Fashion
intu Watford prepares for safe ‘non-essential retail’ reopening
intu Watford has outlined how it will safely support the gradual reopening of non-essential retail stores at the centre in line with Government guidelines.
The plan drawn up to keep everyone who visits or works there safe includes new social distancing and hygiene procedures and more support to help brands safely reopen their stores.
Whilst unique to intu Watford, it was developed by a taskforce of experts from across intu who used a series of central, common principles for intu’s 14 shopping destinations across the UK as well as research carried out among shopping centre visitors.
It includes placing limits on the number of people and cars allowed into the centre at a time, with some parking bays closed, and there will be a raft of other measures including one-way systems, floor stickers and staff training to ensure visitors stay socially distanced.
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Enhanced hygiene regimes that were introduced at the start of the outbreak will continue, with more deep cleaning of key areas and touchpoints like escalators, toilets and keypads. These measures have remained in place while intu Watford provides vital access to essential services such as pharmacies, supermarkets and banks during the lockdown period. Hand sanitation stands will also remain at entrances and other locations throughout the centre for visitors to use during their visit.
And intu Watford staff will be given personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep them safe.
The plan is being fully communicated to intu Watford’s brand customers (retailers) who will continue to be provided with support to help them reopen safely and in line with Government guidelines, such as with queuing zones in the malls to ensure social distancing can be maintained inside stores.
intu Watford prepares for safe ‘non-essential retail’ reopening
Matthew Roberts, chief executive of intu, said: “intu is the biggest landlord for most of our brand customers so we have been working to help them plan the reopening of their stores as soon and as safely as they can.
“Experts from across intu have formed a specialist taskforce who have considered everything we need to run intu Watford and our others centres as safely as possible, with a series of central, common principles for the portfolio and individual plans for each centre.
This includes working with our brand customers and providing them with all the support they need to reopen safely, as well as new social distancing and hygiene procedures to keep everyone who visits or works in our centres safe.
“We have introduced enhanced cleaning regimes and hand sanitation stands throughout every centre, measures to limit the number of visitors and ensure they stay socially distanced once inside, and given our staff the protective equipment they need to stay safe.
“We know we cannot do this alone and everyone who visits our centres whether for work or to shop will play their part in keeping themselves and each other safe by following the official guidelines, and the instructions and safety information provided by our teams.
Our teams have been working incredibly hard to keep our centres clean and safe during the lockdown and we are hugely grateful to them, and we would also like to thank our brand customers and visitors for all their cooperation and patience so far.”
For more information, visit www.visitwatford.com and follow their Instagram account for updates.
“After two very long years dealing with the pandemic, we are finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel” says Blake Kuwahara. “This Spring Collection reflects that hopeful optimism with more color and adventurous shapes”. His design ethos of creating eyewear that is at once artful yet wearable is evident in his signature frame-within-a-frame laminated technique and use of contrasting colors as well as his cast bone motif used in his Grey Label Collection.
Also dropping this Summer will be a limited edition of the now iconic CHAMBERS in a custom Rainbow acetate in honor of PRIDE. “I posted a rendering of the CHAMBERS in rainbow colors on Instagram to celebrate and recognize the LGBTQ Community during PRIDE Month, and it got such an overwhelming response that we decided to produce it!”, says Kuwahara.
“With the lifting of COVID-related restrictions and a pent-up demand, retail is continuing gain traction buoyed by consumer optimism,” says Richard Mewha, President of Fade To Grey, the distributing company for Blake Kuwahara Eyewear.
Blake Kuwahara designs are available from leading independent opticians across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.
Kuwahara, the founder of the multi-disciplinary design agency, Focus Group West, first gained international acclaim as the creator and designer of the exclusive KATA Eyewear brand. His groundbreaking use of engineering and production techniques together with his highly curated eye reinvented the way eyewear design is approached today.
Kuwahara’s bold experimentation and innovation have gained him a following in the fashion media and has been profiled in Vogue, ELLE, Bazaar, GQ, In Style, and Esquire and has been seen on E!, Access Hollywood, MTV, and CNN. Buzzmagazine voted Kuwahara one of the “100 Coolest People in Los Angeles” and Detour magazine called him, “a gifted talent, blessed with savvy and unmistakable sense of style.”
Kuwahara was recently named by Brilliant Magazine as one of the “100 Most Important People in the Eyewear Industry”. Kuwahara has also collaborated extensively on eyewear collections for John Varvatos, Carolina Herrera, Isaac Mizrahi, Behnaz Sarapfour, Hanae Mori, and Coach.
A celebrity favorite, Kuwahara’s designs are worn by Lil Nas X, Elton John, QuestLove, Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, Charlize Theron, Halle Berry, Robert Downey, Jr., Will Smith, Jeremy Piven, Samuel L. Jackson, Casey Affleck, Slash, and Gwyneth Paltrow among many others.
As a groom, it might be daunting to know where to start when it comes to choosing your wedding suit. There are some classic choices you can go for. For years, grey, blue, or black suits have been the favourite for grooms across the nation, matched with timeless brown or black shoes. There are options to personalise this suit too, with bold ties or even socks giving you an opportunity to express your personal flair in a subtle way.
