Journal

The Essentiel Antwerp success story is unique in Belgium. The Antwerp-based brand is influenced by the numerous life experiences of its founders Esfan Eghtessadi and Inge Onsea. Inge had a vintage loving mother, was a fashion model and spent five years in India, where she fell in love with colours, prints, and unexpected combinations.In 1999 Esfan and Inge took a chance and launched a T-shirt collection. Four styles, twenty different colours: their response to the monochrome fashion landscape. After a year, the first store opened in Antwerp. Four seasons later, knitwear, jackets, dresses, shirts, and trousers in trendy colours, new materials, and an entire range of accessories were added. Essentiel Antwerp stands for refreshing, offbeat & luxurious fashion, renowned for its graphic or floral prints and trendy mixes of colour.As a brand Essentiel Antwerp shares a powerful message of love of fashion, fun, and colourful surprises. The Stanwells buying team have hand-picked a vibrant selection of Essential for this introductory season, teaming 80's inspired over sized checked jackets with funky tiered skirts in hot pink. Fun polka dot dresses and skirts to wear everyday with cool white trainers or for a wedding with chic heels and a hat. Team bold printed wrap skirts with an easy to wear v-neck sweater for cool daytime style...

It’s that time of year again! Whether you’re searching for the perfect gift for a loved one or looking to add to your own Christmas wishlist, we’ve got you covered with our top picks for this festive season. Add an extra special touch to your purchase with our complimentary gift wrapping service, just call or email us and we will be happy to help. Gifts under £50 Rik Rak by Kit Kemp Give the gift of luxury skincare with our exclusive range of Rik Rak by Kit Kemp products, available only within Firmdale Hotels and here at Stanwells in the UK. Known and loved by many, this collection of skincare & home fragrances makes the perfect gift for any aged woman. The brand’s signature scent gardenia Sandalwood is bursting with floral top notes and zingy lemon balm, balanced with earthier tones of burdock root and sandalwood for a complex scent reminiscent of an English summer garden. This scent is available in an energising hand & body wash, a nourishing hand & body lotion, a set of traditional soaps and in a relaxing candle. Stripe & Stare Widely thought of as the most comfortable knickers you can buy, Stripe & Stare’s individual pairs or multipack boxes make a fabulous stocking filler. Crafted from super soft, sustainable modal that uses 95% less water than cotton in its production. Styled with flat lock stitching which means no VPL and pretty lace trims they are perfect for everyday wear! Catherine Tough Who doesn’t love a good pair of socks?!... Treat your feet to a luxurious lambswool pair this Christmas, perfect for wearing by the fire on Boxing Day with your cosy cashmere joggers. Whether you prefer a plain pair or love a bit of sparkle, there is a pair of Catherine Tough socks for you. Gifts under £250 Emma Shipley Known for her stunning hand-illustrated designs, Emma Shipley is the queen of scarves! From hand finished silk squares to cosy wool wraps, there is something to suit every style and occasion. If you’re looking for a fail-safe gift for someone special this Christmas, why not go for one of her fabulous silk chiffon scarves that will come beautifully packaged in a branded box. Dea Kudibal Loved for their luxurious washable silks, Danish brand Dea Kudibal offers classic styling with a twist thanks to their eye-catching patterns. Their stretch silk tunics and wide leg trousers would make a lovely gift for any style-conscious lady. Mix and match the patterns to create a unique look or pair the blouses with your favourite