Bye Bye Elystan Street… Hello, Parsons Green

Bye Bye Elystan Street… Hello, Parsons Green

My pop-up is up, so we’re on the move again – but this time for good!  I have really enjoyed my two years in Chelsea Green, and will miss my fellow shopkeepers enormously – it’s been a joy to work alongside experts, passionate about the wonderful products they supply and produce.

For the lovely clients who discovered, and appreciated my work whilst I’ve been in Chelsea, and those who’ve followed me from Pimlico and Belgravia days, it’s just a short hop to my new studio in Parsons Green, where there are equally lovely local shops and eateries to discover and enjoy.  I’m thoroughly looking forward to getting my feet on the ground, and concentrating on my designs.  Inspired by the outstanding work produced by my ‘students’ at West Dean College, I’m confident, and ready to organise  courses in pattern cutting, sewing and design.  Watch this space for updates and news!   

Please note, the new address, from 7th September is:

279A New Kings Road, Parsons Green, London SW6 4RD.

I’d like to take as little as possible with me……… so we have an amazing relocation sale, with sample garments, scarves and accessories priced to clear.  Check out the lovely bargains, and join us for a glass of bubbly on our open evenings, August 30th and 31st, and September 1st, when we’ll be open until 9pm.

I look forward to celebrating my last few days in Chelsea with you, and raising a glass to pastures new.

Beautiful Bargains

I’m selling some of my favourite pieces, to clear the rails and make space for my new designs.  The images give the information, and you will find more sale items listed on Shopify, if you can’t make it to Chelsea.

Coats from left to right:
Straw linen viscose Elvis collar coat, was £950.00, now £500.
Chocolate silk velvet Elvis collar coat, size 10-12, was £1150.00, now £600.
Linton tweed fringed coat, size 10, was £1200, now £600.

Jackets from left to right:
French tweed jacket with beaded trim, size 10-12, was £1250.00, now £600.
Taupe silk zibilene Elvis collar jacket, size 10-12, was £950, now £400.
Ivory silk velvet beaded jacket, size 10-12, was £950, now £500.

Dresses from left to right:
Black French lace A-line dress with corset, size 10, was £1500, now £650.
Liberty print silk twill dress, size 10, was £800, now £350.
Nude beaded silk georgette dress with 3/4 sleeves, was £1500, now £800.

Evening wear from left to right:
Gold silk satin bias cut dress, size 10-12, was £1800, now £900.
Mary Berry sapphire beaded lace, and bias cut silk dress, size 10-12, was £2,800, now £1500.
Red French lace pencil skirt, size 16, was £700, sale £350 worn with Ruched silk duchess bodice, style Grace, size 16, was £1000, now £500.

Tops and Skirts from left to right:
Orange linen bias cut skirt, silk lined, size 10-12, was £350, now £100.
Beaded ivory silk georgette top, size 10-12, was £450, now £200.
Silk chiffon bias cut skirt, size 10, was £595, now £300.

Top Notch Jackets

Last week, I was ensconced in the beautiful Sussex countryside surrounding West Dean College, with six budding tailoresses, eager to learn how to make their very own fitted jacket.

I was teaching how to take accurate measurements, make patterns and toiles, and demonstrating tailoring techniques and tricks of the trade, that help to make a beautiful tweed jacket.  My ‘students’ were just fabulous, and I’m astounded, and inspired by the high standards of work they produced, and dedication to the tasks involved.

Two had lengths of Irish tweed, one boiled wool, and three lengths of Linton tweed to work with.  One of the most striking aspects, which we all appreciated, was seeing how each individual length of cloth evolved through cutting and making, to become synonymous with the wearer, in shape and personality.

Bride of the Month – Clemmie

‘Having my wedding dress made by Allison was a dream come true. Every moment was made to feel special.  Allison is incredibly talented and took everything about the dress and the style into consideration. The dress of dreams!!’

Clemmie knew exactly the look she aspired to, which was totally understated, fitted bodice with a high neck, full skirt, and arms covered with long sleeves, with a ruffle at the hem.  Being a very talented artist, she knew the colour as soon as she saw it on my silk shade card – eggshell.

The creation of her dress happened stage by stage, with little tweeks along the way, and with consideration of her stunning headpiece made by Edwina Ibbotson.

The setting for the reception at the Chelsea Physic Garden was beautiful, and perfect for Clemmie and Jason’s wedding celebration

Mother of the Bride – Amanda

“Having my mother of the bride dress made especially for me, was a wonderful experience. Allison and I worked together to create a special original dress and jacket. Allison’s choice of tweed and materials was enormous, so it was easy to pick a beautiful colour for the dress and match it to a lovely tweed for the jacket”

Amanda wanted a Dior-look silhouette, with fitted, neat jacket, and a dress in grosgrain silk, with detailed bodice, and full skirt.

Like Clemmie, Amanda knew the colour as soon as she saw it – a wonderfully rich mauve – and likewise, the striking tweed from Linton Tweeds.

To complete the silhouette, Edwina Ibbotson made Amanda’s stunning hat.

Alfie’s thought of the day

Dress like every day matters.