Journal

The party season has officially arrived and what better way to celebrate than with an exclusive event at our Westbourne store? For one night only we were lucky enough to welcome the much loved scarf designer Emma Shipley and the fabulous Duffy New York team into our store for an evening full of inspirational chats, Christmas shopping and an abundance of champagne! Customers were able to get their first glimpse of all our stunning new Pre Spring 18 collections from Duffy, Chinti & Parker, Boutique Moschino, Emma Shipley and Not Shy whilst indulging in some mouth watering canapés courtesy of The Jetty Mudeford restaurant. With guests having travelled from both near and far to join us, the shop was soon bustling with glamorous customers and their lucky husbands. The evening began with a brief collection overview from Emma Shipley, who kindly talked us through the inspirations for her latest collection as well as her intricate production processes. After launching only 5 years ago in 2012 with a background in graphic design and fine drawing, Emma Shipley has become a firm Stanwells favourite thanks to her intricate, original and subversive pieces. Taking inspiration from fantastical myths and legends, Emma hand draws each design in pencil using elements of nature to capture the magic of her surroundings in each and every design she creates. These absolutely stunning designs are then translated onto the most luxurious silk and wool fabrics to create one of a kind pieces that are sure to be treasured for years to come. This instantly recognisable hand-drawn style is of course still present in Emma Shipley's SS18 collection, whilst an array of different creatures and colours have been used to infuse a new lease of life into this bold summery selection. Glorious giraffes, powerful peacock feathers and diagrammatic silverbacks give a modern twist to Emma's signature mythical inspirations, with a rainbow of colours suitable for every occasion available. Our lucky customers were fortunate enough to be able to pre-order these luxurious scarves and managed to get their hands on Emma's latest SS18 designs before anyone else could snap them up! After a quick champagne break, we were then treated to another Pre SS18 preview by the lovely ladies from the Duffy New York team. A long-running favourite with all of our customers, Duffy's super soft cashmere is a staple in any Stanwells shopper's wardrobe thanks to the flattering cuts, stunning colours and quirky details which are guaranteed season after season. After a quick chat about the new collection, customers were invited to try and buy the Pre SS18 selection which flew out the doors on the evening. The Duffy Pre SS18 collection is bursting with cool pastel colours and shoulder baring cuts which ooze Spring style and brightened up the store on a cold winter's evening. Our customers loved the Off the Shoulder Sweater in Sky Heather as well as the Two Tone Boat Neck Sweater and the Off the Shoulder Sweater in Champagne/Heather Grey, which you can see on our gorgeous models Millie and Mitch pictured above. For the ultimate luxurious combination, a few lucky customers purchased a fabulous combination of Duffy and Emma Shipley to start off their Spring wardrobe in style. After a flurry of spending and a lot of chatting, the evening drew to a close and our lovely customers were treated to one last surprise, a luxurious gift bag supplied by Neptune Bournemouth containing a fabulous tealight holder and their latest collection book as well as a few goodies from Rik Rak by Kit Kemp to top it all off. After an incredibly busy evening, the Stanwells team finally got to sample a few of the delicious canapés lovingly made by The Jetty, before tidying up and heading home for a well deserved glass of fizz.

