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Stands to see at The Game Fair – Butler Stewart

Butler Stewart is a lovely British brand run by Anna Butler. Actually, it was Anna who very kindly let me borrow a couple of her beautiful Jemma Jackets for my TEDx talk in April. But it’s not all about jackets! In addition to the beautiful Jemma, Butler Stewart also has a range of coats, waistcoats, jeans, shirts and accessories for men and women with a passion for country life and shooting. Now, to fill you in on the brand and its Game Fair activities, it’s over to Anna.

Stands to see at The Game Fair – Butler Stewart

How long have you been exhibiting at The Game Fair?

2018 will be Butler Stewart’s third year as an exhibitor but I have loved visiting The Game Fair for many years prior to launching Butler Stewart.

Which product are you most excited to show the people visiting The Game Fair?

The whole of my new shooting collection for men’s and ladies! I am passionate about stunning textiles and colours and I am thrilled to have sourced some beautiful tweeds for this year’s new arrivals.  Sharp tailoring combined with a refined style and attention to detail sets apart our fresh and stunning new shooting collections. I can’t wait to launch them at The Game Fair

What’s your newest product? What makes it special? 

Our new men’s shooting vest, designed with a similar cut to Butler Stewart’s previous vests but with the addition of lapels, overall a smarter tailored finish.

If you could sum up your brand in a sentence, what would it be?

Butler Stewart is an exclusive clothing brand with a contemporary take on tailoring and textiles creating luxurious collections to be sought after.

Do you have a typical customer? Or do you find your products have a broad appeal for all ages?

Butler Stewart appeals to all ages but especially those who have a love for exquisite garments combined with the countryside.

What are you most excited about for this year’s event?

Being back at Ragley Hall, it is such a stunning location and a perfect backdrop for this prestigious event.

Where can visitors find you at the event? Are there any special offers they should know about?

Stand G887a in the Green zone. We have a number of show offers including ladies shirts and waistcoats. We look forward to welcoming visitors to our stand to browse our collections.

Find out more about Butler Stewart by looking at the website here, and find out more about The Game Fair here.

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It’s a Burghley Horse Trials Must-See!

Annabel Brocks Quilted black Gilet With Natural Collar fIf you follow me on social media, you may have seen the short videos I have been putting out this week with my must-sees at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. In case you missed it, here are some of my top picks… in alphabetical order…

Annabel Brocks– whether you’re looking for luxurious clothes for autumn/winter or fabulous products for some winter sun, Annabel Brocks (in the Lifestyle Pavilion) is a must see. I adore the faux fur head warmers and am kind of looking forward to the winter and when I can wear them again! In addition you’ll find capes made using tweeds, faux suede gilets, kaftans, ponchos and even sun hats! Definitely add them to your list!

Butler Stewart – for tailored tweed, make sure you check out Butler Stewart. For ladies and gents there are off the peg garments as well as Made to Order and the new Made to Measure collection (the latter being launched at Burghley). And if you saw Oliver Townend at the trot on Wednesday, you will have already seen some Butler Stewart in action…

Dogs & Co – Melanie and the team are LOVELY, but more than this, the products are exceptional. I regularly rave about the UniWalker (it’s been a favourite too, but I call it by its old name, the Figure Of Eight), but the rolled leather collars and the brightly colours microfibre ones have also really caught my eye…

Fairfax & Favor – yeah – I love them. I have my eyes on a pair of Explorers as my next purchase but give the Reginas, Drivers and Windsor bag my hearty seal of approval. At the start of Burghley, Fairfax & Favor launched the new Electra velvet Chelsea Boots… and don’t forget the Amiras. The over the knee beauties.

Hiho Silver – for all your equestrian and country jewellery needs, obviously! At the start of Burghley, Hiho launched a new 4 Star solid gold bead with diamonds that fits on the foxtail and Cherry Roller Bangle. The company has also released a special Burghley charm and some other stunning sterling silver, solid gold and gold vermeil pieces. So go and see them.

Lula Bo – I found out about Lula Bo through the lovely Emily and Inkpot & Press… and then drooled over the products. At Burghley, in addition to all of Lula Bo’s other carefully selected products, Clare Shaw’s scarves will be on sale. And they are lovely.

Mackenzie & George – THE place to go for your belt and fedora needs! Mackenzie & George’s Chester Belt was my favourite in a recent vlog, and after seeing Imogen Murray in a felt fedora and feather pin from M&G at the trot up on Wednesday, I want one more than ever now! In addition, Mackenzie & George offers a personalisation service, so you can have your belt or clutch bag personalised with foil or just a simple debossed finish. LOVELY!

