Design, Lifestyle and Interiors: Clerkenwell Design Week Returns May 20 - 25 2025

London’s annual Clerkenwell Design Week is back from May 20 - 22 2025, celebrating its 14th edition with its largest programme to date.

CDW is a distinctive platform for showcasing leading interior brands and emerging talents, with a wide-ranging programme of showroom events, curated exhibitions, installations, as well as informative discussions, design hotspots, fringe events, culinary delights, and more. 

Spread across the district's exhibition venues, the event curates a global array of furniture, lighting, textiles, surfaces, accessories, and product design, solidifying its status as the UK's premier design festival.

The allure of Clerkenwell - London EC1 -  lies in its fusion of historical heritage and contemporary flair. Characterized by cobblestone streets, repurposed warehouses, and industrial edifices transformed into modern workspaces and galleries, the district exudes an inspiring ambiance. 

This year CDW introduces three stunning new venues for the festival: the historic Charterhouse, the iconic St Bartholomew the Great, and Studio Smithfield, a creative space above the legendary Smithfield Market.

A standout feature will be a major public artwork by British artist Alex Chinneck, installed in Charterhouse Square, alongside outdoor living displays and curated talks. Inside the Charterhouse, top design names like Geberit, Colefax & Fowler, and Victoria + Albert Baths will showcase their latest collections.

Over 350 design brands will exhibit across 16+ venues and 160+ showrooms, including Roche Bobois, Ercol, Kasthall, and Ultrafabrics, with talks, workshops, and product launches throughout. Returning favourites like Design Fields, British Collection, and Light will host global talent, while the new Church of Design venue will stage a special programme by US design publisher Sandow.

“We’re thrilled to be back in Clerkenwell this May with our largest programme yet, both in scale and content,” says Marlon Cera-Marle, Design Division Director at Media 10, the organiser of the annual design festival. “The new venues, including some of London's most historic landmarks, will provide a stunning backdrop for presenting some of the world’s most exciting design brands. We’re also partnering with incredible international names, from country pavilions to leading media outlets from the UK and US.”

Cera-Marle adds, “This year, we’re especially excited to announce one of our headline features: a surreal public artwork by the acclaimed British artist Alex Chinneck. As one of the most attended specification events on the A&D calendar, CDW 2025 will once again serve as a platform for discovering new trends, talent and ideas. We look forward to sharing more details about the programme in the coming months.”

Visitors can also enjoy exclusive food, drinks, and guided design tours, plus a brand-new interactive map to help navigate EC1 with ease.

The New Venues:

Dating back to the 14th century, The Charterhouse is a historic complex of buildings, courtyard gardens and green spaces reflecting over 600 years of British history. This May, this heritage site will serve as a striking backdrop for contemporary furniture, decorative lighting and luxury finishes. It will feature an array of global bathroom brands, from Geberit and Toto to Bette, C.P. Hart and Victoria and Albert Baths.

Also joining them will be British fabric and wallpaper company Colefax and Fowler. In addition to design brands, the venue will host Conversations at Clerkenwell, the festival’s official talks series. For 2025, the talks will take place in a theatre designed by the London-based design studio Kapitza, known for its colourful public art installations for British Land, wayfinding designs for the Royal London Hospital, as well as public and leisure architecture projects. 

Outside, Charterhouse Square will showcase products for outdoor living and hospitality, alongside Alex Chinneck’s new sculpture. 

Studio Smithfield is a 27,000-square-foot Grade II* listed building above Smithfield Market, Studio Smithfield is a new creative event space and will be home to commercial and workplace interior brands during CDW, including Houzz Pro and Bandalux.

Church of Design is set within St Bartholomew the Great, a 900-year-old Grade I listed medieval church, Church of Design will offer a breathtaking setting for modern design showcases. 

