Lorna Syson's new plant/storage pots & make up bags soon available online

British designer Lorna Syson has a knack of translating her experience of the British countryside into memorable designs to be enjoyed in the comfort of one' home.  

She brings the British Songbirds indoors depicting them on cushions, lampshade wallpapers, fabrics and wallflowers.  These have won fans all over.  Most recently Lorna's bird cushions were featured this week at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show - in the City Twitters Garden . You may have spotted them on BBC2's coverage on Monday 29th June co-presented by Rachel De Thame.

Award winning British designer Lorna Syson set up her home wear brand in 2009 with help from the Princes Trust Business development loan. Since then the brand has grown from strength to strength and Lorna’s products are now found in respectable interior shops and boutiques across the globe.

Among Lorna's latest designs are the new plant/storage pots & make up bags which will be available online in July. 

These were tested at the Cockpit Arts Summer Open studios back in May and after making a few tweaks, which include water proof linings, the new and improved versions are ready to be launched in a couple of weeks on Lorna Syson's website, so keep your eyes peeled.

For Nomads et al ...

These and other designs are hand-picked additions to a collection of jewellery called Nomad by Dower & Hall, featuring their signature multi-textured hammered finish. Mixed metal bangles, free-formed pendants and bold geometric shaped earrings add a contemporary feel to the free-spirited range.

Husband & wife, Dan Dower & Diane Hall are the creative duo behind the brand and are heavily influenced by their travels around the globe. 

Nomad takes inspiration from the organic shapes and patterns that are found in nature, from pebbles washed up on British seashores, to the outlines that are formed in the dry deserts landscapes of the great continent of Africa.

Now, is it unrealistic or naive for a modern 21st century person to dream about leading a nomadic life?  Or in a land far away from society?

Two television series this month have offered in-depth looks into living in unconventional ways.  Grand Design presenter Kevin McCloud's new series Escape to the Wild on Channel 4 shows him visiting four British families who have chosen to leave the UK, away from the comfort of "conventional lives" and their jobs in favour of an alternative "low-impact" existence, a self-sufficient life in far-off lands: a remote island or deep in the jungle or in deep snow. Away from the maddening crowd. Meanwhile BBC's presenter Kate Humble's new programme series called Nomads feature her visiting and living with nomadic people in remote corners of the world. B
oth programmes stir up a yearning for life of adventure with a raw sense of freedom.  

AO.com ousts John Lewis as Britain’s Best Retailer for customer satisfaction

How can that be that my favourite retalier in the UK John Lewis has been overtaken by AO.com as Britain's Best Retailer for 2015, according to market and retail analysts Verdict.

By winning Verdict’s prestigious Best Retailer Award for 2015, AO.com demonstrates that selling online only is no longer a barrier to delivering great customer satisfaction.

The electricals pure-play retailer won the accolade at Verdict’s Customer Satisfaction Awards, which were held at the Banking Hall, London earlier this week, preventing John Lewis from a hat-trick of wins, having won in 2013 and 2014. AO.com’s victory marks both the first time an online pure-play retailer and the first time an electricals specialist has taken the top prize.  Does that mean consumers are now spending more disposable incomes on gadgets and appliances than on clothing? Not necessarily.

I'm pleased to say John Lewis, which was runner-up overall, still took home three awards. It came top for clothing and homewares, and also managed to beat AO.com to win in electricals, but it missed out on the Best Overall Retailer prize due to its performance in other product areas in which it operates.

The awards are based on two surveys of 22,000 shoppers carried out by Verdict, in which AO.com scored highly across all areas of service, with standout scores in delivery options and returns policies, price and value for money.

Patrick O’Brien, Content Director at Verdict, said: “AO.com has been pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved online. Its extensive use of video, customer reviews and detailed product information and knowledge are clearly appreciated by its customers, backed up with free next day delivery and low prices.”

In the online awards, which were sponsored by Royal Mail, Very.co.uk came out on top, showing that the retailer’s high investment in personalisation is resonating with shoppers, while Next won the click & collect award for the second year running, despite much greater competition this year as many retailers have invested heavily in this area.

Here are the winners:-

Award	Winner	Second	Third
Best Retailer	AO.com	John Lewis	Apple
Best Food Retailer	Waitrose	Aldi	Marks & Spencer
Best Clothing Retailer	John Lewis	ASOS	Next
Best Footwear Retailer	Clarks	Marks & Spencer	Next
Best Electricals Retailer	John Lewis	AO.com	Amazon
Best Homewares Retailer	John Lewis	IKEA	Next
Best Furniture Retailer	IKEA	Amazon	B&Q
Best Health & Beauty Retailer	Avon	Boots	Amazon
Best DIY & Gardening Retailer	Screwfix	Amazon	IKEA
Online awards sponsored by Royal Mail
Best Online Retailer	Very	John Lewis	Amazon
Best Online Fulfilment Retailer	AO.com	Amazon	Next
Best Click & Collect Retailer	Next	John Lewis	Boots

Thomas Pink's new SS 2016 collection celebrates British charm and character

Thomas Pink's new Spring/Summer 2016 collection offers a wide spectrum of options for the modern man, empowered by features of various British eras and regions.

As the season commences, the collection captures the nonchalant mood of the 90s brit pop era – famed for its style-icon musicians and hedonism. Slim tailored silhouettes and a punchy colour palette - spanning indigo, pink, turquoise and citrus - merges tradition and rebellion. Fine Italian shirting encompasses mini ginghams, Bengal stripes, traditional Jermyn Street stripes and checks of varying sizes - with a strong focus on texture, a key trend for the season.

