In my early teens, before starting my homework in the evenings, I would lay out my books and assignments, and line up my pencils and coloured highlighters. But the best part of my preparation would be lighting a candle on my desk. That dancing flame focused all my energy in this small space that I could claim as my own, if only for a short time.
Over the years, the quality of the candles improved, but to this day, the small act of lighting a candle continues to conjure up feelings of escape from the outside world. I scatter flickering tea lights around a bath laced with aromatherapy oils, or light a luxurious scented candle while nursing a glass of wine, engrossed in a book.
I love that such a small object holds the power to transform a space and instil warmth and calm.
I wanted to make candles years ago at a time when our London pop-up shops were starting to gain traction. Between customer conversations and managing the store, I would attempt to sit and work on this project, but there was never enough time to devote. During the months when the store was closed, I instead focused on our main handbag collections, developing new colours and styles which meant that unfortunately, the candle project fell by the wayside as the rhythm of our stores and building our accessories collections took over.
And the pandemic hit, changing the world overnight and our lives almost overnight. Despite the difficulties and problems we all faced, I am grateful that it did give me the time to slow down and find the creative space to work on and develop my love of candles. And what better time when we all long for a bit of comfort and escapism.
I wanted to create unisex candles that were unique, personal and, staying true to my brand ideals, the highest quality. So as with all my projects, I started with education.
I enrolled in an online fragrance creation course which first trained my nose to learn a host of scents both familiar and unfamiliar to me over the span of several weeks. Then I learned to write my own fragrance briefs and use this to create, mix and refine my own formulas. The whole course was a wonderful 2-month journey of discovery, and when it was finished, I was excited to apply my newfound knowledge.
Although my leather accessories are all made in Italy, I wanted to produce my candles closer to home. I spoke with a number of UK candle makers and, at first, I looked for an existing fragrance that would fit into the briefs that I had developed. However, my search proved in vain, as nothing was quite right.
I decided to take my learnings and develop my own formulas to create fragrances that are more personal and tell a story.
I felt as though I was back in chemistry class weighing, measuring and tweaking my scent formulas, but it has been such a rewarding endeavour. I then searched for a UK fragrance lab and then also found a perfect partner in a small East London candle-maker who was extremely honest, knowledgable and dedicated to making a premium quality product.
Many commercial candles are made from paraffin wax as it allows producers to use less fragrance to achieve a good “scent throw”. The downside is that you are burning a derivative of petroleum oil, which can give off harmful fumes in your home. In addition, some lower-end candles may contain a lower percentage of fragrance and only focus on one or two ingredients like vanilla or peach.
Our hand-poured candles are made in East London from 100% vegan wax, which is a blend of rapeseed and coconut waxes, and use a cotton wick to ensure a clean burn. Additionally, we contain a higher percentage of our fragrance to ensure a strong, lasting scent throw. Each of the formulas I have developed is a combination of 10 to 15 different scents that I hope will take you on a journey.
With our accessories collections, my inspiration comes from shapes and colours that I see, whether on buildings or in nature. However, my candle inspirations came not from something that I saw, but from feelings and memories. I am an avid traveller and I love how a smell can conjure up so many things and transport us to another place. There was no question that the first places I wanted to bring to life are the two places in the world I have been lucky enough to call home: Primrose Hill in London and the West Village in New York.
I am so proud of the capsule candle line that I have created. Our two unisex candles are hand-poured in vegan wax and feature luxury, minimalist packaging with an insert detailing the inspirations for each candle. I hope you will love them and that they will transport you to another place...another feeling…
Stay tuned for our next blog post which will introduce our two candles fragrances in detail launching in June.
]]>Spring is here and we’re starting to venture out again, so here are some ideas for how you can transform your stay at home clothing into fashionable street style outfits.
]]>Don’t ditch the comfy hoodie/leggings combo just yet! Simply add a sharp blazer, black booties and a structured tote to take the look outside. Keep the blazer unbuttoned and don’t forget to pull the hood out of the back of the jacket. Pull it all together with strong lines from a minimalist bag for a chic, yet casual look. Extra points for sweet prints on your hoodie peeking out to show some personality.
Even pre-lockdown, monochrome jogging sets were becoming a street-wear staple, so it’s no surprise that so many people dove into this colourful matching duo trend during our time at home. Take this look from sofa to street by adding white leather or canvas sneakers and a cross body bag. A large or squishy bag could add too much volume to this relaxed look, so choose something with a clean shape.
Pangaia Jogging Top & Bottoms, Veja Faux Leather Trainers, Stacy Chan Cross Body Bag
A voluminous dress is a must for comfort and can easily be taken outside. If you're tall and slim, this can look amazing as is, but if you’ve got a little shape to you or are on the petite side (like yours truly), a strategically placed skinny belt can accentuate your body a bit more. Slip on a pair of smart yet comfortable loafers, grab your luxe leather tote and you’re ready for whatever the day might bring.
Arket Dress, Stacy Chan Reversible Belt, Tod's Loafers, Stacy Chan Tote Bag
Most of us have been living in chunky jumpers to keep us warm this winter. Before you relegate them to the back of the wardrobe until next year, throw on a pair of stylish shorts and tuck in just the front/one side of the front of the jumper. Add a pair of neutral sandals and a designer backpack to elevate “I just threw this on” to “where did you get that?”
