Archive for November, 2009

Ethical, stylish & totally fabulous!

Monday, November 30th, 2009

TLSP5861 Kelly Knox @Models for Diversity,Makeup Emily Jan Williams, Dress Minna.co.uk,Stockings Cervin,BagMakki, Photographer Terri TLSphoto Stylist Lupe CastroWe are very fortunate to know and work with some amazing people in the fashion industry and Lupe Castro, an ethical fashion stylist who found us via our friends at Fur Coat No Knickers is no exception. We lent her some shoes recently for a photoshoot and the results are amazing, have a look at some of the shots here on our blog. Because we love to be involved with companies and individuals with passions like ours, we caught up with Lupe for a quick chat…

M.Cheetham photographer0361,Amanda Models of diversity, Ethical Stylist Lupe Castro, Dress Amoosi, stockings Cervin, Shoes Rachel Simpson,Jewellery Kate Hamilton Hunter,Make up Alexis Day.Venue The WestburyTell us a bit about your company, who you are, where you started out
I am an experienced and passionate independent ethical fashion stylist, working with individuals, celebrities, the media and fashion industry to ensure stunning, individual looks coupled with the very cutting edge of ethical, traceable, sustainable fashion and style. I also do sourcing and styling for magazine and advertising shoots, catwalks and shows.

TLSP6208,Shafina at Models for Diversity,Makeup Alexis Day, DressAnatomyFa shion,Shoes Rachel Simpson,Stockings Cervin,Jewellery Kate HH Stylist Lupe CastroWhat’s your best seller?
Hmmm I guess what I love doing best and what gives me the biggest buzz making the clothes that women wear, that reflects the real personality they are.

What should the 21st century ‘Fashionista’ be looking out for next season?
Lots of Gold and Coral Red, medium sized prints..

Which designer from your industry inspires you and why?
Crumb! hard question – I love so many I am in awe of the way some just cut clothing to reveal the figures so beautifully

TLSP6160Amanda &Ollie Models of diversity, Ethical Stylist Lupe Castro, Dress Amoosi, Jewellery Kate Hamilton Hunter,Stockings Cervin,Make up Alexis Day. DJ from Lipman &Sons for HireVenue The Westbury MayfairCelebrity shoppers, anyone we know?
Recently for shoots I have styled Deborah Meadon and Miranda Richardson, I love and admire both so it was mind blowing!!!

What are you looking forward to for the rest of the year?
Styling Summer Rayne Oaks and seeing Rachel’s new collection!

Describe your personal style
Glamour to get you noticed

What is your biggest fashion faux pas?
Aha that would be telling – involves a fancy dress party that wasn’t and a 1950’s swim suit!

TLSP6231T,Shafina at Models for Diversity,Makeup Alexis Day, DressAnatomyFa shion,Shoes Rachel Simpson,Stockings Cervin,Jewellery Kate HH Stylist Lupe CastroThink back to your first ‘shoe’ purchase when you were younger, describe them please. They were silk, a gorgeous rich noticeable blue with lots of Swarovski. I think they might have been Rayne got a whiff that someone was selling their collection….and I fell in love!

What is your favourite pair of Rachel Simpson shoes?
Hard question, I love so many of them particularly Lily, Bijou, Perla (the latter are so fab on wider feet)

Describe Rachel Simpson Shoes in three words.
Glamour. Vintage with comfort.
MichaelCheetham-13Oct09-0288MichaelCheetham-13Oct09-0161
With thanks to Terri Shield and Michael Cheetham for the fantastic photography. Also thank to the gorgeous models from Models of Diversity.

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Cocktails & Party Heels

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

Cocktail Invite
We’re very excited to invite you along to one of our fabulous pre-Christmas events. This Wednesday 25th November from 5.30pm at the Living Room bar and restaurant on Broad Street, Birmingham, Rachel Simpson Shoes showcases it’s brand new Cocktail Collection with a funky catwalk show, complimentary cocktail on arrival and your chance to purchase the perfect show-stopping pair of vintage inspired heels for your Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Our friends from the Wedding Club will be working with us on our catwalk show, mixing some of their party and occasion wear with our collection of jewel-toned delights.
So what are you waiting for? Shoes and cocktails – the perfect Christmas combination! For further info please call Bran @ Mother Brown PR on 07903 883 788.. See you there!

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The Boutique is open!

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009

Honeys
Earlier this month we told you about an exciting new venture that we are involved with in Henley In Arden.

Honeys, The Boutique is now officially open and we had an amazing day at our official launch lastSaturday. The Town Crier, together with the High and Low Bailiff cut the ribbon and proclaimed to the whole town, the opening of the new shop.

Walk in through the front door and you enter a true haven of luxury and from the ground floor upwards, you can treat yourself to designer lingerie courtesy of Honeys Lingerie Boutique which sells some of the most amazing designer lingerie sourced from the world’s leading underwear designer names. Alongside our beautiful shoes on the first floor are bespoke designer hats from Sharper Millinery, an amazing hat designer from Birmingham who will be showcasing her fabulous designs and working with customers to produce incredible one-off designs for parties, weddings, ladies days etc and not forgetting, beauty treatments, nailcare and handbags all on the second floor!

