OXFORDSHIRE LIVING
OXFORDSHIRE LIVING
1st July 2007
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Hidden along a charming and seductive North Oxford side-street is a boutique that has become perhaps one of Britain's most exciting destinations for contemporary fashion and lifestyle. Vanilla was created to inspire and indulge the intelligent woman with desirable objects from all corners of the globe, to enhance her every day living and to make her life more beautiful. The illustrious boutique opened in Oxford's South Parade in September 2001, revealing a modern boudoir treasure-trove that offered beautiful fashion for today's luxury living. Since its founding, Vanilla has expanded to more than double its original size to make way for even more temptations including stunning, unique and diverse products for the home. This shop is quite simply a Mecca for beautiful things.
The creator of this heavenly boutique is the charming and fiercely chic Renate Beaumont. Her approach to work could be mistaken at times for a little laissez-faire but this infectious exuberance lustres an arduous and astute business woman who has an impressive understanding of the trade and her market. Be it for a little tete-a-tete and a frivolous fix, or for critical exhortation, Renate's unwavering style has made her something of a guru to the fashionistas that flock to Vanilla. Though born in Austria, Renate has spent most of her adult life here in Oxford. For Renate the discovery of new talented designers from different parts of the world is an integral part of the make up of the store. Ensuring that the store has some of the most beautiful pieces available internationally, product sourcing is challenging and can take her all around the world. "We buy only pieces we like and we edit tremendously. Instore it's all about style, individuality, quality and luxury. We showcase only the most special, unique pieces from fashion, accessories and gifts right through to furniture, home and soft furnishings. Products are exclusive and luxurious and we have created an environment which feels very homely, and yet everything you see you can buy. The Vanilla experience is inspiriting because we surround our customers with style originality quality and luxury, and because we constantly introduce new products, it also evokes a great sense of anticipation."
Vanilla brings women a selection of both new and long established names from Marc Jacobs, Chloe, Diane Von Furstenberg and Citizens of Humanity, to Transit and Lillith to name a few. The selection is incredibly tasteful and caters for every occasion and the shop assistants are extremely helpful, honest have great product knowledge. When it comes to fashion, Renate buys with flair and confidence, consistently finding new and stunning shapes that are simultaneously fresh, elegant and very wearable.
The stylishly hip home furnishing collection has an eclectic mix of decorative treats, quirky soft furnishings and unique pieces sourced from across the globe. Its suppliers range from long established design houses such as London's Designers Guild and Danish Duo Day Birger, to smaller exclusive brands such as LA's Apothia and Jo Wood's Organics. You will also find an exciting display of ecclectica from Copenhagen such as oversized silver piggy banks and colossal silver antlers that add a quirky sense of humour to the collection, whilst retaining the sense of elegant charm that is testament to Renate's exquisite taste.
To enable local and international clients to shop with ease Vanilla has launched a new and comprehensive website which will be constantly updated with news, events and sale dates. Hopefully this website will serve to elevate Vanilla to the level of public interest that she clearly deserves. To view the website please go to www.vanillalife.com