The Swelle Life

Tomorrow! Swelle Boutique's Pop-Up Shop

  To celebrate the one year anniversary - yes, already! - of my other labour of love, Swelle Boutique, I'm taking my beautiful collections to the locals where they can see and try the pieces for themselves. It's happening tomorrow at a charming local venue called Salt House which overlooks the North Sea, and there will be all kinds of special treats for the guests. If you live in the Newcastle or coastal area please come by for a browse and to say hello.

I'm extremely proud of, and grateful to, the talented and wonderful people who have contributed their gorgeous and inspired designs to Swelle Boutique. They are an absolute pleasure to work with and this shop couldn't exist without them.  Each offers a unique perspective and together they create a collective of truly original and extraordinary clothing and accessories - I like to think there's a little something for everyone, if 'everyone' is looking for something a little more exclusive and special.

I'd also like to thank Archie Grand for very generously providing a great many of their fantastic notebooks, which will go to each person who leaves with a piece of Swelle.

I am also excited to debut more dresses and my first jackets from the Swelle house label tomorrow. I don't have photos as they have just been finished in time for the event but there will be much more to offer you come autumn. I'm even doing some black!

Here's more that will be there for revellers to drool over (but not on):

And as always you can browse and purchase directly from the Swelle Boutique online shop!

A Peek at the First Swelle Label Dresses!

 

Ok, first, this toile - a garment made in muslin or canvas to work out a new design so you don't waste the actual fabric - was snapped when it only had one sleeve. This dress will have two sleeves! The black shirt has nothing to do with dress, it was just cold that day. So this should alleviate any concerns that I am doing a line of one-armed dresses in the plainest and cheapest of fabrics, in case anyone thought I was a total weirdo. (You can still think that if you want to but for for other reasons.)

So, what is this Swelle label? It's a house label for my shop, Swelle Boutique, a way for me to offer pretty, every day dresses that don't have to be dry cleaned. At a lower price point. I'm so proud of all of the clothes in the shop which are worth every penny and then some - especially now as most are on sale - but I wanted to round out the selection with the kinds of pieces - mostly dresses - you can wear over and over through the season, and if a glob of ketchup jumps from your burger onto your chest, you won't die. (For the record, I still need to wear a bib.) I'll continue to feature exclusive pieces from a few other designers whose work I adore, but for this concept I decided to take matters into my own hands.

How am I doing it? I'm working with a dress maker and pattern cutter who has years upon years of design experience and whose construction is excellent, she's a perfectionist which is what I was looking for. I choose the fabrics, trims and buttons and request the style and then she cuts the pattern and makes the dress. And then we can play around with the buttons and trims - the fun part!

The styles are mostly based on the clean, feminine shapes of the 60s, as in shifts and trapeze dresses, and there will be a bit of 50s. I have an incredible print, very painterly flowers on a super soft white cotton that appear to be falling and then gathering more densely at the hem, and it will be amazing as a full-skirted 50s style. Simple, pretty and fun. I bought most of the fabrics when I was in Edinburgh last month and it was the prints that jumped out.

Now I'm going to say something odd: The fabrics shown here are my least favourite of what I came home with. But that's not to say I don't like them, I picked them out and paid for them! So I do like them but not as much as the others, so I wanted to start with them, come up with a dress I loved and then it would get even better. This one has a gathered trim on the hem and sleeve in the constrasting colourway to add texture and give the slightest puff. The buttons we've used to adorn the placket (they're for show, the dress has a back zip) are actually not either of the 1930s buttons from France that are pictured here - I love that they are still sewn to the original card! - but pale pink glass vintage roses I've had with me for years. There are enough for two dresses and I think they are the perfect highlight for this very floral, vintage-y dress!

So what you get from Swelle is a new favourite dress for daily wear that is likely a one-off - each will have something just a bit different - was not made in a factory and may have pretty vintage buttons, and comes at a price that won't make you immediately relegate it to 'Wish List'. The first pieces of the spring collection will be introduced early March and new styles will be produced continuously throughout the year. Only a few in each fabric will be made so there will always be fresh looks in the boutique.

I'll post more previews as I have them!

