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Wednesday 31 October 2012

Harvey Nichols does Movember


 

Calling All Mo’Bros!

Fancy a complimentary shave, shape or trim courtesy of Harvey Nichols?

Throughout November Harvey Nichols Leeds will be home to a pop-up barbershop in aid of men’s health charity Movember. Simply visit Harvey Nichols menswear floor on the dates below and enjoy a free Dermalogica trim carried out by top Yorkshire Barbers Gents Quarter!*

Each year Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces in the UK and around the world. The aim of this is to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

Harvey Nichols’ pop-up barbershop will be in store on the following dates:

Thursday 8 November 5pm-8pm

Thursday 15 November 5pm-8pm

Thursday 22 November 5pm-8pm

Thursday 29 November 5pm-9pm

Furthermore, to mark the end of Movember, Harvey Nichols Leeds will be hosting a ‘Movember Closing Party’.

Pop along and enjoy complimentary drinks & canapés, live entertainment and men’s grooming treatments. Harvey Nichols will also be running special promotions including a chance to win the ultimate Harvey Nichols Mo’ Hamper!

Thursday 29 November
5pm-9pm
Menswear Department, First Floor
Harvey Nichols
107-111 Briggate, The Victoria Quarter, Leeds, LS1 6AZ
T: 0113 204 8888 F: 0113 204 8889 W: http://www.harveynichols.com/

*Gents Quarter has been accredited by the British Barbers’ Association.
For more information about Gents Quarter please visit www.gentsquarter.com

Leeds Online interviews Nicholas Deakins MD Craig Tate

Interview: Craig Tate @ Nicholas Deakins


Leeds in the 90s… it was cool. Some of the events, brands, stores, music being produced in the city were some of the most exciting in the world. One brand that really encapsulated a lot of that buzz is Nicholas Deakins, a footwear and clothing brand born in Leeds, with a White Rose in its logo that everyone had to have. I checked in with Nicholas Deakins founder and Managing Director Craig Tate to talk about some of the history behind the brand and how that 90s buzz might be coming back to Leeds.

Interview

Lee Hicken: You studied fashion and textiles in London before starting ND, how did you find that experience? An important part of your development?
Craig Tate: My time at college was invaluable to the development of Nicholas Deakins, it gave me the basics of design and opened my eyes further into the magical world of fashion.
LH: So ND started when two friends decided to work together, what was the reason behind that? Gap in market? Creative itch?
CT: Basically a gap in the market, there was nothing out there except Patrick Cox at £180 or Red or Dead so, we used our combined knowledge to design a boot that could be worn in the clubs we were going to like the Hacienda and Back to Basics. The first boot made out of WJ Brooke’s has become iconic.
LH: You used to work in Strand before starting ND, what was the scene like back then in Leeds? Was fashion important?
CT: My time at Strand was fantastic, Dave Dalby was a UK fashion big hitter who ran a tight ship but knew how to enjoy himself as well! His drinking escapades are the stuff of legends and he gave me an excellent grounding in all that is fashion. Strand were also the very first account to buy Nicholas Deakins and it took off from there. 
LH: The brand grew very quickly and your first collection sold out right away. What do you think the reason was? Did you just hit the right note at the right time?
CT: Yes. The timing was perfect, our first collection was exactly what everyone had been waiting for.
LH: Another friend of ours, Dave Beer jokingly claims lots of the credit for ND because of Back2Basics, was this true in a way though? Were the music and fashion scenes in Leeds heavily linked? 
CT: Ha ha, yes music and fashion in Leeds went hand in hand. Everyone at Nicholas Deakins spent time with Dave and Back to Basics, and he’s a great friend of mine, we definitely helped each other along the way.
LH: After Justin (co-founder Justin Deakin) left the business, what was your vision for the future?
CT: My vision has always been the same, to continuously design footwear that I myself would like to wear, admittedly we’ve now grown and are able to react to younger trends as well but the core principle is the same.
LH: How big is the company now? How many countries do you sell in etc? 
CT: In the nineties we exported to 14 different countries and had great success in Japan, however the loss of our main supplier affected this and recently we’ve concentrated on the UK market. This year we’ve opened new accounts in Russia, Australia and the US and will be in Indonesisia for SS13.  
LH: Tell us about the way your brand is working now with ND, Heritage and Deakins. For our readers, what are the differences between each strand?
CT: Nicholas Deakins is aimed at the more discerning consumer, it’s all about classic design and quality manufacturing. The heritage range sits within this and consists of our core apron boot group that we are best known for. Deakins is a later arrival, launched in 2000 this is a more commercial collection with more competitive price points and attracts a younger audience. There’s something for everyone.
LH: What are your plans for the future of the company? 
CT: We’ve been around for 21 years now. I intend to develop and diversify the brands further, the apparel is going from strength to strength for example and I expect great growth here.
LH: What advice would you have for young menswear / footwear designers in Leeds? 
CT: Advice, that’s easy; you’ve got to have a design or product that’s special, next you must retain its quality but above all you need to work your socks off! Be prepared for some long hours.
LH: What do you think we need to do to build a fashion industry here in Leeds? How do we stop our best talent leaving and recreate some of the buzz from the 90s? 
CT: The nineties was a very special time for Leeds in terms of fashion and music etc, but I can see a similar situation again especially with the work the digital and social media guys are putting out at the moment.

