Where Can You Wear a Black Cocktail Dress?

We are in to the full swing of Christmas now, and with only a few days left before most people finish work before the new year, there are Christmas parties and nights out going on left, right, and centre. 

This is an exciting time of year, and we are certainly looking forward to entering in to the festive spirit of things, but a lot of women will be struggling with the age old conundrum of deciding what to wear to all of these social occasions! 

It can be a struggle at Christmas between choosing something comfortable and safe, or going for something sparkly that might be a bit out of your comfort zone, but, in our new blog, we think a black cocktail can solve more problems than you may think:

"Dresses are great to wear for any kind of party or gathering, but black cocktail dresses have a classic, sophisticated, elegance that will allow you to wear the same dress almost anywhere.
At first thought, a black cocktail dress may seem a bit over the top for some occasions, but if you start thinking of it as a normal black dress, then you will realise that it can be adapted for almost anything. For example, you can go with the traditional formal look by putting your hair up in an elegant chignon, adding delicate silver jewellery and matching black heels, or you can layer it with a soft waterfall blazer, fashionable statement jewellery, and flat pumps."

Don't stress too much about what to wear over Christmas, just make sure to concentrate on enjoying yourself. Merry Christmas!

Don't forget to pop in to Goose Island for your last minute Christmas gifts, and our early New Year sale with up to 70% off!

Tips for Successful Dress Shopping

Christmas party season is upon us! You are getting the champagne ready, decorating the office, and creating some tasty Christmas nibbles, but what are you going to wear?

What to wear to Christmas parties can be a bit of a bug-bear. However, you can never go wrong with a dress. An entire outfit in one, dresses are the perfect elegant choice for any Christmas occasion and are easily dressed up or down depending on your mood.

This is great, but shopping for the perfect dress can be a nightmare. There are so many styles and colours being flashed at you from every high street store, that it can be hard to know what you want. That's why we have put together our latest blog to give you a few tips and tricks to keep in mind when hunting down that Christmas party dress:

"It is a good idea to give a little thought to the style of dress you want before you head out dress shopping, otherwise it is easier to become overwhelmed by everything on offer, rather than efficiently eliminating certain styles before you even get started. If your Christmas party is a formal occasion, consider a long elegant dress, if you are concerned about problem areas, think about going for a dress that covers these, such as long sleeves or a wrap around dress. Similarly, give some thought to the venue you will partying in; if you are heading to a hotel or a ballroom, then a formal dress is suitable, but if you are going out for a local meal and a few drinks, a sparkly party dress may seem like you are a bit overdressed."

The most important thing overall is that you feel comfortable, and are happy with the way you look. Don't be tempted by loud, sparkly dresses if you are not going to feel comfortable in the; you'll only put a downer on your evening if you are always worrying about what you look like.

Relax and enjoy yourself - it is Christmas after all!

Tops you Can Wear to Party the Night Away

The festive season is upon us, and we know that everyone is thinking about their Christmas party, whether that is in the office or a night out with the girls. A lot of people are also starting to fret about what wear...

Dresses are the go-to for Christmas occasions, but we think you can look just as stylish wearing a lovely top, with trousers or a skirt. In our new blog on our website, we have laid out a few tips and suggestions when looking for a Christmas party top:

"As with all ladies clothing these days, there is a myriad of different styles, cuts, and colours to choose from; making it easier to find something that suits you and your individual style. For a Christmas night out, you might want to think about looking out for tops that feature embellishments, such as sequins or diamantes for a bit of seasonal sparkle, or tops that feature a sheer or lace overlay to add a some classic elegance."

A top can be just as formal appropriate for any occasion as a dress, not to mention, you're more likely to wear a top again, than a posh dress! We've even suggested a few of our favourite tops that were made in Italy to carry you through the festive season, including details like velvet flocking, lace crochet, and sumptuous plum colours.

Don't miss out on style by only looking at dresses this Christmas. 

Do You Think Women's Cardigans are Stylish or Dowdy?

Halloween is already over, and even bonfire night has passed us by, which means that Christmas will be upon us before we know it. Some people are eagerly counting down, and others think it is far too soon to be thinking about Christmas, but you can’t deny that after an unseasonably warm October, it is quite refreshing to have a spell of season-appropriate weather.

