Behind the Scenes of the 2010 Autumn Winter Shoot

I know...the British weather has only just decided that it's Summer and we're already talking about the Autumn/Winter months ahead! At Damart we work 6 months ahead of schedule, to make sure that we hit our deadlines and give you the best products and promotions.

Here's an exclusive sneak preview, so you can see what the team get up to to make sure the catalogues look amazing each season......

In February the catalogue design team plus 5 models, photographers and hair & makeup professionals headed west to Miami for 3 weeks, to shoot the Autumn Winter book. Working on location in sunny climates is definitely one perk of the job and Miami had it all, from beaches to Italian manor houses.

Each day was fun packed with different locations and different collections to shoot. This year the Pearl Bay collection was shot on Bill Baggs beach and the weather wasn't very kind!

Here's the team sheltering from a rain storm!

Design District was another glamorous location - here's model Ana posing with the wall art!

Steve, camera assistant is setting up to shoot on Lincoln Road.

Brent, design manager and Julie, stylist taking it easy at Vizcaya (Italian manor house) whilst shooting the Timeless Elegance collection.

After 3 weeks of hard work and getting a very nice Winter tan, the team celebrates the end of the shoot

 
You can see all the teams hard work in the Autumn Winter book that will be launched at the end of July.
 
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John's Best Day so Far!

Damart's Marketing Director, John has teamed up with the rest of the Damart directors and is taking part in the walking challenge...here is a little update from John:

"Global Corporate Challenge, day 5...best day so far! Over 14,000 steps....shopping really adds up and today I walked to 5 Rise Locks in Bingley near our head office - ended up walking the wrong side of the canal and had to take my shoes and socks off and wade over the canal slipway....cool water on hot feet, fantastic!"

Damart Staff Set for Walk Around the World

More than 245 Damart staff will be putting their best foot forward in this year’s Global Corporate Challenge- an annual event which encourages staff to join together and walk themselves to better health.

Staff from both Bingley and Steeton sites will endeavor to each walk 10,000 steps over the next 16 weeks, completing a virtual walk around the world and adopting a more active and healthy lifestyle in the workplace.

Damart’s HR Director Linda Montgomery commented, “The Global Corporate Challenge is a great way for staff to enjoy an active lifestyle. It has already created a fantastic buzz, with staff enjoying the sense of competition across all departments!

Our ongoing Healthy Heart Campaign, linked with local Heart Research UK charity, already encourages staff to start thinking about healthy living and make healthier lifestyle choices. Initiatives include regular Pilates classes, exercise sessions with the Bradford Bulls and a heart check up.”

John Bottomley, Damart’s Marketing Director commented, “I’m thrilled to see so many of our staff involved in this testing challenge. 10,000 steps a day is quite a feat, but to help staff reach that target we have arranged a variety of lunchtime walks in and around Bingley and Steeton that should help.”

The teams are required to record their individual steps counts, which are then tallied into a daily team total and plotted on the Global Corporate Challenge website to complete a virtual walk around the world.

For every employee that signs up to the Challenge, a place will be given to a local primary school child in Bingley to take part in the Global Corporate Children’s Challenge; funded entirely by the Global Corporate Challenge.

The challenge kicks off on Thursday 20th May - so wish us luck, we'll definitely need it!

Say 'Yes Sir' to Military Chic

Longer-line cardigans were huge last season and they have been just as big this Spring/Summer. In case we don’t get an Indian summer, this long-line cardigan from Damart is perfect to pull on when you feel that Spring breeze.

Cardigans are great for layering up over a floral dress or a blouse/skirt combo with a skinny belt. Inspired by designers such as Alexandra Wang and Michael Kors a long cardigan is a wardrobe essential.

Longline Military Cardigan, available in sizes 10-24 from £25

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Get set for Summer with a gilet

With everyone eagerly anticipating the arrival of Summer, it’s difficult to know what to wear to suit the unpredictable British weather.

For a casual-chic look, Damart’s feminine, fitted gilets are perfect for layering with jersey basics and teaming with your favourite pair of jeans.

The gilet below is available in pink, beige and green in sizes 12-26 from £25.

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To see our full range of gilets at damart.co.uk click here

Beverley Knight is Wearing it Pink with Damart and Breast Cancer Campaign

We can now reveal that the face of this year's Breast Cancer Campaign pink cami is the gorgeous soul singer, Beverley Knight.

Each year Damart and Breast Cancer Campaign team up to raise funds for the charity by designing and selling a thermal pink cami.
So a few weeks ago we went down to London for the pink cami shoot and had a great time with Beverley getting the perfect shot.

Here are a few 'behind the scenes' photos to see what we get up to when we have a day out of the office!

Beverley getting her hair retouched and looking glamorous.

Beverley striking a pose!

Beverley with our Creative Manager, Rachel and Marketing Director, John

Beverley said: 'Breast cancer is a disease that sadly affects alot of people's live, which is why I am thrilled to be able to help raise awareness, and ultimately as much money for Breast Cancer Campaign as possible.'

The cami priced from £14 (£4 donation to Breast Cancer Campaign) will be on sale in September, so remember to visit http://www.damart.co.uk/ to order yours.

Colour Yourself in Coral

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Coral is back with a bang this spring/summer. Stand out this season with Damart’s chic coral swing jacket. With it’s over sized statement buttons this bold but feminine jacket is a key piece for your wardrobe.

Available in sizes 12-26 and priced from £39 the jacket is a must have.

From dark red coral to light salmon pink numerous A-listers such as Eva Longoria and Zoe Kravitz have already been spotted donning the colour on the red carpet, signalling its return.

Coral-coloured dresses, tops, tunics and dazzling accessories will light up your wardrobe this season and give your skin a healthy glow.

Give it your own unique twist by teaming the jacket with colourful jewellery and bold accessories, or keep it simple with classic gold jewellery and a neutral clutch.

The Winner is Announced!

Every year we do a £50,000 cash prize draw and this year the lucky winner was Mrs Lawson from Hertfordshire. She was absolutely thrilled when we told her the good news and couldn't believe she'd scooped the top prize.

Last month we headed south to present her with the oversized cheque and took her out for a champagne lunch. She has decided to spend the money on a new kitchen and save some of it for the future, when she might move closer to her daughter.

Both Mr and Mrs Lawson really enjoyed the day out and are looking forward to their home improvements!

Shop today to be entered into this year's £50,000 cash prize draw. Click here