Check out Leeds Online and the article here:  http://ow.ly/eUhWy

All Change at All Saints


All Saints

All Change at All Saints

One of VQ’s most popular stores, All Saints, undergoes a change this week, as its two stores swap places.

Currently, the womenswear store is located on the south side of Queen Victoria Street with the men’s store opposite on the north. As of Wednesday 31st it’s all change, as the stores change places to allow more space for the men’s collections.

All Saints has an instantly recognisable style that mixes vintage detailing with innovative design. With iconic pieces such as the classic Biker Leather Jacket to signature hand-embellished pieces, the trademark deconstructed and distressed look blends culture, fashion and music to create clothing that that has had an enduring appeal with Leeds’ fashion-conscious shoppers for many years.

VQ Centre Director, John Bade commented, “All Saints have been one of the most successful and popular stores in the centre since they first opened. Originally having just one store on Queen Victoria Street, they took the opportunity to open a second store three years ago in order to create another flagship shop. The move allows them tailor their offer here to what customers want, and while fundamentally similar to the previous arrangements, it does also serve to confirm the brand’s ongoing commitment to the centre.”

From 31st October, All Saints Menswear will be at 33 – 35, Queen Victoria Street and All Saints Women’s & Childrenswear will be at 30, Queen Victoria Street.

UGG to open in November in VQ

 UGG to open in November in VQ
Footwear and clothing brand UGG Australia are set to open in Victoria Quarter in November, another notable brand for the scheme. With its origins in the east coast Australian surfing community of the late 1960’s and early 70’s, UGG is best known for their popular sheepskin ankle boot. However, the brand has a much more extensive footwear range for men, women and children, complemented by clothing and accessories lines. UGG Australia Leeds will carry men’s, women’s and kids footwear, apparel, outerwear and handbags in addition to the brand’s exclusive Italian-made luxury line, UGG Collection. Speaking of the store’s opening, VQ Centre Director, John Bade said, “UGG will be a great addition to the centre, it will also be only their seventh stand-alone store in the UK. With ranges for men, women and children the store will certainly broaden the appeal of VQ for shoppers, which is undeniably a positive thing in the current climate.” UGG Australia opens at 28 – 30, County Arcade on Friday 9th November. www.uggaustralia.co.uk

Tuesday 30 October 2012

A Brief History of VQ with John Bade

Interview: John Bade @ Victoria Quarter by Lee Hicken from Leeds Online

 Earlier this month we ran the first ever Leeds Digital Fashion Week and one of the big supporters of the project was the Victoria Quarter. During LDFW I met up for a coffee with the Centre Director John Bade to talk about the history of the development and how it has changed over the past 22 years. 

Interview

Lee Hicken: How long have you worked at the Victoria Quarter?
John Bade: I have been here 22 years.  
LH: And what has been the evolution of the VQ over those years?
JB: I think that is the right word ‘evolution’ because in 1990 we opened with 3 stores at the bottom end of a major retail recession and by the Christmas we had about 18 tenants. It took us about 5 years before we were fully let, we brought some great independent retailers back to the city centre. Then 16 years ago Harvey Nichols came along and that had a knock-on effect bringing retailers who wanted to be near Harvey Nichols, people like Gieves and HawkesJo Malone and Kurt Geiger. Then around 10 years ago, Louis Vuitton came here which had the knock-on effect for County Arcade with Mulberry and Church’s Shoes
Over the years we have had three different owners; The Prudential developed it, then Highstone Estates bought it, then sold it to the Bank of Ireland and now we are going through the process of being sold to Hammerson and each owner evolves the centre as well as adds their little piece to it. When Hammerson take over that will be the next stage to our growth and I think that is part of our strength; we have grown slowly in stages. 
LH: How much do you think the architecture of the space has an effect on the brand overall?
JB: Because I walk around here every day you can sometimes take it for granted. One of the great things is when we get visitors here for the first time as they are usually in awe of the building.
LH: What happened when Harvey Nichols opened in Leeds, did it change the retail scene here?
JB: I think before Harvey Nichols came there were more smaller individual brands and when HN arrived we did start to attract more London labels that we would of struggled to get. In the early days we were trying to get labels that were only available in London and that was difficult. In the early days we courted Jigsaw and once we had them we got Karen Millen and Hobbs. People began saying “Why have they gone to Leeds?” or “What is it about Leeds?” which was great.
LH: What is the future for the VQ? What do you think the next level is?
JB: The beauty of the VQ is that it is always evolving. We have to always make sure our tenant mix is right, making sure our overall experience is what people want. I think our tenant mix is one of the best in the country and we have to keep it that way.
LH: With Eastgate, Trinity Leeds and the Leeds Arena on the way, do you think we could get back some of that buzz we had when Harvey Nichols came in the 90s?
JB: If we go back a few years, people would go for a day out in Leeds (city centre) and think of the places they could shop, like here [VQ], Bond Street Centre etc but I think now people say: “Shall we go to Meadowhall or Trafford Centre?” I think Leeds, rather then fighting between itself internally, should work together to say “we are a better day out and a better visitor attraction in terms of shopping.’ Because that is what people want, they want a day out, because it is not “I’m going to buy a shirt and go home”, people want a nice coffee, nice shopping, nice bit of lunch so we are in competition with other cities rather than ourselves. 
LH: What do you think Leeds needs to do to become more relevant in the fashion industry on a global level?
JB: It is important to sell ourselves better. Leeds has always hidden its light under a bushel. Also finding the right home for independents is important. It would be great if we had an area for independents although independents seem to cluster together and create their own spaces so that will happen naturally I think.

