Emma Cornes

As my blog reaches new corners of the internet, I am regularly introduced to new British made goods. And I love discovering all the great and the good that our little country creates and makes. One such corner I reached was that of Emma Cornes, a bag manufacturer who not only makes bags in Britain but also using fabrics and materials that are made here too. 

Emma Cornes, bags are practical and stylish. Using beautiful tweeds milled in Scotland for added authenticity. 

I asked Emma to answer a few questions to get to know a little more about her burgeoning brand.

-

HOW AND WHEN DID EMMA CORNES START? 

Emma Cornes started almost two years ago today at our dining room table. I could never find the bag I wanted and I loved the cloths woven in the Scottish valley I grew up in. I thought I’d have a go at combining these two things. First I had to teach myself to sew.

HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO MANUFACTURE IN THE UK?

It was never really a decision to make – I’d never considered having my bags made anywhere else. That’s not just for sentimental reason. I genuinely believe Britain is the best place to get my bags made from a quality and speed of manufacture point of view.

WHAT IS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE YOU FACE RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

Having to do everything. At least I no longer have to make all the bags myself – I was starting to go grey very quickly. But at the same time it’s the variety that I love.

WHAT GOES INTO YOUR DESIGN PROCESS?

We’re only small so we can be pretty flexible – if I have an idea I draw it, then try to make it. 

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE PIECE FROM YOUR COLLECTION?

I’m currently using a Special Edition Dashing Tweeds Hopper. I like cross-body bags. And this one’s small enough that I don’t accumulate too much rubbish inside it.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE EMMA CORNES?

We make simple, classic bags from heritage fabrics, but we like to keep it fun.

WHO IS YOUR CUSTOMER?

I guess they’re like me – a bit of a grown-up tomboy. Someone who has loads of interests, but never has time to shop for the perfect bag. They value nice things, but like me they’d much rather be out exploring a hill than the high street.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO FOR AUTUMN?

I can’t wait to get started with designing my Spring/Summer 2015 collection. As the nights draw in I get to think about snowdrops and daffodils.

WHAT'S YOUR STANDOUT HIGHLIGHT?

There’s been a few, but a few stand out:

• Launching this year’s collection at the County Living Spring Fair. I only finalised the collection a month before the event then we had to make all our stock in a month. We did it (only just). We were so pleased when they sold so well – people loved them.
• Winning the My County Business Awards in the Fashion and Beauty category – we’ve won mentoring from Helen Barbour, Vice Chairman of Barbour. We can’t wait to get started with her.
• Finding a great workshop in the Midlands who can help us make out bags. When I collected the first batch of bags the sewed for me I was just so pleased – I’m the only one who can tell the difference between the ones they’ve made and I made.

INSERT SOMETHING INSPIRATIONAL...

I don’t normally go in for motivational quotes, but I do try to stick to the mantra of ‘do one thing well’. That’s why we stick with bags and bags only.

-

Thank you so much Emma for taking the time to answer my questions. If like Emma, you would like to be featured on The Mibber then please do get in touch.

You can shop Emma Cornes Bags online at: www.emmacornes.co.uk. Don't forget to follow on Facebook or Twitter to keep up to date with all the latest ECB news!

Andrea x

Stella & Alf

Top, Stella & Alf.

Way back when, when I first started Mibbing, when 'The Mibber' didn't exist in it's current form but that of  'What She Saw'. I discovered Stella & Alf. It was in the olden days, I like to think back to the early days and remind myself of how hard it used to be to discover the good MIB, the REALLY good MIB (ok, so it was probably just over a year ago - I may be exageratttttting). 

And that it was. I was instantly smitten with their aesthetic. The kind of effortless simplicity which is often reserved for super hip tumblr posts. Timeless and stylish. And since, the introduction of The Twenty, has added another string to their bow. If they couldn't get any better they have an ethos that makes guilt-free shopping possible. 

I asked Co-Founder, Paris, to answer a few question to help us to get to know Stella & Alf a little more. And tease us about upcoming pieces!

-

WHAT LED YOU TO START STELLA & ALF?

Well both my parents are architects, I think just made it seem really natural for me to design, and has definitely influenced the type of brand I wanted to create. I studied Fashion Design at The University of Westminster, and throughout my studies and various internships, I found that I was always happiest in the design studio creating simple pieces, always with a focus on longevity and provenance.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO MANUFACTURE IN BRITAIN?

 I was always drawn to brands who were very open about the creative process, and who gave a clear insight into how they operated. We are a teenie-tiny brand and whilst this meant it was a natural way to start up (to start very small, close to home, and do everything in-house) I very quickly became really interested in supporting British made products, and this has become integral to what Stella+Alf does.

WHAT INSPIRES YOUR DESIGNS?

 I find this question really tricky, I think as a designer, much of what you create is the result of a culmination of so many experiences and influences. Having said that, much of what I design is based on feedback from our customers, and I absolutely LOVE Pinterest for keeping inspiring images all in one place.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE?

