By Julie Morgan

Last updated 16:04, Wednesday, 23 July 2008

AFTER half a century in the glamour business, Whitehaven’s Dorothy Taylor is retiring.

Dorothy Taylor: She’s stepping down from her Vanity Fayre shop in Whitehaven

The owner of Vanity Fayre, she is finally placing the stopper in her career selling exquisite perfumes and cosmetics.

Dorothy will be closing her Market Place shop in mid-September and is currently holding a sale of some of the world’s favourite scents.

“It has been a lifetime for me working in the beauty industry,’’ she said. “And I have loved every minute.’’

After undergoing major surgery in the past few years, she intends to recuperate and then travel to Italy, California and the South of France.

“It is time for me to be walking the floors of cruise liners, not here in the shop!’’ she said. “I would like to thank all of my customers and everyone who has supported me over the years.’’

Dorothy starting her career at Clayton’s Chemist in the town in 1958. At the time Chanel was 27 shillings, now it sells for £65.

In the 1960s she began buying Mary Quant cosmetics and skin-care. While her boss, Tom Christie, was on a week’s break, she transformed the shop. “He really thought I had lost my marbles when he returned and saw the stand with its symmetrical hair-cuts and mini-skirt clad models,’’ she explained. “Twiggy being one of the big stars at the time, we sold Mary Quant to three generations at a time.’’

During the 1970s, the shop was renamed Beauty Box and Dorothy became manageress. She discovered a flair for window display and began winning national contests.

Her talent, which never failed to catch the eye of shoppers on Tangier Street, won her thousands of pounds in prize money and she travelled to top London hotels for special presentations and was awarded holidays and cases of wine.

“Nowadays the perfume companies don’t do window competitions,’’ she said. “I won the only one I entered at Vanity Fayre: this was for Salvador Dali and I got a limited edition bronze statue which I claim is my very own Oscar!’’

Following retirement, Dorothy is hoping to reawaken her artistic skills by joining art and flower arranging classes.

She has also raised thousands of pounds for charity over the years holding special events and giving beauty demonstrations. Dorothy continues to do guest spots on Radio Cumbria talking about perfume and her business experience.