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December 2019 | REDONLINE.CO.UK

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Mandy Watkins,

founder and

creative director

of Hush, shares her

winter must-haves

When Hush launched in 2003, it did

so with six sets of pyjamas, some

sheepskin boots, an alpaca throw and

its own hot chocolate. Now, 16 years

later, it boasts 10 collections a year,

selling everything from cashmere

sweaters and midi dresses to ankle

boots, jewellery and candles.

Although the company has seen

incredible growth, its founder Mandy

Watkins says, ‘In its essence, it’s

still very recognisable – it has an

independent boutique vibe that

allows it to dance to its own tune.’

That tune appeals to a lot of

women. Hush inhabits a sweet

spot in our wardrobes by offering

trend-led pieces in a very wearable

way. ‘We design clothes for women

who love fashion but won’t be

a slave to it,’ explains Watkins.

She and her design team of four

find inspiration on the street. ‘My

phone is full of photos I’ve taken

surreptitiously of women I don’t

know, because I love a colour they’re

wearing or I get an idea for a print.’

Watkins admits that lots of Hush

products sell out every season simply

because they’re the kind of clothes we

live in and can wear in myriad ways.

‘I’m a jeans and T-shirt kind of girl

most of the time,’ she admits. ‘I’m

all about pieces that I can wear again

and again; that look good on me but

also make me feel

good. So, you’re

just as likely to

see me in a sequin

skirt at the office

as you are in a

pair of jeans on

a night out.’

It’s no surprise

that Hush has

expanded into

other areas of

Spotlight

Hu sh

on

‘This print by

Anne Dokter,

a photographer

I love, reminds

me of one of my

favourite places’

IBIZA PRINT, from

a selection,

Anne Dokter

our lives, too. Its online blog shares

travel inspiration, book reviews and

recipes alongside Watkins’s own

recommendations. ‘We’ve always

tried to do things a bit differently and

still have that same sense of fun and

adventure we had when we started

out,’ she says. Here, she highlights her

favourite things, from Hush and beyond.

‘A great knit

or cashmere

jumper is

a must in my

wardrobe.’

‘If I could

wear only

one pair of

trousers this

season, it

would be these.’

MANDY’S

CHRISTMAS

WISH LIST

‘A great book is

one of my favourite

presents to receive

and give’

AN AMERICAN

MARRIAGE

(Oneworld) by

Tayari Jones

‘One day I’m going to live by the

sea. Until then, I’ll content myself

with the pictures in this book’

SURF SITE TIN TYPE (Damiani)

by Joni Sternbach

LEATHER

JOGGERS,

£295, Hush

CORD BOILER

SUIT, £110,

NECKLACE, about Hush

£552, Vanrycke

BLAZER, £89,

Hush

FLUFFY

KNITTED TOP,

£110, Hush

SILVER SEQUIN

SKIRT, £89,

Hush