Deep Down Inside
Do not despair dear readers you have not been forsaken. Mirroring Mother Nature at this time of year there has been loads going on under the surface of Cerise UK and the tiny shoots of new loveliness are just beginning to show.
We have been developing an exclusive range of jewellery and accessory goodies just for our special Cerise UK clients. That's you by the way!
I've had the privilege of working with Vicky Davies, Anna Lovell, Hetty Rose, Miss Budd and even our very own Simon Rees in bringing this special line alive.
First past the post with her finished piece is the wonderful bespoke shoe and accessories designer Hetty Rose. Many of you will have had the pleasure of visiting the shop either on a Sunday or during one of Hetty's special events and enjoying the wonder of her work first hand. Nothing beats the experience of seeing and feeling the vintage kimono fabrics that are used to make these beauties. If you are truly lucky then you might just fit the sample size and get a small taste of the all important comfort factor that comes free with every pair. I say a small taste because your very own pair would have been made after Hetty has taken careful measurements, drawings and photos of your feet to assure that all of your individual foot characteristics have been considered.
The Hetty Rose website has a detailed how page where one lovely client tells of her merry adventures in shoe land but I thought that you might want to see the process for the Cerise UK shoe. It started over a cappuccino, as all the best ideas do, for a style that would be unique to us. They would not only be on permanent display but also would be available to order from Madame Rose herself. I went away with a caffeine and curiosity buzz wondering what the delightful HR would come up with. Well a few weeks later I got an email through on my phone with this photo attached.
"Wow, what a print!" I thought. I have to admit that I was a bit of a kimono cretin before I met Hetty. I assumed that all of the prints were basically vivid florals . I had no idea how many patterns and colours and textures that kimono fabric came in much less that some of the designs tell stories.
The next stage was particularly fab as I finally had a clue as to what the design might be although this still takes a good stretch of imagination. Oh the possibilities were endless...
The wait was soon over and I got to see a shot of the finished product. It goes without saying that I was blown away! I love the fabric wrapping under the platform and the line up to the Serious heel. The subtle bronze metallic leather just adds all the zing you'll ever need for a fitting finishing touch. Speaking of fitting although these weren't made just for me they were created in my size so expect to see all 6'1" of me swanning around the shop at some point this summer!
Enough about me. If this little display has got you hankering to get your hands on a pair of your very own then please email Hetty to discuss your requirements. Remember that the fun of this the fact that it is a bespoke service. Want bright pink fabric and gold leather then go for it! Need to take the heel down a bit? Ask what Hetty can do for you. Also be sure to have a look at her other styles and fabrics if you are planning something for a special occasion. Kimono is also not your only fabric choice. If suitable, extra wedding dress material could be made into shoes for the bride or perhaps clutch bags for the bridesmaids. You'll never know if you don't ask...
Need to drop a mega hint to you know who?? Well then look no further than a limited edition, gold leafed, Hetty Rose gift voucher. Individually made by Hetty's own fair hands and available directly from our website!
Too Young for Mother’s Day
For anyone fighting last minute Mother's Day panic here is a guest post with some great ideas on how to make her day special. I am pleased to welcome back Carmen Morris-Coulson, director of Plan My Life, a lifestyle solutions company that offers a professional organising service for busy people.
Am I kidding myself when I say that I'm too young to actively celebrate Mother's day? I have fond childhood memories of Mothering Sunday, my sister and I would take great delight in getting our Mother the ideal gift. Our presents were always handed over with great anticipation that Mother would rip them open impatiently and declare them the best yet, unfortunately she never played ball, and her gifts were always left unopened late into the evening until we nagged her into submission. To our annoyance Mother often suggested that we open them for her. It wasn't lack of appreciation, (we regularly over heard her boasting to her friends about the 'beautiful 'handbag we bought her some days later), its just that Mother didn't dance to anyone's tune except her own.
With only two days to go to plan the perfect gift don't despair; although I still think I'm not ready to celebrate Mother's Day and my 4 1/2 year old is too young to know what it means (she asked me when little girl's day was - I said everyday) there are still things that I would enjoy.
