As you know if you follow the site, I am in complete love with UK clothing company Chichia London, ran by Christine Mhando. Here is the new collection from her Winter 2010/2011 Collection entitled “Insomnia Luxe” and I’m in love, literally. Just in case you haven’t read the interview with us and Christine, I’ll include that in this post, as well as the lookbook for the new collection.
Bella: I’m in love with your line. For those who aren’t as familiar with your line and yourself can you give them a little background?
Christine: Thank you so much!! I am a designer for the London Based clothing line Chichia London. I design contemporary women’s fashion and have been known to mostly use traditional Tanzanian prints—in a fabric known as “Khanga.” In the collections thought, I do mix it up sometimes with other types of prints and fabrics, always very colorful.
Bella: As far as your clothes, they are a mix of tribal and chic. What made you want to mix these two looks together?
Christine: I was born in Tanzania (East Africa) and raised in London, so I equally take influences from both cultures as they were both a huge part of who I am.
Bella: Also, everything has great shapes like they’d be flattering on all sizes which is amazing because a lot of looks today are for one body type. When you’re creating the line, how are you able to do this so well?
Christine: I guess I try to think of what the average woman would like to wear. I look at my friends and members of my family and think what they would want to wear and not just what would look get on a 6 foot tall model.
Bella: As a designer, what’s one thing you can tell women as far as flattering clothes, good spring colors—patterns or anything?
Christine: Experiment—it’s always the best thing to do if you are trying to find your style. There’s something out there for everyone and some women are too afraid to go out and find out. Fashion is all about having fun and it’s always fun to try out new shapes and styles to see what will flatter you.
Bella: That’s true. Living in the US I know there’s been several times I wanted to order something from overseas but I can never figure out my size in UK sizes. Can you tell us how US sizes compare to UK sizes?
Christine: Yes, the sizing in the US is so different to the UK and can be confusing. The easiest way to remember is to add 4 to the US size to find out the UK equivalent. So, a US size 2 is a UK size 6, US 4= UK 8, US 6= UK 10 and so on. Please don’t ask me to explain European sizes; we’d be here all day. (laughs)
Bella: As a designer, what your five favorite items in your closet?
Christine: At the moment, I’m really into leather separates. I have a few pairs of vintage leather skirts and shorts in different colors. I’m also really into animal prints, I have a fabulous pair of vintage over the knee beaded boots that I found on EBay that have kept me warm all winter long – and jeans, jeans, jeans. The 5th item… I know these are not in my closet but, definitely on my favorites list, I have a growing collection of vintage insect brooches. I love to wear a few at a time to look like they’re crawling all over me.
Bella: And besides your fabulous dresses—what key essentials do you believe women need in their closets?
Christine: Tough to narrow it down, but these would be a great start: Little Black Dress or any color that you can always rely on. The perfect pair of jeans that you can dress up or down, a nice underwear set that makes you feel like a million dollars or pounds, the perfect pair of dancing heels and a flattering blazer.
Bella: Lastly, where can we buy your clothes at?
Christine: We sell at various independent boutiques across London and the rest of the UK. If you are abroad you can order through the website www.chichialondon.com just send an inquiry e-mail and someone will promptly get back to you. You can also purchase on www.thelookboutique.com.
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