Lily and Lionel for Katie Leamon; The Christmas Edit

1. What’s your favourite print within the Heirloom Christmas Collection?

Alice: I adore the hand painted check we’ve created, it’s a lovely twist on an otherwise classic plaid. Both, the rich port red and deep green tones personify Christmas for me.

Katie: My favourite has to be the 12 days print, the delicate illustrations are just so beautifully executed.

Following the success of our Heirloom Collection in collaboration with womenswear brand Lily and Lionel, we have introduced a Christmas Edit to our collection. Full of enchanting print elements, delicate details and seasonal rich colour; this collection encapsulates that Christmas feeling and will have your cards & gifts looking spot on this season. I caught up with Alice, founder and creative director at Lily and Lionel to discuss our collaboration and find out a little more about Christmas for her personally and whats on the cards for Lily and Lionel.

2. Can you tell us a little bit about each of the prints for this year’s collection?

Alice: Many of the prints we’ve created for this limited edition are taken from our archive and re-created in bespoke, rich colours. The standout print that tells a story and captures my heart is the 12 Days Of Christmas design. Inspired by the classic Bing Crosby song. It’s a small, delicate signature reveal print of ours which has been drawn by hand. As you can imagine, there are elements hidden in there such as turtle doves, geese and drums.

Katie: We're in agreement about the magic of the 12 days print, but I love the fact that coupled with the Luna print, and the more traditional check, we have encapsulated the magic, nostalgia and traditions of Christmas in one collection.

3. Can you tell us a little more about what Lily and Lionel have in the same beautiful prints this season?

We have created a beautiful pair or satin pyjamas in the Twelve Days Of Christmas print. I have a real soft spot for our pyjamas, the fabric and uplifting prints make me feel great and they’re such a special gift for this time of year, either to yourself or for someone dear.

4. What 3 traditions make Christmas special for you and your family?

Alice: Indulgent food, plenty of it!

My family all sat around a table speaking louder and louder to get ourselves heard!

Historically it was always The Queen’s speech and hope and positivity that really solidified the day for me.

Katie: Since having children we head into central London on Christmas eve to catch a kids theatre show and soak up that Christmas spirit before heading home to hang the stockings up. Meeting up with our families sharing wonderful food and games. The competitive streak in us all comes out! Making tree decorations from paper, pebbles, and clay... our tree has taken a far more eclectic look over the years!

5. What can we expect you to be wearing from the Lily and Lionel collection for Christmas this year?

Alice: On Christmas Eve we do a big dinner with my husbands family who are Austrian as it’s tradition. I’ll be wearing the Lucky printed Eloise dress.

I will be living in our brand new knitwear collection. Hero pieces to treasure such as the Lula cardigan dress and our Moira turtleneck. For Christmas Day, I’m drawn to the Ginger and Violet Amelia dress- my go-to dress shape of ours.

6. Do you have any special traditions or themes regarding cards or wrapping at Christmas?

Alice: I like to wrap presents in beautiful paper (definitely going to be using our bespoke wrap this year) and tie it with a rich burgundy velvet ribbon. I’m going to dig out my pinking sheers to really give the ends of the bow a bit of personality!

Katie: I like to use old Christmas card samples as gift tags by chopping the front up and punching a hole through it. I also insist on using natural sprigs and dried leaves as extra decoration for the gifts. I try to stick to a theme or colour each year, and like Alice, this year it's going to feature this range. Im also excited that this year we have crackers in some of our wrap sheets, so we can co-ordinate our table decorations too!

7. Can we expect to see any special accessories from Lily and Lionel for this festive season?

Alice: My standout accessories for the season are our butter soft cashmere scarves and silk hair ties - simple and indulgent additions to pep up your Christmas best.

Katie: Their silk hair ties really are special, an absolute joy to use.

8. Do you have a favourite Christmas accessory that you couldn’t be without?

Alice: Yes, my fairy lights. They come out the box every year and light up my fireplace, with the help of some eucalyptus and Christmas foliage.

Katie: We have a nordic style, wooden advent calendar that has a little light up scene on the top. I fill it each day with a little riddle or treasure hunt for the kids and they love it!

9. If you could spend Christmas anywhere in the world where would it be?

Alice: At my Auntie Bernice’s house, surrounded by my wonderful, eclectic family, the smell of homemade bread sauce & port gravy.

Katie: Somewhere snowy surrounded by all my family.

10. What’s on your Christmas list this year?

Alice: To have family suppers more often and bring all the people closest to me together.

Katie: In a similar vein to Alice's answer, more time spent with people, than money spent on people. But I always have a new notebook on my Christmas list to start the new year fresh. Thank you to Alice for chatting to us, and sharing her thoughts on our Christmas Collaboration as well as a little more about both her brand and her personal Christmas Plans! Thanks for reading, Katie x