Top designers descend on The Cotswolds for Cheltenham Fashion Week's 'Boutique 24'

For one full and fabulous day during Cheltenham Fashion Week, Cowley Manor became the designer shopping destination. The event saw the luxury Cotswold hotel transformed, with 24 top names and labels forming mini boutiques within each of the hotel’s bedrooms.

Guests were welcomed into the hotel to share company with the creme de la creme of the fashion and beauty world. From a Scent Bar by Jo Malone, celebrating the newly launched ‘Jo Loves’ fragrance range by the world famous industry expert Jo Malone. Six years on from selling ‘Jo Malone’ to Estee Lauder, Jo herself has returned to the scent industry with a striking new brand and seven delicious new fragrances’ inspired by the great loves in her life. 

To makeup and fashion collections from Harvey Nichols, Jimmy Choo, Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, Benefit and Feather & Bone. Few could resist the irresistibly delicious collections of Christian Louboutin, Alexander McQueen and Mulberry brought to Cowley Manor by Harvey Nichols.

Guests where also treated to exclusive makeup and beauty lessons from the bounty of beauty retailers showcasing at the event. From Benefit to Bobbi Brown, expert makeup artists blushed, brushed and bronzed many a beautiful face throughout the day. 

Sam Bawden, Creative Director and Founder of Cheltenham Fashion Week, said: “For one day only, Cowley Manor has been reinvented into The Cotswolds most exclusive shopping address. Each bedroom has played host to one of the numerous exhibiting brands. The event aimed to celebrate the UK’s leading designers and give those living in The Cotswolds a chance to make designer purchases on their doorstep.”

Sarah Curran, Founder of online retail site my-wardrobe.com, also hosted a lunch party, discussing the vision, determination and thought patterns that lead her to global success. Later, she also hosted a champagne afternoon tea, were her stylists joined her to give a rundown of the Autumn/Winter 2012 collections.

Plus, for the first time ever, my-wardrobe.com, brought their website to life. Recreating a pop-up boutique version of their online store, featuring top designer labels such as Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Chloé, Acne & Philip Lim to name but a few. Not only did their boutique include the chicest looks hot from the London Fashion Week catwalks, but also brought luxury accompanying accessories to Cowley Manor. 

When shopping got too much, visitors headed to the Cowley bar to enjoy a wide choice of food, beverages and of course killer Cosmos with the uber cool and very talented Sipsmith mixologists.

Cowley Manor’s very own ‘Village Shop’ boutique, voted ‘Best Boutique Outside of London’ by Vogue, was also open for business. Labels from 120% Linen, Rose & ED, Anya Hindmarch and Heidi Klein were on sale with exclusive on the day discounts and bargains too. 

Boutique 24 also celebrated designers from The Cotswolds, such as Kelly Thorne, alongside retailers from further afield, such as new online men’s and ladies gift & home store, The Gift Atelier. A concept created by Martin and Scott who works alongside top fashion brands such as Vivienne Westwood and Daylesford.

Cheltenham Fashion Week aims to celebrate fashion of every shape and size, and Boutique 24 will be no exception. Plus size label, Anna Scholz, also exhibited pieces from her collection in another of Cowley’s luxury suites. 

Other labels that showcased at Boutique 24 included Law & Company, Juno Says Hello, British School of Millinery, Polly Ollie Annie, Stella & Dot, One Piece & Holland Cooper. 

Founder and Creative Director of Cheltenham Fashion Week, Sam Bawden, added: “Boutique 24 has been absolutely incredible. We are so excited about the glitterati of names and faces we had involved and it has been fantastic to see the Cotswold version of Somerset House come to life. Everyone deserves to be spoilt and Boutique 24 has done exactly that. It’s been a brilliant chance for women to gain fashion, beauty and styling ideas from industry professionals while celebrating fashion that we all know and love.”

Cowley Manor, said: “Cheltenham has long been known as a cultural hub with festivals showcasing the very best in music, literature and science. With an ever increasing fashion presence, it makes perfect sense for Cheltenham to host it’s own fashion week and further add to the cultural offering. Cowley Manor is thrilled to be a key sponsor and home to many of the exciting events that have happened throughout the week. As an avid supporter of the community with deep roots in the creative industries, It’s a natural partnership for Cowley.”

Sponsors of the event include Cowley Manor, Coutts, my-wardrobe.com and Mercedes Benz of Cheltenham and Gloucester.