Back from Italy

Hi there,

I know it seems like a long time since our last post, too long I know. I've just got back from Italy today and can't wait to get started on some new designs. New developments are already in work but its catwalk season so you can't fail to be inspired. I'm not the only one in the team who’s been travelling though. My designer colleagues have been down to London Fashion Week to take in the shows (and also the buzz that comes from London Fashion Week) Then there’s our design director who is currently in Paris reviewing all that latest fabric and design trends. So watch this space.......

Kate

New design ideas......

It's a Friday and although the sun is not shining here at Aspire HQ, its a good day were working on new design ideas for the concept and vision ranges it's really exciting and things are looking great. All the feedback from the branch visits has really helped shape the new designs along with a review of the bestsellers to see what are the partners favourite pieces so far. I can't wait to get the first samples in to see how the sketches translate into garments, hopefully we'll be able to show you some new ideas soon so watch this space. P.s. as promised here are some pics of the branch visits to Scotland.

Made to Measure Suits get great reaction

We're thrilled that the Made to Measure suit service is taking off, it's so exciting to think that those gentleman who've already placed their orders will be receiving their bespoke suit soon. For those of you who don't know much about our Made to measure service then let me fill you in on the basics. Made to measure means you can choose the cloth, the style and the fit to suit you. Your measurements are taken and then translated into your own unique pattern, cut and sewn using the latest technology and then finally finished and pressed by hand! It's an amazing service and means you can express your own personality: if you're more flamboyant then go for a bright and bold lining or if you like things more traditional then why not choose waistcoat to match. The possibilities are almost endless. If it sounds like something you might be interested in why not pop along to see Michael at your next roadshow (you can find the branch visit schedule online at www.aspire-businessdress.co.uk) where he can talk you through the options.

Design team visit London

Well this time last week myself and our Design Director Barbara were enjoying ourselves in Brent Cross. We spent two great days in London the first at Oxford Street were we were made very welcome by all the staff there , so a BIG thank you for that. We really enjoyed chatting to you all and so pleased that the new collections were being well received. The following day we went on to Brent Cross were again we were made really welcome and met some great people. The aspire team will be back in Oxford Street on the 22nd July and Brent Cross on the 21st July, hopefully we'll see you there! The team have been up in Scotland this week so keep your eye out, as photos will be coming soon.

Style Guide - The Rectangle body shape

Rectangle ladies are fairly straight up and down. There’s no main area you want to minimise so you can get away with more things than most. However you may want to give the impression of a curvier silhouette – an illusion easily created with the right clothing.

Bring out your best:

Try any of our dresses Lynda, Polly or the sally anne pinafore they’ll all help to give you shape. Try tucking your top into your trousers and then using a belt to make more of your waist or hips.The pencil skirts Emma or Helen will create curves whilst the fullness of the Hayley skirt will give shape. Create shape with our jackets which nip in at the waist. The Natalie, Katie or Anna would be a great addition to your wardrobe, as would the Amy waistcoat as a new alternative to a jacket.

Style Guide - The Strawberry body shape

Strawberry-shaped ladies have a figure that’s bigger up top than on their bottom half because of broad shoulders and/or larger chest in relation to their waist and hips. Broad shoulders and slender hips can give Strawberries an athletic look but it’s easy to soften with the right wardrobe.

Bring out your best:

Fuller skirts and wide leg trousers will balance out your body shape beautifully, so go for the Hayley or Rebecca skirt or one of our wide leg trousers. The polly dress is a great option for you too. The Sally Anne pinafore dress is great as it will give shape and make shoulder appear narrower.

Style Guide - The Apple body shape

If you are an Apple shape then you’re pretty in proportion but tend to carry your weight around your mid section without a well-defined waist, so to dress your best avoid adding volume round your middle.

Bring out your best:

Try the Katie jacket, it nips in at the waist giving a tailored look whilst the gathered peplum detail gives you the illusion of a smaller waist. The Amy waistcoat with its single button fastening pulls you in at the waist and creates a flattering silhouette.

Style Guide - Petite

Petite

Petite ladies are around 5 feet in height choosing the right styles will make sure you make the most of your height. As the saying goes, all good things come in small packages.

Bring out your best:

Pencil skirts are the best option for petites, the Helen skirt is perfect for showing off your petite frame and the Emma skirt with its vertical panelling will elongate. Most importantly choose skirts and dresses which fall around or at the knee so not to swamp your petite frame. A tailored dress will balance proportion so the Lynda dress is a great choice. When it comes to jackets try our Katie Jacket which is shorter in length and has flattering ¾ sleeves. Trouser styles which skim the floor will make your legs appear longer.

The Hourglass body shape

Curvy hourglass girls go in at the middle, often with a fuller bust and bottom to contrast with the smaller waist. Heres how to make the most of your shape.

Bring out your best:

Waist belts are perfect so why not try the Lynda Dress with its fashionable patent belt. The detail on the Sally-Anne Pinafore will also have the same effect drawing attention to your waist. When its comes to skirts anything goes, from a fun 50’s shape in the Hayley skirt to the fabulous detail on the Emma skirt. Jackets which draw attention to your waist are great for hourglass shapes so the Natalie jacket with its edgy double breasted fastening or the Katie Jacket with its peplum detail will both work.

Style Guide - The Pear body shape

Looking stylish is all about knowing how to dress your figure. So we’ve been working on our guide to body shapes and how to look your best.

Over the next few days we’re going to be talking about different body shapes and what pieces in the new collections are perfect to complement your individual figure. So look out for new updates coming soon.
The Pear body shapeIf you are bigger around the hips, bottom or thighs than you are up top then, like the majority of women, you are a Pear. Focus on adding more shape and structure above the waist.Bring out your best :The Hayley skirt is perfect for pear shapes; the bow detail emphasises your waist and it glides over the hips, if you love dresses try the polly dress. The Rebecca skirt is another great option.
Balance out your hips by trying our new wide leg trouser or the perennial favourite the bootcut.
Go for wide lapels and structured shoulders, our Nicola Jacket with its gorgeous shoulder detail and flattering longer length along with the Anna jacket which has contemporary wider lapels are ideal.

Nottingham Roadshow Great Success

The Aspire team was out in force on Friday for the Nottingham branch visit. We were really busy with lots of people trying things on and placing orders for their new business dress. The chronicle was there too, to interview us and take some pictures of the team (however reluctant we were, we’re a little photo shy).

We got lots of feedback which is great! We want to really listen to that feedback and use it to help us shape the direction of the collections. So keep ideas and suggestions coming. You can always email us aspire@dimensions.co.uk if you can’t wait for you’re roadshow to come round.

Aspire Launch

Well its the Aspire Launch and were all so excited. We've been working really hard here for the past year to get the fits right, fabrics right and to bring you some new and innovative designs. Theres a real buzz in the design studio and we can't wait to get out there to show you the new collections, we hope you love them as much as we do . Visits to each branch are being planned in now so look out for us to coming to you soon for your chance to see the new collections and place your orders.

New Business Dress collections arrive.



Dimensions Long Eaton Distribution Centre



Good being unloaded from  Shipping Containers



The first deliveries of our new collections have arrived at our Nottingham Distribution Centre. Further deliveries are expected over the coming weeks to coincide with a series of Roadshows across the country.