Journal

Emma J Shipley's spring collection of scarves is named Wilderness and encompasses all the colour and mystique of the African bush. Emma regularly travels for inspiration for her collections and this spring her fabulous scarves prints are named Kruger, Protea and Lynx. Exotic animals and floral's combine together in fabulous colour blends on her cashmere modal shawls or silk chiffon scarves. Available exclusively in only a few boutiques worldwide, Emma J Shipley's beautiful scarves are sought after and collectable.

Following on from our previous blog post, allow us to introduce you to 5 more new brands that are coming to Stanwells for SS19. Whether you’re a classic jeans and jacket sort of lady or you like to experiment with new styles, we’ve got something for you in our carefully curated new season collections… Nanushka Born and raised in Budapest, but a product of the prestigious London College of Fashion, designer Sandra Sandor launched her Nanushka label in 2006. Nanushka clothing embodies a subtle feminine style that exudes confidence as well as comfort, a signature of their style which carries across their impressive range of garments. Here at Stanwells, you’ll discover a stunning selection of clothing, including the sought after Nanushka coats. Inspired by travels and spiritual journeys from East to West, introduce some Nanushka into your wardrobe and enjoy a style that’s perfect for any occasion, whether day or night. For the vegans and animal lovers out there, Nanushka’s stunning vegan leather garments are not to be missed. Sabina Savage Hand illustrated and designed in the UK, Sabina Savage scarves are a true work of art that will add a touch of luxury to your outfit season after season. All printed in Italy and hand-edged by the renowned artisans of Como, these silk and cashmere scarves are a collectors piece not to be missed. With inspirations drawing from the costumes, masks and plays of ancient Japanese Noh theatre as well as stunning kimono patterns, the SS19 collection portrays an array of animalistic designs in soft hues of gold, blue and burnt orange. Wear your Sabina Savage scarf with a Harris Wharf jacket and some straight leg jeans this season. Sam Edelman Created in 2004, Sam Edelman Shoes are synonymous with a luxurious, laidback and timeless American style, all at an affordable price tag. With over 30 years in the industry, including designing for the likes of Ralph Lauren, Sam Edelman draws on this vast, invaluable experience to produce his iconic range of footwear. Look out for sparkling stilettos, leopard print sandals and classic loafers this season; our favourite style is the Hazel, a comfortable yet stylish heel designed in on-trend leopard pony hair or rose gold glitter. Stine Goya Stine Goya created her namesake brand back in 2006 in Copenhagen, and she hasn’t looked back since. The Danish designer has received international acclaim for her stunning patterned dresses and work with fashion shows and collaborative artists. She’s also well known for her intuition for eye-catching seasonal collections which marry together rich colours and resplendent, bold prints. Coveted by celebrities and Instagram influencers alike, Stine Goya’s SS19 collection is bursting with vibrant patterns in punchy colour palettes. Wear one of the brand’s signature wrap dresses with some chunky Ash sneakers for an on-trend look or dress it up with some heels and a Jerome Dreyfuss clutch bag. Veronica Beard Two Veronicas, two sisters-in-law, one shared name and one brand. As the duo themselves put it, their label shares “two perspectives, one vision.” Veronica Beard is the concept of Veronica Miele and Veronica Swanson, both of whom married into the Beard name and share a mutual passion for fashion. Veronica Beard clothing marries together East Coast and West Coast styles across an eclectic range of jackets, jeans, shoes and more. Their garments are designed for every day without sacrificing style, making looking and feeling great completely effortless. Look out for the Dickey jacket in Red and Green as well as the funky wide leg jeans this season. And there you have it, a run down of all our exciting new brands for the upcoming Summer season. Keep your eyes peeled on our New Arrivals section for the influx of new collections, or if you’re too impatient to wait follow us on Instagram to be the first to know when these fabulous new brands arrive.

