Designing A Capsule Collection With James Lakeland

This week I got the chance to do something that I never thought I would, or possibly, could do. Women’s wear designer James Lakeland invited five bloggers to his London studio where we were given the chance to help compile a capsule collection for SS13.

James first  began his career working at his fathers manufacturing business that specialised in luxury suede, leather, men’s and women’s wear. Having launched his first capsule knitwear label in 2000, he quickly gained a loyal customer following and today has expanded his family run business throughout the UK, selling clothing for women sized 8 to 20 in key department stores and independent boutiques.

Designed in London and and made in Italy, the pieces are both effortlessly elegant and luxurious as demonstrated by the AW12 samples that were on display in the studio upon our arrival.

After an introduction from James, we each took a bag containing a plain white garment and were directed to choose from a table of fabrics and trims to customise our piece. Mine was a dress  that I instantly saw in two colours (yep….still stuck on the colour blocking) & I pounced on the soft pink and taupe taffeta. I wanted a trim along the edge where the skirt dropped away into soft draping but was a little unsure of what to go for at first. With a little encouragement I finally settled on some beautiful bright blue beading on a chocolate brown ribbon.

When James took a look at my interpretation and demonstrated how the taffeta would look with the cut and draping and then mentioned the words “…very Sarah Jessica Parker” I had to try really hard not to clap my hands together in sheer delight! He explained how he designs by draping fabric on mannequins as opposed to sketching and once I’d seen the fabric come to life, I absolutely understood why.

L – R: James Lakeland, Me, Ella Masters, Sarah Haley Owen, Tala Sammon & Kylie Martin

I was thrilled to be part of such an amazing event and can’t wait to see the finished results of both mine and my fellow bloggers designs. Watch this space!

Huge thanks to James, his lovely welcoming team and Dee Vesali PR.