Well known from her many series on the small screen, Mary Portas joined us at Kent House to talk about her fascinating story, starting from a time early in her career when she critically ‘stalked the floor’ of Harvey Nichols prior to turning it into the forward looking, trend setting department store that it is today, a startling contrast to the fusty outlet of old, more associated with dowagers than daring designers.

 

Mary has subsequently gone on to launch her own creative company with a specific mission to transform businesses into brands - places and spaces that people want in their lives. Today her team works with clients ranging from Mercedes to Sainsbury’s whilst she has also become a regular on TV presenting series such as Mary Portas: Secret Shopper and Mary Queen of the High Street. 

 

Her latest book I Shop, Therefore I Am takes us behind the shop window and tells first-hand how, armed only with the blank canvas of a shop window and her own striking creativity, Mary turned Harvey Nicks into a store known for its outrageous, headline grabbing, traffic-stopping window displays, going on to create a business empire that has stood the test of time.

 

"Portas is a sort of tornado, unpredictable, funny and slightly terrifying, travelling at the speed of light. But in the quiet eye of this storm of a book lies great wisdom and truth. Absolutely irresistible. " JOANNA LUMLEY

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