We love a brand with a story and this one is truly fascinating. It began with a chance meeting between Parajumpers’ creator, Massimo Rossetti, and a serving member of the 210th Rescue Squadron in an Alaskan bar. Aside from sounding like the opening scene of a great movie, this is also where Rossetti found his inspiration for the Parajumpers clothing line. The brave souls serving in the 210th Rescue Squadron are trained and highly experienced in the most dangerous, extreme rescues and recoveries in the world’s wildest environments. Known as the Parajumpers, or the PJs for short, they scale cliffs, traverse rough oceans and battle extreme weather to reach and rescue people in danger, saving hundreds of lives every year. It follows then, that they need clothing that can both protect them from the elements and withstand the rigorous tests these wild environments pose. Enter Parajumpers, Massimo Rossetti’s inspired clothing line. Though they are primarily created for us everyday folk, every item of outerwear made by Parajumpers is crafted with the 210th Rescue Squadron’s activities in mind. Famous for its highly fashionable and functional parkas, Parajumpers clothing is crafted with precision and many technical components, making them extremely hardwearing and perfect for withstanding extreme low temperatures and bad weather. Here are just a handful of our absolute favourite Parajumpers parkas and coats that have recently landed in our winter collection:   Juliet Quilted Jacket If you’re not into the traditional long design of the parka, this jacket is the perfect solution. The Juliet quilted jacket is one of Parajumpers’ most popular designs, and we can see why. We love the fitted style and lightweight feel, which makes this jacket perfect for autumn, spring and even the milder winter days. The hood and elasticated cuffs provide extra protection from the cold, wind and rain, and the padded, quilted design is bang on trend this season, so this is a top choice if you’re in the market for a new coat. It’s waiting for you right here. Kodiak Parka Be bold this winter with this incredible deep red Kodiak parka, the bestselling Parajumpers parka design. If it’s cosy warmth you’re after then this is the coat for you, as the Kodiak comes with a super cosy detachable real fur lining and hood. And when you add the water and wind resistant nylon Oxford coating into the mix, you end up with the ultimate winter coat, perfect for exploring the wilderness in all weathers. And who wouldn’t love that stunning colour? Angie Down Coat If you love Parajumpers parkas but you’re looking for something a little more understated, this sleek grey Angie coat has your name all over it. It’s slim fitting so it will certainly tick the figure-flattering style box, while that gorgeous detachable fur-lined hood adds lots of glamour as well as practical protection from the cold. Like the Kodiak, the Angie coat is also waterproof, and is lined with insulating down for wonderful warmth in even the coldest temperatures. The muted deep grey shade makes this coat easy to wear with practically any outfit, and the classic parka design will keep you looking bang on trend all season long. We feel sure that you now share our crush on this amazing brand, not only for its fascinating back story but for its ‘I need that now’ designs. You can view our full range of women’s parajumpers coats and parkas here.

