Red UK

contributors

LIANE MORIARTYShares the novels that have guided her through life, on page 87. FAMILY IS… an endless source of inspiration for my books. BEFORE I GO TO BED, I ALWAYS… read for a very long time in a very hot bath.SARA COLLINSWrites about her blended family of seven on page 52. FAMILY IS… whoever makes you feel safe and loved. BEFORE I GO TO BED, I ALWAYS… check Twitter (bad), read a bit of whatever book I have on the go (good) and play Scrabble online.BETHAN COLEPonders her appreciation for the humble bar of soap on page 128. FAMILY IS… my mum and her cat, Lenny. They’ve been with me through everything. BEFORE I GO TO BED, I ALWAYS… read for a couple of hours. ■…

family ties

Fashion stylishly throws back to the Seventies;Easter tables never looked so good;Disney’s Comic Relief tees are a summer must-haveWhen I read Laura Jane Williams’ column, Coming Home, on page 41 this month, it tugged at something inside me. Days later, we put our house on the market and started looking for places by the sea, a stone’s throw from where I grew up. For so many years, the idea of ‘going home’ felt like taking a step back, as if I’d be shrinking my world when I’ve spent the last two decades trying to expand it, but as Laura so eloquently puts it, I’ll have ‘depth over breadth’, and suddenly, spending quality time with my parents feels far more vital than any London pop-up restaurant or West End play.Family is…

say it, write it, share it.

FINDING STRENGTH WITHINIn our February issue, Poorna Bell penned a moving piece about finding resilience and light in her darkest hour. This struck a chord with Fiona Hall, who wrote to share her own story.‘Poorna Bell’s article It’s Going To Be Okay in your February issue resonated with me completely,’ she wrote. ‘Last year was the hardest year I’ve ever faced. In February, after many attempts to get our marriage back on track, my husband and I finally agreed to go our separate ways. I knew this would be scary after 25 years of marriage, but I didn’t know that breast cancer was waiting for me around the corner. My first ever mammogram (aged 50) picked up an aggressive tumour and life changed overnight. I went straight into chemotherapy which…

the big five

1 THE SATIN DRESSYour ultimate 24-hour dress? Make it satin. Then layer it for day and elevate it come evening.Shirt, £39, MonsoonShirt, £69, Kin at John Lewis & PartnersShirt, £140, Essentiel AntwerpShirt, £39.95, GapShirt, £70, French ConnectionShirt tunic, £110, JaegerShirt, £89, HobbsBlazer, £315, SandroTHE REWORKED STRIPE SHIRTRing, £345, Sarah & SebastianBoots, £69, & Other StoriesPrinted cowboy boots add edge to a midi dressBag, £320, A.P.C.Skirt, £99, NextShirt, £30, Miss SelfridgeShirt, £135, YMCTHE BOXY SHIRTShirt, £125, ArketBracelet, £10, Urban OutfittersBag, £250, Sonia RykielJeans, £70, BodenSandals, £98, JigsawChinos, £44.95, GapEarrings, £6.99, LindexBag, £125, French ConnectionBlouse, £169, WhistlesBlouse, £79, UterqüeTHE NEW BLOUSEBlouse, £200, GanniShoes, £525, Tabitha SimmonsBlouse, £32, TopshopBlouse, £114.95, Scotch & SodaBlouse, £99, HobbsMake luxe pieces more low-key with this season’s essential cargo trousersThis oversized shape is ideal for sunny days in…

mama & me

LOUISE MISHALaunched by two friends, Marie and Aurélie, this Parisian brand’s colour palette is inspired by artists like Cezanne and Van Dongen. Look for beautiful peasant blouses and embroidered dresses.CARAMELKnown for creating timeless kidswear, Caramel founder Eva Karayiannis added womenswear a few seasons ago, with cotton blouses, slouchy trousers and dresses.NUMERO 74A brand born in the hills of Ibiza, its simple airy designs are summer-friendly. Look for loose-fitting trousers, sundresses and camisoles.BOSSA bit classic, a bit preppy; these pieces work for the entire family. Think smart separates in the form of trench coats and pleated skirts for women, and tailored shorts for boys in subtle hues.LOVESHACKFANCYInspired by her own mother 'the original LoveShack muse', stylist and designer Rebecca Hessel Cohen’s brand has an ethereal quality. Dresses for women and girls…

for the love of a trench

‘The ruffles make this season’s trench an unmissable statement. The silhouette is broadshouldered and strong. Every detail on a trench coat has evolved with a purpose in mind – usually to keep the rain out – so, for me, the design is everything.’Since Marlene Dietrich cast her hooded eyes at Jean Arthur in a tightly belted trench in A Foreign Affair in 1948, stylish women worldwide have donned a version of this elegant outerwear. From original borrowed-from-menswear styles to modern sporty hybrids, few items have stood the test of time with such authority. Yet if you really want to invest, there are only a handful of brands to consider, and Max Mara is one of them. In fact, the Max Mara S/S19 show was awash with trench coats – but…