Mary Portas hosts event at Durham Book Festival with donations supporting women’s charity Smart Works Newcastle
Written by Katie Higson on 3rd October 2025
On Friday 10th October, TV star, journalist and businesswoman Mary Portas OBE is presenting an event at the Durham Book Festival from 6-7pm in support of the charity Smart Works Newcastle.
Mary Portas: Photo provided by New Writing North team, credited to Linda Nylind
Mary Portas, nicknamed the “Queen of shops” after her 2007 BBC documentary ‘Mary Queen of shops’, is hosting an event in discussion with the Director of the London Fashion Fund, Jane Shepherdson, ahead of the release of Mrs Portas’ new book ‘I Shop Therefore I Am’.
Jane Shepherdson CBE was the Brand Director for Topshop from 1998 to 2008 before becoming CEO of clothing brand Whistles until 2016. Since then, she has been a patron to Smart Works Newcastle and a regular dressing volunteer at the North London branch of the charity.
‘I Shop Therefore I Am’ by Mary Portas book cover (photo provided by New Writing North team)
The book is a memoir about her life and experiences in the 90s fashion world, including as a creative director for Harvey Nichols, and is expected to be officially released on 2nd October 2025. It has been described as a “A GUARDIAN ‘BEST BOOK TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2025”.
Mrs Portas has agreed to do this event in support of Smart Works Newcastle, a charity that is dedicated to empowering all women in the North East that need help getting jobs through one-to-one interview coaching and personal styling sessions that provide high quality clothing for job interviews. The Newcastle charity prides themselves on accomplishing a figure of 68% client success in getting the job within one month of their Smart Works appointment.
Smart Works Newcastle announced that they are “delighted to be the chosen charity partner for this exciting in conversation event with Mary Portas and Jane Shepherdson”, further explaining that “Jane is a regular Smart Works Stylist Volunteer in London” and that they “are so proud to have her on the board of trustees at Smart Works Charity.”
Ms Shepherdson stated that: “There are many things I love about Smart Works but the main one is the moment that I dress someone and help them to get the confidence and nail that job.”
On New Writing North, the website that allows people to book onto the event, it states that attendees are encouraged to donate clothing at the book event. These donated clothes aim to be used by Smart Works Newcastle for future personal styling sessions and fundraising clothing sales.
Tickets for this event can be bought on the New Writing North website and prices range from £5 for live stream access to £17 (or £15 with concessions) for in-person access, although additional fees may not be included.
