SPOTLIGHT ON HUSH
Mandy Watkins, founder and creative director of Hush, shares her winter must-haves
Mandy Watkins, founder of Hush, shares her winter wardrobe must-haves
When Hush launched in 2003, it did so with six sets of pyjamas, some sheepskin boots, an alpaca throw and its own hot chocolate. Now, 16 years later, it boasts 10 collections a year, selling everything from cashmere sweaters and midi dresses to ankle boots, jewellery and candles. Although the company has seen incredible growth, its founder Mandy Watkins says, ‘In its essence, it’s still very recognisable – it has an independent boutique vibe that allows it to dance to its own tune.’
That tune appeals to a lot of women. Hush inhabits a sweet spot in our wardrobes by offering trend-led pieces in a very wearable way. ‘We design clothes for women who love fashion but won’t be a slave to it,’ explains Watkins. She and her design team of four find inspiration on the street. ‘My phone is full of photos I’ve taken surreptitiously of women I don’t know, because I love a colour they’re wearing or I get an idea for a print.’
Watkins admits that lots of Hush products sell out every season simply because they’re the kind of clothes we live in and can wear in myriad ways.
‘I’m a jeans and T-shirt kind of girl most of the time,’ she admits. ‘I’m all about pieces that I can wear again and again; that look good on me but also make me feel good. So, you’re just as likely to see me in a sequin skirt at the office as you are in a pair of jeans on a night out.’
It’s no surprise that Hush has expanded into other areas of our lives, too. Its online blog shares travel inspiration, book reviews and recipes alongside Watkins’s own recommendations. ‘We’ve always tried to do things a bit differently and still have that same sense of fun and adventure we had when we started out,’ she says. Here, she highlights her favourite things, from Hush and beyond.