Why good news for John Lewis is good news all round for retailers especially Marks and Spencer

Yesterday I made an exception to attending press days. In the main I don't have time what with promoting Girlynomics and writing my novel as well as delivering copy to earn my crust. But I really couldn't resist going to the M&S high summer one. I am a big fan of M&S but equally a harsh critic.  My criticism stems from love, truly it does. And boy did I feel the love yesterday.

The samples on view were simply terrific. Totally terrific in terms of design and price point. This is good news for the consumer. I admit I loitered over the Limited Collection and Autograph samples more than any other but that was for a good reason - it is because I think these collections are coming back to a point of veritable consumer excitement! I can also highly commend the M&S Woman stuff in parts. Per Una remains an anathema to me and I suspect, although horrified to admit it, I'm in their target market or slowly moving that way!

Not only was there a nice cup of tea if one wanted on arrival but a gorgeous little nail bar where the lovely Lizzie Court of Lizzie Court Makeup made my nails rather perfect with Limited Collections Polish in Ultra Violet which is really a delightful forget me not type of colour.

I've picked out  a selection of items that start hitting the stores from late March, early April. Starting with childrenswear my eyes spotted a gorgeous little scarf with flamingos on it - so cute I might get it for me.

Look at these lovely retro romper suit set for girls. I know someone who will be a recipient of these!

Not forgetting the boys, some nice alternative print shorts for the little man in your life, tres chic.

And these beach cover ups for girls need to be sized up for us big girls as well.

Back to womenswear the accessorises continue to go from strength to strength...

And these were some of the garments I snapped and believe me there could easily have been more.

Limited Collection shirt - two trends ticks for this one graphic stripes and yellow.

A great splash of neon with these M&S Women tees.

A simple shift dress from the Autograph range.

 I love this purple metallic shirt from Limited 

And actually this image doesn't do this gorgeous Limited skirt justice 

I really had to tear myself away from the press room as it was a haven of loveliness and I so easily relax in these circumstances. I was so relaxed that when taking the lift down I nearly followed someone out to the first floor. Realising my mistake I immediately said to another person in the lift 'Opps need to concentrate more' and then went on to say that actually was what my school reports used to say. Luckily the fellow person in lift was kindly disposed to enter into school report banter of 'should try harder', 'if made more effort would do well' and obviously 'needs to talk less in class.'

Which brings me neatly to M&S going forward and of course the current A* pupil John Lewis. John Lewis, whatever anyone might think currently, was the worst store in the world about 8 years ago. You couldn't fault it for white goods and kitchen stuff but everywhere else was a bit dull. In fact it was all round dull and the sight of managers with clip boards (which occasionally still happens) was too frequent and very depressing. What did they do? Their move much earlier into a new purpose built John Lewis store at Cribbs Causeway from their old Bristol city centre store afforded them a view of what they could be like. It was probably true for M&S. Both were poised to draw lessons of how to remodel and refit their existing stores. It gave these businesses with flagship stores to examine in this environment what new buying patterns might yield and then... the internet hit. Suddenly areas like womenswear were hit very badly, access to beguiling garments away from the high street offerings really hit a cord. John Lewis stepped up to the mark and improved their buying. It still isn't right but along the way they improved every other bit of the store and started to join the dots with Waitrose and their online business. Now you can look online, check out in store walk away and order at your convenience to your local Waitrose. Where once I had to schlep up to Oxford St to get what I wanted (mainly Eve Lom cleanser) I now order online and pick up with my copy of Grazia and some bread. 

John Lewis build up a brand mix of accessibility, mixed in clever things like Little Home and made the internet work for them which conveniently is the way the consumer wants it to work as well. M&S has yet to get that exactly right. The shops are still over stocked, not enough clarity of merchandising or rather where there is, it is stuffed to the rafters. They still need their stock system to understand supply and demand to make the necessary adjustments for the future not necessarily just to restock best selling  items (which they seem to fail to do to). M&S still seems hell bent on pushing items in womenswear and woefully getting it wrong (a lot). In fairness this is true of John Lewis womenswear, there is a lot of irrelevance there too. However John Lewis happily reported great trading and great trading in these difficult times must give hope to everyone. I am particularly happy for the partnership staff who can enjoy the fruits of their labour as 9 weeks of wages, although taxation will dent that a bit. The only downside in this news is the tragic fact that the cleaning staff are woefully underpaid and are not partners and the possibility that a layer of management amounting to 300 redundancies is imminent . Maybe Mr Selfridge would have something to say about that - the tv version of course.

