Shopping

Shopping for the Season

The British social season starts in earnest in June. There’s horse-racing, polo and even opera to choose from. Each event requires meticulous planning and often comes with its own special wardrobe requirements. Lucy Pridden shares her shopping tips for a fun-filled and stress-free summer.

Fast Food Come rain or shine, nothing could be more English than picnics in the summer. Effortless Eating has produced a series of mouth-watering menus to choose from, with picnics that are freshly prepared and delivered to your door. For a British theme, choose potted brown Devon shrimps, chicken with tarragon and crème fraiche, crushed new potato salad and fresh mixed berries flavoured with elderflower and mint to finish.

Effortless Eating, 32 Roland Gardens, London SW7 3PL T: +44 (0)20 7371 0914 www.effortless-eating.com

Original Gifts By using their ‘Couture’ service to select the best British gifts - including Rococo chocolates, Johnstons cashmere and Penhaligon’s bath and body products - create a Bespoke Happy Box. Each box is stunningly wrapped and will be delivered the following day. This summer there is no better way to say thank you.

Happy Box, 118 Harbord Street, London SW6 6PH
T: +44 (0)20 7381 0803
www.happyboxlondon.com

A Fine Vintage

Optima have been making traditional English picnic hampers for over 60 years.

Each basket in the Vintage Collection is unique, consisting of hand woven willow and rattan baskets filled with antique china, glass and table linens sourced from antique fairs and auctions.

Optima Picnic Baskets
at Harrods, 87 – 135 Brompton Road, London SW1X 7XL
T: +44 (0)20 7710 1234
www.optimacompany.com

Couture Farakh Parveen creates glamorous couture gowns for women who understand pure beauty and excellence. Now approaching its twenty-third year, Parveen Couture offers a collection for every occasion ranging from classic and sophisticated daywear to captivating cocktail wear and glamorous eveningwear, with each design moving effortlessly from luncheon to function. Parveen offers every customer a one-to-one consultation where each individual need and requirement is discussed and fulfilled.

Parveen Couture 48 Dorset Street London W1U 7NE
T: +44 (0)20 7486 8480 www.parveencouture.co.uk

A Real Sparkler

Duchy Originals English Sparkling Wine is produced for His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales’s Duchy Originals brand. Famous for its crisp fresh flavour, this wine is produced using 100 per cent Reichensteiner grapes. Served chilled on a sunny summer’s afternoon, there’s no better way to toast the season.

Duchy Originals Sparkling Wine
at Handford Wines, 105 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3LE T: +44 (0)20 7581 2983 www.duchyoriginals.com

Personal Organiser

From entry to the Royal Enclosure at Ascot to the exclusive Camp Kerala at the Glastonbury Festival, Quintessentially’s dedicated Ask Q team will work tirelessly to secure tickets for all of the events that mark the British social season. The original concierge firm, Quintessentially will take care all of the arrangements, leaving you free to relax and enjoy the day.

Quintessentially,
10 Carlisle Street,
London W1D 3BR
T: 0870 850 8585
www.quintessentially.com

Shady Ladies Gina Foster’s hats are always winners at the races. Foster’s latest collection, entitled ‘The Secret Garden,’ is inspired by the undiscovered world of nature, mystery and folklore, with a nod to nostalgia and romance. All hats are made-to-order after an initial consultation, though her studio also has a limited collection of ready-to-wear from the same designs.

Gina Foster, Flat 14, 13-16 Embankment Gardens, London SW3 4LW T: +44 (0)20 7565 2211 www.ginafoster.co.uk

Forever England

Whether on a boat in the Med or in a Bentley at Goodwood, Bamford & Sons, collection has been designed for days in the sun. This classic gentleman’s collection takes luxury to another level with ultra-fine merino knitwear, feather-light cashmere two-button jackets, wider leg trousers, cool cardigans and tailored shorts that are perfect for the summer season.

Bamford & Sons,
The Old Bank, 31 Sloane Square, London SW1W 8AQ
T: +44 (0)20 7881 8010
www.bamfordandsons.com

Hot Croc Inspired by old school Hollywood glamour and glorious summers in Capri, Analeena bags are produced in Italy using the highest quality materials. Fashioned from crocodile skin in a selection of vibrant colours, the Analeena Clutch is finished with a rose gold clasp and Analeena’s signature fuchsia lining and is perfect for summer parties.

Analeena exclusively at Harrods,
87 – 135 Brompton Road,
London SW1X 7XL T: +44 (0)20 7730 1234 www.analeena.com

Quick Change

Fashion designer Britt Lintner left a career in finance to fill a much - needed gap in the clothing market. She designs limited edition capsule collections of timeless pieces of clothing for the working woman. Ideal for busy women who have no time to change for evening engagements, her versatile designs transform seamlessly into elegant evening wear after-hours.

Britt Lintner, 3 Hansard Mews,
London W14 8BJ T: +44 (0)20 7610 4070 www.brittlintner.com