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Our Windows of Wonder series wouldn’t be complete without creating our very own wonderful Christmas windows here at Portas HQ. So we have. In partnership with the brilliant talent at @ucl we’ve dedicated every one of our 17 windows to their creative hand. The brief? All white, all festive, with a (Portas) spot of orange. We bloody love them. A huge thank you to Alice Piller, Lily O’Neill, Naqi Azizi and Samirah Palton, for making everyone who walks past our corner of Clerkenwell smile. Keep following our Windows of Wonder these coming weeks, lots more to come. And if you’re an independent retailer with fabulous windows of your own, we want to see them! Share them with the hashtag #windowsofwonder and we will choose our favourites and spread the joy of your amazing work. #windowsofwonder #beautifulbusiness

Welcome to Portas 3-part series Windows of Wonder, back for a second year by popular demand! Celebrating what’s probably a retailer’s most powerful creative canvas at Christmas – their windows and, more than ever, the entire facade of their stores. Our very own Mary and Director of Retail and Experience the wonderful James will be taking a closer look at the exceptional creativity and craft of London’s best (because, let’s face it, we’re still the masters at this stuff) To kick us off - Selfridges. Always more is more…this year they’ve gone even MORE with their ‘More the Merrier’ take over theme bringing OTT, maximalist joy to Oxford Street. But unsurprisingly for Selfridges, the real coup here is as ever their brilliant use of collaboration with very different, multi-disciplinary artists including @_emilypugh @maxallenbabes @andrewlogansculptor @mrcharlesjeffrey and @flami_veronesi to come together in all their artistry for a whole bigger than the sum of its parts. Now you know how much we love you independent retailers, and we know how incredibly creative you are with your very own windows – especially at Christmas. So we want to see your fabulous windows. Share them with the hashtag #windowsofwonder and Mary and the team will choose our favourites and spread the joy of your amazing work. Check out this week’s newsletter for our take on the ‘why’ behind this explosion of real-world creativity we’re loving right now… sign up at weareportas.com. #windowsofwonder #beautifulbusiness

The onslaught of recent world events has made our reality feel overwhelmingly chaotic and, at times, near on impossible. In our businesses. In our home lives. Societally. So how do we move forward? This week’s newsletter draws inspiration from the people who, with beautiful intent, focus on what they can control and just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Because progress isn’t inevitable, it’s what we make it – together. To sign up to our newsletter, link in bio #beautifulbusiness

Here it comes, the onslaught of Christmas campaigns, festive tinsel, Black Friday…the season of intense selling. It can feel like it’s getting earlier every year - but for many businesses the next 10 weeks can literally be make or break. For @MoltonBrown this Christmas, we wanted to do things a little differently by getting to the heart of what the festive season is really all about - our meaningful connections with one another. “Gifting is the Art of Knowing” celebrates the idea that a gift shouldn’t ever be tick-box or transactional - it should be a beautiful expression of a unique relationship. At the heart of this campaign is our handpicked cast of real people and their diverse relationships. Each shares what truly knowing someone means to them - from old friends, to lovers, through to sisterhood. It’s in revealing the depth of their bonds and what gifting means to them that the idea truly comes to life. The humanity of the films and posters carries right through into Molton Brown’s store windows and e-commerce experience. Demonstrating what we at Portas always believe: that if you genuinely care about every single customer interaction, it comes naturally to brand beautifully and sell beautifully #beautifulbusiness

Isn’t it wonderful when something you’ve always loved so much returns and becomes the thing of moment. So of course we are revelling in the resurgence of physical retail. But this isn’t about lazily filling high street space with ‘stuff’. This is a celebration of a new golden age, a fundamental shift from old school flagship stores - muscular, impressive, consumer temples - to beautiful brand homes - inviting, immersive and social. We call them ‘Spiritual Homes’. Sign up to this week’s newsletter at weareportas.com to discover what it all means and the brands doing it better than any. #beautifulbusiness

When we the @weareportas team were in Paris last week immersing ourselves in the joy of the great retail rocking the city right now - we couldn’t not pop into Dover Street Market and have a gander (and a lovely bite to eat, thank you Dickon)… Enjoy this little snippet of chair tsunami splendour - more highlights to come! #beautifullbusiness

We’ve partnered with the brands behind iconic Aussie retailer The Sussan Group for over 20 years. @sportsgirl @sussanfashion @suzanne_grae – all cornerstone brands that have been part of the fabric of Aussie women’s lives for generations. From shaping their business and brand plans, to most recently defining their sustainability strategy, it’s been a journey we’ve walked together, side-by-side, through all the trails and tribulations of fashion retail. So we were high on with pride when they called last week to tell us they’ve achieved BCorp Status. Because we know only too well the grit and determination it takes to get here. If you need help on your sustainability journey, drop us a line - we’d love to chat. beautifulbusiness@portasagency.com #beautifulbusiness #bcorp

