NOW CLOSED Tell House of Fraser what you think about the Mary Portas Collection and win a personal shopper session and £500 to spend at House of Fraser

[AnnMumsnet]

We've been asked by House of Fraser to find out what you think of the Mary Portas Collection

Here's what Mary says about the Collection: "Just follow the Pret-a-Portas cocktail = one part simple chic, one part edge, and decorate!"

What House of Fraser would like you to do is take a look at the Collection online here or visit your nearest House of Fraser* to check it out in real life, and maybe try some items on. Then they'd like you to come back to this thread and answer these questions:

~ What's your favourite piece in the Collection? Do you have more than one? Was there anything in the Collection that you were immediately drawn to? If so, was it the colour, pattern, style or something else that grabbed your attention?

~ What do you think is the most appealing thing about the Collection? What would you like to see in Mary's next Collection? Would you like to see her take on a different style all together? Or would you like to see something similar but with a few key additions? If so, what would those additions be?

The team at House of Fraser and Mary (!) will read all of the comments submitted on this thread and the MNer whose feedback they find the most interesting will win a styling session with a personal shopper and £500 to spend at their nearest House of Fraser. Please see Terms and Conditions here.

Thanks
MNHQ

*Mary Portas is available at House of Fraser Oxford Street, Westfield, Manchester, Glasgow and Guildford

[Merrylegs]

Oh how exciting.

I love Mary Portas, I love frocks and I love the Pret-a-Portas tag - fab idea.

Looks like my nearest HofF (Norwich) doesn't house the collection so I have checked it out on line and just wanted to ask

WHAT was the thinking behind standing the model in the corner? It seriously looks like the last scene in The Blair Witch Project and also makes the clothes look rather cramped and far away. In the naughty corner for sure.

That said, I will have a proper peruse later and feedback....

[TheRhubarb]

~ What's your favourite piece in the Collection?

I liked the red siren dress. It was nicely fitted and would make me feel quite womanly and smart whilst showing off what curves I do have. It's a nice simple design that I could wear for special occasions as well as everyday. You could easily accessorise this too.

Do you have more than one?

I also liked the dress in black, although the description is the same the cut looks different, the neckline is more subtle and the skirt has a little more flare. I also liked the jersey scoop tops and the biker jacket is just ace! Again they are flattering to a skinnier figure like mine.

Was there anything in the Collection that you were immediately drawn to?

The fitted clothes such as the siren dress caught my eye because it was uncomplicated and you could see that the cut was superior.

If so, was it the colour, pattern, style or something else that grabbed your attention?

Again I like the dress, tops and jacket because they are plain, so they can be dressed down or up. The colours are not too flashy and the fitted style is my favourite.

~ What do you think is the most appealing thing about the Collection?

The collection does cater for women of all sizes. The tabard tops and blouses are probably more suitable for larger women but I did like the fact that she caters for skinny ones too as so often we are left out of high street clothing which now seems to cater for larger sizes. I also like that she has included plain, muted colours alongside bold patterns as again, not everyone likes the bold prints that are in fashion at the moment and I do think the simple, plain styles are so useful for everyday wear. So I would be surprised if somebody didn't find at least one item of clothing they liked in that collection.

What would you like to see in Mary's next Collection?

I would like to see more of the same really. There are quite a few of us who don't have large breasts and so many tops and dresses are either too low cut or they just hang on us. So please do cater for women of all sizes, as you seem to be doing.

Would you like to see her take on a different style all together?

Perhaps be a little more adventurous with the clothes, taking on a younger approach to have something funky and with a bit of attitude, rather like Mary herself!

Or would you like to see something similar but with a few key additions? If so, what would those additions be?

Again I just like to see designers cater for slim women on the high street as well as on the catwalks. I struggle to find anything that looks good on me as either the sleeves are too short on size 8 tops, or the neck is cut too low or the cut is made for women with larger boobs resulting in loose material that makes me look even more boobless!

