intu metrocentre Archives - Fashion Voyeur

Christmas Shopping with Metrocentre

Whilst most of the focus has been on the imminent closure of House of Fraser and the headline grabbing antics of Mike Ashley, you might have missed a whole batch of brand new stores that have popped up at Intu Metrocentre recently. See these guys don’t like to shout about it when they have us to do that for them…

This week Intu Metocentre invited eight of its centre Bloggers along to take a tour of some of the latest additions to the shopping mall and see some of those famous Christmas trees that go floor to glass ceiling. Sounds pretty good right? Well throw in one Santa Express Train and things just got awesome!

train Ticket for Snta Express at Intu Metrocentre December 2018

So, as we boarded the train, champagne flutes in hand, we set off on a tour like no other, with a few little surprises along the way. First stop, Hotel Chocolat, not a new store but with some beautifully festive windows and a quick refuel with some coconut ice-cream and mini chocolate reindeer, we were ready to head off to visit our first new store.

Jack Wills

This is a huge win for Intu Metrocentre, the varsity brand bridges a gap that appeals to teenagers and students as well as twenty somethings and beyond. In order to capitalise on the Christmas trade, a pop up store launched on the ground floor whilst the permanent store was being fitted ready to launch December 5th and I’m told the shop fit will be the typical Jack Wills aesthetic. Think dark wood flooring, monochrome tiling, exposed metal fixtures and those signature blue and pink stripes. If you’re looking for gifts for teenagers then you’re bound to find something here whether it’s a rugby shirt, a scarf or a simple beauty gift. On leaving the pop up store we were gifted a roll on perfume in handbag size which would make the perfect stocking filler, and a cute pair of thick ankle height socks, perfect for wearing with chelsea boots in the colder weather.

G-Star Raw
Jack Wills
G-Star Raw

G-Star Raw

I gotsta be honest Voyeurs, this is a store I know of because I see it on Tottenham Court Road when I’m working in London, but I never go in because I always thought it was a men’s store but after hearing a little bit more about it, it’s piqued my interest and here’s why. Sustainable Denim. That’s right, G-Star Raw is a huge part of the sustainable fashion movement and each piece it makes is ethically sourced and sustainably made. The store itself is a denim lovers paradise, the biggest hurdle is getting through the door and it’s easy to see why you might be put off because looking through and into the space it’s just piled high with denim. Once you’re in however, staff are helpful and knowledgable, cuts are easy to understand and sizing is generous. In terms of pricing for denim it’s middle of the road, the average pair of G-Star Raw jeans is £80 which is comparable to Seven for All Mankind, Paige or And/Or. Only with this brand, you’re part of a positive movement. You’ll find this store on the ground floor opposite Flannels and The Disney Store.

The Couture Club

You’ll find The Couture Club in the Red Mall towards Debenhams, its dark frontage and red logo make it stand out as a streetwear store. Once inside you’ll see the store is divided into premium and more affordable streetwear as well as some premium sportswear. The shop-fit is simple and dark with wire fixtures and decorative skulls, this one is definitely a brand for fans of wearing a logo.

Victoria’s Secret

This is the one you’ve been waiting for, so, it’s finally here, the store the North East has yearned for for years, Victoria’s Secret has landed and man is it good. The store itself is a double walkthrough store – meaning we get Victoria’s Secret and we get PINK and they link through into one 10,000sqft store which combine Victoria’s Secret, Victoria’s Secret Sport, PINK, PINK Sport, Sleep and Lounge wear as well as the whole beauty and makeup offering which is pretty amazing right?

The store offers free bra measuring and those girls will run around after you all day long if needs be to find you the right bra, or they’ll leave you in peace if you want to choose your own. Whatever you tell them, they’ll do. Victoria’s Secret has one method of training and it rolls out across all stores so as long as you make your wishes clear at the outset, these Angels will do what they can to make them come true.

There are also seasonal offers which change pretty frequently and they’re real good. from their recent two bras for £40 (yes you read that right) through to 30% off all sleepwear, there’s pretty much an offer on in-store everyday. If you’re not a fan of the lingerie, and there are some of you out there, then the gym wear can’t be beaten. Some of the best gym wear I’ve ever had is from Victoria’s Secret Sport and with three lines, that means three price points and even the entry level range is every bit as good as Nike’s Dri-Fit running tights. True story. There’s also the obligatory Victoria’s Secret Wings photo opportunity tucked away underneath the closest escalator to the store too, you’re welcome Voyeurs.

