STYLE MEETS SUSTAINABILITY AT BETTY BROWN BOUTIQUE

Shhhh, I have a little secret but don’t tell anyone!  I have a secret girl crush!! Want to know who? If I know you lot well enough, of course you do! Well let me introduce you to the delectably stylish, forward thinking, boutique brand that has graced Leicester’s affluent suburb of Stoneygate, for the past few years, Betty Brown Boutique.

Betty Brown boutique located on Francis Street, Leicester, has been some where I have admired from afar for way too long. I have no idea why as on my visit I realised that Be-lavie shares so many of the same ethics of the brand and is a firm supporter of this sophisticated label.

THE LEADING LADY BEHIND THE BRAND

No introduction can do this beautiful lady justice, with several awards to her name and that of her brand, Betty Brown, Sukhina Garcia is an absolute inspiration.

Fellow Leicester born and bred Sukhina not only resonated with me on so many levels about growing up in the UK’s most multi-cultural city outside of London but also her sheer professionalism and passion for her craft, attitude to couture and preservation of global resources makes her the perfect match for sustainability conscious Be-lavie.

Oh and let me just mention, ever since my mum bought me a Karl Lagerfeld shirt, I have been obsessed with wanting to meet the designer and I recently learnt that Sukhina has had the pleasure! Totally Jealous!!

Sukhina’s passion for fashion started at the age of nine, but despite never studying fashion, she started working in the industry in 2013 and opened her boutique Betty Brown, back in February 2015. Currently in 2019, Betty Brown is very much an Atelier with Sukhina designing her own label and creating transposable fashion staples.

Sukhina may have studied Travel Business & Management at university but her core has always craved the fashion industry. In fact, upon meeting Sukhina, I recalled she was an Assistant General Manager at Hobbs, Leicester (where I purchased many a shift dress) as well as from the age of 15 working in retail outlets such as Net Porter, House of Fraser, Long Tall Sally, Selfridges & Co. At the age of 30 Sukhina left for Spain and started making her designs but it was on her return in 2014, that she started teaching herself to sew in tandem with a clothing alteration service until, she started to make dresses and the rest as they say is history! Betty Brown Boutique was born.

By the way Sukhina adopted the name Betty in her childhood from her neighbours and it just stuck. Personally, I think it sounds super cool and is a great name for an Atelier.

 INSIDE BETTY BROWN BOUTIQUE

A calming space with simple white washed walls, some gold hardware hanging from the ceiling to hold the suspending clothes rails, gives the boutique an airy feeling. Fresh flowers, accessories, fashion magazines and books strategically placed styles the front space of the shop, which complement the décor including old school Singer sewing machines. A huge gold framed baroque styled mirror stands perched in the wall ready to inspect your outfits.

Towards the back of the boutique are the changing rooms as well as Sukhina’s most favourite place to work. I can see why to, as the Atelier has a large cutting table, surrounded by sketches, samples of material from her latest collection as well as stylishly placed Vogue books on picture shelves. Sukhina gets a lot of her creativity and inspiration from her customers, which I guess from this perspective is quite the gift.

Additionally at the front of the Atelier is a coffee machine and tables and yes WIFI. Sukhina has managed to create a working hub for business women and friends to come and work from in a relaxed surroundings. A great way to network and create a real community.

A NOD TO SUSTAINABILITY

Sukhina’s passion and individuality struck a chord with me with regards to her desire for the Betty Brown label to reflect her vegan and sustainable lifestyle ethics. Her choices for Betty Brown focus heavily on sourcing manufacturers, which align to her personal values and currently the brand is 85 per cent vegan and on track to be 100 per cent vegan next year.

The sustainability element doesn’t just stretch to locating suppliers and manufacturers but also the longevity of a particular item. The Betty Brown current Autumn Winter 2019/20 collection has been designed and made for a working wardrobe in a variety of colours and with all the label pieces being interchangeable. Think classic, modern, clean lines, which effortlessly glide through work to post work soirees. This ladies, is a high quality yet affordable capsule wardrobe for the fashion conscious working woman as well as some beautifully designed occasion wear.

THE BETTY BROWN ATELIER EXPERIENCE

Well what can you expect from the boutique and how does this place stand out from the rest? Well for starters, walking into the boutique gives you a lovely warming feeling. Almost like returning home to your parents after a long break. Sukhina’s huge smile and friendly manner and personality set you up for an experience to remember. I like the straight talking nature that Sukhina renders.

Before you even start to talk clothing, you’ll have a delicious vegan coffee of your choice pressed in your hand to accompany your amazement expelled by the inner you wanting to purchase everything at first glance.

Sukhina takes great pride in dressing women and thrives to make her customers feel confident, comfortable and happy in her pieces. She asserts her expertise in helping you select the right pieces based on what you’re looking for, your body shape and colouring before you try them on. In simple terms, if you don’t look good Sukhina sure as hell won’t be selling you that item!!

Then its time to make a short walk to her elegant life size mirror where Sukhina works her magic on offering advice on styling the item. She’ll ensure that each purchase can be worn in a number of ways and accessorise for it to be a viable wardrobe keeper.

The attention to detail that as an Atelier, Betty Brown Boutique has is incredible. Even the small things like buttons have been designed by Sukhina with a stylish texture and edging. It’s true what they say, the beauty is most definitely in the details, which will set the outfit apart from the crowd. Oh yes, I’m pretty sure there wont be a risk of your office buddy turning up to work or even a party dressed like you, as the boutique makes a limited number of each style.

Once you’ve found and decided on your capsule wardrobe pieces, Sukhina beautifully presses, folds and wraps them as one would expect to receive a gift.

Recently Sukhina has launched a hashtag, #mybettybrownstyle and she is also the lady behind the hashtag #supportleicesterlocal. Sukhina is not just an amazing local lady but one who has created a fantastic community who support each other and that is why I am a huge supporter of independent business in my home town.

Disclaimer: This post is written as a collaboration between Betty Brown Boutique and Be-lavie. The black shirt dress and leather belt were kindly gifted however all views, opinions and photography are my own and remain a copyright of Be-lavie.

 

Betty Brown Boutique

36 Francis Street

Leicester

LE2 2BD

Website at bettybrownboutique.com

 

 

 

Sustainability meets style at Betty Brown Boutique. Go check this beautifully individual Atelier out! Tell me have you visited and are you one who sports a capsule wardrobe.

 

Á Bientôt…

 

 

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