When I got engaged 20 years ago (what? how?!!), I didn’t have a clear idea of the wedding theme or venue, but I did know where I wanted to go on honeymoon: The Maldives, AKA, actual paradise. And if I couldn’t go to paradise on my honeymoon, then when could I?
Turned out my husband-to-be had other ideas of what paradise looked like, which involved falling off enormous Norwegian waterfalls. And gave me carte blanche to book the wedding venue/dress of my dreams if he got his way. So Nordic douching it was. And yes, my dress was amazing, thanks for asking.
Fast forward 20 years and guess where I’m finally getting to go on holiday? Yup – we are off to the Maldives! For Christmas! I KNOWWW!!!
But while I might be ticking a big one off my bucket list, I’ve been left with a new problem (warning: this is the first-worldiest of first world problems, like, ever). Which is: what the hell are we all (I’m apparently obliged to bring the kids as well as the husband) going to wear?
And when I say ‘we’, I mean me, obviously.
Just as the sartorial panic was starting to set in, divine intervention arrived in the shape of an email from luxury, sustainable beachwear company LOVE BRAND & Co. Established in 2010 by Bahamas-based husband and wife Oliver and Rose Tomalin, raising awareness for endangered wildlife and habitats is at the heart of the brand, symbolised by the logo of two elephants forming a heart. They are a proud member of ‘1 % for the Planet’ and since day one have donated a percentage of their revenues to wildlife conservation projects, helping wild elephants and other endangered species. So cool.
The perfect beach poncho
And the reason I received the email? LOVE BRAND & Co. wanted to share the news that they have just launched their very first women’s collection (the brand previously focused on effortlessly chic beachwear for men and kids) – and it was love at first sight when I saw the stylish range.
So much so that I replied immediately and asked if they’d be keen to collaborate, something I rarely do these days. And then the clothes arrived and they were even more beautiful, luxuriously tactile, and comfortable, than I ever imagined.
Each piece is made from premium linen, chosen for its softness and breathability and created with the most sustainable materials and processes in mind: the shirts, dresses and ponchos feature corozo nut buttons and printing techniques are chosen to reduce water waste as much as possible.
Linen Elephant Palace print shirt with corozo nut buttons
So let me introduce you to some of my picks from the collection – though I honestly adore it all – starting with the Strawberries & Cream Inagua Linen shorts, shirt, shirtdress and poncho. Delicious!
Strawberries & Cream linen poncho
A signature of LOVE BRAND & Co. is their range of pared-back patterns, cleverly designed using animal motifs. Their Elephant Palace print is perhaps the most iconic, and can be seen in various colourways – including strawberry, coconut and sea-blue – across the womenswear collection. I’m already imagining myself swinging in that hammock, daiquiri in hand, wearing the Elephant Palace poncho…sigh!
Sapodilla Linen Shirt Dress Elephant Palace Coconut
To complete the effortlessly chic beachwear look, LOVE BRAND & Co. has added a curated range of accessories, also in the elephant print, comprising a beach clutch bag, wash bag, and easy breezy linen scarf.
Clutch bag
Scarf
Wash bag
On that Maldivian beach I’m also going to be accessorising with my family, fully decked out in LOVE BRAND & Co. – I fell so hard for the brand that I made a beeline for their Chelsea store, and picked out pieces for my husband and both my boys. So we’re all set for my dream holiday in paradise – and the furthest I’ll be falling is from the sun lounger into the pool!
This post is sponsored by LOVE BRAND & Co., but all thoughts, opinions and obsessions with fabulous pink-and-white striped linen outfits are my own. I only work with brands I feel passionate about, and this is one of them.