With this new chilly weather setting in, it is the perfect excuse to hunt for some new cosy items to keep you warm. As women, we seem to favour cardigans more than men, and there is nothing easier than throwing on a comfy woolly cardigan that goes with everything, so you know you have a few reliable options for colder weather.

Cardigans are a popular cover-up throughout the year, but some people still feel that women’s cardigans can be a bit frumpy or dowdy. As with most fashion items, the choice is so wide and varied that you are sure to find a style or shape to suit you, leaving you feeling stylish rather than unfashionable.

Long Wool Mocha Cardigan – made in Italy

This thick wool cardigan is perfect for keeping you warm, but long waterfall style is also on trend at the moment, along with the seasonal mocha colour. This cardigan is certainly far from frumpy and firmly stylish and could easily be thrown on over jeans and a t-shirt for some weekend errand running, or it would look lovely with black trousers and a blouse for the office.

Fluffy Grey Cardigan – made in Italy

This women’s cardigan could not be anymore cosy. This is perfect as a festive addition to your wardrobe, and will certainly add interest to any outfit. It is the perfect piece to show off a bit of glamour on a night out or a festive party, and would look great paired with a black jumpsuit and stand-out heels.

Plum Floral Kimono Cardigan – made in Italy

Kimonos really made a splash in the fashion world this summer, but that doesn’t mean they have to be relegated to the back of the wardrobe for the winter. This plum colour kimono lends itself to the festive season, and the fringe adds another level of interest. This might be a cardigan choice for milder days that aren’t so frosty, but it would look great with almost any outfit, and you can continue wearing it when the weather warms up.

Grey Wool Stripe Gilet Cardigan – made in Italy

This is not a cardigan in the traditional sense, but it will still provide warmth and comfort on colder days. Similarly to the kimono, the gilet has become an increasingly popular item of winter clothing, and this particular piece will lend some classic elegance, without feeling ‘puffed out’ or frumpy. This gilet would look great paired with a long sleeved top, jeans, and knee high tan boots, for a perfect winter outfit. 

Swansea City Centre Upbeat Despite Recent Closures

Swansea city centre has faced some tough times in the recent economical climate, and as the Co-operative store on the corner of Portland Street and The Kingsway is closing its doors this week, it would seem that the city centre is still suffering.

The Evening Post reports that the Co-operative store, which was once the home to Mothercare and C&A, will be empty once again on Saturday. The same article also reflects on the recent closures of Mountain Warehouse on Oxford Street, as well as Phones 4 U and Monsoon, which have been part of the city centre for years. However, it is not all bad news;

“A planning application has already been submitted for the Mountain Warehouse site, and Barclays is carrying out a major refurbishment of the former La Senza building on Oxford Street as it prepares to relocate from The Kingsway.
National chain Las Iguanas has confirmed it’s moving to Wind Street and independent fashion retailer Goose Island, which has shops in Mumbles and Cowbridge, has opened in Plymouth Street.”

We opened a new store in Swansea city centre on November 1st. At Goose Island, we believe that it is important to invest in the city centre, as we believe it can still be a successful and bustling place where people can find everything they are looking for. Our new store had a successful opening day, and has remained busy since, seeing a steady footfall of new customers.

The Evening Post article also highlights a number of figures and statistics which show that Swansea is actually fairing a lot better in the retail sector than most of the UK. According to R3, the trade body for Insolvency Professionals, 21.82% of Swansea city’s retail businesses have a higher than normal risk of insolvency, compared to 22.21% of retail businesses in Wales, 25.04% in the UK, and 26.65% in London. These figures show that the city centre is heading in the right direction, which will surely give retailers a boost coming up to Christmas, however, more still needs to be done through schemes such as Swansea BID.

Goose Island’s owner and manager, Karen Hutchings, was given a chance to comment in the article on our new store opening, as well as the city centre situation in general;

“Swansea city centre is facing serious challenges with a number of national chains closing down, continued competition from out-of-town shopping centres, and the growth of online and mobile retailing.
Our shopping centre needs to be a social place with a vibrant daytime economy, offering something that neither shopping centres nor the internet can match. We want to show our commitment to the city centre rejuvenation by opening a boutique that offers shoppers a personal and high quality shopping experience. We hope that other independents will follow suit as we believe this approach will be a huge step in the city centre regeneration plans.”

