This is a great time of year in the shop when all the new season deliveries arrive. It’s always exciting to open the boxes and see what lovely garments will soon be available instore.  We’ve already had some casualwear from Hartford, BZR, Day Birger et Mikkelson and Inwear and now the occasion wear has arrived.

Libelula has produced some gorgeous colours and prints again and we have a variety of versions of the classic but ever lovely Millie dress along with some new pretty shapes to check out. Tara Jarmon is all about bright, bold colours in classic Tara petite shapes.  We’ve already had a very strong reaction to Aideen Bodkin with lots of jacket and dress combos.  Nocturne has already been featured in this post and Ann Louise Roswald is all about sumptuous detail as always.  Have a look at a few teaser pictures below. However you need to come into the shop to see AND feel everything in gorgeous detail!

Fashionista: Tell me about this collection and what’s different from your main line.
Matthew Williamson: I hate the word “diffusion,” but it is a diffusion line in the sense that it’s a secondary level to the main line. It’s less red carpet, less glamorous, less jet set, all those DNA qualities of the main line. They’re there, but they’re in much more subtle form, and it’s more about a day wardrobe for a more urban, contemporary, younger customer.

You have some specific design elements you’re well known for. What did you keep and what did you pitch for this line?
I kept the love of pattern, color, print, texture, effortless glamour.

What is challenging about a lower priced line? What do you have to give up?
With this line, weirdly, not very much. Because it’s owned by an Italian company, everything is manufactured in Italy, so the quality is certainly not sacrificed. It probably would be with a high street collaboration, but in this instance it’s not. It’s mid-priced. It’s not a cheap, low-end line. The quality is absoblutely there. It’s amazing what you can do.

It’s not often any shop can describe their clothing as exclusive but this is Matthew’s very first MW collection and the UK stockists are limited and we may well have items that no one else has in the world. Regardless, the collection is to die for – beautifully cut, flattering, glamorous, fantastic fabrics and colour. Everything you’d want from Matthew Williamson in fact but at a boutique price. Check out selected items below.

The Libelula velvet Dulwich coat was a firm favourite even before Kate Middleton or, as we should call her now, the Duchess of Cambridge, started to wear it.

As the exclusive stockists of the beautiful Libelula wedding dresses, it crossed our minds that a simple but elegant coat for Winter weddings would be an utterly unique and fabulous addition to the collection and designer, Sophie Cranston was happy to oblige with this exclusive cream silk, velvet, full length version of her classic design.

There aren’t many of these coats in existence and one is already reserved so don’t hesitate to contact us if you’re interested to visit the shop and try one on for fit.  The coat looks stunning over all of Sophie’s exquisite dresses but is pictured with the Vinnie dress in silk georgette.

In the gallery below there are a few more pictures of the wedding dresses. We have most styles in stock in most sizes, at the moment, along with a few one off styles in size 10 only.

The prices range from £650 to £900 which is incredible for 100% silk dresses (including the lining). Customers have bought them recently for weddings on cliff tops to classic English churches. When you want a dress that you wear with happiness throughout the day, rather than a dress that wears you, these vintage inspired, beautifully  and generously cut dresses beat the alternatives hands down.

We also have the Dulwich coat in the classic short length in cream velevet, if you’re going for a short dress for your special day or even if one sounds lovely for some other special occasion. Just remember, they’re only available at Katharine Bird.

The big question is whether we will have another cold and snowy winter.  Whether you’re regularly walking the dog, picking kids up from school, scurrying to work or off to a special occasion, we have some great clothes for you.  Poncho coats from Pablo, Ella Moon and Inwear. Cashmere from Don’t Label Me and Sheepskins from Joseph. The Puffa coat (Short and long) is still a must and we have lovely ones from Iblues, Gerard Darel, Pablo, Day and Joseph so you should be able to find the perfect one for you.

Whilst black and grey are still the main staples of any winter wardrobe, we have plenty of colours too: greens and mustards, reds and purples and luxurious creams and camels. There’s plenty of work wear from Tara Jarmon and Marc Aurel whilst Day. Berenice and Inwear still offer attractive dress up/dress down separates.

If you know what you want, we’ll point you in the right direction and if you need help, just ask and we’ll be delighted to offer you some suggestions.  New label MW from Matthew Williamson (his only boutique line) offers the cut and quality of his bespoke collection, enhancing our evening wear range greatly. Finally, the lace Libelula wedding dress that many people asked us about earlier in the year has finally arrived so do ask to have a look.

The big hit appeared to be this dress from Hale Bob. This is just one of a number of beautiful dresses and tops to be found from Hale Bob this Summer. More pictures can be found here.

We also had a beautiful silver grey, knee length jacket from Tara Jarmon, cream embroidered blouse by Day Birger et Mikkelson and Navy cotton Parka from Bruuns Bazaar BZR which also comes in beige.

We understand the evening was a great success with well over £3000 raised for for the Myotubular Trust. For more fund raising activities go to the website at www.myotubulartrust.org.

According to Hilary Alexander, “She chose the wedding of her and Prince William’s close friends, Harry Aubrey-Fletcher and Louise Stourton, in Yorkshire on Saturday to unveil her latest style discovery – a sleek and softly tailored, black velvet coat, with diamanté buckle, from the independent London fashion label Libélula, which means dragonfly in Spanish.”

“The coat was designed by Sophie Cranston, 34, a young British designer with a romantic and bohemian background. A graduate of the University of Northumbria, she won the Student Collection of the Year award at Graduate Fashion Week in 1999, with a tongue-in-cheek collection called ‘The Morning After the Night Before’, which featured a male model wearing only a striped cashmere cushion.”

“After working with Alexander McQueen, Sophie joined Alice Temperley in 2000, and was instrumental in helping her establish the Temperley label. Then, in a complete switch, she decided to move to Andalucia to learn flamenco and Spanish. It was here, in a small, white-washed village in Southern Spain that she established her own label.”

Congratulations Sophie. We always knew your clothes were scrumptious. Glad the new ‘fashion icon’ thinks so too.  By the way, we stock and supply Libelula’s wedding dress collection.

The new Summer 2011 collection from Libelula will be instore very soon. Check back to the website for pictures in the next few days.

As always, Libelula comes in some fun and colour prints. This season we have gone with the Moto Print in pinks and purples and the Trilby Print in Teal and Ruby pink.  Finally, winter isn’t winter with out Libelula’s knitwear in Merino wool – including the perfect Cecily dress, Blackheath coat and Portabello skirt. Below are just some of the styles in store so pop sooner rather than later to see the full collection.

Libelula is mainly known for its gorgeous dresses ranging from evening, occasion to day wear. Set up and designed by Sophie Cranston, after her formative experience at Temperley, Libelula always uses sumptuous and beautiful fabrics of the highest quality.

Known for its prints, particularly in the Summer, Libelula has built up a loyal following at Katharine Bird over the last few years. Libelula is also much appreciated for the beautiful and flattering cut of its clothes. The dresses often feature pretty sleeves and easy lengths whilst always having an interesting twist or sexy reveal. If you’re looking for a full length dress, Libelula nearly always has a great selection for anything from bridesmaids to balls, beach maxis to evening weddings.

Libelula is also known for lovely blouses, wearable but glamourous coats and jackets and Wedding dresses (to order). In fact, if you haven’t got something from Libelula in your wardrobe, you have no idea what you are missing!