Body Talk: 08/07/2011

McBerry Copycat DressNEW CELEBRITY INSPIRED FASHION BRAND: It may sound like a very healthy fast food establishment, but McBerry is actually a new female fashion brand for those seeking celebrity style down to the tiniest detail. There’s a big online market for copycat styling, many of which are a poor match for the real deal. However, McBerry’s designs appear to be close to exact matches probably in cheaper materials but sold at much lower prices.

We particularly love this replica of the Versus by Christopher Kane dress Cheryl Cole wore on last year’s X Factor. The McBerry dress is priced at £79. Visit www.mcberry.co.uk for more information.

Very.co.ukSTYLING VIA SOCIAL MEDIA: Online fashion brand Very.co.uk has this week released the results of a North West survey to show how social media sites have become an important source for fashion advice for many women. According to the research, 24 per cent of women in the North West (Liverpool and Manchester) have asked for fashion advice via Facebook. 51 per cent say that they are likely to make fashion purchases on the advice of their online friends and 28 percent believe they are not being served by shop assistants when it comes to style advice.

Over half of women across the North West (51 per cent) said that their fashion purchases were likely to be affected by someone they termed an online friend, valuing the instant feedback that social media networks can supply from their peer group. Very brand director, Dan Rubel said: “Customers are creating a social shopping experience from the palm of their own hands.  Through connecting with their online friends shoppers are sharing images of their purchases and the items they intend to buy to get advice from the people that they trust most.” 

Remarkable womenDO YOU KNOW A REMARKABLE WOMAN IN MANCHESTER? Nominations are open for Manchester City Council’s Women’s Awards 2011. The annual awards recognise hard working women in the city who serve to improve other women’s lives as well as excel in their chosen field. Categories include women who have made an outstanding contribution in business, sport, culture, art, science, environment, outstanding young woman and valuing older people. A special award will also be given to an outstanding woman or group of women in honour of Kath Fry, a former councillor in Manchester and tireless political campaigner particularly in her work to improve education and the life chances of young people.

Councillor Suzanne Richards, lead member for women’s issues said: "There are so many women who work tirelessly and selflessly to make the lives of others better and there are some women who are excelling in their chosen field. They are the unsung heroes of our society and it is important that we honour and celebrate their achievements.”

Those shortlisted will be invited to the final awards ceremony, which will be held in Manchester Town Hall in October when the winners will be revealed.

The deadline for nominations is 5pm on Friday 5 August 2011. Nomination forms can be downloaded from the website www.manchester.gov.uk/womensaward

Esme perfume pendantPERFUME PENDANTS ARE THE NEW SPACE SAVER: Perfume is always the finishing touch to any outfit. Problem is, most fragrances don’t last for an entire day and night. This is where the Esme perfume pendant is pretty and pretty ingenious. Stylish and practical, the Swarovski crystal-embellished pendant holds a perfume pod, designed to be filled with your signature scent, so you can touch up with your favourite fragrance on the go. Available in two different designs and four colours, priced at £24.99, it’s a two for one beauty buy. Visit  www.esmejewellery.co.uk for more information.

HavaianasMAKE YOUR OWN HAVAIANAS: They've been the flip-flops of choice since the 70s and now fans of the Brazilian-born, super sandal can design their very own exclusive pair at Selfridges Trafford Centre. The ‘Make Your Own Havaianas’ pop-up shop, is open until the end of August, 2011. 

The pop-up shop will offer pick’n’mix soles and straps in various colours and dozens of fun pins, badges and Swarovski crystals for extra decoration. Prices start from £20.