Retail therapy

Sep 29 2007 by Hannah Davies, The Journal

WEB browsing seems to work well in tandem with actual shopping these days. You can surf your favourite brands and cut down on lots of leg work, especially if you’re in a hurry. Although Planet is stocked at House of Fraser, MetroCentre; John Lewis, Newcastle, and Joplings, Sunderland, the new-look website shows video clips, advice on trends and helps to “wardrobe-build”. This cotton/elastane coat £169 inspired by Japanese vintage wallpaper in sizes 6-18. Looking at it on the web makes you want to see it for real, www.planet.co.uk

BACK to school for most of us at least meant a new satchel. Back to work after a summer break can still mean a new business bag, if you’ve not got out of the habit. This is Slim, for laptops. It’s a quilted pouch with a padded handle (will fit laptops up to 17”) for £50. It’s as on-trend as a designer bag and soooo elegant. A selected range of Knomo bags is stocked by John Lewis in Newcastle; the full range is available online at www.knomo.com

THIS dress is Almost Famous, the brand sold exclusively in the North-East by Mariposa Couture in Hexham. You’ll get a chance to have a closer look when Mariposa, Petals and Oojah of Hexham bring their wares to Newcastle and join up with Selah of Brentwood Avenue and Just Kidding of Gosforth for a fashion show to support the volunteer-run RVI Radio Lollipop. A move to a purpose-built studio and playroom next year means extra funding is vital, so the show at The Apartment in Grey Street, on Thursday at 7pm (£15) is well worth attending. Tickets are available from participating shops or from The Apartment. Tel: (0191) 230-4114. Radio Lollipop would love to hear from anyone willing to be a volunteer or donate some prizes. Tel: (0191) 266-6576.

THERE’S a fair few fashion Fairtrade websites mostly run by those in the business, yet who’s to say they should be? Elizabeth Noble of www.worldshopboutique.com, based in South Shields, is an administrator in the TUC and has just started what she’s describing as her “hobby” site from home in North Shields, not necessarily for fashion reasons, but because she champions fair trade and workers’ rights. On offer is her “trendy and a bit quirky” selection of jewellery and handbags sourced via agents and direct from the producers. This cute handmade patchwork cat bag with wooden handles is £15, made by craft workers in Nepal.

IF you’re a Mango fan, but have been disappointed when everything’s a bit tight, you’ll be pleased to know that their sizing now extends to 18 (not far enough we say). It’s partly to do with the general sizing dilemma on our high street. Spanish brands tend to be small despite what it says on the label while German and Scandinavian brands are more on the generous side; it’s so important to try before you buy. Mango is at the MetroCentre, Gateshead.