Emma Willis on leaving her comfort zone, designing her first ever footwear range and bringing a pop of colour to her spring 2020 Edit
A year since launching her first clothing launch for Next, Emma Willis is back with a spring 2020 edit featuring footwear for the very first time. We sat down with the presenter to hear about her latest range which launches online on the 27th February and in store at The Rock Bury on the 10th March.
On Designing Footwear
With five collections already under her belt, this will be the presenter’s first range that features footwear. Emma’s previous collections included lingerie, jewellery and sportswear but this range features shoes and sandals that can be styled for multiple occasions.
“With sandals, I like something that’s super simple and flattering on the legs. I tend to wear flats more in the summer.”
The footwear designs successfully continue her philosophy as a designer, where she prioritises combining style, comfort and affordability for her collections with Next. This season’s pieces are easily adaptable, perfect for any occasion and for taking you from spring into summer.
On Embracing Colour
As well as designing footwear for the first time, Emma has stepped out of her comfort zone with this collection by becoming increasingly adventurous with her colour choices.
While this collection sees pops of red, blue and white present in dresses, skirts and tailoring, past collections have stuck to more muted and neutral tones. This move towards colour is testament to the fact Emma is becoming more comfortable than ever and is seizing the opportunity to explore bold colours and patterns, especially during spring and summertime.
Meanwhile, her favourite pieces from the latest range are a surprising choice for the mum-of-three, who always claimed to favour trousers over dresses.
“I would say my favourite pieces in this collection are surprisingly all the dresses. I honestly think we’ve nailed it. They’re really easy to wear, really versatile, you can wear them to work or out to drinks, they cover up in all the right places. I am for the first time in my life saying that dresses are my favourite bit.”
On Stepping Out Of Comfort Zones
Emma is living proof that stepping out of your comfort zone can yield great results – an approach she tries to pass onto her daughters. She also wants to instil compassion and kindness in them:
“I would like them to know their worth. I want them to be strong in body and mind but also kind and compassionate and caring – I suppose all the things I feel I got from my mum, I hope that they will have got from me and from my mum.”
Emma’s latest spring edit includes a range of leopard, polka dot and Eastern-influenced designs in sizes 6-22. It’s available online from 27th February or in store at The Rock Bury from 10th March.
…The Rock Rockettes will be surprising and delighting our visitors with random acts of kindness on selected Saturdays in February and March.
We can’t tell you any more than that, but if you encounter The Rockettes and they brighten your Saturday, we’d love it if you’d share it with us using #TheRockRockettes
Please note shoppers selected for any surprises will are chosen at random.
The Rock is giving its visitors a chance to win £250 in vouchers every Saturday for the next four weeks.
We have teamed up with Tower FM for its ‘The Rock Secret Shopper’ competition.
From September 8th until September 29th, running on Saturdays only, a ‘secret shopper’ will be at the centre between 11am and 3pm. Shoppers needs to tune into Tower FM to listen for clues to find the mystery person.
Then they simply need to ask them ‘Are you The Rock Secret Shopper?’ and if it is the lucky entrant will scoop the £250 voucher prize.
If there is no winner on any given week the prize fund will roll over.
Arnold Wilcox-Wood, centre director at The Rock, said: “We’re really looking forward to the first day of this exciting competition this Saturday and we hope to see lots of visitors asking ‘Are you The Rock Secret Shopper?’
“With the summer holidays over we wanted to run a competition for our visitors which would be both fun and engaging with a great prize at the end of it.
“The secret shopper is also a complete mystery to us – that’s how secret they are! We look forward to giving away so great voucher bundles throughout the month.”
A fashion and beauty showcase proved to be a huge hit with shoppers visiting The Rock.
We hosted our six day long Rock Your Summer Look event in a large marquee in St John’s Square from May 29th until June 3rd.
It included a Pamper Zone running from Tuesday to Friday where hundreds of shoppers made the most of free treatments including manicures, make-up, hair styling and eyebrow shaping. There was also a Gents’ Grooming Chair with free beard, nose hair, ear hair and eyebrow trimming.
We asked for donations to be made to our current partner charity, The Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour Charity and over four days more than £570 was raised.
The week culminated with a series of fashion shows taking place throughout Friday, Saturday and Sunday where models showcased the hottest summer looks for women, men and children
There was also entertainment provided by The Roc Squad hip-hop dance group and the Carol Godby Theatre Workshop.
Arnold Wilcox-Wood, centre director of The Rock, said: “Our fashion and beauty event had a revamp for this year with more activity, a new name and a new look and we’re thrilled at how popular it has proved to be with our shoppers.
“Our Pamper Zone was busy every day and the feedback from our visitors has been extremely positive. The fun carried on into the weekend with a packed agenda of fashion shows and dance performances. We already can’t wait for next year’s event.”