In addition to the new venues, existing locations will house a variety of product-focused exhibitions, including:

● Clerkenwell Green and Installations – Structural stone will take centre stage in the recently refurbished Clerkenwell Green, where Albion Stone and Hutton Stone will reveal a special new commission by Hawkins\Brown, demonstrating the durability and beauty of British stone bricks.

Nearby, the ambitious Stone Tapestry structure by the Stone Federation will be featured, along with showcases from exhibitors specialising in contract and workplace interior products and solutions.

● Project – Focused on contract furniture and surface design.

● Design Fields – Showcasing contemporary furniture, lighting and product design with an

international focus. The Design Meets talks series will also return, inviting representatives from

trade bodies and associations to engage in a range of intimate, industry-led discussions.

● Light – Home to global lighting companies. Darc Thoughts, Darc’s talks series, will also return.

● Elements – Dedicated to architectural hardware and finishes.

● British Collection – Taking over the whole of St James’s Church again and highlighting the best British design talent and brands.

● Detail – Featuring luxury interiors.

● Platform – Spotlighting emerging design talent and companies.

● Ceramics of Italy – Hosting Italian ceramic and porcelain tile brands at VaynerMedia’s headquarters on St John’s Square. This exhibition is organised by the Italian Trade Agency in collaboration with the Ceramics Association of Italy.

● Old Sessions House – Home to brand activations, presentations and the festival hub (free access for CDW visitors, 20 – 22 May).

● The Goldsmiths’ Centre – Presenting products for commercial and workplace interiors.

● Cowcross Pavilions and Brewhouse Yard – Both presenting leading commercial interiors from the UK and abroad.

For registration and more information click HERE. 

Images from CDW 2024

Sustainable Textile News: Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp Accelerates Sustainable Transformation with Certification Upgrades, Digital Traceability, and Industry Innovation

Flax-linen and hemp are two premium natural fibers recognized for their sustainability, durability, and versatility. They play a significant role in eco-friendly fashion, sustainable living products, and innovative industries.

A presentation on SS26 materials during Première Vision Paris February 2025

With 60% of flax-linen used in fashion and 30% in home, interior, and lifestyle products, the Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp—the leading agro-industrial organization in the sector—has declared 2025 as the year to accelerate its sustainable transformation.

During the recent Milano Unica (February 4–6, 2025) and Première Vision Paris (February 11–13, 2025) textile trade fairs, the Alliance outlined its strategic action plan for the Fashion and Home markets. This plan includes the evolution of Flax-Linen certifications, the launch of a digital Flax-Linen Traceability Platform, the publication of impact datasets alongside a new environmental footprint calculation tool, scientific validation of Flax-Linen's functional properties, and the introduction of a Flax-Linen & Hemp sourcing platform.

These five initiatives will be implemented with the support of a fully European agro-industrial value chain.

The Alliance said it remains dedicated to innovation, creation, and sustainable development, promoting transparency through two key origin-traceability certifications—Masters of Linen™ and European Flax™. These certifications reinforce European expertise and enhance industry credibility.

Over the coming year, the Alliance's holistic strategy will comprehensively address socio-environmental challenges and regulatory requirements, aiming to position European Flax-Linen and Hemp as the world’s preferred sustainable fibers.

Flax-Linen Certifications: Evolution and Reinforcement

The Alliance is updating its Flax-Linen certifications with a new identity, revised standards, and specific deployments:

Masters of Linen™: While retaining its name, this certification will undergo a transformation with a new logo, tagline, and a broader scope that includes both company and product standards. It will be open-source and audited by independent third-party certification bodies. Applications have increased by 36% over the past five years.

Masters of Flax Fibre™ (formerly European Flax™): Reflecting a 755% growth in demand over the last five years, this certification has been renamed to align with an updated agricultural standard. It features a new logo, tagline, and promise.

Digital Traceability and Blockchain Innovation

After three years of collaboration with industry stakeholders, the Alliance has developed the Flax-Linen Traceability Platform in partnership with TextileGenesis - Lectra. This digital tool capitalizes on certified fibers, utilizing a blockchain-based, tokenized system (Fibercoins™) to verify authenticity throughout the supply chain. The platform maps every production stage, ensuring full transparency.

