IDS: Anne's Blog

In the news

Anne — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:21:17 +0000

I have just been interviewed for Inspiresme. I thought I would share it with you. Please follow the link.

www.inspiresme.co.uk/business-planning/business-plans/10-of-the-uk-s-most-inspirational-female-entrepren/

Last days in Canada

Anne — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:15:55 +0000

The RDA event in Canada finally came to a close at a Gala event on Saturday night so Ian, Kate and I spent a few hours sightseeing on Sunday before we flew home and fortunately the sun spent the day with us too!

Here we are on our booth and then visiting the Olympic Stadium from the summer of 1967 as well as the setting for the magnificent church of St Joseph. However, it was good to get home at last!

Sparkly British headbands

Anne — Fri, 04 May 2012 12:15:08 +0000

Yes, that’s our free gift this time.

Everyone loves our sparkly Union Jack headbands (as well as our accents!) as you can see by these excited students!

Our friends at ABT

Anne — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:12:57 +0000

It’s very busy here in Montreal with so much happening all day every day! Our booth is right next to the ABT one so we have been able to talk to the teachers about their ABT uniform once they have heard about this great training programme from the booth next door.
Here is Kate talking to Jenna from ABT.

Ready for visitors

Anne — Tue, 01 May 2012 12:39:15 +0000

Here’s Kate ready to greet our first customers!

A new country

Anne — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:25:10 +0000

For the first time ever I am in Canada!

Ian, Kate and I are here in Montreal for the centenary celebrations of Regional Dance America. We have set up our booth this afternoon and are now ready to welcome the hundreds of dance teachers from all over Canada and USA with a very special, very English gift. Pictures to follow!

Kate and I had a little walk to get some fresh air and stopped off at the magnificent Notre Dame Basilica.

A day at the RAD

Anne — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:34:07 +0000

Today I have been back in London but this time at the Royal Academy of Dance for a very special farewell lunch for Dame Antoinette Sibley who has stepped down today after almost 21years as President of the RAD. She has been an inspirational figurehead and talked fondly about her time at the Academy.

Dame Antoinette unveiled a bronze bust of herself and she was also presented with the Queen Elizabeth 2nd Coronation Award 2012. It was a delightful event!

Earlier on in the day I had attended the RAD AGM where the next President was voted in. Everyone at IDS is delighted to hear that it will be Darcey Bussell CBE. It’s been quite a week for Darcey as it has also just been announced that she will join the judging panel of Strictly Come Dancing this autumn.

This is me with Dame Antoinette and the newly unveiled sculpture.

Lots of travelling

Anne — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:22:05 +0000

I am in the middle of a very hectic week of travelling. Yesterday we had a fantastic morning at The Royal Ballet School taking photos of our 1st Position Pro range for the next Diamond Book.

Our model, Amy Thake, is a professional dancer and former Royal Ballet School student. Our photographer, Elaine, is a former English National Ballet soloist, so we really were pushing the Professional theme!

Here is Amy on set with Elaine Mayson our photographer, Elaine our buyer and me. Look out for the great new Pro styles in August!

This one is personal!

Anne — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:27:21 +0000

Today Ian and I celebrated our wedding anniversary with a great day out in London. Here we are having a champagne trip on the London Eye. Look at the amazing weather! It’s hard to believe its March!

Later in the day we had a fascinating tour of the House of Lords from the incredibly interesting Baroness Jolly followed by afternoon tea in the House of Lords Dining Room. Quite an eventful couple of days!

Breaking News

Anne — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 20:52:38 +0000

I am thrilled to be able to tell you that we have just been awarded the ECMOD award for our category!

Jonathan and Allison proudly took to the stage to take our latest ECMOD trophy. Thank you to all our great catalogue and web team as well as all our wonderful customers-without you we would not win anything!