It’s competition time and we’re getting a bit romantic – we’re giving you an amazing opportunity to WIN a gorgeous lingerie set or shapewear from the Arlene Phillips range - just in time for Valentines Day!

The competition will run from midday Friday 3rd February - Midday Wednesday 8th February 2012.

You can enter in one of two ways:

1. Leave a comment under this blog post!
2. On Twitter by retweeting the competition message, using the hashtag #ArleneLingerie and follow us @MarisotaUK

We’re extremely excited to announce we’re running a fabulous RT & follow competition on Twitter to WIN an Arlene Phillips dress of your choice from Marisota . All you need to do is head over to your Twitter account follow us at @MarisotaUK and retweet the competition tweet with the hashtag #ArleneDress

Lookout for the following tweet from Monday 23rd January 2012 – Monday 30th January 2012:

RT & Follow for a chance to WIN a Arlene Phillips dress* from @MarisotaUK #Arlenedress *More info http://bit.ly/xpst7T Ends 30/1/12 UK Only

There’s a stunning selection of dress to choose from the Arlene Phillips range, here’s a couple of our favourites..

*Please note:

The winner will be picked at random on the basis they have retweeted, used the hashtag and followed @MarisotaUK.

The competition will finish by the end of 30/01/2012 and the winner will be announced week commencing 31/01/2012. The winner may choose any dress from the Arlene Phillips range at Marisota, however this is subject to stock availability at the point of contact, entrants from the UK only.  This competition is not open to anyone affiliated with Marisota.co.uk

Tweet

With everyone heading to back work – for most of us the Christmas festivities and the New Year parties are all but a distant memory. Kick start your new working year with some stylish and professional new work wear. All our work wear is available in sizes up to 32, with a range of different leg lengths and our selection of footwear come in sizes 4-9 with the option of a wider fit.

Take a look at some these 2012 work wear ideas…

Simple Work Shirt and Skirt

Available in three colours; black, sky blue and white – this shirt feels very soft to the touch. Made from 100% cotton – it allows the skin to breathe which is great if you work in a warm environment. Choose from sizes up to 32.

Add block of colour to a plain shirt with a bright pencil skirt. A pencil skirt looks professional and femine – check out the rest of our pencil skirts…

Jacket and Trouser by Arlene Phillips

Very chic, stylish and professional – this jacket and trouser combination is sure to make you stand out at work. Notice the jacket’s contrast trim, no collar and statement zip- – all of which are hugely popular this coming season. This lovely jacket from the Arlene Phillips collection is also available in black and cobalt blue (as seen below).

Palazzo trousers are very on trend at the moment and we love these gorgeous ones from the Arlene Phillips range. Choose from two colours; black and ivory polkadot or black - available in three leg lengths and in sizes up to 32.

Get yourself noticed at work with our fabulous range of work wear… The first week back is nearly over and I’m sure you’re ready for the weekend! See you soon. x

The autumn/ winter season is now upon us and we think you’ll love Arlene’s new styles. The floral luxe and strictly spectacular trends are all about tawny shades that are perfect for the season mixed with glittering gold embellishments and stunning prints.

Don’t forget you’ll find even more fabulous fashion in sizes 12 – 32 here at Marisota x

Just in case you missed it, on Tuesday 16th August we had Arlene Phillips all to ourselves for an hour on the Marisota Facebook page to answer your questions about her collection, Marisota and all things Dance! Here’s what you asked, and her answers!

Marisota

Good evening everyone! We are delighted to welcome the fabulous Arlene Phillips along for our very first Facebook chat! Simply post your questions to Arlene here on the Marisota wall, be quick though we only have her for 1 hour!

Arlene: Hello everyone! Here I am ready to take your questions!

Natty: Hi Arlene have you always been interested in fashion and what made you work for Marisota?

Arlene: Natty I’ve always had a passion for fashion and when Marisota approached me to design a collection for them I was really excited because it’s for women just like me

Jennie :Hi Arlene, which is your favourite item from your range? x

Arlene: Jennie I’m secretly excited about my NEW collection that’s coming up and I’m in love with every item, I did the photo session for the catalogue last weekend and I cannot choose which is the favourite item.