By May 2025, retail brands will gain access to this platform, allowing them to register their orders for certified European Flax-Linen. The initial rollout will begin with French, Belgian, and Dutch scutchers, who collectively produce 75% of the world’s flax fiber.

Impact Data and Environmental Footprint Assessment

The impact datasets for the Masters of Flax Fibre™ certification are now available in key reference databases such as the Higg Index, the European PEF database (EF 3.1), and ecoinvent. Additional datasets for flax transformation (from fiber to yarn) are being developed and will be published in the European PEF format within the year.

With pilot companies and its partner Glimpact, the Alliance is creating a dedicated tool to:

Calculate product footprints using the European PEF methodology.

Provide key data to downstream customers.

Identify areas for improvement and track progress towards sustainability goals.

These efforts aim to enhance transparency and sustainability across the entire value chain.

Scientific Validation of Flax-Linen’s Environmental Impact

An expert international committee is conducting scientific research to validate the functional and environmental properties of Masters of Flax Fibre™-certified fibres. Notably, the HYDRA Marine Sciences laboratory is examining the biodegradability of certified European Flax fibers in marine environments. The findings, set for release in Q1 2025, will address both positive and negative claims while contributing to global research on microfibers and microplastics in marine ecosystems.

The Return of the Linen & Hemp Dream Lab

The "Linen & Hemp Dream Lab" is relaunching its digital platform, offering access to a diverse range of European Flax-Linen and Hemp-based innovative materials, textiles, and technical solutions. This resource is available to designers, creative teams, stylists, manufacturers, and buyers worldwide, supporting applications across Fashion, Home, and Technical & Composite textile sectors.

With these transformative initiatives, the Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp is reinforcing its leadership in sustainable fibre innovation, setting new industry standards, and fostering greater transparency across the global textile industry.

Interior designs: Focus/23 at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, London - 18-22 September

Focus/23  is slated for 18-22 September 2023 at the Design Centre in London's Chelsea Harbour.  It  is billed as the ultimate international design and decoration show, brimming with creative ideas, inspiration and insights. 

Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour

Design enthusiasts and trade professionals will discover the latest autumn/winter launches and hear from the best in the business.  

Over five days, the centre will feature some 120 showrooms, many new arrivals opening in time for the event, as well as pop-up House Guests, along with a line-up of world-class brands, talented makers, creatives and thought leaders who will shape the future of interiors in the months to come. 

Organisers say Focus/23 presents a friendly, lively environment and visitors will be able to experience the energy and excitement of the new collections that will take interiors in a new direction. 

One of the showroom talk events at Focus/22

An international roster of names alongside a galaxy of showroom experts, talks, tours, workshops and demonstrations all add up to a compelling programme of a hundred events, spearheaded by the renowned main stage talks series, Conversations in Design.  It offers in-depth interviews and panel discussions with star names, while Grow Your Business sessions provide professional insights on how to keep competitive and connected. 

Focus/22

There are also free events in the Access All Areas schedule to enjoy in and around the showrooms, from hands-on demonstrations, meet the designer sessions to the debut of creative collaborations. Daily design discovery tours will give visitors the inside track on the most talked-about products at the show. 

This season, autumn/winter 2023, expect plenty of artful brights and joyful patterns, tactile materials and outstanding craftsmanship from established names and rising stars, gathered together to share their stories and design vision.

The design directions are embracing vibrant tones in the form of playful colour pops and savannah sunsets. Certain design hallmarks from the past are also making a return: there’s a new-found interest in deco details, the charm of country house redux and the homespun simplicity of Americana, alongside the primitive shapes and authentic textures of studio ceramics, while comfort, wellbeing and relaxation will be at the forefront of our design decisions.