Everlane jumper, Reiss shorts, Sandro sandals, Stacy Chan backpack
Thanks for reading!
Some (but not all) of the links above may be affiliate links. If you click and purchase something, I may earn a small commission to support this blog. I have only chosen things that I like and/or use myself from a variety of brands large and small. Rest assured, you will not be paying a different price and have absolutely no obligation to click or buy anything. Just read and enjoy!
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As usual, I have done the heavy-lifting for you and watched the shows to pick out my favourite trends for later this year.
Winter white continues to be a staple trend year after year and it's no different for AW2021. Designers showed head to toe looks in various fabrics – wool coats, silk dresses, knits and comfortable jersey. Light creams and stark whites extended further into shoes and handbags to complete the clean look.
Skinny belts were seen in many collections and not just through trouser belt loops. These accessories helped to accentuate waistlines over coats, blazers, gilets and gathered dresses. This is my favourite trend for the colder weather as it means you can add layers without losing your shape. Our reversible Italian leather belts here are perfect for achieving this look.
After we all spent a year at home in comfort, many designers embraced loungewear and elevated relaxed looks in different ways. Knee high boots, creative layering and sparkly accents added polish to comfortable knitwear while tailored jackets, blazers and vests contained loose silhouettes. I love the juxtaposition of relaxed shapes with structured pieces and I think an easy way to work this trend is by pairing loungewear and a strong handbag.
My love of colour is no secret and although there was some coming down the runway these past few weeks, the real bold pops seem to be hidden under layers. Bright tones in winter are great for lifting the spirit and in AW seasons past, reds and greens have been popular. This AW21, however, vivid colours were peeking out from beneath more subdued shades, as if we are cautiously optimistic about the season to come. This combination of bold and subtle colour is a mainstay of my design ethos – allowing playful confidence to sit alongside chic, classic style.
All images from vogue.com where you can see the full runways shows of all the designers.
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(Transcript of the video below)
Hi, I’m Stacy, the founder and creative director of Stacy Chan, a handbag and accessories brand designed in London, all hand made in Italy.
Happy International Women’s Day. The theme this year is Choose to Challenge, a campaign based on the idea that a challenged world is an alert world. It calls on everyone to raise awareness against bias, take action for equality and celebrate women’s achievements for an inclusive world.
Challenging bias and inequality are things that we can look out for, but not all of us have the opportunity to practice this on a daily basis. However, we as women can all more easily rally around the third pillar of this year’s campaign to celebrate women’s achievements.
The saying that we are our own harshest critics can be especially true for women. We are constantly striving for some ideal of perfection and success that has only become more distorted by the prevalence of social media. Although I am conscious not to compare my journey to others, I do often fall into the trap of being so focused on the next goal that I forget to look back and celebrate my own achievements and how far I’ve come.
I have been running my Italian leather accessories business for many years now, but my career began in New York City in the male-dominated world of investment banking where I was one of two women on a 20-person team. I worked 85 hours a week, through weekends and holidays, many times over night, but I learned so much so quickly and it gave me the confidence to pursue my own goals.
I left New York for London barely knowing anyone in this new city, but I was determined to have a new adventure and experience a different culture. Little did I know that this move would result in lifelong friends and I would come to call London my home.
After 10 years of working in finance, my decision to build my own business was centred around my love of accessories – specifically handbags and shoes. Looking around, I felt like the same designs were being recycled over and over and there was also little faith in products that claimed to be “Made in Italy”. So while I was working at a hedge fund in London, I bought a sketch book – which being a distressed credit investor was not exactly in my wheel house of skills – and began drawing my own ideas for handbags.
This one small step led me to a Handbag Design course at the London College of Fashion and then onwards to Italy to find a tannery in Tuscany and small Italian manufacturers to help me bring my ideas to life. When I look back at my uncertain start, feeling around in the dark in a new industry, it is a wonder that today, I have been featured in prestigious fashion magazine, had my handbags carried by members of the British Royal Family, sell with Harvey Nichols and have customers all over the world.
With all the things vying for our attention on a daily basis, how can we set aside time to #choosetochallenge? My answer is I don’t think choosing to challenge only applies to grand gestures fighting for the rights of disenfranchised women around the world. I think there are small, everyday ways to reach out to other women that cost us nothing and can make a difference.
For instance, I have spoken to countless budding designers who have come to our pop-ups asking for advice on how to get started or what they should watch out for. But it can be even simpler than this by reaching out to a woman in your life.
Bring attention to a small achievement that they glossed over. Ask how they are coping with the stresses of work, family and lockdown. Or just a simple word of encouragement or thanks.
Last week I mentioned to a good friend that she has made such a difference to my life during lockdown and she started to tear up. I didn’t think this would be a revelation, but sometimes an unexpected word of kindness and appreciation can do wonders.
I could tell stories all day about the amazing women in my life, but this video is already a bit long. Instead, I have organised my first Clubhouse discussion for Monday, 8 March at 11am London time which is officially International Women’s Day. This is a casual gathering for all women to share their stories of achievement, no matter how small and also to share stories of the women that have made a difference in their lives.