And in conclusion methinks M&S are watching and learning because it really feels as if they have turned a corner. My advice would be to get the good womenswear stuff, pieces that are modern, current and edgy out to the suburbs and towns. Why on earth hasn't the M&S at Epsom got Limited - H&M are cleaning up in that town with every age, having invested in a bigger better womenswear store. Get faster at collections in store from the website. Stop playing music in the stores, this is trashy and John Lewis is testament to how peace from unnecessary noise aids buying. Really look at how you stores are laid out and the fitting rooms need sorting - no music, more homely less harsh and no asking 'was it any good' or 'how did you get on', forgive me but it obvious when you are being handed everything back, it is a no!

Because M&S, John Lewis has proved that everything needs to be just so and seemingly effortless for customers. Having seen your High Summer collection you should be very proud of what you can do and further my recent experiences in your lovely food halls and the helpful staff there at Marble Arch and Tolworth are proof that you can do it - everywhere. Just turn off the music, step up the fashion and I'll be at the front of the queue every time as I know you can be the best.

Mmmm I'm so not Sienna Miller...

...or Kate Moss. You know the boho chick fash off thing that happened, well I didn't join in. I think while it was going on I was still spending my summers in neoprene in Cornwall. I was much more a surf chic and so some bikinis, tee shirts and a few jumpers was my lot. I'd use my towel as a skirt.

But I've always been drawn and of course over the years the look has become a mainstream de facto look for the summer. When I was asked to do a product review for boho clothing company Joe Browns it did pique my interest as I'd often received an unsolicited catalogue. However I am sort of caught in this blogging hole where I'm coming to the conclusion marketing peeps don't really read my blog or know my work.

To clarify I have worked for years and years in the fashion industry at Elle magazine, as a stylist and I have an MA from LCF. I've undertaken retail consultancy and worked for a number of year in marketing to earn a shed load of money to keep me in the handbags I wanted. I am always going to have an opinion and for good reason - the retail industry is in dire straits depending on what you are selling.

I struggled to select an item from Joe Browns as the web imagery isn't great and of course the clothes weren't really me. The Menswear is a far stronger offering and I wish I'd ordered from the men's shirt section! The versatile checked shirt delivers but I'm not sure the womenswear does. My first choice wasn't available in my size and I wasn't sure what to select next. Sharon Rose of My Style made the selection of the maxi dress I nearly opted for. I went for the Perfect Patchwork Kaftan to enter into the boho clothing spirt.

In short, it came, I tried it on, it is useful - I will wear it on holiday I'm sure but I immediately cut off the ties which were pointless. I also wished the design and colours were different but I was quite pleased the size 10 was too big (vanity!). But Sharon was absolutely right to call the Joe Browns peeps lovely, as they sent me a sample of their Sloe Joe Joggers in size 10. I'm always in search of a pair of these things that fit me because they never do. Well these babies fit PERFECTLY. They are a lovely cotton and just perfect for wearing to the gym or apres tennis when its cold.

What has happened is Joe Browns is stuck in a niche offering but boho has moved on and getting the design absolutely right even at the lower retail offering is key. Folks are cutting back and this means not buying, not buying cheaper. Retailers are going to have to revise, revise and revise to keep customers and grow.

If womenswear is the smaller side of the business then they need to simplify the offering and step away from their view of boho. I don't know who they consider their target audience but I know it isn't me. Except for their guys shirts and those sportswear joggers.

Retail Focus - how to make your customers love you

I was so out of sorts yesterday after the Galliano video clip. And the petit garcon was at home due to an inset day at school. I thought I would brighten our day up by finally getting him some new school shoes.

