Those that know me well will know I have a real passion for "Folk Style" fashion. Think gypsy, hippy, bohemian style prints. embroidery, colour - a bit old fashioned, a dash of vintage and totally unique.
I'd like to say I dress like this often, I have been known as "Festival Mum" - for my array of fringed boots and I often get stopped in the street to ask where an item of clothing is from. In reality I'm often in jeans and a t-shirt - but I loved finding unique style clothing for my children.
This year my mission is to showcase as many "Folk Style" businesses that I come across and let you know where you can buy their fabulous items from.
One that I have come across recently is Palava.
Palava was started in a village called Yarm (sounds like something out of Stardust, right?) that's in Yorkshire by the way. It has undergone a few name changes over the years and is now based in London. Their ethos is to create beautiful, unique clothing that can be passed from generation to generation. Each fabric has a story to tell, running along the hem of the dress, and each dress comes with it's very own little story book. How cute is that?
The creator of Palava, Bryony hand draws each picture for the print. Constantly inspired by anything and everything around her, Bryony decides on a theme for each season and then the story evolves from there. As a London brand, many of Bryony's ideas come from the city she now calls home - the London collection features landmarks such as Big Ben and St. Paul's Cathedral.
But as a Yorkshire girl at heart, Bryony often seeks inspiration outside of the city. Other Palava collections pay homage to the seaside, the wilds of Cornwall and the magical orchards, fields and harvests of the British countryside - to name but a few!
There are two main characters in the Palava storybooks, a little Girl called Poppy and her dog Fred. Each season they go on different adventures and meet many other characters along the way. The hand drawn illustrations you see in the storybooks are often the first design ideas and rough sketches that Bryony starts with for the collection.
As well as kids and women's clothing you'll find a selection of homeware available online too.
Here are a few of my faves:
Margaret - Navy Woodland. Features a beautiful border print, telling the story of a magical walk beneath the stars.
Margaret - Black Hungarian Flowers. Inspired by the intricate floral motifs and bold colours of Hungarian folk art, this unique border print dress is the epitome of vintage charm.
Martha - Mustard Birds of Prey.
Magical Birds of Prey design in a gorgeous autumnal mustard.
Dresses can be teamed up with classic bold coloured cardigans, matching head bands and bows and if you agree that "twinning is winning" you can match in an adult version too.
I love these magical, dreamy designs. You can find Palava in selected boutiques all over the world or order online.
Pictures reproduced with kind permission of Palava.
