Xmas windows

Liberty's window display. Photo: Faye O'Sullivan

Mary Queen of Shops made it to Australian tv late last year (2010) & I've become a HUGE Mary Portas fan girl. I think she's the most engaging personality on TV I've seen in years. I spend most the ad breaks (even show time) babbling 'How cool is this woman! How cool is she! How can anyone be that cool ?! [ad nauseum] as I brace myself for each and every shot of her sexy shoes that she has so cleverly weaved into the show. In between shoe shots (which are largely irrelevant but would no doubt bear analysis for subtext & a clear example of Portas' marketing know how) I watch completely enthralled as she appears to single handed-ly sort out Britain's small businesses in decline. The woman not only has real style, brains, savy, but a seemingly effortless ability to connect with people and get under their psychological makeup with ease. Even the damaged, stick-in-the-mud, 'the world is flat' types seem incapable of truly resisting her charge / charm. Oh Mary, how I admire thee in so many countless ways...
If I have one New Year's resolution for 2011, iif not to be more like Mary Portas, then to at least stop and ask myself 'What would Mary say / do?'

And in case you're wondering what any of this has to do with the image above of Liberty's window display, well this visual merchandising fantasy was featured in Mary's review of London's Xmas windows. I don't care too much for the products featured but am in love with saturated colours, wall of glitter and hello!, pirate eye-patched lady topped edwardian bouffant. 2011 bring it on!