 Launching The Twenty, I get a buzz every time we launch a new piece, the reaction is always fresh and inspiring.

YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS HONEST DESIGNS, TELL ME A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT YOUR ETHOS AND SUSTAINABLE CREDENTIALS?

 I mulled over the word "honest" for a long time. For me it communicates not only the simplicity in terms of the design of our pieces, but also indicates how transparently our products are made- like I said, pretty much every process is carried out in our little studio in Lincolnshire, and that is so crucial to what I feel S+A should be. 

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE STELLA & ALF?

Our three key principles say it all- Honest Design, Beautiful Fabrics, Made in Britain.

WHO IS THE S+A CUSTOMER?

When I design a product, I imagine how my Mum, Grandma and little sisters would wear the same piece respectively, if it's relevant to them all, that's how I know a garment embodies what I'm trying to achieve.

WHERE DO YOU SEE S+A IN FIVE YEARS?

Hopefully doing more of the same- promoting British-made,small scale, handmade products, and meeting some great people on the way.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ITEM? PAST OR PRESENT.

Can I say future? I'm so excited for our new stripes to be released, and we have some gorgeous snuggly knits for winter.

I LOVE HOW YOUR "The Twenty" COLLECTION HAS MADE STYLISH AND SUSTAINABLE MIB FASHION ACCESSIBLE, WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE IT?
ANY SNEAK PEEKS AT THE NEXT ITEM?

The Twenty is really about making British-made fashion accessible, whilst also maintaining the luxury- gorgeous fabrics, and only twenty of each piece made. Next up - lots of stripes, some gorgeous textures for winter, and some branching out into new territory (ominous I know, but top secret!)

INSERT SOMETHING INSPIRING:

It's always the S+A story, the reason behind the name-

Alf was a trawler man from Lincolnshire. Stella lived on his street.

They married on the 1st November 1958.

They had children. Nieces, nephews, grandchildren.

A ginormous dog. 

They worked hard, laughed harder.

Held hands, hugged big, shared sweets, smiled lots.

They were part of a generation who didn’t just wear clothes once, for one season, simply because they were in fashion.

Their clothes were selected and saved for.

Worn, repaired and recycled. Grafted in, worked in.

Cherished, loved, laughed in, lived in.

Paid for in units of time well spent.

They kept their feet on the ground and their imaginations in the clouds.

-

Shop Stella & Alf online at: http://www.stellaandalf.com/ and be sure to follow them on Twitter to find out when the next The Twenty is released!

Andrea x

Second Hand News

As I type, I actually think it's been raining for a whole twenty four hours. I feel a twang of guilt thinking of Autumn, like I'm cheating on what's left of Summer. But how can I not dream of staying warm and layering up. I'm the coldest human being ever. I even wore my winter coat out yesterday. Not to mention, my day job which reminds me AW14 is very much in full swing. So I need to face facts: it's already happened, Summer has slipped away.

I mourned Summer for all of about 30 seconds before googling faux British made fur accessories! Ha!

Whilst I don't want to invest in a new winter coat - my MIB Topshop wool one is still very much a good'un - I do want to tweak it. Not to mention my new favourite phrase: "What Would Stevie Nicks Do?". And then theres that felt fedora I just can't stop thinking about.. and I'm not and have never been a hat person *monkey seeing no evil emoji*

Naturally, when the heavens open my first thought was faux fur, on reflection I have seriously questionable fashion associations. Probably the same reason why I should be banned from buying suede shoes. It's true when they say there is no bad weather just bad clothes - or in my case bad choices.

Helen Moore, came up trumps in my search. Already adorning the shoulders of Fearne Cotton (or is it Wood now?) and already being hotly anticipated as THE fashion week must-have, you can't really go wrong. The multi-coloured scarves, the pill box hats and the perfect addition to my existing coat - the peter pan collar, in Forest green no less.

And lets not forget their MIB credentials, with an impressive 31 years of British manufacture under their belts. Swit Swoo. They promote everything I love in a brand.

Whilst I can't bring myself to look at woolies, just yet, I can ask WWSND? She'd accessorise!

Scarf, Age of Reason; Hat, Christy Hats; Scarf, Helen Moore; bag, M.Hulot; Shoes, Arthur Sleepers; bg, Liberty Print.


A scarf layered with a scarf, you say I'm crazy. I say think Burberry AW14! Tie your Shawl with a belt at the waist and luxuriously layer your faux on top.

I wanted a black felt hat but a pop of colour and the feather detail on the band, I just couldn't resist this emeraldyblue shade.

Slipper shoes in tweed to add in texture and bring out the bluey tones of the accessories (even more). The new age rock n roll blue suede shoes. Ones I still won't wear in the rain.

And lovely, lovely, beautiful tanned leather. This wrap over clutch is perfect.

Check out my Pinterest board with lots of styling and inspiration for my new favourite look.

Andrea x