Highlights include collaborations with international tastemakers such as Rita Konig with Oficina Inglesa Furniture, Barry Dixon with Arteriors and Mary McDonald with Schumacher, alongside furniture by Estudio Persona for Pierre Frey and Studiopepe for Visionnaire.

Focus/22

As the Design Centre is established as a design hub, this autumn there are new showrooms opening, and existing ones expanding or relocating, say the organisers, and new arrivals include Osborne & Little, Crucial Trading, Forbes & Lomax, Loom Furniture, Tigermoth Lighting and Siminetti, while Arteriors and Phillip Jeffries have larger showrooms to explore.

Adding another layer, pop-up House Guests in situ in the Design Avenue, will offer more ways for visitors to encounter world-class talent. A roster of renowned design names includes Holly Hunt, Rupert Bevan, Sterling Studios, Haines Collection, Yves Delorme, Rapture & Wright, Ochre, Corston, Fenwick and Tilbrook, Hare's Tail, Jaipur Rugs, Living Quarters, Maria Flora, Masureel International, Nichola Taylorson, Nico, Todd Knights, Trowbridge, V&Co, Batterbury and Bauldry Botanicals, with more to be announced.

All photos from Focus/22 by Lucia Carpio

Scoop x Pure to showcase new AW22 collections February 8 - 10 2022

This amazing image combining fantasy with fun and style marks the new campaign for the Autumn/Winter 22 edition of the premium contemporary womenswear trade fair Scoop x Pure, slated to take place at the Truman Brewery London from 8-10 February 2022.

This rococo-inspired creative references the ornamental and theatrical "style without rules" period and will be emblazoned across the show interior as well as on social media, posters, and Scoop x Pure wool and silk scarves.

Karen Radley, Scoop Founder and Managing Director, said: “The design team at Ratti S.p.A. Como (Italy) and I have so much fun developing the seasonal creative for Scoop. This season for Scoop x Pure AW22 is no exception. I love the cheeky fantastical Rococo inspired world. There is so much fun and fantasy throughout and I could spend hours taking in all the theatrical elements. It sets the tone for the February show and will provide a spectacular backdrop for our beautiful designers.”

Karen launched Scoop in 2011, curating over 250 designer labels, featuring premium women’s fashion along with luxury home, beauty, lifestyle and selected men’s collections.

Pure (previously a separate event) brings together industry experts to showcase the best of the season’s collections. It provides a global platform for over 1,300 womenswear, menswear and childrenswear collections.

Karen says, "After the incredible success of last season’s event, we’re looking forward to introducing Autumn/Winter 2022 with fresh talent and new designer collections.  Over three days, you’ll find the hidden gems you need to see across a curated edit of women’s and men’s clothing, accessories, footwear and lifestyle.

It’s our mission to gather all the elements of fashion – from design, clothing, jewellery and lifestyle – to inspire people’s curiosity and make ordinary days feel special.

I am excited to tell you we have a line-up of new designers who will be making their Scoop x Pure debut at this Autumn/Winter 2022 show including; Mou, Norr Copenhagen, Way Out, Lam, Oats and Rice, La Chanteraise and so many more...

Some of the noteworthy designer names that we’ll welcome back include: Sacrécoeur, Ecoalf, Louise Hendricks, Quinton Chadwick, Humility, Eribe, Aspiga, Sancia, Arche and Conditions Apply."

This is what some visitors who attended last season’s Scoop x Pure had to say:

Georgia Reinecke, lounge and sleepwear buyer at Anthropologie: “It’s a really good range of brands. It’s exciting to see a lot of colour and to meet people we’ve been talking to virtually.”

“The show was full of bright, colourful brands and a lively atmosphere.” Gabriele Dirvanauskas, Draper’s.

Smeg launches ‘70s inspired limited edition Unity fridge in collaboration with Coca Cola

Those of us who are children of the 1970s would remember the iconic Coca-Cola Hilltop television commercial “It’s the Real Thing” in which some 100 young people of different nationalities assembled on a hill top in Italy to sing the catchy jingle “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke,” which was later released as the song “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” performed by the folksy Hillside Singers.

