Dear Customers,
Hands up! I have to confess that all this rain, snow and
freezing conditions we are having is entirely my fault! Why? Because I chose to
open our fabulous new shop in Frogmore Street ABERGAVENNY last Friday. This is
an all new store in a prime location near the Nicholls department store. If
you've never visited Aber-it's the gateway to the Brecon Beacons and has some
superb canal walks as well as mountain trails. Good eating places abound so
come on down and enjoy.
It always happens: whenever, and I mean whenever, we open
a new store there is either a heatwave or as in this case an ice age! It is
also added to by the fact that as sure as night follows day, that if we have a
big delivery of summer sandals it always rains that week. I do humbly
apologise-I will try not to open new shops next Spring. In August/September
when we receive our sheepskin boots we will have a mini heatwave.
Easter is just around the corner and I have to say I
think our stores look so fresh and colourful with this year’s vibrant spring
colours. Our colour palette this season is strong on navy and red for base
colours. Our casual sandal and shoe ranges add in the fabulous
"curry" colours of orange, pistachio and paprika. In the dress
ranges, whilst enjoying the "go with anything" Nude" we team in
Fuschia, Indigo and Metallics with a special emphasis on Patents-the look that
sharpens up any ladies outfit for those special occasions this Spring.
Instore do please check out our new handbag brands of
MyWallit and Gigi. The colours here just have to seen to be believed.
This week (weather permitting) we're expecting our first
ever delivery of CEFALU Italian espadrilles. The quality is fabulous and the
subtle blend of colours in each style make them the perfect spring/summer shoe.
As is required today, they are the ideal dress me up dress down shoe - fantastic
with separates or equally at home with jeans or trousers teamed with a Breton
top! If in doubt, pop into our sister store ELEMENTS, right next door to the
MALVERN store , and they will be happy to demonstrate the Musto or Lazy Jacks
range that offer the very best in lifestyle clothing.
The mention of clothing reminds me that we are now
stocking BARBOUR men’s shoes -an entirely new range of classic formal shoes
with a twist. Guys have a look at the new brogue style in toning canvas and
leather. Sounds odd? -looks fabulous. Despite this awful weather we've already
a significant pairage of their stylish canvas casuals so come on down before
they all sell out.
Talking men’s shoes -guys do please take a look at the
all new Cheaney styles-they are some of the worlds, yes I mean the world's,
finest shoe making. Jonathan and William Church left Prada a couple of years
ago and bought the Cheaney factory in Desborough. What they are now producing
is second to none. Traditional manufacture and top end leathers of course, but
the combination of rich colours and designs frankly takes my breath away -after
49 years in the shoe industry that takes some doing! Actually guys I need to
mention that we are seeing a big resurgence in our sales of Classic leather
welted footwear from Barker and Cheaney, alongside a strong continuing demand
for casuals like ECCO and TIMBERLAND. Please look carefully at how quality has
surged forward from all of our top brands -it’s something that is right at the
top of my agenda when I'm buying.
Speaking of men’s shoes reminds me that around Easter
we're expecting the entire PIKOLINOS range of ladies and men’s to be delivered.
These are Spanish shoe making at its very best. Have you ever tried a pair?
They are just so comfy but it’s really hard to decide whether it’s the fabulous
leathers, the comfort or the unique Spanish styling that makes them so
appealing-truly something that sets them apart from anything else that we sell.
The ladies range has that "je ne c'est quoi" in an understated smart
casual way. The colours are so Mediterranean you can almost taste the Sangria
or Rioja. The Men’s?- well siesta time I reckon -relaxed styling, soft leathers
with a hint of luxury in their texture. Marvellous- I wear them whenever I'm
chilling out.
That said I could wax equally lyrical about THE FLEXX
from Italy.
I work very closely with Bob Cole from Riva and we visited this factory last June for the first time. Set at the foot of the Tuscan Hills, in Italy's garden country, this has to inspire the craftsmanship that comes from Axel Kaiser and his dedicated artisans. Originated from entirely hand drawn designs in a studio near Pisa, the drawings are then computerised via a unique process and sent directly to their own factories to ensure quality control through their own in-house stitch and turn construction. Using leather from a nearby tannery gives them that special Italian softness and appeal. Our range of The Flexx is the largest in the UK -promise!
As you can see I'm a bit of shoe freak!!! So perhaps this
is a good time to mention that the next generation of the ELT family has
arrived and doing well. My daughter Jenny has already brought son William to
his first managers meeting at the tender age of 5 months! Despite the sea of
faces that are our management team, his main penchant seemed to be for a pair
of Cotswold doggy slippers-which he proceeded to chew vigorously!!
So on that note all that remains for me to do is to wish
you all a very Happy Easter - let’s hope the sun shines soon.
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