Image Courtesy of BAFTA

On 27^th May 2012 the world will watch as the best in British Television  are honoured at the Television BAFTAs. House of Fraser are super proud to be the official Menswear and Womenswear Style Partner and will be on hand to offer fashion advice to all of those attending on the night. In the name of research we joined forces with Shopstyle UK and popped along to the BAFTA Nominees Party Style Suites for a trial run and a chance to get red carpet ready the celebrity way.

Where: The Style Suites were at the very glamorous Corinthia Hotel London. House of Fraser had its very own style suite full of glamorous gowns, feathered capes and clutch bags to-die-for.

Kate Thornton Courtesy of BAFTA

Who: A whole lot of Journalists and Editors popped by to get a head to toe A-list makeover. Also spotted were Kate Thornton in a beautiful Biba Jacket, Lydia Rose Bright from TOWIE and Ollie Locke, Louise Thompson and Spencer Mathews from Made in Chelsea (how exciting!).

Spencer Matthews Made in Chelsea Courtesy of BAFTA

What: A whole day dedicated to getting ready for the red carpet! We were in heaven, surrounded by beautiful clothes, make up, jewels and tanning and insider, expert tips you need to know if you have an event on the horizon …

The Red Carpet Tan

As any A-lister knows, a tan can make you feel a million dollars when it’s done right. Side step the tanning bed (no celeb wants sun spots and wrinkles), exfoliate, moisturise and fake it! The experts told us that a good body scrub followed by a rich moisturiser the day before you plan to tan is a must. Then it’s just a case of applying your fake tan with a foam mitt for streak free results — go from the bottom up starting at the ankles and working up to the neck in sweeping motions — remember to do hands, feet and face last when there’s minimal product left on the mitt. For a real red carpet look, a touch of highlighter on your high points (collar bone, front of legs, shoulders etc) not only has a slimming effect but really flatters in photographs.

Ready for Your Close Up?

M.A.C Tools Courtesy of BAFTA

We thought it only right to drop by M.A.C to get the skinny on red carpet beauty and to find out trade secrets to looking perfect all night long. We quickly learned that the most important thing is to prep the skin with a primer. The M.A.C experts applied concealer under the eyes and around the nose with a brush, building coverage with fine layers to avoid a reverse panda look and to keep things light. Next came the base — Pro Longwear to be precise — applied with a foundation brush and built up to give bespoke coverage where needed. The base was finished off with a refreshing spritz of Fixer. This final step not only moisturises but gives a youthful, dewy finish and holds makeup firmly in place.

M.A.C Style Suite Courtesy of BAFTA

TOP TIP: Our make up artist suggests misting a spray fixer over the face to refresh tired make up  just before you touch up your base at the end of the day or when you’re on a flight.

Next came the eyes. Thanks to Rooney Mara and co, the smokey eye is still big news on the red carpet and the modern way to achieve this look is with a smudgy liner. Don’t worry about being too perfect with it, you can drag pigment across the lid with a brush or even a finger. If you have blonde eyelashes like our model, M.A.C recommends lining your inner lid and working pencil right into the lash line. For best results before a big event, a lash tint and lots of mascara gives the desired effect.

The whole look was finished off with bronzer and a healthy dose of Strobe Cream to highlight cheekbones, temples, cupids bow and under the eyebrows. Beautiful!

The Dress

House of Fraser Style Suite Courtesy of BAFTA

The House of Fraser Style Suite was a fit to burst with sumptuous gowns for every occasion. The most popular amongst the press on the day was a stunning asymmetric Biba gown. With ruching in all of the right places it fits and comes in an array of colours — perfect of you have plenty of events in the calendar. Another favourite was an Anoushka G dress (coming soon) in blush pink and feather trim for a real decadent deco feel that would be at home on the red carpet or even as a wedding dress.

Biba Bags Courtesy of BAFTA

As we all know, accessories maketh the gown and there was a real buzz around the AW12 Biba clutch collection. In opulent jewel tones and sumptuous suede they featured the iconic Biba clasp and are roomy enough to slot evening essentials inside.

Suiting Courtesy of BAFTA

For the gents a rail of sharp suits offered a more modern version of the tux and proved popular with the Made in Chelsea boys.

