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Sh! celebrates 20th anniversary

Erotic retailer Sh! celebrated 20 years in business in April when founders Kathryn Hoyle and Sophie Walters partied with their glamorous Sh! girls at London’s Café de Paris. They were joined by famous aerialist Loz Buzzard; Laura Nixon, said to be the UK’s top Marilyn Monroe tribute artist, who sang Happy Birthday and a slightly naughty version of Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend; and the Fuel Girls, the world-famous troupe of fire breathing ladies, who reportedly set the evening ablaze with their high-octane performances.

On the balcony, the VIP guests were served pink champagne by members of the Kitten Club, whilst the dance floor filled with over 400 fans of the shop.

“The party was the perfect mix of decadence, playfulness and utter sexiness, exactly like Sh! herself,” said Kathryn Hoyle. “It was a fabulous celebration of female sexuality and how far it’s come in two decades. I can’t wait to see what the next 20 years brings, but will be sure that Sh! leads the way.”

Sh! was established in 1992 by Kathryn Hoyle and Sophie Walters as the first female-run British business selling sex toys with the focus solely on women. The first store was in London’s Hoxton Square and Sh! opened a second site in 2010 in Portobello. The founders had another reason to celebrate last month after picking up two Qype Business Awards – Best Business of the Year, UK & Ireland 2012, and UK Shopping Venue Of The Year 2012.

Hoyle said: “We are thrilled and overwhelmed. To be picked as Qype Best Business of the Year is the best 20th birthday present we could have ever wished for! As a business that started on only £700, we hope it inspires other entrepreneurs who have plenty of vision and passion, but haven’t got much cash, to go for it. To be recognised by such a high profile consumer review site is the best validation for the mantra the customer is king or, in our case, the queen.”