The dresses could do with panels inserted to flatten baby bellies and perhaps even a little padding around the boob area?

I couldn't see the knickers section but I liked the hosiery, however paying a tenner for a pair of tights just isn't going to happen, especially if you have kids and a pair is usually snagged after a few minutes. I get through tons of tights usually because they are snagged on tables, by boot buckles, children's shoes, dog claws etc.

The prices themselves aren't too unreasonable. £75 for the siren dress is actually very reasonable, although I note that this is down from £150.

Oh and the armery - what a fantastic idea! What you should do is advertise the armery for all your short sleeved tops, so on that page you could have a section on what goes with that dress/top etc. I like visual examples of how you could accessorise a dress as it does give me inspiration.

Anyway I think that's enough feedback for now. Do I get a prize?

[TheRhubarb]

What model? What corner?

[Flibbertyjibbet]

If the prices have all been reduced due to poor sales, then I'm not surprised. I only looked at the dresses/tops bit and there's nothing at all there that I'd buy.

Baggy things, horrible 'harem' pants that look dire even on gorgeous teenagers... Same thing in different colours over and over, not much variety.

I'd expect something a bit more timeless classic from House of Fraser, sorry.

[Merrylegs]

TheRhubarb - if you click on the dresses, for eg they show the model front and back - but in some of the back views the model lterally has her nose against the wall and seems rather scrunched up in the corner. I just wondered what the thinking behind any kind of background was really?

[TheRhubarb]

Ha ha ha! So it does! That is well weird!

Flibberty I thought that when I first had a look. Horrible baggy tops with lurid patterns, but then I scolled down and came across that lovely bikers jacket and the nice dress. Some of the plain jersey tops are nice too. I agree though, it could do with a funkier edge.

[iwantavuvezela]

~ What's your favourite piece in the Collection? Do you have more than one? Was there anything in the Collection that you were immediately drawn to? If so, was it the colour, pattern, style or something else that grabbed your attention?

I absolutely loved the black dress coat - and am quite tempted to go and purchase this. It looks like a piece, that if it fitted me I would buy and love to have in my cupboard. This was by far my favourite piece. I also like the Hyperfloral batwing dress - however I have bought some "statement" pieces before, by that I mean, something with a very distinct print, and I find that I just cant keep wearing it (as I feel like everyone is saying oh here comes iwant in that mad print again!) . So I probably wouldnt buy this as it is £160 and therefore I would rather buy this sort of piece from Zara, and buy better pieces that last longer, or i could accesorise myself from a collection.

~ What do you think is the most appealing thing about the Collection? What would you like to see in Mary's next Collection? Would you like to see her take on a different style all together? Or would you like to see something similar but with a few key additions? If so, what would those additions be?

I looked at Mary Porta's pants in her last collection as i had read about her leather pants. I often find buying trousers really difficult (I am in my forties) so I prefer well structured pants that I can wear to work, or glam up with a top if i am going to the theatre; party etc. I bought some great skinnies from whistles, and a pair of Dolce blue pants from House of Fraser about 2 years ago. I either find "work"pants quite dull, or not fitted enough, and as I personally love trousers/pants etc, would love to see a wider range of these. I would be happy to pay for these as well as they are important pieces in my wardrobe. I like interesting takes on trousers .... I know GAP two years ago did the whole range of pants, but I was disappointed by that as well.

The blouses/tops didnt inspire me that much, and I would have like to have seen something more interesting - its as if all the prints and "zaniness" where on the dresses, and the tops/blouses were not that appealing. I think I have grown out of catsuits, however i might try on one for fun the next time to see what they look like!

I must agree that the model in the corner did not help "sell" the clothes, and although I do not need to see a model draped on a lounger on a beach, it did nothing (the lighting?) to really show off the clothes. If I hadnt been directed to the page via this feedback thread, i probably wouldnt have lingered on it too much.

