It's often said there's no such thing as bad publicity. That being the case, Phones 4u is still risking accusations of being patronising and sexist with what is undoubtedly planned as a light-hearted product launch. The mobile phone retailer is banning men from three of its larger stores on Wednesday as part of a promotional launch for the pink version of the Sony Ericsson C905 camera phone. Its shops in London's Tottenham Court Road, Argyle Street in Glasgow and Market Street in Manchester are being redesigned for the event, which also offers women a personalised photo-shoot using the phone's 8 megapixel camera and a complementary makeover. There'll be readings from a fortune teller, music from a DJ and - in London - fashion tips from model Lizzy Jagger. The event has apparently been arranged as a response to the company's recent research that showed 46% of women wanted a less male-centric and less intimidating shopping experience. [Sources: WhatMobile.net; BrandRepublic.com]