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Afternoon tea - if you live in North London, Bake-a-Boo www.bake-a-boo.com is just marvellous, the fairy cakes are enough to warrant a visit. There is a lot of debate about the correct time to have afternoon tea, I would say any time between 2.30 - 4.30pm is fine and to ensure a stress free tea but everything you need today or tomorrow. Below is a handy checklist: -
Finger sandwiches with or without crusts
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A selection of tea
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Teapot (lovely but optional)
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Tea strainer / infuser for loose leaf tea
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Cakes
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Savoury items (optional)
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Tea cups (not mugs) and saucers
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Milk jug
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Table cloth
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Cake stand (optional)
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Napkins
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Home cooked meals for a week, if you have little or no skills in that department get someone else to do it for you. Black Pot Catering www.blackpot.co.uk will prepare, cook and deliver a week's supply of food straight to your kitchen. 
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Theatre tokens www.theatretokens.com are a nice gift and they are widely accepted in most theatres from small regional to London's West End theatres.
Colour and Fun in the Sun
Okay so proper Spring isn't quite here yet but days like today are certainly getting us all in the mood. The sun was out in full effect over E2 so it won't be long now until our latest offerings at Cerise UK come into their own.
The ever lovely Lowie label have brought us Limited Edition Flatcaps and Organic Cotton Handcrafted Beanies in a range of fresh colours. Turquoise, cream, black and this season's super hot coral are used to maximum effect in this wonderful collection. Be sure to look out for the matching wraps coming soon.
Going Beyond
Today I got great call out of the blue from the wonderful ladies at Beyond Skin. They were up from London and wanted to get together and discuss their fantastic vegetarian and vegan friendly accessories. I first had the pleasure of meeting the dynamic duo behind this super ethical label a month ago at London Fashion Week. The buzz around the Estethica section of the show was definitely echoed on their stand as I witnessed the "oohs and ahhhs" of visitors as I waited for my turn to have a nose.
Natalie(right) and Heather have created a luxury shoe brand that is totally free from animal products and kinder to the wider environment. Known by eco fashionistas for producing glam shoes that go the distance in both style and sustainability this season sees them branching out into distinctive bags and belts.
As they were visiting a boutique in my local area I arranged to meet them in one of my favourite nibble haunts Coffee Cake. My daughter Georgia was with me as she was on an inset day and we rushed from her last minute appointment at the hair dressers to our destination just in time to see the girls tucking into their drinks. Quick introductions aside and we got down to the business of talking about the virtues of going skin free. Natalie went into detail about the advantages of veggie suede and skins in their ease of use, ability to clean and how many new types of patterns and materials there were available to use. A committed vegan she explained how she wanted not only to provide an alternative to exotic skins but to open a debate on the industry. She is seeking transparency on exactly where these skins are coming from and how both the animals and the human workers involved were being treated. I was impressed by the knowledge and the enthusiasm that both she and Heather had for their products.
I stated to Natalie that I am a meat eater and a leather retailer and so couldn't be hypocritical about the use of skins. However I do seek to have as personal a relationship as I can with all of my suppliers and to know as much as I can about their practices and chains of manufacture. It was great to be able to have such an open and friendly discussion about our views even though we were coming to ethical manufacture from different places. Also I am very excited about Cerise UK stocking Beyond Skin because I value the importance of choice and welcome the opportunity to enable women to source such exquisite non animal based accessories. Not everyone will be wanting to live a full skin free life but even having a few pieces in your wardrobe is better than nothing so the easier this option is to find the better in my humble opinion.
Now if I could just stop drooling over their shoes.......
Belts and Bags
The new product parade rolls on here at Cerise UK. Today's offering comes from Steven Harkin Design with a wide belt deserving to grace your waist.
If you have a waist a) I'm jealous and b) this will showcase it in a most spectacular fashion. If you are midline challenged, like my good self, then this will fake it for fabulousness! It is also extremely versatile in sizing with it's many hole positions for the belt buckles and looks great whether the leather sides are touching or not. The leather in question also happens to be a rather eco friendly vegetable tanned leather from Italy so it will help to please your inner green queen.
A small approximately fits a size 8 to 12 and medium sizes 12 to 16, imagine my joy at discovering a stunning belt that I can actually eat in!!!!!!
