We Need To Talk About.. Uterqüe

So I know there are new labels, sister brands, diffusion lines and pop ups appearing as if from nowhere on a regular basis. I also know that [m]any of you reading this will already have various other outlets to get your fashion fix- and far more reliable sources telling you which new label is the best thing ever. But, in the vain hope that some of you out there are still reading and waiting with baited breath, I will give it a go. 

Uterqüe is the latest addition to the Inditex behemoth responsible for Zara, and my absolute new favourite brand. It's pronounced Oo-ter-kway by the way, for those of you us not au fait with the Latin origins of Spanish words.. For some reason, the diaeresis over the "u" has been a source of consternation for me since discovering the label, in that every time I have gone to tell someone about my fantastic new find (although it was actually created in 2008, so not so new) I find myself mumbling the name in a sort of sing song-y way in a bid to avoid having to pronounce it. Now that that's been cleared up though, we can get to the fashion. 

Uterqüe's USP is that they hover somewhere between designer labels and fast fashion. It's not so concerned with producing catwalk copies within mere moments of the original creation being aired to the world. No, Uterqüe's strength lies in creating classically beautiful clothes and accessories in sumptuous, rich fabrics that will stand the test of time. Their nappa leather burgundy trousers are a thing of beauty and would be a wonderful, if not the most frugal, purchase. Similarly, the robe style fringed dress is as dreamy as it sounds- more subtle than typical fringed numbers, but with more oomph than a classic LBD. I've had my eye on it for a while, but alas moved too slowly and now it's only available in S. A further nosey of the A/W collection reveals a positively lust inducing array of lambskin coats and gilets; they are absolutely to die for, but also absolutely out of my price range. Sadly, these will have to do as moodboard inspiration rather than the real thing.

Something worth noting, though, is that their accessories price points rival that of J. Crew, and personally, I much prefer the designs of Uterqüe- which linger in the minimal realm of Céline in terms of the luxuriously sleek lines of their bags and shoes. Before you get too up in arms over the price and ridiculousness of fashion, there are also some very reasonable finds. A Chloé-esque silk georgette shirt with fluted sleeves springs to mind and is[relatively] affordable at £85. Admittedly, it's not mega cheap, but you'd struggle to find the same shirt with the same amount of detailing [the most delicate white silk fringing runs down the length of it] for less anywhere else on the high street.

As if you needed any more encouragement, they have also recruited the effortlessly stylish Caroline de Maigret as the new face of the label. The Parisian is a veritable force of nature in the style-stakes, and her styling elevates this relatively unknown brand [a quick Google search yielded no English press about Caroline de Maigret and the brand] to new heights. So go forth- explore the site and get lost for a few minutes hours in the tailoring, the cosiness, the sheer understated elegance of Uterqüe. A total gem of a find on the high street!