VIDEO: Get your own (more glamorous) Gok with new personal shopping service
It can be hard to know if you’re pear-shaped, apple-shaped, or ‘inverted triangle’ without a fashion fairy-godmother, but help is at hand in the form of Debenhams’ personal shopper, and the best part is you don’t have to let Gok grab your ‘baps’ or Trinny jiggle your belly on national telly.
Rachel Mulcahy, 21, works at the Debenhams store in The Mall Luton, and it’s her job to make every man and women feel fantastic in stylish new clothes. I went to find out how she waves her magic wand to transform even the dullest dressers into confident, glamorous fashionistas.
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Hide AdAnyone can book a free appointment with Rachel, which includes complimentary drinks and treats, and the only thing you have to pay for is any clothes you want to buy.
Rachel said: “I’ve been the personal shopper here for about 18 months and I absolutely love it. I spend between half an hour to three hours with my clients and basically I shop for them. I start by looking at their body shape, their skin tone, hair colour and personality to work out what will suit them. Then, while they wait in my room, I go and get them clothes, shoes and accessories to try on and see what they like.”
Debenhams personal shoppers don’t work on commission, so if you look better in a £30 dress than in a £100 dress, they won’t be telling you to buy the more expensive one.
Rachel said: “I’m completely honest and tell my clients the truth about what suits them. Often when people come in they’re a little nervous, so I make them feel comfortable and get chatting to relax them and find out what they want.
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Hide Ad“I listen to what they like but I also take them away from their comfort zone to try new things. It’s all about building up their confidence too. When I first started I had a lady that came in after having a baby. She wanted a completely new work wardrobe but she had no confidence. After our session she went away with loads of new clothes feeling really happy, and that’s what makes me so pleased to see.”
Rachel said it’s mostly women who come to see her, but she has had some men, and even some cross-dressers!
Having worked with Gok’s own stylist team when the presenter visited Luton last year, Rachel says she takes a lot of inspiration from him, and also from fashion magazines and films like Devil Wears Prada.
She said: “I’ve always wanted to go into styling and I decided to work my way up in retail rather than going to university. If I wasn’t a personal shopper I’d probably go for a consultation myself. It’s a good experience and it’s really fun.”
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Hide AdI certainly enjoyed my taster session –I even ended up buying the Henry Holland dress I tried on in the picture.
Debenhams is currently undergoing a complete revamp and the transformed store with new brands and concessions will be launched at the end of May.
All Debenhams stores now have the personal shopper service, visit http://www.debenhams.com/customer-service/personal-shopper to book your session.