jeans for a chic everyday look. Ash Look no further than Ash for a chic selection of trainers and boots that she’s sure to love. Combining fun and glamour with luxurious materials and quality leathers, Ash creates the perfect off duty look in its boots, shoes and sports luxe sneakers, that will see you through season after season. Gifts under £500 Cashmere Show someone how much you love them with the gift of cashmere, whether it be a cosy sweater or some sweatpants. We have a fabulous selection of cashmere from Chinti & Parker, Duffy& Madeleine Thompson, with classic staples and funky striped pieces that will put a smile on anyone’s face. Montelliana Boots Get apres-ski ready with some fabulous Montelliana boots, suitable for wearing in the city and on the slopes. The latest arrivals from this chic italian brand have been styled with shearling and leather uppers for ultimate style and warmth. Crafted with lightweight rubber track soles, these boots are as sturdy and durable as they are stylish. Party Dresses The Stanwells designer dresses collection is flowing with high-end sophistication, elegance and luxury. Featuring the flattering silhouettes, contemporary tailoring and innovative styles of some of the world’s most talked-about designers, there’s a dress in our collection for every occasion. Look no further than Iro for magical metallic pieces or Dea Kudibal for stunning silks, whilst Nanushka offers unique and edgy designs. Pushing the boat out Jerome Dreyfuss A true investment piece, a Jerome Dreyfuss handbag is for life not just for Christmas. Crafted from the finest leathers with understated detailing and practical interior styling, these bags are style icons in themselves. The perfect finishing touch to any outfit, any lady of any age would love to receive such a luxurious, special gift. Coats & Jackets The ultimate Christmas gift, a Moose Knuckles or Parajumpers jacket will keep you cosy all Winter long. Designed with harsh winters in mind, these down filled coats will have you covered wherever you are, be it on the ski slopes or on the school run. Browse our selection of Winter parkas to find the one that’s right for you or your loved one! Golden Goose Add a spring to your step with some fabulous Golden Goose sneakers this festive season. Known for their bold colour combinations and aged effect, these trainers are at the top of every fashionista’s wishlist. Why not invest in their statement pink power suit for a show-stopping Christmas look.

Model, turned designer Vanessa Bruno founded her eponymous Parisian label in 1996 at the age of 24. Drawing inspiration from her rich fashion background, the brand grew strongly and in 1998 Vanessa opened her first store in Paris and now has stores across France. Her collections draw inspiration from Bohemia, distant countries and their culture; Tribal art and folklore are fused with cool Parisian, urban style. Usually in a natural colour palette of earthy tones, there is often a shock of colour thrown in, think Mexicana or the Argentine pampas and all the inspiration can be seen... Ethnic prints, romantic high necked silk shirts loaded with pleats, over sized 70's retro style knits teamed with flowing silk shirts. Textures confidently collide to make this collection one of the most sought after designers for the modern woman. Each season the sought-after Cabana bags is re-invented in a new fabrication; Sometimes in leather, sometimes suede or simply styled in straw for the summer. Vanessa Bruno has an army of fans with celebrities such as Nicole Kidman and Charlotte Gainsbourg making it their go-to label for sophisticated tailoring and luxurious printed dresses. View online https://www.stanwells.com/vanessa-bruno-m144 or contact the in store team for more information on the Vanessa Bruno collections.

