Harvey Nichols Manchester Launches World’s First Pre-Nup Package

Savvy brides-to-be will be rushing to get this season’s 'wedding must-have' as Harvey Nichols Manchester launches the first ever pre-nup bridal package.

With pre-nups on the rise, Harvey Nichols has created a free consultation package for the modern woman who has everything and wants to keep it that way. It provides a one stop shop for most bridal needs including recommendations on everything from make-up and dress consultations to legal consultations with help from Dennison Greer Solicitors with expert advice about protecting your assets, whatever your financial standing may be.

British Family Lawyers have seen a tenfold increase in the number of couples signing pre-nuptial agreements and with the recent landmark ruling in the case of German Heiress Katrin Radmacher, the British courts are more likely to uphold the agreement. In an age where one in seven Britons considers marrying purely for money and the number of men making claims on their wives’ wealth in divorce has doubled, more women are encouraged to seek professional advice and draw up contracts to ensure their assets are still alive long after the romance is dead.

Iain Mackenzie General Manager of Harvey Nichols Manchester says: “We wanted to offer our female clients a great one stop shop for their bridal needs beyond the dress but offer something different too.

“This a fun and fashionable way to plan your nuptials and have some peace of mind before saying ‘I do’.”

Lisa Kemp, Head of Family Law at Dennison Greer Solicitors, comments: “Pre-nups don’t have to be an unromantic affair, if you’ve purchased a flat and have paid into a mortgage there is nothing wrong with wanting to protect that if its what you came into the marriage with. Having a properly drafted agreement can help avoid a messy divorce.

“We hope that the launch of the pre-nup package makes it easier for women to get important information about the process and make informed decisions before making a commitment.”

History has shown that a lack of a pre-nup can cost you. We only need to remind ourselves that Sir Paul McCartney did not have a pre-nup and was ordered to pay Heather Mills £25 million in their divorce – one of the largest settlements in British history. Whilst Stephen Spielberg split with his wife of four years and she walked away with £80 million – he jotted down his prenuptial terms on a cocktail napkin, which the judge deemed invalid and threw out.

WorkLife Magazine (and Rejuvenate Events) are happy to be the official media partner for Dennison Greer Solicitors and Harvey Nichols to present this exciting launch event. Keep checking here for further event details and if you require any more information or want to get your name down on the guestlist please email party@worklifemagazine.co.uk with “Pre-nup Launch” in the subject field.

MiH Jeans and Liberty: A Match Made in 70s Heaven

WorkLife recently met with the lovely Susan Head of Press and PR for MiH Jeans who showed us some “to die for” denims from the collaboration of MiH and Liberty in creating a limited edition collection of jeans for Autumn Winter 2010.

Established in London in 1969, MiH Jeans was one of the original British denim brands, who pride themselves on using only the highest quality fabrics, whilst paying the utmost attention to detail to create perfect fitting, leg lengthening jeans; timeless with a modern twist. Over the years the brand has also developed a firm following of fashion forward celebrities including Sarah Jessica Parker, Kate Bosworth and Jessica Biel.

The collaboration is inspired by Liberty's mission to source and create unique and beautiful fashion and printed textiles from around the world. The 70s was a key decade for both brands, so it is no coincidence that they both chose a jeans shape synonymous with the decade and a print that was popular at the time. Typical of their attention to detail, MiH Jeans even added Liberty’s original branding from this era to the jeans hangtags for added authenticity!

The two jeans exclusive to the collaboration are:

The brand's best selling Marrakesh Jean £165 has been developed into a lush classic Liberty purple in velvet fabric to add additional lustre. Their cut is perhaps the most flattering jeans shape for all womens body types, whilst their kick flare cut gives you a sense of 70's nostalgia with every step. Would look perfect teamed with this seasons ever coveted wooden clogs!


The Vienna Jeans in 'Feather Print' £175. Using ‘Dakota’ a geometric feather print designed by Liberty in 1960 MiH has created a truly individual jean. Its super skinny cut makes it a perfect wardrobe staple, whilst its all over pattern is subtle enough so that it could be wearable everyday whilst still injecting that pop of fun into your denim collection.

The jeans are available in Liberty stores and online now so dont miss out on your chance of owning a piece of 70's inspired British heritage!

Words by Anna J. Westerman

WorkLife Meet Duncan Bannatyne and Support Charity Quit

UK stop smoking charity QUIT’s celebrity supporters have backed the need for a dedicated youth stop smoking service in Manchester.


At a special charity event earlier this week at Wellacre Technology College in Flixton, QUIT’s Children’s Champion Duncan Bannatyne (Dragon’s Den) and one of the charity’s Vice Presidents Dr Chris Steele (This Morning) helped raise awareness for the £50,000 needed for a youth project in Manchester and the North West.

In Manchester, children’s smoking rates have increased by 5% in two years,* and the new project – run by QUIT’s youth service Quit Because – would include a full time Youth Presenter, presentations in schools and youth clubs, stop smoking groups and resources for 8-18 year olds across the North West of England. In the Manchester area alone, this project would reach around 17,000 young people.

The Quit Because team presented to Year 8’s at Wellacre Technology College, where they took part in a quiz and saw a fun and informative ‘ingredients’ show, demonstrating some of the 4,000 chemicals found in a cigarette. The event also saw the launch of QUIT’s new youth resource - Inhale This. The interactive booklet is aimed at educating young teenagers about the effect of smoking on their lungs, and features 3D pages, pop ups, games, quizzes and more.

Local businesses, including WorkLife Magazine and public health figures were also invited to meet Duncan, Chris and the QUIT team over a lunchtime networking session arranged by local networking forum, Rejuvenate, and stayed to watch the presentations to the Year 8 pupils.

Read more in our next issue as we grill the Dragon himself and find out more about his work with QUIT

Words by Anna-Louise

WorkLife Magazine Party

Thursday evening saw WorkLife Magazine host a party in celebration of their latest issue, issue 11!


Held at Manchesters first Cachacaria Bar Viva Brasil on Deansgate, WorkLife's advertisers, friends and the Manchester elite came together in support of the Magazine for a night of networking fun and get their hands on their own copy of the latest issue.

The Viva Brasil barman provided excellant service, ensuring the drinks and canapes didnt stop flowing throughout the night. The evening's drinks of choice were of course Brasil's national drink, the Caipirinha cocktail, which is mixed together using only Cachaca rum, freshly squeezed limes and Sugar. The canapes on the other hand, gave the guests a taste of a Brazilian BBQ with a variety of different meats, all marinated in the traditional Brazilian way.

However, it was the evening's live entertainment ensured it would be a party to remember with Brazilian dancers! The dancers filled the room with energy and the spirit of Brasil and even managed to persuade some of the braver guests to join in on the dancing too (easily done after a couple of Caipirinha cocktails).

Check out some pictures from our amazing night!


Words and images by Anna J. Westerman