2024 has seen us take a slightly different direction in terms of what & how we manufacture. Certainly there have been many challenges to overcome both during the pandemic years and then followed by Brexit and continually rising costs. We also have environmental and sustainable factors to consider when making decisions regarding production.
To make the best use of our on-site factory team in their diverse skill sets better suited to do lower quantities, we are now creating regular micro collections with limited edition selections. We have also recently discovered printers based closer to us who are willing to do shorter print runs so that we reduce wastage.
This move away from traditional seasonal to regular collections is certainly more challenging. From a design point of view it can feel quite pressured to ensure that there are new styles coming through so quickly - but there is no doubt it has revived a sense of joy and excitement.
The Secret Garden collection was our second micro collection - designed and centred around the 'Magnolia Bliss' print and a visit to my hometown Chester. Perfect for Spring, I fell in love with this print and it inspired new styles: the Petra Dress & 1930s wrap blouse - followed later by the 1920s Dolly Day dress.
It really is a strength here that due to our set up we can create new styles so quickly. A designers dream!
The print feels ethereal and like a celebration of nature. After what has been a long, grey winter (certainly for us up North), the emerging greenery starting to come through felt like it was reflected in this print.
The palette for this collection is subtle and fresh with the print paired directly with teal (brought through in 1940s style Martha dress) and bright terracotta used in 1930s Swirl Skirt and 1940s Hepburn Trousers. We also included a spot of duck egg and burnt peach through a few styles.
Recently, have been interested in longer dresses - particularly lengthening archive or existing styles. This has certainly been a regular request along with designs that can cross between vintage and modern. The 1930s Petra dress is certainly one of those. The bias cut skirt is taken from one of our archive 1930s styles, together with the shirring and button detail but the sleeves and plunge neckline is certainly less traditionally vintage.
The setting for our collection photoshoot also inspired us and was centred around an amazing entranceway and gate in a Georgian street in Chester. I always need a 'hook' for designs and as a romantic at heart - i was inspired by the idea of peaking through this old gateway into a Secret Garden with its promises of Spring (wearing a fabulous dress of course - possibly tiara too!). This view inspired a revival of our popular and more traditional 1940s 'Girl Friday' dress - in a new longer length. Our model Lydia, who is a dancer and Foxy fan - did us proud that day.
