Lily and Lionel step into RTW and Swim wear

British label Lily and Lionel, best known its luxury printed scarves, has announced the impending launch of its debut ready-to-wear and swimwear collections. Alice Stone, founder and creative director the label has created a seven piece collection of clothing, alongside a collection

of bikinis and bathing suits for the label's spring offering.

After six years of focusing on scarves, Stone felt ready to take the next step. “For SS14, we launched our first beach scarves and the demand for them was huge, and it soon became clear that swimwear was the natural progression for SS15,” revealed Stone to FashionUnited.

Lily and Lionel take the next step with RTW and Swim

“I remember shooting the beach scarves for our look book and thinking how much I’d love to pair them with our own swim pieces.”

“Inspiration came from treasured vintage pieces, and styles I felt were missing from my wardrobe that I couldn't find in stores. Every summer I would find myself searching for the perfect beach cover-up or maxi skirt with no luck, so I decided to make them myself!”

Key pieces for the “sport luxe” ready-to-wear line include a silk-crepe bomber jacket, a silk kimono, a cashmere wool t-shirt and maxi skirt, which all feature Lily and Lionel's signature prints.

“The bomber is the perfect travel companion to wear on the plane and looks just as amazing when its paired with the swimwear pieces, it’s a very directional cover up that I love.”

Lily and Lionel teamed up with swim firm Gottex to produce the swimwear line to match the ready-to-wear. “We designed everything in-house,” pointed out Stone.

“We really put a lot of thought into each piece to create a small collection of classics that you would hold onto for years, with the right fit and fall of the fabric.”

“We focused on creating pieces that I felt were missing from my wardrobe that I couldn't find in stores; pieces that could easily take you from one season to the next, like our Bomber Jacket that can be worn just as easily with jeans and a t-shirt as with one of our bikinis.”

When asked if the collection would be expanded for the next coming seasons Stone replied: “I would definitely say keep your eyes peeled for AW15.” Lily and Lionel's debut ready-to-wear collection and swim collection will be available online at www.lilyandlionel.com from January 2015.