You can carry on reading the latest in fashion, style and Village news over on http://blog.chicoutletshopping.com.
See you there soon, thank you.
We have moved!
February 6th, 2012 by tara Ted Baker: Grand Opening Event
September 20th, 2011 by Guest Author
Dear friend,
I hope this letter finds you well and, like me, in fine spirits.
Writing these words makes me think back to how it all started for me. You see, back when I opened my first store in Glasgow, I made it my business to know my customers by name and to see to their every need.
These days, it’s impossible to know all my customers personally, but I’m proud to say that, from Manchester to Manhattan, Hong Kong to Las Vegas, the name ‘Ted Baker’ still remains synonymous with unparalleled customer service and – of course – stylish clothing with a clear focus on quality and unwavering attention to detail.
That’s why I am proud to take this opportunity to invite you to join me at the opening of my splendid new store in Bicester Village from the 22– 25 September 2011.
While you will, of course, be able to shop my autumn/winter collection which offers an explosion of playful detailing, tactile fabrics, and vivid colours, you’ll also have the chance to soak up my new store’s sumptuous new interior, enjoy a quick game of crazy golf, and take part in my marvelous competition to win a £250 shopping spree and exclusive trip to Waddesdon Manor.
And if that wasn’t enough, we’ll have complimentary gifts to give away and some delicious nibbles and refreshments, thanks to my good friends at Mary’s Tea Parties and The Travelling Gin Company.
Some say that looking after my customers like this is unnecessary. I say that this is how we do things at Ted Baker – always have, always will.
I look forward to seeing you there.
With my very best wishes,
Ted
Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
May 16th, 2011 by Guest Author
Early summer is an incredibly exciting time for us here at Le Manoir. Raymond has been busy working closely with Gary Jones Executive Head Chef, Anne Marie Owens Head Gardner and Jo Campbell Head Vegetable Gardener to re-view the planting schedules for the year ahead.
Le Manoir‘s magnificent two acre vegetable and herb garden produces over 90 types of vegetables, many of which Raymond discovered within his mother’s garden. Together with 70 types of herb, this garden supplies the restaurant’s kitchen with its daily needs for eight months of the year and as spring is with us, we are now beginning to reap the rewards. Raymond and the kitchen brigade are constantly developing Le Manoir menus, with the seasons at the forefront of their minds; this season enjoy ‘Grilled wild hand-line caught Cornish MSC Mackerel, honey, soy and ginger†or Assiette of Pyrenees Lamb, peas, broad beans, baby onions.
Having caught up with our Head Gardner, Anne Marie Owens and her Head Vegetable Gardener Jo Campbell, their recommendations for budding gardeners would be to wait until the end the month before planting your vegetable plot. You should consider sowing your pepper and aubergine seeds but remember to keep them warm in a heated greenhouse.
All of Le Manoir poly tunnels are now washed and prepared for the year ahead. Arriving now are our seed orders, from French heritage varieties to new Asian vegetables, all of which we are trialling this year.
Escape from the stresses of everyday life and enjoy a Midweek Break with us from £680.00 per room per night and take time to rediscover the gardens for yourselves.
What to wear this Wedding Season
April 27th, 2011 by Claudia MahoneyThe imminent nuptials of two very famous Kate M’s has thrown direct 
light on the very distinctive sartorial styles this summer to wear to weddings. The officially royal celebration would demand a certain code of dress, and the best way to buy into this is through the minimalist luxe trend that was seen at Calvin Klein, Jil Sander, Stella McCartney, Chloe and Celine. Sharp, almost architectural tailoring hits a futuristic note, but by adding in a touch of vibrant colour blocking you can add a sense of fun to the look. Rock and Roll royalty at the other end of the spectrum for Kate Moss means you can embrace the joyous boho and 70’s trend that is so strong again for the summer. Channel Bianca Jagger for a more polished approach, or Ali McGraw in Love Story for a chic but charming look. Wide leg palazzo pants, silk blouses, Halston-esque dresses and floral layering can all be found at Dolce & Gabbana, DVF, Alexander McQueen, Marni , Roberto Cavalli and Dior. If you want to achieve a formal wedding look on a modest budget, look no further than the example of our future queen who chose Reiss for that all important photo call.
