Exhibitors put together a fantastic display of colourful hats, bags, belts, jewellery, accessories and clothing. Two designers from Hatsonheads, a local Lincolnshire hat design studio, demonstrated how hats are put together and the many processes that have to be gone through before we purchase the finished article. Lincoln Laser Skincare provided information on what could be done at their clinic to erase those little imperfections!
All photographs of the event are courtesy of Veena Cornish Photography. All guests were asked to dress as if they had been invited to the Royal Ascot racing event - and what a show they put on.
The most fabulous hat competition was won by an exotic red and black feather creation that looked absolutely stunning.
Alicia Kite (the Trinny and Susannah of the East Midlands) kept everyone entertained after lunch by telling her rags to riches story. She worked very hard as a young woman to build up a successful retail business, but lost it all. Not one to give up though, she has now built up another very successful enterprise around image consultancy and is launching herself on the speaking circuit.
Photograph: Alicia Kite entertaining us with her wonderful 'tricks of the trade"
Alicia has a black belt in shopping! She has helped thousands of people - of all shapes and sizes - across the age spectrum to discover their own individual style and make positive changes in their lives. She shared lots of ‘tricks of the trade’, tips and ideas that the rich and famous utilise daily to keep their images strong and up-to-date.
Alicia was also on hand to assist with the short fashion show after tea when Dorothy and Rhianon from Belles and Beaux provided many outfits, from daywear to evening wear, that showed a range of styles available for the summer season, either for purchase or rent. The amateur models from Langleys did a splendid job and twirled and turned like consummate professionals.
Our special guest, “The Artful Dodger” and his jockey, showed up for photo opportunities mid-afternoon, right on cue. He very patiently put up with all the fuss and attention as the photographers posed him this way and that to get that perfect shot.
Photograph: Our very patient special guest - "The Artful Dodger"
The lunch was a way of thanking our outgoing Chair, Christine Peacock, for all her hard work in promoting and supporting the BWL network over the past three years. Christine has now handed over the baton to Kate Hindmarch, partner at Langleys Solicitors, who will take over the Chair role and steer the group forward in 2007/08. Christine will stay on as Vice-Chair for a year.
The whole event - the first of its kind for BWL - was a huge success and the afternoon fulfilled all of our expectations - a fun, networking lunch with a difference for members and guests. We’ve been asked to do it again next year - should we? Perhaps we have other ideas?
