Debenhams reports boards which protected looted shop to become a national treasure

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 12:04:56 GMT

Debenhams has announced that hundreds of goodwill messages written on boards covering windows smashed during rioting in Clapham Junction are set to become a national treasure.

High street store Debenhams has decided that they should be preserved to show how British people rallied around after the unprecedented street disturbances.

It believes the words on the boards make them a valuable piece of history, reminding everyone how local people felt, and that the violence and destruction was the product of a tiny minority.

Said Debenhams Battersea store manager, Neil Roberts: "The generosity of the people of Clapham and Battersea has transformed plain pieces of wood into a testament for our times.

"Their words of support are proof that, in times of adversity, Londoners still have the strength of character to stand up and offer a helping hand."

So many messages of support were scrawled on the boards covering Debenhams' ransacked Clapham Junction store that they quickly became a local landmark.

Visitors came from all over London - and even a few from overseas - to see what had been written, and to add a message of their own.

Among the messages were: "We have taken Clapham back. The rioters won't stop our community". Others said: "Clapham, we love you. Get well soon", and "We have lived and loved here for 14 years. How dare you destroy our amazing community".

So many messages of support were written that they filled every available inch of the boards, each measuring 9ft by 6ft.

Neil Roberts at Debenhams said: "While looting and destruction grabbed the headlines, the voices of ordinary people went virtually unheard.

"These boards, tell us, in their own words, how they felt at that time. They have become priceless pieces of social documentary.

"After the riots, hundreds of local people turned up to sweep away the broken glass and to help us get our store up and running again. We didn't have to ask. Instead, they came and did all that they could to rebuild their community again.

"These boards record the very essence of that human spirit."

The boards have now been taken down and are being preserved carefully by Debenhams. Conversations have been taking place to try and find a home for them in a prominent location where the general public can come and view them.

About Debenhams:
Debenhams is the second largest department store chain in the UK with a strong presence in key product categories including womens clothing, mens clothing, childrenswear, furniture and health and beauty. Debenhams operates 167 stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Debenhams also has 61 international franchise stores in 24 countries and six Magasin stores in Denmark. Debenhams’ online stores are available at www.debenhams.com and www.debenhams.ie.

Designers at Debenhams include Preen, Jonathan Saunders, Jonathan Kelsey, Roksanda Ilincic, Ted Baker, Jeff Banks, Jasper Conran, Erickson Beamon, FrostFrench, Henry Holland, Betty Jackson, Ben de Lisi, Julien Macdonald, Melissa Odabash, Jane Packer, Pearce Fionda, Janet Reger, John Rocha, Lisa Stickley, Eric Van Peterson and Matthew Williamson.

Topshop reveals the looks of Spring Summer 2011

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:08:15 GMT

Topshop has launched four new looks for Spring Summer 2011 with its Snake Valley, Swedish Summer, New Age Constellation and Graduation collections.

Snake Valley is inspired by the 70s 'Gypsy Rocker' character embodied by Jimi Hendrix and Lenny Kravitz. Tough elements like snake prints, python leather, and battered biker boots are mixed with Navaho flourishes, including fringing, feathers and tapestry detailing. Sleeves are billowing and fluted, balancing the shape of a high-waist skinny leather trouser or hotpant. A blanket poncho features Aztec intarsia knits, whilst an ecru crochet kimono is decorated with heavy beading and biker jackets with whip-stitching, fringing or tie-dyed leather. Prints include paisleys, animal tie dye and feather prints, whilst accessories have a dress-up feel.

Swedish Summer draws its inspiration from 1970s glamour, where vintage-inspired pieces have a dramatic, sweeping silhouette. There is an eclectic folk-inspired feel that sees soft Art Nouveau and William Morris floral prints mixed with glitter, foil and crafty fabrics like patchwork. Homespun cotton crochets and lace appear on cream and ecru tunic dresses, whilst soft, transparent crepe de chine and georgette are used in long printed tiered folk dresses and maxi skirts. Fluoro ditsy prints flourish over wide-leg palazzo trousers and mid-calf length skirts, whilst a printed tunic top with full sleeves comes with matching trousers. 70s blue denim appears in softer, washed colours and is seen on high-waist shorts, flared jeans and A-line skirts. Accessories include floppy hats, clumpy clog shoes, floral hair garlands and macramé bags in natural colours.