On the discovery tip, the lovely Sheridan Smith has discovered Steven Harkin Design. She has been seen out with the Kylie Clutch in her grasp at both the Brits and the Laurence Olivier Awards. Let it inspire you to create your own red carpet moment.
Heads Up
The new products are rolling in thick and fast this week! Take a look at this wonderful selection of handmade headpieces from Christine Bec. I don't know about you but these have got me craving a special Summer party. Now what couple can I convince to marry at short notice?????
Newness
I just wanted to show you what's gone up on the site today!
First up we have two delicious offerings from the Carla Beeby label.
This is the new Daphne Bag in Petrol Blue. Now this little stunner also comes in Coral which sold out in it's first day in the shop! Not to worry though there will be more coming in the next few weeks.
Here in the coral colour is Carla Beeby's second delight, the Paso Doble clutch. This fantastic little fold over clutch will be just perfect for summer garden parties and has the added security of a comfy wrist strap. Great for anyone who tends to loose themselves in the spirit of the occasion and put things down where they shouldn't. Ahem!
Also new on site today is the return of the ever popular Vintage Straw Trilbys by Christine Bec. I won't blather on about these except to say that last year's version they sold out and were the most requested accessory on Cerise UK after featuring in The Saturday Times. Don't leave it too late....
For the truly deserving
Life is full of ironic little twists. Take yesterday for example. How delicious that I should put together a newsletter focusing on Mother's Day on the very day that my dear son comes down with the chicken pox. I won't bore you with the details but between his fevers and uncomfortable pustules, his elder sister's obsessive hair loathing, and his eldest sister's GCSE apathy I think I've earned my stripes this week.
So here is a little something for anyone that has ever answered to the call, "Mummy!"
Especially when it's followed by, "Can you wipe my bottom?"
Cerise UK gift vouchers are the perfect answer for those who aren't quite sure what the lady in question might prefer. Now available to purchase and, should you be the lucky recipient,to spend both online and in our shop.
It was another act of fate that brought me to meet the lovely Colette who is the hands and the brains behind the luxury card company Something for the Girls. We met while at the stall of a mutual friend at a London trade show. Although I'm not not a card retailer I just had to find a way to incorporate her beautiful handmade wares into our little community. As a result we now have these beautiful customised cards to showcase our vouchers and we give her "Bags of Love" note cards free with our internet orders.
It just goes to show that fate isn't always having a laugh.
Sometimes the cards do really fall in your favour.
Fantastic Florals
They are here and up at last! Last Sunday's visitors got the first look at these amazing silk scarves and wraps from Carol Lake and the comments were impressive. We now have the pleasure of presenting them to you all on our Cerise UK website.
Taking inspiration from beautiful English country gardens, Carol Lake, who has previously designed for Nina Campbell and Lulu Guiness, has created her first collection of stunning floral silk hand painted scarves and lined wraps.
Made in the UK, the scarves are digitally printed onto either silk satin or crepe de chine. The luxury wraps are printed on to silk satin and have a coordinating silk satin lining.
When asked about the driving force behind her creations Carol said: 'I am particularly inspired by the changes in colour and types of flowers as the seasons change. I love the idea of wearing and being surrounded by fabrics, that echo what's happening in nature outside at the same time.
'I particularly like the way this collection is vibrant and celebrates how amazing flowers are and that they feel very special to wear.'
'I am continuing the British tradition of hand-painting in textiles, which is a dying art and combining it with modern technology.'
Get ready show how your garden grows at all of your special spring and summer events.
A warm welcome to Stephanie Ray
Cerise UK is happy to welcome jeweller Stephanie Ray to our little family. Steph's bamboo and sterling silver jewellery is a gorgeous use of a sustainable vegetation and precious metal.
I read with interest the article in Thursday night's The London Paper on "Throwaway Chic". I had thought about unpleasant effect of fast fashion in terms of the sheer volume of chucked out clothes and accessories. However I've never stopped to think about the kinds of toxins that could be released back into the soil and food chain by things like discarded PVC.
Stephanie Ray jewellery is not only produced from sustainable sources of bamboo but is handmade by Steph in her studio just a bus ride away from our shop in London. Thus helping to keep the "accessory miles" down and giving us as a stockist direct contact with the maker. This close and transparent relationship to our designers is our favourite way to work, slow fashion style.