Parents' Guide to

Mary Queen of Shops

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Expert saves boutiques from fashion faux pas; OK for teens.

TV BBC America Reality TV 2009
Mary Queen of Shops Poster Image

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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?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

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.

Talk to Your Kids 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?

TV Details

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