We are looking forward to connecting with a lot more Swansea customers at our new store, and hope to see the growth of other independent retailers within the city centre in the near future.

You can read the full Evening Post article here.

How to Use Accessories to Change the Look of Any Outift

Most people have a few favourite items of clothing that they love to wear more often than others - those go to outfits that are thrown on when you can’t think of anything else to wear. Some people even have a ‘capsule’ wardrobe made up of a few different items that they can mix and match. But how do you stop yourself from becoming bored? There is only so much you can do with just a few items of clothing.

However, this does not mean that you need to stop wearing your favourite top and jeans combination, or you need to go out and buy 50 new outfits. There are other options that can bring to life boring outfits, or add a bit of personality back in to over-worn pieces of clothing.

Ladies’ accessories have such an incredible range and variety, you can find so many different pieces to suit any occasion, style, or mood. The right accessories can help you bring life back to old outfits, and even adapt them to certain occasions that you never would have thought of before.

Adding a necklace to an outfit can instantly change the entire tone and purpose. If you have a faithful black top that you wear often, try choosing a necklace that stands out against the black. Statement necklaces are extremely popular at the moment, and adding a beautiful, oversized necklace, with a bit of sparkle, against a black top would be perfect for a night out or special occasion. Additionally, add a long, simple, pendant-style necklace for a touch of understated elegance suitable for weekends or the office.

Similarly, other jewellery and accessories can create the same effect. Try wearing larger, brighter, and more ostentatious necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, when you are heading to a part or a night out, and simpler, plainer pieces for day-wear. However, try to remember to balance out your look – don’t wear large necklaces, bracelets, and earring all at once, it could be too much!

Another accessory that ladies can’t seem to be without is a handbag. Again this accessory varies wildly in style and quality, and can be used to make a significant change to any outfit. We all have a favourite handbag, one that we take with us wherever we go and is full of our daily essentials – as well as a lot of non-essentials – but as your styles and occasions change, it might be worth mixing up your handbag habits. A large black handbag is great for carrying around every day; it can fit your lunch in for work, and gives you plenty of room to carry around an umbrella, a hairbrush, and anything else you might need to survive the winter weather. However, you could try just changing the colour of your regular handbag if you are looking for a subtle deviation. Brown and tan colour bags are always on trend through autumn and winter. If you are heading out the evening, step outside of your comfort zone a little and opt for a glittery or sparkly mini clutch bag. This will instantly add glamour to your outfit, and the upcoming festive season is the perfect excuse.

Necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, handbags, as well as scarves and hats, can truly change the look of any outfit, and carry your style through day to night, and many other different occasions. When you are next putting on that same old outfit, take a moment to consider your accessories – change something, mix different elements up, and be creative – you could have a whole new outfit without buying a single piece of new clothing.

The Right Jacket Could Lift a Lady's Style

As the good old British weather dictates, a suitable jacket is an essential item in any lady’s wardrobe. Even in the summer, a jacket might be needed to ward off any cold spells, and cover up when the heavens open. However, a lot of ladies will only have one jacket in their wardrobe that they wear again and again in all weather.

There’s nothing wrong with a good reliable jacket, but wearing the same one day in day out can become a little monotonous, especially when there are so many different styles of jacket available that can really add something to your style, as well as keeping you a bit warmer.

There are numerous styles of jackets that come in and out of fashion, but something like a blazer will always remain classic. You can get tailored blazers, boyfriend blazers, cropped blazers, waterfall blazers, and much, much more, so there is bound to be a style that suits you. You could add a plain neutral-coloured blazer to almost any outfit, and it would instantly make your style seem smarter and more ‘put together’, and a patterned or bright colour blazer would always add some style and excitement to a monochrome outfit. Jackets can be like an accessory themselves.