Noble Outfitters – a brand I’ve long admired – will be unveiling the new autumn/winter collection. With rich autumnal shades to complement any skin tone, technical prowess for busy people and clever touches too, Noble Outfitters is somewhere I would spend a bit of time!

Rudds Wellies – yep – we all need them – and Rudds Wellies are lovely. They’re made with a special rubber to give them a 12 month no split guarantee, have a super comfy lining, stirrup friendly soles and lots of other features too. You can find them in Rural Craft, which is also where you’ll find Mackenzie & George.

Teddy Edward – since I spoke to Stephen, founder of the brand, for my ‘a few minutes with‘ feature, I have become a teeny bit obsessed with the company’s range of British made products. Combining classic designs that are easy and flattering (amen!) to wear with Great British manufacture, I’m ever so slightly obsessed.

 

If you’re going to Burghley, there’s a chance to win some GORGEOUS Hiho Silver jewellery by taking a selfie, posting it on your Instagram and tagging with #HihoStyleSpotter, created with the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, Hiho Silver AND judged by Hiho Silver ambassador Sophie Callahan. Actually, she’s written a a blog all about it here!

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A few minutes with… Anna Butler – Butler Stewart

Anna ButlerAs Butler Stewart celebrates its second birthday this week, I wanted to share with you a bit about this lovely tweed company and its founder Anna Butler. Here’s her ‘a few minutes with…’

Tell us about you and your background

I am incredibly lucky to have had a fantastic childhood growing up on my family farm in Essex. With my love of design I completed a degree in BA (Hons) Exhibition, Museum and Event Design. I then went on to live in London where I discovered my love for fabric and tailoring. I have always had a passion for the countryside; I regularly participate in country sports and spent a numbers of years working in the shooting industry where I gained invaluable experience and contacts.

What made you want to start Butler Stewart?

After working in London in the high-end retail industry for many years I decided I wanted to start up an exclusive brand selling country and town clothing for men and ladies. Tweed is often associated with muddy farmers and English gentry but my aim is to help change this perception by designing beautiful timeless garments that can be worn with your everyday wardrobe. 

How is Butler Stewart different?

Butler Stewart focuses on high quality tweed, exquisite tailoring and intricate detail. Butler Stewart also offers a popular made to order service allowing customers to create a unique garment, a niche when exhibiting at shows around the UK.

What makes your products special?

I have an amazing tailor who takes my designs and creates the most beautiful pieces. All the collections are tailored in limited edition ensuring you stand out from the crowd. The collections are made up of unique styles, distinctive features and colourful fabrics creating understated British elegance.

If you had to sum up your business in five words, what would they be?

Specialising in tailoring and tweed. 

Do you have a motto or ethos?

My personal favourite: What if I fall? Oh, but my darling what if you fly.

If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring business owner, what would it be?Joanna Jacket Butler Stewart

A strong and bulletproof business plan and budget is key. I regularly update and refer back to my business plan to make sure that I am staying on track with what I would like to achieve. It is very important to create a clear brand. Customers must understand what your business is all about and this is fundamentally built around your brand. 

One thing that helps you run your business more effectively

I can’t live without Photoshop! The design programme allows me to customise images so that I can regularly update my website and to promote the brand and garments through newsletters, social media and print advertising and to have excellent visual merchandising at the shows.

Best thing about running a business?

Being your own boss is exceptionally satisfying (and terrifying). It can be extremely hard work but the rewards are more than worth it. 

Worst thing about running a business?

Being a sole trader can be very daunting, I have found it is very important to have a strong network of business connections and also supportive friends and family. 

Top business blog you follow

I regularly read Drapers’ Blog, featuring different key industry leaders, which helps keep me up to date with all the latest fashion, retail news and advice.

Top business book you’ve read

When researching about a start up business I picked up many useful tips from ‘Build a business from your kitchen table’ by Sophie Cornish and Holly Tucker (the founders of notonthehighstreet.com) 

One thing we might not know about youButler Stewart

My ancestor, George Courtauld, established a successful textile company in the Essex countryside called George Courtauld & Co. and was a worldwide manufacturer of fabric, clothing and artificial fibres. My curiosity in my ancestors from a young age helped strengthen my interest in fabric and tailoring. 

Top business achievement

Building a successful and profitable business within two years of launching. 

Where can people follow you or your business online?

http://www.butlerstewart.co.uk/ 

https://www.facebook.com/butlerstewartclothing/ 

https://www.instagram.com/butlerstewart/

https://twitter.com/ButlerStewart1

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