How Not To Embarrass Yourself at a Party

 

1. Don't arrive at your holiday party going to town on a kebab.
2. Drink in moderation to later avoid needing and therefore asking your fellow revellers if they can lend you a Tena pad (or is that just me?)
3. Check that your new exorbitantly priced heels are not dragging half a toilet roll behind you. 
4. No matter how good you think you are at doing The Robot - don't.
5. And most importantly, make an entrance in a gorgeous dress that is guaranteed to bear no resemblance whatsoever to the latest high street window display, for there's a good chance if you do, you won't be the only one representing. You'll be spending the night hiding behind pillars and portly gents while guests are mentally comparing who styled it better. Who needs that? (And you had to pay for it!)

The charm of being an original amongst the identikit masses is one of the reasons I exclusively offer one-offs and limited edition pieces in Swelle Boutique, and luckily I know some very talented people who specialise in doing just that. The three dresses above, left, are one-offs from Rowanjoy, a long time Swelle favourite who uses new and vintage fabrics to create her enchanting, adorable pieces that make girls look dreamy. The Wrapped Up strapless styles are the perfect party dresses and the Obscura halter can go holiday soiree as well as resort.

On the right: It doesn't come more special than an original print created by an inspired and inspirational artist who is behind many of the prints from the London fashion week catwalks. Rob and Kate Burton are the duo known as embodied.creative, and Swelle Boutique is thrilled to have the opportunity to offer their exquisite, limited edition, made-to-order digital art print dresses to you. Thoroughly contemplated imagery is richly layered on fine silks to produce complexity and beauty in colour and texture, as seen in the stunning Babaji and Moonshadow dresses. A collection of gorgeous scarves in a choice of silks and sizes is also available.

 
Wholly Cow is an English label of one-off and limited edition pieces that have beautifully handmade touches such as contrasting crocheted collars and sleeves, and hand carved oak toggles specially made for the dresses, all seen above. Fabrics are luxe and include silk crepe and Italian tweed. The lovely tweed in the toggle wrap dress above has pretty turquoise flecks throughout the pattern, complemented  by the crocheted collar. The black shift can be made in a variety of lengths with your choice of colour for the mohair silk crochet sleeves. The cobalt version is a one-off that also looks great as a top with skinny jeans.

And if you're more of a smart top and skirt girl, there's Mitra's Victoriana mini-collection that offers a seriously figure flattering outfit of the Parlor Gathering top adorned with a list of sweet details, and its perfect accompaniment, the Promenade Pencil skirt with a lacey kick out the back which you can wear demurely or bold depending on your mood. Finish the look with the Victoriana Jacquard wool coat. All are one-offs.

By buying at Swelle Boutique you are supporting independent designers in the UK, Italy, Canada and the United States who personally create the high quality, original work that bears their name, from conception to final stitch.

The New Swelle Boutique has Arrived!

At long last, the new Swelle Boutique is here! As mentioned previously, the first version was a temporary look and format to get my first collections launched. The new site allows for more content and ease of navigation, and it's slicker but still embodies that dreamy Swelle aesthetic - of course it does! I can't do anything else!

More pretty pieces are on their way including dresses for holiday parties from Rowanjoy and Wholly Cow and gorgeous feather and chain earrings and neckpieces by Noémiah.

A Swelle label is in the works as well for spring with a few preview pieces coming in the next few weeks. I love dresses, coats and jackets so expect a lot of those!

Swelle Boutique Autumn Preview: MITRA

          

Autumn is soon arriving at Swelle Boutique! I'm happy to announce the first of the new offerings is a smart and femine Victorian-inspired mini collection of one-offs by MITRA, called Victoriana. The young dynamo behind the label is a talented Florida-based artist and designer who likes to give us a little fantasy in our clothes, as she does in her inspired and playful paintings. 

The Victoriana collection consists of a taffeta and brocade Soirée strapless dress with black piping on the front and back; Victoriana wool coat with a jacquard yoke on front, back with jacquard-covered puffed cap sleeves and front pockets, with pale yellow lining throughout; and a seriously sexy outfit of the navy Parlor Gathering Top with gorgeous details you must see for yourself (below) paired with a soft grey, light denim pencil skirt with a back slit revealing a hint of black lace peeking out.

As always, garments are available to buy in preview so if you're interested, please contact me for more details. There is only one of each piece. The dress and outfit are small and the coat is very roomy, it's a true large.

