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Fashion<br />
Saffron Walden<br />
We had a look at some<br />
of Saffron Walden’s best<br />
independent boutiques<br />
The idyllic medieval town of Saffron<br />
Walden boasts an impressive<br />
portfolio of independent retailers.<br />
We spoke to Simon Jackson,<br />
Economic Development Officer for<br />
Uttlesford District Council., who told<br />
us, “We have over 200 independent<br />
retailers in the town, 35% of which<br />
are independent. This is, in fact, one<br />
of the better percentages across<br />
the UK.”<br />
The town’s market, which takes<br />
place on Tuesdays and Saturdays,<br />
has been running since 1141. Tuesday<br />
is the traditional market day and is<br />
hugely popular with the locals, whilst<br />
Saturday is more cosmopolitan. The<br />
array of food on offer is vast. It has<br />
everything from speciality cheeses,<br />
fruit and vegetables and breads, to<br />
olives, eggs, fish and even a Spanish<br />
food stall. Alongside this, Saffron<br />
Walden has many ways of attracting<br />
people into the town, which<br />
impacts on both the economy and<br />
the community. “The picturesque<br />
landscape, alongside the town’s<br />
heritage and architecture is what<br />
differentiates the town from any<br />
other within the area. It’s great to see<br />
so many businesses thriving,” Simon<br />
stated.<br />
As independent boutique retailers are<br />
a huge part of the town’s success, we<br />
got to know the faces behind some<br />
of our favourite finds.<br />
1. Belle Couture<br />
Co-owners and mother and daughter duo<br />
of Belle Couture, Sandie and Teri, spotted<br />
the opportunity to open a boutique selling<br />
one-off vintage pieces and have, over the<br />
last eight years of trading, been offering<br />
a wide range of shoes, bags, jewellery and<br />
accessories. They stock a variety of brands<br />
from Ted Baker and Karen Millen to<br />
Gucci, Moschino, Valentino and Roberto<br />
Cavalli. Sandie’s speciality lies in fine<br />
jewellery. With over twenty years in the<br />
industry, Sandie has designed and crafted<br />
lots of bespoke pieces and offers a<br />
tailor-made service.<br />
“We offer a personable shopping<br />
experience with a really unique selection<br />
of items. I think this is what helps us stand<br />
out from the crowd!” Sandie told us.<br />
Belle Couture<br />
4 Market Hill, Saffron Walden<br />
Tel: 07900 204520<br />
www.belle-couture.co.uk<br />
Teri Osborne<br />
2. blue<br />
Another of Saffron Walden’s gems which<br />
prides itself on offering exclusive clothing<br />
and accessories. It stocks an extensive<br />
list of brands, from Ash, American<br />
Vintage, 10 Feet, Des Petits Hauts, and<br />
Becksondergaard to name just a few, and<br />
is very selective about what goes into the<br />
boutique. It has everything from dresses<br />
and jackets to footwear and accessories.<br />
Owner, Hayley Attridge told us, “I’ve<br />
been a part of blue and the Saffron<br />
Walden community since 2001. Fashion<br />
has changed, but the ladies visiting my<br />
boutique haven’t. I feel proud that my<br />
boutique has created such loyal and happy<br />
customers… long may it continue!”<br />
blue<br />
32 King Street, Saffron Walden<br />
Tel: 01799 513315<br />
www.bluesaffronwalden.co.uk<br />
56<br />
<strong>Velvet</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> | Apr <strong>2016</strong>
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