So find me with an inspiring group of women on clubhouse and join the conversation* to celebrate International Women’s Day 2021.
* Unfortunately, the Clubhouse app is currently iPhone/iPad only and requires an invitation to join.
]]>For over 20 years, the Pantone Color Institute has been choosing a colour to embody the feelings and mood of the coming year. This annual prediction in turn influences global fashion, home and design.
Their decision is based on looking at trends across many different disciplines around the world. In 2020, a deep Classic Blue was chosen “instilling calm, confidence and connection.” But who could have predicted the year that occurred?
For the coming year, Pantone has chosen both yellow Illuminating and Ultimate Gray. This is only the second time they have ever chosen a pair of colours – the last time in 2016. These two seemingly opposite tones are selected to support each other. Executive Director Leatrice Eisman states
"The union of an enduring Ultimate Gray with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude. Practical and rock solid, but at the same time warming and optimistic. This is a colour combination that gives us resilience and hope. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted, this is essential to the human spirit.”
Though 2021 may prove to be a difficult year, the idea of a solid, stabilising base with a hopeful future is one that we can all relate to. Here is an edit of fashion and accessories in the Pantone colours of 2021.
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Some (but not all) of the links above may be affiliate links. If you click and purchase something, I may earn a small commission to support this blog. I have only chosen things that I like and/or use myself from a variety of brands large and small. Rest assured, you will not be paying a different price and have absolutely no obligation to click or buy anything. Just read and enjoy!
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I hope you had a lovely and festive few days. Like many others in London and the UK, my Christmas was a bit smaller and quieter this year, but still infused with a lot of turkey and a little too much chocolate.
I will not be the first to say that this has been a difficult year for many of us. So while acknowledging this, I also wanted to celebrate what we have accomplished in 2020...
]]>I hope you had a lovely and festive few days. Like many others in London and the UK, my Christmas was a bit smaller and quieter this year, but still full of a lot of turkey and a little too much chocolate.
I will not be the first to say that this has been a difficult year for many of us. At times, I have felt frustrated, lonely, overwhelmed and unmotivated. However, thanks to my family, friends and supportive customers, I have also often felt grateful, focused, inspired, and energised.
So while acknowledging there have been tough times this year, I also wanted to celebrate what we have accomplished in 2020.
And we made it through this year - and with 2021 on the horizon, I am looking forward to a busy start. Our new vegan wax candles are being made in London and will be launching in the beginning of the year. I am working to finalise my handbag samples with custom metalwork with my Italian factories. And hopefully these styles will be launched in a new pop-up shop in the Spring.
At the beginning of every year, I look to one of my favourite quotes from a poem by T.S. Elliot. It reads
I love the feeling of stillness that sits between last year and next year that gives us time to reflect and plan. And I believe that next year’s voice will be one of hope, progress and growth for all of us.
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey and best wishes for a very happy new year!
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Hi everyone. Can you believe there only about 2 months left in the year? Time has flown by as the world has been seemingly jumping from one crisis to the next, I think many of us are feeling definite Covid fatigue and it’s having an impact on our well-being, motivation and mental health.
Obviously I am very grateful that my family and friends, especially those who are front line workers are healthy, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t all starting to get a case of the second wave blues. I started to think, what can we do to pick ourselves up and maybe shake off these feelings as we head into the end of the year. So here are a few suggestions that I am trying:
These past 7-8 months have not been easy for any of us both on a personal level and a work level. Take time to slow down and be proud of what you have been able to achieve. Maybe you took this time to learn a new language, or managed to home school your children. But they don’t have to be big things either, maybe you have been cooking more or you just found some time to slow down and take care of yourself.
Personally, I am proud of my newfound exercise regime – I have been going through each INSANITY workout program over the past 8 months, which has been a definite test of motivation. I will finally finish the last of four programs next week.
On the business side, I have taken this time to focus on the amazing community of supporters that I have been lucky enough to build. I have written two quarterly magazines so far - the last one which just came out two weeks ago. They cover so many of my interests from fashion and work to travel and books. And this last issue even had a look behind the scenes of how I developed my latest candle project. If you haven’t subscribed to our mailing list yet, you can do so now to get a link to the latest magazine. And I already have some great ideas for January’s issue, which leads me to my next tip…
This has been an especially difficult one for me as I like to plan. I can handle stress and hard work as long as I know what is coming. In this period of uncertainty though, what can we plan for. I have a birthday coming up and my partner has a big birthday to celebrate as well. It is also very unlikely that I will be seeing my family in the States for Thanksgiving or Christmas this year.
I think that we have to do the best we can and be content that just because things will be different and not ideal this year, doesn’t mean we can’t still find joy in small places. Are you getting dressed up for a zoom Halloween next week? Are you looking forward to the leaves changing colour and going on a park walk. Are you anticipating the cheerful holiday music on the radio or the heart-warming classic movies that you can watch remotely with people you care about.
On my side, I have a Halloween pumpkin waiting to be carved and a new craft project that I hope will be done in time for Christmas gifting. This is normally my favourite time of year and I am already making a list of movie box sets that I will be watching each day in December – I’m thinking I might make a Lord of the Rings marathon a Christmas tradition from now on – the extended versions obviously.
