Lorena Maza is the Fashion Editor of independent magazine Sleek. Founded in Hamburg, Sleek is a thematically curated selection of contemporary fashion and art. The magazine is now published from Berlin and distributed internationally.
Lorena visited our new store on Kurfürstendamm in Berlin to choose her guest edit look from the Spring Summer 2013 collection.
Find Mulberry Kurfürstendamm >
Photo of Lorena courtesy of Ana Lessing.
The Spring Summer 2013 colour palette was inspired by English flora and fauna, with pastel shades and light, laid-back tones. New colours like Bright Apricot, Nude, Light Berry Cream, Mint and Biscuit Brown create colour-blocked looks, contrasting prints and fresh leather finishes. For selected ready-to-wear and accessories pieces, English florals meet tropical geckos for a new bespoke print design.
Discover accessories, ready-to-wear and finishing touches from the Spring Summer 2013 catwalk, in our new Spring Edit.
Shiva Rose curates the website Local Rose, which was born out of Shiva’s desire ‘to celebrate a holistic, healthy, authentic life style without sacrificing taste and glamour.’ After having her first daughter, and being diagnosed with an auto-immune condition, Shiva started to follow a natural, authentic way of life. She lives in Santa Monica, California, with her two daughters.
Shiva joined us for dinner in LA last month, and picked her top choices from the Spring Summer 2013 collection.
A Mulberry contributor (and frequent traveller) comments on style and the ‘golden age’ of travel.
By Henrietta Thompson
I often ponder, usually as I join yet another queue, what it must have been like to travel in ‘the Golden Age’. When trains and planes were considered glamorous affairs. When the journey itself was something to be celebrated rather than a necessary hassle punctuated only with endless waits and vases of caffeinated water. During the first half of the last century, getting from A to B was itself something to experience in its own right. Crucially, it was an experience worth dressing up for.
Like going to the theatre or opera, the art of dressing for a journey is one we’ve largely forgotten, preferring instead to dress for comfort and survival. What the journeyman of the Golden Age realised of course, was that comfort and class are not mutually exclusive. The panama hat, the pressed pyjamas and an immaculate luggage set were all accessories to a pre-planned look that made every queue an opportunity to pose, and every plane corridor a catwalk.
The British traveller, once upon a time, was widely considered the best at this. Though today the reputation of the Brit abroad has changed somewhat, he was once considered the archetype of elegance as he went about his ‘grand tour’, his business, or simply conducted his international affairs. The journey might have taken longer than today, but as it was as much a part of the traveling experience as the grand hotel or residence the gentleman would have eventually arrived at, sartorial consideration was equally as important.
So what has changed? Why has the action of traveling lost its allure, the focus now being almost entirely on the destination instead of the journey itself? And is there anything that we could do to change things?
In the majority the blame tends to shift towards the rise of budget travel, as well as the time-poor commuter. As proper cutlery and crockery have been phased out along with railway porters, so too have passenger standards slipped. But we can’t just blame a decline in the glamour of the airport lounge; as passengers we also need to take some responsibility.
It’s time for a rethink. Life is a journey, they say, not a destination. And that is never more true that when traveling for business, when the journeying part of any trip is likely to take up about 75 per cent of your entire time away. It would make sense to make the most of it.
So where to start? A good tip is always to begin with the bags, of course. A considered set of luggage will elevate any outfit and of course traveling is really the only time when it’s possible to put it on show. A strong suit of cases will make any journey an instant special occasion. From thereon, layers are the key. A comfortable outfit in an uncrumpable fabric, should be seasoned with leather accessories and a liberal dose of super soft cashmere.
For inspiration, turn to the cinema. If you want to meet a stranger on a train you’ll want to look your best. Hitchcock’s current revival provides a back catalogue of wonderful looks, while the Titanic and the Talented Mr Ripley are also worth studying. Then there are British classics such as a Room With A View, Brideshead Revisited and of course, James Bond.
And if you feel you need to test out your look before you board? If it will see you to tea at Claridge’s or a cocktail at the Connaught, then you’re well on the way already.
Discover the Mulberry travel collection >
Mr Porter, it sounds so English, so proper. The company are fans of classic Mulberry pieces for men, and the iconic Heathcliffe briefcase features in the first of a new series from their video team called Style Clinic.
Make sure your volume is on to hear the terribly British voiceover, courtesy of Mr Michael Griffiths.
In celebration of our classic leather pieces for men, Toby Wiseman, Editor at Men’s Health magazine, shares his favourite pieces.
Janie Cai, Fashion Director for Esquire Singapore, chooses her favourite pieces from the Mulberry flagship store at Mandarin Gallery in Singapore.
There’s no inspiration like sunny skies and semiconductor chips. At least not for the brilliant women who live and work in the heart of Silicon Valley. We sat down with some women who are helping shape the world’s most beloved tech products and services, while maintaining their sense of personal style in a male-dominated industry. They share their inspirations, and how their taste is shaped by the unique culture of their industry.
In part two we bring you Morin Oluwole, Business Lead to VP, Global Marketing Solutions, Facebook.
