Journal

Summer is fading fast, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t make the most of it while it lasts. We’re experts in locating the very best women’s summer clothing styles from the most exciting brands and new designers, and we’ve got one last late summer line-up for you. Introducing our final SS17 edit; a collection of our favourite styles perfect for those final stolen days of summer, and just as perfect for the first few golden weeks of autumn. Let’s start with footwear... We’re at that stage in the year where it’s starting to get a little too cold for open summer sandals, but you still want a little bit of foot freedom. This is where these gorgeous golden mules from London label, Hudson Shoes, step in to save the day. The open heel and vented sides help hold on to an element of summer style and will keep your feet nice and cool, while the closed toe offers some protection just in case the British late-summer weather decides to be unkind at the last minute. We absolutely love the glamorous golden suede on these mules; it adds such a gorgeous sunshine glow to any outfit you pair them with, and the chunky wooden heel is bang on trend this season and heading into next. Dressed up or dressed down, these are the ultimate summer-into-autumn designer fashion essential. Grab a pair here. The key to perfect summer clothing is colour, and lots of it. This head turning blouse from London label, RIXO, more than delivers on the colour, and on everything else besides. Bold, floaty and loose-fitting, this blouse is vibrant and comfortable enough for warmer weather, while also flaunting equally autumnal colours and long sleeves for the approaching new season. We fell in love with RIXO’s combination of daring contemporary style and nostalgic retro print of this blouse, and its potential for both casual and dressed-up outfits. You can pair this silken number with almost anything, from your favourite relaxed jeans to high-waisted skirts and heels, making it the ideal ‘main event’ piece for a huge variety of outfits. Take a closer look and buy yours here. Accessories now, and we just had to show you this stunning clutch designed in the heart of the French countryside by Maison Baluchon. There’s something just so inherently summery about this gorgeous jungle-themed print, with its splashes of warm yellows, oranges and greens. Incidentally, these colours also lend themselves perfectly to traditional autumn colour schemes, so you’re well and truly covered for this season and next. Carry all your essentials in style through those final balmy summer evening garden parties, and add a splash of nature-inspired fun to your AW17 outfits for the easiest seasonal accessory transition ever. The right pair of trousers can make the perfect all-seasons fashion companion, and we’ve got that exact right pair here at Stanwells. These head-turning African print linen pants are the creation of luxury Italian label, 120% Lino, famous for their use of the best quality linens. That mesmerising print combined with the lightweight linen and cropped style makes these pants the summer wardrobe champions, lending themselves perfectly to summer days out and evening BBQs. Fast forward into AW17, and you’ve got trousers to keep your legs from getting too chilly, combined with the vibrant earthy colour schemes of autumn. It couldn’t get much more convenient, or much more on-trend. Pair with sandals or ankle boots and a black leather jacket to complete the look. You can find these incredible pants right here in our online store. With any or all of these pieces, you’ll be investing in fashion that lasts from season to season, and making sure you’re getting the most of the last of the summer sunshine. We’re experts in choosing the very best of women’s summer clothing, so why not browse our complete collection of boutique ranges online at Stanwells today.

