AW20 - Gushlow & Cole
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Category: AW20


The story behind the ‘Made By’ label

30th December 2020


The story behind the ‘Made By’ label | written by Katrina Cole, Design and Creative Director at Gushlow & Cole

It all started when I happened upon a skirt in our fancy dress cupboard. It was a beautiful, vintage, three quarter length, full circle skirt in bright red satin.

Having recently set up the Gushlow & Cole workshop in my Dad’s garage, (this must have been a good 20 years ago) I took the skirt into our workshop to make a quick alteration before I wore it to a fancy dress party. When I undid the zip, I noticed the unusual label inside. It said ‘made by Barry and the girls in the sample room’. Coming from my background, I thought this was just wonderful – finally someone had recognised the people behind the product!

I have always believed that machinists are the unsung heroes of the fashion industry. Emma and I had only just stopped working in the machine room at my Dad’s factory. So we knew first hand what it takes to become a highly skilled machinist, an ‘artisan’ able to work out samples and to precisely sew to the exacting standards of luxury fashion. Some women had been honing their skills for decades in our family factory. So, if Barry’s place was anything like ours, I knew the girls in the machine room would be like family to Barry and feel really proud to be mentioned in a label. After all, a good machinist always sews pride and love into their work!

The story behind the ‘Made By’ label blog, carol

From that moment on, and after a lot of thought about how we could somehow replicate this pride and show our customers how much love goes into making our products, we came up with the slogan ‘Made with Love’…who knew how much that one would catch on.

Our new slogan was sewn into every Gushlow & Cole piece and shipped to department stores worldwide. The only problem was, after a few years, it was catching on rather too much! In 2013 when I spotted it on the bottom of a stack of plastic boxes made in China, enough was enough! We needed to bring our labelling back to being personal. To go one step further, we had to refocus the artisan make back into our products. 

The story behind the ‘Made By’ label blog, stacy

We decided the only way we could be authentic about our heritage, show passion for English make and to celebrate the skilled craftsmen and craftswomen behind our products was to sew their name label alongside Gushlow & Cole. Hence the ‘Made By’ label was born.

The story behind the ‘Made By’ label

What better way could we let our customers know that we make very specialist items, which are not mass produced, by highly skilled craftspeople. Just like Barry, our makers are like family. We want people to know their story and to understand what skill goes into each and every one of our pieces.

(Some of our lovely girls at the G&C workshop at hilltop meadow in Kent, England).

We hope you enjoy finding out who made your Gushlow & Cole…and if you don’t know, just look in the label and meet our makers.

LAST MINUTE LUXURY GIFTS

Last Minute Luxury Gifts

15th December 2020


Last Minute Luxury Gifts | written by Katrina Cole, Design and Creative Director at Gushlow & Cole

Our last minute Christmas edit of luxury gifts has everything you need from luxury homewear to the ultimate shearling Gilet…even the cutest little baby boots. Order by Friday in time for Christmas.

THE SHAWL SCARF

The iconic shawl scarf – the perfect accessory for the Christmas holidays!

Last Minute Luxury Gifts - shawl scarf  Last Minute Luxury Gifts - shawl scarf black

HOMEWEAR

Gifts for him or her, our sheepskin homewear collection will add a natural element to living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms.

 Last Minute Luxury Gifts - throw  Last Minute Luxury Gifts - scottie dog cushion

THE SHEARLING SLIPPER

Slippers so luxurious, you will not want to give them away!

Last Minute Luxury Gifts - sliders Last Minute Luxury Gifts - ballet pumps

THE ULTIMATE GILET

Stuck for the ultimate gift for her, the natural edge Mixed Texture Gilet is the perfect winter piece she will treasure forever.

Last Minute Luxury Gifts - mixed shearling gilet Last Minute Luxury Gifts - mixed shearling gilet white

BABY BOOTS

Who can resist these fluffy booties? Handmade in super soft Toscana shearling, these cute booties are the perfect present for any parents to be.

Last Minute Luxury Gifts - baby boots Last Minute Luxury Gifts - baby boots white

LUXE LOUNGEWEAR - header

Luxe Loungewear

14th November 2020


Luxe Loungewear | written by Katrina Cole, Design and Creative Director at Gushlow & Cole

As the shift towards home working continues, post pandemic fashion does not need to be confined to a mass produced elastic waist bands, sweat shirts and throw away fashion. Why not invest in a great piece of clothing that will keep you comfortable, warm, stylish, and that will last long after lockdown.

From incredibly warm and light down backs that you will never want to take off, to refined pure English wool and cosy slippers – we’ve put together our edit of comfortable loungewear pieces for relaxed living and working.

THE NATURAL EDGE GILET

A casual, natural shaped Toscana gilet with your choice of fabric reverse. From Toscana to Merinillo to padded goose down – what will your perfect pairing be?

Lux Loungewear blog : DRGWT      Luxe Loungewear - GMLXT

luxe loungewear      Luxe Loungewear blog : GRCTX


THE STAND COLLAR ‘CROMBIE ‘GILET

Working well both at home and away as a refined minimal layer, the Stand Collar Gilet ticks every box. Choose to pair with a pure British woven wool back, or go for full out merinillo – either way, this soft, refined layer will be a smart investment to your winter wardrobe.

