Journal

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 us an insight into the world of Smythe. Let’s start at the beginning - what inspired you to launch Smythe back in 2004? A: We first launched SMYTHE because we couldn’t find a casual, yet novel, blazer. In other words, the equivalent to a men’s sports jacket. We talked about how the blazer was a transformative piece of clothing that pulled together a whole look. Back in the early 2000s, if you wanted to wear a blazer with a pair of jeans or over a dress, it came as part of a suit. What were both of your backgrounds before you set up Smythe? A: After my MBA, I started my career as a banker but quickly realized it was not my passion. It took me a while, but I eventually left finance to break into the fashion industry (my true love) and eventually became a buyer at Holt Renfrew, a high-end department store, here in Canada. C: I took a more traditional path into the fashion business. I studied Fashion and Merchandising at Parsons School of Design in New York. After my degree, I worked in product development in the NYC design offices of The Gap. A: Before starting SMYTHE we both had incredible experience in different areas of the fashion industry. We had always discussed a creative venture and when the time was right, we went for it! How did you settle on the name ‘SMYTHE’ seeing as there have been 2 of you from the very beginning? C: When we were considering our branding we thought “SMYTHE” sounded sartorial and British. We knew tailoring would play a big role in our collection and we liked the association. Andrea never had an ego about using my last name. Did you ever imagine that your designs would gain a cult-status following with the likes of Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton sporting the brand on a regular basis? C: It is such an honour that all kinds of women choose to buy and wear our pieces. Whether that’s to a Royal appearance, a red carpet premiere, boardroom meeting or the school drop off-line, its all flattering given all the choice out there. How do you see Smythe evolving over the next few years? C: We will continue to develop a full collection including, knits, dresses, bottoms, suiting, outerwear... A: We keep working to surprise our customers. Stay tuned! Are there any other designers out there that influence or inspire you and your creations? A: Influence is so hard to pin down. It comes from everywhere and is not always conscious. We are inspired by nature, friends, vintage, lifestyle and most importantly, textiles. We are definitely inspired by the Designer world and follow fashion closely. As a contemporary brand we see it as our duty to filter out the zeitgeist and perhaps make it a touch more relatable. Do you have a favourite piece from the new AW18 collection and if so, what makes it so special? C: I love the A-Line Multi Sweater that is hand knit by the Augden women’s collective in Bolivia. I also love the Buff Leopard Coat, it’s such a beautiful peachy shade for a leopard print. A: The Pull-on Pant with the above mentioned knit. I will be wearing it for all my crazy fall travel days. They're so polished yet comfortable. What do you recommend pairing the ever-popular Duchess Blazer with for a smart/casual everyday look? A: The Duchess Blazer remains one of our best-selling styles. We think it resonates with the customer because it is so versatile and can be worn so many ways. Different people wear it differently. The most current merchandising would be belted with a fanny pack over a bike short! C: I wear mine over a t-shirt and high waisted jeans A: I wear mine over a flowy loose dress and ankle boots. This season they will be cowboy boots. How would you describe your own personal style in 3 words? C: Classic, “East-coast”, (not too) Preppy A: Modern, progressive, (not too) Polished. Finally, what are your aspirations for the Smythe label over the next five years? A: World domination! Thank you so much to Andrea & Christie for chatting with us and we look forward to seeing what Smythe comes up with next! Take a look at the fabulous Smythe collection here...

