 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Mary Queen of Shops
- BBC America
- Genre: Reality TV
Common Sense Media says
Expert saves boutiques from fashion faux pas; OK for teens.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that, like many British shows, this reality import -- in which independent clothing businesses are made over with the help of fashion retail expert Mary Portas -- has its share of strong language (though the strongest words are bleeped for American broadcast), as well as some sexual innuendo, smoking, and drinking. Not surprisingly, major clothing labels (Prada, French Connection, Zara, etc.) are prominently featured. Because of its subject matter, the series will probably appeal to teens interested in fashion and/or fashion retail.
What's the story?
In MARY QUEEN OF SHOPS, retail expert/author Mary Portas attempts to save small British clothing shop owners, one boutique at a time. Each episode features a small independent retailer who's struggling to compete among the major chains. Portas spends a month helping the owners reconnect with contemporary fashion trends and revamp their marketing concepts. She also introduces them to label owners and industry experts who teach them the necessary merchandising strategies to make their store a continued success. At the end of the month, the owners re-launch their reconfigured stores full of glamorous new merchandise in hopes of appealing to fashion-conscious consumers.
Is it any good?
Mary Queen of Shops offers viewers an interesting behind-the-scenes look at what goes into fashion retail. It also highlights some of the important but often overlooked details of running a boutique -- like visual merchandise staging and building relationships with labels -- that can determine the success or failure of an independent clothing outlet.
The show focuses on the business side of selling high-end garments, but fashionistas of all ages will probably be attracted to the constant parade of designer labels and contemporary clothing. Photo shoots and occasional scenes of models on the runway at celeb-studded fashion shows also add to the allure. Both the business-minded and the style-conscious will find something to enjoy here.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about fashion trends. Who determines what's “fashionable”? How is the media used to communicate these trends to consumers? Does the media have an impact on the way trends change over time?
What are some of your favorite fashion trends? Least favorite? Why do some clothing trends come back over time?
What kind of training do you need go into the fashion retail
industry? Is it just about knowing the latest trends, or do
you need to study business and marketing in order to be successful?
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| TV rating: | NR |
| Network: | BBC America |
| Cast: | Mary Portas |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
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