February 2011 | Collen & Clare voted UK top 50 Independent Retailer

Leading business & fashion industry magazine, Drapers, celebrated the best the UK and Republic of Ireland boutique sector has to offer with a list of the 50 most inspiring stores. Collen & Clare were awarded position 34!

Here's what two of our voters said about us:

 "a little corner of London on the Suffolk coast"

"I live in London, so I'm hard to impress and not exactly shop-deprived, yet I'm always surprised by the range of gems the store carries."

Here's what Jessica Brown, Drapers' Editor, said about "The 50 best Indies Chosen By You":

Independent retailing is what makes the fashion industry such a dynamic & fast moving sector. Indies not only break new brands, they are also often first to market with new ways of retailing, are best-in-class at customer service & are innovative in their marketing strategies…

For these reasons Drapers decided to celebrate the best of the UK & Republic of Ireland boutique sector has to offer with a list of the 50 most inspiring stores. But we did it with a twist.

Instead of just nominating our own favourites, we handed over the list to you, our readers. You nominated your favourite stores across the country…We ranked the list according to your votes too.

While the stores feature a broad spectrum of customer bases & styles, one thing knits them together and that is the owners & staffs’ passion for product. It is great to see so many fledgling businesses & young retailers on the list, while it is also worth noting how the indie sector is evolving, with many operators embracing a lifestyle model-stocking interesting add-ons alongside their core fashion values.

And here's what Drapers said about us:

Described by one voter as "a little corner of London on the Suffolk coast", Collen & Clare is based in a 17th-century building in the heart of the picturesque seaside town of Southwold.

Founded eight years ago by childhood friends Vanessa Collen and Clare Adkins, the store is merchandised like a department store, with sections for menswear, womenswear, footwear, lingerie, accessories and beauty products. A separate kidswear shop trades as The Little Shop on the same street.

Featuring a finely edited selection from more than 100 brands, Collen & Clare prides itself on catering for a wide audience, from locals looking for wellies to fashionistas seeking the latest luxury 'It' bag.

The store also sells its eponymous own label of wardrobe staples, such as cashmere wraps, ballet flats and jersey dresses. Collen says: "Bringing a fresh brand mix to this part of the country is important to us and we are constantly hunting out interesting brands that have a good heritage story."

Its impressive line-up of labels and warm, welcoming atmosphere have won Collen & Clare fans all over the country. One says: "I live in London, so I'm hard to impress and not exactly shop-deprived, yet I'm always surprised by the range of gems the store carries."