Shoppers
at Harrods long ago became accustomed to seeing Raine, the step-mother of Diana,
Princess of Wales, working behind the counter.
Now an even more blue-blooded lady has stepped foot on the shop floor...
It’s been revealed that the Duke and Duchess of York’s eldest daughter has
taken on the job of personal shopper at the Selfridges department store in Central
London.
An onlooker who witnessed the appearance of Princess Beatrice offering wardrobe advice to
customers says: "She was wandering around the Prada section with a young
dark-haired girl in her late teens or early 20s."
"She
looked quite confident, she was happy and relaxed - definitely a natural."
The Queen’s grand-daughter has taken on the job of personal shopper as
part of her gap year, during which time she’s travelled across the
globe, journeying as far afield as Egypt and Argentina.
Earlier this week, 19-year-old Beatrice signed up to become an ambassador for her mother Sarah, Duchess of York's charity, Children In Crisis.
With the Prince of Wales having already spoken of his desire for a more
slim-line monarchy, it’s believed Princess Beatrice and her sister, Princess
Eugenie, will not carry out an official diary of engagements, instead forging
their own way in the world – no doubt helped by the presence of those three little
letters: 'H.R.H'.
Comment: Beatrice is so pretty - beautiful eyes, bone structure and smile, capped off with lush red hair. Natural red hair is pretty scarce and it's amazing that two of the royals have it. I, personally, wish her success.
Name: exploora
Comment: At least Bea has possibly single handedly revived awareness related to the importance of the job "personal shopper".
I guess Kate did do a good job too reviving awareness when a shopper possibly mistook her for a personal shopper, while she was shopping and asked whether the shoes Kate was looking at came in a 6 1/2.
Of course I have a strong opinion related to what I believe is a shortage of shoes in 1/2 sizes, but this is not the topic of the article unless I take a quantum leap and consider a "what if" scenario, where a personal shopper happened to need a 1/2 size shoe herself , then empathy and understanding could be shared relating to the struggle one endures when shopping for a shoe with a perfect fit...thus direct experience working in the shoe department might not be needed before one excelled as a personal shopper. My point being, a hard to fit person, can really appreciate when shoes and of course bikinis and fancy ball gowns fit just right.
Considering the epidemic and risk relating to wardrobe malfunctions, Bea may be perfect for the job without direct shop experience.
Carrying on.
I just can't believe how many people work in retail stores and have no idea how to act as a personal shopper especially for the hard to fit shopper, and behave more like a security agent, smirking as the shopper struggles trying to figure out what they like actually fits or would be better left on the rack.
I personally don't think personal shopper is an entry level job either, regardless if it is work experience or not.
I have had people on work experience, and they often assume if a person isn't paying them in cash it costs nothing for the store to "hire" them.
As if lost sales or unhappy customers is not a huge cost for a retail shop.
Name: Monika
Comment: I agree, udyusa, it still boggles the mind. Lol! And other than an easy PR stunt on the part of the retailer, I don’t see how this move adds to their prestige. I could see Lady Helen or Lady Gabriella as personal shoppers (after some relevant experience), but not a girl who appears not to know the basics about what does or does not suit her own shape. She shouldn’t be caught within a mile of frills, fussy prints, etc. It's true, money doesn't buy everything...
Name: udyusa
Comment: Do they carry bikini's? Surely Bea would be the one to go to for advice and help...NOT! It still blows my mind that she is a Personal Shopper. I guess we in the States have higher standards for that particular job.
Name: Monika
Comment: Susie, true she is working and that's a good thing. But let's get real here...what qualifies her to act as a personal shopper? Don't you think this has more to do with her 'HRH' than anything else? If she was just another young lady enjoying her gap year, she would find herself behind a register or stocking shelves. Selfridges knows a PR opportunity when they see one. I don’t fault them for it, but it is what it is. I doubt they've ever employed another personal shopper without prior retail and /or fashion experience. Unless of course being photographed in curlers gave her the edge over other applicants. We may never know…
Name: MATILDA SUTTON
Comment: Bea and Sarah ,those 2 got no dress sense,better suited in the kitchen helping her mum or do a sucking toe ... whrs
Name: M-M
Comment: Wardrobe advice from Beatrice ? Hmmmm .
Since it is an unpaid work-experience type situation for a month - why not give a month of unpaid hands-on Charity work instead (but not for her mother's Charity ) ?
Name: udyusa
Comment: As a fellow blonde, Bea would have to be the Last personal shopper that I would employ and I am not blaming my keyboard!! I just blame my lack of being able to match both of your comic abilities! Damn, how I wish I could match your wonderfully funny comments. Bea is the one who needs a personal shopper...for herself!!
Name: Susie
Comment: This girl is on her gap year. The fact that she's doing work experience says something about her. Unlike many children her age who spend their gap year doing nothing but drinking, she is working. Good on her.
That she is HRH will undoubtedly unblock many doors for her but surely that is the case for many. If David Becham's son decides to be a footballer, don't you think his parentage will open doors for him? On a smaller scale, if my child decides to go into either law or the sugar business, we can help her. Ultimately though, once youre in an industry, it is up to you to make your own mark.
No, can't fault her for this at all. I think it is admirable that she is doing something that teaches her a skill.
Name: Monika
Comment: Lol! If you can blame my hair dye, I can blame my keyboard!
Name: Joanne
Comment: That's right, Monika. Blame your keyboard
Have to admit I'm surprised by this story....although I guess I really shouldn't be surprised by anything the royals do any more!
Joanne
Name: Monika
Comment: Forgive my keyboard for what it is about to do... Was she hired as the 'what NOT to buy rep?' Considering the pic included in this article, she'd be better suited for a position as DISH Network satellite TV rep.