Mary Poppins invitation sets scene for winners to celebrate with host Sara Barron on 7 July
Get your glad rags ready! The fabulous Retas 2022 party is only a week away with rising comedian Sara Barron all set to host the Oscars of the greeting card retail world.
From all the finalists in the 19 categories, The Retas 2022 winners will be revealed at the wonderful afternoon event featuring a Mary Poppins-esque theme on Thursday, 7 July, in the Ballroom of the Grosvenor House Hotel, opposite Hyde Park in London.
And the gorgeous invitation, designed by The Art File’s Kate Mainard, sets the scene for what promises to be a really enjoyable and uplifting party.
“To start the design,” Kate told PG Buzz, “I began by researching Mary Poppins imagery and chose to illustrate the iconic scene of her flying over the city with her umbrella and bag.
“I used this character for the front of the invite along with gold lettering to create the look of a classic film poste, and featured other elements like the kite, the skyline, and the pinstripes to tie the design together.”
Having worked at the Nottingham-based publisher for 18 months, Kate’s newest range for The Art File is the music and instruments-themed Maestro and she added: “I’ve worked on many exciting projects in that time. A couple of other ranges I’ve designed are Wildflowers and Curio.”
Many of the finalists have already expressed their delight at being recognised for The Retas 2022, and Russell and Yvonne Payne, owners of Best Wishes in Bishops Waltham, were made up when their local MP, Flick Drummond, took time out from her busy schedule to visit their shop in recognition of the achievement.
Russell told PG Buzz: “It was so lovely of Flick to give us her time in recognition of our success.”
The winning retailers will be called to the stage to receive their well-deserved trophies from Sara, one of the fastest-rising comedians of her generation having debut at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe. She’s since starred on shows including the BBC’s Live At The Apollo, Would I Lie To You?, and Frankie Boyle’s New World Order.
A powerhouse live act, Sara’s two stand-up hours, For Worse (2018) and Enemies Closer (2019) sold out at both the Edinburgh Festival and multiple runs in London’s Soho Theatre. She was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards and at the Chortle Awards, as well as garnering rave reviews from publications including The Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Evening Standard and The Scotsman.
Tickets and tables to The Retas 2022 can still be bought online via www.max-tickets.net or by contacting The Retas’ awards organiser, Clare Hollick of Createvents on 01183 340085 or by emailing her on clare@createvents.co.uk.
The Retas 2022 has a strong roster of sponsors, all of whom are committed to rewarding retail expertise. They include Abacus Cards, The Art File, Belly Button Designs, Carte Blanche Greetings, Cath Tate Cards, Danilo, Glick, Hallmark, Ohh Deer, Ling Design, Meraki, Museums & Galleries, Nigel Quiney Publications, Paperlink, Pigment Productions, Progressive Greetings Live, Second Nature, Sensations, Spring Fair/Autumn Fair, UK Greetings and Woodmansterne Publications.
Top: Sara Barron is host at The Retas 2022