Capture the magic of the festive season with stunning, luxurious hand-picked gifts in the Stanwells Christmas Gift Guide. From warm woolly bobble hats to chic winter boots, our selection of gifts will allow you to celebrate in style this Christmas. Take your pick from the most chic & luxurious gift ideas curated by Stanwells especially for you this Christmas. With a stunning selection of gifts to suit every taste, you're sure to find something that she will love in either of our stores or online. Let's take a look at a few of our favourites including relaxing bath and body goodies and sumptuous silk lingerie... Chic Merino Wool Hats by BKLYN   It's starting to get chilly outside now and what better way to combat the cold than with a warm woolly hat by BKLYN? The best part about these hats is that you can mix and match any hat with any fur bobble to create endless combinations to match with any outfit. Why not combine a Merino Hat in Mid Grey with the Royal Blue Bobble for a subtly playful fusion, alternatively go tonal with a Merino Hat in Rose and a fur Bobble in Grey & Pink. Crafted from super soft merino wool, these BKLYN bobble hats are sure to keep you toasty, whilst the chic vivid bobbles add a touch of fun to every outfit. These delightful hats make the ideal gift for any age and are sure to put a smile on her face this Christmas. Soothing Bath & Body Goodies by Rik Rak Immerse yourself in a world of gorgeous fragrances with the Rik Rak by Kit Kemp collection. With stunning scents reminiscent of an English Garden in bloom, the signature Gardenia Greenleaf collection is bursting with fabulous gift combinations such as the nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner or the cleansing Hand Lotion and Hand Wash. The Lavender Eucalyptus Travel Set makes a great Christmas gift as an introduction to the Rik Rak brand or as a travel sized top up for Rik Rak lovers. Created as the signature in-room bath and fragrance collection for the world renowned Firmdale Hotels, the Rik Rak by Kit Kemp collection exudes playful luxury due to the trademark zig zag print packaging. Brighten up your loved ones Christmas with a fabulous Rik Rak gift set or a combination of the best-selling bath and body washes and lotions. Fantastical Scarves by Emma Shipley Add a touch of artistry to your wardrobe with these hand illustrated scarves by Emma Shipley. Crafted in the finest silk and wool these bold, whimsical scarves and shawls make the perfect Christmas gift for fashion-forward ladies. Spruce up your favourite jacket or cashmere sweater with the Amazon Fine Wool Shawl in Red, designed with both warmth and style in mind. Wrap around your shoulders on chilly evenings or wear with your winter coat for extra cosiness. Sumptuous Silk Lingerie by Gold Hawk This opulent silk and lace lingerie makes a lovely Christmas gift, particularly the Floral Lace Cami's which are perfect for wearing under low cut tops and dresses in this cold weather. Follow this season's hottest trend for pyjama style occasion wear and pair the black & white Charmeuse Robe with some cool Parker Smith skinny jeans for a chic evening look. Crafted from super soft silk and intricate lace these camisoles, robes and rompers ooze sophistication and luxury. Buy as a set or mix and match different colours to build up your Gold Hawk collection. Funky Footwear by Ash Shine like a star in these magical boots and trainers from Ash, styled in fabulous velvet, suede and the classic mesh knit. A true Stanwells favourite, the Ash Footwear collection is the epitome of cool. With a mixture of ankle boots, trainers and knee high boots there is something to suit everyone's style. For a touch of Christmas sparkle invest in the Elixir Nadine Blue Velvet Boots which look fabulous worn with a mini dress and tights or some classic AG Stilt Cigarette Leg jeans and a silky blouse. For a relaxed daytime look style the Lucky Star Trainers with some cool cropped jeans and a Bold Jumper 1234 cashmere sweater. Head over to our Christmas Gift Guide on the site for some more gifting inspiration or take a look at our previous blog post for some help planning your local Christmas itinerary.