Undeniably, we are in a time of so much world trauma and turmoil. But amidst all that we’ve seen wonderfully inspiring movements, new cultural narratives, innovative entrepreneurs all fuelling the appetite for the better we see today. So why, we can’t help but ask, is change still so slow…and so damn hard? We’ve been deep in thought and research this summer living and answering just that question. Discover more in today’s newsletter. Link in bio #beautifulbusiness

Incredibly proud of our first ‘Artists of Note’ campaign with @moltonbrown This has been one of those true ‘meeting of mind’ relationships born of a shared love of this beautiful and iconic British brand. ‘Artists of Note’ celebrates the unique artistry of Molton Brown’s perfumers by partnering with some of the nation’s most exciting and diverse British artists, including poet @johncooperclarke , fashion designer @nicholas_daley , and jeweller @galacolivetdennison , asking them each to explore the meaning and memories evoked by Molton Brown’s icon fragrances through their craft. The first of more to come, watch this space… #beautifulbusiness #moltonbrown

Join Josephine Chanter and our very own @maryportasofficial next week for a discussion about the present relationship between design and retail, how it’s needed more than ever in these crazy times, the high streets as hubs for community life, the future of fashion, Beautiful Business, the tension between retail and the climate emergency, and everything in between. Get yourself a ticket. We’d love to see you there. Link in biog #beautifulbusiness #thedesignmuseum

As Macron highlighted in his speech last night - Paris 2024 was the first-ever gender-equal Olympics. About bloody time. But also - what an achievement. And as well as seeing more extraordinary women physically there competing, it was the almost daily moments of brilliant female solidarity that we’ll remember. Women who are so often pitted against one another by the cultural narrative, showing how to shine in individual excellence and thrive in collective ‘usness’. We’ve pulled together our favourite examples. Enjoy… 1. Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles bowing to Rebeca Andrade after winning gold. 2. Silina Pha Aphay from Lao People's Democratic Republic checking on her injured opponent Lucia Moris South Sudan. 3. China's He Bing Jiao paying tribute to the injured Spanish shuttler Carolina Marin with the Spain pin in her hand. 4. Tamires Araujo Frossard of Brazil carrying the injured Albertina Kassoma of Angola off the court during the women's handball preliminary match. 5. Indian badminton player PV Sindhu posting a heartwarming message for Carolina Marin, the Spanish badminton legend who lost out on a medal due to an injury.

Now if you had asked us @weareportas that we would be writing about olympic fash panache, we would have laughed out loud. That’s stretching a theme. But we are bloody loving watching. Not just for the awe-inspiring performances, but for the sheer panache of some of the athletes. Their style, their swagger. Talk about ‘dressing for success’ - from swimmer Qin Haiyang’s poolside strut, to skater Rayssa Leal’s statement street style, to the main character energy of sharpshooter Kim Ye-ji - these guys are hitting their personal best with personal attitude. And that’s all in week 1. We can’t wait to see more…

news: mary at the b corp festival

With the sun finally making an appearance, @wearePortas thought it only right to share with you a selection of our favourite summer reads. The stories that have transported us, transformed us, or simply made us smile. First few to kick us off. Please do share your faves too Mary. Fox 8, George Saunders.I was lucky enough to hear George Saunders speak on the beautiful Greek island I am once again on my way to. “Literature” he said “is a form of fondness-for-life. It is love for life taking verbal form.” This is my flight book. It’s small and I expect to finish it by the time I land. Fox 8 is, is an environmental story of how humanity has systematically set about destroying the natural world it claims to cherish. My 11 year old has already read it. It’s written by the fox and is packed with the kind of moral but witty and joyous dialogue that reminds us to respect others and the importance of basic decency. Us adults need reminding. His work varies widely in theme and style, but there is always a deep sense of goodness that radiates from all he says. Reading Saunders is a moral education. share it x Grace. Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast, Oscar Wilde As someone who is a morning person, I wanted to hear what Wilde has against us and find out just how dull I am. Ines. The Bee Sting, Paul Murray A funny, sad and dark story that had me hooked all the way through. I’ll never look at squirrels the same way again. Lucy. A swim in the pond in the rain, George Saunders Not just another “how to” creative writing manual, or just another critical essay – George Saunders eloquently dissects the prose of 4 Russian writers and in doing so not just establishes rules for writing but reminds us of the pleasure of reading and the interplay between writer and reader. A reminder, if ever I needed one, of the craft of writing. Susan. Demon Copperhead, Barbara Kingsolver. I don’t know where to start with this book, but I (& all my book club) loved it. It’s the boy who nobody wants but who you will love. The only downside about this book is that I’ll never have the pleasure of reading it again for the first time! I’m envious of those who still have it to come.