What was interesting about the site was to look at the dresses, and then see them on the model. It helped to show the true lenght of the dress which was really useful.

[NotMostPeople]

I have a crush on Mary and really want to like her collection, I like her style and whilst I'm not quite as slim as her I am tall so a similar sort of shape.


What's your favourite piece in the Collection? Do you have more than one? Was there anything in the Collection that you were immediately drawn to? If so, was it the colour, pattern, style or something else that grabbed your attention?

Favourite piece is the geometric print shirt looks great, I love a print and this has a slight 50's Lucienne Day feel to it. I also like the preppy with a twist look, so this shirt would be great under a knit as well as on it's own. I am quite tempted to buy it. Nothing else really made me want to get the credit card out.

What do you think is the most appealing thing about the Collection? What would you like to see in Mary's next Collection? Would you like to see her take on a different style all together? Or would you like to see something similar but with a few key additions? If so, what would those additions be?

I think a lot of it is very safe as if someone is telling her that she mustn't alienate the existing middle aged House of Fraser customer. At 44 I guess I'm the target audience but I find it all a bit bland. Some of the prints are great but some look like they're from M&S. The dresses need to be tried on I think, online they look shapeless and if you do have some lumps and bumps they look like they'd only highlight them. If in fact they are livesavers and cover up and flatter then for goodness sake make this clear somehow on the website. If they are only good for the flat stomached women then I can only feel disappointed as I thought the idea was to appeal to all. I'd like to see sharper, edgier. I may be in my 40's but I was a teen of the 80's and look what we wore then, I'm not ready for Alexon/Country Causuals et all.

[inmysparetime]

I liked the "shop your shape" function, although I didn't really see anything I would consider special enough to justify the price in my body shape. The leg shapes on the trouser pictures were not shapes my legs could ever be
Also, I would have liked lower necklines as I have a decent bust which looks like a wall of immense boobage in high necklines.
Overall, some room for improvement, although I liked the colours, I would probably pick up similar items cheaper and adapt them to my body shape and taste.
I would like some provision for short legs too, all the styles look like they are made for giraffes.
Now I've finished insulting the products, please please give me the prize anyway I need some new clothes so I don't look like such a scruff bag I would love to look gorgeous in clothes without feeling guilty about spending so much on them

[NotMostPeople]

Ooh and I will nip into Manchester and try on a dress..... although a voucher would make this a far more enjoyable experience .

[PostBellumBugsy]

What's your favourite piece in the Collection?
The green & yellow leopard scarf - beautiful colours.

Do you have more than one?
I also love the neoprene mac.

Was there anything in the Collection that you were immediately drawn to?
Yes, the scarf - as above, because of the beautiful colours.

What do you think is the most appealing thing about the Collection?
For me the most appealing things overall are the fitted dresses & skirts. These are all items I would wear.

What would you like to see in Mary's next Collection?
More of those kind of clothes.

Would you like to see her take on a different style all together?
I don't like skinny jeans & baggy, slouchy tops, so that style could happily disappear from my perspective.

Or would you like to see something similar but with a few key additions?
I would like to see more scarves. I really liked the scarf collection. I thought the colours were interesting & a bit different, so I would like to see more additions to those.

I'd also like to wish Mary good luck with her Kinky Knickers. I hope they are a great success. I love them & think it is fantastic to have some manufacturing going on in the UK.

[EggsOvaryZee]

I?m the wrong side of 36 and am consciously for the first time beginning to think about my ?style? ? what I wear and how I wear it.
This was prompted by a well meaning work colleague pointing out that I may want to stop wearing my hair in ?ironic retro? bunches. Ouch ? the shame!

I am someone that although I like clothes, I don?t know much about fashion or trends, and have never seen Gok?s programme despite it being Water Cooler TV for a while. But, I would like to ?get into? it all (fashion, that is) seeing how many women my age look amazing, but I am slightly embarrassed and feel like I?ve ?missed the boat? a little.