Similarly, cardigans are another kind of jacket that can have the same effect as blazers. They needn’t be saved for colder weather, as there are so many variations available, that you should be able to find one for all kinds of weather, styles, or occasions. A cropped cardigan would be perfect to add over a shirt for appropriate office wear, and a long-line waterfall cardigan would be great for a relaxed weekend style. Even on formal occasions, a cardigan-style shrug is a perfect way to cover up with something easy and light.

As we are now moving in to the colder months and winter is approaching, it might be wiser to also start thinking about warmer jacket styles to keep out the cold, while still delivering on style. Gilets and vests have had a resurgence in popularity over the past couple of years, and there is almost as much variety as there would be with any other jacket style. A gilet, or a waistcoat, such as our own Made in Italy ones, is a great choice for a winter jacket as it keeps your body warm, but allows your arms to move freely without being constricted by any thick coat sleeves, not to mention that they all look incredibly cosy.

In a similar way to gilets, ponchos are also becoming more and more popular as a style of ladies’ jacket. They are perfect to simply throw on over any outfit, and instantly appear appropriately snug and wintery, as well as leaving your arms free from any heavy sleeves like a gilet. Our own Made in Italy ponchos are perfect for this winter.

There are so many jackets styles to choose from, including some that you may not have thought of, that it seems like a bit of a wasted opportunity to only stick to one reliable jacket. That jacket will always be a staple in your wardrobe, but you can really change up your outfits and sense of style by trying out different jackets. Try thinking of a jacket as an accessory the next time you are looking to cover up.

New Goose Island Store Opens in Swansea

Goose Island is extremely pleased to announce the opening of our brand new store in Swansea.

The grand opening was held on November 1st, complete with champagne, nibbles, and a whole host of lovely new customers. Princess Jasmine and Alibaba, from the upcoming Aladdin pantomime at Penyrheol Theatre, also attended the opening and helped us welcome new customers, and even gave out their own personal fashion and style advice. Alibaba particularly liked our long red jumper dress.

We will be stocking all of our regular Goose Island favourites at our new store, such as our very popular shirt jumper and magic dresses, as well a whole host of new stock ready for the festive season. Look out for our new sparkly, glamorous clutch bags, soft tartan scarves, crystal bracelets, subtle tie dye dresses, dainty necklaces, and much, much more. We’ve even got a range of Christmas gifts ready to go.

Our new store is located on Plymouth Street in Swansea city centre, opposite the Eli Jenkins pub. This now means that we have three stores across south Wales, in Mumbles, Swansea and Cowbridge, and we look forward to meeting all of our new customers, as well as other exciting ventures in the future.

Spoiled for Choice with Women's Party Dresses

October may have only just come to an end, but November means that the party season is drawing closer and closer. It may be too early for some to start thinking about Christmas parties, but there are a lot of women that like to be well prepared and have everything sorted before the parties and family fun gets started.

There is nothing quite like a gathering with all of your friends or work colleagues for a festive party or night out. Everyone always seems a lot more happy and positive at this time of year; but some women do find themselves stressing out about what to wear to a Christmas party, especially if they have several to attend. That’s not to mention taking into account the weather, the venue, and the type of party it is.

However, the range of dresses available these days should be enough to dampen anyone’s fears about finding the perfect party dress, or dresses, for any festive event.

We’ve talked previously about how long sleeved dresses can be a saviour in these winter months, and the same principle applies to women’s party dresses. You might think that long sleeves are better reserved for the office or a more casual occasion, but they can really lend themselves to a wide variety of different events.

Lace, organza, or a bit of sparkle, can elevate any dress and make it something special that you would love to wear to a festive occasion.

Long navy party dress – made in Italy 

This deep colour is the perfect shade to imply a little bit of sumptuousness this Christmas. As well as the navy grandeur, the lace overlay on this dress adds a stylish element of sophistication. If you add a long silver pendant, and a pair of sparkly heels, you’ll be all set for any Christmas event coming up.

Cream Lace Party Dress – made in Italy

The pattern on this dress is perfect to add some personality to a party outfit, and the fit and flare style dress is an extremely versatile style that has remained one of the most popular styles of dresses over the past few years. The bright, snowy colour of the lace on the dress is also a great colour to compliment the festive season.