Quiz Clothing

This one is more of a mover than a brand new store, Quiz has taken a bit of a hiatus from Intu Metrocentre whilst the new store was being remodelled in the Red Mall. It’s come to be be known as a total sparkle-fest and when we arrive that’s evident as the store is piled high with sequinned Christmas party dresses and shimmery jumpsuits all endorsed by the girls of TOWIE (including my lush mate Chloe Lewis).

We were very kindly given £40 to spend in-store on a party piece and as you know sparkle isn’t really my thing, I make it my mission to find something Christmassy, but not with too much sparkle and end up going way over budget and spending an additional £34 of my own money too on a ridiculously sparkly and very off brief floor length skirt, a houndstooth check jersey dress and an amazing skirt that looks like a 3D Christmas tree which I never would have found if I hadn’t been invited to this event, so thank-you Intu Metrocentre.

So, if like me, you’re yet to even think about starting your Christmas shopping, then Intu Metrocentre is a pretty good bet. With all your usual festive favourites (err Marks & Spencer anyone??) as well as some brand new amazing destination stores such as Victoria’s Secret and Jack Wills to check out too.

Pixie

Categories: Fashion, North East, Uncategorized

An Evening of Crafting & Power Dressing with Intu Metrocentre

As an official Intu Influencer I always look forward to the fashion preview events that unveil the high street’s interpretations of the key trends for each season. The team at Intu Metrocentre always put on a show to accompany their previews and the FW17 showcase was their best yet. Not content with the regular runway show, we were treated to an evening of power dressing with Costume Historian (and my friend) Meridith Towne and crafting with the gals from North East based company The Crafthood.

After being greeted with a custom blended mocktail at Zizzi we were given the chance to browse the trend rail which had been pulled from the shopping mall’s leading fashion retailers. With lots of high street versions of Fashion Month’s key trends including blazers, stripes and lots of red, it was clear to see from the outset that the evening had been tailored (see what I did there?) to the Power Dressing theme. So, what did we get up to?

CRAFTING

The Crafthood is a modern craft business. I’ve come across them before at another event and their workshop model is one that definitely hooks you in. From candle making to Christmas bauble painting and calligraphy (which I’ll be booking on to) these girls are teaching skills in a social environment and paying it forward to boot. For every workshop space they sell, they donate a workshop space to charity. Nice right?

On the upper floor of Zizzi, we had a designated crafting zone laid out with plain canvas makeup bags and a place tag in gorgeous golden calligraphy (a skill you can hone with The Crafthood). Paint and stamps were laid out for us to get our craft on and create our own bespoke washbags using any colour imaginable. With a quick lesson from Sharon and Kay, A.K.A The Crafthood, we were let loose with paint and free will, and pretty much every single person immediately looked to stamp their own initials on their bags. Even with seashells, stars and leaves available to use, it just goes to show that the trend for personalisation isn’t going anywhere.

After a lot of practice on strips of cloth, I made two very questionnable washbags, one for me and one for Plankton. Both featuring a gucci-esque bee.

SCRANNING

As this was a seated event, Zizzi put on bespoke platters to satisfy even the most fussy palates. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian or a meat lover like me, Zizzi has your back. Think pizza, deep fried peppers, falafel, carrot sticks and all the carbs, the sharing platters are actually big enough to share (so many of them aren’t) and there’s a great variety of food on each one. I’d recommend the garlic and rosemary bread and that’s why I ate 10 slices. Fact.

POWER DRESSING

I’m a huge fan of fellow Costume Historian Meridith Towne and we’ve worked together a couple of times now. Basically Towne travels the country with History Wardrobe delivering a number of talks on topics she’s set, based on her extensive collection of vintage and antique clothing. Got that? It’s a sort of educational talk about era or genre specific trends with a little theatre thrown in to keep it upbeat. Towne’s Glitz & Glamour talk is one of my favourites on her menu, if you get a chance to catch it then I strongly recommend you do. Today though, we’re here to talk about the art of Power Dressing, given the number of women in politics and the rise in female CEOs it seems an uber relevant topic. It’s less of a lesson on how we as women should power dress and more a look at how these women dress to exhibit their own power. Take Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Dior for example, spear heading the trend for the feminist slogan tee, it’s not so much about angled shoulders and pant suits, but more about different ways of wearing our power in a noticeable way.