About a year ago, after two pregnancies close together and medication, I was very overweight. I?m 5?2 and from always being a curvy 10 throughout my 20?s and early 30?s ? I went up to a size 18, a lot on a small frame. Over the course of a year, I?m back to being slimmer than I was in my 20?s. But, not being that age any longer, I am no longer happy going to the shops I previously liked. Top Shop and River Island feel far too young and I can?t remember the last time I walked out of there with anything I liked. Karen Millen and Next feel rather ?prissy?. Unlike a friend who only ever shops at H&M and Primark, she can spend £30 on a dress and it looks amazing, whereas I can?t quite pull off the same look. Marks & Spencer?s feels too old, and I don?t want to shop at the same place as my mother just yet!

Unfortunately, the isn?t stock of Mary?s clothes where I live but I?ve spent a good while having a nose on the internet.

I?m addicted to Mad Men, and have always loved wearing dresses ? I feel her collection easily channels some of that feeling. Unfussy, grown up and elegant without being dull, mature without being ?craaazzzzzzzyyyyyyyy??and the cut looks lovely.

What's your favourite piece in the Collection? Do you have more than one? Was there anything in the Collection that you were immediately drawn to? If so, was it the colour, pattern, style or something else that grabbed your attention?
Particular impressions of dresses: Lorelec dress looks lovely. Like the sort of thing I would really like to wear as ?casual wear? rather than my current ?casual? wear which is jeans. I like the idea of the Ray dress, but having watched the video, I think that look would be better carried off by someone taller than I am and also, my tummy isn?t flat?.so I?d be looking for a bit more coverage, but the burgundy one looks stunning.
The aurora dress would be exactly what I am looking for, channelling my Mad Men (actually, just Christina Hendricks!) obsession, I think as long as it isn?t too long on me, it would look perfect. Colour, neckline and coverage of the shoulders immediately drew my eye to this. Whereas, although the colour on the Siren one is wow, I think that the slight flare on the skirt detracts from the look I would be ?trying? to create. So I was also drawn to the coralia. (Notice a themem here?!). Theia dress looks lovely too and would cover my tummy well.

I can never really find nice enough tops that aren?t formal. But I liked the design on the Elipse hem batwing top ? really funky. Did think variety on tops was lacking though.

I thought there was rather too much ?orange? overall but I may be saying that simply because as someone who is mixed race - orange and yellow really aren?t my colours! I would like to see more emerald greens and turquoise colours used.

I liked the look of the black pleat front blouse, but unsure how the front would fall on me?.the slub box tops (esp. the green one!) look good quality and super comfy.

Absolute favourite: Boyfriend knit cardigan is my idea of heaven. I love cardigans but hate buttons, especially down the front of things ? maybe another reason why I never wear shirts?
When I was in my 20?s, I was very top heavy, 34GG and a size 10, so I was never able to do up buttons on cardigans ? that combined with a horrendous teenage Boob-Gaping-Episode?which saw me never wear a shirt again. The burgundy one is lovely ? I?ve never seen this design with a zip up the front.

Armery looks like a fab idea, but I think the material should be not so tight really since it looks like it might get uncomfortable, especially if you have a bit of ?top back fat? ? or Armpit Cheeks as my daughter calls them?

What do you think is the most appealing thing about the Collection?
Definitely seems to cater for a good range of sizes, however, I would like to know about leg options.

Pull on peg trousers don?t look like they?re designed to be full length, but I think that having a standard size on trousers is limiting. Isn?t the average height 5?4? I looked at the high rise jeans too ? I?m sure you must have a shorter option? I would love to see more jeans/causal trousers but that aren?t so slim legged/tight fitting, rather more flared, but not boot cut.

