Fashion is always moving forward. Something very apparent to me as I write about the buying trip I have just been on with Heidi. It seems strange that we are still in the throw between winter and spring, yet in the fashion community all thoughts of summer have been moved aside to consider autumn and winter 2015..
I am doing some work experience with Flint and was invited to join Heidi to see and partake in the process of buying for the shop. This is my first blog post for the Flint website..
First up was a visit to Four Marketing which is the agency that represents Velvet. We met Christopher who showed us the pre fall/winter capsule that Velvet had created. It was so striking and there were some really amazing details and colours within it. It was so easy to see the collection in Flint, it will just fit in seamlessly. I almost can't wait the amount of time that it will take for it to drop!
Next up was a short walk down the road to Chiltern Street Studios where we were met by Denise who showed us a cornucopia of brands, specifically Bellerose, Crossley and Jumper 1234. All of them exhibited some fascinating pieces in scintillating colours. My favourite collection at Chiltern Street Studios was Crossley. The textures that the designers had achieved on these pieces were very unique. They would make every outfit that they were paired with visually unusual from the norm due to the aesthetic differences to most fabrics. It makes for a very original outfit. Crossley was also very special in that they were ready to buy and take away. It seems strange that they are in Flint now and customers are already wearing and enjoying them.
After a delicious lunch we had a lovely stroll down to Lucy Wernicks Fashion Agency where we had an appointment with Jessie. We had an opening to see 360 Cashmere - a brand that I absolutely adore. In fact, I am wearing one of their jumpers as I write this. Jessie talked us through the selection focusing more on the sensations of the fabrics and the exciting hues that they cam e in, subtle distinctions that made a large difference. With all of the agencies it was really great to see how they let Heidi go through her own process with the clothes, making up her own story.
Throughout the brands the colours were key, it was obvious that we were moving into autumn because throughout all of the collections they were rich, darker tones being used - for example, a burgundy or a dark teal. Autumn capsules are often my favourite in that I find they represent the colour changes in the leaves or the deepening colours of a lake, to me Fall collections feel very earthy and natural. I was really impressed with the different textures that all of the brands were experimenting with. My favourite yarn was 360 Cashmere's new brushed cashmere; it felt like a cloud to touch and had an almost angora like quality to it.
From my point of view, it was really great to see the buying process unfold, it was so interesting to see what happens behind the scenes at Flint and the work that goes into making it the special shop we all know and love, and it will be wonderful coming into the shop in the autumn to see the clothes that were carefully chosen, being proudly displayed on the rails.
Piece of the Day!
For me, the sheer chiffon shirt from Velvet was my Piece of the Day. I absolutely loved the small details that are carefully sewn onto the shirt. I really liked the fact that they were relatively subtle too. Another reason as to why I chose this shirt was because it taps into the bohemian trend with out going too far, so it's wearable for pretty much everyone.
I would wear this shirt with skinny jeans and maybe espadrilles or ballet pumps, or if I'm feeling brave, some heels! Because of the creamy colour of the shirt, it could go with most outfits, but I think it would look best with jeans. I think this outfit suits an everyday atmosphere or maybe a smart/casual event because it can very easily be dressed up with a jacket and heels.
Finally, the evenings are lighter, the air feels softer, Spring is on its' way. I find this time of year is all about hitting refresh. Whether it's flushing out the wardrobe, trying a new look, getting a radical haircut or simply changing the furniture around, we're all doing it. Packing away the knitwear and coats feels like a positive step and a sign of the summer to come, but we're still in that in-between phase, we're not quite ready yet. This is the time however, to visit the store. Our new Spring collections are arriving week by week and there's no better time to catch the best bits before they fly. Savvy customers get in quick!
Two new labels to watch are Sideline, a collection of exquisitely detailed, understated and versatile pieces in varying shades of indigo, and Barena, whose Spring collection features slouchy yet impeccable linen tailoring, for laid back days..
As always, our online selection is only a fraction of what's on the rails in store, but we pick our favourites for you to browse through at home. Keep checking the Clothing page for updates...
Our favourite candle company, Birch & Brook, have added two new fragrances to their current collection of three, and I'm proud to say all are available on our website as from today. I'm burning 'Festival' as I write this, and loving it - and it's taking me back to summer days and muddy days, a mixture of sweet and sour. It's the most perfect laid back yet energising scent, and I'm wondering how on earth these clever guys manage to capture a mood so brilliantly.. Their second, 'Dressing Room' has all that vintage powdery-ness of a 1930's boudoir. I can picture a Chinese shawl over a carved screen, a dressing table laden with perfumes and creams, it's feminine and pretty but sophisticated. 'Secret Garden' is another lovely one, full of flowers and green grass and summer and you can't really help but smile when you catch its' scent. For something a bit more earthy, I'd choose 'Fireside', which fills a room with the deliciously warm scent of woodsmoke - perfect for the coming season, however, the one that we love to burn the most at FLINT is 'Library', which for me is full of nostaglia - the smell of old books, a fireplace, a leather chair in a secret corner...breathe...