Navy Velvet Party Dress – made in Italy

The velvet material of this dress was made for party season – what a better time for a little indulgence? The simple shape lends itself to traditional party wear, and lets you add almost any accessory to make it your own. The glamorous navy colour will make sure you stand out int he crowd.

Mocha Lace Party Dress – made in Italy

Opt for something a little different with this mocha colour dress. The fitted style and lace overlay would be perfect for a festive party or gathering, and the long sleeves and the velvet accents  at the neck line add something a little extra glamorous suitable for the Christmas and winter season.




There is such a huge variety of party dresses available for women these days that everyone is sure to be spoiled for choice. No matter what your personal style is, there are so many possible party dresses that you are sure to find one perfect for any events or parties you will be attending. Whether that is one or ten!

Goose Island Fashion Apprentice Wins Training Award

Helen Brickley, our fashion apprentice, has won the Young Achiever of the Year category in the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru held at the end of last month at the Celtic Manor, Newport.

Helen was nominated for these awards by Talk Training, the training provider supporting her during her apprenticeship. Helen has been working for Goose Island for a year and has put her Textile Degree to good use by assisting our design and buying team both in Swansea and Italy. She also assists with photo shoots and on top of that she travels 80 miles a day from her home in Blackwood, Gwent to work in Swansea.

The Awards, organised by the Welsh Government and National Training Federation for Wales (NTFW), celebrate excellence and outstanding achievements by showcasing excellence in skills development in Wales. A record number of apprentices applied for these awards and there were 36 finalists shortlisted in the different categories.

This event brings together the best of learners, employers and training providers, who have shown total dedication and commitment to skills development and business improvement.  The awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of learners, employers and providers involved in the delivery of quality Apprenticeships, Traineeships and Jobs Growth Wales programmes across Wales, which are funded by the Welsh Government through the European Social Fund.

Commenting on her award, Helen, said, “It feels great to win this award. It’s a huge confidence boast for me and it a fantastic achievement to put on my CV.”

Helen at the Apprenticeship Awards

How to Wear Ladies Shrugs

You may ask – what exactly is a shrug? Essentially, a ladies shrug is similar to a cardigan, but is usually much lighter weight, and cropped so it only falls across the upper back. It can be fastened at the front, usually loosely with a tie, or not at all.

Shrugs can be a great addition to any woman’s wardrobe. Not only do they come in such a huge variety of styles and colours, so that you can wear them with almost anything, they are also a great way to cover up. A lot of women are self-conscious about their upper arms, and a shrug allows you to cover them, without having to wear a heavier jacket, or choose a different outfit, and would definitely be worth adding to your wardrobe.

If you have never owned or worn a shrug before, then you may be at a loss of how to wear one. The short answer would be – however you want to if you feel you want to cover up, but you can read on for a few more tips and advice on how ladies can wear a shrug.

To wear a shrug casually, you could choose almost any colour that matches your outfit; whether it’s jeans and a top, a dress, or a skirt and boots. Shrugs are great to carry with you in the summer, as they are small and lightweight enough to store away in a bag, and then easy to throw on for a little cover when it cools off in the evenings. They would also make great bikini cover-ups for summer holidays.

Shrugs are also great to add some personality to work or office wear. A lot of people will mostly wear black to the office - black trousers, black skirts – and wearing a coloured shrug will add some vibrancy and lift to your everyday wardrobe.

Don’t like taking a jacket on a night out? Shrugs can be the perfect answer to the eternal dilemma of taking a jacket to keep warm at the end of a night on the town, or taking one and just ending up carrying it around and leaving it somewhere. Lightweight shrugs lend themselves perfectly to a glamorous ‘night-out’ outfit, as they can often be sheer, with a bit of shimmer or sparkle, and would definitely not detract from your style. They are small enough to fit in the smallest of bags, but sufficient enough to offer comfort when the evening gets a bit chilly.

Similarly, if you find yourself attending a glamorous party or event, and your favourite dress shows too much of your back or upper arms, a shrug can help you feel a lot less self-conscious by adding a little something extra, and seeming like a part of your outfit itself. Which is a lot better than someone nagging you to ‘take your jacket off’ all night.

