Oh how I love a little trip to Bicester village. If for nothing else, just sitting on a train for 45 minutes, chugging out of London, seeing some greenery, but it obviously helps that there is an array of designer bargains (up to 60%!) to be had!
Yesterday a group of bloggers (including me), stylists and press were lucky enough to be taken to Bicester for this season's launch of the British Designer Collective pop up shop. In a collaboration between the owners of Bicester village, Value Retail, and the British Fashion Council, the Designer Collective introduces and promotes the amazing work from some of the newest in British fashion. Last year saw the first shop open, and it was great, this years is really fabulous. The colour scheme, the designers, everything!
The shop opens today for six weeks, so PLEASE make sure you go down at some point, it really is worth seeing, and it's a brilliant way to support our newest fashion talent. Designers include print genius Jonathan Saunders, sequin king Markus Lupfer, first-lady-fashion Osman and, my favourite, art deco delight Holly Fulton. Scarf and accessory super brand Lily and Lionel also make a very welcome appearance with their ethically sourced loveliness!
A couple of things from my time in Bicester yesterday:
Firstly, I had no idea that there is in fact a personal shopping service available and I also had no idea that it is fronted by my friend Fiona - small world!
The service is completely free, you receive a three hour session which includes: a rundown on your style, what you're looking for etc, budgets and then a full on styling session in the shops. Unfortunately it's not offered all year round, only seasonal, but it's well worth it! (Book through the village )
Secondly, and more importantly, I had a lil chat with Holly Fulton and tried to pump some info out of her. Desperate to see her do menswear, I begged and she mentioned that she is in talks with an independent luxury brand about a possible collaboration - ahhhhhhhhhh, best news of the day!! I'll try and get some more gossip on that one!
As Thandie Newton said in her opening speech yesterday (she is this season's ambassador for the British Designer Collective) - "Bicester village is like the Disney Land for grown up Cinderellas". She's right, especially with this shop!!
Anyway anyway anyway, enough talk, have a look at these pics from yesterday.
Enjoy!