Off we popped to our local shopping mecca Kingston upon Thames. It had turned all miserable and cold but we were cheered by a young lad busking his heart out with his accoustic guitar. The garcon and I put in the money and discussed how he might like to do this when he is older and carried on with our chores.

I had the misfortune to have to return some items. One was a lovely necklace from Topshop, a Freedon one. It got tangled when I leaned forward and then I tried to untangle it and it got worse! It was a design nightmare, a right royal rubix cube of a mess up. I decided to take it back as it cost £25 and I had only worn it once, during the capsule wardrobe week.

The necklace is/was great but I'm sorry it was a design fault as it could get proper tangled. When I nipped in to Topshop, and explained truthfully what had happened and then I got what I call the 'off' treatment. Where was the tag and they could accept no responsibility if it didn't have the tag is was sold on. Then they had to get the manageress who equally said it wasn't their problem as Freedom is a concession. Well, I stood my ground ref faulty goods and the view was they would have to check with Freedom that the necklace was the price that showed on my receipt. 30 minutes later, I even went to the bank, I had my money refunded. What was that all about!

Then return number 2 was another capsule wardrobe item, my gorgeous polka dot top from Zara. Unfortunately the top is made from silk and it had a run in the fabric I hadn't noticed when I wore it, only after when I took it off. I'd only worn it for a few hours and had done the classic cutting the irritating labels off - but the service in Zara couldn't have been much different. Concern, what a shame and making the return the nicest experience and not making me feel an eejit.


Zara got the 10/10 and Topshop 2/10. I felt really cross with Topshop, I don't think I've ever returned personal items ever and I cannot abide being made to justify anything.

Now that Mary Portas has firmly focused us on the detail, do you feel more empowered and right as a consumer?

When Mulberry got too big for its...

....branding. I love a bit of Mulberry, nice leather good designs, proper British etc. etc. But of late I've noticed the products have been spoiled by the addition of a huge metal disc. Whilst I understand the importance of branding and the shouty nature of wearing a label, I feel the disc has grown in a godzilla way.

Take the gorgeous Daria clutch, it is completly spoilt by the magnitude of the disc. It is as if Mulberry have arrived late at the party 'hello we are here'. Please, pretty please reduce the disc take it down a notch or three!

The Glory of South London

My only hope for a fashion fix is making it to Wimbledon if I can get there. Since my style challenge of only designer goods/buys for a year my shopping choices are limited. So far it has been a breeze and my pocket is much happier. I actually feel happier too. I have bought a much reduced Valentino skirt from The Outnet and I did have to buy a lovely vintage dress (unknown designer but not a high st number) from Penny Dreadful Vintage. 'Fraid the Nina Ricci is out of my price range.

I am a proper South London gal. Okay I did first live in Fulham but it was off the Wandsworth Bridge Rd - you see I was heading South. My favourite go to places then were the Kings Road and High St Kensington. I used to think Oxford St was too far north. Mind you Wimbeldon was a bit to far for me and seemingly quite posh in my head but let me tell you it is a place of two halves - downtown, bottom of the hill is all high street and predictability. But up 'top' is the village. I'm not sure how to elongate the word village but phonetically (perhaps) vil-aaaaaaaaage.



Anyway the delights of the Matches shops are key to the many yummy mummies lives in the surrounds. I love the dedicated Max Mara shop, if only one was allowed to put the coats on and roll around on the floor. The marvellous thing is the customer experience. One can just pop in, in any garb because it isn't Bond St etc. You can, if you fancy, hop off your horse and pop in - perfect.

Mind you seeing how weather is going I'll be lucky if I manage to get dressed, am running out of socks and proper warm clothes.

Gap gets good...again

Gap is one of those stores which veers between really really good and sometimes plain awful. On Monday I stepped into its Oxford Street store near Selfridges and it was a winter wonderland. Stocked with splendid cashmere items, pretty party gear with a nice bit of edge plus gorgeous knitted scarves and hats.

It was so hard not to succumb to such temptation. I felt like asking you all for a get out of jail free card for one day!