But what to wear for the most important lady of the day herself, the bride? Soft romantic dresses can be found at Alice Temperley, who cleverly designs based on a vintage vibe, allowing the bride to look relaxed on the big day despite the delicate lace, layers and floaty fabrics. If your wedding budget doesn’t stretch to the designer, the beautiful dresses in Monsoon have a very similar feel for a fraction of the cost. Amanda Wakeley opts for more dramatic clean lines, neat tailoring, and a sexier more glamorous look. I love this dress that is so simple, but gives such a dramatic silhouette. If your wedding is abroad, or you want a more current look, look no further than the exquisite dresses in Valentino. Beautifully boned and corseted underneath, they have an innocence that is very cute, without looking saccharine and the draped short dress in Prada would make a very elegant bride.
What’s going on under the dress is probably only a matter of great concern for the groom, but good quality lingerie that provides the relevant support but looks suitably ‘bridal’ is important as it is the foundation for what goes on top. Agent Provocateur have an adorable tongue in cheek gift set, as well as divine corsets, and matching knickers that would be the p
ride and joy of any self respecting burlesque dancer. La Perla have a beautiful set that would tick off your something blue, albeit a subtle powdery colour. L
K Bennett is a no-brainer for the bridesmaids, with their bias cut chiffon dresses that suit almost any shape or size available in a rainbow of colours. I also spotted really cute necklaces in Annoushka which I think would make treasured bridesmaid gifts. Bonpoint provides the most adorable flower girl dress, and Le Creuset offers the cutest wedding present for the bride and groom who have everything, with their heart shaped dish in rose pink.
Get set for The Season…
April 15th, 2011 by Claudia Mahoney
No one wants to turn up at a formal function wearing the same as someone else, marking you at as a style sheep. Yet creating different looks for all the events of the summer can cause a financial as well as wardrobe crisis.
Since colour-blocking is the biggest trend, try buying separates in clashing colour and mix and match to various events.
However, investing in classic looks does repay you in the end, through the cut, fabric and just the way a designer frock makes you feel, and therefore move. Confidence in the way you look is worth its weight in gold. The cost/cut compromise doesn’t need to be made at 
Bicester Village judging by the beauties I found up there.
My all time favourite is my Joan Holloway moment I had in Prada in the beautifully cut and sumptuous fabric of a raspberry beauty. I fear a diet post baby and some sturdy underwear would be called for, but the shape and length and cap sleeves would serve well for seasonal events that require a more modest dress code.
The zing of colours was seen all over the catwalk this season
and has filtered down to the high street. Balance conservative shapes with outrageous tones, such as this skirt suit I found in Fendi or the rich plums and purples in Hobbs.
Fashion being a contrary mistress, the other big trend to counteract the rainbow colours, is softer florals, and there was a riot of flowers out to bloom on my visit. The floral shift and chic blazer I saw in the window of Dolce and Gabbana would work well on a mature lady, as would the wide skirt coat from Hobbs , whilst the fab monochrome frenzy of chiffon again from Dolce is a really fun look for a girl much taller and slimmer than my good self, but you couldn’t fail to be in a good mood wearing it, and ditto with the super cute multi coloured 
chiffon disc mini dress from DVF.
Layering different floral patterns was done to great effect at D&G, and would quickly create a more zany, individual look. Try layering a floral jacket over a different floral dress.
Don’t be afraid to go long, overseas weddings, garden parties and a day at the races provide you with a chance to show your style stripes, and by opting for something longer, in a delicate fabric you can create a striking silhouette as the fabric billows around your ankles, perfectly demonstrated in this lemon chiffon dress from Alexander MQueen and the tangerine and gold embellished kaftan from Temperley or the Grecian goddess look in red from Amanda Wakeley. Dresses so evocative, you could wish yourself away to a sunny beach by just wearing them.
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