Well this Paris fashion week had an eventful start...Louise and I set off super early on the flight from Southampton arriving in Paris before you were all awake! Heading to my secret find of a hotel in Rue Cambon, we were delighted to be upgraded to one of their gorgeous suites. I travelled to say the least, ‘très casual’ and to my horror we couldn’t check into the hotel until 2pm. Heading off to the trade fair in what I would wear on a Saturday evening on the sofa, I have to say I certainly didn’t look like one of the ‘fashion crowd’! Nevertheless, undeterred arriving at the exhibition on a mission to find some great things for pre-Christmas and next summer for all you fashion hungry ladies. Highly amused by our lack of glamour, Louise and I arrived at our first trade show in the tents at The Tulleries. As always, we bumped into a few of our existing brands, the lovely Hayley Menzies was looking great in her signature Tigress coat styled with all black underneath. As we were on a mission to find some new accessories, purely by chance I was waiting for Louise whilst she took a call and out of the corner of my eye a stylish, simple jewellery stand drew me over.  Fabulous moulded statement rings bejewelled with semi precious stones from a French designer named, Back Alchemy. This was a find indeed and excited at our discovery we selected some beautiful rings for a pre-Christmas delivery. Gorgeous gifting was found at Chan Lau whose necklaces, earrings and tie bangles are delicate and feminine with a Boho vibe. Feeling satisfied with our buys we headed back to the hotel to check in and take a shower. Then the fun began when the shower water didn’t drain away! Reception was called and after much deliberating the hotel management advised us we would not only have to move room, but hotel too as they were fully booked. Every cloud has a silver lining; with the hotel we were moved to only having a beautiful suite overlooking The Louvre, Tulleries and the Eiffel Tower available. Suitably upgraded to match our designer clothes; we enjoyed this Paris buying trips accommodation as never before, or ever again! That first evening we headed off to meet our fellow fashion buddies Helene and Christina from Bernard’s for supper at their favourite French restaurant. We stopped for charcuterie and a Mojito in Marche St Honore en route; then we had a gentle stroll across the 1st arrondissement taking in the atmosphere of a Saturday evening in Paris. So after lots of fashion chat, wine and laughs we headed back to our newly upgraded hotel suite assured a great view to wake up to! Up early the next morning with a quick croissant and coffee on the go, we headed off to our first appointment at Vince. Gorgeously understated, the Vince collection didn’t disappoint. Subtle hues of cream, beige and caramel carry over from this autumn into spring in soft feminine wrap skirts, dresses and wide leg pants. The Vince summer collection echoed the glamorous era of 70’s grown up dressing. We headed off to Place Vendome to do our next appointment at Chinti and Parker where beautiful panelled bias cut dresses in bold blues and greens caught our attention; for sure they will be on next summer’s order. We slipped into the back room at Chinti to take a peek at Olivia Von Halle’s silk PJ’s and dresses. Seduced by the bold silk print in dramatic apple green and black Panther prints we placed an order. I was delighted to think that Stanwells customers will be heading out for dinner in Olivia’s glamorous silk PJ’s with heels! Just across the entrance we moved over for our next appointment at Veronica Beard. Think New York, cool girl chic, statement jackets with jeans, ruched chiffon print skirts and heavenly dresses that sum up the summer Verona Beard collection. Lilac leopard and soft pink tweeds with a highlight of watermelon were the colour choice for next season. Over to the Ritz hotel then to see a new brand for next summer, Love Shack Fancy. A girly New York brand known for its pretty floral, sexy collections. Fabulous lace trimmed print dresses and lots of smocking. Wow those girls made that hotel suite their own; fanciful and fun it was everything a French boudoir should be.  All this buying had made us hungry so that evening we dined at a classic French bistro called Flottes that I had been to before. No need to look at the menu here...fish soup for me and Louise went for delicious moule and frites... The next day the torrential rain was a challenge for dressing with style. We headed to see our old friend Xavier at Prêt Pour Partir. His collection was great and having chosen next summer’s collection Louise and I headed off with two new raincoats ourselves, looking more stylish in the rain than when we arrived! Excited about our new purchases the next stop was Golden Goose on Rue St Honore. There was a cool cowgirl theme going on there, which needless to say, being a cowgirl at heart, I loved! Western shirts and fringed gilets were the best picks at the RTW; the sneakers were gorgeous in green snake print and multi-coloured runners were the highlights of this cool Italian collection. One of my personal favourites, IRO did not disappoint with its sexy take on Parisian