Silent prayers are muttered as retailers flick through the rails. We read deep significance into their every gesture and facial tick. Did that smile mean they were happy or sneering? Was the hesitation over the long coat positive or negative? Is it a good omen that notes were made, or is that merely code for look again next season?

Melt London has a new agent, a new P.R. and a shiny new stand later this month, at Paris sur mode. Maybe all of the “new” in that sentence is the root cause of my current panic attack?

Usually I love “new” it’s fresh, it’s exciting, it adds a frisson to life, and mostly it just represents those must-have, but frivolous, shoes, bags and holidays essential to my well-being. But, unlike my casual purchases, these will not be the kind of merchandise that I can return for a quick refund in Selfridges.

It must be very hard work to fit an exhibition stand and a couple of human beings in a carrier bag, however large and glossy. So now we are an alliance. Melt provides the fabulous collection, Flair provides the fabulous orders, and we all live happily ever after on planet fashion.

Be still my beating heart and butterfly stomach as we are due our moment in time, and looking at winter 08 I believe this is it. It’s our best ever range, each piece is beautifully finished, every seam is satin bound, every binding and piping is perfectly set, we are buttoned up and ready to go.

 
Panic over, in my world Percival really does love Doris, ok he remains a coat, and she is a silk cami, but who wants reality when instead we can have fashion?

By Susan Royston

Creative Director of Melt London