The season for parties, good food, cosy crackling fires and gorgeous fashion has finally arrived, and we’re super excited to plan our itinerary of winter fun. Here at Stanwells we’re so lucky to have two boutique fashion stores in two very beautiful coastal locations; Stanwells Westbourne and Stanwells Lymington. Working in these gorgeous places every day has given the Stanwells team a great deal of local knowledge, so we know all the best places to visit at this exciting time of year. What’s more, we’re experts on dressing for the occasion, no matter what that occasion may be. So let us take you on a mini tour of the wonderful places surrounding our stores, our favourite haunts and our recommended outfits and give you some inspiration for your next day or evening out. Things to do in and around Westbourne Located just a stone’s throw from Bournemouth and the stunning southwest coastline, our Stanwells Westbourne store is surrounded by amazing things to do and see. Here are some of our recommendations: Dinner at Rick Stein in Sandbanks A post shared by Rick Stein & Jill Stein (@ricksteinrestaurants) on Oct 10, 2017 at 12:08pm PDT If you love stunning views and delicious seafood, then Rick Stein’s Sandbanks restaurant is the perfect place for a Christmas or New Year treat. Just 20 minutes down the A35 from the Stanwells Westbourne store, this is one of our favourite venues. Tuck into a varied menu of succulent, locally sourced fish dishes while lapping up those delightful sea views, or have a giggle with the girls with the restaurant’s unique range of cocktails, courtesy of award-winning bartender, Mr Lyan. What to wear For a classy place like this, it’s just got to be the equally classy dress, jacket and boots combo. We love this sleeveless tunic dress by M Missoni, with it’s glam 70s-inspired A-line fit and shimmering metallic knit pattern. The knitted style makes this dress perfect for the winter season, and becomes even more so when paired with this luxurious Dumont black leather jacket by IRO. The buttery soft leather and gorgeous ruffled detailing on the back make this jacket an absolute must for dressing to impress this winter season, and it sets this outfit off perfectly. And don’t forget the boots! Complete your winter party look with these head-turning Elisa-Baby Silk over the knee boots from Ash. This style is bang on trend this season, and the stretch suede will keep your legs nice and warm in the winter coastal breeze. Beach walk and coffee at Le Petit Prince There’s nothing quite like a walk on the beach to blow out the cobwebs and catch some of that invigorating sea air over the winter months. With the beach just a six minute drive or a 20 minute walk away from the centre of Westbourne, you can be out enjoying the stunning coastline in no time at all, with miles of beautiful beach to explore. Then, to warm yourselves back up, we would recommend a mug of steaming hot coffee at a beautiful little Westbourne coffee shop and patisserie called Le Petit Prince. Just round the corner from Stanwells Westbourne, Le Petit Prince is a coffee shop with bags of character, friendly, welcoming staff and a wonderful variety of hot drinks, cakes and savoury treats to enjoy. What more could you want after a brisk walk along the beach? What to wear You will, of course, need to wrap up warm for this day out, so the first port of call needs to be a good coat. We recommend this beautiful Gobi Bomber Jacket in Red from Parajumpers. You can’t beat a fur lined hood for keeping you snug and warm on a winter’s day and this water and wind proof coat is sure to keep you cosy this winter. And underneath? It has to be this adorable Card Sleeve Sweater from Jumper 1234, with its subtle and feminine ivory colour and cute playing card motifs on each sleeve. And, once paired up with these sleek black Bombshell Skinny Jeans from Parker Smith, you’ve got one perfect winter outfit that ticks every AW17 trend box while remaining perfectly practical. Finish the look off with some sturdy footwear, like these Lucky Star Trainers from Ash. With their cool mesh knit and chunky, flexible rubber sole, these trainers are super comfortable and hardwearing as well as stylish; perfect for a winter stroll without having to compromise on style. That’s winter in Westbourne all wrapped up, so let’s move on to the lovely Lymington. Things to do in and around Lymington We love our Stanwells Lymington store, set in the heart of this beautiful port town and just a 40 minute drive from the bustling city of Southampton. Here are a couple of our top recommended days out in our second neck of the woods: Forest walk followed by lunch at the East End Arms, Lymington Surrounding our lovely town is the gigantic New Forest National Park, which is perfect for exploring on long winter woodland walks. With over 25 walking routes to choose from, you can wander for hours in this beautiful landscape and work up a very healthy appetite in the process. Afterwards, you simply cannot leave the New Forest without a bite to eat at the East End Arms. This traditional country pub has oodles of charm, a roaring open fire and a mouthwatering menu of rustic food to warm you up after all that walking. It doesn’t get much better than this on a chilly winter’s day. What to wear First thing’s first, let’s get warm. The Alessandra Chamonix Georgette Racoon Coat, with it’s big fur-trimmed hood, detachable fur lining and stunning beadwork, makes the perfect winter walking coat for keeping you toasty warm in the coldest of temperatures. Once you've warmed up a little, why not unzip your coat and show off this chic Starburst Cashmere Sweater by Jumper 1234. The striking neon yellow zig zag motif and super soft cashmere work together to make a gorgeous winter jumper that’ll turn heads wherever you go. Match it up with these blue Runaround Sue Jeans by Parker Smith, with their sleek straight leg and figure-shaping stretch denim. Roll your jeans up and pair with some fabulous Montelliana boots for a super stylish forest look.   Cozy up next to the East End Arms roaring fire before enjoying a delicious lunch at this great pub that is a favourite with the locals. The best food for miles, this pub has a reputation for hospitality and you can even stay the night in one of their stylish rooms...we promise you will want to re-visit soon! Dinner at The Jetty in Southampton Our final recommendation for a wonderful day or evening out is the newly opened waterside restaurant The Jetty, sitting pretty in Southampton’s Ocean Village Marina. Just a 40 minute drive round the coast from our Stanwells Lymington store, The Jetty offers stunning views and an even more stunning menu of locally sourced, sustainable seafood. Perfect for a special occasion celebration during the winter party season, this beautiful place is well worth dressing up for. What to wear Let’s start your outfit off with the most elegant of dresses to match this equally elegant restaurant. This stunning feather trimmed dress by Boutique Moschino is sure to catch everyone's eye, with its cinched in waist, deep v-neckline and elegant neck tie. Make a statement with the marabou feather trimmed hem that exudes style and sophistication whilst adding a fun and playful element to your evening look. That concludes our little tour of our two Stanwells locales. If you love our outfits, you’ll find them in our online boutique or in either of our two stores, so drop by and find your favourites. Have a fabulous time exploring and eating your way around the south coast!