New Age Constellation is a modern take on classic tailoring, incorporating urban sportswear elements in new age fabrics and taking inspiration from the pared-down look of the mid 90s. Fluid flared trousers are teamed with matching T-shirts, whilst modern combination shift dresses of sheer and opaque fabrics are twisted and shifted with asymmetric hemlines. High-tech Nylon parkas are realized in hi-performance fabrics. Relaxed draping is key and can be found on jackets and vests, whilst simple pieces are given a twist, with sheer panels and frills. The overall feel is futuristic and simplistic, with a white, ecru and icy grey colour palette, epitomized by the white slash-neck T-shirt worn with white boy-cut trousers and the oversize white shirt dress.

Again taking the 1970s as its inspiration, Graduation features bold mix and match separates in cute conversational prints and stripes, like something from the pages of a Jackie annual. Clashing prints and colour cover 70s skinny rib tops, polo shirts, playsuits and cropped flared trousers. Skirts finish mid-calf and come in retro prints and bold nautical stripes. Shapes are crisp, clean and simple, with interest coming from contrasting colour and print. Denim comes in knee-length culottes and chambray playsuits. The overall vibe of the trend is young, irreverent, quirky and at times geeky, whilst 70s colours are mixed with timeless classics.

- ENDS -

About Topshop:
Topshop was established in 1964 and is part of Arcadia Group Ltd. Sir Philip Green became owner of Arcadia Group Ltd in 2002.

Topshop is continually recognised as being an authority on womens clothing with a wide range of jeans, dresses and jackets through to maternity wear, petite clothing and make-up.

Topshop was the first fashion retailer to show on schedule at London Fashion Week in September 2005 when it presented its own acclaimed in-house design collection Unique (created in 2001). Subsequent partnerships with international boutiques as far flung as Tokyo and LA followed and Topshop continues to grow its reputation for supporting exciting new talent.

Topshop launches its High Summer 2010 collections

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:03:03 GMT

Topshop has launched its High Summer 2010 collections, just in time for the sunshine. To accompany the new collections, Topshop customers can access a behind-the-scenes video from the brand’s advertising campaign shoot which shows the newest trends for the summer season. Packed with styling ideas, it is the perfect way to get inspired and choose what to fill your wardrobe with.

Topshop’s in-house design team have the enviable task of finalising the trends the store will feature each season. They do this by trawling the globe in search of the most exciting new pieces, snapping great street style looks, and being inspired by all the cool places they visit. These ideas are then brainstormed, developed, and crystallised into the current Topshop High Summer collections.

For summer there are a lot of new looks to have fun with. Summer Fete offers a mix of sorbet shades, pretty prints and bleached-out denim, whilst in Festival Army, military-inspired pieces have a grungy edge. In Club Tropicana, body conscious summer dresses and hotpants in bold prints and colours look at home on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. Finally, jersey maxi dresses, sleeveless denim gilets and towering platforms offer slick city chic in Body Armour. Topshop dresses continue to be key, particularly those featuring pretty sherbet colours and pastel ginghams. Shoes are also a big trend for SS10 with wedges and clogs taking centre stage.

Topshop’s behind-the-scenes video was filmed at its high summer shoot, offering inspiration on how best to style up the seasons’ newest looks. The film shows photographer Josh Olins and stylist Kate Phelan at work, with hair by Shon and make-up by Hannah Murray, consultant on Topshop Make Up, the store’s forthcoming make-up line (due out in May).

Topshop is also getting ready for the new Kate Moss Topshop collection in May.

About Topshop
Topshop was established in 1964 and is part of Arcadia Group Ltd. Sir Philip Green became owner of Arcadia Group Ltd in 2002.

Topshop is continually recognised as being an authority on womens clothing, having won several awards for design reputation and new services, and has a wide range of womens dresses, chunky shoes, maternity clothing, jackets and womens jeans.

Topshop was the first fashion retailer to show on schedule at London Fashion Week in September 2005 and continues to grow its reputation for supporting exciting new talent.

French Connection launches ladieswear Spring Summer 2010

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:10:15 GMT

French Connection launches Spring Summer 10 collection, full of colour, shine and all things fine. It's a tale of two style tribes - 50's teen rockabilly's hop amongst punks from the 80's, the clash is evident on both proportions and tailoring giving a new 50's slant with graphic florals creating a softer, vintage backdrop.

The spring summer style collection sits like a back-to-school pencil case full of Caran d`Ache coloured hues - everything fresh and exciting ready for its first outing. The mix of casual to formal pieces is even, endorsing the freedom of creating an individual style with a juxtaposition of clean cut lines with softer silhouettes in fluid fabrics.

Bold electric blue blazers are worn oversized with contrasting purple lining over neon Hawaiian floral dresses and exposed zips. The double-breast blazer dress with bold gold buttons gives a nod to the 50's whilst providing a take on an 80's classic. Bold retro prints in deep jewel colours are mixed with fluro brights on high shine batwing dresses.

