Dress Code: The Hambledon Through the Years

You may have heard, we had a party last week to celebrate 20 Years. We asked our resident Red Carpet expert, Bella, to chat to the guests and find out what they were wearing. Take it away, Bella.

‘How does one celebrate the 20th birthday of The Hambledon?’, I hear you ask. Simple. Invite friends, dress code: The Hambledon through the Years (obvs), and lots of sparkling wine. Lots and lots (thanks, Hambledon Vineyard!).

In case you missed it, or just want to relive the action, here’s a low-down of the night. Armed with a pen and clipboard, I find out what our die-hard Hambledon fans are wearing...

The Trendy Trio:
Amelia, Viv and Charlotte

Amelia (on the left) dons a yellow Baum und Pferdgarten dress accessorising with an Epice scarf and her ever-loved Moscot specs (seen here on top of her head).

Viv (in the middle) wears new-in By TiMo: Jacquard Shirt Dress in Golden.

Charlotte (on the right) is in her Repetto shoes and Ginkgo dress which has seen 12 years of affection. She tells me about her oldest Hambledon purchase which is a long knitted coat – but we can’t remember who made it!

All the girls indulge me with memories of the lovely Ginny, a beloved Hambledon staff member.

Jenny

I need not ask Jenny what her favourite Hambledon purchase is – she's wearing it and she is very excited to tell me. It's a Chinti and Parker bow pattern dress, and with the matching jumper nonchalantly draped over her shoulders.

The next day Jenny emails a photo of her first ever Hambledon purchase, a Madeleine Press tulle skirt. Love!

Cathy and Judy

‘I’m wearing this Bellerose jacket’ is all Judy is able to tell me before I am totally mesmerised. ‘Are you writing this all down?’ she says, tapping my clipboard. I can’t tell you who made her black velvet top speckled with gold, or when she bought her silky trousers from us. But I can tell you Judy ROCKS a metallic jacket.

This jacket also reminds me of the first time I met Judy. It must have only been my second shift but I remember it well - a strikingly cool lady. Everyone - I present to you Judy, my style icon.

Cathy is Lucy's mum (on the right in the picture above) and she is in a full Hambledon ensemble: Saltwater dress, Bensimon shoes, MIH Jacket and Pernille Corydon jewellery. Her jacket’s not the only thing Made In Heaven. We love you, Cathy.

Start 'em young

Sim hooked us up with some incredible dahlias! Thanks Sim (@simhelkflowers)

I spy Georgie (left) in Sessun and vintage Madeleine Press and Rachel (right) is in Lollys Laundry!

It's seems we are not the only ones excited about Molly Mahon's 20th Birthday exclusive wash bag!

Lola and Izzy

Lola (in the back) is in a super snazzy purple and gold Baum und Pferdgarten skirt and new season Bellerose Leopard print Salima Bag in Display A. Izzy, her mum, tells me that Lola's Baum purchase is much envied - Izzy saw it first!

Izzy, inspecting our in-store exhibition, wears her Lollys Laundry shirt and new ‘Emilia’ jacket. We look to find the brand of her jeans but to no avail! Only the size of her knickers! We then discuss knickers for a bit.

Deborah

In full Hambledon, Deborah wears an Eskandar top from 2001, a Dame B. shirt (2003), Rag & Bone jeans and Jacksons Boots (2009).

'Who is your favourite member of staff?', I ask her.  
'Finn', she replies looking smugly over in her direction, 'She's always so fun and chatty!'

Mike

Later in the evening Lotty chases me down with her dad, Mike– a snazzy man in triple denim! Hell yeah! The killer outfit is lead by an ancient ('no really, it's falling apart', says Victoria) Universal Works jacket.

Caroline and Lotty

Caroline is in a 7 year old Orla Kiely dress, paired with a red/orange Great Plains cardi which we reckon is 3 or 4 years old.

Also donning Orla Kiely is Lotty, Victoria's little sis. The dress she picked up from The Hambledon Gallery (a subtle name drop), but the matching cardi she found here. She shows me her necklace, a gift from her sisters for her birthday – Victoria has a matching one – and their middle sister Sandy will be eligible for hers soon, I'm told. 3 small coins with their names inscribed.

Tim didn't need to wear his stab vest tonight.

Discussing Red Cat beer. Probs.

Spotted: Adsum!

We're thrilled to see this Stine Goya dress again, which coordinates with our dahlias. What an exhilarating night!

Lorraine and Ash

Majorly cool folk (eeep!), Lorraine and Ash (left and right in the picture above!), from Pyrus are (surprise, surprise) wearing Pyrus!

Kat and Ashleigh

From Somewhere Agency we have Kat, (on the left in the picture below) wearing Stine Goya, and Ashleigh (on the right) who is in Baum und Pferdgarten.

Sally

Despite suggesting to Sally earlier in the week that she wears absolutely everything she owns from The Hambledon, to avoid heat exhaustion she more sensibly wears a Studio Nicholson shirt paired with a Baum und Pferdgarten skirt. In hand she carries a Tinsels shirt she bought last Summer.

I ask her: ‘What Hambledon item could you not live without?’
‘Absolutely the By Mutti Love vase! With those tattoo designs – gorgeous!’

Sally later tells me to add her Mads Norgaard red, white and yellow coat to the list. Check.

Rachel

Wearing a Baum dress with Shoe the Bear boots, Rachel entertains me with her fascination for Lucy’s ability to find a dress for ANY occasion.

Even that one where your brother’s holding an engagement party – except the engagement’s now off – but the party goes ahead nonetheless. Mourning or celebration? Lucy knows.

Judy

The leopard print Heisho Dress in Display A courtesy of Bellerose, worn by Judy Heneghan.

And whilst you're here. check out her new novel Snegurochka. It's really good.

The Hambledon Class of 2019

Hashtag Ganni Girls! Vicky, Lottie, Annie, Harriett and Chandler all work their Ganni gowns tonight. Yass queens!

My top and skirt are both Amuse. I saw this top during my very first day working here - a defining moment where I knew I’d found the perfect job: surrounded by my favourite things (and people! I’m not that materialistic… I don’t think).

Lucy and Amy are in their twirly Stine Goya dresses. Stars for Lucy and peaches for Amy. Both dresses on these angels necessitate a little squeal. (We’re lacking visuals of Lucy owing to her morbid fear of having her photo taken, sorry.)

The Princess of The Hambledon, Finn, wears the skirt of my dreams by Just In Case and our spanking new Alex Monroe x Hambledon Chrysanthemum necklace. I want to be like you when I grow up, Finn.

And there you have it, The Hambledon's 20th Birthday Red Carpet exclusive. Thanks Bella! Whilst you're here, don't forget to shop our 20th birthday exclusive collaboration products which are available for a limited time instore and online.