Listen to the Beautiful Misfits podcast

Principles 13-15 of the 15 ways to Work Like a Woman, everyday this week… 13◎Caring. We give something back to those around us. 14◎Emotion, harnessed well, can be one of our greatest tools. 15◎Resilience. The reeds bend in turbulent winds, the oak stands stiff and breaks. #beautifulbusiness #worklikeawoman

BBC Radio 4 great lives: Listen to mary portas on anita roddick

Principles 10-12 of the 15 ways to Work Like a Woman, everyday this week… 10◎Wisdom over knowledge. Combining learned facts with the lessons of experience and a deeper level of intuitive understanding makes wisdom a power that far exceeds knowledge. 11◎Kindness can infuse everything. From how we make profit to how we treat each other at work. 12◎Legacy not status. One is about working to achieve long-term sustainable goals for ourselves and others. The other is about short-term victory of a flash title and a corner office. #beautifulbusiness #worklikeawoman

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Principles 7-9 of the 15 ways to Work Like a Woman, everyday this week… 7◎Life ambition. All of us work and have a life. Both must be in harmony to get the best out of them. 8◎The bigger picture, not tunnel vision. Focusing on one goal can blind you to everything from weak spots to opportunities. Seeing the wider picture can illuminate them. 9◎Determination – but not at any cost. We can focus on goals but admit mistakes in order to learn. #beautifulbusiness #worklikeawoman

Principles 4-6 of the 15 ways to Work Like a Woman, everyday this week… 4◎Excellence, not perfection. One is a goal, the second a straitjacket. 5◎Strength founded in perseverance and emotional openness, not dominance and power. One builds and empowers, the other suppresses and stifles. 6◎Balance. In everything. We are a blend of intellect, emotion and instinct. Use only one at your peril .#beautifulbusiness #worklikeawoman

Read our latest book: the kindness economy

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We’ve found the narrative around Southgate and his team fascinating. The fact is - this is the most enduring period of success in the history of the men’s England football team. So why so much rage? This week’s newsletter delves into the reframing of English men’s football…and the culture of alpha that’s dominated the sport for decades. Link in biog #beautifulbusiness

Principles 1-3 of the 15 ways to Work Like a Woman – everyday this week! 1◎ Courage not bravery. Bravery is rooted in the physical. Courage is derived from cor – the latin word for ‘heart’. 2◎ Collaboration. Alpha culture can be a lonely place, but together we are stronger. We cannot be successful unless we are surrounded and supported by talented people. 3◎ Vision over ambition. First is Michelle Obama. Second is Lady Macbeth. Take your pick. #beautifulbusiness #worklikeawoman

A new week, a new record-breaking government, made up of the greatest number of female MPs we’ve ever had in the House of Commons. And we bloody loved watching them all stride in purposely and with joyous smiles this week. So to celebrate, we will be publishing our 15 ways to Work Like a Woman every day of this week. We wrote them back in 2018 for our book Work Like a Woman, a manifesto for change…and we stand by them more than ever. In fact - without wishing to sound like a bunch of big heads - we believe it’s had a vital impact in so many ways on what we’re seeing play out today. So here’s a timely reminder of those 15…because this stuff matters to all of us! Link to the book in the biog. #beautifulbusiness #worklikeawoman

Indulge us in a bit of light entertainment after such a full on the last 24 hours political fest. But as ever there’s an important point in there too. Whilst we were all watching avidly the coverage on TV last night, we couldn’t help but notice that most of the women presenting and commenting were wearing pink suits. To almost comic effect. Take Harriet Harman sat next to Nadine Dorries on the Channel 4 panel. Clashing politically, morally, and every which way. But both wearing pink suits. Sure it’s a good colour for party neutrality, but why so uniform? Why the block colour? It’s been such a trope for women in powerful positions these 5-10 years. As if someone has said ‘these are the new codes for female power’. Or ‘dress in a colourful suit and people will see that you’re powerful …but not too powerful…and bold…but not too bold…’. Here’s a bit of a hypothesis – if men have dark or grey suits as uniforms, women must therefore have colourful ‘feminine’ ones. Grayson Perry once said: “Of course, men who really want to camouflage themselves when getting up to nefarious activities wear a grey business suit.” And there was something about this sea of pink suit uniforms that made us want to shout out “no! us women we don’t need dress codes of cloaked sameness like men!” In the end, of course it’s only clothing. But as we know only too well – clothing speaks volumes. It speaks to cultural norms and meaning. So, note to all powerful women presenters. Let’s not camouflage ourselves as women in (tweaked) codes of power. Let’s reflect our modern values in our individual modern style – from the way we think and work, to the way we dress and communicate. It’s just that step closer to being true to ourselves. And that, we believe, is where change so often starts – from within. #beautifulbusiness

Here we are, the day before the big day. And for our last and final @weareportas 5 Point Plan, we’re rounding it all up with one simple but fundamental ask- for businesses to take ownership of their social and environmental impact. Its why I’m co-chair of the Better Business Act, lobbying the government to change section 172 of company law, so that companies become responsible for benefiting not just their shareholders but all their stakeholders – people and planet alike. So happy voting. Do the right thing. And we will be here, at Portas pushing to make change happen. #beautifulbusiness

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