THE 5 brands to support this Black Friday
Black Friday is HERE, and its time to celebrate five of my favourite independent and female founded brands. Why’s that you ask?! Well, every time you buy from a small business, they do a happy dance (myself included) and what a lovely and heart-warming image that is!
I have had a HUGE shift in the way I want to give back to the universe. I want to surround myself with brands that I adore but also have a story behind them. Personally, I think this gives their clothing so much more meaning and substance behind them. When someone compliments how gorgeous you look, you can now share their story with whoever has complimented you which is a great convo starter and helps spread the word of how amazing independent brands are.
So, before you get sucked into the masses of Black Friday deals, grab a coffee and take a look at my personally curated picks from 5 women who’s work I truly cherish.
Founded by the gorgeous Carrie (THIS YEAR) who I have had the pleasure of finally meeting IRL. Carrie is hands down the best interior print protégé on this planet. She has designed for the iconic Liberty London and super trendy print house, House of Hackney. Tired of sub-standard print design within fashion, Carrie aspired to create her own range of exquisite clothing, by applying the same superior level of print design she practices when creating wallpaper… and my god she has gone above and beyond!
My personal fave piece in Carries Black Friday sale is the Alexa Dress, but I am equally obsessed with her rocket print on her Rhiannon blouse… dress it up, dress it down, layer it up or its perfect in a cool summer evening (lol what even is summer… but it will come back round again)
Spirit and Grace has been set up by the dreamy Emily, who I am yet to meet IRL, but will do some day soon! 2021… we are coming for you! Her beautiful vision is to create luxurious yet affordable pieces that are timeless, season-less and embody the beautiful spirit that wears them, with each style designed with integrity… and I can assure you she has most definitely nailed this! She seamlessly fills the gap between the high-street and luxury fashion with her timeless, distinctive and transitional pieces designed to be worn from morning to midnight.
She is a huge champion of slow-fashion and produces in limited runs to limit my footprint and keep waste to a minimum, whilst also ensuring each piece is special and retains an air of exclusivity for its wearer… so quick head over to shop her limited 40% off before they sell out! I recommend the exquisite Nova dress.
Sarah and I met before I trained to be a Personal Stylist at a trade show for wholesale brands in Birmingham. I was instantly hooked on her colourful shoe collection and she has supported my business from day one. Sarah started Yull in 2011 whilst at uni. Like me, Sarah Yull went through the Prince's Trust enterprise and set up manufacturing for high heels in the UK. I am proud to say she is still one of the only independent shoe brands manufacturing high heels in Britain.
Ethical & sustainable values are founded in her roots and always at the centre of what she does, she also has some vegan options in her collection. Shoes made to save the world! If youre a heels kinda gal’ go for any colourways of the Gloucester boot or if you like a trainer I adore the Norfolk Clove. She has kindly set up my own code for an extra 10% off her black Friday deal with the code Sian10 so get shopping!!
If you caught last weeks blog, you’ll all know how obsessed I am with Kastur (if you missed it catch it here) We found each other through a mutual friend Warandrobe and when Rajvi got in touch to introduce her handmade collection, I literally ran over to her beautiful boutique in Marylebone as quickly as I possibly could. The best thing about Kastur Jewels …is how incredibly proud I am to be wearing them! I could not wait to tell people about them and spreading the word! They quite literally put a spring in my step, I feel pulled together and they do not hurt my sensitive ears. Kastur has up to 50% off a selection of her collection, shop quickly as she only makes 2 or 3 pairs of each of her pieces so they will sell out asap. Ill be purchasing the Heritage Mis Matched Earrings unless you beat me to it!
Carla and I go way back to 2014, we met when I was interning at a print studio where she was a freelance print designer and she was the only person who took the time to get to know me. We kept in touch and it was Carla who hooked me up with my first styling role out in Ibiza and if Im honest, wouldn’t have discovered the world of styling and may not even have started up my business without my experiences she has helped me with!
Carla was the first woman I had ever met who had her own business and she was and still is such an inspiration to me. The MONA SWIMS collections have a unique sense of style and an enticingly dramatic atmosphere, creating MONA - a dark siren, born out of Irish folklore. The collections are influenced by a mysterious world – a land of icy seas, rough tides, desolate beaches and dramatic, rugged coastlines. I own a Phoenix pair of leggings (just ordered my second) as well as a bikini and a one piece and I can honestly say, I feel incredible in them… so go shop till you drop!
I have adored going down memory lane and thinking back to when I first met this group of luscious women. I write from the heart (as I always do) but this collection is so important to me, I hope you’d like to support one of these sensational brands this black Friday, and I hope you love my collection as much as I do.
Thank you for reading, and if you have made it to the bottom, Id like to offer you 20% off my services or gift vouchers (I also style men if you’re looking for a different kind of Christmas gift!) if you book them with me by Sunday 29th November at midnight.
Big stylish wishes,
Sian x