We were guided though notable moments in global history which charted the rise of female empowerment, from Maggie Thatcher’s blazers and pearls, to the tricks that women used to widen their shoulders in order to appear equal to men. Towne has immersed herself in her self curated collection, some of which she’s made herself to the exact specifications that they would have been in their designated era. After Towne brings us up to date with how female power dressing throughout history has influenced our present day wardrobes, we had the chance to get up close and personal with a small selection of her curated vintage and antique wardrobe, some of which is so old and delicate that we’re not actually allowed to touch it.

FW17 TRENDS

As you know, everything we wear is influenced by the runways of the Big Four at global Fashion Month. The fate of our 2017 Fall Winter wardrobes was actually sealed in February 2017 when the most influential designers in the world sent variations on old shapes down the catwalks. Multicoloured fur, stripes, tweed, polo and neck sweaters were all relatable and translatable trends for the high street to deliver as affordable fashion. Red was the colour of the season but as a block, not a hint so for FW17 if you’re going red then go bold or go home.

Outside of power dressing padding and quilting is the way to go, metallic puffer jackets were on every major runway in Paris with Chanel leading the pack, tailoring in beige and brown toned tweeds with applique are huge for FW17 too and my hero piece is a simple long line tweed overcoat that will bring your Winter wardrobe bang up to date for around £80.

Basically power dressing is about confidence and what makes you feel powerful as a woman. Whether it’s a slogan tee that shows the world you wear your feelings on your chest, or a pant suit and stilettos, if you know your own power pieces then get out there and work them. If you’re still discovering your power dressing style then it might just be time to take a class….

Pixie xo

Categories: Beauty, North East

Makeup Forever Arrives in the North East

If you’re a makeup lover then you’ve undoubtedly heard of pro makeup brand Makeup Forever. Once a pro only brand used backstage at some of the biggest runway and theatre shows of the 80’s and 90’s, in 1995 Makeup Forever hit the mainstream and became accessible to anyone and everyone who celebrated colour and individuality through a love of makeup.

It’s taken a while Voyeurs, 22 years in fact, but the North East finally has a Makeup Forever concession in Debenhams at Intu Metrocentre. You’ll find this haven for colour lovers on the ground floor right next to the Kat Von D makeup counter and it’s usually mobbed with cool, edgy peeps looking to grab a slice of the action. Makeup Forever is a brand that most streetwise people will recognise, similar to NYX in confidence and street savvy – it’s quick to respond to the ever changing beauty landscape – but closer in price to MAC. It’s not your average high street beauty brand.

Makeup Forever is pitching its pan-market suitability with the launch of its 4k Ultra HD makeup range which aims to give a flawless base. From primer to foundation and concealer, Makeup Forever is working hard to make sure that customer needs are top of the agenda. I can personally vouch for the primer, there’s a whopping range to choose from depending on your specific skin needs, and if you have dull skin in one area and fine lines in another, fear not; you can purchase all of the primers available in half sizes for around half the price (14.20) of a full sized product. Meaning that if you need two, it costs you only slightly more than one full sized product (£25.50), leaving you with more cash for a super bright lip paint.

I was invited along to the Makeup Forever concept counter to discover a little more about the brand and get up close and personal with the products and boy did I take advantage…..

With the full counter at our disposal for the evening and an interactive demonstration of how to use the core products to create a flawless (and poreless) base and bright lip, we were invited to try the products on our own skin and find out which was our Hero Product.

Makeup Forever Intu Metrocentre Artist Acrylic Lip Paint

Makeup Forever Intu Metrocentre Ink Liner Lilac

As a purveyor of Heroine Chic and a cool purple lip, I’m championing this Acrylic Lip Paint in shade 500 (£17.50) which is a bright lilac, a little goes a long way, it has great colour pay off and amazing staying power. Topped off with a chalky lilac Ink Liner (£17.50) which is quick drying and long lasting, everything you want in a liquid liner. The flexible tips in these liner pots are great for creating feline flicks and you can vary the pressure to create thick or micro lines depending on the look you’re going for.

Makeup Forever Intu Metrocentre HD Concealer

Makeup Forever Intu Metrocentre HD Range

On my list of things to try as soon as I’m out of my current Tom Ford stash, is the Ultra HD Concealer (£20.50) and Skin Equalizer Smoothing Primer (£25.50) and that’s mainly because I find concealer to be one of the most tricky products to buy. Too thick in consistency and it hurts my eyes and too far the other way leaves me looking almost transparent. This one is thin, but buildable, it seems pretty stable when dry too so none of that weird peeling away you sometimes get with concealer when you try to layer it.