As the season progresses, the collection draws inspiration from Scotland, where, when the sun comes out, vibrant colours reflect off the magnificent landscape and blue skies inspiring a modern take on tartans and plaids with shirting and accessories in tattersalls and blown-up madras checks. 

Lightweight outerwear comprises a de-constructed wool navy blazer with shirt fabric lining, a summer tweed linen blazer and a new reversible jacket in light grey ticking stripe with a shell camouflage interior – a spring summer highlight. A British summer always needs an option for rainy days, in this case a reversible rain-mac in Prince of Wales check/navy. Key suiting is found in fine wool Loro Piana fabric, while chino shorts debut with bleached denim shirting.

The season finale is inspired by the archetypal seaside resort of Blackpool - with its promenade, piers, fortune-tellers, fairground rides and tattoo parlours. A colour palette of citrus, candy floss pink, turquoise, sky blue and lilac echoes the town’s bright carnival mood, perfectly captured in linen shirting. Ties, silk pocket squares and socks featuring swallow and heart motives and candy stripes perfectly capture the essence of the iconic seaside town.

Thomas Pink presents SS2016 against a botanical garden backdrop inspired by Hockney and Beaton

British brand Thomas Pink's new Spring/Summer 2016 collection unveiled this week at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, as part of London Collections Men, is a celebration of British eccentric charm and character.

THOMAS PINK SHOWCASES SPRING/SUMMER 2016 COLLECTION AGAINST A BOTANICAL BACKDROP INSPIRED BY DAVID HOCKNEY AND CECIL BEATON

Presented against a botanical backdrop, more potting shed than conservatory, the collection was showcased on models as well as mannequins. 

Florence Torrens, Creative Director at Thomas Pink, said that inspiration for the presentation came from a photograph taken by artist Peter Schlesinger in 1970, in which great friends David Hockney and Cecil Beaton – the celebrated British artists - are caught reclining carelessly on rattan furniture surrounded by potted pelargoniums and begonias. “It’s wonderfully British and off-beat botanical - perfectly capturing the mood of the Spring/Summer 2016 collection,” said Torrens.  

Frederik Willems, Head of Design at Thomas Pink, adds; “The Spring/Summer 2016 collection celebrates Britain’s charming and eccentric character – taking inspiration from themes as diverse as Brit Pop culture, architectural follies and traditional seaside towns.   From the 90s Brit Pop era to Dunmore Hall in Scotland with its quirky pineapple roof – the season evokes a mood of patriotism and nostalgia in equal measures.” 

Fashionable East End of London captured in new book

London-based Anthony Webb photographs for East End Fashionistas.  He was one of the principal photographers for Thames & Hudson’s StyleCity series. Publication date: 14 September 2015 Price: £14.95

The multicultural East End of  London has in recent years evolved to become home to artists and designers of all stripes, funky boutiques and a vibrant night-life, alive with creative possibility.  Now a new book featuring photographs by London-based Anthony Webb will fire up inspiration for fashionistas everywhere.

Photographer Webb has traveled the world to photograph the most interesting destinations for the StyleCity series published by Thames & Hudson.

For East End Fashionistas, Webb has trawled the streets of East London, photographing its most colourful characters and inspirational personalities, all stylishly individual and self-fashioned to the extreme.

An inspiring style resource from a fresh new voice, all the images in East End Fashionistas were taken exclusively for this book and have not been seen before. In a heady mix of fashionable portraits animated by aphorisms culled from the graffiti that adorns the streets of East London, 

Webb captures the true spirit of one of the most creative places on earth, the jump off point for many of the world’s leading fashion designers and a continually evolving place of inspiration for the style-obsessed and culturally curious.

Win a trip to the Cotswold and Holiday like Hardy!

London’s Savile Row tailoring establishment Hardy Amies are running a travel campaign this month and have partnered with luxury boutique travel agent, Black Tomato (which specialise in tailor-made holidays and luxurious travel itineraries for Japan, California, New York and the UK) so that we can all #holidaylikehardy.

The prize?

They are offering the chance to win a luxury mini break to Thyme at Southrop Manor in the Cotswold, courtesy of Black Tomato, with a £1,000 Hardy Amies travel wardrobe of clothes to take with you, a personal shopping experience in Harvey Nichols and a £500 Case Luggage voucher for luxury luggage.

To enter, go to Hardy Amies website or click HERE for full details.  

Clarks to Launch Archive-Inspired, Hand-Crafted Limited Edition Brogues

With man-tailoring a current key trend, Clarks is launching a new collection of limited edition England-made brogues for women that will add panache to the total look.

As a great British brand with an international following, Clarks' hand-crafted brogues will appeal to  UK and global fans alike.  

As a great British brand with an international following,
Clarks' hand-crafted brogues will appeal to  UK and global fans alike.
 Left to right: Isabella Daisy (black & white); Isabella Carla (Purple combi leather, silver metallic leather, Grenadine leather); Isabella Daisy (black leather) 

Inspired by Clarks' incredibly-vast archive, the collection brings a contemporary take on its most classic styles.  Clarks has been manufacturing Goodyear Welted shoes since the 1940s. Shown above are the Watlington and Saddle, the two styles selected and re-invented for the new collection.  The Watlington is a twist on the classic brogue and the Saddle was a style that was worn by Queen Elizabeth during a tour of South Africa in 1967.

While using the highest quality materials, including premium leathers, the collection will come with a higher price too over the rest, at £295 per pair.   

But you would appreciate it that in the heart of this exclusive capsule collection, designed and made in England, is the time-honoured shoemaker’s art that involves over 160 separate steps and takes eight weeks to complete.  

Available from July 2015, Clarks has created 90 pairs per line. The collection includes five colour-ways across two styles.