Long sleeved dresses can be the perfect winter style fix

It’s that time of the year again, and as winter rushes in, many women will find themselves at a loss for what to wear to keep warm and smart at the same time. There are a huge number of knitwear styles available, but knitwear isn’t for everyone; some find it itchy, and wearing several layers can make some people feel extra hot and uncomfortable, especially when ducking in and out of shops.

But winter dressing can be extremely fun for some people, particularly those who love layers and getting cosy with their style choices every day. But others get fed up with pulling drab or dark clothing out of their wardrobes every morning. Of course, winter clothing doesn’t have to be drab or dull at all, but often, people are just missing the summer months, and how easy it was to just throw on almost anything, and know it would be weather suitable.

Summer dresses are always a popular choice, and are essentially a whole outfit in one piece of clothing. However, that doesn’t have to stop as the weather cools off.

Long-sleeved dresses could be the answer to your problems. Just like summer dresses, long-sleeved dresses can be the all-in-one outfit for winter. There is such a huge variety of long-sleeved dresses available, that you can find one to suit any need or occasion. Work wear? Weekend wear? Evening wear? Long-sleeved dresses might be more versatile than you think, and Goose Island has a variety of them to pull you out of a winter style rut.

Grey Long Knitted Dress

This two-layered dress is a great option for everyday or weekend wear this winter. The long sleeves will protect your arms from the cold, and the knitted material will also provide an extra bit of warmth, the lace inserts add a sophisticated style to suit almost anyone.

This dress would look great styled in so many different ways; wear it with black tights and ballet flats for a smart casual look, wear with leggings and boots for a true winter look, or you could even wear it over jeans. It even comes with a matching scarf!

Pink silk embellisheddress

This beautiful dress will add an element of style to any outfit or occasion. The pink is a perfect colour to warm you up, along with the long sleeves and nipped in waist.

If it’s not too cold, you could brave bare legs with a pair of black heels and black jacket for a night out, or you could team it with flat, knee-high, black boots for a pretty Christmas shopping outfit.

Mocha fitted lace dress

The lace on this long-sleeved dress really lends itself to a glamorous Christmas party or a night out with friends. The long sleeves will keep out the chill as you enjoy yourself, and the double layers will even add an extra bit of warmth. 

You could wear it with a long pendant necklace for a bit of winter sparkle, or you could wear a waterfall cardigan soften the look for day to day wear.

Long Jersey Magic Dress

This navy dress is a great winter colour, and its long sleeves and ruched skirt mean that it is extremely flattering for any shape and body size. It will also suit every style and occasion, and can be accessorised to work for the office, a night out, a day shopping, and the jersey material makes it extremely comfortable to wear all day long, or even to travel in.

There are almost unlimited options when it comes to buying or styling long-sleeved dresses, and you are sure to find something that suits you this autumn and winter, whether you just want something to make outfit planning easier, or your wardrobe is missing that essential long-sleeved piece.

Women's Knitwear - It's not all about the jumper!

As we approach the tail end of October, and the temperature has started to drop, everyone is starting to add a few items of trusty knitwear to their everyday wardrobe. There is nothing better than snuggling up in a cosy jumper, whether you are out and about, or even just sitting on the sofa at home; there’s something about this time of year that demands cosy comfort from your wardrobe.

However, being cosy and comfortable can sometimes feel like you have to make style sacrifices. Big, thick, woolly jumpers are great for keeping out the cold, but can be overly cumbersome under a coat, and can also appear quite shapeless.

Women’s knitwear doesn’t always have to be about bulky jumpers; there are many more options that will keep you warm, but still remain stylish.

Cardigans

Women’s knitwear comes in a huge variety of styles and shapes these days, and cardigans are a great option to add some style while still staying snugly warm. The sheer variety of cardigans means that you can usually find one to suit any outfit or occasion, and they are great for layering.

Knitted Dresses

Knitted dresses are one of the chicest knitwear styles. They are almost an entire outfit in one, and there is freedom to style them how you want as you can dress them up or down. They are also a great transitional piece for when the seasons start to change; meaning you will get great wear out of them.

