The British Mac

The Mac was named after Charles Macintosh, the fashion icon shot to  fame by Thomas Burberry and Co during World War One. 

We thought with all this rain, there would be no better time to bring forward the timeless classic. 

A wardrobe must and is perfectly matched  to this British climate the ‘Mac’ is named after Charles Macintosh who, in 1823 patented a method for bonding rubber between two layers of fabric but, it wasn’t until World War One, that the item really came into its own when Thomas Burberry and Co. – in response to government demands for an all weather coat to protect our damp armed forces from inclement weather — created the single breasted ‘Mac’ for the troops at the front and the now ubiquitous double breasted trench coat for the officer at the back.

It was later popularised by Humphrey Bogart and all mysterious private detectives that went about their dark investigations, the Mac sold millions the world over, and became a firm favourite with the ladies, especially the black Mac which hung on the graceful bodies of many  silver screen goddesses and stars of Old Hollywood.

Today, there is no outer garment more classic than that of the Mac, the finest examples of which are produced by Burberry and Mark Marengo on Savile Row.

So come on Ladies and Gents, pop down to the local boutique and splash out on a timeless British Classic for the oh so terrible British Weather! 

*Kate Moss for Burberry  

Join us on twitter @official_BFW 


By- Josephine Smith-Mands

Win Win Win!! Diamante encrusted Summer Daydreams!

Summer sun and holidays are looming!
Fancy a great read whilst lounging by the pool or on the beach?

Well you may be in luck! Why not enter to win one of four diamante encrusted Summer Daydreams books by Carole Matthews.

What if you had always dreamed of something more . . . ?

Based upon the story of one of our guest designers Helen Rochfort, her family and her designer handbags you'd be mad not to find out more!

Established in September 2007, Helen Rochfort creates curious and decadent frame box clasped handbags and accessories. She has been on ITV This Morning and heralded ad a future collectable. With many big stores stocking her bag and many famous faces parading around with the great pieces I can't see why it wouldn't become a collectable!

Summer Daydreams is Carole Matthews 20th novel. Her books have been sold in 20 different languages and taken stateside to the likes of Hollywood!
Carole began writing after winning a short story competition and spending the money on a course in writing which has brought her to where she is today!

Through a shared love of handbags Carole and Helen met on Facebook and brought the story of Helen Rochfort to life! Summer Daydreams!
To find out more on the book click here

'There's something about a Carole Matthews' book that makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside'

Heat

'Will have you giggling from the start . . . Hilarious'  

OK!

To win one of the four diamante encrusted EXCLUSIVE (no you can't get a copy like this in WH Smiths) Summer Daydreams books, all you need to do between now and the 4th July, Tweet us  @Official_BFW or post to our British Fashion Week Facebook page with a photo of yourself with your favourite BRITISH handbag .

You have lots of time to do this so get tweeting and posting to our wall and then the four winners will not only win this exclusive gift but will also get their photo and story posted to our BFW blog!

We look forward to reading and seeing your tweets and posts!

Good Luck!!

Winners will be notified by the end of the day on the 5th July via our social media outlets.
Follow Carole on Twitter @carolematthews
Follow Helen on Twitter @helenrochfort

I Found Another Handbag

Argh - I've found another hand bag ,this time a clutch that ticks all the box's for me and trends today - touch pricey but...

It's the Valorie clutch bag by Anya Hindmarch - a great British designer!

I love handbags as any of my friends will tell you and I have one in every colour as i do glasses!!

But handbags not only have to look stylish, upto date and impressive, they also have to be practical, otherwise they are not worth anything at all and will end up sitting in a cupboard

First of all, unless they are a clutch bag, they have to be able to go over my shoulder comfortably and not ruche up the clothes i’m wearing, they should

have room to carry life's neccessities including all shapes and sizes of phones, ipads and shoes, nappies, tights, spare batteries... I digress

but they need to be appropriate for the occasions you use them, and so no lady can get away with only one bag, there has to be a few of them -

unless you use the Mitch Bag! Read on to find out why ...

Plea to British Handbag Designers

I have a plea for British designers out there could you please come up with an equivalent to the American Mitch bag, this, if you are not aware does the opposite of those handbag interiors that you swap from bag to bag which I've never quite got the hang of, which is a shame because my bags can look like the list above!! 

Magnetic Shells!

It works in a simple way, one handbag but you change the outer of the bag which has strong magnets in it so the outer is changed in a second and the bag changes colour, shape and pattern just by changing your exterior, all the rest of your mess stays put.

Easy!

 - so any British designers please take note.

Handbag Style Tips

At the beginning of every season the easiest bag to try and find is a multi coloured bright funky bag that will work with any of your clothes, think buttons, sequins or patches dependant on your taste. 

Then find an evening bag to match your jewelry (usually gold or silver) eg a large clutch bag but with the added benefit of a strap that you can tuck away but that can be used if necessary ( think glass of champagne and nibbles!)

All I have to do now is discover whether the Valorie bag has a hidden strap and if so start saving my pennies!

Written by BFW's Sally Inkster.


Follow Sally on Twitter @DivaDressing
View her website at: Diva Dressing