street style. Pale blue printed chiffon midi dresses, knee high suede boots and white crochet cropped jackets were the stand out pieces for me. The softest honey coloured leather pants teamed with a chiffon blouse and a pale tweed v-front jacket was also a key look in next summer’s IRO collection. That evening we felt we had earnt a hearty supper so we headed off to La Regulade. The menu is limited and you order all three courses together. I can say I managed all my three courses including my favourite rum baba; Louise was defeated before her meringue arrived, not quite managing to finish. A great restaurant, but we will remember to go there hungry next time! The next day the first appointment was in The Marias at Jerome Dreyfuss; always a beautiful collection and next summer’s offering was gorgeous. Lots of white leather trimmed with tan, as well as toffee leather trimmed with yellow snake print and burgundy suede; this colour was the choice on the selection on the larger everyday bags. The bright yellow and bubblegum pinks leather we reserved for the smaller styles...   Our final appointment was at Vanessa Bruno. A vibrant Mexican theme was dominant through this well respected Parisian label. Opting to go vibrant; the selection of hot, hot pinks, burnt orange and cobalt blue panelled skirts, tiered dresses, striped culottes and ruffle sleeved tops are sure to bring some Latino fun into next summer’s wardrobes... So that’s it for the buying for SS20. All in all an exciting season with oversized 70’s boxy jackets trending, especially in white. Lilacs, both in suiting and pretty floral maxi dresses. Trouser suits that have gone bold in a shock of pink with red trim.  We are still seeing the skirt going from strength to strength, both pleated and wrap. Crochet both in jackets and tops. Wide leg pants with easy slouchy cashmere sweaters. Tan leather footwear and lots of white handbags. Bold and bright too in fuchsia, yellow and paired down with tan. Altogether a grown up season, just like how my mother dressed with everyday, effortless style back in the 70’s...

It’s that time of year again, a new wave of trends is set to flood the fashion world in time for Autumn/Winter 2019 and we have rounded up a few of our favourites to get you excited for what’s to come! With a few new brands to introduce to the Stanwells family this season there’s more choice than ever, so don’t be afraid to try something new or mix and match… Camel & Caramel Tones New to Stanwells for AW19 - Vince Who doesn’t love a neutral colour palette in Autumn? Perfect for those in-between season looks, camel and caramel tones are once again filling the Autumn/Winter collections. Work this trend into your own wardrobe with some staple pieces in neutral shades, such as chunky knit sweaters, textured belts, wool coats or leather handbags. If you’re feeling brave why not go for head to toe neutrals for a chic and sophisticated workwear, casual or evening look. In our opinion, you can’t beat a cosy camel knit paired with some straight leg jeans and fresh white sneakers for an effortlessly cool weekend look. Metallics IRO - AW19 collection in the Paris showroom Sparkle is for life not just for Christmas! Get ready to incorporate metallics into your everyday looks next season, from subtle golden accessories to full-on shimmering dresses. Keep your eyes peeled for new metallic arrivals from Jerome Dreyfuss, Golden Goose and IRO and fill your wardrobe with key pieces perfect for mixing and matching with more neutral tones and your denim jeans. Animal Print Hayley Menzies AW19 - Abstract Animal Print Animal print is as bold as ever and here to stay next season, with leopard print accessories from Jerome Dreyfuss and Sam Edelman and panther tunics from Dea Kudibal. As seen across the runways for AW19 combining multiple prints is the fashion-forward way to style this trend, although mixing prints with neutral shades will give everyday outfits a more subtle touch. For a more abstract take on this trend, why not dip into Hayley Menzies fantastical world of animal prints to mix and match for different occasions. Colour Crush Golden Goose AW19 collection in the Paris showroom Break the mould this Autumn and swap your classic navy & practical black for bold, vibrant hues for a splash of saturated colour. With bright chunky knits from Chinti & Parker, funky power suits from Smythe and hot pink knits by Duffy there’s something for everyone whatever the occasion. Be brave and combine different shades of the same colour for a completely tonal look in all the colours of the rainbow. Cowboy Chic Golden Goose AW19 collection Add a hint of the Wild West to your look this season with chunky leather belts, cowboy boots and a neutral colour palette of camel and tan. A truly timeless trend that appears season after season, cowboy chic is one of the easiest looks to incorporate into your wardrobe with some clever accessorising. We can't wait to get our hands on the classic cowboy boots in the Golden Goose AW19 collection and style them with everything from midi dresses to jeans and a chunky sweater. To finish your look off just add a luxurious leather belt by Anderson's and a Jerome Dreyfuss handbag.