Statement Jumpers

Women’s jumpers do not have to be boring. Gone are the days when jumpers meant chunky, garish items that were knitted by your aunt.  With all the options available today you can certainly find a jumper to suit your personal tastes, whether you’re into flowers, animals, stars, stripes, or slogans. Imagine this floral jumper with jeans and slouchy ankle boots, and it would look just as good worn with block skinny jeans and strappy heels for a smarter look.

Ponchos

Ponchos are no longer just for the Wild West fans out there. Ponchos are making a comeback in the knitwear world, with a whole host of high street stores stocking them as a must-have item for this winter. Ponchos are an easy and relaxed knitwear choice, giving you a simple alternative to a coat or jacket. They can even be styled with a belt at the waist. Plus, a poncho is essentially like wearing a cosy blanket, and who wouldn’t want that on a cold winter day.

Goose Island currently has a huge selection of fashionable knitwear for autumn and winter, including a great range of jumpers, cardigans, ponchos, dresses, scarves, and everything else you need to stay cosy and stylish at the same time.

Cowbridge Fashion Week with Goose Island

The Cowbridge Fashion week is certainly an annual date for the diary, and the team at Goose Island is looking forward to participating in this exciting event yet again this year.

The high street fashion scene in Cowbridge is a collection of unique and diverse stores that all offer a little something special; helping to elevate the shopping experience above what you would normally encounter. The independent brands offer a range of women’s and men’s clothing, footwear, accessories, jewellery, and even children’s wear.

To celebrate the wealth of fashion and style available in this South Wales town, Cowbridge hosts three days of exciting fashion events every year. This year, the celebrations are sponsored by WM magazine and start on Wednesday October 22nd, including fashion shows, champagne, late night shopping, and lunch at the Bear Hotel.

On Wednesday October 22nd, the champagne trail will begin. All the fashion shops in Cowbridge will be open until late, including Goose Island. On the night we will be showcasing our new products ready for the autumn season, and we will be offering 10% off everything, along with homemade brownies and a glass of champagne for all our customers. During the evening, we will also be announcing the winner of our monthly prize draw. Have you filled out a feedback form in store? Pop in to Goose Island on October 22nd to find out if you are the lucky winner of one of our fabulous handbags.

On Thursday October 23rd, Goose Island will also be taking part in the Cowbridge fashion show in aid of Velindre cancer centre. The fashion show will begin at 7pm in The Bear Hotel, and tickets are available for £15 from Lynne Beresford at Ushi’s, which is located at 44 High Street in Cowbridge. You can also call 01446 773552 for tickets.

On the last day of the fashion celebrations, October 24th, there will be a grand lunch and another fashion show held at The Bear Hotel at 12pm, which will be aid of Ty Hapus. Goose Island will be part of the celebrations as we showcase our new and most popular styles and products in the fashion show. Tickets are available for £29.95 from Esther Hitchcock at Jon Ian at 16 High Street in Cowbridge, and you can also call 01446 775226.

This fashion celebration grows bigger every year, and Goose Island are proud to be a part of something that recognises the hard work of all the fashion stores in area, dressing South Wales in elegant and classical styles.

Judi Dench visits Goose Island!

Academy award winner Dame Judi Dench, famous for her roles as M in James Bond films, as well as her recent role in Philomena, paid a visit to Cowbridge today.

Goose Island was honoured and delighted to welcome the beloved British actress in to our store. Dame Judi was truly lovely, and spent some time chatting to our staff and trying on a few items. Dame Judi was also extremely complimentary about our store, commenting particularly on our Italian dresses, and telling us how her daughter would have also loved them, as it was very in-keeping with her style!

Dame Judi mentioned that she was filming in the area, and had popped in to Cowbridge town as it was nearby. She also paid a visit to The Bear Hotel afterwards.

All of our staff were over the moon to meet such a icon of British film. One of our staff, Jess, even managed to sneak in a selfie - see below.

Visit our Facebook page to see the original post about the visit!

Karen's Italian Fashion Trip

During her latest fashion buying trip to Italy, Karen managed to take some time out to explore the countryside, which included cycling the cobbled streets of some picturesque local villages (and helping herself to some fresh lemons for her G & T from the hotel grounds).

