At the Margaret Howell store near the Église de la Madeleine in Paris, the transition from summer to fall fashion was evident. The new fall collection featured a standout olive green “railway” mac lined with wool herringbone, catching the eye of visitors as they entered. However, the real magic was happening inside the store, where Eva, the manager of the Margaret Howell London Workroom, was hard at work sewing a cotton shirt with pale blue stripes.
The London Workroom is a newly opened space in North London dedicated to shirt production. Eva emphasized the brand’s attention to detail as she meticulously sewed the collar stand of the shirt. This commitment to quality craftsmanship harkened back to Margaret Howell’s humble beginnings, where she crafted shirts from her home studio, sleeping above her sewing machine due to limited space. Now, with a team of skilled machinists, the London Workroom shirts with their dedicated black label are meticulously assembled within three to four hours, boasting over 12,000 stitches.
Looking ahead to the upcoming season, the fall collection aimed to fill the gaps in a client’s wardrobe with versatile pieces. Highlights included a relaxed take on a tuxedo jacket and trousers, a pleated poplin shirt suitable for formal occasions, and cotton shirts with frilled collars to layer under sweaters and jackets. A check skirt in wool linen paired with a coordinating sweater offered a chic and effortless look in line with the emerging polished/bookish trend. A reedited navy collarless dress from the archives was also a standout piece, reflecting Margaret Howell’s timeless style.
Margaret Howell’s expertise in cold-weather accessories shone through in the collection, catering to the dreary and damp months ahead. The standout piece was a stylized lambswool tam-o’-shanter, a flat bonnet with a small pom-pom often seen in tartan. This cozy accessory would surely garner compliments when worn in Paris, adding a touch of flair to any outfit.
Overall, Margaret Howell’s fall collection showcased the brand’s dedication to quality craftsmanship and timeless style, bridging the gap between its origins and present-day relevance. With a focus on attention to detail and versatile pieces, the collection offered a fresh take on British sensibility for the modern wardrobe.
