If ever there was a brand out to prove it’s quality that
counts and not quantity, it's the beautifully British Stella + Alf. Designed by founder and
creative director Paris Hodson, the main bi-annual collection features striped
dresses, woollies and delicate vests. Simple, staple pieces, impossible not to
like too when they come in my favourite muted palette of grey, white and black.
Their fabrics, (cottons, linens and silks) are sourced from all over the world, some
fairtrade, some organic but all are of an exceptionally high quality. Locality
is also considered important and British fabrics are used where possible, meaning many pieces on the site are actually British-made from start to finish.
Yes admittedly it’s quite expensive, but what you’re buying into is a new, (or old, depending how you look at it) approach to consuming. As someone with a strong tendency for nostalgia, I love the way that Stella + Alf hark back to a time and a generation where clothes weren't just for show, but were precious necessities that were lived in, loved, repaired and passed down. Their production process embodies this sense of considered intimacy; every piece from The Collection is hand-cut and individually made on request by the tiny team of 2 (Paris and seamstress Elaine), in their Lincolnshire studio.
They've recently introduced a project that takes ‘organic’
to a whole new level. The Twenty is a
progressive, more affordable collection that sees new pieces released every two
weeks, of which only twenty are made. The designs are not necessarily planned in advance but, influenced
by customer response, adapt with the growing collection. With The Twenty especially,
Stella + Alf are bridging the gap between designer and customer, and also
between our clothes and us. They want to restore a connection through pieces that are timeless, personal and individual. And it's true, saving up for something, no matter
how much it is, creates value and a sense of worth.
Their message is simply: love your clothes as much as we
love making them.
