Finery unveils "Forever Pieces" collection with six stylish collaborators

Finery has unveiled its first “Forever Pieces” collection of six timeless pieces designed in collaboration with a line-up of “authentic” women, to mark the one-year anniversary of the London brand.

Each collaborator was chosen by Finery for their sense of style, talent, and passion in their beliefs, and because the “embody the intelligent, independent spirit” of the brand. They were each challenged to produce their ultimate “wardrobe staple”.

The limited edition capsule collection launches today (28 March) at Finerylondon.com and in store at Selfridges, Oxford Street with prices ranging from £49-£249.

"We wanted to ensure that the ‘Forever Pieces’ collection was fine tuned to what real women really require from their favourite pieces. So we are thrilled that all our collaborators are as excited as us to consider every detail of their pieces and make sure that design and wearability are the most perfect they can be,” said brand director Caren Downie.

“Fabric, colour, collar shape, button placement and size are just a few of the details that combine in unique ways to define a signature piece that you want to wear every day but is still special," she added.

Last month Finery revealed that its sales had hit £5m in its first year of trading.

The Talent and their “Forever Pieces”

Vicky McClure – The Forever Jumpsuit

BAFTA-winning actress known for the role of Lol in Shane Meadows' This is England 

“Being a part of this collaboration with Finery has been such a unique experience – so, so much fun, something I never imagined I’d be given the opportunity to do. I’m a trousers kind of girl and I love tailored clothing so this jumpsuit is the perfect match! Smart casual was my vision, I love clothes that serve many purposes and Finery do just that.

"What have I learnt? That options of buttons are endless! I really hope people enjoy wearing my jumpsuit."

Polly Vernon – The Forever Leather Jacket

Author and journalist. Grazia's Editor-at-Large, regular columnist for The Times, and author of 2015's Hot Feminist

“I wish I could remember my first biker jacket, because buying it was a much more important thing than I realised at the time, but I can’t! I suspect it was during the late 90s, and had quite a lot to do with the Beckham’s joint signature style at the time. However it happened, leather jackets became absolutely essential to me very quickly. How the hell does anyone get dressed without one? They’re such powerful pieces, tough, chic practical and glamorous all at once, with such heritage. James Dean via Madonna in the Papa Don’t Preach video."

"I've bought so many over the last 15 or so years, and worn them so often. When Finery approached me about working on one with them, I was delighted. They're all grown up cool, I'm all leather... It was a delicious proposition.”

Polly Stenham – The Forever Tunic

Playwright, whose first play That Face debuted when she was just 19 years old. Her most recent work, Hotel, was described by The Telegraph as 'astonishing'

"A dress is a powerful thing. It can change how you feel. How you move. It can add the girl to any look. The girl to any girl. I'm always hunting for the perfect dress. Something I could wear pale with scuzzed boots and a big jacket on a grey London day, something I could wear barelegged and bright mouthed face deep in a party. A dress a runaway could take with them because it could be so many things, so many disguises and practically fit in a hand bag. Working with Finery to design the dress I've been hunting for is an utter delight. To experience the making behind the wearing. To see a drawing become a material, a shape, a cut, an actual thing."

Alice Levine – The Forever Blouse

Radio1 DJ and television presenter

“I have been a big fan of Finery since it launched. I was immediately drawn to the palette used across the collection – a lovely mix of the muted and vibrant side by side. I like the traditional next to the contemporary, a real mix, and I think that’s why it was such a perfect collaboration.

Designing a blouse with the Finery team has been such a hands-on, creative experience; from initial meetings discussing, to the process of moodboarding details to choosing fabrics and cuts, it has been an incredible insight into how a garment comes into being. I’ve loved every stage. The design team sharing their year so knowledge has made it such a great learning process.

The idea of a forever piece appealed to me, as I am definitely someone who is always on the hunt for “the perfect blouse”. With one the fabric doesn’t hang as I would like, with another the cuffs are too bulky, so to be invited to design the ultimate blouse, has truly been an honour. And also has saved me a life long search! I can now rest easy.

I like to think my blouse is a classic with a nod here and there to eras in fashion that I draw on when I get dressed in the morning. The longer, more angular collar has a dash of the seventies, the feminine movement conjures the 60s and the ruffles and placard started with Victorian detailing as the initial thought. But somehow all together it feels really fresh.

The sash can be worn pussy-bow style or long and loose, or even remove it all together - I wanted this to be a versatile item that could be worn layered with a dress, or on it's own, dressed up to something formal or equally be an easy-to-wear relaxed addition to your wardrobe.”

Agata Belcen – The Forever Trouser

Stylist and Senior Fashion Editor at AnOther Magazine. Agata has worked with Finery since the launch of the brand to help shape it's visual language; She works with titles including US Vogue, Dazed, and The Gentlewoman 

“I found the design process really quite hard! It's impossible to create a perfect pair, because it changes with your mood and the time of day, and there isn't one thing that suits everybody all of the time. What was important, however, was to have lots of lovely tailoring details on the inside and out - we spent a long time thinking about the tabs and buckles, the pocket placement and definition, and the inside finish.”

Nikki Bidder - The Forever Sweater

Managing Partner of Fashion PR agency Starworks London and former editor of Dazed & Confused - and a close friend of Caren Downie for over 15 years

"For me a perfect grey sweatshirt is a wardrobe staple. Being a purist about it, I don't love too much detail, embellishment or print on sweats. The Chevignon and Stussy sweats that I borrowed as a teen from my brother's wardrobe in the late eighties and early nineties were a trial nod to the street style, music taste or skate culture we were into at the time. I love mixing sport and street style with luxury items as well as keeping it casual. So whether it's paired with the perfectly cut jean or an incredible pencil skirt, a sweater adds the perfect norm-core nonchalance it always has done. As such, the design process for this piece was largely about resisting adding too much detail, or spoiling the purity. The exact weight, tone of grey, neckline, length, seaming and touch are details that count in such a classic and we took real care with each."

"I'm super happy to be part of the Finery Forever Pieces project and very flattered to be in the company of such an inspiring bunch of women. I am always pulling out iconic or treasured designer pieces from my own wardrobe that have lasted 10 or even 20 years and love that Finery are excited about creating fashion that will stand the test of time. When Caren asked me I couldn't resist the opportunity to work with the amazing design team on my perfect sweat. It's great to be celebrate style that transcends seasons rather than a trend for today."