Hot  new sandals for the Summer!

Each summer, we stock some really comfortable and versatile sandals from a company in London.
They are very light and easily slip into one's suitcase along with those airy summer clothes we all like to take on holiday.

 This season's styles are a mixture of "flats" and "wedges", which we hope you will love.
The flat sandals are priced at £38.50 and their wedge counterparts are £44, very competitvely priced you will find.
  


 

Yes , it does seem to be raining and cold much of the time, but Summer is definitely coming, so do come in and try these sandals on, as sizes do begin to run out by mid-summer.





 



The sandals are hand crafted in Africa and have leather uppers and soles.  The base of the soles are EVA, which is why they are so light.
There are 5 styles, with the wedges at a height of 2 inches at the heel.

          Spring-Summer 2012 Fashion Show @ Number 9

Our Spring-Summer 2012 Fashion show was a great success, from our perspective:

• The invitees had a wonderful time
• More than £800 was raised for the Lewis Manning Hospice over the two evenings.
• The food was wonderful and we discovered a new and very enjoyable white wine in the No. 9 cellars.
• We had fun interacting with everyone and watching the show.
• The models enjoyed talking about their outfits and were fed and watered (wined to be more accurate) behind the scenes.
• A lot of positive feedback was received by all the participants over the ensuing days.



Fraser puttting the final touches to Lesley



  

Each evening began with a hair-styling session for the models.  Fraser, from Reeves and Gallagher, performed brilliantly, giving the ladies hair both lustre and bounce.


None of the models wanted an actual cut just for the occasion, as they had recently had one, so Fraser had the challenge of giving them a glamourous style with a healthy sheen, but within strict constraints.

Diane, Greg and Helen

We entertained around 40 guests on each of the two nights. This was an ideal number because it enabled our models to display their costumes, shoes and accessories within the service time for the fantastic  “taster menu” devised by Number 9's chef, Greg Etheridge.


Diane and Helen performed brilliantly to ensure each course was delivered in a timely manner.


The taster menu was inspired. It comprised:

Aperitif

                                     A glass of bubbles and a selection of our bar savouries

Followed by:

Roasted, Lightly Spiced Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup

                                                                Served in a vintage tea cup
                Steamed Cornish Rope Grown Mussels with a Garlic Noilly Prat and Cream Sauce
                                                          Served with granary bread
                                          Miniature Chicken and New Season Asparagus Pie
                                                        Topped with Cheddar Glazed Mash
                                                        Served with Roasted Vegetable Crisps
                                                  Chocolate Brownie with Fresh Blood Orange
                                                                  Served with Clotted Cream
                                                                        Warm Treacle Tart

 The fashion show began around the time the food began to appear. There follow a series of photographs depicting the outfits and accessories worn.

Katie in a Joules dress

Hannah in a Seasalt dress




 

A few of our guests enjoying the ambience at No. 9

Our three models, Katie Ridges, Lesley Woodward and Hannah Mirza wore a range of outfits, which were carefully coordinated with shoes and accessories by Sarah (Riverside Gallery) and Maria (Doris & Daisy).

Hannah in a lace tunic by Cream

Lesley in an In Town ensemble with a Komodo coat

Hannah wearing a Komodo tunic/dress made from tencel (eucalyptus)

Lesley entertaining the diners

Katie in a sleek Masai Ora dress

Katie looking lovely in a great dress by Cream

 

  

Hannah in Komodo

Each show was concluded by a raffle.  There were some fabulous prizes on offer, as we had approached some of our suppliers for prizes and they had contributed generously. We were not able to replicate the prizes exactly between the two evenings; however, we ensured that the overall value of the prizes was comparable.

A happy winner of an Owen Barry bag

Examples of the prizes included:

• Owen Barry suede bag
• Scarves by Komodo
• Cut & Blow Dry from Reeves & Gallagher
• £50 Gift Token from Doris & Daisy Shoes
• £30 Gift Token from No. 9
• £25 Gift Token from Riverside Gallery

We should not close this article without mentioning those behind the scenes who made the evenings so successful.  Naturally, the number 9 staff played a large part in the proceedings.  However, Emily, Lesley Woodward's daughter helped the models change and, of course, the "mainstay" of the evening, marshalling the models  and ensuring all went smoothly, was Hayley Chinnock.

Our lovely Hayley Chinnock, who gave up so much time to the project

Finally, you can see more photographs and a video of the event on our facebook page, by clicking on this link:   www.facebook.com/riversidegallerydorset

Or, alternatively you can find a higher quality version of the video on YouTube using the following link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eWdYYLihho

Th music on the video is by Imad's son, Joe Mirza, who has a number of projects running concurrently.  The lovely piece used for the video came from The Slow Revolt, his solo project. 
You can hear more on YouTube via:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR24jYYCr6I

Tickets now on sale for Spring-Summer Fashion Show

I am sorry that it has taken such a long time to confirm the date(s) for the Fashion Show, but there have been a number of logistical issues to resolve  However, we can now confirm that the event will be held over two days, March 20th and 21st. 

