TEXTURE OVERLOAD
Be it food or fashion, I like texture… and when it comes to dressing I may be a magpie for colour and pattern, but I’m also drawn to anything that feels interesting — and this is where it gets really interesting. More than just layers (which we all have to be an expert in when our British weather can change from one minute to the next), we can add interest to a simple outfit with texture, detail and craftsmanship. This mish-mash outfit is a basic get-up of cotton shirt, denim, heels, bag and earrings but on texture overdrive, from handcrafted beaded pieces like the shirt, down to the suede on my feet — it’s a combination that feels unique without feeling too “out there” — at least to me. Read on for some brands, ones I’ve spoken about before and others who I’ve recently discovered, all of whom know how to do texture very well.
Vjerav makes beautifully handcrafted pieces to order in their London studio using Ecole Lesage — a traditional embroidery technique. Every piece is unique and personalised. These feminine, embellished pieces are hand-prepared in their London studio by women to create unique pieces using an array of Swarovski crystals, pearls and beads.
Toolally is synonymous with statement, sculptural, lightweight earrings, with lots of pieces perfect for summer. The jewellery collection is “Made in Britain” at the brand’s dedicated studio on the Yorkshire/Lancashire border where a talented team of makers handcraft each piece. Offcuts are used to make “The Cutting Room” collection whilst other pieces of leftover material are pressed into new sheets to be used again.
Lucy & Yak has become a go-to for comfortable clothing which has been ethically made. These wide-leg, oversized jeans are made from soft, GOTS certified organic cotton and dyed with Oeko-Tex certified low impact dyes.
Made from 100% sustainable materials with an architectural statement heel, Nicholas Kirkwood’s new JOAQUIM collection pays homage to the wooden mid-century furniture created by its namesake inspiration. These mules feature biodegradable nappa leather front straps with a heel made from 100% natural wood. All Nicholas Kirkwood shoes are handmade in Italy and will be shipped in an FSC-certified box. For every pair of shoes purchased on the brand’s website, they plant 10 trees in partnership with Eden Reforestation Projects.
Accessories brand Alpha Omega has collaborated with pineapple leaf leather makers Pinatex, through the Sustainable Angle (who I hosted my East by West pop-up cafe with a while back!) to create bags that are not only ethically made and sustainably sourced but actually pack a punch in both design and style. A perfect example of how sustainable products don’t have to be drab and dreary.