How far would you travel to find the perfect outfit? If you’re anything like us, you can’t resist exploring the fashion treasures in every boutique you come across on your travels. There’s nothing quite like the excitement of discovering a new designer, and that’s why we’ve made it our business to do exactly this. Not off on holiday any time soon? You’ve always got us. We’re always searching the world for new and exciting brands, and bringing them back here to our boutique stores for you to explore. So here’s a whistle-stop tour of some of our favourite designers from around the world, and how they captured our hearts: In the exotic, faraway land of Morocco, we discovered the beautiful work of Maryam and Daren Bonar, and their label, En Shalla. The moment we saw these stunning hand-woven handbags we knew we had to find out more about the artists behind them. After visiting the local artisans of Marrakesh, Maryam and Daren were inspired to combine traditional North African art with modern fashion ideas. They began weaving beautiful bags using natural raffia and leather trim to create a unique style, and we fell head over heels for it. Perfect for festivals and completing any boho chic outfit, these bags are an accessory-lover’s dream. Let’s now jump back across the sea to Europe and one of the biggest fashion destinations of the world: Italy. It’s here that we discovered the stunning work of fashion designer, Vivi Ponti, a.k.a Vivetta. Famous for her signature embroidery, clean lines and retro feel, all of Vivetta’s clothing is designed and crafted exclusively in Italy, so it doesn’t get much more authentic than this. Vivi’s collections take inspiration from sixties and seventies style, as well as poetry, dolls and antiques, and this comes through in her gorgeous designs. And with stars like Pixie Lott, Alexa Chung and Cher Lloyd having been spotted wearing Vivetta clothing, we couldn’t resist bringing some of our favourite pieces back with us for our stores. Heading across the pond to the States now, and the star-studded city of Los Angeles. Here we discovered the masters of denim, AG Jeans. Launched in 2000 by denim industry pioneer, Yul Ku, AG Jeans has grown from a denim designer to an established contemporary lifestyle brand, and we can’t get enough of their style. Once you’ve slipped into AG’s luxuriously soft denim, you’ll never go back to high street jeans again. Plus, you’ll love the classic, sophisticated styles such as The Stilt and The Legging – two of our absolute favourites – and these, unsurprisingly, remain the key styles for the brand. One more thing we love about this brand is their attitude toward social responsibility. Did you know that AG only use eco-conscious fibres and partner with charity: water, to help make a difference to people in developing nations. Amazing work, amazing brand. A relatively short hop from the States is Canada, home to another of our favourite fashion brand discoveries: SOIA & KYO. Founded in Montreal in 2004 by creative director, Ilan Elfassy, this brand believes that beauty is found in simplicity, and we couldn’t agree more. When we discovered the brand’s timeless, tailored style we couldn’t resist introducing it to our own stores as one of our favourite lines of ladies’ outerwear. Combining luxurious materials and the chic, contemporary style of Montreal, SOIA & KYO is now a global brand, and will always have a place at Stanwells. And finally, it’s back over to Europe and another world fashion destination: France, of course. Here we discovered the stunning work of Maison Baluchon, crafting high-end accessories with some of the most swoon-worthy prints you’ve ever seen. Maison Baluchon’s range of beautifully crafted fabric and leather pouchettes, clutches and iPad cases is created by designers Nathalie Vidal and Toma Bletner in the heart of the French countryside. Designed to reflect the forests, lakes and rich cultural heritage of their home in Haute-Marne, each piece has a wonderful authenticity to it, and gosh are they pretty! Once we saw them, we just had to have them at Stanwells. They make the perfect accessories, and add a splash of colour and intrigue to any outfit, smart or casual. That concludes our fashion tour of the world for now. If you want to see more, just head over to our Designers section on our website to see more of our favourite labels.

                  Emma J Shipley is a graphic artist inspired by the irregular patterns and the unique beauty of the natural world; exploring surreal fantasy, imagination and evolution and transferring her designs on to beautiful silk scarves. The Sirens scarf collection is inspired by Ancient Greek myths and stories. The hand-drawn winged Siren waits among rocks; framed by animalistic palm trees, tropical bird life and mischievous monkeys among spotted shells and coral. In the Neptune design, a curious flamingo surveys an underwater scene full of striped fish, starfish and seahorses all in vibrant hues. Inky blues,hot pinks, teal and turquoise and key colours in the collection, highlighted with accents of grey, lime and coral red . Each artwork is intricately hand-drawn in pencil, before being printed onto the finest fabrics all with hand rolled edging, finished by hand in Italy. This season Emma J Shipley continues with the popular skinny silk scarf and ever popular over sized silk statement scarves for the contemporary woman.