The secret to the world of fashion is to always be prepared! This is why, while we’re wrapping up warm for winter in our favourite coats and scarves, we’re also keeping an eye firmly on the styles the coming season will bring. When it comes to fashion buying you always need to be a good few months ahead of the game. This is exactly what our very own Julia Aitken was doing this week in Paris. We joined her on a jam packed day of appointments to reveal exactly what goes on in the world of a fashion buyer, as well as a sneak peek at the fashions in store for us in summer 2018… After a very early start and early but very convenient flight from Southampton airport I hit the ground running in Paris at 8.30 am. On a mission to do three appointments in a day, all started well until I decided to ditch the typically chaotic Parisian taxi driver that was making me feel sick on the outskirts of the city. I headed for the nearest Metro and disaster, no glasses and trying to read the small map was impossible! So, like a child I followed the route map by colours and to my surprise landed a short walk from my first appointment at the Aeffe showroom on Faubourg. Delightfully decadent, in true Parisian style, the showroom was bustling with a mix of buyers, models and glamorous showroom staff. I was greeted by the elegant Sylvia, a long standing member Philosophy sales team. She was a vision in turquoise and black, offering an early starter breakfast of coffee and croissants; she was my saviour. The Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini collection is always one of my favourites and summer ’18 was never going to disappoint. Fortuny pleated pants and 20’s style ruffled tops gave a flavour of 1920’s Deauville; the floral prints in pink red and black were more typical of the collection styled in feminine dresses but hot red satin midi dress with over-sized black cuffs sent a vibrant shock through the collection. I peeked into the Moschino Couture collection for a reminder of what the fashion runways theatrical best is about, and have a few sneak shots of the winged dress and rose floral skirted frock that had graced the Moschino catwalk a few weeks before. Onwards toward the Marais district I ran, down St. Honoré spotting the fashion chicks en route with loaded admiration for Parisian style…. Next stop IRO , located near Montparnasse. Their uber-cool simplistic showroom was busy, but with a quieter vibe than Philosophy’s showroom. Ice queen model's, edgy looking buyers and a super green, super healthy salad and health drink for lunch made the fashion frantic Philosophy showroom a very distant memory. So familiar with the IRO collection, the buy was easy: a mix of old favourites such as the leather biker jackets and new silk chiffon prints. Sprinting off to the Marais towards the fashion loaded Rue Charlot, I had a quick peek into Mes Demoiselles relaxed, Bohemian chic boutique. Easy on the eye and effortless, I wanted to be dressed like the store manager in a paisley chiffon skirt and off the shoulder top and cowboy boots; she looked SO cool, as only the Parisian girls do… Next stop Jerome Dreyfuss; for those who don’t know, Jerome is the accessory designer husband of Isabel Marant. His collection oozes everything about Parisian style at this moment; casual, relaxed and subtle. None of those big label branded handbags with their name across the front, a JD handbag is all about understated style in super soft leather or suede. Choosing was easy, as Florence, Jerome’s in house expert showed me the best picks of the collections: tan suede shoulder bags and the hot new style for summer, the circle bags in salmon pink. All done, taxi booked I set off for Charles de Gaulle with satisfaction that the day had gone well and could relax with a coffee whilst waiting for my flight. I was back in Lymington to pick up @Minifashiondog who had been the safe hands of Stanwells super sales girl Nikki; Minnie was fast asleep in the shop unaware of mums day away!

It’s brand of the month time! This month, as we head deeper into autumn towards winter, we’ve chosen Canadian brand, Moose Knuckles, and you’re about to see why. All you movers and shakers and disruptors out there, Moose Knuckles is designed especially for you. That’s according to the brand’s creative director, Steph Hoff – and we concur. Yes, Moose Knuckles Canada is the exciting premium outerwear label that everyone wants to wear this season, and as we’ve been spending the day getting up close and cosy with the latest collection, we can certainly see the attraction. What we love so much about this brand, apart from its amazing products, is its infectious personality. It’s certainly not a shy one, with its name, logo and even its advertising campaigns loaded with giggle-worthy innuendo. Since Moose Knuckles was launched in Toronto in 2007, it has set itself apart from other outerwear brands and made a name for itself as the irresistible luxury label that nobody really needs, but that everybody really really wants. With the weather rapidly cooling off, what could be better than a cosy, expertly tailored coat designed to keep you toasty warm? Once you zip them up you’re in fur-trimmed heaven, and no other coat will do. We love every single coat this brand makes, but here are our absolute favourite Moose Knuckles parkas and coats from the latest collection. Discover that fur-trimmed heaven we were just talking about with the Debbie bomber jacket from Moose Knuckles. The jacket comes in other colours including a cool granite grey, but this vivid red is hands down our favourite shade. We love the way the red contrasts with the jet black, super soft fur trim on the detachable hood, and the bouncy fur pom pom pull cords. The waist and cuffs are elasticated to seal out the chilly air and provide the perfect snug fit, while the main waterproof coat is embellished with quality metal hardware, including the iconic Moose Knuckles logo on the sleeve. Pair up with your favourite skinny jeans and sturdy winter boots to create a luxury outdoor look perfect for any weather this