Iconic images of Coca-Cola bottles are combined with words and symbols representing the seventies, such as peace signs, flowers and ‘Love’, to evoke an array of nostalgia. The well-known phrase ‘It’s the real thing’ has become a renowned aspect of Coca-Cola’s branding, and is bannered across Smeg's  new FAB28 fridge in a swirling hue of psychedelic colours. There will also be an official numbered plaque on each fridge to indicate it is limited edition authenticity, with only 25 available to purchase.  Image courtesy of Smeg.

As this year marks the 50th anniversary of Coca-Cola’s Hilltop TV commercial, the company is celebrating with the 1971 Unity Collection, while launching a series of capsule collections with more than 25 fashion, beauty and accessories brands.

Giving Smeg’s signature retro style FAB28 a makeover, the unique Unity design reflects the Coca-Cola TV Hilltop commercial’s theme of peace and harmony through its bold and colourful style,  reminiscent of the 1970s.   With a generous 270 litre capacity and a multi-flow cooling system to ensure the ideal temperature and humidity for food storage, this iconic Smeg FAB28 ‘Unity’ design brings together style with high-performance technology.
Image courtesy of Smeg.

Now the celebrated Italian appliance brand, Smeg, has revealed a new look for its iconic FAB28 Unity fridge, the result of a collaboration with Coca-Cola to mark  the half-century of  its famous Hilltop Commercial.  I remember the amazing impact of the lyrics on the era of folk songs and popular psychedelic culture.  My friends and I would sing along to the legendary tune “in perfect harmony”, and the lyrics are as relevant and powerful today as it was then. 

Featured on the new Smeg fridge are iconic images of Coca-Cola bottles, combined with words and symbols representing the 70s, such as peace signs, flowers and ‘Love’, to evoke an array of nostalgia. The well-known phrase ‘It’s the real thing’ has become a renowned aspect of Coca-Cola’s branding, and is bannered across the fridge in a swirling hue of psychedelic colours. There will also be an official numbered plaque on each fridge to indicate it is limited edition authenticity, with only 25 available to purchase.

The interior also utilises the highest quality design, providing removable glass shelving to maximise and utilise the space to individual needs. There is also a life plus compartment for preserving perishable foods and a fruit and vegetable drawer. Additionally, there is also an icebox for storing ice and frozen foods. 

The special edition Unity fridge will be exclusively available in Smeg’s UK flagship store in London St James and from shop.smeguk.com, where only 25 will be available.

Coke has partnered with more than 25 international brands to celebrate the TV commercial — including Timex, PacSun, Starter, Morphe, Casetify, Funko, Loft, Mark Feldstein, Round 2, AMC Textil, Blue Ocean, Bumpboxx, Castline, Chaser, Fifth Sun, Freman Shoes, Grade Africa, Koolatron, Only & Sons, Picnic Time, PopSockets, Ripple Junction, Rolla’s Jeans, Rookie Roller, Smeg, Spirit Jersey, Tafi AR Samsung, Tai Apparel and Vintage Vending —"to reflect the optimism and unique expression of the original Hilltop campaign,” according to Kate Dwyer in a recent interview with the WWD. 

Commenting on the collaboration, Kate Dwyer, Senior Director of Global Licensing for Coca-Cola says: “These new collections showcase the timeless values of peace, inclusiveness, diversity and optimism”.

Among Smeg’s recent collaboration was with Italian fashion brand Dolce&Gabbana in the creation of 100 numbered fridges, each featuring images by Sicilian artists: lemons, the trinacria (meaning three-pointed, derived from a myth about three nymphs) symbol, cart wheels, medieval knights and battle scenes – all distinctive elements of the poetic marionette theatre and the Sicilian Cart as well as important aspects of the aesthetic
of designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. 
Images of Smeg kitchen appliances in its London flagship are by Lucia Carpio for
My Fashion Connect Global.

