Girl Power at Kilver Court

Saturday saw International Women's Day being celebrated worldwide - and got us thinking about all the talented female designers we have at Kilver Court. Here's five fantastic females who have created fashion empires to inspire us all!

Amanda Wakeley 

Amanda Wakeley has to be one of the most impressive women in the fashion industry - and she's done it all in less than 24 years!

Not only has she developed an international reputation for her beautiful and luxurious designs, worn by the likes of Kate Middleton, Charlize Theron and Kate Winslet just to name a few, but she has even earned herself an OBE for her continued services to fashion and charity work. Alongside running a fashion empire, Amanda has found time to co-chair Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.

We can't wait for her collection to arrive at Kilver later this month!

Margaret Howell

Margaret Howell began her brand designing, creating and selling accessories from her home in 1970.

Since then she’s created both men’s and women’s collections and opened up shops and outlets across the world from London to Tokyo.

Margaret Howell has been awarded a CBE for services to the fashion industry as well as a Royal Designer for Industry award.

Not only is she a super talented designer and creator, her business accumen is still going strong and at 67, she's an inspiration to us all - and proof that age is just a number!

MiH Jeans

Chloe Lonsdale is definitely a woman to behold.

In 2005 she took on her family's denim heritage and re-launched her godfather's brand ‘Made in Heaven’. Of course, a women's touch bought with it a cool, new vibe and the brand evolved in to what we now know and love as MiH Jeans.

MiH has been incredibly successful, with women the world over wearing her comfortable and stylish jeans including the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Lawrence. Chloe is still involved in every element of the brand, from dress designs to shop floor fittings and if you can't get your hand's on her fab denim, she'll show you how to customise your own skirt with a series of YouTube tutorials!






Isabella Oliver

The idea that you could be both pregnant AND glamorous AND sophisticated all at the same time was inconceivable for a long time. Pregnancy fashion was almost non existent, until founder and designer of Isabella Oliver, Baukjen de Swaan Arons fell pregnant with her first child ten years ago and decided to make a change. 

Thanks to her own experiences and determination for women to enjoy every aspect of their pregnancy, women everywhere can now enjoy the fashion they’ve always loved even with a baby bump!

Baukjen also designs clothes post-pregnancy to flatter the figure and give women the confidence boost they need. Here's to empowering mums worldwide!


  
Orla Kiely

Described as the “Queen of Prints” by The Guardian, Orla Kiely has pioneered the return of prints and patterns.

Orla started out as a hat designer before noting in the late 90s that while not everyone wore a hat, all ladies carried handbags and, so it was, she expanded to handbags. Now, Orla's label has conquered nearly every aspect of lifestyle, designing everything from (take a deep breath!) clothes, shoes, bags, hats, homeware, phone cases, garden accessories and even perfumes and candles. Her signature prints have even appeared on the back of a London bus!


Orla's inspiration? Her grandmother - girl power spanning generations!

We're pretty sure girls run the world ;)

Mrs Handbag goes bouncing... down to Cambridge!

I think by now you will have realised that I’m generally game for most things ... and we’ve just survived little Henry’s 2nd birthday party which has to be testament to this! Think eleven 2 year olds, high on inordinate amounts of jelly and Peppa Pig cake, (courtesy of Henry’s mum - super-talented Bella) hurling themselves around like multi-coloured ants on a bouncy castle...and then throw in a crazy Great Granny (my mum – 88) just for a bit of extra fun...

The perfect piggy birthday cake!

Of course I had to join her..if only to save her from the toddlers and to check she didn’t lose her dentures in the excitement – now there’s a health and safety risk that isn’t listed!

For a (slightly) more grown up adventure, earlier in the month I was taken on what is probably my last big birthday surprise...a lovely weekend in Cambridge, courtesy of our Best Man Richard and Belinda -who went to great lengths to show us a good time.

After a divine evening of music in Kings College (Taverner; Britten; Durufle), we spent the next morning idling on the river... such a treat seeing the stunning (and some quite frankly bizarre) college buildings from the punt, in what turned out to be the sunny calm before the almighty storm.

R made it - crutches and all!

Now, I wonder how many of you made it to the Grand Sale last weekend (featuring the famous Browns Labels for Less)?   Any of you coming on Sunday might have caught the Saul’s in action – things were so manic that R ended up on car-park duty (the ultimate power trip!) while Fred and I rolled up our sleeves in the kitchen – as customers tucked in to delicious dishes in the Pantry faster than we could wash them up again! 