Do you know what I love? This is going to sound a bit stupid, but I love some the videos of ?how to? accessorize. For example, I?ve never ?worn? a scarf, ever. Mainly because I?m not quite sure of ?how? to put it on/drape it round my neck. I found this brilliant?.I really liked these videos on here and would welcome more of them! A jewellery one? I only ever have 2 pairs of earrings ? not sure what goes with what etc?and always wear the same ? very boring ? jewellery. Also, I have never worn a belt, except on jeans.

I also like the ?new? descriptions of women?s bodies. Not only are there 4 types now but they?re more ?fun? and nicer sounding than the previous fruits ? apple, pear?(they really should have included banana, shouldn?t they?) Although, I think I might be a violin but when I clicked on the products that would suit that shape, no dresses came up ? sob, sob.

What would you like to see in Mary's next Collection? Would you like to see her take on a different style all together? Or would you like to see something similar but with a few key additions? If so, what would those additions be?
Bit more ?tummy? coverage perhaps ? is there a way to work these into the basic ?chuck ?em on? dress?More leg length options.

I wouldn?t want her to take on a ?younger? approach, we are grown ups BUT, I would love to see a couple of pieces that might appeal to certain vintage types or periods of history for example?.

My fingers hurt now. But they are staying crossed in the hopes that I win some time with a personal shopper who can tell me how I've been dressing terribly for all these years but not to worry because she will help me and transform me into an object of beauty...........

[SquirtedPerfumeUpNoseInBoots]

What's your favourite piece in the Collection?
I really like the neoprene mac. I might even buy it.

Do you have more than one?
The Antonio dress also, although I wont be able to wear it very often.

Was there anything in the Collection that you were immediately drawn to?
The dresses. I also liked the Shop your Shape function, although I have my doubts about some of the results recommended for me! I liked the idea of teh Armery.

What do you think is the most appealing thing about the Collection?
The think I like the most are the fitted dresses.

What would you like to see in Mary's next Collection?
Clothes that are suitable for office wear that arent trouser suits. Quite plain dresses and skirts that are smart and not frumpy and not obviously following fashion. Classic is probably what I mean.

Would you like to see her take on a different style all together?
I am short, so I would like to see more leg lengths.

[LadySybilDeChocolate]

~ What's your favourite piece in the Collection? The fitted clothes are lovely though like this.

Do you have more than one? No.

Was there anything in the Collection that you were immediately drawn to? If so, was it the colour, pattern, style or something else that grabbed your attention? I was drawn to these because I really hate the 80s look with bat wings. They are vile, sorry. Although it's 'modern', I hated it all in the 80s and this is vile! There's no shape to it, it looks like a child's painting accident on your t-shirt. This looks as though it would show up every lump and bump. Not flattering at all.

~ What do you think is the most appealing thing about the Collection? What would you like to see in Mary's next Collection? Would you like to see her take on a different style all together? Or would you like to see something similar but with a few key additions? If so, what would those additions be?
The collection comes across as a miss match, some very lovely things and some sacks for the woman that wants to hide it all. The shirts would be far better if they had a more tailored fit as these too appear baggy. I like Mary Portas, she's doing a fantastic job trying to boost the high streets.

May I suggest that you use models who are the same age as the target age group? There's huge differences in body shapes between women who are over 35 and those under (childbirth, breast feeding etc).

Sorry to be harsh.

[AubergineKenobi]

~ What's your favourite piece in the Collection? Do you have more than one?

I liked the look of quite a few pieces online but I have visited the Mary Portas section at House of Fraser on Oxford Street and many of the pieces that I had liked when browsing online did not flatter me. The one piece that I liked online and also liked on me was the Lorelec dress - very comfy and flattering. I bought it.



~ Was there anything in the Collection that you were immediately drawn to? If so, was it the colour, pattern, style or something else that grabbed your attention? What do you think is the most appealing thing about the Collection?