Luxe Loungewear - GWPCM6F3-CAM      Luxe Loungewear - GWPCM6F3-CAM

Luxe Loungewear blog : G3CX0      Luxe Loungewear - G3CX0


THE SHEARLING SLIPPER

Finally, no stay at home would be complete without a pair of cosy shearling slippers. Handmade from soft, Toscana these cosy Shearling Ballet Slippers in pastel pink will keep you looking pretty all day long. Or, slip into the ultimate in luxury lounging – Travel Sliders in cashmere touch lacon shearling, perfect for any staycation or vacation.

Loungewear pink Shearling Ballet Slippers - women | gushlow and cole - cell image 1      Luxe 'Lockdown' Loungewear - SLIDERS

Autumn Winter 20/21: The Story Behind The Collection

16th October 2020


Autumn Winter 20/21: The Story Behind The Collection | written by Katrina Cole, Design and Creative Director at Gushlow & Cole

Emma and I start each collection thinking how we can provide a fresh new take on our brand classics. Exploring different fabrics and textures always forms our seasonal foundation – for #AW20/21 we were able to find a traditional British made wool tweed, which was a perfect match for this season’s shearling and our heritage mood.

Autumn Winter 20/21: The Story Behind The Collection | Gushlow & Cole - wool tweed  Autumn Winter 20/21: The Story Behind The Collection | Gushlow & Cole - wool tweed coat

With each new fabric comes a different construction method, which is both challenging and inspirational. Construction can sometimes set the complete tone for the collection.

Autumn Winter 20/21: The Story Behind The Collection | Gushlow & Cole - behind the scenes

We decided upon wide stitched edges to complement the more traditional aesthetic of British wool, however our inspiration behind the oversize silhouettes and detailing came from the 90’s – wide shoulder lines, turned edges, and large shawl collars.

Autumn Winter 20/21: The Story Behind The Collection | Gushlow & Cole - aviator jacket Autumn Winter 20/21: The Story Behind The Collection | Gushlow & Cole - shawl coat         

Our favourite piece to look out for in the Autumn Winter 20/21 collection is a wide shouldered, boxy jacket with a dropped hem. We love the vintage 90’s cut and it looks super cool in white curly shearling.

We also both adore our Double Breasted Wool Tweed Coat. The cut is easy for any body shape to wear, and it’s such a beautiful British heritage fabric. The colour popping flecks highlight this season’s colours, so you can dress the coat perfectly with any one of our accessories.

         Autumn Winter 20/21: The Story Behind The Collection | Gushlow & Cole - wool tweed coat navy Autumn Winter 20/21: The Story Behind The Collection | Gushlow & Cole - boxy jacket

Most importantly with this coat though, we wanted to achieve our aim – which was to make a modern British garment, using British spun cloth, a minimal carbon footprint and in the most sustainable way possible. With the cloth made in Yorkshire, the garment made in London, and it all finished off with recycled paper buttons…i’m pleased to say we achieved this!


Explore Autumn Winter 20/21

The New Season Shearling Bags - blog post - medium tote navy

The New Season Shearling Bags

12th October 2020


The New Season Shearling Bags | written by Katrina Cole, Design and Creative Director at Gushlow & Cole

As women designers and naturally obsessed with handbags, we could not resist using our beautiful colour popping shearlings and turning them into bags. So for Autumn Winter 20/21 we’re excited to bring you our latest collection!

   The New Season Shearling Bags - blog post - tote bag - navy      The New Season Shearling Bags - blog post - mini tote bag - orange 2

We were super excited to see our mini evening tote featured in Harper’s Bazaar – Japan this month. It seems we are not the only ones in love with this cute little piece of luxury – just big enough to carry everything you might need on a night out; It’s the perfect textural evening bag option.

   The New Season Shearling Bags - blog post - mini tote bag - orange      The New Season Shearling Bags - blog post - harpers bazaar

The mixed texture tote is a favourite for both day to evening. It is big enough to carry all your everyday essentials whilst the toscana top handle sits pretty on the shoulder, adding that touch of evening glam.

   The New Season Shearling Bags - blog post - slouch bag - navy      The New Season Shearling Bags - blog post - slouch bag - white

The leather trimmed shoulder bag for me, is my personal favourite. I have three children, a mega busy life and lots to carry, so I need a big bag. However, when we first sampled the bag it was even too large for a big bag lover like me! With a little adjustment, it’s now perfect!

The top features a heavy zip to keep my valuables and everything else safe inside. I love the contrasting colour handles in yellow and black, against the white curly merino wool.

   The New Season Shearling Bags - blog post - shoulder bag - white      The New Season Shearling Bags - blog post - shoulder bag - white

         

Another feature I love about this bag, is that we managed to find a manufacturer in England. To get a luxury bag made with such specialised leather craftsmanship in England, is quite a special feat. Our perseverance paid off, and after many trips across the UK we found the perfect makers, right here on our doorstep in London! 

We hope you enjoy the collection.

   The New Season Shearling Bags - blog post - tote bag on arm- navy      The New Season Shearling Bags - blog post - tote bag on arm- mustard yellow