A former hospital worker has left the NHS after 20 years to follow her dream of opening a 1950s-themed boutique in Altrincham town centre.
Marie Davis has launched Lucy Loves at Didi’s Boutique on Ashley Road as a one-stop shop for all things related to the decade best known for its polka-dot dresses, saddle shoes and quiffs.
Marie had been selling 50s dresses online under the Lucy Loves Vintage brand, but was considering its future due to a lack of space. “I had nowhere for people to come for fittings,” she said, “at one point I had three random women in my kitchen trying dresses on!”
So when the opportunity came earlier this year to take over Didi’s Boutique, Marie jumped at the chance.
“My nanna had died the previous day and I was in that ‘you only live once’ mindset,” she said. “I’m 36 now, and I thought that if I was going to make a change, I needed to make it now.”
So Marie left her management role at the Manchester Royal Infirmary – she’d previously spent 16 years at Trafford General – and focused full-time on her business. “It was a really good job but I wasn’t enjoying it at all,” she said, “I know it’s a risk but I just had to take it.”
Lucy Loves at Didi’s Boutique, the name for her new shop, sells 50s dresses for ladies from size 6 right up to 32. It also has a colourful range of girls’ Audrey Hepburn dresses, men’s rockabilly shirts, shoes, accessories and homewares. “We cater for people who like the 50s look or are dressing up for a party. I’ve just sorted out a lady who needed 10 polka dot dresses and petticoats for her 10 bridesmaids.”
Marie’s love for the 50s look only started three years ago. “I didn’t have any body confidence at the time and all I ever seemed to wear was black or long baggy tops and jeans,” she said.
“But my boyfriend bought me a 1950s photo shoot for my birthday, and I loved it. The next day I binned the jeans, headed to Afflecks Palace in Manchester and invested in a massive haul of frocks. Ever since then I’ve never looked back as I realise that the cut of the styles really suit my body shape.”
The other benefit for Marie is that she has her life back – which is good news for her 10-year-old daughter, Lucy, who inspired the brand name.
“Before I was out of the house from 6 in the morning til 8 in the evening. I was having to leave Lucy my daughter with childminders and hardly saw her. Now I get to see so much more of her and can pick her up every day.”
Lucy Loves at Didi’s Boutique, 18a Ashley Rd, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 2DW. Marie has set up a crowdfunding campaign to help her fit out her new business – you can find it here.
