The Caravan of Love: Hi Summer 2012 @ Next

If the Next Hi Summer 2012 press show didn't entice its visitors to go on a staycation this Summer, then I'm not sure what would!

The caravan of love was indeed the star of the show, fully decked out with the key home collection of the forthcoming season, Cream Tea gives more than a nostalgic nod to all things British - with strawberry prints taking over everything from deck chairs to picnic hampers. Union jack cake stands and felt-embroidered bunting are sure to play a part in the country's Jubilee street parties, whilst the red, white & blue theme carries over into the Olympics, with London applique cushions and red telephone box lanterns - this really is the time to celebrate being British!

"Oh I do like to be beside the seaside..."


The coastal theme couldn't have leant itself better to children's wear, with key outfits housed in Next's very own garden sheds (cleverly painted up to look like cute, Norfolk inspired beach huts.)

Bold, vegetal brights are even more dominant than they were for SS12, with rainbow chinos and colour block dresses being the staple to the Colour Pop trend throughout the whole of the kids collection. As for keeping totes looking cool on the beach, the shoe collection has to be one of the most exciting yet. With primary coloured patent wedges for older girls and neon coloured jellies for their younger sisters; boys can have a pair of espadrilles in whichever colour they prefer!

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The End of Summer? Not at Next's new Shoreham store!

Waking up to the 1st September was never going to be a good feeling for me, but today's press trip to the new Shoreham-on-sea Next superstore certainly made the official end of Summer a lot more bearable!

In fact, today could well have been the very height of British Summer as the sun shone more than it has done for the whole of August - making the brand new array of Next branded plants and flowers seem even more appealing! For the first time ever, Next have merged Home and Fashion, with the addition of DIY & gardening - which is introduced to the customer in a fabulously styled shopping experience.



Moving the indoors outside has never seemed so easy, as garden retreats offer the perfect solution to that spare room, you've been meaning to get planning permission for. Meanwhile, garden sheds have never seemed so attractive - from decorative tool organisers to printed watering cans, being green fingered seems almost glamorous! Garden walls need no longer be plain either as outdoor decorations take on a rustic feel, with wrought iron planters and bird baths; cut work lanterns look too good to keep outside.



For me, the ultra girly patio set has to be my favourite. With the pastel coloured bunting and sorbet paint shades (a range which Next have also extended, especially for the store) - this is surely the right kind of look for a garden by the sea!



Of course, there's plenty more I could write about the whole venture - however, I'll leave this to the professional bloggers (all of which came armed with more than just their Iphone to take snapshots!)

Having spent the afternoon with some of our key press - including Elle Decoration, House Beautiful, Good Homes and many more inspirational titles, freelances and bloggers, the response to the store (along with our four course lunch at Brighton's Pub Du Vin) was outstanding and so, fingers crossed, there'll be plenty more where this one came from!

New Vintage at Next (yes,really!)

Whilst I usually like to use my blog as an outlet for my own inspiration - today, I thought I'd share with you a press release that I put together at work for this week's Miss N Weekly News. I can't tell you how excited I was to see a piece of furniture which looked so authentic in the new Autumn/Winter 2011 collection & so here I am shouting about it! x

If you come down to the basement today, you're sure of a big surprise! Next AW11 Launch

Launching Next Autumn/Winter 2011 at Victoria House Basement yesterday saw journalists, bloggers and stylists enter a world of fiction vs reality as illustrative versions of Next's key products for the forthcoming season worked alongside the real thing. From baroque style mirrors to cloche hats; main fashion synchronised with home ware, children's and even beauty as playful kids accessories were collaged together with killer heels. From frogs perched on pedestal tables to oversized umbrellas sitting alongside loosely drawn eye liners and blusher compacts - this really was a press launch like no other!



Organised randomness is the only way to describe the home pods, as different trends were fused together to defy convention and really show off the statement pieces, which are destined to feature in many interior writer's 'lust lists'. From purple flock greyhounds to teacup stacked lamps; the English Eccentric trend is sure to be a hit with those who simply love to add a little tongue-in-cheek eccentricity to their homes. For me, the opulent jewel colour palette is what make this trend my favourite. Sumptuous velvets contrast against high gloss furniture, adding to the drama of the overall look.



For the artisans amongst us, there was plenty to delight as Artist Studio introduced a softer, more feminine blend of lavenders and cornflower blues. Showcasing painterly florals alongside mottled ceramics; watercolour paintings have been transferred straight onto bed linen - proving that art and interiors really do come hand in hand.

Talking about art - children's wear was also brimming with new concepts and colour schemes and, with this being my main area, I cannot let this post pass without dedicating part of this to the little gem that is Next kids...



LOL. Or, Laugh Out Loud for the girls wasn't exactly a trend that sparked off my enthusiasm when first reading about it two months ago but, despite it's SMS inspired title - this story is now my fondest. From fruit prints to spots and hedgehog prints - this story is all about embracing childhood. Styling together netted tutus with oddly printed jersey tops - it's all about being experimental! Subdued tones of mink and cream are injected with neon limes, pinks and purples to colour palette which looks good enough to eat and is guaranteed to brighten even the dreariest of winter days!

As for the boys, this time they were on top! Inspired by the great outdoors, Expedition and Adventurer have produced the likes of fur trim plaid shirts and ranger style throw-overs fit for The Swiss Family Robinson treehouse. With rust, cobalt blue and ochre proving to be the most dominant shades; colour hasn't dulled down for the change of season - which is always a good thing! So, throw on the trapper hats and desert boots & let the kids be kids! x

Fluro filled SS11

Neon strip lighting had never been used in such a creative way before Next's Spring/Summer '11 launch. Set in the uniquely restored Central London church - One Marylebone's grandeur was perfect for creating the ultimate juxtaposition between the classic & contemporary.

Replacing mannequins with inventive free-standing structures, the kids wear channelled it's on trend, 'mini-me' looks through a series of coherent collections: Bijoux - a nautical tale of stripes, jaunty styling and playful silhouettes for the younger girl; Carousel for the younger & older girl who equally love to dress up. Indigo is for boys who say, Ahoy! to the life of a sailor whilst Harvard offers a more refined, preppier look with it's collegiate polos and chino trousers.


Home is a homage to retro inspired prints & opulent tones, along with heavily textured surfaces and an eclectic mix of materials. From recycled tinted glass to laser-cut ceramics; key pieces were styled in an unconventionally Next fashion as the palettes from each story were merged together to create one sophisticated colour concoction. x

Lost in London

So - it is beyond ridiculous how much time has passed by since graduating from my patch-worked world of embroidery threads, sketchbooks and fabulous fabrics but, what can I say - life since university has been one huge whirlwind!

Having left the comfort of my Yorkshire roots behind - this girl packed her bags & came to London 6 months ago - all in the name of the fashion industry and ouila! Say hello to a fully fledged PR girl who lives at 100mph, feeling like she's plunged straight into Andrea's shoes in The Devil Wears Prada.

Press Launches, Fashion Awards, Photo Shoots & more - there is simply far too much to cram in to this one blog post that could sum it all up. I guess I will have to do some concise editing of the past 6 months if I am to share what has been the most challenging, fast-paced & exciting time of my post-grad life to date...

Here goes! x