Fresh from the streets of Paris, Cosmydor has been creating natural, luxurious skincare products since 1877. Crafted using 100% natural active ingredients with no chemicals whatsoever, it's just as good for the environment as it is for your skin. This is reflected in their "no packaging" policy using only glass containers and the bare minimum of cardboard packaging - does this sacrifice the style you might ask? Definitely not! Cosmydor products also make great gifts for your loved ones so share the love with our selection of bath & body products... 1. Essential Care Moisturising Hand Creams A true everyday essential, no handbag should ever be without Cosmydor's silky soft hand creams whether it be Tonka, Lavender or Orange. Rich with natural active ingredients and oils to deeply moisturise and hydrate the skin and packaged in an aluminium tube designed to be as eco-friendly as possible. Take a look at our selection of the brands fabulous essential care moisturisers here and treat yourself or someone you love. 2. Cold Processed Solid Soaps Perfect for adding some style to your bathroom, Cosmydor's cold processed solid soaps are abundant with natural ingredients and essential oils that will deeply nourish and clean your skin. Handcrafted using traditional methods, these soap bars are gentle enough to use on fragile skin to help heal and moisturise. Choose from a range of stunning fragrances including lavender, geranium and rose. 3. Artisinal Face and Hand Liquid Soaps Rich with essential oils, Cosmydor's liquid soaps are deeply cleansing and perfect for everyday use. Packaged in stunning glass bottles, they are as environmentally friendly as they are skin friendly. With a choice of two delicious fragrances: Rose Musk & Bitter Orange or Borage Vegetable Oil & Ylang Ylang to leave your skin feeling clean and healthy. Let us know what you think of our newest skincare range on social media by using the #stanwellsskincare!

Summer is calling and we know how difficult it is to find the perfect holiday wardrobe that's as versatile as it is stylish, that's why we're here to help. We have curated a simple day-to-day style guide with all the fabulous designer clothes and accessories from our latest SS19 collections for you to browse and shop. Whether you like to spend your holiday at the beach, in the city or at the bar we have a whole range of looks that can be mixed and matched with your existing wardrobe staples to get the most out of each outfit. Take a look below for our top 4 summer looks, curated by our stylist especially for you... New to Stanwells for SS19, Innika Choo's stunning hand smocked dresses and tops are the answer to all your holiday wardrobe needs. Wear this cream & blue embroidered sundress with some Sam Edelman Bay Slides, a Sundry Straw Basket and some Taylor Morris Rollright Sunglasses for effortlessly cool beach style or dress it up with some metallic sandals and a clutch bag in the evening. If the beach isn't your thing, Cecilie Copenhgen has got you covered with this neon pink coordinating set that's perfect for strolling through the city in the heat. This top and shorts combo ticks all the boxes when it comes to SS19 style with it's neon tone, high waist fit and funky woven pattern. Pair it with some Taylor Morris H.F.S Sunglasses and a pair of super comfortable Sam Edelman Gigi Sandals as pictured, or mix and match the shorts with a plain white tee and some sneakers if you fancy a more simple look. No holiday would be complete without a cocktail or two, so a chic evening look is essential. Stine Goya's Reflection Dress is not only stunning but also lightweight thanks to its luxurious 100% silk composition. Styled with a wrap front and a cinched waist, this dress is flattering, funky and easy to pack. We will be wearing ours with some Ash Kate Sandals and a Jerome Dreyfuss Clic Clac Clutch this Summer and spritzing some Nasomatto Baraonda perfume as the finishing touch. There's no better time to get out on the water than on holiday and you'll be needing an outfit that's as practical as it is stylish. Throw on this funky striped 120% Lino Top with some AG Jeans Nikki Shorts over your bikini to cover up at sea. Pair with some Crime London Sonic Trainers and a Helen Kaminski Visor when going ashore to explore the local area. Now that we've given you some outfit inspiration, see our top tips for packing the perfect