Menu
Fashion

Bicester Loving: British Designers Collective Opens

Yesterday I joined the rest of London’s fashion bloggers and went on a day trip to Bicester Village to check out their annual British Designers Collective in association with the British Fashion Council. I have to admit it did feel like a school trip taking over the whole train to Bicester with our letters granting us to travel, but it was lovely to see so many friends and also finally meet bloggers that I have loved for a while, it also helped that the sun was shining – such a gorgeous day for discount shopping!!!

This is the third year that Bicester Village has hosted the British Designers Collective and this year’s theme is a ‘Brit Shop Mansion’ working the quirkier side of ‘Britishness’, which generally meant lots of green foliage around the front of the shop and the telephone box outside. Inside the country house curiosities continued with lots of dog figurines, vivid colours, faux wall paneling, a grand staircase and banquet table, but my highlights had to be the giant fireplace housing the gorgeous shoe collections and the bespoke chandelier – so amazing.

The eccentric elements weren’t comfined to the pop-up, I loved that there was a trail of quirky statues throughout Bicester Village from the bright blue cherub outside the store to a bulldog, and a sheep, and even the benches were scattered with British Designers Collective cushions. I do love it when a concept is completely thought through – the sun really did help sell such a great event.

As well as the amazing décor the clothes, jewellery, accessories and footwear weren’t bad either, actually that is an understatement the  discount designer gear was incredible and my credit card was itching to do some serious damage.

The pop-up opened by style ambassador Alexa Chung is literally housing the best of British Talent from the uber-girlie Holly Fulton to the cool Markus Lupfer with his quirky knits, which were in competition with the amazing Bella Freud designs that I adored, to divine jewellery from Mawi and Erickson Beamon, as well as classic styles from the likes of Goat, Preen and Jonathan Saunders, and it was shoe heaven with Nicholas Kirkwood heels about the place.

Be quick if you want to pick up a designer bargain as the pop-up is only open until May 9 and trust me you’ll find it hard to leave empty-handed. I didn’t have much time to shop after the event – but I will definitely be checking out before it closes.

For more pics of my Bicester Village visit pop on over to my Facebook page.