If you’ve ever wanted to get your hands on a Charlotte Simone coat, you’ll know it’s less ‘add to basket’ and more ‘pray to the fashion gods’ kind of event.
The London label’s covetable coats have become the stuff of fashion folklore, beloved by celebrities (including Taylor Swift, Florence Pugh and Dua Lipa) and the street style set alike, with dopamine inducing designs, plenty of fluff and an unexpected colour way or two.
So we bring great news! On October 6, the first drop of Charlotte Simone’s AW26 collection lands, bringing with it the inevitable rush and the frantic refreshing.
As H! Fashion's Deputy Digital Editor Lauren notes: "Part of the label’s irresistible allure lies in its drop format - limited-edition collections that sell out within hours and keep fans eagerly awaiting the next release.
Charlotte Simone's Bambi coat
Charlotte Simone's Dolly coat
So, while you prepare prepare to pounce, we went straight to the source and spoke to the adored designer about the inspiration behind the latest drop, plus her love for Celine Dion.
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The collection is inspired by the optimism of a new beginning. Was there a particular moment or thing that sparked the idea for Drop One?
I was inspired by the optimism that every new chapter brings. There's something so hopeful about a winter morning…golden skies at dawn, faded petals resting on the mantelpiece, the warmth of home when it's freezing outside. I wanted to bottle that feeling. My mood board is always an eclectic mix, and this season it was full of sunrise colours, dried flowers and treasures from London's markets. It's beauty found in unexpected places, and that became the heart of the collection. I was nursing my new baby boy and spending a lot of time at home. It was really in my pastel pink bedroom that the ideas were born with very tired eyes at dawn. My pink bedroom and the market stalls of Portobello road, as I had just had a baby, where I would normally travel I researched solely on home-turf, turning to Portobello road for all of its glittering treasures.
You’ve described the collection as “comforting, glamorous and a little bit magical”. What does the perfect Charlotte Simone winter outfit look like to you?
I'm a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl, so my perfect winter outfit starts with the basics and I let the coat do the talking! Favourite jeans, a simple tee, trainers, and an oversized Charlotte Simone is my go-to. It's cosy and comforting, but the moment you put it on your whole look feels elevated. That's the magic of a Charlotte Simone, it takes you from day to night, giving you the confidence to walk out the door ready for anything.
There’s a real sense of nostalgia running through the collection, from antique treasures to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Were there any particular vintage finds or childhood memories that influenced specific pieces?
My grandma! She had the most wonderful wardrobe and great coats. When I was little, I'd spend hours playing dress up in it, and I'll still never tire of a rummage through it today. I've always been drawn to vintage markets and rooting for treasure, and this season I spent a lot of time exploring London's markets and antique shops. Our patchwork effects, sculptural faux furs and animal prints all came from vintage pieces we discovered along the way. We're slowly building quite the archive of treasure in the office! Alice was the perfect companion for that sense of discovery. It's about tumbling down the rabbit hole, finding beauty in forgotten corners and embracing the magic of dressing up, just like I did in my grandma's wardrobe as a little girl.
Queen of Coats Charlotte Simone
For readers who want to invest in one piece from the collection, what would you recommend and how would you style it?
I'd always say invest in one of our signature silhouettes, like the Olive, this season in chocolate brown and strawberry pink trims. All styles are designed to be seasonless, pieces to treasure and wear again and again. That's always been at the heart of Charlotte Simone - creating less, but better. A treasured keepsake.
As for styling, I'm a jeans and white T kind of girl, so I'd keep it simple and let the coat do the talking. By day, I'd wear it with your favourite jeans, a tee and trainers. By night, I'd add boots and a red lip and you're ready to go.
The palette has soft creams and blush pinks to rich chocolate, black and olive. How did you decide on your colour combinations for this collection?
The palette came from dawn skies, fading flowers and warm memories. I wanted the whole collection to feel like the first light of a winter morning, so we started with soft creams, warm caramels, blush pink and golden apricot. Those are the colours of a sunrise, or of petals drying on the mantelpiece. Then we needed something to ground it, so rich chocolate brown and deep black came in. Olive green adds an earthy richness, inspired by nature in its quieter season.
I'm a very visual person, so colour always starts on my pin boards. I print everything, cut it out and pin it up - swatches, colour cards, photographs, even a piece of tapestry I love. I find colour inspiration everywhere, and sometimes when I'm stuck I'll pop into a nail bar just to look at all the varnish shades. Essie has the best names! I'm always drawn to playing with colour on a classic silhouette. It gives each piece that modern, playful touch.
Imagine a movie scene set on a perfect winter’s day, with a woman dressed in Charlotte Simone. Who is the actress, what’s happening in the scene, and where is she going?
She'd be the lead in a 90s romcom, of course! Lets say Julia Roberts or a Drew Barrymore The scene opens on a crisp, golden winter morning in London. She's wandering through a treasure-filled market with a hot chocolate in hand, rummaging through antique stalls and getting completely lost in her own little world. She's wrapped in an oversized faux fur in blush pink, with her favourite jeans and trainers underneath. She looks effortless, but she turns every head she passes.
She's on her way to meet someone special, but she keeps getting distracted by beautiful things along the way: a vintage brooch, a bunch of dried flowers, a dusty old copy of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. She's joyful, romantic and endlessly curious. She always has a story, and her coat helps her tell it.
Charlotte Simone's Penny Coat
Charlotte Simone's Pandora coat
If you could dress any person - past or present - in this collection, who would it be?
I'm a huge Celine Dion fan, so it would have to be Celine! I've always held out hope that one day she'll wear Charlotte Simone. I can just picture her in an oversized number, all drama and glamour. It feels a little out of reach, but as I am set to see her in Paris in the New Year I'm putting it out into the universe!
Which piece would you secretly steal from the collection for yourself?
Honestly, it's hard to choose, because I love them all! But I do have a favourite newbie, Flossie the fleece! I wanted a piece you can just grab on the go, perfect for those in-between days when it's too cold for a jacket but not quite big coat weather yet. Of course, it had to have a touch of leopard…. It's cosy and comforting, but it still has that Charlotte Simone spirit. I'd wear mine with jeans, a white tee and trainers for the school run, a market rummage or a coffee with friends. It's the piece I'll be living in all winter!
What would you pair with a Charlotte Simone coat for a date night?
Date night for me is usually cocktails and creamy potatoes somewhere delicious in London, so I want to feel glamorous but still comfortable! This season, I'd reach for Maxine, our newest pleather jacket with espresso trims. She feels so sexy and instantly dials up the drama with her sheeny finish and dramatic trims. I'd keep everything else simple with my favourite jeans, a pretty top and biker boots, then let Maxine do all the work.
The best Charlotte Simone AW26 Drop 1 picks to shop at 8pm...