holiday wardrobe: Pack light - remember you can mix and match a lot of your clothes to get the most out of them and including some basics such as white tees and pretty camis will help achieve this. Invest in some all-round heels that will go with anything you put on. A classic colour such as black, ivory or navy with a small heel would be the perfect choice. Change your look up with a sun hat - Helen Kaminski's hats and visors are perfect for packing as they roll up small and have factor 50 sun protection. Roll your clothes when packing - if you're packing delicate fabrics such as silk or linen they will not only stay less creased but also take up less room in your suitcase if you neatly roll them instead of folding. If you're tight for space then pack a range of accessories that will give your looks a different twist - a few pairs of sunglasses, a couple of belts and a hat will take up a lot less room than picking a different outfit for every day. Don't be afraid of colour! Once you've got a sunkissed look going on, colour is your best friend so shop with that in mind. Vibrant tones may look harsh now, but by the second day of sunshine they will only enhance your glow.

Everyone needs a good pair of sunglasses that are both on trend and most importantly comfortable, that's where Taylor Morris' range of luxurious sunnies come in to play. With styles inspired by classic sunglasses shapes in a stunning range of handmade acetate finishes, you'll be sure to find something you love within our selection of Taylor Morris accessories. Here's a run down of our favourite three styles and their quirky design features to help you decide which are your favourites: The Zero One of the brand's original styles, the Zero is reminiscent of John Lennon's iconic round sunglasses whilst also maintaining a modern look thanks to the funky reflective lenses and larger shape. According to the Taylor Morris founders, Hugo and Charlie, when creating the Zero their 'intention was a frame which could be worn 30 years ago, worn today, and worn in 30 years time.' Here at Stanwells the Zero is one of our all time favourites as it suits such a wide range of face shapes and the colour combinations range from chic matte black to quirky metallic lenses, so there really is something for everyone. We will be wearing ours with a quirky Stine Goya dress and some Golden Goose sneakers this season - how would you style yours? The Rollright Another design classic, the Rollright is instantly recognisable thanks to its double brow bar and metal skeleton arms. Styled in a range of funky colourways, these sunnies suit almost any face shape and will be the perfect finishing touch to any outfit. These Matte Havana glasses are one of our all time favourites thanks to their chic gunmetal detailing and smoked grey lenses. Why not take a look at our selection of designer dresses to see what you would pair your Rollrights with? The H.F.S Designed and made in collaboration with British car manufacturer Morgan Motor Company, the H.F.S are a celebration of British talent and craftsmanship. These all-black glasses with gunmetal detailing are effortlessly cool thanks to their metal and leather bridge, we will be wearing ours with some wide leg jeans and sneakers around town or with a midi dress and sandals for chic occasion style.

Established in 2005, IRO is a Paris based brand taking influence from the rock music sub-culture to create vintage inspired, chic collections for the modern, edgy woman. Founded by two music producer brothers, Laurent and Arik Bitton IRO fuses rock and roll with Parisian style; Leather biker jackets, chiffon dresses and Chanel inspired tailored jackets are the signature pieces in this sought after brand which is only sold in the most exclusive boutiques worldwide. The summer collection of IRO is now in store at Stanwells showcasesing vintage prints in rose chiffon; maxi dresses with mini slips, ruffle sleeve blouses all styled to wear with the cool IRO Bapey cropped black leather biker on top. Classic styling with a twist, the IRO Makilo tweed jacket threaded with silver makes a statement worn with 70's disco-date Takecare silver pants will be a hit for chic South of France summer dressing. So if your wardrobe needs an update with an ever-so subtle Parisian touch with a rock and roll vibe, look no further this contemporary collection with European style...