season can throw at you. Everyone loves a classic parka, but this one is rather special. The Stirling is Moose Knuckles’ best selling parka, and it’s obvious why. Once again, this coat comes in other colours including olive, navy and grey, but we fell in love with this bright white version as soon as we saw it. The striking monochrome design with the same fur-lined hood and pom pom pull cords of the Debbie design, creates a classic winter look that’s just as practical as it is pretty. Their 80/20 down filling makes the Moose Knuckles parkas able to withstand the most extreme cold weather, so you can feel sure that this coat will see you through the winter no matter what. Slip this coat on over any outfit, daytime or evening, and just wait for the compliments to pour in. Looking for the perfect autumn coat? This is the one. The Rosedale quilted bomber jacket gives you all the warmth you need for the autumn months in a much more lightweight design. We love the way the stretchy Flex Core fabric, ribbed elasticated sides and cuffs keep the coat fitted perfectly to your body shape, creating a casual, tailored look. The classic bomber style works perfectly with jeans and ankle boots, with the black colour ensuring it will harmonise with any colour scheme. The Rosedale is the ultimate ‘day out’ coat, and is just as much at home on a mountain hike as it is on the high street. For all you active and outdoorsy folks, this is your new favourite coat. Like the Rosedale, the Rockcliffe quilted coat from Moose Knuckles Canada is a little more lightweight than the parkas, and is perfect for hikers, gym-goers and day-to-day shoppers looking to stay warm-but-not-too-warm. The Rockcliffe is waterproof and comes with that all-important hood to protect you from the UK’s persistent autumn showers, while the Flex Core stretch fabric provides ease of movement with the perfect fit. Wear this over any casual outfit and be prepared for it to become your go-to everyday accessory. Are you a Moose Knuckles convert now? We most certainly are. Don’t forget to check out the rest of the range, as well as our wider collection of cosy coats and gilets and stylish designer jackets to make sure you’ve got the perfect outerwear options for all occasions.  

We absolutely love introducing a new brand to the Stanwells family and this month we have a sparkling new addition. Many of you may know her as one of the stars of the channel 4 hit show, Made in Chelsea, but to us she is the creator of a truly stunning line of jewellery. Yes, we are of course talking about the fabulous Rosie Fortescue, and today we’re chatting to her about the latest collection in her jewellery line, and finding out a little more about where her inspiration comes from. So without further ado, let’s get into it. #1 - Hi Rosie, it’s wonderful to be chatting to you! Let’s start from the beginning - Where did your ambition to create your own jewellery range begin? “I have been obsessed with jewellery for as long as I can remember. I was a magpie as a child, constantly going through my mother’s jewellery and trying her rings on!”   #2 - Was there anything in particular that triggered you to finally make the dream a reality? “I wanted to have all of my ducks in a row and everything in order before launching. I took about 6 months to sample with the factory, set up the business and make a plan for the year ahead. I had been thinking about it for a few years and had all these ideas and sketches ready to go, but I knew I had to wait until I was also able to allocate time to the company to give it the best chance!” #3 - How did you and your team work together on the range? What was involved in the process? “My brand is just me! I draw like a baby, sadly, but my factory team is amazing at creating CAD drawings. I draw with measurements, then they send the CAD. I then select the metals and stone colours, and make a few changes here and there to the CAD drawings. “Samples are made and sometimes changed slightly, then the orders are placed. I have some hoops coming out (hopefully before Christmas) using Swarovski stones, and I’ve changed the sample 4 times. I am a perfectionist and it’s essential that everything is perfect, although now it’s touch and go for the Christmas sales!”   #4 - You’re a busy bee - how do you fit the jewellery business around your day to day life? “I work until late most evenings and always at the weekends. I have to find the time, because if I am not working on it, nothing gets done!”   #5 - Are there any designers, collections or other influences that inspired your own designs? “I am mostly inspired by architecture, shapes, angles, and colours that I see day-to-day in London. I always keep my eyes open for new inspiration, especially when I’m travelling.” #6 - Do you have a favourite piece/pieces in your collection? “I basically never take off my Huggy Hoops and Tight Chain Necklaces. The Hand Cuffs are also the perfect statement accessory.”   #7 - How has the business grown and evolved since launch, and what do you have planned for the future of the range? “I have launched three collections now, and each new day is just as exciting as when I started. Every day is different, I am still learning and committing to hopefully making the brand a huge success!”   #8 - Do you have a piece of jewellery or a keepsake you absolutely love for sentimental reasons? “Yes, a vintage Rolex I bought a few years ago. I adore it and feel lost without it!” #9 - We’ve all recently been treated to lots of fashion excitement at London Fashion Week - what was your highlight this year? “Unfortunately I actually missed London Fashion Week for Ibiza this year, but I came back in time to set up my stand at the London Fashion Week Festival, which was fantastic.”   #10 - And finally, do you have any advice for anybody who might want to start their own jewellery line / business? “It’s not easy, but if you love it enough it won’t feel like work!” Thanks so much Rosie for taking the time to chat to us, we’re so excited to have the new Rosie Fortescue Jewellery collection here at Stanwells!