It was a fantastic weekend, and the perfect opportunity to start stocking up on Christmas treats - I have promised to start issuing a ‘Mrs Handbag Selection Box’ of prezzie ideas ...so watch this space for the first one soon!

The Great House at Kilver Court is full of festive treats!

                                                               Mrs Handbag xx

Kilver Court Celebrates

Kilver Court's very own Saul family with our beautiful models showcasing Browns fashion.

At Kilver Court, we like an excuse to throw a party, and after weeks of hosting various celebrations in the ballroom we decided it was time to have our own. With a new store opening, huge designer sale weekend and Browns Labels for Less Pop Up Shop launching last weekend, we had the perfect excuse to indulge in bubbly, canapés and a little late night shopping!

So on a cold winter evening last week we invited everyone into the warm to explore our new store, The Arcade, and have a sneak peek at the incredible range of designer fashion at the Browns Pop up Shop. Never before has the ballroom been filled with so many beautiful dresses, jackets, trousers, knitwear – you name it – from well know designers such as Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs, Jil Sander, Burberry and more. Phew!

Did we mention it all has up to 80% off?  Team KC has struggled to resist – sales supervisor Freya found a fabulous Alexander McQueen dress for £150 just in time for the Christmas party season, while Mrs Handbag picked out the perfect printed silk shirt!

This is the last weekend of Browns Labels for Less Pop Up Shop, and who knows when Somerset will next be home to such an array of discounted designer fashion, so don’t miss it! (Click here to read more about the Pop Up Shop at Kilver Court).

But back to the party – here’s a behind the scenes peek at what we all got up to – and remember, if you’d like to join us for the next VIP event, click here to sign up to our newsletter. We send out monthly messages filled with exclusive news, offers, competitions and invitations!

Musicians entertained in The Great House - and Mrs Handbag even gave an impromtu performance...

Even the Orla Kiely manikins in the new store dressed up in sparkling frocks for the occasion!

Our beautiful models, Louise & Chloe strutted their stuff...

while everyone sipped on bubby!

A few fab suppliers from The Great House offered tasters alongside our canapes...

Everyone was tempted by designer treats...

and shopped...

until they dropped!

Old friends stopped by - Roger Saul and Kevin McCloud

We raised nearly £500 for Macmillan Cancer Support with our Mulberry Bayswater giveaway!

 Extra special-super-big-thank-yous to Macmillan Cancer Support, Red Rabbit Photography and Mustard Models!

Au Revoir Aubin & Wills

Looking for things to do in Somerset this weekend? Kilver Court are hosting Aubin & Wills’ final clearance sale - before the fabulously British brand disappear for good. Boo :(

Preparing for the sale and cooing over our favourite frocks in the stock room has got us all reminiscing over things that have come and gone over the years. The Great British High Street is no longer the home of interior experts Habitat, perfectly priced Woolworths or family favourite C&A... and are we the only ones craving a Cadbury Fuse bar?

But we’ve digressed: Aubin & Wills are going to be sorely missed, having provided us with classic British fashion for the last five years. Their top quality, quirky designs have attracted a huge celebrity following, with stars such as Claudia Schiffer, Taylor Swift, Anna Friel and Keira Knightley frequently spotted in Aubin & Wills... and that’s just the ladies!

Despite disappearing from most high streets at the start of 2013, Kilver Court has an exclusive, last opportunity to buy beautiful Aubin & Wills goodies, hurrah! This weekend (12th – 13th October) we’ll be hosting their final clearance sale, with prices starting at £5. Dresses and shirts will be available from £10 and knitwear (with an RRP of over £125) is available from £25. We are good to you!

British beauty Sophie Dahl looked so lovely in Aubin & Wills A/W 2012 campaign; we’re hoping to steal a little bit of her style status this weekend as we indulge in the last of the brand’s clothing range.

If you’re not quite ready to say goodbye, why not check out our Jack Wills store? They’re Aubin’s big sister and offer a similar collection of quintessentially British clothing and accessories.

See you at the weekend!

Kilver Court's crazy for Charlie Jade

The latest designer label to land at Kilver Court

Kilver Court’s got a new brand and it’s beautiful! Charlie Jade has just arrived in our Emporium, and actually, it’s flying out the door again just as fast. Launched in 2009, designer Angie Gabriel creates beautifully feminine dresses, playsuits, blouses and rompers in eyecatching, playful prints, which will brighten up any wardrobe. Did we mention Kilver Court has an extra 50% off RRP? We are good to you! Talking of which we have a competition for you too - read on!

