There is a famous rich-to-rich story surrounding many of our favorite high-end stores: A humble family business becomes an iconic fashion institution.
Charles Harrod began his life as a miller; Harry Gordon Selfridge was a founding father, James John Fenwick (JJ as he was known) was one of 11 children born to a sharecropper family in North Yorkshire.
Dress, £89, never fully dressed and bag, £350, from fenwick.co.uk. Themoire, Shoes, £299, lkbennett.com
Dress, £745, ELV Denim, from fenwick.co.uk
But Harrods and Selfridges, along with Liberty and Harvey Nichols, is no longer a family business. Today they are all owned by multinational giants (or, in the case of Harrods, the Qatar Investment Authority).
Only Fenwick remains firmly in the family, with its flagship store at its original location in Northumberland Street, Newcastle.
Left: Dress, £285, Max Mara weekend. Right: dress, £700, Edeline Lee and bag, £350, Themoire, from fenwick.co.uk
Fenwick turns 140 this year and has nine stores across the country. He has a loyal and true follower. The iconic navy blue wrap dress that the Duchess of Cambridge wore to announce her engagement was purchased by the Issa franchise from Fenwick’s Bond Street store. To celebrate the anniversary, Fenwick has partnered with many designers including Edeline Lee, Samantha Sung, Rixo, Nobody’s Child, Max Mara and sustainable zero waste brand ELV Denim. Special occasion wear is what Fenwick does best, and it’s no surprise that the collection has pieces to keep you going through the summer season.
Left: Dress, £450, Max Mara weekend. Right: dress, £365, Rixo, from fenwick.co.uk
Dress, £655, Samantha Sung and bag, £190, Apatchy London, from fenwick.co.uk
Samantha Sung’s pleated floral midi dress is a work of art that will pamper everyone, while Rixo’s stunning fuchsia wrap dress with metallic thread detail will dazzle for stylish weddings, parties and dinners every year.
If deep pink isn’t your thing, the Fenwick collection also has pieces in turquoise, lilac and light blue tones. My favorite model is Edeline Lee’s navy white sleeveless dress.
“We always aim for some real ‘wow’ with our collections,” says Leo Fenwick, JJ’s great-grandson and Brand President.
“No one wants to be like everyone else. It is this sense of individuality that separates us from the rest.” In other words, a typical British approach to style.
Source: Daily Mail
