Vanessa Seward: new Notting Hill shop is now open

Long the go-to shop for Parisian chic in France, Vanessa Seward's own label is finally coming to London and has opened a Notting Hill branch.

She's the Duchess of Cambridge's new favourite designer. Vanessa Seward's eponymous contemporary Parisian label tapped into the fashion zeitgeist with its midi length floral print dress- the 'Cai' dress, seen on Kate Middleton last December. It was instantly covetable - long, light dresses with interesting floral print being very much on every It-Girl's want list for Fashion Week.

This dress isn't a one-off. Instead, it makes a great introduction to the whole collection, indeed Vanessa Seward's whole aesthetic: feminine dresses with a retro glamour, produced in Europe and now sold in Notting Hill. There will also be three Parisian stores opening, and one in LA.

Seward herself is a 47 year old Parisian, born in Buenos Aires (she is the daughter of a diplomat). She grew up in London, only moving away when she was 12- so this new shop is a homecoming, of sorts- though it is also a canny move based on the success that A.P.C. has had with Londoners after opening shops here. A.P.C.'s Notting Hill branch opened in 2015 and Seward had formerly collaborated on capsule collections with the brand.

All in all, her fashion pedigree is classic and irrefutable: she spent nine years at Chanel, then at Saint Laurent with Tom Ford as an accessorises designer. In France, her brand is worn by women of different generations: Léa Seydoux and Isabelle Huppert are both fans.

What to buy? Well, we love the long sleeved, printed dresses with contrasting collars and we'd never say non to her accessories- the current season has fun round basket bags - after all, with Chanel and Saint Laurent under her (Italian leather 'Chypre') belt, she's had plenty of experience honing her designs.