Nestled in a corner of North London is a pretty little design studio where life began for one of my favourite fashion crushes, Lily and Lionel. Born back in 2008 the brand first offered up beautifully printed, luxury scarves, featuring award winning designs and that fast became the accessory to be seen in. Eight years later came the launch of the ready to wear collection, featuring must have, delicately printed blouses and dresses that inspired a landslide of love from key social influencers and magazine editors alike. Fluid and romantic the collections are gently bohemian, easy to wear and look as good dressed up with heeled boots as they do floating along a beach at sunset. Today’s post celebrates this success story and chats to Founder and Creative Director, Alice Stone, whose own style is itself a key inspiration for the brand.
Congratulations on the success of Lily and Lionel. I wondered where the initial idea for the brand came from and of course, the lovely name?
“Thank you. Lily and Lionel was born during a trip to the wonderfully energetic and bohemian Delhi, looking back it seems fitting that the idea was inspired whilst surrounded by the eclectic energy and inimitable landscape of India. What started as an innocent idea quickly became a solid conversation. There was a real gap in the market for beautiful, storytelling prints on accessories. I named Lily and Lionel after my grandparents as a tribute to my family’s history of working in the textile industry, (Alice’s grandmother Lily was an expert seamstress, and her grandfather Lionel supplied London’s most prestigious stores with luxury garments) and that emotive beginning is what inspires me as, above all else, my ultimate aim to produce unique prints that truly resonate with our customers.”
The wall of scarves – a luxuriously tactile homage to the roots of the brand.
How long before you realised that there was a market for your prints in ready to wear?
“It was around 4 years in and it subsequently took 18 months to fully launch the RTW collections. It took several months of planning and designing the collection to bring the vision to life. It felt right to be patient and launch it credibly, focusing on pieces that are dear to our hearts and totally unique to us such as the dresses.”
Alice in the sure-to-be a sellout Moon & Star monochrome 70s dress. #thestylishstuffloves
What kind of woman do you have front of mind when you are designing?
“We very much bring together elements of the lady and the rebel that make up the Lily and Lionel woman. She is feminine and together whilst being free spirited and a little bohemian at heart. We always try to maintain that balance when creating our collections.”
Alice in Spring / Summer 2017. Left, Kitty neutral button front midi dress. Right, Kitty neutral pin tuck midi skirt.
Alice, could you describe your personal style and how it influences L&L?
“I’d say my style is resolutely British: eclectic, feminine and bohemian. I’m a little bit in love with vintage and the process of sourcing, this has become a major part of the design process since we launched ready-to-wear. Everything I embrace in my way of life influences the brand in some way. Where I choose to go for dinner, the exhibit I head to on a Sunday, the vintage boutiques where I hunt for ‘treasure’. Everything I experience feeds back into our designs and inspires those story-telling prints.”
Alice Loves: clockwise from top left; plaited hair inspiration; favourite vintage pieces; the lust-have Lily and Lionel star print scarf; Sezincote House in the Cotswolds where Alice was married; a blush velvet sofa – what’s not to love; Walden Books – a treasure trove of second-hand books in Camden, London; Alice rifling through the rails of one of her favourite go-to vintage haunts in Milan; her wedding bouquet by Scarlet and Violet; the Lily and Lionel star and moon print (a Stylish Stuff favourite); earring inspo’ from Alice’s favourite blog ‘They All Hate Us’; Molecule 01 perfume; her go-to restaurant in London’s Lexington St, Andrew Edmunds and favourite paradise beach: Song Saa Private Island in Cambodia where Alice honeymooned this year and finally, one of the positive mantras she surrounds herself with.
Are there any plans to add in any other accessories?
“The accessories line is ever-evolving … watch this space!”
Where did your inspiration journey begin for the ss17 collection?
“It all started on a sourcing trip to Milan, blown away by the feminity and strong bold colour palette I was surrounded by the makings of the collection began. The Winnie Ruby print in particular was created off the back of that trip; the rich red and flirty spring like tone making it both playful and bold.”
From leopard print to overblown hand painted poppies – the walls of the studio boast the journey of the collection now hanging on the rails.
Everywhere the walls are covered with stunning hand painted or digital print designs and swatches of fabric.
Do you have any favourite pieces?
“I am obsessed with the Kate dress. it’s my ‘go-anywhere’ dress for this spring. I’m super excited as it’s the first time we’ve launched a true evening dress in the collections and the response has been amazing. I’ve got a couple of weddings abroad and it is going to be my plus 1 to both.”
“This print was inspired by English wild flowers and was used for both my wedding stationary and bridesmaids skirts” Alice wearing the Alice white floral print.
Alice’s bridesmaids in the ‘Alice white floral print’ – all self styled for the occasion.
You love to travel and explore far flung shores – describe your perfect holiday wardrobe…
“Ooh, ok. My ideal summer suitcase would include white fine cotton cover ups, plenty of white T’s, delicate lace triangle bra’s, beautiful printed floor sweeping statement maxi dresses, iconic studded gladiator flats and the perfect Levis stone washed jeans.”
Clothes that make you do just that (another mantra favourite from Alice)
Alice on her honeymoon at the Song Saa Private Island in Cambodia. Follow her @aliceelizabethstone
Where next for L&L? Any exciting plans you can reveal?
“2017 will mark a real change and evolution in the brands’ history. We have lots of exciting new & upcoming projects up our sleeve for the next year ahead… We’re also working on some beautiful events for the coming year. Apologies for sounding mysterious, all will be revealed soon!”
To shop the Lily & Lionel collection, click here to visit their online store and check out their exclusive collection for another Stylish Stuff favourite, www.freepeople.com
Picture by Kenwyn Alexander/Freepeople
Alice surrounds herself with strong, motivational words, so where better to end than one of her favourites, this from Roald Dahl – just add one Moon & Star monochrome 70s maxi dress for good measure.
Fashion & Style Director Shelly Vella