Twisted Twee's parent and child matching Tees form a perfect pair

Father's Day is just round the corner! 

The picture of an ice cream is completed when parent gives
their offspring a piggy back. 
It is hand printed using flock fabric that feels
textural on 100% organic t shirts.

Although I find dads generally are not so difficult to please, it can still be tricky to find the perfect gift for Father’s Day.

For the inseparable father-and-child, Twisted Twee founder Suzi Warren has got just the right idea and she has cleverly captured her new piggy back twinsets with these fabulous pics featured on her Twisted Twee website.

Suzi took the pics herself and says it only took her 10 minutes to do the shots in Oxford with friends - toddler Sky and Chichi - modelling for her.  They are images of happy bonding doing great every-day fun things, like stopping by the ice-cream van, going to the playground and shopping.

The parent (or grandparent) and child Tee shirts match up to form a complete picture when the infant sits on its parents' shoulders.

In this parent-and-child series are the Balloon and String, Ice Cream and Cone, LO and VE, and a swarm of bees and a hive.

The picture of a hive is completed with a swarm of bees when dad or mum gives their offspring a piggy back. 

The organic Tees are hand-printed using flock fabric that is textural and will also retain its colour while lasting countless washings, says Suzi who founded Twisted Twee in 2003, and is known for creating “original, surprising, witty, well-made gifts.”

The team is made up of a bunch of lovely mum friends working out of a garden shed in Camden, London, according to Suzi, who are "Responsible for such marvels as Political Nappy Covers, Vintage IKEA bags, Bad Bunting and PMT Pants."


Suzi who's also the designer at Twisted Twee adds: "Orders are packed for free inside a reusable cotton gift bag and on request we are happy to write personal messages on beautiful V&A Museum cards at no extra cost."

UK's Elephant Head partners with charity Aham Bhumika of India to help rural women artisans make a self-sufficient living

'Gond deer' hand-embroidered cushion cover  in cotton with tie-back fastening from The Elephant Head.The design is inspired by gond art (a tribal art form of Central India), and hand embroidered by rural women artisans, supported by the charity Aham Bhumika, in Bhopal India.

Self sufficiency and a better future for rural women artisans.  That is the aim of  UK-based online store, The Elephant Head, which  is committed to promoting sustainable working practices in India by partnering with Indian charity, Aham Bhumika.

'The turbaned Indian man' hand embroidered cushion cover.
 It is inspired by a Kisan, a stereotypical, bidi-smoking farmer
 with a big turban and exaggerated moustache.

The homeware and artisan craft store is offering a range of cushion covers, each hand-embroidered by an artisan from a village on the outskirts of Bhopal, India, as part of The Embroidery Project, an Aham Bhumika initiative.

Based in Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh in India, Aham Bhumika is a Non-Government Organisation that works to equip underprivileged women living in rural areas with the skills they need to earn a living and become self-sufficient. So far, The Embroidery Project has taught more than 30 women to create products such as saris, tote bags and cushion covers which they can then sell to generate an income, according to The Elephant Head founder Arathi.

'Sadvi- the lady monk' hand embroidered cushion.

''Our homeware blend in with contemporary homes while respecting authentic and traditional art and craft. All our products, created by independent, small-scale artisan groups, co-ops and workshops, are practical, beautiful and crafted with love using local materials and time-honoured skills. That’s certainly the case with the Aham Bhumika charity-made cushion covers. And, we believe our customers will love them. Their quality and attention to detail make them a wonderful and unique addition to any home, or business." said Aarathi.

There are ten different designs of cushion covers to choose from, each measures 16 X 16 inches, made from cotton, and has a tie-back fastening so it can be easily removed for washing.
Many of the designs on the cushion covers are inspired by Gond art, a tribal art form of Central India.