If you’re up to date with the latest Stanwells news, you’ll know that our Westbourne store has had a makeover and is looking better than ever. Now complete with a vibrant pink velvet sofa and a fresh lick of paint, we decided to fill it with new brands for SS19. Whether you’re a true fashionista or just in need of a wardrobe makeover, we’ve got a plethora of new brands and collections to choose from. Here’s a quick low-down of all the key designers you need to know this coming season and a little sneak preview of the stand-out pieces you’re guaranteed to love… Baum & Pferdgarten Formed in Copenhagen in 1999 by creative director duo Rikke Baumgarten and Helle Hestehave, the Danish fashion house Baum und Pferdgarten has become internationally recognised for its creative, coveted collections. With a knack for combining beautiful mixes of materials and bold prints and colours, a Baum und Pferdgarten dress is a must for forward-thinking, fashionable women who enjoy clothing that is as versatile as it is fun and expressive. Styled in one of this seasons hottest colour combinations, blue & yellow, the ‘golden blue check’ pieces are a must-have for any trend led fashionista. Golden Goose Deluxe Brand Founded in 2000, Golden Goose footwear is the collaboration of two Venetian designers, Francesca Rinaldo and Alessandro Gallo. Merged together, their creative talents have produced a whole host of innovative, artisanal products which feature in the brand’s flagship stores in New York, London, Paris, Milan and Tokyo to name but a few. You can expect to see the brand’s highly coveted sneakers among our collection as well as a selection of edgy trousers, tops and dresses. Look out for the Superstar sneakers in silver glitter as well as the shocking highlighter pink Slide hi-tops. Innika Choo Bali based designer Innika Choo has been passionate about clothes from a young age, creating and adapting her own garments since she was 12. What originally started as a few key pieces to showcase on her personal Instagram account has now evolved into a stunning collection of hand-smocked tops and dresses coveted by fashion editors across the globe. Styled in easy to wear smock shapes that are perfect for warm weather, this collection is what boho dreams are made of. If you’re new to bohemian style, dip your toes in the water with the Oliver Daily smock top that looks fabulous paired with anything from jeans to wide leg trousers. Nannacay Nannacay when translated means “brotherhood of women”, a fitting title for this forward-thinking, feminine accessories brand. Employing traditional craftsmanship and skills learnt during a trip to the Massai tribe in Africa, designer Marcia Kemp takes inspiration from both her own continent of South America and Africa itself to create her Nannacay bags, bold and colourful in design as well as socially rewarding, thanks to the ‘Creative Hands Transforming Lives’ fashion project. Browse here at Stanwells for a range of funky pom pom bags that celebrate a rich cultural history, tribal roots and eye-catching, colour-filled designs and shapes. Well, that’s enough excitement for this week. Stay tuned for part 2 of our ‘New Brands’ summary coming next week; with collections from Stine Goya, Nanushka and Veronica Beard to name a few.

Parisian label, Maison Labiche was founded in 2010 by designers Jenny Richard and Jean-Baptiste Richard. Maison Labiche now has a cult following for its super-chic embroidered tees, shirts, sweaters and separates. With its whimsical French style and fun logos, Maison Labiche is worn by fashion lovers around the world and has become a wardrobe staple for many. Always a popular brand at Stanwells for the last few years, Maison Labiche is loved for its simplistic, Parisian fun style. New slogans on the classic tees for spring '19 that are sure to be a hit are are ' The Boss' and 'Bubblegum'. Shirts in pastel stripes featuring 'Paradis' on the front and plain cotton shirts with green palm tress embroidered on the collar are great with jeans and a blazer for early spring dressing. The now famous striped sailor tops are always a summer favourite in royal blue with an 'Amour' embroidered logo and the pink and blue stripes returns this season with the ever popular 'Oo La La' logo and is sure to be a hit!