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 of her mouth watering recipes. So without further ado, let's hear a little from Helen herself before we all become masters of mixology...   Homemade Cocktails by Helen McGinn I love a good cocktail. And I especially love them when sitting in a swanky hotel bar and someone makes them for me. But given that I don’t get out to places like that quite as much as I used to, I decided I needed to up my cocktail game at home. Problem was, I couldn’t find the right book to help me. I wanted simple, classic recipes but with a modern twist, not a stuffy guide to the art of cocktail making with a list of ingredients that were impossible to find. So I spent a year mixing, infusing, shaking and stirring (and drinking at least one cocktail a night, if not two) and the result is my new book, Homemade Cocktails. Written to help reboot at-home cocktail repertoires, there are recipes for homemade infusions, syrups and shrubs along with a selection of the best classic cocktails and plenty of new ones too. And for dry days and non-drinkers there are some booze-free options. Here’s one of my favourite recipes from the book, one to make Turkish Delight vodka at home. I hope you like it! Chin chin x Turkish Delight Vodka Use whatever Turkish delight you prefer (my favourite’s a mix of rose and lemon, but if you love the taste of rose, go full rose). 200g Turkish delight 500ml vodka Rinse the Turkish delight under the tap to wash the sugar off (otherwise the liquid goes very cloudy) and pop it into a clean jar. Pour over the vodka, put the lid on and give it a gentle shake. Leave it for at least a week (this one does need a bit of time to get that delightful flavour infused). When it’s got the right amount of Turkish delight taste for you, strain the liquid into a jug before pouring back into the jar or into a clean bottle. Seal and store in the fridge. Serve Given the fairly delicate flavour of this one, keep it simple. Add it to a glass with crushed ice and top up with soda water and a twist of lemon peel. Or make a killer Martini garnished with a sprinkling of dried rose petals and a twist of lemon peel. Homemade Cocktails by Helen McGinn, £10.99 (Robinson) Pre-order your copy on Amazon here Follow Helen on Instagram @knackeredmother or visit her website for weekly tips (www.knackeredmotherswineclub.com)

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 in our AW18 collections from traditional animal skins from Jerome Dreyfuss to fantastical animal illustrations from Emma Shipley. It’s important to use animal print in moderation and we think it works best used as an accent to your outfit through accessories and outerwear. Combine bold leopard prints with denim, black and oatmeal to tone your look down or add a bright splash of colour to your outfit with a wildlife print scarf. Here’s how we would style our current animal print favourites: Jerome Dreyfuss Remi Bag | Jumper 1234 Balloon Sleeve Sweater | Citizens of Humanity Elsa Jeans Emma Shipley Frith Silk Chiffon Scarf | Smythe Portrait Neck Blazer | Parker Smith Step Hem Straight Jeans Chunky Trainers Dress like an Instagram Fashionista this Autumn and add some chunky trainers to your wardrobe. Perfect for adding some extra height and cool-girl style to your daytime look, pair your trainers with everything from jeans to joggers or add an edge to your dresses and smart tailoring. Take a look at how we’d wear them this season for some outfit inspiration: Maison Labiche Bonjour Paris Sweater | AG Jeans Jodi Crop Flares | Ash Addict Trainers Boutique Moschino Silk Front Cardi | Sportmax Giava Trousers | Crime Dynamic Trainers Stylish Slogans Slogans are here to stay and our AW18 offerings subtly play on the logo-mania trend, from small embroidered phrases to bold, vibrant logos. Make your outfit social media worthy by pairing your chic slogan prints with anything from feminine pastel gilets and laid-back joggers to a tailored jacket and jeans. Here are our favourite slogan pairings at the moment: Maison Labiche Oh La La Tee | Smythe Duchess Blazer | Parker Smith Courtney Crop Jeans Parajumpers Dodi Gilet | Chinti & Parker Cropped Lounge Pants Why not try venturing out of your comfort zone and pick one of the above trends to update your winter wardrobe? We’d love you to let us know what your favourite AW18 trends are on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Let’s keep in mind that the season has only just started, so you can expect an abundance of new season trends to be filtering through our new arrivals section every week. Keep your eyes peeled for our next installment of How to Wear: AW18 Trends over the next few weeks as we’ve only just scratched the surface!...

