Why you should embrace faux fur this season, invest in cashmere and definitely leave your hat on
Editor’s pick
After a career working with international fashion houses, designer Eva-Maria established London W11 to make luxury cashmere accessible for everyday wear, with long-term value. Her capsule collection blends a timeless style with a fashionable twist, including raw edges featuring contrasting materials such as silk crepe or leather.
London W11 has recently expanded into social selling and chose Sevenoaks as the ideal location for the launch this new initiative, which involves establishing a network of Independent Fashion Advisors who run clothes show events from their own home or home of a party host. For more information, visit www.londonw11.com or call 01400 231 461.
To whet your appetite, here is a gorgeous leaf design printed, woven Italian cashmere scarf to brighten up your winter coat and bring instant warmth and style, £115, www.londonw11.com/women/cashmere-scarves.html
If you suffer from chilly extremities like I do, then you won’t go out without this cheerful set of crocheted bobble hat, £19.95 and matching fingerless gloves, £15, in seasonal berry, from the new 5,000 sq ft White Stuff Emporium at Bluewater, the brand’s second-largest store featuring a mix of clothing, footwear, accessories and homeware for men and women and set over two floors, www.whitestuff.com/Bluewater
With traditional charm and easy-wear appeal, this merino knitted crew-neck cable jumper, £80, is ideal for those days when you need to wrap up really warm, from www.celticandco.com or call 0844 5578877
Defy the cold in your three-quarter length Toscana coat (an ethical alternative to fur, Toscana is gorgeously soft and from sheep in Europe, famous for their longer coats), team it with leather-wedge buckle boots, from www.celticandco.com or call 0844 5578877
Make a statement in a Marks & Spencer Best of British Winter coat in zingy lime, £299, M&S stores in Kent, visit www.marksandspencer.com
If you’re going to wear faux fur, you might as well have fun with it: this gilet from Next in baby pink is cheeful and cosy, £42, www.next.co.uk
Leopard faux fur coat £199 from Biba, Boyfriend jeans £55 by Mary Portas, find them at House of Fraser, 02070034000 or www.houseoffraser.co.uk
Lona sparkle jumper V-Neck in grey shimmer, £70, by Crew Clothing, www.crewclothing.co.uk
Cosy up in a Riley Snood, £49, from Phase Eight, 0207 471 4422 or www.phase-eight.co.uk
Paula says …
Happy New Year Kent-lifers! We made it. Another one crossed off the calendar and a whole year of fashion to look forward to. Are you ready?
This month, we are embracing the cold with gusto and we are talking faux fur. Regulars to my column know I talk ‘fur’ of one type or another each season, but this one seems different. It’s everywhere. And, oh, how that makes me happy.
I was a very lucky girl to be able to attend London Fashion Week back in September. Typically, we fashion types wear the next season’s offering to the shows and to glide around Somerset House, an opportunity to flaunt what isn’t quite yet being worn by the masses and to be photographed by excited bloggers.
Of course, it had to be one of the hottest September weekends ever (sweltering in fact) – but despite that, the faux fur was out in force! And there was one huge theme to it all: colour and fun.
From classic faux fur snoods, soft shawls, deliciously long and luxurious scarves, cute cropped jackets and huge furry clutch bags, I saw it all.
And why shouldn’t faux fur be fun? Bright colours, stripes, rich piles and great accessories, the list of possibilities is endless.
Wearing faux fur isn’t just about finding a vintage jacket and wearing it to death (although this as you know is also an option), it’s adding pieces to your current wardrobe, to give a nod to the trend but also to keep you ludicrously warm. This stuff is practical with a capital ‘P.’
So where do you buy said luxury pieces? My favourite faux fur site, which is also endorsed by the fash-pack and fashion-conscious celebs, is Helen Moore London (www.helenmoore.com). Her vixen scarves are super soft, super warm and super long lasting.
There are enough pieces on her website for you to easily find a little something to slide into your wardrobe and really stand out from the crowd.
Paula Fry
paula@fashionseeker.co.uk
www.fashionseeker.co.uk
@thedailyseek