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 loved one to one of the nine fragrances Nasomatto has to offer? With deep, rich scents of tobacco and oud juxtaposing against clean citrus and floral notes, it could get confusing when searching for the right one - that’s where we come in. Here is our carefully curated guide to Nasomatto perfumes, here to help you choose the perfect scent this Christmas: Black Afgano Notes: Tobacco, coffee, wood, oud. A firm Stanwells favourite, Black Afgano is abundant with deep notes of wood and oud creating a stunningly rich fragrance that lasts for hours on the skin. With top notes of coffee and tobacco, this fragrance aims to evoke the best quality of hashish to give a quirky, illicit scent. Perfect for evening wear, Black Afgano’s androgynous nature will suit any wearer, male or female. Nudiflorum Notes: Jasmine, bergamot, smoke. The newest addition to the Nasomatto family, Nudiflorum is bursting with fresh floral notes of jasmine and bergamot contrasted with richer undertones of smoke. The perfect unique feminine fragrance that will stand the test of time. Take this fragrance from day to night with ease thanks to its delicate nature. Baraonda Notes: Musk, amber, rose, whiskey, wood. A rich yet sweet scent bursting with bold undertones of wood and musk. Delicate top notes include rose and whiskey, creating a distinguished and unique balance of masculine and feminine notes. The lighter, sweeter notes reveal themselves as time goes by to leave a long lasting fragrance that’s sure to grab people’s attention. Blamage Notes: Musk, birch, leather, white woods. This complex fragrance is abundant with pale woody notes contrasted beautifully with deeper tones of musk and leather to create a powerful scent inspired by nature. Packaged in a quirky bottle with a silver birch inspired top, this fragrance makes a stunning gift, perfect for Christmas. China White Notes: Wood, musk, rose, powder, floral. Indulge your senses with this floral, powdery scent that settles on the skin beautifully thanks to the deeper woody base notes. This soft, mesmerising mix of light and dark has created a complex feminine scent that makes the perfect gift for others or as a treat for yourself. Duro Notes: Leather, spices, wood. Perhaps one of the most festive scents thanks to the delicate use of spices, this perfume takes a turn towards the deep and indulgent. Heavy base notes of leather and wood ooze masculinity whilst the clean crisp edge of spices lifts this fragrance to a lighter more feminine scent. Narcotic V Notes: Tuberose, jasmine, lily, spices. The most feminine of all, Narcotic V is made for the elegant woman who prefers lighter, floral notes. With extracts of tuberose, jasmine and lily, this delicate nectar lasts for hours on the skin as the layers of sweetness reveal themselves over time. Pardon Notes: Magnolia, cinnamon, tonka bean, dark chocolate, sandalwood. A delicately balanced rich fragrance that evokes notes of masculinity through the use of sandalwood and tonka bean, contrasted with the lighter tones of magnolia and cinnamon. Bursting with delectable, sweet ingredients this fragrance is perfect for the festive party season. Silver Musk Notes: Musk, white wood, metallic. A soft, clean scent that embodies freshness and lightness, the perfect neutral fragrance for everyday wear. With stunning undertones of musk balanced cleverly with pale metallic notes, Silver Musk is an effortlessly chic perfume that’s sure to suit everyone’s taste.

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 would stay at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica for a night and eat an early dinner at Gjelina's on Abbot Kinney in Venice, followed by a stroll down this street which is just full of the most amazing boutiques. I'm really vibing the whole 'cashmere from top to bottom' look at the moment (my version of the twinset!) so it would be perfect to wear: (Madeleine Thompson Eris Pant & Jedha Bomber) What's also perfect for LA in the fall is a long cardigan on top of a maxi dress and my favourite of the moment is C04 Calypso on top of a dress: The second day I would drive up to the Malibu mountains to this amazing airstream up in the middle of nowhere which literally feels like you are on the top of the world. I would do a hike at nearby solstice canyon and then relax in my rainbow cashmere set whilst watching the sun set. I would then drive down to Malibu pier and have breakfast at the Malibu Farm Cafe on the end of the Pier which makes the most amazing juices and fresh seasonal dishes. I would take a paddle board out near the proper surfers and hopefully see some seals and dolphins who often play in the surf around there! I would wear a Broochini swimsuit under my wetsuit! Nobu Malibu and SoHo house are right there for a special treat (best brunch at the weekend) with yoga at SoHo house available every morning. I will always pop on my cashmere set after doing a yoga session. (Madeleine Thompson Saturn Sweater & Pluto Pant)