Paint splatter top £39.50

Cashmere sweater T £55.00

Pointelle knit scarf £22.50

Giveaway don't forget!

Lazy post I know - believe me I'm working my 'butt' off at the moment and still trying to finish 3,300 words for someone who is going to kill me if I don't do it soon!

Black dress giveaway link here ...plus response to person who asked about 'cheaper' quality goods. I think the issue is not the quality of the cloth, but less time and money has been spent on three critical area: prior to production - research, development and design. The buyer selects on only what is available, so no amends. Then, finally the finish is less rigorous and by this I mean the button details will not be secured in a way a higher end garment is made. Once upon a time the finish on Prada clothes was appalling, this was addressed. Cheap doesn't mean bad - it just means less of other areas. Then you are relying on the buyers eye to select items you would like.

Please feel free to ask any more questions and I hope to get Laura's interview up tomorrow.

Simples

Everyone is following fast on the Phoebe Philo factor. Now ASOS never scared to bandwagon anything, thank goodness, are hot on her heels. Literally, or should that be figuratively, they are tugging at her leather skirt with ASOS WHITE.

A line dedicated to the shrine of minimalism (for minimalism read Philo) and a nod to every favourite fashion editors trend. Don't say what, say get me x, y and z in the bag now!

ASOS WHITE Silk Organza High Collar Blouse £60

Where to Shop?

I'm often asked 'where should I shop/where is the best place to shop?' (on the UK high street)

The answer is never the same. Each season changes the 'where' bit. I probably would suggest always having a look in the mid range retailers such as Reiss, All Saints, Ted Baker and concessions in departments stores from Tara Jarmon, Paul and Joe Sister, and the Jesiree range in John Lewis. You do have to have a plan and a list when you go shopping, this always helps to make sure you don't come back with a repeat number.

However, this season I'm mainly loving Topshop and Zara. Last winter I had no love for either but slowly and surely they are both back on track. On the back burner I'd put Warehouse and Gap (the cape at £60 is a winner) and I'm sighing a bit over my beloved Oasis, not sure I'm feeling the love yet. My surprise wild card will be Miss Selfridge, check it out sporadically, there will be much to coo over. Finally, M&S, well would have thought it! I'm suggesting caution (as always) but there is some mighty fine individual pieces. My Mad Men esque cardigan in black has been a winner at £18.

In a magazine but not in store?

The most annoying aspect of styling is not just your pecking order but the research for key pieces. Most of you will have experienced the spying of an item in a magazine or a newspaper and lo and behold the item is not in store.

The store doesn't know what you are talking about even if they have a look book to reference and it always turn out the product isn't due to be dropped into store until the 3 or 4th drop in the season cycles.

One of the reasons Topshop and Zara are so successful is the product is in store 9 times out of 10 the moment it appears in editorial. H&M undertake campaigns to specific designer collaborations and new collections like the Garden Collection, so editorial indicates clear availability dates.

However, there are still retailers who don't get the timing right. They are happy to promote a garment heavily in editorial and then it takes months to come into store. Very frustrating and a disappointing experience for shoppers and stylists alike.

And that is why Rachel of Borth you never did get that M&S dress you so coveted and I have now lost the will to get it as I'm not important enough (coughs).

Psst.

The new found success of Liberty isn't without staff rumblings. Monsieur de La Bourdonnaye has installed a new regime which to some smacks of corporate Harrods. People tend to leave Harrods for Liberty to enjoy respite from the 'White House'. Oh I love retail gossip.




Liberty did need a retail kick up the backside but will it retain its charm in the process?

Reiss A/W online

The good thing about a retailer like Reiss, if you tell them something they listen. I don't necessarily mean they listen to me but to feedback in general. Last season and the season before Reiss were very slow to tie in their internet retailing site with the store collection drops. But this season they've managed to beat the end of August deadline.

And this season Reiss is approaching the wow factor. I judge a stores wow factor on the fact one doesn't know what to try/touch first. I can't remember the last time I had wow factor and in fairness it is most usual in the shoe or handbag department, but with clothes I think I'd have to travel back in time to High Street Kensington market, which is now home to Wholefoods and others.