On-trend colours from B&O PLAY

Violet, along with lilac, royal blue, vapour grey, sand stone, charcoal sand, uber brown and black are the colours for city vibes this autumn.

B&O PLAY portable speakers, earphones and headphones from Bang & Olufsen speak volume on the latest colour trends.

The AW17 Collection embraces the latest colour trends, bringing fun to everyday city life.

All images from B&O set in the landscape of Japan.

Glamping in style in bell-shaped tents

With such wonderful weather afforded by a heat wave currently in the UK, there is no need to travel to foreign lands to have an enjoyable vacation, especially if you can maximise the warm weather and be at one with nature.  And if you love the idea of camping in the great outdoors but do not fancy sleeping rough in a cramped tent, Boutique Camping has the answer for "glamping" enthusiasts.

The range of Sandstone bell tents makes camping feel more like staying a luxury hotel while having all the comfort of home.  Available in three sizes – 4m, 5m and 6m – they are the perfect size for couples after a luxury outdoor haven.  However, the largest 6m tent can sleep up to eight adults comfortably on airbeds, giving this tent the feel of a luxurious open-plan bedroom, which is great for festivals or glamping slumber parties.

Made from 100% natural, breathable cotton canvas, the  Sandstone bell tents are also mould and rot proof, and water-repellent. And just in case the weather does turn, there are extra-strong pegs tincluded in the pack to make the tent sturdy in windy weather and bad conditions!

Finished in the classic sandstone colour, these vintage-style bell tents can be assembled by one person, according to Boutique Camping, with everything needed for assembly included in the pack. They have also updated their design this year with a host of new features.
At the base, you’ll find a heavy-duty zipped-in ground sheet that gives you the option to unzip and roll up the sides while you lounge, letting the air flow in and around you. You’ll also be kept cool and comfortable thanks to the four zipped windows and air vents at the top.

But if you fancy traveling overseas for a bit of luxury camping, the National Geographic offers  a list of options.  Just don't call it Glamping.  

Collaboration between two UK brands for satchels and bikes launched this month.

Two of UK's best known lifestyle brands for leather bags and bicycles have launched this month their first collaboration.

The bags from Cambridge Satchel Company are available online and in stores in Cambridge and Covent Garden in London.  The bike from Brompton is sold exclusively in its dedicated Brompton Junction stores, and in selected American stores.  

The collaboration between Cambridge Satchel Company and Brompton Bikes is viewed as a natural fit as a bicycle is already part of the Cambridge Satchel Company’s own logo, plus both companies are manufactured in the UK.

Brompton's in-house design team have worked closely with The Cambridge Satchel Company to develop the leather satchels which integrate with the Brompton’s front carrier system, fitting neatly onto the front of all Brompton bikes.

The Satchels, able to hold up to 2.5 kg of your must-have items, come in three colours: a Lagoon Blue, Turkish Green and Oxblood as shown in above and left pictures, taken at Cambridge's Covent Garden shop in London.   Brompton has also created a special edition bike in Gloss Oxblood and Ivory which showcases the Oxblood satchel.   The sophisticated colour combination should appeal to both men and ladies.

The Satchels handmade in Cambridge's own factory in Leicester, UK, are retailing at £195, and the foldable bike handmade in Brompton's factory in west London costs £1,400 and comes with the bag.

The bags are available online and in Cambridge's stores in Cambridge and Covent Garden in London.  The Brompton bike is sold exclusively in its dedicated Brompton Junction stores, and in selected American stores.

All photos © Lucia Carpio 2017.

A kaleidoscopic of rich patterns and digital designs from Melo Designs

UK-based Melo Designs was set up by Brazilian-born artist Luiz Melo and interiors stylist Chris Kane who have a combined design experience of more than 24 years, producing an array of luxury lifestyle and interiors products for both global and niche businesses.

Silk scarf measuring 135 cm x 24 cm in  original Melo artwork, rich in colour and detail. Made in the UK

Luxurious feather filled, our poly velvet cushions,
  50 cm x 50 cm.
Made to order in the UK.  

