MHL By Margaret Howell

MHL BY MARGARET HOWELL

At Coggles we have a deep rooted appreciation of collections that are beautifully created and detail driven but not necessarily overtly ‘designed’. Additionally we endeavour to present pieces that will become well-worn ‘old favourites;’ pieces you will love and that will last far beyond one season. We share values such as these with the award winning designer Margaret Howell. Hence the reason why we are more than eager to stock the latest offering: MHL, the younger, sportier collection that deviates from the central line, generally considered to be more sophisticated dresswear. It is a small carefully edited collection which takes inspiration from vintage, workwear and uniform styles.

Howell studied Fine Art at Goldsmiths College at the University of London during the 60’s. And after setting up her own studio and workshops to manufacture her designs, her work became recognised worldwide, making her one of Britain’s finest award winning designers.

In 2007 she was awarded a CBE for services to the retail industry and a Royal Designer for Industry award in recognition of achievements in fashion design.

For Howell make is integral to design. I’m often inspired by the method by which something is made. I find men’s clothes more interesting than women’s in their structure, feel and functionality. I started by designing men’s clothes and women wore them. It is important how a piece of clothing feels when worn. I always wanted my clothes to look the way I drew them, relaxed and lived in, a natural look.

In the MHL collection, Howell has retained the classic British traditions of shift design but infusing each piece with a contemporary feel. Simplicity should not be denounced as dull for Howell succeeds in mingling authentic unfussiness with curious prints, interesting washes and dyes, giving the collection a distinctly unselfconscious character.