Come and see our fantastic discounts at the 'Carmen' boutique in Leigh-on-Sea! You will find up to 60% off on selected ranges all throughout July! Now is the time to indulge in a stunning 'Carmen' leather handbag! We look forward to seeing you!

'Carmen' Boutique,
121 Broadway West,
Leigh-on-Sea,
Essex SS9 2BU.

Ethical Fashion Edition

There are many fashion trends that come and go each season. However ethical fashion has demonstrated real staying power and has now proved to be more than a trend. There are numerous fashion brands that use fair trade practices and work with recycled or organically produced materials, which span from high street retailers to luxury labels. This season there are some fantastic choices if you decide to shop ethically. See below for some links to our favourites!

http://www.adazanditon.com/ss10_lookbook.html - Ada Zanditon is an innovative ethical fashion brand creating elegant sculptural women's ready to wear. Look at the gorgeous collection online!

http://anatomyfashion.co.uk/ - Ethical womenswear label Anatomy was started by designer Claire Macauley. After leaving Art college in London Claire joined a band as vocalist and bassist, so giving her the chance to wear her collection of customized charity shop and flea market finds - fantastic vintage pieces perfect for the stage. We love her fanpocket skirt and fitted waistcoat!

http://www.ninadolcetti.com/ - Aware of waste within the fashion industry and the environmentally unfriendly effects of leather tanning, Nina Dolcetti shoes are designed and constructed to reuse off-cuts and unwanted pre-consumer waste to create daring, architectural and design led pieces.

http://www.minna.co.uk/collections.html - It all started in the Dorset countryside where Finnish designer Minna Hepburn started collecting lace, brooches, buttons and other beautiful finds from strolling around local antique markets. Not really knowing what to do with them, she started making tops and dresses from Scottish lace and embellishing them with her beloved findings. Her lace tops and dresses are absolutely beautiful and perfect for summertime!

'Made In Clerkenwell' Shopping Event in London!

We're taking part in the exciting designer shopping event 'Made In Clerkenwell' in central London from Thursday 20th until Sunday 23rd May! Come and see our gorgeous leather handbags alongside other talented designers. We are giving our best discounts yet across the entire range! We will be showing our collection in the 21 Clerkenwell Green building. Here's the link with all the info below. Hope to see you all there!

http://www.craftcentral.org.uk/summer-2009

Our Floral Trend Favourites!

As we’re definitely on our way to summer, it seemed the perfect time to look at the massive floral trend for this season. View our favourite floral designer pieces on the links below; they range from tea-rose printed dresses to silver statement rings and kimono silk shoes!

Chanel showed a stunning chiffon dress, intricately printed with red and blue flowers for Spring/Summer 2010. High heeled platforms with silk flowers completed the outfit.
http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/show.aspx/full-length-photos/id,8434/Page,4#/imageno/51

Liberty is currently stocking this beautiful pale pink and silver flower statement ring!
http://www.liberty.co.uk/fcp/product/Liberty/Jewellery/Pale-Pink-Honour-Ring,--Liberty-Of-London/46557

At Dolce & Gabbana for Spring/Summer 2010 they showed a striking silk satin dress with a large tea-rose print in terracotta, white and pale pink.
http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/show.aspx/full-length-photos/id,8168/Page,4#/imageno/47

Hetty Rose, the bespoke ethical shoe brand, offers some gorgeous ballet pumps made from Japanese kimono silk with a floral print!http://www.hettyrose.co.uk/shoes/display3/?s=Haruka

Abigail Percy a really talented Scottish jeweller has just produced some beautiful ‘Summer Rose’ necklaces made from sterling silver and jade beads.
http://abigailpercy.bigcartel.com/product/summer-rose-necklace

The ethical footwear brand Beyond Skin, offers these stunning faux leather peep toes with a floral print wedge. Perfect for summer in fuchsia, red or orange!
http://www.beyondskin.co.uk/product_info.php?info=p206_Sunny.html

Perfect Handbags to Complement the New Denim Trend

Look at our selection of gorgeous leather handbags shown in our new photo album at our 'Carmen Woods Fashion Trends' Facebook Fanpage. Chosen from our collection to accessorize with the massive denim trend for Spring/Summer 2010!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=162787&id=228687421727&saved#!/album.php?aid=162787&id=228687421727&ref=mf

Massive Denim Trend

You all probably know by now that denim is back in a big way for Spring/Summer 2010. Although designers have been steering away from the staple jeans for the last few seasons and bringing in alternatives such as leggings, beggings (boot/legging hybrid) and jeggings (jean/legging combo), jeans and denim garments were seen everywhere for the new season. The catwalks saw denim either in a really full-on, head-to-toe look, such as at Jeremy Scott, where matching denim shirts and skirts were shown in a bright, light blue or as an accent to a contrasting outfit, giving an eclectic feel, shown at Kenzo, where they mixed an elegant flowing floor-length dress with a wide statement beaded belt and a faded denim jacket, rolled up to the elbows.

The denim was really varied in colour and texture. At Mulberry, although the look was dressier than some of their counterparts in the fact that their jean/jacket combo was teamed with classic tan leather heels and a bowling bag, the denim was faded and quite a dirty shade of blue. At D&G they showed ripped faded jeans and denim fitted shirts with rolled up sleeves, mixed with leather belts and boots for a sexy, cool attitude. In contrast, Stella McCartney showed some light blue soft stone-washed denim in button-down dresses and A-line skirts giving a relaxed 1970’s feel.

Have a look at our favourite denim looks for Spring/Summer 2010 at the links on our Facebook Fanpage ‘Carmen Woods Fashion Trends’ wall.

Tan Leather Accessories are Everywhere in Spring/Summer 2010!

My next trend tip showcases a great classic look, which is very versatile and will easily work in your existing wardrobe. Tan leather accessories have been seen across the Spring/Summer 2010 catwalks in different forms. At D&G tan leather belts, boots and bags were shown mixed with faded denim and cowboy shirts, creating a cool low key attitude. At By Marlene Birger and Bottega Veneta the tan accessories were teamed with white outfits making an elegant fresh look.

The tan leather belt in particular was seen in many collections. It was shown with simple elegant outfits, such as at Burberry Prorsum, where a wide tan belt beautifully completed a metallic mini trench and at Hermes, where the classic tan leather belt finished off an off-white blouse and long shorts. At Diane Von Furstenberg the tan leather belt was seen in a more excessive tribal look with a metal plate buckle mixing with the striking printed dresses.

There was another interesting trend where designers matched their tan leather accessories to the rest of the outfit. For example at Hermes, one outfit showed the leather belts and cuffs matching the jacket and another showed the light tan cuffs and wider belt matching the leather mini-dress and another matching a flowing floor length dress of the same colour tan. At Loewe this trend continued with a bag that exactly matched a knee-length leather trench coat and sun-visor. See my favourite examples of this trend on the links I have posted from Vogue.com at my Facebook Fanpage ‘Carmen Woods Fashion Trends’.