Are you stuck for what to buy the special someone in your life this Christmas? Have you got a colleague in the Secret Santa draw but no idea what to buy them? Or need something for dad which is a little bit more exciting than socks? Or maybe you’ve decided you want to treat yourself – maybe to a new dress for the party season or that special fragrance you know and love.
Well, look no further, we’ve pulled together a handy gift guide – with the help of some of our retailers – to showcase just some of what you can buy here at The Rock this festive season.
If it’s pampering they’re into there’s some great gifts and stocking fillers available at Toni & Guy.
Buy a conditioner and get the shampoo half price – both come wrapped in a gift box.
Or, if you buy two products or one electrical item you’ll receive a free designer House of Holland clutch bag.
And if it’s something for Him you’re after, there’s this Label men’s gift set, priced at £24.45.
Plus don’t forget there’s a range of GHDs available to purchase in store.
Meanwhile, it’ll be hard to walk past Lush this Christmas without popping in store and stocking up on their goodies.
The store’s ‘Night Before Christmas’ set – priced at £10.95 is ideal for Secret Santa exchanges.
Or if you’re looking for something that’s extra special why not go for the ‘Stardust’ gift set, priced at £37.50 it contains some of the brand’s very popular Snow Fairy Range.
Does the lady in your life deserve an extra special treat? Maybe an advent calendar with a twist? Well, look no further than the ’12 Days of Christmas’ bundle filled with all the pampering treats she could wish for – priced at £67.50, this is super popular. Grab it while you can!
Over at Oasis there’s some gorgeous girly treats to make the perfect stocking fillers – including this dazzling hat and scarf twinkle set priced at £26 or these snug heart and strip socks priced at £7 – if’s sparkle they’re looking for what about this three set collection of pouches, priced at £25.
If it’s the perfect party outfit you’re looking for Oasis is the place to visit. We love this outfit the girls in store have put together. It’s a classic and would be a great addition to any wardrobe.
The Nottingham Lace Jacquard dress is priced at £60 and this stunning glitter sparkle envelope clutch is £20.
Complete the outfit with these scallop Estrella heels for £38. This look is available in store now.
If it’s a good pair of boots they’re after this Christmas – check out the latest collections at Deichmann. These Women’s Floral Embroidery Boot priced at £29.99 are both pretty and practical.
Don’t forget there’s plenty for the kids at Deichmann too, including these girl’s glitter high tops priced at £14.99.
And for the gents, these Venice men’s brown casual slip on boots would match with jeans and chinos and are the perfect choice for those looking for stylish and versatile footwear. Priced at £29.99, these are in store now – make sure you check them out.
Hundreds of students descended on The Rock for its third annual Student Savings Night.
Students from Bury College, Holy Cross, Hopwood Hall, Bolton University and the University of Manchester, enjoyed exclusive shopping discounts and offers from the centre’s retailers including H&M, River Island, The Perfume Shop, Oasis, Debenhams and more.
Plus there was upto 40% off at Pizza Express and Subway as well as savings on cinema tickets and bowling.
As well as special offers within the stores a number of activities were held in St John’s Square at The Rock including a free photobooth, inflatable twister, a spin the wheel game and £100 cash prize for the person who managed to stay on the surfboard simulator for the longest – Chad Meadows from Bolton bagged the cash after managing to say on for 72 seconds.
The evening culminated with students having the chance to meet Ex on The Beach star Ross Worswick and enjoy performances from the Carol Godby Theatre Workshop.
The Rock’s centre director, Arnold Wilcox-Wood, said: “Our Student Savings Night continues to go from strength to strength and has become a firm fixture in our events calendar.
“It was wonderful to see so many students here at the centre and making the most of these fabulous discounts and the free activities which ran throughout the evening.”
The countdown is on for this year’s Student Savings Night at The Rock.
Taking place on Thursday, September 28th from 3pm until 7pm the shopping and leisure destination is promising exclusive discounts from more than 40 brands, competitions and a personal appearance from Ex on the Beach star Ross Worswick.
Now in its third year, the Student Savings Night is becoming a firm fixture in The Rock’s event calendar. Stores including H&M, Topman, Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and Oasis are offering upto 20% off. Plus there’s 40% off at Pizza Express and Subway as well as savings on cinema tickets and bowling.
As well as discounts, there’ll be a free photobooth, inflatable twister, a spin the wheel game and £100 cash prize for the person who can stay on the rodeo bull for the longest.
Students attending are reminded to bring a valid student or college ID to ensure they are able to benefit from the exclusive, one night only offers.
Plus there’s 100 goody bags up for grabs for the first 100 students who show up and have pre-registered on The Rock’s website.
The Rock’s centre director, Arnold Wilcox-Wood, said: “Our Student Savings Night continues to go from strength to strength and we’re thrilled to be hosting it once again this year.
“This year’s event is set to be bigger and better with more prizes, freebies and offers for students to enjoy.”
Visit www.therockbury.com/studentsavings to find out more, pre-register for a goody bag and the chance to win a Nando’s feast for you and three friends.
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