Fiona: Hi Arlene. I’m dying to know have you kept any of your outfits from the Hot Gossip days?? Do you ever still wear them? Did they inspire any of the pieces in your Marisota collection? Thanks Fiona

Arlene: Fiona I still have a few old Hot Gossip clothes in the dressing up box that my daughters used to raid! and I CERTAINLY don’t wear them!!! The only way they inspire me is by making the best of your body whatever your body is like.

LaCara: Hi Arlene, what was your inspiration for your line?

Arlene: my inspiration is what makes curvy girls look good!

Victoria: Hi Arlene! I admire your style and wanted to know what the best fashion tip you’ve ever been given was. x

Arlene: The best fashion tip I’ve ever been given is, never be afraid to explore your own style, whether it’s clashing colours or wacky styling it will all come into fashion at some time and you can say you were ahead of it.

Amy: Hi Arlene, what would be your fashion advice for curvy girls?x

Arlene: My fashion advice for curvy girls is show off your assets, I’ve always been a firm believer in the fact that men like curvy girls, so don’t be afraid to let the clothes cling.

LaCara: Who are your favourite designers, and why?

Arlene: My favourite designers are Phillip Lim, because he does lots of things with sleeves, and I personally am not keen on the bare am look, also Stella McCartney because I think she designs for all shapes and sizes

Shirley: Random Question for Arlene – Being a former teacher at Pineapple Dance Studios did you watch the TV series with Louis Spence? If so did you enjoy it?

Arlene: Hi Shirley, I didn’t see the whole series, but having worked as a choreographer and using Louie as a dancer in the past, I watched it whenever I could, I’ve been a friend of Debbie Moore’s since long before Pineapple days and tried to watch everything she does.

Arlene: A question from me: if I could design something especially for you, what would it be and why?

Jennie: I think a real staple look so it can be dressed up or down x

Arlene: Thanks Jennie, I agree and I think you’ll be very pleased with the upcoming collection as it does just that!

LaCara: A staple piece, like a dress or jacket, so that I can wear it to any occasion and style it accordingly

Arlene: LaCara yes definitely!

Sue: An outfit for best like I had when I was a kid!! Reason being not only am I a size 16 I am also only 5ft 4 so I find it hard to get the right proportions to make something look really special

Arlene: Hi Sue, I’m not much more than 5ft 3 myself, I find a simple dress either block colour or simple pattern that has one special detail like my Jersey dress available in red and blue is perfect for that outfit for ‘Best’

Jenny: What’s your favourite show that you’ve choreographed?

Arlene: I will probably have to say my first, Starlight Express, but I’m passionate about all of the others.

Sali: As you were a SYTYCD judge and as you are a dancer yourself, what genre of dance do you like to watch?

Arlene: Sali, I’m passionate about Argentine Tango.

Peter: Did Marisota give you carte blanche to design your own collection?

Arlene: Hi Peter, nice to answer a question from a man. Marisota gave me complete freedom to come up with my collection. Like everything it takes time and I think my new collection for 2012 has got it absolutely right.

Teresa: Hello Arlene…. I just wondered how important you consider gymnastic ability is whilst training to be a dancer these days? x

Arlene: Flexibility is of major importance and it’s always useful for a dancer to have tricks up their sleeve such as gymnastics when they’re auditioning.

Emma: Hi Arlene, as you know, I’m a big fan of your style. I was just wondering what your favourite trends are for the autumn? Emma x

Arlene: Autumn’s about being brave, wearing brights, clashing patterns and colours and putting things together by being fiercely individual

Nadia: Hi Arlene, I was just wondering what inspired you whilst designing your collection for Marisota?

Arlene: My inspiration often starts with colour and I like to think of the way my body moves in clothes you could say I enjoy dancing with colour! I’m constantly wrapping fabrics around me and then moving – if I like the way it looks in the mirror, then I get to work on the shapes.

Rosie: Hi Arlene, what colour can’t you live without in your wardrobe and why?