I came away with the Aqua XL Liner in jet Black (£17.50) and the Excessive Lash Mascara (£19.00) but I’ll be back for some Artist Acrylic Lip Paint to add to my collection of luscious lip brights. If you’re a fan of bright lip colours then you’re most likely in one of two camps: 1. Cheap and cheerful – before NYX, Urban Decay and Makeup Forever became widely available on the high street this was the best option as blue, black and purple weren’t easily found, however, sacrifice quality and can often end up with colour bleed. 2. Quality over cost – Buying a more expensive product often (but not always) means more pigment, better glide and staying power.

These days, you can be somewhere in the middle, with high street and pro brands recognising trends and turning them over faster than regular season collections, it’s never been easier to tap into metallics, high gloss, low sheen, matte, or anything else that filters down from the runway or via a key Influencer’s Instagram. Fancy trying it for yourself? Makeup Forever is a good bet, it’s mid way between budget and high end in terms of pricepoint. If you’re a teenager looking to tap the colour trend then head to NYX for your fix, if you can afford a little more then Makeup Forever is a great place to start.

Pixie xo

Categories: Beauty, North East, Uncategorized

Sisley Black Rose Facial

Every now and again it pays to take stock and assess your skincare routine to see whether it really is addressing those ever changing needs. Whether it’s anti-ageing, fatigue, dryness or dullness, the chances are, from one month to the next your skincare priorities will change. One thing we do know, is that there is no universal skincare product. No matter what manufacturers tell us, there is no one magic product to address and effectively treat everything we’d like to improve about the appearance of our skin and so layering is key.

You already know I’m a fan of Decleor skincare products, I adore the Neroli Night Balm when I’m on vacation, my skin changes when I’m in a sunny environment and Decleor’s botanicals pack the perfect punch to give it an overnight reset. But what about when your regular product seem to have stopped being effective and you just want to reset your skin, give it a big moisture boost and a chance to normalise? I visited Sisley at House of Fraser, Intu Metrocentre to find out all about the innovative skincare research behind the cult French brand, and to discover the latest release, Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream before its official launch.

Before you say it, yes, Sisley is a very expensive skincare brand, there’s no denying that. It’s one of those cult skincare brands like Vintner’s Daughter or Creme de la Mer with a pretty eye-watering pricetag, however, Sisley has a raft of loyal followers who can’t get enough of those research backed benefits. Whilst Sisley does also produce a makeup range, it’s skincare where the brand really shines, and with their own research laboratory and academy in Paris, years and years of research, development and scientific testing goes into each product before release. Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream is no different, whilst the Black Rose range has been pivotal to Sisley’s success – one Black Rose mask is sold globally every three minutes – the consistency of the new Skin Infusion Cream is revolutionary and a whole new concept for the brand.

I was treated to a Black Rose Facial treatment, (yours for free with the purchase of any two Sisley products) in the House of Fraser Beauty Rooms with Milanese skincare expert, Michela. Michela is the personification of perfect, conceptual in-brand advertising; her skin is line free, smooth and radiant and she gushes about how Sisley’s products have helped her achieve perfectly balanced skin. She talks me through the thirteen steps to the Black Rose Facial and as always, the treatment begins with breathing exercises and fragranced oils to encourage tranquility and deep relaxation. She begins the facial by cleansing and toning my skin before buffing with Gentle Buffing Cream and hot towels to create a clean base, after which, the Black Rose Cream Mask is applied. Fun Fact Voyeurs, ask any French woman worth her Manolos what her favourite skincare product is and this mask is guaranteed to be up there. The mask is similar to Decleor’s Phytopeel in that it’s rubbed off, encouraging resurfacing of the skin, only the botanicals and essential oils are ramped up to the max in Sisley’s must have product increasing the efficacy. Once removed, skin feels softer and has that inimitable ‘bounce’. Black Rose Facial Oil is then applied all over, this step is a treat in itself, the fragrance encourages relaxation and the texture is that of a non greasy, dry oil.

In the arena of skincare for the face and body, Sisley’s expertise is well known. the brand’s complete line of products meets the needs of various different skin types and tackles the various stages of the average skincare routine: makeup removal, hydration, anti-ageing, sun protection, hair care, makeup and so on. Sisley seems to favour selective distribution, it’s not something you can pick up in your local Boots or Superdrug and to that effect, it definitely feels more prescriptive and exclusive – certainly the price tag reflects that.