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 Handful of swiss chard – stems blanched and leaves shredded Dash double cream Chopped parsley 4 x slices sour dough toast 1 x whole garlic clove split Drizzle extra virgin olive oil Method: · Drizzle the sour dough toast with olive oil and rub with the split clove of garlic, lightly toast in a non-stick pan · In the same pan add the knob of butter, once hot and foaming lightly, saute the shallot and garlic then add the mushrooms and season · If you need to, add a little more butter to the mushrooms during cooking · Once cooked toss through the chard leaves and stems, add the dash of cream and bring to the simmer · Add the chopped parsley and check the seasoning, serve on top of the toast and top with the poach egg It really is that easy! Why not share your brunch pictures with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to get involved with the bank holiday fun?

With temperatures soaring, this season’s fashion accessories are definitely hotting up. The perfect route to really making your SS18 outfits pop is to mix-match and keep things as fresh as that summer breeze with some all-encompassing, truly stylish and complementary accessories. Here at Stanwells, you’ll find just that. A stunning range of bags, scarves, sunglasses and jewellery that will refresh your wardrobe and have you turning heads from the beach to the bar. So declutter your drawers and get ready to soup up your suitcase with our SS18 accessorising tips! Bags that Break the Mould We’re seeing designers branch out in SS18 with some gorgeous bags cropping up in a whole collection of shapes and sizes. Spherical bags, cute cube-shaped bags - labels everywhere are thinking outside of the box and get super creative this season. Take for instance the glorious Remi Bag in Leopard from Jerome Dreyfuss; the soft lines of this cross-body bag make it incredibly simple to work into a range of outfits, while the bold print makes pairing with simplistic colour palettes a doddle. Scarves that Want to Be Seen Scarves have long-featured as a simple-yet-effective weapon in your fashion accessory arsenal. This year is no different, as SS18 has produced some truly stunning scarves that you simply must add to your collection. Animal prints are in, and there’s nobody that pulls them off better than Emma Shipley. Her line of scarves marry together soft colours to suit any skin tone with stunning, almost Beatrix Potter-esque hand drawn illustrations of nature scenes and endearing animals. Take for example the Frith Modal Blend Scarf in Jungle, a patchwork of alluring art and calming, ocean colours. Sunglasses that Don’t Seek the Shade No SS18 collection is complete without a good pair of sunnies, and 2018 has produced some stunners. We’ve seen a real shift in shapes thanks to influencers such as Bella Hadid, who’ve been openly advocating sleek, skinny, blink-and-you’ll-miss-them lenses across Instagram. That’s not to say that classic shapes have succumbed to this trend - they’re very much alive and very much still in fashion. Taylor Morris is nailing the tried-and-tested formula with some elegant twists and fantastic colours; their Rollright Sunglasses in Black infuse classic contours of the ‘50s with a sturdy modern frame, you’ll be embracing your inner Audrey Hepburn in no time at all. Jewellery that You Just Won’t Want to Take Off The finishing touches to your SS18 accessories wouldn’t be complete without some eye-catching jewellery, and here at Stanwells you’ll find stunning pieces aplenty. Ear bling is back with a bang in 2018, but you don’t have to hang chandeliers off your ears to be on-trend. For those seeking a more subtle approach that’s no less effective, look no further than designers such as Maria Black. The soft opulence of her Etta Earrings provide enough of a statement without the ostentisity. For more stunning clothing and accessories - don’t miss our 70% SS18 Collections! If you’re looking for something specific or found our advice helpful, let us know on social below!