The time has come once again for us to choose our brand of the month, and we’ve got another absolute cracker for you. Introducing Boutique Moschino, Moschino’s adorable little sister. We’ve been picking out our favourite pieces from the new season collection to share with you, so here goes. All you label lovers out there will be familiar with Moschino, founded in 1988 by Franco Moschino. The Boutique Moschino clothing line was then created as a way to inject lots of extra fun and vibrancy into the lives of Moschino fans, and boy did they succeed. Under the creative direction of respected designer, Jeremy Scott, the Boutique line combines the retro, contemporary and quirky eccentricity of the mainline collection, and pours it all into its skirts, tops, jackets and dresses. It more than deserves to be our brand of the month, and we know you’re going to love the latest additions for AW17. Prepare to fall in love, because we’re about to show you some of the most incredible pieces from Boutique Moschino’s Autumn/Winter collection. We actually had to hold ourselves back from taking them all home for ourselves, and you’re about to see why. We’ll start with our favourite piece of outerwear, as it is autumn after all. Boutique Moschino doesn’t ever do things by halves, as this stunning coat demonstrates. Just look at that incredible shade of pink. This is a coat that replaces cold with bold, and it’ll certainly turn heads while you’re walking down the street. The designers haven’t held back on quality either, using a luxurious mix of super soft cashmere and wool to create this stunning winter warmer. And once you’ve stopped staring at the amazing colour, you start to notice all the other incredible elements to this coat. We just love those chunky buttons with their adorable purple flowers adding an extra feminine touch and breaking up the solid pink. And even the lining is stunning, with it’s bold black background and bright floral pattern. You can even show off the lining (and why wouldn’t you?) by turning up the ends of the sleeves; this coat is just full of lovely surprises. The coat works in perfect harmony with the rest of the AW17 collection, but you can just as easily wear it as a standalone statement piece with your regular wardrobe. Find it in your size here. This is not your average little black dress. Boutique Moschino have taken a classic sleeveless LBD cut and added one very special statement element. That stunning floaty feather trim is what sold this dress to us, and we have a sneaking suspicion you’ll be just as taken with it as we are. Those gorgeous marabou feathers and the understated neck tie detail make this dress ooze sixties glamour and stand out a mile from regular dress styles. We also love the way the elasticated waist creates a flattering shape and helps accentuate that flouncy skirt even more. And, if you wanted to dial up the feather fashion still further, you’ll be thrilled to know there is a matching jacket for this dress. Something this special doesn’t come along every day, so grab yours quick before they all fly away. Oh wow, how special is this sweater? Contradicting traditional autumn and winter themes, Boutique Moschino has gone heavily floral with their new season collection, something usually reserved for spring and summer. But somehow they’ve made florals work perfectly for autumn, and adorned this simple chunky knit roll neck sweater with the most adorable assortment of crochet flowers. Like gorgeous little beacons of colour, the flowers add depth and intrigue to this classic jumper style, perfect for brightening up those chilly autumn days. Create the ultimate casual outfit and conversation piece in one by pairing this jumper with your favourite black jeans and a pair of our designer ankle boots. Sticking with Boutique Moschino’s autumnal florals, we also couldn’t resist this wonderful monochrome flower print shirt for our final pick of the month. As you’ll already know, we’re suckers for a lovely print here at Stanwells, so this absolute stunner of a shirt was guaranteed to find a place in our hearts. We think this shirt would make the perfect autumn addition to your workwear wardrobe, with it’s classic cut, button through front and long sleeves creating a very smart silhouette for the office. We can see this working perfectly layered under a black blazer with smart trousers and leather ankle boots, with the bold print lifting the whole outfit by just the right amount. Gorgeous, isn’t it? Find it in your size here, and take a look through our jackets and blazers collection if you want to create that lovely layered look we were talking about. Wow, who knew a label could have so much personality? Hopefully you can see just from these four pieces exactly why the Boutique Moschino clothing collection made our Brand of the Month this month. And there’s loads more where they came from, too. Check out our full Boutique Moschino new season range, or browse our entire designer clothing collection here.