Keep posted for our red carpet coverage of the BAFTA Television Awards and in the meantime, get voting for your favourite program to win the Youtube Audience Award

The Arqiva British Academy Television Awards will be shown on BBC One and BBC One HD at 8pm on Sunday 27th May.

BAFTA Style: Behind the Scenes at the BAFTA Style Suites is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

Summer holidays are quickly approaching, and it’s time to invest in some festival gear. It’s a good idea to pack light but with enough items to layer up with the fluctuating weather and temperatures.

Statement T-shirts are a must have item, even to wear under layers. Geometric shapes, patterns, photography and colours are all great for a staple piece which will be the main focus of your outfit. This white tee by Boxfresh combines shapes and the elements, while Fly53 controversially mixes masculinity and femininity in their floral-skull-mashup. Go for brights with Lacoste L!VE’s piano pattern purple tee – great to stand out from the crowd. Can’t choose between photography or colour, new or nostalgic? Dead legacy’s Gone Fishin’ t-shirt mixes all of these factors to create one amazing tee!

Layering is imperative – be it cardigans like Label Lab’s black merino cardigan, denim shirts such as this acid wash shirt by Label Lab, mac’s for the rain like Farah’s hooded cagoule, or the classic checked shirt such as this by Jack & Jones. Layer and de-layer when the sun comes out and goes away!

Shorts are not only better then trousers, but also more practical. Whether the weather is raining cats & dogs or it’s too hot to handle, shorts are the better option for both. Stick with a classic jean short such as these tapered loose fits by G-Star or go for a nostalgic nod like this pair of green and brown check shorts by Paul Smith Jeans. Brights are in – be brave with a pair of fireman red shorts by Criminal, or stand out from the crowd with a trendy pair like these lobster shorts by Gant.

Go for the safe but stylish option with a pair of Hunter Wellington boots, which would look great with shorts in a muddy field. Protect your head from the sun or rain with a vintage Trilby such as this hat by Paul Smith Jeans, and multitask a patterned scarf like Mango’s striped accessory. If you’re braving the weather or relaxing away from the stage, a bright but durable flip-flop is a great choice to help your tired feet.

Festival Survival Guide for boys is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

Candy colours can be seen everywhere this season, which makes it the number one trend of the moment. If bright colours are too bold for your summer wardrobe, pastels are a great alternative to introduce hints of colour into your outfits. And if mixing and matching and clashing doesn’t entirely float your boat, take inspiration from us to slowly bring in candy shades to construct your perfect spring/summer wardrobe.

The best thing about summer? Those lazy sunny afternoons, of course! Picnicking in the park with friends and family is a great time to spend your day, so channel your girlie side and team dresses with knee-length socks. This yellow polka dot dress by AX Paris is as cute as a button, especially when worn with other pastel shades! Matching two of your accessories such as these Miu Miu shades and Dune brogues adds a whimsical feel, but try to add at least three colours into your outfit to keep it fresh. Don’t forget that your socks can be an important part of your outfit – these Therapy mint knee-highs will really make a statement.

Don’t neglect your casualwear, so inject some candy into your everyday wardrobe. The best way to do this is with every girls staple item – jeans. These stunning skinnys by J Brand are fantastic to wear during the day, but could easily be dressed up with a glitzy top and heels for a night out. Add neutrals into the palette with items such as this slouchy knit by Jane Norman. Make your bag become the focal point of your outfit with this amazing coral cross body bag by Paul Smith London, and finish off with some foot candy with these super cute pumps by Bertie.

 A night out is a girls time to shine! This yellow beaded dress by French Connection is absolutely jaw-dropping, and will guarantee that you make an entrance. Pair with these stunning statement heels by KG to create the perfect outfit for a night out with the girls, and finish the outfit with a neutral bag like this pale pink leather clutch by Planet. Less is more, so keep jewellery to a minimum and keep the focus on the dress.

Candy make up is brilliant for summer so use colour to emphasise eyes, lips or cheeks.  This palette by Dior combines a flattering range of colours for any skin tone – use the darker shades to contour. Find the perfect pale pink like this lipstick by Guerlain, which compliments a rosy glow to the cheeks created by Laura Mercier mineral cheek powder. As it’s summer smell as fresh as a daisy – literally! – with Marc Jacobs, the ideal fragrance for those upcoming sunny days.

