We all know how the years creep up on us and believe it or not Brora is nineteen today.

Usually becoming older is a fretful thing but we hope that at Brora the years have added a little wisdom to the business, what we design and how we serve our customers.

This is largely due to the drive and enthusiasm of our founder and creative director Victoria Stapleton, taking Brora from one London based shop to a further thirteen across the U.K.

Brora shop at Symons Street; the culmination of Victoria’s dreams.

“I started Brora in 1993 because I was passionate about Scottish textiles, especially cashmere & tweeds.

“I strongly believe in ‘made in Britain and the vast majority of the products that we sell at Brora are still made in this country”.

Our cashmere Queen is ever the hands on sort and never too busy for a personal meet and greet shopping experience for all her customers. Look out for the special events at a Brora shop near you!

Victoria’s family is also a key element behind the Brora brand. Her three children feature regularly in Brora photo shoots, all have been modelling our children’s clothing from babies. I’m sure many of you would recognise them having delighted in dressing your own children as you’ve seen the girls grow.

Husband Johnnie is responsible for all our fantastic images for the web, catalogues and in store canvases. As a professional photographer he is the perfect addition to the Brora team, Victoria and he have spent many years shooting together.

Like the children on the Brora spring 2012 photo shoot, we too will certainly be celebrating.

On behalf of Victoria and from the rest of us at Brora, we would like to say a special thank you to you for your loyalty and custom.

Last Thursday evening saw a celebration of talent from photographers and all-round travel enthusiasts.

The event was hosted at the Brora Symons Street shop on behalf of Cazenove+Loyd‘s travel photographer of 2011 competition with Leica camera manufacturers.

Victoria took her family last year on an amazing Indian adventure through self-professed travel experts Cazenove+Loyd, therefore she was only too happy to supply the venue and be there to help host the eclectic mix of culture, fashion and expedition.

For many people the idea of art and shopping is paradise, but for the competition finalists paradise was captured through the lens.

When on holiday most spend their days lazing by the pool, sipping colourful cocktails and eating out every night at fine restaurants. Yet these avid travellers are busy bringing flashes of exoticism and culture to the canvas for us at home.

Every month last year a travel photograph was awarded the ‘best of the month’, as voted for by the public, and entered in to an online competition where the favourite photo of 2011 would be assessed by a judging panel of experts.

The winner was August nominee Sebastien Rombi with his South Africa shot of a rather tranquil, but stunning looking elephant cow having a dust bath in the Kruger National Park.

Not only did he receive significant recognition from his peers and fans alike, but as the winner he was given a Leica X1 camera with accessories worth £1,700.

All in all, the mingling and drinking pressed on well into the night, with our new spring collection and photography on the lips of everyone; success!

Last week my husband kidnapped me from the office and took me to the David Hockney exhibition at the Royal Academy.

I diligently put on my headphones and then was immediately swept away on a tide of vibrant colour, room after beautiful room has been dedicated to this extraordinary display of art.

As I travelled through each story listening often to the soft Yorkshire accent of Hockney, my mood lifted till I was walking around like a Cheshire cat. It is an extremely uplifting experience.

Everyone knows I am passionate about Britain and this exhibition, highlighting the huge variation of nature through the seasons in Yorkshire, is indeed a celebration of one of the joys of England.

If you have the opportunity, do go. And if you see some Hockney colours appearing in future cashmere collections, don’t be surprised!

Royal Academy of Arts
Burlington House
Piccadilly
London W1J 0BD

You have until 9th April 2012 to be amazed.

This is three month old Sebastian looking snuggly, cocooned in his sumptuous brora cashmere blanket with a cheeky smirk on his adorable face.

Well done to his mother Sacha for capturing the picture and posting it up on our Facebook page. She says of Sebastian’s cashmere blanket: “Mummy will be fashioning it as a scarf once he is done”.

We love looking at snaps of your bundles of  joy modelling Brora. Here are previous Brora Babies Elliot and Millicent looking simply precious.

Sweet Seb is wrapped in the exquisitely soft cashmere knitted blanket that proved very popular with mums and sold out as quickly as it went on sale.

However, we still have a selection of blankets available for you to drape your babies in, perhaps a as a gift to an expectant mother; a nice gesture in time for Mother’s Day on March 18th.

                                                         Cashmere Baby Blanket – £129

Baby Sebastian’s hat is currently available in both Ink and Mulberry, which really gives off that snuggle factor; hence that smile of contentment.

Cashmere Bonnet – £42		Cashmere Mittens – £32

And why not go all the way with a cosy pair of Cashmere Fair Isle Bootees to match; over-accessorising with patterns is never tacky when worn by little people!

We love looking through the pictures you send us or post on our Facebook wall of your children and babies dressed cosily in Brora, so keep them coming!

Even the four-legged kind; Victoria often uses her beloved pooches on Brora photo shoots. You can now add pictures of your Pets In Brora, an album on our Facebook page.

Let’s Make It One To Remember

You still have just enough time to spoil your nearest and dearest in readiness for Valentine’s Day.

These thermal vests are handy for wearing underneath clothing and when the weather finally gets warmer, they’re cool enough to wear on their own. Plus, if you’re going to choose them, she’ll be dying for the Liberty Lawn Knickers to match. All of the vest colours are interchangeable with the knickers, which makes it a great little intimate set for the woman in your life.

Lace Trim Camisole - £35	Cap Sleeve Scoop Neck - £39

Liberty Lawn Knickers - £22

Alternatively, you can give her roses.

Except these roses won’t wilt and die; she can treasure this all season!

Cashmere Cropped Cardigan – £179	Vintage Rose Dress – £159

The cashmere cropped cardigan is also the perfect addition to complete this delicate spring look.

And girls, if he usually gets it wrong, you could always go ahead and indulge yourself with this vintage ensemble and just tell people that it’s what he got you. That’s the smart way to do it!

Valentine’s is a day for love, so why not give gifts from the heart to those other special people in your life; perhaps for a mother who’s always there.

Tropical Garden Scarf – £95

Our Tropical Garden Scarf  is a stunningly vivid and fun statement piece that instantly transforms any look for a stylish finish; just right for the coming seasons.

Remember, we’ll wrap your Valentine’s Day treats with tissue paper in a beautifully hand crafted gift box and write a personal gift message at no extra cost.

Say I love you with Brora.