For work, I am very much looking forward to the launch of my first capsule candle line. I have dedicated so much time to learning how to make and develop these candles. I have poured my own personal memories into making these bespoke fragrances and can’t wait to see what you all think. I am also looking forward to the new year, writing the next issue of our quarterly magazine and also getting back to the handbag samples that are waiting in Italy for the Spring.
Now more than ever, so many of us are having the same feelings and this is no time to keep them bottled up. Reach out to a friend or family member or a professional if you need someone to talk to. I know that many of my conversations with friends these days start with “I’m having a blah day” or “I can’t seem to get motivated.”
I also made some volunteer phone calls to keep in touch with the elderly at risk in my area and one woman said that she really appreciated all the phone calls and people checking in on her. Sometimes all it takes to make you feel better is one person to say – how are you? I feel the same way, why don’t you tell me about it.
So those are my three suggestions of trying to shake-off the 2nd wave blues going into the end of the year. Thanks for watching and feel free to reach out or comment and let me know how you’re getting on and what’s been helping you!
]]>- simple, chic knots
- a bow on a cross body bag
- the classic scarf on handle
- a scarf flower
- through our pouches
Watch the video below and let me know what you think.
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To answer this question, we need to discuss what goes into making a handbag, or anything for that matter.
Input 1: Materials
We discussed this a bit in part 1. What is your handbag made from – is it vinyl, synthetic, cloth, leather? And what is the quality of that material? I have seen “Italian leather” bags selling at market stalls for £15. I can tell you that the Italian leather I use costs more than twice that per square metre and each tote bag uses almost one square. Also, check the quality of any hardware on the handbag. One of our lovely customers Susan asked what our hardware is made from. On our larger handbags, the metalwork is made in brass and then coated a few times in gold to prevent excessive scratching. Our unique clutch bags have the frame made in a metal called zamac in order to make this flat hinge on the bag possible. It is then also coated in gold. Unfortunately, it’s not made in solid 14 or 18 karat gold as a customer once asked.
Input 2: Labour
I know that this is a topic that has been discussed at length and ostensibly we all care about human rights and paying a living wage. However, in practice, I know that cute £5 dress is really tempting. Think about how long it would take someone to make your handbag and then think about after materials and shipping, a margin the factory, a margin for the brand and taxes, how much is left for the actual workers. By using small, family run businesses in Italy that I visit often, I know that not only will the quality of my products be top notch, but that they also treat and pay their crafts men and women fairly for their work.
Input 3: Everything Else
Last, there’s everything else. After taking into account the materials and labour, why do some bags cost a couple hundred pounds while others cost over a thousand or more! Large fashion houses have a long amazing tradition and heritage. They also have a massive marketing budget and sales teams and beautiful stores that all need to be paid for. These brands need funds to pay celebrities to carry their bags and even more to take out double full page spreads in magazines so that the editor can tell you this is the “it bag” of the season. And then there’s also a healthy mark-up built in from cost to wholesale to retail as they distribute to department stores around the world.
This last piece is changing though. With small independent brands building trust with customers, working with small factories and going directly to the public, we are able to offer quality pieces paying a fair wage and without astronomical mark-ups.
Currently, all our handbags and accessories use Italian leather from cows, which is a by-product of the meat industry. As I am designing and making items that I want to last, I feel that real leather is the most durable material for this. I know there are a lot of fashion articles these days talking about the environmental impacts of leather handbags, but in reality, the majority of this is attributed to the production of food.
However, I know that there are people who would prefer to use non-animal products all together and I have also been researching vegan alternatives the past couple years. In my research, I have found that many imitation leather products are petroleum based, which means they are not great for the environment. There are also some made from fruit or plants like cacti, apple skins or pineapples, which although are possible to make bags from, do not really resemble smooth leather unless they add a significant petroleum component to it. So I think these are the current possibilities for a vegan bag.
I have also found some new companies are growing leather in labs – this seems like it could be promising, but they are not yet to be available on a production scale for independent designers.
So for now, I am speaking with an Italian tannery that produces metal-free tanned leather. Although things have been on hold a bit, I hope to get started with them in the new year for future collections.
That’s it for part II of our handbag FAQs. Please let me know if you have any comments or if there are any questions you want answered in the future. Thanks for watching!
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When I started my business, I didn’t think this was a question that needed answering. Then I met someone at an event who also owned a handbag brand that he said was made with “Italian leather”. When I said, "I use Italian leather as well, where is your tannery?", he dodged the question a bit and finally said “well, I make the leather in India actually. I just use the same chemicals as they would in Italy.”
The next time a customer asked me “what is Italian leather?” I wasn’t surprised anymore because there is so much misinformation out there. So let me say this. Italian leather is simply leather that is processed and tanned in Italy. Our handbags are all made with Italian leather from a tannery in a small town in Tuscany known for its leather making traditions.
This is also a common question that I think people have, but maybe are afraid to ask. One customer came into our pop-up said “I know it’s not real leather, but what is it? Plastic or something, right?”
On the contrary, saffiano leather IS real leather. The word saffiano is just a term used to describe the cross hatch pattern on the leather which was created by Mario Prada. The leather is treated and stamped with this pattern making it more durable and scratch resistant. This has been popularised by some bigger brands who use poor quality materials which can have a very stiff, plastic-y feel to it.