The full Rachel Simpson collection is all instore to view and try on, including the brand new Cocktail Collection. You’re welcome to pop in anytime, but if you would like to arrange an appointment please contact us via the website, and Rachel or one of the team will meet you there for a coffee and some shoe trying on!

The shop is open six days a week and can be found at 129 High Street, Henley in Arden, Warwickshire, B95 5AU

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Shoes, Hats and Lingerie…

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Honeys 1We are so excited about lots of things happening in the world of shoes and as always, we want you to hear about it first!

There will be blogs a-plenty over the next couple of weeks dear reader, so watch this space, but for now the big news!

We’re coming to Henley In Arden this weekend. From Saturday 14th November we will have our own concession in a fabulous new boutique called Honeys Lingerie Boutique, which will be selling some of the most amazing designer lingerie sourced from the world’s leading underwear designer names.

We are so proud to be working alongside Honeys and although we currently have over 50 stockists across the UK in the most incredible boutiques and stores, this is the first shop that we will be actively involved in, meeting our customers face to face and fitting them with the perfect shoe, whether it be bridal or occasion wear or something from our brand new Cocktail collection perhaps?

We’re also excited to be working alongside Sharper Milinery – an amazing hat designer from Birmingham who will be showcasing her fabulous designs and working with customers to produce incredible one-off designs for parties, weddings, ladies days etc.

So what are you waiting for? The best combination of designer shoes, hats and lingerie all under one roof and all calling your name!

Come and join us at the opening on Saturday 14th November from 10am at 129 High Street, Henley in Arden, Warwickshire B95 5AU. Champagne and canapés await..!

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Lovely Lilly shoes for Megan, our latest competition winner!

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

MeganA couple of months ago we asked customers to send in their gorgeous photos to be in with a chance of winning a pair of Lilly in black lace and satin. The lucky winner was Megan Rourke from London, who married hubbie Chris in July. We absolutely love her 1930s style dress, complete with 100 year old French lace! Megan wore Mimi in ivory, as they matched her vintage theme perfectly. We caught up with Megan last week and asked her a few questions…

How did you come across Rachel Simpson Shoes?
I went to the National Wedding Show in London last year (2008) for wedding ideas, and Rachel Simpson Shoes had a stand there. I really loved the vintage style and feel to the shoes. We were going for a vintage look for our wedding so I picked up a card and signed up to the mailing list.

What is your favourite design from the Rachel Simpson Shoe collections and why?
My favourite design from the collection at the moment is from the new range, Sophia. I think its so beautifully elegant, very vintage and I love the champagne strap detail. Perfect to dress up any occasion, but if they’d been available when I got married earlier in the year, they’re the shoes I would have chosen to wear.

Are you wearing your winning shoes for a special occasion, if so please tell us a bit about it?
I will be wearing my winning shoes to my brother’s upcoming wedding, the date is still TBA but it will be within the next 18 months. It will be taking place in South Africa, which is where my brother lives. I also have a posh Christmas function coming up so I’ll have to show them off then. Now I just need to find the dress!

How important are the finishing touches (like shoes) to your outfit?
I didn’t realise just how important a pair of shoes could be to an outfit and just how much they can add to the look as a whole. I focused most of my attention on my dress for my wedding, I knew I wanted beautiful shoes too but I didn’t place as much importance on them at the time. On the day of the wedding though I had so many guests admiring them and when I finally saw the photos I was really wowed by the way they complimented my dress. They went perfectly and were so beautiful and elegant they actually enhanced my dress and my look.

When choosing the right shoe, what things do you look for (i.e. Style, comfort, price, finishing touches)
I think comfort is very important, especially when you’re going to be wearing a pair of heels all day. I didn’t get much chance to ‘break’ my new wedding shoes in. I chose Mimi in ivory for my wedding and though I’d tried them on I’d not actually worn them. On the day though they did me proud and they were more comfortable than I could have hoped for, I was still dancing in them late in to the evening! I think little details like finishing touches add so much to the entire look. They just add to the wow factor. I do consider price, especially for our wedding, with everything costing so much, we tried to keep things in budget as much as we could but spending a little bit extra on my beautiful shoes was worth every penny.

Would you recommend Rachel Simpson Shoes to your family and friends?
Yes I would definitely (and have) recommend Rachel Simpson to friends and family, in fact my friend Liz got married in September in a pair of Mimi shoes, after she spied mine when I got married in July!

Sum up for us in three words, how you feel in your Rachel Simpson shoes
Gorgeous, elegant, vintage

How did you feel when you heard you’d won the competition?
I couldn’t believe it. I really didn’t expect to win, especially when I saw how many other brides had sent in photographs, but it was so nice to be able to send in a photo from our wedding for the gallery, and to see other brides in their beautiful dresses and shoes. I just love the fact that everyone has such a unique style. I am so thrilled with my shoes and can’t wait to show them off! They are gorgeous. Winning this competition has really added to the memory of our wedding and it means that though I may not be able to wear my wedding shoes too often in the future, I have so many opportunities to be able to wear my winning shoes and they will always be a reminder of our wedding. Thank you so much!

Thanks Megan, and enjoy your brother’s wedding! 

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