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 with stunning Emma Shipley cushions with a cup of tea and Mouse in tow.... Did you work in fashion before you started your own label? I studied at LCF when I was 18 but quit as London life was far too exciting to be stuck in a classroom! Before starting my label I had a party planning company which was super creative. Do you find the time to get a good work/life balance? NO!! Just as well I love what I do hey… I do practice yoga and go to the gym a few times a week which keeps me sane. If so, what would your dream off-duty day comprise of? Yoga and hours in a beauty salon being pampered and massaged. Who are your favourite designers and why? Alessandro Michele for Gucci – I love how Gucci has shaped fashion these past few years with the more is more concept! And I love new upcoming brands like The Vampires Wife. Where do you get your inspiration...did you take a trip ‘way out west’ before you were inspired to do your Autumn collection? I travel a lot, and a road trip west is on my list… I just transported myself there whilst daydreaming! Why have you based yourself in Notting Hill, do you think that’s where you would find the typical Hayley Menzies girl? I've lived all over London but Notting Hill is where I feel most at home. It has a creative spirit and is full of colourful characters. Which fashion bloggers do you love to see in your clothes? Soraya Bakhtiar, Bettina Looney and most recently Millie Macintosh and Zara Martin… also Kat Farmer from blog Does My Bum Look 40 is fab. Which is your favourite fashion capital: London, Paris, New York or Milan and why? I love New York so much and could live there… just waiting for a hot man to marry so I can get a Green Card! Paris I adore during Fashion Week… everyone looks so chic. You seem very hands on and in touch with the team you work with, is this how you see the Hayley Menzies brand in 10 years time? Haha… well I hope to be spending more time on design and less on admin and production. Id always like to be hands on in sales as I love meeting buyers. Who stocks your brand outside of the UK at the moment? Harvey Nichols, Shop Bop, Anthropology and various amazing independent boutiques. Which celebrity would you most like to dress and why? Sounds old, but I still adore Kate Moss and would literally die if she wore something from my collection. What’s next for Hayley Menzies in life and in work? What life? Workwise I’d like to design another couple of collections a year and further develop my own retail business. Personal life… I’d love to meet my Prince Charming and take more holidays!

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 to mix and max. We pack one jacket to go with all and go for an understated, comfortable look. Thank goodness trainers are the 'De Rigour' of every stylish outfit anywhere in the world today, no heels for us it’s comfort all the way. To travel in Louise wore her ASH Lucky Star Sneakers, favourite AG jeans and label of the moment Smythe striped blazer. She also cleverly packed some chic black cropped pants and a silk shirt; Louise nailed it in a different look each day. I went for a more relaxed look, travelling in Dea Kudibal’s leopard print silk pants, a Duffy cashmere sweater and the 'go with everything' sneaker of the season, the ASH Buzz in white. With my new Belstaff black leather biker as my top layer and packed in my case and old faithful IRO black jumpsuit for a second outfit. Arriving in Paris early Sunday evening Louise and I were up for a glass of fizz and some delicious dining, Parisian style. This is the alternative side to our trip… Our usual choice of restaurant was fully booked so we headed off to its sister restaurant, La Regulade Conservatoire which was chic and contemporary serving classic French bistronomy. We were delighted when the chef's signature house terrine arrived at the table, so much so that we tucked in forgetting we were going to eat three more courses! We walked back to our hotel grateful to walk off some calories... Monday morning came early with the noises and smells of AM in Paris wafting into the hotel; Showered and dressed from our micro wardrobe we headed off to the huge fashion trade fairs that Paris is famed for. Endless aisles of stands, selling everything from handbags to hosiery, international buyers hungry to find something new. First stop the famous Tulleries, where we met up with one of our soon to arrive designers Hayley Menzies who was showing her SS'19 collection of fabulous printed knits and silk dresses. After a quick chat with the girls and successfully managing to persuade Hayley into coming to one of our 'meet the designer' events, we headed off in search of more goodies. Next stop The Louvre, where a huge fashion event is held underneath the famous museum, finding our prize was the highlight with some great cashmere socks you will all be rushing in to buy for Christmas! After a quick call to see if we could view the hot US brand Veronica Beard in the sumptuous Place Vendome showroom, we were delighted when the wonderful Maddellena said she would love us to take a look. Unable to resist the collections chic contemporary separates and with our strict budget now definitely blown, Veronica Beard is looking to be a sell out at Stanwells next summer! Hurrying on to do late afternoon appointments at cool sneaker brand Golden Goose we excitedly did our selection with many customers in mind! Having made arrangements to meet a fellow fashion buddy who was running late and with Louise needing to rest her recently broken ankle, there was no alternative than to have a glass of champagne! We drank our champagne in style in the cocktail bar of the iconic Meurice hotel on Rue di Rivoli. With fashion shoots going on in the hotel’s glamorous corridors we soaked up the ‘fashion atmosphere’ whilst sinking into the luxurious leather armchairs. People watching and reflecting on our day in the fabulous surroundings of Salvador Dalis favourite hotel. Supper beckoned and our budget didn’t stretch to the Meurice’s three star Michelin offering, so we headed off to nearer our hotel where we enjoyed a light bite; the perfect end to a busy day… An early start the next day with an appointment at Jerome Dreyfuss in the Marais. Louise opted for her black AG jeans and Smythe jacket with a change of top and ash sneakers. I wore my IRO black jumpsuit, belted with a wide leather wrap and Belstaff Marvingt leather jacket. We were greeted by the lovely Florence at Jerome Dreyfuss and looked round to see the man himself running up the stairs. For those of you who don’t know, Jerome Dreyfuss is the husband of Isabelle Marant, making them the super cool, king and queen of Parisian style. We were so excited to see lots of new styles in the collection, with green, chestnut and bougainvillea as the stand out hues of the collection along with khaki suede cowboy boots that will be perfect teamed with next summer’s pretty printed dresses. Next stop IRO, one of the busiest showrooms in Paris, it is always bustling with multiple appointments going on at any one time. We have to be really focused as the models and samples disappear of the rails quickly and it is easy to miss a key piece. Lots of lovely print dresses in floral and a subtle leopard plus the usual signature tweed jackets and an overload of supernatural silver. Look out for the IRO silver leather pants next summer, they are a wow! Well that’s it until next spring, our Paris week was over. Happy to have bought fresh from the existing brands and super excited to have discovered some cool, under-the-radar labels that are sure to be future favourites of our fashion forward customers!