However, if you have good quality leather under the pattern like we do, you can still feel the softness of the leather.
This is like asking, how do I wash a shirt. It really depends on the type of leather. I have a beautiful leather jacket I got from a trip to Florence that needs a specialist cream to clean. I would order something online, but test a small area first. Alternatively, I would go to get it cleaned professionally.
One of the benefits of saffiano leather is that it is really easy to clean. For all our handbags, most stains like colour transfer, a stray pen mark or just dirt or dust can be removed with a damp cloth. I have definitely seen people across the street in London with one of my handbags that needed a little clean, but I didn’t want to chase after them. If that was you I saw, just give it a quick wipe and it should be good as new. When you’re not using your bags, pop them in the dust bags they came in. The leather is soft, so if the bag gets a bit misshapen while being stored, you can put some jumpers in them or place a heavy book on it to get it back to its original shape.
I have designed handbags that were made in beautiful, easy to care for materials to carry you through the years.
I hope you enjoyed Part I of our Handbag FAQs. Let us know if you have any questions for me that you want answered next time.
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I felt that a selfie would not do much to affect change and decided instead to post a video with ideas on how women can actually support each other in practice...
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I have valued the opportunity to connect and share more with our mailing list during this uncertain time. I wanted to continue to present new topics to you in an exclusive magazine - DESIGNER INSPIRED. Volume 1 includes...
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Over the past few months, I have been able to connect and share more with our mailing list. I want to continue to present new topics to you in an exclusive magazine - DESIGNER INSPIRED.
Volume 1 includes style guides if you are heading back to the office, continuing to work from home, or are looking for a fun seasonal dress. There's also a home and self-care section for those of us who are nesting.
And finally, I wanted to cover more personal areas like amazing travel I have been lucky enough to experience and also a round up of some book recommendations.
This bite-sized magazine will cover style, home, travel and more exclusively for our community of supporters. If you are already signed up to the mailing list, you will have received the link to the latest issue (contact us to resend). Otherwise, join our community below and you will receive the link directly. As always, I look forward to receiving your feedback!
I didn't realise how much I missed seeing them in person until we had to say goodbye again!
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After several weeks at home, everyone is wondering what the “new normal” will be going forward. I started this year with many plans for the website, our seasonal pop up shops and new products. Fast forward a couple months and although some things have been put on hold, it’s also been an opportunity to step back, reassess and work on other creative ideas.
I believe even more than before, people are searching for real connection and supporting real people. My hope for 2020 was to include more of myself on the website so you could learn more about me and how much of me I put into this brand. I began by adding more details to the product pages in an effort to reflect my in-store experience with customers before we opened our planned Spring pop-up.
Little did I suspect that a couple months later, in lieu of a shop, I would now be “starring” in my own videos, especially as I’m a bit camera shy. I launched the Designer at Home series on Instagram TV initially to keep everyone updated on how the brand was faring as our factories are in Italy, where the pandemic has hit especially hard. The videos have now become an outlet to share some of my other interests and ways of keeping busy when I’m not designing new samples or working on the business.
These videos were originally shared only on Instagram, but I now found a way to include them here: “Designer at Home Video Series” to make them accessible to everyone. The first episode is an update on the brand from the beginning of April while some of the later episodes move on to things like my daily routine, books I’m reading and podcasts that I have discovered. I also had to say goodbye to my beautiful dog Charlie a few weeks ago and I shared a video I put together celebrating her life.
I also received questions about book club and what we are reading. It is a such a lovely way to connect with friends in a different way and I encourage everyone to start their own book club, whether you want to read high brow classic novels or trashy beach reads or anything in between. When I started, I did not realise how much I would enjoy reading and discussing books with my friends. I’ve now made a page dedicated to book club so you can follow along with us, read my reviews and disagree if you like! |
Other than these new personal additions to the website, I am also planning some styling videos to share with you and working on a new (top secret!) passion project that I hope to launch in the autumn. Please take your time exploring my videos and book reviews and let me know what you think as love to hear from you! Comments and suggestions strongly encouraged.
I hope everyone is staying safe and staying connected as we figure our what the New Normal looks like together.
]]>There are tons of them out there, but here are 5 podcasts that I am listening to now for business inspiration, creative encouragement and my favourites, "food for the soul."
Let me know what you think and if there is something you're listening to that you love.
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Three years ago, she bravely beat brain cancer and made a full recovery. Returning happily to her life of chasing balls, swimming and begging for treats. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with an aggressive case of bone cancer last August and we had to say goodbye to her on 21 April, 2020 at almost 12 years old.
I know she is now free from pain and splashing around in a pond somewhere. I put together this video as a celebration of her life full of joy and love.
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In this video, I talk a little about book club and also share some recommendations of books for those who want an easy read, those looking for something more in depth and also some ideas if you are not much a reader.
Let me know what you think of my recommendations and if there is something you think we should read in book club. I also share what we're reading in book club on this page and my reviews of each one as we finish, so follow along if you like!
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My partner who ordered the eggs didn't know that I needed white eggs to decorate (!?), so I went ahead with the brown eggs we had and used old nail polish to create these really pretty decorations. First I "blow out" the eggs and then we get on to the fun (and slightly messy) painting.
