Emma Lehane is a Fashion Stylist and Designer, dressing and advising high profile clients in London. With her extensive knowledge of fashion and working on many editorial magazine shoots, plus being a Fashion Model herself, Emma noticed a gap in the market for an accessory that could be worn to give an altogether different vibe to an existing outfit. So, she designed ‘The Sleeve’.

Emma shares with us reflections on her design process.

"Ultimately, I wanted to create an accessory that gives the wearer a sense and feeling of Romance and Beauty. I thought long and hard about what and how I would design such a piece.

I wanted to create a sustainable garment that felt desirable and sensual, with flexibility that would enable the client with an established wardrobe to add a key capsule changer. One that would revamp, transform and give new perspective to their entire style. Or, to have option to wear the accessory as a statement piece on its own.

Challenging myself to recreate, if you like, our existing pieces of clothing.

The Sleeve can be added over a top or jumper, and completely change the look and vibe. The best bit is they fit into your pocket or handbag so you can take them to work in the day and slip them on in the evening if you're going out!

A few years ago we would possibly assume that sustainability was rather ‘eco-friendly’ and a bit ‘hippy’, with only the vegan community participating in this movement, but I'm definitely seeing a lot of luxury brands changing this misconception. I do feel, regarding sustainability, that we need to spread the word and increase awareness as there is so much knowledge to be shared about what is regarded as ethical and unethical ‘fast fashion’. We seriously need to think and question what we are buying and most importantly as ourselves, will it last? We have so much power in what we buy, I think we need to demand quality in what we purchase… and in life in general.”

Emma, who is also the in-house stylist at the Bingham Riverhouse, a beautiful boutique members establishment and hotel in Richmond-Upon-Thames, had a chance meeting at one of their cocktail parties, with Actor, Singer-Songwriter and Model, Lord Oscar Duke, who is an Ambassador for the Born Free Foundation.

“We spoke about how his Golden Globe winning Aunt, Virginia McKenna, and Uncle, Bill Travers who both starred in the hit movie ‘Born Free’ - based on their book of the same name - were early advocates for sustainability, well ahead of the knowledge and understanding we have now.

They formed the ‘Born Free Foundation’, one of the most successful animal charities of all time.

Oscar was my obvious choice to style and wear my sustainable designs. We arranged a shoot at the Riverhouse - just in time for his debut single release ‘Feel the Same, feat. Skallee & Wagsz’ and an ITV appearance coming next month”.

Oct 21 Keeping The Glamour In Sustainability

Emma shares with us reflections on her design process.

Nov 16 Flower power with Iraina Mancini

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