The collection itself, as displayed in HF on Oxford Street, is really attention grabbing as a whole. The Mary Portas area has a really fun vibe and shopping there is an experience. It was by far the most enjoyable shopping experience in House of Fraser.

To be honest I am not into bold prints and online these were a real turn-off for me. But in store they worked. Not only did they look great all displayed together but when seen in real life they are just much nicer that I expected. I am not sure why this is.



~ What would you like to see in Mary's next Collection? Would you like to see her take on a different style all together? Or would you like to see something similar but with a few key additions? If so, what would those additions be?

I was mainly looking for dresses and I did note that most of the dresses seemed to be either a very baggy style or a very tightly fitted style. Tight clothes obviously suit supermodels but baggy dresses also only really look good on thin people. I had hoped to find some dresses for work and was looking for some slim, but not tight, well-tailored dresses.

[Pinot]

~ What's your favourite piece in the Collection?

Is it weird that I focused more on the accessories than the clothes as such? The accessories section was INCREDIBLE. Fave piece was the Chocolate leather studded belt (bought both this one and the black version). Makes me look a dress size slimmer.

Do you have more than one?

Accessories again - the scarves were like Liberty quality.

Was there anything in the Collection that you were immediately drawn to? If so, was it the colour, pattern, style or something else that grabbed your attention?

The clothes were great but like I say the accessories bit was so detailed and different. I loved the juxtaposition of flimsy feminie scarves next to kick-ass leather belts and slim necklaces next to chunky armwear.

~ What do you think is the most appealing thing about the Collection?

Th devil is in the detail... unlike alot of "designer" ranges, these are actually better in RL than the images on the website. So the appeal? QUALITY!

What would you like to see in Mary's next Collection?

More of the same!

Would you like to see her take on a different style all together? Or would you like to see something similar but with a few key additions? If so, what would those additions be?

Don't travel too far from this brief - it's working. I'd like more handbags possibly and maybe some teen boys range. Their clothes are desperately dull. Teen girls already have choice.

[TheRhubarb]

How do you wear the scarves without looking middle aged? There are a few women on the school run who wear scarves and they are the type who also wear flax jackets, designer wellies and large pearls.

I like the belts too and I like the colourful bags, but again price is an issue for me. If I see something I really do like then I will make the effort to save up for it, so that dress at £75 is a real temptation but I'd need to try it on and there are no stores near me at present, plus by the time I've saved up for it, it will have probably gone back up or out of stock.

I do need to accessorise more, I don't know how really without looking ridiculous. Either I try to dress too young for my now, frankly depressing age or I just look absurd.

I tried to use a black silky scarf to tie around my waist the other day on a dress and it looked stupid. But around my neck? I've never seen a woman wear a scarf this way (apart from woolly ones in winter obv) and thought she looked nice.

Pinot I have a black studded kick-ass belt and I love it! Big buckles are good. Would like to see more large buckles and perhaps buckled dresses that hide slightly flabby bellies

[Pinot]

PHWOAR to buckled dresses. Hell yeah. Loving that idea.

[Pinot]

I think re accessories, if you find a few bits in a charity shop (they often have tons of ex-New Look, Primark, Top Shop stuff) and you only have to spend a fiver for a bag full of bits and pieces, you get the chance to try different looks at home and then you'll find what works. As an example, I've just discovered pearls - bought them (a good fake) for £1 and £3.75 respectively from the local hospice shop and I've been wearing them/trying them with all different outfits. Turns out, black skinny jeans, black slouchy sweater and pearls equals quite a cool look. I wouldn't have thought about it unless I'd picked them up for pence and took a punt.

So yeah - cheap from charity shops until you get an idea what works, then grade up to decent quality accessories from Ms Portas etc.

[TIDDLYMUM]

I have the slinky maxi eve dress from the winter collection - it is a beautiful piece- only had chance to wear it once up to now! I love the dresses like the no brainer and the aurora. I would struggle with the separates though- not really seen anything I like.