By Mariana Lin
Where did you live before coming to California?
I grew up in Nigeria. I’ve lived in London and in New York City.
What brought you to Silicon Valley?
I was working for Facebook in New York, and there was an opening to work in the headquarters in Palo Alto. I had never lived in Northern California before, and embraced the opportunity.
How do you navigate the workplace?
You have to learn how men think, how they function, how they communicate. But I don’t let it change me. I use this understanding to build confidence.
How would you describe your personal style?
I’m very dressed up for California. I embrace glamour; fur, embellishment, lots of jewellery. I wear a lot of colour, rich jewel shades look good on my skin tone. I tend toward more European and structured styles. I am almost always overdressed for an event, but I don’t mind. In my opinion, there’s more to notice.
What is your style in the workplace?
I prefer a dress or skirt rather than pants [trousers]. I wear a blazer almost every day. The campus is large, and walking from one end to another for a meeting can take a long time, so comfortable shoes are a must, even if they’re high.
What inspires you about California?
There’s a sense of positive calm that the California vibe provides. I think it’s a combination of fresh vegetables and clean air plus the combination of progressive thinking that makes for a great environment.
For Silicon Valley style, shop our Technology Accessories >
Read part one, with Apple’s Jenna Boule >
Find Mulberry on 166 Grant Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94108 Tel: 415.399.9105.
The Telegraph’s Stella magazine shot a fashion spread with our Spring Summer 2013 collection, at Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles.
In a sea of spring flowers, model Jessica Marie wears pieces from the Main and Catwalk collection, styled by Charlie Harrington and photographed by Kristin Vicari.
Responsible for all the fashion on Stella’s pages, Charlie gave us her opinion on the new collection, and what it was like on the shoot.
Shop the Spring Summer 2013 collection >
What drew you to the Mulberry Spring Summer 2013 collection?
It’s so easy for me to be drawn to Mulberry! Emma Hill does such a genius job of presenting cool-girl accessible style, with that fine flourish of luxury! Spring Summer 2013 has such a feminine prettiness to it, cleverly mixed with tom-boyish jackets, and the softest simple leather pieces.
How do you select looks for the shoot?
I like to present a good cross section of the designer’s work in my shoots. What I like about this collection is there is such a playful spirit to all the clothes. You can just pick your own identity! Flippy and flirty, laid-back cool in a boiler suit, or clean and modernist in the tailoring.
What’s your favourite piece from this collection?
I am crazy about the relaxed fit navy biker. The perfect throw-on piece for a casual jeans look, or a flippy tea dress to grunge it up… Oh, and I am always a little bit too excited about the dogs in the show… but hey, clothes come first!
Describe a typical day on a shoot:
I love the morning moment when we all arrive and discuss our ideas. A good shoot is like the perfect dinner party of right minded people, bringing something great to the table. Once the hair and make up brief is set, there is plenty of time to think about the set up of each picture. This day was particularly fun, as we had a room smothered in flowers, and it was all too tempting to start fashioning head garlands using gardening wire. My favourite moment in the day, when I know things are feeling right is when the model comes out in the first look, and hear a voice in my head saying ‘I sooo want to be that girl!’
Stylist tip?
Never be afraid to layer print on print.
There’s no inspiration like sunny skies and semiconductor chips. At least not for the brilliant women who live and work in the heart of Silicon Valley. We sat down with some women who are helping shape the world’s most beloved tech products and services, while maintaining their sense of personal style in a male-dominated industry. They share their inspirations, and how their taste is shaped by the unique culture of their industry.
We start by meeting Jenna Boule, Marketing Manager at Apple.
By Mariana Lin
Where did you live before coming to California?
I grew up in Washington state, so the Pacific Northwest. My home style is still very influenced by that area – Pendleton blankets, Native American inspired designs.
How would you describe your style?
I wear classic, almost androgynous styles, like boxy sweaters and boy jeans. But I also like vintage jewellery and vintage dresses. My style has always been about finding a balance between the feminine and masculine.
How do you adapt your style for the workplace?
I work in the education group at Apple. Both my parents were teachers, and I have a passion for education and technology. My style has always been more modest, like boxy or tunic shapes. So it’s a comfortable transition to the workplace.
What music do you listen to?
My favorite albums, that make for amazing soundtracks for our California adventures, would be Joni Mitchell’s Blue, or Chet Baker’s My Funny Valentine. We always have those two playing in the background when we have friends over for dinner or drive to the next weekend getaway.
How has California influenced your style?
I’ve been forced more to think about style here. I’m not dressing for the elements as much as I was living in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve enjoyed exploring all the incredible boutiques and vintage stores in the San Francisco area, like The Other Shop, Painted Bird and Wasteland.
What inspires you about California?
I love how incredibly beautiful Northern California is. You have the wine country, breathtaking beauty of the coast, incredible forests and mountains, and all that San Francisco has to offer as a city. I’m inspired by how easy it is to have wonderful adventures, just by driving an hour in any direction.
Read part two, with Facebook’s Morin Oluwole >
Find Mulberry on 166 Grant Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94108 Tel: 415.399.9105.
