Fashion: Local boutiques spreading lockdown love




Velvet spotlights three local boutiques sharing the fashion love during lockdown (and finds some great joggers)

Nice Things

Spanish label Nice Things is celebrated for having quite the touch at making quirky very cool. Playful and original designs are a pleasure to wear and the price points are good value indeed. We particularly like the print and cut on this pretty twig dress – £119.95 at cuckooclothing.co.uk

Nice Things cream twig dress, £119.95, cuckooclothing.co.uk (35370666)
Nice Things cream twig dress, £119.95, cuckooclothing.co.uk (35370666)

Rapid Response

It was only a matter of weeks after Lara Kinnett took over Newmarket High Street fashion store Martha V that the Covid-19 pandemic required shops and businesses to close doors. Timing was far from perfect but Lara stepped up to the challenge and moved the business online – designing and launching the website within just three weeks: “We had to think creatively and quickly, to find a way to continue to service our loyal customers and help us through the loss of earnings we are experiencing,” said Lara, who is delighted with the response to the online service. As well as creating the website, Lara has redecorated the shop which currently shows a range of rainbow coloured outfits in the windows as tribute to NHS and key workers. She is also selling the fabulous range of non-medical re-usaeble face masks by Montreal-based Frank Lyman: “We are selling them at £12 each with all proceeds going to NHS charities and Martha V will match that amount.”

* See all the new season fashions and the face masks at marthavshop.co.uk

Floral Frank Lyman face mask, £12 at marthav.co.uk (35370485)
Floral Frank Lyman face mask, £12 at marthav.co.uk (35370485)

In the Mix

Beloved Bury St Edmunds boutique Javelin has created a tempting online offering meaning customers can enjoy the shop’s carefully curated fashions despite lockdown. Celebrated for its mix of designers – menswear and womenswear – including Armani Jeans, Diesel, Barbour, Maison Scotch and Hugo Boss, alongside high street names such as Vero Moda and Superdry, Javelin, which marked 30 years in business last year, has lots of eye-catching offers to be found just in time for summer. Take a look at javelinonline.co.uk and shop Javelin’s Insta too.

Libelula Hertford blouse was £210 now £147

Paige Genevieve Flares were £265 now £185.50

Vilagallo Tessa Shirt was £149 now £104.30

Mos Mosh Blair jacket was £169 now £118.30

Nooki Nixie bag was £125 now £75

All at javelinonline.co.uk

Jog On

Well, if they are good enough for Anna Wintour, Editor in Chief of Vogue, they are good enough for us. Once claiming she would never ever wear a pair of joggy bottoms, the sunglass siren posted a pic of herself rocking the very garment she once refused as part of her stay-at-home chic. Whether you are inspired by the queen of fashion or simply a sucker for slouchwear, here’s three joggers to track down.

Classic 90s grey oversized joggers, £25, topshop.com

Pale pink cuffed joggers, £15.99, newlook.com

Wellness waffle leg bottoms, £12, primark.com


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