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In this first video, I share a little update on the business as we enter lockdown...
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In this first video released 7 April, 2020, I share a little update on the business as we enter lockdown. Please get in touch and let me know what you think.
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Whether you are normally working or not, here are some tips from our designer to help you be more productive at home and feel more in control of your days when we are asked to stay indoors...
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One of the biggest shocks of leaving a career in finance to become a fashion entrepreneur is no longer working in an office building. With a home studio, there’s no need to put on makeup, no morning commute, and no set time that I need to be at my desk. All these things sound great, but there is a flip side to this coin as many of us are starting to experience in these uncertain times.
Whether you are normally working or not, here are some tips to help you be more productive at home and feel more in control of your days when we are asked to stay indoors.
When there is no office to go to or co-workers to see you, it can be tempting to roll out of bed and stay in your pyjamas all day. Creating a routine allows you to plan your day and changes your mind-set from home mode to being more productive. Each person will have a different schedule based on their personal situation with partners, children, pets, etc. Maybe you used to head to the gym, an HIIT class or out for a walk. Exercise is a great way anchor your day and also stay healthy both physically and mentally during these trying times. My routine used to include a spin session in Oxford Circus, and I have readjusted by digging out my old INSANITY workout DVD to do every morning. There are myriad of virtual exercise options these days – BarreCore, Yoga on Gaia, Peleton and youtube.com are just some of the options. Just like during a normal work day, make sure you schedule in a lunch break. You might miss the walk down to the canteen or out to the local sandwich shop, but still take the time to step away from what you’re doing for lunch. |
When does the work day end? Whenever you want it to, but make sure it ends. Many people get caught bringing their work home with them, but when you work from home, you need to set clear boundaries or there becomes no distinction and both areas suffer.
Obviously easier said than done. At home, there are distractions everywhere. I may not have children at home with me, but there is always an excuse to stop to pet the dog, or see what I can snack on in the kitchen, or get lost down a youtube rabbit hole for 30 minutes when you were just going to click on one link. This can be a tricky one to overcome, but I find setting short term goals can be helpful. Focus on completing one task before allowing a cheat trip to the kitchen. Or work for one hour and then reward yourself with a viral cat video. (Pausing to pet the dog since I finished writing this tip.) |
One of the downsides of working from home is that it can be lonely. Thankfully, there is a plethora of technology at our fingertips to help us overcome this. For casual purposes, you can use WhatsApp for direct or group messaging and one-to-one or small group video calls. You can also organise video calls for larger groups or move your meetings online with Zoom - a popular tool that gives you options like speaker and audience, group view and sharing screens. Bouncing ideas off others and sharing thoughts on current events are essential to a healthy work environment whether we are working from home or in an office. This becomes even more important when we all must be physically separate from each other. |
Typically, we have a a Spring pop-up shop in London where 20+ independent designers work collectively to run the store every day. Unfortunately, that is not possible this year, and I am missing that camaraderie, but I am lucky to have a few designers that I continue speak with, often on a daily basis, to be able to share our projects, ideas and problems.
Make sure you protect your personal time, not only to help improve your new work–life balance, but to encourage you to be more productive during the day as you know there’s a deadline to finish work and something to look forward to. Because you’re creating your own schedule, this also means you can decide when your “weekend” begins. For instance, I sometimes like to take it easier on Fridays and pick up the slack on Sunday instead. Just make sure you know when it’s work time and when it’s personal time. Currently, with even more non-work time at home than usual, I decided to organise a virtual book club with nine other women. The plan is to meet via video conference and discuss our chosen book over a glass of wine. Want to see how I’ve done it and what we’re reading? Click here. |
We all start with the best intentions, but sometimes, having a quick lunch while watching an episode of Game of Thrones turns into you not leaving the sofa for 5 hours. This is okay! With the constantly busy lives we all lead, it’s okay to choose not to be working sometimes. Give yourself a break. Of course you can bake a cake, clean out the closet or a learn a new language while we’re advised to stay at home. But you can also just binge watch all episodes of The Crown. Do not feel guilty. If it soothes any anxiety or helps you relax during these hectic times, then it has been a productive day and tomorrow is another day to start a new routine. Please be kind to yourself and others. Stay home and stay safe. |
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Last AW19, there were some lovely greys, bold reds and winter white – but this season it was black, black and more black! It felt as though some designers had no colour coming down the catwalk at all. So for the fans of an all black closet where everything matches, this is your season. Keep things feeling fresh with clean silhouettes, mixing textures and a waist enhancing belt to tie things together (no pun intended). Match this sleek trend with a black handbag or use it to provide a spotlight to a bright accessory.
Colour Match |
Colour Complement |
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Other than black, the past year’s trend of beige monochrome dressing is set to continue. Colder weather allows us to be more creative layering interesting fabrics like wool, cottons, and silks with subtle tonal differences. This has been one of my favourite looks of the past year and I find it can be simple to pull off, once you find the right trousers. Work from the bottom up and then feel chic for the rest of the day in white, creams, tans and even light pink. Try to run the theme through your accessories with nude and brown colours.