While Luis have had work sold in London, France and North America and had been inspired by a child experience to create one-off pieces by painting directly onto glassware and ceramics, the two recognised there was more to be done to expand the scope of their unique talent.  Following many months of research, hardwork and creativity, the duo set up Melodesigns.

Distinctive, detailed with a hint of mystery. 

Melo Designs offer a variety of lifestyle products for the home and to wear. Rich in colour, the product range includes silk scarves, cushions, lamp shades, wallcoverings and mugs. The image of each product begins life as a hand-painted design, then shaped and embellished to create a colourful, kaleidoscopic world of pattern and movement, often resulting in a distinctive kaleidoscopic effect.

Statement hand rolled lampshade  40 cm x 26 cm from Melo Desgns.
Made in the UK using fine cotton and cool metallic inlays. 

The duo also offer bespoke services.   All products are designed and manufactured in the UK.

Shoe and bag designers cite Portuguese tiles as inspiration

Istanbul.  Photo by Lucia Carpio.

Food, lifestyle and interiors are often beautifully entwined with fashion.  Often the link may not be initially obvious, but the association is realised very quickly. A recent promotional image of Cornwall-based celebrity chef Rick Stein is a case in point.  
It stirred not only fond memories but also culinary interest on my part and a longing sense of travel to hot exotic climes.  In a publicity photo, Stein (currently promoting his new travel-cum-cuisine book From Venice to Istanbul (BBC Books) that accompanies his new cookery TV programme of the same name)  is wearing a washed denim shirt and jeans against a backdrop of exotic wall tiles that one often associates with Mediterranean, South European and North African cultures.  

The association forms an alluring yet relaxed picture of well pulled-together styling. 
If you want to follow Rick Stein's gastronomic journey From Venice to Istanbul through countries of the former Byzantium empire, you can watch it on BBC2 this month on Fridays at 9:30 pm.  You can catch the programmes you've missed on-demand on iPlayer.

Portuguese ceeramic tiles.

In my visits, though limited, to a number of European, Mediterranean and North African destinations over the years, I have often admired the profusion of colour and creative designs on ceramic wall, pavement and floor tiles that demonstrate the unique patterns of each culture which in turn go on to influence modern designers.  

Attending the Pure London trade fair held a couple of weeks' ago at Kensington Olympia, I met two Portuguese designers who both talked passionately about inspiration from Portuguese tiles that formed the basis of their footwear and bag designs.

For one, Marita Moreno showcased her new Sculpture line of shoes and bags handcrafted in white linen and contrasting leather embossed with mosaic designs that can be defined as those of typical Portuguese pavement tiling, known as Calçada Portuguesa.  

According to lisbonlux.com, the Portuguese capital Lisbon's ubiquitous cobblestone designs were first introduced in the 18th century, during the rebuilding of the city after the 1755 earthquake. "The apparent inspiration was Roman mosaics, and it was an ingenious way to reuse the earthquake rubble. Lisbon was therefore covered in small limestone and basalt pieces, creating black and white patterns without the use of cement."

Marita Moreno, featured in the new Premium Footwear section at Pure London, designer of her own eponymous  brand uses Portuguese craft production component for her contemporary designs.

Marita Moreno's contemporary shoe designs are infused with Portuguese craftsmanship. 

Moreno's unique and distinctive ranges are produced in small quantities and she takes pride in using mainly natural materials in her designs, from wool and leather to cotton, silk and cork, all enhanced by Portuguese craftsmanship.
Another new Portuguese shoe brand is 7hills which features motifs taken from Portuguese ceramic tiles. The designs also feature influences from dancing shoes such as little ballerina bows and satin ribbons as shoe laces.

The brand's first capsule collection is called “Shall we dance?”, in leather of grey, pink and burgundy.  A couple of ballerina slippers even feature tulle netting at the back like a ballerina's tutu skirt.
All pictures by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.