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DUCKERS COMMUNITY: Laura Harvey – The Lucky Onion

Whether we are putting designs together with clients over coffee in 131, celebrating at a new collection launch event we have put on in The House or staying in one of the individually designed bespoke rooms at The George; The Lucky Onion is a huge part of our day-to-day business in Cheltenham. 

From Soho farmhouse to The Lucky Onion, we at Duckers have known Laura for a long while now and she always makes sure our clients are well looked after with their bookings within the group.

Laura comes from a background of design and has experience in styling having helped set up Topshop/Topman personal shopping which she also launched in Australia and Canada too! We take a look below at what style means to Laura and what she loves seeing across TLO’s locations.

Hey Laura, how are you?

I’m doing really well thanks Jordan. I’m excited to be back to work and see the hospitality industry come back to life with a bang, after this difficult time for us all.

So what is your role at The Lucky Onion Group?

I look after Guest Relations and manage all PR for the group. Working closely with most departments across the business, I get to work on events and help to deliver the right environment for all our guests, while also liaising with press enquiries. Every day is very different which is what I like most about my role as it keeps me busy, while being fun at the same time.

For anyone that is new to TLO, what are you guys about?

We are owned and run by Jade & Julian Dunkerton and the Lucky Onion is a family of boutique hotels, elegant country pubs and bars raised and routed in the heart of the Cotswolds. We are ever expanding and currently consist of six properties, each with its own distinct character and personality. I’d say food & drink play a huge part of our DNA and we have a genuine passion for great design and quality.

What is your plan for the coming party season, summer ahead?

We have just been talking about this recently and are planning some fun summer events across the properties. Think ‘Glasto’ again at No.131/ drinks festival / Racing (after all the Hollow Bottom is our racing pub and we are in Cheltenham) are all themes on our agenda. The terraces at No.131 are particularly buzzing already and in the summer sun is the place to be.

What sort of fashion do you love seeing at your venues?

I love an eclectic mix because we get a range of different guests to each property. For me personally I love to get dressed up with some heels and lipstick for No.131 as it’s our party venue, and for our country pubs it’s a more dressed down approach in a pair of jeans and casual jacket (we usually take the pup and head out for a walk pre or post Sunday roast). You wouldn’t be out of place in some plus fours in The Wheatsheaf though.

Do you have a ‘work’ wardrobe and an ‘off-duty’ wardrobe?

I tend to buy things that can shift between the two. I love tailoring, I have always loved a statement blazer to wear with jeans or tailored trouser and trainers. I have everything from a Green Velvet/ 5 different black blazers to a white tux jacket, which I once wore to the Brits after party years ago and didn’t get the memo the waiters would be wearing the same (I definitely owned it more though)! For work though I tend to wear jeans, t-shirt and blazer with fresh white trainers or black biker boots in winter.

What’s your approach to building a wardrobe?

With nearly 10years previous experience of being a stylist & personal shopper in London I always tend to buy key pieces with the longevity to last years and then build your summer or winter capsule wardrobe around those with a few key on trend items each year. I love the idea of Duckers Style and being able to design my own key items along with yourself which can then be handed down in years to come, as I know they would be timeless and classic pieces I will cherish.

What’s next for The Lucky Onion and Duckers?

We have our joint summer event planned which I’m looking forward to and introducing some of our VIP guests to your Brand and I know they are going to love Duckers.  We also have a fun racing season ahead of us full of events and parties for us to enjoy as well as our clients ?

With their heart in the Cotswolds, that Sunday walk down to the country pub may seem a chilled affair but we have some top tips on pieces in the wardrobe that will keep you clued up on the trendy atmosphere of The Lucky Onion.

THE STORM SYSTEM – Developed by Loro Piana, this technical fabric is actually a very lightweight 100% wool composition. With the storm system shield treatment penetrating the fibre, creating a protective membrane from rain, dirt and stains.

We are able to use this fabric to make anything from Overcoats, Anorak’s or even Overshirts to make that wet (tipsy) country walk home a little easier!

Tones in Khaki, Navy and Grey make the garment easy to dress with any combination of outfit.

KNITWEAR – Our 100% Merino wool knitwear is available in various designs such as the Half Zip, Long and short sleeve polo, crew neck and roll neck. These variations are fantastic as a versatile base to mix and match with your wardrobe and with the natural stretch – so durable and comfortable!

