Last week I was kindly invited to along with a few more bloggers to exclusively preview the new party collection DUO is launching for the festive season before they hit the stores. I figured that the combination of shoes, London, and the possibilities of meeting some interesting people and winning a great prize was too good to say no to. So I made a little mood board including my favourite pair of shoes from the collection (you might have seen it here before) and off I went to Covent Garden, right after work.
Upon arrival I was greeted with a smile and a glass of bubbly and I immediately got to chatting to the other bloggers there. It was fun trying to match up the outfits on the mood boards to the bloggers and I was happy that find that people quite easily matched me up with mine.
After a couple of drinks and a few nibbles we all sat around the store to hear fashion journalist and stylist Laura Puddy and Jem McNulty, Head of Design at DUO tell us a few things about their careers and the brand. Both ladies have many years of experience working in different areas of the fashion industry and I always find it fascinating to hear the path people take to arrive at a place where they are happy with what they are doing.
I have to say I was very impressed with the brand. I didn’t know about them before and that might have been due to the fact that this is a traditional British brand that only more recently started making fancier shoes, as they are better know for their good quality boots.
I was very impressed because this is a brand that is interested in catering to real people. And how do I know that? Well, they have 21 different calf sizes on their boots and 3 different widths of shoes.
(Is it just me or these shoes look like farfalle? I think about food too much haha)
I was even more impressed when I had a chat with Jem, the Head of Design and was I told all their shoes are made in Portugal. So here is a traditional British brand that is made in Portugal. Perfect marriage I would say! I felt a bit proud, I have to say. It is a bit silly but when you live away from your country it’s little things like these that make you proud.
They also gave me a pair of shoes of my choice from their current catalogue for me to try out – I picked these purple Elisha booties with a cute bow. Aren’t they sweet? I had to wear them as soon as possible so when I went to Newark for the day on Saturday I took them out for their first spin.
What I wore them with: Vintage 70’s Style Dress – Ebay, Fur Gilet and Tights – Primark, Ring – Ebay, Bag – Ahcahcum Muchacha, Boots – Elisha by DUO, Nail Polish – Assortment of H&M, Ultra Pro, China Glaze and Essie.
Aren’t they the cutest? I’m very happy with my new booties!
I added my post to Shoe Shine over at Citizen Rosebud’s blog, the place to be for shoe lovers of all sizes and ages!
PS: No financial compensation was received for this post. A complimentary pair of boots was offered by DUO and the opinions expressed are my own.
12 Comments
I love what you’re wearing, that cerise dress and fluffy gilet are gorgeous and the boots you chose go perfectly. I’m lusting after those cherry suede knee highs with a platform – I’ll have to wait till someone donates them to a charity shop though! x
oooo you lucky minx! boots are fab! Those long pink boots…oooo la la!!!1 Now how do i go about getting yself invited to these affairs! Hello duo…if you are listening!!! shameless self-promotion i know but hell i love those boots! xxx
Duo are always highly recommended by anyone who has bought from them – I love their boots but they are way out of my price range, sadly… Glad you enjoyed your day, the boots you chose are beautiful. Great outfit too. xxx
Very cute!! Nice about all the calf sizes–I have friends that have a hard time finding boots because of this…
A very lovely review… I have not heard of the line before reading about it here. You have done wonders styling your new booties!
I love the boots!
Nice color and you got the perfect outfit for those beauties!
Nice when you get a freebie at those events
Double nice when you can say whatever you want…
Take care<<
Ariane xo
ooooooh adoro o teu outfit, mas TANTO! estas linda 😀
adoro o colete com o vestido e as botaS!!
You look so chic and those shoes you picked are gorgeous- I see lots of wear! Duo looks like a great brand- they make beautiful boots and shoes. Ill need to check out their website, stat. Thank you for sharing with Shoe Shine- you are a star!
How commendable that they make shoes and boots to take into account foot and calf width. I wish more companies did that. I shop at Vegetarian Shoes in Brighton and much of their footwear is made in Portugal too.
Yes, I know DUO. I, too, am impressed that they realize that not all women have legs like twigs. How I would have loved to come along to this party!! And in London, well —what could be better?
Love your new hairstyle. Maybe it’s not new to you anymore, but the first time I have seen it.
I have a pair of short burgundy suede booties, very similar to the ones you are modelling. So, I guess it just shows we have good taste. Right?!
Much love from Rosemary of
http://www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.blogspot.com
Please AVOID DUO BOOTS – I Have to say I have the most horrendous experience with DUO Boots. Mine did not even last 1 day before the leather peeled of the heels and they wrinkled around the ankles to look like old boots. They tried to charge me for new heels, then after many emails offered to fix the heels. 5 weeks later they tell me they cannot fix them. They are offering me a replacement pair but after all this I would never ever trust the quality. They are completely refusing to refund. They say it is not a manufacturing fault and that my boots were not substandard but their normal quality. This tells me that all their boots are substandard to please do not recommend people to buy them. I have photos and proof including an email where they tell me I need to be extra careful when wearing their boots and also that the fault was due to lack of maintenance when they have proof I only had them 1 day.
Please do not let other people fall for this as I am now of pocket £185
I’m really sorry to hear about your experience. As you may well imagine I can only speak for my own experience and I didn’t have any problem with my boots, they’re working well and seem to me like good quality.
I am hoping your situation is not the norm as most people I know that have DUE boots do swear by them.