It’s that time of year again, the Stanwells Summer sale is in full swing and there’s a plethora of designer items waiting to be snapped up! To make it a little easier for you, we’ve curated a hand-picked selection of our favourite pieces that we’re sure you won’t want to miss out on… Pleated Pairing | Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini Breathe some life into your evening wardrobe with this chic co-ord set by Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini. The perfect alternative to a summer dress, this elegant duo was made for smart summer evenings. Styled with gentle pleats and contrasting black stripe detailing this pair embraces one of summer’s hottest trends, all white everything. Lightweight Linen | 120% Lino Sometimes you need to keep it simple and what better way to do this than with some vibrant summer basics from 120% Lino. Look pretty in pink with these fabulous short sleeve shirts, perfect for rolling up and packing in your suitcase ready for your summer getaway. Now with 30% off in our Summer Sale, what’s not to love? Delicate Lace | Perseverance London A classic summer trend, lace is timelessly pretty and these lace dresses by Perseverance London are no exception. Whether you’re off to the polo, Henley Royal Regatta or the Wimbledon Championships, we’ve got your outfit covered with these fabulous dresses. Why not pair them with some Ash sandals from our designer shoe collection to finish off your look with a modern edge? Bohemian Bliss | Mes Demoiselles Look no further than Mes Demoiselles for chic boho combinations fresh from Paris. Style this dotty pairing with some cowboy boots and a Helen Kaminski hat for a Parisian twist on traditional summer style. Why not mix and match the Homelie Blouse below with your favourite denim shorts or cropped jeans for endless outfit options? Tropical Temptations | Maison Baluchon No outfit is complete without fabulous accessories and these Maison Baluchon pouches are sure to bring some colour into your holiday wardrobe. Styled in a range of vibrant colours, these pouches of varying size are perfect for holding all your essentials and ooze summer style. Now with 50% off in our Summer Sale! Stand-out Sandals | Ash & Gia Couture Complete your look with some funky footwear from our sale hotlist, whether you're looking for dazzling party shoes or comfy flats we’ve got something for you in our designer sandal selection. These playful pom pom sandals by Gia Couture are sure to steal the show and liven up any outfit, whilst these studded beauties by Ash are the perfect finishing touch for your evening looks. Which of our top Summer sale picks have you got your eye on? Let us know your favourite holiday hotlist pieces on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!

The style of prints and patterns is ever-evolving in the fashion world; from season to season, we see shifts in what you (supposedly) should and shouldn’t be seen wearing. SS17 included the likes of chunky geometric patterns, the flower-filled cottage garden look and, of course, the love-hate tropical leafing phase among other trends. As ever, the staff here at Stanwells have our fingers on the pulse when it comes to predicting designer collections and what to include in your wardrobe, so we’ve compiled a super simple list of stunning SS18 prints and patterns to stock up on! Animal Prints We’re seeing some fantastic nature patterns appearing from designers everywhere, from the cartoon-like to the realistic, brands like Vivetta and Emma Shipley are really embracing this look with colourful, nature-inspired designs.Animal prints never really leave fashion circles, but they’re looking to be bigger than ever when it comes to summer 2018 prints. Safari & Bohemian Bring an element of the exotic to your spring-summer clothing with some brand new safari and bohemian prints. Channelling energy anywhere from the cool of Camden to markets of Marrakech, big names are igniting the incense and getting inspired by far away lands and free-living artists. Designers such as Intropia and Mes Demoiselles have produced some fantastic prints for SS18 that are sure to add some boho-chic and effortless safari-sass to your wardrobe. Abstract The allure of abstract is simply too much for everyone at Stanwells, so we’ve just had to include it among our collection. Inspired by art from across the 20th century, this broad fashion style comprises of a huge range of colours and shape that never fail to make any clothing piece pop. Dhela offer some flirty, floaty abstract dresses that are perfect standout summer pieces, while the stunning prints of Laura Orchant lavish colour and abstract designs across her silken, luxury scarf collection. Stripes Sometimes you just want to keep it simple, so it’s just as well that stripes are ever-present among pattern trends. Whether