An Interview with the founders of Collagerie

 




Lucinda Chambers and Serena Hood, really have played an enormous part in shaping the face of fashion, inspiring the wardrobes of millions worldwide during their careers at British Vogue Magazine.

These two rather magnificent women have created a website called Collagerie, which expertly curates the best of fashion, interiors, beauty and lifestyle. A celebration of shopping at every price point, bringing you an innovative way to discover the things you’ll love.

Collagerie is your shortcut to style.

‘We will delight and inspire, finding you the one thing over everything”

An old friend for many years, Christina nosily enquired of the pair their thoughts on the festive season.

You can follow Collagerie HERE and their beautifully curated website can be seen HERE
  


LUCINDA

The festive season is the ultimate time to host a dinner party, who would your top 5 guests be (dead or alive)?

My five guests would be: My Mother (not alive), Iris Apfel very much alive at 100, David Bowie, My 3 boys and husband.
I know I am two over but I could go on and on…..
 
The right Christmas table-scape can be showstopper in itself, how are planning to decorate yours this year?

I love layering and mixing up patterns and textures so I would start by making a beautiful tablecloth out of the Elgin Raspberry.  I would edge it with a bobble trim and when lunch is over it could make it’s way up to the bedroom as a bedspread.  I have always been passionate about flower prints and am in love with this one! 

 
I would then put everyone’s names on Papier’s cards and build up the placement with these Vienna printed napkins by Lisa Corti and these gorgeous Cambridge Imprint Crackers




 
My favourite thing is to have mismatched candlesticks and candles running the length of the table at different heights and weave in holly in and out.
 
Here at Cabbages and Roses we try to be as conscious as possible and consider our impact on the environment, what’s your top tip for being more sustainable at Christmas?

Now my children are all pretty much grown up, I am happy to say that I love buying something that they need or something that I can pass on which I have had in our home that I know they love too.  Things going in and out, passing the love on and finding new places, new homes is greatly satisfying.  I also keep all the tissue and paper from everything and re use, always!
 


Christmas is all about family and tradition, what is the one thing you and your loved ones do each year without fail?

However grown up anyone is, we can’t not do stockings!  The excitement is always there….we light the fire, and all sit around opening one thing at a time and saying how brilliant Father Christmas is at choosing!  I have to say I’m in love with the stripey stocking at Cabbages and Roses!
 
The guests have arrived and pre dinner drinks are underway, what is the one Christmas tipple you will be serving?

I am now, very late to the table, but I am in love with cocktails so I think I will find a special one this Christmas, on the hunt now!
 
What is the soundtrack to your Christmas day?

I leave the soundtrack to the boys!  As a family we all have our favourites.
 
What will you be wearing on the big day?

I have to say that I love pyjamas that masquerade as clothes and the Terry trousers and hope T shirt do just this!  But to be cosy and smart I would go for the Blanket skirt in teal and brown and the Bobby sweater in Oatmeal…..those are spelling Christmas day to me.




 
Favourite Christmas Film?

A favourite film is Darjeeling Express by Wes Anderson….it’s about 3 brothers with very different personalities and funnily enough not a million miles away from my family and all of us love it.
 


SERENA
 
The festive season is the ultimate time to host a dinner party, who would your top 5 guests be (dead or alive)? 

Family first, but runners up would be:
The Obamas (2)
Tina Fey
Rosa Parks
The Queen
 
The right Christmas tablescape can be showstopper in itself, how are planning to decorate yours this year?

I love to mix old and new in any tablescape. This ranges from vintage pieces I’ve collected over the years, to new discoveries from brands we come across at Collagerie. At Christmas I always use our silver candlesticks that were a gift from my parents, which I’ll be pairing with embroidered placemats from Malaika linens (one of my new favourite brands) and multi-coloured glass tumblers from Edition 94.



 

 
Here at Cabbages and roses we try to be as conscious as possible and consider our impact on the environment, what’s your top tip for being more sustainable at Christmas? 

At Collagerie our ethos is that it’s not how much you buy, but how much you LOVE what you buy.  When it comes to Christmas and gift giving, I really consider the longevity of any gift, and try to choose things that I believe the person receiving will love (and use) for years to come.  
 
Christmas is all about family and tradition, what is the one thing you and your loved ones do each year without fail?

After opening present under the Christmas tree, we always venture out for a Christmas walk with all the family and our dog before lunch.   I always choose a cosy knit for Christmas day that will keep me warm, especially if it’s snowing (fingers and toes are crossed for this year)!   


  
The guests have arrived and pre dinner drinks are underway, what is the one Christmas tipple you will be serving?

 Champagne and caviar
 
What is the soundtrack to your Christmas day?

Bing Crosby 
 
What will you be wearing on the big day? 

I’ll be wrapped in a blanket on the sofa after lunch, playing games with my daughters.  We love Uno and Connect 4.


 
Favourite Christmas Film?

The Holiday

 



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