Taking inspiration from Karen Millen’s archive and her own wardrobe, Lydia Millen has created a capsule collection of beautiful, modern classics. Fusing design elements from her most cherished pieces, as well as the catwalks and past Karen Millen collections, By Lydia has a considered focus on flattering, feminine forever pieces evocative of her own signature style. From the design process to her favourite pieces, we caught up with Lydia to find out more about the collection.

SHOP THE COLLECTION

I’m not a designer by profession, so the challenge was translating ideas from my imagination to the designs themselves. The process began with a lot of thought showers, visualisation and creative group planning. We browsed my wardrobe with the mission to give classic silhouettes a more modern look.

I probably wouldn’t be able to pick just one part because the process was a dream come true from start to finish. It was incredibly inspiring to see the pieces come to life, but I think when I start seeing my audience wearing the designs it will all hit home for me.

I love to contrast the tough look of a leather jacket with more delicate, feminine pieces, especially in warmer months styled with bare legs and biker boots.

SHOP LEATHER JACKETS

The deconstructed structured waistcoats are real hero pieces for me because they instantly give a basic outfit a high-end feel. The darting and almost-raw finish teamed with the high-quality fabric give traditional tailoring a more modern look.

There's so much variety in the collection and from the very beginning it was key that as many women as possible should be able to enjoy this collection and feel their best self.

I wish I was someone who could work from the comfort of their loungewear, but to feel motivated for the day I have to be dressed and ready for anything. I opt for comfortable and cosy fabrics that cinch in at the waist to flatter but not restrict. More of these pieces are needed for people to feel good wherever they're working.

SHOP LOUNGEWEAR

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"As the call of winter gets louder, we turn our attention to the luxe layers that'll keep chills at bay. Presenting your guide to the most inspiring outerwear of the season.

SHOP COATS

Top of the list of timeless investments, a trench coat is always relevant and always appropriate. Perfectly balancing form and function, we create ours to sit perfectly on the body and shape the silhouette. In always-wearable shades, each style comes finished with a waist-cinching belt and clever seaming for a feminine silhouette. For a twist on the classic, our new leather trench marries the edge of a biker jacket with the elegance of a mac to perfectly encapsulate the spirit of now.

SHOP TRENCH COATS

Anchor your winter style with butter-soft suede and sumptuous shearling. A descendant of the US Navy-designed MA1 jacket, our Aviator coat is a modern, elevated take on the iconic design. With no detail spared, it blends the luxury of 100% lamb-leather suede with a cosy interior and leather trims. Well-considered zips and seaming add shape to its silhouette, while two pockets are perfect for keeping essentials to hand.

SHOP THE AVIATOR

Answer the call of winter in a coat that blends style with substance. Texture and warmth come from the puffer coat's lightweight padding, while minimalist detailing lends itself to a host of styling opportunities. Rain and wind-resistant, with considered design details to keep you warm, let a puffer jacket be the way you take on the elements this season.

SHOP THE PUFFER

Let a classic woollen coat affirm its place as your winter go-to. With an elegant and precise fit, minimalist detailing and sleek silhouette, our wool coats have earnt their investment-worthy status. Versatile and absolutely timeless, with pared-back finishes, they have enough style milege to take you from now to next.

SHOP THE CLASSIC

Let the weather do its worst, our classic parka jacket will always keep you warm. We've reinterpeted the go-to winterwear with a hood and luxurious faux-fur lining, as well as drawstring detailing to cinch the waist and shape the figure. An essential addition to every mid-winter wardrobe.

SHOP THE PARKA

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As long nights begin to set in and lockdown continues, wellness and focusing on yourself has never been more important.

Self-pleasure is key to helping feel calmer and happier, as well as encouraging us to be fully present in the moment.

SHOP NOW

The last word in luxury, each piece in the collection is crafted with our signature design philosophy, so it looks as good as it feels.

From massagers to wands and bullets, toys are discreet yet beautiful and intended to be used alone or with a partner for your ultimate satisfaction.

