I Designed a Clothing Collection!

I’m not good with the build up to things in some ways. I hated being engaged for example, but very happy being married. So, after over two years of hard work behind the scenes, I’m very excited today is the day my capsule collection I designed with British brand WNU is out and ready to shop. And even better, I’m still as excited to wear it as the day it formed in my mind’s eye.

Pip, the found of WNU, and I first met and chatted about doing something together several years ago but the timing never quite aligned. Finally in 2024, we set things into motion and got designing together. I immediately knew I wanted to focus on crisp, cotton poplin (my favourite thing to wear when it’s hot and sticky) and I loved the idea of creating easy, pull-on pieces that felt like suitcase staples wherever I was going. I thought about being in Greece, Cornwall, Wales or the Costa Brava and what I’d want to wear in all of those spots. But crucially, I wanted it to all work at home in London or seeing friends in New York too. I wanted that holiday and home wardrobe to truly cross over and come together.

The result of all this summer scheming is this collection; pocketed cotton mini dresses, drawstring trousers and shorts, stripy jersey and oversized shirting. All of the pieces are named after my favourite spots with great summer memories but I really wanted them to be ripe and ready for everyone’s personal interpretation of summer style. That’s what I like the most when I’m lucky enough to design a collection - seeing what and how other people wear it all.

Paid subscribers, there’s a discount code for you at the end of this e-mail and I’ll drop it in the subscribers chat too.

Ok let me walk you through it.

1. The Andros dress in white - She’s itsy bitsy in length but easy breezy in volume with pockets and adjustable straps. Named after the island where we got married (apt for a LWD), she’s made for hot city days and lazy island lunches. I’m wearing a size 8.

2. The Andros dress in brown - Exactly the same as above but in a neutral, soft-hued brown. Supremely flattering and ideal for those of us who end up wearing our coffee. I’m wearing the Port Lligat Shirt over it below to make a kind of shirt dress.

   

   

3. The Sifnos trousers in cobalt - I have a feeling these are going to be a favourite. Yes, I know I need to get over my thing for blue but I feel like my blue crush has really peaked with these. Slouchy but straight-legged with a drawstring waist and both side and back pockets, they’re bold but easy to wear. So good with black and white basics, they need little else to make a look. I’m wearing a size 8.

4. The Sifnos trousers in white - The same shape and style as before but in bright white for wearing with everything and anything. They’re being pulled on over every bikini and for every 40 degree tube journey this summer.

5. The Sennen jumper - A classic cotton crewneck sweater that feels like a Nancy Meyers movie. Slouchy, nostalgic and soft, every great British summer needs a sweater and this one’s named after our new base in Cornwall.

6. The Ceiriad Shorts in white- I don’t know what it is about little shorts and wellies but it always feels good to me. These are named after a favourite beach in North Wales that we always walk to around the headland. They feel just as essential with a big jumper in Wales as they do beach bound in the Balearics.

7. The Ceiriad Shorts in Icy Blue - Sometimes white just won’t do, you need something that feels less minimal and more sun-faded. These little shorts have more of that boxer feel thanks to the colourway - just right with tank tops, vintage t-shirts and bright red jumpers.

8. The Port Llilgat Shirt - This one is like the unassuming best friend who doesn’t realise she’s actually the main character. An understated wardrobe hero, I’m really excited about this one. Named after Dali’s home on the Costa brava, this one is chic, refined and a little bit masculine all at once. So good with the Sifnos pants or doubling up over the Andros dress for a makeshift shirt dress. I’m wearing a medium here.

9. The Katergo jersey - As soon as I saw WNU had moved into jersey I wanted in. This was a late edition to the collection but Katergo is the glue that ties it all together. Our one little nod to WNU’s signature stripes, Katergo has that kind of 1970s Made in Hollywood retro feel that never dates. Everyone’s favourite from our recent trip to Devon too.

   

   

10. The Soller shirt - Our bright, bold cobalt trousers needed a top-half friend so the Sifnos shirt was born. I’m not normally a huge co-ord person but when I styled it as a twosome on our gorgeous e-comm model I sold it to myself. A relaxed, loose shirt with our signature vertical front pocket and tab hook (not a technical term!) on the back shoulder panel, it has a little workwear feel to it. Also excellent with the pale blue shorts and white trousers.

For paid subscribers, I have a discount code for you if there’s anything you’re wanting to add to cart.