13 minute read
Escape Capsule
In the fervent hope that summer getaway’s are on the cards this year, The Exchange’s regular fashion commentator, Nottingham designer Susi Henson, looks at some of the season’s key accessory must-haves to ensure a Great Escape…
E S C A P E C A P S U L E
Advertisement
Susi Henson
Buying beachwear for a summer holiday abroad might not be quite on the cards for us just yet, but this season's accessory trends are full of all the colourful charm we want from our holiday wardrobe. So, we need not to be missing out on adding some whimsical delights to our outfits over the coming months, especially with the focus on practicality and comfort for this season's fashion trends, the attention is on the accessories to bring some vibrancy and fun.
Artisan:
One of the biggest accessory trends this spring / summer is for artisanal and handcrafted products. The pandemic has seen a rise in supporting local and independent businesses and with that artisans and handcrafted products are having their moment quite rightly in the spotlight. Beautifully crafted products and accessories that are handmade or have a handmade feel to them are the object du jour this season. As are accessories with a boho vibe such as layering multi coloured beads, jewellery with healing crystals, fringing and folk style colours and embroideries.
Luxe Eco:
This season the reusable water bottle and coffee cup are not only essential items, they are essential fashion accessories. Of course, we all want to do our bit for the environment and its doubtful anyone carrying them are doing so as a fashion statement, even so, it is a trend as bizarre as that is.
The fashion world is however slowly moving in the right direction, and any item of clothing or accessory that is ethically and sustainably produced from organic fabrics and dyes to being recyclable, ethically manufactured, recycled and upcycled or second hand is bang on trend and it's a trend that is here to stay.
Statement Sparkle:
When we start meeting up with friends and family again, each time is going to be a very special occasion and special occasions require a little bit of sparkle. Sequins are a big fashion trend this season, as are diamante accessories and bling. The catwalks for spring were full of sparkly statement accessories particularly at the Chanel show which featured oversized diamante hair slides and tiaras.
Dr Martens
Other accessories on trend are the single big earring with a small mismatched earring the other side, layering of lots of delicate chains and bracelets (this spring / summer the main metal is gold) and also chunky gold chains for bag straps as well as jewellery.
Monochrome:
Black and white accessories are a timeless classic and this season black and white in any combination are a key look. A pair of white slouchy boots or chunky platform sandals are footwear trends that work with another big trend for the season which is the black dress. Because this is such a classic look there is plenty of choice out there whether you are shopping new or vintage.
Pastels:
Balancing out the bold colour trends of red and monochrome this season is the trend for pastels. There's always something about a pastel colour palette that brings about a sense of nostalgia. This season's sugary pastel shades for clothing and accessories can be mix and matched as you please, whether you are block colouring pastels for an entire outfit or accessorising for a hint of colour pastel shades look great however they are styled.
Camel:
The colour palette for this season couldn't be more classic and timeless with the monochromatic shades and red, so it makes sense for camel to be in the colour palette too. A perfect shade for the wide leg trousers and classic lightweight trench on trend for the warmer months, it is also a great shade for accessories, especially leather goods. Any shade of camel or tan for a bag or pair of boots or shoes is never a wasted investment and will go with absolutely everything.
Bags:
Bags for spring / summer are mainly practical and functional, with the back pack and cross body bag style being a major trend. The popularity for active wear has grown enormously over the last year for both men's and women's wear and this had a knock-on effect on the fashion trends.
The 'micro bag' which has been quite an odd bag trend over recent seasons and continues to be a trend this season has become quite t h e ironic accessory in the last year as we have needed to carry much less with us as there has been so few places we could go. As too has the phone bag worn on a long cord around the neck for just your phone.
Footwear:
Boot styles on trend this season are tall and slouchy or a chunky ankle boot. As practicality is the theme with bags, comfort is the theme with footwear. White trainers (and active footwear in general), classic loafers and chunky platform sandals are the go-to footwear styles for day wear as well as the slipper shoe for ultimate comfort. For eveningwear the trend is for kitten heels so we are being eased back into wearing high heels gently.
Eyewear:
The ongoing trend for retro style sunglasses continues this season, with the Aviator style being a seasoned favourite exemplified by Ray Ban and Aspinal. Feminine cat-eye style frames popular in the fifties and sixties also continue to find favour with designers. Large frames for sunglasses and spectacles are also a key shape for eyewear this season - in fact, the bigger the frame the better!
