Stewart Parvin is one of London’s best designers, he is a couturier most famously known for being the Queen’s dressmaker. We sat down with Stewart to discuss his career.
Q: When did you first realise you wanted a career in fashion?
A: I think from a very early age. When I was a child at nursery school I knew the
difference between Chanel and Saint Laurent because the lady whose house the school was held at was a very well-dressed woman and I know now, that is what she was wearing in the late sixties. I would go home and tell my mother that is what you need to buy - you need to buy a tweedy suit with big gold buttons at probably the age of three or four.
An exclusive visit to Joel & Son Fabrics in Church street, which is "possibly the world's finest fabric emporium" by Her Majesty's go-to dressmaker.
Stewart Parvin makes us fall in love (all over again) with a selection of his favourite fabric picks from the finest French, Italian and Swiss cloth makers. With rows and rows...and rows of fabrics in store, Stewart takes us on a sensory journey, where he reveals his favourite neon and white boucle, his love of the versatile double-face fabrics, the classic and wild printed silks "which Joel's has the most amazing eye for", to the pretty, delicate and amazing bridal laces and trims.
You haven't heard from us in a while and that's because, in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, we have been keeping very busy.
Our priority has always been the safety and wellbeing of our employees, customers and communities so we closed our store and were keen to find a valuable way to contribute. When we heard that the NHS needed help in terms of PPE for those amazing doctors and nurses on the frontline, we got together with our network of dressmakers (including those who make couture clothing for the Royal family) and used our contacts to source thousands of metres of fabric.
Our talented dressmakers went to work spending the last eight weeks using their skills and working around the clock making scrubs, PPE masks and bags which we donated to help our NHS heroes.
Another vulnerable group are the homeless so when we were asked to donate hats, we were thrilled to help out - these have now been distributed
The fashion industry is one of the major polluting industries in the world. We live in a time of throw-away fashion. Shopping from high street chains, one can buy a dress for as little as £9, wear it once, Instagram it and then dispose of it - sounds too good to be true.
This however, comes at the cost of severe environmental damage, including water pollution from untreated contaminated waste and air pollution.
Did you know that the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of humanity's carbon emissions?
A standard industry six-month lead time has now turned into weeks. It is not uncommon for fast-fashion
Daniele Bull arrived in the UK in the early 60’s, 20 years old, and a newlywed. Her husband, Joel, was selling fabric in market stalls across East Anglia and London.
Spring has sprung and there is nothing that Joel & Son Fabrics loves more than welcoming the new season with fresh deliveries of gorgeous printed linens and cottons.
Bouclé (otherwise known as tweed) is one of our absolute favourite fabrics, a versatile wardrobe staple that looks wonderful for any season or occasion.
Joel & Son Fabrics constantly receives new bouclé ranges with the newest colours and styles, sourced from only the finest Italian and Spanish mills. Why not step inside our bouclé wonderland and discover the largest, most in-vogue selection of this elegant fabric, and create your own style classic with one of our beautiful bouclés.
Fancy some inspiration? Try one of these...
Make your own summery version of Alexander McQueen's contemporary take on tweed, with one of our new blue, light bouclés.
As we quickly drift towards Spring, we are feeling inspired by summery print dresses on the runways and stunning new deliveries of printed silk jacquards are arriving daily.
Dolce & Gabbana
Jacquard silk gives the impression of a print on a print, as there is a slightly raised, soft pattern woven underneath the print.
Joel & Son Fabrics are globally renowned for our jacquards! They are crease- resistant and make up beautifully, sourced from only the finest Italian fabric mills, and we usually have the matching silk chiffon as well.
It's great when someone puts proper time and thought into your Christmas pressies. Some great small gift ideas here at Joel & Son Fabrics, perfect stocking fillers that show you care.
A luxurious, designer tie is appreciated by any stylish gentleman. We have a variety of tie panels in elegant prints and colours from renowned French couture house, Lanvin, so instead of just buying a tie, how about making up a beautiful silk Lanvin one on your own and surprising him.
Need a gift idea for your aunty/sister/niece/friend? Stuck on candles and lotion sets? (If you're female, over 18, and have never received a candle or hand cream for Christmas, let us know. We don't actually believe you exist)
A scarf is always a fabulous present. A timeless accessory.
For instant chic, tie a classic, silk neck scarf, Grace Kelly-style.
A soft silk or fine wool scarf draped elegantly over shoulders or around the neck always looks stylish.
This week at Joel and Son we had a very special guest come in and visit us - the lovely Cherry Dalton. The renowned artist joined us to create a special edit of our designer scarves, exclusively for you lucky online shoppers.
Anyone who has shopped with us in store knows that we take great pride in our seasonal shopping bags. We love seeing the delight on our customers faces when we bring out one of our bright, whacky and 'typically Joel & Son' shopping bags to pack their fabric goodies in.
Joel & Son Fabrics Shopping Bags: Collectors Edition 24
And right on cue at the beginning of Spring we're proud to introduce our 24th collectors edition shopping bag range. Designed by Director Gary Bull, the Spring/Summer 2017 collection boasts seven different colours and three sizes to choose from.
