10 QUESTIONS WITH OUR NEW FAVOURITE LUXURY WOMENSWEAR BRAND, MARGO CARLO
We recently had the great honour of meeting with London's latest luxury womenswear brand, Margo Carlo. Shrouded in glamour and mystery, Margo Carlo endeavours to create unique and flattering womenswear collections, paying homage to the Hollywood golden years and the world of travel. It is no wonder they have been featured in the likes of Tatler so very soon after launching their first collection! We are very excited for the future of this beautiful and dynamic brand and look forward to sharing collection updates with you.
1.) Can you pinpoint the exact moment 'Margo Carlo' was born?
Necessity is the mother of invention as they say, and Margo Carlo is very much a brand that was born as a result of that necessity. Female leisurewear is, in my opinion, vastly underrepresented in the world of fashion. But I didn't just want to create a travel accessory, I wanted to create a luxury line that would be very much at the heart of a woman's wardrobe when she travelled. In other words, the kaftans, for example, that are handmade from the finest silk in Britain, are so beautiful that you will find that they become less of an accessory and more of a centrepiece fashion item.
2.) What would you say is the Margo Carlo Mission Statement?
The Margo Carlo Mission Statement is simple: To bring back glamorously designed and classically cut garments, delivered in a style that empowers the modern woman. Through an obsession with perfection, Margo Carlo sources the finest natural materials to deliver unrivalled luxury, which in return gives the wearer the confidence and self-belief to achieve her full potential.
3.) Who is the typical 'Margo Carlo' woman?
The typical Margo Carlo woman is itinerant, fashion-conscious but, crucially, has an innate sense of style. She appreciates fashion, but she isn't defined by it. She allows, first and foremost, her personality to shine through - whether she is wearing a ball gown or one of our silk kaftans. Our clothing line is fashionable but stylish, which showcases the personality of the wearer.
4.) Can you tell us a little about your beautiful new collection?
The new luxury loungewear collection is inspired by Hollywood Glamour and screen sirens from the 1940s through to the 1990s. Although this inspiration is fundamental to the brand, in this collection we embody it in our bold leopard print pattern and cut of the garments. This is particularly evident in our signature long Kaftan dress that is made from six metres of 100% silk chiffon as well as the beautifully constructed play suit in a rich heavy crepe de chine.
The collection was shot on location in a luxury five star resort in Greece and really captures the sophistication and glamour that the brand embodies.
5.) Where are Margo Carlo pieces made?
All our patterns and designs are uniquely created in-house. The silk is printed in the UK and goes through many stages, resulting in the most amazingly soft hand feel. The garments themselves are hand made to order by seamstresses in London.
For our scarves, these are all finished by hand with a rolled hem in the traditional way and the results show that the extra time and dedication is worth it. To maintain our exacting standards we remain devoted to keeping our production small and based in the UK.
6) Where do you find creative inspiration for new ideas?
My creative inspiration comes from my love of an era where fast fashion did not exist. I draw my ideas from feminine glamorous fashion from the 40s through to the 90s. I like to take pieces from various decades during this era and add a modern touch in my own way. I am driven by the reaction I get from women when they wear my garments and the feeling of power and confidence it gives them.
I love the simplicity and beauty of nature, with its own unique perfection. I try to capture that beauty in my designs as much as possible, from the natural fibres, to the animal print and the cut of the garments themselves.
7.) Have you had to overcome any challenges when starting a new business from scratch?
I took my time to get the foundations of the business right. This meant that sourcing was a huge challenge when looking for the finest materials. From the silk, to the packaging there were many hours spent, however our biggest mountain to overcome was finding the quality of garment manufacture in the UK that matched both the quality of the silk but also my standards for the garments.
8.) When you are not busy flying around on official Margo Carlo business, how do you like to enjoy your time in London?
Some of the Margo Carlo collection is named after Mayfair districts, so it won't come as a surprise to know that Mayfair is, more often than not, the destination of choice for pleasure. Mayfair still represents the old-world glamour that the brand tries to embody. It is also a wonderful melting pot of disparate fashion trends, which makes people-watching that bit more exciting!
9.) How would you describe Margo Carlo in 3 words?
Stylish. Glamorous. Luxurious.
10.) What does the future hold for Margo Carlo?
The Margo Carlo brand has really engaged with the domestic as well as the international market. 2018 and 2019 will see an expansion into overseas territories so that multi-brand retailers will be collaborating by showcasing the brand and its extended collection. Some of these overseas territories include: the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Italy, the United States of America and Brazil to name but a few.
We're delighted with the response to the brand. It feels at though Margo Carlo very much satisfies a need that was, up until recently, unfulfilled. A new collection has been recently created, complementing the old-world, elegant aesthetic of the brand. We are excited about propelling the brand to the next level of success!
For collections and updates, please visit the Margo Carlo website: www.margocarlo.com
