Label to love: Lavenham


I seem to have amassed a great wardrobe of coats over the last few years. I literally have one for every possible occasion, from my day-to-night Burberry trench, to my masculine APC overcoat, to my slouchy Maje coat that lends itself so well to throwing over layers due to its easy cocoon shape (shame all the buttons fell off). Then there are the jackets. An Anya Hindmarch double-breasted navy one that is very Grace Kelly with its curved collar and slightly A-line shape – just right for chilly spring days worn with turn-up jeans, an off-white sock and a loafer (yes, just the one). The Ralph Lauren boys blazer that still looks as good as new despite being my go-to smart day jacket for the past three years. And the new indigo Levi’s denim jacket that I bought to wear with matching 571s – yes I’m doing double denim, shoot me now!

Anyway, all this is purely a preamble to talk about the new Lavenham collection which I previewed a couple of weeks ago. Lavenham is a British heritage brand, big in Japan apparently, where they don’t sell Barbour, so they wear these. Its heritage is actually horse blankets but the Suffolk-based company has been making quilted coats for Jean Touitou’s APC and is now developing into the fashion market. And how. The womens collection has just launched this season with its first drop at Harvey Nichols. Harvey Nichols has its own exclusive colourways including Liberty-print lining to make it even more English and heritage-y.

For AW10 I love what they have done with these jewel colours. Khaki and pink is such a winning colour combination but even more so when used in something so utilitarian and classic.


What do you think? Will these be the next big thing on the festival circuit come 2011?