We were invited along to the swanky AllBright members club in Mayfair for a preview of The Fold London SS23 Collection. And what did we discover? A joyful celebration of colour and print that signals a new phase in the label’s offerings.
The Fold’s elevated workwear pieces have built a cult following among career women since the label first filled a gap in the market back in 2011. Since then, founder and CEO Polly McMaster has been leading the way with feminine tailoring and ‘together’ pieces that bring a contemporary polish to working women’s wardrobes.
However, since the pandemic, the way we dress for our working lives has changed. We’re no longer in what we’d previously have considered office wear five days a week (thank goodness), and there’s a new definition of what’s professional. After a brief period solely in sweats and loungewear — accessorised with some earrings for Zoom meetings — we’ve moved on. Now, we’re opting more for tailored denim and oversized blazers versus the pencil skirts and fitted jackets of previous years. Thankfully The Fold are ahead of the curve and continue to update their collections to reflect a new world of hybrid working.
Ascending the Mayfair townhouse’s staircase to the sunny loft-style event space, we were greeted with tropical floral displays that set the tone for the summer collections. The theme for SS23 is artistry, and thanks to their designer Sarah Harvey-Franklin who doubles up as a talented abstract artist, we were able to see some of the label’s signature prints being painted in real time.
Sarah’s colourful work also graced the walls of the event to complement the collections on display, and I was pleasantly surprised to find a gorgeous framed print from the day in my goodie bag, which brings a welcome burst of spring colour to my office shelves!
This artistic flair and use of colour are threads that run through the label’s new collection all the way through to high summer, with a more relaxed and less buttoned-up mood prevailing throughout. For late spring, we see whimsical prints on chic neutrals, grounded with navy and accented with citrus brights and a little sparkle. A particular favourite of mine from this early drop is the Knighton tweed jacket with its delicate botanical print — a sure-fire way of elevating any office look while retaining a sense of femininity and fun, especially when paired with the matching wide-leg trousers. Crafted from Italian cotton tweed, this is a co-ord with real cachet, with the jacket retailing at £650.
Moving on to June where the collection takes a softer turn, showcasing feminine printed dresses and separates in lilac and powdery blues, countered with crisp white lightweight tailoring that feels super fresh. Then for high summer, the tones become more saturated with rich earthy browns paired with orange and bright fuchsia, while the silhouettes feature more relaxed draping and folds, all in premium fabrics that will withstand the summer heat — Dyson fan or no Dyson fan.
The accessories were a highlight too, like the luxe leather belts in neutral snakeskin that instantly pull a look together in that effortless way that The Fold have just right.
I fell for their Treviso heels which seem to have it all: a manageable height, a cushioned sole, a flattering pointed toe along with a contemporary square-shape front in a zingy shade of chartreuse that I hadn’t considered to be very me until now. They’ll be just as chic with jeans as paired with a bold coloured suit.
It was a pleasure to see the new direction unfold, especially given the label’s genuine commitment to support and champion powerful women. Putting their money where their mouth is, they’ve partnered with charity Smart Works, donating clothes to empower women who are re-entering the workforce, while their series of interviews, entitled Fold Woman, spotlights inspiring women at work, focusing on their successes, setbacks and attitudes towards style.
The SS23 collections are available online now at thefoldlondon.com. Or, pop in to their chic Chelsea boutique on Cadogan Place, where you can book complimentary appointments with their stylists for a personalised VIP shopping experience.