Visit https://www.theluckyonion.com to learn more about The Lucky Onion and follow @theluckyonion to keep up to date on socials.

 

DUCKERS COMMUNITY: Riviera Circle

As of January 2021, we were proud to bring Riviera Circle into the Duckers community as an official brand partner. RC have numerous events throughout the year from weeklong car rallies to a night in a tux for the launch of the hotly anticipated new 007 movie. Style is key in such scenery, so it is very exciting to be on board for all custom-made clothing and style advice for the RC members.

We spoke to James and Kem, founders of Riviera Circle to shed some light on their launch and what is in store for their members this year.

So guys, what is Riviera Circle?

1) Riviera Circle is the Ultimate Drivers Lifestyle Network for owners of performance, super and classic cars. Powered by an app, we connect members with global brands, exclusive events, great partner offers and an amazing community of like-minded people.

To join Riviera Circle, you must have a qualifying car, which ranges from Performance Series all the way up to Hyper Series. We also encourage cars from the EV Series to join and actively encourage all members to offset their carbon emissions by making it really easy.

Our aim to be exclusive but not elitist.

How did you come up with the concept?

The concept was born out of our love for cars, but not getting to enjoy them in the manner they deserve, with the right people. Our journey started with Riviera Run in 2016, when we decided to put together our own private trip, amongst a small group of friends. At the time we felt that there was nothing that matched our expectations for quality. Our philosophy was simple – pick the best hotels, the most exciting driving roads, great food, incredible experiences and invite amazing people. Every day of the trip was carefully planned to balance the amount of driving, with enough time to relax and enjoy these stunning locations.

With each trip, our ideas got bolder, and the international network of people grew larger – all from word of mouth. We observed the patterns of behaviour, the way in which people became best friends, but also how they felt that this had been missing from their lives.

We quickly understood that the passion for the cars was the oil, but the lifestyle that surrounded the car was the engine (sorry about the pun!) – Riviera Circle was born.

We think that by having common interests, it is much more likely to create lasting friendships and memories from the amazing experiences we plan to create ourselves, but also from the many global brand partners we have lined up. Some of the events will require your car and many will not, that’s the beauty of Riviera Circle.

When do you go live?

We aim for the app to go live in early June, now that we are in the final stages of development. We have been humbled by an incredible amount of people registering their interest ahead of the launch. We aim to give all founding members extra perks, but this will likely not last long given the demand so far.

What events have we got to look forward too?

We have three of four major RC events for H2 2021, as well as breakfast drives and partner events. We can’t say too much until we go live but some of the highlights will be the Summer Lawn Party, the Riviera Run and a top-secret Bond event.

How can the Duckers Community get involved?

We would welcome the Duckers Community and ask anyone with a passion for the automotive to step forward and register their interest with us.

A day in the life of a Riviera Circle Rally requires comfort for the magnificent roads ahead yet with the many stop offs at luxury locations requiring you to look your best; here are some of our top tips for style.

FOOTWEAR – Duckers custom made sneakers or loafers are a fantastic balance between smart and casual. Designed to your specification, they can carry the simplicity which means ease with pairing to outfits or added personality in your footwear while feeling comfortable throughout the day.

CHINOS – Cotton elastin composition chinos in a light colouring such as white/cream or light grey which will reflect light off of the sun and offer a smart/casual look while maintaining comfort with the fabrics natural stretch.

POP OVER – Our piquet knitted shirting fabric carries a lightweight open weave allowing breathability in the heat. This fabric is also available to make a garment in a shirt or polo style with short or long sleeves.

OVERSHIRT – For a more informal affair such as a relaxing dinner as the sun sets and the weather cools, our overshirt is the perfect mid-weather option available in lightweight cotton and linen blends allowing a cooler touch.

JACKET – If the occasion requires a jacket, fabric and construction is key. A de-constructed jacket has canvassing (pre-shrunk horsehair) stripped out to eliminate a layer. Lightweight blends are best such as Wool/Silk/Linen. Wool is durable and easy to care for, it carries an elasticity to it that eliminates creasing which is fantastic when paired with Linen. The silk will add texture with its luxurious feel and drapes beautifully.

All combined, this is our best solution for a summer weight jacket that is lightweight, breathable and luxurious – without any creasing.