vertical or horizontal, the clean appearance of stripes have encompassed fashion for many years. From the nautical inspired striping synonymous with Jean Paul Gaultier to the colourful twist on the style by Paul Smith, there’s a reason that stripes refuse to die. This season the likes of Chinti and Parker and Maison Labiche have produced some amazing light knitwear and long tees that are perfect for layering around the unpredictable British weather. Chevron Chevron might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it’s a classic for a reason - and this year it’s among the hottest of summer 2018 prints. Consisting of repeated ‘V’ shaped patterns that form eye-catching, almost geometric-style shapes, you’ll often come across chevron in a mesmerising mix of colours. In SS18 the likes of Cecilie Copenhagen have incorporated the pattern into some truly stunning designs that you’ll definitely want to sneak into your suitcase. Floral No spring-summer collection would be complete without the inclusion of some floral patterns. If anything embodies the spirit of summer fashion styles, it’s got to be floral. From subtle hints to bold prints, you’re going to see floral featuring a lot in SS18 collections, so why not catch the train before it leaves the station? Designers such as Boutique Moschino and Go Silk offer a range of tops and dresses that are the picture of summer style. Which SS18 trends are you keeping tabs on? Which are your favourite patterns and prints? Let us know over on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

At Stanwells, we love a holiday. Picking your destination… Choosing the perfect hotel… The buzz of the buildup to departure… And of course - the all important holiday shopping! One thing we don’t look forward to however, is packing. The endless checklists, the worrying about what you might have forgot, the squeezing of everything into a suitcase that you’re sure has shrunk since you bought it. Ultimately, it’s something that most people dread and leave until the very last minute. That’s why we’ve compiled some packing tips on how to avoid suitcase stressing in summer 2018! #1 - Settle on the Right Suitcase Finding the right luggage is the first important step in how to pack a suitcase. You’ll want to find something that is lightweight (nobody wants to be perspiring before you’ve even left the airport) yet roomy enough for as many belongings as possible. A suitcase with wheels is always a bonus, while the added benefit of picking something that is as distinguishable as it is stylish can be a godsend when scanning the inevitable skirmish at luggage collection for your case. #2 - Construct a Colour Scheme Deciding on a general colour scheme is a big tick on the holiday checklist. Pick out some of your favourite pieces and coordinate them with your brand new holiday clothes. In doing so, you’ll be able to mix-match items and outfits with ease, lessening the overall load of your luggage in the process. Accessories are also a fantastic means of freshening up any items of clothing that you may have already worn, and have the added bonus of taking up minimal space on your holiday packing list. #3 - Layout Your Luggage The rule is: layout what you think you need to take - then half it. Okay, so maybe halving might be a little extreme and hard to follow, but you get the jist! We’re all suckers for sprawling out a whole load of clothes that we don’t need, so it’s time to get ruthless with your list of things to take on holiday. #4 - Pack with Precision Take clothing that you know you’ll wear (and that you can mix-match… See #2!) and only the most essential items. Many products or at least alternatives of can be bought on arrival, so do your research and pack economically! It’s also a great idea to wear any heavier clothing during the journey. The likes of hoodies take up a fair amount of space - but they’re incredibly comfy - so why not wear them on the plane? If you’re lucky enough to visit a country with a hotter climate, you’ll have the added bonus of being able to enjoy lighter clothing. Brands such as Perseverance London and Mes Demoiselles offer some fantastic outfit options that are both incredibly easy to squeeze into your holiday packing and likely to crease less. #5 - Roll - Don’t Fold! Rolling your clothes rather than folding them maximises space in your case, while it also minimising creases. It’s time to forget folding as a thing of the past! T-shirts are incredibly easy to fold, as are accessories such as our stylish Helen Kaminski hats. Given their structure, you can also stuff the likes of socks and sunglasses into your hats too, saving even more room in the process! Have you found our handy holiday checklist helpful? Is there anything that we’ve forget? Let us know over on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter Happy holidaying!

