It’s been a long time since my last post and lots has been going on. The shop has now been open for over three months and the new Autumn Winter collection is about to launch.
If you’ve been following CW for a while you will know that we started off just selling scarves and that gradually I have added in different products, especially in the summer where we have done a lot of resort wear. The cashmere jumpers that we did this Spring were a huge success as were some of the simple summer shift dresses. So it won’t come as a surprise to you that for AW18 the product diversification strategy is on going.
What I am trying to do is create business whose primary focus is still beautiful and interesting scarves but there will also be other accessories that are one sized and unusual as well as a large range of plain cashmere jumpers and some plain jackets that are complimentary to the scarves. The idea being that everything at CW makes a great gift whether its for someone else or yourself.
So when this collection launches you will see some really gorgeous leather belts that “cleverly” adjust so that they fit all sizes, some beautiful leather and suede hand bags and very on trend bum bags, lots of leather and cashmere gloves that have been made exclusively for CW, some wallets and card holders. Most of these accessories have been sourced from Italy and France and have been chosen as they are interesting and unique and also fit beautifully into our packaging.
A bit about the cashmere. I notice that in most boutiques in the UK who stock good quality cashmere the majority of it is adorned with pineapples, hearts, stars and words. I have never been a fan of these as I would much rather buy a plain cashmere jumper in an interesting colour or shape that is understated and allows me to wear it again and again and accessorise it in different ways. I have managed to find some cashmere like this from a French company called Absolut Cashmere and I am stocking them for AW18 but I have also been very brave and started to do lots of CW own brand cashmere production! All the CW cashmere in in plain colours and interesting shapes with very subtle design details. Designed to go with everything in your wardrobe and work well with our scarves you have to come and see it!
We also have some very simple box shaped wool jackets in great colours that I wasn’t really intending to buy but I fell across them and thought they were too good not to have! Similarly there is one pair of black slouchy trousers in the collection which I found in Paris and thought were too good not to have as they go with everything, have a black side stripe and work with trainers as well as heels.
Spot the leopard print above? I was in London yesterday and there is more animal print about that you can possibly imagine. On the table next to me at lunch there were four ladies all wearing different variations of animal print shirts being served by a waitress in a leopard print skirt. I think I have bought six scarves with animal print on but rest assured it is done in an understated way that allows you to embrace the trend without immersing yourself in it!
What about the men? Well, I’m dipping my toe here! The men’s linen shirts we did in the summer were a huge success so I’ve done some merino wool jumpers for AW and of course lots of new scarves. If the jumpers are a success then maybe next year they can be upgraded to cashmere!
Enough of me crashing on. I’m very excited and cant wait to get it all on line. I’ve got photo shoots both this week and next and am aiming to have it all up and ready for the first week in September. If you can’t wait that long then please do come and visit the new shop in Stockbridge, Hampshire where a lot of the new items are already out.
In the meantime enjoy the rest of this glorious summer!
Harriet x