The name QVC used to evoke images of my mother welded to the sofa, sucked into the vortex of the home shopping channel, holding the remote control in some kind of death grip.
On rare occasions, I’d be right there with her, bedazzled by the presenters’ grins as their sing-song hypnosis urged me to fork out for household products I’d never heard of and jewellery I’d never wear.
So it was with a sense of both curiosity and mild trepidation that I went to check out the QVC Autumn Winter 2012 range a few weeks ago. I don’t know what I was expecting – perhaps an encounter with the type of big-haired Ricky Suave that Bridget Jones’ mum took a shine to.
Maybe QVC has had a major facelift since the ’90s or maybe it’s just that I’m now slap bang in their target demographic – but the whole experience was an eye-opener.
The QVC reps were young and lovely, the space was light and airy and the collection was totally refreshing. There was nothing ‘mumsy’ at all about the fashion on show, from a hot Nina Leonard sweater dress to sleek ankle boots by Marta Jonnson.
Sure there was plenty of hardcore diamonique (not really my style) in the display bling, but also some subtler pieces and proper statement jewellery – art deco theme – to jazz up any outfit.
I fell in love with this Dragonfly brooch and kept threatening to walk away with it. I also joked about making off with a glass-encased crown… although the £10k+ price tag? No laughing matter.
I spent a good while oohing and aahing at the kitchen range and the cupcake airbrushing kit was a huge hit, especially with Jed. Everything was beautifully presented and I have to admit I strolled away a QVC convert – with some yummy beauty samples* in my goody bag to boot.
Mum would be proud.
Did You Know?
QVC boasts custom ranges by top names in fashion, beauty and homewares including Lulu Guinness, Butler & Wilson, Liz Earle and Kelly Hoppen. You can shop QVC via their TV call centre, the website or their iPhone app and last year they delivered more than 15 million items to more than 1 in 4 UK households.
Visit www.qvcuk.com and www.qvcuk.com/qvcbeauty
*I received a goody bag to take home with me, all opinions about QVC remain strictly my own