Every toy in the collection is waterproof, with a three-second on/off button that makes them the perfect addition to your suitcase, should you have travel in your plans.

Velvet-feel finishes are soft and sensual to the touch, while up to six functions adjust speed and vibration patterns to suit you and your mood. Staying in never felt so good.

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As sales of poetry books continue to rise, we're filling our Instagram feeds with inspirational words and visual verses.

Here are five Instapoets to follow for your daily dose of beautiful prose.

RUPI KAUR

Now a household name, Rupi Kaur is arguably the original Insta-poet. Her self-published first book, Milk & Honey, outsold Homer's The Odyssey in 2016 and her illustration-meets-poetry style has earnt her millions of followers.

The poetry she creates covers love, loss, race and femininity.

@rupikaur_

LANG LEAV

International bestselling author Lang writes stirring poetry on love, loss and heartbreak.

Born in a refugee camp before spending her childhood in Australia, Lang had gone on to win countless awards and accolades for her emotive writing.

@langleav

CLEO WADE

Poet slash activist Cleo uses her platform to speak on important topics of peace, inclusion and justice.

Her empowering writing has even been immortalised on the face of a New York warehouse as an installation created with graffiti artist Brandon Odums.

@cleowade

ALEX ELLE

With her instantly recognisable Instagram feed, Alex Elle has amassed thousands of followers.

Touching on themes of community and self-care, Alex uses her poetry as a form of therapy for both herself and her readers.

@alex_elle

NIKITA GILL

Author and artist Nikita uses poetry, photography and illustration to express her creativity.

Her modern style of poetry captures ideas of feminism, relationships and self-care.

@nikita_gill

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Crafted with the modern woman in mind, our new 50-piece jewellery collection consists of necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets in tones of gold and silver.

Finished with diamantes, stones and trinkets, each item is intended to add the perfect finishing touch to any outfit.

Think pared-back elegance with delicately layered necklaces and rings, while chunky cuffs and drop earrings add a luxe finish to statement styling.

SHOP NOW

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The most beautiful places in the world to wake up, these are the destinations to add to your 2021 wanderlist.

THE ARTIC HIDEAWAY, NORWAY

With a window wall looking out across the icy Norwegian Sea, these eco-friendly cabins are the perfect place to seek out the Northern Lights.

Visit: https://thearctichideaway.com/en/

KASBAH BAB OURIKA, MOROCCO

A fairytale mountaintop fortress deep in the High Atlas, this eco hotel boasts spectacular views over a Moroccan landscape of rivers, fields and snow-capped peaks.

Visit: https://kasbahbabourika.com/

ANSE CHASTANET, ST LUCIA

The only hotel on the island with views of both the Petit and Gros Piton mountains, this resort is sprawled across 600 acres of jungle that meets the azure-blue St Lucian seawater.

Visit: https://ansechastanet.com/

OBEROI AMARVILAS, AGRA, INDIA

A tranquil oasis in the heart of bustling Agra, this hotel offers unforgettable views of the Taj Mahal, which can be seen from every room, as well as the spa and dining lounge.

Visit: https://www.oberoihotels.com/hotels-in-agra-amarvilas-resort/

LAKE VYRNWY HOTEL, WALES

A gem in the beautiful, unspoilt Welsh countryside, this hotel is set among woodlands and waterfalls with a rich history dating back to the Bronze Age.

Visit: https://www.lakevyrnwy.com/

CASTIGLION DEL BOSCO, ITALY

With breath-taking views of the Tuscan countryside, this resort showcases the areas rolling hills, ancient woodland and signature Italian vineyards in all their glory.

Visit: http://www.castigliondelbosco.com/en

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Introducing our pre-fall collection.

Transition into the first days of autumn with ripened hues and a languid attitude.

Inspired by the structured beauty of the manor house and its austere elegance, the collection speaks of femininity, lightness and romance.

Soft tones of peony and berry work with new nudes as the palette of the moment. Silhouettes are laid-back yet womanly, with nipped-in waists and relaxed shoulders alongside flowing skirts and easy tailoring.