There are many reasons why I've decided Autumn has to be my favourite season but rather than bore you with a list as long as my arm, I've got to say that one reason near the top of the list has to be because it signals the start of our buying agenda for Christmas. At this time, each year, Julia and I head to Paris to scour the flea markets, brocantes and trade shows in the search of unusual treasures for our shop, in time for our busiest season. Its also a fantastic opportunity to meet up with our long-standing suppliers - to share a drink and a chat over current trends, swapping ideas over business and the time to reassess and re-visit old haunts is always inspiring for us. This year was no exception, but only in the fact it was exceptionally good. This Autumn starts at the shop with a change in colour palette. As the pale, clear, watery colours of summer clothes give way to a richer palette and warmer textures, we're bringing out the boots, brogues, knits and coats and changing over our homeware collection to reflect that. Expect some twinkly lights, copper lanterns and lamps from Belgium and France, cushions and throws in bonfire colours, new candles and scent and some incredibly beautiful antique pots and bowls from Asia. As the new season gets underway with our clothing collections arriving weekly, and whilst we gradually turn over the shop to cosiness and candlelight we're embracing this Indian summer we seem to be having and aiming to stay in this glorious moment...
My current obsession is a perfume by a woman inspired by her love of gardens and literature. Anais Biguine took her passion for literature to a new level when she created her company, Jardin D'Ecrivains - literally translated as the garden of writers. Her collection of five fragrances, George, Wilde, Orlando, Gigi and a cologne called La Dame aux Camellias, are as unusual as they are beautiful and having tested all of them, Wilde wins hands down - at the moment... The thing is, each one is so different from the next, and like most perfumes, appeal at different times according to your mood however, the really wonderful thing about these fragrances is the back story, the story behind each blend. That's what makes the decision so difficult. Since I'm interested in Virginia Woolf, Orlando definitely influences my choice but how can I not been drawn in by this complex perfume of such contrasts? I feel this clever composition mirrors the adrogynous character in the novel perfectly. The top notes are fresh and spicy at first, but the citrus top notes dry down to a totally different warm, incense base. It's completely unusual and very intruiging...
If you're after something a bit more floral, Gigi with its blend of neroli, tuberose, jasmine and blackcurrant is feminine yet strong, just like Colette's mischievous young heroine.
La Dame aux Camelias is perhaps the most sophisticated of all five fragrances not least because of its fabulous vintage inspired bottle. This beautiful cologne is designed to be worn at night and is a seductive blend of fresh, crisp top notes, with a floral and musky base. It perfectly captures the image of this elegant lady Marie, allegedly the most elegant woman in Paris at the time, leaving a cloud of this fragrance behind her wherever she went...
Alongside these perfumes are a range of beautiful candles. My favourite of these is Le Jardin de Blixen, whose house and garden is in Nairobi, Kenya. Visitors can wander round the grounds and savour the exotic plants and flowers she planted there. This fragrance takes me right back to the heat and the dust, mingled with the scent of the luscious green lawn and flower borders! Click here to visit the website...
Two sublime bath products are also available, based on the New York society novelist, Edith Wharton. The bath milk is a dream to use - spoon some into a warm bath for super soft skin. The scent is just incredible and completely addictive.
Jardin D'Ecrivains speaks to us of literary giants throughout history who still have the power to capture our imagination. Anais Biguine has sought out every last detail so that she too, can tell a beautiful story, through scent.
Call in to experience the range in person or check out our range online here...
I have been excitedly anticipating the launch of the Sussex based AS.AP Apothecary for many months, watching and waiting with baited breath as the brand has developed and blossomed into a collection of skincare to truly covet. I've been savouring the scents and sampling the balms and oils that the talented herbalist and homeopath, Amanda Saurin has formulated into an elegant and pure, 100% natural range of exquisite skincare products. Amanda uses an ancient method of distilling, in the way of a traditional apothecary, which enables her to capture the very essence of the plants. This way of working means that only small batches of product are made at any time, in fact she has labelled each item with a batch number but it's this attention to detail, this integrity and provenance that makes this skincare collection really special. There is a range of three face creams, some lip balms, some divinely scented body balms, a range of 'first aid' balms and a beautiful cleansing oil which will change the way you clean your skin forever...
We are lucky to be the first to stock the range which has already started to cause a bit of a stir and the beginnings of what will no doubtedly be a very loyal following. A selection of products are now available to purchase via our online store, but do call in to sample them in person.
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