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.