Lipsy, Manchester Arndale shop review

Where is it?

Upper Floor

Arndale Centre

Manchester

M24 4EL

History:

Lipsy Manchester just celebrated its second birthday this month. London based Lipsy started life in 1990 as a mail order and wholesale company, which was bought by high street giant Next in 2008. Since then the brand has seen rapid expansion. The first store opened in Brent Cross in 2008 and the total now stands at 29, with one in the Arndale Centre and one in the Trafford Centre, plus a number of department store concessions around the country. 

What does it sell?

Lipsy is best known for its on-trend party dresses and Juicy Couture-esque loungewear. Like the store itself, everything in Lipsy is glitz and glam, dripping in diamante, sequins and studs straight off the catwalk and red-carpet ready.

Unlike designer styles, Lipsy’s dresses start at about £30.

Lipsy has recently launched a more casual daywear range too. Like Lipsy’s dresses, items in this collection, which include jeans, T-shirts and dresses are set apart from their high street counterparts by the high level of level of detail and embellishment.

 As perfect accompaniments to Lipsy’s clothes, the store stocks a range of accessories, including jewellery, watches, handbags, shoes and hair bands. You can also pick up lots of cutely packaged girly essentials like false eyelashes, lip balms, face masks, plasters and wet wipes.

Lipsy also stocks items from a range of other brands; in the Arndale store you’ll find Miss Sixty.

Who shops there?

Celeb fans of Lipsy include Paris Hilton, Kelly Brook, Sarah Harding and Kourtney Kardashian. Lipsy’s Arndale store is a favourite among Corrie and Hollyoaks girls such as Tina O’Brien and Brooke Vincent.

Store manager Will says they also held a recent event to dress local celebs in Lipsy for up-coming events like the gala evening of Ghost the Musical and the British Soap Awards.

Lipsy is usually full of glam young things looking for the perfect outfit for a night on the tiles. The friendly, attentive service, usually reserved for top end high street and designer outlets, draws in students and young professionals alike looking for something special at high street prices.

Why shop there?

For any girly-girl looking to emulate their favourite celebrity’s style, Lipsy is a one-stop shop.

Manager Will says Lipsy offers “something special” on the high street, with good quality and attention to detail on the clothes setting them apart.

Unlike some rivals, Will says Lipsy “feels more like a boutique” and offers “personal service” which customers love, and don’t mind paying a bit extra for.

The store definitely has a more interesting look than many. With lots of mirrors, jewels and spotlights, it’s more like a pop stars dressing room than a high street store.

Future:

Since opening their first store, Lipsy has expanded rapidly. They’re set to open another 7 stores by the end of the year.

Lipsy are also looking to expand their casual collection into next season.

Verdict:

Lipsy has perfected the art of recreating catwalk and red carpet styles with plenty of choice at fantastic prices. By offering a daytime range too, Lipsy lets you recreate your favourite celeb’s glam look, day and night.