Ever wondered how the pieces you see in store are chosen? Welcome to Anna Diaries: Behind the Buy, where we take you behind the scenes of a recent buying trip to London to preview the collections coming to store later this year.
Buying season is always one of the most exciting parts of what we do. It is our chance to visit the brands we love, discover new collections and carefully select pieces we know our customers will enjoy wearing.
This trip took us across London visiting some wonderful brands including Essentiel Antwerp, Rixo, Paige and Style Fuel Agency, as well as discovering an exciting new addition for us.
Essentiel Antwerp Buying Appointment
One of the highlights of the trip was visiting Essentiel Antwerp and previewing their latest collection with the lovely Anaïs.
Essentiel Antwerp is always full of personality, and this collection certainly did not disappoint. Expect bold colour, playful silhouettes and statement pieces that instantly catch the eye.
One standout moment? A blazer that is also a cape. Yes, really. It is exactly the kind of creative, fashion-forward design Essentiel Antwerp does so well.
There were also some gorgeous faux fur pieces that felt both glamorous and wearable. And then there were the colours. A striking mix of cobalt blue and deep burgundy appeared throughout the collection, creating a combination that felt rich, modern and incredibly chic.
We also filmed a little behind-the-scenes moment from the buying appointment, which you can watch below.
A Very Important Part of Buying Trips… The Snacks
Buying appointments can be busy work, but there is always time to appreciate the snacks along the way. Home made cookies by the wonderful Liv!
We came across some very good ones on this trip, and safe to say they were very much enjoyed. A little fuel between appointments is always welcome.
Discovering More Collections
The London trip also included visits to some of our other favourite brands, including Rixo and Paige, where we previewed the upcoming collections.
Rixo continues to deliver the effortless dresses and signature prints it is so well known for. Expect beautifully feminine pieces that feel both special and easy to wear.
At Paige, we saw their latest selection of premium denim and elevated everyday essentials. Their collections always bring that perfect mix of comfort, quality and timeless style
Style Fuel Agency: Beauty & Lifestyle Finds
Another stop on the trip was Style Fuel Agency, where we previewed some fantastic brands including Ashley & Co, FIVE and Nailberry.
From beautifully designed home fragrance to thoughtful lifestyle products and luxurious nail colours, these are the kind of pieces that make lovely additions both for gifting and everyday indulgence.
A New Brand for Us: Habiba
One of the most exciting discoveries from the trip was Habiba, a brand that immediately caught our eye.
Habiba blends beautiful prints, feminine silhouettes and a timeless feel, creating pieces that feel both distinctive and easy to wear. We are very excited to be bringing this brand into store and cannot wait for you to see it.
And look and Wooly the dog modelling one of their scarves 😍
Coming Soon to Store
Seeing collections in person is always such a treat. It allows us to truly appreciate the fabrics, colours and little design details that make each piece special.
Every piece is chosen with our customers in mind, focusing on quality, wearability and timeless style, while still bringing something fresh and exciting into the boutique.
We cannot wait for these pieces to start arriving in store later this year.
✨ Keep an eye out… the new season is looking very good.
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