Visit www.rivieracircle.com to register interest and keep up to date on socials at @rivieracircle.

 

 

 

DUCKERS COMMUNITY: Liam Cole – Poppins Agency

Liam has spent the last 13 years selling a wide range of products and services, the last 6 of which have been focused in the luxury sector. He is now very proud to be part of the executive team at Poppins, looking after growth globally for the business. Below we dive into his role at Poppins, the importance of connecting people through your network and how his relationship with his tailors bring his wardrobe to life.

Hey Liam, how are you?
I’m very well my friend, I hope the Duckers team are well and excited for life to get going again.

As the world is opening up, what’s it like wearing a suit again?
That ones hard to put into words, it’s a very special feeling indeed. For me a suit gives you the chance to express yourself. I feel at my best in a perfectly tailored suit, it gives me confidence and a sense of pride.

After my morning workout, I love to start every day by choosing my suit, pocket square, tie and tie pin. That combo of a good workout and picking out my suit is perfect start to the day.

How did you get to know about Duckers?
I was introduced to the guys a few years ago by a friend and have become very close with them ever since. I would class Jordan and Jazzy as good friends and I’m also lucky to call them my tailors as well.

We know you love a touch of tradition in your fashion but what have Duckers Style influenced on you?
For me it’s taking an idea I have to the next level. I love the classic, traditional look but I’m always looking to tweak it somehow, whilst not losing the originality of the look. The guys are the best in the business when it comes to doing exactly that. They take my ideas to another level and create really special items.

What does your average day look like?
For me it depends on the day. Monday & Tuesday I usually spend at my desk doing emails and admin work. Wednesday – Friday is all about client meetings, entertaining, catching up with contacts and building relationships with people. I do my best to take the time to see people, catch up and see how I can help.

Where do you go and who do you see?
I’m very fortunate to be able to spend a great deal of my time at London’s best members clubs, restaurants, hotels and bars. I get to meet and spend my time with people at the very top of their game, from CEOs of massive global businesses to exciting entrepreneurs leading the way in a wide range of sectors. I find meeting people very interesting and inspiring, it’s one of my greatest passions.

Tell me more about Poppins and your role?
Poppins is a digital creative agency – we specialise in branding and digital product (websites, apps, etc). Through a balance of thoughtful strategy, passionate creativity and proven digital expertise we help businesses realise their potential.

My role focuses on anything coming into the business, ultimately I am responsible for the sales globally. Finding businesses that we align with and who share the same beliefs as we do is an extremely important part of the process. We like to work with businesses that are doing good in one way or another, or who are trying to solve a problem for people.

What really makes Poppins unique is the team. It’s a truly special experience when you are able to work with people at the very top of their game. Not only does it make everything better, it’s pushes you to grow and improve in return. I believe this is one of the main reasons we have had such amazing success so far. It’s also why I know that this is only the tip of the iceberg for us.

Any other projects you are working on at present?
My main focus is Poppins and driving the business forward. After a phenomenal first year we have big ambitions for the business over the next 3-5 years.

Other than that, I am close to launching my own watch brand. It’s been 2 years in the making but hopefully come the end of the year we will be fully up and running. All I can say is that we transform forgotten timepieces – watch this space!

What’s next for you and Duckers this summer?
I’m hoping to be able to go to lots of events. I’m confident we can start to enjoy the beautiful English summer together and go to some great car, watch and social events. It makes me smile just thinking about it.

Above all else I really enjoy connecting people. I truly believe in the power of building good relationships. I love to help people, listening to their needs and supporting them in any way I can. That’s normally by introducing them to someone or doing something they can’t do themselves. It gives me a huge amount of pleasure and is something I have done with Duckers since I first met the boys all those years ago.

For me life is all about the interactions you have with people and the better you are to the people you meet and interact with, the more likely life will find a way of looking after you in one way or another.

As the saying goes – “What goes around, comes around”.

Liams life spent in the city is bouncing from meeting to meeting. His ‘suit of armour’ has to make that all important first impression, fit spectacularly and maintain durability.
For ultimate longevity, we recommend you rate your suits throughout the working month to allow the wool to rest and look fresh. Fabric choice is key in areas such as travelling and climate, to reduce creasing and maintain in comfort.