Sinéad Moriarty’s brilliant new novel:
Keeping It In The Family
True love catches Niamh O’Flaherty by surprise …
With him being older and a bit of an intellectual, Pierre is the last person Niamh would expect to fall for her. But love her he does, and she in turn adores his wicked sense of humour, his unfailing strength of character and, of course, his stunning looks!
Click here to enter competition or to visit Faith.
Hannah (Buyers Admin Assistant)
My style is best described as: Casual chic
This style icon always has the best shoes, bags and/or accessories… Alexa Chung because she always looks unique and cool in a casual style.
What best describes your job role… I am currently the buyers admin for boots, courts, bridal and men’s. My role is to support the assistant buyer and buyer to ensure that these areas are successful. Within this I process orders, attend fit sessions and add input on the ranges.
My favourite Spring/Summer 09 item is… Dello in hot pink is a fun and funky way to brighten up an outfit.
On my Spring/Summer 09 Wish List is… I will be rushing out to purchase a pair of Jold in metallic pink as soon as they come in.
My favourite Faith item ever is… my pair of patent black Mebob boots, perfect wearing into the office and for dressing up. They are also extremely comfortable which is always a plus!!
The Spring/Summer 09 trend/story I like best is… Eccentric country because it uses a mixture of materials and interesting fabrics, including florals and distressed materials. I am loving florals at the moment!
My fashion advice is…always purchase your shoes first!!
Frankie (Junior Buyer)
Best describe your job role: I currently buy Courts, Flats, Flip Flops and Woods and Raffia at Faith. My job is to develop and build fashionable and commercial ranges, based on key trends, current trade reactions and past history reactions to suit our Faith customer. You have to be very organised and on the ball, no day is the same! Key parts of my job include analysis of past weeks/current trade, building and developing ranges with suppliers and the team at Faith, negotiating prices, confirming samples and most enjoyable of all travelling both to trade shows abroad, to supplier factories for development meetings and on inspiration trips.
My style is best described as: I try not to have one particular style as I easily get bored with my wardrobe. I usually like to have a few of the latest key pieces and dress nearly everything, whether smart or casual back with my black leather jacket.
This style icon always has the best shoes, bags and/or accessories… I usually keep an eye on Daisy Lowe and Agyness Deyn, but Lily Allen usually always has a lovely pair of Louboutin’s on or cute Chanel handbag on her arm!
Daisy and Agyness are always interesting and very high fashion. I try to interpret their looks – even if it is down to a print or colour that they are wearing and incorporate it into my range, adapting it to suit our customer. Lily Allen’s accessories are usually fashionable, commercial and girlie and this works for our customer.
My favourite Spring/Summer 09 item is… Jetal – an embellished gladiator flip flop, very key for the summer and easy to dress up and down!
On my Spring/Summer 09 Wish List is… Catador – She is beautiful, I love her!!! She is a purple suede platform court shoe with black satin lace up ribbon, sexy, girlie and cute all in one shoe!
My favourite Faith item ever is…I have two, it is very hard to have one, when you work with shoes all day!!! Chigwell and Ciera – both of these styles have been bought in various colours and all of them are gorgeous!!! I love them so much that I have had both made up in ivory as my wedding shoes!!!
The Spring/Summer 09 trend/story I like best is… Again, I can’t choose one!!! I love both Intimate Journey and City Club.
I love Intimate Journey as the story is all about casual leathers, ethnic beading, embellishment and spicy colours and works really well for my flip flops, flats, woods and raffia packages, also the key pieces for this story came from a great inspiration trip to St. Tropez which was brilliant! City Club is great for our sexy, sophisticated platforms and new shapes and lines – I love the colour palette and have used this story to influence the courts, woods and raffia ranges.
My fashion advice is… The key is making sure you feel comfortable and confident in whatever you are wearing!
By Sinéad Moriarty
Recently, after a particularly bad day’s writing, I popped into my local Faith shop to raise my spirits. I was just going in for a browse you understand, I had no intention of actually buying anything. But there, glittering in the window, were the most gorgeous shoes I’d ever seen. I was overdrawn at the bank, but when did that ever stop Carrie Bradshaw or indeed me? I had to have the shoes. I tried them on and surprise, surprise, they fit like a glove. Although my sensible side said no, my impulsive side said yes and I was up to the counter to pay for the shoes quicker than Michael Flatley can jig his legs.….and they are my best ever buy.
Honestly, I kid you not. I have already been stopped three times on the street by people asking me where I got these shoes.
Then, last week I did a morning TV slot to promote my new book and the presenter – a heterosexual male in his fifties, spent the first five minutes admiring my shoes. Seriously, never mind Dorothy’s sparkly red slippers in the Wizard of Oz, my Faith platforms are really something…and the best thing is – they’re comfortable!!
My love of shoes started at an early age when my mother tried to pass off my sister’s hand me down shoes when I was making my Holy Communion at the grand old age of six. While I was OK about having to wear my sister’s dress, even though it was short, and the maxi was in, when I made my communion, under no circumstances was I going to wear her shoes. Besides being second hand, they were a size too big for me, but my mother just stuffed tissue paper in the top of them and told me to get on with it.
‘No way’ I remember saying. ‘I’ll wear the dress but I’m getting new shoes.’ Now my mother was not a woman to say no to, but one look at my set jaw and she knew she was onto a losing battle. And so I got a lovely pair of white ballet pumps for my big day, which got covered in muck the minute I left the house.