However, Reiss is a brand continually working towards the high street equivalent of the wow factor as are stores like Oasis and in their own way the team that deliver Limited Collection at M&S.**

Reiss has lifted the game with its superb and well timed 1971 collection. Now, I'm not convinced by using a year to brand a collection, and the choice is due to the year Mr Reiss* first began trading, but the look and feel of the collection is mighty fine. It has a nonchalant, yet stylish edge and whilst the reverie of all things Parisian is obvious - not just by the setting of the photo shoot and the video - more the fact the individual garments reflect Paris style, this doesn't detract from the collection.



One could imagine it being the look de jour for style shoots for attendees for Paris Fashion Week. The 1971 collection does reflect this seasons trend details of suede and studs that will saturate the high street but is mixes cut and colour well to create a more sophisticated edge to the look.

This is the choice for injecting freshness and youth into your wardrobe with quality befitting a stylish but knowing fashionista. Now there is just the matter of size 16...

* I once met David Reiss when he was visiting the Bristol store a few years ago and he is a very handsome man!
** PS Sir Phillip Green and Jane Shepard are to be thanked for this - though in my view Topshop is in need of a refresh to be a leader again. And Jane is striving towards excellence at Whistles but it is still to early to say if she's got it right.

Retail Resurrection

Working at the sharp end of the retail industry this weekend at the behest of a shopping centre for one of their retailers, I was faced with the reality of when it all goes wrong. I would like to say that I will have helped in part to turn the business around but one piece of an incomplete jigsaw doesn't make a whole.

When a retailer gets it wrong with target market, stock, quality and the experience people vote with their feet and purses. Whilst consumers love affair with Zara and Topshop continues, Gap suffered a sharp rebuke to their position on the high street across the globe.

Last year even I, a firm friend of Gap was treated to shoddy service and behaviour all round when attempting to buy some biker boots. The story didn't end with my successful purchase of the boots. In fact I haven't shopped at Gap since apart for a couple of petit garcon items and even this was considerable less than I would have before. In addition this meant I didn't take a single client in either. So will I return to Gap as a customer ever again?

Gap has addressed one critical area of retailing, it now has some items available on-line via ASOS

Gap Wide Trim Deep V-Neck £29.50

Also K-Line gave their jeans a glowing report recently and a big thumbs up to Head of Design for Gap, Patrick Robinson. All eyes will be on the sales of the first global collection.

The proof will be in the pudding if I purchase an item in my big shop on September the 2nd. Yes, I've set a date for my wardrobe upgrade shopping session. I do have a bit of a fancy for the slim chinos and the suede boots, so we will see. The deep v-neck sweater looks like a lovely piece too and boy do I need colour in my wardrobe. Are you going to be a friend of Gap this season?

Size 16

Dear Reiss, Karen Millen and Ted Baker,

Please get with the programme and stock size 16 clothes - why stop at 14? What is wrong with size 16? 6-16 sounds perfectly reasonable. You produce some delightful garments so share the love.

Thanks

A date with Glasgow

Had a great day at TK Maxx for the NHJ Style and TK Maxx designer sunglasses style session. It was all rather super from the moment I left the house in lovely sunshine at 6:15am to when I set foot back through the front door at 8:30pm.

I enjoyed the splendour of Terminal 5 and particularly was taken with Carluccios in the check in area. A bicerin at 7:20am was a treat, a glorious blend of espresso, Florentine drinking chocolate and cream, all served in separate jugs to mix in the cup yourself.

My lovely assistant stylist for the day was Claire Wacey and we had good fun from the start to finish. We both agreed there is nothing like a smile and some pleasant chat with all and sundry to make for a positive day.

Claire and I snapped in the afternoon sunshine of Glasgow

The TK Maxx at Southbank in Glasgow featured the most pleasant and helpful staff I've encountered for ages anywhere. In all the people we met in the other stores there and the customers of TK Maxx were fabulous. Truly, the peeps of Glasgow were a delight, so much so I've forgiven the taxi driver who charged us an exorbitant £20 for a 5 mile drive, which took 10 mins, and I hope he sat down with his family and enjoyed a fine wine!

