Last updated 17:12, Monday, 06 October 2008

Fashion guru Marie Twiss-Walker is on hand in Hoopers for fashion advice and in-store personal shopping. She says: “I’ve had over 25 years experience working for Bulloughs, coming into retail with my first passion of cosmetics and fragrance.

Marie Twiss-Walker

“I enjoy customer service in a good old fashioned way and after having worked for Hoopers for over two years, I now feel I’ve had the best possible combination.

“I came into fashion quite late but it was a natural evolution for me and has become my dream job.

“It’s very hard work as anyone in the business will tell you. But with different things arriving in the store every day it just makes life so exciting.

“Music is one luxury I just can’t live without and for that I need my MP3 player. Everyone who sees me walking to work every day will know that I zone out listening to it – I’m a Motown and soul girl.

“The simple pleasures after a hard day’s work would be a glass of wine and relaxing in front of the television.

“I watch Masterchef and Coronation Street if I am home in time. But my husband would say that in truth I never really relax – I am a confirmed workaholic!

“The classic ones are easy. In my opinion there are only two iconic classics that changed the face of fashion – Coco Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent. They brought something new to fashion when it was rather dull.

“As for the ones to watch – Philosophy by Alberta Ferretti, Armani and Chloe. Armani is such a strong, up and coming brand and Chloe is really starting to peek above the parapet.

“It sounds obvious, but the little black dress is making a huge come back.

“And no surprises with a good pair of Armani jeans. You can wear them so may ways - with knitwear and for dressing up they are fantastic.

“For this season the accessory is key. Whether it’s a belt and bag or a boot, it has to be in patent and in black, red or purple.

“Personal shopping is about the customer trusting you, so the very first thing that is important is that you have the customer as a friend.

“You need to relax them so that the advice you are giving is taken as really friendly and helpful.

“It’s about encouraging them to be experimental.”