Mary Portas Interview

Queen of shops Mary Portas struck fear into the heart of Manchester's shopping centre last week... She arrived to promote her new collaboration with Clarks

Mary & Clarks

She arrived to promote her new collaboration with Clarks, no doubt causing the proprietors of Market Street's finest shops to dive for cover in a way not seen since Miss Selfridges went up in flames. The retail expert thankfully had more prying matters on her mind, than whipping flagging northern retailers into shape on a rainy October evening.

As the Champagne and Martini flowed, Manchester Gossip was lucky enough to grab a few minutes with Mary, who told us about her new collection 'Mary and Clarks'. A limited edition range that includes chic platform courts, ankle wedges and the highly sought after La Magdalene satin sandal.

Hot on the heels of launching her own clothing store within House of Fraser, designing a collection of shoes sounds like hard-work, so did you not feel like a rest?

“I'm seriously knackered” Laughs Portas. “I have been involved in everything inside-out from details about the punch of a hole, to the signing off of the range itself, it all involves time.”

For anybody who watched the first episode of Mary's new show, Mary Queen of Frocks, you may be acquainted with the time and effort the fiery redhead put into making her vision a dream. Struggling at first to find a retailer to stock and make her clothing range, when it came to shoes Clarks were behind the vision 100%.

“The thing about Clarks is that it is a classic, and what people don't understand is that it is the biggest shoe brand in the world. So in terms of heritage, design and craftsmanship it is phenomenal. So it was a no-brainer for me to partner with them.”

“I thought if I could get a really cool bunch of shoes, mixed with comfort, design and real heritage, we would have something the public want, and just look at everyone here.” She answers pointing to the scores of people currently populating the Clarks Store.

A stronger journalist would possibly argue this point with the fact that in a cold rain-soaked Manchester, we are in a warm shop serving free alcohol. However the sales themselves tell another story, with around 9000 pairs sold in just over four weeks and a waiting list of 1000's, it is pretty clear that Portas knows what she is doing.

 “I think that shoppers today have started to think about what really is good value,” She explains. “We have come to the height of consumerism, where we are no longer willing to buy anything at any price, and as consumers we are starting to connect with brands that have a greater integrity.”

Portas believes that you won't be able to get as good a designer shoe for the same price anywhere else. “A designer shoe won't be made as well for a quarter of the price, and that is where I think the market is starting to move to. You will always have your top end, but it is the mid-market where I hope to fill the gap.”

It's a very symbiotic relationship we have

“I don't want to be on the end of the season rails and would love to do another collection with Clarks. It's a very symbiotic relationship we have, and that is when things come together and work.”

As the crowded room soon starts to become restless for Mary's attention, I quickly ask would she ever consider making shoes for men?

“80% of women buy for their old man and I really want to do men's shoes, some beautiful patterned brogues or the classic loafer made from lovely Italian leather.” she enthuses moving towards the masses who have congregated around her like a fashion messiah.

Then turning back with a wicked glint in her eye she concludes. “You’re not at that age yet, but women still have the purchasing power.” And in an instant she is engulfed by a sea of oestrogen filled camera-phones and autograph hunters. 

By Adam Yare

Photos Craige Barker