Shopkeeper of The Week - Lilies and Dreams

This week we are talking with JoJo Hernandez - the owner of the fabulous Lilies and Dreams boutique.

1. How would you describe your company?

Lilies & Dreams is an Individual and Unique Boutique offering Handbags, Luggage & Accessories.

2. What are your biggest influences?

Well made pieces, carefully designed and crafted, not readily found on the high street.

3. Where is your favourite place to visit for inspiration?

I love Markets, Craft Fairs, and even Trade Shows for inspiration as to what people are buying and where influences lie.

For design and creative inspiration, there’s nothing better than being by the sea.

4. What is your favourite item from your current collection?

From the stock we have now? I have lots of favourites, generally one from each designer.. However if I had to pick an overall, I would say our Vintage Reworked Jewellery Range from Eclectic Shock. Louise is great to work with and creates amazing one off designs.

5. Do you have any new items/collections about to be launched?

We have just received the first parcels for our autumn line from many suppliers, so yes. Very exciting are the new Bags from Makki in sumptuous Eel Skin, as well as the Winter Hide collection from Owen Barry.

............ and of course, our Swarovski Crystal Jewellery range always causes a stir!

6. What do you enjoy most about being one of the shops in The Secret Arcade?

The diversity of us all - It’s a fantastic way to combine aspects together, without having to trawl for hours (and through various cities) to find Designers and Boutiques with that little some extraordinary.

To view the full collection visit Lilies and Dreams at Shop 3 in the Fashion and Accessories passage at The Secret Arcade.

The Secret Arcade in The V & A magazine!

We are delighted to see The Secret Arcade advertised in The V&A Museum Autumn Winter 2011 magazine. Holding a prominent position nestled opposite the 'Exhibitions' page we are certain to catch the attention of its 30,000 + design savvy readers! Each of our wonderful designer shops are individually named to give equal exposure and will surely attract attention throughout the shelf life of the magazine which covers the run up to Christmas and into Spring 2012.

We are particularly pleased to be on the same page as The V&A's brilliant 'Power of Making' exhibition listing which is also been screened on BBC 4 as part of The Handmade in Britain series - very apt for us! If you are interested in contemporary art or craft then a visit to The Secret Arcade is an must.

Visit all of the designers at The Secret Arcade here

Shopkeeper of the Week, Natural History.

This week we are in conversation with Sarah Lidwell -Durnin, the founder/owner of the unique Natural History Ltd, a company which takes the art of homemaking to a new level.

(A tile from Natural History's 'Gertrude Jekyll' design range )

Question 1. How would you describe your company or work?

Natural History is a young but multi-faceted business, with both retail and design activities going on all the time, which makes it very exciting to run! My work can encompass design, buying, sending out orders and working with outside designers on collaborations all in one morning and I absolutely love it.

Question 2. Who/what are your biggest influences?

My biggest influence is the Museum of Natural History in Merrion Square in Dublin. Every day after school I was brought to Merrion Square itself or to the museum, depending on the weather, and Dublin being quite rainy, I spent a lot of time in the museum! I grew up loving the worn and faded taxidermy, reading the tiny inscriptions from the the donors, some dating back to the early 1800's. The mysterious things in jars, the Victorian display cases, the unique musty smell - all filled the voices of all the other children who were brought there every day too - these are all very strong memories and have been a fantastic influence in my work.

Question 3. Where is your favourite place to visit for inspiration?

I live in Oxford now, so the Natural History Museum and the Pitt Rivers Collection are great places to visit - not specifically for inspiration so much as to recharge my aesthetic instincts.

(Natural History's 'Beetle Tea Towel')

Question 4. What is your favourite item from your current collection?

I love the set of tiles that we are about to launch featuring our bestselling blue hummingbird and cage.

Question 5. Do you have any new items/collections about to be launched?

Yes! Our gorgeous new Bees, Butterflies and Botanicals range is being launched in September.

Question 6. What do you enjoy most about being one of the shops in The Secret Arcade?

Long before I joined the Arcade I was a huge fan of the carefully curated feel of the site. I also love the arcades themselves of the 2nd Arrondissement in Paris, so to be a part of such an elegant collection of boutiques is quite a privilege! To view all of Natural History's stunning objects visit Shop No. 2 in the Home Interiors Passage at The Secret Arcade.