But your wedding style shouldn’t be restricted by tradition. Menswear clothing retailer Charles Tyrwhitt have looked into current trends in men’s wedding fashion and helped create these tips on bringing these trends to your own wedding.
The roaring ‘20s and the 2020s
Formal suits have been around for decades. However, fashionable suits from a century ago were worn very differently from the suits that have seen popularity in recent years.
Having said that, with the global success of Peaky Blinders, ‘20s fashion is back in style. If you happen to be a fan of the series, why not take inspiration for your wedding suit? The cast is dressed to the nines throughout, and there are some easy ways to replicate their iconic look.
First off, choose a tweed suit in Herringbone or Donegal for a more rustic style. To complete the ‘20s look, you’re going to need to make use of accessories. Naturally, the Peaky Blinders were defined by their much-mythologised peaked cap, so adorning yourself in one of these will give you that instantly recognisable silhouette that you’re looking for. Top this all off with a statement gold pocket watch to complete the look of a well-dressed working gent.
Be creative with colour
While some of us will want to appeal to tradition, others will prefer to break away from those styles that came before. For these intrepid pioneers of fashion, experimenting with colour is a fantastic way to express their style know-how.
It can be tempting to play it safe with blues and greys, but your wedding day is the best time to make a statement. Now, you can opt for colours that will turn heads without sacrificing any of the class appropriate for the special occasion. In this sense, a deep red suit, in burgundy or wine, is a unique option that oozes sophisticated style. It’s a choice that will serve you well throughout the wedding day, being the perfect choice for both the ceremony and the late-night dancing.
Depending on when your wedding takes place, matching your suit colour with the season can be a great way to tie your whole day together. Unsurprisingly, an ONS survey from 2018 showed that summer was the most popular season for weddings. To pair with this season, you should go bright with light and natural colours. If you’re having a winter wedding, dark colours are the most fitting, so try a pine green or earthy brown.
Marriage in microprint
Colour and material are overarching points to consider when choosing your wedding suit. You’ll likely already have an idea of what you’re looking for in these places. However, the smaller aspects of men’s suits are just as important as the main pieces.
When you’re looking to add detail to your suit, many people will turn to accessories first. Pocket squares, ties, socks, and jewellery can be great additions, but a microprint suit can really serve to bind your look together. While forsaking the standard block-colour look, microprint items ensure that, no matter how close they get, people will always see more detail in your outfit.
There is plenty of variety in the patterns that you can choose too, so you can be specific about going for a pattern that really suits you. If you’re looking for ways to diversify your outfits too, you could use a microprint jacket with matching coloured trousers and waistcoat. You could even go for a microprint shirt to give a more subtle splash of variety to your look.
A statement waistcoat
There are many bold trends hitting men’s fashion that can make it overwhelming to settle on one style. Being restricted by tradition can be difficult, but being faced with too much choice can be just as challenging. Sometimes, a middle ground provides the best solution.
If you’re fond of a traditional suit but would like to embrace a modern twist, picking a statement waistcoat for your look could be the perfect answer. You can incorporate this as a complementary colour or pattern to match the rest of your look, but you can be as daring as you choose.
Pairing a tartan-patterned waistcoat in blue and green could be an understated flair of colour to really elevate your outfit. On the other hand, a striking mustard waistcoat against a dark blue suit will make sure that you’re the centre of attention throughout the day. Better yet, once it’s time to doff the jacket and hit the dancefloor, you’ll be impossible not to notice.
These are a few ways that you can stay on-trend with the latest wedding looks and make sure that you’re dressed in style for the big day. Weddings are a momentous occasion, whether you’re the lucky groom or an honoured guest, so it’s important that you look your best.
About Charles Tyrwhitt
Wherever you’re working, weekending or getting wed, Charles Tyrwhitt have got the togs for you.
Charles Tyrwhitt Bicester Village
Charles Tyrwhitt is a part of Bicester Village is situated in Bicester, England. Open 7 days a week, the store is one of two Charles Tyrwhitt stores located in the Three Counties of Beds, Bucks & Herts.
Charles Tyrwhitt Bicester Village
50 Pingle Drive
Bicester
England OX26 6WD
United Kingdom
Charles Tyrwhitt Marlow
Charles Tyrwhitt Marlow is located on Marlow High Street. Open 7 days a week, the store is one of two Charles Tyrwhitt stores located in the Three Counties of Beds, Bucks & Herts.
Charles Tyrwhitt Marlow
44 High Street
Marlow
Buckinghamshire
SL7 1AW
This Valentine’s Day, Love Island power couple Alex & Olivia Bowen front Threadbare’s exclusive Valentine’s Day Collection campaign, featuring stylish and timeless capsule staples.
Threadbare’s Valentine’s Day Collection offers affordable luxury and premium quality essentials, with luxury, satin nightwear sets for a cosy evening by the fire, sophisticated date night midi wrap dresses, and winter chic puffers and gilets for a romantic Valentine’s Day stroll.
Introducing Threadbare
Threadbare is driven to bring up-to-date fashion trends, great quality and even better prices to the fashion-conscious male. Staple pieces for every episode of life, from the normal work week through to activewear and holiday wardrobe inspiration.
Our favourites from the Threadbare Valentine’s Day Collection
- Sleep in comfort and style in our Threadbare Mia satin night dress
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Lavender Women’s Knitted Pink & Red Striped Jumper
