PRETTY IN PINK
Something old, something new, something borrowed… in a pinkish hue.
We spent our past weekend at Business of Fashion Voices, an annual gathering of thought leaders to discuss trends and current affairs. I went a bit pink panther for the opening gathering — while I had just recently donned full dress-up attire for the cover of Wardrobe Icons, this was my first time out-out socially since baby. I borrowed a fab Prada bag which took me back to my ‘90s wish list, wore my old United Nude boots which I’ve had for years and teamed them with a Mary Benson dress which felt feminine, on-trend and just the right amount of dressed up. A pair of statement earrings care of Toolally (thankfully lightweight) provided the sparkle to my face as there was no time for fancy makeup.
Mary Benson is an expression of the creator’s passion for sustainability and creativity. They’re a very small brand that takes the slow approach. That means using earth-friendly fabrics, creating responsibly, and offering handmade to order wherever possible. They use a lot of deadstock material (which means they’re saving it from landfill) and truly want you to love your Mary Benson treasures forever. Sometimes they offer homewares and accessories and they’re always available for bespoke design, including Bridal. Everything is produced in a limited edition run so they can keep things small and be free to experiment with new prints and ideas.
COCOON is a membership subscription service for bag lovers. Membership unlocks access to the COCOON collection, with bags to suit every style, occasion and personality, and weekly drops to support evolving style needs. Members can add a new bag to their wardrobe each month (or on demand with Flexi Membership), and swap for something new when they’re ready for a style update. It's the smarter, circular approach to wardrobe planning and a more responsible, less wasteful way to indulge in variety and newness.
Toolally is a statement accessories brand created by Mags Walker. She started with handcrafted acrylic jewellery and expanded into handbags, cashmere gloves and scarves, all in bold colours. Toolally make the most sustainable choices they can for every product, reducing waste where possible and offering jewellery repairs.
UNITED NUDE is the brainchild of Rem D. Koolhaas and Galahad Clark, and blends fashion and architecture to create shoes that are truly unique, as well as watches, bags and sunglasses. Over the years, the Los Angeles-based label has collaborated with designers including Issey Miyake, Zaha Hadid, Linda Farrow and Iris Van Herpen.