Colour Complement |
Colour Complement |
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Although there was a scattering of solid colour and bit of flower print at some shows, tartan (or plaid as I would say in the US) was seen across many designers. Small, subtle patterns and large, bold block colour was seen on both outerwear and dresses/separates. If you’re not brave enough to pull off the head-to-toe looks from Marc Jacobs and Burberry, a beautiful coat or pairing separates with a solid colour would be an easier way to wear this trend. Match this with a solid bag picking out colours of your tartan to complement the busier pattern of your oufit.
Colour Match |
Colour Complement |
If you read my updates often, you will know that I am very drawn to colour. However, it was hard to ignore the repeating silhouettes across the different designers this season. There were a lot of cape sleeves, big (huge!) shoulders and BLAZERS. While I think the first two are interesting shapes, they are not necessarily the easiest styles for everyone to pull off. A blazer, however, can be a staple in everyone’s wardrobe.
The blazers spanned all the aforementioned trends of black, cream/tan, tartan and also with some pops of colour. Designers were showing both fitted and boxier shapes and single/double-breasted blazers as well. Find a shape that works for your frame and it will be one of those go-to pieces that you grab every time you leave the house. As blazers are quite strong, your handbags can mimic these with clean lines for day or night.
Trend Complement |
Trend Complement |
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There were many lovely things that came down the runway this season and since some of them did not necessarily fit into one of larger over-arching trend, I couldn’t resist posting them here. I loved the bold colours at Carolina Herrera, the beautiful silhouettes at Givenchy and the feminine draping at Jason Wu Collection. I'm definitely looking forward to this coming autumn season...after a hopefully sunny Spring/Summer, of course!
* NB. All photos from vogue.co.uk - an amazing resource to see all the looks from this and past fashion seasons.
]]>First, you will notice is that a few of our sold out Veronica Tote Bags have been restocked. Noir with red contrasting interior, which has been sold out since last summer, and classic Navy with sky blue interior have finally arrived. This latest update also includes an important tweak based on feedback from our customers who have been looking for a bit more safety in a leather shopper. I added an interior zippered pocket to store your valuables in this edition of our popular tote bag.
There is also a new addition to our colour repertoire. This beautiful shade that you will have previewed in our pouch collection is now making its debut on our handbags. The nude beige colour with complimentary light pink interior is reminiscent of the sandy beaches and pink sunsets that I saw while on holiday in Hawaii at the end of last year. This lovely shade will work perfectly with classic black or navy outfits and, of course, the ever-chic tonal beige look. Like most of our colour pairings, I have chosen the combination to work throughout all seasons.
2019 was a very busy year for us with two successful London pop-ups in PLATFORM. It is always a joy for me to meet our customers in store, talk them through the collection, get feedback or just have a chat. So this year, I have been making changes to the website to bring some of the personal touch from the store onto the website. You will notice that our product pages now have new tabs “Designer Notes” and “Behind the Name” that will give you a bit more insight into my designs of the bags and briefly introduce the inspiring people after whom the handbags are named. (You may need to clear your cache if it’s not appearing right away.)
Another addition to the website is our “Social Responsibility” page and a “Pre-Loved” Collection which go hand in hand. The first is relatively self-explanatory as we seek to be as transparent as possible about our production and business practices. I am also encouraging our customers to contact us if any of their Stacy Chan handbags need repair as our items are made to last. If our customers want to “recycle” their Stacy Chan handbag for a new one, they can send it back to us in exchange for a discount on their next purchase. We will make sure the handbag gets a new life in our Pre-Loved Collection.
Now for the exciting things to look forward to…
With many of our current styles selling out at the end of last year, I have been working on developing new designs for the coming season. I am finalising the measurements for a new mid-sized handbag and a new cross body style, both of which will feature our modern, clean lines and signature colour blocking. Once this is done, I will get my factory started on the samples, which means I have a lovely trip to Florence on the horizon. I’m looking forward to some delicious food and wine in Tuscany and looking forward even more to showing you the additions to the collection.
Although 2019 was a difficult year around world, the Stacy Chan brand has been fortunate enough to have made great strides, particularly in our London pop-up, thanks to the support of you, our amazing customers. I am so grateful for all that we have been able to achieve with your help. I am working on a Spring pop-up in London, but, in the meantime, please connect with us on social media, or reach out via email and let us know what you think about the changes we’ve made and what’s in store for 2020!
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The most obvious use of the pouches is to get yourself organised. It’s not easy to keep our handbags organised and oftentimes, when we switch from one bag to another and we forget to transfer our essentials. Each pouch can be used individually, or with a gold key ring or reversible leather bracelet to attach to your handbag.
MEDIUM NAVY | TEAL TOTE W SMALL NUDE |
The next step is our Pouch Triplet - the small, medium and large pouches (with free keyring) will keep you organised and is also great for travel. The small size is perfect for foreign currency or travel cards, your passport can fit in the medium pouch and any documents in the large pouch.
CLASSIC TRIPLET | CHIC TRIPLET |
When you arrive at your destination, take the pouches apart and use them separately. The large pouch alone can be carried as a clutch (as in the video below), the medium pouch can be clipped on to your belt loop so you can be hands free while taking photos and the small pouch can hold your coins and hotel key.
The next step comes when you start adding some accessories. Adding our reversible leather belt to the pouches means they can be worn across the body or around the neck.