Admittedly, we were a little horrified when no sooner had we donned our silky new Charlie Jade dresses than the weather took a serious turn for the worse. Visions of skipping around meadows and twirling in our new skirts (which we do daily of course!) were quickly abandoned as we opted for umbrellas and boots instead. But as it turns out, Charlie Jade fits our autumn wardrobes just as well as it did in the summertime! Pair the blouses with chunky knits from Hawick Cashmere, and the dresses and playsuits with thick tights and beautiful leather boots from LK Bennett. Charlie Jade’s prints add the colour and energy any outfit needs.

Kilver Court shows you how to style Charlie Jade pieces for autumn, with a little help from LK Bennett

A number of pieces have been designed with seasonal changes in mind, with sleeves on a lot of dresses (thus avoiding the hopeless hunt to find a cardigan that goes!) and carefully selected silks that allow the skin to breathe, while keeping the warm in.If you're not entirely convinced on the layering, how about a Hawick Cashmere wrap coat on us? Head over to our Facebook page and tell us your favourite thing about autumn for the chance to win some cosy cashmere worth over £300!

Charlie Jade at Kilver Court

The brand has only recently expanded to Europe so we're thrilled to have Charlie Jade at Kilver Court. They produce super small, exclusive collections and don't reproduce designs once they're sold out, making some of the pieces we stock are the last of their kind in Europe,so be quick! Check out their Facebook page for more gorgeous lookbook shots.

Come and play dress up soon!

American Vintage - New Brand in The Emporium

Freya, the Emporiums deputy manager and all round fashion guru will be giving us some tips on what's hot over the summer. She knows what's in and who's wearing what and how there wearing it, so stay tuned for her informed voice on what's on offer at Kilver Court.

American Vintage is the latest brand to be available in the Emporium, it's young, funky and made with deliciously soft silk mixes. This unique brand is the brain child of Paris based designer Mickael Azoulay and takes inspiration from the easy basics of American sport and beach culture.

"We are super excited about this fab new brand's arrival and are offering 40% off its RRP so come and take a peak at the new collection, which is loved by the likes of Victoria Secret model Miranda Kerr, style guru Olivia Palermo and actress Diane Kruger.

For the ladies this week we have a new top up collection of Baukjen and it's maternity wear label, Isabella Oliver. 
"Isabella Oliver has a faithful A list maternity following from the likes of Halle Berry, Reese Witherspoon and Colombian pop princess Shakira. The collection now includes beautifully tailored shirts, classic sequinned blazers and some awesome original jeans but hurry ladies as we have learned from past experience that the Isabella collections don't hang around for long"! (The collection has up to 70% off RRP).

"For the Gents, and our infamous summers, its definitely time to invest in a once in a life time classic MACKINTOSH as a gift to yourself or for someone special to you. This iconic Scottish brand has been manufacturing durable and rain proof, yet highly on trend coats since 1823 so get down to the Emporium and grab yourself a piece of Scottish heritage", says Freya.

Mackintosh has up to 60% off its RRP.

Since opening a small store on Savile Row in 1992 Richard James has established a reputation for itself as a leading luxury brand, setting the standard for contemporary tailoring in menswear.

"With a selection of beautifully tailored suits and shirts, up to 40% off RRP, it's the perfect opportunity to spruce up your wardrobe with a Richard James item. Lightweight summer suits and shirts made from the highest quality fabrics, this is the traditional quality synonymous with Savile Row brought up to date with a contemporary twist".

Fabulously Floral

Micro floral prints, Liberty style fabrics, pretty summer dresses, an abundance of flowers celebrating Chelsea flower show

1. Table Cloth - Pip Studio  £7.20 (reduced from £9)

2. Flowers - Display only 

3. Micro Floral Dresses - Jack Wills  £34 ( reduced from £98)

4. Make up Bag - Pip Studio £14.40 (reduced from £18)

5. Porcelain Mug -  Pip Studio £7.20 (reduced from £9)

6. Floral Print Top £12 (reduced from £19.50) Cardigan £24 (reduced from £59) - Jack Wills

Touched by Turquoise

1. Patent Belt  - L.K Bennett  £35 (reduced from £60)

2. Small Glass Vase - Jane Clayton Interiors £5 (reduced from £7)

3. Patent Ballerina Pumps - LK Bennett £55 ( reduced from £95)

4. Set of Painted Iron Tables - Nordal £90 (reduced from £150)

5. Small Metal Bird - Nordal £18 (reduced from 30)

6. Colour Turquoise - Pantone 15-5519

7. Ballerina Pumps - Toast £10 (reduced from £55). 

8. Frames within a frame - Nordal £60 (reduced from £100)

9. Printed Cotton Dress - Toast £55 (reduced from £199)