Arlene: It has to be bright pink, probably because it’s a colour that always lifts my spirits and it’s most certainly a colour that turns heads, sometimes for the right reasons and sometimes for the wrong! Love it or hate it, PINK it is!

Gillian: Arlene, I just wanted to say that you seem to be a very nice lady and i just love your clothes. Thank you.

Marisota

Wow, can’t believe how quick an hour flies by! Well that is it I am afraid we are now at the end of our live Facebook chat with Arlene Phillips. Arlene, thank you so much for taking the time to answer all of our questions it’s been fantastic and thank you to all of you for your great questions, keep an eye on our page for more great events like this one. Plus you can catch up with Arlene on her Twitter page or on the official Arlene Phillips Facebook page!

Sally Lindsay has appeared in Woman’s Own magazine talking about joining Loose Women, and she’s looking fantastic in some of the Arlene Phillips fashion collection for Marisota!

Image from Woman's Own magazine

Sally’s wearing the stunning Arlene Phillips animal print maxi dress along with a Marisota studded denim jacket and we think she looks fabulous!

We can’t wait to see her on Loose Women! Don’t forget you can see the whole new Arlene Phillips fashion collection at Marisota! You can find out more in the latest issue of Woman’s Own or in the Daily Mail.

Well after a few days of gorgeous weather we’re starting to believe that spring has finally arrived. As such it’s about time we had a rifle through our wardrobes and dug out some summery looks. Once again the maxi dress is set to be a major trend. They couldn’t be better for summer, just add sandals in the day or heels at night!

These are our favourite maxi dresses for 2011

This gorgeous blue maxi dress from the Arlene Phillips fashion collection is perfect for getting the look for quite a few trends at once! Floral print and blue shades are both set to be popular this season.  Just add these comfortable wide fitting gladiator sandals from Isabella Cole for perfect spring style.

If your arms are one of your less favourite body parts, then you should opt for a maxi with a bit of a sleeve. This animal print maxi is just the thing, natural tones are totally on trend this season! You can even dress this look up with the addition of some high heeled wedge sandals.  These Grazia sandals are an E width fitting so they’re fabulously comfortable too!

So those are a couple of our favourite maxi dresses for spring, which is your favourite and how will you wear the maxi dress trend?

Jenny x

Last night was one of the biggest, and most glittering events of the celebrity calendar – the Oscars! There were two trends that really stood out this year; red and nude shades.  We also have a great collection of red carpet ready looks and party outfits, so if you’re struggling to find you perfect outfit – you’ll get it here!

Lady In Red

This look is bold and sexy, but can be difficult to get right. This gorgeous red dress is perfect for capturing this look. It’s formal without being stuffy and can be worn in so many different ways.  Just add flat sandals for day wear, or dress it up with some black court shoes and a stunning bag.

Naturally Nude

The other trend that was clear at last night’s academy awards was nude shades with feature detailing.  This gorgeous nude disc dress from the Arlene Phillips fashion collection is the ideal way to get this demure look.

Which do you prefer, bold reds or subtle nudes?

Jenny x

Since the announcement of the Royal Wedding everyone has been scrambling to find the perfect wrap dress. There was even an article about how the wrap style suits all body shapes. But we think we might have cracked it with the mock wrap dress from the Arlene Phillips range.

This gorgeous style has all the flattering features of a traditional wrap dress without the drawbacks.  The band to the waist avoids the usual lopsided look that many wrap dresses cause, whilst the ruching to the front means this style truly suits all shapes.

The colour of this dress is totally on trend for spring, offering a much brighter, sunnier shade than many other styles that are around. It’s perfect for any special occasion, and as Arlene shows in the picture above, it goes perfectly with this season’s nude accessories.

What do you think, do you love the wrap style or loathe it?

Jenny x

If you’re feeling the pinch then don’t forget to check out our winter sale. It has all the looks you love with up to 70% off.  Choose one of our stylish dresses for spring perfect style.

This gorgeous printed dress from the Arlene Phillips range is just perfect for spring and summer, plus it’s the ideal way to get this season’s floral trend. Just add sandals in summer or stylish court shoes for a smart work look.

There’s also this gorgeous Grazia bow neck top. A seriously pretty style for Spring!