Willow Rose: Sophia Rogge

My friend Sophia Rogge has just launched her wonderful new eponymous label. She's designed a eco beach range where much of the profits are donated to her favourite charity, Corals for Conservation. The Cub and I had a lot of fun prancing around in front of the camera shooting her first campaign and were so honoured to be a part of it. I love all her pieces and am beyond thrilled to have sorted my beach attire for this summer in one fair swoop but the creme de la creme has to go to the cashmere shawl. Yes, I do have more than enough cashmere shawls to keep a small army warm but this one really is different to the rest of them. I promise. Go and have a look for yourself.

Cobalt sarong. £45

WILLOW CROSSLEY

June 8, 2011

WHAT DO YOU DO, IN DETAIL...

I never know what to call myself. Maybe a crafty writer? I split my working time between my company Willow Rose Boutique where I hand make bits and bobs using antique fabrics that I find on my travels. Things like bags using old grain sacks, fabric books with vintage scraps of material and panama hats with vintage Indian sari trims. The other half of my time I write about it. I’m writing my first book at the moment which is about recipes for homemade beautiful living. When I’m not writing that, I write my blog,www.willowroseboutique.blogspot.com. The rest of my time is spent with my husband Chaz and 19 month old son Wolf (pictured above, and Willow in the SR Summer Scarf).

IF YOU COULD SPEND ONE DAY IN THE LIFE OF A SEA CREATURE WHAT WOULD IT BE, AND WHY?

An Octopus. Imagine what you could do with eight legs.

NAME THE MOST SECLUDED BEACH ON EARTH?

Honeymoon beach on North Island in the Seychelles.

WHAT SONG REMINDS YOU OF BEACH LIFE?

Sitting on the dock of the bay by Otis Reading. Or the Beach Boys, Wouldn't it be Nice.

WHO IS YOUR PREFERRED TRAVELING COMPANION?

Chaz. (below)

WHAT IS YOUR FONDEST MEMORY OF THE BEACH?

Can I have two? Hunting for cowrie shells with my parents and brothers on Tresco (below) in the Scilly Isles. It was very competitive and whoever found the first got an ice cream. My other is the first day of our honeymoon on Denis Island in the Seychelles. Sitting outside our hut completely mesmerized by the white sand and crystal clear ocean with not a person in sight.

WHAT ARE YOUR BEACH ESSENTIALS?

Sisley Sunleya SPF. A Sophia Rogge Cobalt sarong. Lots of magazines or a trashy book. Snacks. Snorkel and mask. Willow Rose Boutique panama. A Juliet Dunn vintage Indian bag to put it all in. A floaty cover up, probably a white floaty Edwardian nightie or some kind of Isabel Marant vision. Indian silk floral harem pants. Heidi Klein white swimming costume.

WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST FASHION OR BEAUTY DISASTER AT THE BEACH?

My bikinis never seem to fit and are always falling off. After ten years of getting out of sea with no top on, i've decided to move on to wearing swimming costumes instead.