a firm cushioned pad adds the mega push and lift.

Sharon Webb continues: "It wasn't as simple as putting extra padding into an ordinary bra or revamping a double cup boost bra. It's basically a boob-job in a bra."

The bra is the first of its kind, as no other high street retailer has developed a three-step cup to create such a dramatic cleavage.

The triple boost bra is available in sizes 30A - 38DD.