A fabulous flavour of Forties fashion

Since starting her eponymous fashion label in 2007, Keira Thorley, 30, has won critical acclaim for bringing back the golden age of Hollywood glamour.

Since starting her eponymous fashion label in 2007, Keira Thorley, 30, has won critical acclaim for bringing back the golden age of Hollywood glamour. Specialising in leather, the Edinburgh-based designer produces clothes and accessories inspired by such iconic figures as Marilyn Monroe, Greta Garbo and Coco Chanel. “Forties glamour; old movie stars: that’s what I’ve based my look on,” she says.

Recently nominated for young designer of the year in the Scottish Fashion Awards, Thorley says her next collection will add an art deco twist to her trademark look. “It is all based on deco — clean lines, and a lot of cream, black and gold. It’s very, very glamorous. I think it will push the collection in to another level.”

Among the highlights of the autumn/winter 2010 collection will be new versions of her best-known piece, the Glamored leather cape. “There’ll be several variations, with different lengths and cuts,” she says. “It should excite quite a lot of people.”

Thorley gains encouragement from others who share her studio complex in the dockland area of Leith, including lingerie makers Bebaroque, and guitar maker Rory Dowling. “It’s great to be with creative people,” she says. “You can share your problems. And if someone does well, it’s really encouraging.”

Always in good taste

Classic is definitely back in fashion and that applies to coffee as much as couture. Like Keira Thorley’s designs, Taylors of Harrogate’s Café Imperial is a taste that evokes a bygone era. It has been enjoyed in the tea rooms of Bettys, sister company to Taylors, for more than 40 years. It is a lively blend with refreshing citrus notes, equally good as a breakfast pick-me-up or an afternoon accompaniment to something sweet. Café Imperial is available from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morissons and Waitrose.

See article at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/lifestyle/taylorsofharrogate/6643678/A-fabulous-flavour-of-Forties-fashion.html