Summer trend : Candyland is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

Festival season is almost upon us, and it’s time to start thinking about what to include in your survival pack. First things first; your beauty essentials…

No festival beauty kit is complete without dry shampoo and this one from Ojon is perfect for any hair colour as well as giving you a freshly washed feeling in just a few sprays. Even your hair needs protecting from harmful rays so generously spray the Aveda Suncare Protective Veil to keep hair hydrated and manageable.

Festival Survival Guide For Girls is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

Being the mother of the bride is a daunting task. As well as helping your beloved daughter prepare for one of the biggest days of her life, you have to make sure you’re looking your best while being comfortable and enjoying the celebrations.  We have some exciting fashion looks and beauty tips for the big day.

Pastels

Pastel tones are a huge trend this season and can be worn by any age. Mint is a flattering colour for any skin tone and sits well against white or ivory. This Alexon Mint dress perfectly clinches in at the waist, hiding anything around the tummy area. Wear with a neutral bolero such as this Jacques Vert number in sandstone and a coordinating fascinator to add interest.

Brights

Bright colours are fabulous for a summer wedding and are perfect to make a statement. The brighter the better – think fuscia, canary yellow, royal blue and Mary Portas orange. Co-ordinate colours for a traditional look or mix and match for a more individual look. Really concentrate on the detail in the clothes and accessories, such as a modern peep toe court shoe like this Carvela heel, or pretty yet sophisticated lace in this Alexon pink Alexa dress.

Patterns

Patterns are a great way to inject a touch of excitement into your mother of the bride outfit. Keep the rest of the outfit simple with plain accessories and minimal fuss. Don’t think you’re just limited to florals! This amazing Linea maxi dress is a flattering shape and combines colour with pattern to create a unique number. Phase Eight have taken floral to a whole new level with this eye-popping dress which could be dressed with black accessories to tone the colours down.

Lips

Avoid dark shades of lipstick, these make lips appear a lot smaller. Instead opt for a hydrating lipstick like the Sisley Hydrating Lipstick in a natural shade like Rose Cashmere or the closest shade to your natural lip colour. If you crave colour, rosey shades of pink or peach are a good option as they help to enhance your natural lip shape as well as adding a plumping effect.

Eyes

Soft kohl pencils in shades of brown, taupe or grey are a much better option than harsh black liquid liners. They help to enhance the eye shape helping them to look bigger rather than harshly defining it, which can make them appear smaller. Kohl pencil looks great blended out too to create a soft, smokey effect, try the Estee Lauder Double Wear Eye Pencil for a long lasting effect.

Foundation

Avoid powdery or shimmery foundations. Anything with a glow or luminous effect you want to stay away from as these can emphasize enlarged pores and other imperfections. The best ones to go for are ones to help even out skin tone and soften imperfections like dark spots. The Clinique Even Better foundation is perfect for this.  Foundations that help to add moisture to the skin like the Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich Foundation are also great for mature skin as these will provide hydration throughout the day. A sheer coverage or tinted moisturiser is also great for mature skin if you prefer a very light coverage. Try the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser, as rather than camouflaging and looking cakey, it evens out skin tone and softens imperfections whilst adding a subtle glow to the skin.

Preparing for her big day – The Mother of the Bride is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

Hi, It’s Emily here. I’m a Senior Visual Merchandiser at House of Fraser Westfield, and I’m here to tell you a little bit about my role within the company.

Shop wedding dresses here.

Working in retail has many exciting opportunities, in-store and in Head Office. Working in-store doesn’t mean you are limited to being a manager or sales assistant – If you’re a creative person who is up for a challenge Visual Merchandising may be the perfect career choice for you. I’m here to talk you through my role at House of Fraser.

Mannequin on the right wears Barbour lightweight jacket.

My role consists of dressing mannequins, merchandising stock, relaying floor layouts, creating windows, rolling out POS in-store such as signage and banners which hang from the ceiling and generally making sure that the store looks beautiful and exciting for our customers. I work as part of a team but also work alone due to the nature of the role, so you must be a strong self-motivator and good at time management to get everything done on time. It is a fast-paced environment with little time to stop and breathe. Window and in-store mannequin changes are every two weeks so that the product is rotated and visual sites must be updated within the store as well as changing promotional messages.

