Gift Guides & InspirationWhat’s in the bag?
Let’s delve into the weird and wonderful things people put in their baskets. In this first installment, a new brand comes to John Lewis, there’s a fresh interiors trend in town and we go gaga over the Platinum Jubilee…
Meet Passenger, the newest lifestyle brand to drop at John Lewis. Created in 2012 by self-professed nomad Richard Sutcliffe, Passenger is inspired by travel and meaningful escapism. Its aim is to create sustainable, stylish clothes at affordable prices – for every order placed, Passenger plants a tree.
As a patron of The Rainforest Trust (which is dedicated to saving rainforests, wildlife and indigenous communities around the world), 80% of Passenger’s range is made with responsible materials like recycled cotton and polyester, hemp and organic cotton.
They have everything from stylish fleeces to shorts, bucket hats and changing robes, but these are our three favourite pieces from their range.
Passenger Escapism Recycled Sherpa Lined Changing Robe – £119One for the wild swimmers amongst us, this lightweight changing robe is made with recycled material equivalent to 85 plastic bottles. The lining is made from soft sherpa to keep you cosy after your invigorating dip.
Passenger West Coast Open Neck Cardigan Sunset Yellow – £54.95This cardi will carry you from dawn to dusk, and through everything in between. With patch pockets and a contrast colour on the neck, hem and cuffs, it’s the perfect throw on.
Passenger Maine Half Zip Hooded Recycled Sherpa Fleece Oatmeal – £69.95A laid back, comfy cosy fleece made from 100% recycled sherpa-fleece. Better still, it’s got a hood.
Partner & Home Design Stylist Wil Law shares his insight on the trends we’ll be adding to our baskets this month.
Primitive Design
‘There’s been a trend in interiors for highly crafted pieces, with decorative detail, like scalloped and bobbin furniture in bright, lacquered finishes. As a response to this, we'll see a rise in pieces that are crafted, but in a more primitive, rudimentary way. Wobbly crockery, rough/unfinished texture on objects and textile prints that have a naïve handwriting can give a home a relaxed and charming look, so seek out pieces with these qualities to enhance the tactility of your space.’
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’ll know that June marks the month of HM the Queen’s historic Platinum Jubilee and the first time a British monarch has reached 70 years on the throne. To celebrate, we’re going all out with street-party planning and patriotic paraphernalia, from red, white and blue Jubilee bunting (which can be used again for later occasions) to making pretty paperchains with the kids to keep them busy.
Aside from the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Barbie which sold out in under an hour (we’re still reeling at not being quick enough), the pièce de resistance is buying our very own Corgi. Well, sort of. This cuddly corgi will take pride of place on your tabletop, or if you’d prefer to get stuck in to something crafty you can cross stitch your own.