If you had to choose just four items of clothing to see you through the autumn, what would you pick? We asked ourselves this question and began putting together our top autumn fashion checklist to help you refresh your wardrobe. We knew our choices had to be warm, sturdy and – most importantly – stylish, so we looked through our latest collections of women’s designer jumpers, coats and footwear to find the essentials for this gorgeous golden season. Paul & Joe: April Coat Despite its springtime name, this coat is the epitome of laid back autumn style. Paul & Joe has taken the classic trench coat and added an eye catching monochrome checked pattern to create the perfect balance between casual and smart. You can cinch in the waist and create a sophisticated silhouette with the matching waist tie belt, and the thick wool-mix fabric will keep you toasty warm on those brisk autumn and winter mornings. This look is so on trend this season, and is one of the best autumn and winter coats we’ve ever seen. We especially love the deep front pockets and turn-up detail cuffs, adding that little something extra in the design department. Try layering it over your favourite black sweater and wide leg pants for the ultimate monochrome ensemble that’ll keep you sheltered from the elements as the weather gets colder this season. Find it in your size here. Chinti & Parker: Cat Outline Sweater After the all-important coat, your next autumn fashion point of call absolutely has to be knitwear, and jumpers in particular. We’ve got a new collection full of women’s designer jumpers, but this one in particular is just too adorable not to make it onto our autumn fashion checklist. So simple, yet so clever. This striking sweater is Chinti & Parker’s unique take on the ‘Owl and the Pussycat’ poem, and features a gorgeous and simplistic cream outline of the cat, contrasted brightly on its deep navy background. And, as if the cute-as-anything design wasn’t enough to make you fall for this jumper, just wait until you get your hands on the fabric. This jumper is made from 100% cashmere, making it luxuriously soft and warm, perfect for snuggling up during these chilly autumn days. Wear it over a pair of casual jeans and match it up with some designer sneakers to create a super luxe daytime outfit. Grab yours here. Vivetta: Valencia Embroidered Jeans Next stop: Denim. No autumn fashion checklist is complete without a pair of hardy designer jeans to keep you warm and looking bang on trend this season. We’ve had loads of new designer jeans in, just in time for the start of the autumn season, but we picked these gorgeous Vivetta embroidered jeans as our checklist essential for some very obvious reasons. Firstly, who couldn’t fall head over heels for that embroidery? Perfect for adding a bit of colour and intrigue to your autumn wardrobe, these delicate little motifs will lift any casual outfit into something truly special. Secondly, these relaxed boyfriend-style jeans provide a refreshing break from the high number of skinny styles that still dominate the denim market. Sitting high on the waist for a flattering silhouette, these Vivetta jeans come in an easy-to-wear mid wash blue shade so you can pair them with practically anything. Hudson London: Liberty Print Boot Of course, no autumn fashion ensemble would be complete without a new pair of sturdy designer boots to help you brave the colder weather. But have you ever seen a pair of ankle boots with such a beautiful and perfectly autumnal print? These gorgeous Liberty Print boots are the product of a Hudson London and Liberty London collaboration, and they certainly set our print-loving antennas a-twitching. It’s little wonder, then, that they shot straight into our autumn fashion checklist. With those incredible earthy colours and the elegant leafy secret garden pattern, these boots go much further than being suitable for the season; they celebrate it. You could wear these with anything you like, whether it be casual jeans, skirts or dresses. The heel is high enough to add elegance and height, while staying low enough to make these boots perfect for all day and all night wearing. Tempted? Of course you are. Get yours here.   With these autumn essentials ticked off on your checklist, you’ll be ready to head out into the season, dressed head to toe in boutique style. You’re so very welcome.