Whittle-le-Woods' Chic Happens: the ultra-sleek and très magnifique fashion boutique bringing a personal touch to the shopping experience

It's been a tricky year for retail and, what with everybody existing mainly in sweat pants and t-shirts over the past 18 months, not the best time for fashion boutiques, either. Unless you're Chic Happens in Whittle-le-Woods, that is.
By Jack Marshall, Reporter
Published 2nd Sep 2021, 04:55 BST
Claire Robinson outside Chic HappensClaire Robinson outside Chic Happens
Claire Robinson outside Chic Happens

An online fashion boutique founded by former lawyer and law lecturer Claire Robinson, Chic Happens was born in April 2019 at Claire’s kitchen table at home after she decided she fancied a change.

The decision came about after Claire grew disillusioned with the corporate nature of her legal career, wanting instead to spend more time with her three sons and to do something she loved.

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Leaving a well-paid career as a solicitor, however, was still a big leap.

The Chic Happens' storeThe Chic Happens' store
The Chic Happens' store

Combining the services of a personal shopper, a stylist, and an online supply guru, the motivation behind Chic Happens was Claire's desire to provide busy women who have little time to trawl around shops with the chance to cultivate a personal style. On her dedicated Facebook group of over 7,400 'Chicanistas', Claire even holds weekly style drops each Thursday.

"Everything has gone brilliantly," says Claire, 45, with Chic Happens having also opened their first bricks and mortar store in Whittle-le-Woods in July 2020. "We're definitely fortunate to be a good news story because retail has struggled in the main over the last year but, because we started out online, we were able to ride it out a little easier.

"Don't get me wrong, it's been challenging but we're lucky that the business is thriving," she adds, with Chic Happens now employing three people. "I've loved moving into the actual store because it's meant we've been able to meet people face-to-face and provide an environment where people can try our stuff on. Bringing that personal stylist angle to shopping is our USP.

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