ruby shirt

Introducing the Ruby shirt, a 1950s style striped shirt with raglan sleeves and gentle puffing at cuffs. It has a classic nipped in waist and open neck collar. The collar is made from hand embroidered hankies featuring delicate buttercups and forget me nots. Underneath is a hidden contrast Liberty print undercollar, perfect for popping up over the top of your coat, or wrapping a neck scarf around. Finished with zesty hot orange buttons. 

 

The Ruby shirts will be made in several different fabrics, this is an example of the softer Wild Flowers series which is a delicate soft cotton version featuring hand embroidered collars to be worn with a high waisted skirts during long summer nights or pastel coloured capri trousers while out riding bicycles in the sunshine. We're working on the workwear collection also which will see our signature 6 shirts being given a work wear twist, in order to be worn during the day toiling at your craft, typing at your desk or running around frazzled keeping the world turning.   

            

As soon as summer truly arrives we have a very exciting photoshoot scheduled in order to photograph all our signature shirts for our lookbook. Exciting!

shirts

Shirts. Shirts. Shirts. I can always get excited about a shirt. They seem to have made an even bigger resurgence this season, buttoned to the neck, button down collars, bow ties, pussy galore long bows, collar tips, cufflinks, boyfriend fit, puff sleeve, peter pan... It's endless.


Men have many options when it comes to shirts: Ben Sherman, Brutus, Fred Perry, all the classic brands not to mention tailored options from Burtons, Hawes and Curtis, T M Lewin, and higher end options like Vivienne Westwood, Ted Baker, Hugo Boss and Ralph Lauren. The hours I've spent scrambling through rails in charity shops at lightning speed, hunting for that iconic polo player embroidered on the pocket. Most men I know, no matter how fashion conscious or unconscious, has at least one expensive shirt in their collection and could name at least a few places where they could go, should they need another.

Last year I took part in an embroidery event at the Hacketts mens tailors in Sloane Square, hand monogramming handkerchieves for customers; and whilst there I took in just how incredible the inside of a working men's tailoring company is. There was a private workroom behind a velvet curtain where all the highly skilled tailors beavered away on orders, the walls papered in mock pattern pieces. Front of house had all the possible options for suits, trousers, jackets, shirts all displayed on rails and mirrors all around for clients to admire themselves in. In particular, the display of men's collar options looked incredible, all pristine in a display case.


I have been secretly working for the last few months on a collection of bespoke shirts, for women! I don't feel there are as many options for women to go and find a beautiful shirt, in a particular colour or style, where they are able to choose their own detailing, collars, cuffs, fit and style as men do. The initial collection of 6 styles will debut in the shop over the coming weeks, with introductions to each style as we go along. Some have a modern shape, whilst others are inspired by original 1940s and 1950s shirts, all with secret details and hidden treats. The first style: the 'Ruby', will appear next week.

      

For more shirt inspiration, see my 'Shirt' board on pinterest.