Smythson

Best buy: iPad mini cases



I can’t believe how few iPad mini cases there are out there! I’m in the market for one so have been Googling like crazy. Here are the best I could find:

Smythson croc-print leather case, £215. This dark brown leather case is a luxe unisex buy. It comes with a screen cleaning cloth too – nice touch…

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SS12 trend report: My-Wardrobe



According to PR director Lauren Stevenson, the My-Wardrobe buyers have worked very hard to make sure 95% of the buy is under the £350 mark and 75% of the buy is under £250. Which is great news if you want ‘everyday luxury’ (the My-wardrobe tagline) at accessible prices. The key SS12 labels for me are Smythson (the stationery has been understandably popular so for SS12 there are bags as well), Carven (who doesn’t love Guillaume Henry’s couture-lite aesthetic?), APC (a new name for SS12), Joseph (on a roll), DVF, Anya Hindmarch and Sophie Hulme.

I had a good nose at My-Wardrobe’s SS12 highlights at their press day, where I also discovered Hermione de Paula, an ex Alexander McQueen print designer whose surreal prints in easy shapes are causing a bit of a stir.

Smythson

Printed denim by Current Elliot and J Brand’s Maverick jean – a skinny cargo pant that My-Wardrobe predicts to be a sell out

Bionda Castana shoes … the new Manolo?

Star Mela’s global-craft bags – I expect these crafty totes will be everywhere by May in some guise or other

D & G floral blouse – print on print whether matched or mismatched is summer’s mega-trend

Hermione de Paula

Preen’s ‘couture tee’. “The couture tee is a trend for all our customers to get into,” says Eleanor Robinson, womenswear designer buying manager. “It’s ageless,  flatters most body shapes, and fits into the wardrobe easily”

Scarf prints – no explanation needed

Sophie Hulme’s embroidered bag – more global-craft influence

Anya Hindmarch’s city-to-beach colour-block bags and Comme Des Garcons’ playful pochettes

I also love DVF’s neutral bag with a flash of pink that can be zipped according to whether you want to show it or hide it



London Fashion Week SS12 Day 5 Highlights



Handsome hair and outerwear at Aquascutum. “I’m not chasing Burberry yet but I can see we can catch up with Mulberry,” said Aquascutum’s Harold Tilman in the FT recently. Joanna Sykes’ immaculate tailored coats and oversized duffle bags shown for SS12 may well prove him right. The Joanna Sykes effect is already working its magic with new stockists including Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys. This is definitely going to be a brand to watch closely…
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