[ouryve]

I had a look at the website - when I could find the appropriate link on the rather busy front page. I scanned through for clothes that I felt would flatter my rather dumpy, narrow shouldered waist-less figure and appeal to the fact that I do like to dress for comfort and practicality and really struggled. These simply aren't my kind of clothes. The boyfriend cardigans weren't bad, but they weren't that special, either and I'd probably look like an unmade bed in them.

Given the price point that Mary is pitching at, I would like to see a lot less shiny, sweaty polyester and a lot more in the way of natural and naturally fibres, which are sadly lacking in all but the jeans and the boyfriend cardis (which were still 50% acrylic). How about some real luxury soft wool, drapey silk or crisp linen or more genuinely comfortable cotton? (this woman of a certain age can't sing the praises of good old cotton enough, given her tendency to hot flushes) A lot of the stuff is dry clean only, anyhow, so it's not as if using natural fibres will have any more impact on the environment or be any harder for busy women to care for. (And yes, i know that viscose is plant sourced, but it doesn't shout quality to me, unless it's a specific type of viscose such as that derived from soya or bamboo).

[TheRhubarb]

Cheers Pinot - that turtleneck way of wearing a scarf makes her look like a car crash victim though! I do have a purple skull scarf that I might experiment with.

Might take a trip to some charidee shops and have a looky. Pearls though? Pearls? Nope. I should imagine a bright red or white belt with black skinnys and a black jumper would look good though?

[Pinot]

YY pearls. Surprisingly nice. Not old lady layered over a twin-set styleee. There was a thread on style and beauty about them too. They 'lift' your skintone or summat - anyway, v nice.

arf at pearls in italics! :o

[TheRhubarb]

I'd need a photo Pinot to convince me.

[modernbear]

What's your favourite piece in the Collection? I would love the leather biker jacket in tan. A great piece to have in a wardrobe (especially mine - however cannot justify the expense) to wear with jeans/trousers. I wonder how it would look with something a bit different - a flowery dress or skirt? Would have liked to have seen it in a variety of different looks/images on the website.

Do you have more than one? Yes, I was drawn to the thrown on placket front shirts (comfort), the wide leg zip front trousers (A good option for someone with sturdy thighs like myself. However, I agree with other people, a variety of leg lengths would be good.) and I liked the pleat front dress in orange (loved the bold and cheerful colours. A fun item of clothing. Excellent that it is machine washable.). I also liked the tight range in terms of overall design and colours. (I think more sizes might be needed in this area. Only a S/M and M/L does not seem enough. Interesting that it is Mary Portas and Charnos.)

Was there anything in the Collection that you were immediately drawn to? If so, was it the colour, pattern, style or something else that grabbed your attention?
The Auora dress in cobalt. Everything about it grapped my attention. Rather a statement piece. Its bright bold colour is without doubt uplifting. It celebrates curves which is great from my point of view.

What do you think is the most appealing thing about the Collection? That it is bold and cheerful without going to extremes. It says that 'I am here and I like who I am'.

What would you like to see in Mary's next Collection? Would you like to see her take on a different style all together? Or would you like to see something similar but with a few key additions? If so, what would those additions be?
The banner above collection intimates that this is a Spring collection, so presumably the next one to be released will be for the Summer. Taking this into account, whilst I would not like it to be a radically different collection, it needs to be catering for warmer weather (Wishful thinking I know, but it could happen.). More machine washable dresses which are bright,cheerful and colourful but also short sleeved in an appropriate fabric. I would like to see more skirts with the above in mind. ( I was skeptical about the ones in this collection. The silver leather skirt would not be really practically for someone with a toddler and I am not too sure that I am young enough too carry it off. Perhaps this a confidence thing? On the other hand the only other skirts I could see was the cut pencil skirt and snake panel skirt in black. The former would be great for work. However I would expect more variety within the collection in terms of design (pencil/flared etc.) and colour.)