OUR 2021 SUMMER COLLECTION
Inspired by the wonders
of the Mediterranean
Q&A with Michelle L'Huillier, founder of Tom & Teddy
Q&A with Michelle L'Huillier, founder of Tom & Teddy
Why did you choose the Mediterranean as your collection theme this year?
The Mediterranean offers so much inspiration from the glorious food and picturesque islands to the distinctive vibrant colours. It symbolises everything that is so wonderful in a holiday. The whitewashed walls of Santorini, terracotta pots adorning flowered terraces and the colourful pottery that make a dinner table look like a masterpiece â images that put you in the perfect holiday mood. After the year weâve experienced, itâs nice to get lost in holiday memories.
What are the designs that form the collection?
Weâre fortunate to work with some very talented designers who produced some great Mediterranean inspired motifs. Weâve included Boats, Sardines, Citrus Fruit, Shrimps, Birds, Mediterranean Tiles and Sunset Stripes â all of which capture the essence of the Med.
Coral & Blue Shrimps
Ink Blue & Green Sardines
Marine Blue & Coral Boats
Teal & White Mediterranean Tiles
Sunset Stripes
Ocean Blue Citrus
Aqua Green Birds
Is there a particular Mediterranean destination that inspired the collection?
Having lived in Australasia for 20 years, I had very little opportunity to go on Mediterranean holidays, so coming back to the UK has inspired me to investigate new places when time allows. I have very fond memories of the Amalfi Coast, island hopping in Greece and travelling around the South of France, but a more recent holiday to Mallorca reignited my passion for Mediterranean food and Iâve certainly been influenced by Mediterranean ingredients in the cooking Iâve been doing in lockdown. Read more about our trip to Cala Deia, Mallorca.
How do you approach your collection launches?
We start working on collections way before theyâre publicly launched. To kick off the process, we brief designers and, once weâve shortlisted the designs we want to take forward, we put together a number of colour options. Our factory then creates swatches and, from there, they produce Salesman Samples. We show these samples to buyers around the world before putting in an order that takes around four months to complete. Weâve just started working on our 2023 collection, so you can see that thereâs a fair amount of advance planning.
What is so different about your designs?
We do believe our designs have a distinct Tom & Teddy feel about them. People often recognise our designs even if they havenât seen that particular motif before, so there is definitely something about them that stands out from the crowd. We try to get movement through the patterns, injecting energy in the way the motifs interact; we try not to make them static or look like theyâve been placed in a uniform sequence. Our designers often hand-draw the images first so theyâre truly authentic.
What do you have on the horizon?
Well, weâre launching a number of new products in the coming months to add to our swim shorts, rash tops, polos and t-shirts. Weâll stay true to our beachwear brand, so there wonât be any particular surprises, but they will certainly be vibrant and durable in-line with our other products. And of course, theyâll all be available for both father and son.
DISCOVER THE COLLECTION
Mediterranean Memories
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MEDITERRANEAN MEMORIES AT HOME
Whether or not youâve been to the Mediterranean, itâs perfectly possible to create memories of this sun-drenched region in your own home. Read on to discover how to throw an alfresco event for friends and family, which will have everyone dreaming of their next escape to Italy, Greece or maybe Spain...
12 OF THE BEST WILD SWIMMING SPOTS
- as chosen by the experts
Whether you like sheltered lagoons, sea filled lidos or remote rivers, thereâs a wild swimming spot out there for you. We asked four experienced open water swimmers from around the world to pick their favorites.Â
CALA DEIA
How our founder, Michelle LâHuillier, discovered this beautiful and secluded beach in Mallorca⌠and it became the major inspiration for our latest Mediterranean Memories collection.
SAFE SUMMER SWIMS
With Summer on it's way, if you and your family love swimming in the ocean, itâs worth knowing how to stay safe in the water. Watch our video guide on rip currents, read our Q&A with Paul Barry, from Royal Life Saving Society Queensland and read about our Surf Life Saving dad and son who love nothing more than a day at the beach, patrolling the shoreline together.
THE MAGICAL POWER OF WILD SWIMMING
Wild swimming is enjoying a boom, as people discover how it can help connect them with nature and improve their mental wellbeing. Keen wild swimmer Joe Minihane, author of Floating, reveals why he canât get enough of the cold...Â
BEAT THE HEAT
Does the sunshine and heat not necessarily agree with you? Weâve gathered together the best ways to soothe, cool and calm the body so you can enjoy the summer months and reduce the unwelcome side effects!Â
MORE FROM GET IDEAS...
MEDITERRANEAN MEMORIES
AT HOME
Whether or not youâve been to the Mediterranean, itâs perfectly possible to create memories of this sun-drenched region in your own home. Read on to discover how to throw an alfresco event for friends and family, which will have everyone dreaming of their next escape to Italy, Greece or maybe Spain...
CALA DEIA
How our founder, Michelle LâHuillier, discovered this beautiful and secluded beach in Mallorca⌠and it became the major inspiration for our latest Mediterranean Memories collection.
SAFE SUMMER SWIMS
With Summer on it's way, if you and your family love swimming in the ocean, itâs worth knowing how to stay safe in the water. Watch our video guide on rip currents, read our Q&A with Paul Barry, from Royal Life Saving Society Queensland and read about our Surf Life Saving dad and son who love nothing more than a day at the beach, patrolling the shoreline together.
12 OF THE BEST WILD
SWIMMING SPOTS
- as chosen by the experts
Weâve gathered together the best ways to soothe, cool and calm the body to help you enjoy these sunny summer months and reduce some of the unwelcome side effects!Â
THE MAGICAL POWER OF
WILD SWIMMING
Wild swimming is enjoying a boom, as people discover how it can help connect them with nature and improve their mental wellbeing. Keen wild swimmer Joe Minihane, author of Floating, reveals why he canât get enough of the cold...Â
BEAT THE HEAT
Does the sunshine and heat not necessarily agree with you? Weâve gathered together the best ways to soothe, cool and calm the body so you can enjoy the summer months and reduce the unwelcome side effects!Â
MORE FROM GET IDEAS...
MEDITERRANEAN MEMORIES AT HOME
Whether or not youâve been to the Mediterranean, itâs perfectly possible to create memories of this sun-drenched region in your own home. Read on to discover how to throw an alfresco event for friends and family, which will have everyone dreaming of their next escape to Italy, Greece or maybe Spain...
12 OF THE BEST WILD SWIMMING SPOTS
- as chosen by the experts
Whether you like sheltered lagoons, sea filled lidos or remote rivers, thereâs a wild swimming spot out there for you. We asked four experienced open water swimmers from around the world to pick their favorites.Â
CALA DEIA
How our founder, Michelle LâHuillier, discovered this beautiful and secluded beach in Mallorca⌠and it became the major inspiration for our latest Mediterranean Memories collection.
SAFE SUMMER SWIMS
With Summer on it's way, if you and your family love swimming in the ocean, itâs worth knowing how to stay safe in the water. Watch our video guide on rip currents, read our Q&A with Paul Barry, from Royal Life Saving Society Queensland and read about our Surf Life Saving dad and son who love nothing more than a day at the beach, patrolling the shoreline together.
THE MAGICAL POWER OF WILD SWIMMING
Wild swimming is enjoying a boom, as people discover how it can help connect them with nature and improve their mental wellbeing. Keen wild swimmer Joe Minihane, author of Floating, reveals why he canât get enough of the cold...Â
BEAT THE HEAT
Does the sunshine and heat not necessarily agree with you? Weâve gathered together the best ways to soothe, cool and calm the body so you can enjoy the summer months and reduce the unwelcome side effects!Â