Introducing Our New Designers

I have been so blown away by everyone’s response to the new spring summer collection and so busy wrapping and packing that I have only now come up for air in order to write this journal.

We have so many new designers at CW this season that I thought it would be a good idea to introduce them all, tell you a bit about them, where I found them and what I love about them.

I think I had better introduce them in alphabetical order so as not to offend anyone!

So first up is Beach Candy. My friend Jemima discovered this mother and daughter team at Scoop last summer and I went and visited them shortly after at their studio in Chelsea. Until I met Beach Candy, Cleverly Wrapped was purely a scarf website but when I saw their products I knew that we had to become a destination for holiday wraps (kaftans and sarongs) too. Beach Candy products are mainly sold to the sort of stylish boutiques that are attached to luxurious hotels in such places as Mauritius and the Bahamas so we are very excited to be one of the first online stockists in the UK.
I would describe Beach Candy as the “go-to” brand for the perfect holiday wardrobe. Their central ethos is to create poolside-to-party kaftans that scrunch up into a suitcase and emerge crease free – I can’t wait to wear mine poolside this summer.

Next up is Bella Ballou, who we also discovered at Scoop last summer. I wanted to ensure that for the spring summer collection there were more scarves at a reasonable price point. So imagine my excitement when I stumbled across Bella Ballou. Their scarves are so vibrant & on-trend, whilst also being reasonably priced. The brand comes from Denmark and the designers are Charlotte Atzen & Tina Steentoft who draw inspiration from their extensive Worldwide travels. Their scarves have been selling like hot cakes and I think part of the reason for this it that they appeal to all ages. I loved seeing that one customer bought “You’re My Star” as a mother’s day gift – so thoughtful and so very apt.

Another Danish designer that is new this season is Dea Kudibal. I have bought 5 scarves from her spring summer collection and although they have only been on the website for 2 weeks, they are all selling very well, with a couple of pieces nearly sold out. The scarves are truly stunning; large in size and with a 10% cashmere content – giving the scarves a luxurious feel. The designs are so unique and the lightweight yet soft fabric is perfect for transitional dressing and the unpredictable English summer! I love the way Dea Kudibal scarves match with a silk shirt but they would also compliment a lightweight cashmere sweater, especially as until the weather gets a little warmer.

And the final Danish designer is Epice (yes – we’re definitely loving the Scandinavian style this season!). Many of you scarf lovers will have heard of Epice and I’m sure you may have a few pieces in your scarf collection. I am VERY excited to say that Cleverly Wrapped is the first on line retailer to stock Epice in the UK! Normally I try and stock up-and-coming designers but sometimes one has to break the rules and when I saw them exhibiting in Paris I was begging them to let me stock them!
Bess Nielsen and Jan Machenhauer founded Epice in 1999 and they have a built a huge global following. With uniquely beautiful prints, these Spring scarves will suit all ages & are the perfect versatile accessory.

Off to Goa in India now to discover a new silk scarf brand called Fara. I get a lot of e-mails from scarf designers asking me to look at their products and this one caught my eye as the designs were so different and the story behind them really appealed to me. Fara designs are hand drawn scenes inspired by life in India, which is where the design team lives. Sadly I didn’t get to go to Goa to meet them but I did meet up with Rachel and Fumie in London and fell in love with their fabulous silk scarves. They have designed the scarves based on places in India that are close to their hearts – Varanasi, Himalaya and Goa. The scarves are large so can be tied in a variety of styles and I also think they would be make a worthy candidate for framing and hanging on a wall in your house or office – a wonderful centrepiece.

Now back to the UK to meet Jane Carr. Launched in 2005 Jane Carr is dedicated to the creation of luxury hand-finished scarves and accessories. Her prints are individual and distinctive and I love the bold use of colour. The finish on the scarves is incredibly soft and I must confess that as soon as I opened the shipment I put one round my neck and it hasn’t come off much since! Jane Carr is stocked in top end boutiques around the world and her scarves have been described by Vogue as “scarves that dreams are made of” – I couldn’t agree more!

Remaining in the UK let me introduce design duo Robert and Sarah from Rose and Rose. I discovered this company in Paris last summer and fell in love with the bold stripes with a hint of fluoro. Their scarves have been selling incredibly fast and am very pleased that I chose to stock them (I’m already looking forward to getting my hands on their beautiful winter cashmeres!). Each collection is the end product of a carefully themed design process that draws inspiration from global architecture, art and travel. The quality is excellent and the merino wool one that is pictured below actually feels like its 100% cashmere, so it’s an absolute steal at that price!

And last but not least we have the incredibly talented Sabina Savage. Sabina only launched her label in 2013 and is already achieving notable success being stocked in luxury boutiques around the globe. I think her designs (which are all hand drawn) are truly stunning and completely different from anything else I have seen. The quality of Sabina’s hand finished silk scarves is exceptional – designed in the UK and printed in Como, Italy. Her spring summer 15 collection is inspired by traditional Japanese drawings and illustration – there’s no doubt that her unique silk scarves are truly works of art!

Happy Shopping!

Harriet x