Bringing a powerful touch to the collection, hits of bold colour and statement-making details add a modern, unexpected focus. Tailoring in shades of blue, red and peach feels strong and fresh, especially when worn with a statement belt and oversized accessories. Even knitwear comes with renewed attitude, finished with chains, buttons and military detailing.

When the time comes to make a statement, graphic stripes, logos and florals inspired by far-flung destinations are the season’s go-tos. Decorating A-list-worthy occasionwear, the mood is enticing on sumptuous black, or light and frothy on tulle and frills.

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Meet the new kids on the (colour) block.

G R E E N

Giving you your daily dose of vitamin C, this silky blouse is a tangerine dream. Dress it down with lightwash denim for an everyday look with a twist.

Y E L L O W

In the yellow corner, a classic tailored pencil dress adds a hit of sunshine to your wardrobe – the classic shape makes it easier to pull off than you’d think.

P I N K

Hot pink worn with red is the bold colour combo of the moment. Wear head to toe to make your presence felt.

O R A N G E

It’s easy being green with our sleek tailored blazer. A statement piece for the season, style it with leather city shorts and a one-shoulder top for a fresh, modern feel.

B R O W N

From shades of butterscotch to biscuit, brown is the new black. Bring the look into autumn with tonal hues worn head to toe. For a bolder look add a flash of cerulean blue to the mix.

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Exploring ideas of race and identity through their craft, these are the young artists you need to know about now.

MIKELA HENRY LOWE

Bringing colour theory to life, Mikela draws on cubism and abstract expressionism to create artwork that challenges the negative stereotypes placed on Black women. Full of colour and joy, her pieces bring to life the personality of her subjects through texture and bright tones.

JOY YAMUSANGIE

From canvas to ceramics, Joy’s artwork transcends artistic disciplines, expressing their thoughts and experiences to create a personal story. Bringing together bold lines and colours, the artist uses faces and words as a form of portraiture and poetry.

KAYE-ANNE SMITH, AKA R3TIMES

A mixed-media fine artist, Kaye-Anne, or R3times as she’s known, represents notions of cultural identity and belonging with wool, cloth and wood. Working in painting, sculpture and print, her use of wool and bold colours to create fine-art pieces has become a signature.

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THESE WOMEN WILL MAKE YOU SMARTER

On a mission to educate and inspire their followers, these five women and leaders in their field will make you smarter.

PATRICIA BRIGHT

Whereas her fashion and beauty videos made her a household name, it's Patricia's new channel, The Break, that sets her apart from other influencer-cum-entrepreneurs. With a successful career in the City under her belt, Patricia uses her platform to educate other women on property investment, business management and money.

NATALIE LUE

Author and podcaster Natalie is on a mission to rid women of low self-esteem, toxic relationships and chronic negative habits. With an emphasis on helping people let go of people-pleasing tendencies, her warm yet BS-free advice is like that of an older sister. Her self-help blog, Baggage Reclaim, is a gold mine of empowering content to help women navigate their relationship with their inner self and others.

MUNROE BERGDORF

Advocate of trans rights and passionately outspoken on issues of racism and transphobia, Munroe is on a mission to spark important conversations. Her social channels are filled with resources to educate her followers on how they can become better allies and really make a difference in the world.

SILKY KHOUCASIAN

Having coached hundreds of couples throughout her career as a counsellor, Silvy uses her platform to help her followers create fulfilling relationships. Her approach focuses on boundary-setting, attachment styles and conflict resolution to create real, lasting connections. Follow her Instagram account for practical insights into the inner workings of the mind, plus tips and tricks for happy, successful relationships.

ALAA MURABIT

Named one of Forbe's 30 under 30 in 2017, Dr. Alaa Murabit is a peace expert, physician and women's right activist. She uses her social channels to speak out on important, yet often uncomfortable, issues around white supremacy, conflict resolution and the underrepresentation of women in religious institutions.

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