Every collection I design for Arsenic and Old Lace begins with a question. For the Warwick Collection, it was this: What does it mean to wear a piece of English history—not just on your sleeve, but stitched into the very fabric of your style?

The answer led me, quite naturally, to Warwick.

Where Romance Meets Rebellion

Warwick has always been a place that held my imagination. Nestled in the heart of England, its medieval charm and storied walls echo with rebellion, pageantry, and quietly enduring craftsmanship. From the crenellated towers of Warwick Castle to the winding Georgian lanes, it’s a town that wears its centuries well—and beautifully. It felt only right that our next collection would honour it.

But I wanted more than just a name—I wanted the spirit of Warwick to live in every thread. That’s when I turned to William Morris, and a particular print that has haunted me (in the loveliest way) for years.

A Print Worth Fighting For

The heart of the Warwick Collection lies in our use of Lodden, the iconic floral design first crafted in 1844 and later brought to life by Morris & Co. It’s an intricate, almost hypnotic pattern—a tapestry of curling vines and botanical geometry. Lodden isn’t just a print; it’s a philosophy. A love letter to the natural world, drawn with the hand of someone who believed beauty belonged in the everyday.

I chose a sage green variation, soft and complex—like the moss that creeps up the base of a church wall, or the leafy hush of Warwickshire woodlands in early spring. It felt... timeless. And noble. And distinctly English.

It’s the kind of pattern I imagine a romantic dissenter might wear under their cravat, or a botanist might line their field journal with. At once poetic and grounded.

A Gentleman's Wardrobe, Reimagined

With the Lodden print as our muse, I designed the Warwick Collection to bring that same romance into the modern gentleman’s wardrobe. The collection includes:

• Bow ties – Pre-tied and self-tie, with antique brass fittings.

• Pocket squares – Hand-rolled edges, deliberately imperfect, just like nature.

• Neckties – Slim and sculptural, perfect for weddings or Wednesday rebellion.

• Cufflinks – A nod to Morris’s love of details, with floral enamelwork set in matte pewter.

Everything is handmade to order —because the soul of Morris’s work was always in the human touch.

Inspiration: Personal and Political

If I’m honest, the Warwick Collection is also a quiet protest. Against fast fashion. Against careless design. Against the idea that modern has to mean disposable. Morris believed that utility and beauty could coexist—and I happen to agree.

But it’s also personal.

I grew up tracing ivy through old stone walls, collecting wildflowers from hedgerows, and learning that there’s strength in softness. The Lodden print feels like coming home. Wearing it feels like stepping into the legacy of craftsmen and dreamers who weren’t afraid to make a little trouble for the sake of beauty.

Why We Named It "Warwick"

Warwick isn’t just a town. It’s a symbol—a kind of quiet, stubborn dignity. A place that stood through civil war and renaissance, plague and poetry. In a world that moves too fast, Warwick reminds me to linger. To look closer. To honour the roots.

That’s what I wanted this collection to feel like: something rooted. Something rare. Something worth keeping.

From the Past, For the Present

Whether you're dressing for a wedding, a gallery opening, or simply for yourself, the Warwick Collection is my invitation to wear history—not as costume, but as conversation. It’s about grounding your look in something older, slower, and infinitely more intentional.

Because style isn’t just what we wear. It’s what we choose to remember.

With love,

Emma

Founder, Arsenic and Old Lace

Learn more about beautifull warwick by clicking here Visit Warwick - Community, Culture & Heritage