The Black Rose Facial is more than just a skin treatment, it’s a sensory experience. From the warm, fragranced towels, to the heated gem stone facial massage, it’s a pleasure for the senses as well as the abundant skin benefits. Before I’m done, Michela covers my face in Sisley’s Ecological Compound which protects skin from environmental factors including pollution and sun damage, a slick of Confort Extreme Nutritive Lip Balm (amazing stuff) and Double Tenseur for immediate radiance. When I look in the mirror immediately after, I look fresh, like I just woke up from a ten hour sleep and pleasant dreams.

Phyto-cosmetology is the concept at the centre of Sisley’s creations and relates to using the best plant-based extracts in order to create what they consider to be the best cosmetics on the market. Plants’ vital energy, their capacity for regeneration and adaptation, their protection systems, and their fragrances have all been put to use for the skin and obviously, materials and associated research cost money. Sisley selects the best type of plant in its category, the most effective part of the plant for the problem being treated, the country or region where this plant is the best and, finally, harvests the plant at the very moment when it will provide the most effective active properties – none of which comes cheap.

So, reading about Sisley’s Black Rose Collection will either be the best or worst thing to happen to your skincare routine, best because, well we’ve covered that, and worst because the three Black Rose products in the range will set you back a whopping £370. What you need to weigh up now Voyeurs, is whether you’re worth the investment, I know I am.

Pixie xo

If you want to take the plunge and try out any of the Sisley skincare and cosmetic range, you can nab yourself a free facial with the purchase of any two products on counter at House of Fraser. To book your Sisley beauty treatment at Intu Metrocentre call 0191 4932424, service also available nationally.

Categories: Beauty, Fashion, North East, Uncategorized

Intu Fashion SS17 at Intu Metrocentre

With Bank Holiday weekend approaching, Intu Metrocentre is hosting four days jam packed with fashion shows kicking off today.

These fun shows will highlight the latest trends, how to wear them and most importantly, where to find them. With everything available to buy in the Metrocentre and a handy discount leaflet available from Customer Service desks, you’ll have that Summer wardrobe freshened up in the shake of a pineapple.

I was invited along to the VIP preview night for a sneaky peak at the shows you’ll be able to check out over the next four days and with streetwear, occasionwear, formal wear and even beach wear, Intu Metrocentre have you covered. I rocked up in an A-line leather skirt from M&S (a Fashion Editor staple) and a Led Zeppelin tee with messy brows and even messier hair.

We sipped cocktails from TGI Fridays, ate chicken salsa from Bar Burrito and even played in a ball pool as we chilled in the Style Garden amongst the palm trees and flamingos before taking our seats on the frow for a fashion extravaganza.

With fresh Spring looks from Topshop, Coast, House of Fraser and many more, there’s something for every budget in the shows which take place in Town Square, right outside House of Fraser at regular intervals throughout the four days. My absolute favourite look was a baby pink overlay skirt from Coast paired with a shimmer body top – if it looks familiar Voyeurs, it’s because I have that very same outfit and it’s awesome. One of the real highlights of the show was actually Primark – with fast fashion for guys and girls of all ages, and some real trend led items, it was a surprising winner.

It’s nice to see Intu Metrocentre bringing back the runway show format to unveil the transitional collections. They’ve really upped their game too, there’s none of the cheesy dancing that you often get with shopping mall fashion shows, this is slick and current and the outfits are styled to reflect a wide demographic. So when I say there’s something for everyone, I really mean it. If you’ve got a keen eye, you might just spot the current Miss Newcastle England, and Miss Newcastle England 2015 on the runway representing the North East too!

With hair and makeup services provided by SHOW Beauty and MAC at House of Fraser, they’ve gone all out to make this weekend a real treat for shoppers visiting Intu Metrocentre and you’ll find that there are a variety of offers and competitions on too in the mall. So if you’re treating yourself, or someone else, be sure to swing by the show first to find out how you could win yourself some Mulberry swag, courtesy of House of Fraser.

One other little thing to sweeten the deal Voyeurs; you know all about my love of Decleor products and treatments and this Thursday to Saturday, House of Fraser are exclusively offering 20% off ALL Decleor product on counter. If you’re familiar with the brand, you’ll know that this very rarely happens so get in, and stock up!

If you’re at Intu Metrocentre this Bank Holiday weekend and fancy checking it out, the Intu SS17 fashion shows will be held every day Thursday 27 – Sunday 30 April 2017 and you might just leave with a little vacation inspo…..

Pixie xo

Fashion shows will be shown at regular intervals throughout each day, time table shown below.

Thursday 27 April: 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm

Friday 28 April: 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm

Saturday 29 April: 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm

Sunday 30 April: 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm