Jane Shepherdson becoming CEO and director of freshly bought-out store Whistles, which I have previously given some comments on their shifting branding hasn’t actually been the talk of the town. In fact, I gather they want to keep things hush hush and slowly try and give Whistles the makeover it deserves. I must have been a little dumb not to have known that back in the 70s’ when Lucille and Richard Lewin started up Whistles, it was an ickle shop in Marylebone selling labels like Jean Paul Gaultier, Dries Van Noten and John Galliano. Boutique yesterday, chain store today. How did a cutting edge boutique then became known for slightly mumsy looks and soft-lit, hazily focused gals frolicking in the country side in their ditzy floral dresses and wrap cardis. That I cannot answer by Jane Shepherdson along with design director Nick Passmore seems to want to rectify this and propose something a bit more polished, perhaps trying to get a bit of the Reiss ‘high-end high street’ pie with an added dose of heritage what with their specially picked out exclusive prints. The lookbook is straightforward with no messin’ around and whilst holding onto something for their former customer, the pieces on offer are far more adaptable and less rigidly ‘English Rose’. The clean presentation doesn’t cloud the vision and for now these are going up on my new inspiration wall in the new pad. I’d expect more of a hype-hype come S/S 09 though as Shepherdson begins to work her retail magic…
Whistles has certainly changed, and I like it more for that! I liked the article in Vogue UK August where 3 editors took whistles clothing and styled it. Funnily enough, my favorite was the most “english rose” type one.
like the green dress and the black jacket!
Some of these shapes are really interesting – particularly the orange shift dress. Lovely prints too. Let’s just hope Shepardson can give Whistle’s the make-over it deserves.
(hope you’re settling into your new pad btw) Cx
Didnt the company who own Oasis Mosaic Fashions own Whistles ?
hey…totally off topic but, have you seen this?
http://www.rodeo.net/agnes-b/2008/08/21/perry-ellis/
miuccia copies perry ellis 1992?
I like those dresses, especially the one with the print.
i really like the printed dress lets hope she transforms whistles as it sounds like it was once i really good boutique! bring it back!
it would be typical for me to say i like what they’ve done with the hair.. but i’ll say it anyway! i think any dress can look good on a model with black tights so real life looking will test whether they have an edge for buying
Yes Jane has done an amazing job so far! I work for the brand, i actually work in the little one on marylebone HS one of our first stores! Yes the clothes do look just as amazing in real life the cuts are a lot more edgier, more high fashion as oppose to ‘mumsy’ and the fabrics they are using are really nice and have a great quality to them. So, keep your eyes opened because there are PLENTY more beautiful things coming through for autumn winter and of course SS09!
oh you have to take a photo of and post your inspiration wall! in fact id really love to see your apartment/room post photos!!! that just sounded a little creepy haha, im doing up my apartment and am inspiration-less so susie bubble inspire me!
Yes! Whistles is owned by Mosaic Fashions (Oasis, Coast, Karen Millen, Warehouse, Principles and such the like)
Cant wait to use my staff discount on these little gems!
I love the duchesse satin skirts and sweet knitwear. Quality fabrics and the cuts look amazing…What a transformation!