Finding the perfect pair of women’s jeans to fit your shape can be a real struggle. But when you DO find it, the right denim is wonderfully flattering, forgiving and comfortable, and the perfect fit is out there waiting for you. Here we’ll help you find that perfect fit by matching your body type to the various jean styles and cuts available. Find the shape that most closely resembles your body below and see which styles are best suited to you: Your Perfect Jean: High Rise Slim/Cigarette You share a body shape with: Scarlett Johansson and Kelly Brook Ladies with the sought-after hourglass or curvy figure tend to have a large chest, small waist and a shapely lower half. The perfect jeans for this oh-so-womanly shape are the styles that draw attention to the narrowest parts of your body, and the waist in particular. This is why a high rise style with a stretch waist and slim leg is your ideal denim style, as it pulls you in at the waist, minimises the tum and gives the legs an elongated and proportionate shape. Your biggest friend is also the darker wash, which helps lengthen the legs even more and create a super flattering shape. Citizens of Humanity is a brand well-known for its curve-flattering denim cuts, and the Cara High Rise jean is particularly perfect for all you hourglass ladies out there. Your Perfect Jean: Low Rise Skinny You share a body shape with: Keira Knightly and Cameron Diaz Straight (also known as rectangle or boyish) figures are characterised by hips, waist and shoulders of roughly the same width. The great news here is that ladies with straight figures can pull of almost all jean styles and cuts (you lucky things), but the best styles are the ones that will add shape. Low to mid-rise waists are best as they will draw attention to your hips rather than your waist, while a skinny leg works to do the same thing by minimising the straight up and down look. You can wear almost any jeans, however we would suggest avoiding high-waisted styles, as you may find you don’t have much of a waist for the band to sit in. The AG Jeans Legging Ankle Super Skinny jeans from our range is the perfect style for you, with a low to mid-rise waist and super skinny leg to accentuate your elegant shape in all the right places. Your Perfect Jean: High-waisted Flares or Wide Leg You share a body shape with: Rihanna and Beyoncé A pear shaped figure – the most common female figure in the world – generally boasts a fabulous tiny waist, wider hips and narrower shoulders, forming an upwards-pointing triangle. You lucky ladies want to aim for the high waisted styles of denim, particularly those with flared or wide leg fits. These will cinch in your waist, while the wider leg will skim over your hips and great a beautifully proportioned silhouette. Darker washes are also great for streamlining your figure, so aim for indigo and black jeans if you can. The main style for you to avoid is the low rise waist, as this can pinch your hips and make your legs appear shorter. There are lots of high waisted bootcut, wide leg and flared styles of women’s jeans out there, but none are as fabulous as these embroidered wide leg designer jeans from Intropia. These beauties are guaranteed to add a splash of colour and figure-flattery to your new season wardrobe. Your Perfect Jean: Low to Mid Rise Straight Leg You share a body shape with: Jennifer Hudson and Catherine Zeta-Jones Apple-shaped figures tend to have lovely slim legs, a smaller behind and a little extra around the middle. Stunning celebs like Catherine Zeta-Jones and Jennifer Hudson carry the apple shape with serious style, and it’s easily done with the right denim. You want to aim for jeans with a low to mid rise waistband, preferably with a little extra stretch to keep anything from cutting in, while sticking a straight or slim leg to accentuate those lovely pins of yours. Avoid anything with flares, as these have a tendency to create an odd looking silhouette with apple figures. Try the Runaround Sue Stallion style from top women’s designer jeans label, Parker Smith, and create a super flattering shape with the comfy stretch denim and slim leg. And what about tall and petite? All of the above shapes can come in taller and more petite packages, which can complicate matters when trying to find jeans of the right length as well as shape. But never fear, there are always ways around it. If you have a petite frame with shorter legs, aim for the high-waisted styles with a skinny fit to elongate your legs. And, if you can’t find shorter leg lengths, a pair of cropped jeans with DIY turn-ups is always a good look. If you have super long pins to dress, then the advice is more or less the exact opposite. Aim for low rise waistbands with tapered cigarette leg styles. Denim washes with shading on the thighs are also effective for adding shape and dimension. After all is said and done, it’s all about finding the style that makes you feel good. There are no hard and fast rules, so check out our full collection of designer jeans for women and find the fit that works for you.