Men:
The men's trends for this coming season very much mirror many of the women's trends in terms of colour palette as well as the eco, active-wear and artisanal influences. Practicality and functionality are key for men's accessories this season, hailed as the 'new utility' using technical fabrics with interesting features and attention to detail.
Optique Vision
Bubble Vintage
SUPPORT BUBBLE
Bubble Vintage is a new brand that champions sustainability, acting as a hub for environmentally conscious shoppers who value personal style and timeless pieces. The store carries an eclectic mix of old, classic and modern fashion, with customers able to rummage through the easy-to-understand colour coded sections, finding plenty of bargains effortlessly. Alternatively, shoppers can scour the store's premium vintage rails and pick up some exclusive designer clothing and accessories. Bubble Vintage opened its doors in August 2020 in Nottingham’s oldest purposebuilt shopping arcade, The Exchange. Its aim is to supply current, on-trend, sustainable vintage clothing for a wide range of customers - style that doesn't break the bank and helps the environment at the same time. Guilt free shopping, no less! From Gen-z's wanting the latest Nike spell-out sweatshirts, to Millennial's shopping the clothes they wore way back when, there's sure to be something for everyone. The store is structured in an easy-to-follow layout, with stock priced as low as £4 so customers are guaranteed to bag a bargain! There is also a premium range, where shoppers can find designer goodies such as Louboutin heels for less than £100, or Gucci handbags for under £150. Follow Bubble on Instagram @bubblenottingham where you’ll find updates about the latest stock drops and outfit inspiration, along with howto-style video reels.
BUBBLE VINTAGE
15, The Exchange Nottingham NG1 2DD Tel: 0115 9587126
MADE IN ENGLAND
For more than 60 years, Dr Martens have been crafted using original techniques and manufactured in Northamptonshire. DM's Made in England range includes some of their most iconic pieces, handcrafted at the original Wollaston site by experienced factory cobblers. The Made in England collection features Originals such as the 1460 boot and 1461 shoe, and the 2976 - Dr Martens take on the classic Chelsea Boot.
1461 Suede Lace Up Shoe £189
DM's new 1461 shoes have been crafted from Desert Oasis, a soft, textured suede with a rugged nap. The high-grade leather comes from C. F. Stead, a Leeds tannery that's been around since 1904, and refined in producing some of the finest skins available. The premium Made in England shoes are finished with a trademark Goodyear-welted sole and a goldscripted sock liner.
1460 Pascal Full Grain Leather Ankle
Boots £239
Constructed with a CF. Stead's Culatta leather and marked with the tannery's branded swing tag, these premium Made in England boots are finished with a trademark Goodyearwelted sole and black and gold heel loop.
Needles 2976 Snaffle Chelsea Boots £219
Notorious for seamlessly fusing the old with the new, Needles' post-modern takes on vintage American garments are as legendary as they are quick to sell out - and now they're taking on DM's 2976 Chelsea boot. Draped with tassel detailing and made to perfection in the Wollaston factory, the boots come in both Black and Cherry Red. The Chelsea boots are printed with Needles' instantly recognisable 'Papillon' logo which floats just above the yellow welt stitching for a unification of brand beacons.
1460 Harris Tweed Lusso Leather Ankle Boots £219
Northamptonshire has a shoemaking legacy that dates back centuries. In DM's original Wollaston factory, they keep it going with premium materials and traditional British craftsmanship.
These tough 1460 boots are enhanced with Harris tweed a classic British fabric first woven in 1840 and with a rich heritage of premium outerwear and accessories. The boots come with Harris Tweed internal branding, a goldscripted heel loop and gold foilembossed sock liner. Sat on a rugged commando sole, they're welted in place with Docs signature yellow stitching.
Vintage 3989 Brogue Shoes £169
The Vintage 3989 is a re-issue of an archive style, faithfully re-created at Docs Cobbs Lane factory in Northamptonshire, and handcrafted using traditional cobbler's techniques and machinery. The result? A fine piece of footwear, full of Dr. Martens heritage. The shoe is made using Quilon, a durable, fine-textured recreation of the classic Dr. Martens leather that ages to perfection. Built to last, it's made using one of the finest methods of construction: the Goodyear Welt - which means the upper and sole are sewn together in a heat-sealed z-welt stitch. The boot sits on DM's durable, comfortable AirWair™ sole, that's oil and fat resistant with good abrasion and slip resistance.
