Temperley tea party

Temperley is one of those big fashion labels that despite having an international following, has succeeded in retaining a local identity.  Perhaps it is because Alice herself is a hippie chick, whose heart if never far from her somerset scrumpy-growing roots.  This weekend I was invited to a launch at the head office/main shop just off Westbourne Grove.  Following the Temperley signs the journey may not be quite what you would expect of the label that dresses the Middletons....

 .....am I lost this doesn't look like a shopping hot spot?....

...........I've just zipped up my bag and put my phone away...

ta dah! not what I had expected at the end of this street....

Temperley is acutally a row of 3 mews houses and it is beautiful...

The union jack building and the burgandy painted row are all part of the shop.
It is so inviting on the outside and inside is equally cosy, and the welcome had a warmth to match.  Usually everyone just stands around looking at the collection in silence.  This was quite different, the sales assistants and prs introduced customers and press as they came in, so that every one was properly greeted and encouraged to chat.  We were offered tea or champagne and delicious nibbles.

 

There was also a beautician on hand offering mini manicures and make up retouches. It wasn't a famous name make up house, just a local girl who was distributing her cards for home facials and beauty treatments.

Similarly shoes were on offer from a new independent label called Emmy, a young 30 something from Islington who is trying to launch herself in the accessories world. Which other big fashion label would offer this kind of chance, when they have their own shoe range to sell?

And now for the collection, it was beautiful can you spot me in the shadows?.....