Buying British.

March 25th, 2012

Bicester Village

As you may have been able to tell from my sporadic posts, the final year of university is taking it’s toll – the next month and half may be a little quieter than normal around here because I’m slaving away on a special project that I can’t wait to share with you very soon. Not to mention that pesky dissertation that I should really start..oops!

But I strongly believe that when things get stressful, you need to remember to take time off for fun (or perhaps retail therapy in this case!), which is exactly what I did last Wednesday when the British Designers Collective opened at Bicester Village, a designer shopping outlet an hour outside of London. Any excuse to visit somewhere I’d heard so many good things about…

British Designers Collective

I’m very much about buying British when possible, or if not, independent designers from across the pond, but unfortunately and understandably, this comes at a price. Which is why I think the British Designers Collective, a pop-up store selling British design talent for discounted prices, is a great initiative. I arrived at the launch greeted by the usual champagne and canapes (at 9.30am? No ta!), perused the rails of the likes of Markus Lupfur, Emma Cook and YMC (quite a few under £100 bargains spotted!) before I saw a leggy brunette enter the fabulously designed space. Host, Alexa Chung, one of the reasons I couldn’t say no to the invite – any chance to ogle that near-perfect being.

On the number of occasions I’ve bumped into her, I’m always taken-aback by how beautiful she is..I know, I sound like I’m in love or something, but this girl could wear a sack and still look amazing. unsurprisingly, is wasn’t a sack she chose to wore to open the store, but a charming ‘Gainsbourg is God’ jumper by designer Bella Freud, also stocked. Want!

I didn’t part with my cash for anything in the store this time, but thought I’d take a look around the rest of the village…

Oops..

…and guess what? I made a cheeky purchase! My overdraft is severely dented, but I managed to get my hands on something I’ve been longing after for a while at well over half the original price. Any guesses? I’ll give you a hint: a Charlotte Olympia shop has just opened at Bicester too ; ) No more shopping for me for a while..and I definitely can’t return to Bicester until I have a job..it’s shopping heaven.

I wore a Nadinoo dress to the event, with tights and a beret, which seems almost crazy after the sunny weekend we’re having. I’m hoping to shelve berets and tights ASAP! x

P.S – I’m heading to Antwerp on a “school” trip tomorrow, have any of you visited?! I’d love to hear your tips!

Posted in: Shopping | 95 comments

95 comments to Buying British.

1 2

Leave a Reply