My favourite customer of the day was young Aaron who snaffled a bargain pair of Mickey Disney Club sunglasses down from £49.99 to £7.99.

Young Aaron trying sunnies on for size!

Has it really been that long...to heart M&S

Truly I do, love M&S. I'm sure it is in part an association with many memories over the years, even a hideous pair of sandals for school one summer. It wasn't Markses fault, I just wasn't allowed a more on trend but obviously 'cheaper' pair from Stead and Simpson. The cheapness was in the shop of course and M&S stood for all those wonderful middle class/petite bourgeois values. And to some extent it still does. Who wouldn't prefer to do their weekly shop at M&S or Waitrose over the rest, if we were moneyed. Now the old purse strings are sort of shut - indulgence is at a premium and has reverted to being a luxury, not a necessity.






Whilst M&S celebrates a 125 years of trading on the high street in all it's many manifestations, it is also facing a drop in pre-tax profits of 40% ( down from £1.1bn to 706m). Now there are lost of reasons for this due to lowering margins, restructuring etc. etc. But, one can't help but feel that the high street clothing offerings are not hitting the mark.


I have a few areas of criticisms and a whole heap of praise after all who would want to see it disappear - I'm still getting over Woolworths and holding a torch for Snob (I felt so grown up the first time I shopped there).


It's not the first time I've made a few remarks and so a couple of remarks are repeats!

Over stocking on the shop floor - please there's too much stuff, given the current layout of the store. Browsing is harder and so it getting something off the rails without knocking half the items to the floor.


More importantly the reason I suspect for the drop is the fact many of us have been turned off from M&S clothing in the last few years due to our glam purchases on Net-A-Porter, Matches, My-Wardrobe to name a few supplemented by Topshop. Primark et al. Why buy at M&S when you can get what you want from Oasis to Reiss or APC to American Apparel. If you're a boutique shopper or a Dover Street Market person then M&S has no relevance for you. It is the lack of relevance for the savvy shopper, the confident car booter and Internet purchaser.


Those of us who are avid followers of fashion form trends to individual quirks and style then step into M&S and be greeted by Per Una and we are out of the door or just hot footing it to the sandwich section. I'm only prepared to check out their stock for clients and M&S can satisfy a range of issues from size to budget that a broader mix can't.


Whilst Per Una might satisfy today's 50+ lady it certainly isn't true of those hitting 50 in the next few years ( the Madonna factor). By and large they wouldn't be seen dead in such garments. I could go on for ever on my loathing of Per Una!


Yet, even the rest of the products tend to lack a certain something supplemented with some really brilliant pieces - which become an amazing find because a) they are in M&S and b) they are great value for money.


Take these kick flare jeans at £19.50 they are a complete bargain and they are fab! Then you can spend your money on a expensive top instead.





I'm a great fan of their knickers but would never buy a bra there. The children's clothing is getting better and better after probably being the worst high street offering for ages. Certainly the Menswear Autograph range delivers great value and now is getting its act together on the jeans. If you want a functional, good value and lovely denim jean then it is worth a browse in Autograph.

If you hunt long enough you can always find something of value or worth for your wardrobe in M&S...but if it wants to keep it's market presence in womenswear for the next 125 years it needs to take stock and bring in some fresh eyes!

Jean Genie

Forgive me for my dual relationship with the blogosphere. I was consumed with the demands of essay writing and felt that I was delivering a poor service and needed a break. I'm sort of back but still caught between my love of making do and a serious analysis of all matter fashion and film.

I have discovered that I'm actually not Mark Kermode when it comes to film reviews! Which is probably a good thing as he is rather excellent at them and whilst I wish I was as good as Mr Kermode, I'm actually much better at my fictional attempts.

However I now know I'm good at my make do style delivery. This is very cheery news and none more so than when my expertise is called upon to delivery good old fashioned high street fashion solutions.