Swelle Boutique is being redesigned and rebranded as I write this. A huge thanks to all who loved the look of the debut design and I hope you won't be disappointed that it's going to look much different. I built the first version myself to get Swelle up and running and now need a look and template that's going to accommodate growth, and a wider variety of designer styles. I do plan to continue to infuse a dreamy feel with my photography as that's where my heart lies, and as always the clothes will be beautiful and feminine. Some exciting new designers will be joining Swelle throughout the season - all collections designed exclusively for us - and I can't wait to bring them to you.

Please watch for a late September launch and until then, the last of the summer clothes - all one-offs and limited edition pieces - are on sale.

 

 

   

   
 
  

Photos by Denise Grayson

Noémiah in the National Post

 

 

Imagine my surprise and delight when on Saturday I looked down at the table in my mother-in-law's living room - we're in Toronto now! - and saw Noémiah's gorgeous illustrations by Miss Paule T.B. spanning the entire cover of the National Post's Style section! The gestural renderings of Noémie Vaillancourt's beautiful and unusual feather and chain jewellery were most obviously the highlight of the feature on Montreal's Festival Mode & Design, which practically gushed about the exciting design talent produced by this vibrant and electric Canadian city. 

Swelle Boutique currently offers an exclusive mini-collection of one-off necklaces and earrings by Noémiah. There are four pieces left!

Summer Sale at Swelle Boutique!

The Summer Sale has begun at Swelle Boutique, with up to 40% off one-of-a-kind and limited edition dresses, tops and skirts - plus free shipping worldwide! Cue the fireworks and party streamers, and where's my megaphone? I've also installed a new photo viewer so when you click on the photos on the product pages you get a nice, slick presentation.

The Liana Dress from Neue (top left) has been a popular one to try on with the local girls, its sweet styling in Italian silk with gorgeous pleat detailing is hard to resist, but with its empire waist and button front it's best suited to small busts. If you're petite and have had your eye on the Liana, now's your chance to get this limited edition, tailored, silk dress at a reduced price. The sleeveless Viviana Dress is extremely flattering on, with stunning pleats, and there's just one left in size small. 

The Dagger Dress by Rowanjoy (top middle) has been featured around the blogosphere and is one of Swelle's most drooled over pieces. As it's a one-off it comes in only one size, a UK 10 which is true to size. The Dagger Tee is really lovely, hand screenprinted in an art deco design with a neckline of vintage floral cotton and lace appliques on the front. It's long enough to wear with leggings. A one-off in UK size 10.

What can I say about Lu Flux? Her Plume Skirt is a dream with 10 layers of individually cut and sewn plumes or petals (I like to think of them as petals) with a beautifully finished interior of organic cotton with fully finished edges. The two that are left are done in different fabrics, making each a one-off - and they're £100 off! Pair the skirt with the Bow Tie vest or Bow Tie T-shirt (only one left!) of organic cotton with an inlaid 'bow'. The Marsupium Pocket Dress is a very easy fitting and substantial one-off dress of organic cotton that fits small to large sizes. It has a band of pockets in different fabrics all around the waist and looks great cinched with a belt or ribbon. I would have shown it that way had I thought of it before the photo shoot! 

CYN.fONG, the star of Designer Series, Knitwear, has handknit three adorable tops and embellished them with textured knit bows, beading and Swarovski crystals in summery, ice-cream colours. During the summer/autumn transition you could layer a short or long-sleeved blouse under this one. Adorable!

Support independent designers and look awesome doing it!

New at Swelle Boutique: NOÉMIAH

 

Plumerie Earrings from Noémiah

Swelle Boutique has introduced a new accessories collection from a Swelle Life favourite, Montreal designer Noémiah. Her delicate feather and chain jewellery has earned her a strong following of fans who love the tactile beauty of her work.

For her Swelle Boutique debut Noémiah has created the Vintage Collection of exclusive one-off earrings and necklaces featuring her signature style mixed with vintage findings. You can view this six piece collection here. 

My favourite? The Paradis earrings, below. So cool and dreamy.

  Photos by Denise Grayson

Swelle Boutique Guest Curator: Pink Bow

 

Every so often a person with gorgeous personal style will curate a collection for Swelle Boutique and share their favourite pieces. So it's quite fitting that we currently have the lovely Paula of Pink Bow, a beautiful blog that will take you away to daydreamland and keep you there.

See what pieces she chose and how she would wear them (that's what we really want to know!) here

The Guardian is 'Drooling' Over Swelle Boutique!

