Nicky's Rag Tales

Bermondsey is a stones throw from London Bridge. It’s where old London meets new, you get a real sense of history just being there, you can almost imagine yourself back in time, a timeless oasis within a big city. Even though it was Monday when I was there, the quietest day of the week ( I suspect), I felt a vibrancy from renewal and a sense of community. If you are visiting London this is one area I wouldn’t leave off my list of places to visit.

Looking up in Bermondsey

One of the small shops that was open and caught my eye was boutique Pussy Willow. The name was a familiar one, I remembered an article in Vogue magazine from last year and this months Vogue features a beautiful Pussy Willow blouse and one that I remembered noticing.

Amanda Thomson is an actress who whilst waiting for her next job and craving beautiful clothes taught herself the art of tailoring and dressmaking from scratch. Soon friends were asking her to make for them and soon she had a following. Just over a year ago Amanda found Bermondsey (or was it the other way around?) and she opened her own unique boutique/studio. Her clothes are wonderfully sumptuous in fabulous fabrics, cut impeccably and’ made to measure’. All designed and made in her studio at the back of the shop. Samples on the rails feature silk blouses, coats, dresses both day and evening and great skirts and coats. In fact you could have a whole capsule wardrobe from this collection. From Day Wear to Bridal, to Red Carpet, it is all here. Couture clothing at really reasonable prices given the bespoke nature of the work. Amanda started her business in a downturn and is very busy and very happy in Bermondsey, she has built up quite a following for her timeless contemporary collection. Getting on with doing what she has found is a labour of love that has turned into a thriving business. This is one designer I will be watching and visiting again.

Amanda Thompson Designer, Owner @ Pussy Willow Boutique

Pussy Willow Boutique is at 90 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3UB +44 (0) 207 407 3024 info@pwillow.com