In Mallorca, in a village with ochre-coloured houses, fashion takes a colourful and unexpected turn
A boutique bursting with vibrant colours showcases Matthew Williamson’s second life and all his creative energy. This is also evident in the selection of one-off pieces, pre-loved garments and accessories.
It’s not a shop, but rather a new chapter. That’s how Matthew Williamson describes it. “I don’t think the world needs another bland, anonymous shop,” he says. “And in this project, I’m putting everything I know about colour and design into it.” The shop is Caserra 71, which has just opened in Deià, on the island of Majorca. Caserra means ‘house in the mountains’, and 71 is the year Williamson was born.
Matthew Williamson’s third chapter comes after thirty years in the glittering world of London fashion: he has designed both for his own brand (founded in 1997) and, in parallel, for Pucci; as well as a capsule collection for H&M in 2009. A friend of Sienna Miller and Poppy Delevingne, his designs have been worn by Kate Moss, Keira Knightley… Thirty years in a flash. Then, in 2015, he discovered the island of Mallorca and the little village of Deià, perched on the coast. His daughter was born. It was time to change pace and start a new chapter in his life.
She left London and moved to Deià with her partner Joseph and their little girl, Skye. Caserra 71 was her next venture: a boutique bursting with vibrant colours, designed and planned by Matthew down to the last detail (including the rugs he created for Dusty Deco). Inspiration: a 1970s vibe and, in particular, the colours of a Mediterranean summer. It is no coincidence that he has also written a book about colours – ‘those that make your heart sing’ – and his approach to interior design, *i* *Living Bright* , published by Thames & Hudson.
“Today’s shoppers want a retail experience that engages them on a personal level: from sustainable shopping to discovering a vintage gem, right through to buying the latest fashion drop. Caserra 71 is the sort of place where I’d like to shop myself.” So, alongside a YSL terrycloth bathrobe featuring geometric patterns in orange and red – which sold out immediately – there are one-of-a-kind pieces by DVF, Oscar de la Renta and Pucci (ranging from 40 to 1,000 euros). “There are also a few outfits from my twenty-year-old fashion archive,” he adds. Then, menswear: beachwear by OAS – which stands for Oliver Adam Sebastian, a Swedish designer. For women, Free People and Farm Rio. Then, as we’re on an island, straw hats – those by Lorna Murray – to protect against the sun.
The shop also stocks T-shirts designed by Williamson (65 euros). “In brown and peach, with the shop’s logo screen-printed on them.” As the designer is British, he can’t do without tea. “Here you’ll find the Caserra 71 blend (€24), a blend created especially for us by Newby Teas.” Summer means sunglasses: at Caserra 71, there are pairs by Jacquemus, Dries Van Noten and Linda Farrow, as well as vintage models (from 210 to 320 euros). Moving on to jewellery, you’ll find the statement earrings by Parisienne Amsterdam (150 euros).