If you swap in one of our reversible leather bracelets, you can use the pouches as a chic wristlet.
With so many possibilities of 12 colours and 3 sizes to choose from, it’s a hard decision to make. Here are some colour combinations that I love to give you a few ideas.
LARGE PEONY | MEDIUM GREY | GOLD KEYRING | PEONY BELT | |
LARGE NOIR | MEDIUM FUCHSIA | SMALL STONE | FUCHSIA BRACELET | |
LARGE BORDEAUX | MEDIUM POWDER BLUE | SMALL NUDE | GOLD KEYRING | POWDER BLUE BELT |
It’s a lot to take in, but a good tip is it's nice to match the colour of a bracelet or belt to one of the pouches in the set. However, as they say, rules are made to be broken - so have fun! Click into each individual product for some ideas on how it can be used.
For an even more special gift, I have added the option for a hand-painted monogram. Add this to your shopping basket and we will contact you within 24 hours to discuss all the options. It will take me a day or two to paint your monogram in a choice of 12 colours and you will have a piece like no one else.
We are so proud to support the Royal Veterinary College’s Animal Care Trust.
For more than 30 years, the Royal Veterinary College Animal Care Trust has been dedicated to improving animal health and care. The Trust supports the Royal Veterinary College hospitals that see over 25,000 animals a year by providing funds for new equipment and enhanced facilities that enable them to continue their world-class care. The Trust also supports clinicians and scientists of the future, as well as the development and application of scientific research.
15% of the net proceeds from the sale of the Stacy Chan Charlie Mini Bags will be donated to support this charity. You can learn more about the Animal Care Trust and/or donate to them directly here and read about our designer’s personal connection to the RVC below.
People who follow us closely on social media, will have caught glimpses of my beautiful Labrador Charlie who I have had since she was 7 weeks old. She was the sweetest, cutest and most beautiful puppy monster! She destroyed shoes, tv remote controls, mobile phones and doorframes with her exuberant puppy energy. Yet she brought joy to everyone she passed on the street or in the parks.
Charlie the naughty puppy grew up to be the kindest, friendliest and mostly well-behaved dog. She was the favourite everywhere she went, thanks in part to her wagging tail and love of life.
I was devastated a couple years ago when I learned that Charlie had developed a brain tumour. We were referred to the Queen Mother Hospital at the Royal Veterinary College and their world-class neurology clinic for her treatment. I was so impressed by the level of care she received from everyone we encountered from the receptionists to the nurses and amazing surgeons who performed her life-saving brain surgery.
Charlie was given another two amazing years of runs around the park, swims in ponds and happiness that only a labrador can enjoy. Unfortunately, Charlie later developed bone cancer and is no longer with me now, but I am so grateful for the extra time that the RVC helped us to have with Charlie and I am so proud to support them in their aid of our beloved pets.
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Although I had no plan for sightseeing, I managed to pass by and appreciate many of the famous sites during my time in Rome. I was within walking distance to the Trevi Fountain, which I passed on my way to lunch on my first afternoon and every day thereafter. The scale of the sculptures, especially the central figure of Neptune, makes a strong impression as you turn a corner and see this imposing fountain which took over 300 years to build.
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I had an amazing lunch serenaded by an accordian player in a nearby piazza, the perfect start to my Roman Holiday.
The next day I had a relaxed shopping day, which I supplemented with a stroll to the beautiful Piazza Navona with its Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, or Fountain of the Four Rivers, designed by Bernini and constructed in 1651.
Medium Ava Pouch in Fuchsia & Small Ava Pouch in Stone
I avoided the bulk of the afternoon heat and in the early evening, headed to the Colosseum. I was very lucky to arrive when there were no queues whatsoever and walked in on my own time. Built in 80 A.D., it is extraordinary how a structure of this size was built so long ago.
Veronica Tote in Peony Saffiano Leather
My friend’s beautiful wedding in the seaside town of Santa Marinella was the next day. Following the ceremony, we walked the red carpet to Castello Odescalchi to the reception with an abundance of delicious food and wine served while the sun set on a gorgeous day.
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The following day, I woke early for a day of wine tasting. As I have had the fortune to taste a variety of Italian wines in my previous travels, I decided this time to focus on the wine area of Montalcino, producing world famous Brunello wine. Using only Sangiovese grapes, the wine is aged at least 3 years, with normalebottles released to the market 50 months after harvest and the riservaanother year after this for a total of over 5 years of aging.
The first winery I stopped at was Castiglion del Bosco, owned by the Ferragamo family and producing beautiful wines in stunning premises, including the members’ cellar of its elite wine club tasting room.
Next, I visited the small organic, biodynamic vineyard owned by the Illy Group called Podere Le Ripi. Their uniquely shaped cellars were designed using the golden ratio and culminated in a dome-shaped centre resembling the Parthenon. It was a beautiful way to spend my last full day in Italy.
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The following morning was my last morning in Rome and, of course, I fit in one last delicious lunch before walking up to Villa Borghese to look over this vast and wondrous city that I will no doubt have to find an excuse to visit again.
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Note: In many of the photos, our pouch sets are paired with our new reversible leather bracelets and reversible leather belts that are coming soon to the website. Stay tuned...
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