I'm quite excited to be the stylist in residence at the Harlequins shopping centre in Watford (almost VB territory if you count the Hertfordshire Beckingham Palace residence) for the month of May on all matters concerning jeans!

This prompted me to review my jeans scenario and find it sadly lacking on the looking sexy front. It was fine from the point of view of skinnies - tick (Topshop), old pair of good bootcuts -tick (2004 Abercrombie and Fitch purchase in NYC). However I had a pair of American Lucky jeans with hole in knee due to car races with petit garcon and a suspect H&M pair that really only are allowed to fall into mum on go/ in house bracket ( oh how I envy all without kids who have no need for jeans!)

Realising I needed high street not designer jeans I hot footed it to French Connection and splurge £70 of my precious pounds on a fab pair which I'm not sure are available on tinternet.
I fell for them because they are the pair that I thought were very Chloe-esque. They remind me of Phoebe at her height (is it me or am I the only person desperate for her first proper Celine collection!)

Anyway you'll either get to see me at Watford if you are passing or on a video being filmed this Friday when I do a make over!

Why pay full price?

I popped into Kingston TK Maxx lat week and flicking through the rails found a great Dolce & Gabbana jacket reduced from £790 to £230 - no I didn't buy but it is about time I reminded you of the great bargains and items they sell! If you don't want to undertake random pop ins to the store you can sign up for alerts of new deliveries.

What a week and it's not even the weekend!

Blimey! I'm feeling like an extra in Star Trek seemingly to be in the midst of a warp factor 9 situation and also in need of Scotty and his 'beam me up' magic. Now this is partly all your fault!! What you say? Well thanks to the wonderful world that is the blogosphere I've achieved a questionnaire response that MORI dreams of. Seriously, you've made me very happy and very informed. I will of course publish my essay, thanks to your contribution, because it should be quite interesting - I hope.

Also, after all the snow, rain and cold it was a joy to have a moment of spectacular sunshine today as I walked over the Hungerford footbridge. The view of the Thames and the city skyline was glorious. I'm only sorry I didn't have a proper camera and only my blackberry to capture the moment.

The view is closer than this perspective as the camera facility on the crackberry is limited. It does show how high the Thames was and there was concern that it might burst its banks.

My journey was to college via Paul Smith in Covent Garden to purchase Mr MDS his Valentine present. Except they were out of the very cuff links they were promoting for Valentine's day or more accurately they had two pairs. Now I might be wrong but I only consider the day before or on the day as last minute dot.com. And...surely you want to have stock to meet potential demand. Anyway, I sort of felt slightly exasperated by the Floral Street branch of Paul Smith (isn't it his main shop?) due to shop assistant and the Manager's answers to my probing retail questions. Really I don't want to hear that the concessions store in Selfridges is separate or that the Internet outlet is based in Nottingham and nothing to do with the store in Covent Garden. Yes the manager was offering to try and get me the purple pair I coveted for Mr MDS but I'm more than capable of tinternetting myself or calling them.

Honestly when are stores going to get customer savvy. Did I mention they don't open now until 10:30am! Luckily I could nip to Central College St Martins before returning to Paul Smith on my fruitless journey. Well actually it wasn't exactly fruitless because in the midst of my foot stomping I want purple heart cuff links moment, I spied some rather fetching vintage numbers. The first pair I admired broke - yep properly broke but not my fault, phew. So I settled for my second choice. Apparently they are from New York, fingers crossed Mr MDS is up for 70s old school numbers!

Then I spied the lovely Rob Ryan cards on sale. I'm sure they were strategically placed for men to buy for their other half but I went for style over appropriateness.


Again another crackberry photo but you get the gist. Paul Smith wasn't a complete let down but I'm beginning to wonder why people really don't get proper customer service. They were nice but I dunno something ain't right. I also had a cheeky peek at Cos and lost a sliver of my fashion heart to a few items. Damn you Cos - it will be my undoing!