Visit Dr Martens at
11, The Exchange Nottingham NG1 2DD T: 0115 9240068 www.drmartens.com _9
Cocooning Cool
Pictured: Reuben 3 seat sofa in Marina brushed linen £965
New for Spring/Summer 21, the latest collection from sofa.com will feature a beautiful selection of new fabrics, sofa and chair shapes and a new range of mirrors - joining sofa.com’s made-to order upholstery and home accessory offering. Embodying the themes of cocooning and comfort, the new collection will see the launch of five new designs; two hero sofas, Reuban and Bowie, stylish dining and bar seating, Margaux and Coco, and Poppy, a deep buttoned accent chair. Ranging from contemporary to retroinspired styles, these pieces are perfect for a living room update, a kitchen island refresh and every room in between. On the designs for next season, Patricia Gibbons from sofa.com’s design team comments: “Cocooning” (in every sense of the word) was our starting point when creating the new shapes for SS21. With more time spent at home, there’s been a notable shift into what sofa.com customers are looking for when choosing their forever pieces. We designed each shape with deep cushions and curves wherever we could, for optimal cocooning as well as sitting.” Speaking on aesthetics and trends, Patricia added, “We have expanded on our contemporary shape range this season with Bowie and Reuben - both clean-cut in design with sleek silhouettes for fuss-free living. Catering for the growing number of homes wanting modern simplicity as a canvas for their interiors and instead using artwork, rugs, cushions and accent pieces to accessorise their sofas for a unique, personality filled space. We’ve also introduced Coco and Margaux for the now popular open-plan multifunctional living - you can have cool, curvaceous comfort froml iving through to kitchen x dining.” In addition, SS21 sees the launch of five new fabrics with sofa.com’s first-ever Bouclé finish alongside their new mirror collection - a 19piece range of contemporary and classic mirrors to join their growing lighting and home accessories range.
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF CASTLE FINE ART
The UK's top retail art company, Castle Fine Art, is celebrating 25 years of success and will be marking its landmark anniversary with a look back on some of its finest artists and collections.
Over the last quarter of a century, Castle Fine Art has showcased a portfolio of limited-edition prints, original artworks and sculptures from the best contemporary artists around the world.
First launched in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1995, the brand has gone on to establish itself as experts in the accessible art market and now boasts 40 prime high street locations across the UK, including London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and of course its art space in Nottingham's Exchange Arcade.
From exhibiting the work of exceptional contemporary artists to the specialist knowledge of its consultants, Castle Fine Art has built a strong reputation for offering clients exclusivity, the very best in customer service and an immersive shopping experience Since its launch, the team has welcomed thousands of customers, including a host of celebrity clients, supported countless charities, seen their work featured in the national press, as well as displayed in homes and venues across the
the world. It has showcased an ever-expanding portfolio of limited-edition prints, original artworks and sculptures by cultural icons Bob Dylan, Billy Connolly and Ronnie Wood, as well as developed the careers of now globally collected artists such as Raphael Mazzucco, Paul Kenton, Stuart McAlpine Miller and Nic Joly. Ian Weatherby-Blythe, Group Managing Director, commented: "Despite it being a very difficult year for retail we are enormously proud to have maintained our strong position on the high street, and this success has been thanks not only to our amazing artists and staff but also our loyal customers. Over the last 25 years it has been wonderful to see our art transform the homes of our clients. "Working with some of the biggest names in the industry has been a real privilege, while nurturing the careers of so many home-grown artists and allowing them to be seen by a wider audience has been our honour. In our journey to make art accessible to everyone we have grown into the country's leading retail art company, something every member of our team is rightly proud of." Castle Fine Art invites you to pop into the gallery the next time you're passing, to hear more about their history and get the inside track on what new artists and collections will soon form part of their next chapter.
8-10 The Exchange | Nottingham NG1 2DD | T: 0115 958 3883 | E: nottingham@castlefineart.com www.castlefineart.com