Trousers are a contrast of silhouettes - sharp cigarette pants in black, neon Hawaiian print or electric blue, are given gold zip detailing on the waist and ankle, to be worn with oversized shirts or bustier tops - Sandra Dee style. Pleated harem trousers in soft to touch fabrics feature throughout the range in muted tones of beige and black - contrasted with striped or draped vests. 50's rain Macs are updated in bold blue with gold branded buttons, which can be worn cropped and oversized for a more relaxed feel.

Knitwear is playful, with multi coloured liquorice Allsort stripes in short sleeve jumpers and body con skirts - and a hero piece knitted dress with batwing sleeve detail.

French Connection iconic embellished dresses and mini skirts have moved on to incorporate more intricate, eclectic designs in acid brights. Fluorescent vintage floral prints adorn high waisted skirts, peplum detailed dresses, pinafores and bustiers - set against black to give them a rock'n'roll edge. Formal, muted pieces create a subtle backdrop to the brash range with colonial inspired pieces including silk all-in-one jumpsuits, cropped front pleat blazers and belted shirt dresses - all in a soft pebble tone.

A capsule range of monochrome pieces create easy to wear, chic style. Black silk dresses are given sheer shoulder and back cut out detailing; a full length black high shine maxi dress exudes Grecian chic, with a block colour dress with back zip detailing offering a stylish alternative to classic work wear.

Shoulders are still exaggerated but given softer detailing with contrast colour ruffles on dresses, t-shirts and tops. As spring turns into summer the collection evolves into clean 90's inspired lines mixed with 50's beachwear and retro Hawaiian florals on hot pants and cut out detail dresses.

It's like a washed out photograph from a 50's vacation in Hawaii gets discovered in the 80's and inspires a collection where fashion means business but also lots of fun.

About French Connection
French Connection was founded in 1972 by Stephen Marks who set out to create well-designed womens clothing that would appeal to a wide audience. French Connection now offers a fashion-forward clothing range with a quirky spin on design, priding itself on quality and affordable prices.

Having established a strong core clothing business, through design and an idiosyncratic sense of style, French Connection has recently expanded its portfolio into exciting new areas including men

House of Fraser launches exclusive new Joseph Joseph Elevate range

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:12:15 GMT

House of Fraser, the leading retailer of designer brands has teamed up with Joseph Joseph to launch the new 'Elevate' utensils range, which will be exclusively available at House of Fraser until October 2009.

The new 'Elevate' kitchen and tableware collection is being launched in stores across the UK as well as online through the House of Fraser website. All the utensils from the new 'Elevate' collection have been designed for their ease of use in the kitchen and to reflect a fresh innovative concept, whilst also being stylish, contemporary, sophisticated and practical.

Joseph Joseph was originally established in September 2002 by twin brothers Antony and Richard Joseph, and has gone on to develop a strong brand identity with its own distinct style and image for kitchen and tableware designs.

From the spaghetti server to the ladle, all of the elevate kitchen utensils feature a unique weighted ergonomic soft grip handle to 'elevate' the head above the kitchen worktop, resulting in less mess and more time to enjoy the food that has been prepared. The kitchen utensils are dishwasher safe, suitable for use with non stick cookware and feature a Nylon head that is heat resistant up to 240 degrees.

The 'Elevate' utensils range includes solid spoons, slotted spoons, ladles, spaghetti servers, slotted turners, flexible turners, and other kitchenware utensils for cooking enthusiasts.

About House of Fraser
House of Fraser is a department store group with 62 enviable locations across the UK and Ireland. As one of the best known names on the high street, House of Fraser has presented customers with an unrivalled nationwide department store for 160 years. The company was acquired by the Highland consortium in November 2006 marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in its history. The group has annual sales in excess of £1.25bn and employs 6,500 House of Fraser staff and 10,000 concession staff through 5 million sq ft of selling space.

Renowned for its exclusive designer brands for men and womens clothing as well as renowned household and kitchenware names, such as Joseph Joseph, House of Fraser offers luxurious items at affordable prices.

House of Fraser is committed to ensuring that both we and our suppliers continuously look at ways of improving working standards and the effect we and they have on the environment.

Top Articles Tagged with womens-clothing

Debenhams reports boards which protected looted shop to become a national treasure

Topshop reveals the looks of Spring Summer 2011

Topshop launches its High Summer 2010 collections

French Connection launches ladieswear Spring Summer 2010

House of Fraser launches exclusive new Joseph Joseph Elevate range