Stanwells | Blog

10/12/2018
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Royal Seal of Approval for Smythe

The ever stylish wardrobe of Megan, Duchess of Sussex has grown to be a big influence on the fashions we are wearing today… One of her favourite brands, Smythe features regularly in her on and off duty wardrobe. The Canadian brand’s military inspired Pagoda coat from their fall ’18 collection was one of Megan’s choices for an official engagement earlier this year. Styled in taupe wool with stand-out etched buttons, peaked lapels and padded, extended shoulders creating a chic, sharp look. The Smythe Pagoda coat is semi fitted and can be worn with jeans... Read More

15/11/2018

Nasomatto: Scents that break the mould

Characterised by its bold, playful and luxurious nature Nasomatto perfume is for the risk taker, with fragrances that blur the lines between masculine and feminine. Created in 2007, the brand has since established itself amongst the world’s leading perfumes thanks to its quirky branding and sublime scents; not surprising since the nose behind it is Alessandro Gualtieri, an Italian perfumer who has created scents for Versace, Valentino, Helmut Lang, Fendi and more. With the festive season fast approaching and panic starting to set in, why not treat yourself or a... Read More

05/11/2018
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Madeleine Thompson’s Perfect Weekend Escape

We’re all dreaming of an Autumn escape now that the seasons have changed, whether it’s a beach break or a winter hideaway. Here at Stanwells we love hearing from our designers and the lovely Madeleine Thompson was kind enough to share her dream weekend away with us – get ready for some serious holiday inspiration!… My favourite long weekend away would be to go to Los Angeles in the autumn (right now!) The weather now is so amazing: sunny but cool in the evenings and is perfect for cashmere! I... Read More

19/10/2018
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Designer Spotlight: Hayley Menzies

Here at Stanwells we love finding exciting new brands that break away from the mould and that’s precisely why we love Hayley Menzies so much. Her collections are bursting with playful prints and bold colours, perfect for brightening up a dull winters day. To mark the arrival of the AW18 collection, we ventured up to Hayley’s beautiful Notting Hill bolthole to ask her a few questions about her life, work and inspirations. After meeting the whole team (including Hayley’s gorgeous cat, Mouse) we settled down on the cosy sofas adorned... Read More

11/10/2018
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Julia and Louise Take Paris: A Day in the Life of a Fashion Buyer

It’s that time again…Paris Fashion Week is upon us and the whirlwind trip that is a complement of extremes begins! There are no chic modes of transport for Louise and me when it comes to getting to fashion’s most glamorous of capitals; its good old budget airlines, restricted baggage and pre-wrapped sandwiches. Then the question of the luggage, so small no serious fashionista can transport her on trend wardrobe to compete with the cool girl style on the streets of Paris. We pack small, dress clever and keep the colours to a minimum... Read More

21/09/2018
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A Day in the Life of a Fashion Blogger

We’ve been lucky enough to speak to Amber Smith, author of the fabulous fashion & lifestyle blog Style and Shimmer this week to get a better understanding of what it’s really like to pursue a career as a blogger. From product release events to photography tips, Amber has let us in on her daily routine as well as her favourite AW18 trends that we will no doubt be seeing on her blog and Instagram soon! So without further ado, let’s hear what Amber had to say… No day is the same... Read More

03/09/2018
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When Stanwells met Smythe: The Interview

Smythe co-founders Andrea Lenczner (right) & Christie Smythe (left) For those of you who have been keeping up to date with our ‘new arrivals’ section, you’ll know that Canadian brand Smythe has returned to Stanwells with a bang for AW18, with power blazers and modern tailoring that you won’t find anywhere else. We’ve been lucky enough to chat with co-founders Andrea Lenczner and Christie Smythe to delve deeper into the world of sartorial elegance they have created…. Hi Andrea & Christie, thank you so much for taking the time to give... Read More

30/08/2018

It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere: Homemade Cocktails by Helen McGinn

Blow the cobwebs off those mysterious bottles hiding at the back of your cupboards and get ready to create something magical that you won’t want to share! That’s right, it’s cocktail o’clock and we’re excited to share a sneak preview of our good friend Helen McGinn’s new recipe book with you all. You may know her better as author of the Daily Mail Femail drinks column or author of bestselling The Knackered Mother’s Wine Club, but now Helen has turned her hand to cocktail making and we can’t wait to try some... Read More

28/08/2018
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How to Wear: AW18 Trends

How to Wear: AW18 Trends Get ahead of the trends with the Stanwells guide to AW18 dressing; from bold prints to sumptuous textures and chunky footwear, we’re here to help you curate your coolest outfits yet. Why not try pairing casual trainers with a structured blazer for a modern take on daytime dressing or perhaps mix a bold print with tonal accents for a chic co-ordinated look. Here’s our round-up of the hottest trends for AW18 and how to wear them… Animal Print A timeless classic, animal prints feature heavily... Read More

23/08/2018

Recipe of the week: Forest mushrooms, wilted chard leaves & poached hen’s egg on toasted sour dough

Relax and enjoy this easy brunch recipe from Harbour Hotels Chef Director Alex Aitken this bank holiday weekend Here at Stanwells we love our food as much as we love our fashion, so we’ve teamed up with Harbour Hotels Chef Director Alex Aitken to provide you with our favourite recipes of the moment. Get ready for the ultimate bank holiday brunch recipe that is sure to fill your kitchen with tempting aromas this weekend… Ingredients: 25g Butter 200g wild mushrooms 1 shallot finely diced 1 x clove garlic finely minced... Read More