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 for me as I’m always doing lots of different things, but looking at a typical working day for my blog, Style and Shimmer, it would look like this... I tend to set my alarm for around 7 am and always scroll through Instagram first thing! I never really plan my outfit the day before unless there is an event, so its really fun to look for inspiration through my favourite accounts. I very rarely go to the gym in the morning; I would love to but I’d much rather the extra time in bed, if I’m honest! Often I go to blogger breakfasts or brunches for new product releases which I love doing, and I like to make an effort for this. Recently with the transitional period, I’ve been loving wearing a blazer with a dress or a skirt and bare legs for a smart/casual look. I am looking forward to getting my boots and cosy knits out soon though, as well as experimenting with the AW18 trends. I am loving all the leopard, leather and pleats. I’ll also definitely be investing in something silver for Christmas parties! I take my laptop everywhere with me, so if I wasn’t coming home to work from my office then I would usually head to my friends house where we work together for the day. I really enjoy doing this as I find working with people who have similar goals really motivating, and bouncing ideas of each other always helps creative thinking... With regards to taking my photos, I always get either my Mum, sister or a friend to take them for me. I feel most comfortable this way as they know me best and we can just mess around and be silly until I get a few that I like. I take them on my iPhone and then edit on apps - VSCO and Snapseed. I would say for me, the best time to take photos is in the afternoon because the light is best and I find it hard to concentrate for more than a few hours at a time, so it breaks up the day nicely! Once I have the photos, I narrow them down, edit them how I like, always using the same filter which is A5 on VSCO and then I put them into the Later app. This is so helpful because it allows you to preview how your Instagram feed will look before publishing. One thing that I have learnt works well for me, is to have a theme running through e.g certain colours. I also work freelance in styling, hair and makeup for private clients so depending on if I have any appointments or not in the evenings, I love going for dinner and drinks with the girls and having a good catch up! Either this, or a shopping trip, even if its just window shopping for more inspiration!! My favourite brands are the likes of ASH, IRO, Jerome Dreyfuss, Chinti & Parker and Emma J Shipley for designer treats, but day to day I am a Zara and Mango girl too!