 It all sounds fabulous fun and more like a holiday than a fashion buying trip. But the reality is far from the glamorous and glitzy image people have of fashion buying.

The challenges are continuous. Not only is Karen constantly searching for the best fashion designs to meet the demands of her customers, but she is committed to visiting suppliers herself to ensure the quality of the fabric and finishing meet her stringent standards.

At the moment, she is travelling to Italy on a regular basis to source top quality Italian designs for the many wholesale customers they supply throughout the UK and Europe, as well as to stock both of her boutiques and online shop. These buying trips are essential to enable Goose Island to be able to offer customers an eclectic range of seasonal clothing which is genuinely ‘Made in Italy’.

 Her day starts early to ensure she is able to oversee the selection of fabrics and ensure patterns and production is set up is correctly. Italy is considered to be the stronghold of the Italian textile industry and, when she’s there, Karen spends her days from 9.00 am to 8.30 pm, viewing designs, negotiating on prices, and placing orders.

To put this task into perspective, Goose Island is working with many manufacturers in Northern Italy where the factories are spread over a vast area which involves a lot of driving time and, of course, this makes Karen’s task to find the right products for her brand a huge challenge. Whether it is knitwear, which will include the very popular shirt/jumper, layered tunics, dresses, or tops, she has to spend hours visiting each different manufacturer to find just the right styles and colours.  She also has to organise the shipping and delivery to the UK within the tightest deadlines.

So bearing all of this in mind, Karen has earned her time out on her recent trip, and her G & T on the hotel veranda. Chin Chin!

Shirt Jumpers are BACK!

Autumn has arrived!

It's time to update your winter wardrobe with some Goose Island goodies!

Shirt Jumpers are back with a BANG!

Choose from sequins or lace in a variety of colours!

Long Jersey Cardigans are a Goose Island essential!

Fantastic for these cooler days! 

Not forgetting Goose Island's BEST SELLING DRESS - The Magic Dress!

Fits & Flatters every shape and size! 

we make you feel special everyday whatever you wear, whatever your shape, size or mood.  x

Going Out?!

Goose Island has the perfect dress for you this season!

Whether you're attending an event or enjoying a night on the town Goose Island has got it covered, from LBD's to silky numbers!

Gorgeous dresses - embellished with lace, embroidery & sequins.

Black Lace Dresses perfect for any occasion.  

Stand out from the crowd this Autumn with a dress from 

Goose Island x

Celebrating over 20 years in business

GOOSE ISLAND CELEBRATE OVER 20 YEARS IN BUSINESS

GooseIsland derives its name from its location in the picturesque Swansea Marina where the company was set up. Karen Hutchings used her own creative talents to transform the rich traditional design heritage of the Far East into fashionable clothing, jewellery and accessories. From modest beginnings, selling through parties and craft fairs, Goose Island has grown into a well-established retail and wholesale company exporting all over the world.

GooseIsland has been trading since 1993 and currently has successful retail outlets in Cowbridge and Mumbles together with a warehouse and offices in Swansea and a retail and trade website. Goose Island supplies retail outlets throughout the UK and Europe on a wholesale basis. The clothing is manufactured in Indonesia, India and the EU and imported into the UK on a regular basis and Goose Island has now become a recognised brand throughout the UK and Europe.

In 2013 Goose Island won the prestigious award for

Best Welsh Fashion Business at the Vale Hotel in Cardiff. 

Here's to the next 20 years! x

Congratulations to Helen!

CONGRATULATIONS TO HELEN AT GOOSE ISLAND HQ

Helen has just been nominated and shortlisted for a prestigious award in the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport. We are very excited that Helen is a finalist for the Apprenticeship Award, Young Achiever of the year!

Yesterday a film crew arrived at our Head Office to film Helen and here are some photos of her being interviewed.

Helen has been working for Goose Island for a year and has put her Textile Degree to good use by assisting our design and buying team both in Swansea and Italy.  She also assists with photo shoots and on top of that she travels 80 miles a day from her home in Blackwood, Gwent to work in Swansea.

We're all looking forward to the Awards Ceremony on October 31st and will keep you posted with the results.  

   

Good luck to Helen! x