Check out Leeds Online and the Interview Link Here:  http://ow.ly/eSw9e

Beauty School Drop-In with Illamasqua


Beauty School Drop-In with Illamasqua
Sunday the 4th November sees Illamasqua Leeds launch a brand new concept the Beauty School Drop-In and the first Sunday of every month thereafter.
The concept is that customers can come along and watch 15 minute mini-master classes, covering the basics of make-up - “Perfect Pout”, “Highlighting and Contouring” and “The Smoky Eye” to name a few.
The timetable for Sunday’s event is below.

12:00 - 12:15 - Flawless Skin
12:15 - 12:30 - Highlighting & Contouring

13:00 - 13:15 - Defined Brows
13:15 - 13:30 - Daytime Eyes

14:00 - 14:15 - The Smoky Eye
14:15 - 14:30 - The Liquid Liner Flick

15:00 - 15:15 - Applying False Eye Lashes
15:15 - 15:30 - Blush Style
15:30 - 15:45 - Pout Perfection

Illamasqua
6, County Arcade
Victoria Quarter
www.illamasqua.com
Tel: 020 3603 5487

Monday 29 October 2012

Red Label Exclusive at Vivienne Westwood




Red Label Exclusive at Vivienne Westwood
Mix and match new season prints for a modern update to classic tailoring, a/w Red Label looks are now in store at Vivienne Westwood, and many designs from the collection are exclusively available at The Victoria Quarter, Leeds.
Over the years Vivienne Westwood’s Red Label has collected ideas from history and from all over the world, but whatever Vivienne Westwood does, the Red Label always ends with a collection that is British, the world looked at through Vivienne Westwood’s eyes.
Be in the red this season at………

Vivienne Westwood
11–17 County Arcade
The Victoria Quarter
Leeds
T: 0113 245 6403

Armani Exclusive Collection Arrives at Harvey Nichols






Armani Exclusive Collection Arrives at Harvey Nichols

You may not be inspired by these cold, winter days, but Armani’s Winter Collection certainly is.

Available at the Leeds Harvey Nichols store, the new season selection encapsulates the best of the shimmering shades and shadows of the Christmas season. From crisp white skin, to deep burgundy lips, the traditional Armani colour palette has been transformed by nifty technology that creates magnificent contrasts in texture, light and colour. The result is an undoubtedly elegant and timeless feel for the end of year festivities.

Get your hands on the All In One White Night Palette. A frosty highlighter, reminiscent of moonlight shimmers, paired with an eye and lip trio bound to make hearts race.

If this is what the winter brings, then maybe, just maybe, we can bear it a little longer.

For spectacular seasonal shimmer, Armani have the answer at……..


Harvey Nichols
107-111 Briggate
Victoria Quarter
Leeds
LS1 6AZ
T: 0113 204 8888

Nail It at Harvey Nichols




Nail It  at Harvey Nichols

Get £10 off the Nails Inc Gel Manicure at Harvey Nichols, Leeds.

You’ve got to hand it to them. When it comes to immaculately glossy, long lasting and chip-free manicures Nails Inc have it…..nailed.

Just shimmy yourself down to Nails Inc at the stunning Harvey Nichols Leeds Nail Bar and choose from a wide selection of colours.

Nails Inc like the look of Victoria, a deep cherry red, and Burgundy is so in this season, after all.

Offer valid until Friday 30 November at……..

Harvey Nichols
107-111 Briggate
Victoria Quarter
Leeds
LS1 6AZ
T: 0113 204 8888