Competition Deadline was 12 midnight 21st December 2011 – we have had over 1200 views on You Tube, thanks to everyone involved – all the fantastic British Brands for sending in the great prizes.
Please click on the Video to find out the final amount – did you win?!! Read More…..
Madeleine Thompson‘s opulent cashmere collection has gone from strength to strength, each season her designs attract more buyers and her profile rises, with high profile individuals advocating Madeleine’s garments. IB spoke to designer Madeleine Thompson to discover the story behind this meteoric rise to fashion prominence of her British-based brand:
Madeleine Thompson
How do you describe to people what you do and your design style?
I design for the girl that likes to look great even on off duty moments from Saturday brunch to a walk in the park to the Monday morning Starbucks run.
What sort of comments do you get about your designs?
My focus is on elegance & simplicity while still looking fresh, never fussy. I like to experiment with different textures and of utmost importance of course, is the feel of the fabric against the skin. Being comfortable is something that I put huge emphasis on as a designer. My consumer is always very impressed with the quality and comfort of my designs. I spend a lot of time sourcing the best quality cashmere to ensure that I make the best garments available. Read More…..
Designer maker Anna Perring
Here at Independent Boutique we’re very lucky to have been donated two gorgeous tea light holders from Luna Lighting to put towards our Great British Christmas Competition. One of you will win these hand crafted ceramin lights courtesy of Luna Lighting.
Luna’s prolific light designer and maker Anna Perring, is based at a studio in the heart of Bloomsbury in central London, part of Cockpit Arts – the UK’s only creative business incubator for designer-makers (you can expect lots of unique treasures at the open studios events held twice a year). Read More…..
How do you describe to people what you do and your design style?
I describe M.Hulot as a brand that creates goods that are desirable on their own merit rather than for being the latest IT bag or celebrity endorsed product. I love purity in design and aim to create pieces that people cherish and hold onto over time. My design style is a kind of minimalism and utilitarianism but with a soft and feminine edge. It also has a playful side to it, as the focus falls on the mixing of materials and colours in unexpected and striking ways. Read More…..
Ahh New Years Eve, a night where anything can happen. A night filled with the promise of a fresh start, a chance to begin a new, an excuse to buy a fabulous new dress! Here at Independent Boutique we’ve picked a few knock-out dresses from our expansive collection that would look perfect at any New Year’s Eve soiree. Let us know your favourite!
borne by Elise Berger Silk Sing Drossel Dress
First up is this beautiful Silk Singdrossel Dress from borne by Elise Berger. This vibrant forest green dress is part of her winter collection and is an absolute show-stopper. Made from 100% silk this dress is the ultimate in dress-up luxury and wouldn’t look out of place at the fanciest New Year’s event. The Singdrossel dress has a comfortable width that you can adjust and align to your body shape. The waist strap can be tied into an over-sized bow on the front or the back above layers and layers of frayed ruffles, for an ultra-glam look. Add gold accessories as they will compliment the forest green dress and add a festive feel. Read More…..
How do you describe to people what you do and your design style?
We call ourselves the Field to Fashion company. We are strongly involved in every step of the way from breeding and looking after the alpacas, buying and sorting the fleece and making the yarn to designing and producing the finished garments. We take pride in an individual and unique product that you can wear with the knowledge that it has been produced in the best possible way. We design pieces that are desirable but that won’t date and go out of fashion after one season. A Purl Alpaca garment is something you can wear and love for years. Read More…..
How do you describe to people what you do and your design style?
My design signature is bold and edgy, yet feminine at the same time. I like clean lines and silhouette shapes – nothing too fussy or girlie. The shoes have to create a statement – be it dramatic or glamorous.
What sort of comments do you get about your designs?
Ian Brown (blogger and stlyist, not the Stone Roses front-man) best described my shoes in his blog: “Anna’s SS11 collection is quirky, bold and colourful, punctuated with dramatic (and dangerous) red leather…Anna’s work posseses just the right blend of practicality and concept. The red strappy sandals are a great example of quirky design. I love the way she has taken a ‘tongue’ and criss-cross lace detail normally reserved for the common trainer and has subverted it by juxtaposing it with a classic stiletto heel.” Ian Brown’s, “Diary of a Fashion Mister”, you can see his blog here.
Read More…..
How do you describe to people what you do and your design style?
I seek the inspiration for the collection and come up with patterns and colour palettes, which hopefully appeal to a lot of women. Our design style can be described as elegant simplicity and an Eki girl is someone who is classy, elegant and quietly commands the attention of others.
Eki Orleans, Thalassa Dress
What sort of comments do you get about your designs?
I get a lot of comments on the feel of the fabric and how soft it is. I was also told by some repeat customers that each time they wear one of our dresses, they are bound to get a lot of attention, which was a really nice compliment.
What is your background?
My background is languages and financial marketing.
Why did you start doing what you do?
I started the label when I was pregnant with my first child in 2007. When you are pregnant your mind goes a bit crazy and this is when I knew I wanted to do something else besides just marketing. It was only a question of what it would be. What appealed to me about starting a fashion label was, with fashion it allows you to bring in your own cultural experiences and translate them into art. As I am a travel addict, it was obvious for me to start a collection of scarves which combined the African and Indian cultures.
In 2009 we expanded our label and started printing our own designs on silk, inspired by my memories growing up as a child in Nigeria, West Africa. We now have a collection of dresses, which can be described as anything from resort to cocktail dresses and we just recently introduced our swimwear line in our Eki Orleans signature prints. Read More…..
We’re very excited to announce that one of our very own designers has been featured in Stylist Magazine. Carmen Woods’ creation the iclutch has made it onto the coveted Style List.
iClutch in Yellow Leather & Natural Canvas
This fabulous clutch is made from the finest Italian leather, guaranteed to be robust and long-lasting. Inspired by striking tiger and zebra print this iClutch ensures you’ll be nailing the current animal print trend. Read More…..
Easy Living December Issue
Jewellery brand Alice Menter, whose collection is available on IndependentBoutique, has had some more great press this week, Alice Menter’s Chloe Collar was featured in Decembers Easy Living Magazine in “The Golden Gift Guide” along with other luxurious golden gifts, including Crystal and Glitter trainers from Miu Miu.
Frankie Large in Gold
A personal favourite, from the Alice Menter collection, are these Frankie Large in Gold earrings. These quirky gold plated large zip earrings are perfect for adding that little bit of rock chick edge to any outfit. Shimmer and shine this Christmas with some glamorous gold accessories!