ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS…
Solitaire owner Jenny Grogan talks Sarah Varley through the exciting plans to hold a very special anniversary charity event. Photography: Robin Lyndon
To celebrate 40 years in business, Solitaire Fashion is holding a special charity event in aid of Rosemere Cancer Foundation, a charity which supports world-class cancer treatment throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria.
Solitaire Fashion is based in stunning premises on Bolton Road in Darwen. It has become renowned over the years for gorgeous, high quality clothing for an immaculate look every time, whether for work, leisure or a special occasion.
Owner Jenny Grogan hand picks all her designers and has years of experience in the industry. She explains part of the secret of Solitaire’s success: “I have not only been dressing ladies for 40 years, but also listening to what they want. I am right there on the shop floor each day, unlike buyers in larger stores. My choices directly reflect what women require.”
The service also sets Solitaire apart, with their bespoke fittings and alterations service, and style advice from the friendly team. “Some of our customers ask us to simply select items on their behalf as we know their style so well, or they purchase items without even trying them on because they know the quality is there and we have all their measurements to ensure the perfect fit,” Jenny tells me.
Solitaire is the place for something different to the high street. Jenny explains: “Each designer has been carefully chosen for quality and style and each piece is only stocked in one per size so the result is an individual look. The quality means the pieces are flattering and made to last so you’ll want to enjoy them again and again.”
Designers at Solitaire include Kate Cooper, Frank Lyman, Lebek, Peruzzi, Stehman and Michaela Louisa including their very popular ‘Magic Shape’ trousers. Stylish shoes and boots are also available from labels such as Lunar, as well Solitaire’s own exclusive label shoes, made in Spain from high-quality leather and designed to match the collections in store.
The charity event is being held on Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th October in store at Solitaire and is in conjunction with Marble, one of Solitaire’s most popular labels.
Marble is a coveted Scottish brand with the aim ‘to make women feel fabulous’ in classic, feminine styles – with a contemporary twist, and is renowned for its very high quality knitwear and wearable fashions.
“We’re big fans of Marble here,” Jenny tells me. “Each piece is beautifully designed and always flattering and wearable because they’re such high quality. They have a very loyal following, especially the knitwear that fits so well with any existing wardrobe items. It’s going to be great fun seeing the lucky winners selecting their garments.”
On this special two-day event the Solitaire team and Marble representatives will be on hand with style help and advice, and on both days there will be a walk-about fashion show. From 12 noon each day there will be a giveaway bonanza every half hour. Customers will draw tickets and whoever draws a lucky ticket saying ‘Marble’ will get to choose a free Marble garment! Added on to this is a 10 per cent discount on every purchase.
There will be refreshments and canapés throughout the day as well as a grand raffle with some fantastic prizes worth over £3000. Tickets are now available for your chance to win a long weekend in a beautiful holiday cottage in Barley, a week’s chalet holiday in North Wales with four entertainment passes, a gin and fizz hamper full of specialist gins and Prosecco, a £150 gift voucher for Northcote, a Nespresso coffee machine and a £250 voucher for Solitaire.
Raffle tickets are just £2 each or six for £10, with all proceeds going to the Rosemere Cancer Foundation to help fund their vital work, and are available to purchase at Solitaire. Please telephone for details of further availability.
Solitaire Fashion
441 Bolton Road, Darwen BB3 2JQ
01254 706376