Masai tunic/dress

As with the show last November, it will be held at No. 9 and, once again, we have partnered with Doris & Daisy, who will be showing their shoe collection for Spring/Summer 2012. 

The detailed arrangements for the evenings are being finalised, but they will go something like this:

Guests arrive between 7pm and 7.30pm and are greeted with a glass of wine or soft drink.

No. 9 will be show-casing their menu with four "taster" courses.

Between (and during) the courses, our models will be sashaying between the tables showing off this seasons fashions, shoes and accessories.  The models' hair will have been styled by Reeves and Gallagher.

Masai dress

The evening will be concluded by a raffle with some amazing prizes and each guest will be given a complimentary jute bag by Seasalt.

Yes, more Masai

We have approached our suppliers and cajoled some very nice prizes from them, so do try your luck with the raffle!

Tickets will cost £20, with all proceeds going to the Lewis Manning Hospice. They are already on sale from No. 9, who will also arrange table bookings.

 We have three models for the show, but are seeking a fourth.   So, if you have an interest in supporting this worthy cause by being a model, then please call Sarah at the Riverside Gallery
on 01202 849973.
More information on Spring-Summer fashions can be found via this link

Wimborne Square Improvement Scheme

A number of traders and businesses support the scheme to pedestrianise the square in Wimborne, including ourselves. However, it us difficult to explain the merits of the scheme to the sceptics when all electricity in the town centre is cut by some 'clumsy' drilling by the contractor.
This happened yesterday and caused two hours of inconvenience.
That said, the scheme has been well-planned, by and large, causing little disruption considering its complexity.
Let's hope it all goes smoothly and Wimborne becomes an even more desirable destination.

Plans for Spring Fashion Show 

Those of you who attended our fashion show last Autumn may be pleased to learn that we are looking to schedule a similar event for this Spring.

Our plan is to repeat the successful format of the last show, partnering with Doris & Daisy shoes, and staging a dining event at the Number Nine restaurant in West Borough, Wimborne.

The previous fashion show was over-subscribed; therefore, in order to avoid disappointment, we would like to stage this event over two days.

The exact format of this year’s show is still being discussed, but those attending last Autumn’s event will recall being greeted with a glass of sparkling wine and enjoying a “Taster” menu of great dishes prepared by Number 9’s head chef, Greg Etheridge.

The menu comprised:

Starters:
- Potted Brown Shrimp
- Roast Duck with Rhubarb
- Miniature Fish Pie

Mains:

-      Mini Hake Rarebit Mains:
- Mini locally-caught Hake Rarebit, Baby Spinach & Beef Tomato
Carpaccio on Sour Dough Bruschetta
- Mini Goat's Cheese and Roasted Beetroot Burger, Dorset Watercress and
Horse Radish Creme Fraiche
- A Selection of Poole Bay Ousters & Portland Scallops
Desserts:
- Sticky Toffee Pudding, Caramel Suace, Vannilla Bean Ice Cream
- Baked Raspberry Cheesecake with Poopy Seed Caramel
- A Selection of Homemade Ice Crea, Baby Spinach & Tomato Carpaccio with Sourdough Bruschetta

-      Mini Goat’s Cheese & Roasted Beetroot Burger, Watercress & Horseradish Creme Fraiche

-      Selection of Poole Bay Oysters and Portland Scallops

Desserts:

-      Sticky Toffee Pudding, Caramel Sauce and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

-      Baked Raspberry Cheesecake, with Poppy Seed Caramel

-      Selection of Home-made Ice Cream Bons Bons

Assuming all goes well, I can only imagine that this year's event will be even better!

As our plans take shape, we will keep up updated by posts to this blog, notes on the "News & Events" page of our website (at www.riversidegallerydorset.co.uk), our facebook page (www.facebook.com/riversidegallerydorset) and on posters/literature around the town. 

Fashions  for Spring-Summer 2012 Now Arriving

As the weather slowly begins to improve, we start to think about the coming season’s clothes.

Everyone is having to be more sensible now, but, as we review our wardrobes, we often realise that some of our old clothes just “will not do”.

It may be that an old skirt is looking really tired or, perhaps, it is simply time to buy a pair of properly-fitting jeans. 

Well, our new season’s clothes are beginning to arrive and Sarah will be putting them out this week-end, for Monday morning.

Here are some of the great items you will be able to buy from the Riverside Gallery very soon.

This lovely Harley tunic is by Masai.

If you are a fan of Joules Clothing, we have an exciting range of tunics, dresses and tops coming in this season. The blue Camellia tunic below, at £59.95, is a typical example.

 For lovers of soft, organic cotton that washes really well, then Seasalt is a label which will appeal to you.   This Cornish company has created some great prints for this summer season and we have selected a number of dresses, tunics and tops, in floral and nautical themes, that we believe you will love.  This Sassy tunic below will retail at under £45.

More exciting shapes and prints from Joules include:

Remy dress/tunic at £49.95

                 

Julia dress at £54.95

There will be new arrivals, almost every week, over the coming months.  As you may know, we only buy a limited number and in-season top-ups are rarely possible.  So, do keep a watch on this blog and our web-site at  www.riversidegallerydorset.co.uk  for new additions.