Shop ladies coats and jackets here.

Working in a department store is definitely a challenge. We constantly think of our customers when carrying out any task, and due to us having a wide range of target customers this always keeps us on our toes. As well as keeping trends in mind, the customer profile is the number one priority – if the customer isn’t inspired by our displays and mannequins this means we may have lost a potential sale.

Mannequin on the left wears Jack & Jones Fairaisle jumper.

Our main aim is to boost sales and hit our targets as a store, so when changing product we monitor the stock levels and how lines are performing. This is because of two reasons – if we put a dress on a mannequin and we only have two left in-store, sales are not supported and we will have to change the mannequin too soon, therefore wasting time. In addition we cannot constantly put bestsellers on our mannequins and neglect worst sellers, as these need more care and attention and general promotion around the store than the products which will fly out our doors. It is important to get a balance with promoting certain products while also making the mannequins look as strong and inspiring as they possibly can be.

The favourite part of my job is the diversity of it. No day is the same, and things are constantly changing. My whole week could be planned out, but when one major task is delegated to us last minute all the planning goes right out the window. There are so many aspects which as a team we are in charge of, and lots of people who we liaise with and build important relationships with both in our store, other stores and head office as well as brands House of Fraser work with. Visual Merchandising is an exciting place to be in retail as it is ever changing, and you will never have a dull minute.

House of Fraser behind the scenes, a guide to Visual Merchandising is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

You’ve got the dress, the flowers and the cake. You’ve thought about the hair but the main thing every bride must be sure to get right on the big day is the make up. Here’s our top tips to help you get a flawless finish.

The base.

For me, a base can make or break a final makeup look. If you get the base right, everything else will fall into place.

To make sure you stay flawless all day make sure you prime your skin. The Laura Mercier Primer is a perfect base to help make sure your makeup stays in place and keeps you oil free and hydrated all day.  Iron out those imperfections with the Bobbi Brown Corrector. Unlike a concealer this has a more salmon/pinky base to it to help counteract any discolorations effectively within your skin. You want to follow this with a foundation that won’t budge and Estee Lauder Double Wear is renowned for it’s staying power. In order to avoid cake-iness but give your base a seamless finish set this with a very light setting powder like the Bareminerals Mineral Veil. This finely milled powder won’t add any colour and is great for top ups throughout the day.

Now add some colour.

For the big day you don’t want to overload your skin with colour, merely a simple flush to make you look healthy and naturally glowing. Depending on your skin type a cream or powder blusher in a natural pink or peach hue added to the apples of your cheeks is great to warm up your skin tone without creating an obvious cheek colour. If you fancy defining your features a little more, using a bronzing shade like the Guerlain Hydrating bronzer, under the cheekbones, around the temples and even down the sides of the nose can create a very subtle but effective ‘sculpted’ look. Then using a highlighter like the YSL Touche Eclat above all the areas mentioned and on the cupids bow will create standout features you’ll love to have photographed.

Eyes

When it comes to eye makeup it’s really down to you and what you’re comfortable with. Champagne, bronze and gold are all great tones to play with. To make sure your chosen palette stays in place, use the Clinique Lid Smoothie as a base to stop any creasing throughout the day. I really recommend any of the colours in the infamous Urban Decay Naked Palette to create a look anyone can feel comfortable with. Whether it’s a wash of colour over the eyelid or creating a sculpted frame by defining the crease, there really is a colour to suit everyone in this palette. If you fancy a little more definition, go for a brown rather than black eyeliner. This creates a softer line and can be blended out for a smokier look for the evenings festivities. Finish with lashings of mascara. This waterproof one from Lancome will be sure to keep going through all the tears and tantrums!

Lips

The key thing on your big day is to keep the lips subtle. With all that kissing, eating and drinking the last thing you want to worry about is unsightly lipstick smears, not to mention where you’d keep it for top ups! Make sure lips are hydrated with the Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Lip Protectant. If you do fancy a wash of colour, the YSL Rouge Volutpe Perle in 107 is the perfect ‘your lips but better’ shade.

