Cynthia Conran wears Luxury Hooded Poncho, Circle Cape merino wool Poncho, Hero silk kaftan in Sandgrouse, Classic Short Kaftan in Starlings, silk slip with Classic Long kaftan in marine black.  Pictures taken in Cynthia’s home and Chaya Venice and Velet Margarita in Hollywood, Amercia. Final pictures Cynthia wears jacket by Jade Jagger, pink Cashmere wrap by Cynthia Conran for the The Collective Design and on holiday with father-in-law Sir Terence Conran.

Cynthia Conran has the upbeat energy and ‘can do’ attitude of someone who grew up in the sunshine state of California..   She spent her twenties living New York where she worked as a model and also ran a horse-riding school in Pasadena indulging her life-long passion for riding and horses. In her late twenties she moved to London for love and married restaurateur Tom Conran, they have three daughters.

Cynthia lives in Notting Hill and in 2010 launched The Collective Designs, a travelling boutique showcasing independent, inspiring fashion, beauty, interior and lifestyle brands.  The Collective events are edited and curated by Cynthia, they take place regularly throughout the year in friends and families homes.  The next Collective event will take place on 8th and 9th March in west London.

Cynthia also works with A.S.A.P a small charity that raises funds for African orphans who have lost their parents to the AIDS epidemic.

T&H spent the morning with in Cynthia’s beautiful home where she told us about her work, favourite places to eat and drink, and modelled pieces from our launch collection.

T&H: Why did you decide to launch The Collective?
CN: I enjoy fashion and design and i often meet really interesting designers, i saw an opportunity for me to support small, independent brands by bringing them together and creating events where people can enjoy their work in an intimate, very relaxed way. The events are the antithesis of high-street shopping!  They are where you can experience brands that you might not know of; everyone who shows at part of the Collective are chosen because they are offer something unique and special.

T&H: Tell us about some of the brands who have shown at The Collective
CC: It’s a pretty eclectic mix! Beautiful jewellery from designers such as Sally Dudumesh, Istanbul based jeweller Verda Alaton, Brooke Gregson and Jade Jagger, ‘Cuir ‘Et Terre’ artisan leather goods from the Dordogne, organic beauty brands, ‘Exquises Caprines’ soaps sourced from France made from goats milk, ‘KH Textiles’ cashmere throws from Finland, ethical fashion brands, accessory brand Pinki that uses South African springbok skins, cashmere wraps which i design, luxury silk kaftans from Tallulah & Hope!, to ‘Bluglass and Muir’ who create art pieces from Medieval London artefacts.

T&H: What’s coming up for The Collective?
CC: The next event will be on the 8th and 9th March and will be hosted in the home of florist Nikki Tibbles who founded Wild At Heart.  We have a lovely mix of lifestyle brands alongside some therapists giving mini-treatments.

T&H: Your favorite West London places to eat and drink?
CC: I’m lucky to be part of a restaurant family so i have lots of places to choose from. Coming from California i love good Mexican food and well-made margarita’s. We called Crazy Homies (Tom Conran’s Mexican restaurant) after an LA street gang ‘vatos locos’ it’s where i go to drink margarita’s with girlfriends, eat Mexican and a enjoy music.   I also love visiting my brother-in-law’s Mexican El Camino on Portobello Road (there is also a branch in Soho).   My favourite dish at The Cow is the fish stew and i can’t resist the chocolate, raspberries brownies with white chocolate chips at Tom’s Cafe.

T&H: When you venture outside West London?
CC: I love Scotts and Le Caprice for the glamour and buzz they’re great classic London restaurants.  I love the Japanese food at Roka.  The bar at The Boundary (Sir Terence Conran’s hotel/cafe/restaurant)  in Shoreditch makes beautiful cocktails and the food is fantastic.