 

The fabulous, sharp-witted Kate Carter finds tissues to be the perfect accompaniment to a browse at Swelle Boutique, calling it "a new site to drool over" in her Fashion Statement column. This is a hugely popular weekly roundup of fashion news and insights both hilarious and astute at my favourite national newpaper, so it's an understatement to say I'm thrilled to bits that Ms. Carter likes what she sees at Swelle Boutique.

Congrats to Neue and Rowanjoy for having their gorgeous dresses featured!

You can see the column here and be sure to sign up to receive Fashion Statement by email for a refreshingly good read.

At Last! Swelle Boutique is Now Open!

After a bit of teasing for the past several weeks I am so happy to announce that Swelle Boutique is FINALLY here! I invite you to have a browse to see what gorgeous things the invited designers have been working so hard this spring to create for you.

Swelle Boutique was dreamed up as an extension of The Swelle Life, which in my mind has become a collection of beautiful things that, if you haven't noticed, have a certain look to them! I've met so many designers since writing about fashion who, through their work, represent everything this blog holds dear - exquisite detail, playfulness, inspired and original thinking, a romantic sensibility, and lots and lots of colour, both soft and vibrant - and I am extremely grateful to them for their eagerness to contribute to this project.  That includes those who are busy working on their first collections as I write this as they are key to moving this forward. And all of them are the loveliest, loveliest people which really matters to me. Who wants their clothes made by jerks?

Certain colours and textures can immediately make you feel happy, and I want this to be intrinsic to what Swelle Boutique offers. 

The collections are priced very reasonably for what they are, and I've made a point of having pieces that are accessible and I will continue to do so.

I'm so proud of these amazing designers and really, really thrilled with their first exclusive collections of one-offs and limited pieces. It all feels right and I can't ask for any more than that. Thank you.

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I need to say that it would have been impossible for me to create my boutique without the unfailing support of my family. My husband Kyle has a relentlessly demanding job, yet he took over - without me having to ask - all my family duties during this last intense stretch and many times well before it, taking care of the house and most importantly, our daughter. I haven't been able to read our four year-old her bedtime stories in a week and she has been so understanding (plus it helps that she loves her Daddy so much). Our cuddle time has had to be brief and to make up for it she's nestled in beside me many times as I've been putting these pages together. She hasn't complained once and just the other day said to me "Your shop is going to be beautiful and everyone will buy your lovely dresses."

I love you, Kyle and Elle. My dreams would be nothing without you.

Cupcake Monday! The Anticipation Edition

I was hoping to have you join me in a celebratory cupcake for this week's edition, as I was planning to announce the opening of Swelle Boutique today. It is so close to completion but I figured an evening launch (UK time anyway) would be a bit untimely. So tomorrow will be the big unveil - finally! - and I can't wait to introduce you.

I chose these gorgeous and perfect cupcakes from Cake Journal for this post because they are the same colours of the shop, though not quite as sugary - a vague preview of sorts, in cake form. I should stop writing now before I say something bizarre, sleep has been elusive as of late and I think I just hallucinated a unicorn with a beach bucket hanging off its horn. Oops, too late.

I hope you'll check back tomorrow to have a browse in the boutique. Come with cupcakes, I'll have mine, and we'll toast with our fondant. ♥

A Sneaky Peak at Swelle Boutique!

  

Amneris jacket of fine summer wool and Liana silk pleated dress, by Neue

By now you have likely thought that the teaser under my banner was just that, but I promise that Swelle Boutique is actually on its way! Thank you to all who have been asking about it. I did the final photo shoot on Sunday - I'm thrilled with the results! - and it will be ready to launch in two weeks. 

Like The Swelle Life, Swelle Boutique is a collection of beautiful and original things, and I'm so excited to present the dresses and accessories that, for the most part, have been made exclusively for Swelle. I've invited my favourite designers to create pieces that follow the boutique's concept of lovely, romantic and soft things that are of high quality materials and workmanship. All of the pieces are either one-offs or limited edition and are made by the designers - no factories involved here - and each one has special details that are unique to their vision and technique. Offering exceptional, 'happy' things is the whole point in launching this project, which I hope to be a lasting one. 

If you are interested in any of the pieces you see here you can reserve them or get more information by emailing me - click the 'email me' link in the top left sidebar under that goofy profile photo.

Admiral dress of vintage lace, mixed silks and cottons by Rowanjoy - one of a kind

Photos by Denise Grayson (Yours Truly) and Paul Marr, respectively