I have even managed to sneak the word shoes into the title of my fourth book – In My Sister’s Shoes – which I have to confess is not actually about shoes, but is a bittersweet comedy about two very different sisters and what happens to them when their lives become turned upside down by a life-changing problem.
My new book, which is called Keeping it in the Family, is a comedy about falling in love with someone your family is going to struggle to accept. You can read an exclusive sampler of the book that Faith are giving away in stores from 26th March with purchases (while stocks last!). I really hope you enjoy it!
P.S. my absolute must have for the Spring are the new Lolia platform leather gladiator-style sandals – check out the scarlet ones….AMAZING!
WIN an incredible two week holiday to California for you and a friend!
The fabulous prize, courtesy of Holiday Hypermarket, will include return flights to Los Angeles, accommodation and a hire car giving you the perfect opportunity to experience the California lifestyle and soak up some sun!
Click here to enter the competition and be in with a chance to win a trip to California!
* Closing date is 9th April 2009. Terms and Conditions apply.
Jenny (Buyer’s Admin Assistant)
My style is best described as: Comfortable but fashionable. I like all the prints that are about at the moment.
This style icon always has the best shoes, bags and/or accessories… Pixie Geldof because she’s quirky and not afraid to mix things up a bit.
My favourite spring/summer 09 item is… Leventie
On my spring/summer 09 wish list is… Jaquare and Hepee
My favourite faith item ever is… Mebob
The spring/summer 09 trend/story I like best is… intimate journey because I love the colours and textures. It’s also easy to wear.
My fashion advice is… I can’t been seen without studded or snake skin footwear this summer.
Natalie (Allocator)
Best describe your job role: Making sure stock is correctly allocated to stores after delivery into the warehouse. Assisting the merchandising team with analysis and sales reports.
My style is best described as: Comfortable!
This style icon always has the best shoes, bags and/or accessories is… Victoria Beckham because she can afford the best of the best and always has a great looking handbag on her arm (not sure about those boots without a heel!).
My favourite Spring/Summer 09 item is… Chigwell in the pink!
On my Spring/Summer 09 Wish List is… Ciera….in every colour!
My favourite Faith item ever is… Possibly Lecloud or Chigwell
The Spring/Summer 09 trend/story I like best is… Intimate journey because I like all of the detailing on the products especially the beading.
My fashion advice is… to always wear what you feel comfortable in but don’t be afraid to try new styles and looks.
Carla (Assistant Buyer)
Best describe your job role: I currently work on Sandals, Courts, Woods/Raffia, Flip flops and Flats; Assisting my buyers with all the aspects that are involved in building commercial ranges that give the ‘Faith girl’ what she wants. From developing new styles to negotiating prices and confirming samples, whilst always keeping one eye on not only our own reactions but other retailers on the high street as well. Within the buying and merchandising department we never stop, and every week holds new challenges to overcome.
My style is best described as: Colourful Chic. I always like to inject colour into my outfit whether it be a little black dress with bright accessories for the evening or a bright top with leggings for the day, I never feel comfortable without colour. I like to take key pieces from the current season and mix them with a few old faithfuls!
This style icon always has the best shoes… Sarah Jessica Parker because her style varies from occasion to occasion and she stylishly adapts to look good at any event.
My favourite Spring/Summer 09 item is… Dello in neon pink!
On my Spring/Summer 09 Wish List is… Law and Leventie as they are both high and super sexy with earthy tones that will look great against tanned, summer skin.
My favourite Faith item ever is… I have so many, but if you are forcing me to choose, I would have to say….. for everyday my Maddox boots in tan because they are fashionable and individual whilst still being comfortable and for the evening I think Chigwell (I actually have them in 3 colours!) because they are bright, colourful and can completely change the affect of any outfit.
The Spring/Summer 09 trend/story I like best is… Intimate Journey because it is a very varied story incorporating different surface textures, materials and colours.
My fashion advice is… Be happy with what you are wearing, if you feel comfortable and confident it will show! …..Oh and always build your outfit from your shoes up!
Hurry, as Faith’s Sale is online and in-store now! With up to 70% off*, temptation will be too hard to resist. Shop online now at www.faith.co.uk or visit your nearest Faith store to grab some gorgeous guilt-free styles!
A SPECTACULAR MOTHER’S DAY GIFT!
If you are looking for something unforgettable to give your mum this Mother’s Day, why not arrange tickets to see the dazzling Cirque Du Soleil with this amazing 2-4-1 offer on selected shows!
Cirque Du Soleil’s sell-out show, Quidam, is a thrilling combination of acrobatic artistry and exceptional musical inspiration, with aerial contortion in silk, aerial hoops and cloud swings, the show is simply breathtaking! Now this stunning spectacle is touring the UK for the first time ever this March and April!
Don’t miss out and treat that special lady in your life to this spectacular and unforgettable evening of mystery and excitement at the spectacle that is Cirque Du Soleil Quidam!
Click here to take advantage of this great offer.
*This offer will be valid for all purchases made from today’s date until midnight on 22nd March 2009.
Tickets, priced £50.00, are available now from www.livenation.co.uk or by calling 0844 576 5483.
*Conditions of Purchase:
Offer open on selected performances and subject to availability; tickets will appear at half the Adult price during the purchasing process; tickets must be purchased in multiples of two; not applicable on previously purchased tickets; all tickets subject to services charges.