Happy Coats!

Blessed with film star looks and armed with solid fashion credentials - studies in fashion design management in Milan and a family background in fashion retail, Tilla Lindig has just opened shop in Notting Hill.

She had been distributing her Happy Coats on line since November 2006 and took the plunge on a good space next to luxury glass and ceramics shop/gallery Vessel at 116 Kensington Park road, moments away from Paul Smith. I liked the shop which has a lovely cosy feel, its white walls enlivened by the coats bright colours. Tilla very kindly answered my questions but would not have me photograph the shop nor the coats as she is in the process of decorating, so I am using pictures from her website.

Tilla Lindig design coats and jackets mainly for women but also provides a small men's collection and an expending children's collection. The clothes are all made of Italian wool, Pura Lana and are produced in Germany. Whilst the collection is not  certified Fairtrade, Tilla was keen to insist on her Fairtrade approach. She controls the whole production chain, with fair wages and the certainty that no child labour will be employed. She has been in touch with Dutch certification body Made By which allocates its Blue Button to the companies it certifies.

She defines her style as : "timeless, fashionable." "A slim fit with flattering proportions, suitable for all ages: for an 18 year old or for the 45 year old mother who cares about her looks." I agree with her description as I felt very comfortable in the clothes at my advanced age!

She clearly loves colours and chooses beautiful shades from natural tones to brights - the type of colours that give you a good feeling for the day.

A comfortable or even a comforting fit is what she is after. She wants to make clothes that become your body shape and stay with you forever. As she said: "I feel naked in a super new dress!" She likes lived-in clothes that act as a protective blanket and described her coats as "the new pashmina". The wool fabric is unlined and intended to keep your body temperature - maybe not in blizzard conditions, though!

I saw the red jacket above in the shop in a grey and black version with a blue or pink cord to tie at the waist. It looked very elegant with a flattering slim bodice and flared hip line, a great Spring jacket.

Prices range from £280 to £350 for women's coats and jackets. Men's jackets retail at £350 and children's coats and jackets are a shade below £100.

The shop is located at:
116 Kensington Park Road
London W11 2PW
Tel.: +44 (0) 20 7229 0848

To shop online: http://www.happycoat.com/_catalog_42985/Happycoat_Collections