I’m a hopeless romantic by nature, so whether it was by coincidence or some subconscious mindset, this is one of the most romantic collections I’ve designed in recent years (also - getting engaged does that to a person!). From the colour palette, to the silhouettes, to the garment’s names - every detail feels hopeful in a way that almost feels rebellious for this time of year.
The starting point for my designs was a floral jacquard fabric woven by one of Italy's most prestigious luxury mills. The pressed floral design is woven directly into the fabric to create this incredible texture and depth. Discovering it reminded me of my childhood and the afternoons I spent pressing flowers from mum’s garden. It was a way to preserve a little piece of spring and summer, and those tiny keepsakes became something to uncover on cold winter days when mum’s picking garden was suddenly bare.
This idea of preservation; of memories, nature, and the clothes we deem worth holding onto runs through The optimist’s winter: Silhouettes and fabrics that feel tender and hopeful, alongside voyeuristic silhouettes for those escaping to warmer climates. Softly tailored blazers, silk organza with delicate ruffles and neatly folded pleats, and effortless cotton dresses to be layered or worn on their own with little fuss.
Lately I’ve been thinking about how one of the best things about holding onto clothes is that you can go entire chapters of your life where you don’t reach for them at all - they don’t fit the current version of yourself, or who you’re trying to become - but you leave them in your wardrobe anyway… preserving them like pressed flowers for the inevitable moment when you can’t decide what to wear and reach for the jacket you almost forgot you had.
It’s that small joy of being reunited with an old, new, favourite.
