Audiobooks narrated by Mary Portas

Mary, Queen of Shops star and style doyenne Mary Portas explores what style means to us and the way we live today. Looking at the worlds of fashion, design, architecture and interiors, she discovers how they reveal the desires, passions and beliefs not just of individuals, but of society. She considers British design with Tom Dixon, winner of the London Design Medal 2019; discusses the future of fashion with distinguished trends forecaster Lidewij Edelkoort; and talks activism, sustainability and eco-innovation with Carry Somers, Phoebe English and Cyrill Gutsch. Jay Blades of The Repair Shop gives us some insight into restoring furniture; Fashion Revolution founder Orsola de Castro reveals how looking after your clothes can be a radical act; and author Kassia St Clair explains how technology influence the colours we see, the clothes we buy and our home decoration choices. Plus, Mary examines how the pandemic has impacted the way we dress, shop and live as she looks at home offices and high streets, and asks if the habits we've adopted will last beyond lockdown. And there's fun with fashion correspondent Miss Jason, of Jason's Closet fame, as he visits cities across the UK to find out what people are wearing and buying. A fabulous celebration of all things sartorial and aesthetic, this smart, sassy series will enlighten and delight - and make you think about your own relationship with style. Presented by Mary Portas Fashion correspondent: Miss Jason Produced by Ekene Akalawu and Jessica Treen, With: Tom Dixon, Carry Somers, Deyan Sudjic, Mateo Kries, Lidewij Edelkoort, Ben Derbyshire, Jessica Mairs, Phoebe English, Charlotte Fiell, Zheng Qu, Cyrill Gutsch, Sarah Mower, Susie Lau, Lizzie Ostrom, Jay Blades, Brad Callahan, Ruth Wassermann, Sonia Solicari, Jane Shepherdson, Tahlia Gray, Anki Josefsson, Orsola de Castro, Michelle Ogundehin, Ben Francis, Kassia St Clair, Christopher Kane and Tammy Kane First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 17 September 2019-23 February 2021 Copyright © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Mary Portas (Author), Mary Portas (Narrator)

Audiobook

Rebuild: How to thrive in the new Kindness Economy

Brought to you by Penguin. Since the pandemic, many businesses have gone under. Others are fighting to stay afloat. But some are thriving. Why is that? Rebuild is a lift raft, a vital guide to how we reset and build back better. Retail and brand expert Mary Portas argues that over the past thirty years the business of what we buy has been dominated by the biggest, fastest and cheapest. But those values no longer resonate. We've come to realize that more doesn't equal better. Good business is now about putting people and planet before profit. The post-pandemic era is all about care, respect and understanding the implications of what we're doing. This 'Kindness Economy' is a new value system which means that in order to thrive businesses must understand the fundamental role they can play in the fabric of our lives. They need to rediscover their authenticity, and balance brand magnetism and commerce with social progress. We're not simply consuming anymore, we're buying into something. Which means that, whether physical or digital, the most important space that any business can now occupy is the space in peoples' hearts. How to rebuild? Here's how. Full of expert insight and invaluable advice, Rebuild shows you how to reset the dial, reignite the passion and build back better. © Mary Portas 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

Mary Portas (Author), Mary Portas (Narrator)

Audiobook

Work Like a Woman: A Manifesto For Change

Random House presents the audiobook edition of Work Like a Woman written and read by Mary Portas. By most people's standards I would say I've had a pretty good career. I've reached the top of the 'ladder' and been lucky enough to have had a damned good life. But at what cost? At the cost of who I truly was. I played the business game for years, where the rules were set by men for men. I was tough and aggressive. I put in long hours, was competitive and resilient. But I suppressed my natural energy, sensitivity and instinct. I worked like this until I couldn't any more. And then I changed. My team and I rebuilt my business on the values that matter: collaboration, empathy, instinct and trust. Values not always associated with leadership or winning, but which have made every one of us feel good. Now I want to share what I've learned through my own experiences, and am still learning, to change the way you work so that female energy and power will be seen as the most valuable currency in today's new world of work. It's time to create an unstoppable force for change. A feminine force. It's time to #WorkLikeAWoman.

Mary Portas (Author), Mary Portas (Narrator)

Audiobook

Shop Girl

Young Mary Newton, born into a large Irish family in a small Watford semi, is always getting into trouble. When she isn't choking back fits of giggles at Holy Communion or eating Chappie dog food for a bet, she's accidentally setting fire to the local school. Mary is a trouble magnet. And, unlike her brothers, somehow she always gets caught... Britain in the 1970s is a world where R. White's lemonade is drunk in secret, curry comes in a box marked Vesta and beanz meanz Heinz. In Mary's family, money is scarce. Clothes are hand-me-downs, holidays are a church day out to Hastings and meals are variations on a potato theme. But these are good times and everything revolves around the force of nature that is Theresa, Mary's mum. When tragedy unexpectedly blows this world apart, a new chapter in Mary's life opens up. She takes to the camp and glamour of Harrods window dressing like a duck to water, and Mary, Queen of Shops is born...

Mary Portas (Author), Mary Portas (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Mary Portas