I’ve now spent several hours in the Love Brand & Co shop in Chelsea, enjoying the immersive experience and trying on lots of dresses. They’ve clearly done some fresh thinking over lockdown and have really heightened their “taste of summer” in-store experience by creating a hub. They’re now offering exceptionally good coffee at their speciality coffee bar and a secret garden at the back, where you can sit and relax whilst reading some of the books they have on offer (on travel and elephants mainly). They also sell sunglasses, sandals, jewellery, hats, reef friendly sun cream…basically everything we need to set off on our travels.
It was lovely to meet the British founders of the label, Oliver and Rose Tomalin, especially as they have the same passion for elephants that I have:-
It was fascinating to hear their story and their aim to be mindful of the environment and more conscious of our human impact on wildlife. I love the fact that they’ve launched “Trunks for Trunks” – selling their fabulous swimming trunks, made entirely out of recycled plastic far and wide in order to raise money for elephants. They’re supporting The Elephant Family charity through their new partnership with 1% For The Planet, who currently have some impressive life size tuskers dotted around London.
In the men’s clothing range they have a fabulous selection of high quality linen shirts, t-shirts, swimming trunks and shorts that are all 100% vegan, with organic cottons and buttons made from nuts, not plastic. I bought the polo t-shirts for my boys because of the little two elephants entwined logo:-
My son wearing it!
I have to admit, I spent most of my time downstairs enjoying the beautifully curated selection of lifestyle brands for women that Rosie has put together. A dazzling array of jewel coloured dresses, designed to swish around on the beach and then dance the night away. Or indeed wander around your house, your street, your city, feeling comfortable and feminine.
My favourite items were the dresses and skirts made by Ellen Wiggin, a Dutch designer who happened to wander in whilst I was trying on one of her dresses. Her label, Lexy London is made from wonderfully soft cottons sourced in Jaipur with bespoke hand block printed patterns on. I love her clothes.
Here she is with some of her new designs:-
I bought this one:-
We went to see The Elephant Family life-size tusker’s at The Petersham Nurseries that they are supporting:-
