DESTINATION: STYLE

Shaw’s Fashion in Hillside is a must for fans of Marc Cain. Stephanie Sparrow takes a trip to Southport’s latest fashion showcase

Spring is in the air, and can also be part of our wardrobes, thanks to Shaw’s – an exciting new fashion emporium in Hillside.

Created by local businesswoman and proprietor Tania Shaw, this enticing store in a remodelled Art Deco building, has been filled with spring and summer pieces from Marc Cain.

“I know the brand has a big following as our recent fashion event featuring the Marc Cain roadshow demonstrated,” says Tania. “As the only stockist within a 20-mile radius, we are delighted to feature it in our store.”

Local loyalty is building fast and customers are also travelling from across Lancashire and Cheshire to see the extensive range, says manager Carole Fiddies: “We have Marc Cain Collections, Marc Cain Sport and Essentials – such as the beautiful jersey T-shirts, which are always so popular. Customers like the fact that we offer a lot of choice, and sizes (up to 18). We will also order for people.”

Easy-to-wear tailoring and elegant casuals, in Marc Cain’s themes for the season, have been selected by Carole to work with other items in-store, or with existing wardrobes at home.

She picks out an example – a dynamic tweed jacket, from the Scent of Spring collection, which mixes glorious Admiral (blue) with Basil, tailored on classic lines, while its frayed edging and lace cuffs add a modern edge. It is endlessly versatile – investment dressing with a twist.

“This jacket can be worn casually with jeans, but equally would work well for the races or a wedding,” says Carole. Many of our items can be dressed up or down,” she adds, indicating a flowing top in fine crepe, which would be equally suitable for casual drinks or a smart cocktail, and a little black dress with ruched side panel which could take the wearer from office desk to dinner simply by adding a few accessories.

Just like its fashion stock, Tania has designed a store to lift the spirits. From a floral arbour framing the entrance, customers step into a shop filled with light – thanks to its expansive windows and glossy white fittings.

With free parking at the front of the store, to larger-than-average changing rooms designed by Tania, Shaw’s Fashion makes customer care its priority. “We offer a lovely service, whether you are here to buy, or browse for the first time,” adds Carole, adding that shopping companions can relax in comfortable velvet chairs.

The spacious layout of the store makes it easy to appreciate the inventively-named collections from Marc Cain this season. Carole points out the take-you-anywhere tops and dresses in the wildlife theme Spots and Stripes, which uses earthy tones to create wearable animal prints, and the contrasting zesty and delicate shades used in Stripe Hype.

Wardrobe staples are reinterpreted in the monochrome Playful & Graphic collection, where whip-smart essentials, such as a coat in a confident black and white pattern offers a new twist on power dressing, but is also softened with details such as an aqua blouse with quirky Dalmatian print.

Carole, who has 30 years’ experience in the fashion industry, enjoys advising customers on the finishing touches – accessories include Marc Cain handbags and its reasonably priced costume jewellery such as tribal earrings and chic lariat necklaces.

The collection of scarves is also a triumph. Pure silk adds extra pzazz to tops and dresses in the same theme (Stripe Hype works particularly well) while a linen range can double up as sarongs.

The work which Tania has put into sympathetically renovating the premises shows her belief in the pulling power of Hillside, its proximity to Royal Birkdale and to the historic Hillside Golf Club, which will be staging the British Masters in May.

And the team is looking forward to the future. “Early autumn will see us add an extra dimension to our offering,” says Carole. “We are broadening our horizons by adding Weekend Max Mara, which we love for its relaxed Italian colour palette. We only want to offer amazing fashion.”

Shaw’s Fashion
2b Lynton Road, Hillside, Southport PR8 3AN
01704 563612
www.shawsfashion.co.uk
facebook/Shaw’s Fashion
instagram/shaws.of.hillside

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