Be cool in 120% Lino’s stylish summer collection, holiday wear, Italian style... Designed and made in Italy, 120% Lino offering Italian style with the collection of stylish dresses, pants, shorts and tops making it the perfect resort wear. Summer 2017 offers great linen basics in white and cool blues along with fabulous collection of printed linen maxi and day dresses trimmed with macramé necklines. Delicate crochet edging adds a touch of glamour to easy to wear throw on holiday dresses with the collections fringed jackets adding a touch of colour for hot summer dressing... 120% Lino is available in our Lymington store and online at www.stanwells.com

Indulge in Duffy New York’s luxurious spring cashmere collection in a delicious array of colours… Duffy is the creation of Ed Duffy, founded in 2009 in New York the label is now eponymous for gorgeous cashmere knits for the cool, contemporary woman. Renowned for a clean understated look and the perfect partner to jeans Duffy knitwear this spring choose from cool greys, soft cream trimmed with vibrant green stripes, pastel pink and blue shot sleeved cashmere tees and de luxe cashmere sweatshirt style sweaters with cut away fronts in zesty lemon sorbet and apple green.. Gorgeous long-line v-neck cashmere button through cardigans in pastel shades with a contrast stripe down the sides; with v- neck hot krill orange sweaters...all a must for everyday dressing with jeans for early spring and cool summer evenings… Duffy makes spring dressing easy in super–soft cashmere in contemporary styles such as oversized sweaters and boyfriend cardigans which are all part of Duffy’s dressed-down chic. Duffy’s mouth-watering knits are understated as always and capture the essence of the modern woman. So chic it up in a fabulous knit from Duffy New York’s stylish spring knitwear collection... All available in store at Westbourne and Lymington boutiques and online at www.stanwells.com

M Missoni is a line dedicated to a young and sophisticated woman who likes to wear the Missoni style. The collection provides women with a total look and it is easily recognisable thanks to its distinct style and uniqueness. Casual, cool and chic, wear ability and versatility, and the distinctive style made famous for more than 50 years by its parent line Missoni. M Missoni’s signature style, vivid colour palette, pattern and print have become synonymous with the stylishly dressed woman of today. The collection is known for its signature knitted dresses, tops, cardigans and coats plus fabulous silk printed palazzo pants and kaftans adding exotic chic to this already glamorous collection. Invest in a trophy cardigan this spring with M Missoni zig zag multi cardi and pointelle knit cardis and tanks in either orange or sunflower lurex thread knit; a go with all piece to fill the gap in your wardrobe for a day to evening cover up, it will wear with jeans and a tee or even over a cocktail dress. Ticking the right boxes the for the perfect spring dress are the M Missoni multi coloured maxi dress in pink, yellow and orange with a tie neck and waist and M Missoni palazzo pants in pink and orange striped knit , both easy day to evening wear, easy to pack for a short weekend away. So pick up an wardrobe investment from M Missoni and it will be a future favourite in your wardrobe... Available in store at our Westbourne and Lymington boutiques and online at www.stanwells.com

New arrivals from Philosophy di Lorenzo Seraphini, a chic statement in Italian style… Founded in 1984 by Alberta Ferretti under the Aeffe group, Philosophy stands out in the prêt a porter collections as a synonym of elegance. Femininity, lightness, and sensuality are the stylistic traits of Philosophy, that in October 2014, celebrated a new era with the appointment of Lorenzo Serafini as Creative Director. The first collection of Philosophy designed by Lorenzo Serafini debuted during Milan Fashion Week in February of 2015 .Lorenzo Serafini became Creative Director of Philosophy after a long experience that saw him as lead women’s wear designer at Roberto Cavalli, to lead designer at D&G, and most recently, at Dolce & Gabbana as their lead women’s wear designer. The new summer arrivals of Philosophy di Lorenzo di Seraphi collection embody the collections ethos of elegance and style with a touch of the Bohemian that is in no way festival dressing, it is far too upscale and high on the fashion radar for that. The brand’s effortless dresses make a strong statement in this high summer drop with the fabulous silk chiffon gypsy dresses worn with ultra wide belts. A touch of military peeks through the collection in sharp double breasted blazers with oversized dome brass buttons that wear well with the Philosophy cropped floral pants. The delicious blouses that Philosophy is famed for, peek through on this collection with the Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini white oversized blouse which is a wow with leather jeans and the wide black pirate belt; a must have for early summer dressing that says sexy, but sophisticated all in one…