Former New Look buyer launching cashmere womenswear brand

Nicky Wills, former head of buying at New Look, is launching a new cashmere womenswear brand, Arkell and Wills on September 24 with her business partner Debz Critchley, who has a background in business development and marketing.

Based in Cheltenham the new womenswear brand will debut with its autumn/winter 2016 collection of high-quality cashmere jumpers and accessories, with an emphasis on colourful, fun designs, which can be customised with unique designs and motifs by Swarovski.

Commenting on the launch, Wills said: “It’s something I have always wanted to create and I am so proud to see our label in our first collection.”

Explaining the philosophy behind the brand, Critchley added: “We recognised there was a demand for high quality, thoughtfully designed cashmere that is contemporary and fun to wear, and that’s what this first collection is all about.”

Key pieces include a cashmere striped jumper with contrasting lurex star design elbow patches, designed to be coordinated with denim and a range of colourful beanies with large pompoms and star, heart and stag motifs on.

The pieces range from 90 for a plain 100 percent cashmere beanie with raccoon pompom to 120 pounds for the same beanie, but with a Swarovski embellishment, while the sweater and cardigans start at 170 pounds up to 240 pounds. All will be available exclusively to purchase on the Arkell and Wills website from September 24.

Images: courtesy of Arkell and Wills