January Fashion Heroes: From The Must-See Collab To An Excellent High Street Suit
After a short hiatus, The Handbook’s Contributing Fashion & Lifestyle Editor, Astrid Carter, brings you her top picks for January in the latest Fashion Heroes column. From Sézane latest collaboration to the high street suit you are not going to want to miss.
I’m warding off the January blues for 2024 by bringing a riot of colour to my wardrobe. And this month, there are plenty of indie brands, collaborations and high street stores turning up the saturation. There’s a joyful, travel-inspired partnership between Sézane and Pangea (sure to sell out, you have been warned) and an exciting new store opening from Brazilian brand FARM RIO, who are best-known for their vivid, nature-mimicking prints.
There’s also plenty of high street finds to shop below and some serious investment pieces to add to wish list – we’re looking at you, Isabel Marant shearling jacket.
Scroll to see what’s new and to shop my edit…
The Fashion Collaboration: Sézane X Pangea
If there is one fashion brand doing collaborations well it’s Sézane. The Parisian label have had myriad partnerships of late, from Sea NY to FARM RIO, both of which sold out almost immediately. This season they have joined forces with innovative and sustainable fashion-meets-science brand, Pangea for a colourful co-designed collection inspired by an imaginative, travel-inspired universe.
Whilst much of Sézane’s mainline pieces are quite paired back – very French girl aesthetic – the Pangea collection is a riot of colour with playful prints and clashes. Heroes include the patchwork Ritchie jacket, sweet hammered brass Coeur earrings, as well as lively knits and art-inspired neck scarfs for just £25.
Shop the collection at Sézane.com
The Influencer To Follow: Bárbara Santiago
You may be familiar with hoards of Scandinavian style mavens and Parisian girls on your Insta feeds, but it is the tastemakers of Lisbon who have recently been encouraging my scrolling habits. One such woman is Bárbara Santiago whose way with colour, print and texture breaks all the rules. She takes a pair of leopard print jeans and mixes them with colourful trainers and a granny-style silk scarf; pairs pinstripes with paisley; or Western-inspired fringed jackets with statement red trousers. It shouldn’t work, but it does and I’m bookmarking for myriad outfit options throughout 2024.
Follow Bárbara @barbarasantiago.r
The Accessory I Didn’t Know I Needed: TANCHEN’s Woven Bottle & Cup Bags
Equally as ridiculous as they are SO cute, Singapore and Shanghai-based textile brand, TANCHEN, has created these charming woven purses that allow you to go hands-free with your morning coffee or water bottle. The studio, which is a collaboration between artists Sanchia Tan and Amber Chen, focuses on functional textiles that can be used as autonomous and artful elements every day. They even do little purses for wine bottles – great dinner party guest gift. Check their Instagram out below. I mean, adorable.
Shop online at tanchenstudio.com or follow them on Instagram @tanchenstudio
The Store Opening: FARM RIO, London
The story of Brazilian brand FARM RIO is a real life fashion fairytale. Founded by best friends Katia Barros and Marcello Bastos in Rio de Janeiro. the label started out with humble beginnings on a local market stall. Today the brand is stocked at the likes of Liberty, Harrods and NET-A-PORTER and is soon set to have 100 stores worldwide, one of them being London.
The bricks and mortar store will be the first standalone offering from FARM RIO in Europe, taking up residency among some great contemporaries on Chelsea’s Kings Road.
The immersive store brings authentic Brazilian warmth, colour and charm to the capital with a space designed by renowned architect and designer, Marcelo Rosenbaum. Just like the brand’s collections, expect a poetic interpretation of Brazilian nature on the walls and in the styling – from the hand-painted tropical wallpaper and buriti straw fitting rooms to the impressive 26 metre marquetry-crafted panel which sits at the heart of the store.
Visit the FARM Rio Store at 86 Kings Road, SW3 4TZ
The High Street Suit: M&S
If you love that oversized, borrowed-from-the-boys aesthetic of The Frankie Shop and alike, but are looking for something a little more, how do I put it, sober(?) for the office, check out M&S’s latest drop.
This mid grey duo has all the makings of a power suit, from the pleat-front pants to the structured shoulder of the blazer. Wear together with point-toe kitten heels and a black polo-neck, or a white shirt and chunky loafers for comfort. Or wear separately to get the most out of your fashion maths.
Pleat Front Relaxed Wide Leg Trousers – £45 – M&S
Oversized Single Breasted Blazer – £65 – M&S
The January Edit: 20 Pieces On My Wish List This Month
The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.