Then... oh joy of joy I did VERY well in my film essay and this was on top of doing very well in my fashion consumption unit essay too. I had to laugh at my tutor on Monday as she said I must have been a good undergraduate student. I had to fess up to being more of a social butterfly than a bookworm. I phoned my mother to tell her my marks prefaced by 'this is like being at school but you know I'm not because I'd have never phoned you about school marks.' My poor parents, at last, after years of school reports for 3 daughters suggesting if we applied ourselves, a result!


PS I'm kind of up to my eyes in it and am really sorry I'm not really commenting at the moment on all the lovely blogs or responding to comments. I'm taking quick peeks and will try to as much as poss. Apologies in advance. I do mind about floundering in my duties!

Dear M&S

I think you need my help. I'm sure you might assert that on principle I'm just another opinionated stylist, however, I would like to assert back that this isn't the case. Currently, after many successful years in fashion journalism, marketing and as a freelance stylist (who isn't!) I'm undertaking an MA in Fashion and Film at the London College of Fashion.

My view is that you need to undertake a radical rethink and over haul of your womenswear offerings. I have struggled over the last few years to attire one single female client in anything other than your pants - waist clinchers and tummy tuck ones to be precise, oh and some great claret tights last season. BTW we are talking 40+ peeps here, I'm taking my 50+ lot to Kew and elsewhere to reconnect them with style, they all felt tired and dull.

With what do I find fault, I'm not going to list it all but here is a selection:-

1. Overstocking on the shop floor, this is with regards to the rails, the multitude of them on the floor and the fact you can't see things. Yesterday with one item, product code T572433A - a Perfect Military Pocket Knee length skirt with belt to be precise, I had to struggle with a multitude of skirts all hung on one rail intended for 15 to swish nicely at best. There were about twenty size 10s in amongst a few other sizes. This is unnecessary and immediately puts the customer or stylist in a sweat as they grapple to stop the items falling on the floor, as you bump behind into the adjoining equally overstocked rail and then stick your right and left elbow into the others.

Please go for a stroll around Selfridges 2nd floor, enjoy the stroll, the ability to view items and browse. Note how items are hung and think about how you could achieve the same.

2. Bring back the square jumper/tshirt things - even Primark has these and yes they do get untidy but you don't have to overfill them and restocking and keeping things tidy would reconnect the sales assistants with the customer and save them pulling rails around in a random fashion. I'm not advocating old style but a new interpretations of an old classic presentation retail style.

3. Less is more - please scale down Limited Collection, Autograph and Per Una (actually I'd love you to get rid of Per Una but that will happen naturally), in fact scale down everything. There is too much volume. Have better processes that improve production on lines selling well and an ability to deliver what the customers want, think Topshop. Topshop deliver a line of basics that only vary occasionally, in colour or a minor style tweak. Then they add the rest. You do basics too but they are not quite right, not clearly defined except on the knickers front. don't just go to Topshop, go to Zara too. Look at their cardigans and jumpers folded on the shelves. Do this for UK women and get a template that is trendy but for the over 35 year body - it'll be a winner.

4. Do a line that are style classics, do not mess with these, get the cut, cloth and colour right and exploit this gap in the market. Get the body standard deviation right too based on post twenty something (see above). I know that you might think that your new Perfect offering is doing this but. The above mentioned product is quite nice but you are delivering an old school Next offering mainly in polyester and it isn't going to be a winner - but you can come back to me and tell me I'm wrong with your amazing sales results.

5. I give you a favourite dress of mine. It is simple, well made and has lovely beading detail. It wasn't expensive and not many were made. It isn't an amazing design but it works as a dignified understated LBD when the moment requires one. It is an Autograph New York number - and I bought it because the Autograph section was attended to by a lovely lady who knew her stock, customers and loved her job. In the last 5 years all I have bought from M&S apart from food occassionally are some pants, a pair of ballet pumps on sale and some pirate socks for my 3 year old - and goodness you are actually delivering some clothes for children I can buy again, great Spiderman pants!

Here is my lovely dress. Please ask me to come in to be a consultant for a 6 month period - I will make you millions and save you during the hard times - failing hiring me get some A list designers in again and ditch the F listers you seem to think will make do, well they won't.