Fragrance

The finishing touch is always the fragrance. The one thing that’s sure to leave a lasting memory. I must say the one fragrance I constantly hear about as being the perfect wedding day addition is Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb. One reason it fits for a wedding is the fact it smells different on everyone that wears it, so you really feel like it’s adapting to you. I also think it’s a great option as a gift for the bridesmaids, another way of keeping that special day alive for years to come. If you fancy something slightly less obvious the first fragrance by Elie Saab can be a real head turner. It lasts for hours and don’t get me started on the packaging! A real treat to spoil yourself with on your big day.

Feeling inspired? Find your perfect look in our Beauty department.

Wedding Belles: Our guide to bridal beauty is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

WANDER THE WORLD WITH MOLTON BROWN’S TRAVELLER KITS

Global jetsetters, Molton Brown, like to get out and about searching for the most exotic ingredients to inspire their bath and beauty products. Therefore, knowing a thing or two about travel, they have decided to make things a little simpler with the re-launch of their most-loved Traveller kits.

The Women’s Traveller kit for hair, body, hands and feet is an absolute must. From Hydrating Desert Bloom Hand rescue, to ZiaoJaoHairwash and Paradisiac Pink Pepperpod Body Lotion the globe-trotting assortment of ingredients in this set will pamper and prepare you.

We’ve got 10 Molton Brown Women’s Traveller sets to giveaway. To be in with a chance of winning one of these sets just tell us your ultimate holiday destination and why and we’ll pick our favourite 10 comments.

Terms & Conditions apply. Competition closes at 6pm on Friday 18th May 2012.

Molton Brown Competition: Win a Women’s Traveller set. is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

It’s the one day in your life you want to look perfectly put but where do you start? Guys, no need to feel lost in a swamp of beauty products. Read our guide to grooming the groom and look sharp from start to finish.

Skincare

You want to get your skin in tip top condition and this Exfoliating Face and Scalp scrub from Jason Shankey helps to remove dead skin cells and flakes to have your skin looking bright and refreshed. Follow with this moisturiser from Sisley specifically formulated for men’s skin which works as both an after shave and an anti-aging cream, perfect for saving time on that busy morning of the big day!

Make sure your kissably soft at the alter with this After Shave Balm from Clarins. This helps to sooth irritated skin and repair and rehydrate after shaving. Don’t be afraid to add a bit of colour if you’re feeling a bit washed out, this Non Streak Bronzing gel from Clinique applies easily and gives a healthy looking glow that will last all through the tears, toasts and tantrums!

Haircare

Treat your barnet to a little pampering with this men’s haircare range from Aveda. Give your hair and scalp a deep cleanse with the Exfoliating Shampoo to make sure your flake free and feeling refreshed when the big day comes around.  Use the Pureformance Shampoo and Conditioner to sooth your scalp whilst cleansing, conditioning and adding shine. On the day add a slick of the Aveda Pomade so even if you feel all over the place, you know your hair won’t be!

Fragrance

The finishing touch to any big day is fragrance. Choosing the right fragrance helps create memories you’ll never forget with one spray.

Grooming the Groom is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

Take a look at what’s coming up to celebrate Kiplings 25th Anniversary at House of Fraser

1) 15% off in Birmingham this Saturday the 12th of May: Look out for some Kipling girls in Birmingham High Street this Saturday who will be giving out free 15% off one-day-only vouchers to use in our Birmingham store.

2) Telford in store event this Saturday 12th of May:  Celebrate Kiplings 25th anniversary in House of Fraser Telford this Saturday the 12th of May with free cupcakes and a free mini manicure with every Kipling bag and meet our 2.2 metre iconic monkey mascot who is exclusively in store for a short period only.

3) On-line exclusive GWP commencing Monday 14th of May:  we will be giving away a free pouch with every Kipling bag, the pouch is available in 2 colours. Offer is available until stocks last. This promotions is to coincide with our 25th anniversary this year, as a thank you to our customers we would like to offer them this exclusive multi functional pouch give away.

4) Birmingham in store event Saturday 26th of May: Celebrate Kiplings 25th anniversary in House of Fraser in Birmingham on the 26th of May with free cupcakes and a free mini manicure with every Kipling bag and meet our 2.2 metre iconic monkey mascot who is exclusively in store for a short period only.

Celebrate the Kipling 25th Anniversary with our instore events is a post from: House of Fraser Blog