Braintree Autumn 2012 Range
A few weeks ago I attended the Pure Exhibition in London, viewing the seasonal clothing ranges to come the next year. One of my favourite ranges was the autumn Braintree range, the photographs give you a brief glimpse at my key favourite pieces.
The colours were dusky…pinks, mulberry purple and so on. The popular fabrics were cord and denim. Must admit, I was so in love with this range, I was willing to put in an order their and then – but I held back as I don’t have the storage capacity! But I will hopefully be bringing you many of these pieces. Hope you like them as much as I did!
In support for Fairtrade Fortnight 2012, Emellie Clothing Boutique will be giving away one Nomads khaki tunic! This beautiful cotton cord long tunic is available in sizes small, medium and large. It is also available in a blue colour, priced at £16.99. See www.emellie.com for more product details.
All you have to do is:
1. Like our facebook page (if you can, and have not already)
2. Sign up to our mailinglist on Home page of the website (if you have not already).
3. Answer this question: Which 2 fairtrade brands/labels are stocked at www.emellie.com?
Send your answers to shop@emellie.com. The winner will be chosen at random on March 10th. This competition is only open to UK residents.
“We’re taking steps for Fairtrade because it makes great business sense, not just for us but also for the 1.5 million farmers and workers it supports, and their communities. www.fairtrade.org.uk/step”
From the very launch of Emellie C.B (nearly two years ago!), I have always supported, stocked and sold modest styles of fairtrade clothing/brands/labels. To celebrate the nationwide Fairtrade fortnight (27 February – 11 March 2012) we’re taking steps for Fairtrade by increasing our range of Fairtrade clothing made with Fairtrade cotton (including organic cotton). It’s just one of the steps to support Fairtrade we’re taking during 2012. Will you be joining us?
WHY SUPPORT FAIRTRADE
(http://step.fairtrade.org.uk/why-take-a-step)“Millions of people in developing countries depend on farming. But they are trapped in poverty by the rules of world trade, keeping those at the start of supply chains powerless to earn enough to cover their costs and with nothing to save for their families.
Choosing Fairtrade offers farmers and workers a better chance to work their way out of poverty, through fairer wages, safer conditions at work and a little extra, called the Fairtrade premium, to invest in projects to improve life for their whole communities.
Your step for Fairtrade can be as simple as trying a new Fairtrade product, or as big and bold as launching a campaign to get your whole town to go Fairtrade. Every single one counts, because together they lead to life-changing projects in developing countries. We’ll tell you about some of these when you register your step:
How about….
• Inviting a friend out for a Fairtrade coffee
• Organising a Fairtrade chocolate tasting at school
• Telling your friends on Facebook about your favourite Fairtrade product
• Buying Fairtrade tea bags when it’s your turn at work
• Joining your local campaign group
• Asking your local shop to stock more Fairtrade choices
Every step counts towards our total of 1.5 million steps we’re hoping to achieve by the end of 2012 – one step for every farmer and worker in the Fairtrade system.” (http://step.fairtrade.org.uk/why-take-a-step)
One of my favourite purchases recently is this fabulous full wool skirt from Jaegar. Huh you say? They don’t sell these styles in the stores? True, this is my second vintage Jaegar piece, bought from Ebay for a fraction of the original sold in the 1990’s.
The skirt is in as new condition, measures 41” long and is sooooo full of fabric, that it oozes luxury. Jaegar’s designs are stunning; this skirt has a hidden side zip, and hidden pockets, that you can’t tell exist unless my hands are in them.
I have seen similar skirts being sold once in a while on Ebay (this is my second, my first will feature in another blog), so if you like these sorts of skirts, keep your eye out! Not only are you being environmentally friendly (buying used), but also financially savvy (this skirt would have retailed between £80- £130 apiece, and they usually sell for around £25 on Ebay).
Spring seems to have arrived, so this lovely skirt will be dry cleaned and stored, awaiting the autumn season…pity, I just need any excuse to wear it!
These large shopper bags were freebies from the ‘Pure London’ event I blogged about. If anyone would like one (you must have a UK address), then just email your address to me…I have two Desigual bags, two Yumi/Uttam bags and one Iron Fist bag. First come, first choice! One bag per address.
Twice a year, Kensington Olympia hosts the Pure exhibition, where the best brands showcase their next season’s designs. Sectioned into four areas (Premium, Directional, Boutique and Studio), the womenswear collections are always wonderful to view.
The key idea is for boutique owners and store managers to order in the Autumn/Winter 2012 stock (and yes, I know that summer has not passed yet, but designers/manufacturers always work in an advanced 6 month block). It also gives boutique owners like me a chance to get updated with the key trends for that season, and gain inspiration for our own collections.
Finding brands and labels that produce long clothing or modest yet stylish clothing is very difficult. Usually, you find they cater for the older and more upscale market, or produce other clothing, which I don’t sell. So choosing pieces from different collections is time-consuming, but great when it all comes together!
This time, I fell in love with a German label called Himalaya, which produced fair trade clothing to an exceptional standard, and with real attention to detail. However, their pricing at the moment is not in my price-range, but I do hope that with increasing orders, they may begin to make their pieces more affordable. The Braintree autumn collection this year is to die for in my book, but more about that in another blog!
It’s great to see a constant supply of maxi skirts for the summer – mostly floral prints. Maxi dresses in cotton jersey also seem to be popular on the rails this year.
Linked are some photos from the Pure event, to give you a feel for it…
So, having been asked numerous times about the process of choosing new stock, designing my own label clothing, and what my own sense of style is like, I have decided to start blogging! This is going to be fun and interesting, and I hope you’ll join me for the ride!